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Chapter 842: The Lantern Withers

The matter of the emperor's inspection was formally mentioned at the grand court meeting.

The ministers were mentally prepared and there were few opponents.

Some officials were worried about the emperor's departure from the palace. Jiang Shaohua said, "I will leave the crown prince in the court. There are also important officials such as Prime Minister Chen and Minister Feng, as well as Duke Weiyuan and the generals. If there is any trouble, I will have sat on the throne for so many years in vain."

The emperor made the final decision and the inspection of Daliang was settled.

The list of people accompanying the emperor was decided by the emperor himself. There were more than 20 ministers accompanying the emperor. Chen Jinyu, Ma Yaozong, Tang Youyin, and Yang Zheng were among them. The three emperor's servants left Wang Shu and Li Fangfei to assist the prince, and Lu Zhen was chosen to accompany the emperor.

Wang Shu and Li Fangfei were both envious of him, but they knew they could not compete with Lu Zhen.

In the past few years, Chen Jinyu was exiled to Yuzhou, and Lu Zhen almost replaced Chen Jinyu's position and became the emperor's most trusted attendant.

Besides, Wang Shu and Li Fangfei had married their husbands and had children, so they had family burdens. But Lu Zhen was alone and could leave the capital with the emperor after packing a few pieces of luggage.

It's not that Lu Zhen doesn't want to get married. There are indeed many people who are eyeing Lu Sheren, most of them are from aristocratic families. Those with less important status don't even have the qualifications to think about Lu Sheren.

It is true that Lu Sheren was born in a poor family, but she was a trusted minister of the emperor and had a promising future. The world has changed, and the noble families nowadays value the character and endurance of a woman more than her family background. A woman can take the imperial examination to become a female official, marry a smart and capable daughter-in-law, and benefit the younger generation.

Unfortunately, Lu Sheren was so focused on her work that she didn't want to waste any time. She had no intention of getting married, nor did she want to marry into the family. She was already 24 years old this year, and was a proper old maid.

Jiang Shaohua asked Lu Zhen several times in private, and Lu Zhen answered frankly: "In fact, my talent is limited. I am not a genius with superb intelligence. The only thing that can surpass others is my loyalty and dedication."

"I have already made up my mind that I will never get married in this lifetime."

"Your Majesty, don't worry about me. My second brother has already married and has three children. In a few years, he will give his youngest daughter to me, so that I will have someone to take care of me in my old age."

Life is only a few decades long, so it doesn't matter how you live.

Jiang Shaohua was very indulgent to the people around him. Hearing this, he smiled slightly and said, "Okay, I'll be your backer. With me here, no one can bully you."

Lu Zhen continued to be a free and easy single female official.

When the emperor went on tour, Lu Zhen was allowed to accompany him. She didn't care much about her clothes and dressing up, so she packed two boxes of luggage, which was enough.

As the day of leaving Beijing draws closer, Lu Zhen's anticipation grows stronger.

She had worked in the palace for more than nine years, and like the emperor, she was confined in the square palace. Now she finally had the opportunity to leave the palace and travel around Daliang. The days of freedom and comfort were just around the corner.

"Mr. Lu," a personal guard came over with a serious expression and reported a few words in a low voice.

Lu Zhen's heart sank. He nodded slightly and hurried to report.

It was already dark at this time. Her Majesty the Empress was having dinner with His Royal Highness the Crown Prince of Changning. Kang Ge'er was also there. They were just like a family of four, talking and laughing, relaxed and happy.

Lu Zhen came in with a serious expression. Jiang Shaohua glanced at him and stopped smiling: "What happened?"

Lu Zhen reported in a low voice: "Prime Minister Wang is about to die."

Prime Minister Wang, who was conferred the title of Duke of Ningguo, lived to be over 70 years old and finally died of old age.

Jiang Shaohua was silent for a moment and said, "I will go to the Wang family."

Cui Du whispered, "I'll go with you."

The ten-year-old Crown Prince has been in the government for two years and has gained a lot of experience: "I will also go to see Duke Ning off." Jiang Shaohua nodded: "Okay. Prime Minister Wang has worked hard for the country for decades, so he must have made some contributions. Now he is about to close his eyes and go to the west, so we should go and see him off for the last time."

……

Jiang Shaohua did not display the emperor's ceremonial guard. She changed into casual clothes, led her husband and daughter out of the palace, and went to Wang's house.

Wang Jin, the Minister of State, came out to greet them, looking pale and haggard with red eyes. He bowed and saluted: "Your Majesty, Your Highness the Crown Prince, and Marquis Changning."

Jiang Shaohua said softly: "Minister Wang, please stand up."

Cui Du took two steps forward and reached out to help Wang Jin up.

Since Jiang Shaohua ascended the throne, Wang Jin has been the most loyal minister to the Empress. The Prime Minister's party was broken up and divided, and then gradually gathered together. The power was smoothly transferred and the court was stable, and Wang Jin played a great role.

Jiang Shaohua's respect for Wang Jin was also well known to all. Wang Jin was thirty years old this year and had been the Minister of Personnel for five years. He was rated as the best in every year's assessment and was the next Minister of Personnel. At such an age and with such a prominent position, he set a precedent in the Daliang officialdom.

The relationship between Cui Du and Wang Jin has always been good, far more harmonious than outsiders imagine.

The past has long since turned into dust. Wang Jin had married and had a daughter several years ago, and the couple had a harmonious relationship. Moreover, Wang Jin's wife was the daughter of Cui. In terms of marriage relationship, Cui Du was Wang Jin's uncle.

"Birth, aging, sickness and death are all part of everyone's life." Cui Du's words of comfort were also very realistic: "Prime Minister Wang has lived to be over 70 years old, which is already a long life."

Prime Minister Wang had been bedridden for more than a year, and his coffin and burial clothes had been prepared long ago. However, no matter how much preparation was made, it was not enough at this moment.

Wang Jin's eyes flashed with tears, and he choked up in a low voice: "Father is very happy to know that His Royal Highness, the Crown Prince of Changning, is here. I am rude, please hurry up, Your Majesty."

Otherwise, you won’t be able to see them for the last time.

Jiang Shaohua nodded and quickened his pace.

Prime Minister Wang's bedroom was filled with a strong smell of medicine and the peculiar stench of decay of a dying person. All the smells mixed together, strong and pungent.

Jiang Shaohua didn't even frown, he quickly walked to the bedside and lowered his head: "Prime Minister, I'm here."

Prime Minister Wang, whose face was sallow and whose hair was like withered grass, struggled to open his eyes, and a strange light burst out from his eyes: "Your Majesty has come to see me off for the last time. I thank you for your grace."

He spoke each word slowly, as if something was stuck in his throat and it was extremely difficult for him to speak.

Jiang Shaohua sighed softly: "If the Prime Minister has any unfulfilled wishes, just tell me."

Prime Minister Wang moved his lips, but he could no longer speak. His eyes passed Jiang Shaohua and fell on Wang Jin.

He really has a kind heart. At this moment, he still thinks about Wang Jin.

Jiang Shaohua sighed again in his heart and said in a deep voice: "When Minister Wang is done with the Prime Minister's funeral, I will let him be the Minister of Personnel."

"The Prime Minister's title of Duke will be downgraded to his sons and grandsons. Which son does the Prime Minister want to pass it on to?"

Prime Minister Wang still looked at Wang Jin.

He has four sons and more than fifty grandchildren.

In his heart, all of them combined are not as good as Wang Jin.

Jiang Shaohua promised softly: "Okay, the title will be passed on to Minister Wang."