The weather was fine that day. After breakfast, Lanqin was bored, so she took Baoqin for a stroll in the garden.
As they walked to the lakeside, Lanqin breathed in the fresh air, chatting and laughing with Baoqin. Suddenly, she smelled a fragrant aroma, took a deep sniff, and ran to the lakeside. Looking at the pond full of lotus leaves and flowers, she exclaimed in delight, "Baoqin, come and see! The lotus flowers are all in bloom..."
On the winding lake surface, as far as the eye can see, are emerald green leaves. The leaves rise high above the water, like the skirts of graceful dancers. Scattered among the layers of leaves are a few white flowers, some blooming elegantly, others shyly budding; like pearls, like stars in the azure sky, like beauties just emerged from a bath. A gentle breeze carries a delicate fragrance, like a faint song from a distant high building. Among the emerald green lotus leaves, the graceful lotus flowers stand tall, like fairies draped in light gauze bathing in the lake, smiling and shyly poised to speak; their tender stamens glisten with dew, ready to drip, their fragrance wafting, refreshing the soul. At this moment, the leaves and flowers tremble slightly, like lightning flashing across the pond. The leaves, which were originally densely packed side by side, now seem to have a ripple of emerald green. Beneath the leaves flows a gentle stream, its color hidden from view; yet the leaves themselves appear all the more charming.
Lanqin couldn't help but exclaim, "After the rain, the pond's surface is calm, like a polished mirror reflecting the eaves. Suddenly, the east wind rises and the willows dance, creating a myriad of sounds on the lotus leaves."
Baoqin looked at Lanqin with admiration, which made Lanqin feel embarrassed. She said regretfully, "It's such a pity that only you and I can see such a beautiful view."
Baoqin suddenly had an idea to cheer Lanqin up, since the Empress seemed a bit lonely here. So she said, "Your Majesty, how about we hold a banquet to celebrate?"
Lanqin asked in surprise: "A lotus appreciation banquet?"
Baoqin's eyes lit up as she pointed at the lotus flowers and said, "Doesn't Your Highness feel it's a pity? This is a perfect opportunity to invite people to the Yuanmingyuan Garden for a small gathering and a lotus-viewing banquet. It will also give Your Highness something to do, so you won't be bored all day long..."
Lanqin thought for a moment and whispered, "That makes sense. I haven't seen my family for a long time. Yuanmingyuan doesn't have as many rules as the palace, so it's a good place to invite everyone..."
Baoqin nodded quickly and said, "Your Majesty, please agree..."
Lanqin hesitated for a moment, then asked worriedly, "This idea is good, but I don't know if Fourth Master will agree?"
"Cough cough cough... When did my Qin'er start asking me about her affairs?"
Upon hearing the Fourth Master's voice, Lanqin turned around in surprise and saw him walking towards her with a smile, dressed in casual clothes. Baoqin quickly bowed and stepped back a few paces with a smile, while Lanqin happily went to greet him.
"Why did you come, Master? You didn't even let me know beforehand so I could have made some preparations..." Lanqin said sweetly.
Fourth Master was pleased. He smiled, put his arm around Lanqin, and playfully pinched the tip of her nose, saying affectionately, "What were you discussing just now? Did you need my permission?"
Lanqin glanced at Baoqin, then pointed to the lotus leaves and flowers covering the lake, and said with a smile, "Master, look, the lotus flowers in our Yuanmingyuan Garden are all in bloom, aren't they beautiful? So Qin'er thought it would be a pity if only I could appreciate such a beautiful scene, so I was thinking if we could hold a lotus appreciation banquet so that others could also feast their eyes on it..."
Seeing that Lanqin was in a good mood, the Fourth Prince thought that since he ascended the throne, the clan members had not gathered together, so why not take this opportunity to get together?
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