Chapter 27 "Follow Me"
To celebrate Xiao Yuanjing's victorious return to the capital, the palace began to organize a welcoming banquet.
As soon as Yang Liuqing opened the door after changing her clothes, snow was falling heavily. The ground was covered with a thick layer of snow, which was ankle-deep in an instant when stepped into.
cold.
She went back and put on a pair of socks stuffed with straw. Next door, Tan Yue woke up, groggily saying:
"Imperial Attendant Yang, is today the Winter Solstice? I had nightmares last night because of the howling wind. I'm afraid I'll be much later than you."
"It seems to be the winter solstice. You should go to sleep. I'll go first."
They wrapped their arms tightly around their necks and held up an umbrella. But the weather made it a little late for them to reach Xianning Palace.
Contrary to her usual behavior, Yan Dibai did not stay in bed. Instead, she dressed up in gold and silver, looking glamorous, and sat up early to admire herself in the mirror.
As Yang Liuqing entered, Wo Xue turned to retrieve her newly made headdress. Upon seeing her, her smile vanished, and she twisted her waist to shove Yang Liuqing's arm away.
Wo Xue's dislike for her has never changed, but Qingqing doesn't care. Stepping into the side hall, she saw the person enthusiastically fiddling with their hair, and her brow twitched.
"His Majesty."
Yan Di, without turning his head, hurriedly said, "You've come at the perfect time, draw my eyebrows!"
There were many brushes on the dressing table, of different thicknesses, each dipped in a different color.
Yang Liuqing peeked from behind and saw that the boy had an unusually excited smile on his face, and his complexion was much better than usual.
Good complexion?
She glanced at it again; the face was delicate and fair, but there was a faint crease under the eye... Yang Liuqing was surprised:
"Your Majesty...won't you apply powder first?"
Yan Dibai's smiling eyes froze instantly. He stared intently at his ruddy face in the bronze mirror for a long while before suddenly realizing:
"Yes, I didn't put on any powder! It's too late, my sister is almost here! Yang Liuqing, help me apply powder! Quickly!"
I've never seen Yan Dibai without makeup...
Back then, pointing out the scar almost got me strangled to death, but this time, I was able to look at it openly and nothing happened?
She frowned slightly.
The powder boxes on the dressing table were spread out with a clatter. Yan Dibai swept aside the eyebrow pencil and haphazardly threw off the round lids one by one, revealing various colors of powder.
Yang Liuqing held her breath, trying to keep the fragrant dust from getting into her nostrils. But being so close, it was inevitably a bit choking.
He shoved a thick, soft fur puff into Yan Dibai's hand and urged, "What are you standing there for! If you delay me, I will hold you responsible!"
Forcing herself to speak, and seeing Yan Dibai's flustered appearance, she ultimately didn't utter the words, "I don't know how to do my hair." She said softly, "Yes, Your Majesty, please be seated."
Yan Dibai raised his face to her and closed his eyes.
Yang Liuqing grabbed the brush, thought for a moment, and dipped it in a color close to Yan Di's fair skin, focusing on concealing the scars under her eyes. Then she swept on a layer of pearly white.
Her eyes had a smooth, slanted curve, very alluring. Looking closer, the makeup wasn't as heavy as usual. She continued applying makeup, but Yan Dibai suddenly brushed her away, turning his back and muttering to himself:
"Keep it simple today, no heavy makeup, or I'll look dirty..."
Perhaps due to excessive excitement, the boy found it difficult to apply the eyebrow pencil; his wrist trembled violently. Finally, he took a deep breath and gritted his teeth, shouting, "Yang Liuqing! Yang Liuqing!"
A fair hand suddenly appeared before Yan Dibai's eyes. For a moment, Yan Dibai was dazed, but Qingqing had already taken the eyebrow pencil. "Your Majesty, do not move."
She showed no fear despite his strange behavior, remaining calm and composed: "My skills are not good, Your Majesty, please don't mind."
Yan Dibai felt a little relieved for some reason and nodded, "Hurry up."
...I imagine he must have missed Princess Xifang very much.
But that expression still looks rather strange.
Their relationship wasn't that of ordinary siblings; it had been distorted and twisted by the corrupting influence of the imperial palace. Did Yan Dibai still value her so much?
Qingqing stared at his increasingly thick eyebrows, silently pursing her lips.
They are blood relatives born of the same mother and have depended on each other since childhood.
She put down her pen and brought over the bronze mirror:
"Your Majesty, please take a look."
Yan Dibai had no interest in her makeup, nodded haphazardly, and went to the wardrobe to rummage through new clothes. Red, green, yellow, blue, and black clothes were scattered all over the hall, but in the end, she put on the same outfit she had just worn.
Yan Dibai wore a string of nine-colored necklaces, but was still not satisfied. However, there was not enough time, so he could only sit on the dragon carriage with a gloomy face.
At this moment, Wo Xue also came over with a headdress. She put it on on the way and headed towards the Qionghua Gate where the banquet was being held.
The concubines had been waiting for a long time, but Prime Minister Lin remained calm and composed as he sipped his tea. The rebellion crisis was over, yet he still couldn't feel happy.
Then, looking at the young emperor dressed like a deity, Prime Minister Lin turned and beckoned a palace attendant:
Where is he?
The young eunuch replied, "We've entered Xuanwu Gate."
Lin Xiang nodded, his eyes suddenly sharpening: "Where is the princess's entourage?"
"They said they arrived around the same time as Lord Xiao, but no word came just now. Shall I go and inquire again?"
No sooner had this group left than Yan Dibai led his men swaggering into the hanging flower gate. Prime Minister Lin tensed his skin and let out a heavy snort.
The concubines rose and bowed, but Yan Dibai ignored them. Wo Xue gestured for them to sit down, and Yang Liuqing, standing to the left of the throne, immediately felt all eyes on her.
Although most of what I saw was Yan Dibai.
As she looked up, Xiao Yuanshu happened to shift his gaze. Qingqing remained silent, sensing that something was likely to happen soon. Finding rats and dead birds in the room these past few days had already been troublesome enough.
She sighed silently. Taking advantage of the noise, she subtly observed Prime Minister Lin.
Upon first meeting him, the old man seemed even thinner than I had imagined.
The burden of the nation rests on one person's shoulders; the pressure is immense.
Yan Dibai was completely oblivious to the discontent of his subordinates, continuing to crane his neck to look ahead. The officials and concubines couldn't help but mutter to themselves, "How much does His Majesty respect his elder sister? He doesn't care about propriety at all in public."
Outside the capital, Xiao Yuanjing's return to the court was far more impressive than the princess's return. There was nothing to argue about. He was a victorious general, while she was a widow who had lost her husband and son.
A joyful occasion and a sorrowful one should not be celebrated together at a banquet.
If it weren't for the young emperor's stubborn insistence on seeing his sister immediately, no one would have cared about Yan Xifang.
At most, they would share a few royal secrets for amusement.
Yang Liuqing, like everyone else, has the mentality of a bystander.
However, she was somewhat hopeful. If this princess really had such a great influence on Yan Dibai that she could completely sway his thoughts... perhaps this would provide another path to help him gain the aura of an emperor sooner.
At the table, starting with someone, officials offered toasts, all praising Yan Dibai for gaining such a capable general.
Yan Dibai was absent-minded and perfunctory, anxiously waiting for her elder sister to return.
Seeing the situation hopeless, Prime Minister Lin decided he was beyond saving and didn't want to help anymore. Fortunately, a short while later, a young eunuch announced, "Lord Xiao has arrived—"
The clash of armor produced a steady symphony. Under the winter snow, a tall and imposing young man walked steadily, exuding confidence and spirit even without revealing his emotions.
It was Xiao Yuanjing.
The man bowed calmly, while Yang Liuqing stared intently.
Although we don't know his current imperial aura level, it has undoubtedly increased. His prestige among the common people and in the imperial court is also considerable.
Could it be that he is truly destined by fate?
Lin Xiang immediately stood up and stepped forward to invite Yan Dibai to lead the civil and military officials to greet him. However, just as he whispered for him to be more polite, Yan Dibai stood up abruptly and knocked over a table of wine and food.
Everyone was stunned.
The boy's exquisitely drawn face was dark with malice. He kicked away Wo Xue, who came to stop him, and shouted, "Where's my sister?!"
Xiao Yuanjing's eyes darkened.
The eunuch who rushed in from outside was trembling with fear: "Her Highness just sent an urgent report saying that the snow on the road is so deep that the caravan is difficult to travel, and they need to wait for the snow to melt a bit before proceeding—"
Damn it!
Yan Dibai was hysterical, completely disregarding Xiao Yuanjing's presence. Her eyes bloodshot, she grabbed a wine jug and smashed it against the eunuch's back: "Why didn't you go shovel the snow sooner! If my sister catches a cold, I'll slaughter the entire palace!"
The young emperor suddenly went berserk, smashing and destroying everything in his path, turning the banquet upside down. The concubines screamed several times, but could not rouse the young emperor to his senses. After several outbursts, Yan Di's newly made crown on his white head had rolled away, and he stood on the dragon throne, disheveled and wailing to the heavens:
"Sister! Sister!"
The sound was so piercing that everyone present instinctively wanted to cover their ears.
Just when everyone thought the young emperor was about to cause trouble again, Yan Dibai took a few deep breaths and suddenly turned and ran away.
Prime Minister Lin was greatly alarmed: "Quickly stop His Majesty!"
Ignoring everything else, Yan Dibai drew the swords of the guards at the door and shouted, "I'll kill any who comes!"
Lin Xiang nearly fainted from anger: "Your Majesty, what is this?!" Before he could finish speaking, his eyes rolled back and he fainted.
This elicited another gasp, and a group of people hurriedly caught Lin Xiang. Xiao Yuanjing stepped forward and pinched his philtrum to revive him. Then, Wo Xue, who was lying on the ground, said with difficulty:
"Your Majesty, no, no—"
Don't go crazy and leave the palace!!!
Ouch! Unable to straighten her stomach from the kicks, Wo Xue desperately tried to crawl after them. The assembled officials and concubines, however, exchanged fearful glances, none daring to take the first step.
Wo Xue was furious, but she didn't move. She stared at that figure and gritted her teeth.
It would be a lie to say I'm not afraid. But I absolutely cannot let His Majesty leave like this.
Just as they were in a dilemma, a female voice, as if descending from the heavens, calmed them down like a Buddhist chant:
"I will go with His Majesty. Lord Yifu is outside, so His Majesty will be safe. Lady Woxue, please apply some medicine and wait here."
Woxueleng, Yangliuqing?
Everyone present turned to look behind them.
It turned out to be an ordinary-looking maid in green. After bowing to them, the maid flew off after the young man. Her slender figure disappeared into the snow like the wind.
The hall was full of guests, but she was the only one who went forward.
Wo Xue clutched her stomach, still unwilling to accept that this savior was Yang Liuqing. But watching her run further and further away without stopping, she suddenly fell silent.
After a long silence, he angrily slammed his fist on the ground.
*
Yan Dibai's madness was both unexpected and understandable.
But he overlooked the weight of his outfit and stopped to rest as soon as he reached the palace gate. Yang Liuqing, being lighter, quickly caught up with him. While pondering how to calm him down, Yan Dibai, expressionless, suddenly ripped off all his clothes and threw them away.
Earrings, necklaces, pendants, gold, silver and jade everywhere.
I witnessed the entire process from beginning to end, and Qingqing was petrified on the spot.
...That wasn't enough. Yan Dibai seemed oblivious to the cold, kicking off his shoes and socks, his insteps turning bright red from the cold as he stepped into the snow. He didn't stop there; he continued to strip down until he was only left with his undergarments. In the vast expanse of white snow, the wind revealed his thin, fleshless body completely.
When they started tearing the pants, Qingqing couldn't bear to watch any longer and rushed forward to hug them.
"His Majesty!"
Yan Dibai gritted his teeth and pushed her away: "Let go!"
Yang Liuqing gripped the flesh of his lower back tightly, pinching it hard, causing Yan Dibai to tremble. Seeing this, she quickly cupped his contorted, hideous face in her hands:
"Wouldn't it be awkward if the princess saw you naked?! If word got out, people would start making wild accusations!"
Yan Dibai's eyes widened suddenly, a white mist drifting into her blurry vision. The mist cleared, revealing the girl's simple eyes. Her gaze moved downwards, her pink lips opening and closing incessantly.
His pupils contracted and then dilated, and he suddenly closed his eyes for a moment, staring at those lips that were neither too big nor too small, neither too thick nor too thin.
The girl's admonitions went on and on.
He couldn't listen, but Yan Dibai's restless blood calmed down. He just stood there letting Yang Liuqing continue to cup his face.
Qingqing talked at length while carefully observing Yan Dibai. She noticed Yan Dibai's demeanor was noticeably calmer and breathed a sigh of relief. She bent down to pick up her clothes from the ground, when Yan Dibai suddenly sneezed. He paused for three seconds, then silently put his shoes and socks back on.
She glanced sideways: ?
The boy remained motionless.
Yang Liuqing roughly understood his awkwardness, and silently helped him put on his clothes. Then she asked:
"Your Majesty, shall we go back?"
Yan Dibai stared at the snow and sniffed, a tuft of hair on his head sticking up in the wind. It swayed back and forth.
Yang Liuqing restrained her gaze as she looked at the man rubbing his hair, hesitated for a moment, and then said, "Lord Xiao should not be neglected, and Consort Shu should not be reprimanded at will. Although the princess has not yet arrived, we can send someone to Qingxue now, and they can reunite tonight."
She coaxed softly, "Okay?"
Yan Dibai glanced sideways, and Yang Liuqing lowered her voice to its softest tone, like she used to coax puppies and kittens, with a gentle, rising lilt at the end: "Okay?"
Clear and moist, like dewdrops dripping down green leaves in the early morning.
It is quite refreshing and good for the spleen and lungs.
"..." Yan Dibai's red lips curled up, and she smiled broadly, seemingly confused: "Okay."
Yang Liuqing felt uneasy after being teased by the smile. She hurriedly nodded and went to pick up the jewelry. Suddenly, her arm was pulled, and she stumbled as the boy, who had just given in, dragged her away quickly.
The cold wind was fierce, and the boy's beautiful eyes darted around as he glanced at her, his grin unrestrained and arrogant.
"You will come with me to find my elder sister!"
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Author's note: Bai: Going crazy is normal, whether it's real or fake doesn't matter.
But I can't go crazy anymore~
I can't hide it from you all now. The reason I've been so lately is because my typing speed is too slow and I'm especially sleepy and always drowsy, not knowing what writing is (not really) π_π. I'm really sorry, I will really try my best to adjust my state!
Thank you to all the little angels who voted for me or watered my plants with nutrient solution between 19:20:09 on September 6, 2023 and 21:47:55 on September 8, 2023!
Thank you to the little angel who threw the landmine: 1 "lol";
Thank you to the little angels who watered the nutrient solution: copper (5 bottles); lueluelu (2 bottles); and qunzi (1 bottle);
Thank you so much for your support! I will continue to work hard!
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