Reborn as Powerful Minister's Beloved
Chapter 27: Traveling Palace

Chapter 27: Chapter 27: Traveling Palace

Before the sacrificial ceremony, preparations for various matters were underway, with over a dozen departments involved in the arrangement of tribute, activities, and the ceremony itself, creating a myriad of details to attend to.

However, there was one task that Master Huo Yi from Qiandao Temple had to personally handle. The sacrificial ceremony was conducted in accordance with the trends of destiny, relying on the way of heaven, hence there were things and people to be avoided. And among the participants, there were zodiac conflicts; this year, the zodiac signs to be avoided had already been sent to Noble Consort Wen’s palace well in advance.

The snake conflicted with the sheep. This meant that everyone in the Imperial Palace who belonged to these zodiac signs had to keep out of sight.

Noble Consort Wen was born in the year of the sheep, making her the first to be affected. Had it not been for Master Huo Yi personally setting the zodiac signs, she would have thought the Empress had done this on purpose, but since it was determined by Master Huo Yi, she dared not utter even half a word of objection.

Thus, a thorough investigation began within the Imperial Palace, reaching from the noble concubines down to the palace maids and eunuchs. Four days later, a list was drawn up consisting of four to five hundred names.

Arranging a place for these people was not difficult; the Traveling Palace outside the city had been tidied up in advance. Even if there were princes and princesses among them, they each had their own separate courtyard.

Nevertheless, Noble Consort Wen was somewhat worried that the Second Prince’s health might suffer from the change in environment, and that the Fourth Prince, left alone in the palace, might become even more unruly without proper supervision.

"Your Highness, there’s no need to worry so much. Have a look at who else is on this list," Eunuch Kang Ning pulled out a list from Xingqing Hall, pointing at a name written on it.

"Princess Chao Ren?" Noble Consort Wen did not understand Kang Ning’s intention and disliked when people only spoke in half-truths.

Eunuch Kang Ning, well aware of his master’s temperament, quickly clarified.

"Isn’t Your Highness concerned about the Fourth Prince getting overly close to Princess Chao Ren? Now, she is at your disposal—what an excellent opportunity."

"What opportunity? Surely you don’t mean to kill her; that’s Prince Duan’s offspring, and Prince Duan would fight you to the death. So, even if the Empress Dowager wishes for this troublesome princess to die, she hasn’t dared to lay a hand on her to this day. Besides, why court such trouble?"

"The opportunity to ensure that Princess Chao Ren can never return to the Imperial Palace." Kang Ning continued, "The princess is also thirteen years old now. Although our Nanzheng State advocates late marriages, thirteen is about the age to get engaged. If this princess encounters a suitable young man in the Traveling Palace and takes a liking, what then...?"

"What if she doesn’t fancy anyone?" Noble Consort Wen struggled to understand how someone like Princess Chao Ren could find a match in the Traveling Palace, a place not just anyone could enter.

"My dear Highness, your heart is truly as compassionate as a Bodhisattva. Princess Chao Ren has been confined to Qishun Building since she was born, never having left it. Any young man with a hint of charm who shows her a bit of interest, how could she not be moved? Moreover, the princess is Prince Duan’s only offspring; to have her is to control Prince Duan. Even without an opportunity, Your Highness can create one, but it must be with someone from our side."

Noble Consort Wen fell silent; Kang Ning’s words had indeed tempted her.

Prince Duan, who possessed great talents for governance, had once been a fierce competitor in the struggle for choosing the worthy successor. For the sake of the Commandery Princess, he willingly abandoned all power. If she could secure Prince Duan’s support for the Fourth Prince...

Therefore, this person must also be from the Wen Family.

Noble Consort Wen crumpled the piece of paper in her hand, as if she could see the possibility of the Fourth Prince ascending to the throne in an instant.

...

Prince Duan sought an audience for two days before he finally met with Empress Dowager Yan Ping.

As the Empress Dowager Yan Ping’s once favored son, for whom she even sacrificed her eldest son to secure him the throne, plotting the struggle for power herself, her feelings had now turned from that old fondness to intense hatred.

Still, the lady in Qishun Building was indeed getting older, and Empress Dowager Yan Ping could not help but consider future matters.

Prince Duan walked emotionlessly on the grounds of the Imperial Palace, and even though the person he most desired to see was inside, he dared not show it, fearing any slight action might harm Nian Ru, who was alone inside the palace.

The only daughter Lady Ru had struggled to give birth to; seeing her even once was too much to wish for.

Now that there was such an opportunity, one that might allow him to bring her back to Prince Duan’s Mansion, he would willingly lower his stance.

"Prince, you’ve arrived," Nanny Du personally waited at the entrance of Xingqing Hall, looking affectionately at Prince Duan whom she had cared for since his youth. With the stature of a dragon and phoenix, even in simple everyday attire, he stood tall and straight like bamboo—how could one not show favor?

"This son pays respects to Mother Empress Dowager." Prince Duan was hardly emotional; he had no interest in the struggle for succession, but fate played its tricks. By now, his feelings were not of regret, only sorrow.

"Boding, have you come to ask me for something?" The heart of Empress Dowager Yan Ping had long since died. One son was practically half dead, another truly half dead, and she was still alive only because, if she left, the two half dead would become fully dead.

"This son feels ashamed for not being able to fulfil filial duties by your side. Now that spring has returned, yet the mornings and evenings are still cold, I beg Mother Empress to add clothing and take great care of her health," Prince Duan bowed deeply, filled with remorse.

The Empress Dowager’s voice softened after her heart softened.

"You’re not young anymore, and you also should take care of your health."

"Yes, this son thanks Mother Empress for her concern."

"Look at you, getting confused like me. Why are you still making Prince Duan kneel?" Empress Dowager Yan Ping complained, glancing at the servants sprawled on the floor.

Nanny Du personally came forward to help Prince Duan to his seat.

"Her Majesty the Empress Dowager, we servants might be muddled, but we would never dare to obstruct Prince Duan from showing you filial piety," all the servants in the room laughed, and Empress Dowager Yan Ping scolded them with a smile, calling them old things.

"Boding, what brings you here today?" The mood of Empress Dowager Yan Ping lightened somewhat, thinking that even if they met, it didn’t matter, after so many years and seeing each other so many times, one more time was just one more meeting.

Prince Duan hesitated over how to start, but no matter how he phrased it, he anticipated rejection, so he might as well get straight to the point.

"In truth, there is a matter for which this son seeks your help; I would like to have Nian Ru stay at the Mansion for a while," Prince Duan knelt down again, and the previously harmonious atmosphere in the room suddenly quieted.

Nanny Du glanced at Empress Dowager Yan Ping, trying to read something from her face, but seeing nothing, could only cast a reproachful glance at Prince Duan.

"Prince, is this because of the prayer ceremony? Are you worried because the Commandery Princess is going to the Traveling Palace?"

"Mother Empress, Nian Ru has never left Qishun Building, and now that she is traveling to the palace, without your care, this son wishes to take her back to the Mansion for some time. After the prayer ceremony is over, this son will bring her back to the Palace," Prince Duan spoke calmly, facing his own mother, disdaining any tricks.

Empress Dowager Yan Ping looked at the son on the ground who was once her favorite and said nothing.

Nanny Du was somewhat anxious, wondering why the Prince couldn’t start by showing concern for Her Majesty the Empress Dowager; if Her Majesty were pleased, she might even allow you to meet, but suddenly making such a request... Once the Commandery Princess came to the Prince’s place, how would she ever be sent back?

"Prince, the small kitchen has your favorite chef cooking today. How about having a meal before you go?" Nanny Du hesitated before suggesting.

"Nanny Du, are you the one in charge of Xingqing Hall now?" Empress Dowager Yan Ping asked coldly. It seemed as though someone was getting too bold.

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