Upon seeing Xuan Yuanhan return to the Qin Prince's residence, Cheng Liang hurried towards Chenghua Hall.
"Your Highness, Yi Shangyun has returned to the palace from the Dali Temple." Upon receiving the report from his secret guards that Xuan Yuanhan was waiting in the palace, Cheng Liang sent Yi Shangyun to the palace and instructed the palace's spies to escort him. He then went to the Dali Temple to await good news.
Xuan Yuanhan said in his still icy tone, "I understand. Withdraw all the secret guards after the Mid-Autumn Festival."
Cheng Liang asked urgently, "Your Highness, what happened?" Xuan Yuanhan did not answer, as always sparing with his words.
After a long while, he asked, "Is there any progress in the investigation into my mother-in-law's matter?"
Cheng Liang shook his head, somewhat helplessly saying, "Currently, battles of all sizes occur frequently on the borders between the four kingdoms of the Lingkong Continent. The person Granny mentioned, I searched through the entire roster of all soldiers in Xiqin, including those on the list of the dead, but I couldn't find him at all. However, I've heard that some countries have slave trade on the black market, could it be..." Cheng Liang didn't finish his sentence.
"Let her and her grandson stay at the Prince's Mansion for now, and wait and see. We'll make a decision in a few months. We'll arrange for two people to keep watch over them secretly. If her son is still alive, he will definitely come home," Xuan Yuanhan said.
"Your Highness is wise. I will make the arrangements immediately. Your Highness, there is one more thing..." Cheng Liang hesitated for a moment, then glanced at Xuan Yuanhan before finally speaking, "Today, I was unable to enter Shennong Hundred Herbs Valley. The Valley Master ordered that only Miss Yi was allowed to go."
Xuan Yuanhan looked astonished, but even more so with lingering fear and worry. He quickly looked up and sternly reprimanded, "What kind of work is this?"
Seeing that the King of Qin was angry, Cheng Liang hurriedly reported, "Your Highness, please calm down. Miss Yi is unharmed. Moreover, she said that she did nothing in the valley and the Valley Master gave her the medicine without making any demands on her."
The Valley Master of Baicao Valley never does anything that doesn't make a profit. What exactly is his purpose? Xuan Yuanhan listened and fell into deep thought.
The valley master's identity is very mysterious and strange. He also has good relations with many ministers in the court. Most importantly, their people cannot get close to him, let alone monitor him, which really troubles him.
Xuanyuan Han waved his hand, and Cheng Liang quietly closed the door and left.
Xuanyuan Han leaned back on the couch with a solemn expression. The Mid-Autumn Festival was just around the corner, and he still had many things he couldn't figure out.
With a casual touch, he found the familiar "cloud" silk handkerchief tucked into his sleeve. The cloud on his sleeve probably didn't know he was the injured man he had rescued in the valley that night. He took it out and examined it intently, becoming lost in thought, and murmured: Wei Mingxuan...
In the blink of an eye, autumn has arrived and the Mid-Autumn Festival is here as scheduled, with the whole country of Western Qin celebrating together.
A bright, white moon, like a jade plate, hangs high in the night sky. Whether ordinary people or imperial families, every household sets up a large incense table in their courtyard, filled with various mooncakes, fruits, seasonal delicacies, and other sacrificial items to burn incense and worship the moon.
As night fell, Yan'er, like a little bird, skipped merrily up to the pavilion of Mingyue Pavilion, her voice already ringing out before she even arrived.
"Miss, Miss, let's go to the market. It's the Mid-Autumn Festival today, the market must be very lively. Come on, come on, don't stay cooped up in the attic all day, you're turning into a moldy lady."
Yan'er kept talking without giving Yi Shangyun a chance to respond, and eagerly pulled her out of the mansion.
Yi Shangyun was originally packing her things for reporting to the Imperial Pharmacy tomorrow, and she felt a little reluctant and sad. After all, the Yi residence was the most suitable place for her, and also the place the original owner was most familiar with.
But once she arrived at the market, she was still deeply attracted by the beautiful scenery before her. It was clear that only a few days had passed, but it was no longer the familiar market she had seen every time she passed by. The shops all seemed to have been redecorated, creating a festive atmosphere.
The fragrance of osmanthus blossoms filled the city, and the aroma of osmanthus-infused wine permeated every street and alley.
The Mid-Autumn Festival of the ancients was indeed more colorful and diverse than that of the 21st century. It was just as the saying goes, "The bright moon rises over the sea, and we share this moment though we are far apart." Yi Shangyun looked on in amazement and fascination.
The candles inside the lanterns of various shapes illuminated the street, turning the once quiet night market into a veritable city that never sleeps.
Each lantern bore the character "谜" (riddle), with riddles written on them and illuminated by candlelight, allowing passersby, both handsome men and beautiful women, to guess at their own pace.
The river is also dotted with exquisitely crafted little water lanterns that float on the water, like twinkling stars in the night sky, creating a spectacular sight.
Suddenly, a giant fire dragon appeared in front of them, its skeleton made of bent vines and its body undulating like straw. Incense sticks were stuck into its body. It even had dragon teeth, eyes, tongue, and a dragon ball designed to be incredibly lifelike. A group of young men were waving it and running through the streets and alleys, which was quite a sight.
The children on the street were all licking rabbit-shaped cakes in one hand and carrying different lanterns in the other, comparing whose was more special, as if each of them thought their lantern was the most beautiful one.
Yi Shangyun was stunned, her eyes dazzled by everything before her. Suddenly, she realized that Yan'er had somehow disappeared. The streets were teeming with people, a sea of faces. Yi Shangyun tiptoed, searching through the crowd.
Suddenly someone tapped her on the shoulder from behind. She quickly turned around and exclaimed in surprise, "Third Young Master, it's you!"
The newcomer was none other than the strikingly handsome Yi Junhao, the Third Young Master, with captivating peach blossom eyes. He wore a long, bright red brocade robe, his dark hair half-tied up, with two strands of hair still flowing freely around his temples, exuding a carefree and dashing air.
"Girl, you didn't make plans with your sweetheart for the Mid-Autumn Festival. Why are you wandering the streets alone?" Young Master Yi asked in a playful yet probing tone.
"Third Young Master, please don't tease me. Everyone in the entire Western Qin Imperial City knows that I was jilted. Who would dare to ask me out? You must know that, Third Young Master," Yi Shangyun said, bowing his head.
"Really? That's great. Then you can follow me from now on, how about it?" The Third Young Master said this in such a relaxed and casual manner, yet it didn't sound like he was joking at all.
"Third Young Master, you're teasing me again," Yi Shangyun said somewhat embarrassedly, then lowered his head and twisted his collar.
Young Master Yi then realized that what he had said was a bit presumptuous, so he raised an eyebrow and said, "Just kidding, girl, you didn't take it seriously, did you?"
Seeing that Yi Shangyun was no longer angry, he continued, "Today is the Mid-Autumn Festival. Since we've run into each other, and I've helped you so much before, how about you spend the Mid-Autumn Festival with me today?"
Yi Shangyun was actually in a dilemma, because she was going to enter the palace tomorrow. She had many things to do tonight, but if she left the palace after tonight, it would probably not be so easy. As the saying goes, it is easy to enter the palace but difficult to leave. Once you enter the palace gates, it is like entering a deep sea.
She really should repay Young Master Yi properly, so she nodded and smiled, saying, "Okay, okay, then promise not to talk nonsense again."
When Young Master Yi saw her nod in agreement, he immediately showed a look of joy, went over and took her hand and walked towards the crowd in front of him.
Yi Shangyun blushed and her heart pounded when he suddenly took her hand like that, but no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't break free from his strong hand. He could feel Yi Shangyun's resistance, but he didn't let go. Instead, the more she resisted, the tighter he held on.
Inside the Western Qin Imperial Palace, the Xuanyuan royal family members were also gathered together, having just finished a grand and impressive moon-worshiping and blessing ceremony.
At this moment, the masters of the palace were sitting on a banquet table filled with fresh flowers and various seasonal delicacies, enjoying exquisite palace cakes while watching a play. On the stage, the enduring mythological drama of Chang'e flying to the moon, a popular festival for the Mid-Autumn Festival, was being performed.
The Empress sat on one side of Emperor Jing, and the Empress Dowager on the other. Xuan Yuanhan, as the only noble King of Qin in Western Qin, also sat in the most important position among the royal family, calmly and as always sipping his tea with an air of indifference.
Although he disliked sitting with these women in the harem the most, he had no choice but to do so on such days.
Emperor Jing suddenly spoke up, "Brother, today is the Mid-Autumn Festival. I promised you that I would give you a surprise today." As he spoke, Emperor Jing gestured to the eunuch beside him to announce the decree. Upon seeing this, Xuan Yuanhan hurriedly got up and knelt down to receive the decree.
At this moment, an eunuch stepped forward and opened the imperial edict, saying: "By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: Prince Qin has rendered meritorious service in protecting the country, is brave and skilled in battle, governs effectively, and is over twenty years of age. Princess Yongle of Dongning, Mei Xiyuan, is of exceptional talent and beauty, refined manners, and outstanding character. For the sake of friendship between the two countries, and also to bring about a perfect union, she is hereby bestowed upon Prince Qin as his Queen Consort, and the wedding shall be held on an auspicious day. So be it!"
Although the King of Qin already knew what was going on, he was still slightly stunned before hurriedly bowing to accept the decree and express his gratitude.
Then, everyone present turned their attention to the King of Qin and offered their congratulations one by one.
"Your Majesty, it is said that this Princess Yongle of Dongning is a beauty that could topple kingdoms. Are you satisfied with her?" Emperor Jing probed with a wicked look.
"Your Majesty, I thank you for your concern," he said, but only he knew the true feelings in his heart.
This imperial decree bestowing marriage upon the emperor is probably the biggest joyous event in the palace during this Mid-Autumn Festival banquet.
Night had fallen, and the Mid-Autumn Festival banquet at the palace was finally coming to an end.
But one person had a particularly satisfying night, and that person was...
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com