Chapter 470 Just for Her Favorite
Just then, the sound of fireworks exploding in the night sky rang out outside the door. Xie Shang and Jiang Fenghua exchanged a glance and said in unison, "Why are people setting off fireworks?"
As they stepped out of the side hall, they saw a sky full of dazzling fireworks, their multicolored lights intertwined, creating a dreamlike scene that instantly illuminated the deep night sky.
Seeing the beautiful fireworks, Jiang Fenghua was filled with joy. A slight smile appeared on her lips, and her eyes shone like black gemstones. Her voice was gentle as she recited: "The east wind blows, releasing a thousand trees of flowers at night. It blows down stars like rain. The road is filled with the fragrance of precious carriages and carved horses. The sound of phoenix flutes moves, the jade pot shines, and fish and dragons dance all night."
Xie Shang suddenly placed her fingers in his palm, looked at the joy on her face, and said in a deep voice, "Moths and willows, golden threads. Laughter and fragrance linger, I searched for him a thousand times in the crowd. Suddenly I turned around, and there he was, in the dim light."
In an instant, Jiang Fenghua's eyes blinked, as if she saw her own shy expression reflected in his dark pupils.
Jiang Fenghua quickly changed the subject, saying, "On the Lantern Festival, everyone rushes to see the lotus-picking boats, while fine horses and fragrant carriages pick up fallen hairpins."
"The wind and rain have deepened into the night, and all the people have dispersed; a lone lamp still illuminates the scene as someone calls out for tangyuan (sweet rice balls)." Xie Shang smiled slightly and quickly continued the poem.
Jiang Fenghua paused for a moment, then said, "A brightly lit city in a prosperous age."
"The resounding drums and gongs celebrate a bountiful year," Xie Shang said.
"The bright moon shines over a thousand beautiful gates..."
His eyes were as deep as the sea, and his handsome face was full of tenderness. Suddenly, he cupped her face and kissed her lips gently. Her voice was blocked by him, and she closed her eyes slightly, feeling the burning heat of his lips.
She thought: If she doesn't separate from Xie Shang soon, how will those ravenous women keep throwing themselves at him?
She frowned, clutched her stomach, and cried out, "Ouch!"
Xie Shang asked with concern, "Ruan Ruan, what's wrong?"
Jiang Fenghua blushed and pointed to her stomach, "It's nothing, it's just that just now His Majesty... and then he kicked me."
Xie Shang stared at her belly, then touched it again, and sure enough, he felt something. "It feels like I was kicked by him too. When he's born, I'm going to give him a good beating for Ruan Ruan. He's too naughty."
"Is Your Majesty willing to part with it?" Jiang Fenghua asked.
“公主朕自然是疼爱的，皇子他若不听话朕照揍不误。”他道。
江凤华笑了笑，“臣妾见皇上对弘宥十分疼爱呢！臣妾觉得皇上如此喜欢孩子，定不会揍他们的，皇上一定是个慈父。”
"I'm a little tired and want to go back to rest," Jiang Fenghua said again.
"I will escort you back to the Morning Light Palace..."
"But the envoys are still in the banquet hall. Would it be alright for Your Majesty to leave early?"
"No one is more important to me than the Empress. I will return after seeing the Empress off." Xie Shang held her hand and walked slowly. He added, "It has been a long time since I have accompanied Ruan Ruan on this road. The last time was when Ruan Ruan was pregnant with Yan'er and Hongyou. I want to hold Ruan Ruan's hand and walk with her for the rest of my life."
Jiang Fenghua saw Xie Shang looking at her with deep affection and fell into deep thought.
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At the same time, a man in official robes stood at the end of the corridor. Upon seeing the emperor and empress's actions, he quickly slipped and hid in a corner.
As Xiao Yu gazed at the fireworks before him, he thought to himself that she must like them! As long as she liked them, he would silently light up the dazzling fireworks for her to enjoy.
He held a position in the Ministry of Rites, so he had some authority. Besides, he already knew that the Tang brothers would definitely mess up the banquet. Not being able to enjoy the lanterns and fireworks on the Lantern Festival was already a regret, and he didn't want her to have any regrets.
Sure enough, she was very happy to see the magnificent fireworks cascading down like iron trees and silver flowers.
A moment later, he turned and left without looking back.
On the other side, Shu Yan and Xin'er also hid. When she saw the Emperor passionately kissing the Empress, she became restless. She also longed to be loved by the Emperor.
Xin'er's gaze fell on Xiao Yu in the shadows. She thought to herself: So Xiao Yu really likes the Empress. He pretends to be a gentleman, but he's just a hypocrite. He says he doesn't have any women he likes. It turns out that the self-proclaimed talented Xiao Yu is just as dissolute and shameless.
Seeing the woman he loved being kissed by another man must have been incredibly painful for him! It's just a pity she's married now. Qin Yunyan wanted to chase after him and confront him, asking why he had deceived her feelings, since she had genuinely loved him too!
In the end, she held back.
Qin Yunyan knew that even though she had once loved Xiao Yu, she wanted the imperial power more than becoming one of the emperor's concubines and gaining imperial power.
Seeing that Shu Yan was completely mesmerized, she nudged her and deliberately asked, "What is Your Highness doing here with me?"
Shu Yan stared at her face, then clenched her fingers. The Emperor would surely like such a beautiful face, but she was unwilling to actually let the Emperor favor "Xin'er". However, she couldn't attract the Emperor herself, so she could only let Xin'er try. If Xin'er really gained favor, she would rely entirely on Xin'er in the harem from now on.
Originally, she wanted to seek refuge with Consort Tang, but just now she saw Consort Tang being sent back to Changchun Palace crying and inquiring. She learned that Consort Tang had now become Noble Lady Tang. Truly, life is unpredictable!
She leaned close to "Xin'er's" ear and said, "After the Empress and the Emperor separate, you should do this..."
Upon hearing this, Xin'er was stunned. "Ah! Your Majesty wants me to seduce the Emperor?"
“How can you call it seduction? It was a lucky encounter. With a face like yours, no one in the entire harem except the Empress will be able to compete with you,” Shu Yan said.
"But the Empress is here, this servant dares not." She pretended to be timid and weak.
"I already found out. His Majesty has to entertain the envoys, and Her Majesty the Empress won't stay in the front palace for long before returning to the inner palace to rest. You'll have your chance tonight," Shu Yan added. "That's why I'm thinking of promoting you. Do you really want to go back to a place like the Laundry Department and be a lowly laundry maid? I've heard that even a pretty maid like you would only be bullied in the Laundry Department."
Xin'er quickly said, "This servant never wants to go back to a place like the laundry department again. Please, Your Majesty, take this servant in."
"As long as you can win the Emperor's favor, you will become an Empress. Just remember not to forget my help if you become successful in the future," Shu Yan added.
"Then this servant will give it a try!" If she could really attract the Emperor, what was she afraid of?
Seeing them head towards the inner palace, Shu Yan said happily, "Your chance has come."
In fact, their every move was being watched. Jiang Fenghua knew that Qin Yunyan was beautiful, so how could she let her get close to Xie Shang? In her previous life, she had won Xie Shang's favor, and in this life, she didn't want a woman like Qin Yunyan to really seduce Xie Shang.
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