In the blink of an eye, it was New Year's Eve. On New Year's Eve, the Emperor would usually host a banquet for his close officials to drink and have fun together. At the Empress Dowager's side, there were also many concubines and madams who came to congratulate her.
Everyone gathered around Empress Dowager Yang and said nice things as if they were performing a magic trick. They laughed and said wonderful things, making it very lively.
However, amidst the bustle, there was a small disharmony within the Yang Family. Although Empress Yang listened with a smile, her face was stiff and she did not look in the direction of Empress Dowager Yang. Yang Yan, who was sitting beside Empress Yang, was even more obvious. Her face was cold.
Cheng Yujin blended into the crowd and smiled like a wallflower. However, her eyes did not stop for a moment as she quietly observed the people around her. Cheng Yujin had already noticed the strange behavior of Empress Yang and Yang Yan. Not only that, she also noticed that Dou Xiyin did not come today.
Strangely, Dou Xiyin wanted to treat the palace as her own home. In the past, whenever there was an occasion to show her face, she would definitely dress up and attend. However, this time, it was such an important opportunity to accompany Empress Dowager Yang for the New Year. All the concubines and princesses brought their daughters together, but Dou Xiyin was not present.
Cheng Yujin smiled but did not say anything. She leisurely sat on the wall and did not speak.
Cheng Yujin noticed that Empress Dowager Yang had already looked at several young ladies. Empress Yang sat at the side and did not even speak. Judging from her expression, she didn't look happy.
In fact, for Cheng Yujin and Li Seung-kyung, it was the most beneficial for them that the Second Prince married Dou Xiyin. It did not make a difference whether Dou Xiyin was surnamed Yang or Dou. It would not be good if they allowed the Second Prince to have another powerful relative.
Cheng Yujin pretended that she did not notice anything and continued to smile as she listened to the flattery.
In the evening, many madams took their leave. Those who were able to accompany the Emperor and the Empress Dowager to attend the Imperial Family's New Year's Eve banquet were all very popular people. No matter which family they were placed in, they would be able to brag about it for a year. Usually, Yang Yan and her daughter would stay in the palace in a grand manner. However, this year, Yang Yan left the palace with a sullen face even before the banquet started.
After she left, Cheng Yujin, who had been quietly listening to Empress Dowager Yang, silently glanced in Yang Yan's direction. Then, Cheng Yujin looked away as if nothing had happened.
The New Year's Eve banquet was also divided into an inner and outer banquet. The men's banquet and the women's banquet were respectively arranged in two large halls. The halls were connected by winding corridors. Palace maids and eunuchs shuttled back and forth busily. A stage was set up in the middle of the square, and singing and dancing continued.
After all, Empress Dowager Yang was old and could not stay up. She showed her face at the New Year's Eve banquet and was helped back to Cining Palace to rest by her nannies. After Empress Dowager Yang left, Empress Yang and Cheng Yujin took the main seats. However, there was nothing fun for women to watch singing and dancing. Cheng Yujin and Empress Yang did not speak much to each other. Since the Empress and the Crown Princess were like this, the people below did not dare to make a fuss.
Compared to the women's banquet, the men's banquet hall was much livelier. From time to time, there would be laughter and cheers. The banquet lasted until the arrival of the New Year. It took a long time. Towards the end, the women found excuses to leave the banquet hall and go outside to get some fresh air.
Cheng Yujin was very patient. She sat steadily for a long time until Empress Yang also left the banquet hall to change her clothes. Only then did she bring her maids to the back of the hall to relax. Lian Qiao followed behind Cheng Yujin with great admiration. Even though she was sitting in the Grand Hall, it was actually not as relaxing as standing. Because she had to maintain a straight sitting posture and maintain a smile all the time, Lian Qiao felt tired just by looking at it. On the other hand, the Crown Princess had persisted for four shichen without moving at all. Just thinking about it made her feel awe.
Cheng Yujin could finally relax in the back of the hall. However, even though there was no one around, Cheng Yujin did not reveal a relaxed posture. Maintaining her composure had become a daily routine for her.
Lian Qiao gave Cheng Yujin a bowl of hangover soup and said, "Crown Princess, do you need this servant to help massage your waist?"
Cheng Yujin shook her head, "No need. When I came out just now, I saw that there were already some taijian taking out fireworks. They will probably be setting off fireworks soon. I will rest here for a while. If I wrinkle my clothes, it will not be good. "
Lian Qiao acknowledged. Cheng Yujin drank the hangover soup and two cups of tea to refresh herself. She felt that her muddled mind was gradually clearing up, so she stood up and walked out. At this moment, the palace was very lively. The taijian were busy taking out firecrackers and setting off fireworks. The juggling troupe was showing off their skills in the open space. The railings were filled with palace maids who were watching the excitement, excitedly pointing at the square. Looking straight ahead, there were already bright candles burning there, illuminating the bright yellow tents like it was daytime. The two sides were crowded with people.
Presumably, the imperial carriage had already been moved out of the hall and moved outside. It was not the new year yet, so they could not set off firecrackers. However, there were already some clever taijian who set off firecrackers, scurrying up and down to make their masters happy.
The concubines were also gathered in a group at this moment. They were wearing fragrant clothes and had beautiful hair. Their eyes were filled with pearls and jade. Each of them held a stove in their hands. They were either smiling or standing, pointing at the bottom of the steps.
Cheng Yujin approached, and the concubines all retreated to greet Cheng Yujin. Cheng Yujin nodded at them gently, smiling as she talked to the crowd. It was already late at night. The wind was dry and cold, and the night was unusually dark. The air was filled with the unique smell of gunpowder, which reminded people of the new year.
Cheng Yujin was a little lost in this atmosphere. She remembered that at this time last year, she was still in the Marquis of Yichun, facing the bustling crowd with no interest. Who would have thought that a year later, not only was she married, but she was also celebrating the new year in the Forbidden City?
Cheng Yujin seemed to feel something and raised her head to look in another direction. She happened to see Li Seung-kyung standing next to the Emperor, staring at her.
At this moment, there was suddenly a loud sound of firecrackers outside. Fireworks were set off in every corner, making people's ears go numb. Cheng Yujin was startled and naturally raised her head to look at the sky. At the same time, the sky outside the palace also lit up, flashing with bursts of colorful light.
Time treated everyone equally. At this moment, a new era had arrived in Jiuzhou.
Cheng Yujin's heart skipped a beat. She immediately looked back at Li Seung-kyung and found that there was no one there. At this time, everyone was looking up at the sky. The crackling of firecrackers was deafening. If it weren't for the shouting, they wouldn't have noticed the movements of others. Cheng Yujin quietly retreated to the back, turned around, and quickly walked out.
She was only halfway when she met Li Seung-kyung halfway. She unconsciously smiled and ran two steps toward Li Seung-kyung. Li Seung-kyung also opened his arms and caught her steadily.
Cheng Yujin was wearing a bright red gown and a snow-white cloak. Standing there, she was like a red plum blossom in the snow, beautiful beyond compare. Cheng Yujin threw herself into Li Seung-kyung's arms. The cloak almost glowed in the night. "Your Highness, Happy New Year."
Li Chengjing also had a smile on his face as he pulled her into his embrace along with her cloak. "You too. Happy New Year. "
"Am I the first person to congratulate you?"
"Yes." Li Seung-kyung's voice sounded in her ear, low and smiling. "I only hope that you are the first every year."
At this time, Cheng Yujin didn't rationally analyze the possibilities with him, nor did she avoid him. She also hugged him back. "You will."
After the New Year, fireworks were set off everywhere in the palace. Everyone who saw it, whether they knew it or not, cupped their hands and congratulated them. The Emperor was very pleased to see this. He looked at the steps of the Palace of Heavenly Purity for less than an hour before he became tired and returned to the palace to rest.
After the Emperor left, the other princes, wangye, and officials dared to disperse. The concubines also returned to the palace in twos and threes. Li Seung-kyung sent off the Emperor and didn't want to waste any more time outside. He casually dealt with a few people who came to celebrate the New Year with him, then quickly walked to the palace gates.
When he saw that snow-white figure in the night, Li Seung-kyung found himself relieved. "Why didn't you leave?"
Cheng Yujin heard him and turned around. She was still holding a palace lantern in her hand, which warmed her red gown even more. "I was waiting for Your Highness."
Li Seung-kyung naturally grasped her hand and took the lantern from her hand. His palm wrapped around hers. Cheng Yujin smiled and asked, "Your Highness, what are you doing?"
Li Seung-kyung lowered his eyes to look at her. The lantern light shone on his eyes, making them look warm and bright. "Okay, now you and the lantern are both mine."
Normally, the two of them would return to the palace in a carriage, but Li Seung-kyung didn't want to let go of Cheng Yujin's hand today. He remembered that on the day of the wedding banquet, Cheng Yujin didn't even wait for him after the banquet ended. She directly went back by herself. Today, she was willing to wait for him outside. For Li Seung-kyung, this was not a small improvement.
Li Seung-kyung didn't want a third person to come up and cause trouble, so he sent the palace servants far away. He held Cheng Yujin's hand and slowly walked in the Forbidden City on the first day of the New Year. At this time, the fireworks were almost finished. Only the square of the Palace of Heavenly Purity still had some noise. They walked with the Palace of Heavenly Purity on their backs, and the noise seemed to be fading away step by step.
The air was filled with the chill of the night and the smell of fresh gunpowder. It had a strange feeling of home. Although the night wind was as cold as a knife, it wasn't annoying.
Neither of them spoke, enjoying the rare tranquility and warmth. Li Seung-kyung walked for a while, then suddenly said, "Yujin, do you think our child in the future will be more like you or me?"
Cheng Yujin was surprised, then she couldn't help but laugh. "Your Highness, why did you suddenly ask this?"
"Because this is the first New Year I'm spending with my family. Naturally, I'll think of children." Li Seung-kyung said calmly. Cheng Yujin suddenly felt distressed when she heard this. She held Li Seung-kyung's hand tightly and said, "Of all the numbers, I like one the most. Because with one, there will be two, and then there will be many more."
Li Seung-kyung let out a light laugh. His laughter was clear and pleasant to the ears in the night wind, more intoxicating than the aged wine at the banquet. Cheng Yujin felt her face heat up. Li Seung-kyung held her hand and seriously thought about the future. "If you ask me, if it's a boy, it'll be good if he's like you or me. If it's a girl, it'll be better if she's more like you."
Cheng Yujin was curious and turned her head to look at him. "Why?"
"When a boy marries a wife, no matter who he looks like, he won't be bad. But a girl will eventually have to marry. In that case, it'll be better if she's more like you. This way, I won't have to worry about her being deceived by a man in the future. "
Cheng Yujin raised her eyebrows and looked at Li Seung-kyung with a smile that wasn't a smile. "Your Highness, your words aren't right. It's fine if you're praising yourself, but why are you trampling on me? "
Li Seung-kyung couldn't help but laugh. Although he usually had a light smile, it was rare for him to laugh as loudly as he did now. "You silly girl, I'm praising you."
Cheng Yujin glared at him with a smile. "Then I really have to thank Your Highness."
The two of them held hands and slowly walked back to Ci Qing Palace. At this moment, everyone in Ci Qing Palace was standing in the courtyard with smiles on their faces. When they saw Li Seung-kyung and Cheng Yujin, they all saluted in unison. "Greetings to the Crown Prince and Crown Princess. The Crown Prince and Crown Princess have a good new year and are blessed to return to Thailand. "
These voices were joyous and loud. Cheng Yujin couldn't help but smile when she heard them. Li Seung-kyung also revealed a rare smile. "You've served the Crown Princess well. Everyone will be rewarded with three months of salary."
The palace maids and eunuchs were even happier when they heard this and spoke even more auspicious words. Cheng Yujin walked back to the inner hall in the courtyard filled with joy. She had watched the fireworks in the square for a long time and her body was full of the smell of saltpeter. There was hot water in the washroom all day long. She went to take a simple bath and change her clothes. After changing into a new set of clothes, she slowly walked outside.
There were many red shadows in the inner hall. The lanterns outside made the window flowers bright red. Cheng Yujin didn't see anyone in the inner hall and had long become accustomed to it. She held her hair with one hand and walked inside.
Li Seung-kyung was indeed sitting behind the screen. When he saw her, he naturally came forward and took the hair in her hand. But today, he didn't do it for her as usual. Instead, he held the handkerchief tightly and used it to soak up the water from her hair. He then threw it to the side and picked her up horizontally.
Cheng Yujin was caught off guard and unconsciously held onto his shoulder. "Your Highness, what are you doing?"
Li Seung-kyung carried her and walked towards the bed curtain in large strides. "Naturally, I'm doing something beneficial to the country's inheritance and the ancestral temple's worship."
Cheng Yujin was very helpless when she heard this. Her cheeks were red and she put one hand on his shoulder. She didn't know whether to push him away or agree. "Why are you suddenly like this? Tomorrow is the Lantern Festival. There's a big imperial court ceremony. "
"I know." Li Seung-kyung put her on the big red brocade quilt and smiled as he supported her neck. "It's because of this that we have to hurry up. This is a big matter related to the stability of the country. The outside has already urged us several times. If you don't get pregnant, where will my face go? "
Cheng Yujin bit her lip. She tried to endure, but she still couldn't stop her ears from turning red. "You're simply … You're saying this kind of thing and you still have an expression like you're going to the imperial court."
Li Seung-kyung raised his eyebrows. "Then what? Like you, your neck is red? "
Cheng Yujin angrily glared at him and immediately reached out to cover her neck. Li Seung-kyung easily blocked her hand and pressed it down on the quilt. "Be good. This is my duty. Tonight, cooperate."
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