On the Lantern Festival, the town was decorated with lanterns and colorful decorations. Tang Zhuyun dared not go out and squeeze with the crowd, so she stayed in the inn and looked out from the third floor.
Although it couldn't compare to the luxurious cars and horses of the capital, it was still dazzling and brightly lit.
Prince of Jin originally wanted to accompany her, but Tang Zhuyun was worried about Yanran going out, so she asked him to watch over Yanran instead.
Every year during the Lantern Festival, many people take pictures of flower petals, which can easily lead to stampedes.
Where can one find guards as trustworthy as the Prince of Prince of Jin?
Xiu'er stood next to Tang Zhuyun, looking down with extreme envy.
"When Song Jingyang comes back, I'll have him buy me a row of revolving lanterns."
Tang Zhuyun, with her deep pockets, said generously, "Why wait for Song Jingyang to come back? I'll take you!"
Xiu'er muttered softly, "How can that be the same?"
"Oh dear, you're disgusted with me, aren't you?"
Xiu'er said, "Spending a man's money is different."
Double the fun!
Tang Zhuyun: "Wouldn't it be hard for Mianmian to be happy?"
Xiu'er: "Being a fangirl is enough to make me happy."
The infatuated Tang Zhuyun felt she was being alluded to.
Honestly, she used to disagree when people called her a fangirl.
But now, she bowed her head and confessed.
--She drooled when she saw Prince of Jin come out of the bath last night.
My goodness, how can this man become more and more attractive the more you look at him?
She's clearly not at the age where she's like a wolf or a tiger yet!
It's no exaggeration to say that they would gladly spend money to support the Prince of Jin.
Tang Zhuyun was lost in her own fantasies, but Xiu'er noticed something unusual.
"Your Majesty, haven't you noticed something's amiss?"
Tang Zhuyun regained consciousness.
Oh my god, what possessed her just now!
Fortunately, it's nighttime, so dreaming about it won't be too embarrassing.
"What's wrong?" she asked, following Xiu'er's words.
Xiu'er said, "Didn't you notice? There's a bridge over there, and lots of people walk across it to ward off illness."
Walking away from illness is a custom of the Lantern Festival, especially crossing a bridge, which is a way of wishing to take away diseases.
Tang Zhuyun nodded. "What's wrong with that?"
"Besides the ritual of treating all illnesses, wouldn't there normally be many young wives touching the door studs?"
The word "nail" is pronounced the same as "ding" and means "to add a son to the family." Therefore, many young married women would go in groups to touch the door nails on this day in order to have a son.
But now they were on high ground, with a clear view of all the gates around them, and even the city gate not far away was clearly visible in the brightly lit city.
However, basically no one touches the door studs.
Tang Zhuyun didn't take it to heart. "Perhaps the customs are different here?"
Xiu'er: "That's not right! We haven't gone that far from the capital!"
Along the way, their pace was incredibly slow; they would rest whenever the wind picked up, whenever they were tired, and whenever there was something delicious to eat...
So now it's only a few hundred miles to go.
Is this custom becoming like a break in the chain?
Tang Zhuyun: "That's true. Are there any taboos about this in that area?"
Who cares? Anyway, they're both pregnant now, so there's no need to pray for a child.
However, compared to her lack of interest in understanding, Xiu'er is clearly more gossipy.
She found an old woman, gave the latter a handful of money, and sent someone to inquire.
The old woman got the money and happily went off.
Soon, the old woman returned and reported, "Your Highness, Madam, this old servant has found out. It turns out that the women in Red River Town don't touch the door studs when they pray for a child; they go to the temple of the Goddess."
Xiu'er: "What temple of the goddess?"
"There's a Temple of Lady Shen here, but nobody knows who she is, it's all unclear," the old woman said. "But according to legend, Lady Shen is the incarnation of Child-Giving Guanyin, the Goddess of Mercy who grants children, and she sent many children to save many women in childbirth..."
So, she was a midwife?
Since they are legendary figures, they must have lived hundreds of years ago.
Xiu'er had an idea.
"You want to go?" Tang Zhuyun, somewhat surprised.
"I want to go," Xiu'er nodded. "Didn't you understand? Besides granting a child, it also protects the mother and child!"
I don't know if the Empress is afraid, but she herself is somewhat frightened by the thought of giving birth.
--On such a wonderful day, if I were to die during childbirth, I'd be so ashamed I'd have to slap myself in the face of Meng Po of forgetfulness in Chinese mythology).
Tang Zhuyun said, "Well... since we're not leaving tomorrow anyway, shall we go take a look?"
Prince of Jin will likely have social engagements, so they can simply bring their servants and guards with them.
She originally wanted to tell the Prince of Jin, but then she thought, she had already boasted that she would definitely have no problems giving birth, so if she went now, wouldn't it make her seem like she lacked confidence in her medical skills?
Never mind, I won't say anything more, lest the Prince of Jin worry.
Burning incense won't take long, and the round trip won't take much time.
"Alright, it's settled then!" Xiu'er said. "I'll send someone to buy incense and candles right away, and we'll go early tomorrow."
Tang Zhuyun nodded.
Since I'm just idling around anyway, it'll be good to get some exercise.
It was quite late when Prince of Jin returned with Yanran. Yanran, carrying a rabbit lantern in her left hand and a carp lantern in her right, said with a grin, "Mother, Sister Xiu'er, here you go!"
Tang Zhuyun smiled and accepted it, saying, "Yanran, you're so thoughtful."
Yanran smiled and said, "It's all thanks to Commander Song's thoughtfulness; Mother, you're benefiting from it too."
Tang Zhuyun: "???"
Yanran patted the small purse at her waist. "Commander Song sent me one hundred taels of silver through someone, asking me to buy a lamp for Xiu'er Xiuer. If others have it, Xiu'er should have it too."
Xiu'er looked down. "This idiot."
The Prince of Jin, carrying food in his hands, said, "Let's eat together."
He only saw Yanran buying lamps, he didn't realize there was this reason.
He originally wanted to give it to Tang Zhuyun, but then he thought about Xiu'er and felt it was inappropriate.
After all, Song Jingyang went for the greater good, and it was Prince of Jin's responsibility to take care of his wife and children.
It was obviously inappropriate for him to buy things for Xiu'er as well, so he simply bought her some food instead.
Unexpectedly, while he was embarrassed, Song Jingyang was quite comfortable with it.
Now, things have gotten even worse; Song Jingyang has made him look short again.
The Prince of Jin wanted to curse.
Tang Zhuyun didn't make any comparisons; she just stared at Xiu'er with a silly grin, laughing along with her.
The Prince of Jin was speechless.
This slow-witted daughter-in-law.
"Yanran, you earned that hundred taels so easily!" Tang Zhuyun teased.
"It wasn't easy," Yanran said. "Song Jingyang said he'll have to ask me to buy a few more times!"
Tang Zhuyun: "Hahaha..."
They're just kids after all; I couldn't stop them.
Yanran muttered to herself, "I'm just afraid I'll end up spending the money along with my own..."
Xiu'er didn't eat much, and went home carrying the carp lantern.
She rushed back to write to Song Jingyang, telling him that she had received the gift and was very happy.
But she would be happiest if he could take good care of himself.
Prince of Jin ate something with Tang Zhuyun, and after washing up, the two lay down.
"I have business to attend to tomorrow and won't be back until around noon," said the Prince of Jin.
"Okay," Tang Zhuyun agreed.
She also had something to do outside, so she just needed to return a little earlier than the Prince of Jin.
The next day, Tang Zhuyun took Xiu'er in a sedan chair and excitedly went to the Niangniang Temple.
As a result, the temple was closed?
Xiu'er said angrily, "I've never heard of a temple being closed! Why are you driving away worshippers who still have incense burning?"