Chapter 160: Requesting an Audience

Chapter 160: Requesting an Audience

A Boshan incense burner, styled like a lotus pedestal and topped with a carved golden pheasant, sat on a rosewood wall table, with wisps of smoke drifting through the carved lotus petals. A Nine-Nine Cold Dispelling Chart hung on the wall, inscribed with the phrase “Treasure the willow tree before the pavilion, waiting for the spring breeze.” Jiang Hui stood beside the table, holding a brush dipped in vermilion, beginning the first stroke on the chart.

This was the first Ren day after the Winter Solstice. By the time she finished tracing the characters on the chart, spring would have arrived.

Shufei, cradling the fifth prince, sat in a soft chair behind Jiang Hui and lazily complained, "Why just Shufei? Do I resemble the word 'Shu' (virtuous) at all? Or does 'Shu' have another meaning in your Central Plains?"

Shan Zha, refilling her tea, joined in, "Shufei, you've been complaining about this for months."

Shufei placed her finger in the tiny palm of the fifth prince, watching him naturally clasp her finger, and laughed, "I’ve complained for so long, yet the Emperor hasn’t considered changing it!"

Handing the brush to Wan Song and washing her hands, Jiang Hui turned and sat next to Shufei, quietly asking, "Among 'virtuous', 'kind', 'virtuous', and 'morally upright', which do you think suits you best?"

Shufei lowered her head and withdrew her finger from the little fist, muttering in Xiongnu language, "My little Hunxie, you're so strong!"

Ignoring her, Jiang Hui picked up a book from the table, took out the thin bamboo bookmark, and continued reading.

Shufei then asked, "Empress, when will you finish writing that book? You're always looking at these ancient books donated here, it's quite terrifying."

Not waiting for Jiang Hui to respond, she added, "Why isn’t Consort Jieyu Lu here today? I didn't see her during the morning greetings."

"Consort Jieyu Lu is ill," Jiang Hui said, still focusing on the book in her hand. "She caught a cold due to the cold weather. I’ve asked her to rest in Tangli Palace. She can continue working on the book there, but if there are uncertainties, someone will need to run back and forth."

Shufei chuckled amusedly, "She's probably scared off by all these fish vying for the bait! By staying in Tangli Palace, she's effectively withdrawn from the competition!"

The 'fish' Shufei referred to were the consorts of the harem, and the 'bait' was the position accompanying the Emperor on his southern tour.

The consorts, in pursuit of this position, were not only diligently serving in Fengyi Palace but also engaged in covert battles. As Shufei put it, they resembled the carps in Taiye Pool, swarming towards the bait in a frenzy.

Jiang Hui looked up from her book, "Huayang is in the eastern side hall, dressing up her cat Snow with little skirts and shoes. She wants to take Snow outside to play in the snow. Why don’t you go and join her?"

"Fine, I get it, I’m being noisy. Happy now?" Shufei stood up, carrying the fifth prince towards the eastern side hall, muttering to the baby in her arms, "Little Hunxie, I’ll find you an even noisier companion when you grow up. So annoying that no one would want to peek into your tent."

Once Shufei left, the warm chamber fell silent. The window was only slightly ajar, but it felt as if the soft sound of falling snow and tinkling eaves bells could be heard.

After finishing the book, Jiang Hui noted down useful information, instructing Wan Song, "Put the book back where it belongs, make sure it’s in the right place."

"Yes," Wan Song replied, taking the book from Jiang Hui and leaving.

Shortly, Hongyu reported from outside the curtain, "Mistress, Yi Shunyi requests an audience. Qiu Kui has already led her to the flower hall."

"Understood," Jiang Hui responded indifferently.

Shan Zha helped Jiang Hui stand and fixed her dress and court beads, whispering, "Mistress, you were right, Yi Shunyi has indeed come."

Jiang Hui smiled, "Shan Zha, why do you think Yi Shunyi has come?"

Energized, Shan Zha replied immediately, "She obviously wants to be chosen by you for the southern tour."

"Why does Yi Shunyi think I would choose her? Compared to Sun Beauty, Beauty Tang, and others, she’s not that young," Jiang Hui continued her inquiry.

"Because of the Second Princess," Shan Zha confidently stated. "If the Second Princess accompanies the Emperor, Yi Shunyi, as her foster mother, has a chance to go along."

"Yesterday, the Second Princess returned from her studies at Chongwen Hall and unexpectedly went to see His Majesty at Jianzhang Palace. At that time, you said that even though the Second Princess is usually stable, she is still a seven-year-old child who wants to explore the outside world. Moreover, you mentioned that Yi Shunyi was coming to Fengyi Palace to see you soon. If I couldn’t guess, that would be foolish!" Shan Zha adjusted Jiang Hui's pleated skirt, standing up with a slightly embarrassed expression.

"'Quite teachable indeed,' Jiang Hui teased her, not bothering to change her clothes, and went straight to the flower hall."

"In the flower hall, Yi Shunyi was quietly sipping tea. Upon seeing Jiang Hui, she quickly stood up to bow and respectfully greeted, 'My respects to Her Majesty the Empress, may you be blessed with peace and prosperity.'"

"'Yi Shunyi, no need for formalities, please sit. Have some tea,' Jiang Hui motioned her to sit and took a sip of the hot tea served by Qiukui before asking, 'Did you brave the snow to come to Fengyi Palace for something important?'"

"Yi Shunyi smiled, gesturing to Su Jin who was holding a lacquered box, 'Recently, as I was making clothes for the Second Princess who's growing fast, I thought I hadn't made any for the Crown Prince and Princess Huayang, so I hurriedly prepared a few. My sewing skills are not the best, I hope Her Majesty does not find them lacking.'"

"Shan Zha took the lacquered box, opened it, and placed it beside Jiang Hui on the ivory table. Jiang Hui examined each piece closely and smiled, 'Yi Shunyi, your needlework is remarkable. My own skills are truly nothing to speak of.'"

"Yi Shunyi smiled modestly, sincerely expressing, 'Since I entered the palace in the first year of Jianzhao, thanks to Her Majesty’s grace, I have achieved the position of Yi Shunyi. Normally, I should not ask for more. However, I must confess, yesterday the Second Princess requested His Majesty's permission to accompany him on the southern tour. She is only seven and the journey is long. I can't help but worry, so I boldly ask to accompany her on the tour.'"

"Upon hearing this, Jiang Hui’s expression remained unchanged as she nodded, 'The Second Princess is indeed young and needs care.'"

"Yi Shunyi, realizing the Empress hadn’t finished speaking, waited quietly for Jiang Hui’s next words."

"She knew that while this reason was valid and the Empress was unlikely to separate a mother and daughter, given she and the Second Princess were not biologically related, few would believe the princess couldn't be without her. Yet, she was determined to secure this position as a royal companion."

"She had thought that due to the Emperor's responsibility for her miscarriage, he would feel guilty and favor her in the future. But after her miscarriage, His Majesty's visits to Jinlan Garden had decreased. Although she received generous gifts from him during festivals, what use were these gifts to her?"