Chapter 444 The Ascending Carriage
In the blink of an eye, the two young princes have descended to the mortal realm.
According to ancestral rules, princes and princesses must undergo the "ascending to the cradle" ceremony when they reach the age of nine. The palace has been preparing for this for many days, striving for perfection.
On this day, the weather was perfect, with a clear blue sky.
The palace, inside and out, has been newly decorated, with lanterns and colorful decorations, creating a festive and peaceful atmosphere.
After some time of recuperation, with the careful treatment of the imperial physicians and the meticulous care of the palace servants, Jiang Huan's health had almost fully recovered.
At this moment, she was dressed in palace attire and adorned with pearls and jade, which made her appear even more plump and graceful, with a rosy complexion.
Today, Huo Lin was dressed in a black robe embroidered with gold cloud and dragon patterns, which made his figure appear even more upright and tall. Although his handsome face still maintained the majesty of an emperor, when he looked at his wife and children beside him, the frost in his eyes had long since melted into warm spring water.
He stayed by Jiang Huan's side at all times, his posture full of protectiveness, silently demonstrating his deep affection for Jiang Huan and their children.
When the auspicious hour arrived, solemn music resounded, echoing throughout the palace.
Huo Lin stepped forward first and took his daughter from the wet nurse.
Little Huo Yue seemed to really enjoy her father's embrace, giggling and waving her little hands in his arms.
A barely perceptible smile appeared in Huo Lin's eyes as he steadily placed the lively little one into the side of the cradle covered with soft brocade.
Then, he turned to look at Jiang Huan and reached out his arm to support her.
Jiang Huan smiled and stood up, personally taking her son Huo Chen into her arms. She lowered her head and affectionately pressed her cheek against his, before gently placing him on the other side of the cradle.
Two tiny lives lay side by side in the cradle, and the ceremony was successfully completed.
Immediately, a chorus of congratulatory voices rang out in the hall: "Congratulations, Your Majesty! Congratulations, Your Majesty! May the princes and princesses enjoy lasting blessings and live in peace and health!"
After the ceremony, a grand palace banquet was held.
Amidst the clinking of glasses, congratulatory gifts from all sides were presented in a continuous stream, with eunuchs from the Imperial Household Department loudly announcing the gift lists.
"The Northern Desert delegation presents a gift: one hundred top-quality fox pelts and a pair of golden eagles..."
"A gift from the Prince of Xiaoyao's Mansion: ten century-old wild ginseng roots, and two pairs of longevity gold locks crafted by skilled artisans..."
"General Xu Zhiyuan delivered this by fast horse from the border: a pair of black iron daggers, a wolf fang necklace, and some fine sable fur and deer antlers..."
Upon hearing her second brother's congratulatory gift, which was full of border characteristics, Jiang Huan couldn't help but facepalm.
Well, that's so typical of my second cousin—as honest and tough as ever.
Sending a dagger and wolf fang to a baby less than a month old—this unique blessing is something only he could come up with.
A hint of a smile flashed in Huo Lin's eyes.
Xu Zhiyuan was thoughtful enough to send something practical.
[This black iron dagger is quite good. When Chen'er is a little older, I will personally teach him riding and archery, and he will be able to use it.]
[Wolf fangs... although the material is a bit rough, they symbolize bravery and ward off evil spirits. Wearing them on Yue'er would definitely make her look exceptionally imposing!]
Even the Empress Dowager, who had not appeared in public for a long time, sent a congratulatory gift to fulfill the proper etiquette.
Jiang Huan and Huo Lin smiled and thanked each of the gifts, regardless of their value, instructing the palace servants to accept them carefully.
However, all the splendor faded, and the banquet eventually came to an end.
After all the guests had left, Huo Lin instructed that most of the congratulatory gifts be registered and stored away, while carefully keeping only the gifts from close relatives such as Prince Xiaoyao and Ayina.
After finishing everything and returning to the inner palace of Weiyang Palace, Jiang Huan dismissed her attendants and breathed a sigh of relief.
She looked at the two children who had fallen asleep in the rocking chair again and couldn't help but chuckle: "After a busy day, these two little ones have done nothing but eat and sleep. They look like they're the ones who are exhausted."
Huo Lin sat down beside her, his gaze falling on his children's peaceful sleeping faces, his tone filled with the pride and satisfaction of being a father.
"From this day forward, the whole world will know that I have a pair of healthy children."
"Mmm," Jiang Huan leaned gently against his shoulder, feeling the sense of security. "Our Chen'er and Yue'er will surely grow up safely and carefree."
However, beneath the warm surface, undercurrents were still swirling.
The following day, at a temple on the outskirts of Beijing.
Consort Li was dressed in plain, everyday clothes, without any makeup, and her brows were shrouded in a lingering weariness.
Since the Emperor made it clear that he wanted to abolish the Six Palaces, she had outwardly followed the Emperor's orders to appease the other concubines and carry out the dismissal, but in reality, she herself was in danger and her future was uncertain. She was plagued by nightmares every night and could not sleep peacefully.
She came here today ostensibly to pray for blessings, but in reality, she wanted to find a quiet place to find peace of mind, or rather, to escape the suffocating palace.
She knelt before the Buddha statue for a long time, chanting incantations, until her legs went numb. Only then was she helped up by her personal maid, wanting to get some fresh air in the backyard and sort out her chaotic thoughts.
As soon as I reached the foot of an ancient cypress tree, I saw a slender figure dressed in a gray cotton robe standing quietly in the shadows, gazing blankly into the distance.
It was none other than Liu Shuyao, who was practicing Buddhism here with her hair still intact.
Liu Shuyao turned her head and saw Consort Li. She seemed a little surprised, then nodded slightly as a greeting, her gaze calm and unwavering.
Consort Li's heart sank suddenly, as if something had gripped it tightly and tightened abruptly.
Seeing Liu Shuyao brought back memories that had been deliberately forgotten.
It was she who used Liu Shuyao to poison Jiang Huan, which led to Liu Shuyao's current fate of living a life of seclusion and devotion.
And the Emperor… His words that day clearly implied that he already knew the inside story!
This realization, like a venomous snake, gnawed at her heart day and night, and was the main reason she couldn't sleep at night.
Consort Li subconsciously took a half step back, her eyes darting away, and forced a smile as she tried to appear calm: "So it's Miss Liu, what a coincidence."
Liu Shuyao took in her momentary panic and guilt, but her expression remained calm and unwavering, as if she were looking at a complete stranger.
She spoke calmly, without a trace of emotion: "What a coincidence, Consort Li has come today to pray for blessings?"
“Yes…” Consort Li felt her palms were cold and sticky, and she was sweating profusely. Her voice was a little tight. “It’s just to put my mind at ease.”
She said this as if she were talking to herself.
Liu Shuyao looked at her quietly, her clear gaze seemingly able to see through all pretense, making Consort Li feel extremely uncomfortable, almost wanting to turn around and run away immediately.
After a long while, just as Consort Li was about to succumb to the pressure, Liu Shuyao slowly said, "A mental illness requires a mental cure. Clinging to outward appearances and worshipping Buddha are futile."
Consort Li's heart skipped a beat, and her voice trembled slightly: "What do you mean by that?"
Liu Shuyao, however, had already shifted her gaze to the wisps of incense burning in the distant main hall, her tone becoming somewhat unfocused.
"The cause and effect of this world are predetermined. Some things, once done, cannot be avoided. Rather than living in constant fear, waiting for the guillotine to fall at any time, it is better to burn one's boats and perhaps still be able to find a way out."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com