Chapter 1793: Mourning Period

Empress Chen and Lady Lu spoke their hearts out within the mourning hall. Time was limited; the eunuchs had already urged them twice.

Empress Chen had no choice but to wipe away her tears, take one last look at the place where she had lived since childhood, quickly compose her emotions, and leave the Hou Fu with a calm expression.

As she passed by Chen Guanfu, she whispered a reminder: "Father, submit a memorial as soon as possible to request a mourning period."

Chen Guanfu frowned deeply, "Is this Her Majesty's intent, or the Emperor's?"

"Both!" Having said that, Empress Chen scanned the surroundings. Seeing that Liu Shun was being pulled away to socialize, she added a few more words, "The Emperor's patience is wearing thin. Father, do not knowingly commit an offense. Preserving yourself is what matters most."

Chen Guanfu wore a gloomy face, "I understand. Your Majesty, return to the palace early to avoid gossip within the palace."

"Father, Mother, take care!"

The Hou Fu watched Empress Chen depart. Everyone returned to their posts, continuing to greet the guests who had come to pay their respects.

Chen Guanfu called for Chen Guanlou to head to a side room to rest and have a cup of tea.

"Her Majesty wants me to submit a memorial requesting a mourning period as soon as possible. What is your take on this?" Chen Guanfu paced the room restlessly.

"My stance remains the same as before. Since a mourning period is unavoidable, it is better to be proactive. There is no need to clash with the Emperor at this time. Because you are not in the right! If the censors want to find a handle on you, they will succeed with a single attempt. The word 'filial piety' can be made into a huge issue in the imperial court. Not to mention that the Hou Fu attracts so much attention. Don't forget, the top scholar Yuan Sikai is still locked in the Heavenly Prison. Believe it or not, once you make a mistake, he could use your name to get out of prison."

Chen Guanlou sincerely warned the other party not to attempt to challenge the moral code. Those officials in the court who were well-read in poetry and books had a hundred ways to spray him to death, molding him into an unloyal, unrighteous, unkind, and unfilial rebellious son and minister, making his reputation stink throughout the streets.

Therefore, do not give others a handle! Especially regarding filial piety.

Chen Guanfu sighed, "Then when do you think it is appropriate for me to submit the memorial?"

"The seventh day after death is more appropriate." Chen Guanlou pondered for a moment, "It neither appears urgent nor cold-hearted. It would be as if you had finished the funeral arrangements and finally remembered your own status, hurriedly submitting a memorial to request the mourning period."

"How about waiting for the twenty-first day?" Chen Guanfu felt the seventh day was too early; the twenty-first day would be just right.

Chen Guanlou shook his head in opposition, "The twenty-first day? You can wait, but the Emperor's impatient temper cannot. Don't wait until the end, only to bring a foul stench upon yourself and stain the Hou Fu's reputation. The loss outweighs the gain!"

"I will consider it further." Chen Guanfu ultimately did not make up his mind.

Chen Guanlou's attitude was one of indifference; he was only responsible for giving advice, not for execution.

As for himself, he was a nephew outside the five degrees of mourning, so he did not need to observe mourning. Of course, if he were willing, he could observe it for five months. In short, the old lady's passing did not affect his duties.

Afterwards, Chen Guanfu was busy organizing the funeral rites, taking time to chat with several private secretaries in the mansion, and ultimately decided to submit the memorial requesting the mourning period after the funeral. Furthermore, he 'inadvertently' revealed his thoughts on the mourning period to certain high-ranking officials who came to pay their respects, passing the word to the Emperor's ears through their mouths.

Upon learning the news, Emperor Yuanding in the palace said, "I will wait for him a little longer."

The old lady was a super-rank Marquis Lady, and her status was valuable.

The body was kept for fourteen days before the funeral.

Once the funeral ended, the entire family of the Hou Fu, young and old, all collapsed from exhaustion, with medicinal soups being served constantly.

Lady Lu, the wife of the heir, was even exhausted to the point of falling seriously ill, almost following in the old lady's footsteps. Fortunately, the imperial physician's superb skills saved her.

That very day, Chen Guanfu's memorial requesting the mourning period was delivered to Emperor Yuanding's desk at the first opportunity.

Emperor Yuanding wanted to immediately grant approval with a vermilion mark. However, he was no longer the naive youth he once was.

Following protocol, he made a show of retaining him and convened a discussion with several ministers in the Political Affairs Hall.

It was only when Chen Guanfu submitted the memorial for the second time requesting the mourning period that he nodded in agreement.

In that instant, he danced with joy behind people's backs, wishing he could laugh up at the sky.

Fortunately, Liu Shun reminded him in time, "Master Chen is the father-in-law of the Emperor!"

Emperor Yuanding managed to restrain himself slightly, striving to put on a serious appearance and trying not to let his joy or anger show on his face.

After Empress Chen returned to the palace from the Hou Fu, she remained listless and could not lift her spirits. She simply claimed illness, taking the opportunity to recuperate.

Emperor Yuanding wanted to take the opportunity to move against her authority and reclaim her power to manage the inner palace. He was instead struck by Empress Chen, "Is Your Majesty not afraid of being reviled by the world and criticized by court officials? If Your Majesty insists on taking away the power in my hands, then take it."

Emperor Yuanding looked sheepish; he was never tough enough in front of Empress Chen. For so many years, he had been unable to overcome this flaw, which made him furious.

"You claim illness, and I let other concubines share your worries. Was I wrong?"

"Whether it is sharing worries or seizing power, Your Majesty knows in your heart. It is just that Your Majesty is a bit too impatient, which easily causes unrest in the court. I ask Your Majesty to withdraw the order and pretend this matter never happened."

"Are you threatening me?" Emperor Yuanding was furious.

"Your Majesty has misunderstood! I am wholeheartedly thinking of Your Majesty, wishing I could tear out my heart, fearing that Your Majesty's reputation might suffer the slightest damage. If Your Majesty's reputation were to be stigmatized because of me, how could I face Your Majesty's love and value over these years? My heart is so bitter!"

Empress Chen showed weakness, crying so miserably and beautifully.

"Thinking that Your Majesty might be scolded by the censors, my heart twisted into a knot, and I felt I was about to die! Your Majesty..."

The single cry of "Your Majesty" was even more soul-stirring and full of emotion, instantly allowing one to imagine a thousand-word explanation of "she loves me to death."

Emperor Yuanding looked at Empress Chen, who was crying miserably, and his anger instantly vanished.

He pulled her into a tight embrace, "It was I who misunderstood you. Rest your body in peace; I will not move against the inner palace. The inner palace remains under your control."

"Many thanks, Your Majesty! I will definitely take good care of my body and strive for an early recovery to share Your Majesty's worries."

After dismissing Emperor Yuanding, Empress Chen sat down, exhausted.

She was dying of thirst and quickly drank a cup of hot tea to moisten her throat.

Her expression was cold, her eyes murderous; there was no image of a weak woman crying and thinking only of the Emperor. The person before her was the real her.

She remained silent for a long time before giving orders, "Find an opportunity to strike hard at those few restless concubines. During the Hou Fu's mourning period, everyone must behave themselves. Whoever dares to make this Empress unhappy for a moment, this Empress will ensure she is never happy for a lifetime."

"Understood!" The palace maids and eunuchs responded in unison.

Empress Chen intended to contact Xie Changling privately and did not plan to go through the Hou Fu.

However, she was not very reassured by these people in the palace. It was not that she worried about their loyalty, but that she worried it would be inconvenient for them to handle matters outside the palace, which would lead to trouble.

Consequently, she thought of Chen Guanlou, Uncle Lou.

As a Ninth-Rank warrior, Uncle Lou would certainly have no problem helping her pass a few words and communicating with Minister Xie.

It was just that she did not know if Uncle Lou would be willing to help.

Chen Guanlou was willing to help with the matter of passing messages. Empress Chen was someone he had watched grow up, and he hoped she would live well.

As the imperial princes grew up day by day, the atmosphere in the palace became less harmonious. This even led to some chaos in the imperial court. This was still the situation while the princes were not yet adults. Once the princes gradually reached adulthood, one could only imagine what kind of mess the court would become.

Planning early and making preparations was indeed necessary. ===== CHAPTER 1794 =====