Chapter 28 A Trip to the Temporary Palace In Xian'an Palace, Cheng Qianyue headed towards the main courtyard…
In Xian'an Palace, Cheng Qianyue went to the main courtyard to see the Fujin (principal wife). As soon as she entered the hall, she felt a chill in the air. She immediately envied the Fujin because the Fujin had so much ice to use.
The Princess Consort sat elegantly and gracefully, slowly recounting how the Second Prince had petitioned the Emperor for permission to go to the West Garden to escape the summer heat. She then emphasized that it was the Emperor's grace that allowed them to live in the West Garden, and that they were so deeply grateful for this divine favor.
Cheng Qianyue only caught bits and pieces of the words of gratitude and thanks. Her mind was filled with nothing but "Oh my god, oh my god, I'm leaving the palace! I'm leaving the palace!" Just thinking about it made her smile even wider than the sky. However, she remembered that she was in front of the Fujin, who valued propriety, so she managed to suppress her smile a little.
Then the Fujin said to Cheng Qianyue, "Go back and pack your things. When you get to the garden, take good care of the prince."
Cheng Qianyue quickly stood up, bowed, and replied confidently, "This servant obeys. This servant takes his leave." She took a few steps back, and once outside the palace gate, she walked with incredible speed. If she weren't still in the main courtyard, she probably would have jumped up.
Ever since the palace maid learned that the Princess Consort was going to the West Garden, her relaxed smile had never stopped. She said happily, "This is because the Prince is thinking of the Princess Consort and our eldest princess."
The princess nodded, smiled, exhaled, and said again, "Your Majesty, please show mercy."
Granny Shuang hurriedly said, "Then this servant will have someone pack it." As she said this, she began to plan what things to bring.
The Fujin thought for a moment and said there was no rush. She glanced towards the backyard and said, "Go to the backyard and just tell the wet nurse to bring all of Wulinzhu's usual things." The wet nurse agreed and quickly went out.
In no time at all, the servants and maids were busy packing things up and carrying boxes out. The commotion was so loud that people in both side halls could hear it.
Inside the east side hall, Lady Li Jia noticed the chaotic figures outside and became suspicious. She sent a maid to inquire, and soon the news reached her ears that the Fujin (Prince Consort) and Cheng Qianyue (the Lady in front) were going to the West Garden of Changchun Garden to escape the summer heat. Lady Li Jia was immediately furious, saying sourly, "It's fine if the Fujin goes, but how come Consort Cheng can go too?" They're both princesses, and she even has a son, the eldest prince, than Consort Cheng. If anyone should go, it should be her!
The palace maid Pearl echoed her words, "That's right, it's fine if the Fujin goes, then it won't be Cheng Gege's turn next." Seeing Li Jia's glare like a black-eyed chicken, she comforted her, "This servant thinks Cheng Gege is only favored for a short time. Perhaps the prince will dislike her in a few days. What does temporary favor matter? She has no children and no future prospects, unlike us, we have Prince Hongxi."
These words struck a chord with Lady Li. Who knew what the Second Prince's future held after losing his position as Crown Prince? But no matter what, she was still the mother of the Second Prince's eldest son, and as long as Hongxi was successful in the future, she would have hope.
Although Li Jia kept muttering these things, she still felt a thorn in her side, which made her furious. She lowered her eyes and said angrily, "Close all the windows." Out of sight, out of mind!
Cheng Qianyue was so busy packing that she barely had time to breathe. Ruoyun was overjoyed to learn that they were going to the garden to escape the summer heat. She said, "Princess, I've put away the new summer clothes." Then she added, "I've also put away the jewelry you've been using lately." She ran over again and said, "Princess, I've also packed away the silk fan you often play with. I also brought a sachet because there are a lot of mosquitoes in the garden."
As Cheng Qianyue answered, she began folding the gauze robe herself. She was sensitive to heat and had been sleeping on the floor lately, but worried about catching a chill lying on the ground at night, she wore a nightgown over her undergarment. However, the storeroom had run out of light silk, leaving only heavy satin. Since it was hot that day, she simply cut some thin blue gauze and made two straight-cut nightgowns. Gauze was soft and cool, but a little see-through, so she was embarrassed to take it to a sewing shop to have it sewn, and thus made these herself over the past few days.
She folded the two light blue nightgowns and put them into the trunk where she kept her clothes.
After returning, Jing Shun first went to the main courtyard to deliver a message to his wife. Seeing that she was busy, he excused himself to prepare the carriages and horses and left. When he arrived at the front courtyard, he unsurprisingly saw figures moving about in the west wing. Lin Quan'an, with his sharp eyes, immediately spotted him and came out to greet him, calling him "brother."
Jing Shun smiled and said, "I suppose Consort Cheng is busy, so this servant will not go in and disturb her." As he said this, he bowed inside.
Lin Quan'an helped him up and said, "Brother, you've really worked hard making this trip."
“Hey.” Jing Shun raised his head and waved his hand, saying, “Serving the Prince is a respectable job, how can you say it’s hard?” He lowered his voice and said, “Our Prince is thinking of the Princess while he’s away.”
Lin Quan'an smiled when he heard this. The better Cheng Gege's future was, the more face he would have.
Jing Shun added, "Second Master has instructed people to prepare the West Garden residence, which is now fully furnished with brand new items. He said that only Cheng Gege should prepare some clothes, so as to avoid being busy in the hot summer. If anything else is lacking, he will have it made up."
Upon hearing this, Lin Quan'an quickly said, "This servant thanks Your Highness for your consideration on behalf of the Princess."
"Alright, then you get busy." Jing Shun patted his shoulder in a pretentious manner and winked, "I still need to prepare the carriages and horses for leaving the palace."
Lin Quan'an cupped his hands in greeting, "That's right, that's right, take care, brother." He watched Jing Shun swagger out and a look of envy crossed his face. They were both new servants to Xian'an Palace last year, and Jing Shun was actually half a year younger than him, yet now he had to call him "brother." Sigh, when will others call him "brother" too!
By midday, the ladies-in-waiting at Xian'an Palace had almost finished packing. Cheng Qianyue's two trunks were carried onto the carriage by the eunuchs first. She and her entourage arrived at the palace gate of Xian'an Palace ahead of the Fujin (princess), and knelt to wait for her in one of the few shady spots.
Although Cheng Qianyue was kneeling in the shade by the door, it was so hot that her back was soon covered in sweat. Fortunately, the Fujin (principal wife) came out shortly after, followed by the eldest princess and others. After the Fujin and the eldest princess got into the carriage, it was her turn.
As soon as the carriage curtain was lifted, a refreshing blast of cool air hit us, instantly invigorating us. There was even an ice basin inside! Although the basin wasn't large, the carriage was small, so it was incredibly cool as soon as we stepped inside. And it wasn't just the ice basin; in the center of the carriage was a fixed table with a plate of freshly cut fruit and another plate of various dried fruits and melon seeds.
Cheng Qianyue thought that traveling like this would be so comfortable.
After a while, Jing Shun's voice rang out from outside. He came from the front of the carriage, stood in front of the curtain, and bowed, saying, "This servant greets Your Highness. The procession is about to depart. May I ask if you have any other instructions?"
Cheng Qianyue knew that Jing Shun had prepared the carriage and other things, so she said, "He is very considerate in every way, there's nothing wrong with that." Then she asked Ruoyun to give her a reward.
Ruoyun lifted the curtain and handed the purse containing the silver to Lin Quan'an outside, who then delivered the silver to Jingshun. Lin Quan'an was now completely convinced. The first thing a servant needs is a good master, and the second is a good mentor. Look at how well this person handled the job; anyone who came would give him a thumbs up. No wonder he was called "brother."
Eight carriages, each carrying passengers and goods, made a grand procession out of the palace, taking half an hour to exit the palace gates. Cheng Qianyue was overjoyed; she had never imagined that once she entered the Forbidden City, she would one day be able to leave again. It was the hottest time of morning, and there weren't many people around. Cheng Qianyue lifted a corner of the curtain to look outside, but the surrounding streets and alleys looked completely unfamiliar. She asked Ruoyun, "Which gate did we use to leave the city to get to Changchun Garden?"
Ruoyun replied, "Changchun Garden is in the western suburbs. We need to exit the city through Xizhimen." She picked up a plate of fruits and presented it to Cheng Qianyue, saying, "The carriages and horses don't travel fast. It will probably take another hour or two to get there. Why don't you eat something to pass the time, Princess?"
Cheng Qianyue shook her head absentmindedly, muttering "Xizhimen" to herself, which meant the carriage had headed west. She suddenly flung open the curtains covering the window and jumped out.
Ruoyun: !!!
She exclaimed in a panic, "Princess!" What's wrong?
Cheng Qianyue craned her neck to look east, but apart from the carriages pulling suitcases or the people driving them behind her, and the unfamiliar alleyways and houses swaying behind her, she saw nothing else, let alone the alleyways she remembered.
She immediately deflated and slumped back into the carriage.
Ruoyun was terrified by her appearance and almost dropped the plate in her hand. She hurriedly put the plate down and then carefully observed Cheng Qianyue's expression.
Cheng Qianyue said softly, "My home is near Chaoyangmen, the east gate of the capital. I thought we would pass through Chaoyangmen when we leave the city." That way, she might be able to take this opportunity to see her hometown again. However, she was wrong. She didn't even know where Changchun Garden was, yet she took it for granted that the group would pass through Chaoyangmen.
Ruoyun immediately understood; Princess Cheng was homesick. In this respect, the palace mistresses were far less fortunate than them, the servants. The palace maids had one chance to see their families each year; they could ask for a favor or find a time off to get a eunuch to inform their families, and then they could see their loved ones through the fence at Shenwu Gate. But for the palace mistresses, seeing their families? Well, unless they made a name for themselves, they could forget about it.
Ruoyun then comforted her, saying, "If the princess is promoted or pregnant, she might be able to invite her family to come and see you."
Ha, she said "promotion and good news" so easily; in her eyes, all of that was nonsense. Cheng Qianyue thought bitterly, then channeled her grief into her appetite and ate all the fruit on the plate!
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