Flowery Hair: A Maidservant

Chapter 195 Ritual

"Eunuch Li delivered a message yesterday, saying that the Buddhist ceremony is solemn and that the Consort has entrusted Princess Yongping to take care of it, so the Princess can rest assured."

Consort Zhen's response was direct and straightforward. Hua Yan stood behind her, suppressing the slight upturn of her lips.

Since the princess became pregnant, Consort Zhen became much more depressed. After being comforted by Hua Yan and with the support of her family, Consort Zhen finally showed some of the spirit she had when she was in Lin'an.

The princess was momentarily stunned, then said, "Mother's consideration is thorough; such an arrangement is indeed reassuring."

Thinking of the brocade box that Eunuch Jing had carried yesterday, Consort Shen carefully examined Consort Zhen, who sat at the head of the table opposite her, and suddenly covered her mouth and smiled:

"The concubine is dressed so elegantly today. I heard that Eunuch Jing went to Yunyi Palace yesterday. I wonder if the prince brought any message or bestowed any good gifts upon her. The concubine has received such an honor. Why don't we sisters also take a look?"

Consort Zhen was the youngest, but according to her rank, Consort Shen naturally dared not presume to call her "sister."

“Consort Shen’s words are inappropriate. When praying for His Majesty, one should dress simply so that outsiders do not think that our Prince Jin’s Mansion is ungrateful.” After Consort Zhen finished speaking, she glanced casually at Consort Shen, who was wearing a pink dress.

Before Consort Shen could respond, Consort Zhen continued, "If we're talking about honors, I heard that Physician He led all the imperial physicians to consult on His Majesty's case, and the Prince still sent Physician Sun to the Prince's residence to examine the Princess. Isn't this kind of affection even more precious and admirable?"

Mingyue pursed her lips, thinking to herself that her master had mastered Huayan's skill of "talking about other things" perfectly.

Previously, when accompanying her mistress to poetry gatherings or banquets, Hua Yan would often defeat other maids with just a few words when they provoked her...

The princess was unaware of the matter of the love pendant. Upon hearing this, her expression softened, but her gaze towards Consort Shen held a hint of displeasure.

Consort Shen, clutching the hem of her skirt, turned slightly to the side and glanced at Yuehuan behind her. Yuehuan had a bitter pill to swallow; she had tried to advise her that morning while she was getting ready, but her mistress had never listened to reason...

Song Chenghui's expression was aloof; he usually remained silent when paying his respects, but now he spoke:

"Your Highness, it's getting late. Shouldn't we head to Guangci Temple? Consort Zhen's time to enter the palace has also arrived."

The princess waved her hand and said, "Let's disperse then. You should all go back and pack your things. Madam Song and Madam Shen will also be going to Guangci Temple to pray for blessings today."

Consort Shen looked delighted and rose with Song Chenghui to express their gratitude. Concubine Wu, holding a handkerchief, revealed a hint of envy.

Guo Zhaoxun and Qu Liangyuan exchanged glances for a moment, then rose, bowed, and followed Consort Zhen out of Ruyi Palace.

Consort Qu and Song Chenghui have yet to serve the emperor. Unlike Consort Qu, Song Chenghui is not particularly anxious. Ruizhu and Xiaonianzi, those two know-it-alls and gossips, routinely whip Song Chenghui every morning before coming to pay his respects, disturbing Consort Shen's sleep. She has complained to the Princess several times...

Consort Qu seemed to have something to say to Consort Zhen, but considering that Consort Zhen was about to enter the palace, she could only watch helplessly as Consort Zhen walked away without saying a word.

Seeing that Guo Zhaoxun, who lived in the same hospital, had been favored for a few days, even the composed Qu Liangyuan couldn't help but feel bitter.

Now that Prince Jin has entered the palace to attend to her illness, she will likely no longer have the opportunity to serve him in bed while she is in the Prince's residence. Presumably, her rank will be low when she enters the palace in the future. At that time, there will be countless beauties selected to enter the palace. Without the help of her family, how will she gain a foothold in the harem?

Hua Yan was unaware of Qu Liangyuan's thoughts. She had something on her mind, and before leaving the mansion, she suddenly changed her mind: Mingyue was supposed to accompany her to the palace, but Hua Yan temporarily replaced Mingyue with Mengzhu.

Although Consort Zhen was unaware of the situation, she nodded in agreement because she had always trusted Hua Yan.

Hua Yan called Mingyue aside and whispered instructions to Ruizhu and Mengzhu to redo the concubine's makeup, and to change some of the eye-catching headdresses.

Consort Zhen's gaze fell upon the Kunfeng pendant on the dressing case. Mengzhu asked, "The Kunfeng pendant was bestowed upon Prince Jin by Her Majesty the Empress. Would you like to wear it when you enter the palace today?"

"Please store it in the warehouse."

Consort Zhen said calmly, her finger touching the jade cicada beside her, "Wearing this jade cicada will suffice."

Upon hearing this, Hua Yan's smile deepened.

......

At the end of the hour of Mao (5-7 AM), the Prince's carriage arrived at the Yanxi Gate on the east side. Before the palace token could be shown, palace maids were already waiting there. After bowing to Consort Zhen, they respectfully led the carriage to the Baohua Hall.

The palace maid in front of her was the one Hua Yan had seen when she first entered the palace with the concubine and was waiting outside the Ciming Hall.

As the palace maid turned around, she nodded slightly to Hua Yan. Clearly, she also remembered Hua Yan, after all, the large purse that Hua Yan had given her was enough to cover three years' worth of monthly allowance.

The palace gates slowly closed behind us, revealing a breathtakingly wide stone-paved passageway. Baohua Hall was located to the east of Taiji Palace, and it would still take about an incense stick's time to walk there after entering through Yanxi Gate.

"Consort, Aunt Minrong instructed me that there will be two places to pray for His Majesty's well-being. All ladies of the third rank and above must attend the prayer ceremony in Baohua Hall. The Buddhist service will last for about two hours. Consorts and others must kneel and chant scriptures. After the prayers are completed, there will be an offering ceremony, which will end before noon."

"Another event was held in the East Warm Pavilion of Ciming Hall, led by the Prince and his civil and military officials. The Taoist priest Lou Zhenren from Songjiang performed the 'Xiantian Zou Gao Li Dou Da Fa' to pray for the Emperor's health and ward off illness."

The palace maid whispered a reminder.

Hua Yan was slightly surprised. It seemed that the imperial physicians were powerless to save the emperor, and the Court of Imperial Clan Affairs had no choice but to petition Prince Jin to have Buddhist and Taoist rituals performed to pray for the emperor's recovery.

However, this means that they won't be able to meet Prince Jin in Baohua Hall.

Hua Yan raised her eyes, and Meng Zhu also carefully observed. Seeing that Consort Zhen showed no unusual expression, the two felt relieved.

"Thank you for your guidance, Aunt Minrong and Miss." Hua Yan smiled and curtsied, taking out a purse from her sleeve.

Having received Min Rong's advice, the palace maid dared not accept the gift this time. Hua Yan put away the purse, took off a gilded ring inlaid with turquoise from her finger, and discreetly slipped it into the palace maid's hand as she walked away.

Since this palace maid has gained the trust of the Emperor's chief minister, she is worth trying to win over.

As you stroll along the passageway, palace maids and eunuchs in their palace attire occasionally hurry by, their demeanor serene and their steps silent, as if carrying the solemnity and grandeur unique to the imperial palace.

As we approached, the outline of the palace complex gradually became clear, until a faint sandalwood scent filled the air, and we arrived at the Baohua Hall.

Meanwhile, the Princess Consort had already arrived at the gate of Guangci Temple by carriage, where Madam Jiang and Madams Song and Shen had arrived earlier. At the back of Guangci Temple, Madam Zhou and her disciple Mingyue, dressed in fitted clothing, lingered briefly in the back courtyard before entering the back mountain.

Hua Yan followed Consort Zhen into Baohua Palace, where she was greeted by Princess Yongping.

Princess Yongping and Consort Zhen already knew each other, and the Princess's residence and the Tang residence had a connection through Mr. Lin, and they had also been cooperating on the business of the hot spring resort.

Moreover, the Prince Rui's mansion had always favored the Prince of Jin, and now that the concubine's cousin, the eldest daughter of the Marquis of Huai'an's mansion, had also married into the Prince Rui's mansion, Princess Yongping was very devoted to Concubine Zhen.

Before the Buddhist ceremony began, Princess Yongping led Consort Zhen to pay her respects to the Empress and Consort Hui, and then introduced her to members of the royal family. Perhaps because of Prince Jin, everyone wore friendly expressions.

Even worse, some of the officials' wives were tinged with obsequiousness and eager to curry favor.

Consort Zhen was always dignified and poised in public, and her responses to others were always impeccable.

Hua Yan relaxed a little and had time to look around, which led her to see a few familiar faces.