Chapter 153: Enrollment

Chapter 153: Enrollment

His Majesty, in his prime, had fully recovered by New Year's Eve.

The day included the usual palace banquet at noon in the Ziji Hall and a family banquet in the evening at the Qiannian Hall.

As the evening banquet began, the Emperor selected a few dishes to reward several ministers who had pleased him throughout the year. After all the hustle, he returned to Fengyi Palace with Jiang Hui to rest.

As New Year's Day approached, requiring an early visit to the Ancestral Temple and receiving the officials' New Year greetings, neither the Emperor nor the Empress was expected to stay up late.

However, around midnight, when Jiang Hui was deeply asleep, she suddenly felt something being placed around her neck. Exhausted, she only fluttered her eyelids before falling back into a deep sleep.

The next day, at the hour of Mao, Qiu Kui and Wan Song came in to wake Jiang Hui.

For the holiday season, a festive red bed canopy was chosen, adorned with bat patterns, now lifted and hung on golden hooks. A warm, moistened silk cloth was gently placed on Jiang Hui's face, with light pressure applied to her temples.

Wan Song spoke, "Mistress, it's time to get up."

Jiang Hui hummed in response, still with her eyes closed, as Qiu Kui helped her sit up and asked, "Has His Majesty gone to the Ancestral Temple?"

"Yes," Qiu Kui replied promptly, "His Majesty rose at the hour of Yin and should have already reached the Ancestral Temple by now."

Just as Jiang Hui was about to speak, Wan Song suddenly exclaimed in surprise, "Mistress, when did you wear this Pixiu necklace?"

Jiang Hui opened her eyes and looked down to see a necklace of red jewels and agate around her neck, with the central gem carved into the shape of a Pixiu.

She remembered being undressed of her hairpins by Wan Song before bed, so this adornment could only have been a gift from the Emperor.

Jiang Hui touched the necklace gently and said softly, "It must have been given by His Majesty last night."

Qiu Kui smiled and said, "We were just saying that today, we should adorn you with more Pixiu jewelry, Mistress."

This year was Jiang Hui's birth year, and according to custom, wearing Pixiu was believed to ward off evil and disasters.

Jiang Hui replied, "Let’s just wear this one; wearing too many is pointless."

"Yes," the two responded and deftly dressed her in the Empress's ceremonial attire. Shan Zha Hong Yu was already outside with the palace maids, arranging the morning meal — the congratulatory ceremony was long, and they needed to have something in their stomachs beforehand.

After Jiang Hui finished her breakfast, the noblewomen from inside and outside the palace almost all arrived. She instructed Shan Zha, "It’s going to be busy today. When Nian'er and Huayang wake up, you and Nurse Ge must ensure they have their breakfast and don’t run around."

"Yes, Mistress, rest assured," Shan Zha replied immediately.

Jiang Hui then asked Qiu Kui, "Are the lucky coins prepared?"

"They're ready, all wrapped in red envelopes," Qiu Kui replied softly.

"Alright," Jiang Hui nodded slightly and stood up. With a palace maid holding the lengthy hem of her court dress, she made her way to the main hall of the Mingluan Palace.

As Jiang Hui took her seat on the Phoenix Throne, the court ladies from the Shangyi Bureau recited the New Year's greetings. The noblewomen, both from within and outside the court, collectively wished her blessings as vast as the Eastern Sea and endless happiness, then presented their New Year's tributes.

In return, Jiang Hui bestowed gifts and encouraged the noblewomen to adhere to virtues of fidelity, obedience, and grace. After the formalities, she engaged in conversation with them, discussing recent interesting events to foster a sense of unity and joy among the court.

Usually, if the Empress particularly favored any noblewoman, she could invite her to stay longer for a private conversation in the Fengyi Palace.

However, this was generally not done, especially on New Year's Day. The internal court ladies might manage, but many of the external noblewomen were responsible for important household duties and could not be detained.

—Except for the Empress's own relatives.

Today, Jiang Hui had chosen to speak with the wife of the Marquis of Ningyuan.

After everyone else had left, only Jiang Hui and Lin Qingshu remained in the hall, the latter sitting gracefully in a chair close to Jiang Hui, a smile playing on her lips.

From her sleeve, Lin Qingshu produced a vermillion-colored sachet embroidered with a golden monkey and said softly, "Inside is a charm my husband got from Baiyun Temple yesterday. He insisted that I must deliver it to you personally."

Qiu Kui stepped forward to receive it, handing it to Jiang Hui. The sachet was meticulously sewn, evidently crafted with great care.

"Ah Yun is really thoughtful. Qingshu, you're with child now, you should avoid needlework and rest more, just focus on nurturing your baby," Jiang Hui gently caressed the sachet, smiling.

"It’s just three months along, it’s not a problem," Lin Qingshu said, tenderly touching her belly.

Jiang Hui advised, "Still, take extra care. Have you found a suitable midwife? Mother Qian from Huai'an Lane in Shangjing is excellent. She delivered Nian'er and Huayang..."

They chatted softly for a while, with Jiang Hui offering some pregnancy advice. Knowing that sitting for long could be tiring for a pregnant woman, she eventually let Lin Qingshu leave, generously gifting her numerous items for the journey home.

It was now the hour of Chen. The princes and princesses, arranged in order of seniority, came in one by one to offer their New Year greetings to Jiang Hui. After Qiu Kui distributed the prepared lucky money, Jiang Hui waved them off, concluding the ceremony.

When it was nearly noon, the Emperor returned from the Ancestral Temple and summoned Nian'er to the Jianzhang Palace to discuss something. By the time he arrived at the Fengyi Palace for lunch with Nian'er in his arms, he said to Jiang Hui, "After much consideration, I think Chen Qian from the Duke of Anguo’s family is the best choice for Nian'er’s study companion."

Hearing this, Jiang Hui continued arranging dishes for the Emperor without pause, her tone as usual, "Your Majesty's decision is final."

Xiao Sheng smiled and placed Nian'er on a chair next to him, correcting Huayang's inverted chopsticks, and said, "Hui'er, stop with the dishes and sit down."

Despite having chosen Chen Qian as the study companion, Nian'er's birthday celebration was still to be held.

In addition to the empresses, princes, and princesses, several other young masters were also invited. With many children gathered, Nian'er seemed livelier than usual. However, it was Princess Huayang who was the happiest, playing joyously with several unfamiliar brothers.

On the fifteenth day of the first month of the sixth year of Jianzhao, the eldest prince, Xiao Lang, moved out of Fengyi Palace to reside in the Jingxing Garden within the Yanying Palace.

Although called a palace, Yanying Palace didn’t have the usual division of main and side halls; instead, it consisted of independently standing residences lined up from east to west, each a three-section courtyard.

However, even though there was no distinction in rank, some locations were better than others, and naturally, the Jingxing Garden, where Nian'er was to live, was the best among them.

At this moment, Jiang Hui stood in Jingxing Garden, meticulously inspecting the entire courtyard. After instructing Qingfeng and Hongying to check thoroughly, she led Nian'er to the main house in the innermost part and instructed him about his schooling.

"In the Chongwen Pavilion, there are many teachers, all scholars from the Hanlin Academy, knowledgeable and wise. Nian'er, follow them well, and if there’s anything you don’t understand, ask your teachers, your father, or come back to Fengyi Palace to ask me."

"Yes, I understand," Nian'er nodded, sensing his mother's reluctance, he hugged her arm and said, "Mother, after finishing my studies each day, I will come back to Fengyi Palace to see you."

Jiang Hui stroked his head, smiling, "You are a prince; your studies are not as light as the princesses. You have to study from morning till evening. Visit Fengyi Palace during your breaks to see me."

Nian'er replied, "If I learn quickly, I can come back to see mother and sister."

Unable to resist, Jiang Hui pinched his cheek, "No need to rush, just follow the teacher's pace. I will bring your sister to visit you."

After a pause, she added, "The people your father assigned to you, I’ve brought them all. Mother Yang from the small kitchen is here to cook for you, and Fengshi, the clever one, will be with you. You're still young, so Pomegranate and Hongying will stay here to take care of you. Hongying knows some medicine; remember to let her check everything you eat..."

"Mother, Hongying doesn't need to stay with me; let her stay in Fengyi Palace," Nian'er suddenly interrupted upon hearing this.

——

Appendix: Character List of Jianzhao Year Six (Those who have appeared and are still alive)

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Author's Note: No need to remember too much, as the characters will soon change again. (/ω＼)