Chapter 265: Royal Garden Night Banquet, Long-lasting Warmth
At night, the Imperial Garden was illuminated by countless palace lanterns. The warm yellow light filtered through the silken fabric, casting dappled shadows on the red-carpeted path. The air was filled with the delicate fragrance of wintersweet and pine needles, mingling with the distant sounds of stringed instruments, creating a uniquely elegant atmosphere.
Xiaoyanzi held Yongqi's arm as they walked along the red carpet. Her crabapple-red dress shone softly under the light. From time to time, she would look up at the palace lanterns hanging from the treetops, like a curious child: "Yongqi, look, that lantern has a picture of Sun Wukong on it!"
Yongqi followed her gaze and laughed, "Indeed. It seems Xiaodengzi has told Journey to the West so well that even the people in the Imperial Household Department know about it." He looked down at her eyes, which were particularly bright in the light. "Are you cold? Do you want to put on your cloak?"
"I'm not cold." Xiaoyanzi waved her hand, but her fingertips secretly clenched his sleeve, "I just feel... like I'm dreaming." In her previous life, she had never dared to imagine that she could walk so calmly in the imperial garden, with her beloved by her side and the road ahead full of warmth.
Yongqi held her hand tightly, the warmth of his palm ironing her fingertips: "It's not a dream."
As they approached Chengrui Pavilion, they saw Ziwei and Erkang standing under a wintersweet tree, talking. Ziwei was wearing a lilac-colored cloak, the white fox fur at the hood making her cheeks appear even whiter. Erkang was bending down to tuck the laces of her cloak together, his movements as gentle as if he were protecting a rare treasure.
"You're here too!" Xiaoyanzi shouted with a smile, and pulled Yongqi over quickly.
Ziwei turned around, a gentle smile immediately spreading across her face: "We just arrived a short time ago, the Emperor and the Empress haven't arrived yet."
Erkang bowed to Yongqi and said, "Prince Rong."
"Master Fu, there's no need to be so polite." Yongqi returned the greeting, his eyes fixed on their clasped hands. He jokingly said, "It seems you two didn't drink enough at the guesthouse. Are you planning to continue here?"
Ziwei's cheeks flushed instantly, and she gently pushed Erkang, but Erkang took the opportunity to hold her hand.
As they were talking, Xiao Jian and Qing'er also arrived. Qing'er, wearing a water-green cape and a pearl hairpin on her head, walked beside Xiao Jian, like a magnolia by the water. When she saw Xiao Yanzi, her eyes lit up: "Little Yanzi!"
"Sister Qing'er!" Xiaoyanzi let go of Yongqi's hand and ran over to hold Qing'er's arm. "Isn't the old Buddha here today?"
"Here he is. He's resting in the warm room in front. Let us come over first." Qing'er said, her eyes unconsciously drifting towards Xiao Jian. Seeing that he was looking at her gently, her cheeks felt slightly hot.
Xiao Jian walked forward and nodded to Yongqi and Erkang as a greeting, then looked at Xiaoyanzi: "Mother Fang asked someone to bring your favorite osmanthus cake. I'll have the kitchen heat it up later."
"My brother still loves me the most!" Xiaoyanzi smiled with her eyes curved. Suddenly, she caught sight of Liu Qing and Liu Hong arguing not far away. She couldn't help but pull Qing'er over there, "I'll go see what they're arguing about."
Yongqi looked at her brisk back and shook his head helplessly, but his eyes were full of indulgence. Erkang smiled and said, "It seems that Prince Rong will be busy in the future."
"It's better to keep her busy." Yongqi's voice was filled with a smile that could not be concealed. "It's better than her staying in the room with her mind wandering."
Not long after, Emperor Qianlong arrived with the Empress and Consort Ling, while Empress Dowager Cixi followed slowly behind, supported by Aunt Rong. Everyone hurried forward to greet them, their greetings clearly audible in the quiet night.
"Everyone, get up." Qianlong smiled and waved his hand. His eyes swept over the couples in front of him, his eyes full of relief. "There are not so many rules today. Just be casual."
The Queen walked over to Xiaoyanzi, took her hand, and looked her over carefully. "I was too busy yesterday to look closely. This dress really sets off your complexion." She turned to Yongqi and said, "You must treat her well in the future. If I find out you're bullying her, watch out for me."
Yongqi quickly bowed and said, "I will remember your mother's teachings."
Xiaoyanzi felt embarrassed by what the Queen said and secretly stuck out her tongue, but Qianlong saw it.
"You." Qianlong tapped her forehead, his tone full of doting, "You are already married, but you are still so childish." Although he said so, he could not hide the smile in his eyes.
Concubine Ling also laughed and joked: "Princess Huanzhu's temper is something I'm afraid she won't be able to change even after ten years. But it's better this way, she can live freely."
The old Buddha sat on a cushioned chair, his eyes fixed on Qing'er, his eyes soft: "Qing'er, are you getting used to living in the Fang family? If Xiao Jian bullies you, just tell the old Buddha."
Qing'er nodded with red eyes: "Thank you for your concern, Master Buddha. Xiao Jian treats me very well, and the people in the Fang family also love me."
"That's good." The old lady patted her hand and said, "Come back to the palace often."
The banquet was quickly set up, and the exquisite dishes were served one after another, steaming hot, dispelling the chill of the winter night. Everyone sat together, without the solemnity of the palace, and it felt like a family celebrating the New Year.
Xiaoyanzi picked up the chopsticks and was about to pick up a piece of braised pork when Yongqi stopped her: "Drink some hot soup to warm your stomach first." As he said that, he served her a bowl of lotus root and pork ribs soup.
Xiaoyanzi curled her lips, but still drank a sip obediently. The warmth in the soup slid down her throat, soothing her whole body.
Ziwei looked at them with a smile in her eyes. Erkang picked up a piece of her favorite crystal shrimp dumpling for her at the right time and said, "Eat it quickly. It won't taste good if it gets cold."
Liu Qing was peeling shrimp for Jinsuo, his movements clumsy but serious, making Jinsuo both angry and amused: "I'd better do it myself."
"No," Liu Qing put the peeled shrimp into her bowl, looking serious, "You are the bride today, so I have to serve you."
Liu Hong was watching from the side and laughed: "Oh, has Boss Liu changed his personality today?"
"What do you know?" Ertai put a piece of sweet and sour pork ribs into her bowl. "This is called loving your wife."
Liu Hong glared at him, but ate the ribs.
Qianlong looked at the lively scene before him, picked up his wine glass and said with a smile: "Come, let's raise our glasses together and wish these children a happy wedding and a happy and harmonious life!"
"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Everyone raised their glasses, and the crisp sound of clinking glasses echoed in the night sky.
After three rounds of drinks, the sound of stringed instruments gradually stopped. Xiaodengzi found a clapper from somewhere and started to perform while playing Xiaowenzi.
"Good boy, long, long, dong! Let's celebrate today!" Little Mosquito started to sing along, "Talk about weddings, talk about weddings, the newlyweds have smiles on their faces. Princess Huanzhu is paired with the prince, Princess Mingzhu is paired with Fulun. Xiao Jian and Qing'er are a match made in heaven, Liu Qing and Jinsuo are happily reunited. And Ertai and Liu Hong, a perfect match!"
He spoke quickly and fluently, drawing cheers from the crowd. Little Swallow slammed the table with laughter, "Little Mosquito, your tongue is getting smoother and smoother!"
Not to be outdone, Xiaodengzi picked up the clappers and continued, "It's said to be perfect, it's said to be perfect, the two lives are connected by a thread of fate. The palace is full of joy, and there will be peace from now on!"
Qianlong laughed heartily at their words and pointed at the small stool and said, "You, boy, are quite good at talking. Reward!"
Eunuch Su quickly responded, "Yes, Your Majesty," and sent someone to get the reward.
As the night deepened and the banquet ended, everyone walked out of the palace together, chatting and laughing along the way, their footsteps particularly clear in the silent palace road.
Xiaoyanzi walked in the middle, holding Yongqi on her left hand and Ziwei on her right hand, her heart filled with honey. She looked up at the bright moon in the sky, then looked at the people around her, and suddenly felt that the perfection of this life was better than she could have imagined.
"What are you thinking about?" Yongqi asked her with his head down, his breath brushing against her ears.
Xiaoyanzi turned to look at him, her eyes shining like stars: "I'm thinking about it, how nice."
Yongqi smiled and held her hand tightly: "Yeah, that's great."
The moonlight casts a long shadow on them, stretching them far into the future. And that future will surely be as warm and bright as this night.
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