Chapter 19 The Unspeakable Secret of Moon Viewing
It is said that the moon is fullest on the sixteenth day of the lunar month. Before it was even completely dark, Shen Yujiao had already started preparing for the moon-viewing event. She asked people to find the lanterns that had not been hung up the day before in the storeroom, and she asked the kitchen to prepare various tea snacks. She and Mu Jin and Mu Nan were busy like little bees.
Outside the palace, everyone was busy, but inside the sleeping quarters, all was quiet. Everyone knew that His Highness the Crown Prince was resting at this time, so no one would disturb him in the slightest.
Jiang Chen lay on his side on the bed, his eyes slowly opening. He had barely slept last night. The tension of the past few days, coupled with the drop in his emotions, had resulted in a long and deep sleep in the afternoon. But now his eyes were unfocused, and his gaze couldn't even find a point of focus in the dim light, as if he had become even more tired after sleeping.
He was dreaming.
He dreamt that he returned to his childhood, to his adolescence, to the time before he and Shen Yujiao grew up, a time he could never return to.
Back then, the two children were inseparable playmates, laughing and playing under the knees of their parents, eating, living, and sleeping together. The sky was a clear, unblemished blue, and the water was crystal clear. They ran barefoot on the soft grass and shoved each other into the cold snowdrifts. Together, they witnessed the purest side of the world.
Back then, they were true childhood sweethearts, inseparable since they were little.
When did it start to change? He couldn't remember.
All I remember is that once the switch to grow up was flipped, the two of them unconsciously began to avoid each other, and many new friends who were not familiar with each other appeared in their respective circles of friends. It was as if they had undergone a blood transfusion with metabolism, and their relationship seemed to have lost its initial freshness.
He grew up alongside her, and it could be said that no one could see more directly than Jiang Chen how Shen Yujiao grew from an innocent child into a bright young woman. He watched her become more intelligent and witty, and she also became more poised and graceful when interacting with others. She was no longer the little girl who hid behind him when she was young, nor the boy who was attracted to her because of her outstanding talent and beauty.
He smiled and put his arm around them as they fought side by side on the court. When asked, "Hey, aren't you and Shen Yujiao childhood friends?" he would naturally answer, "Yes, we've known each other since we were little."
Everything seemed harmonious and natural, and he was open and generous.
But only Jiang Chen himself knew that not everyone on the court was a friend; there were also his imagined rivals. Every ball he threw carried full force; he smiled, but showed no mercy.
Who told you we're just childhood friends?
So, after everyone got to know each other, Jiang Chen would often organize games to play ball or go on holiday trips together. Most of the people in this group were Shen Yujiao's suitors. The boys were used to centering their relationships around Jiang Chen. People who were completely unrelated could also get along. So, as they played together, they eventually became buddies. Their pursuit of Shen Yujiao changed from youthful infatuation to a fan mentality.
Jiang Chen thought he had these boys completely under his control, but there was one person he couldn't manipulate.
"He Zhiju..."
In the darkness, the boy raised his hand to cover his face and sighed deeply, as if there was an endless sense of frustration in his chest. He didn't know when it started, but this name had become a curse on him.
At school, Chairman He was an outstanding student in both character and academics. He was so excellent that no matter how many achievements he made or how many awards he won, people would always say, "The last person to win this award was Chairman He."
After leaving school, he became the "good kid" in the eyes of his parents and elders, and even more so among his relatives and friends, including Shen Yujiao...
He had an unspeakable thought in his heart. After arriving in Daxia, he was once glad that He Zhiju was not here. He also despised himself for this, but he felt an uncontrollable sense of relief.
But the sudden appearance of the He family brother plunged him into confusion once again. Could it be that he really couldn't escape the shadow of He Zhiju?
"Jiang Chen—"
A soft voice rang out, and Jiang Chen looked in the direction of the sound. He saw that the heavy curtains had been lifted a crack, and the girl tiptoed into the hall, afraid of waking him who was still fast asleep.
"What's wrong..." Jiang Chen's voice was hoarse as he tried to sit up, supporting himself with one arm.
Seeing that he was awake, Shen Yujiao hurriedly ran to the table to pour him a glass of warm water, then took small steps to the bedside. As she watched him drink the water, she said excitedly, "Jiang Chen, you've been sleeping for so long! Get up quickly, let's go eat glutinous rice balls together!"
As the warm water flowed down his throat, Jiang Chen's parched voice finally eased. He nodded to Shen Yujiao, whose eyes were shining, and said "okay."
Seeing his response, Chen Yujiao's voice became even more cheerful: "Then hurry up and wash up, I'll be waiting for you in Qingyan Hall."
Jiang Chen tidied up quickly. Just as Shen Yujiao and her people finished setting the table, they saw him walking over in a sea-blue brocade robe. The long corridor along the way was filled with lanterns. As Jiang Chen walked among them, the flowers reflected on his robe, making it seem as if they were blooming on him.
His eyebrows were handsome and dashing, but his eyes held a warm and gentle touch. As Shen Yujiao watched him walk towards her with a graceful and charming demeanor, the phrase "flowers bloom on the path, and a gentleman is as pure as jade" flashed through her mind.
"You're here!" Shen Yujiao quickly regained her composure, and when she looked at Jiang Chen again, her eyes were clear, as if that moment of distraction had never happened.
“Hmm,” Jiang Chen sat down next to her, looking at the table full of delicacies, he couldn’t help but shake his head and chuckle: “You’ve prepared so much, how can the two of us finish it?”
Shen Yujiao said matter-of-factly, "There's only one Lantern Festival a year. Besides, isn't this what we eat at home?"
Jiang Chen paused with a smile as he picked up his chopsticks, then raised an eyebrow and said, "Yes, that's all we have at home. Let's eat."
The chefs in the Eastern Palace kitchen were exceptionally skilled. It made sense, as anyone who could enter the Prince's residence was practically a royal chef. And since this meal was personally ordered by the Crown Princess, the cooking process was incredibly elaborate, employing every skill imaginable. Even the light and refreshing side dishes were meticulously prepared. The two hadn't been able to sit down and enjoy a meal in peace for a long time, so they were particularly satisfied with this dinner.
After the main course was cleared away, the bowl of glutinous rice balls that the two of them had made by hand during the day was brought out. Looking at the white and round glutinous rice balls in the bowl, Shen Yujiao was really happy. She quickly scooped one up with a white porcelain soup spoon and put it in her mouth. Before she could even bite into it, with just a gentle suck, the sweet filling burst out of the skin. Shen Yujiao's almond-shaped eyes narrowed with satisfaction.
Seeing how content she was with her food, Jiang Chen was also infected by her enjoyment. Just as he was about to dip his spoon into the bowl, he noticed that the glutinous rice balls in the bowl were all round and plump. He looked at them for a while, and then switched the bowls in front of the two of them.
The two of them always ate without any rules or etiquette. Shen Yujiao didn't care about his little actions and ate happily on her own. Meanwhile, Jiang Chen scooped up a crooked and broken glutinous rice ball from his bowl and put it in his mouth. The glutinous rice ball, with its thick skin, little filling, and even some undercooked filling, made him laugh and shake his head as he ate.
Seeing his reaction, Shen Yujiao assumed he was overwhelmed by the sweetness of the filling, and then realized, "Oh dear, do you not like sweets?"
"It's okay, it's alright, it tastes pretty good."
She ate quite a bit for dinner, and then had a bowl of glutinous rice balls. Shen Yujiao gets sleepy after eating too much. If Jiang Chen hadn't insisted that she digest her food, the moon-viewing activity after dinner would have been canceled. So, Shen Yujiao was now being dragged by Jiang Chen for a walk in the East Palace with a reluctant expression.
As they walked, Shen Yujiao kept complaining, "It's so cold outside, and you still insist on coming out for a stroll."
"Shen Jiaojiao, didn't you say you wanted to admire the moon? I kindly brought you to the garden, and you're still so unhappy. It's hard to be a good person these days..."
Jiang Chen deliberately dragged out the last syllable, and the next second, as expected, he received a slap on the shoulder from Shen Yujiao.
"Now that I've finished watching, I'm going back."
"You've only walked a few steps and you've already seen everything?"
Shen Yujiao raised her hand and pointed upwards: "It's so dark, with only the moon in the sky. No matter how beautiful it is, do you think I can wander around here all night?"
Upon hearing this, Jiang Chen suddenly leaned closer and asked, "Are you sure?"
The sudden closeness left Shen Yujiao speechless for a moment. She opened her mouth, thinking about how to refute Jiang Chen, when she heard a loud bang behind her, followed by a sharp sound that pierced the sky. She subconsciously looked up and saw a sky full of firework flowers suddenly explode in front of her.
Red, blue, green, purple—all sorts of fireworks interspersed among the gold and silver colors, like the dazzling lanterns under the eaves, blooming in the silent night sky. Shen Yujiao couldn't help but widen her eyes, looking at this suddenly unfolding magnificent scene in disbelief.
"Are you going back or not?" Jiang Chen stared at Shen Yujiao's surprised expression, his eyes full of slyness.
He was met with a slap on the other shoulder. "Don't talk."
"Hiss—" They really are crossing the river and then burning the bridge.
Jiang Chen rubbed his shoulders, slowly straightened up, stood shoulder to shoulder with Shen Yujiao, and looked up at the Never-Sleeping City.
The once pitch-black night sky of Xiajing was suddenly lit up. At this moment, not only the East Palace, but also many mansions living at the foot of the imperial city saw this scene. Prince Huan, wearing a cloak, walked from his study into the courtyard and looked at the magnificent fireworks display, but his eyes were cold and indifferent.
Who's setting off fireworks?
As soon as he said this, a young eunuch stepped forward and reported, "Your Highness, it was placed there by the Eastern Palace."
After receiving the answer, the light in King Huan's eyes, illuminated by the fireworks, dimmed slightly. He lowered his gaze, nodded, and turned to his advisors, saying, "Let's go back."
The protagonist, Shen Yujiao, was still immersed in the immense surprise amidst the fireworks. She looked up at the ever-expanding fireworks, her eyes unwilling to blink, as if she wanted to record this fleeting beauty forever. Only when the night sky returned to tranquility did she reluctantly turn her gaze away.
But the next second, she felt a weight on her neck. Just as she was about to turn around, her temples were straightened. Then, she heard Jiang Chen's voice from behind her: "Originally, I was going to give it to you during the New Year, but so many things happened that delayed it."
The extra hair accessories were removed one by one, and then Shen Yujiao felt something being put on her head. Jiang Chen continued, "In the past, every year during the Spring Festival, my uncles, aunts, and my parents would give us gifts. Since they are not here now, let me deliver them in their place."
As soon as she finished speaking, Mu Jin walked over with a bronze mirror in her hand. By the light of the lanterns under the eaves, Shen Yujiao saw the person in the mirror clearly.
The girl in the mirror had a beautiful and charming face adorned with a magnificent and exquisite floral crown. Even in the dim light, it was easy to see that the petals were as thin as cicada wings, not to mention the delicate and intricate painting. Each flower was adorned with a rare gemstone. Regardless of the exquisite craftsmanship or the precious materials used, just one glance at this floral crown was enough to inspire awe.
“Beautiful,” Jiang Chen stood behind Shen Yujiao with his arms crossed, looking at the person in the mirror with her. His tone was full of pride, and there was also a hint of inexplicable boasting: “Much prettier than that girl Yongjia.”
Shen Yujiao stared blankly for a while, and after a long while, she turned around and slapped Jiang Chen's arm again.
What are you doing!
"Take your place, my foot! Who are you trying to take advantage of?"
Although she said that, she couldn't hide the joy in her eyes. Jiang Chen had known her for a long time, and seeing her bright eyes, he couldn't help but smile. "For the sake of today's holiday, I won't hold it against you."
"Jiang Xiaochen!" Shen Yujiao wrapped her arms around Jiang Chen's neck and laughed heartily, as if they were best buddies. "I'll let you off the hook today!"
"Okay, okay, let me go first."
"I've let go, so get up now."
"My hair got caught on your flower crown, Shen Jiaojiao!"
"Stop arguing, I'm working on it..."
As night deepened and the fireworks faded, Xiajing returned to tranquility. Only a bright moon still hung high in the sky, and beneath its light were the intertwined branches of winter plum blossoms. Although they stood in the biting cold wind, they had a sense of belonging and could lean on each other.
A note from the author:
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Happy Lantern Festival! Wishing everyone a Happy Chinese New Year and a prosperous Year of the Dragon!
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