Chapter 343 Condolences

The five people hurriedly got up and returned to the city. Only when they entered the city did they find out that the Queen Mother had passed away.

Everyone was shocked. This was too sudden. Didn't it mean that the condition had improved? Why did you just leave?

Su Su said decisively: "Let's go back to our homes first. I guess there is already an order from the palace."

Everyone had no objections and everyone went back to their homes.

As soon as Ye Jiayao arrived at the Hou Mansion, she saw Manager Zhong taking off the red lanterns and replacing them with white ones, and everyone had white cloth strips tied around their waists and heads.

Seeing Ye Jiayao coming back, Manager Zhong hurriedly came over to greet her with an anxious expression: "Second Young Madam, Xiang Tao has brought people to look for you. A decree has been sent from the palace, asking us to enter the palace to pay our respects to the Marquis of Jing'an."

Ye Jiayao said: "Send someone quickly to deliver a message to the Marquis and his wife. The Queen Mother is mourning. What else should we do in the Marquis' Mansion? What rituals should we follow? If you don't know, go to Prince Helian's Mansion and ask for details. Don't do it. Something went wrong."

Ye Jiayao has never experienced such a big scene and has no clue at all. But at this time, she can't let anyone talk about it, so she can only seek advice from Prince Helian.

Manager Zhong said: "When the late emperor passed away, I was working as an errand in the palace. I know what the etiquette is like."

Ye Jiayao was quite pleased: "That's good, I'll leave the family to you first."

The Marquis and Youshi are not here, nor is Chunyu, and the sister-in-law is pregnant. She is the head of the Hou family, so she has to go to the palace to mourn.

The sewing room delivered the mourning clothes in time, and Ye Jiayao changed into the mourning clothes and went straight to the palace.

There were many carriages parked outside the palace gate, and servants from various mansions were waiting. Unexpectedly, Ye Jiayao saw a familiar face among the maids.

It's Xiaoya.

Uh... wasn't Xiaoya sold? She also looked for Xiaoya, but unfortunately she couldn't find her.

Xiaoya also saw her, walked towards her and curtsied.

"Second Young Mistress."

"Xiaoya, what are you..." Ye Jiayao suspected that Xiaoya had returned to Liuli.

Xiaoya said: "I am still serving the Third Young Mistress."

Oh, Ye Jiayao nodded clearly. No wonder she couldn't find anyone. It turned out that Liuli found him first. However, I haven't heard any news about Xiaoya being in the Seventh Prince's Mansion in the past few months. I'm afraid she just came back recently.

Qiao Xi was also left behind. There were eunuchs leading the way at the palace gate. Ye Jiayao walked to Ninghe Palace among a group of ladies who came to pay their respects.

When they arrived at the place, it was already crowded with people. Ye Jiayao saw Zhu in the crowd and walked to Zhu's side.

"Why so sudden?" Ye Jiayao asked in a low voice.

Zhu shook his head and said, "I don't know, it will be our turn to go in later."

Ye Jiayao had no choice but to stand with Zhou and wait.

After a while, the name was called, and Ye Jiayao and Zhu entered the mourning hall together.

Looking around, the prince, Prince Yu and other princes were all kneeling in front of the soul. The ancestor, Princess Yide, Madam Yongninghou, the prince concubine, Ah Ruan, Liuli and others were also there, all with red and swollen eyes and sad expressions. . Ye Jiayao didn't have a good impression of the Queen Mother. She couldn't feel sad, so she had no choice but to look at her with pity and pay her respects.

After groups of people came in to pay their respects, those with lower status were taken out. The rest listened to the orders of the chamberlain and knelt... worshiped... cried...

As a result, the whole hall burst into tears, and the momentum almost brought down the roof.

Ye Jiayao looked at the people around her with some horror. Each and every one of them was as good as an actor. Her tears were like a faucet switch. She burst into tears when she turned it on, and howled so loudly that it was earth-shattering.

Thinking that she could not fall behind others, Ye Jiayao also howled a few times, thinking that it would be enough to cry for a while. However, the howling lasted for half an hour. Some of them cried so hard that they fainted in the middle and were helped down by the chamberlain. .

Ye Jiayao felt that if she kept howling, her brain would be starved of oxygen. She didn't expect that mourning was also a strenuous task. He had to cut corners and howl out from time to time. A few times he almost scared the Zhu family next to him, which made Ye Jiayao feel embarrassed.

Finally, at the end of the round, the chamberlain took everyone to the side hall to rest.

Ye Jiayao saw that everyone's faces were pale and their walking was unsteady. This time they had consumed a lot of energy. As soon as they arrived at the side hall, everyone slumped on their chairs and didn't even want to say anything.

Mrs. Zhu was worried about her mother-in-law and went to serve her.

Ye Jiayao was also worried that her ancestor would not be able to bear it, so she went over to see her ancestor.

The ancestor was in a low mood. When he saw Ye Jiayao, he just nodded and sighed from time to time.

Ye Jiayao can understand the mood of her ancestors. Seeing her peers pass away, no matter how open-minded about life and death, she can't help but feel melancholy. What's more, the Queen Mother is the biggest supporter in our circle of interests, and now there is no such thing as a mountain barrier. The wind blocks the rain, who knows what will happen in the future.

It’s just that people are dead, and those who are worried can’t come back. Cars will find their way to the mountains, and boats will naturally go straight when they reach the bridge. Just take it one step at a time!

Ye Jiayao asked the waiter for two cups of tea. When passing by Ah Ruan and the Crown Princess, everyone could only nod as a greeting. Liuli sat blankly, not knowing what she was thinking. She didn't seem to see her, and Ye Jiayao didn't bother to pay attention to her.

When the tea was brought over, the ancestor took it, but did not drink it while holding it in his hand.

Yide took two sips to moisten his throat, but because he cried too hard, his voice was still hoarse: "Have you sent a message to your mother-in-law?"

"It has been sent, but Hangzhou is far away and it may take several days." Ye Jiayao said.

"Maybe the government will report it quickly." Yide sighed.

Ye Jiayao understands that the death of the Queen Mother is a national mourning, and the whole country must observe filial piety. This year, I am afraid it will be deserted.

Yide calmed down and said: "Your mother-in-law is not here, so you can only do the mourning. If you don't understand anything, just come and ask me. Don't make any mistakes."

Ye Jiayao nodded in agreement and got what she asked for. Now every move she makes represents the Jing'an Marquis Mansion. Dozens of pairs of eyes are watching here. If anything goes wrong, they will be accused of being unfilial and disrespectful, and they cannot afford to suffer.

When everyone had rested enough, the waiter came again to send everyone to cry.

After going back and forth three times, Ye Jiayao almost couldn't bear it anymore. When she heard that this kind of mourning would last for three days, she suddenly felt paralyzed.

It was almost dark when they left the palace. Ye Jiayao sent her ancestors back first. Princess Yide wanted to stay in the palace to keep vigil. She saw Xiao Jing, Su Yi and others at the gate of the palace.

The ancestor said: "You are tired too, go back first, we have to go to the palace at Mao tomorrow!"

Ye Jiayao thought that there was still a arduous task, so she didn't persist and told Xiao Jing to take good care of her ancestors.

Xiao Jing said: "Don't worry, you should also pay attention to your health and get more rest."

As he spoke, Xiao Jing's eyes drifted into the distance. Ye Jiayao followed his gaze and saw Ah Ruan and the Crown Princess walking over together.

Seeing Xiao Jing's dazed look, Ye Jiayao hurriedly urged Xiao Jing: "My ancestor has already got in the car, please leave quickly!"

It’s not that she is unkind and won’t let Xiao Jing see her for a while. Ever since Ah Ruan got married, it has been rare to go out. Xiao Jing has no chance to see Ah Ruan at all. It’s just that there are so many people here talking about something fishy. Not good.

Xiao Jing slightly hastily withdrew his gaze, lowered his head, and turned to leave.

When the Crown Princess and Ah Ruan saw Ye Jiayao, they walked over together in tacit understanding.

Ye Jiayao greeted the two of them, and the princess said: "I just want to go back, let's go together!"

Ye Jiayao was startled. The Prince's Mansion and the Marquis of Jing'an Mansion were in different directions!

But since the Crown Princess said so, Ye Jiayao couldn't refuse. She looked at Ah Ruan, who nodded almost imperceptibly towards her.

Ah Ruan watched the two people leave without looking back for a long time, because there was not only Sister Yaoyao in that direction, but also a person who made her dream.

She had already seen Xiao Jing and Xiao Jing looking at her, but now, even looking at each other was a luxury. She could only look at the back from a distance in the name of watching Sister Yaoyao off.

"Princess, it's time for us to go back." Ah Man persuaded in a low voice.

Ah Ruan sighed silently and got into his carriage.

Ye Jiayao and the Crown Princess were sitting in the same carriage, and their own carriage followed leisurely.

She had complicated thoughts, speculating on the Crown Princess's intention of inviting her to ride with her. Didn’t you say you should avoid suspicion? Why do you do such an intimate act in front of so many people?

The Crown Princess seemed to see through Ye Jiayao's thoughts and smiled: "It doesn't matter. Could it be that just to avoid suspicion, we have stopped interacting with each other forever?"

Ye Jiayao said awkwardly: "The princess is joking."

The Crown Princess smiled and said: "It doesn't matter whether you avoid it or not, why bother yourself? You and I haven't talked to each other for a while. I haven't been to your dessert shop yet. I got a gold card for nothing."

"It's not for nothing. The Crown Princess is willing to join the society, which will bring many benefits to the concubine." Ye Jiayao said politely.

"I hope I can give you more benefits, but the current situation does not allow it. Let's wait for the future!" the princess said.

Ye Jiayao wondered, is the Crown Princess making a promise? As long as she, no, the entire Jing'an House is on her side, then when the prince ascends the throne and she becomes the queen, she will naturally not treat the Jing'an House badly. Is this what you mean?

In fact, the Crown Princess should know in her heart that Chunyu is already on the Crown Prince's side, and the future owner of the Jingan Marquis Mansion has already chosen his side. There is really no need for the Crown Princess to say this.

Or maybe the Crown Princess is worried about her relationship with Ah Ruan! Her relationship with Ah Ruan is well known! That's why he deliberately invited her to accompany him in front of Ah Ruan. It was all for Ah Ruan to see!

"During the period when the prince was under house arrest, the prince's residence was as deserted as an ice cellar. You were the only one who still cared about me and my grandson, and sent you some delicious food every now and then. What does it mean to know the pines and cypresses in the cold of the year, and a friend in need is a friend indeed, Jinxuan, You are still the Jinxuan you were before, and I will remember this love." The Crown Princess said again.

To be honest, Ye Jiayao has a good impression of the Crown Princess and thinks she is kind and friendly. Of course, she does not dare to treat the Crown Princess as a friend. Of course, the purpose of her kindness to the Crown Princess is not pure, so , the Crown Princess said this, making her a little ashamed.

She had thought about it more than once, what would she do if Ah Ruan came to her one day and begged her to help King Yu? This problem gave her a headache, but she knew exactly what she should choose. She was from the Marquis of Jing'an, and her position must be consistent with Chun Yu's, and they should advance and retreat together.