Chapter 121: The Full Moon Day

Chapter 121: The Full Moon Day

June 16th, the day of the full moon.

It's an auspicious day, suitable for house moving, entering a new home, bed installation, ground-breaking, and tomb repair, but not for weddings.

After returning from morning greetings at Fengyi Palace, Jiang Hui inspected the gifts to be sent to Princess Huaiqing at Wuyou Palace in the evening, then summoned Qingfeng and asked, "Any news from Marquis Ningyuan’s residence?"

The Ningyuan Marquis residence, still in mourning, had its activities limited, making it harder than usual to gather information.

Qingfeng, bowing, reported, "My lady, it was the heir's wife who sent back the news. Recently, everything is calm at both Marquis Changping’s and Marquis Linping’s residences. However, a few days ago, General Li of the Left Valiant Guards fell ill, and now Lord Tan, the Colonel of the Left Valiant Guards, is temporarily in charge."

"The Left Valiant Guards?" murmured Jiang Hui softly.

There are three main military divisions in the capital: First, the Imperial Guards comprised of twelve divisions, primarily responsible for guarding the Imperial City, with the Jinwu Guard and the Yulin Guard being the most crucial. Second, the Capital Defense Army, tasked with the city's defense. Third, the Metropolitan Garrison, stationed in Zhili.

The Zuo Xiao Guard, part of the Imperial Guards, like the You Xiao Guard, is responsible for guarding the Imperial City. However, unlike the Jinwu Guard, tasked with the Emperor's personal protection, and the Yulin Guard, guarding the Jianzhang Palace and Liangyi Hall, the Zuo and You Xiao Guards generally do not enter the inner palace and are often in charge of conveying the Emperor's edicts.

"This palace understands," Jiang Hui nodded, bringing up another matter, "Has there been any news about the drug in Noble Consort Sun's possession, as mentioned by Dujuan?"

"Yes," Qingfeng replied solemnly, taking out a small square bottle from his sleeve and handing it to Jiang Hui. He explained in detail, "It's said to have been obtained through interrogation of Xiqiang spies by the Dali Temple. The drug has a sweet taste and is a potent sedative. Inhalation leads to unconsciousness, and without an antidote, one normally takes three to four hours to awaken. The antidote requires a specific herb from Xiqiang, which the Imperial Medical Bureau likely has in limited supply. This bottle was provided by Lord Hou."

Jiang Hui took the square bottle, pulled out the cork to glance inside, and found only a single dark brown pill.

She nodded, carefully stored the bottle, and instructed, "Qingfeng, you and Qiukui, go open the storeroom and take a portion of the gamboge I use for painting. Store it in a porcelain jar, and remember, do not touch it directly."

"Understood," Qingfeng responded, following Qiukui out of the warm chamber.

Jiang Hui rose from the soft chair, walked into the inner chamber, opened her makeup case, and took out a sheathed fish-intestine dagger from the bottom layer, gently drawing it out.

With a "clang", the cold, sharp blade reflected a pair of indifferent eyes.

She sheathed the dagger again, paused for a moment, and then instructed Wan Song, who was following her, "This evening, when we go to Worry-Free Palace, bring everyone the Emperor gifted to Nian'er and Huayang. In case of any mishap, instruct Pomegranate and Hongying to stay close and guard them."

"Yes," Wan Song agreed, then asked, "Master, Bicloud is quite strong. Should we bring her along?"

Jiang Hui pondered for a moment, then nodded slowly, speaking softly, "Bring her. If the Empress decides to confront us, she will likely seek moral high ground, framing or using others as pawns. However, if things go south, we must also be wary of her desperate measures."

By the hour of Shen, the distant concubines had already set off for Worry-Free Palace. Jiang Hui, holding Nian'er and Huayang's hands, slowly left Yaohua Palace in her jade palanquin.

Consort He caught up halfway, shouting from her shoulder-carried palanquin, "Noble Consort, have you heard? They say the Empress invited the newly arrived Mingxi Troupe to the capital. I love watching your Central Plains' operas. Does this troupe have any famous plays?"

Jiang Hui slightly turned her head, hugging Huayang who had leaned over to listen to Consort He, and replied, "I don't fancy operas much. If Consort He likes them, you can select any play from the script list at the event."

Consort He joyfully responded, "What a great idea! I'll speak to the Empress about it later!"

Upon arriving at Worry-Free Palace, a palace maid dressed neatly came to guide them, first bowing to everyone, and then crisply said, "Noble Consort Zhao, Consort He, the Empress is concerned about the heat and has arranged the banquet in the flower hall. If you wish to watch operas, you can select a few to be performed outside now."

Consort He naturally stayed outside to watch the play, while Jiang Hui followed the palace maid into the inner flower hall and was led to her seat.

It was a small banquet, not like the formal court banquets with individual tables, but with round tables for group seating. It was still early for taking seats at the tables, so they first sat on hoop-backed chairs against the wall. Other consorts who were not interested in the play were seated nearby. After exchanging greetings, no one dared to approach and disturb them.

Jiang Hui surveyed the setting, noting several round tables in the center, far from the doors and windows. There were folding screens between the chairs and tables, and a small stage set up at the front, hinting at an upcoming performance inside. This sparked her curiosity.

Huayang became restless in her nanny's arms and said to Jiang Hui, "Mommy, play!"

Jiang Hui picked up Huayang and whispered, "Let's play a game with Mommy where we stay still and quiet. Whoever moves first loses, okay?"

This was a game Jiang Hui often played with her children. Huayang, excited, loudly agreed.

Huayang indeed stayed still in Jiang Hui's arms.

Before leaving, Jiang Hui had ensured that Huayang and Nian'er were well-fed. Sitting motionless, Huayang soon felt sleepy and dozed off in her mother's arms.

Outside, Princess Huaiqing was playing with the Second and Third Princes. Hearing that the First Prince and Princess Huayang had arrived, she stood at the entrance of the flower hall, waving to Nian'er and called out with a smile, "Liang brother, Third sister, come and join us!"

Nian'er glanced at his mother, his eyes filled with longing.

It seemed that Princess Huaiqing's frequent visits to Yaohua Palace had been somewhat effective.

Handing the sleeping Huayang to the nanny, Jiang Hui asked Nian'er, "Do you want to go out and play?"

Before Nian'er could answer, Consort De, seated nearby, interjected, "Noble Consort Jiang, let the siblings play together. It's boring for them to sit here with us. The Emperor and the Empress haven't arrived yet; the banquet will probably start a bit later."

Jiang Hui asked, "The Empress hasn't arrived yet?"

"Yes," nodded Consort De, "She came earlier but seems to have left again for some matter."

Jiang Hui nodded, and only then did Nian'er lean into her embrace and whisper softly, "Mommy, I don't want to go out. I want to stay with you."

"Alright," Jiang Hui smiled and instructed Pomegranate, "Go and tell Princess Huaiqing."

"The First Prince doesn't want to play outside?" Suddenly, a woman's voice rang out, drawing many eyes. It was Duan Cairen, who had recently become quite prominent.

Duan Cairen, dressed in a dark blue brocaded skirt with a light green sheer jacket, exuded a gentle and kind demeanor. Approaching Jiang Hui, she curtsied and softly said, "Back home, I was the eldest and often took care of my younger siblings. If Noble Consort Jiang doesn't mind, I would like to keep the Crown Prince company."

In her heart, Duan Cairen thought that with Noble Consort Jiang's stunning beauty, the Emperor would surely focus on her upon his arrival, paying little attention to the others. But by accompanying the royal children, she hoped to gain the Emperor's favor; besides, it was just looking after the Crown Prince under the Noble Consort's watch, unlikely to cause any offense.

Contrary to her expectations, Jiang Hui, upon hearing Duan Cairen’s offer, glanced at her coldly and curtly replied, “Mind.”