Gu Quan was the first to mention Li Chengqian, just like the late Empress Zhangsun.

The intense grief became even more overwhelming, making it difficult for Li Shimin to control himself; his body even began to tremble slightly.

"Your Majesty, the Great Tang does not currently need any major upheavals. The grand enterprise of ten thousand generations cannot be accomplished in one moment. Your Majesty must remember to wait until the affairs of the Western Regions are settled..."

The tightly clenched hand gradually began to tremble, and strength quickly ebbed away, but the light in Gu Quan’s eyes grew even brighter.

In the end, with a kind of near-pleading determination, he hammered that obsession that lingered in his heart, that would not rest until he died, heavily and clearly, once again into the heart of the Emperor:

"I implore Your Majesty to allow me to guard the imperial tomb for You."

He held Li Shimin tightly, even stopping his breath, unwilling to swallow this last breath.

Li Shimin’s eyes grew more and more blurry.

Looking at Gu Quan, who had come to a complete dead end, he ultimately nodded, unable to bear it.

In the next moment, the withered hand that clutched his finally lost all its strength completely.

"Ziyuan!!!"

With a sudden cry from Li Shimin.

The grief-stricken sounds of the entire Gu Clan instantly reached their peak, and outside the door, Xue San and the two guards who had accompanied Gu Quan since childhood immediately stepped out of the room at this moment.

"Your Majesty! The young master has departed, and the road to the Yellow Springs is long! We beseech Your Majesty’s grace—allow us to accompany the young master and guard the imperial tomb for eternity."

The words had barely been spoken, giving no one time to intervene or respond!

As soon as the words fell, they drew the short blades that had long been prepared at their waists and immediately slashed toward their own necks.

The death of the Gu clan’s son, and the guards follow in death.

In fact, the Gu clan had already prohibited this kind of thing, but such behavior was utterly impossible to stop.

Even if they were stopped face-to-face, they would fast to death or find any way possible to follow to the Yellow Springs.

This is the oldest loyalty.

It comes from the depths of the heart.

They were unwilling to let the young master they had followed since childhood walk the road to the Yellow Springs alone.

The snow continued to fall heavier and heavier.

It was only after a long time that Li Shimin slowly walked out of the room, the sounds of weeping and wailing continuously echoing, yet it did not attract anyone’s attention.

The news in the palace had already been sealed; this was an order Li Shimin gave as soon as Gu Quan just returned.

No one would ever know.

Looking at the vast snow and the ground scattered with the Gu clan’s descendants, Li Shimin’s inner sorrow reached its peak at this moment.

The death of a meritorious minister like Gu Quan seemed so cold and quiet.

Scenes from the past kept surfacing in his mind, finally freezing at the moment Gu Quan cut his face.

With tears dropping continuously, Li Shimin, in the end, only sighed deeply.

This is the charm of the Gu clan’s children.

He did nothing more, but immediately issued an imperial decree upon his return to the Imperial Palace.

—Suspend court for fifteen days!

Moreover, a new tomb would be built at the foot of Jiuzong Mountain.

No one knew what happened, and those who did would not discuss it, but would only go to offer silent prayers.

When Li Chengqian learned of this matter, he was equally stirred, wanting to go to the Champion Marquis Mansion immediately, but Li Shimin stopped him.

He could not betray Gu Quan’s entrustment.

Only at the formal burial was Li Chengqian allowed to pay respects.

Li Chengqian, too, knelt for three whole days in front of this not-so-luxurious tomb..... 𝐟𝚛𝕖𝚎𝕨𝗲𝐛𝚗𝐨𝐯𝐞𝕝.𝐜𝗼𝗺

——————

"The sixteenth year of Zhenguan, the Bingchen day of the second month.

It was a day of heavy snow.

The emperor suddenly decreed to stop court for fifteen days, both inside and outside were astonished.

Restored the order to build a separate Xuangong below Zhao Ling in Jiuzong Mountain, no official could understand the reason.

Some covertly inquired to the likes of Situ Zhangsun Wuji, Sikong Fang Xuanling, who were all old meritorious followers, but all were silent like cicadas in winter, deliberately keeping their silence.

Wuji, Xuanling, and others soon led the relatives of the royal family and the ministers to perform a devout ritual at the new tomb.

Upon burial, the Crown Prince Chengqian wore mourning garments with naked feet, and cried in front of the coffin, not rising for three days."

—— "The Tang Book, Annals of Taizong"