Chapter 129 "Then we can only follow the wife's lead..."
The sixth day of the third lunar month is an auspicious day, with the Azure Dragon in charge, making it suitable for offering sacrifices.
At dawn, under the bluish-gray light of the sky, a grand and long procession set off from Andingmen and proceeded all the way to the Temple of the Silkworm Goddess in the northern suburbs.
The statue of Leizu, the goddess of silkworms, stands on a high platform, with wisps of smoke rising from the bronze incense burner with its lotus scroll pattern, carrying a faint fragrance of mulberry wood.
Princess Tong'an, dressed in a blue robe with five-colored patterns and wearing a twelve-pearl crown, walked slowly forward with steady and composed steps.
Behind her were two rows of twelve female officials assisting with the sacrificial ceremony. The two standing at the very front were none other than Shen Lingyue and Yan Yi, who should have been standing in the lower ranks of the ladies of the outer court.
The two men, dressed in crimson flowing robes, one holding a lacquer tray and the other a silk cloth, lowered their eyes and looked solemn.
At 3:45 AM, the master of ceremonies lightly struck a golden chime, announcing the start of the ceremony to the officials and noblewomen lined up below.
Princess Tong'an led everyone in performing the six salutations, three kneelings, and three bows.
Shen Lingyue stepped forward and presented the mulberry wine in a lacquered tray.
Yan Yi stepped forward and presented a piece of white silk, one foot and two feet long, folded into the shape of a jade tablet.
Princess Tong'an offered it before the statue of Leizu, and the white silk was hung on the mulberry branches, symbolizing "silk hanging from the sky, the silkworm goddess bestowing blessings".
She unfurled the eulogy written on yellow silk and recited it aloud:
"Princess Xiao, after washing her tassels, respectfully informs the Silkworm Goddess:"
"The gods initiated silkworm weaving, clothing our people, so that we may rely on them for eternity… We respectfully offer sacrifices of livestock, silk, and wine to express our gratitude. May you enjoy this offering."
Shen Lingyue and Yan Yi led the female officials in chanting together.
"When the silkworms hatch, the Queen Mother descends; in the silkworm month, mulberry branches are planted, and the axe and chopping block are taken..."
Princess Tong'an picked three mulberry leaves with a golden hook, and the ladies below followed in turn. Then, the silkworm farmers chopped the mulberry leaves to feed the silkworms.
For a moment, all that could be heard was a rustling sound—it was spring, it was life, it was burgeoning hope.
...
In order to get a close look at his wife assisting Princess Tong'an in presiding over the sacrificial ceremony, Pei Jingyi had to take advantage of his younger brother's presence and sneak into the front row of the ceremonial procession with a certain Yunqiwei.
Since Emperor Qingxi approved the memorial of Yao, the Director of the Imperial Observatory, agreeing to restart the silkworm-rearing ceremony and appointing Princess Tong'an as the presiding priest, the Ministry of Rites, the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, and other relevant departments have been extremely busy, working countless sleepless nights to finally revise and create a completely new sacrificial procedure.
After all, Princess Tong'an was the first princess in history to preside over the silkworm-rearing ceremony.
Moreover, she was very assertive. After accepting the assignment at the court assembly, she went directly to the Ministry of Rites to oversee the construction, and then she refused to leave.
"The sacrifice at the Temple of Agriculture has gone wrong, and Father is already very angry. Besides, he is recuperating, so he shouldn't bother with these trivial matters. Why don't I discuss it with you gentlemen?"
The tone was negotiable, but the manner was firm and left no room for refusal.
Princess Tong'an not only required all officials and noblewomen to go to the Altar of the Silkworm Goddess to witness the ceremony, but also added the names of Shen Lingyue and Yan Yi to the list of female officials, appointing them as the heads of the female officials and assisting her in completing the sacrificial process.
An official raised a question: "Ladies Zhou and Chen have no prior experience with sacrificial rites. Their sudden promotion may be ill-considered. Furthermore, both are from the Changning Marquis's residence. Is Your Highness showing excessive favoritism in this matter?"
"If I've never done this before, can't I learn how?"
Princess Tong'an remained calm and refuted each point: "Madam Zhou is the daughter-in-law of Princess Qinghe, and is related to the royal family. Madam Shen is the daughter of Vice Minister Shen of the Ministry of Rites, and comes from a family with a long history of learning. Moreover, both of them have always been on good terms with me. I just want to give them this opportunity to shine. Do you have any objections?"
After securing the favor of the Ministry of Rites officials, Princess Tong'an arranged for two female officials to provide intensive, last-minute instruction at the Marquis's residence, ensuring that the two memorized the ritual procedures and sacrificial texts perfectly, which led to their current success.
At this moment, Shen Lingyue and Yan Yi stood behind Princess Tong'an, assisting her in completing the sacrificial ceremony meticulously; everything was perfect.
The rising sun pierced through the sea of clouds, its golden light shining down generously on her hem, making her appear radiant and otherworldly.
The two looked at each other, trying their best to control the surging emotions in their eyes.
They seemed to be witnessing a new history.
...
As dawn broke, the golden sun swept across the eaves, and the glazed tiles on the top of the Altar of the Silkworm God reflected a rainbow of light. Ritual music resounded, just like the cry of a blue phoenix in the heavens, and all the glory fell upon her alone.
Pei Jingyi raised his head, seemingly stunned by the dazzling golden light, and couldn't help but squint his eyes.
He said in a low voice, "Wind and Tiger, Cloud and Dragon, the rise of the King is just a matter of laughter and talk."
"What are you talking about, dragons and tigers?"
Pei Jinghuai, unaware of what was going on, came closer, his eyes still fixed on Shen Lingyue on the high platform, and said happily, "As expected of my wife, even such an old-fashioned color looks so good on her."
It wasn't for nothing that she'd been talking in her sleep these past few days about "the divine will, the beginning of sericulture," because the ceremony finally went smoothly.
"……nothing."
Pei Jingyi glanced at his silly younger brother, guessing that he was also being kept in the dark.
He then turned his gaze to the high platform.
Princess Tong'an is selecting silkworm cocoons prepared in advance by the silkworm farmers. These cocoons will later be sent to be reeled and dyed into cloth, which will be made into a ceremonial robe to be presented to the ancestors, thus completing a set of sacrificial rituals.
She turned her head slightly to look at the silkworm woman, her phoenix eyes focused, her face solemn, and every move she made carried a grand and imposing air. In her calm demeanor, she was strategizing and steadily moving towards her predetermined goal.
Yan Yi and Shen Lingyue followed behind Princess Tong'an the whole time, like two loyal guards, or like wings extending from the princess's wide sleeves.
And he didn't even realize when all of this started?
...
On the carriage back to the city, Pei Jingyi suddenly pulled Pei Jinghuai in, and the four of them sat facing each other in pairs, making the originally spacious carriage feel cramped.
"When did it start?"
Shen Lingyue was stumped by Pei Jingyi's question. She blinked and looked at Yan Yi, trying to bluff her way out of it.
"Sister-in-law, I don't understand what my brother is saying."
Yan Yi looked back at Pei Jingyi's probing and deep gaze, and belatedly realized what was happening.
It seems they didn't even have time to discuss it with their families before resolutely choosing to side with the princess.
Yan Yi suddenly felt a pang of guilt, her eyelashes trembled slightly, and she pursed her lips, remaining silent.
Pei Jingyi rarely saw her so "shameless," and he almost laughed in anger. He put his fist to his lips and deliberately lowered his voice: "Aren't you afraid I'll tell Father?"
Pei Xian had been a royalist for most of his life, but in his middle age, he was dragged into taking sides by his two daughters-in-law.
Yan Yi exclaimed in surprise, quickly grabbing his wrist, her voice quickening as she spoke, "This is a decision my sister-in-law and I made together; it has nothing to do with you men..."
Although she believed her intuition, the struggle for the throne was always unpredictable, and this was a high-stakes gamble that risked her life.
If they lose the bet, they should sever all ties with the Marquis's mansion beforehand...
Pei Jingyi flipped his wrist, cupping Yan Yi's fingertips in his palm and hiding them under his sleeve. He tickled them lightly twice, his gaze filled with a hint of resentment as he looked at her.
"How can it be unrelated? Is the Crown Prince's wife going to divorce me?"
That heartless bastard not only secretly plotted something big behind his back, but he also didn't give him a chance to be an "accomplice."
Pei Jinghuai caught the key words, and the man who had been dozing off suddenly perked up, "Who wants to divorce whom?"
Pei Jingyi smiled faintly: "Yes, it's your sister-in-law who wants to divorce you."
Pei Jinghuai looked shocked and aggrieved: "Why?!"
"Because they want to support Princess Tong'an in her bid for the throne and don't want to involve us," Pei Jingyi casually dropped a bombshell.
"Hmm...hmm? Who did you say???"
Pei Jinghuai was now truly awake, his eyes wide like saucers. He reached out to touch Shen Lingyue's forehead, "No fever, and you don't seem to be going crazy?"
Shen Lingyue slapped his hand away in annoyance, "So what? Some people support Prince Heng, some people support Prince Yu, so why can't Princess Tong'an?"
Pei Jingyi smiled helplessly, "I didn't say no."
He raised his hand, his sleeve slipped down, and openly grasped Yan Yi's hand, sighing softly, "What's done is done, and it's too late to back out now, so we can only follow the wife's lead."
Pei Jinghuai also shrugged, "I'll support whoever I want, I'll listen to A-Yue anyway."
Shen Lingyue secretly breathed a sigh of relief, then raised her bright smile and poked Pei Jinghuai's chest: "Husband, don't worry, for my sake, His Highness will remember your merit in the future."
Pei Jinghuai massaged her shoulders in a solicitous manner: "Madam, you can't abandon your husband who has shared your hardships when you become successful in the future."
Yan Yi and Pei Jingyi were amused by the two, and they looked at each other, understanding each other without saying a word.
She asked again, "What about Father's side?"
"It's alright, just let him continue to be his loyal subject."
Pei Jingyi lowered his head, carefully massaging Yan Yi's slightly sore forearm from holding the silk for too long, and said casually, "Anyway, we'll be the ones calling the shots in this family sooner or later. Right, Madam?"
...
"Your Majesty, the silkworm-raising ceremony was successfully completed. At the end of the ceremony, there were seven-colored clouds in the sky, and phoenixes circled around for a long time. This is an auspicious sign of favorable weather and abundant harvests. Many people in the capital witnessed it and knelt down to worship the auspiciousness, shouting 'Long live the Emperor!'"
After hearing the report from the Ministry of Rites officials, Emperor Qingxi was overjoyed. He praised Princess Tong'an for doing a good job and ordered Chief Steward Huang to open his private treasury to generously reward the princess's residence.
Then he had a palace servant push his wheelchair to Consort Gao's bedroom.
The bed was completely surrounded by curtains, and a figure lying on its side could be vaguely seen. Knowing that the emperor had arrived, the figure did not get up to pay its respects.
Emperor Qingxi was not angry. After dismissing the palace servants, he moved his wheels to the bedside, lifted the curtain, and spoke kindly to Consort Gao's back: "The silkworm-rearing ceremony is over. Are you still going to be angry with me?"
Consort Gao slowly turned around, her black hair as smooth as silk, her face bare, yet she was still stunningly beautiful.
"How dare I hold a grudge against Your Majesty?" she said with a resentful tone. "I only blame myself for being incompetent, for my family holding me back, and for not being able to share Your Majesty's burdens."
Emperor Qingxi held her hand and said, “Presiding over the sacrificial ceremony is not fun. Look at Tong’an, they have to rehearse the process repeatedly for ten days in advance, leave the palace by carriage before dawn, and learn silk reeling and weaving from the silkworm women, and sew clothes by hand... I can’t bear to see you suffer like this.”
In an effort to appease Consort Gao, Emperor Qingxi went to great lengths, listing the benefits of Princess Tong'an presiding over the sacrificial ceremony.
“Aying was raised in the Empress’s palace from a young age and was greatly favored by the Empress. Although she was not born of the empress, she was treated as if she were. Moreover, her husband was from the Empress’s maternal clan and had made great military achievements in his early years, winning the hearts of the people.”
“Princess Tong’an…is naturally excellent.” Consort Gao lowered her eyes and sighed softly as if in resignation. “Your Majesty’s words are all reasonable, which makes it seem as if I, your concubine, cannot distinguish right from wrong.”
She took Emperor Qingxi's hand, nestled on his knee, and said in a coquettish tone, "The princess is sharing the burdens of her father, Your Majesty, you must reward her handsomely."
Since the Imperial Concubine had spoken, Emperor Qingxi naturally responded without hesitation. He quickly sent a eunuch to chase after Chief Eunuch Huang and instructed him to increase the reward for Princess Tong'an by another 30%.
The emperor and empress reconciled and returned to their former harmony.
The next day, Consort Gao was playing chess with Emperor Qingxi when Chief Eunuch Huang entered, bowing and looking troubled. He whispered, "Your Majesty, Consort Xian has come to kneel and beg for forgiveness again. No matter how I try to persuade her, she refuses to get up."
Emperor Qingxi paused in his move, his expression darkening.
"Her good son has committed such a heinous act; how can she possibly have the face to see me?"
He ordered Chief Steward Huang impatiently, "Let her kneel if she wants to! When she faints from kneeling, carry her back to her own palace."
Steward Huang reluctantly went downstairs.
Upon arriving outside the palace, Consort Lin looked at him with pleading eyes and asked, "Chief Eunuch Huang, has His Majesty said when he will see me?"
As the birth mother of the eldest prince, Chief Steward Huang had received many favors from her over the years and had some ties with her. Seeing this, he felt a pang of pity and said tactfully, "Your Majesty should go back. Don't think about pleading for Prince Heng. You must protect yourself first before thinking about the future."
Consort Lin gave a desolate smile. "His Majesty imprisoned Prince Heng in the Imperial Prison without giving him any reason. I just want to know what crime he committed. Chief Eunuch Huang, my only son is in jail. What future can I expect from him?"
Chief Steward Huang remained silent for a moment. Of course he knew why Prince Heng had been imprisoned, but he couldn't reveal this to anyone.
He coughed lightly and advised, "Even if it's not for Prince Heng, you still have Princess Lekang."
Princess Lekang had recently married the scholar whom His Majesty favored. Out of consideration for the young couple, Emperor Qingxi would at least not hold a grudge against Consort Lin.
However, Consort Lin did not appreciate Chief Eunuch Huang's kindness, and upon hearing the name of Princess Lekang, she frowned impatiently.
This daughter was incompatible with her since childhood, and after marriage, she became completely estranged. Even the palace maids she sent to the princess's residence were haphazardly sent to guard the storeroom, clearly showing that she did not take her, her mother, seriously.
What use is she?
Consort Lin knelt for three days straight, her knees almost worn raw, but she still couldn't see Emperor Qingxi.
That day, she finally couldn't hold on any longer and collapsed onto the cold stone bricks.
Consort Gao came out for some fresh air and was startled by what she saw. She immediately ordered someone to fetch the imperial physician.
As a result, when Consort Lin heard her voice in her dazed state, it was as if she had been given a shot of adrenaline. She forced herself to open her eyes again, grabbed Consort Gao's skirt, and spoke in a hoarse voice like a cuckoo crying blood.
"Gao Yaoyao, you vixen, were you plotting against my son behind his back?!"
Although Consort Lin was weak, her grip was surprisingly strong. She held onto her tightly, refusing to let go, her eyes filled with a mixture of old and new grudges. "All these years you have enjoyed the exclusive favor of the six palaces, trampling us concubines with children under your feet. Aren't you satisfied? His Majesty entrusted you with the affairs of the six palaces. Have I ever tried to trip you up? And this is how you repay me?"
Consort Gao frowned, her face turning cold: "Consort Xian, it was Prince Heng who angered His Majesty. What does it have to do with me? If you want to take your anger out on someone, you've come to the wrong person."
"Is that so?" Consort Lin stared intently at that beautiful face that made one's teeth itch with hatred: "Do you dare swear to heaven that my son's imprisonment has nothing to do with you?"
Consort Gao remained silent, avoiding her almost manic and ferocious questioning, and urged the palace servants to quickly send the "unconscious" Consort Xian back to the palace.
Consort Lin was forcibly helped up by two eunuchs, but suddenly broke free and pounced on Consort Gao like a madwoman, leaving a bloody mark on her cheek with her long fingernails.
"You vixen! The truth will always come out. It's all your fault, all your fault for ruining my son—"
A sharp pain shot through her cheek. Consort Gao covered her face and took a few steps back. Just as she was about to retort, Emperor Qingxi's deep voice, suppressing his anger, rang out behind her.
"Consort Xian, so you knew all along that Prince Heng had designs on the Imperial Consort, didn't you?"
Consort Lin was surprised by Emperor Qingxi's sudden appearance. She opened her mouth, but under the overwhelming imperial might, she could not utter a single word.
Of course she knew.
Since Gao Yaoyao rose to prominence shortly after entering the palace and became His Majesty's new favorite, the number of times Prince Heng visited her in the palace increased dramatically.
At first, Consort Lin was very pleased, feeling that her son had finally become sensible and knew how to care for his mother.
But she later discovered that every time Prince Heng came to see her, he would always take a long detour and linger near the Consort's bedroom for a long time before leaving the palace.
Consort Lin was both shocked and furious. She summoned Prince Heng and gave him a severe scolding, telling him to open his eyes and be more rational, and how could he covet his father's woman?
He is the eldest prince, the prince with the best chance of ascending the throne. Once he rules the world, wouldn't it be easy for him to have any woman he wants?
Over the years, Consort Lin had carefully cleared obstacles for Prince Heng, trying not to let anyone discover his intentions. Unexpectedly, she still failed at the last minute, and Prince Yu seized on her weakness, which was then exposed to Emperor Qingxi.
Upon receiving the news from outside the palace, Consort Lin found it all absurd.
Prince Heng didn't even do anything to Consort Gao. He merely secretly rescued a family member of a convicted official who bore some resemblance to her.
Would Emperor Qingxi really abandon his eldest son for a woman?
"Your Majesty, Prince Heng was merely confused for a moment, bewitched by evil spirits. You have already punished him enough. We beg you to have mercy and release him from the imperial prison!"
Consort Lin knelt down and pleaded, "Is the Heavenly Prison a place for humans? Prince Heng has never suffered since he was a child, and he's almost a grandfather. It's cold and damp in there, not to mention the poor food and sleep..."
Little did she know that the more she pleaded, the angrier Emperor Qingxi became.
"You and your son both think you can fool me, don't you?"
He gritted his teeth, gripped the armrest of his wheelchair tightly, and pounded it heavily. "Consort Xian, I'm telling you clearly today, I would rather choose the newly one-month-old Xiao Ba than Prince Heng!"
Emperor Qingxi sneered, "Send someone to the Imperial Clan Court to announce that Prince Heng, Xiao Rong, is to be demoted to a commoner and expelled from the imperial clan effective immediately!"
Consort Lin turned deathly pale, unable to believe it, and then her eyes rolled back as she fainted completely.
Emperor Qingxi didn't even glance at her, but beckoned to Consort Gao, who was covering her face, "Come here, let me see where you're hurt?"
Consort Gao's eyelashes glistened with tears as she slowly lowered her hand. A few drops of blood trickled down her jade-like cheeks, making her all the more shocking to see.
Even the finest jade has a minor flaw, which is most heartbreaking.
The Imperial Hospital was in chaos once again. Emperor Qingxi issued a strict order that the best medicine must be used to ensure that the Consort was not left with even the slightest scar.
When the head of the Imperial Hospital was brought over, he saw the bloodstain on Consort Gao's face: ...
Your Majesty, if I had arrived any later, the wound on the Consort's face would have healed by now.
Despite his inner complaints, the old doctor didn't dare to delay and quickly wrote a prescription and prepared the medicine.
On the other hand, Consort Lin's palace was deserted and no one paid any attention to it.
Even the youngest and most inexperienced imperial physicians dared not offend Emperor Qingxi at this time, and one by one they either said they had something to do or asked for leave, and quickly disappeared.
The young palace maid, having been turned away, ran back crying and asked the head maidservant serving Consort Lin, "What should we do? None of them will come to treat Her Highness..."
The head palace maid quickly walked to the bedside and placed the back of her hand on Consort Lin's forehead, which was burning hot.
She sighed and ordered, "Go fetch a basin of water; I'll bathe Her Majesty."
...
In the dead of night, Princess Rongcheng quietly slipped into Prince Heng's study, retrieved a locked box from a hidden compartment behind the bookshelf, and opened it with the key given to her by Princess Heng.
This contains the most crucial intelligence of Prince Heng's faction, including information on several imperial guards who could be mobilized, secrets of a high-ranking official in the court, and spies placed before the emperor.
The county magistrate of Rongcheng dared not delay and found paper and pen to begin copying.
Just as she finished copying and put the box back the way it came, the door was suddenly pushed open, and her elder brother, the Crown Prince of Heng, strode in. Upon seeing her, he frowned and asked, "What are you doing here? Who let you in?"
Princess Rongcheng calmly retorted, "My father is still imprisoned in the imperial jail, can't you think of a way?"
"...That was an order personally given by my grandfather, what could I do?"
The Crown Prince's gaze lingered on her bulging sleeves for a moment longer, then he said irritably, "I will contact the officials in the court to submit a joint memorial to plead for my father. Just leave it to me; it has nothing to do with you anyway."
Although the two are siblings, they have never gotten along.
Even the heir apparent of Prince Heng harbored some resentment. If it weren't for Princess Rongcheng repeatedly causing trouble, perhaps his grandfather wouldn't have taken his anger out on his father.
"If a joint petition were effective, would Father still be imprisoned?"
As the Princess of Rongcheng passed by him, she casually uttered, "Useless."
The following day, news of Prince Heng's demotion to commoner status reached the Prince's residence, and Princess Heng fainted on the spot.
Upon waking, she clung to the crown prince, crying, "Does His Majesty really not want your father anymore? He's the eldest son!"
The Crown Prince of Heng was also panicked, but still unwilling to give up, he asked the messenger, "Was it only my father who was stripped of his imperial lineage? What about us children?"
"His Majesty did not say it explicitly, but the Imperial Clan Court has only removed Xiao Rong's name from the register. The Heir Apparent, the County Princess, and several young masters in the manor are still descendants of the Xiao family."
Princess Heng seemed to see a glimmer of hope again, and the mother and son looked on with relief, as if they had survived a disaster.
No one noticed that the Princess of Rongcheng quietly left the room.
That night, although Consort Lin's fever subsided under the care of the palace maids, she was still too weak to get out of bed. Her pale, empty eyes stared at the canopy above her head, like a powerless wandering soul.
"Your Majesty, I just found this under the window."
The head palace maid tiptoed into the room and nervously handed over an envelope.
Since Consort Gao took strict control of palace affairs, their contact with the outside world had been cut off, and this was the first time they had received news from outside.
Consort Lin trembled as she tore open the letter and immediately recognized the handwriting as that of Princess Rongcheng.
By the time she had painstakingly finished reading the letter, her face was deathly pale, almost transparent.
"I really didn't expect this..." Consort Lin revealed a smile that was more like a grimace, and murmured, "She is the one who is most like her grandfather, they are both equally ruthless and heartless..."
The head palace maid stood to the side, watching as Consort Xian's expression changed several times and her eyes seemed to lose their light. She couldn't help but call out worriedly, "Your Highness? Has something happened at Prince Heng's residence?"
Consort Lin, trembling, brought the letter close to the candle flame, watching it burn completely to ashes before shaking her head at the head palace maid. "It's alright, I'm a little hungry. Is there anything else to eat in the kitchen?"
This was the first time in several days that Consort Lin had asked for food on her own initiative. The head palace maid quickly said, "Yes, how about I make you a bowl of chicken soup with wontons?"
Soon, a rich aroma of chicken soup wafted in.
Despite her discomfort, Consort Lin forced herself to finish the meal, even drinking the soup clean. Her complexion became rosier, and she smiled at the head palace maid who had been with her for many years.
"You've worked hard these past few days. Go back to your room and get a good night's sleep tonight. You don't need to stay up all night."
After sending the people away, Consort Lin got out of bed, sat in front of the dressing table, changed into a presentable outfit, and slowly moved the embroidered stool under the roof beam.
"My son, this is the last thing your mother can do for you."
The white silk ribbon swung across the roof beam. Consort Lin put her head into the rope loop and, with her last bit of strength, kicked over the stool.
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Author's note: I'm back! [heart emoji]
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