Mo Sang – CH 313

Chapter 313. Sending Back

Gu Xi led his men on a patrol, leaving behind several officials from the Ministry of Rites to deal with the Liang Emperor and members of the Southern Liang royal family before returning to Jingling Palace.

Two coffins lay side by side beside the main gate of Jingling Palace.

Seeing Gu Xi enter, the clerk guarding the coffins hurriedly stepped forward to report, “Reporting to the Commander-in-chief, these are Commander Wu and his concubine, Lady Su. Master Wen said they were brought here for the Commander-in-Chief to handle.”

Gu Xi turned to look at Li Sangrou.

“I will take Lady Su’s coffin with me.” Li Sangrou paused, then sighed softly. “Leaving now.”

“Mount Mofu?” Gu Xi asked knowingly.

“Yes.” Li Sangrou looked at the two coffins.

“Will they not be buried together?” Gu Xi hesitated for a moment, then asked anyway.

“Su Wan and he were deeply in love, and she was grateful for his rescue of her and her two younger brothers, but she did not love him. She risked her life to repay General Wu’s kindness, for her own sake, and for the sake of her two younger brothers.

She had long ago entrusted me with this: after she died, if she was buried in the Wu family cemetery, I should secretly dig her up and bury her on Mount Mofu. She had already chosen her spot.”

Li Sangrou paused. “Or, bury her next to Su Qing; an Elder Sister is like a mother.”

“Alright, I will have someone prepare a carriage for you. Be careful on the road.” Gu Xi nodded without saying much.

Li Sangrou hummed in agreement, beckoned to Da Chang, who was watching from a distance, and gave him a few instructions.

An hour later, a large cart carrying Su Wan’s coffin arrived. Da Chang drove, Li Sangrou held Pang’er and sat beside him, with Hei Ma, Meng Yanqing, and others following on horseback. The cart, with nearly a hundred riders, left the north gate of Hangzhou and headed straight for Mount Mofu.

On the afternoon of the third day, the procession stopped at the foot of Mount Mofu. Li Sangrou jumped off the cart, and Da Chang and the others hoisted the coffin, lifted it, and carried it up the hillside where Su Qing was buried.

Meng Yanqing and the others followed behind, carrying shovels, paper money, ingots, and soul-summoning banners.

Hei Ma, Xiao Lu, Meng Yanqing, and a few others dug a deep pit beside Su Qing’s grave, placed Su Wan’s coffin inside, filled it with soil, and tamped it down. Dong Chao and the others planted the soul-summoning banners around the grave, while Wei Fu and the others burned piles of paper money around the two graves, one new and one old.

Li Sangrou stood about ten steps away, leaning against a rock, silently watching everyone busy at work.

Once everyone finished, Da Chang looked at Li Sangrou.

“Where’s the wine?” Li Sangrou asked.

Da Chang placed a wine jar and a wine bowl next to Li Sangrou.

“You can all go down now. I will sit for a while.” Li Sangrou slid down to sit on the ground, waving to Da Chang and the others.

Meng Yanqing opened his mouth to try to persuade her, but Da Chang stopped him with a wave, gesturing for everyone to descend the mountain.

Li Sangrou sat on the ground, broke the clay seal on the wine jar, pushed the jar around, poured wine into a bowl, and gazed at the white sails dotting the river, drinking sip by sip.

Da Chang descended to the foot of the mountain, looked around, found a protruding boulder, stood on it, and looked up at Li Sangrou drinking wine on the towering mountain corner.

Meng Yanqing also stood up, squinting as he looked into the distance.

“Is Boss alright?” Meng Yanqing asked softly.

“She’s fine,” Da Chang sighed.

“I think Boss looks quite sad,” Meng Yanqing sighed as well.

“When the Boss was first recovering, she hardly smiled. She often sat alone, lost in thought, her eyes always cold, no matter what she looked at.

Back then, we were all afraid of her,” Da Chang said in a low voice. “Then one day, the Boss came back, all smiles, and said to me, ‘Da Chang, so there are fresh, beautiful flowers here too.'”

Da Chang paused and, after a long while, continued, “After that, the Boss smiled more often, and she developed a sense of sentimentality. She said she wanted to grow flowers.”

Meng Yanqing looked at Li Sangrou on the hillside and sighed deeply.

Facing the river breeze, Li Sangrou drank bowl after bowl of wine. After finishing a whole jar, she stood up, tossed the bowl and jar down the hillside, and, facing the new grave, smiled. “I am leaving. I will come to see you again when I have time. The white sails here are beautiful, but do not stay here too long to look at them. It gets boring after a while. Go and be reborn with Ah Qing.”

Li Sangrou paused, her eyes narrowing slightly. After a moment, she smiled. “Perhaps you will go to my place. Although it is not great there either, it is still much better than here.

If you really go, you must live freely and well.

I am leaving.”

Li Sangrou waved at the new grave, walked around it, and headed down the mountain.

………………………………

When Li Sangrou and the others returned to Hangzhou, the city and its surroundings had already come alive again, bustling with activity both inside and outside the city.

Li Sangrou did not go to Jingling Palace. Instead, she sent Meng Yanqing to inform Ru-Yi that she had bought a courtyard house not far from the palace, intending to move in first and then settle in.

Meng Yanqing returned, followed by Ru-Yi.

Ru-Yi looked Li Sangrou over carefully. “The Boss looks alright.

Ever since the Boss left, our master has been very worried about you. He’s busy right now and could not come himself, so he sent me to ask you. Our master has already found a restaurant on the embankment, saying the food is excellent, and he’s waiting for you to return so you can try it.”

Li Sangrou hesitated.

She wanted to take a bath, but right now, in this house where she had paid the money but had not received the deed, hot water would not be available anytime soon, and the perfume shop probably had not opened yet either. Never mind.

“Let’s go.” Li Sangrou gestured to Ru-Yi.

Li Sangrou followed Ru-Yi, turning a corner and arriving at the back wall of Jingling Palace. They entered the palace through a small alleyway at the corner of the wall.

At the entrance to the main hall of Jingling Palace, a row of four or five civil officials stood on one side and a row of seven or eight military officers on the other. Soldiers carrying sealed paper tubes and clerks holding account books and ledgers entered one after another and exited the other.

“Still busy?” Li Sangrou stopped a distance away and asked in a low voice.

“After seeing these people, he will be almost done,” Ru-Yi replied with a smile.

“Do you have a place to take a bath here?” Li Sangrou asked after a moment’s hesitation.

“Yes, yes, yes! Extremely convenient! Perfect, we still have a few sets of the Boss’s clothes here!” Ru-Yi hurriedly agreed and led Li Sangrou to the room where she had stayed a few days ago.

Li Sangrou leisurely took a bath, dried her hair until it was no longer dripping wet, casually tied it up, changed into clean clothes, and came out. At the entrance of the main hall, there was one civil official and one or two military officers.

Ru-Yi moved chairs and low tables, brewed tea, and brought over some snacks. Li Sangrou sat down, drank her tea, and watched the soldiers and clerks coming and going.

At the entrance of Jingling Palace, Wen Shunzhi, dressed in a silver-white long robe, entered the courtyard talking with Yang Zhili, the commander of the Jiuxi Shidong troops.

Li Sangrou raised her eyebrows and sized up Wen Shunzhi.

She had not seen him for several years.

Wen Shunzhi had lost at least a size, and his skin was at least two shades darker. The once fair-skinned, round-faced young general with dimples when he smiled had transformed into a rough, battle-hardened soldier.

Li Sangrou sighed regretfully, glancing from Wen Shunzhi towards Yang Zhili.

Yang Zhili had a dark complexion, clear features, a tall and upright posture, and a decisive and efficient demeanor.

He bore a striking resemblance to the two young masters of the Yang family.

Li Sangrou narrowed her eyes, admiring Yang Zhili.

At least in appearance, he was a good match for Shi Acai.

“Boss,” Wen Shunzhi had already seen Li Sangrou and hurriedly stepped forward, bowing with his hands clasped.

Yang Zhili followed closely behind Wen Shunzhi, also quickly bowing with his hands clasped.

“I dare not accept such praise.” Li Sangrou quickly put down her cup, stood up, and bowed slightly.

Wen Shunzhi laughed, and Yang Zhili could not help but chuckle as well.

Li Sangrou, still laughing, spread her hands. “I truly dare not accept such praise.”

Wen Shunzhi burst into laughter, and Yang Zhili could not help but laugh along.

Li Sangrou spread her hands, looking at the two of them with a helpless expression.

“Worthy of being the Boss,” Wen Shunzhi said with a smile, bowing deeply.

“My name is Yang Zhili.” Yang Zhili quickly stepped forward to greet her and introduce himself.

“I recognize you. I saw your younger brother a few times in Jianle City. You, brothers, look quite alike,” Li Sangrou returned the bow to Yang Zhili. “Your son, Ayan, looks just like you.”

Hearing Li Sangrou mention his younger brother and son so readily, Yang Zhili could not help but ask, “Are they alright? I mean…”

“Oh, Ayan is not doing so well,” Li Sangrou said slowly.

Yang Zhili raised his eyebrows.

“That aunt of Ayan’s, she bullies Ayan so much! Even Princess Ninghe is learning to bully him like his aunt. Poor Ayan, he’s always yelling ‘I do not want to come anymore!’ and running away, hiding here and there.” Li Sangrou sighed.

Yang Zhili paused for a moment, then chuckled.

Wen Shunzhi raised his eyebrows and smiled, patting Yang Zhili on the shoulder. “He is a bit pitiful.”

“Thank you for your help, Boss.” Yang Zhili bowed deeply to Li Sangrou.

“I have not helped you at all. Princess Shi is extremely rare.” Li Sangrou smiled and bowed slightly.

At the entrance of the main hall, Ji-Xiang ran towards the three of them. Facing the main hall, Li Sangrou quickly gestured to the two others. “Go quickly; he is coming to call you.”

Wen Shunzhi and Yang Zhili hurriedly bowed to Li Sangrou and rushed into the main hall.

About two quarters of an hour later, Wen Shunzhi and Yang Zhili emerged from the main hall one after the other, bowed to Li Sangrou, who was sitting on the veranda drinking tea, and left.

“Were you waiting long?” Gu Xi came out of the main hall and walked along the covered walkway, not even turning the corner before calling out with a laugh.

“Stealing half a day of leisure from a busy life.” Li Sangrou put down her teacup and stood up.

“That’s well said!” Gu Xi walked a few steps closer, carefully examining Li Sangrou’s complexion. “You look fine.

Why did you rush so fast? There’s nothing much to do. You should have slowed down on the way.”

“I am used to it.” Li Sangrou smiled and pointed around. “Finished with work?”

“Almost. The paperwork is exhausting, endless. Never mind, Shouzhen is here. Shall we go for a walk on the long embankment? It is not far from here,” Gu Xi said, pointing outside the courtyard. Li Sangrou smiled and agreed, walking side by side with Gu Xi out of the courtyard.

Across the moat, the charred ruins were deserted. The layer of dead, silvery-white fish that had floated on the surface of the moat had been removed, and the river was as still as if it had never flowed.

A few meters away from the Lizheng Gate, a red wooden fork blocked the way.

“What to do with this place depends on the imperial decree. The bodies inside have all been collected and disposed of, but that also depends on the decree,” Gu Xi explained, following Li Sangrou’s gaze to the ruins across the river.

“Hmm, what about the back mountain?” Li Sangrou asked, gazing at the highest point of what used to be the imperial palace.

“Many people died in the fire,” Gu Xi said, pausing for a moment before continuing. “The area behind the mountain is densely populated.

The Zhihe troops were the first to enter the city. The vanguard, the ones capturing survivors, were just a shot’s throw from Lizheng Gate when flames erupted. The fire at Lizheng Gate and what we saw happened almost simultaneously. By the time Zhihe sent men to the rear, the fire had already passed.”

Gu Xi paused, then sighed, “I went to see. It was horrific. They are still collecting the bodies. Each family, each courtyard, is being placed in a single coffin. That’s all they can do.”

Li Sangrou hummed in agreement, remaining silent.

“Wu Huaiguo’s coffin has been returned to the Wu family. Wu Huaiguo’s mother and wife inquired about Lady Su, saying she was loyal, virtuous, and kind, and they hoped to find Su Shi’s remains so she could be buried with General Wu.

It was Ru-Yi who escorted General Wu back to his residence. Ru-Yi returned and reported that I asked him to tell the Wu family matriarch and Madam that Lady Su had entrusted her affairs before her death, and the entrusted person had taken her away for burial,” Gu Xi said, looking at Li Sangrou.

“How is the Wu family?” Li Sangrou hummed softly and asked.

“The newly appointed Pacification Commissioner of Hangzhou Road is Pan Dingshan. Pan Dingshan has personally visited each family in Hangzhou to offer condolences.

Pan Dingshan said that the Wu family matriarch said that almost all the adult members of the Wu family have died or been wounded. Whether they were righteous warriors or direct descendants, they have all given their lives for the country.

The righteous warrior branch has also fulfilled the oath their ancestors made to the Wu family. From now on, the righteous warrior branch will revert to their original surname, Cheng. The past is the past.

Pan Dingshan has already written a memorial to Elder Brother to report this matter.

The Yi-Wu clan has been passed down for generations, renowned for their bravery and skill in battle. If they could serve the country in the future, it would be a great benefit to the nation. I’ve sent Wen Yanchao and Zhihe to the Wu family to offer condolences for Wu Huaiguo. This way, if any members of the Wu family wish to join the army, they will have a place to do so.”

Gu Xi and Li Sangrou spoke softly, side by side.

Li Sangrou listened intently and gave a soft “hmm.”

“After the outer city was breached, the Emperor of Liang ordered officials of the third rank and above to be summoned to the palace. Only two or three out of ten who went to the palace received the imperial edict, and all of them perished in the Fengshen Hall.

I have already had a list of those who went to the palace to receive the edict and died in the fire, to be recorded in the Liang History.

Besides these people, the one summoned to the palace at that time was also Consort Zhao’s mother, Old Madam Guo. She was summoned by her daughter, Consort Zhao, who sent her mother to the palace to take away her daughter, who was less than three months old.”

Gu Xi paused, looking at Li Sangrou. “What we saw at the entrance of He Ning Palace was probably Old Madam Guo and Consort Zhao’s daughter. We were still a step too late.”

Li Sangrou listened silently. After a moment, she raised her head, pointed to the shimmering lake in the distance, and smiled. “This water is so beautiful, such a lovely view.”

Gu Xi was taken aback for a moment, then smiled and said, “There’s a saying in Southern Liang: ‘Above is heaven, below are Suzhou and Hangzhou.’ Look over there, your long dike.”

“Not yet. I have not conquered it yet,” Li Sangrou said, squinting at the long dike not far away.

Gu Xi chuckled, “Why have you not taken it yet? We’ve already taken the whole of Suzhou and Hangzhou!”

“No, no, no, you would not understand our lowly ways. I will go scout it out tomorrow! Then I will just snatch it!” Li Sangrou clapped her hands and laughed.

Gu Xi shook his head, laughing. “What do you mean by ‘I do not understand’? You are bullying me. Fine, fine, if you want to snatch it, go ahead and snatch it. Do you want me to back you up?”

“How could I let you back me up? If you did, that would be bullying.” Li Sangrou waved her hand with a laugh.

“How do you plan to snatch it? Tell me; let me broaden my horizons,” Gu Xi asked with a smile.

“It’s the same as snatching territory; just fight, scare them into submission, and then take it—that’s it,” Li Sangrou said seriously.

Gu Xi laughed heartily.