Blessing Festival (2) Snowfall filled spring

A priest guided Han Aeng to her quarters, located at the far end of the inner residence. The room was modest, furnished only with a bed and a small tea table.

"Please make yourself comfortable and join us whenever you're ready, my lady," the priest said courteously.

"Thank you," Han Aeng replied softly, watching the priest depart before turning her attention to the window. Through its frame, she observed the vista that stretched beyond, offering a view of the temple grounds and the distant quarters occupied by the priests.

"Are they short-handed during the Blessing Festival?" 

"Not at all my, my Lady."

Han Aeng turned to find another priest entering her room, carrying a set of clothing in his hands. He paused, his gaze lingering on Han Aeng for a moment longer than necessary before moving around the room. Then, as if catching himself, he offers a small, apologetic smile "Forgive me, I've come with a set of clothes for you to change into." 

"A young priest just to send me clothing, how lavish," she remarked with curiosity.

"Yes, well," he mumbled, avoiding her gaze. "The temple values efficiency, you see. It's important to ensure your comfort... um, promptly."

Han Aeng remained silent, her gaze steady and unwavering. The awkward silence stretched on till the he broke the silence. "W-we operate with a limited staff. Even, during the festival with the workload increases significantly," 

He placed the clothes on the table, straightening himself as if trying to regain his composure.

"Sometimes, we have a few maids from the palace help out," he continued, his voice faltering slightly as if he were carefully choosing his words. "But there's no cause for concern; we are all experienced and have assisted during the Blessing Festival for many years."

Finally, unable to bear the weight of her silence any longer, he mumbled an excuse and hastily made his exit, leaving Han Aeng alone. 

"A few maids from the palace helping out, huh?."

Once she had settled down and freshened up, she changed into the pure white robes the priest had set out for her.

Stepping into the hallway, the soft rustle of flowing robes accompanied her, harmonizing with the steps of other ladies similarly adorned, all unaccompanied by their typical retinue of servants.

The nature of the Blessing Festival's ritual was meant to allow each woman to seek solace and blessings in solitude. Consequently, the servants were also assigned the same task – to engage in prayer and reflection, each on their own.

As the ladies bustled toward their designated spots, a vibrant energy filled the air, starkly contrasting Han Aeng's sense of awkwardness.

Usually, she didn't mind being alone. However, the temple and the people were both distant and unfamiliar to her. At this moment, she desperately missed her mother-in-law's protective presence. 

It was then that a joyful voice echoed through the temple walls, cutting through the uneasy atmosphere surrounding Han Aeng.

"I think we all look rather cute in these white robes," declared Noble Consort Rong, her voice filled with lightness and mischief. She playfully twirled in her robes. "Perhaps it's time to bring it into the imperial court. Imagine the gossip that would stir—whispers of the imperial ladies twirling in white like carefree spirits!"

The Empress, a picture of composure, shot her a disapproving look. "Let's focus on the blessings we seek rather than becoming subjects of gossip."

"Why not? It reminds me of when we were kids." 

"Which adult in their right mind let you wear white as a child?" the Empress teased, gently assisting Noble Consort Rong in fixing her hair.

"I'll have you know my uncle was a very sensible man," retorted Noble Consort Rong, swatting the Empress's hand away with an offended expression.

"Your uncle always had a few screws loose," chuckled the Empress Dowager, her eyes crinkling with amusement. "Then again, only Hai'er is the sane one in the family."

Witnessing the surprisingly harmonious exchange, Han Aeng couldn't help but be taken aback. The scene unfolding before her defied her initial expectations of tension and formality within the inner court.

Thinking about it, the Empress and Nobel Consort Rong got along rather well. Was this a reflection of the Empress Dowager's effort?

Perhaps her intel about the inner court dynamics needed to be revised. 

Breaking through her contemplation, Han Aeng approached the trio and offered her greetings.

So far, Han Aeng's interactions with each of these ladies had proven surprisingly pleasant, excluding the Empress, with whom Han Aeng had a slight stir thanks to Mei Fubai's involvement. However, on the whole, there was no overt hostility from any of these influential women. The lack of animosity, rather than reassuring her, began to stir a sense of worry within Han Aeng. 

Did these women truly have no wish to cause trouble for me?

"You look livelier than last time," observed the Empress, her gaze briefly assessing Han Aeng.

"Chenqie has been looking forward to the Blessing Festival. It has brightened my spirit", replied Han Aeng with a respectful nod.

The Empress Dowager nodded in approval. "It's good to see the younger generation so devoted." 

"Chenqie eagerly anticipated the opportunity to meet everyone."

Despite being married for just over two weeks, Han Aeng found limited opportunities to interact with others. This was mainly due to Long Dahai's vigilant efforts to ensure her security. Whenever she left his courtyard, the security measures around her were tightened to the point where she felt uncomfortable leaving.

Even if she ventured around the palace, the other princess consorts resided with their husbands outside the palace. Thus, opportunities for casual encounters were scarce.

As for the other women of the harem, it was limited to their daily greetings to the Empress Dowager. She didn't want to get herself into trouble. 

"You'll see the outcome of my effort in running the harem when you interact with the others today and even more tomorrow." The Empress Dowager's gaze held a promise of events to unfold.

The Blessing Festival worked on a well-thought-out schedule so that the newfound spiritual aspect would keep the original intent intact.

On the seventh day of the sixth moon, the women embarked on an early morning walk to the temple. There, they dedicated time to reflecting and seeking divine and ancestral blessings individually before reuniting at sunset. The remainder of the evening was spent in collective prayer, fostering a sense of unity among the women.

The carefully planned events aimed to wear them out physically during the challenging hike to the mount peak and then transition them into a more peaceful state of mind through prayer. This thoughtful approach allowed them to partake in various activities the following day, fostering stronger bonds without the need to be on guard with each other.

Thinking about it, this was not too different from how the military worked. 

"Since it's your first time, you have to seek guidance from the elder priest?" Noble Consort Rong didn't wait for anyone to respond before she took Han Aeng by the arm and dragged her away. "Come on, I'll take you to him."

Han Aeng quickly excused herself politely and allowed herself to be led by Noble Consort Rong. She had gotten used to her mother-in-law's bursts of impulses.

"He's seen each one of us and given us sound teaching and warning. In my opinion, it would do you good to listen to his advice," Noble Consort Rong explained, her lips curling into a grin. "After all, none of us have died after following his guidance."

Noble Consort Rong led Han Aeng through the winding path, her steps purposeful as they entered a small corridor. The distant sounds of the bustling palace gradually faded, replaced by the soft echo of their footfalls against the secluded walls.

"Just between you and me," Noble Consort Rong whispered, "I've always thought I'd attend his funeral since I joined the harem, but that day still has to come!" 

"Pft." Han Aeng drew her lips down, trying her best not to let the laughter slip. "Would it be too rude for me to agree?"

"Only if it's in front of others." 

As they reached the room, the door was ajar, and a voice welcomed them, "Come, I've been waiting for you two."

Calming herself with a few puffs of air, Noble Consort Rong entered while holding Han Aeng's hand.

The room welcomed them with a serene atmosphere, exuding tranquillity under the soft sunlight that cast a warm glow. Adorned with intricate tapestries and carrying the subtle fragrance of burning incense, it seemed to hold the weight of centuries within its walls, as if the echoes of countless souls guided lingered in the air.

The old priest sat at the heart of the room, his face marked by the unmistakable signs of a life well-lived, etched with deep lines and wrinkles. Each crease told a story of a life devoted to service, a journey of spiritual significance that had left indelible marks on his countenance.

Noble Consort Rong guided Han Aeng to sit before the elder priest. "I'll entrust my daughter-in-law under your care just as the Empress Dowager entrusted me."

"I'll do my best to guide her," assured the old priest.

After exchanging a few words with the elder priest, Noble Consort Rong winked at Han Aeng and exited the room, leaving the young woman in the hands of the wise sage.

"Shall we start with your birthday, young consort?"

Clouds of Serenity Continent believed the specific conditions of the day of birth shape a person's destiny and influence their characteristics. Individuals associated with unique births have always been history-makers. During their lifetimes, significant events unfold - major rebellions, wars, the establishment of new laws, extended periods of peace, and more.

"First day of the third moon of—" she paused to count the years based on the reign of Shangwei's Emperor, "the 14th year of Emperor's reign. As for the time. I'm not too sure."

The priest nodded. Moving deliberately, he retrieved a thick, weathered book from the shelves. Settling into a contemplative silence, he flipped through its pages filled with important dates, natural occurrences, and rare events. 

As the room fell into a growing stillness, Han Aeng let her gaze wander around, dividing her attention between the priest's actions and the door. Abruptly, her eyes narrowed, her senses alert to the unsettled air that enveloped the entrance.

The priest's hand halted on a page, and his eyes widened with astonishment as they snapped to her. "You were born on the day of the snowfall-filled spring?!"

Startled, Han Aeng's attention snapped back to the priest. She blinked, momentarily taken aback by the intensity of his reaction.

The snowfall-filled spring was the phenomenon of the century, a rare spectacle etched into the memories of those fortunate enough to witness it.

It was a day when the sun hung brilliantly in the sky, casting its golden glow upon the earth. The air was warm, carrying the sweet fragrance of blooming flowers, and the world seemed alive with the vibrant colours of nature. Yet, in this picturesque setting, delicate snowflakes descended from the heavens. 

This surreal harmony of warmth and snow painted an enchanting scene—a fleeting moment frozen in time, where winter and spring coalesced in a celestial waltz.

Regaining composure, the priest shifted to a more composed tone. "For someone born on a day that encapsulates both spring and snowfall, it suggests a life journey marked by the ability to harmonize opposing forces. You possess a unique blend of resilience and adaptability, able to navigate life's challenges with grace and strength. And an innate capacity to find beauty and growth even in unexpected or contrasting circumstances."

Indeed, being born on a day marked by a polar opposite event signifies a unique blend of balance, resilience, and the adeptness to navigate through life's contrasting aspects.

The symbolism extends to the idea that, just as rare occurrences surrounded their birth, the person born on such a day will have a distinctive and rare fate. It hints at greatness, suggesting an extraordinary destiny waiting to unfold.

But what most people don't know is that the Destiny Symbol is tied to these types of unusual births. 

Hidden in ancient texts and passed down through generations among those who hold spiritual knowledge, the Destiny Symbol is an intricate design that manifests on the individual's body, a celestial imprint mirroring the alignment of stars on the night of their birth. It is believed to be a divine blessing, a mandate that grants the individual the extraordinary ability to defy fate's constraints and influence the course of destiny itself.

But, there was no need to tell this young consort of this just yet. After all, she came from a foreign country; what good would it do to the country if she knew she could challenge destiny itself?

"You'd be the only one I've met in all my years with a rare birthday. I wish to see you again on your 20th, Wangfei."

A well-kept hidden knowledge is that the symbol and its blessing are dormant, waiting patiently for the individual to reach a moment of significance. It was said that when the time was right, the symbol's blessing would awaken, imbuing its bearer with the extraordinary ability to challenge and alter the predetermined course of not just their lives but the lives of many others.

The priests, keepers of ancient wisdom, held the sacred knowledge of interpreting these marks. The Destiny Symbol's location, size, and shape are believed to be vital to unravelling the individual's destiny. Each mark carries a distinctive message that tells a story of the person's potential and purpose.

It was widely understood and accepted that premature awareness of Destiny's Mark could disrupt the delicate balance between destiny and free will. Hence, it remained a closely guarded secret, shared only with those deemed ready to understand and embrace the responsibility that came with such a divine blessing.

"And you do not know the time of your birth?"

Han Aeng nodded. "My mother brought me into the world before assistance could arrive." 

In light of that revelation, the priest sighed.

Ultimately, the blessing would only materialize if she were born within the specific timeframe of the snow falling; otherwise, she would be merely a child with a promising and fulfilling life.

After all, there would be several people born under rare births who did not have the same impact that resonated on history's grand stage as those born at the right time. Nevertheless, their subtle influence will ripple through families, friendships, and communities, reverberating in the small moments of daily life.