Chapter 312: Finally Buried

Liu Xin was smug without realizing it, while Liu Chengyou remained flat-faced with a chill in his eyes. Lady Li swept a few glances over the uncle and nephew, sighed slightly, and said, "Uncle, this old woman and His Majesty have traveled far and are both weary. You may withdraw for now."

At these words, Liu Xin stopped abruptly. He glanced at Liu Chengyou, whose expression was stiff as he sat in the main seat, and felt a knot in his chest. Fortunately, the Empress Dowager's face was as kind and gentle as ever. He clasped his hands and replied, "Sister-in-law and His Majesty, please rest. I shall not disturb you further and will take my leave."

With that, he made a somewhat strained bow to Liu Chengyou and withdrew from the tent.

The tent fell quiet for a moment. Seeing Liu Chengyou's expression gradually turn sullen, Lady Li opened her mouth and urged him in a comforting tone, "Erlang, this is also your imperial uncle's good intention..."

Clearly, Lady Li spoke these words with a trace of melancholy in her voice. Liu Chengyou's heart was of course filled with anger, but he could hardly vent his temper at the Empress Dowager. He rose, walked to the large open chest Liu Xin had presented, and casually picked up a string of pearls—crystal clear in luster, suffused with a precious glow.

"According to what my imperial uncle said, these are fine southern pearls from Lingnan, worth a fortune!" Liu Chengyou tossed the pearl strand back down carelessly and said flatly, "But what use are they? They can't be eaten, can't be worn—merely for idle amusement?"

"Erlang, I know you have always advocated frugality and that you are angry!"

"From the very start of my reign, I issued decrees to all circuits and prefectures across the realm, ordering that all rare curiosities, precious vessels, and extravagant playthings cease being offered as tribute!" A surge of anger pressed against his heart as Liu Chengyou spoke in a cold voice: "I advocate simplicity and frugality, scrimping and saving in the palace—but have these meritorious officials and honored nobles ever taken it to heart? Among the military governors of the realm, I could let other military provinces pass, but Liu Xin is an imperial uncle, a direct member of the imperial clan. Instead of setting an example for others, he indulges in extravagance."

"Before my eyes is just this one chest of treasures—but behind it, how much wealth has he amassed, how many goods has he gathered? Even in the Eastern Capital, I heard that the people of Xuzhou have long suffered under Liu, their grievances filling the fields and lining the roads. And the moment I enter Xuzhou, he presents me with such a grand gift!"

"Ai..." Seeing Liu Chengyou's undisguised anger, Lady Li waved her hand and said with a sigh, "First, settle your father's funeral affairs—do not create new complications. As for your imperial uncle's matter, deal with it later!"

Lady Li was always so gentle and gracious, so composed and clear-headed. In comparison, Liu Chengyou seemed somewhat agitated.

However, given Liu Chengyou's temperament, once he vented, he regained his calm. Meeting his mother's gentle gaze, Liu Chengyou clasped his hands and said, "I lost my composure and startled Your Majesty's carriage. Please forgive me."

"I know you have not had it easy either!" Lady Li said. "Between mother and son, there is no need for such words!"

"Mother, please rest first. I shall take my leave!" Seeing this, Liu Chengyou bowed deeply.

Observing Liu Chengyou's expression, Lady Li nodded: "Go on, then!"

After Liu Chengyou left, Lady Li could not help shaking her head a few times. She knit her phoenix brows, glanced at Liu Xin's chest of gifts, and waved for someone to put it away. Then, thinking of something, her phoenix-like majesty turned stern as she warned the attendants serving in the tent with grave severity: "Whatever His Majesty just said—if a single word of it leaks out, everyone here will be severely punished. There will be no leniency whatsoever!"

"Yes!" When Lady Li turned serious, that aura of authority pressed down so heavily that all the attendants could barely lift their heads.

Walking with swift steps, Liu Chengyou returned to his own tent and directly ordered Zhang Dejun: "Summon the Commissioner of the Wude Office!"

Feeling the severity in Liu Chengyou's tone, Zhang Dejun, that eunuch, dared not say a word and hurried off to arrange the summons.

Li Shaoyou was right in the camp. Within moments, he came at the summons, listening respectfully with a hint of puzzlement for the imperial instructions.

Liu Chengyou did not waste words with him. With a stern face, he spoke rapidly: "Have your men investigate for me, probe for me—find out exactly what the situation is in the Xuzhou officialdom and among the common folk of Yingchuan!"

"At your command!" Li Shaoyou was perceptive and answered crisply.

"Eunuch Zhang, do you know why His Majesty is so angry?" After leaving the tent, Li Shaoyou quietly sounded out Zhang Dejun.

At the question, Zhang Dejun's handsome face immediately tightened. He glanced at the imperial tent and shook his head: "Commissioner Li, this humble one is dull-witted. Though I serve at His Majesty's side, I truly know nothing of His Majesty's affairs!"

Scanning Zhang Dejun and seeing his cautious demeanor, Li Shaoyou sighed inwardly—this eunuch was young, but his lips were tightly sealed. Still, he kept a smile on his face: "Much obliged!"

With Li Shaoyou's shrewdness, how could he be completely in the dark? Strolling slowly through the imperial camp, he mused to himself: "It seems Liu Xin's gift-giving has gone wrong. Judging by His Majesty's attitude, this Imperial Uncle Liu is in for trouble this time. How far should I take the investigation?"

Liu Xin's matter was for now just an episode. On this journey south, at least on the surface, Liu Zhiyuan's funeral arrangements outweighed everything else and could not afford any mistake. Another two days were spent before they finally reached the tomb site.

Yangzhai's territory was mountainous, and the site of Rui Mausoleum had been chosen according to feng shui, in the northeastern outskirts of Yangzhai. No one had imagined back then that Liu Zhiyuan would pass so quickly. Construction began in the second month of the first year of Qianyou, was halted several times, and the court continuously allocated additional funds, grain, and corvée labor—altogether ten months were spent before it was completed.

However, constrained by the state's finances, its scale was not large.

Upon arriving at Rui Mausoleum, the imperial coffin was placed in the lower chamber, awaiting the auspicious day and hour selected by the Director of the Astronomical Bureau, Du Sheng, and other officials for burial. From the departure from the Eastern Capital to the arrival of the spirit carriage at the tomb, Liu Chengyou had already streamlined the funeral process as much as possible, yet it still consumed considerable time and effort.

But for a major matter like a funeral, Liu Chengyou had to show sufficient solemnity.

Only when the imperial coffin entered the tomb and the burial chamber was sealed did Liu Chengyou, together with the Empress Dowager, the consorts, ministers, and generals, offer sacrifices.

Before the tomb mound, the burial ceremony was already drawing to a close. A clear breeze carrying the lingering chill of spring made the banners flutter ceaselessly. At the center of the worship gathering, a rather mournful crying sound continued—yet this crying seemed somewhat out of place.

It was Chancellor Yang Bin. Perhaps overcome by deep emotion, unable to restrain himself, grief welled up from within, and he wailed loudly before the tomb, knocking his head repeatedly while murmuring about the kindness Liu Zhiyuan had shown him and similar words.

Standing not far from him, Liu Chengyou swept a sidelong glance at his performance. His heart felt somewhat hollow, his mind somewhat stiff, his gaze somewhat cold.

As for this rite of mournful weeping, it had already been performed long ago. Yet now, as the ceremony was about to end, Yang Bin was wailing and sobbing on such an occasion, as if reminiscing about something.

How could Liu Chengyou's heart feel good about this? But with so many people present, he could hardly show anything.

He kept his face taut until the crying suddenly stopped.

"Your Majesty, Chancellor Yang has fainted from excessive grief!" an attendant reported cautiously.

"Minister Yang's loyalty to the late emperor is thus made evident!" Liu Chengyou's mouth twitched slightly as he raised his hand and ordered: "Take him away and see that he is well cared for!"

"Yes!"

Only after the sacrificial rites concluded and arrangements for guarding the tomb were made did everything come to a complete end. The most important matter of this journey south was accomplished. After nearly a year of delay, Liu Zhiyuan was finally laid to rest. This unfilial son, Liu Chengyou, ah...

The imperial carriage stopped at Yangzhai to rest. All of Liu Chengyou's close ministers and confidants knew that the Son of Heaven was in a very bad mood!