Chapter 66: Sheltering from the Rain.

Chapter 66: Sheltering from the Rain.

The next day, the clouds spread across the sky, the dawn light misty, covering half the heavens.

Qiu Kui, dressed in a hawthorn red jade robe, assisted Jiang Hui in washing and dressing, while Wan Song, carrying a food box, entered with a bamboo umbrella under his arm.

Opening the food box, he served a bowl of barley and lotus seed porridge and a plate of water chestnut cake on the table, then approached Jiang Hui and spoke softly, "My lady, judging by the sky outside, it seems it might rain soon."

Jiang Hui hummed in acknowledgment, scooping a spoonful of lotus seed porridge, and said indifferently, "Take the umbrella and walk faster on the way."

"Understood," Wan Song replied.

After attending to Jiang Hui's meal, they fetched a thick silk-cotton cloak and a hood, accompanying the noble consort on her swift journey to Fengyi Palace.

Upon arriving at Fengyi Palace, Jiang Hui's presence completed the gathering.

The Empress, her face glowing, cheerfully invited the consorts to taste the new osmanthus sugar-steamed chestnut flour cake from the Fengyi Palace kitchen.

Most of the concubines ranked below the Nine Consorts did not have the privilege to have their own kitchens. Therefore, they couldn't eat before greeting the Empress. Hearing the Empress's words, they all started eating, except Lady Li who seemed not hungry, tasting only a little before putting down her bamboo chopsticks.

Xu Xiuyuan spoke, "The pastries here at the Empress's are delicious. The cooks in my Guangyang Palace just can't match this quality."

Outwardly flattering the Empress, but covertly boasting about her own palace's kitchen.

"Your cook is particularly skilled at making various drinks; my daughter often pesters me to visit your Guangyang Palace."

The Empress responded with polite laughter before bringing up an upcoming significant event—the autumn hunt.

The concubines eagerly awaited, hoping the Emperor would choose them to accompany him. Not to mention joining him in hunting, just leaving the palace for a few days was a joy.

"For the autumn hunt at the end of August, His Majesty plans to bring the Noble Consort, He Consort, Lady Li, and Wanxuan with him." The Empress glanced at the disappointed faces below and consoled, "There might be another hunt next year, so there's always a chance for the rest of you."

"Yes." With the Empress saying so, even the disappointed ones had to hide their feelings and respond with a smile.

The Empress then turned to Sun Gui Ren, "Since you and Wan Xuan Shi both reside in Chonghua Palace, please inform her about this."

"Yes," Sun Guiren stood up and bowed slightly, her veil fluttering as she asked, "I've never accompanied my father to Pingcheng before, so I'm not sure what to prepare for the Autumn Hunt. Could you also inform Sister Feng?"

"I was just about to discuss that with you," the Empress gestured for Sun Guiren to sit and smiled, "Though it's an Autumn Hunt, you’re not necessarily expected to ride and shoot. However, having two or three sets of riding attire is essential. It's also nice to walk around led by palace staff on horseback."

She added, "Later, I'll send someone with you to the Imperial Horse Supervisor to choose horses. He Fei and the Consort needn’t worry, but Consort Li and the Selected Attendant should pick gentle mares if they’re not skilled in riding."

The Empress then detailed how to select horses. Born into the royal Wang family of Yingchuan, her father was a thorough civil official, yet she was also skilled in horse riding and archery.

Jiang Hui, sitting at the head, pondered the Emperor’s choice of attendees for the hunt.

For the Autumn Hunt, the Empress’s presence was a given; He Fei, a Xiongnu princess adept at riding and archery, was understandable given the renewed friendship between the two nations; and Consort Li…

Leaning casually against the backrest of her chair, Jiang Hui rested her cheek in her hand. Even in such a relaxed posture, her grace and dignity were evident.

The Emperor's specific choice of Consort Li wasn’t just because she was a recent favorite. Perhaps, the trap set by Prince Jin and the Marquis of Cheng'en was to be sprung earlier than planned, during the Autumn Hunt…

—If the plan wasn’t executed perfectly, it would have to rely on swift action.

As for the Selected Attendant…

Sipping her tea, Jiang Hui pondered. Originally planning to discreetly assist the Selected Attendant in regaining favor as a way to probe the conspirators, now that she understood the situation, this move seemed redundant.

However, the Emperor’s selection of the Selected Attendant indicated her sword dance the previous night had some effect.

Perhaps because it was a chance to leave the palace for something other than religious devotion, as was the case with the visit to Proluo Temple, the Empress was in high spirits. She chatted enthusiastically with the consorts until nearly mid-morning before dismissing them.

Leaving Fengyi Palace, Jiang Hui was carried back in her palanquin. As predicted by Wan Song, it began to rain halfway through.

Inside the palanquin, she was sheltered from the rain, but the eunuchs and maids outside couldn’t avoid getting wet. Moreover, with the slippery roads, there was a risk of the young eunuchs carrying the palanquin slipping, so they proceeded with extra caution.

Lifting the curtain to look outside, Jiang Hui said to Qiu Kui, "Let’s take shelter in Yufu Palace for a while."

"Yes," Qiu Kui replied, directing the palace staff to divert to Yufu Palace.

Since Jiang Hui held the highest rank, the other consorts couldn’t disperse until she left. Hence, He Fei and Consort Li, who resided in Yufu Palace, had not yet returned.

The young eunuch guarding the gate didn’t dare hinder the Consort’s procession. The housekeeper of the Pixiang Hall came out respectfully, ushering the group into the main hall's flower room, quickly serving tea and snacks before bowing to Jiang Hui, "My apologies for any lack of hospitality, Consort."

"It's alright. The rain was sudden; it is I who have imposed," Jiang Hui responded calmly.

Surveying the Pixiang Hall’s flower room, Jiang Hui noticed a golden camel ornament on the table, musical instruments like the Hu Jia and Hu Di on the walls, and the floor covered with felt rugs depicting bull heads, deer heads, and wild beasts fighting - not the usual auspicious patterns.

If this palace were replaced with tents, it would be no different from the Xiongnu’s dwellings.

Half a tea time later, He Fei and Consort Li arrived, delayed by the rain.

Before entering, Jiang Hui heard He Fei laughing outside, "Consort, are you taking shelter from the rain here? Perfect timing to listen to the new tune Consort Li and I composed together!"

Before finishing her sentence, He Fei energetically lifted the curtain and entered, heading straight for Jiang Hui.

Her skirt slightly wet, Qiu Kui stepped forward, bowing to He Fei, "My respects, Your Highness. You’re still wet. Please change into dry clothes to avoid catching a cold."

"Yes, Sister He, please change your clothes first," Consort Li, following behind, echoed with a smile as she stepped in.

Dressed in a crimson Luo skirt and without a palanquin to sit in, her skirt and shoulders were deeply stained with rain. Her maid Yin Zhu looked worriedly at her.

"Ah, I'm just too excited!" He Fei laughed heartily and said to Jiang Hui, "Consort, please wait for me. I'll be right back after changing!"

Without waiting for a reply, she quickly left the flower room to change.

Jiang Hui's gaze shifted to Consort Li, smiling slightly, "Consort Li, you should change your clothes too."

"Yes," Consort Li met Jiang Hui's gaze with an unchanged expression and a respectful bow before retreating with her maid.