Chapter 148: The wind is strong and the strings are ringing, the undercurrent is about to emerge
The night wind whirled snowflakes against the window paper of Shufangzhai, making a rustling sound. The charcoal fire in the warm room burned brightly, casting a cozy glow on the crabapple blossoms on the walls, yet it couldn't dispel the subtle tension in the air. Little Swallow sat before the mirror, Mingyue removing her hairpins and rings. Her glossy black hair draped across her aquamarine nightgown, like a pool of inky water.
"I'm going to wear that dress tomorrow," she said, wrinkling her nose in the mirror and poking her cheek with her fingertips. "I feel breathless just thinking about it."
Ziwei sat on the soft couch opposite, Jinsuo was combing her long hair. She looked up at the words, and the white jade hairpin on her temples swayed gently. "Just bear it until tomorrow. The emperor said that after the ancestral worship, we will be given three days off. Then we can go to the guest house to see Liu Qing and Liu Hong."
"Sister is really open-minded." Xiaoyanzi turned around, stepped barefoot on the white tiger skin mattress, ran to sit next to Ziwei, grabbed her hand and shook it, "Do you think someone will really do something bad tomorrow? That phoenix hairpin and Shu brocade dress..."
Ziwei took her hand in hers, her fingertips slightly cool. "When an enemy comes, we'll fight him with our troops; when a flood comes, we'll block it with earth. We just need to be careful." She saw the worry in Xiaoyanzi's eyes and added, "Yongqi and Erkang will be there with us, and Brother Xiaojian will be with us too. Everything will be fine."
The wind outside the window suddenly picked up, causing the palace lanterns in the corridor to sway violently, casting distorted shadows on the floor of the warm room. Xiaodiao came in carrying a pile of bedding and sneezed at the wind. "Wow! This night wind is like a demon!" He placed the bedding on the couch. "The little table is in the yard, reinforcing the palace lanterns. It's going to snow tomorrow, so we need to add a few more charcoal braziers."
Little Mosquito ran in behind, clutching a heater in his hands. He rubbed his hands and shouted, "I'm freezing! I just went to the kitchen to get some ginger soup. The princesses should drink a bowl before bed to warm their bodies and prevent colds!" He shoved the heater into Ziwei's hand and said, "This is made with old ginger. It's spicy enough!"
Xiaoyanzi took a big sip of the ginger soup. It was so spicy that she stuck out her tongue, but her eyes lit up. "It's delicious! After drinking this bowl, even if someone tries to be mean tomorrow, I'll have the energy to beat them up!"
Yongqi and Erkang came in from outside, their bodies covered in snow. Yongqi quickly brushed the snow off Xiaoyanzi's shoulders and said, "It's windy outside, don't open the window." He took off his snow-soaked cloak and handed it to Mingyue. "I've had a few more guards posted on the way to the ancestral worship, all trustworthy people."
Erkang also took off his cloak and handed the heater to Ziwei. "I told Fulun to pay more attention in the Hall of Supreme Harmony tomorrow and report anything that's wrong immediately." He looked at Ziwei with gentle but firm eyes. "Don't worry, I'm here."
Ziwei nodded, her hands gradually warming as she held the stove. She looked out the window. Snowflakes were hitting the window lattice, like countless fine drumbeats, beating on everyone's heart.
The lights in Jingren Palace stayed on later than usual. Concubine Gao, wearing a dark, gold-trimmed dress, stood by the window, watching the snow fall. The icicles on the window reflected her cold, hard profile, like a frozen painting. Nanny Li entered with a bowl of ginseng soup and carefully placed it on the table. "Your Majesty, drink this to warm yourself up. You have to get up early tomorrow."
"Is everything arranged?" Concubine Gao did not turn around, her voice like the surface of a frozen lake.
"It's all settled," Nanny Li replied, bowing. "Xiao Zhuzi has already arranged to put more Mi Die incense in the ancestral incense burner tomorrow. Smelling too much will make you dizzy. The phoenix hairpin and Shu brocade have also been checked, and they're absolutely flawless." She stepped closer, lowering her voice. "E Fei has also agreed that tomorrow at the banquet, she'll 'accidentally' knock over the wine jug and splash all over Princess Mingzhu, causing her to lose her composure in front of everyone."
Concubine Gao then turned around, took a sip of the ginseng soup, and the heat of the soup blurred the viciousness in her eyes. "It's best to succeed on the first try." She placed the jade bowl on the table, and the bottom of the bowl made a crisp sound when it hit the table. "If you make any mistakes again, you will all come to see me with your heads on your shoulders."
Nanny Li shuddered and quickly replied, "Yes, we servants will do our best."
The snow fell heavier and heavier, soon coating the palace walls with a thin layer of white. In the warm room of Shufangzhai, the charcoal fire gradually died down, leaving only a few flickering sparks. Xiaoyanzi and Ziwei huddled together on a couch, covered by the same brocade quilt, just like they had done when they were children at the Fang family's house.
"Sister," Xiaoyanzi whispered, her fingers scratching the winding branches on the quilt, "Do you think we can really have a smooth life in this life?"
Ziwei held her hand, her palm warm. "I will." She looked at the tassels on the tent ceiling and said softly, "The Emperor is protecting us. Yongqi and Erkang are also here, as are Brother Xiaojian and Sister Qing'er. We are not alone." She turned her head and saw Xiaoyanzi's face clearly in the moonlight. "Besides, you have excellent kung fu skills. If there is any danger, just take me with you and run."
Xiaoyanzi was amused and nuzzled Ziwei's shoulder. "You really understand me." She yawned and leaned closer to Ziwei. "Go to sleep. Tomorrow you'll have the energy to deal with those monsters."
Ziwei hummed a sound and closed her eyes, but she couldn't fall asleep for a long time. She could feel Xiaoyanzi's breathing gradually becoming regular, and she could hear the sound of wind and snow outside the window. She could also clearly remember the look in her mother's eyes before she died - the hope and worry in those eyes were somewhat similar to the feeling in her heart at that moment.
As dawn approached, the snow finally stopped. A waning moon hung in the sky, casting a cold glow on the glazed tiles of the Forbidden City. In the courtyard of Shufangzhai, small tables and stools were busy sweeping the snow. Little Bug squatted under the crabapple tree, staring blankly at the bare branches. Little Mosquito stood on tiptoe outside the warm room, peering out, muttering, "Wow, this snow is falling so nicely! I hope it won't delay the ceremony..."
It was just dawn when Xiaoyanzi and Ziwei were woken up. Mingyue and Caixia had already prepared hot water and snacks, and when they saw them, they hurried over to serve them. Xiaoyanzi rubbed her eyes and yawned loudly. When she saw the osmanthus cake on the table, her eyes immediately lit up: "Eat two pieces first to fill my stomach, otherwise I won't have the energy to kowtow!"
Ziwei smiled and shook her head, picked up a piece of cake and handed it to her, while she sipped her porridge. The morning light shone through the window lattice, casting a faint light and shadow on her face, which was surprisingly beautiful.
Yongqi and Erkang had been waiting outside the door for a long time. When they saw them come out, Yongqi hurriedly put a white fox cloak on Xiaoyanzi and said, "It's cold outside, put it on to keep warm." Erkang also handed a mink cloak to Ziwei, and his fingertips accidentally touched her hand. They were both stunned and then blushed.
Xiao Jian had also arrived, dressed in a guard's uniform, the dagger at his waist flashing coldly. He glanced at Xiaoyanzi, then at Ziwei, and said in a deep voice, "Be careful. I'll be waiting for you at the gate of the Hall of Supreme Harmony." His gaze swept past Ziwei and then fell towards the distant Cining Palace. A subtle tenderness flashed in his eyes—Qing'er would also attend the ceremony today.
As they walked toward the Hall of Supreme Harmony, the snow crunched under their feet, a low overture. The sky gradually turned pale, tinting the crimson walls of the Forbidden City bright red, but unable to mask the chill seeping through the cracks.
The front of the Hall of Supreme Harmony was already filled with civil and military officials, as well as imperial concubines. The eunuchs, clad in pristine uniforms, held imperial edicts and documents of conferment, their expressions solemn. Emperor Qianlong, clad in a bright yellow dragon robe, sat on the throne before the hall. His gaze swept through the crowd, finally settling on Xiaoyanzi and Ziwei, a look filled with gentleness and expectation.
The Empress, clad in a bright red phoenix robe, stood beside Emperor Qianlong. Seeing Xiaoyanzi looking at her, she deliberately smiled and nodded. Concubine Ling, also dressed in a gorgeous palace dress, smiled lovingly at them. Only Concubine Gao, clad in a stone-blue court robe, stood among the concubines, a faint sneer lingering on her lips, like a stone in icy water.
Xiaoyanzi squeezed Ziwei's hand, her fingertips exerting a slight pressure. Ziwei returned her grip, her eyes determined. The two smiled at each other and walked side by side up the steps to the hall. The sunlight, just as it passed over the eaves of the Hall of Supreme Harmony, shone on them, stretching their shadows far, far away, as if they were reaching into the distant future.
Xiaodeng stood at the back of the crowd, watching the scene. He quietly nudged Xiaowenzi and said, "Look, doesn't it look like what's written in a storybook—two female heroes going to brave the dragon's den and the tiger's lair?"
The little mosquito stood on tiptoe to look around, muttering, "Wow, this is such a big scene. I hope nothing goes wrong today..."
The wind picked up again, sweeping up the scattered snow and swirling it across the square in front of the Hall of Supreme Harmony. Everyone's eyes were focused on the two figures walking side by side. Some were expectant, some were blessing, some were nervous, and some... in the dark, they clasped their hands tightly in their sleeves.
The enthronement ceremony is finally about to begin.
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