Autumn wind swept through the streets and alleys of the Capital, carrying withered leaves in its wake. The carriage from the Town-North Marquis Manor rolled over a blanket of golden ginkgo leaves and came to a slow stop before the Yuan Mansion.
The grand, cinnabar-lacquered gates, usually so imposing, were adorned with white lanterns. Only two gatekeepers in coarse mourning linen stood at the entrance. Upon seeing the Marquis Manor’s carriage, they looked as if they had caught sight of hope and hurried forward, begging the Marchioness to go inside and check on the master and mistress of the house.
As Lu Qingyuan stepped into the Yuan Mansion, a deathly silence greeted her. By all accounts, the funeral arrangements should have been well underway by now; yet, save for the white funeral banners fluttering in the wind beneath the eaves, there was no sign of a memorial hall being set up or a coffin being prepared.
Chapter 113