62 To deliver the coffin to the Residence of An (1/2)

Grand Preceptor An slept alone in his study that night, his heart troubled by the crown prince's matters. The sound of the rain disturbing his clear dreams outside the room made it difficult for him to sleep, even while tossing and turning on his bed.

When it was almost the fourth fragment of the night, Grand Preceptor An heard the steward outside calling for him, saying that Eunuch Xie had arrived. In the middle of the night, the senior eunuch of the Emperor came to find his home. Grand Preceptor An broke out in a cold sweat, thinking that something had happened to the emperor.

Seeing Grand Preceptor An rush out to meet him, a smile still plastered on his face. He bowed and said, ”Your servant greets the Grand Preceptor.”

Grand Preceptor An could see the wound on Eunuch Xie's forehead with a single glance. Who could have injured such a favored eunuch like that? Grand Preceptor An was panicking inwardly, but no change could be seen on his face. ”Did Eunuch Xie come to deliver the decree?”

”Grand Preceptor, you still don't know?”

”What does this old man need to know?” Grand Preceptor An asked.

”Tonight, there was a big fire in the old alley in the south of the city, and your Second Miss couldn't escape this calamity,” said Eunuch Xie. ”Not a single person from General Shangguan's family escaped, it really makes one's heart hurt!”

Grand Preceptor An was still unable to react when he heard the news of her death. ”Who didn't escape?”

Eunuch Xie shed two drops of tears and said, ”The An manor's Second Miss is gone!”

Grand Preceptor An's heart ached as his body swayed a couple of times. Then he asked Eunuch Xie, ”Then what does Eunuch Xie want from this old man?”

”His Majesty ordered the servants to bring the Second Miss' corpse to you,” Eunuch Xie said. ”His Majesty's orders are currently General Shangguan was set off for battle, and for the Grand Preceptor to bury the bodies of his family.”

”This subject accepts the decree,” Grand Preceptor An hastened to kneel down and receive the decree.

”General Shangguan's son is still too young. We can't find his corpse after it's burned to ashes. The Grand Preceptor should set up a memorial grave for him.”

Grand Preceptor An nodded.

Eunuch Xie ordered the eunuchs behind her to hurry up and bring in the second miss' corpse.

The eunuchs brought the three fine black coffins over and placed them in front of Grand Preceptor An.

”Grand Preceptor, do you want to see second miss one last time?” Eunuch Xie asked.

Grand Preceptor An walked up to the coffin. He knew that the corpses of those who were burnt to death were terrifying, but when he saw them, he couldn't help but take a few steps back.

Eunuch Xie looked coldly at Grand Preceptor An. The so-called kinship of the various families was nothing more than this. After this Grand Preceptor learned of the 'death' of An Jin, he hadn't shed a single tear, so he might as well pretend to be sad. ”Grand Preceptor, don't mourn. You can't revive a dead person.” Eunuch Xie shook his head.

Grand Preceptor An turned his back to her and felt nauseous. Only then did he turn back to Eunuch Xie and say, ”For my daughter to receive such care from His Majesty, this subject is terrified.”

At this point, Eunuch Xie looked to the left and right of Grand Preceptor An and asked, ”Why hasn't Madam Qin come out?”

”Eunuch still wants to see her?” Grand Preceptor An asked.

”Did Madam Qin not tell the Grand Preceptor?” ”She saw His Majesty today in one of the monastery of the An estate,” Eunuch Xie said in a low voice as he walked up to Grand Preceptor An.

”This old man dd not know about this,” Grand Preceptor An said.

”Did Madam Qin not tell the Grand Preceptor that she had called Second Miss An into the main hall?” ”What a coincidence today. Your servant went to hunt with His Majesty in the North City. The Crown Princess and the Madam Qin were in the An clan's main hall. Second Miss An was also there. At dusk, it started to rain. The road in the rain was difficult to traverse, so Madam Qin pitied the Second Miss and kept her here. ”

Grand Preceptor An's heart originally ached at the news of her death, but Eunuch Xie words were like a bolt out of the blue. If An Jinxiu had stayed in the temple, how could this person have died in the fire in the old alleyway in the south of the city? If An Jinxiu was not dead, so how could the Emperor possibly send over three coffins?

”Grand Preceptor,” Eunuch Xie said in a considerate tone, ”There are quite a few servants who followed Madam Qin to the main hall today. For the sake of the estate, this servant thinks it's better if you take care of them as soon as possible.”

”Eunuch Xie, where do you think my second daughter can go?” Grand Preceptor An sat down slowly on a chair behind him and asked, ”This old man has to know where to send her.”

”Your Majesty has always pitied Second Miss. The Underworld isn't a place a woman like Second Miss should go.”

Grand Preceptor An felt a humiliation he'd never felt before. It was a feeling that almost made him want to cry out in anger when faced with bad fortune. An Jin was Shangguan Yong's wife, and also his subject official's wife. The Emperor was snatching away a married woman, isn't he afraid of the world's mockery?! What sort of place did the Emperor place his An clan in?!

”Grand Preceptor,” Eunuch Xie bowed towards Grand Preceptor An, ”The corpse servant of the second young miss has already been delivered. You can report to His Majesty after the funeral. This servant still has to return to the main hall to serve His Majesty. This servant will take his leave now.”

”His Majesty is still in the main hall?”

”Grand Preceptor, it's rare to see a beauty,” replied Eunuch Xie.

Grand Preceptor An didn't rise to send him off. He was already powerless to stand up again. Lightning flashed and thunder rumbled outside. The shadows of the flowers and trees reflected on the windows flickered like the claws of ghosts or chains that could captivate souls. Grand Preceptor An clutched at his heart. He couldn't catch his breath, but his mind was filled with questions. What should he do?

The news of An Jinxiu's ”death” soon spread throughout the entire Residence of An.

Madam Qin laid on the bed, not daring to get up. At this time, she couldn't wait to find a place only she knew to hide.

Grand Preceptor An pushed open the door and entered his bedroom. He heard Madam Qin chanting on the bed. ”Do you think chanting at a time like this is useful?” Grand Preceptor An asked his wife as he stood by the head of the bed.

Amidst her panic, Madam Qin didn't hear Grand Preceptor An's footsteps as he entered the room. Suddenly, she heard a voice cry out and subconsciously wanted to hide.

”You actually know how to be afraid by now,” Grand Preceptor An stood unmoving, his gaze filled with loathing as he looked at née Qin.