Chapter 8: Lantern Festival

Chapter 8: Lantern Festival

"—Rolling an egg over the face for a lifetime of safety!"

Outside the window, Nurse Qian's voice, brimming with joy, rang out amidst the baby's cries, reaching Jiang Hui, who sat pale-faced on the bed in the warm chamber.

Lanwei, standing by, chuckled, "Nurse Qian has a point. The 'First Wash' ceremony is lively and auspicious. Madam, I just peeked outside; the little Prince is crying loudly, a sign of a 'loud basin', much to the delight of the Empress Dowager and His Majesty!"

—In folk tradition, a baby crying loudly during the 'First Wash' is known as a 'loud basin', signifying an extraordinary life.

Jiang Hui didn't much believe in these superstitions, but was relieved to hear her son, born frail, crying so vigorously now, indicating improved health.

She had chosen the nickname 'Nian'er' for her son, not only fitting his birthdate but also expressing her wish for his long life and perennial peace.

Shortly, Shiran entered with a food box, announcing the feast outside with various delicate pastries and noodles—adhering to old customs, guests at the 'First Wash' feast were served these special dishes.

However, Jiang Hui, still weak, could only consume bland and digestible foods.

"Where's Nian'er?" Jiang Hui asked softly while scooping a spoonful of yam porridge.

"The wet nurse took him down for feeding, with Qiuyao and Hongying attending," Shiran replied.

Nodding, Jiang Hui ate a bit more, about to inquire further when the Emperor entered, carrying Nian'er, followed by the Dowager Princess Chengping.

Jiang Hui, about to rise and pay her respects, was gently held down.

"No need for formalities, Hui'er. Come, see Nian'er," said the Emperor, seating himself by the bed and placing the swaddled baby in Jiang Hui's arms.

"Ah, ah—" Perhaps still spirited from feeding, Nian'er vocalized softly, babbling in his own language.

He had grown a bit, his skin milky white, not crying but curiously staring at Jiang Hui with his round, wide eyes from within the bright red swaddle.

"Ah, Mother's little Nian'er is so good!"

Perhaps sensing the maternal bond, Nian'er heard Jiang Hui's voice, his small face and faint eyebrows lifting slightly, forming a small smile.

Both the Emperor and Dowager Princess Chengping watched this scene with smiles.

Despite it still being the Lunar New Year period, the Emperor, with many affairs to attend to, stayed only briefly before being summoned away by the Ministry of Rites to discuss the imperial examination grace policy, leaving Jiang Hui and her mother to talk.

Dowager Princess Chengping, aware of her daughter's significant depletion of vitality, came for the 'First Wash' ceremony, bringing with her a vast collection of precious medicinal herbs from both the Princess's Estate and Ningyuan Marquis's Estate.

After inquiring about her daughter's health, she remarked, "At the banquet earlier, observing the Emperor's consorts, only Hu Shi seemed genuinely concerned for you. The rest are like wolves in sheep's clothing."

Jiang Hui smiled faintly, her eyes serene: "Even Hu Shi, when she first entered the Prince's residence, had no choice but to align with me."

"Regarding the matter you entrusted, it's done. I've discreetly inquired at the renowned artisan shops in the capital; none have received orders for incense burners of that style in recent years. As for craftsmen who have relocated or passed away during this time, further investigation is needed," informed Dowager Princess Chengping about another significant purpose of her visit, "As for the newly made item, I've brought it for Qiuyao to keep... What's your confidence level in this matter?"

Indeed, after so much time, even if there were any loose ends, they would have been neatly covered up.

Little Linzi was merely a decoy sent to deliver the item, still dutifully serving in the Palace Stewardship without issue, a mere facade.

Contributions like agarwood were stored either in the Emperor's private treasury or specific storehouses, accessed by only a few key holders. The incense burner added en route wasn't necessarily from these storehouses, implying it was either brought from outside the palace or crafted within the Palace Stewardship by an artisan for this purpose.

"Yet, all items produced by the Palace Stewardship require thorough inspection before being presented to the palace's distinguished residents. If tampering occurred in this process, it involved even more hands."

"Initially, I thought the most likely scenario was that someone had smuggled the incense burner into the palace from outside, through Quan Ning, who managed the Palace Stewardship's minor storehouse, replacing the original burner in the storehouse before it reached me. But after hearing Mother's words, it seems the problematic burner was prepared well in advance."

"If nothing comes up from the incense burner investigation, we'd need the records of the Imperial Pharmacy Bureau to trace the cinnabar."

"According to Physician Liu, cinnabar is commonly used in medicine, not only for its anti-inflammatory and detoxifying properties but also frequently consumed by the late Emperor's consorts for its calming effects."

"It's been a while, difficult to verify, and someone might have smuggled it into the palace during the late Emperor's illness..."

After some thought, Jiang Hui reassured her mother, "Don't worry, it's just a play-act. Success or failure, there's no loss for me."

Not wanting to worry her mother, Jiang Hui changed the subject to her younger brother, "Mother, has any suitable family caught your eye for Ah Yun? He's nearly fifteen."

The Ningyuan Marquis traditionally guarded the northern frontier. Jiang Hui's father, Jiang Yan, did the same, except he had fewer heirs than his predecessors; Jiang Hui and her younger brother, Jiang Yun, were his only descendants. Hence, the Marquis's mother was eager to arrange a marriage for her grandson, hoping for an early continuation of the family line.

Dowager Princess Chengping expressed her headache on this matter, "I've been trying to get him settled, but every time marriage is mentioned, he runs off with his friends, disappearing for days on end, it's infuriating."

As she continued, Jiang Hui consoled her mother, "Ah Yun is still young and dislikes restraint. The more you mention it, the more he resists. And you know his friends – good at playing around, but they wouldn't dare take him anywhere improper. He's just avoiding you and Grandmother."

"I know," sighed Dowager Princess Chengping. "When your father was his age, he was already renowned in the capital, even earning military merits against the Huns with your late grandfather. But your brother... I've spoiled him. Can he really uphold the Ningyuan Marquis's estate?"

Jiang Hui, alarmed, asked, "Mother? Why speak so suddenly? Has something happened?"

"No," reassured Dowager Princess Chengping, holding Jiang Hui's cold hand with a soothing look in her eyes, "There are whispers of unrest in the north, and your father may have to leave before the Lantern Festival."

Dowager Princess Chengping's information was accurate; by the eighth day of the first lunar month, the Emperor bestowed a golden saber and armor upon the Ningyuan Marquis, commanding him to return to the northern frontier.

Simultaneously, the Empress Dowager finally transferred the palace authority to the Empress, entrusting her with the preparations for the Lantern Festival.

Being the first year of the new Emperor's reign and with the birth of his first son, the Empress Dowager intended for a grand celebration.

But all these had nothing to do with Jiang Hui, still in her confinement period, needing to recuperate and unable to leave her bed. She could only enjoy the Lantern Festival in her own way at Yaohua Palace.

The weather had been clear for several days, and on the day of the Lantern Festival, the Emperor had sent palace lanterns to various ministers’ residences early in the morning, with the consorts in the palace receiving some as well.

In Yaohua Palace, apart from a large turtle hill lantern set up in the courtyard, An Jing personally brought over a jade rabbit liuli revolving heron lantern to Jiang Hui, saying it was specially sent by the Emperor for the Noble Consort’s enjoyment.

This jade rabbit liuli revolving heron lantern, once lit, would slowly rotate, revealing various auspicious designs such as jade rabbits embracing the moon on its liuli panels. Atop it was a white jade carved rabbit, with two bright red gemstones embedded in its eyes, casting a dazzling light as the lantern base turned.

"It’s so beautiful!" Shan Zha exclaimed in awe, and the maids serving in the room gathered around to admire it, before being shooed away by Aunt Ping.

Lying beside Jiang Hui, her son Nian'er seemed to also adore the lantern, cooing and gurgling happily. Jiang Hui affectionately kissed him, waited for the lantern to revolve a few more times, then blew out the candle and instructed Qiu Kui to put it away.

Today being the festival day, most of Yaohua Palace's servants were gathered in the courtyard to watch the turtle hill lantern.

Aunt Ping stood by Jiang Hui’s side, serving her medicine while quietly discussing the performance of the new palace maids and eunuchs over the past period.

“Hong Ying, though young, is loyal and unobtrusive, taking meticulous care of the little master. Hong Yu is sharp and efficient in her tasks, and I had her guard the study for a while without noticing any suspicious behavior. Bi Yun is a bit clumsy and stubborn, but strong and diligent. Bi Yue is pretty and has her little schemes, but she doesn’t push herself forward whenever His Majesty visits…”

She went on about the palace maids and eunuchs in detail.

With the taste of bitterness lingering in her mouth and nose, Jiang Hui put down the medicine bowl, rinsed her mouth, and after eating a date handed to her by Wan Song, she nodded and said, “Let Hong Ying continue with Nian'er, Aunt Ping, you manage the others. Once settled, assign them under Shan Zha and Shiliu... As for Bi Yue…”

Jiang Hui pondered, and Aunt Ping leaned in to ask, “Does my lady plan to use her?”

In her view, since the Noble Consort was still weak and shouldn’t frequently share His Majesty’s bed even after the confinement, and with His Majesty's recent ascension, there would inevitably be new entrants to the palace. Arranging a favored maid could be useful in the future.

Jiang Hui glanced at her, her usual gentle and serene face now as cold and clear as ice and snow in a lake, utterly devoid of warmth.

Realizing her blunder, Aunt Ping knelt down to apologize.

After a moment, Jiang Hui let Aunt Ping rise, speaking gently, “Aunt, I know you mean well for me. If I keep taking medicine and am unable to fully satisfy His Majesty, even if he pities me at first, how long will it last?”

Aunt Ping couldn't help but nod in agreement.

Jiang Hui smiled slightly and continued, “Moreover, the imperial selection is imminent. With Nian'er being frail, and my uncertainty about conceiving again, you think it best to have someone assist or even bear a child for me, don’t you?”

Aunt Ping was at a loss for words.

“Anyone in this palace could do that, but I cannot. His Majesty is a man of sentiment. My honor and favor come only because I was the one he yearned for in his youth,” Jiang Hui said, her expression serene and resolute, “Bi Yue has done nothing wrong; let her stay in the side hall for now.”