Chapter 70 The Mid-Autumn Moon Shines Brightly
Chapter Seventy: The Bright Mid-Autumn Moon
It was the Mid-Autumn Festival, a time for family reunions. The Linde Hall within the Imperial Palace was already brightly lit. Royal relatives, concubines, and high-ranking officials and their families sat in order, clinking glasses and chatting merrily.
In the center of the hall, dancers from the Imperial Music Bureau were gracefully dancing to melodious music, their colorful sleeves fluttering, adding to the joy and splendor of this night of reunion.
The Empress Dowager sat at the head of the table, looking much better than before, and attended the banquet in high spirits. Since the fall of the Zhuang family and the submission of the Southwest Kingdom, and the fact that the Emperor had quietly replaced most of her power, seeing that he and Su Su were now in perfect harmony, she gradually let go of her obsession with the affairs of the previous dynasty. Her relationship with Emperor Li Qianche had actually improved considerably, with less scheming and more genuine care between mother and son.
As usual, Li Qianche had Consort Su Su sit beside him. While listening to the congratulations from his ministers, he naturally picked up the serving chopsticks and served food to Su Su, piling the small dishes in front of her to the brim. He whispered, "This crab meat lion's head is quite good, you should try it. And this osmanthus lotus root is sweet and refreshing without being greasy."
Su Su smiled and agreed, her gaze inadvertently sweeping across the crowd below, where she saw Prince Ning, Li Qianfan, sitting alone in the clan seat, looking somewhat forlorn.
She then suddenly remembered that after the incident involving Consort Zhuang implicated Princess Ning, Zhuang Shuran, who had also been used, the Emperor, though not severely punishing her, had ordered that Princess Ning never set foot in the palace again.
Remembering the news that Qiuju had heard before, she learned that after Princess Ning learned that her respected stepmother and the elder sister she had relied on since childhood had always regarded her as a pawn, and that even her birth mother had been harmed by her stepmother, she fell seriously ill and was heartbroken after returning to the palace.
Thinking of this, Su Su couldn't help but feel a little sad. In the end, Princess Ning was nothing more than a pitiful person who had lived in pretense since childhood and whose grief over losing her son was even exploited by her closest relatives.
She took a few sips of tea, then felt a sudden urge to urinate, and whispered to Li Qianche, "Your Majesty, I need to wash my hands." Li Qianche squeezed her hand, his tone filled with undisguised dependence, "Go quickly and come back quickly." Ever since Su Su began taking care of her health, he had treated her like a porcelain doll, not even letting her touch alcohol, hoping only that she could strengthen her body.
Su Su was led by a palace maid to change her clothes. On her way back, she saw Prince Ning waiting for her halfway through the covered corridor leading to Linde Hall.
Upon seeing Su Su, Prince Ning, Li Qianfan, stepped forward and solemnly bowed, saying, "Greetings, Your Highness, the Imperial Concubine."
“Prince Ning, there’s no need for such formalities,” Su Su said gently, her tone calm.
Li Qianfan looked sincere and apologetic, saying, "Ever since His Majesty investigated the truth about my heir and cleared Your Highness's name, I have not had the opportunity to sincerely apologize to Your Highness. Back then, the Prince's Mansion was deceived by villains, causing Your Highness to suffer injustice. I am truly... ashamed."
Su Su smiled calmly, as if the past had truly vanished: "Your Highness is too kind. Life is unpredictable, and it's good that the truth has come to light. I no longer care."
A flicker of hesitation crossed Prince Ning's face before he finally spoke, "Aran... the Princess Consort has always felt deep remorse. Although she was misled by her elder sister that day, she never truly intended to harm anyone, and ultimately... she didn't use the harmful substance. Now she has come to her senses, seen the truth of her past, and... and she is pregnant again. I humbly beg Your Highness to forgive her past transgressions." His words were earnest, his eyes filled with the worry and expectation of a husband and father.
Su Su understood perfectly. Prince Ning's actions were partly to repent on behalf of his wife, but also, in a way, to ensure the safety and well-being of his unborn child, fearing that his favored concubine might later hold him accountable and cause trouble for his offspring. She looked at Prince Ning, her voice gentle yet carrying a comforting strength:
"Your Highness is overthinking it. As I have said, the past is past and I will not dwell on it. Both thunder and rain are acts of imperial grace, and since the Emperor has made his decision, I will naturally abide by it. Princess Ning has endured many hardships, and now she has seen through the illusions and been reborn, which is her good fortune. I hope she will cherish her blessings, cultivate virtue, and focus on her pregnancy. All the past is gone, and her future depends entirely on her actions. As long as she remains dutiful, how could I be the kind of person who clings to old grudges and only causes trouble?"
These words not only indicated that the matter would not be pursued further, but also subtly conveyed a warning, demonstrating a perfect balance.
Upon hearing this, Prince Ning's face showed a relieved expression, and he bowed deeply: "On behalf of the Princess Consort, I thank the Noble Consort for her magnanimity!"
Su Su nodded slightly, said no more, and left with her palace servants.
Back in the bustling Linde Palace, as soon as she sat down next to Li Qianche, he leaned in, his warm hand naturally enveloping her soft hand, and complained softly, as if he had been waiting for a long time: "Why did you take so long? I thought you were lost."
Su Su chuckled and said frankly, "I met Prince Ning on the way and we exchanged a few words."
“Prince Ning?” Li Qianche raised an eyebrow. “What else do you have to say to him?” The sourness in his voice was almost palpable.
Su Su turned her head, her eyes sparkling with a hint of teasing as she looked at him: "Is Your Majesty... jealous?"
Li Qianche felt his ears burn slightly under her gaze, and immediately put on a stern face, denying it outright: "I was worried about your safety! This palace is so big, and the roads are slippery when it's dark." His stubbornness made Su Su purse her lips and smile, and she didn't expose him any further.
After the banquet, everyone moved to the open space in front of the steps outside the palace, where various exquisite lanterns and Kongming lanterns for making wishes had already been prepared. The night sky was clear, and a bright full moon hung high, its clear light shining down, reflecting the dazzling lights on the ground.
Li Qianche naturally put his arm around Su Su's waist and stood beside her, watching the eunuchs distribute lanterns. Su Su looked gently towards the direction of the officials' families, where she saw her father, Su Mufeng, carefully draping a cloak over her mother, Tang Wanqing. The two leaned against each other, laughing softly, gazing at the bright moon and fireworks in the sky.
Not far away, Su Jizhi, the elder brother, stood with his new wife, Pei Yunxi. Pei Yunxi held a lotus lantern in her hand, while Su Jizhi turned his head slightly and looked at her tenderly. A quiet and happy atmosphere flowed between the two of them.
The scene filled Su Su with warmth, and she couldn't help but sigh softly, "The moon is so beautiful tonight."
Upon hearing this, Li Qianche did not look up to admire the moon. Instead, he turned his head to the side, his deep gaze falling on her profile softened by the moonlight. His tone was low and sincere: "I think she is not as beautiful as Su Su."
Su Su's cheeks flushed, and she glared at him coquettishly: "Your Majesty is getting better and better at making people happy these days."
Li Qianche chuckled softly, and taking advantage of the fact that no one was paying attention, he quickly and gently placed a kiss on her sensitive earlobe, his hot breath brushing against her neck: "Every word I said is the truth."
Su Su blushed instantly, too ashamed to look at him again. She could only pretend to break free from his embrace and look up at the Kongming lanterns that slowly rose into the sky, carrying countless wishes, like an inverted Milky Way, flying towards the full moon.
Li Qianche looked at her shy profile, a satisfied smile curving his lips. He pulled her closer into his arms, and together they immersed themselves in the tranquil and beautiful moonlight.
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