Lord Shen behind her also had slightly reddened eyes. Shen Guiyan hadn’t seen him in a long time and only felt he’d aged considerably. Presumably during this period without his official seal, he’d been unable to eat or sleep peacefully, which was why he looked so haggard.

Seeing Madam Bao lose her composure like this, he didn’t stop her. He only bowed toward the spirit tablet and coffin in the mourning hall, then went to light a stick of incense.

“Mother, don’t disturb sister’s departed spirit.” While burning paper money, Shen Guiyan said: “Shouting and yelling like this, I’m afraid sister won’t even be able to depart peacefully.”

Madam Bao was stunned, her expression growing even more fierce: “You’re probably hoping your sister won’t be at peace, aren’t you?”

Gu Chaodong blocked in front of Madam Bao, frowning: “Madam, show some self-respect.”

Madam Bao covered her face with a handkerchief, sobbing endlessly, cursing quite filthily. Shen Guiyan acted as if she hadn’t heard.

Words revealed one’s cultivation. Let her curse as she wished—it wouldn’t cost her any flesh anyway.

Those with white hair sending off those with black hair couldn’t kneel, as it would reduce the deceased’s lifespan in the next life. Shen Guiyan had people bring chairs for the two elders to sit, but they wouldn’t sit, just standing like that, their grief unending.

Shen Guiya’s body would be buried tomorrow, laid to rest in the Gu family ancestral graves. Shen Guiyan felt that compared to Concubine Qin, she was truly far too fortunate. Concubine Qin had observed wifely virtues her entire life without any fault, yet simply because she was a concubine, her coffin couldn’t enter the ancestral graves. Her spirit tablet was constantly mistreated. Yet Shen Guiya, who had done all manner of lewd things, had so many people crying for her after death and would be buried in the ancestral graves.

How interesting.

In the afternoon, Gu Chaobei returned. What was somewhat surprising was that Yuwen Houde came with him to the Prime Minister’s residence.

“Hearing that the residence has funeral rites, this humble one was also acquainted with the eldest young madam, so I’ve come to offer a stick of incense.” Yuwen Houde said: “Please accept my condolences.”

Seeing him, Gu Chaodong’s face turned half green. But unable to show anger in the mourning hall, he could only step aside, letting this person go light incense for Shen Guiya.

Gu Chaobei came to stand beside Shen Guiyan, looking at her: “Are you sad?”

He’d been at the training ground meeting with a group of young soldiers when he suddenly heard Shen Guiya had committed suicide.

What did her suicide have to do with him? But this Yuwen paramour… ah no, Yuwen Houde insisted on coming back with him to look. Following the principle of “if there’s excitement and you don’t watch, you’re a turtle bastard,” Gu Chaobei brought him back. After all, he was one rank higher.

Shen Guiyan looked at him. After burning the paper money in her hands completely, she sighed lightly: “There’s nothing to be sad or not sad about. When a person dies, everything is gone. Since husband has returned, come offer eldest sister-in-law a stick of incense.”

Gu Chaobei frowned: “Too many incense sticks also reduces her lifespan. I think it’s unnecessary. Having Lord Yuwen help offer one is enough.”

Over there, Yuwen Houde had already performed his rites, sighing as he asked: “The burial is tomorrow?”

Gu Chaodong beside him said expressionlessly: “No need for Lord Yuwen to concern himself. The Gu family’s matters, the Gu family will handle themselves.”

“Ai, Eldest Young Master.” Concubine Guan standing beside came up, pulling Gu Chaodong and saying in a low voice: “You’re just entering officialdom. Don’t offend people. Behind this Lord Yuwen is General Yuwen, and behind General Yuwen is—I needn’t say who. Your attitude must be more respectful.”

Gu Chaodong frowned, swallowing his anger and turning his head away.

Yuwen Houde seemed not to blame him at all. Instead, he came forward: “The Imperial Preceptor says tomorrow will have rain. If you want to send someone to burial, I’m afraid just having people carry won’t work.”

The Gu family ancestral graves were on high ground outside the city. If it rained, the road would be very difficult to traverse. Gu Chaodong knew this and had just been discussing with people how to conduct the burial.

“Does Lord Yuwen have any solution?” Concubine Guan came up to smooth things over, asking with a placating smile.

Yuwen Houde said: “This humble one can be considered to have some friendship with your residence’s Fourth Young Master. To help is also possible. The Yuwen family has a funeral carriage. This humble one can borrow it for Eldest Young Master Gu’s use.”

A funeral carriage was a type of ceremonial vehicle for transporting coffins, representing honor. Generally it was used to transport the remains of heroes who died on the battlefield, which was why the Yuwen family had one.

Gu Chaodong’s face darkened. He very much wanted to say the Gu family’s daughter-in-law didn’t need him to conduct her funeral. But Madam Bao beside him, upon hearing about the funeral carriage, immediately nodded: “How wonderful! The person is already dead—at least let her depart in glory.”

“Why should she?” Baoshan said in a low voice: “Someone so unchaste who committed suicide—where does she have the qualifications to use a funeral carriage?”

Shen Guiyan also frowned slightly. If the funeral carriage transported her, how many heroic spirits would be unable to rest in peace?

“If I say it’s acceptable, then it’s acceptable.” Yuwen Houde said seriously: “If anyone is dissatisfied, then go speak with General Yuwen.”

His tone was arrogant, clearly using Yuwen Changqing to bully others with borrowed power. Privately using the funeral carriage—if reported, they would be punished. But seeing Yuwen Houde so fearlessly confident, Madam Bao was completely at ease, going forward with reddened eyes: “This old woman thanks My Lord in advance!”

“Madam need not be so polite.” Yuwen Houde said: “This humble one will personally escort the carriage.”

Originally, although Shen Guiya bore no crimes, she was still someone who’d erred and committed suicide. On the day of burial, only household servants would go to send her off. The gravestone wouldn’t bear her name, only being placed at the Gu family ancestral graves. With Yuwen Houde appearing like this, Madam Bao felt her face gained considerable glory and hastily agreed.

“Who asked you to escort her?” Gu Chaodong disagreed. Being cuckolded was one thing, but if he also let him escort Shen Guiya to burial, what would that make him?

“Eldest Young Master doesn’t want this humble one to escort?” Yuwen Houde raised his brows: “This doesn’t violate any rules, does it? When imperial concubines die, they’re all escorted to burial by general commanders. This humble one is just helping along the way, also within reason.”

Shen Guiyan frowned, already instructing Baoshan to inform the Prime Minister and Madam. Here, Yuwen Houde and Gu Chaodong confronted each other—the scene was quite ugly.

“Guess who can win?” Gu Chaobei had his arm around her shoulder, asking with a cheeky smile.

Shen Guiyan looked up at those two people: “As long as Lord Yuwen’s reasoning is passable, it will definitely be him who wins.”

The Prime Minister’s residence also needed face. Having produced such a daughter-in-law, Prime Minister Gu would be unable to hold his head up for quite a long time. It was rare for Yuwen Houde to be willing to help polish their reputation. Since Prime Minister Gu didn’t know about the Youyuan Inn affair, he would definitely agree no matter what.

Gu Chaobei smiled lightly. His wife was so clever.

Not long after, the Prime Minister arrived. Just as Shen Guiyan predicted, he truly agreed with Yuwen Houde’s reasoning, even expressing great gratitude to the Yuwen residence, saying he would prepare gifts to give thanks.

Gu Chaodong stood to one side, unable to speak his mind, so angry he nearly stormed off. Concubine Guan held him back.

“In that case, early tomorrow morning, this humble one will bring the funeral carriage to escort the eldest young madam to burial along the way.” Yuwen Houde smiled and bowed to Prime Minister Gu.

Prime Minister Gu nodded: “Much obliged.”

When it grew dark, Gu Chaobei and the other two brothers were called together to the Prime Minister’s study to talk. Shen Guiyan waited in the room, somewhat drowsy.

Baoshan lit the lamp beside her: “Once the Prime Minister starts being long-winded, there’s no end to it. Miss, why not sleep first?”

“Who’s still at the mourning hall?” Shen Guiyan asked with half-open eyes.

“Madam and Master both went back. Madam Guan and Madam Liu are keeping watch, along with Yushu and a few household servants from the eastern courtyard.”

It sounded secure enough. Shen Guiyan nodded and got up to go to bed. She was truly tired today. Shen Guiya’s sudden death left her unable to recover her senses, her head all foggy and confused.

Baoshan hurriedly came over to help her change. Just as she was about to close the outer door, she suddenly saw a white shadow float past.

“Who’s there?” Baoshan was startled and cried out loudly.

Shen Guiyan was jolted awake by her cry. Looking back, the doorway was empty with nothing there.

“What are you yelling about?” Yawning, Shen Guiyan lay down on the bed: “Go rest early. Just leave a lamp for husband.”

“…Yes.” Baoshan’s heart was somewhat afraid. She looked left and right. Just as she was about to take the candlestick from the table, in a flash, something seemed to float past behind her again. This time she turned her head slightly and saw more clearly—it was a woman’s face.

“Ahhh—” Screaming, Baoshan dropped the candlestick and ran toward Shen Guiyan: “A ghost! Miss, there’s a ghost!”

Her shriek startled quite a few people in the courtyard, who all came out to look. Jiang Shi even came with disheveled hair, wearing only a cloak, to ask: “What happened?”

The other two chamber maids in the courtyard also curiously watched at the door.

Since Shuangjiang had been cleared out by the Prime Minister, only four women and some maids remained in the northern courtyard. All of them were here now.

Shen Guiyan glanced at them, helping Baoshan up: “What did you just see?”

Baoshan was scared witless, trembling all over. After a good while, she finally straightened her tongue: “This servant… this servant saw a white shadow, and also a woman’s face… floating right behind this servant…”

Everyone’s expressions changed. The timid ones even cried out in fright. Jiang Shi’s face paled as she wrapped her cloak tighter: “The residence has a recent death. Inevitably some things will clash with people. Madam had better be careful…”

Shen Guiyan frowned: “I don’t believe in ghosts and demons. The living are much more frightening than the dead. If they couldn’t accomplish anything while alive, what can they do when dead? If you don’t do anything against your conscience, you needn’t fear ghosts knocking. Everyone go back and sleep.”

“But Miss…” Baoshan said tremblingly: “Just now…”

“Enough.” Shen Guiyan held her hand: “If you let Madam hear about this careless talk, she’ll certainly beat you for spreading nonsense. If you’re afraid, sleep with the little maids tonight.”

Baoshan shuddered and didn’t dare speak further. But Jiang Shi looked at her with great concern: “After the eldest young madam’s funeral is over, our residence should still invite some Taoist priests to perform rituals, right? It would be cleaner.”

“We’ll discuss it then.” Shen Guiyan waved her hand: “You all go rest too.”

“Yes.” The people at the door all curtsied and returned to their rooms. Baoshan stood for a moment before getting up, following the two little maids back to their room.

Shen Guiyan leaned against the bed. She didn’t have them close the door, just staring at the doorway. When everything outside had quieted down, something seemed to float past the doorway again. It was indeed white.

She wasn’t afraid. In this lifetime, she’d never done anything against her conscience. No matter who wanted revenge, they couldn’t find reason to target her.

It was just very strange—what was this white thing?