Even though there was a step down, Lao Zhu was still a little embarrassed. Staying here, he always felt a little hot on his face, so he said: "Second brother, rest in peace and cultivate yourself. I will come see you tomorrow."
"Old minister, I would like to send you to the emperor." Tang He breathed intermittently, insisted on finishing the last sentence, and looked at Lao Zhu.
Lao Zhu nodded, turned around and took Queen Ma out.
As soon as I walked out of the door, I heard a cry of mourning coming from behind me.
A trace of mourning suddenly flashed in Lao Zhu's eyes. He turned around suddenly and saw the servants in Tang He's mansion. They immediately changed into white clothes and began to hang white linen cloth on the door and beams.
"Tang He is gone~" Queen Ma stood aside and sighed slightly.
Lao Zhu looked sad and wanted to go back.
However, Empress Ma grabbed his arm and said, "Your Majesty, please go back. The reason why he delayed until now is probably to see the Emperor for the last time. Now that his wish has been fulfilled, let him go with peace of mind."
As expected, Lao Zhu was persuaded by Queen Ma and boarded the imperial banquet to return to the palace.
...
Tang He's death was such a big event that the Xinguo Duke's Palace naturally had to notify Han Du, and Tang Ding came in person despite his busy schedule.
Han Du was very surprised when he saw Tang Ding. You must know that now you are grounded by Lao Zhu. Not only is it impossible for you to leave the house, but it is also impossible for outsiders to come in and visit you easily. Otherwise, what is it called grounding? Isn’t it a vegetable market anymore?
"How did you get here?"
Tang Ding did not answer Han Du, but said sadly: "Dad is gone."
Han Du unconsciously let go of his hand, and his beloved Yuan blue and white porcelain tea cup quietly fell to the ground and broke into pieces.
"When did this happen?"
Although he knew that this day would come sooner or later, when it actually came, Han Du felt that he was not as calm as he thought. It was as if there was suddenly an empty space in my heart, nothingness and nothingness. This feeling made Han Du's heart feel sour and bitter for a moment, making him feel uncomfortable and wanted to cry.
"Yesterday." Tang Ding didn't want to mention it. If he didn't mention it once, the pain in his heart would be torn open again.
Han Du was silent, not knowing how to comfort Tang Ding. I could only say, "My condolences..."
Tears flashed in Tang Ding's eyes. He raised his head to suppress the tears and said, "When my father was dying, what he wanted to see most was you. But you were grounded, and there was no way for you to go."
Han Du looked at Tang Ding and said seriously: "If you had sent someone to inform me earlier, even if I risked being severely punished by the emperor, I would have found a way to see you."
Tang Ding shook his head slightly and sighed: "Dad didn't let me tell you. He originally wanted to meet the emperor and ask for a favor for you, but who knew that after meeting the emperor, he could no longer hold on. Pass away and die. Perhaps this is God’s will!”
"However, after meeting the emperor, dad asked the emperor for a favor for you and Yao Yue. If there are no accidents, nothing will happen to you and her."
Han Du couldn't control his tears anymore, and they dripped down in strings. Tang He had indeed always helped him and never asked for anything in return. From the first meeting, Tang He spoke for himself in front of Lao Zhu. From now on, he helped himself again and again without asking for anything in return, and even took himself to the sea to protect himself when he made a mistake and was about to fall into a pit. He also taught himself naval warfare, and tried his best to recommend himself to take charge of the navy in front of Lao Zhu.
It can be said that without Tang He's strong recommendation, as a person who has never been in the navy for a day, it would be simply a dream to reach the top of the navy and take charge of the navy. Even if Lao Zhu issued an order, the navy officers and soldiers would not be convinced by him. And the reason why he was able to command the navy like a finger was precisely because Tang He issued strict orders to the navy generals.
Now, when Tang He is dying, he still has to plead with Lao Zhu for his own affairs. Han Du could never repay such kindness in his entire life, he could only remember it in his heart.
"Then you are coming in now, is it because the emperor has lifted my grounding?" Han Du asked anxiously: "Can I go see the father-in-law for the last time now?"
However, Tang Ding shook his head in reply to Han Du and said: "The emperor only allowed me to come in, but did not lift your ban. I understand your wishes. Before I left, my father asked me to tell you something, so that you don't have to go to express condolences. Obey the emperor's orders honestly, and you must behave as if you are grounded."
Han Du felt even more sad when he heard that Tang He was thinking about himself before he died. Since both Tang and He asked themselves to stay in order, Han Du would naturally not act recklessly again. He nodded and said, "I understand."
Tang Ding left, and once Tang He left, the burden of Duke Xin's government fell on his shoulders. In addition, Tang Ding still had to take care of his father's funeral, so Tang Ding didn't have any extra time to stay in Handu.
Han Du looked at the sky outside the courtyard wall, surrounded by an invisible iron cage, locking him unable to move. At first, Han Du could bear it, but as time went by, after a day, Han Du began to long for Lao Zhu to forgive him and lift the ban. Later, Han Du even hoped that Lao Zhu would be merciful and let him see Tang He for the last time. Even if he couldn't talk to Tang He, just meeting him would be enough to fulfill his wish.
Just when Han Du was getting more and more tormented, Queen Ma asked Lao Zhu more than once when Han Du's ban was lifted and he was released. But every time Lao Zhu just smiled, but never answered Queen Ma directly.
Based on Queen Ma's understanding of the emperor, she naturally knew what he was planning, so she had no choice but to stop asking further.
However, Lao Zhu's kindness to Tang He was indeed unique, just the day after Tang He died. Lao Zhu then announced a three-day break from the court, and directly decreed that Tang He should be named King of Dongou, with the posthumous title of Xiangwu.
You must know that Xu Da ranked first among the founding heroes, but he was not posthumously named the King of Zhongshan Mountain immediately after his death. Instead, he was posthumously named after a long time after he was buried in peace.
However, Tang He was posthumously named King of Dongou just after his death. This grace indeed surpasses that of Xu Da and is unmatched by anyone.
Han Du lost weight rapidly in the midst of this suffering day after day.
An Qing was so frightened when he saw Han Du's appearance that he went to the palace several times to ask for an audience with his father.
"Father, I beg my father to show mercy and allow Han Du to visit King Dongou once. Now, every time Han Du sees him in pain at home, my heart feels like it is being twisted by a knife. Same."
But even so, Lao Zhu did not agree. Anqing had no choice but to watch Han Du lose weight day by day. After more than a month, he became haggard.
November 12th is Tang He’s day. This time has been exactly three months since Tang He passed away.
The reason for this is that Lao Zhu specially issued an order to allow Tang He and Edong Ou to be buried with the etiquette of King Ou, and to be buried beside the imperial mausoleum at the southern foot of Zhongshan Mountain.
The courtesy of a duke and the courtesy of a royal title are completely different things. The Duke of Xinguo has always prepared Tang He with the courtesy of a duke. It never occurred to him that the emperor would favor Tang He and bury him with a royal title. This means that almost all the things prepared by the Duke of Xinguo in the past must be discarded and prepared again with the courtesy of a king.
It is not easy to prepare all this in three months.
On this day, all the Duke Xin's Mansion was dressed in plain clothes, and white linen was hung on both sides of the road from the Duke's Mansion to Zhongshan. People in the capital who had received the kindness of King Dongou or who admired King Dongou's character gathered on both sides of the road and took the initiative to see King Dongou on his last journey.
Watching the coffin of King Dongou gradually approaching and then getting further away, countless people shed tears for it, and the sound of mourning shook all directions.
Han Du stood on the attic and heard the sound of suona, gongs and drums. His eyes, which had been dull for a long time, gradually began to light up.
He turned his head to look around, pulled his chapped lips apart with difficulty, and asked in a harsh voice, "What is that?"
An Qing on the side was surprised when he heard Han Du's words. At the same time, he felt that he had not heard Han Du's voice for so long that he had phantom sounds.
Until Han Du didn't wait for An Qing's answer and asked again, "What is that?"
An Qing came back to his senses and immediately walked up to Han Du. He squatted down in surprise, grabbed Han Du's arms, and said excitedly: "Husband, you finally woke up."
Han Du's eyes were dark, his lips were chapped, and the skin on his face was dry and cracked with greasy marks. Han Du's image is completely different now than a few months ago. People who are not familiar with him will not think that this is the same person.
Looking at An Qing, Han Du's eyes softened and he said softly: "Thank you for your hard work these days."
An Qing cried with joy, pursed her lips tightly and shook her head.
"Husband, just wake up. Just wake up." Seeing that Han Du was still looking in the direction of the sound, An Qing guessed and said, "That should be the gongs and drums of King Dongou."
"King Dongou?" Han Duhuo looked at Anqing, but there was no such king in his memory.
An Qing hurriedly explained: "It is Duke Xin. After the death of Duke Xin, my father was deeply saddened and announced a three-day suspension of court. He also immediately issued an order to make Duke Xin the King of Dongou, and he was allowed to be buried with a royal title."
Han Du nodded, knowing that Tang was in peace, but he was trapped in the attic and had to feel sad.
At this time, a eunuch came to Zhenhaihou Mansion with an imperial edict.
"Handu accepts the order!"
After Han De knew about it, he quickly led the Liu family to greet the eunuch, and at the same time sent a housekeeper to inform Han Du immediately.
Uncle Wu ran all the way and came to Han Du's small building and shouted loudly: "Master Marquis, the imperial edict is here."
Han Du heard this and looked at An Qing suspiciously.
