Chapter 16 Lantern Festival
The next day, Princess Duanrou hurried over to apologize after hearing the news.
"Royal brother, I was careless in this matter."
"My sister never imagined that Lady Liu would be so bold as to deceive the emperor."
Xiao Heng opened the tea lid and said, "There's nothing these women in the harem can't do to get to the top. What Concubine Liu did is nothing more than a small witch."
Princess Duanrou nodded slightly: "Yes..."
"I, your Majesty, have found the wrong person for the Emperor. I feel truly sorry for this. Don't worry, your Majesty, I will definitely find that woman this time."
Xiao Heng raised his hand decisively: "Forget it, we will meet each other if we are destined to. Some things will only deteriorate if you deliberately seek them."
He has tasted all kinds of cosmetics and seen all kinds of women.
Many women appear beautiful at first sight, but their true colors are revealed over time, showing all their ugly sides.
This woman was as pure and otherworldly as a fairy. In his heart, she was also a breath of fresh air in the harem.
If I really find it, I'm afraid it won't be as beautiful as I imagined. It's better to keep this sense of mystery in my heart.
In the following month, Liu Yuetang still stayed in the room, taking a bath and applying facial mask every day using the secret recipe brought from outside the palace, and practicing the techniques taught to her by Bai Luoyang.
She was not in a hurry to gain favor, nor was she in a hurry to see the emperor again.
The last time was just an assumed encounter. If I proceed to the next step too quickly, it will only backfire and make the emperor think that everything was a conspiracy planned by me.
Moreover,
Those that lie dormant for a long time will fly high; those that bloom first will wither early.
It is easy to make the emperor excited for a moment, but it is more touching to make the emperor interested in something but not be able to get it.
On New Year's Eve of the fifth year of Jingyuan, the royal family held a family banquet as usual. However, concubines below Baolin were not qualified to attend and could only spend the night in their own palaces.
Liu Yuetang also wanted good luck and a lively atmosphere, so she asked the palace servants to clean the house spotlessly, cut various kinds of exquisite window grilles and paste them up, gave some money to the Ministry of Internal Affairs to exchange for some charcoal, delicious food and wine, and finally brought back two big lanterns.
Wanqiu said that the person was an old acquaintance of his in the Imperial Household Department. It was a busy day and all the officials in the Imperial Household Department were trying to curry favor with the high-ranking masters, so even if one or two of these people were missing, they would not be aware of it.
At night, Wanqiu cooked a lot of dumplings. The palace servants ate the dumplings while happily telling interesting stories.
There was a whooshing sound in the sky, and balls of colorful flames exploded in the night sky, blooming with a dazzling splendor for a moment, illuminating the entire yard.
The palace maids pulled Liu Yuetang and danced happily, pointing at the gorgeous fireworks in the sky.
At this time, the sky is so bright and the smiles of the people around me are so sweet.
Liu Yuetang actually felt that this was the happiest and most lively New Year in her life.
She was no longer alone. No one here left Jinxiu Pavilion just because they were out of favor. They all stayed in Jinxiu Pavilion to protect her.
As the old year came to an end and the new year began, Liu Yuetang would not let the people around her down, so all the palace maids in Jinxiu Pavilion received generous rewards.
As a result, the silver she brought into the palace was almost gone.
After four months in the palace, she was out of favor and had to use the money she earned to support her family in the rear.
The monthly allowance for an imperial concubine was already small, and an unfavored concubine like her could not live on it at all.
So Liu Yuetang's plan was one step closer.
After the New Year comes the Lantern Festival - Shangyuan Festival.
That day was even more lively than the New Year, especially the wonderful dragon dance performance at the palace banquet.
The concubines would wear flower crowns to the banquet and place the lotus lanterns they made in the water. Whoever made the best lotus lantern would sleep with the emperor that night.
For this lotus lantern, all the concubines in the palace began to prepare on the first day of the new year.
Liu Yuetang is no exception.
She took out all the silver she had, gave it to Xiao Kangzi, and instructed him, "Go find me some materials for the revolving lantern, as well as glutinous rice mortar and plaster."
When Xiao Kangzi heard this, he knew that his master was going to take action, and he replied with joy: "Yes, I will go right away."
Only Liu Zheng was happy but also a little worried.
"My dear, this is our last bit of silver."
Liu Yuetang's eyes were firm and calm: "So this time, I must win."
******
Inside the Yingchun Palace, the lights were brilliant, and the concubines were gorgeous and charming, competing with each other for beauty.
At the banquet, Concubine Mi opened the banquet with a song, stunning everyone.
Concubine Mi was born into the family of a military minister, and her mother also came from a family of scholars. Therefore, she dabbled in various arts, including music, chess, calligraphy, painting, horseback riding, and archery. Her guzheng (Chinese zither) playing was particularly proficient, making her the best in the harem.
Since she played the piano, no one dared to show off their piano skills.
Concubine Yu always hated this kind of banquet. For her, it was not that she didn't know how to perform, but she disdained to perform in public for everyone's enjoyment.
Fortunately, Jiang Baolin, from the same faction as her, performed a dance that won everyone's praise, temporarily forgetting the heavenly music just now. It also gave Yu Fei some face.
However, how could Concubine Mi let her go so easily?
He immediately looked at Yu Fei with a smile and said, "I wonder what talents have you prepared for today, Sister Yu Fei?"
Concubine Yu's lips curled up coldly: "Concubine Mi will know in a while."
As she spoke, she turned towards Xiao Heng, who was sitting in the upper seat, and her voice softened: "Your Majesty, it's getting late. Let's go release the lotus lanterns."
Xiao Heng nodded: "Alright, I'm a little tired too, let's go and release the lotus lanterns."
After saying this, everyone became excited and looked forward to winning the emperor's favor and favour with the lotus lantern.
The moon hangs high in the sky, and the reflections of thousands of palace lanterns converge into a magnificent and brilliant galaxy.
Several small lotus lanterns are floating bustlingly on the river.
Jade Concubine curled her lips, knowing that it was put there by those low-ranking concubines who had never seen the emperor. With their craftsmanship, could it be compared with hers?
Liujin River, upper section.
"My lady, the Emperor has moved to the middle of the Liujin River. Would you like to light the lanterns now?"
"put!"
Liu Yuetang turned around. She was dressed up carefully, with her hair flowing like clouds and delicate face, looking cool, gentle and charming. Her eyes were full of waves as she looked at the river.
Meanwhile, the concubines' lotus lanterns had almost all been lit up one after another.
Colorful lights dance and float on the water, like a dream.
Yu Fei's lotus lantern still came out on top.
"The Jade Concubine's lotus lantern always takes first place every year, and this year she did not disappoint me." Xiao Heng turned and looked at the Jade Concubine.
Concubine Yu smiled sweetly, stepped forward and took Xiao Heng's wrist, saying tenderly, "In order not to disappoint the emperor, I have endured several dark nights."
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