Chapter 96: Summer Retreat

Chapter 96: Summer Retreat

Jiang Hui nodded slightly towards her with a small smile.

The group laughed together, adding their own well-wishes, even the chirping of cicadas outside seemed joyful.

Being pregnant, Jiang Hui couldn't stand for long. After inspecting the bridal chamber, she headed to the main courtyard where the Grand Princess resided.

In the main courtyard, seated were elderly ladies and many unmarried girls. Seeing Jiang Hui return with a group of ladies, they all stood up to greet her.

Jiang Hui approached the main seat, where the Grand Princess Chengping wore a festive red dress, her face beaming with joy. Sitting beside her, Jiang Hui softly called, "Mother."

But she had nothing else to say.

The eldest Princess Chengping, with a smile, glanced at her and squeezed her hand, continuing her conversation with the elderly woman beside her, "I also must thank your daughter-in-law. Without her as the matchmaker, where would my son find such a beautiful and kind-hearted girl!"

The elderly woman quickly replied, "She's not as wonderful as the princess praises!"

The room filled with conversation as the sky gradually darkened. Distant sounds of celebratory suona music announced the arrival of the bride, finally being brought home.

Everyone took their seats, with the Emperor naturally occupying the most prestigious position. The Ningyuan Marquis and his wife had to yield the main seats of the hall to him, moving down a place.

The rest of the guests were seated separately by gender. Among the female guests, Jiang Hui naturally took the place of honor. The elderly lady of Songshou Garden, being unwell, dined in her own courtyard.

Outside, the noise grew louder as Jiang Yun, dressed in red, led the green-clad bride wearing a phoenix crown and a rosy bridal cape, her face hidden behind a round fan. Guided by the ceremonial officer, they performed the rituals of bowing to heaven and earth, kneeling to the sovereign and parents, then entered the bridal chamber, followed by a trail of guests ready to tease the couple.

……

After a lively celebration lasting until the late hours, Jiang Hui, along with her grandmother, parents, siblings, and son, bid farewell and accompanied the Emperor on the carriage back to the palace.

The Emperor, with no intention of returning to Jianzhang Palace, arrived with Jiang Hui at Yaohua Palace. Upon alighting from the carriage, her son was already sound asleep in Pomegranate's arms.

After a tiring day, they naturally retired to bed early.

The next day, the Ningyuan Marquis's heir and his wife visited the palace to express their gratitude for the Emperor attending the wedding banquet with Noble Consort Zhao and the eldest prince.

Jiang Yun, being an outsider, was asked by the Emperor to stay in Liangyi Hall for a talk, while Lin Qingshu went to Yaohua Palace after paying respects to the Empress.

Sitting in the warm pavilion with Lin Qingshu, Jiang Hui said, "Ah Yun is stubborn. If he ever bullies you, just send a card to the palace and tell me about it."

Lin Qingshu, newly married and only just coming of age, blushed and said softly, "My husband is very kind."

Jiang Hui smiled, her eyes thawing, and after a few more words, said, "I can't visit home, so please take care of grandmother and mother for me."

Her words carried a deeper meaning. Lin Qingshu stood up and bowed solemnly, saying with conviction, "Rest assured, sister, I will serve them diligently."

"I know you're attentive," Jiang Hui sighed softly, murmuring, "Ningyuan Marquis's household is now in your hands."

*

On the fourth day of the sixth month, after the Ningyuan Marquis's heir and his wife completed their three-day post-wedding visit, the elderly Lady Ningyuan Marquis passed away. She left this world with a smile.

While still conscious, she told her grandson and his wife, "I've partaken in the tea ceremony of you two. At my age, it's time to go down and meet with Ah Yun and a few uncles."

She also advised her grandson, "Poor Hui Hui is alone in the palace. Ah Yun, you must take good care of your sister in the future."

After hearing Jiang Yun's response, she closed her eyes and, surrounded by her loved ones, stopped breathing.

Even though Jiang Hui had mentally prepared herself, hearing the news still inevitably cast a shadow over her mood.

After the funeral rites, the Emperor, fearing her sadness, specially visited Yaohua Palace and suggested to Jiang Hui, "The heat in June is unbearable. How about we go to the Summer Resort to relax?"

The Emperor considered her feelings, and of course, she couldn't refuse. Hence, Jiang Hui managed a faint smile and replied to the Emperor, "Alright."

The Royal Summer Resort was near the Pulo Temple, situated in the Qingning Mountain valley, hence also known as Qingning Resort.

For this trip to the Summer Resort, apart from the ministers required for handling state affairs, the Emperor only took Jiang Hui with him, leaving the other consorts behind, which caused quite a stir in the harem for several days.

However, these were not Jiang Hui's concerns. At the moment, she was lying on the carved window of the attic, watching the young maids playing on swings in the courtyard below, but her expression was listless, unable to muster any interest.

The Marquis of Ningyuan's family, in mourning, could not accompany them to the Summer Resort. Jiang Hui was still worried about Grand Princess Chengping, telling herself to stay healthy for her family's sake, yet she couldn't shake off her gloom.

Seeing Jiang Hui's expression, Wan Song brought over a plate of washed grapes, softly asking, "Would my lady like some grapes?"

Not wanting to worry her maids, Jiang Hui rallied her spirits and said, "Peel a few for me, please. Where's Nian'er?"

"The young master played with His Majesty until he was tired at noon. He's still asleep," Wan Song replied with a smile, skillfully peeling the juicy grape flesh and feeding it to Jiang Hui.

Although the Emperor came to the resort to escape the summer heat, he was still busy with state affairs during the day, just like in the palace, especially in the summer with floods, wildfires, droughts, and water shortages across the vast empire, requiring constant preparedness.

However, Qingning Villa was not as sprawling as the imperial city, allowing the Emperor to visit Jiang Hui more frequently for short breaks and to play with Nian'er.

Qingfeng hurried into the courtyard and upstairs, standing outside the screen to report to Jiang Hui, "My lady, there's news from Manager Jiang."

Jiang Hui sat up and beckoned Qingfeng closer, asking, "What is it?"

"The Empress Dowager often summons officials' families for chats at Wutai Mountain and sends people to distribute porridge at the city gates every ten days for good karma. But what she's doing behind the scenes remains unknown. Manager Jiang said that she pays special attention to women who come for porridge, seemingly in search of someone," Qingfeng reported promptly.

"Searching for someone?" Jiang Hui frowned slightly and asked, "Any news from Marquis Changping's residence?"

Qingfeng, anticipating this question, replied, "Since Marquis Changping has been idling at home, there have been some unsavory happenings in his household, resulting in several changes of maids."

"Maids… Women… Officials' families…" Jiang Hui murmured, her eyebrows slightly raised, her expression cooling, "The Empress Dowager is really putting a lot of effort into this."

"My lady," Qingfeng asked astutely, "Should we do something?"

Jiang Hui took a grape from Wan Song and said lightly, "No need. Some people, even if they enter the palace without a backer, end up skinned and devoured."