Chu Qianli always felt that Feng Yexuan's words on the carriage, that the road ahead was still long, held some hidden meaning.
But she was truly heartbroken at the moment, so much so that she lacked the strength to ponder the matter.
The mourning hall was simple. The old Marquis had disliked extravagance and liveliness during his lifetime.
In his entire life, he hadn't had any truly close friends.
However, many of his peers and juniors in court respected him.
Therefore, after the news of the old Marquis's passing was sent out, many people arrived uninvited.
Long Feifan knelt before the mourning hall. Although he didn't appear overly dejected, Chu Qianli knew that her uncle was indeed in pain.
Feng Yexuan's words might have been unintentional, but they spoke the truth.
After the old Marquis's departure, her uncle had no more family in this world.
She, his niece, was merely a nominal relative.
When Feng Yexuan arrived, many people immediately went to greet him. The steward of the Marquis's mansion also hurried over, arranging the details for Prince Xuan to offer incense.
Long Feifan remained kneeling before the mourning hall. When he looked up and saw Feng Yexuan and Chu Qianli approaching together, despite his somber expression, he still paid his respects solemnly.
"Uncle," Chu Qianli said after offering incense, then moved to his side and knelt with him.
Long Feifan's voice was hoarse, "Little Li'er, you are married now. You don't need to do this."
More importantly, she was the little princess of Longteng, the master of his father.
A master did not need to kneel to a subordinate.
Chu Qianli still knelt beside him, looking at the coffin, and said softly, "I don't understand etiquette. I only know that I am kneeling to my maternal grandfather."
Long Feifan's heart warmed, and a thousand words were stuck in his throat.
After a while, he whispered, "Don't be sad. Father passed away peacefully, without enduring much pain."
"His only concern was you. As long as you are well, Father can rest in peace."
Chu Qianli's eyes welled up with sorrow.
She looked up at him.
Long Feifan nodded gently, "As long as you are living well."
... That day, Chu Qianli remained in the mourning hall, keeping vigil with Long Feifan.
The lively sounds from the courtyard outside continued until past midnight.
There was a common saying that on the night of the vigil, the more people who accompanied the deceased outside the mourning hall, the smoother the deceased's path would be, and the brighter the path of reincarnation.
But the old Marquis truly disliked making friends and lived a reclusive life. Why were the people accompanying the vigil increasing?
The steward was busy entertaining guests and didn't have much time to interact with the family.
It wasn't until the third day, when the old Marquis was to be interred.
The funeral was still crowded.
However, neither Long Feifan nor Chu Qianli paid much attention to these matters. After the funeral procession, Chu Qianli had the opportunity to speak with Long Feifan alone.
"Princess Xiyue's token?" Long Feifan took the token from Chu Qianli's hand and examined it carefully.
At that time, he was still a youth. Having spent too much time in Beiming, his impressions of many matters in Longteng were given to him by his father.
However, he did know quite a few of his father's former friends.
"Is there anything else in that cave? Is there... is there the Princess's..."
He didn't want to say the word "remains."
Although he hadn't spent much time with Long Xiyue, Princess Xiyue had treated him like a younger brother back then.
Besides respect, Long Feifan also felt a sense of familial affection for Long Xiyue.
Chu Qianli shook her head, "Prince Xuan said that the lone grave inside contained a coffin, and this token was inside the coffin."
Long Feifan frowned, "Then it seems Concubine Yu was merely using this token as a way to pay respects to Princess Xiyue. I just don't know what the relationship between Concubine Yu and the Princess was."
"That's what I'm confused about. I heard that Concubine Yu was a person of the martial world before entering the palace, but after entering, she devoted herself to Buddhism, praying for Wuyou. She has been praying for over ten years."
In fact, one could imagine that her son was so frail, and a prophet had even divined his fate, saying he wouldn't live past twenty-five.
Concubine Yu had only one son. If her son were gone, nothing she did would have any meaning.
So what significance did those martial world matters hold for her?
Praying for Buddha's protection for her son was the most important thing.
Long Feifan said lightly, "I will investigate this matter. The priority now is to find the Imperial Seal."
"That cave has already been investigated by the Imperial Guards. The Imperial Seal is likely no longer there," Chu Qianli shook her head.
The Imperial Guards would surely have turned the cave inside out.
However, it was somewhat unexpected for Chu Qianli that the Emperor would send so many guards to search for Concubine Yu.
If an ordinary concubine left and didn't return, for the sake of royal dignity, they would usually announce that she had died of illness.
By sending so many guards to investigate, weren't they afraid of the news leaking out?
"What special significance does Concubine Yu hold for the Emperor?" Chu Qianli bit her finger, thinking carefully.
The steward hurried over at this moment.
"Second Young Master, Miss Li'er, that... the guests haven't left yet, and this..."
"They haven't left?" Long Feifan and Chu Qianli exchanged glances.
The funeral had concluded, and the burial was complete. Why were they still here?
The steward looked troubled, "Because the Prince is still here. If the Prince doesn't leave, the other guests dare not leave."
"What?" Chu Qianli was shocked.
Feng Yexuan was still here?
"When did he arrive today?" She had been guarding her grandfather's mourning hall for the past two days and hadn't noticed the situation outside.
The steward glanced at her, then at Long Feifan, "The Prince has not left since the day he brought Miss here. He has been staying in the courtyard. I think he is waiting for Miss, and wants to return with Miss."
After all, they had come from Prince Xuan's mansion together.
Although people couldn't quite clarify the relationship between Chu Qianli and Prince Xuan now, the fact that they came together indicated that their relationship... was not ordinary.
"A'li, one must not neglect members of the royal family. You should accompany Prince Xuan back first."
Long Feifan clasped her shoulders, his grip a little firm, "Don't worry, Uncle will find you soon."
"Mm."
As Chu Qianli was leaving, she couldn't help but look back at him.
"Uncle, you are not without family in this world. You still have me. Remember that!"
A warmth spread through Long Feifan's heart. He looked at her deeply and nodded solemnly, "As long as you still call me Uncle, I will be your uncle for life!"
"Mm!" Chu Qianli also nodded.
Only then, led by the steward, did she arrive at the courtyard and stand before that man.
He was dressed in black, clearly the same attire he had worn two days prior.
This fellow had truly stayed here for two days and two nights.
... With Prince Xuan gone, everyone finally breathed a sigh of relief and could leave.
On the way back, they were in the same carriage as when they had arrived.
However, Chu Qianli's mood was clearly different from when she had come.
Now, at least, she was not as dispirited and depressed.
In life, there are always such journeys. One only hopes that there are not too many regrets in this lifetime.
She looked out the window at the bustling pedestrians and vehicles passing by.
The old Marquis still had regrets. After all, he couldn't wait for Princess Xiyue to return, couldn't personally witness her return to Longteng and reclaim everything that belonged to Princess Xiyue.
She should return to Longteng.
However, the Imperial Seal had not yet been found. What should she do?