On the auspicious day of the third month, the Empress held the "Silkworm Kissing" ceremony. A yellow curtain was set up on the first silkworm altar at the north end of the Taiye Pond in the West Garden. Inside the curtain were the deity of the first silkworm god Lei Zu, cattle, sheep, pigs, wine and other sacrifices.
The Empress abstained from eating meat for three days and then followed the deacons into the female palace for another day. On the day of the Silkworm Kissing, before dawn, Empress Xia got up early to set an example.
A total of ten thousand guards were arranged: five thousand to guard the first silkworm altar, five thousand to follow the Empress. Empress Zhang walked out of the palace under the guidance of a female official. Behind her were the two Noble Consorts, the Princess, the wives of the nobles, the wives and concubines of the officials above the fourth rank and third rank in the capital, their unmarried sisters, and their thirteen budding daughters.
They lined up in order, each one of them brought a maid, the maid carried a basket for picking mulberry leaves, led by the Empress. The flowers were bright and the fragrance spread for several 'li's. This procession of women, which was rarely seen in the world of the Great Ming, marched majestically toward the silkworm altar. It was a pity that the road was heavily guarded and the common people had no chance to see them.
Youniang's body was originally light and healthy. Now that she was pregnant, it was not very obvious that she was pregnant. She was far from the point of having a big belly. Wearing the red cape and gown of a third-rank Honored Madame, her figure was well concealed. She was still more beautiful and attractive than a flower.
Yutang Chun, Sheridan, and Tang Yixian appeared for the first time today hand in hand. Yutang Chun and Sheridan also wore the robes of the Honored Lady. Tang Yixian wore a red narrow sleeved shirt and a long yellow dress. The four women walked together and were very conspicuous in the crowd.
The Empress, who was far ahead under the imperial canopy, also thought of the Silkworm Kissing Ceremony today. Yang Ling's cousin, the girl that the Emperor was infatuated with, would definitely appear. But when she looked back, there were so many Honored Ladies and jewelry, but where could she find her?
As the Queen of the Six Palaces, she could not be careless in this ceremony. She could only suppress her jealousy and walked alone at the front. At the side of the Xian Silkworm Altar, Empress Xia was dressed in a ceremonial robe. She first went up to the altar and offered sacrifices. Then, she accepted the kneeling of the noblewomen. Finally, she walked to the mulberry tree and stood with the hook in her hand.
Empress Xia raised her hook and plucked three leaves. The female official picked them up and placed them into the basket. This was considered the completion of the Empress' ceremony of 'bowing to the mulberry tree in spring'. Following this, two first-ranked noblewomen and one second-ranked and third-ranked noblewomen respectively plucked five, nine, and twelve mulberry leaves according to their ranks. Ten thousand troops and thousands of women brought the thirty-four mulberry leaves back to the altar in the forbidden garden. They found another noblewoman to mince the mulberry leaves and feed them to the silkworms. Only then did the tedious and boring ceremony come to an end.
Yongfu and Yongchun had already received Qiu Ju's secret notification. The two princesses were secretly delighted and had already made preparations. The large group of people and horses turned towards the palace gate. When the noblewomen in front of the palace gate found their own palanquins to return to their mansions, Yang Ling came with a group of cavalry. He brought a soft palanquin and ordered people to send his wife back to her mansion. Tang Yixian rode a small palanquin alone and followed behind his group of horses.
Then Yang Ling came to the front of the princess' palanquin. He bowed on horseback and said loudly: "According to the imperial edict, the Emperor wants to go to the hot spring in Ji state for a tour. Would Eldest Princess and Princess Yongchun please accompany him."
The two princesses came out of the palace on a luxurious and large palanquin. Hearing this, they immediately got out of the palanquin. In the palanquin, the two princesses had already changed out of the complicated and complicated palace attire. They wore light yellow, narrow-sleeved gowns and close-fitting pleated skirts. The two princesses wore the same attire. Their delicate bodies were slender but not revealing. They were extremely beautiful.
The light yellow gowns made their white and moist skin look even more tender. The two princesses were not married and could not wear a bun. However, Eldest Princess Yongfu cleverly matched it with a cloud bun. The shape was similar to the bun a married woman would wear. It was both playful and charming.
Yang Ling waved his hand and the two light palanquins were carried in front of him. The two princesses got on the palanquins and set off. This action had already alarmed the noblewomen of the court who had not left yet. For a moment, there was a lot of discussion. Yang Ling pretended to be arrogant and looked like a powerful official who had no scruples. He galloped his horse forward and boldly left.
Empress Xia heard the news at the palace gate and was about to send someone to find out what was going on. Yang Ling had already invited the two princesses and the three palanquins left. Empress Xia's face was livid. She flicked her sleeves and did not care about the noblewomen who wanted to talk to her. She immediately rushed into the palace to complain.
Zhengde's large entourage was already waiting outside the city. Yang Ling escorted the three palanquins to arrive. He first asked the two princesses to change to the palanquins. One of the officers in the entourage was Emperor Zhengde. The two princesses already knew that their brother was going to dress up like this. But when they saw it, they still felt it was fresh and unconsciously covered their lips to hide their laughter.
Zhengde glared at them and hurriedly waved his hand to let them get on the palanquins. He then came to Tang Yixian's palanquin. Zhengde had not seen Tang Yixian for more than ten days. Right now he looked very excited. He saw that Tang Yixian was dressed appropriately. It was the most fashionable style of dress for the ladies in the capital in spring. It complemented her exquisite figure and made her look very alluring.
Tang Yixian heard that the Emperor and the two princesses were going on this trip. She was also a little nervous. But when she got out of the palanquin, she saw that other than her cousin, the dozen or so bodyguards were all people she was familiar with on their way back from Datong. She unconsciously relaxed. Especially when she saw the handsome and handsome Huang Xiaolong in the crowd, who was looking at her foolishly, she felt a sweetness in her heart amidst her joy.
Yang Ling spurred his horse forward and ordered, "Let's go!"
The carriage rumbled as the entourage headed towards Ji Zhou.
Princess Yongchun was still young. After a while, she felt bored so she ran to Yongfu's carriage. The two of them chatted in the palanquin for a while. Yongchun lifted the curtain of the palanquin and waved to Yang Ling. She said coquettishly, "Mr Yang."
Yang Ling brought his horse forward and bent down to ask, "What orders does Princess have?"
Yongchun leaned against the window and asked curiously, "Mr Yang, Imperial Brother seems to like your cousin very much, but why is he disguised as an imperial bodyguard? If he likes someone, he can just send an imperial edict to the palace. It wouldn't be difficult for your cousin to be made an imperial concubine. "
Yang Ling blinked and said with a smile, "Because His Majesty hopes that Xian 'er will really like him and not use his status as the Emperor to send the person he likes into the palace."
Yongchun turned her head to look at Yongfu in confusion. The two sisters still couldn't understand. Yang Ling raised his head and saw the birds chirping happily on the branches by the road. He raised his horsewhip and pointed, saying, "Your Highness, look at that pair of birds on the branches. They are together not because of the other's status or official position, but simply because they like each other.
Because a woman has a noble status, it doesn't matter who she likes or who likes her. What's important is whether the person she marries is of equal status or not. If Xian 'er had someone she liked, but that person already had a wife, she would not be able to marry him no matter what. Perhaps in the future, she would marry someone with a status that was worthy of her, but she did not like him. Love would have to be subservient to the considerations of status.
As for the Emperor's imperial edict, she can enter the palace and become an Imperial Concubine. This is something that many people yearn for, but to this woman, it doesn't matter whether she likes the Emperor or not. To the Emperor, he obtained this woman by relying on his supreme power. He will never know whether this woman truly likes him or not. Isn't this very sad? "
Yang Ling solemnly said, "Humans are the spirit of all living things and are much more noble than these birds. But a person's marriage is mixed with too much utility and too many other reasons. The Emperor likes Yi Xian and hopes that biaomei will also like him and like him as a man, so he pretends to be a lowly guard. As an Emperor, he can easily do things just because he respects love, respects the feelings of the woman he likes. Since ancient times, how many Emperors, how many high up people could do what he does today? This subject admires the Emperor. He is the Emperor, and also a man with a true nature! "
The wheels rumbled. Behind Yongchun's shoulder, Yongfu sank into deep thought. Thinking of the imperial aunts that died in the ten wangfu, her heart suddenly filled with sorrow. Those imperial aunts hoped to see their husbands every day, but they were obstructed by the palace officials and stewards. But thinking about it now, how many of them truly liked the person they yearned to be with in their pillow day and night? But they didn't have any other choice.
The sorrow that Yang Ling spoke of was the sorrow of ordinary women. It was a sorrow that they had to succumb to utility and couldn't choose the man they liked. But what about the women of the Imperial Family? Not only could they not choose the man they liked, they couldn't even see the husband they didn't like, just like the Cowherd and the Weaving Maid. What kind of sorrow was behind the glory of the Emperor and nobility?
She stroked the soft and noble tribute dress on her body and looked around at the magnificent decorations in the carriage. She suddenly felt that people like her were the most pitiful people in the world. She couldn't help but envy Tang Yixian.
Princess Yongchun put down the curtain of the sedan chair and smiled without knowing the sorrow: "Sister, no wonder royal brother favors Yang Ling. Listening to him, little sister feels dizzy. What people are not as good as birds and birds are not as good as people? I don't think he is a good bird, hee hee."
Yongfu smiled faintly, but even her interest in traveling also faded … …
※ ※ ※
The Emperor's carriage arrived at the Ji Zhou Imperial Hot Spring.
The people accompanying him and the people who were originally in the Temporary Imperial Palace moved the Emperor's belongings to the various rooms.
The distant yellow umbrella cover was moved into the largest luxurious palace and then the residence of the two princesses was arranged.
Tang Yixian had already alighted from the carriage and curiously looked around at the scenery. Her eyes turned and saw that Zhengde was still staring at her. She couldn't help saying in a low voice: "What are you looking at? Idiot! "She pouted coquettishly, but her flushed face unconsciously showed some shyness and pride.
Zhengde smiled and said: "Daren is arranging the residences for His Majesty and Princess and arranging the guards. Miss, please follow me, this will be your residence."
Zheng De led Tang Yixian into a small building with richly ornamented beams and painted rafters leaning against the mountain. Tang Yixian looked around and said: "So you are not biaoge's imperial bodyguard. To be able to become an imperial bodyguard at such a young age, very impressive."
Zhengde said proudly: "Of course, don't you see that these guards all listen to me? I may be a small officer but His Majesty dotes on me. "
Tang Yixian curled her lips and said: "Keep bragging, be careful that His Majesty dotes on you too much and sends you into the palace to be a eunuch."
Zhengde gave a dry laugh and was about to reply when a crisp and sweet voice called out: "Where is Miss Tang, I've been wanting to see you on the way here."
Following the voice, Princess Yongchun bounced in. Dressed in light yellow, her face was like a flower, like a jade statue, her face full of naivety and innocence. Gu Daeyong, with a few palace maids and eunuchs, helplessly followed behind.
Zhengde glared at her and helplessly went forward to pay his respects: "Greetings to Your Highness Princess Yongchun."
Tang Yixian jumped in fright and quickly bent her knees to pay her respects but Yongchun had already run over to pull her back. She giggled and said: "No need to pay your respects, no need to pay your respects. Miss Tang is really as beautiful as a flower, a peerless beauty in the world. No wonder when my Huang … Imperial Brother travels, Sir Yang always brings you along, he really dotes on you."
Zhengde gave a stifled groan. Usually it was Yongchun who paid her respects to him, but today this little girl was basking in Tang Yixian's light. He paid his respects but she actually turned a blind eye to it and did not call him up. Zhengde could only shout again: "Greetings to Your Highness Princess."
Yongchun mischievously smiled at him before waving her hand and said: "Dispense with the formalities, rise."
She pulled Tang Yixian to sit on the wooden stool and chatted about daily life. Zhengde angrily glared at Gu Daeyong and thought: "You idiot, why did you bring Yongchun here?"
Gu Daeyong folded his hands in his sleeves and helplessly rolled his eyes. He thought: "If the Princess wants to come, how can a servant like me stop her?"
The two of them chatted for a while and a eunuch from the Temporary Imperial Residence brought over a few types of fruits and cakes. The journey was tiring and they had to eat something before the main meal. Yongchun did not stand on ceremony and brought them over to share with Tang Yixian.
There was fragrant tea in the silver pot, ginseng soup in the chicken pot and almond cakes in the cups. Princess Yongchun had the same habit as Zhengde, she liked to eat snacks. As she ate, she giggled and said: "Miss Tang, tonight let's go to the hot spring to take a bath together and then play 'leaf play'."
Although Tang Yixian was also mischievous and Yongchun was very easy to talk to, but this was the first time she saw the Princess with such a high status and she was still somewhat restrained. She only bowed and smiled: "Yes, everything will be as Your Highness has arranged."
Yongchun opened the golden cup and saw that there was deer milk inside. She couldn't help but stare with wide eyes in surprise. Zhengde saw this and couldn't help but give a hollow laugh with a guilty conscience. It had to be known that there were rules for eating in the Palace. Only the Emperor could drink deer milk. This Temporary Imperial Residence kept a few old deer and only produced half a cup of milk a day. Other than the Emperor, even the Empress was not allowed to drink it. If the Emperor was not on patrol, even if it was abandoned, no one else was allowed to use it.
This was the rule of the Palace and Yongchun naturally knew it. When she was young and immature, she, a dignified Princess, also cried for a long time before her Imperial Father broke the rules and fed her a few spoonfuls. She also had to gently beg him to not record when she was promoted to an official. Now the Emperor Zhengde was so generous and actually tried to please Tang Yixian.
It was a pity that Tang Yixian didn't know this rule at all. Seeing the Princess staring at the golden cup, she thought that she liked to eat this kind of thing and quickly took a silver spoon to scoop it into a jade bowl for her. Yongchun giggled and took a sip, looking at her Imperial Brother standing at the side with a face full of pride.
※ ※ ※
Yang Ling settled the Emperor's residence and asked about the situation of the visits along the mountain. He was just about to go to the Princess's place to go through the formalities when a palace guard hurriedly came to find him and said: "Daren, there is a black-clothed female outside the Temporary Imperial Residence. She has an Inner Factory token and asks to see Daren."
Hearing this, Yang Ling also felt it was a little strange. How could there be a female in the Inner Factory? His heart thumped and the image of a Jiangnan female holding an umbrella and carrying a dress, as if she was walking on water, suddenly leapt into his mind. Yang Ling hurriedly followed the guard outside.
When they arrived at the guard station at the foot of the mountain outside the temporary imperial residence, they saw four steeds parked outside. Three of them were burly and burly men, while the other was a black-clothed woman. She was tall, but compared to the three burly men, she appeared much more petite and lithe.
As soon as she saw Yang Ling, she gracefully came forward and gracefully bowed: "Servant Chu Ling greets Sir Yang."
This female had just arrived in front of him when he smelled the sweet fragrance of a flower, faint and lingering. He saw that she was wearing tight sleeves, soft clothes, and a short skirt. Her figure was enchanting and her skin was contrasted by the black clothes, making her look like fine jade.
Yang Ling was startled and asked in surprise: "Who is Miss? Why do you have my Inner Factory token? "
Chu Ling's watery eyes glanced at him. Although there was a slight hint of anger, her eyebrows and eyes were still like water. Her style was very similar to Cheng Qiyun. Yang Ling suddenly understood. Without waiting for her to explain, he happily said: "You are … you are the Miss by Duotou Cheng's side!"
Chu Ling smiled sweetly and said: "That's me. Miss wanted me to bring news to Daren."
Yang Ling's face lit up and he hurriedly said: "This is not a good place to talk. Come with me."
Not far from the door was the Imperial Guard's camp. There were a few houses built there. Yang Ling brought her into a quiet room and hurriedly asked: "Is Miss Cheng well?"
Chu Ling sweetly said: "Thank you for your concern. Miss is well. Moreover, Miss also instructed … Daren is very concerned about another important matter. She has already arranged it properly and nothing will go wrong. Daren, please rest assured. "
Yang Ling blushed and hurriedly changed the topic: "Miss Cheng sent you here. Is everything prepared?"
Chu Ling said: "Yes. Japan's King Munyo's special envoy has already arrived secretly. Miss is accompanying them all the way to the capital. This servant will go first. I estimate that Miss will reach the capital within five days."
Japan's Emperor Munyo had already ascended to the throne for four years. Last year, he had just changed his reign to Yongzheng. The Central Plains was closed off from news and they were still used to calling him Munyo. Yang Ling was startled when he heard this. Emperor Munyo's special envoy? Cheng Qiyun was so careful that even her trusted maid did not know the truth? However, it was reasonable for her to be so careful. If she was not careful, it would be a huge crime. The less people who knew, the safer it would be.
Yang Ling thought of this and vaguely replied: "Very well. When you go back, tell Miss Cheng to stay in Tongzhou for the time being. Wait for my side to attack and defend to the final juncture. Then I will ask Miss Cheng to set off for the capital. She will launch a surprise attack and decide the outcome in one battle."
Chu Ling said: "Yes. When this servant came, Miss instructed that the two capitals are far apart. It is difficult to understand the recent situation in the capital. Miss does not know how Daren's preparations are going. Please tell me a thing or two. This servant will reply to Miss so that she will know what is going on."
Yang Ling paced back and forth with his hands behind his back. After thinking for a moment, he smiled and said: "Everything is settled. In two days, I will return to the capital and immediately ask the Emperor to hold a 'Grand Court Conference'. I will mobilize the officials to submit a petition to lift the ban on the sea."
Seeing Chu Ling hesitating, he could not help but smile and said: "Miss Chu Ling, I heard from Miss Cheng that the two of you have studied military strategy with her. Let me ask you. If you and I lead the troops to attack, you have four major strategic points to defend. One of them has already been quietly taken by me. As a result, there is a gap in the defensive line. Dividing the troops to defend will weaken your strength. It is very likely that I will take them down one by one. If it were you, what would you do?"
Chu Ling raised her eyebrows and said: "This is simple. Since I am the defending side, and I am already at a disadvantage and there is a gap in the defensive line, I will take the initiative to abandon the other passes and gather the troops at the most strategic point. We will be locked in a stalemate and fight the final battle."
Yang Ling praised: "Exactly. However, the reason why the most strategic point is difficult to attack is because you have a natural stronghold to defend. Perhaps it is a mountain that is tens of thousands of feet high that cannot be climbed, or a river with monstrous waves. But if the natural stronghold suddenly becomes a flat plain, what will you do?"
Chu Ling smiled bitterly and said: "Your Excellency is not talking about the art of war. It is more like a battle between two gods. If such a situation really happens, then I will gather the troops at one place and wait for you to slaughter them. It is better to divide the troops to defend and delay for a while."
Yang Ling smiled and said: "Therefore, you should reply to Miss Cheng that she does not need to worry. I will appear weak in front of this pass and let them see this as the only strategic point that they can rely on. They will concentrate all the opposing forces on this point. At that time, you will be able to launch a surprise attack and the natural stronghold will become a flat road. They will only be defeated and will no longer have the strength to resist. Do you understand? "
Chu Ling shook her head and frankly said: "Your servant does not understand."
Yang Ling laughed in spite of himself and said: "It doesn't matter if you don't understand. You can reply to Miss Cheng truthfully and she will naturally understand."
Chu Ling covered her mouth and laughed. She said: "When Miss asked me to tell Your Excellency that the extremely important matter has been arranged, your servant also did not understand. Miss also said that as long as I reply to Your Excellency truthfully, Your Excellency will naturally understand. I did not expect Your Excellency to have the same tone as my Miss."
She chuckled and said: "In that case, your servant will return. Finally, there is one more thing to tell Your Excellency. My Miss said that on the day she enters the capital, she will have an important gift for Your Excellency. When Your Excellency sees it, Your Excellency will definitely be overjoyed. "
Yang Ling asked curiously: "What gift is it that is so important?"
Chu Ling smiled and said: "Your servant does not understand. My Miss said that this matter can be said or not. If Your Excellency says something that this servant does not understand, then there is no harm in saying it so that Your Excellency will also not understand. Hehe!"
Chu Ling lightly and skillfully bowed and said proudly: "Your servant will take her leave!"
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