mtl008 Chapter 487 "Lin"
Chapter 487 "Lin"
When the news reached Meng Shu's ears, she was sitting at her desk by the window, flipping through a yellowed medical book.
Upon hearing this, she closed the book, looked up, and asked, "What is the Emperor's opinion?"
"The message from Aunt Mei said that the Emperor only said lightly that the discussions in the court should not involve the affairs of the inner palace, and that this matter should be discussed later." Green Willow repeated, and added, "After hearing this, the censors did not offer any further advice, but Marquis Zhenbei's expression was not very pleasant."
Meng Shu gently stroked the spine of the book with her fingertips and pondered, "'We'll discuss it later' means that we won't budge for now."
"This matter is indeed rushed, and I estimate it won't be long... I wonder if there will be any progress on Madam Yun's side."
......
Yesterday, the Second Prince was given his third-day bath at Huining Palace. The Emperor has not yet bestowed a name upon the Second Prince, but Consort Chun has already suggested a nickname, "Kang Ge'er," hoping that he will be free from illness and disaster and enjoy good health and happiness in the future.
Kang Ge'er was indeed sickly, and Physician He visited him at Huining Palace every day. This nickname was simple and plain, and it was also Consort Chun's most sincere hope.
In recent days, concubines from various palaces have been visiting one after another with congratulatory gifts. Some brought longevity locks, while others gave pearl and jade bells. The threshold of Huining Palace has been almost worn down.
This lively atmosphere continued until New Year's Eve.
At the end of the year, Zhou Bai, who was serving in Yangzhou, was supposed to return to the capital to report on his duties as usual. However, Xiu Yun's due date was just a few days away, so he specially submitted a memorial to ask for leave and requested to postpone his return. The Emperor read the memorial but did not make things difficult for him and graciously granted him permission to return to the capital to report on his duties at the beginning of the year.
Meanwhile, the fighting in the northern frontier had long since subsided, and the border was gradually becoming more stable. The Emperor had issued an edict ordering Song Chengrui to remain in his post to guard the border and stabilize the defenses. Han Guangbi, on the other hand, would return to the capital at the beginning of the year, at which time the Emperor would reward him for his merits.
Cuiyu Hall.
The red lanterns under the eaves had been hung up a few days ago. Meng Shu stood outside the door watching Dong Gua and the others play around, while she could hear Yu Nu'er's giggling laughter coming from the East Warm Pavilion.
She raised her hand to pull the plain-colored cloak around her neck, the soft fur brushing against her cheek, and suddenly realized how quickly time had passed.
It's been almost three years since she followed Wan'er into the Prince of Jin's mansion, and now they live together in this deep palace.
After today, it will be the third year of the Zhenghe era.
They were both past the tender age of nineteen, having shed the naiveté of their early days in the palace, their eyes now holding a quiet wisdom born of experience. What was even more different was that they each now had beloved children. Yu Nu'er and Kang Ge'er had become the most comforting and cherished things in their hearts within the palace.
"Your Highness, it's windy outside, shall we go over there soon?" Green Willow came over carrying a hand warmer and reminded her softly.
The New Year's Eve banquet and the second prince's full moon banquet were combined and held together in the Linde Hall as usual.
After several rounds of drinks, under the watchful eyes of everyone, Jingming knelt before the imperial desk, holding a bright yellow booklet transcribed by the Ministry of Rites containing more than a dozen candidate characters.
The emperor's fingertips slowly traced the characters, finally stopping on the character "霖" (Lin). He dipped his brush in vermilion and gently circled it next to the character.
The second prince, Gu Lin.
The character “霖” means sweet rain. It not only implies nourishing all things and benefiting all living beings, but also subtly corresponds to the auspicious omen of sweet rain falling from the sky on the day the second prince was born.
Regardless of what others thought, Consort Chun was very satisfied.
She rose to express her gratitude on behalf of Kang Ge'er, and the Emperor said gently, "Lin'er is delicate, and Consort Chun must take good care of him. I have also entrusted Physician He to take good care of him."
......
The auspicious day for the investiture of the Imperial Concubine was set after New Year's Eve. The ceremony was no different from the investiture of the Imperial Concubine: bathing and changing clothes in the morning, wearing the elaborate Imperial Concubine court dress, and being led by an eunuch to the main hall of Linde Hall to receive the imperial seal and then express gratitude and kowtow... However, at the crucial moment, an unexpected episode occurred.
Logically, since the Empress was imprisoned, the affairs of the six palaces should be managed by the newly promoted Imperial Concubine.
All the concubines in the harem thought this was a matter of course, but the eunuch who delivered the decree announced loudly: "Consort Chun is weak after childbirth and needs to recuperate. The power to manage the six palaces will temporarily be held by Consort Jin, Meng."
After he finished speaking, a subtle silence fell over the hall.
Consort Shun slightly raised her eyes to look at Consort Chun, who was kneeling on the ground receiving the investiture ceremony. Her peripheral vision also inadvertently swept over Meng Shu, and a hint of inquiry flashed quickly in her eyes.
Consort Qi and Consort Yun exchanged a glance, their faces filled with undisguised surprise, while the other lower-ranking concubines subconsciously held their breath.
Everyone could see that although the Emperor granted Tang Qingwan the honor of being a Noble Consort by virtue of giving birth to the Second Prince, he had clearly left a check and balance.
Consort Chun knelt on the prayer mat, her expression unchanged. When she kowtowed to express her gratitude, her voice was steady and without any ripples: "Your Majesty, I thank you for your compassion."
After the investiture ceremony concluded, the concubines respectfully saw the Emperor off.
Outside the Linde Hall, Consort Chun did not ride in a sedan chair. After thanking everyone for their congratulations, she walked side by side with Meng Shu towards the Huining Hall.
"Isn't Shuer happy for me today? Why didn't you congratulate me just now?" Consort Chun turned her head, her tone deliberately relaxed, trying to change the subject.
Meng Shu walked forward with a solemn expression until she turned past a vermilion palace wall. Meng Zhu and Lu Liu, being quite perceptive, slowed their pace behind her, trailing at a distance until only the two of them remained.
She turned her head and said softly, "I was happy for Wan'er a month ago, but now..."
Consort Chun raised her hand and gently brushed away a few snowflakes from Meng Shu's shoulder, her tone tinged with reproach: "What are you doing? You're stammering as if you've stolen something from me."
"Whether the Emperor trusts you or is wary of the Marquis of Lin'an's family, the reason he entrusted the affairs of the harem to you is ultimately because you, Shu'er, have done a good job. You are Consort Jin, the birth mother of the First Prince, so what is wrong with continuing to manage the affairs of the six palaces?"
As she spoke, she grasped Meng Shu's fingertips, the warmth of her palm spreading over her: "Besides, I've just finished my period, and Kang'er is still an infant. All eyes, open and covert, will be on us. The Zhenbei Marquis's mansion won't be content, and others will be watching to find fault with me."
As for the authority to assist in managing the six palaces, I never really cared about it. When Mother came last time, she also told me to focus on recovering and taking good care of Kang'er; that was the most important thing.
Consort Chun's long-winded words dispelled the lingering resentment in Meng Shu's heart. Looking into her open and honest eyes, Meng Shu's eyes curved into a smile. She then took Consort Chun's hand in hers, her fingertips applying a slight pressure in response to this comforting gesture.
The snow fell late this year, not until the first month of the new year that it finally began to fall in abundance.
Fine snowflakes swirled down, clinging to the cracks in the vermilion palace walls, whitening the eaves, and settling on the shoulders of the two people.
Meng Shu and her companion stood beneath the palace wall, with the palace path behind them appearing even more serene, washed clean by the snow.
A thin layer of snow settled on Consort Chun's cloak, like a sprinkle of salt. Meng Shu looked at the snowflakes clinging to her temples and suddenly smiled: "Let's hurry up and go. If we stand here any longer, we'll probably turn into two snowmen."
Consort Chun smiled and let her pull her forward: "That's right, later you'll come with me to Shou Kang Palace to visit the Empress Dowager, and I'll have Donggua make some snacks..."
Behind the two of them, Green Willow secretly glanced at Mengzhu.
Mengzhu smiled gently at her and reached out to tug at her sleeve: "Let's hurry up and catch up. The snow is falling more and more heavily. Be careful not to let the masters bump into anything."
She paused, then added lightly, "Aunt Mei brewed rose syrup a few months ago when she was at the palace. I'll send some to Lingcui Palace later."
Green Willow slowly exhaled, and her eyebrows curved upwards.
A few shallow footprints were left in the snow behind them, which were quickly covered by the newly fallen snowflakes.
......