Before she knew it, it was New Year's Eve. After this year, Lin Yun turned twenty.
On New Year's Eve, the Forbidden City was draped in silver, yet exuding a festive atmosphere.
The vermilion palace walls and golden glazed tiles appear even more solemn and majestic against the backdrop of the white snow, while the palace lanterns under the eaves sway gently in the wind, casting a warm glow.
This year's New Year's Eve banquet was exceptionally lively. The good news of the great victory in the Northwest immersed the entire capital in jubilation, and even the air was filled with a thriving atmosphere.
Inside the Hall of Preserving Harmony, the wisps of ambergris incense rising from the gilded bronze incense burner dispelled the winter chill.
The palace was lavishly furnished, with exquisite imperial dishes laid out on sandalwood tables, and golden goblets and jade cups gleaming in the candlelight.
Mongolian princes, nobles, and civil and military officials took their seats in turn, exchanging pleasantries with each other, their faces beaming with pride and joy.
The Mongol princes, who in previous years had shown disdain for the Qing Dynasty, are now exceptionally respectful, their words filled with awe.
When Emperor Yongzheng stepped into the Hall of Preserving Harmony, everyone inside knelt down in unison to pay their respects. He wore a bright yellow dragon robe and a nine-dragon crown, his gaze both majestic and gentle.
This year's Lunar New Year's Eve banquet is not only to celebrate the festival, but also to reward the soldiers in the Northwest for their outstanding military achievements.
Beside him were the Sixth Prince Hongyao and the Seventh Princess Zhaohua. The two children, dressed in festive auspicious robes, followed obediently behind their father, showing no trace of their usual mischievousness.
Emperor Yongzheng, holding the hands of his two children, slowly walked towards the throne, his gaze sweeping over the crowd, a slight smile playing on his lips.
He raised his hand to signal everyone to rise, and said loudly, "Today is New Year's Eve, and we also celebrate a great victory in the Northwest. I and my beloved ministers celebrate this prosperous age together. May our Great Qing Dynasty last long and our people live in peace and happiness!"
"Long live the Emperor!" The hall resounded with cheers once again.
When his gaze swept over Lin Yun, a hint of tenderness flashed in his eyes.
Although she wasn't wearing heavy makeup, her pregnancy added to her fuller beauty, making her resemble a blooming peony, elegant and noble.
As the banquet began, music started, and dancers gracefully entered, their flowing sleeves fluttering.
Because of her pregnancy, Lin Yun did not dress up in her finest attire today. She wore only a lake-blue dress embroidered with gold phoenixes, with a moon-white cloak over it. A simple jade hairpin adorned her hair, yet it still couldn't conceal her noble air.
She sat quietly in her seat, a smile in her eyes, occasionally whispering to Daiyu beside her, her demeanor composed and elegant.
Daiyu has been granted the title of county princess. Today, she is wearing a light blue dress, and the mutton-fat magnolia hairpin in her hair makes her look even more elegant and refined.
She sat beside Lin Yun, occasionally adding tea and serving dishes to the Imperial Concubine, her demeanor revealing respect and intimacy.
Consort Qi and other concubines stepped forward one by one to offer wine to the Emperor and the Imperial Concubine, their words full of respect.
The noblewomen who had been jealous of the Imperial Concubine in previous years no longer dared to envy her; all they could do was submit. After all, the Imperial Concubine's good deeds of donating clothes and porridge to the disaster area had already spread throughout the capital, and the people praised her unanimously.
Halfway through their meal, the two children quietly ran to their mother's side, snuggling up to Lin Yun and Daiyu, behaving incredibly well.
Upon seeing this, a hint of a smile flashed in Yongzheng's eyes.
The prince of the Khorchin Mongols rose and raised his cup, proclaiming loudly, "Your Majesty is wise and mighty, and the victory in the Northwest has enhanced our national prestige! We toast Your Majesty, wishing the Qing Dynasty eternal stability!" The other Mongol princes echoed his sentiments, their words sincere and devoid of their former arrogance.
Emperor Yongzheng raised his cup and drank it all in one gulp, saying calmly, "This battle was entirely due to the bravery of the soldiers, and I am very pleased."
His gaze swept over everyone in the hall, finally landing on Prince Yi, Yinxiang.
Yinxiang understood and rose, smiling as he said, "Your Majesty's diligent governance has brought about today's prosperous era. Your Majesty, I raise a toast to you, wishing for favorable weather, abundant harvests, and peace and prosperity for the nation in the coming year!"
The two brothers raised their cups and drank together, making the atmosphere in the hall even more harmonious.
The other princes and nobles also rose to offer toasts, their words filled with pride—their emperor's civil and military achievements were truly admirable!
Halfway through the banquet, Daiyu quietly left her seat and took Zhaohua and Hongyao to a side hall to rest.
The two children were unusually well-behaved today. Even the most mischievous Hongyao sat properly in his chair and whispered to Daiyu, "Sister Lin, when will Mother's baby come out?"
Daiyu said softly with a smile, "We'll have to wait a few more months. Sixth Prince, would you like a younger brother or a younger sister?"
Hongyao tilted his head and thought for a moment, then said seriously, "My little brother can ride horses and shoot arrows with me, and my little sister can play with Zhaohua. I like them both!"
Zhao Hua leaned over and whispered, "I'll share my favorite SpongeBob with the little baby!"
Daiyu was amused by the two children's innocent and cheerful words, and gently patted their heads: "You are such good brothers and sisters."
After several rounds of drinks, Yongzheng turned slightly to Lin Yun beside him and said in a low voice, "Yun'er, I have something I want to discuss with you."
Lin Yun looked up, her eyes filled with inquiry.
Yongzheng continued, "Daiyu is growing older, and I observe that she is virtuous and talented. I wish to arrange a marriage for her. My twenty-second brother, Yinqi, is only ten years old, about the same age as Daiyu. What do you think?"
Lin Yun was slightly taken aback, then said softly, "Your Majesty's kindness is appreciated, and I thank you on behalf of Daiyu. However, this is a matter of great importance, and we must ask Daiyu's opinion. I do not wish to force her."
Yongzheng nodded, a hint of approval flashing in his eyes: "Yun'er is always so considerate. Then let's discuss it another day."
As the banquet drew to a close, the midnight bell rang, and Emperor Yongzheng rose to announce the end of the banquet.
The crowd bowed again and shouted "Long live the Emperor!"
Lin Yun slowly rose with the help of a palace maid, her gaze meeting Daiyu's.
Daiyu nodded gently to her, her eyes filled with gratitude.
She knew that she was able to attend such a grand event entirely thanks to Lin Yun's support.
Then they took the two children back to Yanxi Palace.
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