The atmosphere in the Qian Palace was solemn. Many people know that the Qian Family has been experiencing many bad happenings and they truly pitied them. However, no one expected for the kingdom's most beautiful and virtuous eldest young miss Qingli to suddenly pass away after finding out her younger sister has fallen sick. Maybe the blow had been too big for her as rumors say the second young miss Qingle was suffering from a terminal illness and there was no hope of recovery. Everyone knows how much she adored her sister.
The officials of the kingdom paid their visits to the Qian palace to express their condolences. It was truly a huge loss for the Qian Family. After all, young miss Qingli was to be the future Crown Prince Consort and the future Empress. Even the Crown Prince did not turn away when her face was disfigured. This showed where she stood in his heart and also confirmed her future identity and status. However, such misfortune fell onto the young girl. A loss it really was.
As the eldest young miss Qingli was beloved by the kingdom, the commoners also carried their offerings and made a trip to the Qian palace to see the young miss one last time. Duke Qian was touched that so many people had loved his deceased daughter and welcomed everyone regardless of their rank and background.
The Imperial Family had also paid a visit to the Qian palace. The Emperor and Empress, the Crown Prince and the Princess had personally come and offered their condolences. The Emperor patted his brother's shoulders who looked as if he has aged a decade overnight. The Empress offered a few kind words before she went to put a comforting arm over her daughter.
The Crown Prince was anguished. He looked crushed as if he had lost his purpose in life, his reason to live. He had loved Qingli from childhood and they only needed to wait a few more years before he can proudly hold a grand wedding for her to enter the Imperial household as his Princess Consort. They had talked about their future and even joked about how many children they would like but the reality is cruel.
The Crown Prince's fingers trembled as he reached out to touch the wooden coffin that was holding his beloved. It feels as if it was a dream. That this was someone else's funeral, that his Qingli would appear in front of him with a gentle smile as she always does when he comes to visit. But no.
His Qingli is no longer around.
The Crown Prince gripped the edges of the coffin hard as tears pour down from his eyes. He could no longer enjoy her presence as he enjoys the special tea made by her during his breaks in his study. He could no longer enjoy flower viewing with her when spring comes. He could no longer hold her in his arms when he feels down from court sessions. She is really no longer around anymore.
The Emperor wanted to hold his son back. In the end, there are many eyes here and his identity does not allow him to show any vulnerabilities. But the Emperor stopped himself. He understood how much pain his son must be in because he knew just how much he loves Qingli. But who wouldn't love such a delightful and thoughtful girl? The Emperor remembers the times when she would visit the Crown Prince and if he was there as well, she would entertain both father and son with her witty poems, her music, and her teas. If he was lucky, there would be some of her delicious soup that his son has yet to finish and there would be some for him as well. The Emperor shook his head as he felt himself getting choked up as well.
On the other side of the coffin, the kingdom's Princess was inconsolable. While Qingli had doted on her younger sister, they were not as close as Qingli is to the Princess. The Princess was Qingli's childhood friend as their ages were not far apart. The Princess was only a year older than Qingli and had treated her as her own sister. They were closer than biological sisters and right now, the Princess feels as if a part of her heart has been torn apart. She had done her best to hold her emotions together to retain the dignity of a princess but the moment she saw the coffin, she could not help but collapse beside Qingli and wail like a baby. Her Imperial Mother hugged her tightly while shedding a few tears as well. Qingli was her future daughter-in-law. To say that she does not feel saddened by the lost would be a lie.
The Duchess was not around as she fell into a coma after finding out her second daughter was ill as well. That was the explanation that was given to everyone that attended Qingli's funeral by Duke Qian but in actual fact, the Duchess seemed to have gone crazy. Her face was scarred and she would often mumble to herself. The Duchess no longer retained her former glory as she spends her days confined in her courtyard like a prisoner. Her maternal family demanded an explanation from the Duke when they found out about her confinement but when they saw how their daughter had gone crazy, they decided to give up on her and return to their homes. Either way, Qingli had passed on and the position of the Crown Princess is now open to the public which includes their family granddaughters as well. They had lost one hope and gained another one in return so they did not pursue this matter.
The Duke could see through their thoughts and was helpless. This was how cruel society is. Everyone is out to grab benefits for their own. Many people had come to offer their condolences but how many of them are actually sincere? Duke Qian shook his head. His daughter is unfortunate and Duke Qian prays that she is now in a better place.
Qingle stood behind her father the entire time as she observed the people around her. So many people had received her elder sister's kindness some way or another and they have come to send her off in her final journey. Seeing this, Qingle almost smiled. At least her sister's reputation is good enough for such a crowd to gather. If it was herself who is lying in that coffin, how many people would cry for her, she wonders. During that night, she talked to her sister and they both came to a mutual understanding. Now that all the misunderstandings have been resolved, the living has to continue living. Her elder sister has died and her last words lingered in Qingle's mind.
"Elder sister's last wish, I hope younger sister can fulfill it," Qingli said while holding Qingle's hands earnestly.
"Of course," Qingle nodded weakly. The stomach wound has been healed but the poison inside of her is still churning. She is slowly recovering but she will never recover fully. At most, she would live around another decade but that should be enough for a sinful person like her. Enough pain for atonement.
"For the rest of your life, I want you to live it to the fullest. What I couldn't experience, I want you to experience it for me. Will you do it for me?" Qingli could not help but cry a little at the end of her sentence. Truthfully, she did not want to die. She wanted to live, get married and have children with the one she loves. Watch them grow old and have children of their own. But now, all of that is futile dreams. What she can do now is to make sure Qingle continues to live on, for her sake.
"Elder sister…" Qingle could see Qingli fading slightly and desperately cling onto her sister's hand.
"If you come down too early, you'll get a huge lecturing from me. Understood?" Qingli smiled slightly just before she disappeared from the mortal realm.
Qingle gave a faint smile. Even at the last moment, her elder sister acted like how an elder sister should. Her hands held onto Qingli's veil, Qingle breathes in her sister's scent as if imprinting her elder sister into her mind. She steps forward to the coffin and kneeled down. Ignoring everyone, she held her elder sister's cold hand against her forehead. Closing her eyes, she let her tears fall silently.
This is the last time I shall cry. I'll be strong and live on, just like how my elder sister wants me to.