April in the Human World (Dream Chapter)
A spring banquet, a cup of green wine, a song sung.
In the back garden of Prince Yi's Mansion, it was April, a time of blooming flowers and bustling laughter.
Six-year-old Princess Zhao Anle (Nuan Nuan), dressed in a fiery red riding and archery outfit with her hair tied up high, is riding on her father, Prince Yi Zhao Jingyi's neck. She is waving a small wooden sword in her hand and making "hey ha" sounds. She is poking her father's meticulously tied jade crown crooked, and a few strands of hair fall down, making her look quite disheveled.
"Giddy up! Giddy up! Father, run! Let's cut down the biggest peony for Mother!" Nuannuan screamed excitedly.
While protecting his precious daughter from falling off her neck, Zhao Jingyi cooperated by "galloping" along, shouting, "Oh my little darling! Be gentle! That's your mother's favorite 'Wei Zi'! If you kill your father, you'll have to sleep in the study tonight!"
Not far away, six-year-old Prince Zhao Huaijin (Yuanbao), dressed in a pale white scholar's robe, sat upright on a stone bench, a copy of the Analects open in front of him. His little brows were furrowed, trying hard to block out his younger sister's incessant chatter. Finally, he couldn't bear it any longer, put down the book, and sighed in a precocious manner: "Father, sister, Confucius said, 'Do not look at what is contrary to propriety; do not listen to what is contrary to propriety.' Can you please be quiet? You're making it impossible for me to concentrate on my studies."
"Hey! Zhao Yuanbao! Who's making noise?" Nuannuan immediately poked her little head out from her father's neck, baring her teeth at her brother, "Come and catch me if you dare! Hehehe~"
Zhao Jingyi quickly tucked his daughter into his arms and said to his son with a wry smile, "Alright, alright, Yuanbao, be good. We won't argue with the little girl." After saying that, he bounced the little rascal on his lap and lowered his voice, "Nuannuan, let's keep our voices down and not disturb your brother, that old-fashioned guy."
Under the pavilion, Qin Yuti was enjoying tea and chatting with her close friends when she saw this scene and couldn't help but facepalm.
"Zhao Jingyi! You're causing trouble with Nuannuan again!" she scolded loudly, but her eyes were full of laughter. "Look at how you've spoiled her! She doesn't act like a princess at all!"
Sitting beside her was none other than the current Empress Xu Nianchu. Xu Nianchu looked radiant, her eyes gentle. Watching the playful father and daughter, she smiled and said, "Yu Ti, you should be content. Jing Yi playing with the child like this is the envy of countless people." Beside her, the two-year-old eldest prince was chasing a butterfly, his wet nurse and maids carefully protecting him.
On the other side, Liu Mianying held her four-year-old son, the young master of the Feng family, in her arms. The little guy was exquisitely handsome, a combination of his parents' best features, and was quietly playing with a nine-linked ring puzzle. Liu Mianying's face radiated happiness as she laughed, "That's right! Unlike our son, who's just like his father, a little bookworm, so dull." Though she said this, the pride in her tone was undeniable. Her husband, Feng Yanshu, a compiler at the Hanlin Academy, was playing chess with Emperor Zhao Jingchen nearby, the occasional burst of the Crown Prince's hearty laughter and Feng Yanshu's earnest explanations echoing through the air.
"How lively!" A clear female voice rang out, and Shen Anci, dressed in a neat Hu-style outfit, strode over, sat down without any ceremony, poured herself a cup of tea, and drank it all in one gulp. "I've been cooped up in the Northern Frontier for months, I'm dying of boredom! The capital is so much more comfortable! Lu Beichen is still training those greenhorns at the drill ground, he won't be here for a while." Although she complained, her eyes and brows were filled with the sweetness of fighting side by side with her lover.
"Sister Anci is still as energetic as ever." A gentle voice rang out; it was Su Wanqing. She was now the proprietress of the most famous "Yunjinfang" in the capital, no longer a resentful woman confined to her chambers. She exuded confidence, composure, and radiance. "I just received a few bolts of newly arrived Suzhou embroidery. The patterns are exquisite, perfect for making new clothes for all of you."
At this moment, three princesses dressed in their finest attire arrived together.
Princess Fenghua, Zhao Yiru, married a gentle and refined husband, and the couple were deeply in love. She smiled as she watched the crowd. Princess Anning, Zhao Yilan, was enthusiastically discussing the latest information about the Western Regions trade routes with Xu Nianchu, her eyes gleaming with ambition and wisdom for power and career (not imperial power). Princess Kangle, Zhao Yifang, playfully approached Zhao Jingyi, snatching Nuannuan's little wooden sword to tease her, causing Nuannuan to cry out in surprise, creating a chaotic and lively scene.
Everything was so beautiful.
Loved ones are all around, children are healthy and lively, and sisters' friendship remains unchanged. There is no war, no death, no separation. The warm sunshine shines on everyone, and even the air is filled with the scent of happiness.
Zhao Jingyi finally managed to "unload" Nuannuan from his neck, but the little girl ran off to pester her brother for a hug. He walked over to Qin Yuti, naturally took the half-finished cup of tea from her, drank it all in one gulp, and raised an eyebrow smugly: "How about it, wife? I'm a pretty good father, aren't I?"
Qin Yuti rolled her eyes at him, took out a handkerchief to wipe the sweat from his forehead and the dust off her daughter, and smiled gently: "What a character!"
Looking at her, at the garden full of family and friends, at the children's innocent smiles, Zhao Jingyi's heart was filled with an immense, overflowing happiness. He couldn't help but reach out and tightly grasp Qin Yuti's hand.
At this moment, life is peaceful and the world is at peace.
April in the human world is the best time.
...
(Outside the dream, in the Prince Yi's Mansion, late at night.)
Zhao Jingyi was suddenly awakened from his sleep. His hand instinctively reached for his side, but he only touched a cold, empty space.
Outside the window, the moonlight was bleak, and the cold wind howled.
There was no laughter, no fragrance of flowers, and no wife who would glare at him, scold him, but would eventually wipe his sweat.
Only endless, bone-chilling loneliness, and the already cold tear stains on my pillow.
In the end, all that vibrant life, with flowers in full bloom and children surrounding you, was just...
It was all just a dream.
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