All those who came to the summer palace to escape the heat were accommodated in various courtyards.
The courtyards, some large and some small, were beautifully decorated and nestled among the lush green mountains and forests.
Inside the palace, there are streams and waterfalls flowing down from the mountain, and there are also cold and hot springs on the back mountain. You can soak in the cold spring at noon and in the hot spring in the morning and evening.
You can hunt and pick mushrooms on the mountain, and fish and play in the water at the foot of the mountain.
It has everything: a stage, a chess room, a music room...
The palace, which encircled three mountains, was enormous and luxurious.
Back then, it took the Chu royal family ten years and thousands of people to build this palace, and it took three years to complete...
Before he could even pack his luggage, Ah Qi began announcing the imperial decree to everyone—
"By imperial decree of the Empress, a lantern festival will be held at the temporary palace three days from now, at the hour of Xu (7-9 PM), and everyone is welcome to participate."
The lanterns for this lantern festival will be donated by each courtyard, ten each, the more the better.
After the lanterns are made, please name them, label them, and deliver them to Fenghe Courtyard on time according to the numbers drawn by lot.
Making lanterns?
After Ah Qi and the eunuchs who wrote the paper left, all the officials and their families held bamboo slips with numbers on them, completely bewildered.
In some courtyards, discussions have already begun—
"It's not even Mid-Autumn Festival yet, why are they holding a lantern festival so early?"
"Furthermore, why emphasize that the young masters and noble ladies should make the lanterns themselves..."
"The real intention is not what it seems! They claim to be having young masters and noble ladies make lanterns, but in reality, the Emperor and Empress want to assess the talents of the young ladies from various families so that they can select the best to enter the palace, right?"
"That makes sense! We must make the lanterns well this time so that our daughter can win at the lantern festival!"
"Other young masters from prominent families probably also know how to make lanterns, so why don't we make a few more and hand them in!"
"..."
That night, the palace was brightly lit, as bright as day.
Everyone in the courtyard is using their talents to shine at the lantern festival and win first place.
The palace was bustling with activity for a time.
The highest and best courtyard in the imperial palace was the courtyard of Yun Chan and Yuan Yao, named Fenggan Pavilion.
After dinner, Yuan Yao stood under the plaque of Fenggan Pavilion, frowning for a long time.
As I was watching, I felt a slight heaviness on my shoulder.
Yun Chan wrapped her arms around her slender waist from behind, rested her chin on her shoulder, and asked, "The palace servants said you've been watching here for a long time."
So, Yao'er, what are you looking at?
Yuan Yao pointed to the two characters on the plaque: "Yun Chan, don't you think... these two characters look familiar?"
Fenggan Pavilion?
Phoenix-dried?
A knowing look appeared in Yun Chan's beautiful eyes.
He suppressed a laugh: "There was once a prince in Xiqiu, wasn't his name Feng Gan? Speaking of which, he was your elder brother."
Yuan Yao: "!!!"
That's exactly what she was saying!
So many years have passed that she has long forgotten about her dim-witted older brother!
Back in the day, that dried phoenix gave them a lot of trouble!
Because he was not very bright and was both stupid and wicked, Feng Gan ended up in a pretty bad situation back then.
I wonder if he's still alive after all these years...
Yuan Yao thought for a moment and said to Yun Chan, "I vaguely remember that Feng Gan liked to dress in bright gold and wear an eagle feather hat."
He was young, yet he already had a beard, adorned with gold beads...
When I first saw him, he was only eighteen or nineteen years old, but he looked like a forty-year-old man.
Fenggan, what a beautiful name!
It's a pity to use it on him..."
Yun Chan chuckled.
In my mind, I have already sketched out a portrait of the person.
At this moment, Yuan Yao turned her head and said, "Yun Chan, let's change the name of this courtyard."
Change the name?
Yun Chan's thin lips touched Yuan Yao's lips, and he looked up at the gilded characters on the plaque.
His thin lips moved slightly as he asked, "What does Yao'er think should be called?"
"Hmm..." Touching his slightly cool lips, Yuan Yao felt a little distracted: "I haven't decided yet..."
She doesn't know how to name things either.
She's terrible at naming things!
Upon hearing this, Yun Chan's lips curled up slightly, and he pressed his nose against hers, his voice deepening: "Then, change one word?"
"Hmm?" Yuan Yao responded to him.
Yun Chan chuckled, "How about changing the character 'phoenix' to 'jade'?"
Fenggan Pavilion.
Yugan Pavilion.
Yuan Yao replied hesitantly, "Hmm, I think it's okay..."
Zuoyou is just the name of a temporary palace or villa.
As long as it's not called Fenggan Pavilion, it can be called anything...
Yuan Yao turned around, put her arm around Yun Chan's neck, and said coquettishly, "My legs are weak, carry me back to the room."
Upon hearing this, Yun Chan's Adam's apple bobbed as she asked, "Yao'er, what do you mean by being so proactive?"
Is this an implication?
Yuan Yao's fingers traced the nape of Yun Chan's neck, her fingertips disappearing into his soft, dark hair: "It's... what you mean..."
Yun Chan's breathing suddenly became rapid.
He placed his hands on her slender waist and whispered, "Yao'er, your recent initiative makes me... feel flattered."
Yuan Yao smiled mischievously: "Then you'd better behave well later!"
Yun Chan gave her a firm peck on the lips: "Okay."
He bent down, picked Yuan Yao up and carried her in his arms, and strode towards her bedroom.
The courtyard gate was quietly closed by someone...
The next day.
Yuan Yao slept until noon.
She rolled over, opened her arms, and stretched with her eyes closed.
Before my arms were fully extended, I touched something warm.
Yuan Yao was startled and quickly withdrew her hand, opening her eyes.
Before my eyes, Yun Chan smiled warmly, "Awake?"
Yuan Yao: "..."
She blinked her slightly dry eyes twice.
Truly, the clouds flow gently!
She craned her neck again to look outside the tent.
It was already broad daylight.
It looks like it's getting late.
At this hour, Yun Chan is still in bed?
Wow!
Yuan Yao clutched the brocade quilt and asked, "Yun Chan, aren't you going to handle state affairs?"
Yun Chan shifted to a more comfortable position, lying on her side, and chuckled softly: "I have been traveling for a long time and am feeling very weak."
"Political matters will be dealt with this afternoon."
Yuan Yao: "..."
Extremely weak?
Yun Chan?
She clasped her hands together, closed her eyes, and murmured, "Sin!"
"Now you know your sins?" Yun Chan reached out and pulled Yuan Yao into his arms, letting her rest her head on his arm.
After kissing Yuan Yao's forehead, Yun Chan chuckled and said, "I really liked Yao'er last night."
Let's keep up the good work tonight.
Yuan Yao: "???"
Yuan Yao almost jumped up on the spot.
Recalling the events of last night, she felt a sudden heat rise to her body.
Last night, she was slightly more proactive.
Oh no!
That's a bit too proactive!
After being married for so long, this was the first time she had pinned Yun Chan down, doing this and that, and then that and that again...
Help!
These things shouldn't be dwelled on afterward!
She was delicate and adorable since she was little, how could she be so unruly when she grew up?
"Smack!"
Yuan Yao raised her hand and slapped her forehead hard.
Yun Chan was startled: "Yao'er?"
He quickly looked at her forehead.
Yuan Yao, however, did not give him a chance to see it at all.
Grabbing the corner of the blanket with both hands, she burrowed her little head into the soft, fragrant blankets.
Yun Chan's lips twitched.
Suddenly, Yuan Yao's little head popped out again.
Her hair was fluffy and messy, and her bright, dark eyes looked fierce: "Damn it!"
Yun Chan: "?"
Yuan Yao bit her lip, pulled the quilt over Yun Chan's head, and said, "Let's do it again! That way I won't overthink things..."
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