The Minister's Residence.
White streamers drifted throughout the courtyard.
Silver-clad and wrapped in white.
The entire residence was draped in fluttering white cloth.
In the main hall deep within the Minister's Residence.
A black coffin stood there.
Zeng Anmin wore a mourning headband and mourning clothes, his expression wooden as he knelt before the coffin, as though every ounce of strength had left his body.
Waves of grief echoed through the residence.
The servants all knelt behind him, their wailing blending into one.
Huzi knelt behind Zeng Anbian, his restrained little face filled with helpless confusion.
His small hands clutched tightly at the hem of his clothes as he stared blankly at the trembling sobs all around him.
Concubine Lin's eyes had long since swollen shut.
Dressed in mourning clothes, she knelt numbly behind Zeng Anmin.
She stared vacantly at the coffin, tears silently streaming from the corners of her eyes.
Her body trembled again and again.
She knelt there powerlessly.
Only the hoarse whimpers rising from deep within her throat could be heard.
Officials from across the capital of the Great Sage Dynasty came one after another to pay their respects.
Every face was steeped in sorrow.
At the Minister's Residence now, from Emperor Jianhong down to the lowliest soldier in the army, not a single person dared speak disrespectfully.
All came properly and reverently to offer their condolences.
Some officials even broke down in tears.
Quite a few scholars wept until they could no longer speak as well.
Among the officials, young officers who had received Father's care all voluntarily donned mourning clothes and tied mourning bands around their heads, kneeling behind the servants.
Every one of them had come of their own accord.
And this was only the Minister's Residence.
As word spread that Zeng Shilin had