The alluring man had just stepped out of the hall when the young novice monk, who had been waiting outside, entered and gently closed the door. Just as a crack appeared, the old monk's voice drifted out again, saying, "'Peach blossoms adorn the small shop, willows line the roadside, their branches swaying in the green smoke.' If you are looking for someone, you might as well look here. 'Life is death, and death is life.'"
Upon hearing this, the alluring man's eyes widened in surprise, and he suddenly realized, "'Peach blossoms adorn the small shop, their petals red and pink; willows line the street, their branches green and wispy.' Could it be that the Third Prince of Dongning Kingdom is also searching for that girl...? Why is he so persistent in pursuing her? There must be some secret behind it..."
In that instant, the flamboyant man was filled with both surprise and joy, exclaiming, "The girl is still alive! The girl is actually still alive! That's wonderful! That's wonderful!"
With that, he strode out of the City God Temple gate with great hope, mounted his horse, and galloped off in the direction Mei Zhixuan had just left in the night fog.
In Taohuadian Village.
After tonight's experience of the lantern parade and bridge walking tradition, Huan'er and Ruoxi's relationship has indeed deepened considerably.
After returning home, Huan'er took the initiative to move all of Ruoxi's belongings from the small bed in the old woman's room to her own. The old woman looked at her with a puzzled expression and said, "Huan'er, weren't you very afraid of Ruoxi? Why are you coming to my room to move Ruoxi's things now?"
"Madam, you are mistaken. As the saying goes, 'Even newly made shoes can rub your feet,' let alone two complete strangers in this vast world! However, from now on, Huan'er will be Ruoxi's eyes. Whatever she wants to see, Huan'er will see; wherever she wants to go, Huan'er will go... From now on, we will be inseparable." Before she finished speaking, Huan'er had already completed her last run and flew away like a wisp of smoke.
The old woman watched his disappearing figure with a helpless smile.
Once Huan'er brought Ruoxi home, she was settled on the edge of her bed, repeatedly told not to move an inch. So, she sat there quietly, pondering to herself, "In the Dream Pavilion, it was like a dream. In the dream, I saw many scenes, but I couldn't make out the faces of the men and women. Who are these people? And what do they have to do with me? 'The true dragon emerges from the sea, the spiritual realm is unified, the phoenix rises from the ashes, reborn from the flames, life is death, death is life,' what does that mean?"
In another room, the old woman, under the dim light of a candle, muttered to herself, her mind filled with worries, "She must be the Guardian, but why doesn't she have the Guardian's phoenix mark... No, it seems I have to go to the City God Temple to see the master tomorrow."
Inside the Western Qin Imperial Palace.
In a brightly lit, magnificent hall, a splendid banquet, where the emperor and his ministers shared a radiant and solemn atmosphere, had just ended, and the attendants had already departed.
At this moment, the bright moonlight and twinkling stars in the night sky made the majestic Western Qin Imperial Palace appear like a celestial palace, ethereal and like a fairyland.
In the Empress's Chaohua Palace, a gentle night breeze carried the wisps of incense smoke from the incense burner, filling the vast palace with a delicate fragrance.
"Your Majesty, I have only been away from the palace for a few years, yet I was surprised to find that the Lantern Festival celebrations here have become so entertaining. I found the acrobatic troupe brought from outside the palace to be incredibly thrilling and exciting, performing hoop jumps, magic tricks, handstands, and so on. And who came up with the idea of bringing the scenes of a bustling street market into the palace? The laughter and chatter, the peddlers' loud cries, the throngs of people—it was all so lively and exciting… You can see these vivid street scenes without even leaving the palace gates! I find it all so novel and fascinating."
After years of traveling abroad, Crown Prince Xuanyuan Hao, celebrating the Lantern Festival for the first time since returning to the palace, still seemed to be enjoying himself immensely. Standing in the center of the hall, he excitedly gestured and spoke.
The Empress, dressed in a magnificent golden phoenix robe, sat solemnly on a soft couch in the palace, listening with a smile as she sipped the flower tea served by a maid.
Then, she wiped the tea stains from the corner of her mouth with a handkerchief before speaking slowly and nonchalantly, "The Empress Dowager quite likes the specially made lanterns presented by officials from all over the country. Their designs are all exquisite and dazzling. Especially those lanterns with auspicious meanings, such as the horse-shaped lanterns that symbolize success, the toad lanterns that symbolize passing the imperial examinations, and the beautiful crab lanterns, rabbit lanterns, crane lanterns, and official lanterns... However, the most impressive and thoughtful one is the 'Ten Thousand People Celebrating the Lantern Festival' presented by Lu Xian of the Western Qin Academy. It vividly depicts the scenes of the people of our Western Qin Kingdom celebrating the Lantern Festival in a time of good weather and peace. It is truly beautiful and quite breathtaking."
"Yes, yes, Mother is right. Your son has long heard that Lu Xian of Xiqin Academy is well-versed in astronomy and geography, and his academic achievements are unmatched in the Lingkong Continent. It's just a pity that he is also a recluse who doesn't care about fame or the court." Xuan Yuanhao said with a hint of envy and regret.
A moment later, when she came to her senses, she suddenly turned her head and saw that Xuan Yuan Yue was sitting quietly by herself, holding a bowl of fragrant milk tea in her hands, but just staring blankly. So she walked over to her side and asked, "Royal sister, what about you? Do you also like those dazzling lanterns and Lu Xian's painting 'Ten Thousand People Celebrate the Lantern Festival' like Mother?"
Unexpectedly, Xuan Yuan Yue was lost in deep thought and was completely unaware of Xuan Yuan Hao, who was standing in front of her and almost whispering loudly to her.
Xuan Yuanhao frowned, reached out and snatched the milk tea from her hand. Xuan Yuanyue then quickly came to her senses and asked in surprise, "Huh? What's wrong?"
The Empress also noticed her unusual behavior from afar. Xuan Yuanhao asked in confusion, "Elder sister, tonight is the annual Lantern Festival, a time of joy and celebration. Why are you all alone and looking so gloomy all night? What's wrong? What's on your mind? Tell us, and perhaps your mother and I can help you understand!"
Unexpectedly, upon hearing this, Xuan Yuan Yue immediately looked embarrassed, as if she wanted to say it but didn't want to, whether it was because she was ashamed to speak or for some other reason.
So, Xuan Yuanhao guessed to himself and teased her, "Oh, brother, I understand. On this auspicious day, is your sister thinking about your good marriage again?"
"Hao'er, don't talk nonsense. There's no such thing!" Xuan Yuan Yue denied it outright, seemingly a little angry.
"Not this? Just now, General Cheng sent someone to the palace to report that Uncle Qin has woken up safely. What could possibly make my sister so worried and distracted?" Xuan Yuanhao scratched his head, puzzled.
After much deliberation, Xuan Yuan Yue still didn't know how to bring up the question.
However, Xuan Yuanhao persisted in speculating, "Could it be because of... Yun'er?"
Upon hearing the name 'Yun'er,' Xuan Yuan Yue finally let out a heavy sigh. Then, she loudly ordered the palace maids and eunuchs serving in the hall, "You may all leave. Without the Empress Dowager's summons, no one is allowed to enter and disturb us."
The Empress was clearly taken aback by Xuan Yuan Yue's mysterious and unusual behavior, but she still nodded solemnly to the servants, and the palace maids and eunuchs in the hall hurriedly obeyed and withdrew.
After everyone dispersed, only the mother and her two children remained in the vast palace. The Empress frowned slightly before solemnly asking Xuan Yuan Yue, "Yue'er, what happened to you tonight?"
But that wasn't all. Xuan Yuan Yue stood up again, placed her hands on the shoulders of Xuan Yuan Hao, who was standing in front of her with a big question mark on his face, and said, "Hao'er, it's late. You should go back to the palace first. Tonight, your elder sister wants to have a private talk with Mother."
Xuanyuan Hao immediately retorted, "Why is my elder sister so mysterious? What is it that even your younger brother cannot know?"
Xuanyuan Yue shook her head firmly. Xuanyuan Hao turned around somewhat unconvinced, glanced at the Empress who was also standing there in a daze with questions, and then strode out of the palace gate with some annoyance and helplessness.
At this moment, Xuan Yuan Yue slowly moved to the Empress's side, personally refilled her teacup, and said with a firm gaze, "Mother, my days in the Western Qin Palace are numbered. There are some things I want you to explain to me personally before I leave. Only then can I go on my journey to marry into another country with peace of mind."
Upon hearing this, the Empress was momentarily stunned, staring at her daughter who had been by her side since childhood, whom she had watched grow up.
Looking into her daughter's eyes, which she had never seen before with such seriousness and determination, she suddenly realized that her daughter possessed such a powerful and compelling aura when she was serious.
Perhaps she has truly grown up. That's for the best. From now on, she can only strive to become stronger without hesitation in order to secure her place in the world.
Of course, there are struggles in this world not only in the Western Qin imperial palace, but which imperial palace has ever been peaceful?! In the long years to come, there are obviously many things that even she, as the mother of a nation, may be powerless to help.
So, at this moment, she must have felt deeply comforted. She silently prayed in her heart: Yes, that's it, Yue'er, from now on, you must make yourself stronger and stronger.
So, although the Empress's face was serious, she was actually very pleased. She slowly accepted the teacup that Xuan Yuan Yue respectfully offered, took a sip of tea, and asked in a low voice, "What does Yue'er want to know?"
Xuanyuan Yue took a deep breath, as if gathering her courage, and said, "Mother, Yue'er wants to know, how exactly did Father ascend to the throne? What is the truth behind it?"
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