Clan Rise: Starting as a Grandfather

Chapter 445: Chapter 423 Meeting the Crown Princess Consort

Three days passed swiftly, and Yu Qingyi set out early on a carriage ride to Fuhua Mountain in the western part of the Capital City. However, upon her arrival at Fuhua Mountain, she found that many carriages were already parked at its base.

”Marchioness! Those are all officials’ families invited by the Crown Princess Consort to join the Buddhist ritual!”

Yu Qingyi stepped down from the carriage, as Qingxia gently spoke.

Today, Yu Qingyi wore a golden beaded hair bun and a sun-symbolizing five-phoenix bead hairpin, dressed in a narrow-cut gown of golden-threaded floral brocade, covered with a lotus-green feather-yarn red fox fur cape, her attire exuding utmost dignity and splendor.

Yu Qingyi glanced at the equally exquisitely dressed Qingxia and Red Cloud beside her, whispering softly, ”Be smart when we meet the Crown Princess Consort!”

”Yes!” Both of them bowed gracefully in response.

Although they were from worldly society, they had spent years learning proper etiquette from their caretakers.

The necessary postures, the appropriate rituals, the rules to be followed; they had practiced them all.

These days, they had been following Yu Qingyi to various banquets in the Capital City, managing to be respectful in the presence of numerous officials’ families.

Moments later, a pair of red-dressed eunuchs slowly rode down the official road at the foot of Fuhua Mountain, followed successively by groups of eunuchs and guards, with eight eunuchs eventually carrying a golden, phoenix-embroidered palanquin that moved forward slowly.

The palanquin halted, and eunuchs along with maids rushed forward to assist an elegantly dressed woman in her forties to alight from it.

This woman was Mrs. Yu, the Crown Princess Consort. Now, the Crown Prince was of age, and the Crown Princess Consort’s age was close to his.

The Crown Prince married Mrs. Yu in the fourteenth year of Chengping, back when he was still known as Prince Cheng.

Mrs. Yu’s background was modest; her father was merely a households leader. In Da Rong, by ancestral law, it was decreed that the descendants of the Emperor, Princes, consorts, and concubines should prudently choose women from reputable families; others were not accepted.

Thus, the empresses, concubines, and the princess consorts in Da Rong mostly came from families of low-level civil and military officers.

This was to prevent external family interference in politics.

Despite her humble origins, Mrs. Yu had been Prince Cheng’s consort for twenty years and now, even more prestigious as the Crown Princess Consort, she had cultivated an aura of opulence.

Now, Mrs. Yu had two sons and two daughters, and together with the Crown Prince, who always treated her with respect and equality, her status in the Eastern Palace was extremely stable.

As the Crown Princess Consort stepped down from the carriage, many officials’ families rushed to greet her.

Yu Qingyi could only stand behind and perform a bowing ceremony to the Crown Princess Consort.

It was unclear what was said in the front, but after a while, a group of ladies started to ascend towards Dacheng Temple.

Fuhua Mountain wasn’t very tall, lacking the rugged steepness of higher mountains, but possessed many beautiful scenes.

Now, during the lush March season, vegetation was sprouting everywhere, forming speckles of green. Although it appeared somewhat monotonous, it was nonetheless worth admiring.

Yu Qingyi followed behind the crowd, climbing up along the bluestone steps.

It wasn’t that she was deliberately avoiding the Crown Princess Consort; rather, today’s invitation included many notable women like princesses and commandery princesses, as well as a few duchess and elder ladies. Yu Qingyi, in terms of both status and seniority, could not walk ahead of them.

Of course, she would not lag behind either; behind her were many young ladies from official families.

Nearly forty ladies and minor ladies, plus the serving maids, made a group of over a hundred people marching up the steps.

After about half an hour, they finally arrived at the front of Dacheng Temple.

It was evident that preparations had been made beforehand, as monks from the temple were already waiting at the entrance.

Next came a rather tedious Buddhist ritual. Yu Qingyi found it quite dull, following behind everyone, at times bowing her head, at times offering incense sticks, and occasionally pretending to chant a few scriptures.

Well, Yu Qingyi least liked monks, for in the worldly society, monks and Taoists were the most troublesome.

Taoists were better as they mostly secluded themselves in the mountains and seldom wandered in the worldly society.

But there were many monks, among whom several loved to meddle in worldly matters, being particularly sanctimonious and often coming up with the phrase ”lay down the butcher’s knife to become a Buddha instantly.”

We two have a blood feud, and today, having finally encountered each other, prepared to fight to the death.

Then suddenly, a monk appears, without asking questions, gives you a ”lay down the butcher’s knife to become a Buddha instantly”,Talk about infuriating!

In any case, Yu Qingyi had no interest in a group of monks.

By noon, the Buddhist ritual concluded, and the officials and noble ladies scattered to rest and chat in the pavilions and towers within Dacheng Temple.

Though called a ritual, it was essentially a gathering.

Organized by the Crown Princess Consort, it was attended by many officials and noble ladies.

Yu Qingyi found a secluded pavilion to rest; not that she needed rest, she just wanted some peace.

Her peace, however, was soon disturbed.

”Marchioness Jing’an, the Crown Princess Consort invites you inside for tea!” A female official came over, bowed to Yu Qingyi, and spoke.

Yu Qingyi nodded slightly, ”Then please lead the way, auntie!”

The female official before her was not young, apparently in her thirties.

And they did not casually address the palace maids; the younger ones were called ”young ladies”, those a bit older were ”aunties”, and the eldest were referred to as ”nannies”.

The court lady smiled gently at Yu Qingyi, ”Madam, please follow me!”

Subsequently, Yu Qingyi followed her lead to a pavilion.

Inside the pavilion, the Crown Princess Consort was seated at a tea table, enjoying some pastries.

”Lady Yang Yu pays respects to the Eastern Princess Consort, wishing Her Highness boundless blessings!” Yu Qingyi performed a respectful full bow.

The Eastern Princess Consort, also known as the Crown Princess Consort, is alternatively referred to as the Reserved Consort, indicating her status tied to the Eastern Palace.

The Crown Princess Consort raised her head, revealing a delicate and pretty face. Although she was nearing her forties, her face bore few wrinkles, only some laughter lines around her eyes.

”Madam Jing’an, please have a seat!” The Crown Princess Consort said with a welcoming smile, gesturing for Yu Qingyi to sit.

After expressing her gratitude, Yu Qingyi sat down properly opposite the Crown Princess Consort.

”It’s getting late, and the temple has prepared vegetarian meals, but I personally dislike the vegetarian food here, so I’m sneaking some desserts instead.”

”If the Madame does not mind, you may join me in these snacks.”

With a gentle smile on her face, the Crown Princess Consort spoke in a mild tone.

Yu Qingyi, not one for formality and indeed intrigued by the desserts in front of her, replied, ”Then I shall not be polite!”

Having said that, she took a piece of red bean cake and began to eat.

Thereafter, while chatting, the atmosphere became very amiable.

The Crown Princess Consort was exceptionally gentle, her every action radiated an approachable charisma that neither made you feel inferior nor terrified but rather like interacting with a dear friend.

Yu Qingyi found this fascinating; usually, she is not a person who easily warms up to strangers, always feeling a sense of detachment and vigilance around unfamiliar individuals.

This was a habit she built from her time wandering the worldly society, where trusting strangers lightly was not advised, lest you be unaware even of how you met your end.

However, in front of the Crown Princess Consort, she quickly let go of her caution and detachment.

In their conversation, the Crown Princess Consort mostly inquired about the Yang family— not prying into their personal affairs but asking about the wellbeing of people from the family, like how Yang Mingcheng, the eldest, was doing, what Yang Mingzhi was up to; yet mostly she spoke highly of Yang Yunxue, since Yang Yunxue resides in the Capital City, and the Crown Princess Consort was quite familiar with Changping Marquis Mansion.

After finishing a pot of tea, a pretty young girl approached cautiously to replace it for them.

Yu Qingyi, surprised, glanced at this maiden as she clearly was not one of the attending handmaidens of the Crown Princess Consort.

The young girl, probably around fifteen or sixteen, had a round, immature face that was extremely cute. She wore twin buns atop her head adding to her charm.

However, what surprised Yu Qingyi were the girl’s hands, which roughened with calluses though she tried to conceal it. Those were calluses typically formed by frequent sword practice.

Despite her petite frame, Yu Qingyi could tell that the girl was agile and robust, evidently trained in martial arts from a young age.

This young girl reminded her of the older Yang Yunxue, although Yang Yunxue was tall while this girl was more petite.

Noticing Yu Qingyi’s gaze, the Crown Princess Consort, took a sip of tea and then smilingly said, ”This is my niece Zijin. Zijin, quickly greet the Marchioness!”

The girl became slightly flustered after the reminder from the Crown Princess Consort, hurriedly putting down the teapot and bowing as she said, ”The young lady greets Madam Jing’an.”

”Hehe, no need for such formalities, young lady!” Yu Qingyi replied warmly.

The Crown Princess Consort said, ”Zijin previously lived in Dongping households, and might be lacking a bit in manners.”

Mockly, Yu Qingyi responded, ”Your Highness jests, comes from the worldly society as I am, talking about manners—I am far from exemplary!”

Hearing this, the Crown Princess Consort couldn’t help but laugh, ”I have long heard of you, Madam Jing’an, being a heroine among women. Seeing it for myself today, it truly holds true!”

Yu Qingyi modestly replied, ”I am no heroine among women, merely a woman of the worldly society. It is my fortune that the Marquis deigned to unite with me in marriage!”

The Crown Princess Consort’s smile became even brighter.

Yang Zhengshan and Yu Qingyi’s marriage is indeed a delightful tale in the worldly society.

Especially after Yang Zhengshan was ennobled, many women in the worldly society envied Yu Qingyi.

Among high-ranking families, some looked down on Yu Qingyi, and some on Yang Zhengshan, even disdaining the Marquis Mansion.

However, the Crown Princess Consort found the Yang family admirable, cherishing a couple that is harmoniously matched. Although she and the Crown Prince shared a good relationship, he was not her sole partner.

”The Palace heard that Chengye has reached the marriageable age!” The Crown Princess Consort shifted the conversation to Yang Chengye.

Yu Qingyi hesitated slightly but maintained a composed expression, ”Yes, the Marquis specifically sent me to the Capital to find a virtuous lady for Chengye.”

”Mhm, it’s indeed time to look carefully,” casually said the Crown Princess Consort.

But the implication was clear.

Her niece was present here, and inviting Yu Qingyi today was certainly no casual matter, even if not explicitly stated.

Yu Qingyi took a sip of her tea, then stood up to leave.

The Crown Princess Consort did not pursue further but bid goodbye to Yu Qingyi with a smile brimming with warmth.