Chapter 136: The Imperial Marriage

Chapter 136: The Imperial Marriage

After the Mid-Autumn Festival, the weather turned colder. Rumors about the selection of the Empress circulated both inside and outside the court. Jiang Hui seemed indifferent, busily preparing Jin Yu Geng (Golden Jade Soup) in the small kitchen.

She cut open chestnut shells, boiled them until soft, then peeled and sliced them. Chinese yams didn't need boiling; peeling and slicing them sufficed.

Next, she cut lamb into small pieces, blanched them with scallions and ginger, then skimmed off the froth with a ladle.

She then added the lamb to clear water, along with the sliced chestnuts and yams, simmering them into a soft soup, seasoned lightly with green salt.

This was the common method. Another version, a sweet soup, involved cooking the sliced chestnuts and yams in water, then adding honey, goji berries, some water mixed with starch, and finally topping it off with dried osmanthus flowers.

The latter version was what Jiang Hui had prepared for the Emperor when the former Emperor passed away.

Xiao Sheng, standing beside Jiang Hui peeling chestnuts, commented, "It's better to cook it with lamb, especially in autumn and winter. It warms the body, stimulates blood circulation, and nourishes vitality."

Jiang Hui, slicing the yams and not looking at him, quietly replied, "Your Majesty, I know you don't have much of a sweet tooth."

Xiao Sheng cleared his throat and changed the subject, "Have you tried on the new Bei Yi robes made in the embroidery room, Hui'er?"

The Bei Yi is the most formal type of ceremonial dress, used for the Empress' sacrificial garments, court attire, as well as for wedding ceremonies and investiture.

"I have tried it," Jiang Hui replied softly, as if preoccupied with her current task, without elaboration.

Xiao Sheng hesitated, wanting to say more, but the words never left his mouth.

Soon, the Golden Jade Soup was ready, served by the palace servants to the warm pavilion. The Emperor went to accompany the children, while Jiang Hui moved to the inner chamber to change her clothes.

Night fell early. It was only the time of You (5-7 pm), and lights were lit everywhere.

Wan Song placed a brass candlestick in the shape of a crane on the dressing table, and while redoing Jiang Hui's hair, she whispered, "My lady, the Emperor indeed seems to favor you for the position of the Central Empress Consort."

"I am aware," Jiang Hui responded, idly playing with a pearl-inlaid hairpin adorned with double phoenixes and butterflies, speaking nonchalantly, "Those ministers from the previous dynasty never truly intended to support Lady Wei for the position."

She smiled at the cool and collected woman in the mirror, slowly saying, "Proposing the Left Prime Minister's granddaughter… must be the doing of the Right Prime Minister's faction. The Left Prime Minister is nearing retirement, and his son, who has been serving abroad, will likely be recalled to the capital, possibly even promoted. However, positions in the capital are limited, I wonder whose place he will take."

The Emperor's intention to make her Empress was clear, and he was a monarch with deep designs. The ministers appearing to argue over this matter were merely trying to fathom the Emperor's will.

After all, if the Emperor showed any displeasure towards the Left Prime Minister over the Empress selection, even if his son could return to the capital, the Emperor would not favor him. Certain positions might still be up for contention.

"I understand," said Wan Song as she fixed the hairpin Jiang Hui handed her and chose matching earrings. She whispered, "Perhaps the Left Prime Minister also intends to go with the flow."

"That's because the bait thrown out is valuable enough," Jiang Hui said with a sarcastic smile. "He's reached a high position, but with age against him and the Emperor unlikely to allow him to retain power, it's natural for him to seek security for his family. Plus, some around him would certainly prefer Lady Wei as Empress, creating momentum for her."

"However," Jiang Hui resumed her indifferent demeanor and stood up, "having immersed himself in court politics for years, the Left Prime Minister can surely see through these schemes. With the old wise King as his ally, in a few days, we might hear news of Miss Wei's betrothal."

Hearing her mistress so confident, Wan Song felt reassured and followed Jiang Hui out of the inner chamber.

In the warm pavilion, Xiao Sheng was examining a newly written calligraphy scroll, his emotions indecipherable. Seeing Jiang Hui enter, he smiled and said, "Huayang can't wait any longer."

Jiang Hui went to see Huayang, who was already sitting in her little chair, being fed Golden Jade Soup spoon by spoon by Pomegranate. She ate quietly and seemed to enjoy her meal.

"It is late today; Huayang must be hungry," Jiang Hui smiled and walked over to Xiao Sheng, softly commenting, "Nian'er's wrist strength is still insufficient. He'll need to wait to grow a bit more and practice with sandbags."

"He is doing just fine," disagreed Xiao Sheng, "Nian'er still has a year before starting school."

Together with Jiang Hui and Nian'er, they sat at the table, discussing the teachers at the Chongwen Academy.

After some time, Jiang Hui was sitting by the window, reviewing the accounts of the palace departments, when Okra entered with a smile, carrying a tray with a carved ivory card on it.

As she entered the inner room, she said to Jiang Hui, "My lady, Princess Shouchang has returned from Yunzhou to the capital and has sent a card requesting an audience."

Princess Shouchang was the daughter of the old wise King, the daughter-in-law of the Left Prime Minister, and the biological mother of Lady Wei.

Upon hearing this, Jiang Hui picked up the ivory card, glanced at it, and nodded slightly, "Let it be tomorrow then. I haven't seen Aunt Shouchang for many years."

"Yes," Okra responded, noticing Jiang Hui marking the ledger with a vermilion pen and speaking softly, "Yunzhou is quite far from the capital. Princess Shouchang must have hurried back to arrange the marriage of the Wei family's daughter."

Jiang Hui hummed in acknowledgment, circled another entry, closed the account book, stacked them, and instructed Okra, "Return these to their respective departments. If they don't bring them back in ten days, send them to the Internal Affairs Office for more training."

"I understand," Okra nodded in agreement.

The next day was pleasant, and after breakfast, Nian'er took Huayang to play in the garden. Jiang Hui was practicing calligraphy when Qingfeng reported that Princess Shouchang had arrived.

Following protocol, she invited the Princess to the flower hall. After changing her clothes, Jiang Hui personally helped the bowing Princess Shouchang up and then took her seat, smiling, "It has been five or six years since I last saw Aunt Shouchang."

Princess Shouchang, in her early forties and slightly tanned from years outdoors, sat in a cloud-patterned armchair, smiling warmly, "I've been accompanying my husband on his assignments for many years, indeed not seeing peace for a long time."

As Jiang Hui addressed her as 'Aunt,' the conversation was naturally intimate.

Princess Shouchang continued, "I brought some tangerine peel from Yunzhou. It's excellent for clearing phlegm and cutting through greasiness, perfect for winter. You must try it, Anning."

A maid stepped forward from behind her, handed a lacquered box to Wan Song, then retreated with a bow.

"Thank you for your thoughtfulness, Aunt," Jiang Hui said, nodding. "Do you plan to stay long in the capital this time?"

"My husband's term isn't over yet, so it's hard to say," replied Princess Shouchang, sipping her tea with a trace of worry in her brows. "I came back this time for my daughter's marriage. She was betrothed as a child, but since she was young, we didn't formalize it. Now that she's of age, we can't delay any longer."

Glancing at Jiang Hui, she added in a softer tone, "My father has petitioned the Emperor for a royal marriage decree. If approved, we'll bring the couple to the palace to express their gratitude."

After a few more words, she rose to leave, taking with her the gifts from the Yaohua Palace.

Soon after, Anjing arrived with an imperial decree, requesting Empress Dowager Zhao to affix the phoenix seal. Surprisingly, it was the decree for the marriage between the Lu family's son and the Wei family's eldest daughter.