Chapter 291 This time, don't lose it again.
The following afternoon, a simple banquet was held in an elegantly furnished side hall of the Lihe Palace.
There were no string and wind instruments, no throngs of palace servants, only Shui Xian, Tuoba, and Wen Jingfeng sitting together.
The sunlight outside the hall was just right, streaming in through the carved windows and warming my body and back, making me relax unconsciously.
The atmosphere was initially carefree, but gradually, it inevitably became mixed with the sadness of parting.
Tuoba remained as cheerful and outgoing as ever. She raised her wine cup and said loudly to Shui Xian, "Your Majesty, this cup of wine is for you! Thank you for your care these past few days, and thank you and the Emperor for giving us this unprecedented path to survival!"
Having said that, he drank it all in one gulp, displaying a bold and unrestrained demeanor.
No one was happier than Tuoba to be able to leave this world.
Moreover, her tribe has now greatly improved, and Tuoba is eager to return quickly to realize his grand ambitions.
The narcissus also drank it all with a smile.
Looking into Consort Tuoba's strikingly bright eyes, she asked, "What are your plans now that you've left these palace walls?"
Tuoba put down his wine cup, his eyes sparkling with longing: "Return to the grasslands! Our tribe has submitted to the imperial court, and although life is more stable now, there is still room for improvement."
"During my time in the palace, I learned some of the customs of the Han people. When I return, I will definitely help the tribe communicate with the court!"
Her words were full of ambition and boundless vision for the future.
As she spoke, her gaze turned to the narcissus, and with the straightforwardness characteristic of children of the grasslands, she suddenly lowered her voice.
"Your Majesty, to tell you the truth, all this splendor and glory now only traps you alone."
Wen Jingfeng was shocked to hear this, not expecting Tuoba to suddenly say something so bold.
Tuoba continued, "However, I think that His Majesty's actions are like presenting you with the best and most precious things in the entire world. I just wonder... whether this 'best' suits your taste?"
These words struck a chord with Narcissus. Her fingers, holding the wine glass, paused slightly, and the faint longing for the world outside the palace in the depths of her eyes was instantly illuminated by these straightforward words.
She remained silent for a moment, not answering directly, but only smiling slightly, a smile that was somewhat complex and difficult to express: "Women of the world have different desires. I... have my own path to walk."
Seeing this, Tuoba said no more, smiled freely, and raised his cup again.
In contrast, Wen Jingfeng was much quieter.
She sipped the fruit wine in her glass, the slight sorrow between her brows never fading.
Even though she was about to gain her freedom, her deeply ingrained upbringing as a lady of high society and her former status as a palace concubine still bound her like an invisible shackle.
Narcissus looked at her and said gently, "Jingfeng, what are your plans after you leave? If you encounter any difficulties, please let me know."
Wen Jingfeng put down his wine cup, stood up and bowed solemnly to Shui Xian: "Jingfeng kowtows to thank Your Majesty for your life-saving grace! If Your Majesty had not seen through the truth and proved my innocence, Jingfeng would probably be imprisoned now, and even my family would be implicated."
She raised her head, her eyes filled with gratitude, but then dimmed with sadness. "As for the future... to regain my freedom is already a great blessing. Perhaps... I should find a nunnery to live out the rest of my days in quiet contemplation."
"This body is no longer whole, and I fear... it will offend the eyes of my departed friends and only cause them more trouble."
Seeing her utterly dejected look, Narcissus slowly put down her wine glass.
"Jingfeng, you're wrong. Rules are rules, but people are flexible."
"Chastity and status are nothing more than invisible shackles on women. If your heart is free and pure, why bind yourself with those false moral codes and imprison yourself in a self-imposed prison?"
Narcissus watched as Wen Jingfeng suddenly looked up, his eyes filled with shock, and continued:
"If that person is truly sincere towards you, what he cares about will never be your past identity, but rather you, Wen Jingfeng, as a person, your character, your talent... If he looks down on you because of your past, which was beyond your control, then he is not worth your continued remembrance."
Tears welled up in her eyes instantly. Wen Jingfeng looked at Shui Xian, her lips trembling, but she couldn't utter a single word.
Finally, she covered her face and wept softly, tears welling in her eyes, but a relieved smile on her lips.
When the banquet ended, Narcissus personally escorted the two to the palace gate.
This was an extremely high honor, and it also represented Narcissus's support for their departure from the palace.
A carriage had already been prepared outside the palace gates.
Tuoba nimbly mounted her horse, her movements agile. She clasped her hands in a fist salute to Shuixian, then gave Wen Jingfeng a hearty laugh: "Sister Jingfeng, take care! Until we meet again!"
Having said that, he pulled on the reins, and the horse galloped away with a clatter of hooves.
Wen Jingfeng stood beside the carriage, turning back every few steps, her eyes bidding a final farewell to the palace that had once imprisoned her.
Just as she was about to board the carriage with the help of her maid, a series of rapid and clear hoofbeats came from the end of the long street in front of the palace gate!
Everyone looked in the direction of the sound and saw a man and a horse galloping towards them at lightning speed!
The man on horseback, dressed in ordinary blue martial arts attire, could not conceal the untamed spirit of a chivalrous hero.
The person who arrived was Lu Yuanhang.
He had clearly rushed here, his forehead beaded with sweat and his breathing somewhat rapid, but his bright eyes shone with unwavering determination the moment he saw the elegant figure before the palace gate!
"Whoa—"
He abruptly reined in his horse in front of the palace gate, raising a few specks of dust with its hooves.
He dismounted with clean, swift movements, his gaze sweeping over the crowd and landing directly on Wen Jingfeng, who stood frozen in place.
Upon seeing this, the guards at the palace gate immediately stepped forward to stop them.
Narcissus raised her hand slightly to stop them.
She stood quietly to the side, watching this sudden scene unfold.
Under everyone's gaze, Lu Yuanhang strode up to Wen Jingfeng.
He looked at her pale yet undeniably beautiful face, at the tears glistening in her eyes, and a thousand words seemed to choke him in his throat.
He made no grand pronouncements, nor did he overstep any boundaries.
He carefully took something out of his pocket...
It was a token with a unique cloud pattern, the very token that Wen Jingfeng had kept by his side, which was later taken out of the palace by Shui Xian and returned to its rightful owner.
He reached out and solemnly placed the token into Wen Jingfeng's slightly trembling hand.
His voice was a little hoarse from traveling, but calm and powerful.
"Jingfeng, this time... don't lose it again."
Wen Jingfeng's tears finally broke free, rolling down like pearls from a broken string.
She didn't wipe it; she just held the token she had lost and found tightly in her hand.
She looked at his resolute face and nodded heavily.
Narcissus stood beneath the palace gate, watching this scene, a relieved smile on her face.
She sincerely wished Wen Jingfeng all the best for the future.
—
Meanwhile, inside the Qianqing Palace.
Unbeknownst to Narcissus, the palace was undergoing a massive renovation.
Feng Shunxiang, directing several capable eunuchs and palace maids, was adjusting the layout of the palace according to Emperor Zhaoheng's personal instructions.
"Here, yes, move that rosewood dressing table to the East Warm Pavilion. That's the style Her Majesty the Empress usually uses."
"Move these military books and historical records to the right, and use the space to put the local chronicles and storybooks that the Empress often read."
"His Majesty has ordered that the set of celadon tea set that the Empress likes be brought out from the storeroom and placed on this table from now on."
Emperor Zhaoheng even went to the dragon bed himself, gestured, and said to Feng Shunxiang, "The color of this curtain is too dark. Go and change it to a light and elegant gauze curtain that Shui Xian likes."
While Feng Shunxiang hurriedly responded, he secretly clicked his tongue in amazement.
The Emperor is not repairing the palace; he is clearly... rearranging a residence for himself and the Empress.
Emperor Zhaoheng surveyed the gradually changing furnishings of the palace, a look of almost gentle satisfaction in his eyes.
He turned to his trusted chief eunuch beside him and remarked with rare emotion.
“Feng Shunxiang, what I want is not an empress who needs to serve me according to the rules. What I want is a wife who can eat and sleep with me here, share the morning and evening... and truly live with me.”
Feng Shunxiang was greatly shocked and quickly bowed, saying, "Your Majesty's affection for the Empress is as clear as day. We servants will do our utmost to serve Your Majesty and the Empress well."
At this moment, the water clock beside him made a slight sound, and Emperor Zhaoheng stepped out of the Qianqing Palace.
—
Outside the palace gates, Lu Yuanhang mounted his horse, gave Shui Xian a grateful look, then turned his horse around to wait for Wen Jingfeng.
Wen Jingfeng bowed deeply to Shui Xian, wiped away his tears, and looked more relaxed than ever before. He then boarded the carriage that had been prepared for him.
The curtain fell, the carriage slowly started moving, following the steed in front, towards the world beyond the palace walls, towards their future, gradually receding into the distance.
Narcissus stood before the palace gate, watching the carriages and horses disappear into the long street. She felt a mixture of relief and blessing for others' success, as well as a complex mix of emotions.
Are we overjoyed at the freedom they have gained, or saddened by our own continued confinement within this deep palace?
Perhaps, it's a combination of both.
She slowly turned around, preparing to return to the palace and face the impending thorough reorganization of the harem.
Just then, a pair of warm, large hands gently grasped her slightly cool hands.
Emperor Zhaoheng appeared beside her at some unknown time.
He seemed to sense the complex emotions she was feeling at that moment, and without asking any questions, he simply tightened his grip on her hand.
"Is it all over?"
Narcissus looked up and met his deep gaze, in which only her reflection was seen.
She leaned gently against him, inhaling his reassuring scent, and softly replied:
"Yes, it's all over."
The palace gates slowly closed behind them, shutting out everything outside...
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