Chapter 81 What is the rules today?
January 1st.
The new year begins.
The whole palace was filled with joy.
The New Year arrived, the Queen Mother held a birthday banquet, and Concubine Zhao’s baby was three months old.
All in all, every single one of them is a happy event.
The palace maids and eunuchs decorated the palace.
The snow scenery is picturesque everywhere.
Chan'er ran around in the room full of floor heaters and braziers, and soon she was sweating all over. "My lady, I'll help you dress up."
Since one has to wear crowns and robes, there are different regulations for hairstyle and clothing.
Now Bai Wutong is a concubine, which is neither high nor low, and the regulations on her crown and clothes are quite standard.
Yingchun came over to help, "Madam, let me help you put on the crown."
It was the first time for Bai Wutong to wear something like this and it was very novel.
But when the ceremonial crown really fell on her head, she felt upset.
"This thing is a bit too heavy, can't it be lighter?"
"Your Highness, we have already taken quite a bit from you. The Ministry of Internal Affairs took some away from you for your health. If we take more away, it will not look good."
Bai Wutong had no choice but to admit it.
The clothes also have three layers on the left and three layers on the right, which is not as comfortable and convenient as ordinary clothes.
When everything was done, Bai Wutong felt that he was wearing something that weighed at least five kilograms.
Chan'er and Yingchun supported him on the left and right.
Yunxiang was a little anxious and took two steps forward. "Your Highness, please let me accompany you. There will be many people at the birthday banquet and it might be dangerous. I happen to know a little about pharmacology and may be able to help you."
"No need."
Bai Wutong tried hard to keep his body steady, and with the help of the two, he finally walked out of Zhaochun Palace.
Chan'er whispered, "Your Majesty, the capital is very lively today. I heard there are fireworks and lantern festivals. Ordinary people cannot wear plain clothes. They must wear colorful clothes. They cannot slaughter livestock. Even our government offices will not handle cases today."
It was also the first time that Bai Wutong knew about so many rules. He was so curious that he almost forgot about the ceremonial crown weighing three or four pounds on his head.
Chan'er kept talking, and Bai Wutong was looking at the decorations around him.
Unlike the plainness of the past, today there are decorations, decals, and paintings everywhere, which is dazzling.
Bai Wutong asked in a low voice, "What is the charter today?"
"We should first go to the Queen Mother to wish her a happy birthday, give her birthday gifts, and say birthday speeches. Then we should go to watch the release of animals, then go to the theater, and finally go to the banquet."
Yingchun was a little worried, "My lady, you must be very tired today. If you feel uncomfortable, you must tell me."
"I understand." Bai Wutong followed the two all the way to Wanshou Palace.
The palace was extremely lively at this time.
All the concubines gathered together in formal attire.
Bai Wutong only saw all the concubines today.
Except for Concubine Jin who was extremely beautiful, the rest of the people were a little bit inferior.
Wen Chuyun looked much younger and more beautiful when standing next to other new beauties.
Just looking around, all you see are plump women.
In addition, it was winter and everyone was wearing thick clothes, so it was quite troublesome to walk.
Bai Wutong felt that she was already fat enough because she was wearing so many clothes, but she didn't expect that compared with them, she was still dwarfed.
Originally, the outer hall of the Wanshou Palace was very spacious, but with so many people coming and many palace maids crammed in, it was so crowded that there was no room to even step.
The Queen Mother's maid had been waiting here for a long time. When she saw Bai Wutong coming, she hurried over. Her clothes were very high, which made her head and face look big. "Madam Zhaopin, I am waiting for you. The Queen Mother has ordered that if you come, you can go in directly. Be careful not to bump into anyone."
The nanny led the way in front, "Everyone make way, Concubine Zhao is here——"
Her shout attracted the attention of everyone around her.
When the concubines saw Bai Wutong coming, they had to make way even if they were unhappy.
Even Jin Weige had to give in.
She changed her previous annoyance and put on a smile on her face, "Sister Zhaopin still looks so thin, you should eat more and nourish your body. Today we have delicious dishes, don't miss it."
If you miss it, you will just starve to death.
"Thank you, Empress Jin." Bai Wutong simply bowed and continued walking forward.
Many concubines approached one after another, blocking the path that had just been vacated again.
The Queen Mother sat in the main seat with a smile on her face.
Today is her big day, her 50th birthday, and it is so lively that she is in a very good mood.
Seeing Bai Wutong, she immediately waved, "Come over here, I will pay my respects and wish you a happy birthday. Just sit and watch, and take care of yourself."
"Thank you, Queen Mother."
Bai Wutong sat, but the others could only stand.
When all the concubines arrived, they stood in rows according to their rank and saluted the Queen Mother in unison.
"Hello, Queen Mother. I and your humble servants wish you a long life, good fortune, and happiness. May you live a thousand years and may your grace and blessings last forever."
The Queen Mother smiled widely, the corners of her mouth rising uncontrollably, "Okay, okay, all of you get up. I know what you mean."
"Thank you, Queen Mother."
The queen changed her previous sick look and presented a jade ruyi, "Please."
The Queen Mother took it and said, "Let's go."
She held a jade ruyi in her hand and walked in front. To show sincerity, everyone had to walk, even the Queen Mother was not allowed to ride in a sedan chair.
According to her position, Bai Wutong should have been ranked among the concubines, but with the tacit consent of the empress dowager, she was ranked second alongside the empress.
Everyone was extremely serious and no one spoke.
Half an hour later.
Finally stopped.
Right in front of you is Fuxiangyuan.
The palace servants had already prepared cages of livestock.
From birds to fish, everything flying in the sky and running on the ground, everything is available.
The Queen Mother held the Jade Ruyi in her hand, and like Guanyin, she opened the cages one by one, "Today I am releasing the animals, and I only pray for blessings to come to the world."
Everyone knelt down again, "May the world be blessed!"
Bai Wutong raised his eyes quietly.
There are birds all over the sky, cats, rabbits, and even cows and sheep on the ground.
They had no idea what was happening and just kept running forward.
The palace maid brought a porcelain basin containing toads, carp and other things.
The Queen Mother put them into the water one by one.
After releasing the animals, we went to listen to opera and then started our journey again.
It was the first time that Bai Wutong wore such heavy clothes and he was quite uncomfortable. He was already exhausted halfway through the journey.
The Queen Mother had been watching and immediately had someone send a sedan chair. "Zhaopin gave birth to the heir, which is a meritorious service. Today, I will let her and the Queen ride in the sedan chair. Do you have any objection?"
"I dare not."
Chan'er helped Bai Wutong get into the sedan chair.
When winter comes, the sedan chair is covered with thick curtains to keep out the cold wind.
After a bumpy ride, I finally arrived at the place where I could listen to music.
This place is called Tianlai Pavilion, and now it is filled with charcoal basins.
Everyone took their seats one by one.
Bai Wutong looked around and asked Chan'er in a low voice, "Why didn't the emperor come?"
"Your Majesty, the Emperor is now in front with the civil and military officials. We can only see him after we finish watching the show."
"I see." In that case, she didn't need to think too much and could just watch the show.
The Queen Mother liked the royal heir and was happy even though he had not been born yet, so she asked her to sit on her right.
The queen smiled faintly, as if she didn't take it to heart at all, and was dignified and generous.
As soon as Bai Wutong sat down, the opera began.
With the sound of gongs and drums and humming songs, many actors appeared.
The leader was the actor Bai Wutong had met that day. He was a little thin, with a somewhat feminine beauty.
When he opened his mouth, his voice was like that of a nightingale, so penetrating that it could be said to linger in the ears for three days.
The Queen Mother only stared at him and followed him as he walked, her eyes full of attachment and longing.
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