Chapter 56: Implication

Chapter 56: Implication

Since the second princess's first birthday banquet, Concubine Wanse, with a broken cup, successfully reminded the Emperor of her existence.

However, the Emperor's affection for her was not as fervent as before. Instead of frequently summoning her, it was now only occasional, preventing her from being completely ignored.

"Sister Feng, even the most beautiful face can become tiresome for His Majesty to see every day. You must learn some other skills."

Inside Xiu Xia Xuan of Chonghua Palace, Lady Sun was sitting on a soft chair, talking to Concubine Wanse.

Although her fall from the drum stage had not caused severe bone injuries and she could walk normally, she still preferred to sit whenever possible.

Concubine Wanse, dressed in an outfit that allowed easy movement, sat on the bamboo mat-covered floor, her legs stretched out straight, toes pointing up, heels out, motionless, with beads of sweat on her face.

Lady Sun looked at her, nodded slightly, and continued, "After hooking the feet, move to stretching them, toes out, heels in... Yes, just like that... Keep your knees off the ground…"

After pointing out a few things, the conversation continued: "Look at those favored in the palace. Not to mention the Consort, who has been the Emperor's childhood friend and is talented in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. Then there's Consort Li, whose beauty rivals yours, Feng sister. But in terms of talents, you are far behind her. Consort Li’s pipa skills are unmatched even by the musicians of the Music Bureau."

The Selected Attendant, upon hearing this, sighed softly and nodded, "Sun sister is right. My family focused all resources on my father's examinations, leaving no means for me to learn more. Now, I must thank you, Sun sister, for your teachings."

Sun Guiren smiled faintly, "Learning dance requires training from a young age. It’s too late for you, Feng sister, but you don’t need to excel. Just show the Emperor your effort during the performance."

The Selected Attendant, her face betraying her unease, whispered, "Sun sister, by doing this at the Mid-Autumn family banquet, I hope the Empress won't take it amiss?"

She knew well enough that on the Mid-Autumn Festival on the fifteenth of August, the Emperor would be at Fengyi Palace.

"Why would she?" Sun Guiren, sipping tea brought by Dujuan, answered after lifting her veil, "At the Mid-Autumn banquet, it's customary for ladies of each palace to showcase their talents. And the Empress knows about the dance I'm teaching you."

Relieved, the Selected Attendant continued practicing the dance without questioning why the Empress was aware of this.

Jiang Hui quickly learned about the Selected Attendant learning dance from Sun Guiren. However, this wasn’t her concern. Sun Guiren, having lost her hopes of regaining favor, naturally needed an ally, and the Selected Attendant, recently relieved from confinement and no longer favored as before, was the most suitable candidate.

Besides, Jiang Hui was planning to use the Selected Attendant to probe into certain matters, so Sun Guiren’s schemes to regain favor actually suited her plans.

After Bailu (the White Dew season), approaching the Autumn Equinox, the weather turned cooler but still retained some heat, a time prone to catching colds.

The palace staff serving in Qionghua Hall were extremely cautious, fearing that the master and mistress might fall ill. Jiang Hui's primary concern was also for her son, Nian'er.

Nian'er was now old enough for solid foods, so a special cook, Yang Mama, was appointed in the small kitchen of Yaohua Palace for him. Yang Mama was personally selected by Sheng An from the Internal Affairs Department, along with a few palace maids and eunuchs for close care.

In the witchcraft incident, the silver needles on the Empress Dowager’s puppet caused her nightmares and delirium, and Zhao Ruyun’s plot against Lady Liu resulted in miscarriage, while Jiang Hui, struck on the puppet's forehead, fell seriously ill. Although the Emperor didn’t quite believe in these superstitions, and both he and Nian'er seemed unaffected by the curse, he thought it wise to instruct Sheng An to carefully select more staff from the Internal Affairs Department to ensure the Crown Prince’s well-being.

Jiang Hui wasn’t too worried about the people sent by the Emperor to care for Nian'er. After thoroughly discussing Nian'er’s diet and needs with Pomegranate and Hongying, and having Physician Lin examine Nian'er to confirm his good health, she finally felt at ease.

Qiukui entered from behind the curtain, followed by Hongyu and Biyun carrying several bolts of satin and lacquer boxes.

"My lady," Okra gestured for the maids to place their items on the table and handed a list to Jiang Hui, speaking softly, "As per your instructions, I've selected several fabrics and auspiciously styled bead hairpins and jewelry from the storeroom. Is everything to your satisfaction?"

Jiang Hui carefully reviewed the list, noting items such as two bolts of red flowered satin, a bolt of aquamarine gauze, a bolt of scattered diamond brocade, a magpie-on-plum-blossom hairpin, a purple crystal butterfly sway, and two jade bracelets. She nodded in approval.

"These will do. Add the two boxes of mooncakes sent from the Imperial Kitchen. Have Qingfeng obtain the pass for leaving the palace and deliver them to the Lin residence."

With the Mid-Autumn Festival approaching, apart from sending gifts to the Ningyuan Marquis and Chengping Princess's residences, Jiang Hui also needed to send presents to the Lin residence of the National Academy's Sacrificial Wine, as his daughter Lin Qingshu's marriage to Jiang Yun had been arranged. Although the wedding was still two years away, three of the six matrimonial rites had been completed, making them officially in-laws.

Two days later, the Chengping Princess, along with Lady Lin and Lin Qingshu, sent a card to the palace to express their gratitude.

After the greetings were exchanged and tea was served, Jiang Hui, seated in the place of honor, closely observed her future sister-in-law.

Lin Qingshu was fair-skinned with an oval face, willow leaf eyebrows, and calm, intelligent eyes, exuding a serene and astute demeanor.

She wore the purple crystal butterfly sway that Jiang Hui had recently gifted, listening attentively to her mother and the Chengping Princess, with a slight smile on her lips, sitting upright with hands folded in her lap, her manners impeccable.

Feeling the gaze from the head of the table, she glanced up, not avoiding the scrutiny, and gave Jiang Hui a reserved smile.

Jiang Hui was pleased and returned the smile.

The Chengping Princess was discussing the upcoming autumn hunt with Lady Lin.

As it was the Emperor's first year on the throne, he was obliged to participate in the autumn hunt at Pingcheng. High-ranking officials like Minister Lin would certainly be in attendance with their families.

"My son, Xiao Liu, usually prefers staying indoors and reading. He can barely ride a horse, let alone shoot from horseback," Lady Lin said with a laugh.

Although Lin Qingshu was the eldest daughter of Minister Lin, she was the sixth daughter in the generation of Lin family women, hence her mother referred to her by her rank.

The Chengping Princess laughed, "That's no issue. My son, Yun, is quite the little monkey but has a talent for riding and archery. He can accompany Miss Lin on horseback during the hunt!"

The two ladies exchanged a glance, their eyes conveying a mutual understanding.

Upon hearing this, Lin Qingshu's cheeks flushed with a hint of shyness.

Delighted in her heart, Jiang Hui interjected, "Mother and Lady Lin can talk. Since Miss Lin is visiting the palace for the first time, I’ll take her for a walk in the garden."

Recognizing that Lin Qingshu was still a sheltered young lady, Jiang Hui didn’t take her out of Yaohua Palace, just strolling a few steps in its garden, followed by maids and attendants.

As they chatted casually along the way, Jiang Hui could tell that Lin Qingshu was a woman of substance, a suitable and supportive wife for her brother.

The two paused beside a stone table in the northwest corner of the plum grove. Lin Qingshu softly began, "My cousin, who married into the Yun family of Lianzhou, recently visited home. She tasted the mooncakes gifted by Your Highness and remarked that the palace's mooncakes are quite unique."