In the deep mountains in the northwest, a hundred miles away from Chang'an, the Mausoleum of Emperor Shizong and the Mausoleum of Emperor Zhaode are located side by side, but they are divided into two peaks and do not intersect.
The late emperor must have decided long ago not to disturb the underground people here, nor to be buried with Empress Yuan. He started to build an underground palace for himself next to Zhaode Mausoleum a few years ago. However, the scale of the underground and above ground is far less than that of the latter. As for his own afterlife, it was just like the reappearance of Emperor Wen and Emperor Jing, and he was buried simply. In this way, Emperor Shizong and Empress Zhaode became the only pair of emperors and empresses who were buried independently outside the mausoleums since the founding of this dynasty, far away from the mausoleums of previous dynasties.
The two mausoleums stand quietly in the secret treasure mountain that King Sejong once chose for his queen. They face each other day and night and do not seem lonely.
Xuyu and Pei Xiaoyuan temporarily entrusted Xiaohu'er to He's care. After seeing Chengping off, they went into the mountain together to the mausoleum, wore hemp clothes, built a hut as a house, and guarded the mausoleum for three days to fulfill their filial piety.
On the evening of the third day, after the mourning period was over, Zhao Zhongfang arrived with clothes in his hands, helped the two to change their clothes, and prepared some simple drinks in the thatched cottage to see them off. The next morning, the two would leave the mountain.
After the funeral, Zhao Zhongfang never left this place. After the death of his master, he would never leave again. He would guard the mausoleum for King Sejong and the queen until he died of old age.
"With the late emperor's grace, a burial place has been reserved for me. I will follow the late emperor and Empress Zhaode in the underworld and continue to serve them."
When talking about life and death, the old official's face, which was covered with traces of time, showed a calm expression. Only when he looked at Xuyu, did his old eyes reveal endless pity and reluctance.
"The only regret I have is that I can't continue to serve the Grand Princess and Young Master. Fortunately, Yang Zaien is loyal to me, so he will serve me in my place from now on."
Xuyu knew in her heart that this should be the last time she and her old partner would meet. She couldn't help but recall the time when he was forced to carry her on his back to pick pomegranate flowers when she was a child, and tears welled up in her eyes.
"Zhao Bandang, you must take good care of yourself. Father and Mother don't need you to serve them."
Zhao Zhongfang smiled so much that the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes stretched out like chrysanthemums, and nodded: "Yes! Yes! This old slave wants to see the love between the Grand Princess and the Prince Consort, and give birth to more brothers and sisters for the little prince. When the little prince grows up, he will become a majestic man like the Prince Consort. Just thinking about this, this old slave is so happy that he almost wakes up laughing in his dreams. This old slave must live a long, long time, stay here, and continue to work for the Grand Princess and the Prince Consort..."
He paused, then walked out slowly, looking around. In the distance, the guards guarding the mausoleum were taking turns to change shifts. He staggered back in, stopped in front of Xu Yu and Pei Xiao Yuan, and knelt down.
Xuyu was puzzled and wanted to help, but he stopped her.
"Does the eldest princess still remember the things the late emperor left for you, young master?" he said.
Xuyu and Pei Xiaoyuan looked at each other.
"I will live well and complete the last task entrusted to me by the late emperor."
He bowed respectfully to the two of them, raised his head, and spoke respectfully.
After the farewell party, Zhao Zhongfang retreated.
Accompanied by Pei Xiaoyuan, Xuyu walked along the sacred path. The setting sun sank behind the western peaks, and the sky in the mountains quickly darkened. Her heart was filled with sorrow and emotion.