frightfiction Chapter 227 Winter Blessing
Chapter 227 Winter Blessing
Two months passed in the blink of an eye.
Earlier, the imperial concubines had received news that the emperor would take them to Baohua Temple to admire the plum blossoms.
However, no news came from the Zichen Palace for a long time, so they had to suppress their expectations.
Early that morning, inside the Zichen Palace.
Chen Zhongliang presented the list prepared by Empress Wang to Pei Yuanling.
"Your Majesty, this is the list of attendants prepared by Her Majesty the Empress. Please take a look."
Pei Yuanling took the list, his gaze sweeping over the rows of delicate handwriting, his brows furrowing slightly.
He pondered for a moment, then asked, "Where is the Empress's name? I haven't seen it."
The list included concubines of all ranks, but not Empress Wang herself.
Upon hearing this, Chen Zhongliang quickly bowed and replied, "Your Majesty, please forgive me, but the Empress said that she has been unwell recently and may not be able to accompany Your Majesty to Baohua Temple."
Upon hearing this, Pei Yuanling's expression changed slightly, but he quickly regained his composure.
Just as he was about to speak, a young eunuch came in from outside the door to announce: "Your Majesty, the Empress is outside requesting an audience."
The man nodded slightly, signaling the young eunuch to invite the Empress in.
A short while later, Empress Wang entered the hall unhurriedly.
She was dressed in an elegant palace gown, and although she looked sickly, she still maintained her composure.
"Empress, I heard you were unwell. Why didn't you tell me sooner?"
Pei Yuanling's tone was flat, but upon closer listening, it seemed to carry a hint of disgust.
She was perfectly fine a while ago, but now she feels unwell as soon as she hears about going to pray for blessings.
Empress Wang bowed slightly and answered softly.
"Your Majesty did not wish to disturb Your Majesty's handling of state affairs. Besides, it is only a minor ailment. I can rest and recuperate without any problems."
Under Pei Yuanling's deliberate suppression, the Wang family is now in decline, and she has no choice but to avoid his sharp edge, yet she must firmly grasp the position of Empress.
Otherwise, what foothold would the Wang family have in this imperial court?
"Please forgive me, Your Majesty. My nightmares have not yet been cured, and I have heard that the mountain where Baohua Temple is located is covered with ice and snow. I am afraid that I will not be able to withstand such severe cold."
Empress Wang looked sorrowful; in just a few months, she seemed to have aged several years.
Pei Yuanling remained unmoved, only lightly tapping the table as he slowly said, "I know the Empress is unwell, but this trip to Baohua Temple is firstly to pray for the prosperity of the nation, and secondly to take a leisurely stroll before the New Year. If the Empress does not go, it would seem inappropriate."
Empress Wang's heart tightened, but she maintained a gentle smile on her face: "Your Majesty is absolutely right, but it is really inconvenient for me. If I were to go, I fear it would spoil everyone's mood and delay the important matter of praying for blessings."
"Although I cannot go in person, I will pray for Your Majesty and all my sisters in the palace."
Pei Yuanling's gaze was deep. After a moment of thought, he turned to Chen Zhongliang and instructed, "Since the Empress is not feeling well, there is no need to force herself. Go and make arrangements for the imperial physicians to take good care of the Empress. The Empress does not need to accompany us on the trip to Baohua Temple."
"This old servant obeys the order." Chen Zhongliang acknowledged the command and withdrew.
Empress Wang, with great tact, bowed and took her leave, saying, "Your Majesty is busy with state affairs, and I dare not disturb you. I shall take my leave now."
Pei Yuanling didn't try to stop her. He waved his hand and his attention returned to the list.
He didn't have many concubines in his harem. Apart from those that the Empress Dowager and the Empress had insisted on giving him earlier, there were only a handful whose names he could recall.
Consort De always kept to herself and didn't like to get involved in other matters. Among the concubines of high rank, there were only Qin Rong'er and Chu Qingyin, and the rest were Consort Qiao, Consort Li, and others.
Once the list was finalized, Pei Yuanling immediately dispatched eunuchs to convey it to the imperial harem.
Three days later, Pei Yuanling led a large entourage of concubines to Baohua Temple.
Besides the imperial concubines, the emperor's right-hand man, Grand Secretary Lu, also accompanied the emperor.
Among the other accompanying officials was Minister Qiao Gongquan, but none of the Wang brothers came.
Baohua Temple is located on the outskirts of Beijing, surrounded by majestic mountains and ancient trees. It is the national temple of Daqing.
Because of the high altitude, the mountaintop is now covered in ice, while the red plum blossoms on the back mountain are in full bloom.
The temple was bustling with worshippers. The fragrance of plum blossoms mingled with the sandalwood incense that permeated the temple, creating an intoxicating and pleasant atmosphere.
However, nowadays, when the emperor travels, ordinary pilgrims are prohibited from going up the mountain.
The mountain path was difficult to traverse, and the last section was extremely steep, so the group had to dismount and walk up the mountain. By the time Pei Yuanling and his party arrived at Baohua Temple, it was already afternoon.
Wearing an ochre-red fox fur cloak and carrying a hot water bottle, Chu Qingyin, supported by Xianglan, finally reached the main hall.
Her cheeks were red from the cold, and she had just exhaled a breath of white air when she heard a burst of laughter behind her: "Little sister, it seems you need to exercise more. You get so tired after just a few steps. How can you possibly bear children for His Majesty?"
Qin Rong'er appeared behind her without her noticing, her tone laced with sarcasm.
As the highest-ranking and most senior concubine in the procession, she naturally succeeded Empress Wang in her duties.
Today she was dressed in a magnificent rose-purple palace gown, followed by a group of concubines, among whom the one closest to her was Qiao Qingling.
Chu Qingyin frowned slightly when she saw them.
Just as she was about to retort, she saw Pei Yuanling's figure appear not far away, so she had no choice but to swallow her words and bow slightly: "Your Majesty, may you be well."
Upon seeing this, Qin Rong'er and the others hurriedly curtsied.
Pei Yuanling waved his hand, his gaze sweeping over everyone before finally landing on Chu Qingyin's frostbitten cheeks. A barely perceptible hint of tenderness flashed in his eyes: "Is Yinyin alright?"
Chu Qingyin felt a warmth in her heart and curtsied, saying, "Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. I am fine, but it is indeed cold on this mountain. I will be alright after I go back to my meditation room and warm myself by the fire."
Pei Yuanling nodded slightly, then turned to the abbot and said, "Master, please arrange for the women to rest. The blessing ceremony will begin early tomorrow morning."
The abbot clasped his hands together and responded.
Soon, a young novice monk stepped forward and led the concubines to their respective meditation rooms.
Chu Qingyin's meditation room was in a quiet corner. Although it was not large, it was clean and tidy.
Xianglan helped her straighten her clothes and couldn't help but complain, "The conditions at Baohua Temple are too simple. How can it compare to our palace?"
Chu Qingyin smiled softly, "Since we're here, let's make the best of it. This trip is for praying for blessings, so let's not say anything more."
It was getting late, so Chu Qingyin finished her dinner alone, had Xianglan tidy up a bit, and then lay down on the soft couch and gradually fell asleep.
Only Xianglan was inside. Sparks flew from the dark charcoal brazier, gradually warming the room.
Because they were in a Buddhist sanctuary, everyone was assigned to a private meditation room. Chu Qingyin huddled under the covers, but couldn't seem to get warm enough to sleep in.
"Xianglan, go and make me another hot water bottle."
The environment at Baohua Temple was harsh and extremely cold. Chu Qingyin hunched her shoulders, feeling as if there wasn't a warm spot anywhere on her body.
Xianglan, who had been dozing off by the charcoal fire, quickly accepted the order upon hearing the command, "This servant will go right away."
The moment the door opened, a rush of cold air flooded into the room, turning the room, which had just warmed up, back into an ice cave.
Not long after Xianglan left, the door suddenly opened from the outside.
Chu Qingyin was not asleep yet. The cold air made her shiver. She quickly pulled the covers over her head and mumbled, "Xianglan, close the door quickly. Don't stand at the door."
"Yinyin, why don't you take a closer look? Who am I?"