Inside and outside the imperial city, there was a blanket of white, and the entire city was immersed in a sad atmosphere. The rustling autumn wind caused the white flags and flags hanging high to whistle, expressing condolences for the passing of a generation of empresses.
In the Ciming Hall, sobs and sobs continued. The royal family members, relatives and relatives gathered here, and they all knelt in front of the mourning hall with sad faces. Emperor Liu knelt on the futon with his head in front, his expression already very calm.
"Mom, the unfilial son is back! Why did you go like this? You haven't even seen your new grandson yet..." In front of the coffin, King Yong Liu Chengxun knelt on the ground with a look of sorrow on his face.
He also traveled back day and night after learning that his mother had died. Emperor Liu had a deep affection for the Queen Mother, and so did Liu Chengxun. After all, he is a young son, and in terms of the love he receives, no one can compare to him.
Glancing at Liu Chengxun from the corner of his eye, Emperor Liu sighed and signaled to Da Fu and King Xu Liu Chengyun. The two stepped forward to persuade him, and Liu Chengxun's wails subsided. After all, he was just releasing his grief, not to cause a scene in the mourning hall and disturb his mother's peace.
However, Liu Chengxun's sad confession also aroused the sadness of everyone present, and the sound of sobbing became louder.
In the palace, in addition to mourning and music, there were also many monks and Taoists. Emperor Liu ordered that all eminent monks and masters from Tokyo be invited to specially deliver salvation to the Queen Mother. At this time, Emperor Liu didn't care much anymore. In fact, he didn't have much prejudice against Buddhism, everything was just driven by interests.
In fact, in the years since the annihilation of Buddhism, the court has not been able to suppress it. Under the court's religious management system, Buddhism and Taoism have actually ushered in a relatively benign development. The most recent big move was the rectification of southern Buddhist temples, Taoist temples and those "outsiders" after taking over Jiangnan.
Amidst the low chanting, there was a sudden commotion among the people kneeling in the front row. Emperor Liu didn't look back, he just knelt down quietly. Yantuo leaned forward and carefully reported to Emperor Liu: "Guan family, Duke Qin is overly sad and has fainted!"
Upon hearing this, Emperor Liu sighed secretly and was silent for a moment before ordering: "Take him to the side hall to rest and ask the imperial doctor to take a look!"
"yes!"
As the ceremony officer spoke, the atmosphere in the palace became solemn again. Emperor Liu, including Emperor Liu, listened to the ceremony officer's command and paid homage.
...
The cold night was dark, and there were only a few mourners left in the Ciming Hall. Emperor Liu still sat here kneeling with the same posture and expression. The only ones accompanying him were Liu Chengxun and four older princes.
Yantuo quietly walked in and reminded in a low voice: "Guan family, the food is ready. Eat as much as you can and take care of your body!"
"Back off!" Emperor Liu only responded with two cold words.
The strong imperial power made Yantuo tremble, and he had no choice but to retreat. Finally, Emperor Liu looked back. His younger brother and the princes were obviously tired, and he said to Liu Chengxun: "Sanlang, you have worked so hard back in the capital and are physically and mentally exhausted. Go down and rest and have some food!"
"You have been here for a long time, so please leave!" Emperor Liu said to the four brothers Liu Yang, Liu Xu, Liu Xi, and Liu Fang.
"Is there anyone who eats while wearing filial piety?" Liu Chengxun directly refused: "I am a mother's flesh and blood, and I have regretted not being able to serve you at your knees for the rest of my life. I only want to fulfill this filial piety!"
Liu Xu also said: "I should keep vigil for my grandmother!"
Seeing this, Emperor Liu scolded him lightly, and his tone was much harsher: "I am here, everyone, please step back!"
Seeing Emperor Liu lose his temper, the five uncles and nephews looked at each other and said helplessly: "Yes!"
A few people retreated. Although there were still some servants and maids waiting in the palace, the kneeling figure of Emperor Liu immediately felt much lonely. Looking at Li's spiritual tablet, he couldn't help but feel a little dazed.
In the side hall, several Tianhuang nobles ate in silence. They were all simple vegetarian dishes. The movement of chewing was very slight, and the atmosphere remained calm.
"Your Majesty!" The servant's low-pitched voice sounded.
Dafu walked in, and several people immediately stood up and saluted. His phoenix eyes swept over them, and his eyes fell on Yantuo: "Have the officials not eaten yet?"
"We have never!" Yan Tuo said quickly: "Still standing in front of the soul, I can't persuade him. Seeing the official family is losing weight, my queen, you'd better try to persuade the official family!"
Without saying a word, Dafu just went to the spiritual hall. During this period, the light emitted by the white candle seemed much colder. Staring at Emperor Liu's lonely but straight back, Dafu stepped forward, knelt down beside him, and said softly: "Erlang, it's better to go and have a rest. I am your daughter-in-law, and I can come and take your place. If you do this, what will happen to you inside and outside the palace?" , who will be safe? You can't fall!"
Looking up at the queen and noticing his concerned eyes, Liu Chengyou said: "I'm not that fragile, and I don't fall down that easily!"
"You also said that when you go against anyone, don't go against your own belly!" Da Fu advised: "Your filial piety towards the Queen Mother is known to everyone, but if you do this, it will only cause worries both internally and externally."
"That's it!" Liu Chengyou breathed a sigh of relief.
He was about to get up, but it was obvious that he had been kneeling for a long time, and his legs were painful and numb. He couldn't get up at once, so he stood up with the help of Dafu.
He walked slowly to the shrine, lit three sticks of incense, bowed respectfully, and then turned around. Before leaving, he exchanged glances with Da Fu. After Emperor Liu left, Da Fu's expression became more serious. He also paid homage, smoothed his robes, and knelt down to keep vigil.
In the side hall, Liu Chengxun's uncle and nephew were still there, and Emperor Liu appeared to greet them again. After raising his hand and looking at them, Emperor Liu said directly: "You all go back!"
They were not allowed to object at all, but the prince Liu Yang was left alone. To say that Liu Yang was stupid was absolutely not true. He personally served Emperor Liu the porridge and dishes, and asked for instructions: "What are your orders?"
"There is a great national mourning, but military and political affairs must not be slacked off because of this. During the next period of time, you will still supervise the country, handle state affairs with the government officials, and ensure the stability of the court inside and outside, and the normal operation of all ministries!" While drinking porridge, Emperor Liu ordered.
Liu Yang was a little surprised. After all, Emperor Liu was back and he was still asked to supervise the country. It was inevitable that he would think twice. However, after noticing Emperor Liu's calm face and calm tone, he still bowed his head and obeyed: "Yes!"
According to the etiquette, when parents are deceased, they should observe mourning for three years. Of course, this cannot be truly fulfilled. Especially for ordinary people, they have to make a living, eat and drink, and even if they are filial, they cannot waste such a long time.
In order to show his filial piety, Emperor Liu had to follow the etiquette. However, as an emperor, he was responsible for the country, the country, and the common people in the world. He also had to win love, so he replaced the moon with the sun.
During this period of time, Emperor Liu completely put aside state affairs and focused on fulfilling his filial piety. As for the funeral of the Queen Mother, the whole court was very busy. Emperor Liu specially allocated millions of dollars for funeral arrangements. This was the most extravagant and unrestrained time Emperor Liu had in many years due to his personal affairs.
For this reason, there was actually a censor who used the Queen Mother's decree to dissuade Emperor Liu, saying that doing so would undermine the Queen Mother's wisdom. Emperor Liu had always been very tolerant of his remonstrances, but this time, he became angry. He felt that this person's motives were impure and he was just pretending to invite favors.
Not only did he order the censor to be beaten with twenty imperial sticks, but he was also jailed and executed together with the Qiu Jue prisoners. It was only after Da Fu dissuaded him that he saved his life. Even so, he was eventually exiled to Bianzhou.
In this way, no one in the court dared to speak out about the grand arrangements for the Queen Mother's funeral. Of course, after this incident happened, Emperor Liu's uncles were angry and signed a petition directly, willing to jointly bear the expenses of the Queen Mother's funeral. They would rather go bankrupt and show their filial piety to their sister. Later, King Yong Liu Chengxun and King Xu Liu Chengyun also expressed this.
Emperor Liu naturally did not agree to their request and could not agree. However, he still issued an edict that all funeral expenses should be paid out of internal funds and separated from the state treasury. The emperor said this, how could the ministers not express it? After the court discussion, the treasury also provided 300,000 yuan.
Because of the mourning of the Queen Mother, the city of Tokyo was immersed in white sadness almost throughout the entire autumn. There was no color in the city, and the Mid-Autumn Festival was a dull one with almost no celebration.
Li Ye, the uncle of the state, was the envoy of the mountain mausoleum and specially renovated and expanded the mausoleum of the great ancestor Liu Zhiyuan. On the day of the funeral, hundreds of thousands of people went out spontaneously in Tokyo. The spirit drove south to Xuzhou, and Emperor Liu personally escorted him. Along the way, people kowtowed and worshiped him.
Following the Queen Mother's orders, he was buried in Ruiling together with his great ancestor Liu Zhiyuan. Regarding the posthumous title, Emperor Liu originally planned to have a long posthumous title and use all the beautiful titles, but later he felt that it was not necessary, and finally the posthumous title was Empress Xiaomingren.
