Chapter 312 A Beautiful Dream

This day seemed to be the most relaxed day for Shang Ruyi in the past six months, from the time she arranged the marriage to her wedding and the subsequent ups and downs she experienced.

Enjoyment is inherently easy.

Chu Yang first took her on a tour of the entire Jiangdu Palace.

The old imperial palace was built with extreme luxury because of the extravagance and pleasure of the last emperor. However, it was different from the magnificent palaces of Xijing and Dongdu. Jiangdu Palace was built against the mountains and by the water. Every part of the flying eaves and brackets, and the carved beams and painted rafters, was exquisite and ingenious. There were also deliberate paintings on some pavilions and towers. With the meticulous carvings of the southern craftsmen, it was as beautiful as a heavenly palace.

When Chu Yang sent people to rebuild Jiangdu Palace, he added his almost wild imagination to the beautiful scenery. For example, two tall buildings were built in the secluded path, and a flying corridor connected the two buildings.

As they stood on the covered walkway, overlooking most of the Jiangdu Palace, a flock of sparrows nimbly flew past them.

As the swallows flew by, a breeze brushed against her cheek, and Shang Ruyi immediately smelled a faint floral fragrance.

She whispered, "It smells so good."

Standing beside her, Chu Yang chuckled and asked, "What fragrance?"

Although the fragrance was fleeting, it seemed to linger on the tip of her nose. Shang Ruyi sniffed and whispered, "It seems to be... peach blossom."

As soon as he finished speaking, a pink peach blossom came into view.

She was taken aback, but then she saw Chu Yang holding the peach branch in his hand, smiling as he presented the flower to her: "When I went upstairs just now, I saw that the peach blossoms below were in bloom, so I picked one to give to you."

"..."

Shang Ruyi was still a little dazed and couldn't come to her senses, while Chu Yang's fingertips had already twirled the peach branch lightly, and the peach blossom immediately circled gently on Shang Ruyi's face as well. When the petals brushed against her skin, it was as if they were being caressed by his fingertips.

That tingling, itchy sensation made Shang Ruyi's heart flutter slightly.

His clothes had been stained red by her blood, so he changed into this snow-white long robe. It was still wide-sleeved and spotless, which, combined with his handsome appearance and his long, black, glossy hair that fell over his shoulders, made him look like a carefree immortal.

At that moment, the wandering immortal, holding a peach blossom, smiled at her and said, "Jiangnan has nothing to offer."

"...I'll offer you a sprig of spring."

Shang Ruyi involuntarily accepted the sprig of spring, looked at the bright red flowers, and then at his handsome, ethereal face behind the flowers, and said softly, "Thank you, Your Majesty."

Chu Yang smiled so much that his eyes crinkled.

He turned his head again, leaning on the railing in front of him, his eyes slightly narrowed as if enjoying the fragrance of flowers in the wind, while Shang Ruyi, holding a sprig of spring in her hands, simply looked at him.

Chu Yang suddenly asked, "Are you hungry?"

"ah?"

Shang Ruyi was still a little dazed. Wasn't the person in front of her a wandering immortal? Why was he suddenly asking her if she was hungry?

But the next moment, she immediately felt her stomach was empty, and she seemed to be really hungry. Then she remembered that she had only eaten a bite or two when she got up early, and then she was busy coming to see him and accompanying him to tour most of Jiangdu Palace. Now it was almost evening, and that little bit of food had long been used up.

Strange, why couldn't I feel anything just now?

Seeing her pause for a moment, then nod unconsciously, Chu Yang smiled, reached out and grabbed her wrist, saying, "Come on, I'll accompany you to have a meal."

Shang Ruyi was a little dizzy as he led her down the flying corridor in a hurry.

A short while later, they returned to the courtyard.

Unlike before, two low tables were now set up under the flowering tree, laden with exquisite dishes and wine. As soon as they approached, a wonderful aroma filled the air. Chu Yang led her to sit down and began to eat.

These dishes are mostly the ones we've been using lately, such as sunflower-shaped minced meat, three-layered duck, and crispy eel. There's also a dish that looks glossy and red, made up of countless strips of meat the size of flower petals, which looks especially tempting.

Shang Ruyi couldn't help but ask, "What kind of dish is this?"

Chu Yang said, "A delicate tongue."

Shang Ruyi had never heard of it before: "Exquisite tongue? What is that?"

The eunuch Yu, who was serving wine, said, "Madam, it is the Hehua Sparrow Tongue."

"A ricebird?"

Shang Ruyi was startled. Upon closer inspection, she realized that those tiny strips of meat were none other than tongues! She wondered what method the chef had used to cook them; each tongue was crystal clear, glistening with oil, and exuding a rich, exotic aroma. However, although this plate wasn't large, the tongues were so small that it must have taken at least several hundred to make such a plate.

Therefore, for just this one dish, you have to catch hundreds of ricebirds.

I wonder how much manpower was wasted...

Just thinking about it made her heart sink, but then she couldn't help blaming herself—she had already decided that on this day, just this one day, she would not let the scenery go to waste, so why did she have to worry about so many things?

So she smiled and said, "Okay."

Eunuch Yu glanced at her and said softly, "Please enjoy, Madam."

After saying that, he withdrew.

Shang Ruyi picked up her chopsticks and silently ate and drank, but seemingly intentionally, she didn't pick up a single piece of that tempting, delicate tongue.

Chu Yang glanced at it indifferently and didn't say anything more.

Just then, a melodious tune suddenly rang out. Shang Ruyi immediately looked up, but could not see the musician. Upon closer listening, she realized that the music was coming from outside the courtyard wall, faint and indistinct, filling the silence without disturbing them too much. As soon as the music started, a group of dancers in red came in from outside the vase-shaped door. They went up the corridor and danced gracefully to the music.

Shang Ruyi watched and listened, then turned to look at Chu Yang: "This—"

Do you like it?

Chu Yang smiled and looked at her: "How can a spring outing be complete without singing and dancing?"

"..."

“These days, although I have arranged all your food, clothing and daily necessities, I have not provided you with any entertainment in order to allow you to rest and recuperate. Today, I will make up for it all.”

After saying that, he added, "Do you like it?"

Shang Ruyi looked at him for a while and nodded: "I like it."

Chu Yang's smile deepened, and he lowered his head to pick up his wine glass, drinking it all in one gulp.

Shang Ruyi continued to look at him, then at the peach blossom that had just been placed on the side of the table, and at the dancing girls around her, the seductive music lingering in her ears. After a long silence, she picked up her wine glass and drank the thirty-year-old Daughter Red wine in one gulp.

The pungent liquor, carrying a burning sensation, burned all the way down, swallowing back the words she shouldn't have uttered.

This was also the first time she realized that she had such a high alcohol tolerance.

It was also the first time she realized that alcohol couldn't drown her sorrows...

Even after drinking a lot of alcohol, she could still clearly feel the constant pain in her chest. In fact, the more beautiful the scenery and the more elaborate the singing and dancing, the more intense the pain she felt.

Finally, dinner was over.

It got dark.

Shang Ruyi thought she could finally be free from the pain in her chest that seemed to last forever, but then she saw Chu Yang stand up and wave his hand, saying, "Step back."

Immediately, the surrounding drums and music fell silent, and the dancers all retreated.

The courtyard was almost empty except for the two of them. Shang Ruyi stood up and said softly, "Your Majesty, do you wish to—"

She stopped speaking before she finished.

Is today really over?

But what about the Imperial Guards? What about Wang Shaoji? He received the warning handkerchief, and nothing unusual has happened since. Could the warning have been wrong? Or—

Just as she was feeling a bit flustered, Chu Yang reached out and grabbed her wrist once again.

This time, his hands were a little hot, and his strength was somewhat out of control, making her wrist hurt a little.

"His Majesty?"

Shang Ruyi was startled, but before she could say anything, Chu Yang had already pulled her through the Treasure Bottle Gate and walked out.

By this time, it was already dark, and there was no longer any eunuch Yu leading people with lanterns to light the way ahead. However, they still passed through without any hindrance, because all the glass lanterns hanging under the eaves that they had seen on the way here were now lit up!

Shang Ruyi opened her eyes wide in surprise—when were these lights turned on?

It was lit up without their knowledge, and now, walking in is like stepping into a painting that had been prepared for her long ago.

Shang Ruyi was led by the hand by Chu Yang, completely oblivious. When the two finally reached the Bright Hall and stood on the steps, looking back, Shang Ruyi was immediately shocked and her eyes widened.

The entire Jiangdu Palace was illuminated by countless glass lamps.

These glass lamps come in various shapes and colors, emitting light that is either red or blue, sometimes clear and sometimes hazy, as free and radiant as spirits of the night. The Jiangdu Palace, with its elegant outline defined by these bright lights, now resembles a crystal palace, shining brightly in the night, a breathtaking sight.

Shang Ruyi was so stunned by the beautiful scenery before her that she was speechless. Before she knew it, tears welled up in her eyes, blurring the lights of the glass lamps.

Is it beautiful?

Chu Yang's gentle voice rang in her ears again. Ruyi didn't even dare to look up at him, and only lowered her head and hummed in agreement.

Chu Yang laughed and said, "It's not over yet."

Not over yet?

Shang Ruyi was stunned. Ignoring her tears, she immediately looked up to ask him, but before she could speak, she heard a muffled thud above her head, like a clap of thunder in spring.

She quickly turned her head and felt another blinding light before her eyes. She subconsciously closed her eyes, and when she opened them again, she saw a magnificent firework blooming above the Hall of Light.

"This is--"

She wanted to say something, but before she could even open her mouth, fireworks burst forth overhead, red, yellow, purple, and blue, a dazzling display of light that illuminated the dark night of Jiangdu as if it were daytime.

Shang Ruyi was completely stunned.

People often describe moments that are too beautiful as dreams come true, but at this moment she felt like a butterfly in a dream—

Otherwise, how could life be so splendid and perfect?

Just as she was wondering whether she was dreaming or not, Chu Yang's voice rang in her ears.

Do you like it?

She opened her mouth, about to say something, when she heard Chu Yang's voice ring out again amidst the deafening explosions of fireworks: "Do you like it—?"