Supreme Golden Palace

Chapter 134 Yuan Qi (Part 1)

"If he were to be enfeoffed in Lu County, Henan, that would indeed be a very generous reward."

After listening to Lü Yongji's analysis, Lü Shang nodded in deep agreement.

Just then, a series of hurried footsteps came from outside the door.

Then, the steward Lü Quan rushed into the study, carrying a document in his hands, and said directly, "Master, the Duke of Anfeng has passed away."

Upon hearing this, Lü Yongji trembled, instinctively stood up, took the obituary from Lü Quan, and frowned deeply as he looked at it, muttering, "Dou Rongding... he's passed away."

Dou Rongding, the Duke of Anfeng, had a wife named Princess Ancheng, who was Yang Jian's brother-in-law and also Lü Yongji's cousin-in-law.

Unlike the Lü family, which rose to prominence because of the Yang family, Dou Rongding came from the Fufeng Dou family, which had been extremely prominent since the Han Dynasty. They were a renowned imperial clan, with Empress Xiaowen of the Former Han Dynasty and Empress Zhangde and Empress Huansi of the Later Han Dynasty. During the Wei, Jin and Northern and Southern Dynasties, the Dou family remained a powerful and influential clan, known for its military prowess.

By the time of Dou Rongding, the Dou family of Fufeng had become the most prestigious family in the land. Later, Dou Rongding served three dynasties: Western Wei, Northern Zhou, and Northern Sui. For his merits, he was granted the title of Duke of Anfeng and appointed as the General of the Left Guard, reaching the highest position in the court.

Dou Rongding's position as Left General of the Martial Guard was different from that of Lü Shang, who held the title of Grand General of Merit. It represented the pinnacle of military officers, as he commanded the Left Martial Guard, one of the twelve prefectures of the Northern Sui Dynasty, and led the emperor's imperial guards. With his high status as a member of the imperial family and his combined power and authority, he was the most powerful relative of the empress.

Lu Yongji composed himself, gently placed the obituary on the table, and slowly said, "Lord Rongding spent half his life on the battlefield, making numerous contributions to the Sui Dynasty. His passing will likely shake the entire court."

After saying that, he turned to look at the steward Lü Quan and instructed him: "Lü Quan, you must immediately arrange the carriages and horses, and prepare the sacrificial offerings and monetary gifts needed for the funeral. Be sure to choose the best ones."

"Yes,"

Lu Quan bowed and accepted the order, then quickly left the study.

After Lü Quan left, the study fell into a deathly silence, with only the wisps of smoke rising from the incense burner on the table, swaying gently.

Lu Yongji stood there for a long time, looking at the obituary with a sorrowful expression.

Seeing Lü Yongji's sorrowful expression, Lü Shang stepped forward and said softly, "Father, please sit down and rest for a while, don't hurt yourself."

"At this point, how could I possibly sit still?"

Lu Yongji sighed softly and said, "Let's go, let's go to the Dou residence to pay our respects now. With the passing of Duke Rongding, my old sister is left all alone. I want to go and see my old sister."

Lü Shang helped Lü Yongji out of the study.

In the courtyard, the carriages and horses were already prepared. Lü Quan was bowing and waiting beside the carriage. When he saw the two of them come out, he quickly lifted the curtain.

Lü Yongji and Lü Shang boarded the carriage, the gates of the mansion opened wide, and the carriage sped off towards the Dou residence.

After passing through several neighborhoods and arriving at the gate of the Dou residence, the two dismounted from their carriage.

The plain white lanterns swayed in the wind, and the funeral couplets fluttered, creating a solemn atmosphere.

A group of servants dressed in mourning clothes went in and out, and the sound of weeping could be faintly heard.

Inside the mourning hall, white curtains hung low, incense smoke swirled, and Dou Rongding's coffin was placed in the center, surrounded by incense, candles, and offerings.

Princess Ancheng, Dou Rongding's widow, dressed in mourning clothes and looking haggard, was weeping beside the coffin. The Dou family members standing nearby all had solemn expressions and tears in their eyes.

The head of the Dou family led the way, followed by Lü Yongji and Lü Shang, as they entered the mourning hall and respectfully performed the three kneelings and nine kowtows before the coffin.

After the ceremony, Lü Yongji walked to Princess Ancheng's side and whispered, "Cousin, the passing of Duke Rongding was too sudden. I hope you will take care of yourself and not grieve too much."

Princess Ancheng slowly raised her tear-streaked face, staring blankly at her cousin Lü Yongji. Her lips trembled, and after a long while, she sobbed, "Yongji, with your brother-in-law gone, I'm left with an orphan and a widow. How am I supposed to live from now on?" As she spoke, Dou Jin, the youngest son of the Dou family, threw himself into Princess Ancheng's arms and burst into tears.

As Lü Yongji watched this scene unfold, his eyes welled up with tears.

He comforted her, saying, "Cousin, don't worry. Dou Kang is calm and capable, and Dou Qing is brave and decisive. They will definitely be able to uphold the honor of the Dou family in the future."

After hearing Lü Yongji's words, Princess Ancheng wiped away her tears with a handkerchief and glanced at Dou Kang and Dou Qing standing to the side.

The eldest son, Dou Kang, stood with his hands folded in front of him, his expression solemn, his brows and eyes showing a hint of composure. The second son, Dou Qing, clenched his fists tightly, his eyes red-rimmed, his heroic spirit tinged with grief.

"I hope so,"

Princess Ancheng sighed, "It's just that with Rongding gone, there are so many things going on at home, and I'm really exhausted."

Just then, a commotion suddenly arose outside the mourning hall. It was as the ministers of the court, having learned of Dou Rongding's death, came to offer their condolences.

The first to enter the mourning hall was Gao Jiong, the Left Minister of Works. He was dressed in plain clothes and had a solemn expression. Several important officials of the court followed behind him.

Gao Jiong walked to the coffin, bowed deeply, and then turned to face Princess Ancheng, saying, "Your Highness, Duke Rongding devoted himself to the Sui Dynasty. His achievements are evident to all in the court. When the Emperor heard of Duke Rongding's passing, he issued an edict to suspend court for seven days and ordered General Yuan Min of the Left Guard to handle the funeral arrangements."

"Your Highness, please accept my condolences!"

Gao Jiong and these important officials spoke in unison.

Lu Shang stood aside, watching this scene, pondering to himself.

With Dou Rongding's death, the political landscape of the court will inevitably change.

It should be noted that the Left Guard, which Dou Rongding was in charge of, was the emperor's imperial guard. The reason why Dou Rongding was able to take charge of the Left Guard was because he was both a relative of the emperor and a nobleman, and he had a very close relationship with Yang Jian. That's why Yang Jian felt at ease letting Dou Rongding take charge of the Left Guard.

Apart from Dou Rongding, Yang Jian would not trust outsiders to command the Imperial Guards.

As Lü Shang was pondering, another group of court officials filed in.

Right Minister Su Wei was slender and walked with small, quick steps, followed by several ministers from the Six Ministries.

After paying his respects to the coffin, the Right Minister stepped forward, took out a scroll from his sleeve, and said, "Your Highness, the Ministry of Rites has drafted the posthumous title for Duke Rongding, as well as the specifications for the sacrificial ceremony. This is the preliminary document; please take a look."

Princess Ancheng had calmed down a bit by now. She took the document, glanced at it quickly, and moved her lips, but did not utter a sound.

Inside the mourning hall, more and more court officials poured in, and Yuan Min, the Left Guard General, also led a group of imperial guards to pay their respects.

Yuan Min, a burly man, walked to the coffin, knelt down heavily, and kowtowed three times.

The candlelight flickered in the mourning hall, and the crowds were dense, with a continuous stream of court officials coming to pay their respects.

Lu Shang, seemingly lost in thought, gazed at the mourning hall with his divine eyes. He saw wisps of aura surging and gathering within the hall, each possessing its own distinct characteristics.

Above Dou Rongding's coffin, a thick, dark aura was slowly dissipating, while above Princess Ancheng's head, though shrouded in gloom, a few faint wisps of auspicious energy still struggled to emerge.

A pure blue aura gradually condensed above Dou Kang's head, while a crimson aura surrounded Dou Qing's body, rising and falling with his tightly clenched fist.

(End of this chapter)