Chapter 79 With money and power...
Another Qixi Festival has arrived in the blink of an eye.
After finishing her official duties, Yan Xuecui left the palace early to greet the guests.
In truth, his personal opinion was that it would be best for her to live with him in the Hall of Mental Cultivation. As husband and wife, how could they live apart? Even though it was only a few hundred steps from the Palace of Earthly Tranquility to the Hall of Mental Cultivation, he still thought it was too far, let alone living in the Prince Zhao's residence.
If she can't bear to leave her mother, Lady Xue, then she can be brought into the palace together. After all, they are family, and it will save her the trouble of traveling between two places.
Moreover, whenever he returned to Shuyuzhai, he could always sense Xue's hesitant expression, but because of his imperial status, she dared not speak openly. In her heart, she probably already regarded him as a lecherous woman who was constantly pestering him and had all sorts of tricks up her sleeve.
If he were to arrange another residence for her, it would make his intentions obvious, and it would also be inconvenient for Ah Ying.
Therefore, it's better to live in the palace. The palaces are far apart, so no matter how loud the noise is, it won't reach her ears.
Chi Ying knew she would be going out with him tonight to celebrate Qixi Festival, so she dressed up early, wearing a light blue lotus flower dress and a matching green jade hairpin in her hair, which gave her a graceful and lively look.
Yan Xuecui stood in front of the carriage, watching her smile, her light steps, and the ripples on her skirt like new lotus leaves swaying in the wind in a pond. For a moment, his heart was filled with emotion.
Chi Ying came over and took his hand. "Where are we going?"
Yan Xuecui kept everyone in suspense: "You'll find out when you get there."
The two went to Qujiang Pavilion on Chengyang Street tonight. Standing on the top of the pavilion, they could overlook the night view of the entire Chengyang Street. Looking up, the view was like stars scattered across the sky and the Milky Way shining brightly.
Compared to the historically bustling Chengxian Street, Chengyang Street is a relatively new street in Beijing that has emerged in recent years. Since many officials and commoners settled here, cosmetic shops, silk shops, and jewelry stores have moved in one after another. It has gradually become the most popular place for women in Beijing. Today, on Qixi Festival, it is even more crowded and brightly lit.
With a thunderous roar, fireworks rained down from the dome, illuminating their smiling faces.
Yan Xuecui lowered her head and looked into the girl's gentle and shimmering almond eyes. "On the night of the Spring Festival, when the fireworks were in full bloom, I saw your eyes for the first time."
Chi Ying smiled slightly, pursing her lips: "When my husband saw me, was it as expected, or was he slightly surprised, or perhaps also disappointed?"
Yan Xuecui pondered for a moment and said, "That night, the bright light rushed into my eyes and I could hardly adapt. But when your eyes were filled with light, I seemed to discover something more beautiful and dazzling than light. I was reluctant to close my eyes. I was afraid it was all a dream."
His voice was clear, deep, and magnetic, and its gentle sound reached her ears, causing Chi Ying's cheeks to flush and her heart to tingle.
“It wasn’t until the Mid-Autumn Festival banquet that I was finally able to see your face clearly,” Yan Xuecui said, her fingertips slowly caressing her cheek. “Even though I had traced your appearance a thousand times before, all my imagination paled in comparison the moment I saw you clearly.”
Chi Ying laughed: "Why do I feel like you're getting more and more eloquent?"
Yan Xuecui: "It's genuine feeling."
He raised an eyebrow slightly. "And you? At first you avoided me like the plague, but how did you eventually fall for me?"
Chi Ying said without any politeness, "I avoid you because my husband used to have a good reputation, and I was a substitute bride. I should have been careful and not wanted to attract your attention. Who knew that if I retreated an inch, you would advance three feet. I couldn't even hide from you."
Seeing that his face was slightly pale, she thought for a moment and decided not to spoil his mood at such a tender moment.
She gently held his hand: "But after marrying into this family, I realized that my husband and mother are both very good people. The respect, thoughtfulness and indulgence you give me are warmth I have never experienced before."
“I am very lucky. Even though I have been covered in mud along the way, I have always been blessed with good rain.” She sighed softly. “I know I am weak and timid, with many worries… Thank you for reaching out to me, seeing me, and finding me.”
Fireworks lit up the night sky. Yan Xuecui gazed at her tenderly for a long time before finally bending down and placing a kiss on her forehead.
"Ah Ying, make a wish."
Chi Ying closed her eyes, her smile tinged with tears: "You were right before, wishes made on Qixi Festival are the most effective."
Last year on Qixi Festival, all her wishes came true: her mother and the Empress Dowager were safe and healthy, her husband regained his sight, and she no longer had to live in fear every day.
This year on Qixi Festival, she has only one wish: to stay with her beloved forever, and to live a life free from worry and hardship.
After opening his eyes, Yuan De respectfully presented three brocade boxes.
Yan Xuecui: "I have prepared three gifts for you today."
Chi Ying was surprised: "Three portions?"
Yan Xue nodded and took the first box. "This is the first gift to make up for my absence from the wedding that day, leaving you alone in your room."
Chi Ying gently stroked the intricate gold-inlaid phoenix and bird pattern on the sandalwood box with her fingertips, marveling at how valuable the box itself was. She slowly opened the clasp, and on the brocade lining, quietly placed a seal carved from mutton-fat white jade, with a golden dragon-tiger knob, engraved with cloud patterns on all four sides, pure white and flawless, warm to the touch.
Carefully turn it over, and the four characters "Empress's Seal" engraved in seal script on the bottom will come into view.
Even though she already knew that the position of empress was already decided, Chi Ying was still filled with mixed emotions when she personally received the seal of the empress.
Holding the imperial edict, Yuan De stepped forward with a smile and said, "Your Majesty, please accept the edict."
Chi Ying was stunned for a moment, and subconsciously bent her knees, but he firmly held her wrist. "You don't need to kneel to me. Just stand and listen to my orders."
Yuan De had never seen anyone receive an imperial edict standing up before, but naturally he followed the Emperor and Empress's lead and immediately unfolded the edict and began to read it aloud.
After the opening ceremony of "By the Mandate of Heaven," Chi Ying heard her name called, "You, daughter of the Xue family, are born with exceptional beauty, gentle and virtuous, prudent and virtuous, pure and filial, and are worthy to be established as Empress..."
The Chi family had no further connection with her, and he wrote "Xue" as the name on the imperial edict.
Yan Xuecui said gently, "The Ministry of Rites has set the wedding date for October. Aying, let's have a wedding again."
Chi Ying nodded with tears in her eyes, "Okay."
Yan Xuecui brought out a second box, also about the size of a palm. Chi Ying carefully opened it, and inside was a bronze plaque inlaid with gold that she had never seen before. It was vaguely shaped like a crouching tiger and had some inscriptions that she did not recognize.
"What is this?" she couldn't help but ask.
Yan Xuecui said, “Last time you said that no one can predict what will happen in the future. Indeed, I cannot guarantee that I will always be by your side. In the future, I may go to war, or I may leave the capital. Or, if I rebel against the late emperor, someone will rebel against me in the future. Or, like countless wise monarchs throughout history, there is no guarantee that there will be times when I am old and senile. Therefore, I am giving you this Tiger Tally of the Imperial Guard today.”
Chi Ying looked on incredulously: "Tiger tally? Is that the tiger tally that can command thousands of troops?"
Yan Xuecui nodded solemnly and said, "This is a mother-child talisman specially made by my people. The child talisman is in my hands and can be used for daily palace operations and to protect the safety of the imperial city. As long as the mother talisman is seen, the five thousand elite Imperial Guards will obey you."
He smiled and said, "If I become autocratic and tyrannical in the future, you may use this tiger tally to rebel against me."
Chi Ying was inwardly shocked and said urgently, "Don't talk nonsense! I don't have the ability to command thousands of troops, I don't want that."
She knew the weight of military power; how many people had died for it, how many had fallen out with their rulers, and how many had even harbored rebellious intentions because of it.
Yan Xuecui, however, placed the tiger tally back into her palm without allowing her to refuse, and held it tightly for her. "Without you, there would be no me today. Since I have made you the empress, I will not let you be powerless and helpless. This is my guarantee for you. Keep it, it will protect you in the future."
Chi Ying gripped the small tiger tally tightly, feeling its weight as if it weighed a thousand pounds.
After calming herself down for a long time, she said softly, "Okay, I'll keep it for you. I hope I'll never need it in my life."
He was capable of governing the country and benefiting the people through his literary skills, and he was also capable of securing the country and maintaining peace through his military prowess. His success today was not due to luck, but rather the result of his patience, meticulous planning, and decisive action.
She was absolutely certain that the Great Jin Dynasty would usher in a golden age under his leadership.
The first two boxes had already shocked her greatly, and Chi Ying was hesitant to open this last brocade box.
Yan Xuecui laughed and said, "Look out the window."
Chi Ying followed his gaze and looked at the brightly lit shops on both sides of the river.
Yan Xue urged, "Didn't you tell me that if you hadn't married me, you would have wanted to open a shop, whether it was brewing wine, embroidery, pastries, or rouge?"
He opened the brocade box for her; inside was a stack of neatly piled house deeds.
Chi Ying looked on in astonishment.
Yan Xuecui said, "All the shops along both banks of the river, as far as the eye can see, are here."
Chi Ying looked out the window in disbelief: "You didn't actually buy the whole street for me, did you?"
Yan Xue urged, "With the palace empty, no one will bother you, and there aren't many complicated matters for you to handle. I also don't want those rules and regulations to bind you. Since you have nothing to do in your spare time, why not find something you like to do? You can manage these shops yourself, or you can hire people to run them. You can open whatever kind of shop you want."
As Chi Ying flipped through the thick stack of land deeds, she couldn't help but sigh, "Has there ever been an empress as comfortable as me throughout history?"
“Yes,” Yan Xuecui said lazily, “I envy you. You have money, power, and an emperor husband.”
Chi Ying gazed at the banks of the river, where every household was filled with fine silks and brocades, and the markets were lined with pearls and jewels. She was almost dazzled. From this day forward, she would be the owner of all the shops on this street!
She sighed deeply and stammered, "I still can't quite believe it."
Yan Xuecui offered her hand, "Want to try pinching it?"
Chi Ying smiled and gestured for him to lower his head.
Yan Xuecui naturally complied.
She tiptoed and kissed his lips, gently biting his lower lip. "Does it hurt?"
Yan Xuecui: "It's too light, I can't feel it."
Chi Ying had been with him for so long and had vaguely sensed that he seemed to really like this; the pain of the kisses and caresses only aroused his deeper pleasure.
Sometimes when she bit hard, you could even hear him sigh and groan with pleasure, his eyes red with desire.
Outside the window, the Ming River ripples like snow, fireworks light up the sky, and the booming sounds repeatedly pound in one's heart.
Looking into his eyes, reddened by the lamplight, Chi Ying finally stopped holding back, raised her arms to wrap around his neck, and fiercely sealed his lips with an almost ferocious kiss!
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Author's Note: The main story is almost over here [sprinkling flowers] I will continue to write about having a baby and sweet daily life, and the extra chapters will be updated according to the ranking!
Then I plan to write another side story about Aying's precognitive dreams. It's about how Aying was saved by the male lead when she was little, but didn't go to the manor. Later, through her precognitive dreams, she reminded Xiao Cui to save Prince Ding. The precognitive dreams also include her dreaming of being intimate with Xiao Cui [facepalm peeking][facepalm peeking]. It's also an "what if" story where the two are happily in love! You can also leave comments about what you'd like to see written, and I'll see if I can write it [glasses].
Then, I'll add this to my pre-order list. Those who are interested can help by adding it to their favorites! I'll try to finish writing "My Sickly Husband" next year!
Female Assassin, But a Foolish Beauty
After losing her memory, Mingxi was told two things—
Her name isn't Mingxi, but Mingqi, a female assassin entrusted with an important mission by the organization.
Her mission was to become a seductive undercover agent and assassinate the powerful and ruthless Prince Jingbei.
Mingxi (Benboerba version.jpg): Huh? Me?
After losing his memory, Mingxi forgot all his martial arts moves. He was too weak to lift anything, and fearing that people would discover he was actually a useless nobody and that the organization would kill him, he could only tremblingly raise his knife to ensure he could complete his mission.
She infiltrated the Jingbei Prince's mansion as a beauty and successfully gained the Prince's favor with her looks, during which time she frequently received missions from the organization.
Task 1: Poison the Prince of Jingbei's wine.
Mingxi thought it was unacceptable; the Prince of Jingbei liked to feed her personally, and what if he poisoned her too!
Task Two: Slit the throat of Prince Jingbei while he is sleeping.
Mingxi still couldn't do it. She couldn't bring anything to His Highness's bed, not even clothes. How could she hide a knife?
The organization had no choice but to issue her an ultimatum:
They drugged the Prince of Jingbei, causing him to die from exhaustion!
Mingxi: I'm going through this now, let's see how it goes...
However, as Mingxi waited and waited, instead of him dying from exhaustion, her belly grew bigger day by day.
Mingxi, sobbing, wanted to return to the organization, but the man blocked her way, forcing her into a corner. "You flirt and run? There's no such thing as a free lunch."
Mingxi and her child were trapped in the Prince's mansion, and in the end, she became a princess in a daze and was pampered to the extreme.
Mingxi: I feel ashamed before the organization (∩_∩)
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