Chapter 266: Night Talk at the Palace, Heart-warming
By the time they left the Imperial Garden, the moon had already reached its zenith. The lanterns lining the palace path were still bright, casting their shadows in a fluctuating pattern. Xiaoyanzi, holding Yongqi's arm, walked briskly, as if treading on clouds. Her crabapple-red dress shone softly in the moonlight.
"The way the Empress Dowager looked at me today seemed much gentler than before." Xiaoyanzi turned her head to look at Yongqi, her eyes sparkling in the night, like two fallen stars.
Yongqi lowered his head and saw the pearl hairpins on her temples swaying gently with her steps. He reached out and straightened them for her: "The Empress Dowager has always loved you. Now that you have become my princess, she will naturally care about you even more." His fingertips accidentally brushed her earlobe, causing Xiaoyanzi to tremble slightly.
"No, she isn't." Xiaoyanzi said stubbornly, but she leaned closer to him quietly, "She did it for Sister Qing'er's sake." Having said that, the corners of her mouth couldn't help but curl up.
Not far away, Ziwei and Erkang were whispering. Ziwei's laughter was as clear as a silver bell, and Erkang would occasionally glance sideways at her, his eyes so gentle they could drown someone. Xiao Jian and Qing'er were walking at the end. Xiao Jian carefully moved the low-hanging branches away for Qing'er. Qing'er looked up and smiled at him, her eyes curved like a pool of spring water.
"Look at them." Xiaoyanzi pointed at the people in front with her chin, "Ziwei and Erkang, Sister Qing'er and my brother, they are so nice."
"We are fine too." Yongqi held her hand tightly, and the warmth of his palm came through the thin sleeves, warming her heart.
After leaving the palace, a carriage was already waiting. Xiaoyanzi and Yongqi rode in the same carriage. The interior was covered with thick brocade cushions, and in the corner a small burner of calming incense burned, its fragrance elegant. Xiaoyanzi leaned back on the cushions, watching the street scene pass by outside the window, and suddenly sighed.
"What's wrong?" Yongqi handed her a freshly peeled orange. "Are you tired?"
"I'm not tired." Xiaoyanzi took the orange, broke off a segment and put it in her mouth. The sweet and sour juice spread on the tip of her tongue. "I just feel... like I'm dreaming." She turned to look at Yongqi, a dazed look in her eyes. "When I was in Jiangnan, I never thought I would have this day."
Yongqi put down the orange in his hand and looked at her seriously: "It's not a dream. Xiaoyanzi, all of this is real. You have me, your family, and your friends. This is what you deserve."
Xiaoyanzi's eyes became hot when he said that. She quickly turned her head away and pretended to look out the window: "Who... who is crying? I'm not crying."
Yongqi chuckled, stretched out his hands to pull her into his arms, resting his chin lightly on the top of her head: "Yeah, I didn't cry. It's just that the oranges were too sour."
Xiaoyanzi burst out laughing and nuzzled into his arms: "You're just sweet-talking."
The carriage soon arrived at Prince Rong's mansion. A large red lantern hung at the gate, and a brand new "囍" character was pasted on the door. When the two gatekeepers saw the carriage stop, they hurried forward and bowed, "Welcome, Your Highness, and Your Highness the Princess back to the mansion."
Xiaoyanzi followed Yongqi out of the carriage and, looking at the magnificent palace before her, her heart suddenly began to falter. She secretly tugged at Yongqi's sleeve and said, "This... is our future home?"
"Yeah." Yongqi smiled and nodded, holding her hand. "Let's go in and take a look?"
The servants in the palace had already lined up and were waiting. When they saw them come in, they shouted in unison: "Congratulations, Your Majesty! Congratulations, Your Majesty!" Their voices were loud and full of joy.
Xiaoyanzi was startled by the scene and subconsciously hid behind Yongqi. Yongqi patted her hands and said to everyone, "Disperse and do your job."
"Yes." Everyone responded and dispersed, leaving behind only a few maids and servants to serve him personally.
Mingyue and Caixia were already waiting inside. When they saw Xiaoyanzi, they hurried forward and said, "Princess, you're back." Mingyue was holding a food box in her hand. "This is the lotus seed soup that Madam Fang sent. She said it's for your peace of mind."
"My mother still loves me." Xiaoyanzi took the food box and held Mingyue and Caixia's hands. "You've been tired all day, too. You should rest early."
"Princess, please settle us down before we rest." Caixia said with a smile, and skillfully took off the hairpin from Xiaoyanzi's head.
After washing up, Xiaoyanzi changed into a light nightgown and sat at the dressing table. She looked at herself in the mirror and suddenly felt a little unreal. She touched the hairpin on her head. It was the one Yongqi had put on her that day, a fine jade hairpin inlaid with several round pearls.
"What are you thinking about?" Yongqi came over and gently hugged her from behind, resting his chin on her shoulder.
"I was thinking..." Xiaoyanzi turned around and looked at him, "We are really getting married."
"Yes." Yong Qi lowered his head and placed a gentle kiss on her forehead. "From today on, you are the princess of Prince Rong's mansion."
"So what?" Xiaoyanzi raised an eyebrow and hooked her arm around his neck. "Even if I become a princess, I'm still myself. I can eat osmanthus cake if I want to, and practice swordplay if I want to. You have no right to interfere."
"None of my business." Yong Qi chuckled and kissed her lips. "My only responsibility is to accompany you. Whatever you want to do, I will accompany you."
The moonlight from outside the window poured in through the lattice, falling on the ground like a thin layer of silver frost. In the room, the red candle flickered, casting the shadows of the two people on the wall.
Xiaoyanzi leaned against Yongqi's chest, listening to his strong heartbeat, and suddenly felt extremely relieved. She thought of the hardships of her past life, the suffering and pain she had endured, and then looked at everything in front of her, and her eyes couldn't help but feel warm.
"Why are you crying again?" Yongqi wiped away the tears from her eyes, his tone full of heartache, "Are you feeling unwell?"
"No." Xiaoyanzi shook her head and snuggled into his arms. "I just feel... so good. Yongqi, it's great to have you."
Yongqi tightened his arms and hugged her tighter: "Me too. Xiaoyanzi, meeting you is the greatest luck in my life."
As the night deepened, the red candles burned out, leaving only the sound of each other's steady breathing. The moonlight flowed quietly, gently enveloping the newlyweds, as if blessing them.
In this life, they finally broke free from the shadows of their past lives and ushered in their own fulfillment. In the days to come, no matter the wind and rain, they will walk hand in hand, turning these warm days into the most beautiful song.
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