Chapter 474 Finale
Although winter has arrived in the villa outside Beijing, it has become a warm and soft world because of the hot springs gushing out from the ground.
The garden was built along the mountainside, with winding corridors that blocked out the north wind and cold air from outside.
The hot spring pool, formed by the hot spring water, is spacious, with the edges built with whole pieces of white marble and the bottom of the pool is paved with round pebbles.
Water vapor rises like clouds and fog, covering the area like a fairyland.
The poolside is not deserted because of the season. On the contrary, due to the geothermal heat, several heat-resistant green plants are still stretching out their thick leaves.
In the distance, several carefully cultivated winter plum trees have bloomed with bright red petals in advance, and fine water droplets are condensed on the petals, about to drip.
The air was filled with the unique faint smell of sulfur, mixed with the fresh fragrance of moist soil and plants, and the faint cool fragrance of plum blossoms.
The Sixth Princess Qin Zhaoyue did not have such a large pond to herself.
Mo Zu, who was always by her side, took a rare break from his duties today and immersed himself in the warm spring water.
This can be regarded as making up for a small wish that was not realized during the previous disaster relief trip. Now we can be truly honest with each other.
However, these women who usually hide in the shadows and act decisively now show a reserve that is completely different from usual.
Most of them remained silent, trying to conceal their figures with the misty water vapor.
Especially Mo Er, who was the smallest, almost shrank his entire body into the water at this moment, leaving only a pair of clear black and white eyes exposed.
Unlike the maids brought back from Chengyuan, who played freely in the water and laughed softly and happily.
Qin Zhaoyue leaned against the smooth warm stone by the pool, taking in the whole scene, and couldn't help but smile.
This kind of scene is much more interesting than enjoying it alone.
His gaze shifted and landed on Chu Xinglan who was not far away.
This senior sister's skin was unusually white, not the paleness of an invalid, but a translucent and lustrous cold white.
It is like the brilliance of fine mutton-fat jade nurtured over the years, or like the moonlight reflected by snow in a deep valley.
I don’t know if it’s because of the unique mental method she practiced, or if she was born with the legendary cold white skin.
At this moment, she was soaking in the hot spring, and the warm water brushed against her skin, making the whiteness even more dazzling.
Amidst the mist, the figures were hazy and unclear, and there was a sense of alienation and holiness that was not like that of people in this world.
Qin Zhaoyue was so lost in thought that he couldn't help but blurt out:
"Senior Sister, I seem to see a fairy descending to earth."
Upon hearing this, Chu Xinglan's lips curled up slightly, revealing a faint smile.
She turned her head, her eyes falling on Qin Zhaoyue's delicate cheeks that were red from the steam, and her voice was soft and gentle, soaked in moisture:
"Junior Sister, if you had the time to reflect on yourself, you would have noticed that the reflection in the pond is a closer representation of the fairy's appearance. Why bother teasing me?"
"Ah," Qin Zhaoyue waved his hands in a helpless manner, but the corners of his mouth couldn't help but rise up.
"If outsiders heard us two sisters praising each other like this, they would probably laugh their heads off."
Having said that, the pride and joy in his eyes and brows could not be concealed no matter what.
Behind her, a maid who was good at massage was kneeling, massaging the acupoints of her shoulders and neck with just the right strength.
A rosewood carved food table is placed by the pool, on which are displayed several exquisite side dishes.
Such as pickled goose feet, rouge goose breast, lotus root powder and cinnamon sugar cake, and a pot of cold fragrant wine brewed with newly bloomed green-calyx plum blossoms.
The wine was poured into a warm white jade cup and handed to her lips.
Qin Zhaoyue took the maid's hand, tilted his head back and drank the cool and sweet wine in the cup.
"ha……"
She let out a sigh of satisfaction, and tiny water droplets covered her long eyelashes, which trembled slightly.
Soaking in the hot springs and sipping the specially made cold plum wine, the strange feeling brought by the alternation of hot and cold is so pleasant that it is difficult to describe in words.
She stretched her body freely, letting the warmth envelop her limbs, and her cheeks became increasingly flushed.
I don’t know if it was because I was drunk or because of the steaming heat.
Since the beginning of winter, Qin Zhaoyue has almost always lived in this villa.
Accompanied by a group of personal maids and attendants, they admired plum blossoms during the day and enjoyed warm soup and drinks at night, with the sounds of stringed instruments often continuing all night long.
This kind of scene of reveling every night and living a life of drunkenness and dreams is in line with her desire to indulge in pleasure.
Just as she was closing her eyes and about to fall asleep in this ultimate comfort, Sui Mo beside her whispered a reminder:
"Your Highness, it's better to drink lightly, don't drink too much.
You forgot that today is the day when His Highness returns to the capital in triumph."
Qin Zhaoyue's misty eyes suddenly opened, the lazy moisture in his eyes faded a little, and his eyes regained their clarity.
"Is it today?"
"Yes, according to the latest itinerary reported by the Xuanji Guard, His Highness is expected to arrive in the afternoon."
"I see..."
Thinking about my elder sister who was far away in the bitter cold land of the north, and had experienced many battles, I realized that she must have suffered a lot.
She sighed softly and raised her arms. Immediately, a maid came forward and wiped the water droplets off her body with a soft towel and put on a bathrobe for her.
"Okay, change and get ready to go back to the city."
"yes."
Sui Mo and the people serving around him responded in unison, and the originally relaxed atmosphere suddenly became tense, and everyone began to work in an orderly manner.
Lunch was eaten much earlier than usual.
Because of geothermal heating, this manor can grow fresh fruits and vegetables in the greenhouse even in the cold winter.
In addition, the various ingredients from the surrounding villages, although not delicacies, are valuable because of their freshness.
The dishes are then skillfully cooked by the chefs brought from Chengyuan. There are many varieties of dishes, and the taste is delicious, which also has a unique pastoral flavor.
After lunch, the three carriages drove out of the manor and headed straight for the gate of Fengjing City.
When the carriage arrived near the majestic city gate, fine snow began to fall from the sky.
The snow was sparse at first, and made a slight rustling sound when it fell on the roof.
Qin Zhaoyue was helped out of the car by a maid, and when she raised her eyes, she saw the welcoming procession set up in front of the city gate.
What is even more striking is that her six brothers and sisters are gathered here.
I haven't seen you for over a month, but I can't find any warmth of reunion after a long separation. Instead, I am filled with complicated and indescribable emotions.
Ambiguous sneers rang out one after another.
"Oh, Sixth Sister really knows how to find a quiet place to relax. The hot springs in this villa outside Beijing must be very nourishing."
This was the voice of the third princess, with a hint of sarcasm.
"Oh, it's more than just nourishing. Look at her complexion, so rosy and translucent, so delicate and tender."
The fourth princess spoke up, her eyes sweeping across Qin Zhaoyue's cheeks, which were obviously fuller.
The fifth prince didn't say anything, just snorted and turned his head away.
The younger Seventh and Eighth Princes looked angry but dared not speak out.
Xiaojiu puffed up his cheeks, glared at Qin Zhaoyue angrily, and muttered softly:
"Have you gained weight? I think you have. You must be eating delicious food every day!"
Qin Zhaoyue was slightly stunned by this sudden collective targeting.
What's going on? Why is there so much hostility?
This month, the three elder heirs of the throne assisted in handling the heavy government affairs and were exhausted by the paperwork.
The three younger siblings were overwhelmed by the workload and were suffering terribly.
Only Qin Zhaoyue completely gave up and hid in a manor outside Beijing, living a happy life like a god.
Especially the third, fourth and ninth brothers, they all recalled what Qin Zhaoyue said in the imperial study on the eve of the disaster relief.
Now that she actually lived that kind of life, her heart was filled with a mixture of envy, jealousy, and resentment, which was really hard to describe.
Qin Zhaoyue was stunned for a moment, then quickly came to his senses.
Faced with the collective condemnation of her brothers and sisters, she just rolled her eyes nonchalantly.
Then he confidently put his hands into the hand warmer and raised his chin slightly.
That expression clearly said: So what? What can you do to me?
The fine snow gradually became dense, falling silently like pulled cotton wool, covering the eaves of the city walls, the ceremonial flagpoles, and also landing on everyone's shoulders and hair.
The world was silent, with only the faint sound of falling snow.
After waiting for about an incense stick's time, a dull sound of horse hooves came from afar, breaking the silence of the snowfield.
The sound came closer and became clearer.
At the end of the official road filled with wind and snow, a group of light cavalry appeared.
There were about a hundred riders, all dressed in light military uniforms and covered with fiery red cloaks.
The red color looks particularly dazzling against the white sky, like a flame jumping on the snow.
They were none other than the personal guards of the eldest princess Qin Zhaoqiong - the female cavalrymen of the Fengling Camp.
They rode their horses in an orderly formation, their hooves kicking up fine snow foam.
The red cloaks fluttered in the wind, highlighting their agile postures and resolute faces, and a sense of heroic spirit came to the face.
When the team arrived and approached the welcoming crowd, they all reined in their horses.
The person in the lead, with a tall and straight figure, was the eldest princess Qin Zhaoqiong.
She dismounted swiftly, threw the whip to the guards behind her, and strode towards her younger brothers and sisters.
He stopped and scanned everyone's faces one by one, and a gentle smile appeared on his weathered face.
"The third, fourth, fifth, seventh, eighth, and ninth,"
Finally, his gaze fell on Qin Zhaoyue's face, and his smile deepened a little, "Sixth sister!"
The fifth prince on the side curled his lips and hummed, only pointing out Xiaoliu.
"Eldest sister!"
Qin Zhaoyue went up to her and carefully looked at her elder sister whom she had not seen for a long time.
His skin was roughened by the wind, sand and scorching sun of the north, and his eyes showed fatigue, but it also added a bit of determination and calmness.
There were some snowflakes in her hair and on her shoulder armor that she hadn't had time to brush away.
Qin Zhaoyue naturally stretched out her hand and gently wiped away the cold snow water on her eyebrows and temples with her fingertips.
"Eldest sister, you've had a hard time along the way."
Qin Zhaoqiong let her do what she wanted, and her eyes fell on Qin Zhaoyue's well-maintained round and smooth face.
She smiled, stretched out her calloused hands, and gently embraced her sixth sister, who looked like a snowball, in her arms.
"Xiaoliu has worked hard too..."
[End of the book]
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