Chapter 1 New Year's Day
The auspicious time has arrived. The bells and drums on the left and right towers ring together, and all the people in the east and west courts stand solemnly on the towers.
The gates of Hanyuan Hall were wide open, and sunlight bathed the entire hall in light. The Emperor and Empress walked out of the Hall hand in hand, looking down from their high vantage point at all the officials and common people.
Amidst the roar of cheers, the captured rebel generals were pushed onto the square outside the palace. Under the pressure of the army, their names, positions and evil deeds were announced one by one. They were forced to kowtow and apologize in front of tens of thousands of people, and their heads were paraded through the streets of Chang'an for public display.
The ceremony of offering captives reached its climax when the Nanzhao elephants filed in, guided by their trainers, prostrating themselves and raising their trunks to the accompaniment of stringed instruments. This scene, symbolizing peace and prosperity, brought tears to the eyes of many veteran officials, who recalled the prosperity of the past.
There were also six-foot red coral presented by the East China Sea, a huge auspicious brocade three meters square from the Jiangnan Prefecture, and a ten-meter-long giant tree carved with a hundred birds paying homage to the phoenix presented by the Miao Border... There were countless rare treasures from all over the world, which aroused the people's exclamations and cheers.
As for acrobatics, they were performed from Danfeng Gate to the streets and alleys, the East Market and the West Market, with tents set up and decorations decorated, and the party went on all night long without any rest.
In this rare bustling and prosperous time, the ladies of the imperial court also received imperial decrees, which allowed them to do as they pleased and enjoy themselves, just like the officials.
So everyone filed down from the Qifeng Pavilion. Some followed the Queen Mother to watch the elephants, some followed the Queen to appreciate the rare treasures, and some went in groups of three or five to watch the acrobatics, each seeking excitement.
Qiandeng walked down from Qifeng Pavilion and saw Cui Fufeng standing behind the crowd. The capital was filled with dignitaries and a cacophony of noise and bustle, but his calm and noble aura made even his crimson official uniform seem distant and tranquil.
Without asking, without making eye contact, she knew he was waiting for her.
"Does the county lady want to see the Prince of Linhuai?" Cui Fufeng looked at her, his voice gentle, but gave her a disappointing answer, "Unfortunately, he has already left."
Qian Deng was a little surprised: "Why did he leave right after the sacrifice?"
Cui Fufeng looked at her, his eyes carrying a deep meaning that she couldn't discern. "After all, his injuries haven't healed yet, and he needs to rest. The ceremonies here are complicated and noisy, so the Emperor and Empress are considerate and have allowed him to go back and rest first."
Qiandeng had no choice but to thank him and was about to return to Qifeng Pavilion.
"County Lady," Cui Fufeng stopped her and advised, "Doctor Jiang and Aunt Liao both said that you should relax more to relieve your boredom and avoid worrying about it. Aunt Xuanji also mentioned this to me. I will accompany you to see a variety show. Don't let everyone down."
Qiandeng also felt that it was inappropriate to return to Qifeng Pavilion alone, so he turned around and walked with him along Danfeng Gate to the street corner.
"County Lady, you're here?" Shangluo's joyful voice came from behind her. Then, a string of red candied haws was handed to her. Shangluo's brilliant smile filled her entire field of vision. "I picked the most beautiful one for you. Look how evenly the candy is coated!"
Qiandeng couldn't help but smile when she saw the bright red fruit in his hand covered with a layer of bright yellow sugar coating, which was indeed beautiful and festive.
Before she could reach out to take it, a hand beside her pushed the candied haws aside. Jin Tang stepped between them and said, "Hey, Xiao Luo, don't bring out this vulgar thing that's everywhere and make people laugh. Look at me, this is what's worthy of the county lady!"
He raised his hand and pointed to an old man behind him who was dancing with a sugar spoon and said proudly, "I invited the most famous sugar painting artist in Chang'an and asked him to mix five-colored sugars. I am making a celestial flower for the county lady!"
Sure enough, the old man waved the five sugar spoons in his hands one by one, and the five colors of red, yellow, purple, green and white painted a fairy flying in the clouds on the smooth and clean stone slab. He held a flower basket and scattered flowers all over. Auspicious clouds lingered around him, and flowers of various colors were scattered.
The fairy's posture was ethereal and graceful, vaguely similar to Qiandeng.
"Wow, this fairy is so beautiful..." Shangluo exclaimed in amazement, looked at his candied haws, pursed his lips, and lowered his head in frustration.
"This fairy is beautiful, but the streets are full of dust. Can you drink it?" Xue Xiyang's voice came from the side. It was obviously graceful and alluring, but it sounded extremely hateful to Jintang. "This kind of thing can only be looked at. It is not good for the body. Are you thirsty, county lady? I made a drink myself. It is red beans, red dates and red lotus seeds."
As he spoke, he opened the new bamboo tube in his hand and handed it to Qiandeng, smiling and winking at her: "I also mixed other fragrant drinks in it. This is a beauty recipe I specially found from the market. It has the effect of moisturizing the skin, nourishing the face and replenishing the blood. The county lady can drink more of it every day."
Jin Tang asked sourly, "Which neighborhood? Could it be Pingkangfang?"
"Why, Brother Jin, don't you know that the girls in Pingkangfang are the most knowledgeable about these things?" Xue Xiyang said unconcernedly, pointing at the girls on the street, "Look, these patterns and designs were all designed over there. All the noble ladies in the court and the ladies in the city are imitating them. How can someone like you who doesn't understand romance understand these things?"
Looking at the noble ladies competing with each other for beauty on the street, Jin Tang, who had no experience in this area, opened his mouth but could not say a word.
Xue Xiyang had the upper hand and was in high spirits. Qiandeng took two sips of the drink and found it sweet, sticky and fragrant, and tasted really good.
A clear and cool voice came from the side, saying gently: "Although this drink is good, it is too nourishing and refreshing. I am afraid it will interfere with sleep. The county lady should not drink too much."
The smile on Xue Xiyang's face froze instantly. He turned around dejectedly and saw Meng Lanxi.
He opened a delicate little food box beside him and took out two small cakes wrapped in pomelo leaves. He handed them to Qiandeng with a smile, the dimples on his cheeks charming. "This is the coix seed and poria cake I just made. It warms and nourishes the blood. County Lady, would you like to try this?"
Qiandeng took it and took a sip. It had a faint medicinal and sweet taste mixed with the fragrance of grapefruit leaves. It tasted good, but for some reason, it reminded her of the snacks that Shi Jingning had carefully made for her.
She thanked Meng Lanxi, looked up and around, and asked curiously: "Isn't Ling Tianshui with you today?"
After all, ever since he asked Meng Lanxi to help her regulate her sleep, Ling Tianshui often stayed with him for his safety.
Before Meng Lanxi could reply, Ji Linyou's voice rang out, "He had urgent military duties and had to leave early this morning. He entrusted me with the care of Meng Lanxi... Hey, a group of us brothers had originally wanted to use his connections in the Shuofang Army to sneak in and pay our respects to Prince Linhuai!"
Cui Fufeng quietly watched them take turns to show their courtesy. Only when he heard the three words "King of Linhuai" did he speak: "Don't worry, there will be a chance to meet again."
"That's for sure." Ji Linyou was full of confidence and asked Qian Deng, "Would the county lord like to walk around the streets? Come, I'll protect you. No one will dare to bully you!"
Seeing him clench his fists and flex his muscles, everyone was speechless. Yan Penglai, who had been keeping a calm expression, suddenly spoke up: "I asked for divination before leaving. Today's court meeting is auspicious and without any trouble. With the Yuanheng Lizhen, how could anyone cause trouble here? There is no need to worry about the county lady's safety."
Ji Linyou was a little depressed that his rare opportunity was ruined by him. "Fairy Yan, don't you always love quiet time? Why are you here to join in the fun today?"
"The Huihe have proposed a marriage alliance to strengthen the uncle-nephew relationship between the two countries. The imperial court has already agreed, and we must take advantage of this auspicious day to finalize the matter. Naturally, marriage between the two countries is a matter of great importance and must be treated with utmost care and rigor."
There was a large crowd of people outside Danfeng Gate. Each of these young men was outstanding, and they all gathered around Qiandeng, so people around them couldn't help but look at them with attention.
Some even whispered, "Is that the Princess of Lingling County? Is she really not disfigured?"
"I told you she'd show up at the funeral of Lady Qi! Now all the young people in Chang'an are tossing and turning in bed, filled with regret!"
"Of course not. If I had known she was such a beautiful woman, I would have tried my best to run for the position even with her bad reputation!"
"Come on, how many people have died in her backyard? Let's see which man she's closest to. It would be wise to go to Shengfa and place a bet..."
The whispers around her could all be heard. Qian Deng pursed her lips slightly and subconsciously took two steps back, moving a little further away from the gentlemen.
Ji Linyou shouted to drive away the crowd, and when he looked back, he saw Qiandeng had already left the crowd. He and several young men were about to chase after him, but Qiandeng turned back and shook his head, saying, "Gentlemen, go back first. I want to be alone for a while."
Seeing her determined expression, she went back to Daming Palace. Knowing that she was concerned about the discussions around her, they could only watch her walk alone along the Imperial Bridge back to Hanyuan Palace, walk into the corner under Longwei Road, and disappear in the twilight.
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