Chapter 3: Imperial Grace

Generally, when a minister passes away, no matter how close his relationship with the Emperor was during his lifetime, the Emperor would at most send a prince to pay his respects; this would already be considered an immense display of imperial grace. If the Crown Prince were sent, it would surely mean the minister’s ancestral graves were emitting auspicious smoke.

For an Emperor to come in person to pay respects is something that has never happened throughout history. Firstly, Emperors must maintain a sufficient level of majesty and mystery—this is the way to govern subordinates. Secondly, it is truly troublesome for an Emperor to leave the palace. It would be fine in winter, but if a minister were to kick the bucket in the summer, by the time the Emperor arrived, the corpse would likely already be stinking to high heaven.

However, Du Ruhui died only last night, and before noon, Emperor Taizong (hereafter referred to as Taizong) had already arrived. One can see the extent to which the monarch and his minister were in harmony.

As soon as that voice fell, the people in the mourning hall were in a state of panic. No one expected Taizong to come at this time; perhaps some had thought he would come, but no one expected it to be so urgent.

After the group reacted, they rushed outside like a flock of ducks being driven, bustling out of the mourning hall and scrambling into the courtyard to kneel and wait. Normally, when Taizong graced them with his presence, the entire Du household would have set up an incense table at the gate in advance to kneel and welcome him. But today, Emperor Taizong’s arrival was so sudden that the group had only just reached the gate when they saw the blade-wielding imperial guards and hurriedly knelt, shouting "Long live" in unison.

Du Rui had also wanted to catch a glimpse of Taizong’s appearance. After all, this Emperor was truly famous in Chinese history. If Emperor Wu of Han forged a rigid backbone for the Chinese nation, then this Emperor Taizong welded a bar of iron onto that backbone, allowing the descendants of China to walk with their heads held high and chests puffed out wherever they went, vowing never to bow.

But just as he was about to move, he realized that after kneeling for half a day and a night, his knees were already swollen. At this moment, let alone standing up, even moving an inch was difficult. After trying a few times, he had no choice but to give up, kneeling in place and slowly massaging his muscles to improve circulation.

"You brat! The Emperor has arrived in person, why do you not go out to welcome him!"

Fang Xuanling, who was lying on a couch, had also intended to go out to welcome the imperial carriage, but his body simply wouldn't allow it. He could only be disrespectful and ask for Taizong’s forgiveness later.

However, when he looked up and saw Du Rui kneeling alone in place without moving, he was suddenly filled with anger. Seeing Du Rui dressed in heavy mourning clothes, he assumed he was a junior of the Du family. Although he was extremely close to Du Ruhui, he could not tolerate disrespect toward the current Emperor, and he couldn't help but scold him loudly.

Du Rui looked up at Fang Xuanling, his face filled with sorrow, and said, "My father has just passed away. As a son, not being able to die in my father's stead is already unfilial. How could I bear to leave my old father's spirit unattended? The Master said: 'Attend to the funeral of the dead! Treat it as a matter of great importance!' It is clear that the deceased is of the utmost importance. The Emperor is wise, and I believe he will not lower himself to my level."

In his previous life, he had encountered many old men like Fang Xuanling who liked to nitpick and cause trouble. If he hadn't possessed some quick wit, he would have been rendered speechless by others long ago.

Fang Xuanling was stunned. He hadn't expected that he, who had intended to question the other party, would instead be checkmated by this young brat. Looking at him, he seemed to be only thirteen or fourteen years old; he hadn't expected him to be so sharp-tongued.

If the Emperor is wise and won't lower himself to his level, then since he just lowered himself to the boy's level, wouldn't that make him an old fool?

Thinking of this, Fang Xuanling couldn't help but want to laugh, but then he remembered this was before the spirit of his old friend, so he quickly straightened his face and asked, "Are you Keming's son?"

"This humble one is the late father's third son, Du Rui!"

"Du Rui!" Fang Xuanling exclaimed upon hearing the name. "Are you the son of Lady Cao?"

Du Rui had previously heard the old servant Du Zhong say that his mother in this life had once been a ranked palace maid. Later, she was gifted by the current Retired Emperor (then Emperor Gaozu, Li Yuan) to Taizong, who was then the Prince of Qin. Later, when Taizong defeated Xue Ju and rewarded his meritorious ministers, he gifted his mother to Du Ruhui. But why would Fang Xuanling be so shocked at the mention of his mother?

"Exactly!"

Fang Xuanling nodded upon hearing this: "That explains it. Lady Cao was also an exceptionally clever person back then."

After saying this, he fell silent, his eyes looking toward the door as if waiting to welcome the imperial carriage. Although he could not go out due to illness, his heart and intentions had to be present; it was clear that Fang Xuanling understood the way of a minister very well.

By this time, Taizong had already entered the courtyard. Although Du Rui was still inside the mourning hall, he could see everything clearly. What surprised him was that Emperor Taizong had actually walked here on foot. A heavy snow had just fallen, and the streets were inevitably muddy; by now, Taizong’s dragon robe was already stained with mud and water.

He was tall and heroic, which bore a striking resemblance to the portraits he had seen. His two sword-like eyebrows slanted toward his temples, and his eyes, which seemed to see through everything, were now filled with tears. With a high nose, thick lips, and a short three-strand beard, he looked full of vigor. He should only be in his thirties now, in the prime of his life, but because of the Turks raiding the borders year after year, the frequent disturbances from Tibet, and the instability of the new dynasty, he looked somewhat haggard. Now, having lost his right-hand man, even this future world-renowned "Heavenly Khan" could not help but appear somewhat helpless at this moment. In the end, he was only a mortal.

Behind him followed several youths, one of whom was wearing the same bright yellow clothing as Taizong and looked to be about fourteen or fifteen; he must be the current Crown Prince, Li Chengqian. The others were likely princes like Li Tai and Li Ke.

Taizong not only came himself but also brought his sons along, showing the depth of his favor. Even Du Rui, this imposter, couldn't help but look at the coffin and sigh: "Your death was not in vain."

Taizong stood in the courtyard, looking at the kneeling crowd and the sea of white throughout the mansion. He couldn't help but be overcome with grief, stamping his feet and beating his chest, crying out: "Keming died too young, causing the country to lose a pillar of talent, and causing me to lose an arm."

After speaking, he ignored the others and walked straight toward the mourning hall. The Du household hurriedly followed behind. The Emperor himself bringing the princes to pay respects—what a great honor this was; they were terrified of making even the slightest mistake.

Taizong entered the mourning hall and first saw Du Rui, who was kneeling expressionlessly beside the coffin. Just as he was feeling puzzled, he heard Fang Xuanling’s greeting from the side and immediately forgot about Du Rui. He walked to the couch, grabbed Fang Xuanling’s hand, and said sorrowfully: "Xuanling! Now that Keming has passed, I feel as if I have lost an arm. I hope you will take care of your health. I cannot do without you, and I am still waiting for you to help me manage the world of the Great Tang. It is just a pity that Heaven did not grant Keming more years; it truly fills me with grief."

Du Rui watched the monarch and minister in harmony without saying a word, not even lifting his eyes.

The others returned to their positions one after another. Before kneeling down, Du Gou turned back and glared at him fiercely, but Du Rui didn't care and acted as if he hadn't seen it.

When everyone entered just now, Du Rui had also seen the mistress of the Du household, Du Ruhui’s wife, Lady Cui, who was a daughter of the prominent Cui family of Shandong. He had only seen her briefly last night, but seeing her again today, Du Rui noticed that this seemingly plump woman’s eyes were full of bitterness. It seemed his and his sister's days ahead would not be easy.

Emperor Taizong wept for a while longer, then ordered the eunuch to bring out the imperial decree. First, he heaped praise upon Du Ruhui, then recounted his contributions over the years, and finally reached the actual compensation: the court would be suspended for three days, all officials in the capital would mourn together, he was posthumously granted the title of Sikong, his fief was increased by 350 households, and his eldest son Du Gou was promoted to Shangshe Fengyu, while his second son Du He was promoted to Shangcheng Fengyu. As for Du Rui, Emperor Taizong probably didn't even know Du Ruhui had such a son; although he had glanced at him briefly just now, he would likely forget him entirely in a few days.

After the decree was read, Du Gou, as the successor to the title of Duke of Lai and the future head of the Du household, was the first to rush forward to kowtow and express his gratitude.

"Your subject kowtows and thanks Your Majesty for your heavenly grace on behalf of my late father!"

Looking at Du Gou, Taizong probably remembered the late Du Ruhui, and his eyes grew moist again. He patted Du Gou on the back and sighed: "Your father and I went through hardships together, and we were inseparable for over ten years. Who would have thought that Heaven would not grant him more years, and we would part halfway? I am also filled with sorrow. Now that you are grown, you should serve your father, serve your mother morning and night, and do not let your father worry in the underworld."

Du Gou hurriedly kowtowed again: "Your subject will strictly follow Your Majesty's teachings!"

Watching Emperor Taizong’s various actions from behind, Du Rui couldn't help but sigh. Regardless of whether people praised or criticized him in the future, there was at least one thing that future monarchs could learn from him for a lifetime: his relationship with his ministers—beyond being a monarch and subject, they were close friends.

Now that Du Ruhui had died young, he not only provided appropriate comfort early on but also taught Du Gou with the care of an elder. He had not only fulfilled a monarch's responsibility to his minister but also a friend's responsibility.

After another half-day of commotion, Taizong finally left, and Fang Xuanling followed. As he left, he looked at Du Rui thoughtfully, but said nothing.

However, Du Rui clearly saw a trace of worry in his eyes. Just like Taizong looking at Du Gou, it was the worry of an elder for a junior.