Chapter 90: Heaven does not grant one’s wishes (1)
Four months later.
The first snow of the year fell in the royal city of Zhou State. Although the snow was falling heavily, the city was still as lively as usual. A burst of hurried horse hooves disturbed the noise. Pedestrians who heard the sound hurriedly retreated to the sides of the street. Dozens or twenty horses galloped through the street, leaving the crowd in shock. Anyone who could gallop in the royal city must be an important figure. What could be the matter that made him so hurried?
A group of people galloped on horseback, leaving the bustling market and coming to the nobles' residential area. Compared to the market, there were obviously fewer people here, which was not surprising. How could ordinary people enter and leave the nobles' area at will? Leading the crowd were two people riding a horse, a man holding the reins and riding a horse, and in his arms was obviously a woman. The woman was wearing a cloak and a hat covering her head, so her appearance could not be seen clearly. Such a group of people made people wonder who they were!
A magnificent mansion, with a white curtain hung in front of the gate, and the guards in front of the gate were all dressed in white mourning clothes. One could tell at a glance that someone had passed away. From the fact that the guards were also dressed in mourning clothes, one could tell that the deceased must be an important person in the mansion. A plaque wrapped in a white curtain was hung on the crossbeam of the gate. The three large characters "Prime Minister's Mansion" on the plaque were so conspicuous in iron painting and silver hooks that the people who were galloping on their horses stopped at the gate of "Prime Minister's Mansion", attracting the attention of the guards...
The man on the two horses fell off the horse and picked up the woman on the horse. The woman got off the horse and ran directly to the gate of the [Prime Minister's Mansion]. The man followed closely behind her, and the others on the horses stayed where they were...
【Royal Palace】
In the imperial study, Zhou Cheng was reviewing documents...
"What's up?"
Zhou Cheng, who sensed the other person's presence, spoke calmly and indifferently, while his hands continued to move .
"According to the news, the princess has returned and is now estimated to have arrived at the [Prime Minister's Mansion]."
The voice came from nowhere, and the words it said made Zhou Cheng stop writing. He looked up, his expression as cold as before , and his icy eyes showed an indescribable sadness, and his face looked even more haggard.
"…faster than expected."
Zhou Cheng's words were filled with sadness. Now that he knew Yin Yin had returned, he was unable to express the joy and sadness in his heart, and he couldn't even hate or blame her.
"Yes, it is said that the princess rode back on horseback after traveling all the way and staying up all day and night."
"You must be very tired, right? Tell Xue Han to hurry to the Prime Minister's Mansion."
"yes!"
The hidden aura dissipated instantly. Zhou Cheng put down the pen in his hand, leaned back slightly, and had mixed feelings in his heart. He thought a lot, as if he didn't know what to do, and felt a little uneasy. Finally: "Someone come!"
"exist!"
With a shout, a eunuch came in. Zhou Cheng got down from the dragon chair, walked around the table in front of him, and said as he walked: "Set up [Prime Minister's Mansion]."
【Prime Minister's Mansion】
The main hall had been set up as a mourning hall, with maids and servants kneeling on both sides of the entrance. In the middle of the main hall was a coffin with the lid open. On the memorial tablet in front of the coffin was clearly inscribed "The spirit tablet of my late husband Zhang Renzhi", and kneeling in front of the tablet was...
"Why, why is this happening? Why—"
Yin Yin knelt on the ground, crying inconsolably. On her right was Shan Yufeng, who was wearing mourning clothes, and on her left was Lei'er, who was also wearing mourning clothes. The two of them supported Yin Yin, who was completely limp, from the left and the right. They were not much better off than Yin Yin, they could only support themselves while crying.
Zhang Ren suddenly passed away two days ago. When Yin Yin received the critical illness report, she was already on her way back home. However, she was still a step too late and could not see Zhang Ren for the last time. Yin Yin, who had just returned home, faced Zhang Ren's spirit tablet and could not accept this reality. She was so heartbroken...
"Yin Yin——"
Shan Yufeng's grief was no less than Yin Yin's. Zhang Ren's death made her faint several times due to excessive grief. Just when she was crying, Yin Yin, whom she hadn't seen for nearly a year, suddenly came back, which made her feel a lot of comfort. Although she could not get over the pain of losing her husband immediately, the return of her beloved daughter cushioned her inner grief. She had no time to reunite with her beloved daughter. Seeing Yin Yin was heartbroken, she no longer cared about her own sadness and comforted Yin Yin.
"Tell me this isn't true, this isn't true, mother, this isn't true—"
Crying and shouting, Yin Yin turned to Shan Yufeng with tears streaming down her face, asking Shan Yufeng for an answer that would allow her to not have to accept the reality. Looking at Yin Yin who was crying and in such pain, Shan Yufeng, who had already accepted the reality, could not give Yin Yin an unreal answer. Even if Yin Yin could not accept it, she could not deceive Yin Yin. For a moment, she could not find any words to respond to Yin Yin.
"Mom, tell me, tell me, this isn't true, this isn't true—"
"Miss—"
Yinyin's crying made Lei'er, who was supporting her on her left, feel heartbroken. Perhaps her grief was not as great as Shan Yufeng and Yinyin's, but it was no less than theirs. While Lei'er couldn't bear to see Yinyin in such pain, she was more worried about Yinyin's health. Shan Yufeng had fainted several times due to excessive grief, but Yinyin's situation was different. Although she was not sure about Yinyin's current physical condition, if she continued to be sad, Lei'er was worried that her condition might be worse than Shan Yufeng's. For Lei'er, who was able to keep a little rational now, she would of course be more concerned about Yinyin's physical condition. Zhang Rengang left, if Yinyin had any accident again, Lei'er would certainly not be able to bear it, and would not even accept it. She had waited for Yinyin to come back with great difficulty, and she didn't want to face any accidents again. Not only Shan Yufeng, but this family would also be unable to bear such grief!
