Chapter 381

At the gate of the Altar of the First Silkworm, Chen Ji turned his head.

As the Qi sisters approached him, they brought with them a waft of fragrant air.

Today, Qi Zhaoning was dressed in a willow-green gauze jacket with an upright collar, a moon-white patterned skirt, and pearl hair ornaments. Her face was specially made up, with finely drawn dark eyebrows and lips touched with rouge.

She stood gracefully before Chen Ji, her eyes sparkling. "Chen Ji," she said, "we just heard on the way that you flogged the Grand Supervisor of the Divine Palace—a member of the eunuch faction!"

Her very first sentence made Chen Ji's heart sink. He instinctively looked at Lin Chaoqing beside him, thinking, "This is bad!"

Ning dynasty officials took pride in condemning the eunuch faction!

In the seventeenth year of Jia'ning, Imperial Censor Wen Zheyi publicly cursed the eunuch faction outside the Meridian Gate. He was later demoted to the south by the Secret Intelligence Bureau, under the pretext of "misspoken while drunk," to serve as a seventh-rank county magistrate.

However, Wen Zheyi was not ostracized because of his demotion. On his journey south by boat, Ning dynasty officials everywhere greeted him with great reverence and saw him off, requesting his calligraphy.

Within three years of his demotion, he had effectively become one of the leaders of the southern literati!

Today, Chen Ji flogging the Grand Supervisor of the Divine Palace in plain sight of everyone was an even greater feat than Wen Zheyi's!

Among the twelve Internal Palace Directorates, the Divine Palace Directorate was merely a minor office, but it was nominally on the same rank as the Directorate of Ceremonials!

Humiliating the Grand Supervisor of the Divine Palace would surely be widely publicized, and Chen Ji wasn't worried about it spreading…

But you can't publicize it in front of the eunuch faction itself!

Lin Chaoqing looked at Chen Ji with a half-smile. "Lord Chen, what great prestige you have!" he said. "In this vast capital, others at most utter a few curses; few dare to actually strike a Grand Supervisor of the Twelve Internal Palace Directorates! I could originally have allowed Lord Chen to go in and have a look, but if I were to grant Lord Chen such convenience now, I fear I would have no place left in the Inner Court!"

Chen Ji didn't waste words with him; he turned and walked away.

He walked straight back to the Imperial Guards formation, took back the reins from Lin Yanchu, and silently pondered how to give the silver hairpin to Bai Li.

Qi Zhaoning followed behind him as if oblivious, still smiling radiantly. "Chen Ji," she said, "when you just got out of the carriage, everyone was discussing you. They even said that for the spring outing in a few days, they must ask someone to invite you along. But I told them you might not like such lively events, so it's perfectly fine if you don't go!"

Chen Ji didn't want to speak, but Qi Zhenzhuo, standing nearby, interjected, "How could that be? We can all go together then. It's been rather stifling in the capital for some days; we ought to get out and get some fresh air. Where do you plan to go for the spring outing?"

Qi Zhaoning quickly replied, "Fragrant Mountain! Crown Prince Brother will also be there. It's said he'll also hold a spring hunt to track down bears and coyotes that have just emerged from their dens. The one who takes first place will receive a prize!"

Qi Zhenzhuo secretly glanced at Chen Ji. "Then by that time," he said, "it will be an easy win for me!"

Chen Ji remained silent.

A Crown Prince's spring hunt—how could the Qi family's legitimate son not know? It was merely the brother and sister playing along with each other!

He pondered for a moment and said, "In a few days, it will be the imperial examinations. It's not proper for the Imperial Guards to leave the capital!"

Qi Zhaoning's expression darkened.

But this time, even Li Xuandu spoke up to help, saying, "It's fine. I will remain at the Governor's Mansion; you two can simply go!"

Before Chen Ji could refuse again, Qi Zhaoning pulled Qi Zhaoyun and left. "Let's not talk about it anymore," she said. "We're rushing to attend the grand ceremony; it should be starting soon!"

Chen Ji hesitated to speak.

He pondered that he likely wouldn't have another chance to be with Bai Li. Should he simply ask the Qi family to help take the plain silver hairpin inside and give it to her? But then he thought, if he really did that, Qi Zhaoning might cause some mischief, so he could only suppress the idea.

How should he give the silver hairpin to Bai Li?

The Altar of the First Silkworm Ceremony!

Qi Zhaoning pulled Qi Zhaoyun along, walking quickly. Qi Zhaoyun grumbled, "Walk slower; no wolf is chasing you!"

Qi Zhaoning slowed her pace, patting her chest. "I don't know why," she said, "but I feel a bit stifled when I'm close to him! Before, I never thought of him as a military general; it's only when I see him up close in armor that I remember!"

At this moment, several noblewomen caught up from behind.

A young woman held a silk fan in her hand and said with a beaming smile, "Zhaoning, was that Imperial Guard officer you were just speaking with Chen Ji?"

Qi Zhaoning said with a blush, "It was him!"

Several young women covered half their faces with their silk fans, teasing, "Zhaoning wants to get married!"

Qi Zhaoning, red-faced, pushed them playfully. "What nonsense are you spouting?" she retorted. "If you say another word, I'll tear your mouths apart!"

The women giggled. "As if we don't know what Master Chen Lizun of the Chen family said when he visited the Qi Residence yesterday!" they teased. "I heard that the Chen family's main branch has already begun preparing the Six Rites for the formal betrothal."

Qi Zhaoning was stunned for a moment. "How do you all know everything?" she asked.

The woman teased, "There's no such thing as a watertight wall in this world! In the capital, there are only a few places where officials and nobles buy tea and silk. The Chen family's main branch purchased so much at once; it's certainly not for their daily use! What's more, the Chen family's main branch commissioned the Directorate of Imperial Manufactories to make two golden geese. What else could such an item be used for besides a propitious gift?"

Noble families offering betrothal gifts must include the goose ritual, presenting a pair of live geese!

But it was early spring; geese were still in the south and wouldn't return north until March! Ordinary noble families would usually substitute with live geese, but the extravagant Chen family simply commissioned artisans to make two golden geese to show their sincerity!

Another woman poked Qi Zhaoning's shoulder. "These rumors have long been out; who do you think you can hide them from?" she whispered. "I heard that Grand Secretary Chen had the two concubine-born sons of the Chen family compete for adoption. This Chen Ji manipulated several managers of the Chen family's salt business; he doesn't at all seem like a military general, but rather like a strategist! Now that the main branch is preparing for the wedding, they must have already decided on the adopted heir. You, my dear, will be off to the Chen family to continue enjoying good fortune!"

Qi Zhaoning quickly said, "What the Chen family prepares is their business; I haven't agreed yet."

The women giggled. "Alright, alright, you haven't agreed! You'd better really not agree, so you can leave the opportunity for others! Oh, by the way... what about Zhaoyun's marriage?"

Qi Zhaoyun was not in high spirits. "I'm not getting married!" she declared.

Everyone was surprised by her reaction when they suddenly heard the bell of the Altar of the First Silkworm ring. Someone softly urged, "Hurry, the grand ceremony is starting! Her Imperial Majesty the Empress is about to offer sacrifices to the gods!"

The group hastened to the main hall together and stood in their designated positions according to the rules.

Imperial concubines stood at the front, titled ladies in the middle, and noblewomen at the back; each had their assigned place and were not allowed to move around freely.

Several women stood on tiptoe and from afar saw the Empress, her deep blue robes trailing, enter the Hall of Three Pure Ones surrounded by palace maids.

Outside the main hall, musicians from the Bureau of Music played, and palace attendants performed ceremonial dances. All the noblewomen from the capital stood silently with bowed heads at the foot of the steps, awaiting the completion of the ceremony.

Inside the main hall, the Empress calmly approached the statue of the Three Pure Ones and received nine long incense sticks from a palace maid.

Lighting three sticks symbolized the three powers of heaven, earth, and humanity.

Lighting six sticks symbolized the six directions: up, down, north, south, east, and west.

Lighting nine sticks symbolized supreme unity, intended to pray for blessings from heaven and earth, and to protect the nation and its people in peace.

The Empress, holding her wide sleeves, dipped the incense sticks in some fragrant oil and then brought them to the candle flame on the offering table.

But strangely, the incense sticks in her hand never lit, as if she were holding not incense sticks, but iron rods!

The Empress showed no change in expression, turning her head to glance at Yuan Jin.

Yuan Jin immediately realized something was wrong and quickly took another nine long incense sticks from nearby and handed them to her.

The Empress discreetly covered them with her sleeve, took the long incense sticks, and nonchalantly continued to place them over the candle flame to light them.

But this time, the long incense sticks still did not light.

Yuan Jin's expression changed. She lowered her voice and said, "Your Majesty, someone has tampered with the incense!"

The Empress said without changing her expression, "Don't make a fuss; bring more incense!"

Seeing the Empress's composure, Yuan Jin's mind slowly calmed down.

She immediately summoned several palace maids, who stood in a row in front of the door, blocking everyone's view.

She herself went to the side hall to get new long incense sticks and handed them to the Empress, waiting for her to light them.

But no matter how many sticks were changed, the long incense sticks still would not light.

The Empress looked at the long incense sticks in her hand and smiled. "Sister Xue certainly has great nerve," she mused, "and is truly impatient, daring to tamper with even a grand sacrificial ceremony!"

Yuan Jin frowned and asked, "What do we do now?"

The Empress calmly replied, "What else can be done? The ceremonial music and dance are about to end. Let's just pretend for now!"

With that, she feigned that the long incense sticks had lit, inserted them into the incense burner, and bowed three times.

The ceremonial music stopped.

When the last beat of the ceremonial drum fell, the Empress turned and walked out of the hall, as if nothing had happened.

But at this very moment!

At the foot of the stone steps outside the main hall, someone among the imperial concubines uttered a light gasp, pointing a finger at the inside of the Hall of Three Pure Ones. "Didn't the incense light?" she asked. "Why is there no smoke?"

Yuan Jin abruptly turned her head, staring intently at Consort Xue among the imperial concubines, her gaze like a knife, as if she wanted to carve a piece of flesh from her face!

The Empress looked at Consort Xue and said with a gentle smile, "Sister, you must have seen it wrong!"

Consort Xue pointed inside the main hall, feigning good intentions as she reminded her, "No, I didn't see wrong. The long incense sticks didn't light; there's not a wisp of smoke! Could something have gone wrong? Elder sister, quickly take the incense sticks down and light them again, lest the Three Pure Ones become angered!"

The Empress remained silent.

The noblewomen at the foot of the steps exchanged glances and whispered among themselves.

Emperor Ning's belief in Daoism meant that matters related to the Daoist court had always tolerated no sloppiness.

Or rather, belief or disbelief didn't matter; all the noblewomen knew in their hearts that there truly were deities in this world!

Now that the long incense sticks wouldn't light, it was a sign of the deities' displeasure, indicating the Empress's lack of virtue.

Someone whispered, "Could it be that last year's Yuzhou flood was also because of..."

"Silence!" someone hissed. "Are palace affairs something you can butt into? Do you have a death wish?"

The noblewomen felt regret. They had dressed up elaborately today, all thinking they were coming for a spring outing, but unexpectedly found themselves embroiled in trouble. It must be the Crown Prince's recent fortunes that had made Consort Xue anxious!

The Empress stood quietly and solemnly, surveying those below the steps, knowing in her heart that today would not end well.

As she pondered countermeasures, Yuan Jin gave a noblewoman a meaningful look. A noblewoman from the Hu family immediately cried out loudly, "Someone must have tampered with the incense, intending to frame Her Imperial Majesty the Empress! All those responsible for this matter should be arrested and thrown into the Imperial Prison for severe interrogation, to find out who the mastermind is and what their intentions are!"

Consort Xue calmly said, "No need to rush to assign blame! The sacrifice to the Silkworm Goddess is a major event. Quickly send someone to fetch the spare incense from this Altar of the First Silkworm and give it to Her Majesty, to see if it can be lit!"

The Empress chuckled softly, "And if it still won't light?"

No one spoke.

If all the long incense sticks couldn't be lit, even if a hundred people were killed afterwards, the Empress's perceived lack of virtue would still spread!

Yuan Jin whispered to the Empress, "Consort Xue must have prepared a backup plan. Once today's event is over, someone will certainly deliberately spread the news outside! I will immediately ride quickly back to the palace and retrieve the incense used regularly in Kunning Palace to ensure nothing goes wrong!"

The Empress whispered softly, "It's too late!"

Since Consort Xue dared to set up this scheme, she must have accounted for this point!

Before Yuan Jin returns, someone else will surely cause trouble.

But if she doesn't get the incense, how can she prove herself?

The Empress's gaze swept over the noblewomen's faces again, wondering if they were human or ghost hidden beneath those visages!

However, at this very moment!

Among the female Daoists of Jingyang Palace, Bai Li bent down and placed Wuyun on the ground, softly saying, "Be good, wait for me here!"

With that, she stepped out from the crowd and walked straight through, heading towards the Hall of Three Pure Ones.

The noblewomen looked in surprise at the female Daoist passing by. Her deep blue Daoist robe set off her neck, which was long and white as snow, and her unadorned eyes and eyebrows were as calm as a lake.

Consort Xue heard the commotion behind her, turned to look, and said, "Who are you? Step back!"

Bai Li ignored her, stepping onto the stone steps in front of the hall, one by one.

On the steps, the Relief Guards drew their swords and pointed angrily. "Who are you?" they demanded. "Step back!"

Bai Li's steps still did not stop; she regarded the long swords as nothing.

The Empress silently observed Bai Li for a moment, then suddenly smiled and said, "Put away your swords, let her come over!"

The Relief Guards didn't understand why, but they still sheathed their swords, allowing Bai Li to pass through them and enter the Hall of Three Pure Ones.

Bai Li took the divining blocks from the offering table, held them in both hands, and turned to walk out of the hall.

She knelt on the stone steps and declared, "Humble believer Bai Li prostrates herself, imploring the Three Pure Ones to discern right from wrong: Is the failure of the long incense to light today due to mischievous individuals?"

With that, she cast the divining blocks onto the blue bricks.

The Empress's pupils slightly contracted.

Yuan Jin reacted extremely quickly, declaring loudly, "One yin, one yang! The Daoist ancestors have revealed that today's matter is indeed the work of mischievous individuals."

At the foot of the steps, Consort Xue frowned and said, "To decide with a single throw of the divining blocks is a bit childish!"

Before she could finish speaking, Bai Li picked up the divining blocks and cast them onto the blue bricks again—one yin, one yang!

She cast them again, one yin, one yang!

Each time she cast, Yuan Jin announced.

By the sixth time, Consort Xue could no longer maintain her composure. Disregarding the palace maid's attempts to stop her, she gathered her skirt and ascended the stone steps, gravely watching Bai Li cast the divining blocks again!

Yuan Jin whispered, "Zhu Bai Li, that's enough!"

Now, six times of one yin, one yang was enough to silence the crowd. If she continued, should she happen to throw a different result under Consort Xue's watchful eye, all previous efforts would be in vain!

But Bai Li did not answer, instead casting the divining blocks again.

She cast them again.

She cast them nine times in a row, and each time resulted in one yin, one yang.

Yuan Jin was stunned for a moment, then said tremblingly, "Nine times yin-yang! Today, mischievous individuals are at work."

The Empress slowly let out a breath. She looked deeply at Bai Li's kneeling figure on the ground, then finally smiled broadly and said, "Where are the Relief Guards?"

The Relief Guards said in unison, "Here!"

The Empress calmly said, "Today's grand sacrificial ceremony concerns the livelihood of the common people for an entire year. Anyone who deliberately interferes with the ceremony is attempting to undermine the very foundation of my Ning dynasty! Arrest everyone involved with the Altar of the First Silkworm and throw them into the Imperial Prison. Interrogate them thoroughly, using torture if necessary, to determine who the mastermind is!"

The Relief Guards cupped their fists and said, "Yes."

Consort Xue looked at Bai Li in disbelief, unable to utter a single word.

The Empress smiled gently, "Sister, is there anything else?"

Consort Xue remained silent for a long time, then performed a full bow. "Elder sister's virtue is profound, and she is blessed by heaven," she said. "Your younger sister naturally has nothing more to say!"

The Empress bent down, took Bai Li's wrist, and pulled her up. "Why are you still kneeling?" she said. "Come, you shall accompany this empress in sacrificing to the Silkworm Goddess today!"

She felt Bai Li trembling slightly and gently patted Bai Li's hand.