Fuzhu's Ballad

58

Chapter 58 Ashes to ashes, dust to dust

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Lan Dan was sun-drying medicinal herbs in the courtyard when she saw Sun Shi Xiang enter the gate. It had been a few months since she last saw him, but he looked the same as always.

Sun Shi Xiang’s face was filled with embarrassment as he bowed to her and made a formal greeting. Lan Dan smiled at him, which made him even more uncomfortable. He stammered and said, “Miss Fu Zhu, I was too anxious that day and lost my composure, which caused you to get injured. I haven’t had a chance to apologize to you…”

Upon hearing this, Lan Dan quickly stood up and waved her hand to stop him from continuing, “It was my fault that day. Please don’t take it to heart.” Although he had pushed her down hard, causing her to scrape her knees and elbows, it was only because he was angry at her and had revealed to her that Shentu Rui had liked her for many years. Although she had told Shentu Rui about Sun Shi Xiang’s wrongdoing, she still felt grateful to him in her heart.

Sun Shi Xiang didn’t want to continue talking about that matter, so he quickly asked, “Where is His Majesty?”

Lan Dan nodded towards the room. Just now, a guard had delivered a letter, and Shentu Rui’s expression had become a little unhappy after reading it. She thought it would be better to avoid the subject, so she came out to sun-dry herbs.

Sun Shi Xiang was about to go into the room when Shentu Rui came out and stood at the doorway, looking at Lan Dan. He handed the reply letter to Sun Shi Xiang, sounding a little impatient as he said, “You must deliver this letter to Lan Cheng yourself, and tell her that this is my decision. She doesn’t need to participate in this northern campaign, and she should not be stubborn about it.”

Sun Shi Xiang took the letter with both hands and said “yes”, but then paused and seek confirmation, “Will Shentu Cheng’s ashes still be handled according to the original plan?” This was a big matter, so he had to ask again.

Shentu Rui nodded and said, “He will be buried back in the Shentu family’s cemetery. The fallen leaves should return to their roots.”

Sun Shi Xiang breathed a sigh of relief and left to carry out the orders.

Shentu Rui walked out, and after hesitating for a moment, he walked slowly. Understanding what he wanted, Lan Dan secretly smiled and caught up with him, holding his hand and asking, “Where are you going?”

As expected, Shentu Rui did not shake her off and obediently let her pull him along. “I want to take a walk around. Tongye has been rebuilt nicely. It’s time to reward Su Yi Ming for his merits.”

Lan Dan laughed and nodded repeatedly. Young General Su naturally deserved the reward.

Tongye was not big, and after wandering for a while, they had already reached the bottom of the city wall. Shentu Rui looked up and pulled Lan Dan up to the top of the wall.

After a while, they saw Sun Shi Xiang leading a group of soldiers passing through the city gate and heading towards the capital. The box containing Shentu Cheng’s ashes was tightly wrapped and hung on Sun Shi Xiang’s horse. She couldn’t help but sigh.  As the world knew, the Da Yan Emperor died in battle at Tongye, and because the country was newly established, his tomb had not yet been built, so he was buried in the tomb of the previous dynasty’s Crown Prince, which was not yet in use. Many inaccuracies were recorded in history because the so-called iron-pen historians only knew what those in power wanted them to know. They did see the Da Yan Emperor’s coffin being sent to the mountain tomb, but they could not know what was actually placed inside the coffin.