Chapter 275: One More
Prince Duan would not act on his thoughts, not on this particular day, because the very next day was the Empress Dowager’s birthday celebration.
The sixtieth birthday celebration of Empress Dowager Yan Ping was the grandest banquet in Nanzheng State in years. Led by Crown Prince Zheng Congyuan, officials had gathered at Hanyuan Hall by midnight, praying for a peaceful and prosperous era for Nanzheng. Master Yu Sheng stood at the top of the Altar of Heaven in his white feathered robe, becoming the most conspicuous white figure between heaven and earth, his resounding and majestic bell-like voice permeating the entire Imperial Palace and spreading throughout Zheng Capital.
As the bell tolled, Zheng Capital resembled a city that never slept. The imperial road was brightly lit, and in nine out of ten households, lights were on, resembling stars scattered across the night sky.
The entire Zheng Capital exuded a tense yet orderly busy atmosphere. Ladies from prominent families had already risen, from bathing and purifying to donning their elaborate attire, which alone took a couple of Shichen. The order of departure for these aristocratic families had been established based on their route and departure time, and their carriages had already been quietly lining up outside the family gates, just waiting for the right moment to depart.
"Where’s the carriage?" Nanny Yun turned her head to send Xue Liu to hurry the coachman. Housekeeper He had already followed Prince Duan to the palace. Now Lin Er managed everything in Prince Duan’s Mansion, where there were few people and not many coachmen. The new ones were not yet proficient, and Lin Er, overwhelmed, had just prepared the carriage and arranged the coachman.
"What about the lanterns?" Nanny Yun was still worried, seeing everything in a chaotic hurry, and moreover, this was their commandery princess’s first departure from Prince Duan’s Mansion, and naturally, there could not be any mistakes.
"Oh, lanterns, the master has ordered to use those fine lanterns," Lin Er hurriedly had someone change the lanterns.
Zheng Nianru could barely keep her eyes open, leaning on Nian Xia, while Fu Dong dressed her and combed her hair.
"Commandery Princess, wake up, you cannot sleep anymore." Fu Dong gently shook Zheng Nianru, while Xing Yu packed some snacks in a bag.
"Commandery Princess, let’s take more things with us on the road, who knows when we will be able to eat."
"Oh come on, you can’t bring that into the palace, are you preparing it for yourself?" Nian Xia said peevishly, "You’ll be accompanying the Commandery Princess into the palace, you can’t only look out for food, make sure to stick close to the Commandery Princess and don’t let her be taken advantage of."