As Liu Hong had previously promised Qiao Yan, Qiao Xuan would be buried with the honors befitting a Grand Commandant, with Liang Hu and Cai Yong among those writing his epitaph.

Although he was known for his frugality and amassing wealth, it did not mean he would break his promises once made.

Especially since Qiao Yan had indeed demonstrated qualities that warranted serious consideration, possibly even significant responsibilities in the future.

This made Liu Hong even less likely to cut corners on such matters.

Upon learning that the wealth Qiao Xuan had accumulated over his years in office was not enough to fund the most dignified funeral ceremony, requiring Qiao Yan to use gifts from the aristocrats of Yan Province to cover the expenses,

he ensured that Liu Hong granted special permission for a Supervisory Censor to oversee the funeral rites with the ceremonial staff.

After the mourning ceremony was completed, the burial procession would be accompanied by the Northern Army’s Five Schools, the Light Chariots, and the Armored Cavalry.

Of course, this funeral procession wouldn’t accompany Qiao Xuan all the way to his final resting place in Le Ping County.

However, given the Eastern Han belief in Mount Mangshan as a prime burial ground, escorting Qiao Xuan’s coffin north out of Luoyang, past the Mount Mangshan area, was appropriate.

For now, these escorting troops had no role to play, as the mourning ceremony was set to last for at least ten days.

This mourning ceremony was destined to be grand in scale.

In stark contrast to the quiet of his courtyard at the time of his death, the mourning period after his passing would see thousands of people coming to pay their respects.

Qiao Xuan was known for his stern and upright character, yet he was not entirely inflexible.

While he was alive, his colleagues understood his temperament well enough to simply send letters of greeting rather than visit with gifts, which might have displeased him.

But now that he had passed, they were obligated to visit in person.

Additionally, according to Han Dynasty customs, former subordinates were expected to attend their superior’s funeral.

Even though Qiao Xuan lived to the age of seventy-four, outliving the average lifespan of forty-nine by twenty-five years,

Many of his former subordinates had predeceased him.

For instance, Chen Qiu, whom Qiao Xuan had recommended for the position of Minister of Justice during his tenure as one of the Three Excellencies, had died in the second year of the Guanghe era.

Yet this did not change the fact that…

Qiao Xuan held numerous positions during his tenure, and he never shied away from recommending talented individuals regardless of any potential political differences between them.

This led to a considerable number of people receiving his recommendations.

At least the modest courtyard of Yanxi Lane clearly couldn’t accommodate such a large number of guests.

So, immediately, Grand Historian Ma Lun suggested using the Lingtai as the venue for holding the mourning ceremony.

In her memorial to Liu Hong, she wrote: “Lord Qiao’s virtuous deeds and broad-mindedness are widely known.

It is appropriate to send him off with grand honors to demonstrate imperial virtue, which is the way of harmony between sovereign and subject.

The Mingtang receives offerings from the imperial family, while the Lingtai stands alongside, connecting heaven and earth, overlooking the Luo River.

This arrangement is fitting.

Although there are many suitable places in the capital for the mourning ceremony, they would need to be borrowed.

Amidst various interpersonal dynamics, Your Majesty, I hope you will exercise caution.”

Ma Lun’s intent in this memorial was clear:

Qiao Xuan’s residence in Luoyang was too humble for such an esteemed figure.

Given his reputation for virtue and broad-mindedness, it would not be appropriate to hold the funeral rites in such cramped quarters.

Are there venues in Luoyang capable of accommodating such a large number of people? Certainly.

For instance, the Yuan family could provide such a venue for rent.

But…

Once such lending behavior occurred, it would inevitably involve interpersonal transactions.

Instead of that, it would be better to have Liu Hong order by imperial decree.

Opposite the Lingtai was the Mingtang, which bore the responsibility of performing sacrifices for the Han dynasty.

Being on the emperor’s side, and given Qiao Xuan’s esteemed reputation during his high office,

if recorded in the future, it would carry the illustrious title of harmony between sovereign and subject.

What a brilliant suggestion!

Previously, Liu Hong hadn’t paid much attention to Ma Lun, who could be considered an accidental appointment as the Grand Historian.

However, after she proposed this suggestion from the standpoint of the Han dynasty, Liu Hong couldn’t help but have a clearer understanding of her.

Indeed, she was a woman of considerable ability and foresight.

After approving this decision, Qiao Xuan’s body was swiftly transported from Yanxi Lane to the Lingtai overnight.

This was also the first time Qiao Yan had met this female official who had emerged almost simultaneously with her ennoblement.

Ma Lun was no longer young, having already passed the age of sixty this year.

However, coming from the affluent Ma family of Fufeng, she had enjoyed a privileged upbringing from an early age, laying a foundation of superiority.

Even after marrying Yuan Wei, she did not neglect her health while managing the affairs of the Yuan family.

When Qiao Yan saw her, she observed this elder, who exuded an air of grace and wisdom, with a head of silver hair immaculately groomed.

Her countenance was calm and reassuring, devoid of any signs of frailty or aging.

She was suddenly promoted from the mansion’s mistress to the position of Grand Historian, yet it didn’t seem to unsettle her at all.

Since her early years, she had been learning astronomy and calendar calculation from her father, Ma Rong.

Alongside disciples of her father, she deduced celestial phenomena and computed astronomical data.

After marrying into the Yuan family, despite being bothered by trivial matters, she also took the opportunity to peruse a broader range of books.

When this unexpected but suitable authority was entrusted to her, she paid no mind to the anger Yuan Wei vented publicly and promptly packed her belongings to take up her new role.

Before attaining this position, she wasn’t aware of what prompted Liu Hong to make such a decision—anyway,

it seemed to be a decree that left Yuan Wei filled with rage but with no power to refute.

However, once she established herself in her role as Grand Historian within the month, with Ma Rong’s intelligence, she could discern the power play amidst the rushing currents.

Fortunately for her, this seemed like a good thing, especially at a time when she already felt somewhat drained and didn’t have to be confined to the rear courtyard anymore.

This injection of vitality, albeit intangible, was a welcome change for her.

And when she met Qiao Yan, their brief exchange of words…

Here, she also understood why Liu Hong insisted on granting her the title of Marquis.

She arrived at night.

Ma Lun and officials under Grand Historian greeted her with lanterns.

At a glance, she saw the girl in mourning attire walking towards her.

The girl bowed and addressed her as “Grand Historian.”

In the flickering candlelight and moonlight, there was a hint of sorrow in her gaze, but also a sense of dignity.

Ma Lun, comparing her to the talented youth she had seen in Luoyang over the past decades, couldn’t find anyone who could surpass her at her age.

“Follow me up,” Ma Lun gestured towards the spirit platform.

Recorded in the Luoyang Jialan Chronicles of the Southern and Northern Dynasties, the spirit platform, which was over five zhang tall, still stood at its six-zhang height, roughly fourteen meters.

Though it served as an astronomical observatory, its architectural style, closely related to the astronomical regulations of the Han Dynasty, resembled a building for ceremonial purposes.

The lower-level gallery added to the solemnity of the upper platform, especially at night.

Qiao Yan followed Ma Lun up to the platform, observing the distinct rows of offices on the spirit platform.

For now, this place served as a temporary venue for Qiao Xuan’s mourning.

The five rooms on the left were used as the lying-in-state area and resting place for guests, while the other five rooms remained the office of the Tai Shi Ling.

“Forgive the inconvenience I’ve caused in these past few days, and thank you, Grand Historian, for arranging a mourning place for my grandfather.”

After Qiao Xuan’s coffin was settled, Qiao Yan thanked Ma Lun once again.

Ma Lun helped her up and replied, “Qiao Gong is the pillar of the Han Dynasty.

The place for lying in state should not be taken lightly.

Observing the sun, moon, and stars on the spirit platform also records the prosperity of the Han Dynasty, which is in line with Qiao Gong’s talents and virtues.”

After the pleasantries, Ma Lun straightened her expression and continued, “However, as the Grand Historian, I must inform Lord Qiao beforehand that while these five rooms are indeed reserved for the Grand Historian’s office,

the other five rooms contain hourly records of celestial phenomena from recent years and some important astronomical observation instruments.

Lord Qiao must obtain permission before entering.”

This was a principle she wouldn’t compromise on, no matter how much she admired Qiao Yan’s demeanor.

Qiao Yan didn’t find this caution offensive.

She nodded and replied, “Of course. I’ve heard that Zhang Ping, when he was the Grand Historian, also kept the seismometer here.

It’s a precise instrument, and there are rules for its storage.”

Hearing Qiao Yan’s response, Ma Lun’s impression of her improved even more.

The Zhang Ping mentioned by Qiao Yan is Zhang Heng.

During the regency of Empress Dowager Deng Sui, Zhang Heng was brought to the capital using the distinctive features of a public carriage.

He was first appointed as a medical officer and later as the Grand Historian.

The seismoscope was a product of this period, followed by the invention of the odometer.

Although the seismoscope wouldn’t react to the longitudinal waves caused by the movement of vehicles,

It would release a ball from the mouth of a brass toad upon detecting an earthquake.

However, Ma Lun, upon taking over the spirit platform, discovered in Zhang Heng’s records that the operation of the seismoscope actually relied on the loose foundation of the spirit platform to transmit vibrations.

Its final position was determined by Zhang Heng after several years of observation and could not be moved casually.

Since Qiao Yan had some understanding of this, it saved Ma Lun some explanation.

Seeing her handling things cautiously, Ma Lun softened his tone, “If Lord Qiao is interested, you can still observe from afar.”

Qiao Yan shook her head, “Let’s deal with welcoming and seeing off the guests first.”

Ma Lun wanted to comfort the child who had lost both parents and now her grandfather, but before she could say anything,

Qiao Yan suddenly said, “There is one more thing I would like to inform the Grand Historian about.”

She looked up and said, “In the past, Empress Dowager He Xi selected talents and promoted virtues, which led to Zhang Ping’s deduction of the theory of Lingxian here, and the positioning of the seismoscope and celestial globe.

Before this, I wasn’t in the capital and had longed to see the Lingtai.

Today, it’s finally fulfilled.

Seeing Madame Ma Lun as the Grand Historian also brings me joy.

However, with my grandfather’s recent passing, I shouldn’t appear too pleased. I hope the Grand Historian will understand.”

Ma Lun was taken aback by her words.

Empress Dowager He Xi?

Why did she suddenly mention her?

But Ma Lun quickly realized that Qiao Yan’s words were not inappropriate.

Indeed, without Empress Dowager He Xi’s influence, the Lingtai would have been just an astronomical platform from the time of Emperor Guangwu, and there would be no seismoscope or celestial globe here.

Zhang Ping had once criticized the government in his poem “Two Capitals,” but he was moved by Empress Dowager He Xi’s frugality and invited to come.

Empress Dowager He Xi herself was knowledgeable in mathematics and astronomy and provided educational opportunities for women.

Perhaps she also hoped that one day, a woman would observe the celestial phenomena from the Lingtai?

And now it had actually happened.

But at this moment, Ma Lun couldn’t speculate about the thoughts of a long-deceased remarkable woman.

Nor could he fathom what Qiao Yan was thinking at this moment.

After saying these words, the peculiar child turned and walked towards the temporary resting room, glancing back at her cautiously when leaning on the door.

Seeing no change in her expression, she disappeared behind the door.

It’s as if this child felt like she had said something she shouldn’t have at their first meeting, fearing Ma Lun might be offended or displeased.

But how could she think that Ma Lun was offended?

Ma Lun touched her slightly chilled face in the night breeze, realizing that she had smiled slightly because of Qiao Yan’s words.

This made Qiao Yan see her the next day with a fiery vigor in her official attire, highlighting her spirited demeanor even more.

Such a spirited state was enough for her to come and assist Qiao Yan in receiving the visitors who came to offer condolences after settling the Lingtai officials in their respective duties.

Visitors frequented the Yuan family mansion daily, and Ma Lun’s adept arrangements naturally earned her the respect of officials at all levels in Luoyang.