On the Lantern Festival, the palace prepared a banquet.
This is probably the most complete gathering of acquaintances I've ever had.
In recent years, the Great Xi Dynasty has enjoyed peace and prosperity. Due to trade, the border relations have become increasingly harmonious and friendly. Because there is no war, the relationship is quite stable.
The couple who had left home had long since resigned from their posts and returned to the capital to enjoy their retirement. Li Yunshu and Xiahou Jiang took over as the main generals in the army, and after arranging things, they also traveled a long distance back to the capital.
Shen Tingsi took over his father's position and brought the southwestern border region under his control. Because he missed his daughter dearly, he also returned with his wife.
Most of the officials who were sent out to other places have now completed their terms of service and have all returned to Beijing to report on their work, including Gu Xingzhi, one of Yun Qing's acquaintances.
For a time, the capital was bustling with activity.
Things are gradually getting back on track. Now that Yunqing lives in the palace, he might not see the young lady for ten days or half a month. On the other hand, the little princess loves to run outside the palace, especially to pester her grandparents to teach her martial arts.
Under the joint guidance of His Majesty and Lord Li, the little princess possesses extraordinary intelligence. At just eight years old, she is already literate and articulate, speaks clearly and eloquently, and can offer her own unique insights on certain political matters. Her excellence is evident to all.
The day before the banquet, just as he released his daughter, who was like a free bird, out of the palace gates, Yunqing returned to the Hall of Supreme Harmony, only to be tightly embraced by Xie Rang.
The fully mature Emperor had long since shed his youthful naiveté. He became emperor at a young age, and his imposing presence grew stronger with each passing day. Now, his brows are composed, and he exudes even greater authority in front of outsiders. Sometimes, even Ci Ying is somewhat afraid of him.
Yet, it seems he has never changed in front of Yun Qing. For example, right now, he has abandoned his pride and is hugging her, acting coquettishly: "Ah Qing, Ci Ying isn't here tonight, don't leave me to sleep alone, okay?"
Xie Rang is extremely petty, and his possessiveness has never changed. A few days ago, Yun Qing glanced at the young master of the Vice Minister a few more times, and when she turned around, he became jealous and left a mark in a conspicuous place without controlling his strength. Later, Ci Ying saw it, and Yun Qing was angry for several days and has not been coaxed to this day.
Yun Qing sneered: "If I don't agree, His Majesty might sneak into my bed in the dark."
Yun Qing wasn't just doubting; she was absolutely certain. Xie Rang had a history of doing this before. At first, the guards would show some token surprise, but now they were used to it. After all, he was the emperor, their master, and there was no point in saying anything.
"I was wrong." Xie Rang poured her a cup of tea and said gently, "Grand Tutor, calm down. I really won't do that again next time."
It must be admitted that Xie Rang's thought process is sometimes a bit erratic. Moreover, in the beginning, it was indeed he who insisted on dragging Yun Qing into this relationship. So when he saw Yun Qing focusing her gaze on a boy who was younger than him, he couldn't help but feel a little panicked.
"I really don't know what you're afraid of."
After a long while, Yun Qing sighed deeply, ruffled his hair until the majestic emperor's hair was disheveled, then coughed lightly and stopped.
Xie Rang's concerns were, in her opinion, completely unfounded.
Yun Qing narrowed her eyes dangerously: "Does His Majesty think I'm a womanizer?"
Xie Rang shook his head repeatedly and seriously reflected on himself.
Seeing his good attitude in admitting his mistake, Yun Qing finally relented: "Move back in, but don't do anything reckless."
They can mess around in private as they please, Yunqing's only request is that they can't do it in public. Xie Rang crossed the line for the first time, so he has to be taught a lesson.
His Majesty's eyes lit up immediately: "Excellent!"
That night, Xie Rang successfully slept with Yun Qing again. Since a banquet was to be held the following night and there would be no court meeting that day, he was satisfied with his newfound pleasure.
Undeniably, Ci Ying was very sensible and obedient, but after having a daughter, the two of them were not as comfortable spending time alone as before. After ignoring him for a few days, Yun Qing could roughly guess what he was thinking. Therefore, when he was kissing her until she was almost out of breath, she simply whispered a warning to him: "I have to attend a banquet tomorrow, so don't go too far."
Xie Rang readily agreed. He didn't go too far, but deliberately slowed down the pace, allowing the pleasure to be infinitely prolonged in the torment, until finally Yun Qing bit his wrist with red eyes, and only then did she reluctantly end this long torture.
The weather was great the next day.
Yun Qing thought to herself that her physique had probably improved, so even after being tossed and turned around so many times, she didn't feel too uncomfortable.
As evening fell, the courtiers who had been invited to the banquet entered the palace one after another.
Several years have passed, and in addition to Yun Qing and Li Yun Shu, women have gradually appeared in the court. Shen Xian Yue worked very hard to break free from her fate, and as expected, she passed the imperial examination and is now in charge of a position in the Hanlin Academy, setting an example for everyone.
Liang Bang and Yan Yangke sat in front, chatting quietly. They were very close, as they were now the heads of the censors, and both of them were biased towards Yun Qing.
The Li family members were seated next to Xie Ciying. The little princess got along quite well with her grandparents and aunt Li Yunshu. Even though there was an element of feigned seriousness in their expressions, the smiles in their eyes were impossible to hide.
Xiahou Jiang was ostensibly someone who had left the manor. His seat was next to Li Yunshu, but this mixed-race youth was taciturn and didn't seem to know how to talk. He had a bloodthirsty aura honed by the battlefield. Occasionally, when people around him came to offer a toast, he would politely raise his glass and take a sip, only to be called a fool by Li Yunshu.
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