Chapter 147 July 7th
study.
"Have you really thought it through, Lord Xiao?" He Yanchen put down the memorial in his hand and his gaze fell on Xiao Mingcheng who was sitting below him.
Xiao Mingcheng bowed his head and said, "Your Majesty, I have considered everything carefully."
Before his southern tour, he handed over his military power. Because of this, his father had a big quarrel with him and even wanted to kick him out of the house.
Shou'an Hou has only the title but no official position or real power. He is the only one in the family who can make achievements in the court. He can understand his father's thoughts, but Xiao Mingcheng doesn't understand. He has clearly explained the right and wrong and the pros and cons, so why does his father still insist on his own way?
The current emperor is not as benevolent as the late emperor. Anyone who disagrees with him in the court will have a bad end. He is even unwilling to pretend and does not care even if people say he is violent.
The Xiao family's little military power will not hinder the overall situation at all. If he had known better and returned it earlier, he would have gained the trust of His Majesty like the Wei family. If he insisted on playing dumb, the former Yuan family would be the future Xiao family.
His father didn't understand him, and his mother was not nice to him because of what happened to his sister. Every day when he came home from duty, he was faced with two faces that hated him. He was really tired.
That's why he submitted a petition requesting to return to the border to garrison.
"Your Majesty, I have been stationed at the frontier for many years. I was able to return to the capital to serve because of your Majesty's trust. I have failed your Majesty's trust. I only wish to stay at the frontier for the rest of my life and protect our Great Zhao."
He Yanchen didn't say anything, and the study was very quiet for a while.
Xiao Mingcheng actually didn't know whether he would agree. After all, the Xiao family's previous affairs were so ugly. If His Majesty had a grudge against him, he probably wouldn't use him again.
Just as he was feeling uneasy, a chuckle came from the leader: "I was right about you. Lord Xiao is truly a pillar of the country."
He Yanchen agreed: "You don't have to return to Beijing after the southern tour."
Xiao Mingcheng was delighted, and a hint of joy appeared on his tough face: "Your Majesty, I bow to thank you."
Coming out of the study, Xiao Mingcheng saw a pear tree planted in the yard.
It’s just a pity that the pear blossoms have already withered in the summer.
He stopped and looked for a moment, his expression unchanged, and was about to leave.
Just as I stepped down the stairs, I saw Yueli walking towards the study.
The woman was wearing a pink pear blossom pattern skirt today, with her black hair casually tied behind her head, her face was reflected by a lotus, her skin was as white as snow, and her beautiful almond eyes were stunned when she saw him.
Xiao Mingcheng lowered his eyes and said, "Your humble servant pays respects to Her Majesty the Queen."
"No need to be so polite." Yue Li didn't look at him. She craned her neck to look at the closed door of the study. "Is anyone else in there?"
"No, I am just about to leave."
Yueli said "oh", then walked past him, went up the stairs and pushed open the door of the study.
Xiao Mingcheng subconsciously looked back and saw a silk flower dropped on the steps. It was the one Yue Li had pinned on her bun just now.
He stared at it for a long while before bending down, picking up the silk flower and putting it in his sleeve.
Xiao Mingcheng didn't stay any longer and strode away.
In the study.
Yueli trotted in excitedly: "Your Majesty!"
He Yanchen caught her skillfully. He glanced at the door with an ambiguous expression. Before he could ask anything, he heard the woman in his arms complain, "Your Majesty, have you forgotten what day it is today?"
He Yanchen certainly didn't forget that today is July 7th, the Qiqiao Festival.
"It's still early. It's too hot to go out now and there's nothing to see. We have to wait until dark before the party in the city starts."
Every July 7th, there is a Qiqiao Festival evening party in Jiangning City. The whole city is decorated with lights and colorful lanterns. The main streets are full of acrobatics, lantern riddles and other activities. River lanterns are released and fireworks are lit by the lake.
On the way south, Yueli mentioned that tonight would be very lively and she wanted to go out and play with him.
"Okay..." Yueli's eyebrows drooped, but she became excited again in an instant, "Your Majesty, have you not decided what to wear tonight? I will help you choose!"
As she said this, she ran to the back hall excitedly to choose clothes for him.
He Yanchen smiled and shook his head, then hurried to deal with the unfinished government affairs.
Yue Li rummaged through the boxes and drawers in the back and finally chose a navy blue brocade robe. The navy blue was neither too bright nor as dull as black, but somewhere in between. It was steady yet elegant, making the person appear noble with a hint of youthful elegance, which was very suitable.
He Yanchen was urged by her to change his clothes and tie his hair with a jade crown. He looked dignified but with a hint of nonchalant laziness, looking like a sentimental young man from a noble family.
Yueli likes him like this the most.
Seeing that she really couldn't sit still, He Yanchen had no choice but to take her out of the palace early.
The carriage stopped at the intersection of East Street. From here, we went along the main street and to the end, we reached Wangyue Lake, where we could release river lanterns and watch fireworks.
"Are you hungry? Do you want to go to the restaurant to eat first?"
Yueli shook her head and pointed to the stalls on the road: "There are so many things here, I want to try everything."
He Yanchen rubbed her head and said, "It's up to you today."
Yue Li was happy. These stalls were filled with all kinds of delicious snacks. She wanted to try everything, but she couldn't eat much. She bought one, took a bite, and then threw it to He Yanchen.
He Yanchen was also full, so he threw the food to Ji Ming, Chu Yi and others.
In this way, by the time they finished walking down the street, the palace maids and imperial guards who followed them were all well fed.
As night fell, the main street suddenly became more lively. Lanterns of various colors were hung up. Guessing lantern riddles is an activity that has been held since ancient times. Although Yueli had seen a lot of it before, she still couldn't help but want to join in the fun.
"Husband, I want that." Yue Li pointed to a rabbit lamp hanging at the top and looked at He Yanchen eagerly. As for whether He Yanchen could guess it correctly or just buy it directly with money, it was not within her consideration.
Anyway, He Yanchen will give her whatever she wants.
The man looked up and sighed. What's so good about that ugly rabbit?
Although I felt disgusted in my heart, my body honestly squeezed into the crowd.
Yue Li didn't want to squeeze in, so she waited outside. After about a quarter of an hour, she saw the boss take down the rabbit lamp. Then, He Yanchen carried it out and threw it into her arms.
Yueli held her rabbit lantern and continued walking forward.
He Yanchen followed her casually, but his eyes were fixed on her. Seeing some men looking at Yue Li in amazement from time to time, he immediately glared at them.
Then those people walked away with their heads down in shame.
Yue Li had no idea about this. In the past, when she visited the Lantern Festival in Jiangning City, she had to be very careful with her purchases. She herself was not very good at guessing lantern riddles, and no one had ever won a rabbit lantern for her. Today was the happiest Qiqiao Festival for her.
At the hour of Hai, the streets are still very busy.
Yueli and her group also walked to the edge of Wangyue Lake.
With a "bang", huge and gorgeous fireworks exploded in the night, instantly illuminating the entire night sky, as bright as day.
Cheers rang out all around.
Yueli stopped, looked up and let out a cry of surprise.
The brilliant fireworks shone on her porcelain-white face, revealing her soft and well-behaved profile. The evening breeze blew up the loose hair on her temples, sweeping across her slender jaw, and seemed to sweep across He Yanchen's heart.
Yueli closed her eyes, as if making a wish.
He Yanchen walked slowly forward, stood shoulder to shoulder with her, and silently held her hand after she opened her eyes.
In the crowd, two figures stood together, one tall and the other petite, yet they looked exceptionally harmonious.
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