Xie Tingting was much more shrewd than Xie Xiangxiang. She showed surprise on her face, but not a trace of arrogance.
With just the right amount of surprise, and a touch of innocent charm, she smiled and said, "I did hear Father and Mother discussing it, but since we haven't received any imperial decree for this marriage, it's just hearsay."
Gu Chengyan said, "I saw it with my own eyes at the Crown Prince's residence. It was a list personally drawn up by the Empress, and your name was very high up."
Being so close to the front meant she wasn't the first one, and Xie Tingting's elation was somewhat diminished.
However, she quickly realized that she was not the eldest daughter in the family, and her mother was incompetent. Even being a concubine of the Crown Prince was better than marrying into Yingzhou, and much better than marrying the second son of a commoner from a fifth-rank official family.
The Crown Prince's ascension to the throne is a foregone conclusion. Once she enters the Crown Prince's residence, with the Xie family behind her, she will at least be a concubine.
If she had children to rely on, she would certainly be more noble than her aunt, Consort Xi.
What is Xie Zhaozhao? What is Xie Yu?
She had to go back immediately and tell her mother that she must not exchange birth certificates with the Liu family.
She feigned shyness and said to Xie Xiangxiang, "Sister, since brother-in-law is back to keep you company, I'll head back now. We'll meet again at the palace banquet."
Xie Xiangxiang escorted her to the gate, and coincidentally, she ran into Xie Zhaozhao who was about to leave the mansion.
Xie Tingting saw her elder sister wearing a large cloak in the color of autumn fragrance and osmanthus and apricot blossoms, and a matching warm bib.
Beside her, Yuanyuan and Manman, also wearing cloaks and matching hoods, held a blue silk oil-paper umbrella for her as they walked slowly along the snow-covered path from Qingpu Courtyard.
Like a beautiful... dazzling painting!
Xie Tingting blinked her big, innocent, watery eyes and said affectionately, "Elder sister, it's been a long time!"
Xie Zhaozhao nodded indifferently, without replying.
Xie Xiangxiang immediately became angry: "Eldest sister, your third sister is talking to you, are you ignoring her?"
Xie Tingting, still smiling, hurriedly defended Xie Zhaozhao: "Second sister, eldest sister nodded in approval for me."
Xie Zhaozhao ignored their words, turned her head and got into the carriage.
Xie Tingting bid farewell to Xie Xiangxiang and hurriedly returned to the Xie residence.
On the 26th of the twelfth lunar month, Xie Zhaozhao asked Yuanyuan to send invitations to Liu Yiyi, Zhang Yanyan, Zhou Tangtang, and Li Ranran, inviting them to go to Huguo Temple to offer incense on the 29th.
At the beginning of the morning on the 29th, the five people agreed to meet at the White Tiger Gate on Xuande Street and leave the city together.
Xie Zhaozhao drove three carriages. Besides the one she was in, the other two carriages contained copied scriptures, incense, candles, sesame oil, fresh fruit, vegetarian cakes, and other items.
The fresh fruit was brought from the south, and the vegetarian cakes were made by Aunt Cui and Manman, who borrowed the large stove in the public hall and steamed and baked them for two whole days.
A few days earlier, she informed the old lady that she was going to Huguo Temple to offer incense, and the old lady wanted to go with her.
Xie Zhaozhao had no choice but to say, "Mother, I am going to pay respects to my deceased mother. I made a great vow before the Buddha that I would go to the Buddha to chant sutras for my mother's salvation every year on major holidays. Because I will be attending the palace banquet with the Grand Secretary on New Year's Eve this year, I am going to Huguo Temple to offer incense a day in advance."
The old lady felt embarrassed to follow along; it was really inappropriate for her to accompany them while they were paying respects to their mother.
Early on the morning of the 29th, Xie Zhaozhao set off with Yuanyuan and Cui. Aunt Cui also wanted to pay respects to a deceased friend, so they went together.
Zhang Yanyan arrived first, followed by her mother. Upon seeing Xie Zhaozhao, she immediately got off the carriage, took Xie Zhaozhao's hand, and said with concern, "Why didn't you bring a hand warmer?"
He handed his hand warmer to Xie Zhaozhao.
Xie Zhaozhao thanked Zhang's mother, and Zhang Yanyan smiled and said to Xie Zhaozhao, "Zhaozhao, I have good news for you. My fourth brother wrote a letter. My fourth sister-in-law is pregnant."
She was referring to Zhang Hexuan, who was sent by Gu Shaoyu to the Northwest to serve as a seventh-rank county magistrate. Her fourth sister-in-law was Jiang Ningning, the legitimate daughter of the Duke of Zhenguo, who was "not allowed to take concubines."
"That's wonderful! Then we can bring Fourth Sister-in-law back to the capital to take care of her." Xie Zhaozhao congratulated Madam Zhang with a smile.
“Why bother going back to the Zhang residence? The Duchess of Zhenguo cherishes him dearly and has already sent people to serve him. The fourth prince is very popular with the people over there, and the Duke of Zhenguo treats him like his own son.” Madam Zhang held Xie Zhaozhao’s hand. “Zhaozhao, my husband and I will be grateful to you and the Grand Secretary for the rest of our lives.”
As the two were exchanging pleasantries, Liu Yiyi and her mother arrived together, and the group exchanged more pleasantries upon meeting.
Zhou Tangtang came out with her mother, Princess Consort Kang. Prince Jing was Zhou Tangtang's grandfather, her father was granted the title of Prince Kang, and her eldest brother was the heir apparent of Prince Kang. Her second brother, Zhou Lingyin, well, let's not even mention him.
Li Ranran came out by herself, accompanied by two maids.
Once all the sisters had arrived, the carriages and horses left the city and headed to Huguo Temple.
Gokoku-ji Temple is the largest temple in Kyoto and is also a temple supported by the imperial family. It has produced several eminent monks.
The one who originally made the prophecy that "a noblewoman born on May 16th will be a great blessing" was the late Abbot Yuanzhen of Huguo Temple.
Living Buddha Yuanji also occasionally stayed at Huguo Temple.
The six prefectures had cleared the roads early, and the carriage arrived at Huguo Temple without any problems.
The abbot was already waiting at the gate.
Standing next to the old abbot was a man of elegant bearing and handsome features, with a refined air about him and an undeniable air of nobility.
It was Xie Zhaozhao's elder brother, Xie Yu.
Xie Zhaozhao got off the carriage and called out, "Brother."
Xie Yu's face softened instantly, and she smiled, asking, "Was the journey smooth?"
"Hmm, brother, aren't you busy?"
"The New Year is approaching, and everything is ready. These past few days, everyone has been looking forward to your arrival at the mansion on the second day of the New Year."
Looking at Xie Yu, and then at her youngest daughter Liu Yiyi, Madam Liu suddenly understood why Xie Zhaozhao had invited them to offer incense together.
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