Reborn in the last years of Kangxi

Chapter 799 Bereavement (whispering for a monthly pass)

Rehe, the summer resort.

Shengjia returned to Rehe on the seventh day of September, and Kangxi rested for a few days before he calmed down.Kangxi sighed inwardly when he looked at the white-sealed papers on the cases.

Who is this gone?Since the beginning of autumn, there have been funeral reports coming to the imperial court in three or five days.Those old officials in the early years of Kangxi had long since withered away, and those officials who were employed in the middle of Kangxi had also reached the age of retirement.

He is becoming more and more like a loner.

When Kangxi saw the five characters "Second Class Bo Cao Yin", Kangxi couldn't help but widen his eyes, propping up the Kang table with one hand, leaning forward with his upper body, he was shocked.

In addition to the records of Cao Yin, the former servant of the Ministry of Rites and the second-class uncle Cao Yin, who died of illness, there are still the remains of Cao Yin. The palm print was given to Shizhong and Heshuo's son-in-law Cao Yong to report his father's death at the beginning of September [-]th ([-]:[-] in the morning).

Kangxi only felt that his eyes were dark and his mind was in a mess.

The last time I saw Cao Yin was on the day of Empress Dowager Daxing's funeral.Cao Yin stood among the lords. Although he was thin and looked old, Kangxi still saw him at a glance.

Having known each other for more than fifty years, Kangxi can understand the worry in the eyes of this confidant with just one look.

He was both sentimental and funny at the time, Cao Yin was a few years younger than himself, did he worry about him?

Yes, don't worry about him.

The emperor who ascended the throne at the age of eight has an unrivaled pride.

In his heart, he has never looked down upon Cao Yin.Treating courtiers like "siblings" is also the way of a young emperor.Even when his face was full of warmth, didn't his heart glow with the pride of an emperor playing with people's hearts in applause?
To him, Cao Yin is the son of the nanny and a servant who can be ordered around with confidence.

Just as he was wearing a dragon robe, sitting on the cold dragon chair, carefully looking at the faces of his ministers, did he also envy the freedom of the young Cao Yin?
When his emperor's authority was persecuted by San Francisco and lost half of his country, did he also envy Cao Yin's youthful talent and rise to fame?
The talent who can be sympathetic and tolerant is promoted to his side, and he is favored; but he doesn't want Cao Yin to be proud of himself and be on the list, so he is transferred before the exam. What is the reason?
One was born in the prime minister's mansion, a direct descendant of the Yehe tribe in Manchuria, and the grandson of Aixinjueluo; the other was born in a former court minister, royal coat, and emperor's servant.This is the difference between the two.The former treats them with sincerity with "love"; the latter treats them with "graciousness" and promotes them from the humblest. This is the emperor's mind.

Looking at Nanny Sun, who was dependent on her childhood, and praising Cao Yin, who was a few years younger than him, for "early wisdom", the young emperor also faintly felt jealous in his heart.

The emperor's emotions are domineering. Even though he was still young and unable to govern himself, it is an unavoidable willfulness for every child to desire the full attention of those around him.

Even if he grows up later, even if Nanny Sun leaves the palace later, he doesn't want Cao Yin to spread his wings and become Nanny Sun's proudest son.

In his heart, there was only one person whom Nanny Sun could be proud of.

After he pacified the "San Francisco", recovered "Taiwan", defeated Galdan, and transformed into a mature emperor.The jealousy that was hidden in childhood has long since disappeared without a trace.

Even his own stature, when he dreamed back at midnight, he would not admit that he was once a little "jealous" of a slave.

The kindness to the Cao family has won the loyalty of several generations of the Cao family.

It wasn't until this time that Kangxi truly classified the Cao family as "one of his own" in his heart.

It was the nanny who had taken care of him for more than ten years and given him countless loves; it was because of his words, two generations of the Cao family, father and son, had been stationed in the south of the Yangtze River for more than [-] years.

After learning that Li Shi was old, Kangxi married her to Cao Yin because of his wholehearted trust in the Cao family.

Now, Cao Yin, who has looked up to him and been loyal to him all his life, is gone when he says nothing, and only he, the old emperor, is left feeling this boundless loneliness...

*
Capital, Cao Mansion.

On the gate, a white curtain has been hung, dancing in the autumn wind, with a bit of awe.More than a dozen gong and drummers in filial piety clothes played the funeral music every two or three quarters of an hour, which made people feel more sad.

In the courtyard, a coffin shed has been set up, filled with tables and chairs, and the butler servants dressed in full mourning followed the host's men to entertain the guests who came to pay homage.

Monks, lamas, and Taoists work in three shifts day and night, chanting scriptures non-stop.There were cigarettes in the shed, and the choking made people's eyes red, which added a bit of sadness.

Today is September [-]th, the third day of Cao Yin's death.

According to the funeral ceremony, the funeral family will have a lot of work today.Is it the day of "clothes burial", "coffin burial", "receiving the third", "sending the third", or the day of "family sacrifice" and "first sacrifice", which is the grand ceremony in the funeral ceremony.

After working for half a day, the "clothes burial" and "coffin burial" have been completed, and we are only waiting for the "receiving three" and "sending three" ceremonies at dusk.

Two and a half days since Cao Yin died, Cao Yong has been supporting non-stop for three days.

Now that his eyes are bloodshot from the heat, he is talking with the sixteenth elder brother and seventeenth elder brother who came to pay homage to him in the study.He said "accompany" Elder Sixteen, but in reality it was Elder Sixteen who saw that he was too tired and forced him to come over to have a rest.

"Fu Ruo, the funeral is still pending, and you can't work too hard. My uncle only has your one-year-old son. If you are tired and sick, who will take care of the big things here?" Sixteenth elder brother saw Cao Yong's face darkened. , shaking his head disapprovingly.

After several days without sleep, Cao Yong only felt pain in his temple.He stroked his forehead and said: "Thank you Master Sixteen for caring, I can still bear it."

This is the pain of bereavement, even if the [-]th elder brother and the [-]th elder brother are on good terms with Cao Yong, they still have both parents, so they can't empathize, and they don't know how to persuade them for a while.

To put it lightly, it is disrespectful to the deceased; to say it seriously, it can only add grief.

"Think more about your aunt and children, and take care of yourself. From now on, you will be the pillar of the Cao family." Elder Sixteen sighed and said.

Because the sixteenth elder brother and the seventeenth elder brother were private sacrifices, they wore ordinary clothes, and after offering wine in front of the spirit, they dragged Cao Yong to the study, and did not entertain outside officials.

When a speculative official saw the two of them, he wanted to ask someone to see him, saying that he would greet the two elder brothers.At this moment, three or four groups of people came.

Elder Sixteen was very impatient, but because they were the hangers-on of the Cao family, he hesitated and pushed them away.

Right now, hearing that someone wanted to pay his respects again, Elder Sixteen was hesitating whether to socialize or not to save face for the Cao family.

Cao Yin died of illness, Cao Yongding worried, the Cao family was doomed to be silent for two or three years, maybe there would be some unscrupulous people who thought that "people take tea to cool down", opened their snobbish eyes, and wanted to "bully".

At this time, the housekeeper of the Cao family came to report: "Master, Lord Yong and the thirteenth elder brother are here. Just at the door, the second master went to meet him, and told the younger one to come and invite the elder brother to come."

Everyone got up, the sixteenth elder brother still hesitated when he saw Cao Yong, and said: "Fu Ruo goes to meet him, and I will go to the other side of the coffin with the seventeenth brother, so as not to make those grandsons mutter in their hearts."

The words are not clear, but Cao Yong is not a fool, he understands his intentions, he is very grateful in his heart, and clasped his fists and said: "So, I have trouble with the sixteenth and seventeenth masters. I will go to meet the fourth and thirteenth masters first, and please Master Sixteen and Master Seventeen will come back later to accompany you."

The sixteenth elder brother responded, and went to the coffin with the seventeenth elder brother.

Cao Yong followed the housekeeper and hurried to the door.Just halfway there, I saw Cao Song coming with the fourth elder brother and the thirteenth elder brother.

These two are also the same as the sixteenth and seventeenth elder brothers, dressed in plain uniforms, looking solemn, their faces carved with knives, they seem to be two brothers who are directly related.

Cao Yong stepped forward and was dragged back by the fourth elder brother just as he was about to greet him.

The fourth elder brother was rarely moved, his eyes were filled with concern, and his voice was also rarely warmed: "There is no need to be too polite today, first take me and the thirteenth master to worship in front of your father's spirit."

Brother Thirteen also stepped forward and helped him with his other arm.

Cao Yong couldn't help being ashamed in his heart. For the two in front of him, most of the time he was afraid of being too close and seeking to benefit.

A group of people passed through the altar and arrived at the altar.

Among the hangers-on in the coffin, some talked in twos and threes, and some surrounded the sixteenth and seventeenth elder brothers to flatter them in every possible way.When they recognized the fourth elder brother and the thirteenth elder brother who came in with the Cao brothers, everyone gradually silenced their voices.

Brother Sixteen stroked the sparse beard on his lips, feeling amused in his heart.

This fourth brother is really a well-deserved "iceberg". No matter how lively the place is, he immediately becomes quiet when he appears.Even when the second elder brother was on the crown prince, he didn't necessarily have such majesty.

It's a powerful, inviolable aura.

Thinking of this, Elder Sixteen's heart moved, and his face had already calmed down.He looked at the fourth elder brother, then at Cao Yong, with a straight face, but his heart was turbulent, and he had countless thoughts.

"Brother Sixteen?" Elder Seventeen was at the side, seeing Elder Sixteen's expression was wrong, he tugged at his sleeve, and said in a low voice, "It's time to go up and say hello to Brother Fourth and Brother Thirteen."

"Ah? Ah!" Elder Sixteen finally came to his senses, and said casually, "Don't worry, it won't be too late to come forward after Fourth Brother and Thirteenth Brother finish worshiping..."

Among the princes and elder brothers in the capital, apart from the four elder brothers in the coffin shed right now, there is also the seventh elder brother who came to Cao's house to worship.He came in the morning, and went to the Ministry of Rites after the worship, and told Cao Yong that he would come again at "Yin San" in the afternoon.

There is no need to mention the other beauties, Duke Guo.

The hanging guests in the mourning shed, seeing this situation, can only envy Cao Yin's mourning after his death.Now, I just don't know what Rehe means, whether there is a posthumous posthumous title, what is the posthumous posthumous title, there is a sacred meaning in it that can be guessed...

*
Inner house, orchid courtyard.

Fearing that Mrs. Li would not be able to support her health, she did not entertain guests in the Orchid Court, but entertained the female relatives in the Wutong Court.

After all, it is a family. At this time, we can see the effectiveness of everyone.Elderly female guests are received by Mrs. Zhao Jia accompanied by Mrs. Cao Jia; Jinghui is a man of thoughtful conduct, and she follows Cao Yi to entertain her orders; Chunhua is young and lively, so she entertains young female relatives; Su Xin is careful and careful, Just by Li Shi's side to take care of Li Shi.

Chu Yu is a filial woman, and with Chang Sheng, Tian You and others, she has to guard behind the coffin to mourn and return gifts, and cannot leave for a moment.Zijing is the housekeeper, she picks up and sends them off, and has no time to stay in one place.

As a filial family member, Li cried in the mourning hall for half a day, and was helped back to the orchid courtyard to rest for half a day.Although he seemed to be lacking in energy, he did not fall down after being persuaded by everyone and propped up with ginseng soup.

After much difficulty, I stayed up until dusk, and it will be the time of "Yin San".

Chu Yu looked at the crowd and felt that one person was missing. At this moment, she realized that Han Jiang, the "adopted daughter" under the name of her parents-in-law, had not yet appeared.

She frowned slightly, a little strange, after years of dealings, Han Jiangshi is not a short-handed person.Now to catch up with the old man's funeral, even if she is not her own daughter, but just a adopted daughter, she shouldn't miss it for three days.

Will there be any surprises?
She was thinking wildly in her mind, when she saw the steward's daughter-in-law leading a young daughter-in-law who was full of filial piety, which one was it not Han Jiang's?

Han Jiangshi is not as capable and calm as before, his small face is so thin that it is not as big as a hand, and it is shockingly pale, leaving only a pair of almond eyes.The moment she saw Li Shi and Chu Yu, her eyes showed sorrow and guilt.

"Ma'am, grandma." When she came to the front, she bent down and greeted her in a low voice, but she used the old address.

In grief, Mrs. Li didn't pay attention, gave her a little support, and said: "Go and pay homage to the master first."

Han Jiangshi agreed, and was led to the coffin by others, and gave a big gift.

At this moment, Chu Yu has recovered from the effort, and knows that Han Jiang's heart is overwhelmed.She sighed inwardly, led Han Jiangshi aside, and said, "Why should my aunt suffer? My master is suffering from a chronic illness. Being able to survive until now is the result of years of health preservation. Who would blame my aunt?"

On Han Jiang's side, Dou Da's tears had already rolled down, and he bowed his head and said: "The eldest grandma is a generous person, but the little woman dare not know what is good or bad. I am a person who is lonely and lonely, and I have been pityed by the grandma. I am very grateful. If it is because of me that you bring bad luck to your house, even if the little lady dies, her crime will be covered."

Chuyu is not an ignorant woman, how could she inexplicably turn her anger on Han Jiangshi.

She shook her head, took out the handkerchief, handed it to Han Jiangshi, and said, "Don't do this quickly. If this is the case, wouldn't it be that my wife...cursed herself like this, why bother? Look at you, it's true She has become a foolish woman, she has no usual intelligence at all. Hurry up and accept the golden bumps, and come to help me, that is filial piety."

It happened that Cao Yi went to the front yard to "introduce the three" and saw Chuyu and Han Jiangshi together, came to see each other, heard the two talking, and said, "Sister-in-law is right, my sister is really confused. Birth, old age, sickness and death, Immortals can't stand it, who would blame you for being a miserable little girl. If the loss of a relative will involve me, then I am also a evil star."

From childhood to adulthood, Han Jiangshi has received so many rollicking eyes and listened to countless ugly and vicious words, never has anyone treated her so tolerantly.

She covered her face with a veil and burst into tears with gratitude.

However, she was still afraid in her heart, fearing that it would be her destiny to overcome her parents and siblings, and she had already made up her mind.Even if, in the future, you will be filial to the Li family as your own mother, and respect Cao Yong and Chu Yu as your brothers and sisters-in-law, this title cannot be changed back.

In this world, it's rare for someone to treat her like a family member. She really doesn't want to bring any misfortune and sorrow with her...

From dusk, the ceremony of "receiving three" and "sending three" began.

Outside the gate, gongs and drums sounded in unison, and the funeral music shook.The official drum and big music in front of the spirit also began to play; on the platform, there was also the "Jiufu Class", the pure and fine music of nine people.

In the coffin, the monks, the Fans, and the Taoists all began to chant scriptures and pray for the dead.

According to folklore, three days after a person dies, his soul visits "Wangxiang Terrace" to bid farewell to his family.On this day of filial piety, apart from grand sacrifices, monks and Taoists are also invited to chant scriptures for the deceased to avoid sins, so that they will not fall into hell, hungry ghosts, and animals, and will be reincarnated as soon as possible.

It was another cumbersome ceremony, and when the tossing was over, it was already Xuzheng time (eight o'clock in the evening).

The hangers-on with lesser relationships dispersed one after another, while those with good relationships stayed and sat with the bereaved family at night...

A few days passed in a blink of an eye, and in the blink of an eye, it was September [-], the day of Cao Yin's "first seven", and more guests came to Cao's mansion to hang sacrifices than on the day of "the third".

Everyone was planning the day in their hearts, knowing that Rehe's will should also come down.

Who will offer sacrifices on behalf of the Son of Heaven, whether there is a posthumous posthumous title, and what posthumous posthumous posthumous posthumous posthumous posthumous posthumous posthumous posthumous posthumous posthumous posthumous posthumous posthumous posthumous posthumous posthumous posthumous posthumous posthumous titles.

While everyone was looking forward to it, the prince and prince, the fourth elder brother, arrived with an imperial edict in hand. In addition to praising Cao Yin's life, the imperial edict added Cao Yin's posthumous title of "loyalty and integrity".

Everyone kneeling in the mourning hall was in an uproar. Needless to say, the word "loyalty", as a courtier who the emperor has relied on all his life, Cao Yin deserves the word "loyalty", but this "righteousness" is extremely beautiful.

Throughout the ages, those who have received the posthumous title of "loyalty and integrity" are all important ministers of the country and role models for the subjects.There is nothing more mournful and glorious than this.

Cao Yin spent most of his life as an errand in the Ministry of Internal Affairs, a servant of the Son of Heaven, returned to the capital in his later years, and was just a nominal errand in the Ministry of Rites. Now that he has received such a beautiful posthumous posthumous title, no one can see that this was not planned by the Ministry of Rites.

If it is the posthumous title proposed by the Ministry of Rites, "Zhongmin", "Zhongcheng", and "Zhongping" are still possible, but it is absolutely impossible to be the word "Zhongzheng".

Cao Yin, who was denounced as a "sycophant" and "a national beetle" by the official censor, was finally judged by the emperor whom he had devoted his whole life to...

(End of this chapter)