Chapter 82: “Set the highest standard possible.”…

Chapter 82 "Set the Highest Standard Possible..."

Four days after the crown prince investiture ceremony, the palace received word of Prince Su's passing.

Prince Su had been bedridden for years, his health waxing and waning. Occasionally, when he recovered somewhat, he could move about, but most of the time, he remained confined to his estate recovering.

Upon hearing of Prince Su's death, neither Huo Ling nor Emperor Jingyuan was taken aback.

However, Emperor Jingyuan had always maintained a close relationship with this beloved uncle, and he couldn't help feeling sorrowful.

"Just a few days ago, my uncle mentioned that he was feeling better and could attend An Er's investiture ceremony. Who would have thought that he would pass away right after the ceremony ended."

Huo Ling also expressed her condolences with a "How unfortunate."

She had only met Prince Su a few times, with little interaction between them. Yet, judging by the conduct of Prince Su's household, one could discern his wisdom.

Emperor Jingyuan said, "If I'd known, I wouldn't have agreed to let him attend the ceremony."

Huo Ling disagreed: "Your uncle cared deeply for the Empire. Seeing that Your Majesty has an heir and the Empire has a crown prince, he could pass on in peace."

"Uncle's hour had simply come; it was beyond our control."

"If Your Majesty had refused his attendance, he might have left this world with regrets. This shows how wise Your Majesty's decision was."

Emperor Jingyuan was merely momentarily sentimental. Comforted by Huo Ling's words, he didn't dwell on the matter further.

Huo Ling added, "Let us bestow more funerary tributes upon Prince Su's household, ensuring his funeral arrangements are conducted with dignity."

Emperor Jingyuan sighed, "That's the least we can do now."

He ordered someone to send for Lu Hang.

The report of Prince Su's death had been sent directly to the palace, and the Ministry of Rites had not yet received the news.

Lu Hang only learned of it after entering the palace.

He and Prince Su were of similar age. Though they hadn't formed a deep friendship or could necessarily be called friends, they could at least be considered "old acquaintances," and he couldn't help but feel sorrowful.

"I have already prepared my uncle's posthumous name," said Emperor Jingyuan, handing the freshly written paper to Lu Hang.

"Throughout his life, my uncle lived with discipline, upheld propriety, maintained his integrity, and was diligent and conscientious. He is worthy of the character 'Loyal.'"

For a prince to receive the posthumous name "Loyal" was no minor honor.

Lu Hang silently repeated the title several times in his heart before cupping his hands respectfully and saying to Emperor Jingyuan, "This posthumous name is indeed fitting for Prince Su."

In addition to the posthumous name, Emperor Jingyuan bestowed funerary tributes and funds for the funeral upon Prince Su's household, and even went with Huo Ling to pay their respects.

Prince Su's funeral was conducted with extraordinary pomp.

As the most senior member of the imperial clan in the capital, not only did many clan members come to mourn, but court officials also attended with their households.

Upon hearing of the emperor and empress's arrival, the members of Prince Su's household and the gathered mourners were somewhat surprised.

Prince Su's eldest son personally received the emperor and empress.

Seeing the sorrow on the heir's face, Huo Ling gently said, "Your Highness, our deepest condolences."

Prince Su’s heir sighed, “Actually, when Imperial Physician Hu came to examine my father earlier this year, he had already warned us to prepare for the worst.”

“His passing is a relief. At least now he no longer has to suffer from illness.”

After offering three sticks of incense to Prince Su, Huo Ling went to greet the other members of Prince Su’s household, even patting the heads of Madam Ji’s daughter and her son, Ji Sanlang.

“They’ve both lost weight.”

Seeing Huo Ling show affection toward her children, Madam Ji was pleased.

However, given the somber occasion, she was wise enough not to display her joy openly and merely said, “The children were very close to their grandfather. They haven’t slept well these past few days. With all the arrangements we adults have been busy with, we haven’t had much time to look after them.”

Huo Ling replied gently, “You should take care of yourselves, especially the children who are still growing.”

Given Huo Ling and Emperor Jingyuan’s status, they didn’t stay long after exchanging a few words.

When Prince Su’s heir saw them out of the residence, they happened to run into Prince Duan and Princess Consort Duan arriving with their two children to pay their respects.

The two children stood between Prince Duan and Princess Consort Duan, unintentionally keeping the estranged couple apart.

Prince Duan appeared largely unchanged, though years of misfortune had darkened his once bright and refined demeanor, adding a hint of gloom.

This faint melancholy diluted his former air of noble elegance.

In contrast, Princess Consort Duan had changed drastically.

She had grown much thinner. Wearing plain mourning clothes for the occasion, the damp and stifling wind pressed the fabric against her back, accentuating her skeletal frame.

Her lips naturally turned downward, though in the past, her rosy complexion and habitually polite smile had made this less noticeable.

Now, with her gaunt cheeks and pallid skin barely concealed by light powder, her blank expression carried a bitter, almost sneering air.

“Your Majesty, Your Grace.”

Prince Duan was the first to react upon seeing the imperial couple, cupping his hands in salute.

Princess Consort Duan responded more slowly, only then bowing with the children after Prince Duan had finished his greeting.

Her head remained lowered until the hems of the imperial couple’s robes had vanished from sight before she silently rose.

***

After Prince Su was laid to rest, his household submitted a petition requesting leave to observe mourning.

Huo Ling remarked to Emperor Jingyuan, “Observing mourning is a filial obligation. We cannot prevent Prince Su’s heir from fulfilling it.”

“Prince Su dedicated himself to state affairs all his life, and his heir is both capable and well-mannered. If the succession is decided promptly, the Prince Su household will surely be grateful for Your Majesty’s benevolence.”

Emperor Jingyuan smiled. “You’re right. It should be decided soon.”

Unlike Ji Yuanwan, who had enjoyed special favor, Prince Su’s heir could only inherit a princely title of the second rank after his father’s passing.

Emperor Jingyuan issued an edict granting him the second-rank title of Prince Su.

The vacant position of Head of the Imperial Clan Court was then assigned to Prince Cheng of the Second Rank.

This Prince Cheng was not especially prominent among the imperial clan.

Like Prince Su of the Second Rank, he had only inherited his title after the death of his father, the late emperor’s younger brother.

After conveying the imperial decree, Emperor Jingyuan said to Huo Ling, "Among the siblings of the late emperor's generation, aside from Princess Heng'an who married far away, there are hardly any left."

By the end, his tone carried a hint of sadness.

Huo Ling understood why Emperor Jingyuan felt this way.

The way we perceive time when elders are still alive is entirely different from when they are gone.

She comforted him, "If Your Majesty misses the Grand Princess, you could send her some gifts and invite her back to the capital for an extended stay."

Emperor Jingyuan shook his head with a faint smile, suppressing the sorrow in his heart. "Sending gifts is enough. The trip back would be too much trouble—let it depend on her own wishes."

When the household of Prince Su received the imperial decree from the palace, they all let out a collective sigh of relief.

Though they had believed that the Emperor and Empress would not block them from inheriting the title, until the decree was officially issued, they feared a last-minute change like what had happened to the Duke of Chengen’s family.

Madam Ji peeled an orange and said between bites, "The Duke of Chengen’s family met such a fate because they were ungrateful and couldn’t read the room. Our family has always been close to Her Majesty. If you ask me, you're all worrying too much."

Prince Su thought to himself admiringly about his late father’s wisdom.

Had it not been for Prince Su’s foresight, they wouldn’t have built strong ties with the Empress early on.

"Now that the title is settled, we can focus on mourning at home in peace."

***

As the household of Prince Su began their mourning period, the impact of Prince Su’s passing slowly diminished.

Maple leaves turned red, and the weather grew cooler. The Imperial Wardrobe Bureau rushed over the Crown Prince’s autumn clothes the moment they were done and delivered them to Fengyi Palace.

Huo Ling picked up a yellow jacket embroidered with tiger patterns. "These clothes are lovely. An Er will surely look handsome in them."

"And this red set—it's quite festive too."

Shi Fengyu, Chief Attendant of the Wardrobe Bureau, said with flattery, "Your Majesty is absolutely right. For this set, we selected the richest red fabric. The Crown Prince has a pale complexion—he’ll look just like a New Year’s baby."

Huo Ling smiled and instructed a nearby maid, "Bring An Er here to try on these clothes."

The maid bowed and withdrew, just as Wu Mo entered to report, "Your Majesty, Consort De has sent another maid with gifts."

Huo Ling said, "Let her in."

Shi Fengyu immediately asked to be excused.

Huo Ling did not detain her and waved her off.

Soon, a senior maid from Consort De’s quarters was brought in, carrying a tray with a lifelike cloth tiger on it.

Huo Ling picked up the cloth tiger and looked it over before praising, "Consort De's embroidery is truly exquisite. It must have taken a lot of work."

Consort De’s maid smiled. "Our lady has always enjoyed sewing. When the Eldest Princess was young, many of her clothes were personally made by our lady. As long as Your Majesty and the Crown Prince like it, all her efforts are worthwhile."

Huo Ling smiled, accepted the cloth tiger, and rewarded Consort De generously in return, returning the kindness.

Once the maid left, Wu Mo remarked, "Consort De has been sending gifts to Fengyi Palace frequently these days. What does this mean?"

"It means nothing—just that she wants to curry favor." Huo Ling set the cloth tiger aside and chuckled. "Consort De truly lives up to the Lu family name. Her people skills are quite similar to Lu Hang’s."

She had barely finished praising Lu Hang when, within days, he gave her a surprise—

Lu Hang filed a proposal to revive the Empress’s Silkworm Ceremony.

The Silkworm Ceremony originated in the Zhou Dynasty. According to the *Rites of Zhou*, every spring the emperor would visit the Temple of Heaven and the Temple of Earth to worship the Agricultural Deity, presiding over the Plowing Ritual to pray for favorable weather and abundant harvests. Meanwhile, the empress would lead the ladies of the court to the northern suburbs to conduct the Silkworm Ceremony, honoring the Goddess of Silkworms. Through personal acts of plowing and tending silkworms, they encouraged the people to work diligently at farming and sericulture. [Note]

Since the founding of our dynasty, the Silkworm Ceremony had only been held once—during the reign of the Grand Ancestor.

After that, there were no further records of it in our dynasty.

Now, Lu Hang’s sudden proposal to revive the Silkworm Ceremony was obviously intended to curry favor with Huo Ling.

And coming from the Minister of Rites, such a suggestion seemed perfectly natural.

Upon hearing the news, Huo Ling was intrigued—she quickly saw the advantages.

She had taken part in many sacrificial ceremonies as empress, but she had always shared them with Emperor Jingyuan.

The Silkworm Ceremony, however, was different.

This ancient rite, passed down from the Zhou Dynasty, was historically the only ceremony presided over solely by the empress.

The great affairs of the state lie in sacrifices and warfare.

Horse administration and cavalry matters fell under military affairs, and she had already caused enough commotion there. It would be unwise to meddle further in military affairs for now.

Therefore, focusing on ceremonial rites was an excellent strategy.

If the Silkworm Ceremony could be restored and its rituals revised to become a regular practice again, it would undoubtedly enhance her influence in the imperial court and demonstrate the majesty of the Empress.

"No wonder Lu Hang made it to Minister of Rites. He thought of something I hadn’t even considered."

Having made up her mind, Huo Ling said to Wu Mo, "Go check if An Er is awake. If he is, bring him here."

Wu Mo hurried off and soon returned carrying An Er.

"Empress Mother."

An Er could stand steadily now. He refused to stay in Huo Ling’s arms and instead held onto her while standing on the daybed.

She allowed it, keeping her arms loosely around him just in case he lost his balance.

An Er tugged at his clothes and asked, "What’s this?"

He was wearing the yellow jacket embroidered with tiger patterns, so heavily bundled up that he could barely lift his arms.

Huo Ling looked down and smiled. "What do you think it is?"

An Er grinned. "Tiger!"

Noticing a strangely bulging spot on his chest, she pointed. "Then what’s this?"

He patted his chest, suddenly remembering something hidden there, and quickly pulled it out. "Bites. Hide it."

Huo Ling chuckled silently.

It was the stuffed tiger from Consort De.

"You’re saying it bites, so you have to hide it?" she asked.

Whether or not he understood, An Er nodded. "Empress Mother not afraid. For Empress Mother."

Just then, Li Man arrived.

"Your Majesty, the Emperor summons you to the Hall of Supreme Harmony."

"Understood, I'll go right away," Huo Ling replied, then turned to An Er. "Want to go see Papa?"

An Er answered cheerfully and waved his cloth tiger high. "For Papa!"

Huo Ling feigned indignation, pinching his chubby cheek. "Oh ho? A moment ago you promised it to Mother, and now you're giving it to Father?"

Inside the Hall of Supreme Harmony, Emperor Jingyuan stood by the window, deep in thought, when a gust of autumn wind carried the crisp laughter of a child and faint murmurs of conversation.

His lips curved into a smile as he strode quickly outdoors.

Huo Ling had barely entered the hall when she came face to face with Emperor Jingyuan. Without hesitation, she thrust An Er toward him. "Your son, Your Majesty—you take him."

An Er flailed his little legs in the air, thinking it was playtime, giggling all the while.

Emperor Jingyuan took An Er but fixed his gaze on Huo Ling, teasing, "What? Has An Er upset you, so now you take it out on me?"

Huo Ling chuckled. "This consort wouldn’t dare be angry with Your Majesty."

With one arm around An Er, Emperor Jingyuan reached for Huo Ling’s hand. "I had them make your favorite lotus seed soup. It should be here soon—come, sit inside."

They’d barely sat down when An Er pulled out the cloth tiger and whispered to Emperor Jingyuan, "Papa, tiger. For you."

Emperor Jingyuan looked at the toy, then at An Er’s tiger-patterned outfit, and cooed, "My little tiger."

An Er immediately perked up, placing his hands like claws near his cheeks and growling softly.

Emperor Jingyuan chuckled warmly, hugging An Er again. "Very well, this cub is mine, and this one—" He turned An Er toward Huo Ling, extending the child’s arm. "Does Her Majesty want him?"

Huo Ling laughed and accepted the cloth tiger from An Er.

Emperor Jingyuan studied it briefly. "This is well-made. Did the Imperial Household Department craft it?"

Huo Ling shook her head. "Consort De gave it to An Er."

The mention of Consort De reminded Emperor Jingyuan of Lu Hang. He nodded slightly and sent for a bowl of steamed egg custard for the Crown Prince.

After the meal, An Er grew drowsy.

Huo Ling laid him on the couch, tucked him in, and softly asked Emperor Jingyuan, "Your Majesty called for me so abruptly—is there something you wish to discuss?"

Emperor Jingyuan replied, "Lu Hang submitted a memorial proposing the revival of the Silkworm Ceremony. Since it concerns you, I wanted to consult you."

"The Silkwurn Ceremony?" Huo Ling feigned ignorance. "I’ve heard of it, but has any empress in our dynasty ever led it?"

Emperor Jingyuan answered, "There’s one record, from the reign of the Grand Ancestor. However, Empress Jian lay deathly ill at the time, so officials were sent to perform the rites in her stead."

In truth, Emperor Jingyuan had forgotten that detail until now, but since Lu Hang’s memorial mentioned it, he shared it when questioned.

Huo Ling inquired, "Where did Your Majesty read this?"

Emperor Jingyuan produced the memorial and passed it to her.

The memorial submitted by Lu Hang was exceptionally thick, detailing the regulations on the Sericulture Rites in the current dynasty's ritual texts, as well as those from the previous dynasty.

Huo Ling carefully read through it before closing the memorial. "It seems most of our dynasty's regulations on the Sericulture Rites are inherited from the previous dynasty's ritual texts?"

Emperor Jingyuan replied, "Our dynasty has only held the ceremony once, so it's natural that the protocols are not yet fully established."

Huo Ling smiled softly and remarked casually, "All prosperity stems from agriculture, and sericulture is crucial to our national welfare. If the court restores the Sericulture Rites, it will allow the people to feel the imperial family's commitment to sericulture and weaving."

"As the empress, I am also willing to do my part, representing the people in offering sacrifices and prayers, praying to the Silkworm Goddess to bestow blessings and miracles."

Emperor Jingyuan smiled. "Then let the Ministry of Rites begin preparations."

Huo Ling tapped the memorial lightly against her palm and gently suggested, "Indeed, we should prepare carefully. The previous dynasty has been gone for nearly a century—let alone, the altar used for the Sericulture Rites was destroyed in the war long ago."

"This is also a good opportunity to update the provisions on the Sericulture Rites in our dynasty's ritual texts."

Since he had already agreed to restore the ceremony, Emperor Jingyuan naturally wanted it to be held with greater ceremony.

As the mother of the crown prince, Huo Ling's dignity also reflected the crown prince's standing.

***

Lu Hang was in an exceptionally good mood today. Upon returning to the Ministry of Rites, he was in no hurry to attend to official duties. Instead, he sat by the window, listening to the steady patter of rain while leisurely brewing himself a cup of imperially bestowed Mingqian Longjing tea.

Just as he finished savoring the first cup, the Right Vice Minister of Rites hurried in.

"Sir, the imperial decree has arrived."

Lu Hang smiled faintly. "Seeing your hurried steps, I thought something urgent had happened. So it was just this."

The Right Vice Minister remarked, "You don't appear surprised at all, sir."

Lu Hang motioned for him to sit, tugging his sleeves back slightly as he poured him a cup of tea: "Restoring the Silkworm Ceremony would be good news for Her Majesty the Empress. If she is willing, His Majesty wouldn’t refuse her request."

The Right Vice Minister pondered Lu Hang’s words and found them quite reasonable: "I just didn’t expect the palace to issue the decree so fast."

The memorial had been submitted early that morning, yet the imperial decree arrived by afternoon. The Silkworm Ceremony wasn’t some minor affair.

Hearing this, Lu Hang nodded in agreement and felt even more convinced of the necessity of his overture of goodwill: "Did the palace mention anything else?"

The Right Vice Minister replied, "There was another matter. The palace wants us to redraft the ceremonial procedures for the Silkworm Ceremony, preferably laying them out in clear rules for future generations to follow."

A glint flashed in Lu Hang’s eyes: "Then we must revise our dynasty’s ceremonial texts."

After a moment's thought, Lu Hang asked again, "Did the palace specify the scale of the Silkworm Ceremony?"

The Right Vice Minister recalled carefully before confirming, "No."

Lu Hang picked up his teacup and downed it in one go, smiling: "Then we shall push for the grandest scale possible."

Since they intended to show favor to the Empress, they had to make it impeccable.

Otherwise, it wouldn’t be a gesture of respect—it’d come off as disrespectful.

Right Vice Minister: "A mid-tier rite?"

Lu Hang: "A mid-tier rite."

Imperial rites fell into three tiers: grand, mid-tier, and minor.

Only sacrifices to Heaven and Earth, the imperial ancestors, and the state deities called for the grand rites.

The Emperor’s personally presided Plowing Ceremony was classified as a mid-tier rite.

As for the Silkworm Ceremony, no dynasty had ever pinned down its exact rank.

In eras that placed greater emphasis on it, the ceremony would be a bit more lavish; in less attentive times, it would be scaled back.

Facing the Empress within the palace, the Ministry of Rites naturally wanted to err on the side of extravagance.