The dark clouds in the sky were a little dense, covering the stars. The main gate of the Imperial Palace was decorated with colorful lanterns, the largest of which was a lantern with two dragons playing with pearls, brightly illuminating the whole area.
It was a rare occasion to celebrate together with the people. All the lanterns were hung in the corridors of the palace, looking like stars in the sky. The most important thing was that even above the city walls, due to the earth dragons, the air was warm and comfortable. Some of the princes and princesses were trying to guess the riddles, admiring the fireworks in the distance and looking down at the streets.
Every five steps, there was an Imperial Guard. Today was a joyous occasion. Although these Imperial Guards were armed with swords, they were all dressed in bright red robes.
"The Emperor has arrived!"
An old eunuch with a white face and no facial hair shouted out. His sharp voice rang out and the noisy crowd quietened down.
The eunuch was dressed in bright red robes and was carrying lanterns as he led the way. Behind him were several young eunuchs who were carrying lanterns. Behind them was the Emperor, a middle-aged man dressed in a golden robe and a bright red cloak. Beside him were more than ten armed Imperial Guards.
When the Emperor appeared, the Princes, Princesses and Princesses who were playing around all quietened down. The Imperial Concubine then stepped forward, "Greetings, Your Majesty!"
Everyone present knelt down and shouted, "Long live the Emperor!"
"Rise!" The Emperor allowed everyone to rise. Seeing that it was about time, he ordered, "Let's begin!"
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Three cannons were fired. The Imperial Guards were all dressed in armor and rushed out. They were about three hundred steps away from the city gates. This was a distance that no crossbow could reach.
Even if they were celebrating with the people, they still had to maintain the dignity and safety of the Imperial Family.
The tens of thousands of spectators below quietened down. They could hear the sounds of celebration from above the city gates. Dragon flags were raised high up in the city walls, causing everyone to be dazzled. The Imperial Guards were dressed in golden helmets and silver armor, looking extremely majestic. The eunuch in the middle escorted Huang Yu to a stop on top of the city walls.
The lanterns were bright. Although they were a few hundred steps away, they could see a man sitting on the Huang Yu. He wore a pearl crown and was dressed in a golden robe. He had a gentle smile on his face. Although he was over fifty years old, he still looked healthy.
In an instant, the crowd prostrated themselves like a field of wheat, shouting, "Long live our Emperor, long live, long live!"
When the ceremony was over, the Emperor waved his hands in return. The entire city was bustling with activity as the sound of drums and gongs could be heard. The sky had darkened. The Emperor looked at the Princes, Princesses and Imperial Concubines before laughing, "There's no need for you to stand on ceremony. Go and have fun. I won't blame you today."
Only then did these princes, princesses, and princesses get up to play. Some princes and princesses who were only five or six years old quarreled with each other. It was livelier and more human than usual.
Looking down from the Imperial City, there was a large square. The eunuchs and guards of the Imperial Palace were driving ox-carts and carrying fireworks, ready to be set off at the Emperor's command.
Rows of streets in the distance were lit up by red lanterns, illuminating the night view of the capital. One could clearly see the streets, the lanterns, the fireworks, and the bustling crowds.
Although all of this was interesting, the more one looked at it, the more one would get used to it. The Emperor watched for a while before turning around to admire the lanterns on the city walls. There were many more lanterns this year, and the riddles were interesting as well. The Emperor nodded his head as he watched. The eunuchs watched this scene and laughed.
The Emperor walked along the streets. He no longer had the Empress Dowager, nor the Empress. At this point, the highest ranking concubines were the Imperial Concubines. Every now and then, there would be concubines who would join in the conversation. Just as they were chatting happily, the Emperor suddenly thought of someone and asked, "Where's the Grand Princess?"
A eunuch trembled as he stepped forward, "Your Majesty, the Grand Princess has brought the Canton Princess and her guards outside to admire the lanterns. I didn't dare to stop them."
Hearing these words, the Emperor's face fell, "How can a member of the Royal Family go to such a lantern festival. If something were to happen to her, what should we do? Call her back."
As soon as the Emperor finished speaking, the Grand Princess's voice could be heard, "Your Majesty, why are you so angry? I only went out to admire the lanterns and have returned."
The Grand Princess had brought the Canton Princess with her. The Canton Princess was hugging a lantern and couldn't bear to part with it.
Seeing the Grand Princess, the Emperor's face was stern as he scolded her, "Why are you so careless?"
This was his only younger sister. His husband had died in battle for his cause, and he only had one daughter left. He was very worried about her, and wasn't really scolding her. The Grand Princess giggled and said, "Brother, I only went out to have some fun. I have my guards with me. Why are you worried about me?"
"Call me Your Majesty!" Hearing the Grand Princess's words, the Emperor felt helpless as he replied.
This younger sister of his was usually doted on by the Emperor. After they got married, she had a good relationship with her husband. Ever since the death of her husband, his sister's personality had changed drastically. She would use her status to do things, and spend a little more money. As long as it didn't involve anything important, he could tolerate it. After all, he only had one sister left.
"Brother, during such a festive occasion, please don't scare me." The Grand Princess pretended to be frightened. She was already middle-aged, and still had the look of a little bird.
"I really don't know what to do with you." The Emperor looked at her and smiled bitterly. It wasn't appropriate for him to scold her further. He then turned around and asked, "Grand Princess, you've gone out and caused enough trouble. Why are you back so happy? What good news do you have for me?"
"Your Majesty, of course there's good news. Look at what I've found." The Grand Princess handed a scroll over to the Emperor. There was still the scent of ink on it, and it had just been written. The Emperor then said, "What good stuff have you found? Give it to me."
As he said this, he took the scroll and started reading.
"Laughing and talking, the fragrance is gone. Searching for him hundreds and thousands of times in the crowd, suddenly looking back, he is there, in the dimly lit place."
At first, he was smiling. When he read about how he had searched for him thousands of times, his eyebrows furrowed. When he was young, he met the Empress by chance. The way she served him, the way she used to serve him, the way she used to read documents. When he came back to his senses, he realized that the Empress was still embroidering. She looked at him with tenderness.
At that moment, the Emperor fell into a daze. It was as if the Empress' voice and face were still fresh in his mind. He remembered that when he decided to rebel, she was calm and composed. She lowered her head and said, "How can I interfere with the decisions of my husband? If my husband succeeds, I will follow him and enjoy my life. If not, I will follow you."
Everything, in the blink of an eye, returned to that drizzling evening, her reluctant gaze … In the blink of an eye, five years had passed. He had deliberately forgotten about these heart-wrenching past events, but with just a reminder, it was so vivid that he immediately shed tears. He hurriedly wiped them away and turned around. "Princess Royal, let's walk around alone!"
The old eunuch stepped forward, "Your Majesty, you cannot."
The Emperor's face was stern as he said, "Can't I speak to the Grand Princess alone? Don't tell me someone is trying to assassinate me?"
Gui Fei stood at the side and looked at the Eldest Princess with an indescribable expression. The Emperor's indulgence and love towards the Eldest Princess was truly enviable. She looked at the scroll that was brought up and the Emperor's dream-like expression gave her a fright.
After walking a few steps, the Emperor asked, "Who wrote this?"
"Ying Prefecture's Top Scorer, Pei Zi Yun." The Grand Princess replied softly. She saw the Emperor's expression and knew that this poem had moved the Emperor's heart. She didn't know why, but she didn't feel happy at all. Instead, she felt a little heartache. The Emperor was a sentimental person. It was just that being an Emperor was too extravagant.
"Pei Zi Yun, Pei Zi Yun. Is it the Pei Zi Yun from Ying Prefecture?" The Emperor thought for some time before he remembered. He had heard of Pei Zi Yun's name before.
"Yes, that's him. When I met him just now, I pointed at the lantern riddles and asked him to guess. He guessed it in no time. He then pointed at the lantern lights and asked him to compose a poem. After walking three steps, he came up with this poem. It was as if I had met my beloved son. This person is really quick-witted."
The Grand Princess said. "This person is so talented, and rushed to the capital city before the Spring Examinations. He must be here to take the Imperial Examinations, and not to beg the Grand Princess to take a shortcut. Actually, just based on this poem alone, I have to pass." The Emperor spoke as if he was speaking the truth. The expression on his face was unclear, but from his tone, he seemed to be in a good mood.
"Hehe, I'm afraid your Majesty won't be able to pass. This person has already entered a Daoist sect. This time, he's here to ask me to do something for him. However, it's not about the Imperial Examinations …." The Grand Princess spoke without hiding anything.
When the Emperor heard this, he looked around at his surroundings. Speaking of this matter, he was no longer in a good mood. He then paused before saying, "Tell me about it after the banquet. The lantern festival is now, and we should enjoy ourselves. Let's not talk about this matter."
"Yes, your Majesty." The Grand Princess bowed.
Following the Emperor's command, the entire plaza was filled with fireworks. The entire Imperial City became a sea of fireworks. Red, yellow, blue, purple, beautiful fireworks filled the entire sky.
A young Princess was being carried in the arms of an Imperial Concubine. She looked at the fireworks from afar and mumbled, "So beautiful. I wish I could see it every day."
An older Imperial Prince replied, "Sister, this lantern festival only happens once a year. If you want to see it, you'll have to wait until next year."
"Imperial Mother, I don't want to, I don't want to. I want to see it every day." The Princess grabbed onto the Imperial Concubine's clothes and acted like a spoiled child. The Imperial Concubine had no choice but to caress her.
The lantern festival was an annual event. As the fireworks rose in front of the Imperial City, everyone who was enjoying the festivities looked up at the sky.
Pei Zi Yun walked along the streets and looked up at the fireworks in the sky. It was as if he had returned to earth. He was speechless. After some time, he shook his head, "Since the Grand Princess has agreed to it, I shall send a thousand taels of gold to you tomorrow morning. Also, Assistant Minister Ji shall send a hundred taels of gold as well."
"The rest of the gold shall be exchanged for banknotes." Pei Zi Yun thought to himself as he walked towards his house.
After the fireworks had been lit, the eunuch stepped forward to report, "Your Majesty, please proceed to the banquet."
As the music started to play, the Emperor stood up and everyone entered the palace.
At this point, the palace maids and eunuchs were taking turns to serve the dishes, maintaining the temperature of the dishes.
The Grand Princess followed beside the Emperor as she led the Canton Princess to her seat. Following the Emperor's command, the banquet began. It was extremely lively and joyous. From time to time, the Emperor would conduct tests on the princes. Poems, essays, and so on. If they were wrong, the Emperor wouldn't criticize them. If they answered well, they would be rewarded.
After the banquet, the Emperor stood up and entered the Imperial Study. Before long, a young eunuch served a bowl of soup to sober up the hangover. The Emperor then entered his desk and saw a stack of documents on Pei Zi Yun's desk. He picked them up and looked through them before saying, "Summon the Grand Princess."
"Summon the Grand Princess." The young eunuch at the door shouted. Soon after, another eunuch led the Grand Princess into the study.
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