Chapter 55 Chapter 55 Exclusive
The first day of the first lunar month is an auspicious day at the beginning of the year, when everything goes smoothly and it is a good time to offer sacrifices and pray for blessings.
The weather was fine, the wind stopped and the snow stopped, and the sky was as blue as a prairie.
Lan Nongnong was awakened by the faint sound of firecrackers. When she opened her eyes, her mind was blank. She gently stroked her forehead, and it took a while for her to come to her senses. She didn't have the hangover headache that the rumors had suggested. She probably just couldn't hold her liquor well, and had simply fallen asleep, not passed out.
I don’t know when I fell asleep, and I couldn’t even stay up to celebrate the New Year -!
My mind suddenly cleared, and I hurriedly looked down. My hair was disheveled, but my underwear was intact. I lifted the collar of my shirt and found no unusual marks. I stood up and got off the bed, feeling no discomfort at all.
"The girl is awake."
Jade and Green Rose entered with a smile on their faces, their faces brimming with joy. They bowed to her and said in unison, "Your servants wish you a happy new year, good health, and all the best."
Lan Nongnong was caught off guard by such formalities. By the time she came to her senses, the two maids had already stood up. Her face immediately brightened, her eyes curved and her dimples shone as she replied, "I'm happy, I'm happy! I wish you all a happy new year, and all the best."
"Thank you, Miss."
Lan Nongnong nodded, then suddenly remembered something. She hurried to the bedside cabinet, opened it, and took out the red envelope she had prepared earlier. As she got out of bed, she accidentally brushed against the soft pillow, revealing a little red underneath. She felt a little puzzled, but ignored it for the moment. She walked out of the bed, handed the red envelope to the two of them, and shook their hands, saying sincerely, "Thank you for your meticulous care over so long. Sometimes I'm not considerate enough and cause you to bear the blame—"
The two were startled when they heard her words and hurriedly tried to bow, but she held their hands and forced them to stand. They quickly blamed themselves, saying, "Young lady, you are too serious! You must not do that! Young lady is the master, and you must act within your rights. It is because we have failed to serve you well, causing you to suffer so much. We are truly ashamed."
"Yes, young lady, please don't say that! You have treated us very well, and we are grateful to you. It is our duty to take care of you. As long as you are healthy, we will be satisfied."
Lan Nongnong wasn't good at being polite, so she stopped talking and just shook their hands vigorously, smiling and saying, "Now that we've said goodbye to the old days, let's not talk about the past anymore. May everything get better and better for us from now on."
The two maids were infected by her smile and were also overjoyed, nodding with a smile.
Lan Nongnong followed familiar customs, celebrating the new year with a fresh start, and carefully selected a bright yet elegant outfit. Qingluo was quite skilled, so she asked her to help her style a fresh bun.
She sat in front of the mirror and picked up a strand of her long hair. If she let go, it would almost fall to the ground. It was indeed too long and it would be inconvenient to take care of it herself in the future. She secretly measured the length with her hand-made scissors.
"girl,"
Lan Nongnong was startled and quickly turned her scissors into a comb.
Biyu walked to her side, leaned over, and held a half-foot square red envelope in her hands. She said happily, "When I was making the bed, I found this red envelope containing lucky money under your pillow. It can ward off evil spirits and protect your safety. It's a good omen that you will sleep well all night!"
Qingluo, her hair tied behind her back, joined in the congratulations, "When I was little, I only received copper coins for good luck. I've heard that wealthy families use gold and silver. The good luck coins you can give our young lady must be even more exquisite! I'm so bold, would you mind opening your eyes?"
Lan Nongnong found it amusing. Lucky money was always given to children, so what was the point of giving it to an adult? She shook her head, but on the first day of the new year, she didn't want to dwell on any worries, nor say anything to dampen the mood.
It's going to be put aside and covered in dust anyway, so since the two of them want to see it, why not take a look?
One's lucky money shouldn't be opened by others. Lan Nongnong couldn't resist the two men, and as soon as she took it, she felt a weight in her hand. She opened it and saw that it was actually a lucky money made of gold and jade.
She hooked the red string, and two strings of lucky coins swayed gently. They were slightly larger than copper coins, with stars engraved on one side and peace and happiness on the other. Nine coins had finger-long gold and jade tassels hanging from their bottoms.
They complement each other and are dazzling.
"Nine coins represent longevity, a truly auspicious number!"
"This is the first time I've seen a lucky charm made of jade. It's truly exquisite. It could even be used as a waist ornament for a young lady."
The two maids praised her repeatedly, but Lan Nongnong just smiled without saying anything. She handed the lucky money to Biyu and watched her carefully put it away.
At breakfast time, when the sky was bright, her dining table had returned to its original size and was once again filled with delicious delicacies. Biyu said that after she finished eating, the untouched dishes would be distributed to the servants, and the ones that were eaten would be sent to the cat and dog shed outside the city.
After the meal, Lan Nong Nong sipped tea to help digest the food. Biyu and Qingluo each held an arm-length tray covered with festive red cloth. One tray was filled with golden melon seeds, and the other was stacked with red silk money bags of various sizes.
Just as she was wondering, Biyu smiled and said, "There is a banquet in the palace today, and my lord is sorry that I can't accompany you. This plate of golden melon seeds is for you to enjoy in your spare time. On the first day of the new year, all servants in the mansion must go to the master to pay their respects and congratulate him. This plate is for you as a reward."
"The housekeeper and other managers receive higher rewards, ranging from fifty to thirty taels. The rest of the women, maids, and servants receive slightly less. My Lord has instructed that if you find anyone who has performed well in the first year, you can reward them as you wish."
Lan Nongnong felt a headache just by hearing this. It was clear that she was being asked to take charge, so she naturally declined. Just as she was about to refuse, Biyu stopped her with a word.
"...The housekeeper is currently waiting outside the courtyard with the servants, wishing the young lady a happy new year."
“!”
The housekeeper in the mansion was about the same age as her parents. Even without considering the etiquette of respecting elders, how could Lan Nongnong sit still with so many people waiting?
As soon as I walked out of the hall, I saw the butler leading a group of servants that seemed endless standing quietly outside the courtyard.
According to the rules, servants from all over the place should have entered the courtyard to celebrate the New Year, but the adults in the courtyard had strictly ordered not to enter without permission, so the young lady had to move over to receive the gifts.
Seeing her appear, everyone immediately stood up straight, smiling and congratulating in unison: "Your humble servants and I wish you a happy and healthy new year!"
Lan Nongnong was caught off guard, frozen in shock at the threshold. A crowd of hundreds filled half the alley, each one announcing their place like an inverted tarot card, and then kneeling in prostration. She had been on stage before thousands of audiences before, but had she ever been subjected to such kowtow? How could she possibly bear it?
The alley was filled with cheers of congratulations, but she stood frozen in place, forcing a smile and calling for help. Her hands reached up, unsure who to help. Her head felt like it was covered by a heater, the heat so intense it forced sweat.
Fortunately, Biyu and the other two showed up in time, distributing red envelopes to rescue her. Everyone thanked them and left, and Lan Nongnong finally breathed a sigh of relief as if she had survived a disaster.
---
On the auspicious day of the new year, court officials gathered in the Golden Palace to pay their respects and congratulate the emperor, wishing him a long life and praying for peace and prosperity for the country and its people, and for the country to prosper forever.
The emperor granted a special banquet and graciously permitted court officials to join in the fun with their families. At the exact time of the afternoon, Chonghua Palace was ablaze with splendor, filled with singing and dancing, and the sounds of sheng, flute, and drums lingered in the air.
The Emperor and Empress sat high on the throne, while the Crown Prince sat at the bottom of the steps. Qin Jingyao, the head of all officials, held the position of Chief of the Left Division. The ministers, in order, presented congratulatory gifts and offered endless praises.
The drums roared and the Nuo opera began, praying for good weather and a good harvest in the new year.
The banquet was filled with laughter and clinking glasses. Qin Jingyao glanced at the bustling scene in the hall, narrowing his eyes slightly. He felt that the scene was the same every year, and this evening, with something on his mind, seemed even more tedious and long, as if the days were passing by like years.
He had a faint smile on his face, enjoying himself with everyone, and from time to time he raised his glass and chatted with the ministers who came forward to toast him. But in fact, his eyes had been looking outside the palace many times, waiting for the opportunity to leave as soon as the emperor left the table.
The emperor was running low on energy, and in previous years he would have departed early after the palace banquet had begun and the gifts had been presented. This year, after the courtiers had presented their gifts and the ministers had finished their round of drinks, the emperor reclined on the dragon throne, his face visibly tired, but he showed no intention of leaving.
As the court officials clinked glasses, eight-tenths of their attention was focused on the emperor, and six-tenths was spent trying to discern the emperor's intentions. They were all speculating, their minds abuzz with speculation. Then, the empress's gaze frequently fell upon the women at the table.
Some court officials who did not have daughters of marriageable age at home suddenly realized that this palace banquet seemed to be normal, except that there were an unusually large number of female relatives, especially noble ladies of marriageable age.
Today, the emperor pays attention to health preservation and keeps away from women. The harem has long been peaceful. The prince is still young, so there is only one person left who can take up the position of wife.
For a moment, many eyes were secretly cast towards the table.
The ministers and noble ladies seemed to have sensed something, and they were dignified and graceful in their conversation and laughter, but their eyes frequently glanced towards the person sitting on the left, either openly or secretly.
The man, dressed in a crimson official robe, drank slowly from his cup from time to time, chatting and laughing with the ministers nearby. The palace lanterns cast a shadow on his figure, making him look even more dignified and prominent, like a jade or a sceptre.
Empress Guo noticed the emperor's tired expression and realized the time was almost up. She withdrew her gaze and whispered, "Your Majesty, I understand that I have troubled you so much today. Would you like to leave first?"
The emperor was rubbing his forehead when he heard this and waved his hand with a sigh, "Gu Yan carries a heavy responsibility. I must pay close attention to his marriage. Furthermore, he has mobilized numerous troops for a woman, which is truly extraordinary. How can one devote oneself to serving the country without peace at home? I am currently running out of energy, and I need your continued attention. We must not lose sight of the greater good over the small."
"But we can't rush into things. We must carefully consider the candidate, and moral character is paramount. Gu Yan is young, after all, and in the prime of his life. A temporary blinding of his mind by women is nothing; it will naturally fade once the excitement wears off."
Seeing that the Empress understood, the Emperor perked up a bit and said with a smile, "In that case, I'll ask Gu Yan to go with us. The Empress will send someone to fetch him later."
Empress Guo immediately stood up and firmly held the emperor's arm.
The emperor slowly stood up, the music suddenly stopped, and everyone in the room stood up in silence.
"The Minister of the Chancellery will accompany me,"
The emperor's voice was tired, but it carried undeniable majesty. "The Empress and I will go ahead. You all, please don't be restrained; enjoy yourself."
Qin Jingyao respectfully escorted the emperor back to the palace, but was only given some rewards and a few words of encouragement before being sent away.
The palace maids followed behind, holding the gifts in their hands. As they left the warm hall, they heard a eunuch whisper, "Sir, please report, the chief steward sent me to pass on a message. Two quarters of an hour ago, the Empress summoned the ladies who were attending today's banquet to Yining Palace."
Qin Jingyao understood immediately, but his face showed no sign of it. As expected, he was stopped by the head maidservant who served the Queen as soon as he left the palace. Her carelessness was not surprising.
On the first day of the new year, even if the empress did not send anyone to wait for him, he should go to pay his respects in person before leaving the palace.
Aunt, I'm still anxious.
---
Located to the north of the harem, Yining Palace occupies a vast area, dotted with pavilions and towers, and adorned with a profusion of flowers, resembling a paradise. It is the venue for banquets held by the harem. Today, since the minister's family has many female relatives, this place has been used.
The well-informed ladies of the nobility knew the purpose of this visit to the palace. Their attire for the banquet was meticulously prepared, featuring silks, satins, pearls, jade, rouge, perfume, and precious gold and silver, each one boasting a figure and beauty so remarkable they were more beautiful than flowers. Among them were some unfamiliar faces, rarely seen at banquets.
Ever since the Queen ordered the maid to deliver the message, all the noble ladies in the palace, whether intentionally or unintentionally, had a blush on their faces, making them even more eye-catching.
Some were fixing their clothes, some were stroking their hair, some were putting on makeup, it was truly a grand spectacle of beauties competing for beauty.
If there were a few people at the banquet whose appearance, makeup, and expressions made people feel familiar, then the woman sitting on the embroidered cushion third from the back by the hall door, with lowered eyebrows and eyes, looking quiet and elegant, would almost make people mistake her for an old acquaintance at first sight.
Wang Yingzi frowned secretly, feeling that these noble ladies were both bold and naive. With such a precious gem before them, the others were merely imitating, only to be looked down upon.
I glanced up unintentionally and saw Princess Baozhen also looking at those people with a meaningful smile on her lips.
At this moment, the palace servants sang loudly: "The Minister of the Chancellery has arrived--!"
The chattering in the hall suddenly fell silent. Everyone stood up and bowed their heads. Only the corner of a crimson robe passed by like flowing clouds and water. Then a noble and elegant male voice rang out: "Your Majesty, I pay my respects to Her Majesty the Queen."
Empress Guo smiled lovingly and raised her hand to signal, "Rise quickly and take a seat. I've told you so many times, there's no need to observe these formalities when you're here with your aunt."
Qin Jingyao readily accepted the advice, replied with a smile, "Thank you, auntie," and sat down calmly.
The ladies in the palace and Princess Baozhen then greeted him and said, "Baozhen/your servant/your servant greets the Minister of the Chancellery."
Qin Jingyao seemed to have just noticed that the hall was full of female relatives. After humbly returning the greetings to several of them, he said to the empress in surprise: "My aunt has summoned the female relatives, and I'm afraid it will be inconvenient for me to be here." After saying this, he made a gesture to stand up.
The noble ladies were secretly anxious, but Empress Guo smiled calmly: "I didn't expect His Majesty to let you come so quickly. It's just a coincidence that you ran into the ladies."
After he finished speaking, he pointed to the hall in a natural way and said, "Look at these beautiful girls gathered together. Just looking at them makes me feel relaxed and happy. They are playing the flower order. Guess who will receive the flower order this time? If you guess correctly, you will be allowed to leave and take away the New Year gift."
There was no such thing as a flower order; it was merely an excuse that everyone understood. The ladies blushed, their brows lowered, their beautiful faces slightly raised.
Qin Jingyao naturally understood the queen's thoughts. In front of all the women in the court, he had to give the queen enough respect.
He smiled and said solemnly, "If you ladies have no objection, I will venture to make a guess."
With his agreement, the female members of the family were naturally overjoyed. At the same time, they couldn't help but think that after all, they were aunt and nephew, and it seemed that the Empress Dowager could still have a say in Lord Ling's marriage.
"Today is the auspicious day of the new year. It is better to share happiness with others than to enjoy it alone. Your Excellency, please feel free to guess."
"Your Excellency is so wise that there is no need for us to interrupt you."
"Please guess, Lord Linggong. I have no objection."
"...Please, sir."
For a moment, the whole hall was filled with the sweet chirping of birdsong.
Qin Jingyao smiled faintly and said nothing. Silence gradually fell upon the hall. The gentle ones held their breath and bowed their heads, their faces flushed. The bolder ones held their heads high, their chests puffed out, their eyes filled with affection.
Several women with flower ornaments painted on their foreheads, long black hair tied up to reveal their slender necks, and pearl hairpins trembling in their hair, stood out among the other noble ladies with plain makeup.
Qin Jingyao narrowed his eyes suddenly, and in the blink of an eye, he memorized the number of people, as well as the appearance and seating arrangement of the woman in front of him. He glanced at them calmly and calmly. In the meantime, he caught a glimpse of two or three women with eyes as round as apricots or cheeks as rosy as peaches.
He chuckled silently, leaned back, and sat with his arms and legs wide open. One elbow rested on the armrest, and his five fingers casually fiddled with the cup lid. The black bandage at the base of his thumb was faintly visible, and he lowered his eyes to look down again.
Princess Baozhen and Wang Yingzi, who had been paying extra attention to him, were frightened when they saw his expression change, especially when he smiled.
When his gaze was about to reach the palace gate, the two exchanged a glance, one eager to watch the excitement, the other harbouring hidden worry.
Since our paths are different, we cannot work together. Then they each looked away.
Empress Guo couldn't help but hold her breath when she saw this. She had seen the portrait of the woman in his palace and had a good idea of her temperament. It all depended on whether he was looking at her appearance or her character.
--
Except for the woman's expression and appearance, even her clothes and makeup were exactly copied.
Qin Jingyao had relived every inch of her appearance a thousand times during the days and nights she had been silent. Intentionally or unintentionally, she stretched her hand right under his nose, truly not knowing whether to live or die.
At some point, the hall had become so quiet that you could hear a pin drop.
The teacup slipped from his fingertips and fell into his palm, muffling the subtle cracking sound. He extended his arm and raised his hand, and the maidservant behind him immediately bent forward, carrying the tray. The cup instantly shattered into petals as it landed on the plate, spilling the rich tea all over it.
The palace maid was shocked but dared not make a sound. She looked up at the queen, turned her back to everyone, covered her face with her hands, bowed and quickly retreated.
"If my guess is correct,"
Qin Jingyao looked towards the palace gate with a smile on his face. The noble ladies whose eyes passed by felt their cheeks getting hot, their hearts beating like drums, and their silk handkerchiefs twisted into a ball in their hands.
Didn't make everyone suffer for too long,
"The third from the back inside the door is a woman with a crabapple blossom painted on her forehead, dressed in pink."
As soon as the words were spoken, several girls turned pale, tears welled up in their eyes, and all the eyes in the hall turned towards the chosen person with shame and anger.
Only the woman who was chosen suddenly looked up, her face full of panic, biting her lip and gradually revealing a smile, her figure was as frail as a willow in the wind, so pitiful.
"Tsk, pretending."
The palace was spacious, and the person speaking lowered their voice, so only a few people nearby could hear. Seeing the woman's shoulders shrunk, they all covered their lips with handkerchiefs to suppress their smiles, their eyes full of contempt.
"Lord Linggong!"
Suddenly, a clear and crisp female voice rang out. Everyone looked in the direction of the voice and saw a woman with almond-shaped eyes, rosy cheeks, a charming smile, and two dimples on her cheeks. She stood up, bowed gracefully, and then said, "I dare to speak frankly. Your Excellency's guess is wrong."
You have to fight for your own opportunities. The so-called passing the flower order is just a formality. It is a real ability to win the favor of the Lord.
The young woman faced the gazes of the crowd without a trace of fear. Now that she had been granted entry to the palace for the banquet, she must seize the opportunity. If she failed, there might not be another chance.
Courage is commendable, but ulterior motives and inappropriate courage will only backfire and bring disaster to one's own actions.
Qin Jingyao stared at this face with even the dimples deliberately reproduced, saw the greed that could not be concealed under the brightness in her eyes, and despised the hypocrisy and ugliness behind the pretentious smile.
Just based on her, and the others in this palace who were put together from all sides, how could they dare to try to imitate his Nongnong!
In an instant, the violent energy seemed to have substance, suppressing the inexperienced women in the hall into silence. The girl who had been so arrogant just now turned pale, staggered and fell to the ground as if she had seen a ghost, revealing her ugly appearance.
Qin Jingyao glanced at the crowd with a calm gaze, then turned to meet the Queen's gaze on the Phoenix Throne. He bowed and said with a smile, "Aunt, I'm afraid it's inconvenient for me to be here. I'll come and pay my respects when you're free. If there's nothing else, Gu Yan will take his leave first."
The utterly embarrassed young girl in the hall had been helped to her feet by the palace servants and led, trembling, to a side hall. The noble ladies who had just smiled like spring flowers were now all looking at their noses with fear.
Queen Guo sighed inwardly, regretting that the girl had bad luck.
Fortunately, he still considered the overall situation and nodded, pretending to rebuke: "You assist in the affairs of state all day long, are you really going to reprimand me, a female member of the palace, as if I were your subordinate? Look how frightened you are."
"Forget it. I won't embarrass you any more. Just go."
The two of them understood each other tacitly, and neither of them pointed it out.
Qin Jingyao bowed and took his leave, and when he turned around he just nodded slightly to the ladies present.
As soon as he left, Empress Guo had no intention of entertaining guests. She chatted with everyone briefly to smooth things over, rewarded a few frightened girls, and then ordered everyone to leave.
Leaving the palace gates, everyone felt like they had escaped a calamity. If they had been lucky, after this experience, they no longer dared to entertain even the slightest illusion. Fortunately, they were still waiting and watching, while those with ulterior motives, imitating others, were outsmarting themselves and feared they would have difficulty finding a marriage partner in the future.
Many noble ladies looked at the girls who were eager to try when they came, but now their faces were pale, and they could only feel relieved.
However, these noble ladies were still relatively naive. If they dared to secretly inquire about his appearance, clothing, and personality, Qin Jingyao would never let them off easily.
If a child is not taught, it is the father's fault.
If a wife does not teach her son, it is the husband's fault.
After the palace banquet that day, the ministers returned home. Several officials, upon hearing the sobbing complaints of their wives and daughters, knew something was amiss. While their own desire to establish connections was a weak one, they were certainly wrong. They were also instigated by their wives, and they had no idea there were other people behind the scenes directing them.
Now that the gods are fighting, I, a little devil, have caused my wife and daughter to suffer because of my momentary greed.
As expected, when he was about to prepare a car and take his wife and daughter to the Shangshu Ling Mansion in the middle of the night to apologize, he was stopped by the Shangshu Ling Mansion guards before he could even leave.
Outsiders had no way of knowing the details, but they only knew that the lights in these houses were kept on all night long. They all took concubines and wives, and it was said that they all looked like their principal wives.
Soon, the new wife took charge of the household, while the original wife retreated to a Buddhist temple. Not long after, several people were rejected for promotion, and the ones who were promoted were colleagues who had previously held similar positions and were equally capable but had been repeatedly suppressed.
The daughters who attended the banquet never appeared at any banquet again.
Beforehand, when the people in the neighboring houses heard about the changes in the Yining Palace, they all sighed with regret and told the women in their families not to try to marry the Shangshu Ling again, to be careful not to let the marriage go through and destroy the foundation laid by many years.
Unexpectedly, his words came true. The next day, news of misfortunes spread to those families, but no one dared to investigate further. Who would want to take on such trouble during the New Year holidays? Besides, the whole matter was entirely their own greed, and there was no denying it.
He could not help but feel even more wary of the Shangshu Ling, unwilling to provoke him easily. Truly, before the first day of the new year, if anyone provoked him even slightly, he would return the favor tenfold within the same day, showing no mercy at all.
This is a later story, so I won’t discuss it for now.
---
In previous years, after paying New Year’s greetings to the elders and receiving a pile of red envelopes, the family would gather in the living room to watch reruns, chat about the programs, talk about the news, and discuss travel plans.
At this time, Lan Nongnong usually squeezed in between her mother and sister, responsible only for listening and accepting the food, and of course making dumplings. She only washed the coins, and it was not her turn to make dumplings.
She is quite skillful, and the dumplings she makes are all round and plump, which is very personal. You can tell which one has the coin at a glance.
In fact, over the past decade, she'd been able to get a coin about 60 to 70 times the rate. Even though her parents and siblings had been willing to let her have it as she grew older, it didn't affect her sense of surprise and delight when she finally got one.
Although her family wasn't around and her aunts were thousands of miles away, Lan Nongnong still took the New Year seriously. She made a program and took Biyu and some younger girls to play shuttlecock kicking, pot tossing, passing the ball, and guessing words with gestures. Winning winners received prizes of melon seeds, while losers also received participation prizes.
Later, the girls had so much fun that they volunteered to show off their talents. Some sang songs, some told rap stories, and some played cat's tuck. It was a lively day.
At dinner time, she asked the kitchen to prepare dumpling wrappers and fillings, and then she joined everyone in making dumplings. She stuffed all the remaining golden pumpkin seeds into the dumplings, and if there weren't enough, she added silver beans.
After the seeds were cooked, a long table was set up in the front yard. All the servants, the doorman, and the guards were called in. Each of them picked five pumpkin seeds according to the number of people. Those who got the golden pumpkin seeds raised their hands in joy, while those who got the silver pumpkin seeds felt a little disappointed, but those who got the silver pumpkin seeds for free were all happy.
Lan Nongnong picked out five dumplings for herself, each of which had golden melon seeds. She was delighted to hear the auspicious words. Seeing everyone smiling was also gratifying. Spending money lavishly felt truly exhilarating; after all, the New Year was filled with excitement and festivities.
The whole house was filled with joy, and Qin Jingyao knew that she was in a very good mood today. When he heard the housekeeper's detailed account of her activities that day, it was like a refreshing rain, and the coldness in his heart instantly dissipated, and he was filled with spring breeze.
He wanted to reward her again, but then he thought that today was the day for her to reward the whole mansion and win the hearts of the people. If he gave her more rewards, it would be like stealing the show.
Knowing that she was in a good mood today, I drank some wine at the banquet, and I missed her especially when I was drunk.
At this time, the silver moon has not yet reached the zenith, and under the night sky, bursts of fireworks are heard, and the light and shadow are brilliant.
After changing his clothes and sobering up a little, Qin Jingyao walked all the way to her courtyard like the wind. He didn't need to inform her, dismissed the servants, and suddenly stopped outside the door. He knocked on the door with a steady breath, his voice low and full of affection.
"Thick."
Lan Nongnong was quietly enjoying a comedy crosstalk with her eyes closed when a knock on the door suddenly interrupted her. The happy scene in her mind instantly vanished. She opened her eyes in anger, wrapped herself in the quilt and sat up. Just as she was about to speak, she lay down again. She tossed and turned, facing outward, glancing at the door through the hazy bed curtains. She remained silent, pretending to be fast asleep.
Qin Jingyao had excellent hearing, and since her bed was small, he could hear even the slightest movement in the stillness of the night. He heard her breathing suddenly become heavier, followed by a rustling sound, probably as she sat up, tucking herself up under the covers. Then there was another quiet sound, and she lay back down, but remained silent, clearly feigning sleep to trick him into leaving.
Qin Jingyao chuckled silently, his heart softening, but he didn't say anything. He waited for a moment, then knocked on the door again and said, "There's a banquet in the palace today that I have to attend. On this joyous day of New Year's Day, I'm leaving Nongnong alone in the mansion to enjoy the fun with the servants. I feel really guilty. I hope Nongnong will open the door and see me."
After the words were spoken, there was still silence inside.
The smile in Qin Jingyao's eyes deepened. The door could be opened with just a slight push, but he withdrew his hand and sighed, "I was hoping Nong Nong would open the door for me, but she blamed me for coming back so late. Since Nong Nong has already fallen asleep, I had no choice but to go in on my own."
Lan Nongnong suddenly opened her eyes, her breath slightly disordered. She felt that he was extremely hypocritical. Why did he come and go in her room without asking? She wanted to ignore him, but the thought of him approaching her made her feel uncomfortable.
The door rang softly, as if he really wanted to come in. Lan Nongnong couldn't lie there any longer, so she threw off the quilt and stood up, grabbing the cloak on the rack and wrapping herself tightly. She angrily moved a stool to block the door: "I'm already asleep! If you have anything to say, we can talk tomorrow! The door will never be opened, break it down if you dare!"
After saying that, he sat down on the stool and leaned back against the door, sneering in his heart. If he forced his way in, he would definitely push him down. It would depend on whether he dared to do it.
But she ultimately underestimated the cunning of human nature. He only needed one word to easily break the situation: "Nong Nong hasn't slept yet and won't see me. I feel uneasy. Since that's the case, I have no choice but to jump in through the window."
"Qin Jingyao!"
She could hear footsteps outside the door, as if someone was really going to come in through the window. Lan Nongnong was so angry that she got a headache, and her good mood for the day was gone.
The door opened with a swish, and her cold and pretty face suddenly appeared before him, but Qin Jingyao felt satisfied.
Hearing her coldly say "I've seen you," and about to close the door, how could he allow this? He easily dissipated her strength by holding the door with one arm, and fell towards her as if his body was unstable, and took advantage of the situation to hold her stumbling back.
“! Hey you—!”
He was too tall, and Lan Nongnong was instantly trapped in his chest. She subconsciously raised her body to hide, but his body was heavy and she was pushed back repeatedly, her cloak falling to the ground. In the chaos, she didn't know when she was swept around and turned in the direction, until her heel suddenly tripped and her body lost balance and fell backward.
“Hmm!”
"Nong Nong, be careful!"
The sudden weightlessness and dizziness left Lan Nongnong stunned for a moment. Her heart pounded, her breathing ragged and irregular. When she regained consciousness, she realized she was on top of him. She hurriedly tried to lift herself, but a large, burning hand gripped her waist firmly.
"! Let go!"
Lan Nongnong had to bend her elbows to support herself, avoiding collapsing completely. Her long hair was scattered all over her body, and her clothes were loose and hanging. She had no time to adjust it. She looked up in anger, but was speechless for a moment.
He lay on his back on the couch, his messy black hair tangled with hers, his chin slightly raised, his Adam's apple sharp, his skin white as jade, his eyebrows deep, his nose high. His bones and flesh perfectly carved out an unattainable, cold outline.
He was only wearing a moon-white cross-collared long gown, the collar of which was slightly open, revealing the firm and well-defined muscles under his collarbone, which rose and fell with his breathing under his palms.
His eyes were half-lidded, a smile spreading across his face, the corners of his lips curled up, his expression carefree and languid. She could smell the lingering traces of alcohol from his bath, a mixture of coolness and uninhibitedness, yet he acted as if he was ready to be picked, bewitching her.
A long-lost look of absent-mindedness flashed across her eyes, and Qin Jingyao's blood vessels surged, his heart agitated. He raised his hand to trace her eyebrows and eyes in the air, not wanting to disturb her, but his Adam's apple rolled, his waist and abdomen tensed, his neck smooth and powerful, and he suddenly raised his head to kiss her.
The burning sensation on her lips startled Lan Nongnong back to her senses. She tried to turn her head and pull back. As soon as she moved, a large hand gripped the back of her neck, searing her skin with a shiver. Her jaw was pinched from behind, a sharp pain surging through her. Her teeth loosened, letting the heat and aroma of wine invade her!
"--open!"
Lan Nongnong was trapped between his knees, her body trying to lean back like a bow, but the bow still had a limit. The restraints on her waist and neck did not allow her to retreat. The stirring and sucking between his lips and teeth made it difficult for her to resist. She could not close her teeth and bite, and was even more powerless to stop his depth.
The hands that were pressed in the middle finally broke free, and her body instantly pressed tightly against him. She raised her arms to his neck, pinching him with one hand and grabbing him with the other, pulling him hard.
“Hmm!”
This cry of pain naturally did not come from Qin Jingyao. As early as when she pressed against him and twisted her body, he had to stop abruptly because of the burning sensation on his body. When they separated, he sucked and swallowed her hard, and then fell down under her strength.
Lan Nongnong felt a sudden pain at the root of her tongue, her lips were numb, and her hands were pinned under him, unable to move. She could only lie on his chest. At this moment, even raising her head was extremely difficult, let alone lifting her waist!
"Qin Jingyao! You are shameless! Despicable! Vulgar! Dirty! Shameless!"
Lan Nongnong cursed incoherently, her voice trembling with anger and her body shaking non-stop. Hatred welled up in her, and she lowered her head and bit down fiercely without caring about anything!
The seemingly fierce, yet in reality soft touch, like a kiss, was like adding fuel to the fire, coursing through every part of her body, forcing Qin Jingyao to gasp, his muscles suddenly tensing. She could no longer hold back, vainly resisting his rapid breathing.
Sweat trickled down his body, soaking through his clothes. The pale blue veins on his arms and neck were knotted and throbbing. Qin Jingyao tilted his head back slightly, letting the sweat roll past his ears. He suppressed it as if asking for trouble, breathing heavily, every inch of his muscles tensed like a bow.
After a moment, he straightened his shoulders, released her hands, and lifted her up, leaning against his bent knees. Despite the agony, a faint light flickered in his half-lidded eyes, and a smile crept across his face. He said in a hoarse voice, "...It was clearly Nongnong who pushed me down, so why are you blaming me?"
Lan Nongnong was exhausted and was trying to stand up, but when she heard this, she fell back down in anger. The man under her suddenly jumped, and she raised her hand to slap him fiercely!
Bang!
The slapping sound was loud and clear. Lan Nongnong only regretted that her arm was not long enough, so she only hit his jaw. She also regretted that her strength was not strong enough, so she did not knock out his teeth!
She turned over and got off the bed, ran to the secret compartment with her soft legs, grabbed a whip from inside, and swung it at him without thinking.
"Who do you think I am? You keep insulting me! I should be happy on New Year's Day, but you get drunk and mess with me! You bully me! You bastard! You bastard!"
The whip was nominally a gift from Madam Fu Zhirong, but in reality, it was carefully selected by Qin Jingyao for her to play with. Fearing she might injure herself, the whip was wrapped in soft cloth and was no longer than her arm, rendering it ineffective. Furthermore, she was exhausted at the moment, so the whip felt like a tickle.
Therefore, Qin Jingyao only protected his face, not moving his body, and let her vent. When she had exhausted all her strength and could suppress the surging passion in her body, he stood up, stretched out his arms, lightly snatched the whip, and threw it far away.
"I treat Nong Nong as my wife, who holds my hand and supports me through thick and thin. I respect her, love her, and dote on her with all my heart."
He stood up, his shoulders broad and straight, his legs long and strong, his muscles bulging and his body defined as he raised his arms and took steps. His thin shirt, soaked with sweat, clung to his body, and the lines at his waist were particularly sharp.
Lan Nongnong was no longer worldly-wise, but she still understood basic physiological knowledge. This was her first time seeing such a scene, and she stared in astonishment, a chill running down her spine as she stepped back repeatedly.
But she had barely taken a step when someone grabbed her by the waist and pulled her back. She screamed in shock, her back touched and she struggled forward as if she had been stung.
"I don't want to talk to you anymore! Go away! Go away!"
She was trembling with fear, her whole body cold. Qin Jingyao hadn't wanted to startle her, but the poem she'd written had truly troubled him. The knot in his heart was deep, and he was tired of the gentle detours. If he didn't press on, she would only retreat further.
"Nong Nong and I are husband and wife, so we should be of one mind and live together, you and I."
Lan Nongnong opened her mouth to retort, but her extreme nervousness made her exceptionally lucid. She swallowed back any words that might have led to disastrous consequences, taking deep breaths and forcing herself to remain calm. "We are not husband and wife yet. I have a headache right now and don't want to argue. If you truly respect and love me as you claim, please respect my wishes. I need to rest."
As soon as she finished speaking, the man behind her paused. Lan Nongnong didn't dare relax, holding her breath and concentrating, tentatively pushing him. Suddenly, her head spun, her heart ached, her breathing became rapid, and cold sweat streamed down her temples. She was startled to realize he was holding her up, her heart pounding. She didn't care about the pain and suddenly thrust herself forward, ready to leap down!
Qin Jingyao frowned slightly, wiped the cold sweat off her face, and rubbed her forehead with his thumb: "Don't move. You are sticky, so rest after taking a shower."
Lan Nongnong felt relieved, but she didn't dare to be careless, let alone trust him. She just kept moving away from him: "I can walk by myself."
"If Nongnong insists on doing this... maybe it will make me change my mind."
Lan Nongnong froze, remaining silent, her chest heaving. She reached the bathroom stall, and as soon as she landed, she quickly retreated to the other side, holding onto the steaming tub. She said, swallowing her anger, "I can handle the rest myself. Please get out."
Seeing that she was standing firmly, Qin Jingyao did not press her any further and turned to leave. Not long after, Biyu and the other person knocked on the door and entered.
Lan Nongnong was mentally and physically exhausted tonight, her body felt sore and weak from the tension, so she did not refuse.
But when I returned to the bedroom, he was still there!
He immediately fell backward in anger, his eyes burning with anger, and he glared at him, gnashing his teeth and saying, "Why are you still here?"
Qin Jingyao also looked refreshed, but without the intimidating aura he had just now. He held the ointment and took her hand, saying gently, "Didn't Mo Chou tell you to calm down? Getting angry like this isn't good for your health."
Lan Nongnong couldn't avoid it and immediately retorted, "If you hadn't shown up, I wouldn't have been so angry and had a headache!"
Qin Jingyao laughed, "It's only natural for me to show up. But Nong Nong needs to take good care of herself. If she gets angry every time she sees me, how can she ever recover from this illness?"
"I'll be fine if you don't show up."
Lan Nongnong pressed her throbbing forehead with one hand, her brows furrowed, and she spoke wearily, "I can apply the medicine myself. I'm very tired, don't push me anymore."
Qin Jingyao didn't say anything, but gently pushed her onto the bed, holding down her shoulders as she tried to lift them up with one hand: "If you're tired, just lie down and have a good sleep. You don't have to worry about anything else."
Lan Nongnong's breathing suddenly became chaotic. How could she sleep peacefully while he stood there? But it was futile to continue the stalemate. She closed her eyes and silently prayed that things would be better after a while, things would be better after a while...
After a long moment, Fang raised his eyes and looked directly at him, saying bluntly, "What exactly do you want to do today?"
Qin Jingyao smiled and said, "From today on, I will sleep in the same bed with Nong Nong."
Seeing her eyes wide open in shock, her cheeks flushed, he calmly said, "That's all. As for what Nongnong is thinking, we can discuss it later on our wedding night."
Lan Nongnong covered her forehead with her hands, her eyes darting around, and she laughed in anger, "You keep saying we're husband and wife, but how in the world are you acting like a fiancé? You're being too self-righteous! If we're talking about an engagement, then we should stick to the rules of being unmarried. I won't agree to such pre-marital extravagance!"
"There are strong objections..."
Qin Jingyao pondered for a moment, then chuckled helplessly: "Then I'll just have to go my own way."
"you!"
Lan Nongnong was furious and refused to retreat: "If you insist on doing it your way, the worst that can happen is that both of us will perish!"
"A few days ago, Nongnong said in person that he would never retaliate by hurting himself. Why is he going back on his word after just a few days?"
How dare he still have the nerve to speak so confidently?
"When dealing with a gentleman, one should keep his word. However, when dealing with a dishonest villain, one should only treat him in his own way."
Qin Jingyao seemed to find it interesting and nodded, saying, "In that case, to prevent Nongnong from getting hurt, I have no choice but to restrain you temporarily."
"You dare!"
Lan Nongnong was so angry that her head was buzzing and she fell down in pain.
Qin Jingyao's heart ached, but now that he had come to this, he couldn't give up halfway. He stepped onto the couch and sat down, holding the woman, who was struggling weakly with her hands on her head, across his lap. He held the hot medicine hammer to her left and right, fumigating her to relieve the pain.
Mo Chou's skill in prescribing medicine was indeed remarkable. After only three rounds of fumigation and ironing, her tightly furrowed brows gradually relaxed.
Although the pain in her head had subsided, it still rang continuously. Lan Nongnong gasped for air, thinking of his contempt and humiliation, and wishing she could die with him. With this thought, her crimson eyes darted towards him, filled with intense, unconcealed hatred.
"If you dare, try it."
Qin Jingyao saw it all, and his heart felt both blocked and bitter, but also a hint of pleasure.
Hatred is always better than ruthlessness.
His hand holding the medicine hammer was as steady as a rock. He shook his head and chuckled, "How could I bear to treat you like that? If you are hurt by even a centimeter, the servants who fail to serve you well will suffer tenfold."
He treated other people's lives as worthless as grass.
Lan Nongnong looked at him angrily, suddenly realizing how terrifying he was. Yes, how could she forget that he was the man who could decide life and death with a wave of his hand, and stir up a sea of blood with a flick of his hand.
Right now she is only threatening the servants who serve her. Will she threaten the aunts and everyone related to her next time?
He held supreme power, while she was burdened with countless ties. She had recently assumed she could be used as leverage – truly ignorant!
Do I really have to give in again and again because of others?
But can she really afford to exchange the life and death of those people for so-called freedom?
Lan Nongnong felt a tightness in her chest and a constriction in her throat. She buried her head in her arms, curled up, and felt that every breath was painful.
There was silence behind the bed curtains, and the clear aroma of medicine filled the air quietly, as if it knew her inner struggle, or was waiting for her decision, with no one urging her.
After a long moment, Lan Nongnong spoke in a compromising tone. Her voice came through muffled and faint, "What do you want?"
With patient guidance and constant pressure, you will eventually get what you want.
Qin Jingyao felt happy. He took a deep breath and then let out a long sigh. The gloom that had been accumulating for many days was instantly cleared away. If he hadn't cared about her suffering, he would have laughed heartily and drank deeply.
Yet, even with his deliberate restraint, a hint of pleasure still emanated from his words. He put away the medicine hammer, leaned back, and put his hands around her waist, placing the stiff, yet no longer struggling, woman on top of him. He rested his chin lightly on her forehead, and gently patted her slender back with his palm.
"All I've ever wanted is to have Nongnong by my side for the rest of my life. Just like you and I were before, Nongnong, pure and innocent, clever and lively, playful and bright, and carefree. If I could have that, I would love and cherish her in every way. What more could I ask for?"
Using power to threaten, using people to blackmail, and just a few words to wipe out all the actions. How shameless to make such a request!
Lan Nongnong bit her teeth until they bled, but she couldn't bring herself to speak. It wasn't until her earlobe was pinched and gently twisted, as if hinting at something, that she suddenly felt a shudder run through her body. Her fingers dug deep into her palm, her throat trembling as she squeezed out the word "OK."
The very words rang out, a sharp pain like a stab wound through her heart, causing her to let out a suppressed groan. The spirit she had carefully nurtured for days seemed to crumble, and her entire body suddenly shrank.
Qin Jingyao knew she would find it difficult to accept it at the moment, so he stopped pressing her. She was also exhausted today.
A long arm gently hooked the sachet hanging from the bedpost, and a moment later someone pushed the door open and walked in. The light outside the bed curtains dimmed, and the door closed again.
He held her in his arms, gently turning her around, the blanket draped around his waist and under her neck. She lay in his arms, her body stiff, her breath trembling. He pinched the back of her neck, and just a touch of it tingled, causing her to moan softly and sag.
He took the opportunity to soothe her softly, "How can you rest when your body is tense? Nong Nong, just be obedient and everything will be fine."
After a moment, she really responded obediently.
Qin Jingyao closed his eyes, curled his lips, and said lazily, "I heard that Nong Nong was in high spirits today and even found golden melon seeds in his dumplings. Hiding money in the dumplings symbolizes long-term health, happiness, and prosperity. Nong Nong is blessed with great fortune. I wonder if tomorrow I could also share in the blessing you personally brought me?"
"Golden items are not limited to gold melon seeds, gold ingots, and gold beans. Anything Nong Nong likes can be made."
"Although the mansion is warm, it is not as good as it used to be. Nong Nong, please don't be willful. From tomorrow on, you must still wear the warm jade, okay?"
Lan Nongnong opened her eyes, took a deep breath, and murmured softly. Suddenly, she said, "I want to sleep."
Qin Jingyao smiled silently, leaned over to her, and whispered softly: "I only hope that it will be deep and sealed with a kiss."
Lan Nongnong blinked, raised her head and rested her arms on his shoulders, her neck curved gracefully. Qin Jingyao raised his arms to support her, and the next moment his lips softened.
His brows relaxed, and his expression was about to overflow with joy, but he restrained himself. He took the initiative and savored her feelings carefully, being extremely affectionate, before allowing her to fall asleep.
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