Chapter 638 Harmonious Coexistence
Shu Yan's voice instantly pulled Helan Yanran back to reality, "Consort Lan, what are you daydreaming about!"
He Lan Yanran avoided eye contact. "I wasn't spacing out. I'm just a little tired."
"You said you weren't daydreaming? Just now, Consort Wen asked you if you wanted something to eat, and you completely ignored her." Shu Yan handed her a piece of cake. "It's quite delicious, you should try it."
He Lan Yanran felt a tightness in her chest and an upset stomach when she smelled the odor, and she couldn't help but feel nauseous.
Shu Yan asked with concern, "What's wrong?"
"I get carsick, and I caught a cold a few days ago that hasn't fully healed. Whenever I'm exposed to wind, my head aches, and I feel tightness in my chest, shortness of breath, and nausea," she quickly explained.
Consort Wen said with concern, "We'll be there soon. Please have a doctor take a look at us later."
She nodded. "Thank you for your concern, Consort Wen. I'll be fine after a short rest."
A hint of doubt flashed in Shu Yan's eyes. The convoy was moving so slowly, how could she get carsick? Would she feel nauseous from catching a cold?
She also kept a watchful eye on things, feeling that Consort Lan was acting strangely.
Upon arriving at the Eastern Imperial Mausoleum, an official from the Ministry of Rites said, "We have invited a highly virtuous monk from Huguo Temple. We would like to ask all the ladies to rest at the post station for the time being."
"Please, Lord Zuo, take full charge of organizing the burial ceremony. I will cooperate with you in whatever you require," Jiang Fenghua said.
"It's just some rather tedious rituals."
Lord Zuo also mentioned the details: when the emperor's concubines passed away, they were buried with the highest ceremony, and it was also done to show their families that the empress herself had come to the funeral. Even if the Pan family was angry, it would make them feel much better.
Gao Qingtong and Song Qing stood on either side of the Empress.
Everyone stood in neat rows and respectful posture, waiting for the Empress's instructions: "If anyone gets tired along the way, please get on the carriage to rest. Do you have any objections to this arrangement?"
Everyone said, "No."
Standing next to Helan Yanran, Shu Yan suddenly took her arm. "It's rare to leave the palace. I heard there's a royal garden here with plum blossoms. They're so beautiful at this time of year. Let's go play together!"
Shu Yan doesn't get along with anyone, except for He Lan Yanran, who sticks to her like a leech, creating the impression that the two have a good relationship.
Helan Yanran tried to push her away, "Shu Ronghua, please watch your words."
Shu Yan said, "Is there something inconvenient about Consort Lan not wanting me to come along?"
“I have no problem with it. The Empress takes the funeral very seriously. If Her Majesty the Empress sees that we don’t know the rules, we will be punished again.” Helan Yanran was really angry.
After hearing her say that, Shu Yan finally stopped joking around. It didn't matter to her who died. In her mind, as long as a woman entered the palace, everyone was an enemy. It was better if she died.
Just then, Jiang Fenghua suddenly looked in their direction. Her eyes were sharp and cold, piercing their hearts and making them tremble with fear.
Jiang Fenghua curled her lips and said in a deep voice, "Shu Ronghua seems to have a lot of free time, so you can go and carry the memorial tablet!"
Shu Yan was stunned. "Your Majesty, I've never done this before and I don't know how. Please let me..."
"If you don't know how, the etiquette officer will teach you. When the high priests start chanting the sutras later, just follow along."
Jiang Fenghua's voice left no room for doubt, and Shu Yan was startled, so she had no choice but to bite the bullet and go.
Shu Yan participated closely throughout the entire process. She was busy and kept talking non-stop. After the entire ceremony was completed, she was exhausted. Although it was very cold, she only felt hot. Her feet hurt so much that she couldn't walk and had to be supported by a palace maid.
Two hours later, the Left Vice Minister approached Jiang Fenghua. “We will be returning to the capital in a while. There is nothing important to do now. If Your Majesty is bored, you can go to the plum garden over there to enjoy the flowers. The Eastern Emperor’s Mausoleum has always been well taken care of, and the plum blossoms are blooming very well this year.”
Upon hearing the Left Vice Minister say that the plum blossoms were in full bloom, the concubines became very interested, and the plum garden in the palace also blossomed, though it was not as large as the one at the Eastern Emperor's Mausoleum.
Jiang Fenghua had something on her mind, and seeing that the concubines were all in high spirits, she didn't want to spoil their fun, since these women had been kept in the palace and had become dull-witted. "Thank you for your thoughtful plan, Lord Zuo. I will take them on a tour. Lord Zuo, please send someone to let me know when you are done."
Shang Hong led the Imperial Guards to his left and right. The Eastern Imperial Mausoleum was the territory of the royal family, and it was where members of the royal family were buried.
The plum garden is not in the burial area; instead, it resembles a royal garden, possessing a unique charm.
Gao Qingtong and Song Qing were also visiting such a place for the first time. When they saw the bright red plum blossoms on the branches, they couldn't help but admire them: "They're so beautiful! I never expected there to be such a beautiful scene in the Eastern Emperor's Mausoleum."
Everyone was exhausted, but seeing this beautiful scenery instantly lifted their spirits, and they all said, "Your Majesty, may we pick some to take home?"
Jiang Fenghua glanced around casually. Surely no one came here to admire the flowers anyway! They'd all wither and fade after the season. She said gently, "It should be fine, right?"
There was a hint of mischief in her voice, "But please pick them gently and don't hurt them."
With permission granted, everyone was overjoyed. Countless palace maids and eunuchs who had come along helped their mistresses to pick plum blossoms.
Song Qing said, "I want to pick some fresh plum blossoms to make plum blossom cakes, and then I'll invite Your Highness and all the sisters to eat them together."
Gao Qingtong smiled and said, "Consort Shu is still a little glutton; she never forgets to eat, no matter where she goes."
"You can let down anything in life, but you can't let down good food. If you can enjoy more delicacies in your life, then you can live a truly fulfilling life." She then took Jiang Fenghua's hand: "Your Majesty, let's go together! We can admire the flowers and enjoy the food. It's a pity there's no kitchen here, otherwise I would definitely show off my skills to Your Majesty."
"This is the first time I've heard that Consort Song can cook!" Gao Qingtong teased.
Song Qing said, "In the palace, I was the Empress, with so many people serving me, so I became lazy. Once I leave the palace, I am Song Qing. Even if no one serves me, I won't starve."
As she spoke, she followed Dong'er to pick plum blossoms.
Gao Qingtong stayed by Jiang Fenghua's side and said softly, "Her Majesty the Empress has changed."
"What has changed?" Jiang Fenghua asked.
"I can't quite put my finger on it, but it just feels different."
"Tell me what I was like before," Jiang Fenghua said, intrigued. This Noble Consort Gao seemed to be very learned.
"The empress of the past was always frightening. I mean, the empress of the past was too dignified. She never made a single mistake and was extremely disciplined and proper. The empress of today seems to be much more relaxed."
She said that Jiang Fenghua didn't feel anything when she heard all this. She felt that she hadn't changed. She would imagine herself as she was based on what Granny Wang and Hongxiu told her.
Jiang Fenghua never imagined that she would be strolling in the garden with Xie Shang's concubines, enjoying the flowers and getting along so harmoniously.
Once outside the palace, they were like joyful birds in the forest, or butterflies fluttering among the flowers, filled with boundless happiness.
Seeing Helan Yanran standing obediently to one side, Jiang Fenghua asked, "Does Consort Lan not like plum blossoms?"
"I like it," she said calmly.
"Why don't you go pick plum blossoms too! Once you return to the palace, you won't have another chance to come out."
"I want to stay with Her Majesty the Empress a little longer." She didn't know how to thank the Empress.
Gao Qingtong smiled and said, "After returning to the palace, Consort Lan can visit Kunning Palace more often to pay her respects to Her Majesty and chat with her."
Helan Yanran smiled and said, "Yes, I just hope Your Majesty won't find me annoying."
Shang Hong approached them and cupped his hands in greeting to Jiang Fenghua, saying, "The meal is ready. Please, Your Highnesses, move in."
Jiang Fenghua said to Gao Qingtong, "Consort Gao, please send someone to invite all the concubines over for a meal!"
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