in2ebook Chapter 219 Preparations for the Sacrifice
Chapter 219 Preparations for the Sacrifice
As expected, the news of the sudden deaths of Marquis Chengen and his wife caused a great uproar in the Qin capital.
Although the reasons given were all reasonable to some extent, many people did not believe them. But at this time, all the members of the Zhang family were dead, and the Cheng family members were trembling with fear. Who dared to question them?
Cheng Shicheng and Cheng Shiming remained as quiet as chickens, afraid of angering Empress Dowager Cheng and Cheng Yan, who would then send them to their deaths just like they had done to Marquis Chengen.
Even when an imperial decree came down, saying they were unfilial and sentenced them to exile in the desolate continent, they dared not object. They only thought about leaving Qin capital as soon as possible, hoping that if they behaved themselves, these two officials would be magnanimous and let them arrive in the desolate continent safely.
Empress Dowager Cheng and Cheng Yan dared to poison even their father, Marquis Chengen, so they truly dared not harbor any illusions.
As for the Jingzhao Prefecture and the Dali Temple, some people speculated that the deaths of the Marquis of Chengen and Lady Zhang might not be what was publicly stated. However, such things were common among powerful families, and as long as no one reported it, they would simply pretend not to know.
On the sixth day of the sixth lunar month, the day Cheng Shiyuan and Cheng Shiming were exiled to the desolate island, Qin Yizhen had wine and dishes prepared and drank two cups of osmanthus wine with Cheng Yan as a celebration.
"Are we just going to let them go like this?" Qin Yizhen was genuinely worried. "Aren't we afraid that if we don't nip it in the bud, it will just grow back in the spring breeze?"
“Hmm.” Cheng Yan held a wine glass in his hand, his brows and eyes relaxed. “Although Cheng Shiyuan and Cheng Shiming were scoundrels and did a lot of things to bully my sister and me back then, they didn’t deserve to die. Making them pound rice every day for the past few years, plus this life of exile, can be considered as revenge for them.”
"However, we will also send people to keep an eye on them. If they dare to have any wicked thoughts, we will just let them die in the desolate continent."
"This is the final result after my discussion with your mother."
Although they had considered sending the Marquis of Chengen and Lady Zhang to their deaths as well, and even thought about having someone kill them during their exile so that they wouldn't even reach the desolate continent.
As for the accident on the way, there are many versions of the story, and it was never traced back to them. However, with the deaths of Marquis Chengen and Lady Zhang, most of their resentment and hatred dissipated, and they no longer had a strong desire for Cheng Shicheng and Cheng Shiming to die.
Qin Yizhen nodded: "That's fine. They've made mistakes, so let them atone for them in this lifetime. But we must keep a close eye on them to prevent them from harboring resentment and doing things that harm us, just like the Zhang family."
"Definitely." Cheng Yan looked at her beautiful features, so stunning that they were breathtaking, and thought to himself that these were the luckiest and happiest days of his life, and he would never let anyone ruin them.
After Qin Yizhen found out the reason and learned that the two had made arrangements in advance, she was relieved. She picked up a piece of fried crab and put it in his bowl: "The June crabs were just delivered these past two days. I ate one when Yinniang fried it just now. It tastes good. It's even better as a snack with wine. You should try it."
"Then I'll have to give it a good try."
The couple enjoyed their dinner in high spirits. The next day, Qin Yizhen began preparing the offerings for the sacrifice. Fearing she might not do a good job, she specially invited Lady Changting to come and offer her guidance.
Lady Changting was naturally overjoyed and arrived in high spirits.
"This matter is simple in some ways, but it varies from place to place and from person to person. Does the princess remember if there were any special items during the worship ceremony in the past?"
"If there is any, ask the Empress Dowager or the Marquis. As for the rest, just prepare some seasonal fruits, dried fruits, snacks, meats, tea and wine according to the rules of Qin Capital, and that should be enough."
"The meat must be cooked, such as braised chicken or duck, or a sheep's head, or a whole sheep."
"Seasonal fruits, dried fruits, and snacks are simple; just choose some good ones from what you have at home. The same goes for tea and wine."
Chen Yinniang said from the side, "I can make braised chicken and duck, and I can also make sheep's head, but I'm afraid I can't make a whole sheep. If the princess wants to make it, why not make a roasted sheep? The chefs in the outer courtyard are good at that. Not to mention others, my uncle can make it."
Chen Yinniang's uncle worked in the kitchen of the mansion, and it was he who recommended Chen Yinniang to come to the Pingxi Marquis's mansion.
Qin Yizhen thought for a moment and said, "Then Yinniang, you can make some pastries. As for the meat, you can arrange for the people in the kitchen to make eight kinds of pastries. It would be best if they were ready first thing tomorrow morning so we can pick them up then."
"I will take Lady Changting to the storeroom to check what seasonal fruits and dried fruits are available. If they are not available, I will send someone to buy them."
"The kitchen staff will then prepare a roasted lamb, along with some chicken, duck, fish, and other meats, to make a meal."
"Finally, have someone prepare some incense, candles, paper money, and other such items."
With things arranged in this way, Lady Changting followed Qin Yizhen to the storeroom to select items.
"Walnuts, almonds, melon seeds, longan, pine nuts, and paired with pine nut candy, dragon beard candy, lotus seed candy, and osmanthus candy."
"For fruit, I'll prepare some pomegranates, loquats, cherries, lychees, peaches, grapes, bayberries... Hmm, I'm still missing one, so I'll add fresh lotus seeds to make it eight."
"For tea, use Yunwu wine. As for wine, the osmanthus wine here is quite good, so that will suffice."
Qin Yizhen nodded repeatedly: "Madam's suggestion is good, so we will follow Madam's suggestion."
After selecting the finest ingredients, Qin Yizhen also invited Lady Changting to lunch, where she tasted this year's June Yellow grapes.
Nowadays, people consider September and October the best months to eat crabs, when they are full of roe and fat. Paired with a pot of Shaoxing wine and a bowl of chrysanthemum rice, it is the most enjoyable time.
However, people are very greedy and have discovered that crabs taste especially good in June, before their last molt, hence the name "June Yellow Crab".
How favored was Princess Qin Yizhen?
In late May and early June, fresh lychees were delivered to the palace. It should be noted that Dong Qin is located in the southeast, and lychee cultivation is very limited. Most of the fallen lychees were bought from Nan Qi, and because of the long distance, ordinary people rarely had the opportunity to eat them.
Similarly, the June Yellow, which is rarely seen by others, is also like that.
Lady Changting was a free-spirited and straightforward person, and she was not reserved at all. Naturally, she ate to her heart's content, and then asked Qin Yizhen to prepare a portion of June Yellow for the next day.
“Since the princess is going to do this, she should do her best. Send whatever good things she has to the emperor. It’s sure to be good. It will only cost some money. The princess has no shortage of money.”
Qin Yizhen nodded: "I agree with that."
However, when the topic of money came up, Qin Yizhen immediately thought of Min Siyue: "By the way, how are the Changyang Marquis's mansion and the Min family doing now? I heard that the concubine's child is gone? How could it be gone so suddenly?"
Speaking of this, Lady Changting slapped her thigh and exclaimed, "That was all a tragedy, a tragedy!"