Chapter 223: Red silk is ready, and the house is filled with warmth
Morning light filtered through the carved window lattices of Shufangzhai, slanting across the bluestone slabs, warming the frost that had gathered last night. The cold wind blew through the crabapple tree in the courtyard, and the dead leaves from its branches fell to the ground. Little Zhuozi was sweeping carefully with a broom, the soft rustling sound of the broom across the ground adding a touch of tranquility.
"Wow, boom! The joy in this yard is almost overflowing!" Little Wanzi walked through the corridor carrying a pot of newly opened wintersweet. The sweet fragrance of the flowers mixed with the chill of the morning air, refreshing and lively. He placed the pot on the flower stand at the entrance of the main house, clapping his hands and laughing, "When we have the wedding in a few days, our Shufangzhai will be filled with red silk and hung with red lanterns. It will be more lively than the New Year!"
Xiaodeng came over, holding the dog-eared copy of Journey to the West, his eyes sparkling, "Then I'll tell you a new version of the story 'Monk Tang's Wedding'. I guarantee it'll make everyone in the yard laugh!"
"You're so clever!" Mingyue came out of the room carrying a copper basin, and joked with a smile, "The princesses haven't woken up yet, and you're making so much noise. You really woke them up."
Just as he finished speaking, the door to the main room creaked open. Xiaoyanzi, wearing a moon-white jacket, stood at the doorway. Her hair was still a little disheveled, and the corners of her eyes were red from just waking up. "What are you arguing about? You're so noisy. Are you saying bad things about me?"
"Please spare me, Princess!" Little Mosquito immediately bowed, arching his back exaggeratedly. "We were just saying that we're having a big celebration at Shufangzhai, and even the winter plum blossoms are blooming more vigorously than anywhere else!"
Xiaoyanzi was amused by him and ruffled her hair. "You're quite good at talking." She turned and walked back to the yard, her steps light as if she were stepping on cotton. The hem of her lake blue skirt swept across the stone steps, bringing up a breeze. "Where's Ziwei? Hasn't she woken up yet?"
"Princess Ziwei is dressing up," Caixia came out from the inner room, holding a lilac-colored jacket in her hands. "She said she's going to pay her respects to the Empress today, and she asked me to find this new dress."
As they were talking, Ziwei came out, lifting the curtain. Her hair was done up in a graceful bun, with a pearl tassel in her hair. Her lilac-colored jacket made her skin look even fairer, though her cheeks were still slightly flushed. When she saw Xiaoyanzi, she said softly, "I just heard your voice. You're up so early, what's the matter?"
"I'm so happy!" Xiaoyanzi walked over and took her arm, leaning close and laughing softly, "When I think about you marrying into the Fu family in two months, as your older sister, I'm more excited than if I were getting married myself!"
Ziwei's face turned even redder when she said that, and she gently pushed her: "What nonsense are you talking about? It's obviously your marriage with Prince Yongqi that is more anticipated."
"I don't want to!" Xiaoyanzi turned her head away stubbornly, but she couldn't help laughing secretly. "Who wants to marry that 'nerd'? He supervises me practicing calligraphy every day!"
"Hey, who's saying bad things about me behind my back?" Yongqi's voice came from outside the Moon Gate. He was wearing a royal blue uniform and carrying a food box. He walked in briskly. "I just grabbed some osmanthus cake for you from the imperial kitchen. If you don't say good things about me, I won't give it to you."
"Who wants your osmanthus cake!" Little Swallow said this, but her eyes were fixed on the food box, and her feet moved over involuntarily.
Yongqi smiled and handed her the food box. His fingertips accidentally touched the back of her hand. They both shrank back as if burned, but both had smiles on their faces. Erkang followed Yongqi, holding a scroll in his hand. When he saw Ziwei, his eyes softened instantly. "Ziwei, I brought you the poetry collection you said you wanted to read last night."
Ziwei took the poetry collection, ran her fingertips over the delicate patterns on the cover, and said softly, "Thank you, Erkang."
"What are you thanking me for?" Erkang looked at her, his eyes like spring sunshine. "I'll find you whatever book you want to read in the future."
Little Mosquito was watching from the side in amazement, pulling up his little stool and muttering, "Wow, this is sour, even stronger than the vinegar in the imperial kitchen!" When Little Swallow glared at him, he immediately covered his mouth, but could not help laughing.
Just as the atmosphere was bustling, Xiao Jian walked in. He was wearing a navy blue gown that made him look even more tall and straight. He smiled a rare, relaxed smile as he met the people in the courtyard. "I just went to the Fang family to announce the good news. When my mother heard that the emperor had approved my marriage to Qing'er, she was so happy that she was wiping away tears. She's now working with the embroiderer to make Qing'er's dowry."
"Really?" Xiaoyanzi's eyes lit up. "Does Princess Qing know about this? Do you want me to go to the palace and tell her the news?"
"Don't worry," Xiao Jian smiled and shook his head, "The Empress Dowager took Qing'er to the Cining Palace to copy scriptures today. I will wait for her at the palace gate later and tell her in person." As he spoke, a hint of anticipation flashed in his eyes, as if he had already imagined Qing'er's look when she heard the news.
Ziwei whispered, "Princess Qing would be very happy if she knew. She's been looking forward to seeing the mountains and rivers side by side with Brother Xiao Jian, and her time is finally coming."
"That's right!" Xiaoyanzi clapped her hands. "Among all the couples we have, Big Brother and Princess Qing have the most difficult relationship. They've managed to stay deeply in love even though they're separated by the palace walls. It truly lives up to the saying 'Love will eventually marry'!"
Yongqi added with a smile, "And there's Brother Liu Qing and Jinsuo, Ertai and Liu Hong. This is great. We can have a wedding together in the spring. It'll be a lively and exciting one."
Speaking of Liu Qing and Jinsuo, Xiaoyanzi's eyes lit up even more. "As the matchmaker, I have to make good use of it! There will definitely be a big banquet at the guesthouse, and I'll be the master of ceremonies. I'll tell all the stories of their love and let everyone in the city know how wonderful our Jinsuo is!"
Ziwei smiled and pulled her: "You, you just know how to join in the fun. But Jinsuo will definitely be very happy to hear this."
The afternoon sun grew warmer, and the people in Shufangzhai bustled about. Yongqi accompanied Xiaoyanzi to the Imperial Household Department to collect red silk and lanterns, saying they needed to decorate the courtyard in advance. Erkang took Ziwei for a stroll in the Imperial Gardens, the two walking side by side along the ginkgo leaf-covered path, whispering about their future plans. Xiao Jian returned to the Fang household to help his mother count the dowry for Qing'er, from the exquisite Suzhou embroidery screen to the tiny jade comb box, each item exuding meticulous care.
In the Fang family's courtyard, Fang's mother was sitting under the grape trellis, pruning the branches with a pair of scissors. Seeing Xiao Jian come back, she smiled and waved, "Yan'er, look at how beautiful this camellia is blooming. It will be perfect for Qing'er's yard when she gets married."
"Mother has good taste," Xiao Jian walked over to help her hold the flower branch, "Qing'er likes quietness. Plant more flowers and plants in the yard. She will definitely like it."
Mother Fang looked at her son's gentle profile and sighed, "I've finally waited for this day. Your sister is safe in the palace, and you can marry your sweetheart. Your father and I can finally rest assured."
Inside the guesthouse, a bustling scene unfolded. Liu Qing directed the staff to paint the walls and replace the old wooden windows with new, carved lattices. Jinsuo, blushing, discussed the wedding menu with several of the staff's wives, her account book cluttered with entries. Liu Hong, standing at the door with her hands on her hips, watched Ertai arrive with a pile of red lanterns and couldn't help but quip, "Buying so many lanterns, are you planning to turn the guesthouse into a brazier?"
Ertai put down the lantern, wiped the sweat off his face, and retorted with a smile: "Hanging more will make it more festive! If you don't like it, I'll hang them all in your room after the wedding!"
"Who wants your broken lantern!" Liu Hong blushed, turned around and walked towards the kitchen, but the corners of her mouth couldn't help but curl up.
As the sun set, everyone gathered back in Shufangzhai. In the small kitchen, warm mutton soup was brewing, its aroma filling the courtyard. Little Swallow, clutching her bowl of soup, looked at her family and friends gathered around the courtyard and suddenly smiled, "Have you noticed? Even the air in this palace, both inside and outside, has become sweeter because of our happy events!"
Qianlong had been standing outside the Moon Gate at some point. Upon hearing this, he laughed heartily. "Silly children, you are so happy in your hearts that everything you see seems sweet." He walked in and took the bowl of soup from Xiaoyanzi. "I just came from Jingren Palace. I heard someone was so angry that they smashed a bowl in public."
Xiaoyanzi stuck out her tongue and said, "Who cares! Let's just live our good lives. If she wants to throw things around, let her do it!"
Moonlight crept over the eaves, gilding Shufangzhai with a silvery glow. Red silk had been quietly draped across the corridor pillars, and lanterns had been polished to a gleam, waiting to be lit at the dawn of spring. The sounds of laughter and chatter in the courtyard, mingled with the aroma of soup, warmed the heart. Within the red walls of the Forbidden City, a vibrant and fulfilling spring was brewing, fueled by these joyous events.
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