Chapter 67: Choosing Horses.

Chapter 67: Choosing Horses.

Soon after, He Fei and Consort Li reappeared in the Pixiang Hall’s flower room.

He Fei took down a Hu Jia from the wall, blew a few notes to test it, then sat next to Jiang Hui, smiling, "Consort Li told me that 'Song of Yizhou' was once a favorite in the Central Plains, but the score was lost. We composed a new piece. Consort, would you like to hear it?"

Jiang Hui offered a faint smile, her brows easing slightly, "The 'Song of Yizhou' originates from the music bureau’s tunes, composed by Wang Mojie with lyrics sung by Li Guinian. It's a song we can now only imagine through books, reminiscing the past glory of the Pear Garden. I didn't expect to hear its new rendition today."

Consort He laughed heartily, exchanging a glance with Lady Li, who held a pipa, before they began their performance.

"The cool breeze and bright moon evoke my deep longing, as a warrior I've been away for over a decade."

"When the soldier left, he urged earnestly, and when the geese returned, they brought numerous letters."①

Their skills were exceptional, perhaps from composing together, creating a sense of harmony. The overlapping verses, along with the rain outside, complemented each other, allowing Jiang Hui to enjoy a taste of the Emperor’s privilege.

However, near the end of the song, Lady Li's pipa missed a note. Although she quickly corrected it, the flaw marred the performance.

After the song, Consort He proudly asked, "Noble Consort, how was it?"

"Not bad," Jiang Hui nodded in approval.

Consort He's smile widened as she turned to Lady Li, "What happened just now?"

Lady Li, composed as ever, handed her pipa to her maid, Yinzhu, slightly bowed her head, and shyly replied, "Consort He, perhaps because I skipped breakfast, I felt a bit hungry earlier."

Due to Consort He's presence, the Yu Fu Palace had its own kitchen, allowing all the consorts to dine together with the main consort.

However, before visiting Fengyi Palace to pay respects, it was inappropriate for Lady Li to come early to the Pi Xiang Hall for snacks. She hadn't eaten much of the osmanthus cake at the Empress's either. After returning and playing a piece non-stop, it was quite plausible she was hungry.

"Ah, I got so carried away I forgot about this!" Consort He turned and instructed her maid, "Quick, bring the breakfast!"

Then she turned back to Jiang Hui with a smile, "Noble Consort, have you eaten? Would you like to try the culinary skills of Yu Fu Palace?"

Jiang Hui glanced out of the window, noting the diminishing rain and the emerging sunlight through the clouds. Shaking her head slightly, she apologized, "Let's reschedule. Nian'er is still unwell, and I need to return to look after him."

"Alright then," Consort He said, somewhat disappointed. She rose and, along with Consort Li, escorted Jiang Hui out of the Yufu Palace.

The imperial carriage of the Noble Consort resumed its journey and soon returned to the Yaohua Palace.

Wan Song assisted Jiang Hui in changing her clothes, whispering, "My lady, the young master is still sleeping. Breakfast is served in the warm pavilion."

Jiang Hui nodded slightly and instructed as she walked towards the warm pavilion, "Go and summon Qingfeng."

When the servant arrived, she inquired, "Did Consort Li prepare any talents to present last night?"

Qingfeng, with a bowed head, replied, "I have inquired about it. Consort Li originally planned to present a dance, but she suddenly canceled it at the beginning of August."

"A dance?" Jiang Hui raised an eyebrow.

"Yes," Qingfeng nodded, "It's said she specifically practiced the Hu Xuan dance."

"Understood, you may leave now," Jiang Hui dismissed Qingfeng, picked up her jade chopsticks, and began eating breakfast prepared by Wan Song.

At this moment, Qiu Kui spoke in a low voice, "My lady, the Hu Xuan dance requires various movements, especially the skill of the waist. Today at the Fengyi Palace, I noticed that Consort Li barely ate any of the strongly-flavored osmanthus cakes. And at the Pi Xiang Hall, she... Could it be that she is pregnant?"

"There's a possibility," Jiang Hui recalled Consort Li's behavior and affirmed.

"Will Consort Li still attend the autumn hunt?" Qiu Kui asked.

"Why wouldn't she?" Jiang Hui smiled slightly, "It's a special appointment by His Majesty, she cannot refuse."

"But if she is indeed pregnant, then perhaps His Majesty..." Qiu Kui hesitated, recalling the matter of Zhao Shuren.

"His Majesty is unaware," Jiang Hui said indifferently, her tone casual. "Even if he knew, after harming my Nian'er, how could I let her off? At most, it'll end with a life for a life."

*

In the afternoon, the Fengyi Palace sent someone to invite the Noble Consort to the Imperial Horse Park to select a horse.

When Jiang Hui was in her teens, the Marquis of Ningyuan gifted her a green Chi horse, which is now kept at the Imperial Horse Park.

Despite knowing she had her own horse, the Empress wouldn't exempt Jiang Hui from such formalities and still sent someone to go through the motions.

Surprisingly, the Noble Consort seemed quite interested in the matter and indeed set off for the Imperial Horse Park with her entourage.

The rain had long stopped, leaving the stone slabs damp. The post-rain earthy smell mingled with the fragrance of osmanthus drifted in the breeze.

The Imperial Horse Park, located in the most secluded part of the Imperial City near the Changmen Palace, consisted of connected buildings and covered a vast area.

As the eunuch led Jiang Hui in, the Empress, along with Consort He, Consort Li, and the selected maids, were outside the stables looking at horses, slightly surprised to see the Noble Consort arriving.

Consort He smiled, "Noble Consort, come quickly, we're just choosing!"

Jiang Hui nodded slightly and, upon reaching the group and exchanging greetings, joined them in viewing the horses.

The prized horses each had their own stables, and Jiang Hui immediately spotted the majestic snow-white Night Jade Lion, presented by Prince Jin during the Wanshou Festival.

The horse, with its glossy coat, was eating alfalfa, utterly indifferent to the beautiful women outside.

This was the Emperor's mount, not an option for others.

Jiang Hui's gaze lingered on it briefly before shifting to her own green Chi horse, which turned to face her, its ears tilting back slightly in apparent recognition and delight at her presence.

"Little Green," Jiang Hui stepped closer, taking a horse brush handed by a clever eunuch and began brushing its coat through the fence.

Consort He approached for a closer look and praised, "Round front hooves, pointed rear hooves, a long neck, and strong hind legs – this horse looks splendid!"

Jiang Hui smiled faintly, "In the palace, it's rare to find a horse that isn't impressive."

The Great Zhou Dynasty had horses bred in Liangzhou and Youzhou, rivaling even the Huns. Naturally, those sent to the palace were of the finest breed.

Consort He nodded in agreement but remarked, "It's a pity they've never seen battle or bloodshed, lacking that fierce spirit."

Her words caused the attending palace servants to blanch, all bowing their heads.

Before Consort He realized what she had implied, the Empress deftly changed the subject, "Consort He, Consort Li and the chosen maids have made their selections. Have you found one to your liking?"

Consort Li chose a docile brown pony, standing at a distance and covering her nose and mouth with a silk handkerchief, seemingly bothered by the stable's smell.

The chosen maid, inexperienced in horseback riding, stood next to a little red horse she had picked, looking quite delighted.

Upon hearing the Empress's question, Consort He looked around and casually pointed to a black horse, saying resignedly, "The best ones are already taken, and I can't ride them anyway. The rest are all similar, so I'll take this one. It looks more spirited, which I like."

——

Note: [1] Wang Wei's "Song of Yi Zhou."