Chronicles of the Qin Dynasty

Chapter 129, Section 128: The Fengshan Ceremony at Mount Tai
After the initial and final rites of the funeral concluded, Yan Cong wiped away his tears and prepared to begin the mourning ceremony for his father.

The obituary was issued, funeral banners were set up, a mourning hall was erected, and memorial tablets were placed.

Everything was in disarray.

Ji Heng stood before the mourning hall for a long time, his tall figure casting a long shadow. Then he whispered, "Return to the palace."

Zhou Ju also breathed a sigh of relief.

With the king remaining here, the entire Yan family, including his concubines, servants, and retainers, were trembling with fear. The encoffining, the vigil, and other procedures followed, a complex process that would take several days and nights to complete.

Everyone breathed a sigh of relief when Ji Heng said he was leaving.

However, before leaving, he gave the following instructions: "When the Yan army returns to Pinyang, I will have the prince and princess personally escort them."

Madam Yan suddenly burst into tears: "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your great kindness."

It was unprecedented for princes and princesses to escort their ministers' coffins back to their hometowns.

Not only them, but Zhou Ju also suddenly looked up, speechless and unable to respond.

Only Qin Shi sighed—

In an era where the hierarchy between ruler and subject was so rigid, no monarch acted in this way for the first two thousand years and the next two thousand years.

Although Pinyang is only about 140 li away from Xianyang, it can be reached by carriage in a day.

But the kindness and trust represented by this are unprecedented.

The Yan family was filled with grief mixed with honor and emotion. Yan Cong respectfully saw them off at the gate of the mansion, and then promised Ji Heng: "Your Majesty, when I come of age, I will do as my father did and conquer vast territories for Your Majesty!"

Although he was only fourteen years old, he was tall and strong, already looking like an adult. Only his face still had a childish look, but his words were full of lofty ambitions.

Ji Heng glanced at him: "I will wait."

The carriage was already parked in front of the mansion gate, and Ji Heng stepped into the carriage amidst the respectful farewells of the crowd.

But as he got into the car, he paused, then turned around and reached his hand slightly downwards.

A strong, well-defined hand descended from the sleeve, casting a shadow from above. Silence reigned all around, broken only by the faint, suppressed breaths.

Qin Shi was slow to realize what Ji Heng meant, and quickly took two steps forward, placing his hand in Ji Heng's palm.

Hot, dry, and powerful.

This time, she could clearly feel that she was being lifted and pulled up.

The crowd behind them fell even more silent.

The carriage rumbled along.

As the sun sets, the massive palace complex of Xianyang Palace is bathed in a golden twilight, momentarily resembling a celestial kingdom.

……

Inside the carriage, the attendants silently poured tea and waited, while Qin Shi glanced at Ji Heng, whose brows were also deeply furrowed, and asked softly, "What does Your Majesty wish to instruct?"

Given Ji Heng's personality, Qin Shi would never believe that he would suddenly decide to take her back to the palace because of romantic feelings. The only possibility is that he has something to arrange for himself, but it's not yet confirmed.

Ji Heng raised his eyebrows to look at her and said in a low voice, "Prince Qian is impetuous and of noble status. I want him to personally escort the Yan army back to their hometown, but I am afraid that he will act carelessly and ruin the peace of the Yan family."

He looked at Qin Shi and said, "You are a noble person of my Great Qin. I wish to put you in charge of this matter. I wonder if you are willing, Qin Qing?"

Upon hearing this, Zhou Ju was immediately surprised.

Given Qin Qing's status, the King had strictly forbidden her from leaving Xianyang Palace for the rest of her life.

Now they're asking her to go to Pinyang with the Yan family—this doesn't make sense!

After all, even if the king intends to make her queen, her status is still unclear, so it would be illegitimate for her to take charge of this matter...

Zhou Ju's little brain immediately started working at lightning speed.

Then he lowered his eyes, and a layer of cold sweat gradually spread across his back.

Qin Shi was also taken aback. To be honest, she was quite surprised.

The three-hour commute was already unbearable for her, but now it would take a whole day to get to Pinyang!
but……

Looking into Ji Heng's firm and unfathomable eyes, she suddenly realized that she had no right to refuse.

The reason the other party let her leave Xianyang Palace was probably not because of trust or affection, but also as a test.

To test whether she is truly dedicated to the Qin Dynasty and willing to shoulder heavy responsibilities.

After all, everyone knows that King Heng of Qin is thirty-six years old, and his eldest son is Prince Qian.

If the Qin dynasty could not handle even minor matters such as treating its ministers well and coordinating all affairs, the queen's power would naturally be weakened in the future.

If she harbors ulterior motives and intends to take this opportunity to kill Prince Qian and destabilize the Qin Dynasty, this trip is the perfect chance.

All of this needs to be explored even more before she is made queen.

Prince Qian carried not only the honor of being a prince, but also the responsibility of sacrificing himself for the future of the Qin Dynasty.

Although I didn't know about this bait.

Having figured this out, Qin Shi no longer hesitated: "I am willing to share the King's burdens."

"But..." she feigned difficulty, "The carriage is really bumpy these days. If I have to sit in it all day, I'm afraid I'll lose my composure when I get off. I wonder if Your Majesty could grant me a carriage for use?"

Ji Heng stared intently at her, his fingertips gently stroking the hilt of his sword: "Granted."

After saying that, he curled the corners of his lips again: "Qin Qing still needs more time to get used to traveling. Now that I have unified the six kingdoms, next year I will make an eastern tour to promulgate the [Great Qin Code] and announce it to the world."

"You...should naturally accompany me as well."

Zhou Ju felt a sense of relief once again.

Although the king had long intended to establish an empress, he had not yet made it clear.

The fact that a specific date has been given now indicates that the Imperial Household Department will begin preparations after Qin Qing returns from Pinyang and before his eastern tour.

A huge weight was lifted from his heart. At this moment, he was filled with both worry and anticipation, thinking: Qin Qing, can you do it well?

Can this put Your Majesty's mind at ease?
Qin Shi was also surprised: "An eastern tour? A proclamation to the world?"

But a thousand thoughts raced through his mind: Did he specifically mention the eastern tour next year to prepare for the Fengshan ceremony at Mount Tai?

First, it expresses trust and respect.

Secondly, Qin Shi speculated that it was highly likely that he wanted to announce to the world during the Fengshan ceremony that he would establish himself as queen—if nothing unexpected happened.

The Fengshan ceremony has always been held on a day in the spring and autumn.

Given Ji Heng's personality, it will likely take place in the spring. Therefore, it will be at most six months before she becomes queen.

Such a leap in social class is unprecedented in speed.

She also looked forward to it—once she had a legitimate claim to power, everything she needed to do would be much easier to accomplish.

With this anticipation in her heart, she subconsciously said, "Yes, Your Majesty has unified the six kingdoms, possesses virtue surpassing the Three Sovereigns and achievements exceeding the Five Emperors. And the East is the place where yang energy arises and all things begin to grow, so Your Majesty should naturally make an eastern tour."

"Then we will go to Mount Tai to perform the Fengshan ceremony, to communicate with heaven and earth, to erect a stone to praise Your Majesty, and to ensure that all the wise men of Qi and Lu will submit to Your Majesty..."

“Build an earthen altar to receive the mandate from Heaven.”

"Setting up a sacrificial site to the earth is in accordance with the will of Heaven."

"This is to announce to all the subjects of the world that the King has been granted the most legitimate power by the gods. The Qin state is now unified, and the Mandate of Heaven has been bestowed upon him."

"It is an honor for Qin to participate in such a grand national ceremony. Thank you, Your Majesty!"

　The first person to perform the Fengshan ceremony at Mount Tai was the First Emperor. As a child, she… well, she was probably the first person to accidentally use sweet words!

After all, it was only natural and reasonable for the First Emperor to perform the Fengshan ceremony at Mount Tai!
During my period, I just don't feel well at all (this time I was utterly defeated by two mung bean popsicles, it was a complete disaster...).
It's almost the end of the month, please vote for me! I want to be in the top ten, top ten, top ten...

(End of this chapter)