Chapter 1785: Wearing Mourning into Suiye

The sun set behind the western mountains, weary birds returned to their nests, and seeing the sky growing late, Liu Min and his party were about to head back in high spirits when a burst of urgent hoofbeats came from far to near, flying hooves kicking up dust and grass clippings as a man dressed as a junior officer rushed rapidly toward Liu Min and the others.

That was Liu Min's personal guard officer, who was always responsible for managing messengers and transmitting information. Noticing this man, Liu Min halted his motion of mounting his horse, furrowed his brow, and said: "I wonder what situation has arisen?"

Guo Yi said: "Could it be that the military situation has changed?"

Soon, the officer approached, leaping down from his horse, and because his movements were too vigorous, he stumbled a few steps and nearly fell. However, he could not spare concern for such things, quickly walking a few steps to Liu Min's front, bowing and saying: "Reporting to Your Highness, an envoy has come from the capital with urgent news!"

"The capital?" This was somewhat unexpected for Liu Min. He exchanged a glance with Guo Yi and said: "Could some upheaval have occurred in the capital, or has the court developed another opinion about our western expedition?"

Guo Yi shook his head, indicating he did not know. The officer then said: "Your Highness, the arrivals are all dressed in plain colors, wearing mourning hemp and filial garb!"

At these words, Liu Min's expression changed drastically, and he subconsciously looked toward Guo Yi, seeing that his expression was equally grave, with a hint of hidden worry surfacing on his face. He asked no further questions, took the reins, mounted his horse, and spurred it into a gallop, his command almost scattered in the wind: "Return to the main camp!"

At the Han army's encampment, the fortifications were imposing, and within the central commander's tent, the brazier blazed fiercely, yet the firelight carried a deeper and dimmer quality. Sensing that a major event had occurred in the capital, and to avoid affecting army morale, Liu Min did not make a public display, only receiving the imperial envoy together with several senior commanders—Kang Baoyi, Guo Yi, and Xiang Deming—to inquire into the reason.

The arrival was someone Liu Min actually knew: Song Yuandu, who had some kinship with him, being the fifth son of Duke Hui, Song Yanwo. At this stage, he was serving in the Inner Palace army to gain experience and polish his credentials.

Noticing his mourning attire, Liu Min's voice unconsciously grew tense as he asked: "What exactly has happened?"

Song Yuandu had set out from the Eastern Capital this time, traveling day and night without stopping, having endured untold hardships to rush and deliver the news. Counting the delays from rest along the way, weather, and road conditions, it had taken him a full month and more before he arrived. His speed could not match the court's relay riders, but for a noble son of Song Yuandu's background, it was no small feat.

This could be seen from his dust-covered body, bedraggled form, and unkempt appearance. Facing Liu Min's question, Song Yuandu's bloodshot eyes were fittingly moist, and he bowed his body, his voice choked with sobs: "Your Highness, the Empress has passed away!"

Upon hearing this news, the other commanders in the tent all changed expression drastically, utterly stunned. If one were to ask whose death in the Great Han would cause the greatest impact and upheaval, first would be Emperor Liu, and second would be Empress Fu—even the Crown Prince would have to rank behind.

Hearing this, Liu Min was stunned for a moment, a trace of bewilderment flashing across his face, then he quickly snapped back to his senses, his expression struggling to restrain itself, but his voice trembling as he confirmed: "How could this be? When did it happen?"

"Reporting to Your Highness, Her Majesty passed away on the fourteenth day of the eighth month, at the Kunming Hall in the Eastern Capital!" As he spoke, Song Yuandu took out a brocade box and presented it: "This is the campaign robe Her Majesty personally embroidered before her passing. His Majesty specially ordered me to bring it to Your Highness!"

Seeing this, the corners of Liu Min's eyes twitched several times, and his pair of tiger-like eyes rapidly turned red. Opening the brocade box, what lay within was a rather thick fur robe, with a black base, gold-thread embroidery on the surface, beautiful patterns, and needlework that was not particularly outstanding but was especially meticulous. Most crucially, it was not complete.

Liu Min took out the fur robe, held it in his arms, feeling its softness. The robe was an inanimate object, his hands were ice-cold, and he could feel no warmth, but within Liu Min's heart, an inexplicable surge of emotion kept welling up.

After a long while, Liu Min, the Prince of Wei who shed blood but not tears on the battlefield, wept—not hysterically, but with a sorrow that could imprint itself upon the depths of one's heart.

Although Liu Min had been adopted into the Prince of Wei's household at a very young age, the care from his birth mother had never ceased. Like his other half-brothers born of concubines, he was a prince with two mothers.

In his early years, Liu Min's relationship with Emperor Liu had been distant and cold, but with Empress Fu it had always been warm, and he had always held her in great respect. The bond of blood is often profound and most capable of plucking at one's heartstrings.

Now, with the grievous news arriving, Liu Min's mental defenses, which had been tempered unbreakable by the battlefield, shattered without any power of resistance. Liu Min had just passed his thirtieth birthday not long ago, and he had spent it in the army. At that time, he had also thought of Empress Fu, missing his two mothers in the capital.

"Your Highness, please restrain your grief!" Seeing Liu Min's profound sorrow, the others in the tent were deeply affected, and it was Kang Baoyi who spoke up to console him. At this moment, apart from these words, no one knew what else was appropriate to say.

After weeping bitterly, nearly draining his tears, Liu Min gradually regained his composure. He solemnly draped the brocade robe over his shoulders and looked at Song Yuandu: "Does His Majesty have an imperial edict?"

Hearing this, Song Yuandu answered honestly: "His Majesty only ordered me to come to the front lines to report the mourning news and present the robe. He also added that matters of the western expedition remain for Your Highness to decide, and that the military situation must not be harmed!"

"I understand!" Liu Min nodded upon hearing this, then said to the exhausted Song Yuandu: "You have traveled a thousand li through hardship and toil—go and rest well!"

"Yes!"

After Song Yuandu withdrew, the tent fell suddenly silent. Kang Baoyi, Guo Yi, and the others did not dare to speak rashly. It had to be said that the Empress's passing was grievous news, but likewise, fortunately it was only this.

Had it been a different person, even they would have been at a loss. Although they were fighting in a foreign land six or seven thousand li away, the hearts of these soldiers remained closely bound to the court and their homeland, and one important factor maintaining all of this was the man seated high upon the golden throne—he could not have anything happen to him.

"Your Highness!" Seeing Liu Min silent there, his swarthy face shifting between light and shadow in the firelight, somewhat fearsome, Guo Yi spoke up to call him, saying: "How we act next still requires you to make a decision!"

Hearing this, Liu Min raised his eyes and looked at the assembled men in the tent, then said in a deep voice: "Issue the order—the entire army goes into mourning to bid farewell to Her Majesty, and then, we march on Suiye!"

As he issued this command, Liu Min's expression was especially resolute, one hand tightly gripping the edge of the robe on his body, already able to feel its warmth. He would wear this campaign robe, carrying his mother's care and expectations, and ride his horse into the city of Suiye.

"Yes!"

With the commander's order issued, the entire western expedition army sprang into motion. The lower-ranking soldiers naturally had no deep feelings for the Empress, but they equally understood the gravity of the matter, for she was after all one who stood alongside His Majesty the Emperor.

White cloth from the military supplies was rapidly cut and transformed into white mourning banners and plain flags. Everyone wore plain mourning and wrapped themselves in white, and an atmosphere of grief was quickly established. After Liu Min held a grand and solemn memorial ceremony in the army, he immediately ordered the troops to break camp and march north. Three days later, with Yang Yanzhao's support, and under the hateful yet fearful gaze of the Kara-Khanids, they entered their capital.