Chapter 356: Chapter 288: I Don’t Want to Die an Inexplicable Death like Her!
Pei Zhan and his group left Qianqing Palace and then went to the Yellow Gate official to receive their assignments.
The Emperor had clearly prepared everything in advance, with the decrees already laid out on the desk. After Pei Zhan finished reading, seeing that Du Mingqian and others were receiving their tasks nearby, he asked the Yellow Gate official, "Does His Majesty have any other instructions?"
The Yellow Gate official bowed respectfully, "His Majesty has no other decrees at the moment."
Pei Zhan opened his mouth, intending to ask more, but after a thought, he held his tongue.
Over on the other side, Liang Chen and his group also received their decrees and left the palace together.
Fu Zhen was listening to Liang Xuan’s report in the garden.
"Why did that kid from the Cheng family take you out?"
"He somehow heard news that last night, many coffins were carried into the back door of Prince Rong’s Mansion, and then before dawn, they were carried out again. He didn’t dare to verify it alone, so he dragged me along."
"Was it true or false?"
"It’s true. The coffins were placed behind the South City Bagua Temple, a total of eleven. I counted them."
Fu Zhen pondered for a moment. With so many dead, it could only be those who died in the battle at Prince Rong’s Mansion that night. He drank his sheep’s milk soup and said, "Why are they placed at Bagua Temple? Why not buried?"
"I don’t know!" Liang Xuan shrugged between chewing his jerky. "The one arranging those coffins is Zhang Shicheng. It seems he even has people guarding them. But apparently, they will be taken for burial in a few days."
Other things aside, with so many dead in the Prince’s Manor, from today onward, there will be many comings and goings, which will likely arouse much suspicion once seen.
These were living people, with families and parents behind them. No matter how powerful Prince Rong’s Mansion is, proper arrangements must be made for them. If the funerals haven’t been arranged, moving the bodies out first is appropriate.
It’s been some time since any news of Zhang Shicheng has been heard.
"Why is he in charge?" Fu Zhen asked, holding the bowl. "I remember Prince Rong has several sons; aren’t they doing anything?"
In Prince Rong’s Mansion, there are three officially granted concubines, two of whom each have a son, both of age. The other has none.
The two sons were titled Commandery Princes at ten years old, according to palace regulations.
As mentioned earlier, the concubines were all married in after the establishment of the nation, and their family backgrounds were not weak. With the backing of their maternal families, the two Commandery Princes would certainly not be ordinary.
However, as the main Princess of Prince Rong holds the correct position, and with the Empress being strict and respecting imperial orthodoxy, coupled with Prince Rong’s sensibility, these two sons have had little presence over the years.
Yet, in such matters, it is only natural for them to come forward to help manage the affairs of their legitimate mother.
Moreover, they are Prince Rong’s biological sons and, to some extent, represent the power of Prince Rong’s Mansion. Why would Prince Rong discard them and instead rely on the family of his daughter-in-law?
Fu Zhen knew that the funerals were dominated by Mrs. Zhang, and also knew how much Mrs. Zhang wanted to support her own family. But because she was not careless, it was even harder to believe she would bring the foolish and useless Zhang Damazi to arrange affairs for Prince Rong’s Mansion at such a time!
Besides, even if it was Mrs. Zhang’s idea, it had to be acceptable to Prince Rong.
In other words, Prince Rong had no objections to this arrangement.
Which of the two Commandery Princes is not more competent than Zhang Damazi?
Yet Prince Rong insisted on using Zhang Damazi.
"Don’t even mention it!" Liang Xuan exclaimed, "I heard those two Commandery Princes have been quite active since the incident, meeting many people in private these days. Especially their uncle, who almost stayed in the mansion all day yesterday!"
With the longstanding suppression by Princess Rong finally over, and so suddenly, there will undoubtedly be shifts of power within the Prince’s Mansion. The maternal families behind the concubines would naturally rush in to advise and strategize, which is not unexpected.
Fu Zhen thought for a moment and asked him, "How do you know so clearly?"
These internal details weren’t necessarily something she could inquire about!
Liang Xuan immediately puffed out his chest proudly, "I’ve always told you I’m amazing! I have someone inside the Prince’s Mansion!"
Though young, he sure could boast!
Fu Zhen rolled her eyes to the sky, "Are your sources reliable?"
"As genuine as it gets!"
Fu Zhen nodded and said, "Keep investigating! Bring back the findings tonight, and we’ll have crystal pork knuckles from Wanbin Building."
Liang Xuan paused, "Really?"
"Really! Now go!"
After sending off Liang Xuan, who was happily skipping, Fu Zhen glanced at the westward sun and indeed called someone over to send word to Wanbin Building to prepare for dinner. Meanwhile, she asked to relay a message to Mrs. Ning, inviting her to meet at Wanbin Building in the evening.