Princess Chang'an had no idea how long she had been sitting slumped over in Cining Palace.
When she dragged that soulless shell out...
It was getting late.
The imperial edict for the marriage alliance had already been proclaimed to the world.
Princess Chang'an walked aimlessly forward, and before she knew it, she had arrived at the lakeside in the Imperial Garden.
The sky was covered with dark clouds, thunder rumbled, and raindrops pounded the lake like needles, shattering the tranquility of the day.
The image of her first meeting with Lu Zhaolin flashed through her mind.
It was a summer day after the rain, and she was picking flowers on a mountain path outside the palace, as usual.
The rain from the previous night had soaked the pebbles on the road.
Princess Chang'an lost her footing, slipped and fell, and tumbled down the slope.
Lu Zhaolin happened to see it after he finished shooting the rabbit.
He cleaned her wounds, found a carriage, and took her back to the palace.
Lu Zhaolin had delicate features and a scholarly air about him. When he talked to her, his youthful cheeks flushed.
Those were good times.
Princess Chang'an's eyes welled up with tears.
Everything was so beautiful.
She and Lu Zhaofeng were merely pawns in the Empress Dowager's scheme to take revenge on her mother.
Princess Chang'an was soaked to the bone. She held onto the railing with both hands, really wanting to jump down and end it all.
But she didn't dare.
She committed suicide after Emperor Yuanwu issued the imperial edict for a marriage alliance.
Then her mother would surely die.
Princess Chang'an was crying when she suddenly smiled and raised her head, letting the rain patter on her cheeks.
Tears and rainwater mingled together.
Princess Chang'an fell seriously ill.
Just as her health was recovering, red lanterns were hung everywhere in the palace.
"What joyous occasion is there in the palace?" Princess Chang'an stood at the entrance of her bedchamber, looking around.
"Princess, you've been ill for several days, you probably don't know, but today is the 100-day celebration for the Princess of Beihai."
"Princess of the North Sea?" Princess Chang'an asked, puzzled.
"That is our seventh princess, the Princess of Beihai, whom the Emperor just conferred the title of Princess."
"My brother truly dotes on this seventh princess." Princess Chang'an gave a self-deprecating smile.
"That's right. The Emperor not only bestowed the title of Princess Chang'an upon the Seventh Princess, but also granted a general amnesty and held a banquet in the palace. This afternoon, all of Consort Shu's family members were brought into the palace..."
all?
A strange look flashed across Princess Chang'an's eyes.
-
Qiluan Garden was already bustling with activity.
Consort Shu now holds power over the six palaces, and Mu Qianqian is deeply favored by Emperor Yuanwu.
The ladies of each palace also rummaged through their chests and cabinets to find the best things to present as congratulatory gifts, sending them one after another to Consort Shu's palace.
Mu Qianqian's eyes widened.
Oh my god!
Are all these things gifts for me?
Consort Shu watched her daughter's eyes darting around and couldn't help but pinch her cheek: "These will all belong to Qianqian from now on. How about Mother keeps them safe for you?"
Mu Qianqian paused.
Should I save it for her?
Let's just forget about it!
Why did she feel that the imagery was so vivid at that moment?
It sounds exactly like what adults say when they trick children out of their New Year's money.
I'll keep it for you for now, and give it to you later.
And then... that was it!
I wonder if I can take these things with me when I go back.
[If I could take this with me, it's something from the Yuan Kingdom's imperial palace—I'd be rich!]
[If I can bring it back, I should be able to relax and enjoy life in the Nine Realms.]
[This is so awesome, Mom! I love you so much! Don't bother saving these things, I can manage.]
Consort Shu: ? ? ?
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