Climbing to the Top: A Reborn Queen's Journey-Chapter 749: Offering Condolences

When the news of the Zheng Family’s death was sent into the palace, the sky had already brightened.

While Jiang Shaohua was having breakfast, Chen Sheren quickly reported: "...Mrs. Zheng stabbed herself in the chest with scissors. The wound wasn’t deep enough, so she stabbed herself a second time, showing her determination to die."

"The Zheng Family set up the mourning hall in the early hours and hardly sent out any notifications. Seems like they don’t intend to hold an extravagant funeral."

This was only natural. Zheng Chen, being a rebel, was eradicated by the court. In theory, the Zheng Family should await punishment and questioning. In such times, they would rather keep a low profile than hold a grand funeral.

Such low-key behavior also serves to appear pitiable and earn sympathy from others.

The prominent Zheng Family, once an influential external relative of the court, has fallen to such a state. Everyone, please show some mercy and stop pressing so hard!

Jiang Shaohua tugged at the corner of his mouth, a sneer flashing in his eyes: "Mrs. Zheng’s death, however, has silenced quite a few mouths."

Chen Jinyu pursed his lips: "The Zheng Family really got it cheap." After a pause, he asked expectantly: "Should I make a trip to Jingyang Palace to inform the Grand Empress Dowager of the death?"

"No need." Jiang Shaohua said calmly: "A cornered dog will jump over the wall, and a desperate rabbit will bite. It’s unwise to press too hard."

Chen Jinyu nodded in agreement, though somewhat disappointed.

Jiang Shaohua continued, "Mrs. Zheng is the Grand Empress Dowager’s niece-in-law; the Grand Empress Dowager will surely send someone to offer condolences and save some face for the Zheng Family."

"You should also go to the Zheng Family on my behalf and give Jingyang Palace some honor."

Chen Jinyu bowed and took the order.

The news of Mrs. Zheng’s death also reached Jingyang Palace.

The bad news came one after another. The Grand Empress Dowager Zheng was so overwhelmed that she was almost numb: "Zhao Chunming, you go to the Zheng Family to offer condolences on my behalf."

Mr. Zhao had expected this unfortunate task to fall on him, so he quickly agreed and did not forget to comfort his master: "Your servant dares to speak a word that should not be said. Mrs. Zheng’s suicide at this time is not a bad thing for the Zheng Family. In death, people are of greatest importance, and the courtiers can no longer press them hard."

This was the matriarch of the Zheng Family, the wife of Duke An, the mother of Zheng Chen, and the Grand Empress Dowager’s own niece-in-law. In the past decade and more, Mrs. Zheng often entered the court and was among the most prominent and elite of the noble ladies.

Zheng Chen died, and Mrs. Zheng followed by committing suicide, barely providing an explanation to the public. 𝒻𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝘯𝘰𝑣ℯ𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝘮

The Grand Empress Dowager was extremely exhausted, not wishing to speak, and closed her eyes.

Mr. Zhao changed into mourning clothes and left the palace to offer condolences to the Zheng Family.

The once-glorious and lively Zheng Family was now desolate. A bunch of stewards and servant women in white stood at the door, yet few prominent guests came to offer condolences.

Now, everyone avoided the Zheng Family as if they were a plague; no one wished to get involved.

When Mr. Zhao came on behalf of the Grand Empress Dowager to offer condolences, Duke An immediately came out to welcome him, followed by all members young and old of the Zheng Family.

Mr. Zhao hurriedly raised Duke An, sighed long, and said: "Lord, please restrain your grief. The Grand Empress Dowager was shocked and saddened by the news of the Madam’s death. She could not come personally, so she sent me to offer condolences and say a few comforting words to you."

"With the Grand Empress Dowager, the Zheng Family will be safe and sound."

Duke An, who had suffered the pain of losing his son and wife in just one day, had grown much older overnight, his waist bent, and forehead lined with wrinkles, his eyes bloodshot: "Thank you, Mr. Zhao. Please thank the Grand Empress Dowager for me when you return to the palace."

Mr. Zhao nodded in agreement, supported Duke An into the mourning hall, and bowed in front of Mrs. Zheng’s coffin.

Mr. Zhao stayed at the Zheng Family for about the time it takes an incense stick to burn, then returned to the palace to report back.

No sooner had Mr. Zhao left than Chen Sheren arrived.

Duke An greeted him with a face full of trepidation.

Chen Sheren stayed even shorter, without any intention of comforting Duke An, and left after paying his respects.

However, the fact that the Emperor sent Chen Sheren to offer condolences was also a great comfort to the Zheng Family, young and old. At least they wouldn’t be in trouble from the court for the time being.

Sure enough, after Chen Sheren’s visit, more female guests came to offer condolences at the Zheng Family.

The previously quiet mourning hall finally took on some semblance of a proper funeral.

Some officials of the Grand Empress Dowager’s Faction also came to offer condolences. Upon seeing Duke An, they gave him some kind words in comfort.

"Mr. Zheng took a wrong path and veered off course. Luckily, the court army arrived in time, and the Yu State has already been pacified. It didn’t spread elsewhere, which can be considered a blessing in misfortune."

"Madam, saddened and took her own life. At such times, Lord, you must hold on. With the Grand Empress Dowager and you, the Zheng Family will be fine."

In the face of life and death, there’s no need to discuss fame, future, or power. At least nobody was sent to the execution ground for a beheading.

Duke An barely managed to pull himself together and cope.

At night, Secretary Wang came personally to pay his respects.

Duke An greeted him tremblingly.

Wang Jin, who had been busy all day and hurried out of the palace to the Zheng Family, still showed signs of fatigue on his face.

Looking at Wang Jin, Duke An couldn’t help but think of his own son. A sudden pain struck his heart.

This funeral was not only for Mrs. Zheng but also for Zheng Chen.

Zheng Chen was a rebel of the court and had been expelled from the Zheng Family genealogy. Even if his head was brought to the Capital City in the future, the Zheng Family could not handle his funeral to avoid suspicion.

If he couldn’t enter the ancestral grave, he would become a wandering ghost without a resting place.

He spoke with hatred for Zheng Chen, yet his heart ached as though cut by a knife. In secret, he placed the clothes his son wore in life in his wife’s coffin, to be buried together in the Zheng Family tomb at least to receive some incense offerings.

This matter was not big or small, but fortunately, no one would open Mrs. Zheng’s coffin to check.

"Uncle Zheng, please restrain your grief and accept fate." Wang Jin spoke succinctly but every word hit the nail on the head: "The Grand Empress Dowager has fallen ill again from grief. At such a time, the Zheng Family cannot afford any more incidents."

Duke An replied in a low voice: "Thank you, Secretary Wang, for your reminder. I can hold on."

Wang Jin glanced at Duke An and added: "In the court, many officials have submitted memorials, asking the Emperor to punish the Zheng Family. The Emperor has left these memorials unattended, awaiting discussion only after the Left General returns from the campaign."

This means the execution sword is still hanging above. Whether it falls or not depends on whether the Emperor is willing to show mercy.

Duke An, being a smart man, did not need things to be spelled out too clearly. A hint was more than enough.

Mrs. Zheng’s life alone was far from enough to pass this test. To seek the Emperor’s pardon, the Zheng Family must demonstrate sincerity.

Duke An, after a moment of silence, thanked in a low voice: "Thank you, Secretary Wang, for the reminder."

...

"Secretary Wang finally returned."

Upon Wang Jin’s return home, he was greeted by Prime Minister Wang’s sarcastic face: "What? Passed along a message from the Emperor to the Zheng Family?"

"Dignified Secretary of the Secretariat, taking up the errand of passing messages—aren’t you afraid of being laughed at?"

Wang Jin’s demeanor was frank: "We eat the Emperor’s grain, so it’s natural to share the Emperor’s worries. Moreover, the Emperor did not instruct me to; I acted on my understanding of His Majesty’s intent and went voluntarily."