Flowery Hair: A Maidservant

Chapter 450 The Ceremony of Investiture (2)

The Great Zhou Dynasty has always placed great importance on etiquette, and the regulations for auspicious attire are extremely complex. The embroidery techniques for a single ceremonial robe are meticulous, not to mention the headdresses and accessories from head to toe.

Even with Aunt Mei and Green Willow offering guidance on the details, and Meng Shu herself having experience serving Consort Chun in her auspicious attire, it still took nearly half an hour to get her dressed.

First, she wore a high-waisted long skirt in crimson embroidered with water ripples, then tied a knee-covering in the same color embroidered with pheasant patterns, with a "blue-green ribbon" symbolizing the rank of a concubine at the edge.

Then Green Willow held up a blue belt with gold buckles and tied it around Meng Shu's waist. On each side hung a blue jade pendant, simply carved with cloud patterns. When she walked, it made a sound like the tinkling of jade pendants. Min Rong, who was standing by, presided over the ceremony, saying that this was in accordance with the etiquette of "a gentleman comparing his virtue to jade".

After donning the most dignified and magnificent cross-collar, wide-sleeved robe, Aunt Mei unfolded a purple shawl and gently draped it over Meng Shu's shoulder. The edge of the shawl was adorned with tiny gold bells, which would jingle softly when she walked quickly, adding a touch of nobility without being impolite.

The most difficult part was the headdress. Min Rong personally supported her head and carefully placed the headdress on her head.

This crown with nine flowers looks exquisite, but it is actually quite heavy.

As soon as she put it on, Meng Shu felt a weight on the back of her neck and couldn't help but sway slightly, which made Green Willow and Winter Melon, who was handing her the hairpin, chuckle softly.

"Your Majesty, move slowly," Green Willow quickly supported her arm, took two golden phoenix hairpins from Winter Melon's hand, and inserted them diagonally into the hairpins behind the crown. The hairpins were made of thin gold sheet, engraved with lotus scrolls, and had a few strands of pearl tassels hanging down, which perfectly covered the seams of the crown.

Only after the end of the golden phoenix hairpin was firmly inserted into the hair bun did Green Willow straighten up and use a silver comb to smooth down the stray hairs at Meng Shu's temples.

"Your Majesty, everything is settled."

Meng Shu gently pressed her fingertips against her waist, slowly exhaled, and then stared at her slightly unfamiliar reflection in the bronze mirror.

She was already extremely beautiful, and after putting on this auspicious robe, her eyes revealed a calm sharpness and solemnity, which was completely different from the innate nobility of Consort Chun.

Consort Chun's eyes conveyed distance and aloofness, while Meng Shu's eyes revealed a clear understanding of the world, like jade immersed in a clear spring. Beneath the ripples, one could see distinct edges and corners.

"This servant congratulates Your Highness on your conferment of the title of Imperial Concubine today."

The head maid, Min Rong, led all the palace servants in kneeling on the ground, their cries of congratulations so loud they made Meng Shu's eyes twitch. Just then, Aunt Mei brought Yu Nu'er over, and upon hearing the noise, Yu Nu'er immediately let out a loud wail.

"Get up, everyone."

Meng Shu raised her hand in a gesture of support, but with such attire, she couldn't hold Yu Nu'er right now.

Aunt Mei moved the swaddled baby closer to Meng Shu, and Meng Shu touched Yu Nu'er's cheek. Yu Nu'er immediately stopped crying and unconsciously spit out a few milk bubbles.

Seeing this, Min Rong smiled and said, "The eldest prince is so intelligent and has a natural air of nobility. He is already so caring at just one month old. Knowing that His Highness is to receive gifts today, he is obedient and does not make a fuss."

The little one seemed to understand the praise; its little mouth moved, and milk foam burst, oozing out a string of soft, fluffy bubbles that warmed the heart.

Seeing the prince's cooperation, Min Rong smiled so much her eyes narrowed: "Your Majesty, you see, wasn't I right? The First Prince is just following my advice!"

Meng Shu: "......"

Min Rong, having served in the imperial court for many years, even his flattery had a certain finesse.

Meng Shu teased Yu Nu'er's little hand with her fingertips, ignoring her words. Seeing this, Lü Liu immediately stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, there is still less than half an hour before 9:00 AM. It's time to go to the palace gate to 'receive the imperial edict'."

The so-called welcoming ceremony was "the procession of ceremonial guards first, and the recipient of the title welcoming them at the palace gate."

The official in charge of rites led the eunuchs carrying the imperial edicts from the inner treasury, with a procession clearing the way, until they arrived outside the gate of Lingcui Palace.

Meng Shu, dressed in her formal attire, led her palace servants and attendants to kneel and greet the emperor outside the palace gates. After receiving the imperial edict, she then proceeded with the ceremonial procession to the main hall to formally receive the investiture.

The ceremonial guard waited outside the gate of Lingcui Palace, and Dong Ming came over to announce their arrival.

Meng Shu, supported by Lv Liu's arm, slowly walked towards the palace gate. Aunt Mei followed closely behind, carrying Yu Nu'er. Three wet nurses, holding spare swaddling clothes, followed in turn with Xia'er, Hong Yu, and others.

After kneeling to receive the imperial edict and seal, Meng Shu boarded the sedan chair and followed the officials and ceremonial guard to the Linde Hall.

......

Since the last time she escorted Consort Chun to the imperial palace from Huining Palace, she had not stepped out of Cuiyu Hall for a long time.

Sitting in the sedan chair, one's gaze is drawn upward to a sky without a single cloud, and downward to the continuous vermilion palace walls, majestic halls, and the winding palace road that seems to have no end.

The eunuch leading the way moved slowly to the rhythm of the music. When they passed Taiye Pond, they could see the lotus leaves crowded together and the pink and white lotus flowers just beginning to bloom.

Further ahead, past the Shujing Hall, all was quiet and still.

The palace gates are tightly shut, and Lady Shen is still inside reflecting on her mistakes.

Meng Shu's gaze lingered on the palace gate. Shen's father and brothers were fighting in the northern frontier. If they could achieve military merit, there might be a chance for this tightly closed palace gate to be reopened.

As I walked along the palace path leading to Linde Hall, I caught a glimpse of a vigorous sycamore branch peeking out from behind several palaces at a corner. Consort Qing had fallen seriously ill last night, but this morning she was granted the grace of being released from confinement and allowed to enter the palace to visit her.

Meng Shu lowered her eyes, her lips curling into an undisguised sarcasm.

Green Willow sensed something and quietly coughed. Meng Shu smiled silently at her.

She looked back at the back of the sedan chair. Aunt Mei was carrying Yu Nu'er steadily, with Mingyue and Donggua protecting her on either side.

As the procession continued, palace servants and eunuchs along the way would kneel down at a distance when they encountered it.

This also includes Qu Jieyu.

"This humble servant greets Consort Jin. May Your Highness be well." Consort Qu stepped aside and knelt down to pay her respects.

Today is Meng Shu's investiture ceremony. According to etiquette, all those of the rank of concubine and below must kneel in obeisance. She performed the etiquette perfectly, but her voice was low and her emotions were unreadable.

Meng Shu responded lightly from inside the sedan chair, "No need for formalities." Her gaze swept over Qu Jieyu's hanging hair. Today, Qu Jieyu was dressed plainly, and her hair ornaments were also exceptionally simple. There was not a single bright color in her entire outfit.

Qu Jieyu was helped up by Ruixue, and her eyes lingered on the three wet nurses in the group.

At the beginning of the hour of Si (9-11 AM), the vermilion doors of the Linde Hall were slowly pushed open.

The officials stood solemnly on both sides, their golden staffs striking the bluestone bricks with a dignified echo.

Meng Shu alighted from the sedan chair, and after a short while, Qu Jieyu also quickly arrived at the front of the hall, standing side by side with Qi Pin and the others.

Consort Qi walked up to Meng Shu and spat in a low voice: "What bad luck! Although Consort Qu doesn't usually wear red and green, she's never dressed so plainly. Today she looks like she just came from a Buddhist temple."