The next day, early morning.
The sky was clear and blue.
Granny Liu from Cining Palace made a special trip to Tingyu Tower.
They've come to invite someone.
The Empress Dowager is in good spirits and physical condition today and plans to leave the palace to go to Lianyin Temple to pray for blessings.
For the Northern Liang, for the newly enthroned Zhou Tingyue, and for the newborn Zhou Ziqi...
These were the things that the Empress Dowager was most worried about.
Most women think differently from men; what they truly desire is peace and the health of their loved ones.
The same applies to the Empress Dowager.
Normally, Su Tiyue was her favorite and closest friend in the harem.
The Empress Dowager only took Su Tiyue with her when she left the palace this time.
Lianyin Temple is located on the outskirts of the city. It is about ten miles west of Yong'an City.
I've heard that prayers and wishes made at Lianyin Temple are very effective.
In the Northern Liang, people believed in fate, the way of heaven, and gods and Buddhas.
Although those things are ethereal and intangible, people still need something to hold onto in life, don't they?
It's only after tonight's Lunar New Year's Eve that people will flock to Lianyin Temple to pray for blessings on the first day of the Lunar New Year.
When Su Tiyue and the Empress Dowager arrived, there weren't many people in Lianyin Temple.
The Empress Dowager stayed inside for a long time.
Su Tiyue simply waited outside the door and did not disturb them.
At the entrance, young monks were selling several simple and natural jade sandalwood bracelets.
Su Tiyue asked and learned that these hand-held items had been blessed in the temple, which could protect one's safety and help one retain one's true nature.
Su Tiyue carefully selected a green handkerchief and then gently placed it in her sleeve.
Green sandalwood is hard and durable, with beautiful and varied grain patterns and a delicate texture. It has a faint fragrance, which is actually quite similar to the sandalwood scent on Xiao Heye's body.
But the magic of green sandalwood lies in the fact that it is originally yellowish-brown, but turns bluish-green or dark green under sunlight. If it is placed back in a dark place, it will return to its original yellowish-brown color.
It's amazing; it's said to be an auspicious object.
They stayed at Lianyin Temple until noon, when the sun was high in the sky, before returning to the palace.
On the way back, the Empress Dowager and Su Tiyue talked a lot, mostly about their hometown of Suzhou.
Perhaps it was because the Empress Dowager was getting old, and with the Lunar New Year's Eve approaching, she couldn't help but miss her hometown.
Su Tiyue pursed her lips, her expression calm, and patiently listened to her recount those past events.
A person's life seems very, very long, so long that many things, when recalled, seem like they happened in a past life.
But a person's life seems so short, so short that it can be summed up in just a few words...
He accompanied the Empress Dowager on a trip, and by the time she returned to Tingyu Tower, it was already past 1:00 PM.
Liu Wan and Qing Wu were busy preparing snacks and sweet tea for the evening. Since alcohol was forbidden in the palace, they decided to replace it with tea.
Su Tiyue likes sweets, so the two of them specially prepared a lot of sweet tea.
There was also some cloud and mist tea, which was Xiao Zhangyin's favorite.
Su Tiyue rested in her room for half an hour.
She got up, took a bath, and then changed into a moon-white silk dress with pale blue begonia flowers embroidered on the hem, simple yet elegant.
Li Xun entered at that moment.
He followed behind Liu Wan, walking very lightly.
Liu Wan's face was gloomy, while Li Xun had a faint smile on his face.
Clearly, Li Xun must have already told Liu Wan his purpose for coming, otherwise she wouldn't have had that expression on her face.
"Your Majesty, my master has asked me to take you somewhere." Li Xun nodded slightly and bowed respectfully.
Su Tiyue walked down from the second-floor bedroom, lifting the hem of her skirt. "Where are you going? Today is New Year's Eve. Isn't Master Xiao spending it at Yelan Pavilion?"
Li Xun said, "Your Majesty, the master is not in the palace."
Liu Wan, standing to the side with concern, said, "Eunuch Li, my lady is frail, and Qingxi Town is too far from Yong'an. The journey is bumpy, and I'm afraid she won't be able to handle it..."
Su Tiyue slowly walked up to the two of them, opened her mouth, and asked, "Qingxi Town?"
"What does Master Xiao want me to do there?"
Li Xun said, "Since Your Majesty has given such instructions, this servant dares not ask any further questions... Your Highness only needs to bring a windproof cloak; everything else has already been prepared by my master."
Judging from his tone... Xiao Heye has prepared everything.
Last night he suddenly said he had something important to discuss with Li Xun. Could this be what he was talking about?
Su Tiyue lowered her eyes and thought for a moment, then nodded and asked, "Shall we leave now?"
Li Xun said, "Your Majesty, it takes at least two hours to get from Yong'an to Qingxi Town. We should not delay."
"Your Majesty, I'll accompany you. It'll be good to have someone to look after you along the way." Liu Wan was still worried, so she quietly asked Su Tiyue for her opinion.
That's certainly a good idea, Su Tiyue nodded in agreement.
Xiao Heye always likes to do things that seem out of nowhere, sometimes it's a shock, sometimes it's a pleasant surprise...
To be honest, until the very last moment, Su Tiyue had no idea what he was planning to do.
This happens every single time.
With Liu Wan around, at least I have some comfort in my heart.
*
Qingxi Town.
This place is the same as its name.
That small town was surrounded by a winding, clear stream, like a secluded island.
The area boasts lush green mountains and clear waters, picturesque scenery, and fresh air.
Qingxi Town is located near the south, where the climate is warm, and it is even warmer now that spring has arrived.
Li Xun drove the carriage, leading Su Tiyue and Liu Wan out of the palace and out of Yong'an City, and then headed south.
Six eunuchs followed behind their carriage on horseback as escorts.
The journey was smooth and unobstructed.
These past few days, Su Tiyue has been leaving the palace quite frequently, so frequently that she almost thought she had escaped the imperial city and become a free bird...
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