Chapter 305 Cold Food Festival
Before we knew it, it was the end of March.
The once quiet Jiangdu Palace has suddenly become lively again these days. Shang Ruyi watched the palace maids and eunuchs bustling around, as if preparing something, and asked the palace maids who served her.
One of them said, "Your Majesty, the Cold Food Festival is in a few days, and His Majesty will be celebrating it in the palace."
"The Cold Food Festival, are we celebrating it?"
Shang Ruyi frowned slightly and said, "Shouldn't it be a sacrificial ceremony?"
The palace maid gave an awkward laugh and shook her head.
The Cold Food Festival has always been a day for commemorating ancestors, and few people celebrate anything on this day. Shang Ruyi didn't know what Chu Yang's intention was in making this arrangement. Just then, Eunuch Yu arrived with his men.
He bowed to Shang Ruyi and said, "Madam, His Majesty is waiting for you in the inner palace. Please come to the palace."
Shang Ruyi asked, "Is there something you need?"
Eunuch Yu said, "His Majesty has arranged some things in the back; please go and take a look, Madam."
Although it was an invitation, she had no right to refuse, so she got up and followed Eunuch Yu. However, on the way, Shang Ruyi couldn't help but ask, "Eunuch Yu, I heard that His Majesty is going to celebrate the Cold Food Festival. What is he celebrating?"
Upon hearing this, Eunuch Yu could only manage a wry smile.
Then he said, "It's not a celebration, but His Majesty planned to go for a spring outing on that day. However, things are not very peaceful outside recently, so His Majesty does not plan to leave the palace. He will just enjoy the spring outing within the palace, so some scenic spots have been specially arranged."
"landscape?"
Shang Ruyi was somewhat surprised, and just then, they passed through the middle gate and entered the inner palace.
As soon as she looked up, she saw the surrounding scenery. It was indeed different from what she had seen when she came before. The winding paths paved with bluestone slabs in the inner palace were originally planted with flowers and plants. However, it was not the right season yet. Although the green leaves were lush, there were not many flowers in bloom. But this time, Shang Ruyi saw red, pink, yellow and purple flowers blooming in competition, which made her squint.
Upon closer inspection, it was discovered that the flowers were actually made of gauze, so lifelike that they were almost unrecognizable without careful observation.
She said, "This is—"
Eunuch Yu said, "These flowers were specially made by craftsmen from the south by His Majesty. Each flower costs two qian of silver."
"..."
Shang Ruyi frowned, but didn't say anything more, and just continued walking forward.
The further you go in, the more you see springtime scenes made of gauze and silk, or rather, piled up with silver. For example, several trees by the roadside are covered with red ribbons that flutter in the wind, like the cassia trees in the moon palace.
The further Shang Ruyi walked, the heavier her heart became.
She was well aware of the enormous expenses in the palace; her daily meals alone were enough to feed several families. Yet, even that amount of waste was limited. If the entire Jiangdu Palace were to be decorated like this, the amount of money spent would be unimaginable.
Just as they were about to reach the garden from that day, they heard a melodious sound of silver bells in the distance.
When I came here before, I heard the sounds of string and wind instruments, but for some reason, now it's the sound of bells.
Shang Ruyi quickened her pace, and when she passed through the treasure vase door, the scene before her eyes immediately startled her.
As always, the vast garden was covered with thick carpets, but this time the carpets were a deep green, looking like soft grass covering the ground. The garden was no longer as open as before; instead, many screens were placed there, dividing the garden into countless winding paths. The silk screens were embroidered with plum blossoms, orchids, bamboo, chrysanthemums, and beautiful maids, making it look as if many people were enjoying the spring scenery in the garden.
And above their heads, there was a constant, soft, and pleasant ringing of bells.
Shang Ruyi looked up and was immediately startled, for she then discovered that above the garden hung a huge net woven with gold thread.
Countless silver bells hang on the net; when the wind blows, the bells immediately ring out with a melodious sound, like the laughter of these women enjoying a spring outing.
Is it beautiful?
A familiar voice suddenly rang in her ears. Shang Ruyi hurriedly turned her head and saw Chu Yang walking out from behind a screen, smiling at her.
Shang Ruyi was so shocked that she forgot to bow, only looking at him and then at the luxurious scenery before her.
It's very beautiful...
Everything he created was breathtakingly beautiful.
But who can know what will become of such a beautiful scene in the end?
Chu Yang seemed quite pleased with her "rudeness." He reached out and grabbed Shang Ruyi's wrist, leading her into this picturesque landscape.
Shang Ruyi was a little dizzy and walked all the way to the tree. Looking at the white jade-like flowers blooming on it and the golden net covering her head, she couldn't help but ask softly, "Your Majesty, why is there such a big net here?"
Chu Yang said, "I had many flowers prepared, but there are also many birds here. A couple of days ago, they pecked and destroyed many of them, and carried away a lot of them. So I had a net hung here."
"..."
"However, just having a net seems unlucky."
"..."
"I ordered several thousand silver bells to be made overnight. With these, the birds will not dare to come down."
Sure enough, as he spoke, a little sparrow landed on the net, immediately triggering several silver bells to jingle. The sparrow was startled and flew away with a cry, and the other birds did not dare to land either.
Seeing this, Chu Yang revealed a smug smile.
He stood under the tree, reaching out to fiddle with the round, silver bell above his head. As the bell trembled, the golden netting also trembled, and all the bells rang together, like a hundred birds singing, melodious and pleasant to the ear.
He laughed and said, "This is the scenery that should be in Jiangnan."
"..."
"I originally intended to go out for a spring outing, but my subordinates said that the weather outside the city was not good recently, so I had these scenic spots brought into the palace."
"..."
"We'll come here to enjoy the spring scenery on the day of the Cold Food Festival."
"..."
Shang Ruyi looked at him silently, hesitating several times as if she wanted to say something.
Seemingly sensing something, Chu Yang looked down at her, but saw that her expression wasn't as joyful as he had expected, and couldn't help but frown slightly: "What's wrong?"
"..."
Shang Ruyi hesitated for a while before saying softly, "Your Majesty, this is too much of a waste, just for the Cold Food Festival."
Chu Yang's brows immediately furrowed.
Yu Gonggong, who was standing to the side, broke out in a cold sweat at this moment.
Chu Yang looked at her coldly and said, "Have you forgotten that I once said that all things in the world are created for human use? If they are not used, then the creation of them has no meaning."
"...!"
Shang Ruyi's heart sank immediately.
Of course, she hadn't forgotten that this was the first time the two of them had met. Seeing Chu Yang's extravagant behavior, she couldn't help but offer some advice, only to be met with his rebuttal.
At that time, she also advised him that everything should be done in moderation.
But at this moment, when she met Chu Yang's eyes, she couldn't bring herself to say these familiar words.
Just then, that familiar, loathsome voice rang out again: "Your Majesty, I have something to report."
Shang Ruyi frowned slightly and turned her head to see Wang Shaoji appear at the entrance of the garden again. When Eunuch Yu saw him, he sighed again and could only bow respectfully.
Chu Yang's expression softened slightly, and he said, "What is it? Speak."
Wang Shaoji said, "Your Majesty, I have already had twenty beaded curtains made overnight. On the day of the Cold Food Festival, they will be hung on the palace gates around this garden. Under the moonlight, the pearls will shine and add to the splendor."
Chu Yang's eyes lit up when he heard this.
He nodded and said, "Good, you did a great job."
Wang Shaoji then said, "However, there is one matter that I need to ask His Majesty for permission to discuss."
"What?"
"That's right. If the beaded curtain is hung, the palace gates cannot be closed; otherwise, the beautiful scene of flickering candlelight will be completely lost."
Chu Yang nodded upon hearing this: "That makes sense. Then pass down the order that the inner palace gates need not be closed on the night of the Cold Food Festival."
Wang Shaoji's eyes flickered slightly, and he immediately bowed and said, "Yes."
But Shang Ruyi, standing to the side, couldn't help but frown.
Why can't the inner palace gates be closed?
She thought for a moment and said softly, "Your Majesty, if we don't close the palace gates, won't something bad happen?"
Chu Yang glanced at him, but before he could say anything, Wang Shaoji smiled and said, "Young Madam Yuwen, you are overthinking it. You've been staying in the palace these past few days; has anything unexpected happened?"
Shang Ruyi said, "Nothing happened because the palace gates were closed. But if the palace gates were opened—"
Wang Shaoji immediately said, "Does the young mistress mean that there are actually rebels in the Jiangdu Palace right under the Emperor's nose?"
Upon hearing the word "rebels," Chu Yang's face immediately darkened.
Shang Ruyi's heart sank.
Of course she knew that Chu Yang couldn't stand the word "rebel" right now, and he wouldn't even allow anyone to mention the fall of Dongdu. When Wang Shaoji brought it up, she immediately said, "Of course that's not what I meant."
Wang Shaoji said, "Then please don't interfere with the actions of our Imperial Guards, Madam. The Imperial Guards are never negligent in protecting the safety of the capital. The only ones we need to worry about are the old palace guards, who have always been restless."
"you--"
Before Shang Ruyi could say anything more, Chu Yang coldly said, "That's enough."
Both of them lowered their heads and shut their mouths.
Chu Yang glanced coldly at Shang Ruyi but said nothing. He then looked up at Wang Shaoji, thought for a moment, and said, "The inner palace gates need not be closed, but the Bright Gate should be closed on time."
"..."
Wang Shaoji frowned slightly.
But immediately, he smiled and said, "Your Majesty, I understand. I will go and give the order right away."
After saying this, he bowed, turned around, and left in a hurry.
After he left, Chu Yang lowered his head again, looked at Shang Ruyi who had a worried expression, and said in a deep voice, "I sent you here so that you could accompany me to enjoy the pleasures and appreciate the beautiful scenery. As for the affairs outside, let the people outside take care of them. You don't need to worry about them anymore."
"..."
Shang Ruyi bit her lower lip and remained silent for a long time before finally whispering, "Yes."
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