When the Empress wanted to host a religious ceremony and personally grace Qingxu Temple with her presence, who would dare refuse to show their respects?
Old Madam Song had begun dressing early in the morning. Although full court regalia wasn’t required, she couldn’t be too plain either lest she lose propriety. Only after she was properly prepared did she lead several daughters-in-law, Song Chuyi, and Xiang Mingzi out the door.
A layer of worry floated through Old Madam Song’s heart. Song Chuyi had been specifically named by the Empress herself in an oral decree to attend. Otherwise, according to Old Madam Song’s intention, she had planned to have Yu Shi and Song Chuyi depart for Jinzhong today, which would have conveniently avoided this ceremony.
Last time, one trip to Huangjue Temple had invited so much talk from Yuanhui. Who knew whether this trip to Qingxu Temple might bring forth some temple master to prophesy about fate or play matchmaker? In any case, avoiding it altogether would have been safest, but unfortunately the Empress had personally issued the decree, as if specifically preventing the Song family from pulling this very move. Old Madam Song’s worry only deepened.
Song Chuyi, however, remained relatively at ease, giving Old Madam Song’s partition a shake to comfort her: “Grandmother needn’t think so much. As you said, I’m not the only suitable young lady between the Song and Cui families. Moreover, the Empress must ask the Imperial Grand Heir’s opinion.”
Today Qingxu Temple was filled with distinguished guests. The Daoist priests had practically turned out in full force. Starting from the foot of the mountain, soldiers stood guard along the entire route, and no one without an invitation was permitted to approach—this was to prevent a repeat of the hunting ground incident from several years ago.
Song Chuyi and Xiang Mingzi supported Old Madam Song on either side as she descended from the carriage. They had only walked a few steps forward when they encountered an old acquaintance—Old Madam Chen was also just descending from her carriage with a round-faced middle-aged woman and Chen Mingyu. Upon seeing Old Madam Song, she greeted her warmly: “Elder sister, how are you? The weather has turned cold and my legs aren’t what they used to be, so I haven’t had the pleasure of seeing you. Looking at you now though, your complexion is excellent.”
After the incident with Cui Shaoting, both sides knew full well that they now despised each other thoroughly. But as long as they hadn’t completely torn off the facade, as long as Old Master Chen and Old Master Song still served at court together for even one more day, appearances had to be maintained. Old Madam Song smiled slightly and nodded: “Thank you for your concern, sister. I’ve been quite well.”
When Chen Mingyu saw Song Chuyi, her pupils contracted slightly, but she recovered in the next instant and stepped forward with a smile, first exchanging pleasantries with Xiang Mingzi before warmly taking Song Chuyi’s hand: “A few days ago when you entered the palace to visit the Empress, I happened to have business that day and couldn’t go. Otherwise I could have shown you the five-flowered pearl goldfish I’m raising for Her Majesty in the palace—kept in a large blue and white porcelain vat, its body entirely transparent red, with dragon eyes and inverted gills. Truly rare and fascinating.”
Old Madam Song glanced at Chen Mingyu with a smile and praised her to Old Madam Chen: “I’ve also heard that Miss Chen is greatly favored by Her Majesty, entering the palace every few days to copy scriptures with Her Majesty. Among the younger generation, there are truly few who receive such favor from Her Majesty. This shows how well you’ve taught her, sister.”
Chen Mingyu was clearly showing off how frequently she entered and exited the Empress’s palace chambers, deliberately bringing up the goldfish to emphasize that she was caring for them on the Empress’s behalf, subtly positioning herself as if she were the mistress of Qingning Hall. Old Madam Song didn’t care about any of this in the slightest. Since Chen Mingyu wanted to hear it, she was willing to flatter her.
Song Chuyi also smiled: “The Empress only summoned me because she felt Master Yuanhui’s words had wronged me, a sheltered young lady. How could I compare to you, elder sister, who frequents the palace so often? It’s clear that such fortune isn’t available to everyone.”
As they spoke, they walked, and the group soon encountered the Princess Consort of Zhennan, prompting everyone to exchange courtesies.
The Princess Consort of Zhennan was visibly closer to the Song family. After walking a short distance, she called out to Song Chuyi and Xiang Mingzi: “Come, come, you two young ladies come support me a bit. I simply can’t walk anymore.”
Ye Yunxiu and Ye Yunyi had gone to the family temple to request peace talismans and weren’t accompanying her today. The Princess Consort of Zhennan had come alone this time.
Yin Yunduan and Third Madam exchanged smiles and automatically stepped forward to take Old Madam Song’s arms. Old Madam Song pointed at the Princess Consort of Zhennan and scolded her playfully: “So grown yet still acting like a child. Could it be that without these two young ladies of mine, you wouldn’t walk?”
Old Madam Chen responded with a few words without revealing any emotion, patted Chen Mingyu’s hand, let her eyes sweep over Song Chuyi’s form, and gave Chen Mingyu a slight nod.
Chen Mingyu understood. She had also heard that the Song family intended to marry Song Chuyi into the Zhennan Prince’s residence. Seeing how the Princess Consort of Zhennan and Old Madam Song sang in harmony now, it really did seem there might be something to it. But even so, her wariness toward Song Chuyi didn’t diminish by half.
This ceremony was personally conducted by the temple master—an immortal old man of eighty or ninety years, dressed in blue robes with sleeves fluttering. Combined with his white hair and eyebrows, he truly presented an image of ethereal Daoist elegance.
As the temple master chanted scriptures and established the altar, the soul-calming lamps that lined both sides of the great path all the way up to the divine altar swayed violently. Yet with such fierce wind, the flames stubbornly refused to extinguish. The young ladies had originally been somewhat listless, but seeing this scene, they couldn’t help but get goosebumps and sat up straight, watching with rapt attention.
After the ceremony concluded, the Empress led the assembled ladies to the Hall of Three Purities to bow before the Three Pure Ones, then released the ladies to return to their respective side chambers to rest and change clothes in preparation for watching opera performances that afternoon.
Song Chuyi was helping Old Madam Song to her feet when Xie Siyi from the Empress’s retinue led someone over and smiled at her: “Sixth Young Lady, Her Majesty says sitting idly is boring and requests that Old Madam and yourself come speak with her.”
Old Madam Song was somewhat surprised. Thinking of those probing questions the Empress had asked when Song Chuyi entered the palace before, and the intentions she had revealed, she momentarily felt short of breath. Only after a moment did she recover and lead Song Chuyi to the Empress’s private chamber.
Palace maids stood in formation along the corridor, solemn and silent, not even the sound of a crow could be heard. Old Madam Song had just led Song Chuyi through the door and finished paying respects to the Empress when they heard that Old Madam Chen and Chen Mingyu had also arrived.
The Empress washed her hands and emerged after changing clothes. Seeing them, she smiled: “I don’t know if it’s because I’ve grown older, but I always want to find a few elderly people with accumulated wisdom to talk with. And you two both bring charming young granddaughters. Having them here for company, even without speaking, makes me feel younger.”
Chen Mingyu subconsciously glanced at Song Chuyi, her suspicions increasingly confirmed. Last time when the Empress summoned Song Chuyi to the palace, the claim that it was because Master Yuanhui’s fate reading had wronged Song Chuyi—that clearly wasn’t the real reason.
The Empress smiled again and continued: “Speaking of which, these two young ladies are both truly endearing. Each one is more lovable than the next. You two honored elder madams certainly know how to raise children. These two young ladies standing together are like the two most beautiful flowers on a branch.”