In rural areas, people stay up late to celebrate the New Year. Every household goes out, children set off firecrackers in front of their doors, and adults sit in twos and threes chatting and waiting for midnight to arrive.
Shen Youying pulled Xue Shen over to listen to some casual gossip.
The villagers were simple and honest, and although they were initially somewhat intimidated by Xue Shen's cold demeanor, they felt rather uncomfortable. However, Shen Youying was kind-hearted and eloquent, and quickly became familiar with the villagers. In addition, although Xue Shen seemed cold and unapproachable, he rarely spoke and mostly listened to others, so the villagers gradually became more at ease.
Shen Youying told the farmers about the latest happenings in Tokyo, while the farmers told her about the funny things that happened in the village.
Despite their vastly different social statuses, they got along harmoniously.
The time spent chatting passed very quickly. When midnight arrived, the village head lit the largest string of firecrackers. Amidst the crackling of firecrackers and cheers from the crowd, New Year's Eve finally came to an end, and the new year officially began.
As night deepened and the dew grew heavy, the villagers returned home in twos and threes to rest. Shen Youying also walked hand in hand with Xue Shen toward the small building.
The dew was heavy, and when they returned, their clothes were soaked with moisture. Shen Youying took off her cloak and saw the firecracker debris on Xue Shen's shoulder. She reached out and brushed it off for him, smiling slightly as she said, "This will be the most memorable New Year's Eve for me."
The simple village, the hospitable farmers, the unrestrained identity... everything made Shen Youying feel like a bird released from its cage, soaring freely, carefree and leisurely.
Xue Shen squeezed her hand: "Zhao Zhao likes it here?"
Shen Youying nodded, lowered her eyes, and shyly tiptoed to place a light kiss on his lips: "Thank you, I really like it here."
When she got engaged to Lu Minghe, she had fantasized about her married life. Her aunt, Madam Ye, was not easy to get along with, and the Lu family had many rules. After she married into the family, she would mostly have to pay her respects to her mother-in-law morning and evening. But her cousin loved her, and the two of them had a childhood bond. If they managed things well, it would be much happier and more comfortable than the messy affairs of the inner quarters.
After that, you have children, raise them to adulthood, and that's how your life ends.
Occasionally, Shen Youying would feel that such a life was really meaningless. But that's how all the noble ladies in Tokyo lived. She only thought about it occasionally.
After all, a smooth marriage, a respectful husband, and children are already considered a very happy life.
Xue Shen's interference shattered all her plans for the future. At first, she thought her life would just be like this, but now, looking back, she is grateful for the blessings bestowed upon her by heaven.
Her monotonous life was disrupted, and she saw another, more expansive world.
Shen Youying's eyes were filled with tears, and her smile was deep.
Even though she knew that what he was doing was very dangerous, she was still willing to go with him.
Xue Shen understood her gaze, and his chest heaved.
He pulled her close, not letting her escape, and kissed her lips lightly, his voice hoarse and deep: "Thank me for what?"
Shen Youying pursed her lips and remained silent. It would be too shameful to reveal her true feelings.
She simply gazed at Xue Shen with her watery eyes, then, holding his shoulders, she stood on tiptoe and responded to his kisses, one after another.
Her lips tentatively approached, gently brushing against each other, then retreated as if startled.
But after a while, like a little animal that had found something interesting, it tentatively approached again.
Xue Shen loved her little gestures of dependence; he could sense her feelings without needing a single word.
Xue Shen captured her tentative lips, deepening the kiss. Shen Youying tilted her head back, enduring his fierce onslaught.
When they parted, Shen Youying was panting heavily, and her eyes were red.
She looked at Xue Shen longingly, pressing her body tightly against him.
Xue Shen scooped her up in his arms, his burning lips landing on her trembling eyelashes, and said, "Zhao Zhao took the initiative today, so don't cry later."
*
After Lunar New Year's Eve, it's the New Year.
The two stayed at Longquanzhuang until after the Lantern Festival. Longquanzhuang was far from Tokyo, like a paradise. During this time, the two traveled around the area and almost forgot about the turmoil in Tokyo.
It wasn't until Xue Shen's spies came to report that Prince Chen had plotted a rebellion during the Lantern Festival family banquet and had now taken control of the palace.
Everything Prince Chen had done was within Xue Shen's expectations; in fact, Xue Shen had deliberately pushed Prince Chen to this point. However, Shen Youying was unaware of these events and was greatly shocked upon hearing this: "Prince Chen is plotting a rebellion and forcing the emperor to abdicate?"
The scout glanced at Xue Shen and, seeing that he did not stop him, replied, "Yes, the news came out yesterday, but in fact, Prince Chen entered the palace during the New Year's Eve banquet and has remained there ever since. Therefore, I suspect that Prince Chen had taken control of the palace much earlier, but the news only came out yesterday."
Shen Youying was truly puzzled: "Why is he forcing the emperor to abdicate?"
With his appearance disfigured and unable to have any more children, even if the rebellion succeeded, the court officials would never agree to his ascension to the throne.
His charade, aside from sending himself to the guillotine, was utterly meaningless.
The scout reported, "Prince Chen has ordered the palace to be sealed off, making it difficult for news to get out. When I came to report this, I was still unaware of the situation inside the palace."
Xue Shen tapped the armrest and turned to Shen Youying, saying, "The news from the palace has spread; we must return to the capital."
Shen Youying sighed softly, her expression somewhat worried.
Xue Shen held her hand and comforted her, "Don't be afraid, nothing will happen. By the time we return to the capital, the unrest will have mostly subsided."
*
The Imperial Palace.
Prince Chen imprisoned Emperor Cheng'an and Empress Zhou together.
After the New Year's Eve palace banquet, there was a family banquet. He drugged his father, mother, and younger brother at the family banquet, making them unconscious, and then controlled them, pretending that everything was normal.
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