The princess left, leaving a remaining smile to the world.
This smile made her withered face look dazzling, just like the white lotus blooming in the red lotus pond, breathtakingly beautiful and heartbreaking.
Li Ke fainted.
It turns out that there is really a psychological connection between people. As early as three days ago, when Qin Mubai wrote the urgent letter urging him to return to the capital, he was having a banquet with the eldest brother of the emperor in the prince's east palace. Everything was normal during the dinner, but he suddenly felt an inexplicable pain in his heart, as painful as a knife. He couldn't hold his wine glass and dropped it on the table. The princess's smile appeared in his mind involuntarily. Without making any preparations for the mission, he borrowed some horses from the East Palace and set off immediately with a few accompanying guards. He worked hard for three days and three nights without any rest, killed four horses, and finally arrived to see the princess on her deathbed. Her final journey.
The accompanying guards were all veterans of Prince Wu's palace. They were frightened and thought that Prince Wu suddenly suffered from some mental disorder. Because they had been with King Wu for nearly ten years and had never seen him so crazy.
Li Daozong placed the little princess next to her mother who had just died and still had body temperature. The little girl, who was less than one year old, stopped crying, rolled over and climbed on top of her, pushed aside the quilt and took the clothes off her chest.
She is hungry.
The whole room burst into tears. Li Daozong's resolute face with sharp edges and corners suddenly lost concentration, and tears flowed down unconsciously.
Qin Mubai's throat suddenly became clogged, and he burst into tears.
In this life, he hated seeing men's tears the most. Especially the tears of an upright man like Li Daozong.
"Mu Bai, take Ke'er down to have a rest and call the doctor to check your pulse." Li Daozong said loudly, "Listen to the rest, everyone in the palace is busy with their own affairs, preparing for the funeral of the princess. All civil and military officials in Xiangzhou will be in charge. The King of Qi from Dengzhou also sent a message to pay his respects. The above mourning note was written by the King himself. Now, except for the Princess’s personal maids who are staying to take care of her, all the others have left!”
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
Everyone listened and obeyed.
In just a few words, Qin Mubai deeply felt Li Daozong's calmness and magnanimity. The charm of a man blooms like a torrent from his words and deeds.
Thinking about it, Li Daozong was calm and commanding calmly when thousands of troops and horses were fighting against each other. Although he was sad and crying, how could he lose an inch
Together with several guards, he carried away Li Ke who had fainted. Qin Mubai also took out the crying Princess Gaoyang from the room.
Li Ke's face was as pale as a vegetable, his eyes were sunken, his body had a strong smell of sweat, his hair was almost in knots, and his clothes were quite dirty and smelly.
After lifting him to the bedroom, Qin Mubai asked someone to bring a bucket full of hot water, stripped him clean and threw him in, and called several concubines of King Wu to help him bathe. In the meantime, Li Ke actually didn't wake up.
Running for 1,100 miles without sleep for three days and three nights, even a hardened man would be exhausted to death, let alone a prince who had been pampered since childhood. Perhaps, he has never suffered like this since he was a child. This time, it was because of the palpitations and concerns in his heart that he made such an astonishing move by mistake.
Qin Mubai knew that he was a little touched. Normally, Li Ke is quite romantic and a bit cynical. The woman next to him changed clothes more frequently than others, but his move was enough to show the depth of his feelings for the princess.
Before, he didn't even show anything. Qin Mubai once believed that there was only a purely "political marriage relationship" between him and Princess Wu Yang, and they respected each other, but there seemed to be no excessive feelings at all.
Like Li Shimin, he is romantic and lustful, but he is also a passionate person. Didn't Li Shimin go to Zhaoling in private to celebrate the "birthday" of Empress Changsun and play the pipa to her in person
The attitude of men in the Tang Dynasty towards relationships is naturally different from that of people in the 21st century. In the world of polygamy, especially among the royal family, it is rare to find such gentlemen as their father and son.
…
Three days later, Li Ke opened his eyes. Dimly seeing Qin Mubai sitting next to his bed, his throat slid hard and he said in a low and dry voice: "She's gone?"
"Yes. The palace is holding a funeral." Qin Mubai said.
Li Ke closed his eyes again, a little hard. Maybe it's because I'm not used to the strong light, or maybe I'm feeling too much pain in my heart.
After a long while, Li Ke whispered: "Is she gone... okay?"
"With a smile on his face, it's very sweet." Qin Mubai said.
"That's good..." Li Ke took a long breath and fell into a long silence.
Qin Mubai called the maids to get the porridge, helped Li Ke sit up and barely ate some. He didn't eat anything while he was in coma, but Qin Mubai pried open his mouth and force-fed some soup into it, so he felt nauseated after eating even a little bit. After struggling for a long time, I finally ate a few spoonfuls.
Looking at him now, he looks really haggard and has lost a lot of weight.
"Mu Bai, help me up and go to the mourning hall." Li Ke struggled to get up.
"You'd better lie down." Qin Mubai said, "King Jiang Xia is taking care of everything, so don't worry."
There was something Qin Mubai didn't want to say, but Li Ke must have understood it and thought of it - a husband does not sacrifice his wife, and many civil and military officials from up and down Xiangzhou were worshiping in the mourning hall. It was quite inappropriate for Li Ke to show up at this time. .
"It's okay, go ahead!" Li Ke insisted. Qin Mubai didn't know what to say, so he had to help him get up. Although he did not pay filial piety, Li Ke insisted on wearing gold and white clothes.
The mourning hall is located in the main hall of the backyard of the Governor's Mansion. There are many soul flags in the vast white field. All officials under Xiangzhou's rule have paid filial piety and paid homage in turn. Princess Wu believed in Buddhism during her lifetime, so Li Daozong ignored the Li family's family tradition of attaching great importance to Taoism and invited monks to do the Taoist temple for the princess.
Li Ke's bedroom was two corridors away from the main hall. Qin Mubai helped him walk a few steps, but Li Ke insisted on walking by himself. Although slow, he walked steadily step by step with his hands behind his back.
Passing by a room, I vaguely heard the whispers of several women inside.
"The princess has passed away, and the emperor's uncle is actually hosting the funeral. What a sight!"
"How can she not be beautiful? She is the mistress, how can a woman like us compare to her?"
"Yes, yes, we are His Highness's playthings that come and go at a moment's notice! Hey! I wonder if the Princess's departure has vacated Princess Wu's position. Will His Highness continue to take the throne in the future?"
"Hey, even if we are married, I'm afraid we won't have a share! Actually, I don't have much hope. I'm satisfied if I can stay here without being kicked out. If I can be a child, I will burn incense to thank my ancestors!"
Li Ke stopped and listened for a while. Qin Mubai saw that his expression did not change at all. Maybe he was too weak to make an expression, but in his eyes, there was a surge of anger.
"boom!-"
There was a sudden loud noise, and Li Ke, who was sick and seemed to have no strength at all, suddenly burst out like a lion and kicked the door open.
The four women, the concubines who usually served Li Ke on the bed, were so frightened that they jumped up and screamed.
"Get out!—Everyone get out!" Li Ke shouted in a deep voice.
That voice is so chilling!
"Your Highness, Your Highness, have mercy on me! Your Highness, I'm sorry! I really didn't mean what I said!" The women were so frightened that they knelt in the room and kowtowed desperately to apologize.
"If you don't get out, go and pay for the princess's burial." Li Ke didn't yell, he just said in a hoarse voice.
"Ugh! -" The four women were so frightened that they peed their pants. They hurriedly got up and rushed out of the room with their heads in their hands and ran away.
After several women had run away, Qin Mubai said: "Your Highness, there is no need to get angry or harm yourself."
"Yes." Li Ke responded softly and waved his hand, "Let's go to the mourning hall."
After walking through a corridor, Li Ke stopped for a moment and said, "Mubai, please go and tell the housekeeper to give these women some money and let them go home to marry their husbands. They After all, they have been with me for a while, and although they have no identity or feelings, I don’t want to be mean to them.”
"Okay." Qin Mubai nodded, thinking to himself, this is the only way to be kind. Friendship is friendship, business is business, but Li Ke is a person who pays attention to integrity and has a clear distinction between grudges and grudges.
When they arrived at the mourning hall, everyone was surprised to see Li Ke.
"King Wu is here!"
The officials all made way for him to go inside. Li Ke didn't say hello to anyone. He looked straight at the large coffin on the mourning hall and walked in step by step.
King Qi Li You has already arrived and is in the mourning hall with Princess Gaoyang, helping to answer the gifts as family members. Li Daozong stood outside the mourning hall and presided over the overall situation. When he saw Li Ke coming, he stepped forward to stop him.
"Ke'er, why are you here?" Li Daozong whispered, with a lot of love and a hint of blame in his voice.
Li Ke cupped his hands and said apologetically: "I'm really troubling you, uncle. But I just want to come and take a look."
"No." Li Daozong shook his head and said so categorically that it was irrefutable.
Li Ke's face trembled slightly, he lowered his head and didn't speak for a long time.
"Go back and rest. As long as I'm here, it's fine." Li Daozong comforted him softly, then turned to Qin Mubai beside him and said, "Mubai, take him away."
"Uncle Emperor." Li Ke raised his head, frowned deeply and said softly: "I beg you."
Li Daozong and Qin Mubai were stunned at the same time.
Li Ke said - "ask".
After knowing him for so long, Qin Mubai has never heard him say this word.
Li Daozong said nothing and moved aside.
"Thank you, uncle."
The one or two hundred people in the audience were silent, watching Qin Mubai supporting Li Ke as he walked into the mourning hall step by step.
After the two entered, Princess Gaoyang and Li You both came forward to greet Li Ke, as if to comfort Li Ke. Li Ke waved his hand, and the two could not say anything, so they had to stand aside.
Li Ke walked to the side of the coffin, stretched out his hand and gently touched the cold, newly painted coffin, stunned.
"Open the coffin." Qin Mubai said.
Li Ke was startled and turned to look at Qin Mubai with gratitude in his eyes.
The master of ceremonies who presided over the ceremony hurriedly came forward and said, "The master said that it is not appropriate to open the coffin after closing it."
"Open the coffin." Qin Mubai repeated in an accentuated tone. The master of ceremonies was so frightened that he hurriedly stepped back and called a few monks to come forward and open the coffin.
The coffin was made of fine fragrant wood, and the princess's body inside was also embalmed with spices. The weather was not hot, so the princess's body was well preserved, with a smile on her face, makeup and beautiful beads. The flower headdress is still elegant and beautiful.
"She slept so soundly." Li Ke said in a low voice, reached into the coffin, and kissed the princess's face.
Princess Gaoyang suddenly burst into tears, and Li You hurriedly hugged her.
"Go with peace of mind, I will love and take good care of our daughter." Li Ke said softly, just like the sweet words whispered in the ears when lovers embrace each other, he said slowly, "This life is short, but in the next life, we will continue together ”
After that, Li Ke leaned down, and under the horrified eyes of the audience, he kissed the princess's forehead lightly.
"Cover the coffin." After Li Ke stood up, he said two words, turned and walked out of the mourning hall. When he passed by Qin Mubai, he said: "Mubai, put a stick of incense for me. She knows you, tell her, she Will understand."
"Um."
Li Ke nodded, with almost no expression on his face, and walked away.
From beginning to end, Li Ke did not shed any tears.
But everyone present felt the hurtful and painful aura emanating from him.
It turns out that when the pain is so deep, tears will forget to flow.
Li Ke left.
However, the atmosphere at the scene was still stagnant, and no one seemed to have come back to their senses. In the end, Li Daozong ordered the funeral to continue, and the mourning hall recovered.
Qin Mubai lit incense and offered it to the princess, sighing in his heart: Only those who have experienced loss will know how to cherish. King Wu, Princess, I hope you can really renew your relationship in the next life.
At this time, Qin Mubai couldn't help but recall what the princess had said during her lifetime, and sighed in her heart. Until her death, the princess was still worried about Li Ke's future life. She understands his heart deeply and knows what is on his mind, who he needs and who is suitable for him.
"Now that the princess's body is still cold, how could I shamelessly mention Shuang'er to him?... Let them just let it happen! I shouldn't even think about such a question now, it's simply a sin!"
After offering incense in front of the princess's soul, Li Daozong asked Qin Mubai to accompany Li Ke.
Arriving at Li Ke's bedroom, before Qin Mubai could speak, Li Ke asked, "How are the preparations for the ceremony at Emperor Yangdi's Mausoleum?"
Qin Mubai was stunned for a moment, then nodded and said, "It's going well. The ceremony can be carried out normally in ten days."
"That's good. You've been working really hard these days." Li Ke was sitting on the couch. Except for his hoarse and low voice, there was nothing unusual about it. He said, "I listened to your offer of the jade seal, and as a result, My father was really happy. I had never seen him so happy from the bottom of his heart. He kept me in the palace for more than a month, letting me stay with him day and night, except when I was a child. Da, I have never spent such a long time with my father. He also made an exception and took me to the Imperial Garden to shoot hunting, go boating and play chess in Taiye, and even let me accompany him in the Imperial Study Room to process memorials. You know, the fourth child. My face is turning green, haha!”
After laughing twice, Li Ke coughed again. He traveled a thousand miles day and night, was overworked and suffered from the cold. He seemed to have caught wind and cold.
Qin Mubai could hear countless sadness, helplessness, and sadness from his pale laughter.
Li Ke is a very strong person, and he will not easily show his cowardice and grief after being injured in front of outsiders. Many men are like this, and as a prince, he is even more so. At this moment, he was just deliberately changing the subject in order to distract and cover up these things.
"By the way, I went to Chang'an to see Wu Meiniang once. She seems to be more beautiful than before." Li Ke also joked and said, "The business in Qinxian Pavilion is really good. After the renovation, she is even more majestic than before. Together with Zheng Anshun, who was very beautiful and was very popular throughout Chang'an, I told her to come to Xiangzhou to do business. She readily agreed and immediately made arrangements to leave Beijing for Xiangzhou. One thing. We originally made an appointment to come together, but I didn’t expect that I would go ahead and stand in front of her if she scolds me in the future.”
Qin Mubai smiled slightly and said, "Are you tired?"
The corners of Li Ke's mouth moved slightly, and he nodded numbly: "When you say that, I really feel a little tired."
"Then you have a good rest, I won't disturb you anymore." After Qin Mubai said that, he got up and walked out.
"Mubai!"
"What?" Qin Mubai turned around and looked at him.
Li Ke smiled: "Thank you."
Qin Mubai smiled back: "Superfluous."
After walking out of the room, Qin Mubai gently closed the door and breathed a sigh of relief.
The whole room was almost filled with the sadness that Li Ke couldn't get rid of, making Qin Mubai feel like he was immersed in a pool of grief. Walking out of the room felt a sense of relief.
"Now, you can cry if you want, shed tears if you want, no one will see it." Qin Mubai sighed softly and said in his heart, "Who has stipulated that men must have no tears?"