Chapter 260: The lights are on, waiting for the good time
The golden glow of the setting sun filtered through the carved window lattices of Shufangzhai, slanting across the ground and casting a warm glow on the bluestone slabs. The charcoal basin in the corner had long been extinguished, but the faint aroma of the charcoal fire lingered in the air, blending with the refreshing scent of plum blossoms outside the window, creating a particularly pleasant atmosphere.
Xiaoyanzi had already changed out of her heavy wedding gown and donned a light green casual jacket and skirt. She sat cross-legged on a thickly cushioned Luohan bed, fiddling with the dagger Yongqi had given her. The gemstones inlaid on the scabbard gleamed in the setting sun, but she pouted with disdain, "This wedding gown is beautiful, but it's too heavy. If I wear it to the wedding ceremony tomorrow, I'm sure I'll fall."
Yongqi sat beside her, holding a military book in his hand, but he didn't really read it. His eyes would occasionally fall on her face. He smiled when he heard her words, "Don't worry, I'll hold you up, so you won't fall." He reached out and scratched her nose, "Besides, the wedding ceremony will only take a short while, just bear with it and it will pass."
"Not even for a moment!" Xiaoyanzi put the dagger on her waist and jumped off the bed. "I have to practice to avoid making a fool of myself." As she spoke, she imitated the way she did in the opera, taking small steps and turning around in the room. The hem of her skirt swept across the ground, bringing up a breeze.
Ziwei and Qing'er were sitting by the window embroidery frame, sorting the red silk ribbons for tomorrow's use. Seeing her like this, they couldn't help but smile. Ziwei put down her work and said softly, "Don't practice anymore. Be careful not to tire yourself out. There will be so many people watching tomorrow. Just let it go. Everyone will understand."
Qing'er also nodded in agreement: "Yes, Xiaoyanzi, you are doing very well. Besides, Prince Rong will protect you and will not let you get embarrassed." She looked at Yongqi with a smile in her eyes, her eyes full of blessings.
Yongqi smiled back, stood up and walked to Xiaoyanzi, gently holding her hand: "Did you hear that? Everyone believes that I will protect you." His palms were warm and strong. Xiaoyanzi could feel the warmth from his fingertips, and the little anxiety in her heart dissipated in an instant.
Xiao Jian stood at the doorway, taking in the joyful scene inside. A slight smile curled his lips. He wore a navy blue robe, his posture erect, his eyes filled with satisfaction. Over the years, he had watched his sister grow from a little girl in Jiangnan to a soon-to-be-married princess. He felt a mixture of reluctance and joy for her.
"It's getting late," he said in a steady voice. "It's time for dinner to be served in the palace. After dinner, go to bed early so you'll have more energy tomorrow."
Little Swallow nodded, then suddenly remembered something and shouted out the door, "Little Mosquito! Little Stool!"
Two young eunuchs immediately ran in from outside and answered in unison: "The servants are here!"
Little Mosquito was still as noisy as ever, rubbing his hands and laughing, "Good boy, long dong! What do you want, Princess? Do you want to try the sweet-scented osmanthus cake that I asked the kitchen to make specially for you?"
The little stool also quickly joined in: "Yes, yes, princess, the little stool has also made up a festive jingle, waiting to cheer you up!"
Xiaoyanzi was amused by them and waved her hand, "We'll eat the osmanthus cake later, and remember the rhyme first. Go and see if Uncle Fu and Ertai are here. We agreed to have dinner together tonight."
"Hey, I'll go right away!" The little mosquito and the little stool responded in unison and ran out like a gust of wind again.
Ziwei smiled and shook her head: "Only you can make them run around like this."
"Of course," Xiaoyanzi raised her chin proudly, "They are two of the 'Four Talents' of my Shufangzhai. They are very capable!"
As they were talking, Fulkang and Ertai came in, followed by Little Mosquito and Little Stool. Fulkang was wearing a royal blue gown and carrying a lunch box filled with Ziwei's favorite snacks. Ertai, still as lively as ever, shouted as he entered the room, "Little Swallow, I heard you tried on your wedding dress? Let me see it. Isn't it stunningly beautiful?"
Xiaoyanzi glared at him and said, "Go away, you just keep talking nonsense!" She said this with a bright smile on her face.
Yongqi patted Ertai on the shoulder and said, "Alright, stop teasing her. Tomorrow is a good day, so just be quiet tonight."
Ertai stuck out his tongue and ran to Liu Hong - Liu Hong had also arrived at some point and was helping Jinsuo set the table - and whispered something in her ear, which made Liu Hong blush and she reached out and hit him lightly.
As the sun gradually sank into the western hills, palace lanterns were lit in Shufangzhai. The orange light filtered through the thin window paper, blending beautifully with the last glimmer of sunset light on the horizon, creating a warm and peaceful atmosphere.
The table was laden with steaming hot food, and everyone sat around, chatting and laughing, creating a particularly harmonious atmosphere. Xiaoyanzi sat with Yongqi on her left and Ziwei on her right. Surrounded by her closest loved ones, she felt a sense of fulfillment and warmth. She suddenly recalled the turbulent events of her past life, and as she looked at the scene before her, her eyes warmed.
Yongqi noticed her strangeness, quietly held her hand, and whispered in her ear: "Don't think too much, everything will be fine in the future."
Xiaoyanzi nodded and looked up at him, tears in her eyes, but she smiled very brightly: "Yes, I know."
Outside the window, the night deepened, and the stars twinkled. The laughter and chatter from Shufangzhai drifted out through the window, echoing for a long time in the silent palace.
Tomorrow is the wedding day for her and Yongqi, Ziwei and Erkang, Xiaojian and Qing'er.
Everything is moving in the most perfect direction.
Xiaoyanzi looked at the table full of relatives and close friends, and thought silently in her heart: This life is so good.
She raised her glass and said with a smile, "Come on, let's drink! I wish us all the best tomorrow, and I wish everyone peace and happiness!"
"cheers!"
The crisp sound of clinking glasses rang out in the house, like a string of happy notes, playing the warmest prelude on the eve of the wedding.
As the night deepened, the crowd gradually dispersed. Xiaoyanzi lay in bed, gazing at the bright moonlight outside the window, a smile still on her lips. She touched the earrings Yongqi had given her, feeling the cool touch, and her heart felt at ease and warm.
Tomorrow will definitely be a beautiful day.
She closed her eyes and gradually fell asleep with infinite longing for the future.
The palace lanterns in Shufangzhai are still lit, as if guarding this hard-earned happiness and peace, waiting for the arrival of dawn and the start of the grand wedding ceremony.
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