Emperor Qingyuan saw how the two were clearly in love and found it difficult to say anything more.
"Rise."
After ordering them to stand, Emperor Qingyuan took a shovel from one of the attendants and began to dig into the soil beneath the osmanthus tree himself.
Bai Xiyue immediately walked to Li Fuyin’s side, a hint of reproach in her tone: "Sister, where did you run off to? You had me looking everywhere for you!"
Li Fuyin paid no heed to Bai Xiyue. Her eyes were filled with joy, fixed unblinkingly on Li Mexiao, as if she were completely bewitched by him.
Though Li Mexiao felt extremely uncomfortable under Li Fuyin's gaze, the words he had just spoken forced him to bury his disgust and offer her a smile in return.
Watching Li Mexiao smile at Song Yunqing, who stood beside him, Bai Xiyue felt an inexplicable sense of frustration. Although she had rejected Li Mexiao quite decisively just moments before, the thought of him truly fancying Song Yunqing made her feel deeply unsettled, as if something that belonged to her had been snatched away.
Since Li Mexiao had declared Song Yunqing his beloved in front of the Emperor, even if it were only a charade, did that not suggest he might actually take her as a consort? At this thought, Bai Xiyue lost control of her expression, and her mood grew increasingly irritable.
Emperor Qingyuan had been kneeling at the vigil for days without sleep or rest. Clearly exhausted, he began to pant after digging for only a short while, yet he refused any help from the attendants, insisting on doing it himself.
Finally, a jar of wine, buried for who knows how many years, saw the light of day once more.
At this moment, it seemed Emperor Qingyuan finally believed the story of the dream and that the soul of Li Fuyin still lingered in this world. Clutching the mud-caked jar, he wept again. As he cried, he pried it open. As the rich, mellow fragrance of the wine wafted out, Li Yuanzhao could not help but recall scenes of Li Fuyin slapping her thigh and teasing him for having a lower tolerance for alcohol than a cat.
This time, however, before he could even take a sip, a wave of dizziness washed over him. Unable to support his exhausted body any longer, he collapsed.
A figure flashed by, and in the blink of an eye, both the wine jar and the Emperor were caught securely.
Lin Xun addressed the attendants: "His Majesty is overcome by the wine; he has fainted. Quickly, summon the Imperial Physicians. I will personally escort His Majesty back to his bedchamber."
"Since His Majesty is intoxicated, should the Princess's funeral procession be delayed?" the Emperor’s personal attendant, Eunuch Zhou, asked hurriedly.
Lin Xun replied, "The princes, ministers, and their families are all waiting in the palace. The time for the funeral procession should not be postponed. Let it proceed at the scheduled time."
He paused, his gaze landing on Li Mexiao. "His Highness Prince Ning, since His Majesty is unwell and cannot leave the palace, why don't you take his place? Consider it a way to redeem your faults."
In the palace, besides the Emperor, Grand Preceptor Lin Xun held the most authority. Li Mexiao could not refuse his command; despite his reluctance, he had no choice but to agree.
After settling Emperor Qingyuan, Lin Xun arrived at Baohua Hall to issue orders in his capacity as Grand Preceptor on behalf of the Emperor, overseeing the departure of Princess Qingrong’s coffin for burial in the imperial mausoleum.
Li Mexiao held the Princess’s spirit tablet, riding in the carriage that should have belonged to Emperor Qingyuan. Behind him were Grand Preceptor Lin Xun and the carriages of various nobles and dignitaries, followed by officials arranged according to their rank. Some rode horses, while others were forced to follow on foot.
Thanks to Lin Xun, Li Fuyin and Bai Xiyue were granted a place in his carriage—Li Fuyin because her "fate" was tied to the Princess, and Bai Xiyue because she insisted on staying by her "sister’s" side out of concern for her health.
By evening, the sky was filled with a radiant sunset.
The funeral procession for Princess Qingrong snaked its way out of the palace in a grand display. Countless commoners gathered along the streets, whispering and discussing the spectacle. While they marveled at the scale of the royal rites, they also murmured about the Princess's past transgressions. It was clear that none of the people of Sheng State felt any sorrow for her passing.
Meanwhile, inside the carriage, Li Fuyin sat comfortably on the cushions, oblivious to all, occasionally lifting the curtain to peek outside. She had spotted several familiar faces in the procession ahead. Danqing and He Ran, the palace maids who had once served her with unwavering loyalty, were carrying her funerary objects, walking right where she could see them. In truth, Li Fuyin had originally snuck into Chonghua Palace to find them. Encountering Lin Xun had been an unexpected turn of events, but fortunately, he was someone she could trust with her life.
Sitting in the same carriage, Bai Xiyue felt as though she were sitting on pins and needles. As someone trained in martial arts, her senses were sharper; she could feel the unfathomable, powerful aura radiating from Lin Xun, which made her back prickle. Yet, Li Fuyin seemed entirely unaware of the tense atmosphere. Like a fool, she shifted about the carriage, even sneaking a piece of pastry to pop into her mouth whenever Lin Xun wasn't looking.
After finishing one piece, she seemed unsated and reached for another. Seeing this, Bai Xiyue felt her scalp tingle, terrified that Lin Xun would notice and vent his anger on them. After all, the Grand Preceptor had shared a close relationship with the Princess in life; any sign of disrespect would surely provoke him and perhaps even get them thrown out of the carriage!
She glared fiercely at Li Fuyin, trying to make her behave. Caught in the act, Li Fuyin paused, her expression awkward. Then, with an air of tentative ingratiation, she offered the pastry to Bai Xiyue... surely, with her sister by her side, she shouldn't be the only one eating?
Bai Xiyue: "..."
She had always known Song Yunqing was dull and unlikable, but she hadn't expected her to be this incredibly stupid. It was beyond belief!
Bai Xiyue rolled her eyes and turned away in a rage. Of course she wouldn't eat at a time like this, right in front of the Grand Preceptor—was she trying to get herself killed?
Seeing that Bai Xiyue refused, Li Fuyin pursed her lips and continued eating. Having not eaten all morning, she felt weak and lacked the energy for anything else.
"Clatter." The carriage wheel hit a stone, and the vehicle lurched violently.
"Cough, cough... cough..."
Li Fuyin choked on the pastry, her face flushing red as she strained her neck, looking everywhere for water.
Bai Xiyue’s mouth twitched. She wished she could find a crack in the floor to hide in. One thought dominated her mind: *It’s over... it’s all over...*
But just then, a cup of warm milk appeared before Li Fuyin. Lin Xun watched her drink it and patted her back, his expression one of helpless indulgence!
Bai Xiyue’s eyes widened in disbelief. She couldn't fathom it. How could the powerful, mysterious, and brilliant Grand Preceptor Lin Xun... actually like an idiot?!