MCSCPM -Chapter 294 Blessing Ceremony

Liu Sishui quickly regained her composure and said to He Ningxiang with a serious expression, “Now that Prince Jing has survived the assassination attempt, I’m sure the Emperor will pay even more attention to him. That won’t be good news for Prince Yi.”

“Good or bad, that’s Yi’er’s business,” He Ningxiang replied.

“That’s exactly why what you said isn’t right. Last time in the imperial garden, I mentioned my concerns. I hope you, Consort Shu, would think it over.”

Liu Sishui remembered how, in the imperial garden, she had already tried to draw He Ningxiang over to her side.

He Ningxiang, meticulous and thoughtful, found it increasingly hard to discern Liu Sishui’s intentions.

Observing He Ningxiang’s hesitation, Liu Sishui continued, “Consort Shu, as mothers, there are things we don’t say outright, but everything we do is for our own sons. You don’t want Prince Yi to be just an ordinary prince, do you?”

“And Liu Zhaoyi, what about you? You’re also a mother. Do you only want your son to be a prince?”

At this, Liu Sishui wasn’t surprised. She spoke honestly, “I said before, I don’t need Ling’er to become a dragon. As long as he can live safely and peacefully, I’m satisfied.”

He Ningxiang could not guess her motives—maybe there were none, or maybe they were too well hidden.

After a while, He Ningxiang said, “Let’s put this matter aside for now. After all, the Emperor has not yet appointed a crown prince. As long as there is no crown prince, there is room for change.”

Liu Sishui thought that made sense and could not think of anything more to say. She smiled, “Very well. Since Consort Shu says so, I’ll let it be. But I still remind you: if certain matters aren’t arranged beforehand, it may be too late later.”

“Then we’ll see when the time comes.”

In truth, He Ningxiang had subtly refused.

Regarding Prince Jing’s assassination attempt, He Ningxiang suspected her own son was involved. If that were true, even without interference from her, Prince Yi would have acted on his own. There was no need to involve Liu Zhaoyi.

As for Liu Sishui, having tried so many times without success, she had no desire to insist—what was meant to be hers would be hers; what wasn’t, she wouldn’t force.

“Tomorrow we leave the palace to pray for blessings. Have you prepared, Consort Shu?” Liu Sishui tried changing the topic.

He Ningxiang, calm and refined, smiled gently, “Every year we go to pray and pay respects to the Buddha. All that is needed is a sincere heart.”

“Consort Shu is right, though I fear others may not see it that way.”

“Do you mean someone has other intentions, Liu Zhaoyi?”

Raising her eyebrows, Liu Sishui said, “I mean Consort Lan. You know her—she loves showing off. She thinks that being a consort gives her power over everything. Every year when she prays for blessings, she dresses extravagantly, not taking it seriously at all.”

“I rarely involve myself in palace affairs and seldom leave the palace. It’s better not to provoke her. She, Consort Lan, also cannot provoke me. I think, Liu Zhaoyi, sometimes it’s better to avoid contact with her,” He Ningxiang advised kindly.

But Liu Sishui, burning with anger and unwilling to yield, said, “Consort Shu, you have spent years in the palace. You don’t know how arrogant and domineering Consort Lan is.” She sighed, then added, “Enough, I won’t mention it further. It’s getting late, and I won’t keep you. Tomorrow we rise early to leave the palace.”

“Very well.” He Ningxiang stood and accompanied her partway, ordering the maids to return Liu Sishui to the palace. She politely declined, letting the maids go alone.

He Ningxiang wondered what Liu Sishui was trying to do. Was it because Consort Lan was trying to draw Prince Jing closer? She suspected her own son was unreliable and perhaps wanted to align with Prince Yi. Thinking of this, He Ningxiang realized Liu Sishui’s schemes were clever—but she would not be swayed.

At the suburban residence:

Mei’er’s body remained on the bed. The guards waited until after they had met Consort Lan to handle it.

They all felt pity for her. Mei’er had followed Yin Qingyue through North Hao, and now, suddenly, she was gone—an outcome no one expected.

Candles lit the entire residence in a warm red glow. The guards dared not rest, standing watch at the door.

One guard sighed, “Mei’er was such a good girl. How could this happen?”

“It’s that Miss Shangguan’s fault. Even when Miss Yin was alive, she had tolerated her in everything, but she still wouldn’t relent, and now a life is lost.”

“What will Miss Yin do when she returns?”

“She’ll be heartbroken. Mei’er was like a sister to her. Losing her sister will devastate her.”

The guard nodded, then shook his head, full of sorrow.

Late at night, Mei’er lay cold on the bed, her lips purple, blood congealed, looking pitiful. Even in death, she had been thinking of her mistress, never having seen Yin Qingyue one last time. From Xize to North Hao, she had followed her mistress, unafraid of death, just to keep her safe—but in a foreign land, she had perished.

The next day, at Chanye Temple:

The temple was crowded with palace guards inside and out. When the mistress goes to pray for blessings, not a single mistake can occur.

The consorts of the harem attended as well, with Consort Lan at the front. Her purple robe was heavy but elegant, just right.

Inside the temple, the consorts knelt sincerely, praying only for the Emperor and North Hao.

At a side entrance, Zhong Liang was already waiting. But outside stood many palace guards. He hesitated for a moment, then rushed forward.

The palace guards immediately blocked him. “Who are you? Don’t you know this area is for consorts only?”

Zhong Liang said, “I am a guard from Prince Jing’s residence. I have urgent business with Consort Lan. Please notify her.”

“The consort is praying inside. No one is allowed. You should leave immediately.”

The guards’ faces were stern. No words could sway them. To enter, one would have to risk their life.

Zhong Liang could not return empty-handed. He whispered something to one of the guards.

Moments later, the guard’s expression darkened, and he said to Zhong Liang, “Wait outside.”

The guard went in, just as Consort Lan emerged from the temple to offer incense. Zhong Liang hurried forward.

“Consort Lan, someone requests your audience,” he said.

Consort Lan glared, angry. “Disobedient servant! Don’t you know I am going to offer incense?”

“Your Highness…,” the guard bowed and lowered his voice. “Someone reports that a murder occurred at the residence of the female divine doctor.”

At once, Consort Lan’s eyes widened in alarm. She immediately ordered, “Bring the person from Prince Jing’s residence here.”

“Yes, Your Highness.” The guard departed.

Consort Lan told the temple master, “I will handle some matters first and return shortly.” The master chanted “Amitabha” and led the other consorts to offer incense.

Soon, Zhong Liang was brought before Consort Lan.

Her face was full of panic. “Quickly, what happened?”

“Your Highness, yesterday, Miss Yin’s maid Mei’er died,” Zhong Liang reported.

“Mei’er is dead?” Consort Lan was shocked. She knew Mei’er and how much Yin Qingyue cared for her. She nearly lost her balance. “How… how could a healthy person just die?”

“It was… Miss Shangguan. She entered with a whip and, for some reason, beat Mei’er. That is why Mei’er met with this fate.”

“Unbelievable!” Consort Lan slammed the nearby stone pillar in fury. “That Shangguan Jiaoran is utterly reckless! Her arrogance is one thing, but now she dares to cause a death!”

Seeing Consort Lan so angry, Zhong Liang hurried to clarify, “Your Highness, this concerns General Shangguan. I dared not act rashly, so I came to report. I hope Your Highness will inform the Emperor. How should we proceed?”

“How proceed?” Consort Lan hesitated.

After all, Shangguan Jiaoran was the daughter of General Shangguan. If justice was strict, this could complicate matters.

“I will consider this carefully,” she said, frowning. After a pause, she instructed Zhong Liang, “It’s best to inform Miss Yin quickly. The truth cannot be hidden. As for Mei’er’s body, bury her. Let her rest.”

“And this matter?”

“That will be decided after I return from the blessing ceremony. Quickly ride to the county and inform Miss Yin.”

Zhong Liang obeyed without question.

Consort Lan’s mind, however, was in chaos. She was furious at Shangguan Jiaoran, but cautious about Shangguan Qingyun. She also knew Liu Sishui wanted to draw Prince Jing closer and help Yin Qingyue. If the Emperor discovered that Shangguan Jiaoran caused this, he would be disappointed in her, endangering her position as Prince Jing’s consort.

Thus, she decided to report the matter to the Emperor.

After the blessing ceremony, Consort Lan went straight to the imperial study without notifying the eunuchs and “burst in.”

Chu Helian was writing calligraphy and didn’t need to look up to know Consort Lan had entered. “What’s so urgent?” he asked.

Consort Lan approached, watching his writing. She did not mention Mei’er yet, saying instead, “Your calligraphy improves with each day. No one in the world can match you.”

“I haven’t practiced in a long time,” he said.

“Still excellent. To me, Your Majesty’s calligraphy is like a dragon, coiling across the paper, vivid and lifelike,” she praised.

When he finished, he looked up, setting down his brush. Consort Lan immediately offered a handkerchief to him to wipe his hands.

Satisfied with his own work, he looked at her and asked, “How was today’s blessing ceremony?”

“It was the same as last year, Your Majesty. I and the sisters prayed sincerely for Your Majesty and North Hao. Surely Your Majesty’s reign will prosper further.”

“Why are you so talkative today? You usually speak little.” Chu Helian’s expression grew serious. “Speak directly. No need for circumlocution before me.”