Time Travel: The Best Doctor in Ancient Times

Chapter 938: Chapter 746: A Coffin at the Banquet!

”This female official, thanks to the invitation from His Majesty the Southern Emperor, I am fortunate to attend the Heavenly Palace banquet, but I wonder if there are any taboos?” the Left Prime Minister said with a face full of sincere wisdom, ”If there are, the female official, please feel free to mention them. We have come here to partake in His Majesty the Southern Emperor’s hospitality, and it wouldn’t be good to offend the host. That would be too discourteous!”

What kind of person is the Left Prime Minister? To hold such a high position, one must be a person of excellence and wisdom.

His question was not without purpose, as he had observed this female official hesitating several times, seemingly in difficulty, waiting for someone to ask!

One must be considerate. Since he noticed, it wouldn’t be right not to ask.

The female official’s face instantly relaxed upon hearing this, she placed her hand over her chest and saluted, speaking to the Left Prime Minister and the others, ”To be honest, there is indeed something I haven’t mentioned, fearing to startle you all and lose etiquette!”

”The female official need not be like this; as the saying goes, ’when in Rome, do as the Romans do’. Since we are the guests, naturally we should inquire about the host’s convenience, shouldn’t we?” the Left Prime Minister laughed upon hearing.

”I’m just afraid of startling you, which wouldn’t be very good,” the female official said with a troubled look.

”Haha... You’re joking, female official. We are officials who have been in the imperial court, at least have seen a bit of the world. If you have something to say, please speak directly. The more you hesitate, the more uneasy we feel!” the Minister of Rites laughed upon hearing this and started chatting familiarly with the female official for a while until the few of them truly relaxed.

”Exactly! I’ve been through the battlefield, rolling in a pool of blood, not like these timid civil officials. Don’t hold back, female official; quickly speak, speak!”

”Indeed, just say it. There’s nothing that can’t be spoken of between people, and once articulated, there’s nothing to fear!” another official joined in.

At this moment, a line of ladies approached, led by the female official. Each expressed amazement and admiration for the Heavenly Palace’s exquisite decorations.

These were the wives from the households of the Left Prime Minister and others.

As they met, after exchanging greetings, it became increasingly lively.

”Husband, you’re not being fair, having an opportunity to attend a banquet in the Heavenly Palace and not informing your wife beforehand!” one madam stood beside her husband, complaining, ”I heard from Lady of Prince Rong that the food in the Heavenly Palace is delightful, capable of making one forget their worries; truly a human delicacy. I’m terribly tempted, and when the female official sent the invitation mentioned it, if she hadn’t, would you have forgotten to bring me to the feast? If you caused me to miss such a mouth-watering opportunity, I’d surely have some words with you!”

”Listen to Madam Loh, as if she’s never attended a banquet before. With a family like ours, what kind of feasts haven’t we attended? But this feast at the Heavenly Palace is truly my first. Sister, I’m also terribly tempted!” another madam laughed upon hearing this, then turned to her own husband with a look of reproach, ”Husband, it’s not right to eat alone. If you made me miss this feast opportunity, I’d surely have some words with you when we get back!”

Those old officials felt a bit embarrassed upon hearing their wives speak so.

Their households, too, are grand and affluent, yet their craving for such a feast’s gastronomic pleasure could be laughable!

However, it’s a feast at the Heavenly Palace. Even if a bit greedy, once word spreads, it can only invite envy!

For a moment, there was a lively commotion by the lake, with old officials and their madams chatting and laughing, reminiscent of a garden stroll.

”If you ask me, outsiders make the Southern Country people sound extraordinary, with eyes above their heads, disdainful of dust below, making others shy away in fear, yet today I’ve seen that rumors are unreliable. Look at how knowledgeable, courteous, and approachable this female official is. Tell me, female official, are you promised to someone?” one madam earnestly asked, holding a female official’s hand.

”Such a question, Sister, shows your lack of experience. You should ask if she’s married a husband. In Southern Country, female officials take husbands, not get married themselves!” another madam immediately interjected with a laugh.

”Indeed, indeed! So, female official, have you married a husband? Speaking of which, Southern Country and Great Zhou are about to unite as a country of in-laws, so we’ll be family soon. I heard that in your Southern Border and Bashu, there are untouched mines everywhere. Why not take one of our sons as a husband to your Southern Border Bashu, to do some business and at least contribute to our family? You’re unaware that my husband is so honest that our home is almost poverty-stricken. If you’re willing to marry one of our sons, taking him to Southern Border Bashu to do some business, it would at least add some income to our household!” This was suggested by the wife of the Minister of Works, who, listening to her husband talk about mining everywhere, knew a thing or two, hence the inquiry.

”Madam, we are the imperial guard attendants appointed by our Emperor. Our marriages are decided by our Emperor!” the female official said, a bit shy from the earnest inquiries, yet slightly puzzled. Is it true that Bashu Southern Border’s mountains are really as full of treasures as the madam claims?

”Alright! I’ll brazenly ask His Majesty the Southern Emperor during the feast whether Southern Country is open to taking Great Zhou as a son-in-law,” that madam said with a laugh.

”Sister, is this true? Rumors say Southern Border Bashu is wild and difficult, yet is it truly full of treasures?” another madam inquired with a laugh.

”Isn’t it obvious? My husband is in charge of the Ministry of Works; no one knows more about mining than him. If you don’t believe, you can ask him yourself!” That madam immediately raised her head proudly.

Another burst of joyous laughter, the Imperial Decree Ladies—each sharp and with familial backgrounds—were intrigued and seized the opportunity to inquire about Southern Country’s customs and scenery from the female official, creating a harmonious scene.

The Left Prime Minister and others exchanged looks, wearing expressions of helplessness.

”It’s said that three women make a play. I didn’t believe it before, but now I do,” Soh Wu exclaimed, sweating a little.

”How could my household not afford a meal? Oh...” The Minister of Works was at a loss for words and then smiled, ”But it depends on whom we compare it with. If compared to the Southern Emperor, my household indeed cannot afford a meal!”

”Nonsense! The Ministry of Works is quite a lucrative position, surely much better than my Ministry of Rites? In that case, shouldn’t I be the one most envious?” The Minister of Rites laughed upon hearing this, ”But are you sure that the poor mountains and rivers of Bashu and the Southern Border truly yield treasures?”

”Of course, mines are found in deep mountains, and treasures are hidden in old forests. Don’t doubt it!” The Minister of Works spoke with admiration on his face, ”Actually, I really envy Southern Chen now. It has become the Southern Chen County and is incorporated into the Southern Country. As soon as the Southern Country’s trade route opens, such world-shaking wealth will certainly benefit Southern Chen County, won’t it?”

”Now that you mention it, I’m truly tempted. Later at the banquet, I must bring it up with the Southern Emperor. Since our Great Zhou and the Southern Country are countries of in-laws, wouldn’t opening trade be only natural and expected?” The Minister of Revenue’s eyes glistened upon hearing this.

During this time, the Imperial Court had been in chaos and has only recently been slightly reorganized. Certainly, one cannot compare this to the gains and losses of the national marriage; now it seems, the advantages far outweigh the disadvantages!

No! There are no disadvantages at all!

Once again, everyone walked and conversed enthusiastically.

Finally, when they reached a pavilion for a rest, the Left Prime Minister once again asked the female official about the matter that had been interrupted by the ladies.

The female official looked at the gentlemen and ladies sitting in the pavilion and performed a respectful salute, ”This matter is a long story, so I shall make it brief. This is a family banquet, and of course, both parents of our emperor are present. By the Lord’s side, a coffin will be arranged, so I ask the gentlemen and ladies not to be alarmed!”

”What?”

”Coffin?”

”...”

Even though these people were of high rank and position and had seen much, they were still startled to hear this.

Several of the ladies gasped, their faces turning slightly pale from fright.

Only the Left Prime Minister, though surprised and puzzled, mustered the courage to ask, ”May I ask for whom the coffin is?”

”For the mother of our emperor, the Sovereign Highness of our Southern Country!” the female official replied frankly.

Everyone looked at each other in dismay, a trace of panic inevitable in their eyes.

They had attended many banquets, but except for funerals, they had never seen any held with a coffin present!

Several ladies felt a bit scared inside.

The female official once again bowed and spoke, ”There’s no need for alarm. Listen to my brief account; surely you’re all parents yourself and understand that parents will do anything for their children!”

A few ladies nodded, acknowledging this as true. Throughout the world, no mother is unkind, no father is unrighteous, this is an absolute truth!

”Over twenty years ago, there was a rebellion by traitors at the Southern Border, and the Phoenix Imperial Clan suffered a catastrophe. To protect his beloved wife from calamity, the Lord endured captivity for over twenty years, while the Sovereign Highness endured numerous hardships to escape to the Central Plains to save her unborn daughter! She sought refuge with the Gu Family in Liuzhou City, known to the Lord, and this is the reason why our emperor was left stranded in the Central Plains!” The female official spoke softly.

”This, indeed we’ve heard somewhat about it, but...” the Left Prime Minister was puzzled, a coffin at a banquet, if word spread, what would it look like?

”The Sovereign Highness barely survived to give birth to our emperor and was then buried in Liuzhou City! Our emperor, a gifted person, united the Southern Country and personally traveled to Liuzhou with the Lord to retrieve the coffin of the Sovereign Highness. The Lord and the Sovereign Highness shared a profound bond, vowing never to leave her side. You all surely know, our Witch and Gu Tribes, the Clan of God’s Favor is blessed by heaven, and now we are desperately seeking a way to resurrect the Sovereign Highness. On our emperor’s grand wedding, both parents are present. I ask the gentlemen and ladies to remember the undying heart of a mother willing to give her life for her daughter, the profound love and sincerity of the Lord for his beloved wife, and the utmost filial piety of our emperor as a daughter. Please do not fear such a loving mother; do not view her as a threat, and hurt the Lord’s heart!”

The female official, having spoken, covered her chest with one hand and deeply bent forward, earnestly pleading.

The female officials behind her also bowed and saluted in unison.

”Then, does that mean there really is a glimmer of hope for the Southern Emperor’s mother in that coffin?” a bold lady asked.

”Fate is not to be defied, but fate also does not cut off all possibilities. With sufficient sincerity, one can move heaven and earth!” the female official replied.