Even with the simple procedure of Princess Cheng, who only needs to go up on stage, hold up two incense sticks, and kowtow twice, Princess Cheng is afraid that she might do something wrong.
"The Empress herself had to go up to the altar to pray for blessings, and she also had to manage the money for the orphans' scripture donations on a daily basis. In the end, what the orphans were crying out for was..."
“Sigh,” Yue Jiang paused halfway through her sentence, glancing sadly at the two people opposite her, only to find them both frozen in place.
Her expression grew increasingly sympathetic, but it was only sympathy for Cheng Suyun.
“Since Princess Cheng has spoken to me so earnestly, and Yue Jiang is not an unreasonable blockhead, I understand what you mean.”
"The position of Crown Princess has been vacant for many years, and you are also the niece of Empress Dowager Cheng. It is indeed hard work for you to help the royal family comfort the souls of the deceased and the orphans who have suffered blows."
"I'm afraid you've all forgotten that you're also one of the orphans of the Anguo disaster. Many people must have overlooked your feelings. I feel sorry for you, Princess."
"When I ascend the sacrificial platform with Your Highness, I will certainly offer a few words of prayer for the Princess in my heart."
"Princess, you must stand in the most prominent position among the orphans and listen to their voices. If there is anything that is not done well this year, I can make changes next year."
"If things don't turn out well next year, I'll learn from the experience the year after. Princess Cheng, you must keep urging Yue Jiang from the sidelines!"
After speaking, Yue Jiang, being extremely considerate, imitated how Cheng Suyun had treated Jing Yi earlier and patted her on the shoulder.
Cheng Suyun was brought back to her senses by Yue Jiang's slap, and she was very dissatisfied with Yue Jiang's actions, thinking that her behavior was ridiculous.
"What nonsense are you talking about? Why would I be standing in the audience? You can't arrange it like this; the orphans won't agree to it."
"Even the Empress has not driven my aunt away, so why are you driving me away? Do you think you are more powerful than the Empress? You should know that without my aunt, the Empress might not even have the approval of the orphans."
Cheng Suyun wasn't even born when the Anguo disaster happened, and the people who died weren't her own grandfather or father, so what bitterness could she possibly feel?
What's truly heartbreaking is that Yue Jiang stole her position as Crown Princess, her prince, and now she's even taking away her sacrificial rites.
She doesn't need sympathy; she should be the one looking down on them with compassion.
Yue Jiang chuckled: "The Imperial Concubine is naturally an Imperial Concubine, listed on the Imperial Jade Tablet, and is a member of the royal family. And Princess Cheng is...?" She emphasized the last question in her words.
“I…” Cheng Suyun’s eyes were filled with resentment after being hit so hard, and beneath that resentment was a hidden hatred. She was indeed nothing at the moment.
After a long silence, Jingyi listened to Yuejiang's words and felt a dull ache in her heart. She sadly tried to prove it to Cheng Suyun.
“Cousin Suyun, my mother was actually very good to the orphans. They should respect her.”
Cheng Suyun looked slightly flustered and hurriedly explained to Jingyi.
“Princess Jingyi, I didn’t say the Empress was bad. The Empress is the most virtuous and exemplary person in the world.”
Over the years, Cheng Suyun had no need to speak ill of Empress Ye. It was all because Consort Cheng's side regarded Empress Ye as a thorn in their side, and she would occasionally listen to a few words and echo them.
Of course, she also felt that Empress Ye should not have taken the position of Empress in their Cheng family. Befriending Jingyi was something her great-aunt had asked her to do.
The pampered princesses of the palace, in their eyes, don't need to be very smart; only those with thorns can hurt others.
But having forgotten where the princess came from, how could she be allowed to return to the branch of the Jiaofang Palace? Cheng Suyun wanted to comfort her, but Jing Yiteng stood up.
"My brother hasn't returned yet. I don't want to wait any longer. Cousin Suyun, I'm leaving now."
She was feeling very down and longed to see her mother. She wiped away her tears and ran towards the East Palace.
Before Cheng Suyun even saw His Highness, Jingyi ran off. She wanted to spend time alone with His Highness today and had prepared the things her aunt had given her.
However, her words had an unknown impact on Jingyi, causing her to distance herself from him, which was extremely bad.
With Yue Jiang still nearby, it became even more difficult to make a move, so he ultimately gave up on staying in the East Palace.
Cheng Suyun chased after them first, and had the maidservants beside her collect all the pastries that were placed on the table.
Yue Jiang wasn't interested in the two people who ran out one after the other, but she was quite interested in the pastries they were taking back with them.
"I come from the Moon Kingdom and have hardly ever used anything from the Jing Palace," she said with a faint smile to the little palace maid who was quickly tidying up the pastries.
After her mistress left, the young palace maid, a little afraid of Yue Jiang, lowered her head and continued tidying up: "This is for His Highness from the Princess. Princess, please have the Imperial Kitchen prepare it!"
Yue Jiang didn't say anything, but took a piece of pastry that the little palace maid was staring at and smelled it.
Suddenly, a playful smile appeared on her lips. She opened her mouth, took a bite, and praised as she savored it, "Did Princess Cheng make this herself? It's so delicious!"
When the palace maid saw that Yue Jiang had eaten a piece and wanted to take more, her eyes trembled slightly. She quickened her pace, finished tidying up, and hurried out.
After the person disappeared from view, Yue Jiang frowned and said, "It's too sweet."
Qingke asked in bewilderment, "Then the princess said it was delicious?"
"The filling inside is delicious and interesting!" Yue Jiang smiled and touched her face with anticipation.
She walked to the window, opened a large window, and sat on the windowsill of the East Palace. Before closing her eyes, she instructed Qingke.
"Let's set out the pastries we brought for His Highness!"
Qingke busied herself with the task: "Hmm."
...
When Jingyan came out of Jiaofang Palace, it was drizzling on the road. When he arrived at Qiluan Palace, he learned from Granny Ye that Yuejiang was not there and had gone to his East Palace.
This was the first time she had ever run to her own palace.
Did they take on a hot potato and become scared?
When Jing Yan returned to the East Palace, it was already drizzling in spring, and water columns were continuously falling from the eaves of the surrounding buildings.
The water splashed as it hit the ground, creating a pleasant pattering sound.
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