Chapter 19: Little Wife Feiyan
There was an endless stream of dukes, ministers and officials who went to Ji Zha's mansion to pay their respects.
Not only the ministers and officials in the city, but also many common people came here spontaneously to mourn at Ji Zha's house.
This is due to Ji Zha's great reputation, and also to Ji Zha's two sons and one grandson, whose death was very tragic!
They have become the representatives of "loyalty, filial piety, chastity and righteousness" of the Wu State.
Seeing the hustle and bustle at the gate of the mansion and the place hung with mourning clothes, Qingji on the ox cart could not help but shake his head and sigh, then got off and slowly walked into Ji Zi's mansion.
"Your Majesty!"
Many sharp-eyed ministers had recognized Qingji and hurried forward to pay their respects.
But Qingji just waved his hand and went into the mourning hall on his own.
At this time, a large tripod had been placed in the courtyard of the mourning hall, with raging flames burning on it, burning the deceased's clothes, that is, all his relics.
Around the big cauldron, there was a group of shamans dressed in strange costumes, performing a strange dance, occasionally beating bronze instruments such as drums, pots, and gongs in their hands, and chanting incomprehensible spells.
It sounds like a elegy, but also like a chant!
In the mourning hall, the deceased's family members were kneeling on both sides, big and small, all with sad faces, as if they still had traces of tears.
When someone came forward to express their condolences, they all responded.
Only Ji Zha remained silent from beginning to end. He sat cross-legged on the cushion with his eyes closed. It seemed that he was in a trance and no longer cared about the entanglements and troubles of the world!
In the center of the mourning hall, there are three coffins, and next to each is a cauldron emitting the smell of smoke.
Ji Zha had two sons and one grandson. However, according to the customs of the Wu State, if a person died before the age of twenty, his body could not be placed in a coffin and buried.
Therefore, after Ji Zha's grandson, who was less than ten years old, was cremated, his ashes were scattered into the rivers and lakes, where they floated away with the water.
So, whose body is placed in the coffin?
Qingji was puzzled, but didn't ask any more questions.
Because he could guess it more or less in his heart!
Under the influence of Ji Zha's words and deeds, everyone in Ji Zha's family is so strong-willed.
The wife of Ji Zha's eldest son lost her husband and son in one day. How could she withstand such a blow and live in the world?
So Qingji guessed that one of the coffins should be hers.
After paying his respects, Qingji sat quietly on a cushion at the side, closing his eyes to rest.
It was not until night fell that all the mourners had dispersed, and after sending Ji Zha's family away, Qingji slowly said, "Uncle, please take care of yourself. I am deeply saddened."
"Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. I know..."
Ji Zha's old face looked extremely haggard and pale, as if he had aged more than ten years overnight.
Looking at Ji Zha who was trembling in front of him, Qingji could not help but sigh and said, "Uncle, the dead cannot be resurrected, please do not be too sad, I still need you, and Wu still needs you."
"I think that even if Uncle Li and the others are in the underworld, they would not want to see you, my uncle, so decadent. So, please cheer up..."
"Your Majesty, are you here to have me serve in the imperial court?"
“…”
Qingji was silent.
"Why did your Majesty come? I have long lost interest in the affairs of the court. As early as when the previous king Zhufan was in power, I had the intention of retiring to the secluded world. It is enough for me to be an idle cloud and wild crane."
Ji Zha smiled bitterly and said, "But all the previous kings, including Ji Guang and you, the Great King, valued my talent and refused to let me retire. What have I done wrong?"
"I have worked so hard for Da Wu all my life, but in the end, I have ended up sending off a young man with old hair!"
Ji Zha told Qingji about his inner sorrow.
Complain bitterly!
Ji Zha was indeed a man who was indifferent to fame and fortune and did not value power. He was a rare and extraordinary person in the world!
This can be seen from the fact that Ji Zha gave up his country three times.
But there were not many talented people in the State of Wu, and they finally produced a great sage, Ji Zha. How could the kings of Wu of all generations let Ji Zha retire and not serve the country?
Today, Qingji came here with the real intention of comforting Ji Zha and paying tribute to Ji Zha's two sons and one grandson.
It doesn't seem very fair to force Ji Zha to come out of seclusion at this time!
"Uncle, I know you are sad. But, born in a royal family, who can stay out of it?"
Qingji shook his head and said, "You can't, I can't, Ji Guang can't. Right now, looking at the whole country of Wu, who can really help me solve my problems?"
"Only you, Jizi! You are the prince of Wu, my great uncle. You are the pillar of Wu and the stabilizer of the sea."
"Without your assistance, how can I maintain the government of Wu? Who else can I use?"
This is exactly the major issue that Qingji is currently worried about.
There are indeed some talented people in the court of Wu State now, but none of them are talented people who can be used to manage the country!
Meng Ben, Hefu and others are only capable of military service and are not capable of handling important tasks.
Beili, Bozhen and other ministers were only of average talent and could not control the country.
Under such circumstances, how could Qingji streamline the government and work hard to govern the country?
Ji Zha was silent.
He knew the difficulties Qingji was facing right now!
However, given his current mental state, it is really difficult for him to share Qingji's worries.
Seeing Ji Zha felt helpless and could only sigh, "Uncle, please reconsider. I can give you some time. The position of Prime Minister is still vacant for you!"
Ji Zha did not answer, but remained silent.
At this moment, a maid suddenly ran in from outside the mourning hall and cried out in a panic, "Master, it's bad! Miss Feiyan has drowned!"
"What nonsense are you talking about!"
With Ji Zha's temperament, he still couldn't help but change color and shouted: "Fei Yan was fine, how could she drown?"
"Really! Lady Feiyan accidentally fell into the pond. Some people also said that she was too sad and committed suicide. My Lord..."
"Lead the way!"
Qingji on the side stood up immediately.
"promise."
The maid hurriedly led the way, and Qingji immediately supported the trembling Ji Zha and hurried to the backyard.
Xiaofu is a title similar to the later "Madam".
But just like ordinary noble children cannot be called "Prince", only the sons born to the monarch and the children of the royal family are qualified to bear the title of Prince!
Madam, this is a title for the wives and concubines of princes and should not be used indiscriminately.
From this we can infer that the lord’s wife is the mistress, the concubine is a Ji or Fu, and the young wife should be the lord’s daughter-in-law!
In the past two days, Ji Zha lost two sons, one grandson, and a daughter-in-law .
If another daughter-in-law died, Ji Zha would probably never recover from the tragedy and it is possible that he would die!
When Qingji helped Ji Zha into the backyard, they saw a group of people gathered in the pavilion by the pond.
Pushing through the crowd, you can see the young woman lying on the ground through the candlelight.
