Chapter 278 The Crazy Couple 38

Chapter 278: Chapter 274: The Crazy Couple 38

The Emperor had passed away. Funeral bells tolled, blanketing the entire Capital City in a solemn and mournful atmosphere.

Ji Xiaosong stood in the main hall of the Wu Mansion, listening to the ceaseless chimes. Her brow furrowed slightly, a faint sense of unease stirring in her heart.

Wu Chufeng had yet to return, and now the Emperor had suddenly died. These two events combined couldn’t help but deepen her worries.

She was now over a month pregnant. She and her husband shared a deep bond, and she absolutely could not allow anything to happen to their family.

After careful consideration, Ji Xiaosong decided to first secure the household, then go out and search for Wu Chufeng herself.

Ji Xiaosong first summoned the stewards and servants of the mansion.

She stood before them, her gaze calm and resolute, her tone steady and firm:

"The Emperor has passed away. During this period of national mourning, all affairs in the mansion must be handled with caution. Everyone is to perform their duties and not descend into chaos. Old Li, you are in charge of the daily affairs of the mansion. Ensure that everything remains in perfect order. As for Aunt Wang, send someone to comfort her. Tell her not to panic, for I am here to manage the household."

Old Li nodded in acknowledgment and immediately left with several other stewards to make arrangements.

With the most likely source of trouble placated, Ji Xiaosong turned to the guard captain. "During this period of national mourning, the Capital City will inevitably fall into turmoil. I want you to immediately assign more men to patrol day and night. Pay special attention to the front and back gates and the surrounding walls. Do not allow anyone to take this opportunity to break in. If any suspicious individuals approach, deal with them directly before reporting to me."

The guard captain replied grimly, "Yes, Madam. Rest assured, we will guard the mansion with our lives."

The guards moved quickly. The number of patrols around the estate doubled, with men stationed both inside and outside the walls.

Standing in the courtyard, Ji Xiaosong’s gaze swept over the busy figures, and her heart settled slightly.

With security handled, there were still matters of protocol and etiquette.

During national mourning, officials and their families were required to wear mourning clothes and observe strict rites.

Ji Xiaosong instructed the mansion’s embroideress and her head maid, "Prepare mourning attire immediately. Everyone in the mansion, from top to bottom, including the servants, must be properly dressed. Also, send someone to inquire about the court’s official mourning schedule to ensure the Wu Mansion makes no mistakes in etiquette."

The embroideress and the head maid took their leave. Ji Xiaosong then added to another senior maid, "Go to the storeroom and take inventory. See if there are any sacrificial items or offerings that need to be prepared, and make sure they are ready in advance."

The maid nodded. "Yes, Madam. I’ll see to it at once."

Preparing for the worst, Ji Xiaosong summoned the person in charge of the accounts.

"Take immediate stock of the mansion’s Silver Taels and supplies to ensure we have sufficient reserves. Also, send people to the market to procure some grain and daily necessities in case of emergency. Of course, safety is the priority. If they go out and find the situation is not right, have them return immediately. I will handle getting these things."

The bookkeeper took his leave.

According to the dynasty’s customs, when an Emperor passed away, the families of officials were required to set up a memorial altar in their homes for commemorative rites.

Just as Old Li returned, Ji Xiaosong instructed him, "Old Li, take some men and set up a memorial altar in the main hall. Prepare incense, candles, and offerings. Everyone in the mansion must come to pay their respects and express their condolences."

Old Li nodded. "Yes, Madam, I’ll see to it at once."

The main hall was quickly arranged into a memorial hall, the altar before the memorial tablet filled with incense, candles, and offerings.

Everyone in the mansion, dressed properly in mourning attire, came to pay their respects in turn.

Ji Xiaosong stood before the memorial tablet, her expression serene, but a faint sense of unease still lingered in her heart.

Wu Chufeng had still not returned. Though Ji Xiaosong was worried, her face remained composed.

She instructed Ji Dan, "Ji Dan, take a few men to the Ministry of War and inquire if the master is there. If there’s no news, search outside the city. You must find him as soon as possible."

Ji Dan nodded. "Rest assured, Madam. I will find the master as quickly as I can."

Ji Dan departed in a hurry with several guards. Ji Xiaosong stood at the mansion’s gate, watching them disappear into the distance.

’Of course, I could use my Divine Sense to investigate directly, but any information I get that way would make Wu Daniu suspicious.’

’So unless it’s absolutely necessary, I won’t reveal how different I am in front of others.’

Besides, Ji Xiaosong knew full well that after the Emperor’s death, a power struggle within the court was inevitable.

She instructed one of her robot guards, "Send people to gather intelligence on the movements within the court, especially the Ministry of War and the several key ministers. Report any anomalies immediately."

The guard nodded. "Yes, Madam. I will make the arrangements."

Once all the arrangements were in place, Ji Xiaosong finally secluded herself.

She extended her Divine Sense outward, first checking the Ministry of War. No one was there. So, she turned her attention to the Imperial Palace.

At this moment, a layer of frost had condensed on the gilded Coiled Dragon Pillars of Jinluan Hall.

Wu Chufeng had been kneeling on the green jade bricks for six hours.

A bone-chilling cold crept up from his knees into his very marrow, but even colder was the sinister gaze boring into his back.

The Second Prince, Zhao Yuanqi, was toying with the Jade Seal on the Imperial Desk, his blade-like gaze sweeping over the thirty-odd high-ranking ministers being held captive in the hall.

"Report—!" The head of the Imperial Guards strode in hastily. "The Eastern Palace Guard has breached Xuanwu Gate!" The Jade Seal slammed down heavily on the desk.

Zhao Yuanqi shot up abruptly, grabbing Wu Chufeng by the collar. His Mystic Iron Bracelet dug painfully into Wu Chufeng’s throat. "Assistant Minister Wu, hand over the Tiger Talisman for the West Suburb Camp now, and I might still spare the life of the child in your wife’s womb."

Wu Chufeng lowered his gaze, staring at the Four-clawed Golden Python on the other man’s Python Robe. He was suddenly reminded of how Ji Xiaosong had straightened his collar for him a few days ago before he left home.

The memory of her delicate, pale fingertips brushing past his throat, carrying the warm scent of jasmine, now burned so fiercely in his mind that his eyes grew hot.

Wu Chufeng suppressed the anxiety in his heart and calmly analyzed the situation before him.

Although Zhao Yuanqi controlled the Forbidden Army, the Crown Prince had been secretly planning for years, and his Eastern Palace Guard were the best of the best.

The breach of Xuanwu Gate meant the Crown Prince’s forces were already closing in on the Imperial City. Zhao Yuanqi’s chances of victory were not high.

The Wu Family had not been purged precisely because of this Tiger Talisman.

Only a member of the Wu Family could mobilize the veteran soldiers of the West Suburb Camp.

He lifted his head, his gaze calm as he looked at Zhao Yuanqi. His voice was steady and firm:

"Your Highness, the Tiger Talisman for the West Suburb Camp is indeed in my possession. But has Your Highness considered how long you could hold out even if I gave it to you? The Eastern Palace Guard has already breached Xuanwu Gate. The Crown Prince’s main army will be at the city gates in a matter of days. Why must Your Highness, for a momentary gain, place yourself in a position of eternal damnation?"

Zhao Yuanqi sneered, his grip tightening.

"Assistant Minister Wu, do you think a few words can shake my resolve? The Crown Prince is nothing but a weak and incompetent fool! If not for our father the Emperor’s favoritism, the throne would have been mine long ago! As long as I get the Tiger Talisman, the forces of the West Suburb Camp are enough to turn the tide!"

Wu Chufeng felt the pressure on his throat, making it difficult to breathe, but he remained composed.

"Your Highness, the Crown Prince has the support of the Grand Secretary of the Cabinet, the Minister of War, and a host of other veteran officials. What’s more, the Crown Prince holds a secret decree left by the late Emperor. If Your Highness insists on going against the will of Heaven, I’m afraid you will end up deserted by all your followers."

Zhao Yuanqi’s eyes flickered, clearly moved by Wu Chufeng’s words.

But he quickly regained his ruthless expression. "Stop with the alarmist nonsense! I know what I’m doing! All you need to do now is hand over the Tiger Talisman, or else—"

He leaned close to Wu Chufeng’s ear and whispered, "Your lovely wife and your unborn child won’t be so safe anymore."