Empress Orchid - Anchee Min [161]
Su Shun stepped up. “All is set, Your Majesty. We are waiting for His Young Majesty Tung Chih to come to the coffin room to initiate the ceremony, and the palace will be ready to depart Jehol afterward.”
Nuharoo nodded, glancing at me for reassurance. “You have all been working hard since my husband’s death, especially the Board of Regents. We regret that Tung Chih is at a tender age and Yehonala and I are overwhelmed with grief. We ask you for understanding and forgiveness if we haven’t performed our duty to perfection.”
Nuharoo turned to me and I gave her a nod.
“A few days ago,” Nuharoo went on, “there was a little misunderstanding between the Board of Regents and us. We regret that it took place. We share the same good intentions, which is all that should matter. Let us move forward to guard the Imperial coffin safely back to Peking. When that job is accomplished, the young Emperor will grant awards. And now, Empress Yehonala.”
I knew that I had to take the court by surprise. “I would like an update on the security arrangements regarding the trip. Su Shun?”
Reluctant but bound by formality, Su Shun replied, “The entire Imperial procession will be divided into two parts. The first section we named the Parade of Happiness. We have arranged for Emperor Tung Chih and the Empresses to take chairs in this section to celebrate Emperor Tung Chih’s becoming the new ruler. The security will be fifty thousand Bannermen led by Prince Yee. He will be followed by two other divisions. One has seven thousand men, transferred from the areas around Jehol, which will be responsible for His Majesty’s safety. The other division is made up of three thousand Imperial Guards led by Yung Lu. Their task will be performing the ceremonial parade. I myself will lead the procession with four thousand men.”
“Very well.” Nuharoo was impressed.
“Please go on with the second section,” I ordered.
“We named the second section the Parade of Sorrow,” Su Shun continued. “Emperor Hsien Feng’s coffin will be with this one. Ten thousand men and horses have been transferred from the provinces of the Amur River, Chihli, Shenking, and Hsian. Each provincial governor has been notified to receive the procession along the way. General Sheng Pao has been summoned to secure those areas we deem unsafe, such as Kiangsi and Miyun.”
I sensed a problem. How would Prince Kung’s men strike when Su Shun could easily hold Tung Chih and us as hostages? If something aroused Su Shun’s suspicion, he would have an opportunity to do us harm. How would I know whether such an “accident” was not already in the making?
My heart hammered in my chest when I spoke again. “The grand councilor’s arrangements sound excellent. I have only one concern. Will the Parade of Happiness be accompanied by colorful flags, firecrackers, dancers and loud music?”
“Yes.”
“And the Parade of Sorrow the opposite?”
“Correct.”
“The spirits of Emperor Hsien Feng will be disturbed by the trumpets, then,” I pointed out. “The happy tunes will overwhelm the sad as the two parades are so closely connected.”
“Indeed,” Prince Yee echoed, biting my bait. “Empress Yehonala’s concern makes good sense. We should separate the two parades. It would be an easy thing to do.” He turned to Su Shun, who was staring back at him as hard as he could. But it was too late. Prince Yee’s tongue would not be stopped. “I suggest that we have the Parade of Happiness go first and the Parade of Sorrow follow a few miles behind.”
“Taken.” I closed the lid before Su Shun had a chance to smell what I was cooking in my pot. “What a fine idea. However, Empress Nuharoo and I are not comfortable with our husband traveling alone. Two weeks is a long time for Emperor Hsien Feng to go without company.”
Wasting no opportunity to show off again, Prince Yee popped up with another suggestion. “I am sure any of us will be happy to accompany His Late Majesty. May I have the