The Husband I Snatched Is Not Right!-Chapter 99: Come On, Pry Open the Coffin

Upon leaving the city gates, Ying Yin wore a somber expression as he met the funeral procession carrying the coffin.

In the outskirts, the cold wind rustled.

This place was scarcely inhabited, surrounded by a vast expanse of white, all marks covered by snow.

Orderly soldiers appeared.

Each wore mourning attire, with white sashes around their waists, carrying the coffin, unable to hide their grief, trudging forward numbly.

No one spoke.

Only occasionally, a sob or two could be heard.

There were also strange, unknown birds calling chaotically,

The loneliness of the outskirts magnified, casting a dreary oppression upon the heavens.

Xiao Huaian no longer stirred up trouble, staring intently at the coffin, falling into a deep silence.

On the way back, white lanterns hung high on both sides of the road, mourning flags swaying in the wind, paper money fluttering.

Everywhere, the sorrow of mourning was evident.

The coffin was finally carried into the specially set-up mourning hall at the post station.

Ying Yin took three sticks of incense and lit them.

It was unclear whether he spoke for the person in the coffin, himself, or the officials behind him.

"When news of your death reached Shangjing, Duchess Shun fell seriously ill and has not recovered to this day."

Ying Yin’s emotions were complex.

In fact, what Xiao Huaian said wasn’t wrong.

He indeed had been jealous of Wei Zhao.

He was a prince, but not born of the Central Palace, making him a step below the Crown Prince.

Over the years, he had put in great effort to make the Emperor see him differently, excelling among the princes. He had earned the Emperor’s favor, smoothly advancing.

But what about Wei Zhao?

Two years younger than him, yet his writings were far superior.

Wei Zhao did not seem to work harder than him, yet he was deemed a promising talent by the Grand Tutor.

After becoming a general, Wei Zhao repeatedly achieved merits, and as long as he was present, he was the center of attention. He and the Crown Prince became mere foils.

Even the Emperor always lamented whenever mentioned.

Lamented what?

Lamented that Wei Zhao was not a prince?

The Wei Family, generation after generation, adept and shrewd, truly an intolerable existence. 𝚏𝕣𝐞𝗲𝐰𝕖𝐛𝐧𝕠𝕧𝚎𝚕.𝐜𝚘𝗺

But now that he was dead, Ying Yin did not feel much relief or joy.

If the border were to become turbulent, who else could...

The court would be hard-pressed to find another Wei Zhao.

He exhaled deeply: "I had hoped to treat you to wine upon your victorious return, but there won’t be another chance."

He placed the incense into the censer.

Poured a cup of wine on the ground.

"Gui Zhi. I will help you look after the Duke Shun Mansion."

Saying this, he stepped aside, leaving space open.

Officials from the Capital City, eyes filled with pity and admiration, took turns offering incense.

Xiao Huaian watched, sneering.

"Heir."

Someone reminded him.

Xiao Huaian tossed the incense handed to him onto the ground, then stomped heavily on it.

"Rest in peace?"

"I advised him against joining the military, but with grand ambitions, he didn’t listen. Now he’s dead, serves him right."

"I told him to marry early and leave heirs, so that in case anything happened, the Wei Family wouldn’t be left without successors. He didn’t listen and accused me of cursing him."

No need for curses.

Wei Zhao, you’re not made of steel!

Otherwise, how could the enemy have killed him?

Even without Ying Yin’s stern reprimand, Xiao Huaian, looking fatigued, wandered outside.

Once he left, the atmosphere became harmonious.

Yang Weiweng and the other county magistrates of Liu’an City followed Prefect Zhu to kneel on the ground, intending to solemnly pay respects to General Wei.

Someone began to cry.

Crying very mournfully.

The officials nearby lifted their hems to wipe away a few tears.

It was as if he had lost his parents.

Yang Weiweng looked over and saw that it was Prefect Zhu.

No surprise, truly a sincere friendship!

Ying Yin did not inquire, his gaze deep as he glanced at the Magistrate.

Prefect Zhu quickly confessed: "This humble official was reckless. This humble official is guilty."

Such a clumsy trick, Ying Yin didn’t even take it to heart.

Among those kneeling here, who didn’t want his attention?

Prefect Zhu recited the words he had practiced for days: "To be honest, this humble official was acquainted with the General. Considered a friendship across ages, we often corresponded."

"Upon hearing the bad news, this humble official lost his appetite and couldn’t rest."

"At this moment, I can’t help but feel sorrowful."

These words shocked many.

Prefect Zhu actually knew General Wei!

He never mentioned it before.

Low-key indeed.

Ying Yin’s expression also softened slightly.

But before he could speak, someone rushed in from outside.

Xiao Huaian looked down on Prefect Zhu.

"You say you and Wei Zhao were friends?"

Prefect Zhu knew that the heir to Marquis Zhongyong was not easy to deal with and was always at odds with Wei Zhao.

"Yes."

Xiao Huaian’s face was expressionless: "Say it again."

Prefect Zhu wiped the tears from the corners of his eyes, but before he could speak a word, his collar was tightly grasped by someone.

Xiao Huaian sneered: "You wish to be regarded highly, to climb the Fifth Prince’s high branch, I don’t care, but who gave you the courage to use Wei Zhao as a stepping stone?"

"You say you knew him, why didn’t I know this?"

"Correspondence would be laughable. Wei Zhao has little patience, even letters to family are never more than five words."

Let alone reply to his letter!!

If he wrote five, maybe Wei Zhao might humor him with one response!

Xiao Huaian had often complained, even writing a thick stack of letters questioning whether someone was holding his hand down, or if Wei Zhao’s writing was worth its weight in gold.

Wei Zhao did not reply.

But a few days later, the professor from the Imperial College read and evaluated Wei Zhao’s article in front of the students.

["Look, look, this is what a piece of writing should be! What were you writing during your exams! I thought Gui Zhi went through hardships in the barracks, too busy to reply to me, but never expected he was so considerate, willing to write a model essay for you all!"]

["Look at his handwriting! Trained from an early age by the former great Confucians and then guided by the Grand Tutor, his style has become unique. Now it has its own character; with time, it will surely become significant."]

It wasn’t that Wei Zhao gladly wrote for the professor of the Imperial College; this was clearly a slap to Xiao Huaian’s face.

Worth its weight in gold, yes.

Thus, Xiao Huaian specifically wrote a letter to scold him.

In very foul words.

Surprisingly, he got a reply.

No words.

Just corrections around the typos in his letter.

Don’t mention how furious he was then; even now, thinking about it, Xiao Huaian is still enraged!

His eyes exploded with a cold intent, as if looking at a clown.

"If you think this heir is wrong, show the letter he wrote to you, throw the evidence in my face, and shut my mouth."

"We who came from Shangjing can recognize Wei Zhao’s handwriting. I doubt you have the skill to forge it."

"His character may be lacking, as they say, remedying what one lacks, and the people he was willing to befriend all had noble character!"

Yes, just like this kind!

"It’s impossible that he was blind enough to associate with you."

Since Xiao Huaian put this out in the open, Ying Yin neither spoke nor intervened, drinking the water handed over by a servant at a leisurely pace.

The honest yet somewhat dull Yang Weiweng hastily said: "Heir, let’s talk properly, you mustn’t hit people."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Huaian swung his fist heavily.

"Tch, what a thing, dare to jump out and sully the heir’s eyes."

"Does it make you seem particularly capable?"

"You say you’re his friend, why not be bolder."

"Come, come, let’s pry open the coffin now, lay inside yourself, and claim to be his wife even in death!"