'"The temple is filled...with such an awe-spring... aura, my lady,"' Nanny Na panted, struggling to breathe even. '"I can feel a heart-warming presence...wrap around me."'
'"That warmth you feel is Ruyi supporting you. Not anything else,'" Han Aeng dismissed Nanny Na's spiritual musings with a faint smirk. She cast her gaze over the panoramic view below. The sprawling palace and the bustling city seemed distant, almost insignificant against the backdrop of the mountain. The journey had begun at daybreak, and they had yet to reach the temple. "How much longer, Ruyi?"
"We're not too far from the temple, Wangfei," Ruyi replied promptly, attempting to maintain her pace while supporting Nanny Na as they continued their journey.
Today was the seventh of the sixth moon, and from what Han Aeng had learned, the seventh and eighth days of the sixth moon held a particular significance within the inner court.
Recognizing the challenges and pressures women in the imperial family and noble circles faced, the Empress Dowager sought to establish a symbol of harmonious and supportive unity among them, giving rise to the Blessings Festival. It reflected Empress Dowager's visionary approach to court life—one that transcended the rigid constraints of hierarchy and embraced the idea that a unified inner court would fortify the foundations of the imperial household.
During this time, she hoped the differences that often characterized courtly life melted away—wishing the festival to become a unifying force, emphasizing the bonds of sisterhood and mutual support. It would be a period when women set aside personal differences to celebrate their shared experiences and aspirations.
As the festival evolved, it acquired an additional layer of spiritual significance. It became an opportunity for women to gather in prayer, seeking divine intervention for various blessings that touched upon every aspect of life. From prosperous marriages to the gift of fertility and beyond, the collective prayers during the festival were believed to usher in blessings that would reshape destiny.
Over time, what originated as an exclusive affair for the imperial family swiftly became a festival that found a place in the collective consciousness of noble women and, surprisingly, even among the common people. Various temples opened their gates to partake in the festivities, and families from all walks of life would eagerly send their wives and daughters to participate in the night-long prayers, hoping to secure blessings for their household.
As they reached an iron gate, the grandeur of the Xianhua temple loomed before them. From the beginning of the temple and up to this very moment, the sacred sanctuary had maintained its exclusivity, welcoming only the imperial family and their entourage for all festivals.
The exclusivity of the Xianhua temple, while carrying spiritual significance, was also rooted in practical considerations. Positioned closest to the palace, the temple provided the convenience needed for the imperial family to partake in the festival's sacred rituals without venturing far from the heart of their power.
The temple's strategic placement on the mount facilitated easier and enhanced security measures. Fortified with four protective gates – one at the base, the second midway up the mount, the third at the temple gates, and the final one at the summit where the priests and guests would stay – it was a formidable stronghold.
The meticulously positioned gate served as both a symbolic and physical barrier. They stood as a testament to the careful planning and dedication to safeguarding the imperial family, ensuring that the sanctity of the Xianhua temple remained preserved. Those who sought blessings within its sacred walls were shielded against external influence.
The heavy doors swung open, revealing a priest and two younger attendants flanking him, their heads bowed in reverence. The priest stepped forward, a figure of age and wisdom, commanding the gathered women's attention.
"My humble greetings to the esteemed women of the imperial household. On this auspicious occasion of the Blessings Festival, you gather to seek harmony, unity, and the divine blessings that grace your lives."
His voice resonated with a timeworn authority as he spoke, echoing through the temple courtyard. The lines on his face seemed to soften as he shared words of assurance, and his eyes twinkled with subtle warmth, imparting a sense of comfort and trust to those who listened.
"Harmony and unity," Han Aeng mused, her expression betraying a subtle skepticism. She couldn't deny her reservations about the festival's vision. Considering the values that defined court life, the concept of the festival felt elusive and almost laughable.
As beautiful as the festival's ideals were, they clashed with the reality these women dealt with daily.
In court politics, threads of ambition, rivalry, and hidden agendas intertwined. A smile could hide a dagger, and a seemingly innocent conversation could carry the weight of political consequence. The delicate balance of power could shift with a whisper, and alliances were as fragile as the petals of a cherry blossom in the wind. It was a palace you wouldn't dare trust your own shadow.
Han Aeng's gaze flickered across the faces of the women surrounding her.
In such an environment, can these people find it in themselves to truly trust and wish the best for each other? If so, how wonderful that would be.
Beside her, Nanny Na nudged her, a silent inquiry in her eyes.
"I was thinking," she whispered to Nanny Na, stealing a sideways glance at the priest who, in her eyes, seemed more a relic of a bygone era. "He's practically got a foot in the grave! I wouldn't be surprised if he witnessed the Dowager's birth."
Her words promptly earned her a jab to the ribcage. Nanny Na's reprimand was clear despite not uttering a word. "Tsk."
Han Aeng felt a rebellious satisfaction in her jest, a small act of defiance against the occasion's solemnity.
"I say this every time, but I'll repeat it. As someone who watched Empress Dowager grow into the mother of the empire, I assure you are all in good hands.," the old priest continued, his gaze encompassing every woman in the room. "Follow her teachings, and you will receive blessings, and blessings alone."
He paused momentarily, letting his words sink in before continuing with unwavering confidence, "May the bonds you forge during this festival be as unyielding as the mountains surrounding us. May this festival strengthen the bonds among you and bring prosperity to your household and the empire."
With those words, the heavy doors of the temple creaked open, revealing the serene interior.
Led by the Empress Dowager herself, the imperial household women entered the temple doors, their steps synchronized with the beating of ceremonial drums and the melodious tunes of musicians.
The guards who had accompanied them from the palace positioned themselves at the gate—handing over the task of safeguarding these important women to the temple.
As Han Aeng passed the gate, she felt a chill run down her spine. Her eyes swiftly darted around, scanning the shadows and corners, but nothing out of the ordinary met her gaze.
A subtle shake of her head dispelled the unease that briefly crept over Han Aeng. She lowered her gaze, masking her expectant smile with practiced composure.
To think she had to be vigilant, even in the seemingly serene confines of a sacred temple.
Nanny Na, noticing the subtle shift in Han Aeng's demeanour, followed her gaze and raised a worried eyebrow.
'"The temple is prettier than the ones in Jeontu."' Han Aeng shrugged her shoulders, a hint of amusement in her voice.
With a subtle nod of approval, the old priest allowed the doors to close behind them.
The echoes of their footsteps mingled with the distant hum of prayers, marking the beginning of the sacred rituals of the Blessings Festival.
I'd like to take this moment to shout out annie_Warde!
(Ek my first interaction!!)
A priest guided Han Aeng to her quarters, located at the far end of the inner residence. The room was modest, furnished only with a bed and a small tea table.
"Please make yourself comfortable and join us whenever you're ready, my lady," the priest said courteously.
"Thank you," Han Aeng replied softly, watching the priest depart before turning her attention to the window. Through its frame, she observed the vista that stretched beyond, offering a view of the temple grounds and the distant quarters occupied by the priests.
"Are they short-handed during the Blessing Festival?"
"Not at all my, my Lady."
Han Aeng turned to find another priest entering her room, carrying a set of clothing in his hands. He paused, his gaze lingering on Han Aeng for a moment longer than necessary before moving around the room. Then, as if catching himself, he offers a small, apologetic smile "Forgive me, I've come with a set of clothes for you to change into."
"A young priest just to send me clothing, how lavish," she remarked with curiosity.
"Yes, well," he mumbled, avoiding her gaze. "The temple values efficiency, you see. It's important to ensure your comfort... um, promptly."
Han Aeng remained silent, her gaze steady and unwavering. The awkward silence stretched on till the he broke the silence. "W-we operate with a limited staff. Even, during the festival with the workload increases significantly,"
He placed the clothes on the table, straightening himself as if trying to regain his composure.
"Sometimes, we have a few maids from the palace help out," he continued, his voice faltering slightly as if he were carefully choosing his words. "But there's no cause for concern; we are all experienced and have assisted during the Blessing Festival for many years."
Finally, unable to bear the weight of her silence any longer, he mumbled an excuse and hastily made his exit, leaving Han Aeng alone.
"A few maids from the palace helping out, huh?."
Once she had settled down and freshened up, she changed into the pure white robes the priest had set out for her.
Stepping into the hallway, the soft rustle of flowing robes accompanied her, harmonizing with the steps of other ladies similarly adorned, all unaccompanied by their typical retinue of servants.
The nature of the Blessing Festival's ritual was meant to allow each woman to seek solace and blessings in solitude. Consequently, the servants were also assigned the same task – to engage in prayer and reflection, each on their own.
As the ladies bustled toward their designated spots, a vibrant energy filled the air, starkly contrasting Han Aeng's sense of awkwardness.
Usually, she didn't mind being alone. However, the temple and the people were both distant and unfamiliar to her. At this moment, she desperately missed her mother-in-law's protective presence.
It was then that a joyful voice echoed through the temple walls, cutting through the uneasy atmosphere surrounding Han Aeng.
"I think we all look rather cute in these white robes," declared Noble Consort Rong, her voice filled with lightness and mischief. She playfully twirled in her robes. "Perhaps it's time to bring it into the imperial court. Imagine the gossip that would stir—whispers of the imperial ladies twirling in white like carefree spirits!"
The Empress, a picture of composure, shot her a disapproving look. "Let's focus on the blessings we seek rather than becoming subjects of gossip."
"Why not? It reminds me of when we were kids."
"Which adult in their right mind let you wear white as a child?" the Empress teased, gently assisting Noble Consort Rong in fixing her hair.
"I'll have you know my uncle was a very sensible man," retorted Noble Consort Rong, swatting the Empress's hand away with an offended expression.
"Your uncle always had a few screws loose," chuckled the Empress Dowager, her eyes crinkling with amusement. "Then again, only Hai'er is the sane one in the family."
Witnessing the surprisingly harmonious exchange, Han Aeng couldn't help but be taken aback. The scene unfolding before her defied her initial expectations of tension and formality within the inner court.
Thinking about it, the Empress and Nobel Consort Rong got along rather well. Was this a reflection of the Empress Dowager's effort?
Perhaps her intel about the inner court dynamics needed to be revised.
Breaking through her contemplation, Han Aeng approached the trio and offered her greetings.
So far, Han Aeng's interactions with each of these ladies had proven surprisingly pleasant, excluding the Empress, with whom Han Aeng had a slight stir thanks to Mei Fubai's involvement. However, on the whole, there was no overt hostility from any of these influential women. The lack of animosity, rather than reassuring her, began to stir a sense of worry within Han Aeng.
Did these women truly have no wish to cause trouble for me?
"You look livelier than last time," observed the Empress, her gaze briefly assessing Han Aeng.
"Chenqie has been looking forward to the Blessing Festival. It has brightened my spirit", replied Han Aeng with a respectful nod.
The Empress Dowager nodded in approval. "It's good to see the younger generation so devoted."
"Chenqie eagerly anticipated the opportunity to meet everyone."
Despite being married for just over two weeks, Han Aeng found limited opportunities to interact with others. This was mainly due to Long Dahai's vigilant efforts to ensure her security. Whenever she left his courtyard, the security measures around her were tightened to the point where she felt uncomfortable leaving.
Even if she ventured around the palace, the other princess consorts resided with their husbands outside the palace. Thus, opportunities for casual encounters were scarce.
As for the other women of the harem, it was limited to their daily greetings to the Empress Dowager. She didn't want to get herself into trouble.
"You'll see the outcome of my effort in running the harem when you interact with the others today and even more tomorrow." The Empress Dowager's gaze held a promise of events to unfold.
The Blessing Festival worked on a well-thought-out schedule so that the newfound spiritual aspect would keep the original intent intact.
On the seventh day of the sixth moon, the women embarked on an early morning walk to the temple. There, they dedicated time to reflecting and seeking divine and ancestral blessings individually before reuniting at sunset. The remainder of the evening was spent in collective prayer, fostering a sense of unity among the women.
The carefully planned events aimed to wear them out physically during the challenging hike to the mount peak and then transition them into a more peaceful state of mind through prayer. This thoughtful approach allowed them to partake in various activities the following day, fostering stronger bonds without the need to be on guard with each other.
Thinking about it, this was not too different from how the military worked.
"Since it's your first time, you have to seek guidance from the elder priest?" Noble Consort Rong didn't wait for anyone to respond before she took Han Aeng by the arm and dragged her away. "Come on, I'll take you to him."
Han Aeng quickly excused herself politely and allowed herself to be led by Noble Consort Rong. She had gotten used to her mother-in-law's bursts of impulses.
"He's seen each one of us and given us sound teaching and warning. In my opinion, it would do you good to listen to his advice," Noble Consort Rong explained, her lips curling into a grin. "After all, none of us have died after following his guidance."
Noble Consort Rong led Han Aeng through the winding path, her steps purposeful as they entered a small corridor. The distant sounds of the bustling palace gradually faded, replaced by the soft echo of their footfalls against the secluded walls.
"Just between you and me," Noble Consort Rong whispered, "I've always thought I'd attend his funeral since I joined the harem, but that day still has to come!"
"Pft." Han Aeng drew her lips down, trying her best not to let the laughter slip. "Would it be too rude for me to agree?"
"Only if it's in front of others."
As they reached the room, the door was ajar, and a voice welcomed them, "Come, I've been waiting for you two."
Calming herself with a few puffs of air, Noble Consort Rong entered while holding Han Aeng's hand.
The room welcomed them with a serene atmosphere, exuding tranquillity under the soft sunlight that cast a warm glow. Adorned with intricate tapestries and carrying the subtle fragrance of burning incense, it seemed to hold the weight of centuries within its walls, as if the echoes of countless souls guided lingered in the air.
The old priest sat at the heart of the room, his face marked by the unmistakable signs of a life well-lived, etched with deep lines and wrinkles. Each crease told a story of a life devoted to service, a journey of spiritual significance that had left indelible marks on his countenance.
Noble Consort Rong guided Han Aeng to sit before the elder priest. "I'll entrust my daughter-in-law under your care just as the Empress Dowager entrusted me."
"I'll do my best to guide her," assured the old priest.
After exchanging a few words with the elder priest, Noble Consort Rong winked at Han Aeng and exited the room, leaving the young woman in the hands of the wise sage.
"Shall we start with your birthday, young consort?"
Clouds of Serenity Continent believed the specific conditions of the day of birth shape a person's destiny and influence their characteristics. Individuals associated with unique births have always been history-makers. During their lifetimes, significant events unfold - major rebellions, wars, the establishment of new laws, extended periods of peace, and more.
"First day of the third moon of—" she paused to count the years based on the reign of Shangwei's Emperor, "the 14th year of Emperor's reign. As for the time. I'm not too sure."
The priest nodded. Moving deliberately, he retrieved a thick, weathered book from the shelves. Settling into a contemplative silence, he flipped through its pages filled with important dates, natural occurrences, and rare events.
As the room fell into a growing stillness, Han Aeng let her gaze wander around, dividing her attention between the priest's actions and the door. Abruptly, her eyes narrowed, her senses alert to the unsettled air that enveloped the entrance.
The priest's hand halted on a page, and his eyes widened with astonishment as they snapped to her. "You were born on the day of the snowfall-filled spring?!"
Startled, Han Aeng's attention snapped back to the priest. She blinked, momentarily taken aback by the intensity of his reaction.
The snowfall-filled spring was the phenomenon of the century, a rare spectacle etched into the memories of those fortunate enough to witness it.
It was a day when the sun hung brilliantly in the sky, casting its golden glow upon the earth. The air was warm, carrying the sweet fragrance of blooming flowers, and the world seemed alive with the vibrant colours of nature. Yet, in this picturesque setting, delicate snowflakes descended from the heavens.
This surreal harmony of warmth and snow painted an enchanting scene—a fleeting moment frozen in time, where winter and spring coalesced in a celestial waltz.
Regaining composure, the priest shifted to a more composed tone. "For someone born on a day that encapsulates both spring and snowfall, it suggests a life journey marked by the ability to harmonize opposing forces. You possess a unique blend of resilience and adaptability, able to navigate life's challenges with grace and strength. And an innate capacity to find beauty and growth even in unexpected or contrasting circumstances."
Indeed, being born on a day marked by a polar opposite event signifies a unique blend of balance, resilience, and the adeptness to navigate through life's contrasting aspects.
The symbolism extends to the idea that, just as rare occurrences surrounded their birth, the person born on such a day will have a distinctive and rare fate. It hints at greatness, suggesting an extraordinary destiny waiting to unfold.
But what most people don't know is that the Destiny Symbol is tied to these types of unusual births.
Hidden in ancient texts and passed down through generations among those who hold spiritual knowledge, the Destiny Symbol is an intricate design that manifests on the individual's body, a celestial imprint mirroring the alignment of stars on the night of their birth. It is believed to be a divine blessing, a mandate that grants the individual the extraordinary ability to defy fate's constraints and influence the course of destiny itself.
But, there was no need to tell this young consort of this just yet. After all, she came from a foreign country; what good would it do to the country if she knew she could challenge destiny itself?
"You'd be the only one I've met in all my years with a rare birthday. I wish to see you again on your 20th, Wangfei."
A well-kept hidden knowledge is that the symbol and its blessing are dormant, waiting patiently for the individual to reach a moment of significance. It was said that when the time was right, the symbol's blessing would awaken, imbuing its bearer with the extraordinary ability to challenge and alter the predetermined course of not just their lives but the lives of many others.
The priests, keepers of ancient wisdom, held the sacred knowledge of interpreting these marks. The Destiny Symbol's location, size, and shape are believed to be vital to unravelling the individual's destiny. Each mark carries a distinctive message that tells a story of the person's potential and purpose.
It was widely understood and accepted that premature awareness of Destiny's Mark could disrupt the delicate balance between destiny and free will. Hence, it remained a closely guarded secret, shared only with those deemed ready to understand and embrace the responsibility that came with such a divine blessing.
"And you do not know the time of your birth?"
Han Aeng nodded. "My mother brought me into the world before assistance could arrive."
In light of that revelation, the priest sighed.
Ultimately, the blessing would only materialize if she were born within the specific timeframe of the snow falling; otherwise, she would be merely a child with a promising and fulfilling life.
After all, there would be several people born under rare births who did not have the same impact that resonated on history's grand stage as those born at the right time. Nevertheless, their subtle influence will ripple through families, friendships, and communities, reverberating in the small moments of daily life.
Long chapter. very long
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