The entire imperial palace, along with the capital city, was in a state of intense activity from that evening until the next day. The busyness was so palpable that everyone could sense that something major had occurred.
Those with foresight, even those of lower status, had already wisely chosen to stay indoors.
By the second day, as the sun began to rise, the news of Emperor Jin'an's demise could no longer be contained and spread like wildfire.
The capital city was placed under martial law.
All citizens were forbidden to leave their homes.
Only officials and nobles were permitted to travel and enter the palace.
By this time, the Empress and the Crown Prince had already joined forces to stabilize the situation within and around the palace. The other princes, caught off guard by the suddenness of events, had no time to prepare. Even if they had wished to rebel or force their way into the palace, they wouldn't have had enough time to contact their allies or gather troops.
Therefore, after much deliberation, they had no choice but to abandon their plans.
The situation was similar for other officials; they too had to abandon any thoughts of vying for the throne and temporarily accept the Crown Prince's succession.
However, accepting the Crown Prince did not mean they would not investigate Emperor Jin'an's death. Especially since the Empress and Crown Prince prevented everyone, including officials and other princes, from viewing the Emperor's remains. This action made them suspect foul play.
Their dissatisfaction grew.
Some even began to suspect that the Emperor's death might have had other causes, perhaps even that they were responsible for it.
As the situation escalated, no matter how much the Empress wished to protect Emperor Jin'an's reputation after his death, she was unwilling to bear the rumors of regicide for herself and her son. After much internal struggle and hesitation, she decided to summon a few trusted ministers and elderly princes who were known to be discreet, respected among officials and nobles, and whose words carried weight.
She would only allow them to see Emperor Jin'an.
This was followed by widespread speculation among the princes and consorts outside the chamber, while those who were allowed inside gasped in disbelief upon seeing Emperor Jin'an's remains, questioning what could have happened. The Empress and Crown Prince, not having had time for a thorough investigation, could offer no clear explanation. However, it was evident that the deceased Emperor's appearance could not be publicly revealed.
Those invited to view the Emperor's remains were not foolish. They quickly understood the situation and nodded in agreement.
They then went out to appease the other officials, princes, and consorts.
Among them was Ding Yun.
If there had been an Empress Dowager, she would naturally have been asked to view Emperor Jin'an's remains and comfort the consorts and palace maids. However, there was no Empress Dowager. After much thought, the Empress could only think of inviting the most senior matriarch, Noble Consort Gui, believing she could fulfill a similar role.
With Ding Yun, Noble Consort Gui, the Imperial Clan Grand Tutor, two Prime Ministers, a Duke, and a Grand Tutor all jointly stating that Emperor Jin'an's death was without issue, and that it was an accident, the matter was settled.
Regardless of how much others might have wished to deny it, they had to accept it. Most of them had already guessed that the Emperor's death was not entirely honorable.
This hidden truth was difficult to disclose, and therefore could not be revealed.
However, regardless of the circumstances, the conflict was largely pacified. The subsequent proceedings followed the established protocols: the tolling of the funeral bell, mourning rituals, and arrangements for the state funeral.
The imperial mausoleum also needed to be expedited.
Laborers were mobilized for its construction.
Emperor Jin'an had not anticipated his early demise, so although his imperial mausoleum had been under construction for over a decade, it had not been a pressing matter. It was only half-finished. If construction continued at the previous pace, his coffin would have to remain in the palace for over a decade.
This was obviously unacceptable.
Therefore, construction had to be expedited.
Even if it could not be completed within forty-nine days, it had to be finished within a year or two, otherwise, dragging the matter out would sound rather unflattering.
Of course, these matters had nothing to do with Ding Yun. There was no need for her, a senior far exceeding Emperor Jin'an in seniority, to stand vigil. After attending the grand mourning ceremony, which was mandatory for all officials, nobles, ladies of the court, the Empress, and the Crown Prince, she disappeared from public view.
She was only required to remain in her palace and observe the national mourning.
This was also granted by the Empress and the Crown Prince.
The Empress and Crown Prince even assigned several imperial physicians to attend to Ding Yun's palace, fearing any potential mishap. After all, if the hundred-year-old matriarch of the imperial family were to pass away due to the stress of attending Emperor Jin'an's funeral, not only would they face severe criticism, but it would also tarnish Emperor Jin'an's reputation.
Coupled with the fact that Emperor Jin'an's death was not particularly glorious, and the cause of death could not be openly discussed, the Empress and Crown Prince ultimately sent away all elderly ladies of the court and former consorts over the age of sixty.
Those who were pregnant or frail were also dismissed.
This was presented as a prayer for Emperor Jin'an's blessings.
As a result, this state funeral proceeded remarkably peacefully. Many officials, nobles, and ladies of the court were inconvenienced, but at least no one died. Privately, rumors spread of the Empress's benevolence and the Crown Prince's kindness, proclaiming them to be wise rulers.
See how simple it is for those in power to bestow favor.
Not dying while mourning for their family was considered a great grace.
Following the state funeral, the customary procedures commenced: the Crown Prince's enthronement, imperial pardons, the Crown Princess's elevation to Empress, the Empress's elevation to Empress Dowager, and other consorts' promotions to former consorts and imperial concubines, and so on.
Ding Yun's situation, however, was one where further elevation was impossible.
There was no precedent for a new emperor ennobling a concubine of his ancestor. Therefore, after the new Emperor ascended the throne and proclaimed the new era of Ronghua, he could only bestow additional honorary titles and improved treatment upon Ding Yun. Her official rank remained unchanged.
She was also specially permitted to continue residing in Cih'an Palace.
His mother moved to Cining Palace.
These two palaces were typically reserved for the Holy Empress Dowager and the legitimate Empress Dowager, or for the Empress Dowager and the Grand Empress Dowager. Since there was no Grand Empress Dowager in the current court, it was permissible for Noble Consort Gui to continue residing there.
However, if another Grand Empress Dowager were to emerge, the situation would likely become complicated.
Despite Ding Yun's high seniority, she was merely a consort, not an empress. Her continued residence in Cih'an Palace was not a matter of entitlement but a permission granted by the Emperor.
This was also a source of lingering regret for the original owner before her death.
With Emperor Ronghua completing all the necessary investitures and the general amnesty, the transition of imperial power was finally concluded. The new Empress Dowager and the new Emperor then had the opportunity to discreetly and thoroughly investigate what Emperor Jin'an had been doing before his death and whether there were any hidden circumstances surrounding his demise.
However, due to the clandestine nature of the investigation, the subsequent elimination of some of the individuals who possessed knowledge of the events, and Emperor Ronghua's initial lack of consideration for alchemy, the investigation proved to be quite challenging.
It wasn't until he reviewed the former Emperor's daily records and discovered the sudden death of the True Man Qihe that he recalled the peculiar pronouncements of these alchemists, perhaps related to being struck by lightning. He then summoned the remaining alchemists.
He inquired what their last conversation with the former Emperor had been, whether they had any connection to the former Emperor's death, and why True Man Qihe had suddenly died.