The Lucky Farmgirl-Chapter 2031 - 2006: National Mourning

Due to the Empress Dowager’s passing, not only the Chongwen Pavilion, but also the Imperial Academy temporarily closed. The Emperor subsequently issued a decree for the common people to observe mourning for three months, during which they mustn’t hold banquets or celebrate joyous events; 𝘧𝑟𝑒𝑒𝘸𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝓁.𝘤𝘰𝓂

Officials must observe mourning for six months, within which they cannot marry or hold banquets;

The royal family, like the officials, but royal children must observe twenty-seven months like the Emperor.

Originally, married women were supposed to be excluded, but due to the Empress Dowager’s last words, the Emperor knew she wanted Commandery Princess Yunfeng to take the opportunity to nurture her health, so he didn’t add this rule.

Since it wasn’t added, married women not needing to observe full mourning became more of a customary practice, whether to observe it depended on personal relationships.

Nanny Dou, aware of the inner workings, hinted to Commandery Princess Yunfeng, "Princess Mingda and Princess Changyu both must observe the full twenty-seven months. Her Highness always cares for the Commandery Princess, does the Commandery Princess want to observe the full mourning?"

Commandery Princess Yunfeng, with swollen red eyes, replied, "Of course, I want to observe full mourning. Why would Nanny ask me such a thing?"

Nanny Dou comforted her, "I worried that you might grow apart from the Prince Consort, but given your deep feelings, it shouldn’t happen. It was my mistake."

Yunfeng wiped her tears and said, "If they’re observing it, I certainly will too. Even if he’s ordered not to let me observe, I will certainly do so."

Hearing this somewhat resentful remark, Nanny Dou was startled and hurriedly said, "With your filial heart, His Majesty would be overjoyed and wouldn’t stop you."

Yunfeng said nothing.

Nanny Dou could only sigh; before her death, the Empress Dowager assigned Nanny Dou to Commandery Princess Yunfeng to take care of her and to advise her well, but now it seemed a challenging task.

She had initially planned to enjoy a peaceful retirement with Commandery Princess Yunfeng.

After privately crying once, Commandery Princess Yunfeng turned and cried before the Empress Dowager’s spirit.

The Emperor kept the Empress Dowager’s coffin for forty-nine days, then personally attended her burial at the imperial mausoleum. After returning, the royals began mourning.

Because of this mourning event, many in the capital fell ill, though most were ailments from exhaustion, not requiring imperial physicians. However, Manbao overheard Zheng Gu saying Jishi Hall frequently went out for consultations recently, and Doctor Ding’s medical fees were substantial.

Manbao merely overheard while pondering over the Qing Nang Jing. The beginning of this medical book had damaged pages, requiring her to bring it to the Hanlin Academy for restoration help. Some writings were so rough they needed identifying assistance.

However, people at Hanlin Academy were busy, and Manbao held no real prestige there. After running for half a month without success, Bai Shan accompanied her to seek Libationer Kong, who then took them to Editor Zhang at Hanlin Academy. He was responsible for auditing historical records and book entries, highly learned and straightforward, except too busy.

Despite his busyness, Libationer Kong’s involvement meant Editor Zhang agreed to help. His understanding of medical texts was limited, so he could start restoration, but proofreading later required Zhou Man’s cooperation.

Manbao was eager for this, but Editor Zhang had little time, and she was busy too. Strenuously coordinating schedules, they finally found a time for proofreading.

This made Manbao even busier.

Bai Shan was also busy, having already decided to attempt the imperial exam next year with Bai Dalang, which meant heavier academic demands. Even Mr. Zhuang and Libationer Kong deliberately increased his coursework difficulty.

Thus, Bai Shan, Feng Zongping, and Yi Ziyang’s coursework, those intending the imperial exam next year, was separated from others.

Bai Shan tried to drag Bai Erlang along. Initially, he kept up, but later it became challenging. He considered giving up, not minding taking regular classes with Zhao Liulang.

But Bai Shan said, "We are senior brothers, meant to share blessings and hardships."

Bai Erlang almost cried, "It’s hard for me, but not for you. With the same coursework, I stay up late while you still find time to help Manbao with research. It’s too unfair."

Yin Huo, who couldn’t think too much, smiled upon hearing that. He took the same classes but never had exams, and teachers seldom tested him, knowing he wouldn’t participate in exams nor venture into officialdom. Thus, he couldn’t understand Bai Erlang’s pain.

Seeing him smile made Bai Erlang feel weaker, slumped on the table in sorrow, before finally pulling himself together to continue his studies.

Though Bai Shan and Manbao never said it, he vaguely knew they might go on an academic tour within a year or two. Exam first, regardless of success or not, was beneficial.

If successful, they might partake in Ministry of Rites and Ministry of Personnel exams upon returning, ultimately selecting governmental positions; if not, they’d gain experience, securing focus for the tour.

He too longed to join their academic tour.

Being busy, when the capital’s first snow fell, they realized how quickly time had passed, leading the palace to grant early vacation days.

The students were somewhat happy, though some worried. Zhao Liulang couldn’t help but secretly ask Manbao, "The last two vacation rests aren’t timed right. I heard His Majesty skipped two grand court sessions and postponed three small ones. Zhou Man, is His Majesty ill?"

Manbao replied, "If he’s ill, wouldn’t asking your father be clearer? Or perhaps ask your cousin."

Zhao Liulang said, "If my father would tell me, would I still ask you?"

He certainly wouldn’t dare ask the Crown Prince.

Manbao said, "If your father won’t tell you, neither will I."

Oddly, Zhao Liulang found this reasoning sensible, though he deduced that His Majesty’s health was troubled since Zhou Man hadn’t assured him otherwise.

Zhao Liulang felt quite upset, turning to leave.

Manbao looked puzzled, asking Bai Shan, "Since when did Zhao Liulang have such deep feelings for His Majesty?"

Bai Erlang replied, "His Majesty, nothing. He’s upset because he can’t visit Pingkang Courtyard."

Manbao:...

Bai Shan laughed, "You forgot he borrowed a thousand taels from us on Mid-Autumn night and took the money when bringing his cousin for the flower banquet on the sixteenth."

Manbao:...She indeed forgot, who wouldn’t given the Empress Dowager fell gravely ill that night?

Bai Shan said, "He borrowed money and then faced national mourning, unlikely to visit Pingkang Courtyard. Although mourning persists, external restrictions aren’t severe. Nobody dares openly banquet, yet Pingkang Courtyard still has business. He must have plans."

Manbao said, "He’s rather bold; his mourning isn’t three months but six!"

Indeed, quite audacious.

Bai Shan smiled, "Perhaps he’s reluctant about Jiangnan’s ten beauties. Is His Majesty really ill?"

"No," Manbao didn’t conceal from insiders, "But perhaps mildly, since the Empress is ill, and his mood is down with the Empress Dowager’s passing. It’s nothing serious, melancholy affects anyone, it’ll pass soon."