Chapter 27: Traveling Palace
Before the sacrificial ceremony, preparations for various matters were underway, with over a dozen departments involved in the arrangement of tribute, activities, and the ceremony itself, creating a myriad of details to attend to.
However, there was one task that Master Huo Yi from Qiandao Temple had to personally handle. The sacrificial ceremony was conducted in accordance with the trends of destiny, relying on the way of heaven, hence there were things and people to be avoided. And among the participants, there were zodiac conflicts; this year, the zodiac signs to be avoided had already been sent to Noble Consort Wen’s palace well in advance.
The snake conflicted with the sheep. This meant that everyone in the Imperial Palace who belonged to these zodiac signs had to keep out of sight.
Noble Consort Wen was born in the year of the sheep, making her the first to be affected. Had it not been for Master Huo Yi personally setting the zodiac signs, she would have thought the Empress had done this on purpose, but since it was determined by Master Huo Yi, she dared not utter even half a word of objection.
Thus, a thorough investigation began within the Imperial Palace, reaching from the noble concubines down to the palace maids and eunuchs. Four days later, a list was drawn up consisting of four to five hundred names.
Arranging a place for these people was not difficult; the Traveling Palace outside the city had been tidied up in advance. Even if there were princes and princesses among them, they each had their own separate courtyard.
Nevertheless, Noble Consort Wen was somewhat worried that the Second Prince’s health might suffer from the change in environment, and that the Fourth Prince, left alone in the palace, might become even more unruly without proper supervision.
"Your Highness, there’s no need to worry so much. Have a look at who else is on this list," Eunuch Kang Ning pulled out a list from Xingqing Hall, pointing at a name written on it.
"Princess Chao Ren?" Noble Consort Wen did not understand Kang Ning’s intention and disliked when people only spoke in half-truths.
Eunuch Kang Ning, well aware of his master’s temperament, quickly clarified.
"Isn’t Your Highness concerned about the Fourth Prince getting overly close to Princess Chao Ren? Now, she is at your disposal—what an excellent opportunity."