c88 (1/2)
Chapter 88: Moving the tiger away from the mountain
Today it was the day of the full month of Qiong Yue’s Third Prince thus there were decorations everywhere and was especially lively. The heavens was kind that although it was cold for quite some days, early this morning, the warm light shone on the earth through the white paper on the window into the house, bringing warmth to the room.
Qing Feng gently opened the door and took a deep breath. She had been stifled in this house for an entire month that she felt so stuff up. If it wasn’t the little fellow who gave her trouble all day, she cannot think of how she would felt if she stayed in the house for an entire month. Qing Feng was about to carry the child to walk around the shade under the big tree when she felt wind rush. Ru Yi rushed over from the outside and said, “Your Ladys.h.i.+p, the Empress Dowager sent someone to convey to you to bring the Little Prince to Dong Sheng Palace at Sis.h.i.+ (modern timing: 9 – 11 am).
Qing Feng who was still smiling immediately stopped. The officer of Rites had already came over seven or eight days before to inform on today’s schedule. At that time, it was just listening and she was almost dead of boredom. Thinking that the rest of the day would be this tired, Qing Feng could only howl in grief in her heart. Seeing Qing Feng frowning, Ru Yi thought that she had timed it too early and quickly explained, “Because the abbot of Yu Quan Temple has specially wanted to pray for the Little Prince. After the blessing ceremony, it is still required to go to the Imperial Mausoleum to pray and there is still the banquet at night…”
Ru Yi did not finish when Qing Feng waved her hands and feebly replied, “I know…”
Knowing that her Mistress was always afraid of these tedious rituals and explanations, Fu Ling smiled, “The rules of the Palace is like that. It would be fine after today.”
Qing Feng would not believe Fu Ling’s words of comfort. If one were to live in the Palace, one would need to adapt oneself to it. “Alright.” Qing Feng lamented loudly and gave a look of resign as she carried the tightly and warmly wrapped little guy. She forced a smile, “Come on my obedient son. Let’s us suffer today.”
Naturally the little fellow did not know what Qing Feng was talking about, only that his mother carried him and he immediately grinned. This smile instantly erased the boredom in Qing Feng’s heart. Gently patting the little fellow’s head, the edges of Qing Feng’s lips also flew up.
Taking advantage of Qing Feng’s mood turning well, Ru Yi quickly reminded, “Your Ladys.h.i.+p, it is almost time.” The Little Prince was her Ladys.h.i.+p’s happy pill, no matter what troubles her, as long as the Little Prince smiles, her Ladys.h.i.+p would immediately cheer up.
When Qing Feng carried the child to the door, she suddenly remembered something and said to Fu Ling who was behind her, “Go and pa.s.s a message to the Prime Minister’s residence to my Eldest Sister. Say that there are a lot of events in the Palace today and don’t let her or Youngest Sister come to Qing Feng Hall to look for me. After this busy period is over, I will receive them in the Palace for a gathering.”
“Yes.”
Qing Feng walked out of the door of the hall when an Imperial Guard stood by the door. Qing Feng’s heart slightly jump a beat as she looked over to discover that that person was not Ming Ze. Was he transferred away? Or was it… Qing Feng was secretly guessing when the old mama, who was sent over by the Empress Dowager to pick her up, was impatient, “Your Ladys.h.i.+p, it would not be good to miss the auspicious time.”
Never mind. If he left then he has left. After putting down her chaotic thoughts, Qing Feng carried the baby and heading to the direction of Dong Sheng Palace.
*****
Qing Feng thought that during the blessing ceremony and the ceremony for the ancestors, she would be able to see Yan Hong Tian but at the end he did not appear at all. After that she heard Fu Ling explained then she only knew that Qiong Yue regulation was as such. When a Prince had reached to his full month, it was always the Empress Dowager that would preside over the blessing ceremony and other matter. Qing Feng did not know why there was an indescribable feeling in her heart, maybe it was disappointment.
As the long and lengthy ceremony dragged on, the adults were very tired and the little child was already fast asleep due to exhaustion. After the entourage of people came back from praying the ancestors and just returned to the Empress Dowager’s Dong Sheng Palace for some tea, Xiao Yu’s pretty figure appeared in the hall. In the living room with a house full of mistresses, Xiao Yu greeted every single one with detailed and reasonable manner. From the elegant way it was done, it was better than a lady in a n.o.ble family. Qing Feng especially like Xiao Yi, the Empress Dowager seemed to be satisfied and only the Empress’s face had a look of unconcern, it would seem that she usually do not see her.
After the greetings was completed, Xiao Yu said softly, “Empress Dowager, the hundreds of officials and wives are already in the Imperial Gardens. The Emperor let this servant come here to invite you, Empress and Imperial Concubine to Zhen Yan Palace, so as to go to the banquet together.”
“Good.” It could be seen that Lou Su Xin’s mood was extremely good today. Even though it was a tiring day, she was still full of energy, “Empress and Imperial Concubine Qing, follow Aijia over.”
“Yes.”
Qing Feng sighed in her heart, she did not know how late will it be before she could rest in this large banquet for hundreds of officials. The only consolation and good thing was that she would be able to see Eldest Sister and Youngest Sister.
An entourage of people walked to Zhen Yang Palace. Perhaps Yan Hong Tian had heart the report and came out at the same time. After not seeing for many days, he seemed to be thinner. It was almost the twelfth lunar month but he still clad in that dark black robes, not losing the airs of a monarch and was even more refine and superior.
“Long live the Emperor.”
“Dispense the ceremony.” Yan Hong Tian slightly raised his hands and walked to the Empress Dowager’s side and smiled, “Imperial Mother, it is almost time. Let’s go.” The child today was being carried by the wet nurse trusted by the Empress Dowager all the time. Yan Hong Tian’s sight swept over the child’s little face and finally landed on that little clenched fist. Yan Hong Tian’s sharp brows raised and his lips unconsciously hook up slightly. Previously he did not notice but now he noticed that that hand was really small.
Although Yan Hong Tian only took a quick glance that even Qing Feng may not have noticed, but it did not escape the eyes of Xin Yue Ning, the person who was always concerned about him and was his wife for ten over years. When Jing-er was little, the Emperor never look at him with this type of eyes. She previously thought that the Emperor did not like children but now it seems that it was not the case.
No way. This child cannot stay! Because of Jing-er position as the Crown Prince, she was more determined to take the next course of action.
*****
The officials and family members were invited for the banquet today thus it was not possible to fit everyone in a normal palace. As the winter in Qiong Yue was not considered cold, the full month banquet was held in the Imperial Gardens. There was no more green or red colours in spring or autumn but it was not desolate as there were lush clumps of evergreens which added a lot of vitality into the winter. There were many people here tonight, almost all officials from the third rank and above were present and they had brought their wives and daughter. As far as the eye can see, it was only people that were seen with beautiful robes and toasting to one another. Gu Yun and Su Ling was arranged to be at the right of the main seat, facing Lou Xi Yan and Zhuo Qing. Both men nodded their heads in understanding before looking away while Gu Yun and Qing Feng had a look of boredom on their face.
“The Emperor has arrived.” From afar there was a shrill cry from a eunuch and silence fell over the garden. Gu Yun squinted her eyes as she look and saw Yan Hong Tian walking with a well maintained middle-aged female clad with jewels and had an air of arrogance. The Empress and Qing Feng walked behind them. To be able to push the Empress back in line, that middle-aged female must be official main Empress Dowager, Lou Su Xin, that Su Ling had mentioned. (FYI… There is always an official/main and side/secondary position. Official/main position is for the official wives while side/secondary position meant that they are the concubine. In this case it meant that Lou Su Xin was the official wife and Empress of the late Emperor. And it also meant that Xin Yue Ning & her son are in the official/main position, while Qing Feng & her son are in a side/secondary position. Usually… USUALLY, the oldest or the official/main Prince can inherit the throne as they are considered the ‘legitimate’ line. If there is no surviving eldest Prince from the main/official position, then the throne is up for grabs.)
“Long live the Emperor. Long live the Empress Dowager. May the Empress and Imperial Concubine Qing have innumerable fortune and safety.” As Yan Hong Tian walked to the main seat, the organised and loud voice gave Gu Yun a shock. There were at least a few hundred of people in this garden, to be able to actually greet in unison, it would mean that they were trained on it on normal days.
“All raise.” Yan Hong Tian’s mood was especially great as he waved his hands and sat down on the main seat.
“Thanking the Emperor.”
Everyone went to their respective seats and Gu Yun looked towards Qing Feng. The Empress Dowager and the Empress was sitting to the left and right of the Emperor respectively and she could only sit by the side of the Empress. The child was held by the wet nurse but was not sat behind her but by the Empress Dowager’s side. The Empress Dowager kept teasing the child frequently and Qing Feng could only watch from afar. Originally the intention for entering the Palace today was to look at the child and chat with Qing Feng but now it would seem that it was not possible.
“It’s the Prince’s full month today and a banquet is hosted for the officials. May all the officials dispense on ceremony and accompany Zhen to drink this cup.” Yan Hong Tian lifted his cub and everyone followed to cry out their toast, “May the Emperor be filled with exultation, may the Imperial Concubine Qing filled with exultation and may the Third Prince have innumerable fortune.”
As her child was not by her side, Qing Feng was very much idle and her gaze fell onto the crowd. Eldest Sister and Lou Xi Yan was whispering and as they were newlyweds, it was a very sweet sight. Qing Feng look at the other pair and saw Su Ling was as usual, drinking quietly and alone while Youngest Sister had propped up her chin as she stared at a direction in a daze. Following Youngest Sister’s line of sight, it was a scene of a lake. Under the light of the lanterns by the lakeside, the water surface was sparkling as the palace maids at the lakeside placed little paper boats by their feet. There was a small candle in the middle of the small boat as it was floating on the lake. As the little paper boats floated on the lake, the candle flickered making it look beautiful. Qing Feng smiled, with this kind of beautiful scene, no wonder Youngest Sister was not interested in anything else.
Qing Feng’s sight was not met by both sisters but she felt her heart warm. Seeing them living in bliss made her happier than anything else. Qing Feng was immersed in her own mind when she suddenly heard Yan Hong Tian exclaimed in his hearty voice, “Recently there are pirates on rampant in the East Sea and General Su will be bringing the army to wipe them out. Zhen will take the opportunity in today’s banquet to bid farewell to General Su. Till when General Su come back in triumph, Zhen will throw a celebration for the General.”
After a night of silence, Su Ling stood up and faintly replied, “Thanking the Emperor.”
“Wis.h.i.+ng that General Su will return earlier victoriously.” The voices of well-wishes came from all sides but everyone’s attention was focused on the pet.i.te female beside General Su. All the officials are aware that General Su did not indulge in the opposite gender and that female sat by his side. General Su did not portray any expression of irritation and also took the initiative to pick the dishes for her. That female also had scars on her cheeks and should be one of the Qing family’s sisters. This three sisters were not simple. Qing Ling was already the Prime Minister’s Furen, Qing Feng was bestowed the t.i.tle of Imperial Concubine Qing and now had a Prince and this youngest sister would most likely be the General’s Furen in the future.
The hundreds of official had a small abacus (ancient calculator) in their heart and seeing that the three Qing family sisters appearing on the same banquet, that abacus had already rang loudly.
“Miss Qing would presumably follow the army to battle during General Su’s expedition. It is really enviable for such marital harmony.” It was fairly enjoyable in the banquet, thus when a clear female voice suddenly sounded, everyone was slightly stunned and looked at one another but did not say anything. Since ancient times there was no basis for a wife to follow her husband to battle but the person who spoke was the Empress. The officials who were just toasting quieten and sat down as they waited and observed.
With a cup of wine in his hands, Yan Hong Tian’s dark eyes had a strong interest on Su Ling’s slightly changed expression and Qing Mo whose head was lowered. Zhuo Qing and Lou Xi Yan exchanged a looked and each look was filled with thoughts.
In this group of people, the person whose facial expression changed drastically was not the parties involved but Qing Feng, who was standing behind the Empress. Youngest Sister was weak since childhood, how would it be possible to travel with the army into battle. For the Empress to suddenly speak those words, she must have ill intentions.
The open air garden was unusually quiet as Lou Su Xin said accusingly, “This is absurd. The Empress words are scandalous. How can a female follow the army to battle.”