In the days that followed, the Forbidden City was immersed in a strong festive atmosphere.

On the morning of the first day of the Lunar New Year, the Emperor and Empress received the congratulations of civil and military officials and members of the imperial family in the Hall of Supreme Harmony.

Emperor Yongzheng, dressed in a bright yellow dragon robe and wearing a nine-dragon crown, sat solemnly on his throne.

The Empress, dressed in a phoenix coronet and embroidered robe, accompanied him with grace and elegance.

Outside the palace, bells and drums resounded in unison, the ceremonial guards were solemn, and the officials performed the grand ceremony of three kneelings and nine kowtows in turn, shouting "Long live the Emperor!" The sound shook the heavens.

After the court audience concluded, Emperor Yongzheng moved to the Temple of Heaven to personally preside over the sacrificial ceremony to Heaven.

Despite the biting cold wind, he steadily ascended the Altar of Heaven, burned incense, and prayed for favorable weather, peace, and prosperity for the nation.

The master of ceremonies loudly recited the prayer, and the musicians played the solemn "Zhonghe Shaoyue" music. Amidst the swirling incense smoke, heaven and earth seemed to fall into a state of solemnity.

After the sacrificial ceremony, Yongzheng went to the Imperial Ancestral Temple to pay homage to his ancestors, report on his achievements over the past year, and pray for their blessings.

At the same time, the concubines in the harem also paid homage to the Empress according to etiquette.

Lin Yun, dressed in a lake-blue auspicious robe, knelt and bowed along with the other concubines, her posture dignified. The Empress accepted the greeting with a smile, but her gaze lingered on Lin Yun for a moment longer. Although Consort Nian forced a smile, the gloom in her eyes was hard to conceal.

In the following days, banquets were held frequently in the palace, and the Emperor was busy receiving envoys from foreign vassal states and important officials of the court, not resting until late at night. Sometimes, Yongzheng would take some time to visit Lin Yun's palace.

Sometimes I would just quietly watch her sleeping face, and sometimes I would gently stroke her hair and whisper a few words.

Lin Yun vaguely sensed his presence, and the corners of her lips unconsciously turned up, as if even her dream was tinged with warmth.

And so, the New Year celebrations are considered over only on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month.

Because of his early retirement, Emperor Kangxi went on a journey around the world, and no one knew where he was except the Emperor.

On this day, Yongzheng received a secret letter from his bodyguard, which read: "The Emperor Emeritus and Empress Dowager are currently residing in Suzhou. They spend their days boating on the lake, enjoying tea and music, or strolling through the gardens, living a very comfortable life." After reading it, Yongzheng's lips curled up slightly, and a hint of satisfaction flashed in his eyes.

He never revealed a word of this to the public. When court officials occasionally inquired about the whereabouts of the retired emperor, he would simply smile faintly and say, "My father prefers peace and quiet and does not wish to be disturbed."

The old man put aside the court intrigues and, together with his mother, left the palace, finally finding true peace and quiet.

---------

The Lin family mansion in Shangyang County was brightly decorated with lanterns and colorful streamers. The red lanterns hanging high in front of the gate swayed gently in the cold wind, illuminating the newly hung "Lin Family Mansion" plaque above the door. The vermilion lacquer and gold trim highlighted the Lin family's current status.

Inside the mansion, maids and servants bustled about, their faces beaming with joy, but a hint of loneliness lingered in the eyes of Mr. and Mrs. Lin.

"Master, do you think these lanterns are hung properly?" Madam Lin asked softly, standing in the courtyard and looking up at the lanterns under the eaves.

Lin's father stroked his beard and nodded, saying, "Hmm, not bad." His gaze swept over every plant and tree in the mansion, but in the end, he could only sigh.

At this time of year in previous years, Yun'er was always the most lively person in the mansion. She would always personally cut paper-cuts for the windows and write Spring Festival couplets, decorating the mansion with a festive atmosphere.

Now, although the mansion is much more luxurious, it has lost that liveliness and warmth.

Lin Feng walked in from outside, holding a letter in his hands, his face beaming with undisguised joy: "Father, Mother, Yun'er has written a letter!"

Upon hearing this, Lin's mother's eyes lit up immediately. She quickly took the letter and carefully opened it. Lin's father also came over, and the family sat around in the warm room, carefully reading Lin Yun's letter.

In the letter, Lin Yun meticulously described her daily life in the palace, her words revealing her longing for her family. She wrote, "I am doing well in the palace, and the Emperor treats me very kindly. However, in the quiet of the night, I cannot help but think of my parents, elder brother, and younger brother at home..."

Upon reading this, Lin's mother's eyes reddened slightly, and she whispered, "I wonder if this child is used to living in the palace."

Lin Feng comforted her, "Mother, don't worry. Yun'er is smart and quick-witted, she will definitely be able to take good care of herself."

Lin Yan sat to the side, holding a chess piece in his hand, remaining silent.

His good friend Zhao Ziling had visited the mansion a few days ago, and he kept mentioning his second sister in his conversation. Ever since he learned that his sister had entered the palace as a concubine, he seemed to have become quite dejected, and it seemed that he would have difficulty letting go of it for a while.

Lin's father put down the letter and sighed, "Yun'er is now a concubine, and our Lin family has benefited from it. But this wealth and honor came so suddenly, and I feel a little uneasy."

Lin's mother wiped her eyes and forced a smile, "Master, it's a good thing that Yun'er is doing well. We should be happy."

Lin Yan suddenly raised his head, a resolute glint in his eyes: "Father, Mother, once I pass the imperial examination and become a scholar, I will take you to the capital to see my second sister!"

Upon hearing this, Mr. Lin's brows relaxed a bit: "Good, good! I'm very pleased that you have this thought in your heart."

Lin Feng patted his younger brother on the shoulder and said with a smile, "Yan'er is ambitious! The last exam is next February, so you'd better work harder."

Lin Yan nodded emphatically: "I will definitely not let my family down."

As night fell, the Lin family's New Year's Eve dinner was laid out on the table, with a sumptuous spread of dishes.

Lin's mother placed a piece of fish into Lin Yan's bowl and said softly, "Eat more, studying is hard."

----

Meanwhile, a thousand miles away in the Forbidden City, Lin Yun was leaning against the window, gazing at the bright moon in the sky. Chunlan brought over a bowl of steaming hot glutinous rice balls and said softly, "Your Majesty, today is the fifteenth of the first lunar month, please eat some."

Lin Yun took the bowl, smiled slightly, and said, "Thank you." She took a bite and then put it down.

Seeing her somber expression, Chunlan cautiously asked, "Does Your Highness miss home?"

Lin Yun nodded and said softly, "I wonder if Father and Mother are thinking of me right now."

Chunlan comforted her, "Now that Your Highness is a concubine, the Lin family is also honored. Your husband and wife must be very happy."

Lin Yun smiled but didn't say anything more. She looked up at the starry sky outside the window and silently prayed: May my family be safe and healthy, and may my younger brother succeed in his exams.

——

Xie Yu received Lin Yun's letter just as dusk was falling.

He sat alone under the lamp in his study, unfolded the letter, and the familiar handwriting caught his eye, causing his fingertips to tremble slightly.

In the letter, Lin Yun discussed the business details of Yunxiang Pavilion with him as usual, her words revealing her expectations for the future, as if the deep palace walls had never blocked her intelligence and decisiveness.

After reading the letter, he sighed softly, but a smile appeared on his lips.

After the news of Lin Yun entering the palace as a concubine came, he was depressed for a long time, and even put aside the shop's account books for half a month.

This letter is like a ray of light piercing through the gloom. She has not forgotten their promise, and even in these circumstances, she is still willing to walk side by side with him.

He took a deep breath, carefully folded the letter and put it in his sleeve, then looked out at the bustling street.

"Since we're not destined to be together, let's work together to make this business bigger and stronger," he murmured to himself, a resolute glint in his eyes. At least, they could still walk side by side in this way.

He wanted to use his busy schedule to ease the regret in his heart, and that secret feeling might eventually turn into comfort in his heart.