Chapter 860 - Disagreement
He had been feeling very anxious inwardly as well. It was a very complicated situation, since the King had been focusing upon the Queen’s funeral rather than the heir’s endowment ceremony. Although it was a decision made by the King, the heir would definitely blame the Ministry of Rites for the problem, because the heir could not possibly blame the King for the decision he made, after all.
The Ministry of Rites had never run into such an issue like that of today.
It was only the Officer and Head of Ministry of Rites who were at the imperial study, whilst the other ones were officers with a low position. Therefore, he was the only person who could ask about this at the moment. He wiped the sweat from his forehead, feeling rather nervous.
It was always a very dangerous thing to work for the King. You never knew what the King was thinking – one right question would lead to a proper result, yet a wrong question would lead to an unpredictable future.
The officer from the Ministry of Rites had his head lowered, waiting for the King to give an answer.
The King, who had been very distracted, suddenly heard the question.
He started to remember about the heir – oh yes, he had just endowed Lord Ling as the heir, and the ceremony was yet to be held. How could these two things end up being together?
The King felt even more confused – what should he do? Why did such a thing happen?
The King shook his head.
After a long while, he was brought back to himself after De Fu reminded him. He looked slightly more determined and nodded, as if he had made himself agree with what he had said. “Prepare for the funeral first, she has not had an easy life these years. I had not treated her well enough. We need to get the funeral and worship ceremony well-prepared, as for the heir’s ceremony… that can wait until later.”
The King had made up his mind.
And the officers from the Ministry of Rites exchanged a look, but did not dare to say a thing, though they did not consider that a good decision. However, at least right now, they knew how to answer to the heir.
The officers were about to get down to their work when a very intimidating voice arose from outside. “King!”
The officers of the Ministry of Rites exchanged a look and did not dare to say a word any more.
The Empress Dowager’s appearance would probably cast a change upon this matter.
The best thing for the minor officers was to stay silent, as the important figures were arguing with each other.
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The Empress Dowager threw a look at those cowardly-looking officers from the Ministry of Rites and said angrily, “I need to speak with the King, just leave us alone.”
The Ministry of Rites was in charge of ceremonies and funerals. They should follow their rules, but it seemed that these officers from the Ministry of Rites did not seem to follow their own rules at all. They did not even tell the King about what they were supposed to do! They only followed the rules, because they were afraid of being sentenced to death.
The King was overcome by utter sadness. He would not be fair and just in making decisions!
The meaning of the officers was to remind the King, but they failed to do that.
The Empress Dowager threw a glare at the officers and then turned to the King. “I don’t think your decision is right. We should definitely hold a funeral for the Queen, but we can’t leave the heir aside! The heir has just received your imperial order, so the ceremony should definitely be held according to the rules!”
“We have rules here – the happy event should always precede the sorrowful event!”