freenovelworld Chapter 560 Qufu
Chapter 560 Qufu
The spring rain drizzled, wetting the bluestone slabs on the official road.
A ceremonial team of about 300 people was slowly marching towards Qufu. The three vermilion lacquered carriages at the head had bright yellow tassels hanging from the four corners and were swaying gently.
Crown Prince Qin Mingxuan sat upright in a vermilion lacquered and gold-decorated carriage, his slender fingers tapping lightly on the sandalwood table, his eyes fixed on the pile of evidence on the table that had been collected by the Jingjisi and Xiuyiwei from various places.
Apart from a small pile on the table, the boxes under the desk were also full.
The dense handwriting in tiny regular script on the thin paper was all the blood and tears of the people. Kong's arrogance made him amazed.
"Your Highness, we will arrive in Qufu in half a day." Outside the carriage curtain, the guard commander reported in a low voice.
Qin Mingxuan nodded slightly and lifted a corner of the curtain.
The willow trees on both sides of the newly built official road have sprouted new buds, and in the distant farmlands, farmers are bending over to till the land, creating a peaceful scene.
"Brother Jiu, have you arrived at the post station?"
The eleventh prince Qin Mingcong directly lifted the curtain of the carriage. The tenth prince Qin Mingcheng, who was resting with his eyes closed beside him, slowly opened his eyelids and took a look at the scene outside the carriage.
The drizzle fell continuously, soaking into the farmer's short jacket without a single patch on it.
"We're almost there." Qin Mingxuan's eyes were indifferent. "According to the regulations of the Ministry of Rites, we need to rest at the South City Post Station first, and then officially enter the city at noon three days later to worship Confucius at the Confucius Temple."
The eleventh prince, Qin Mingcong, said with a hint of gloating, "The Kong family should have received our news by now. They should be very happy."
"His Royal Highness, under the Emperor's order, has brought the Minister of Rites, the Minister of Rites, and other officials, as well as his two younger brothers, to the Confucius Temple in Qufu to offer sacrifices to Confucius. What a grand occasion! I'm sure he must be overjoyed."
"Tenth brother, how are you feeling now? It hasn't been long since the Kong family's daughter was named the Tenth Prince's consort, and your wife's family is about to fall. You won't take your anger out on your Tenth sister-in-law, will you?"
Qin Mingcong gently pushed Qin Mingcheng.
"These Kong family members live more recklessly than a dozen of us brothers. If a tree that's hundreds of years old isn't pruned, it will think it's wild.
It's not like my property will be confiscated and I'll be exiled. If you dare to do it, you'll have to pay the price. As for your tenth sister-in-law...why should I vent my anger on her? I didn't marry her for her family."
Qin Mingcheng leaned back on the pillow with his eyes closed, and said nonchalantly, "We are just idlers. Even if the wife is born a beggar, so what? As long as she likes him, what does it have to do with her family?"
"Why don't you fight for your father-in-law?" Qin Mingcong sat down next to Qin Mingcheng and bumped his shoulder.
"He who deserves to die must die. It all depends on himself. He will suffer the consequences if he does evil." Qin Mingcheng said with a smile.
Qin Mingcong raised his eyebrows.
The two of them were just here to make up the numbers. They had just gotten married and were following the prince to see the world.
The emperor and ninth brother had not assigned them any tasks, so naturally they had no idea that the decree to confer the title of Duke Yansheng was for the younger brother of the tenth prince's wife.
After all, the Tenth Prince's wife's younger brother is only three years old.
The wives of the two brothers came from Zhang family in Yunjin Mountain and Kong family in Qufu, respectively. Although both were prominent families, they did not attach much importance to it. Instead, they valued their wives themselves.
They only had a general idea of the details of the prince's trip.
Although there was a hidden murderous intention, the act of entering the Confucius Temple to worship Confucius was not false.
Whether it is the chosen date or the accompanying ceremonial procession, they all represent the court's solemn attitude and respect for the saint.
After entering the city, the prince had to burn incense and fast for several days.
Qin Mingxuan smiled gently and said, "Don't worry, Tenth Brother. You will still have to raise Prince Yansheng. Father said he would tell you when we get to Qufu. We haven't reached Qufu yet, but we're almost there."
The city of Qufu was right in front of them, and the troops from the Embroidered Uniform Guards and the Capital Administration who had been transferred from all directions had already entered the city in disguise and were on standby.