Chapter 128: Departure

Chapter 128: Departure

Early the next morning, Jiang Hui boarded the carriage, accompanying the Emperor to Pulo Temple.

Today was a day of rest, and most officials from various departments of the previous dynasty took advantage of the opportunity to escape the summer heat in their suburban villas, making the official roads crowded with carriages and horses.

The Emperor traveled incognito. Although accompanied by the Golden Guards, they didn't clear the way ostentatiously, avoiding any untimely approaches from uninformed officials, which allowed Jiang Hui to experience a bit of the commoner's bustle.

Upon reaching the foot of Mount Pulo, they got off the carriage as usual. Since they were offering eternal lights for the Empress Dowager and Princess Chengping as a display of filial piety, the Emperor and Jiang Hui chose to walk up the steps instead of using sedan chairs.

The stone steps meandered along the mountain path, rising higher and higher, with the pine breeze and occasional cicada songs and bird chirps making for a refreshing journey.

This path, often traveled by those coming to pray, naturally had resting spots. Emperor Xiaosheng, noticing the fine sweat on Jiang Hui’s forehead, pointed to a small pavilion halfway up the hill and suggested, "Let's rest there for a while."

Jiang Hui naturally agreed. They entered the pavilion, where the Golden Guards stood guard around it. The accompanying attendants promptly cleaned the stone table and benches, lit incense balls to repel insects, laid a ten-patterned silver satin cover, and brought out cool drinks and snacks from the food box for the Emperor and Noble Consort Jiang to enjoy.

Qiukui removed Jiang Hui's veil hat and gently wiped the sweat from her face with a handkerchief before stepping back to stand by, not disturbing them.

Once Jiang Hui's slightly rapid breathing had eased, Emperor Xiaosheng quietly asked, "Does Hui'er know who built this pavilion?"

The pavilion, unnamed and referred to only as "this" or "that" pavilion, showed its age with its smooth tabletop and slightly damaged corners.

"I do not know," Jiang Hui shook her head. "I heard Pulo Temple was originally a temple of the previous dynasty, so it must have been built by people from that era. Your Majesty, with your extensive knowledge, surely knows."

Emperor Xiaosheng coughed lightly and handed her a cup of dark plum juice, smiling, "I don't know either."

Jiang Hui was startled, looking at him just in time to catch a fleeting hint of mischief in his eyes.

The Emperor has been in quite a good mood lately.

She took the plum juice, pretending to be upset, "Your Majesty is just seeking amusement at my expense."

Emperor Xiaosheng, smiling, was about to speak when Shen Zan, the attending scholar of the Hanlin Academy waiting outside, bowed and entered, reporting, "Your Majesty, Shen Zan of the Hanlin Academy requests an audience."

An attending scholar of the Hanlin Academy named Shen – it must be the same Shen family's son who was the Tanhua of the first year of Jianzhao. Being promoted from editor to attendant reader, he must have successfully stayed for another term at the academy.

The scholars of the Yuan Enke examination were truly the Emperor's students. Seeking an audience at such a time, they were either foolishly brave or held in high regard by the Emperor. His Majesty would likely agree to meet them.

As expected, Xiao Sheng spoke, "Let him in."

Jiang Hui put on her veil again and said to Xiao Sheng, "Your Majesty, I will step aside for a moment." She then walked with Qiukui towards the pine forest outside the pavilion, coincidentally bumping into Shen Zhan, dressed in a lotus-green Hangzhou silk robe.

Shen Zhan's features were delicate, possessing a beauty that transcended gender, befitting his title as a top scholar. He adhered strictly to etiquette, his gaze lowered to a few inches in front of Jiang Hui's skirt hem, and only after completing his bow, hurriedly proceeded to meet the Emperor in the pavilion.

Jiang Hui continued walking towards the pine forest, stopping when she judged the distance to be about right, lost in thought.

The conversation between the Emperor and Shen Zhan was indistinct. In less than a stick of incense's time, Shen Zhan left the pavilion and headed downhill.

Upon returning to the Emperor's side, Jiang Hui did not inquire further, simply stating, "Your Majesty, I have rested well."

Xiao Sheng replied with a "good," and the two continued their ascent along the stone steps.

Though the mountain was not extremely steep, it had its perilous parts. The path meandered along the mountainside, allowing one to look back from a slightly lower position and see the crowd still ascending.

Shen Zhan stood on the outer steps, gazing back for a moment before nonchalantly continuing downhill. A sturdy servant in grey attire followed, whispering, "Young Master?"

Shen Zhan instructed him, "After we return, I'll write a letter. You must deliver it personally to our family home in Huai'an. If my grandfather asks, just say it was the Emperor's wish."

"Understood," the servant replied steadily.

Unaware of the actions of Shen, the Hanlin Academy Reader, Jiang Hui arrived at Puluo Temple at the mountain's summit with the Emperor around noon. They were greeted by the abbot and went directly into the main hall to offer lamps of everlasting light.

Master Hui'an had passed away earlier in the year, and the current abbot was Master Jingfan. She presented two double-layered lamps of everlasting light to the Emperor and Jiang Hui, reciting sutras and offering two lit candles with a ten-thousand-character pattern for the upcoming lighting ceremony.

Jiang Hui examined the lamp before her. It was rumored that the oil for the everlasting lamps was made from mermaid's grease, which once lit, burned eternally. However, what mermaid's grease was and how it was made remained a mystery.

The lamp before Jiang Hui, of course, did not contain mermaid's grease. Instead, it had an outer layer for water and an inner wick soaked in vinegar. Upon lighting, it did not burn the hand but was surprisingly cold.

Taking the lit candle from Qiu Kui, she closed her eyes and murmured softly under Master Jingfan's chanting, "Mother..."

After offering the lamp, Jiang Hui and the Emperor did not linger, quickly descending the mountain to return to the palace after a vegetarian meal.

Within the palace, Consort Yi was still bedridden in the small lunar month, while the other consorts, led by Consort De and Consort He, had completed the rituals at the sacrificial altar built by the Palace Affairs Department. They dispersed after welcoming the Emperor and Jiang Hui at the Chaoyang Gate.

Xiao Sheng had state affairs to attend to and naturally went to the Liangyi Hall, while Jiang Hui returned to the Yaohua Palace.

After a day without seeing her mother, Nian'er was still alright, but Huayang might have already turned the Qionghua Palace upside down.

Indeed, in Jiang Hui's absence, Huayang managed to exhaust herself with a swing, paper kites, pigeon carts, bamboo dragonflies, tangram, Nian'er's Kongming lock, and Xue Xue's embroidered ball dumplings...

Now clinging to her mother, Huayang was full of energy and exclaimed loudly, "Mother! Let's play!"

Jiang Hui patted her head and placed her on the soft couch, then turned to ask Nian'er, who was nearby, "Did Nian'er and your sister eat well today?"

Nian'er looked up and said, "Yes!"

"Did you take a nap?" Jiang Hui continued.

"Yes!" Nian'er obediently replied.

"Good." Jiang Hui settled Nian'er on the couch as well and said to Huayang, "The flower paper we hung outside the other day should be dry now. Rest for a while, then go fetch it with your brother. I'll change clothes and join you soon."

Huayang, happy to have something to do, cheerfully agreed, even though she didn't know what flower paper was.

Once inside the main room, it was only then that Wan Song mentioned, "My lady, today there's news from the azaleas; Concubine Sun secretly sent Hua Mei to the Liushuang Pavilion during the ritual."