In the blink of an eye, it was the eve of the lantern festival.
In Yuan Yao's plan, there would only be about a thousand lanterns.
At that time, we can hold a small lantern festival and organize some activities to create an atmosphere suitable for talented men and beautiful women to meet and find each other attractive.
To her surprise, she was quite taken aback when she received the lanterns from the various departments.
When the final count was done, the total number of lanterns, both large and small, exceeded two thousand!
The shapes of the lanterns range from the twelve zodiac animals to plum blossoms, orchids, bamboo, and chrysanthemums...
Some lanterns have paintings on them, while others have inscriptions on them.
In short, each family gathers the strengths of everyone in their household and showcases their talents to the fullest extent possible...
Yuan Yao thought for a moment and then went to Yun Chan: "How about we hold a winding stream party this afternoon and start the lantern festival in the evening?"
"What about in the morning?" Yun Chan asked.
morning?
Yuan Yao hesitated for a moment: "The men go fishing and catching shrimp, and the women go up the mountain to pick flowers, tea, and mushrooms?"
Upon hearing this, Yun Chan couldn't help but chuckle.
He raised his hand and patted Yuan Yao's head: "Separating men and women would go against your original intention of holding the lantern festival, wouldn't it?"
Yuan Yao: "..."
She lightly patted her forehead: "How about this, let the ladies go to admire the flowers and drink tea, let the ministers go fishing and shrimp catching, and let all the young gentlemen and ladies go up the mountain."
Anyway, the palace encloses three mountains; if you really want to explore them properly, you could spend ten days and still not see them all!
On the mountain, there are tea gardens, orchards, and various other gardens—perfect for romance and developing relationships!
After saying that, she winked at Yun Chan.
Let's interpret it as "casting a flirtatious glance" for now!
Yun Chan caught her gaze, and as if thinking of something, her ears turned slightly red. She raised her sleeve to cover her lips and coughed lightly.
Yuan Yao immediately revealed a triumphant chuckle.
She knew it; Yun Chan couldn't resist being flirted with.
Yun Chan coughed lightly twice, took a sip of tea to calm herself down, and then slowly said, "Let's do as Yao'er says."
At that time, I will reiterate the decree, reminding everyone to be careful and to avoid any loss of life.
Could this lead to someone's death?
Yuan Yao instantly understood what the so-called "human life" meant.
Her face flushed: "Yun Chan, you've changed..."
"Hmm? How have I changed?" Yun Chan raised her beautiful eyebrows: "Yao'er, what are you thinking? Could it be..."
"Yun Chan!" Yuan Yao grabbed a slice of apple and stuffed it into Yun Chan's mouth.
Yun Chan took a bite of an apple, her eyes brimming with laughter.
Yuan Yao grabbed a piece of apple, took a few crunchy bites, and then slammed her hand on the table, saying, "I'll go and discuss this with the female officials and make sure they handle this matter properly."
Yun Chan said indulgently, "Drive slowly on the road."
Yuan Yao waved her hand, lifted the hem of her skirt, and sent Aruo to deliver a message, inviting the female official to go to the hot springs together...
As darkness fell, Yuan Yao returned to Yugan Pavilion feeling refreshed.
Hearing her humming a little tune, Yun Chan put down the folded paper in her hand and asked, "You've been gone for so long, are you tired?"
"No!" Yuan Yao said happily, "Everything is settled, and the event schedule has been distributed to each courtyard!"
Yun Chan hugged her tenderly: "You've worked hard these past two days, get some rest early tonight."
"Mmm!" Yuan Yao wrapped her arms around Yun Chan's waist, looked up and laughed, "I need to get my energy back quickly so I can take you back to Daqi!"
Yun Chan lowered his head and kissed her: "Lie down and wait for me, I'm going to take a bath."
“Okay!” Yuan Yao replied with a smile.
To everyone's surprise, when Yun Chan returned, the other person was already fast asleep...
Yun Chan, her body slightly damp with moisture, flicked her sleeve and extinguished the candle in the room.
The Yugan Pavilion was dark, but the garden lights remained on until dawn.
Hundreds of imperial guards bustled about in and out of the courtyard, hanging up the lanterns one by one...
The next day.
After Yuan Yao woke up, she took Aruo to the Imperial Water Garden.
The Imperial Water Garden was built on water, with mountain spring water flowing into the palace through canals and then meandering throughout the entire garden.
The courtyard is filled with irrigation ditches of all sizes, and the mountain spring water is crystal clear, sweet and cool, making it a perfect summer retreat!
With tea, fruit, pastries, and a chaise lounge set out, Yuan Yao could lie in the garden all day long!
The garden is large enough to accommodate several hundred people.
When Yuan Yao arrived at the garden, the female official had already led the palace servants and imperial guards to arrange everything.
The ladies who arrived early had already begun exchanging warm greetings.
Upon seeing Yuan Yao, they all turned around and bowed, saying, "Greetings, Your Majesty the Empress."
Yuan Yao smiled and said, "No need for formalities."
Lady Yi in purple robes asked with a puzzled look, "Your Majesty, there is something I don't understand. I wonder if I should ask?"
Yuan Yao maintained her polite smile: "Does Madam have any questions?"
The lady glanced around the entire water garden before asking, "Does Your Highness truly intend for men and women to sit together at today's banquet?"
Upon hearing this, Yuan Yao smiled faintly and said, "The palace only has one water garden, so naturally men and women should sit together."
“But…” the lady frowned and said, “How can women dine with men?”
Yuan Yao: "?"
Yuan Yao smiled.
She said slowly, "Why can't women dine in the same garden as men?"
Lady Zishang replied, "Your Majesty, hasn't this always been the rule?"
“Rules are made by people,” Yuan Yao replied. “The women who came today are all the men’s mothers, wives and daughters.”
If it weren't for the women's hard work in managing the household, how could the men have the energy to devote themselves to the court and gain official positions?
Therefore, as a woman, there is no need to lower yourself to flatter or please men.
Today, the ladies only need to eat well, drink well, and have fun.
Before she could finish speaking, a lady laughed and said, "Her Majesty the Empress is right!"
The lady in green beside her chimed in, "Yes! So what if we are women? Are women less noble than men?"
Are women not worthy of dining at the same table as men?
"Aren't men also born from women's wombs?"
"that is!"
"..."
Hearing the chorus of agreement, Lady Zishang finally understood: "Your Majesty the Empress is absolutely right! I must strive to emulate Your Majesty!"
Yuan Yao smiled and said, "Lunch is about to begin, please take your seats."
Everyone took their seats one after another.
After lunch, the ladies would get together to drink tea and do embroidery, while the older ministers would go to soak in the cold spring and go fishing.
The young men and women, in twos and threes, went up the mountain to pick tea, pick fruit, or climb the mountain.
As they came down from the mountain, some of the bolder young men and women were already chatting in pairs...
By the time the afternoon's "floating wine cups on a winding stream" activity began, some people were already exchanging flirtatious glances.
In the evening, people even invited each other to admire the lanterns together.
As the lantern festival drew to a close, Yuan Yao exclaimed in amazement, "Young people these days are so open-minded! Their relationships are progressing so fast!"
Beside her, Yun Chan couldn't help but raise an eyebrow: "Yao'er, you're only sixteen this year."
Yuan Yao choked up.
She coughed lightly: "My soul is older than most..."
"Oh?" Yun Chan turned his head, looking at her with deep eyes: "If we calculate according to your timeline, wouldn't I be thousands of years older than you?"
Yuan Yao: "..."
She looked at Yun Chan with slight surprise: "You still remember the nonsense I spouted that day?"
Yun Chan smiled in a half-smile.
Yuan Yao felt a chill run down her spine from being stared at.
She forced herself to change the subject: "By the way, when are we leaving for Daqi?"
Yun Chan gave her a deep look: "We'll set off after midnight tonight."
"So sudden?" Yuan Yao was surprised.
But then, something even more unexpected happened.
In front of her, Yun Chan's face instantly turned deathly pale, she spat out a mouthful of blood, and said in a trembling voice, "It hurts..."
Before Yuan Yao could react, a weight was placed on her shoulder.
Beside them, someone shouted in alarm, "The Emperor is vomiting blood! The Emperor is vomiting blood! Help!"
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com