Flowery Hair: A Maidservant

Chapter 451 The Ceremony of Investiture (3)

Meng Shu chuckled at her teasing. She raised her hand to straighten Zhai Yi's collar. The satin was so thick that it felt like she was enveloped in a layer of heat... If she didn't hurry into the palace, she felt she was about to suffer from heatstroke.

As the group chatted in twos and threes as they ascended the jade steps, Consort Qi was still talking about Consort Qu when Meng Shu caught sight of the ice basin in the hall, which made her feel a little relieved.

They had barely rested in the hall for the time it takes to drink half a cup of tea when the announcement of "The Emperor has arrived" came from afar. Everyone quickly rose and straightened their clothes, and saw the Emperor and Empress slowly entering.

Meng Shu led the concubines in performing the curtsy. The Empress slowly walked to Meng Shu's side, the pheasant pattern on her phoenix robe echoing Meng Shu's auspicious attire. She smiled and looked at Meng Shu, "Today is Consort Jin's special day. My sister is radiant and looks even more elegant than usual."

When the Emperor saw Meng Shu dressed like this for the first time, the corners of his mouth unconsciously turned up slightly. He personally stepped forward to help her up and had just said, "There is no need for formalities today," when the Master of Ceremonies stepped forward and bowed, saying, "Your Majesty, it is now 9:45 AM, the auspicious time has arrived."

The master of ceremonies struck the ground again with his golden staff, and after a loud "thud," the musicians below immediately began to play the grand ceremony music.

The master of ceremonies, holding a gilded ceremonial plaque, stood solemnly in the hall and announced loudly: "Consort Jin receives the imperial edict—"

Supported by Green Willow and Winter Melon on either side, Meng Shu slowly walked to the altar in the main hall, wearing cloud-patterned brocade shoes.

"...On the ninth day of the sixth month of the second year of Zhenghe, the eldest son of the emperor was one month old and named 'Jing'. He was the eldest in the family and was recorded in the family genealogy. He was also registered in the imperial genealogy on the same day."

The Master of Ceremonies' voice echoed in the hall, carrying the solemnity unique to the rites, "...Your Lady Meng, the Consort Jin, is gentle and virtuous by nature, and prudent in her conduct. She gave birth to the imperial heir, and her contributions to the nation are immense. Today, she is promoted to the rank of Consort Jin and bestowed with a golden book and imperial seal."

The moment the last word was uttered, the bells and drums outside the hall resounded loudly.

Twelve eunuchs entered one by one, each carrying a golden tray containing the imperial concubine's crown and robes, seal, and several precious gifts bestowed by the emperor.

"Your Majesty, I, Meng, kowtow to express my gratitude for Your Majesty's grace. Now, I am honored to hold the position of Consort by Your Majesty's favor. I will certainly be diligent and cautious, and strictly abide by the virtues and rules of the palace. I only wish Your Majesty a long and prosperous reign, abundant imperial offspring, and harmony in the six palaces."

Meng Shu performed the grand ceremony of three kneelings and nine kowtows, her voice clear and resonant.

From then on, she would not only be the birth mother of the eldest prince, but also Consort Jin, whose name would be recorded in history.

After the ceremony, he raised both hands above his head to receive the seal, and Green Willow stepped forward to receive the crown and robes.

Aunt Mei stood beside Meng Shu, holding the swaddled Gu Jing. The little guy had woken up at some point and rubbed his head against the swaddle, as if echoing the joyous atmosphere in the hall.

After the investiture ceremony concluded, Consort Qi turned first, leading the other concubines behind her in a kneeling bow to Meng Shu, "Your Majesty, we congratulate Consort Jin on her promotion!" The sounds of congratulations filled the hall. According to custom, Meng Shu was required to host a celebratory banquet at Lingcui Palace the following day, but given the ongoing war in the northern border, all banquets in the palace were to be simplified, and this procedure had been specially waived by imperial decree.

After the morning greetings ceremony, everyone rested briefly before heading to the full moon banquet.

However, before the banquet, the emperor would lead all the officials to the Imperial Ancestral Temple to offer sacrifices and inform the ancestors of the naming and registration of the eldest son.

The Empress, along with the concubines from various palaces, waited in the Linde Hall. At this time, a group of noblewomen from the imperial family had already gathered in the side hall to attend the full moon banquet.

Meng Shu instructed Dong Ming to take good care of Yu Nu'er, then glanced at Wet Nurse Li out of the corner of her eye. Wet Nurse Li followed behind the group, nodding slowly to Meng Shu before leaving the main hall. The other two wet nurses were filled with unease, having just vaguely sensed something amiss in their bodies, but dared not show it due to the occasion, merely enduring it, their temples damp with sweat.

Two hours later, just as the sacrificial ceremony at the Imperial Ancestral Temple was completed, the imperial edict announcing the news to both the public and the people was ready.

Officials from the Ministry of Rites carried an imperial edict bearing the seal of the Emperor and exited the palace through the Donghua Gate. The edict was written on bright yellow silk, and the ink was the Emperor's own handwriting: "...The eldest son of the Emperor, Gu Jing, is born to Consort Jin, née Meng. His name was decided at the full moon, and is hereby recorded in the Imperial Register and announced to the Imperial Ancestral Temple."

The imperial edict was first sent to the Court of Imperial Clan Affairs for filing, and then relayed by post to various prefectures, cities, and counties, where it was posted on notice boards at the city gates so that the whole country would know the title of the eldest son of the emperor.

Everything went smoothly, and the group returned from the Imperial Ancestral Temple.

After passing through Chengtian Gate and entering the Taiji Palace area, they had not yet reached Linde Hall. Dong Ming was carefully carrying the little master and walking steadily forward, the swaddling clothes wrapped in a thin veil to block out the sun.

He noticed that the three women, including the wet nurse, were walking unsteadily. Just as he was about to ask them something, he suddenly noticed that several light red rashes had appeared on their faces, as if they had been caused by the heat, yet they also looked rather strange.

"not good!"

Dong Ming gasped in surprise, tightening the swaddling clothes around his chest. The hairs on the back of his head stood on end. The three wet nurses had cared for the young master since birth, providing him with food and supplies specially supplied by the palace. How could they all suddenly develop rashes at the same time?

Jingming, who was walking slowly with the emperor's entourage, heard the sound and his heart sank. He turned around and quickly returned.

This sight terrified him so much he almost lost his mind!

When the news reached the Emperor, upon hearing that the wet nurse had met with misfortune, the Emperor was furious, but a look of lingering fear had already crept into his eyes.

He stepped down from the sedan chair and strode to Dong Ming, personally taking the swaddled baby from his arms. He lifted the thin veil with his fingertips and saw that Yu Nu'er's face was fair and her breathing was even, with no abnormalities in her body. He breathed a heavy sigh of relief, but his arms holding the swaddled baby remained taut.

Not far away, Prince Rui and his entourage saw the imperial procession suddenly stop and Jingming hurriedly moving about. They exchanged glances and were about to go forward to ask him something when they were stopped by the imperial guards standing by the procession.

Among the officials, Tang Xian's expression was slightly somber. Unlike the others who peeked around, he focused his sharp gaze on the three wet nurses kneeling on the ground.

The Duke of Qing stood a few steps away, his fingers stroking his beard pausing for a moment, a flash of excitement crossing his eyes. This mishap might be a disaster for some, but an opportunity for others.

On the other side, Marquis Zhenbei frowned, a vague unease creeping into his heart...

He Yizheng, who was accompanying the officials, was talking to his colleagues at the end of the procession when Jingming suddenly grabbed his arm and dragged him forward.

He staggered as he was pulled to the front. When he looked up, he saw the Emperor's face was ashen. Then, when he caught a glimpse of the rashes on the wet nurses' faces, he felt dizzy and almost fell straight down. "Your Majesty, Your Majesty, I will examine them now!"

The wet nurse, Li, had already helped the other two wet nurses kneel on the ground. "Your Majesty," they said, "the three of us felt itchy all over and a little dizzy about two hours ago, but we didn't dare make a sound because we thought today was the First Prince's special day. Since then, we haven't held the First Prince again..."

Physician He carefully examined the prince, and within a short time, his anxiety subsided considerably. His tone became more composed as he carefully said, "Your Majesty, the Crown Prince's pulse is normal, his breathing is even, and there are no abnormalities on his body. At present, there are no signs of infection."

The Emperor relaxed his brow slightly and raised his hand to call Jingming: "Take them away first and let Tong Bo investigate thoroughly."

After giving his instructions, the Emperor personally carried Gu Jing onto the sedan chair, and the group headed towards the Linde Hall.

With a solemn expression, Jingming led Physician He and Wet Nurse Li to the Imperial Hospital.

Inside the Imperial Medical Academy.

Doctor He first took the pulse of wet nurse Li. When his fingertips touched her wrist, he listened carefully. Although the pulse was slightly fast, it was still relatively steady, without being weak or sluggish. He then looked at her eyelids. The whites of her eyes were only slightly red, not like someone with urticaria. His brows gradually furrowed, and his fingertips lingered on her wrist for a moment before he removed them.

Next came the two wet nurses. Doctor He's movements became even more meticulous. He not only took their pulses and examined their eyelids, but also specifically checked their palms and behind their ears. When he finally straightened up, his face was full of doubt: "Strange, the pulses of all three wet nurses are normal, and their breathing is steady, but the red spots on their faces are clearly the appearance of the early stages of rubella..." He paused, "Usually, rubella is accompanied by hot palms and an irregular pulse, but they don't have these."

Upon hearing this, the wet nurse casually rubbed her sleeve with her fingers. Doctor He, who could vaguely smell a bitter, herbal scent, immediately grabbed her sleeve and rubbed it...