An Unexpected Attacker
"How could this be? How could it be you? Hong Yan, get up—weren't you at State-Protecting Temple? Get up!"
The princess looked frantic as she clutched Hong Yan's corpse, crying and making a scene—
Akaseki:—
That suddenly? Why was she suddenly freaking out?
Her emotions weren't even coherent—
"You wicked woman! I order you to be buried alongside General Hong!" the Emperor berated her.
"Your Majesty, no! Please—no! Before my brother died, he personally wrote a letter divorcing his wife. He ordered me to make sure it was delivered to Her Highness the Princess—" Hong Yao immediately dropped to his knees.
Akaseki:???
There was that too?
Only then did Akaseki remember—or rather, only then were the memories from before Hong Yan's death unlocked.
Hong Yao read out a deeply moving divorce letter, reducing the Emperor, the princess, and the people on both sides to tears, all of them profoundly touched—
Akaseki:—
In the end, the princess decided—
"My fellow citizens, today—is not a day of great joy for me, Ruoxi. On the contrary, it is a day of deepest sorrow!"
Akaseki:—
Are you sick? Why not let me come out and shake hands with you and the groom instead—I somehow feel even more embarrassed now!
"Today's wedding feast is canceled. Everyone, please come to my home—to General Hong's home—and see him off on his final journey!"
Akaseki:—
Are you sure it isn't because the banquet would go to waste? Turning a red wedding feast into a white funeral feast, huh?
Amid Akaseki's utter confusion, everyone headed to the Princess's Residence. Under the princess's command, they took down the red-lantern decorations.
Just then—
"Wait! What are you doing? Who told you to do this?" Su Jingyun demanded angrily.
"Jingyun, Hong Yan has given his life for the country.