Chapter 89 From now on, the king will not hold court early in the morning (End)

When Jiang Zhen woke up, it was already bright outside. The dazzling sunlight shone through the window around the room. She turned over and yawned softly. Gui Zhi heard the sound, carefully opened the curtains, and smiled, "Madam, you are awake. Shall I call someone to come in and wash you?"

"Yes." Jiang Zhen nodded, sat up and twisted her neck, then asked, "Has the emperor left the court yet?"

"Yes, but I heard that the emperor called several ministers to the Qiankun Hall to discuss state affairs." Guizhi said softly, helping Jiang Zhen to get up and sit in front of the dressing table.

At this time, Gui Xun led a group of palace maids in, carrying various toiletries and selected clothes. She said with a smile, "Your Majesty, the embroidery room sent the clothes prepared for the Mid-Autumn Festival family banquet early this morning. I will bring them over for you to try on. If they don't fit, ask them to take them back for alterations immediately."

Jiang Zhen nodded, and the two of them started to move quickly. After they had washed and dressed, Gui Zhi said happily, "Your Highness looks really good in this outfit. Your skin looks white as snow, and your hair looks like black ink."

"It's nice, but... the waist seems a little tight." Gui Xun looked her up and down, frowned and said, "Madam, what do you think?"

"It seems to be a little small." Jiang Zhen said as she stepped on her embroidered shoes and walked to the floor-length bronze mirror. In the mirror, she was wearing a sunset red dress embroidered with peony patterns. The collar and cuffs were embroidered with gold thread. She had a simple phoenix bun on her head, with two exquisite phoenix hairpins. She looked elegant and graceful, and her temperament was elegant and generous. It was indeed a very beautiful dress, but...

Jiang Zhen turned sideways, slightly tightened her clothes at the side of her waist with one hand, and touched her belly with the other hand. She suddenly remembered that Xie Fei pinched her waist last night and jokingly said "you've gained some weight."

I seem to have gained some weight... Have I been eating too much recently?

Thinking of this, Jiang Zhen asked in a depressed tone, "Guizhi, do you think I've gained weight? My waist seems to have gotten a lot thicker."

Guizhi smiled and said, "That's because the Emperor has been dining with the Majesty lately, and the Majesty's appetite has improved a lot. She eats more, so she has naturally gained some weight. But the Majesty is not fat at all, and her figure is just right. You were just too thin before."

"Hmm." Jiang Zhen nodded thoughtfully. Over the past two months, Xie Fei had indeed fed her a lot of food. This couldn't go on. In the end, she might really become a fat person. She pointed her index finger at herself in the mirror and said firmly, "From today on, I can no longer refuse the emperor's feeding. I must firmly refuse!"

After saying that, she breathed a sigh of relief and asked Guizhi and the other girl to take off their clothes and give them to the embroidery room so that they could make their waists slightly larger.

On the way back to Kunning Palace, the palace maids and eunuchs gathered in groups of three or five, laughing and talking about how Xi Helan broke into the imperial study at night last night, dressed in revealing clothes and tried to seduce the emperor, but was punished by the empress dowager. Jiang Zhen sighed with some pity. In this era, the reputation of a woman is so important, let alone a concubine. After Lan agreed, she was afraid that she would really fall out of favor completely and there would be no possibility of recovery.

Time passed quickly, and soon it was the Mid-Autumn Festival. The hall where the family banquet was held was hung with exquisitely painted lanterns and bright red silk curtains. The magnificent palace was filled with the faint scent of ambergris, mixed with the strong aroma of wine and powder.

Because it was a family dinner, everyone in the hall was family, so there were not too many restraints. The banquet had just begun, and there was already constant singing and dancing in the hall. Everyone sat in their seats, evaluating the delicacies with the people around them, and chatting and laughing.

When they were half drunk, everyone was a little intoxicated. Prince Qi He, who was sitting at the bottom, suggested going to the Imperial Garden to enjoy the flowers and the moon. Everyone agreed happily. Seeing that everyone was in high spirits, Xie Fei agreed. However, the Empress Dowager was old and could not stand the tossing and turning. After chatting with everyone for a while, she returned to the palace to rest.

With the emperor's permission, everyone invited their friends or families to go to the Imperial Garden in groups of two or three to enjoy the flowers and the moon, play chess and chat. The concubines also looked at the emperor with hope, but they could only watch him take the queen to her feet, put his arm around her waist and walk out: "It's a rare Mid-Autumn Festival, I will accompany the queen to the Imperial Garden to enjoy the moon, if you are willing, you can go together."

Gao Baoxi, who was standing by, looked at Xie Fei's hand around Jiang Zhen's waist angrily, snorted angrily, and quickly stood up and followed. The other concubines looked at each other and stood up one after another.

Festive lanterns were hung everywhere in the Imperial Garden. Under the dim lights, the trees and flowers looked even more lush and green. Clusters of flowers were in full bloom all over the ground, and the air was filled with the subtle and elegant fragrance of osmanthus, which made people feel fascinated.

Xie Fei held Jiang Zhen's hand and strolled on the winding gravel path. The concubines following behind them were also attracted by the beautiful night view of the imperial garden. There was a rare lack of noise. Everyone smiled happily, smelling the fragrance of flowers, appreciating the full moon, and chatting and laughing with their friends.

Gradually, the concubines and the emperor and empress became more and more distant. Even the angry Gao Baoxi was now immersed in the eight-treasure carp pond, which was very beautifully illuminated by the lights, pinching fish food to feed the fish.

"Zhen'er looks really good today. This red dress suits you very well. Your skin is as white as jade, and your eyes are radiant. You are really as beautiful as a fairy." Xie Fei smiled, holding Jiang Zhen's hand and squeezing it lightly, and said jokingly, "Zhen'er can't really be the fairy Chang'e who has come down to earth, right?"

Hearing Xie Fei say this, Jiang Zhen suddenly blushed, lowered her head slightly and whispered a retort, but the smile between her eyebrows revealed her good mood: "Your Majesty is making fun of Zhen'er, Zhen'er is not even half as beautiful as the fairy Chang'e, who is truly a peerless beauty."

"Why can't I compare with her?" Xie Fei's eyes were filled with ripples. He gently lifted Jiang Zhen's chin with his index finger, looked into her eyes attentively and affectionately, and smiled slightly, "Zhen'er is my fairy Chang'e, and she lives firmly in my heart."

As he spoke, Xie Fei pulled her hand against his chest, and covered her hand tightly with his big palm.

The sound of his pounding heartbeat entered her palm, passed through her limbs and bones, and reached her heart. In a blink of an eye, Jiang Zhen felt her heartbeat suddenly panic. She looked up at Xie Fei. He stood under the dimly lit branches and looked at her quietly. His eyes were shining and his gaze was scorching. Her eyes were hot and a hot emotion surged to her head. After a long time, she said in a nasal voice: "You are also firmly in Zhen'er's heart. Every bit of it is you, leaving nothing behind."

She looked at herself with her eyes shining, with little crystal tears in the corners of her eyes, and her little face was as pink and white as a spring peach, which made people lose themselves in the sight.

Xie Fei's heart warmed when he saw a hibiscus flower in bud leaning against her hair. The petals were as delicate and beautiful as her little face. He reached out and gently folded the flower branch, then slowly inserted it into her bun. He stared at her deeply and whispered, "I'm so happy."

Under the light, his features were clear and his eyes were blazing, making Jiang Zhen unable to resist. Just as she tried to avoid his sight, Xie Fei gently cupped her cheek and lifted it up, his thin lips touching her brow, and said, "She is indeed more beautiful than flowers, making people intoxicated."

The scent of his warm lips made Jiang Zhen feel numb from head to toe. She gently grasped his arms with both hands, her cheeks flushed as if she was drunk, and her curled eyelashes fluttered twice before slowly closing involuntarily.

The next moment, she felt Xie Fei's hot thin lips slowly slide down, sweeping across her eyes, nose tip and cheeks, and gently landing on her lips...

The moon was at its zenith and it was almost midnight. Everyone said goodbye and prepared to go back. At this moment, a long and melodious sound of piano came from the rockery not far away. The melody was long and lingering, full of charm.

Everyone couldn't help but look over curiously, and saw a woman in a white dress, her soft hair tied up with a white silk ribbon. A few strands of hair hung down by her ears, making her pretty smiling face look charming.

She slightly raised her head to look at the bright full moon in the night sky, and her slender fingers skillfully plucked the piano, occasionally twisting a finger, or turning the wrist, and the pleasant sound of the piano slowly circled in the air. Before everyone could react, the next moment, a vague and ethereal sound rang out: "When will the bright moon appear? I ask the blue sky with a glass of wine. I don't know what year it is in the palace in heaven~"

The clear and ethereal voice passes through everyone's heart like the sound of immortals. It is so gentle and beautiful that people can't help but indulge in it and cannot extricate themselves.

“People have joys and sorrows, separations and reunions. The moon waxes and wanes. It is difficult to have everything in life. I wish you a long life. We can enjoy the beauty of the moon together even though we are thousands of miles apart.”

The woman's ending note was melodious and clear, with a hint of melancholy and hope. She slowly lowered her head and plucked the strings of the zither. The sound of the zither was lingering. Just when she started to sing for the second time, Concubine Xian Gui had come back to her senses. She stared at the woman with wide eyes and said in surprise: "Isn't that Lan Da Ying? Why is she there?!"

There was an inexplicable jealousy and resentment in his tone.

Another noble lady Mei also asked in confusion: "Yes, isn't she under house arrest?"

Gao Baoxi glanced at her with disdain and laughed coldly, "Need I say more? I can tell that she must have sneaked out while the foster nanny was asleep. She's really brave."

After that, she took two steps forward and walked to Xie Fei's side. She curled her lips towards Jiang Zhen and smiled meaningfully, "Your Majesty, Lan Cheng is disobeying your order. You must punish her severely, otherwise the harem will be in chaos."

Xie Fei lowered his eyes and looked at Gao Baoxi with a faint smile: "Of course, I make the decision freely."

After saying that, Xie Fei looked at Xi Helan's figure, a faint smile appeared on the corner of his mouth without any expression, and his hands behind his back quietly formed a thunderstorm gesture.

In the blink of an eye, the night sky, which was cloudless and dotted with stars, was suddenly covered with dark clouds. Rolling dark clouds gathered from afar, followed by a loud thunder in the sky, and the next moment, raindrops as big as beans fell down with a crackling sound.

Everyone screamed in panic, holding up their skirts and running towards the pavilion behind them. Seeing that Jiang Zhen couldn't run fast in her embroidered shoes, Xie Fei picked her up by the waist and strode towards the attic beside her.

Everyone disappeared in an instant, only Xi Helan was standing on the rockery holding the piano, neither moving up nor down. Raindrops fell on her body, hurting her. Her long hair stuck to her face like wet noodles. Her previously fluttering white clothes were now soaked, and there was no sense of ethereality at all. The rouge and powder on her face were smeared all over by the rain, and she looked like the legendary female ghost.

The rain was getting heavier and the thunder was getting closer. Xi Helan looked at the lightning shooting out from the clouds and couldn't help but think of the previous lightning punishment. She shuddered and no longer cared about regretting that her carefully prepared appearance had been ruined, nor about her own image. She hurriedly dropped the piano in her hand and used her hands and feet to climb down the rockery.

At this moment, a familiar voice rang in my ears——[Ding! If the host fails to complete the task within 30 days, or complete the exchange task to increase the target's favorability, the second stage of punishment will be executed: 8 lightning strikes, which will begin after eight breaths of countdown. ]

Xi Helan was stunned. Her face turned pale instantly. She shouted anxiously, "No - let me try again. I can definitely complete the exchange mission!"

The sound of rain crackled and a mist rose in the air. No one noticed Xi Helan's change except Xie Fei. His eyes turned, he made a gesture, secretly monitored the system for the first time, and then made some adjustments without anyone noticing.

As soon as it was done, the system began to execute the first lightning punishment. Almost at the same time, a bolt of lightning streaked across the sky, illuminating almost the entire Da Qi. Immediately afterwards, a bolt of lightning rumbled out of the clouds, fell from the sky, and directly hit Xi Helan who was lying on the rockery.

A scream pierced through the rain and fog. Everyone was stunned. Then they saw a figure in white tumbling down from the rugged rockery, falling to the ground with a bang, rolling a long distance, and then lying motionless in the rain.

In the hazy rain curtain, a black shadow quietly floated out from Xi Helan's body. It shuttled through the rain at a very fast speed and was about to float away. However, the next moment it was bound by a strange force and fell into darkness.

The author has something to say: ??Qi Xuan: Thunder has come to the world, and evil will be punished! Ancestors, Qi Xuan can finally rest in peace!