It was as if the rose had only come to say this, and after saying it, it took its leave.
She didn't come to Gu Jiangli's place again for the next few days.
The thought of the gift had been on Gu Jiangli's mind.
She didn't ask the emperor, because she sensed that he was indeed preparing a grand gift for her.
During the meal, she could also sense the subtle anticipation emanating from the emperor.
Since this is a surprise, she doesn't need to spoil it prematurely.
On the day of the Mid-Autumn Festival.
The full moon hangs overhead.
According to past traditions, the imperial palace would host a banquet on Mid-Autumn Festival night, gathering all the concubines in the harem together to watch songs and dances, enjoy a reunion feast, and spend this joyous festival in harmony.
But this year is different.
The palace was quiet as usual, without any festive atmosphere.
The emperor was the only person dining with Gu Jiangli.
The emperor's reason for giving her this was that he didn't like things to be too crowded.
So the two of them sat together in the small courtyard of Yunguang Palace.
Exquisite dishes were laid out on the stone table, surrounded by dim candlelight, accompanied by the shimmering moonlight. It was so quiet that it seemed as if the entire palace was empty except for the two of them.
“Even if Your Majesty doesn’t like crowds, you should still let the Empress Dowager dine with us. After all, it’s a night for family reunion.”
The emperor, however, slightly curled the corners of his lips and shook his head, saying:
"I have spoken with the Empress Dowager. She will not be bored today as other concubines will be with her. Moreover, she understands why I want to dine alone with Li'er."
Gu Jiangli understood.
What Rose said is really true.
Based on her understanding, the emperor had indeed prepared a gift for her, and it was a very big surprise.
The Empress Dowager knew the Emperor's thoughts, so she was willing to let the Emperor try to please her.
She asked knowingly with a smile, "Isn't it because Your Majesty doesn't like crowds that you dine alone with me? Is there some other reason?"
The emperor looked into her bright eyes, but did not answer her question. He simply and very carefully put a piece of food into her bowl.
"Eat quickly. After you finish your meal, I have something to show you."
Gu Jiangli ate her meal with a hint of anticipation.
It was said to be something for her to see, meaning it wasn't a practical gift.
What kind of thing could be considered a surprise for her?
Having lived for so long, she has seen most of the gifts that men and women exchange.
There are very few things that can be described as surprising.
She became increasingly curious about what amazing thing the emperor had prepared for her.
As the meal was drawing to a close, the emperor suddenly got up and brought in two square white paper shelves from outside the courtyard.
After the emperor's efforts, the white paper, gathered on a square frame made of bamboo strips, gradually took shape.
Gu Jiangli then realized that it was a Kongming lantern.
The emperor spoke as he worked:
"I have heard that if you write your wishes on a prayer lantern and it flies into the sky, your wishes will come true."
He turned his head and handed Gu Jiangli a pen, "Li'er, would you like to try?"
Gu Jiangli approached the emperor with somewhat heavy and slow steps.
Looking at the two exquisitely crafted Kongming lanterns in front of her, she lowered her head and laughed.
So this is what the emperor prepared for her.
However, she was not disappointed.
The emperor possessed the empire and wealth, and she also enjoyed luxury and honor in the palace.
Money and treasures might catch her eye for a moment, but she gradually lost interest.
A Kongming lantern actually piqued her interest.
This was her first time releasing a sky lantern.
With a smile, she took the brush and naturally began to write a few words on the paper.
The emperor also joined her in writing on another Kongming lantern.
"I never expected Your Majesty to believe in this," Gu Jiangli said, putting down her pen.
The emperor was not embarrassed at all, and calmly said:
"What the people believe, I will naturally believe as well."
He bent down and asked, "What did Li'er write?"
Gu Jiangli replied, "Your Majesty's wish is very simple: that Your Majesty and the Empress Dowager enjoy good health, and that the Jiang family may live a long and prosperous life."
The emperor continued, "I only hope that Li'er and the child in her womb are safe and sound."
As the Kongming lantern rose into the air with the heat, Gu Jiangli leaned on the emperor's shoulder, watching the pale yellow Kongming lantern grow farther and farther away.
The emperor's voice was deep, tinged with seriousness and solemnity, "I will certainly do my best to fulfill Li'er's wish."
Gu Jiangli also smiled and said, "Your Majesty's wish will certainly be fulfilled. I really like Your Majesty's gift."
"Is that so?" The emperor's low, husky voice seemed to carry a hint of seduction. "I will make Li'er like it even more."
"Hmm?" Gu Jiangli's brief questioning syllable had barely escaped his throat when he immediately stopped.
The two Kongming lanterns are like trumpeters calling for a large army.
One lamp, one lamp, and another...
Countless pale yellow lights rose from the ground.
In an instant, it illuminated the entire lonely, black sky.
Gu Jiangli opened his mouth slightly and spun around in place. The Kongming lantern's reach extended beyond just the small area in front of him.
Instead, it was the entire sky that was visible to the naked eye.
One pale yellow candle after another, she couldn't count how many there were.
I could only vaguely sense that there were more of them than the stars in the sky.
The Kongming lantern seemed to carry a warm wave of heat, shining onto Gu Jiangli's face.
The light they cast reflected in the emperor's eyes, making his pupils even more dazzling than moonlight.
"Your Majesty...how did you do that?"
Gu Jiangli swore that no skilled craftsman in the world could replicate the beauty of this moment.
The flickering candlelight was breathtakingly beautiful.
Seeing her longing expression, the emperor finally smiled from the bottom of his heart.
"In Li'er's name, I sent silver to every household at the foot of the capital."
"When they see the prayer lanterns being raised in the palace, they will release the lanterns they are holding together."
“On each prayer lantern is written their wishes for Li’er. Everyone hopes that Li’er can be healthy and happy.”
Gu Jiangli then understood what this so-called surprise was all about.
It was the best wishes of everyone in the capital for her, and also the emperor's greatest wish.
He gave himself his most beautiful paintings, his most cherished memories, and his most sincere aspirations.
But just when she thought it was all over, the emperor suddenly spoke again:
"I have heard that when women outside the palace get married, they hang big red lanterns outside their doors, which is festive and joyous."
Before Gu Jiangli could recover from her surprise, red lanterns illuminated the palace.
The reflection made her face flush.
There are Kongming lanterns outside the palace and red lanterns inside...
The emperor had thought things through thoroughly; in the entire imperial city, no one was idle except for her.
"Li'er, you have entered the palace as a concubine and have never experienced the joy that ordinary women should enjoy when they get married. Now, I will also give you this joy and celebration. Let today be the day you marry me."
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