At this moment, the night was getting darker. The long street was full of lanterns, and the stalls on both sides of the street also hung lanterns of various colors and shapes, which made people startled.
Zhao Yunzhu walked to the stall and picked out a tiger-shaped lantern.
Linglong took out some change and paid it to the stall owner.
Zhao Yunzhu was walking in front, holding a tiger-shaped lantern in her hand.
The lively atmosphere on the long street made her happy, and the depressed mood that had been suppressed for a long time finally got some relief.
The long street was crowded with people, but she was surrounded and protected by her loyal servants.
This brought her a little more peace of mind.
This year's lanterns seem to have more styles than in previous years.
Perhaps because she had been too worried recently, her mood was up and down, sometimes good and sometimes bad.
The inexplicable sadness always easily affected her mood, making her aware of her own changeable mood.
Seeing that more and more people were gathering, Zhao Yunzhu didn't want to go forward to join in the fun.
He sighed silently. "Forget it, there are too many people in front. Let's go to the side and take a walk."
After she finished speaking, she walked towards a sparsely populated alley, with guards following closely behind her.
Normally, she wouldn't want too many people following her, but now she was feeling heavy and couldn't be careless.
A few lanterns were lit sporadically in the alley, and Zhao Yunzhu walked forward.
Lantern Street was next to the lake, and she wanted to take a detour to the other side of the lake.
Fewer people want to come there.
As we walked along, we found that there were indeed fewer people on this road.
Because she was accompanied by many maids and guards, even if someone saw her from afar on the road, they would try to avoid her as much as possible.
She quickened her pace, walked out of the alley, and walked for a while before she arrived at the Yichui Arch Bridge.
The bluestone bridge surface was emitting a faint and cold light.
The shallow water reflected a cold-looking woman in a light purple cloak.
Zhao Yunzhu stopped in the middle of the arch bridge and looked into the distance.
The bright moon hangs high in the sky, and the houses on both sides of the river are hung with lighted lamps. The houses on both sides of the river are also reflected on the water, and the huge, bright moon is embedded in the water.
The withered willow branches on the shore seem like guardian gods guarding this quiet land.
After a while, Zhao Yunzhu raised his foot and walked forward again.
Today, Nanny Hua and Linglong just followed the young lady quietly, without saying a word to interrupt her mood.
Because everyone noticed that the young lady was in a bad mood today.
I think it’s because the New Year is approaching, and the young lady can’t help but think of her family.
The Zhao family has long become a secret that cannot be mentioned in front of the young lady.
After getting off the arch bridge, Zhao Yunzhu did not stop. This time she walked much faster.
Soon, they arrived at the other side of the river from Lantern Street.
She came to the shore and looked at the colorful world on the opposite side, as if she was in a different world from the other side.
“The scenery here is nice, isn’t it?”
A small boat in the middle of the lake was slowly approaching the shore. Zhao Yunzhu frowned slightly when she saw a familiar figure walking out from the middle of the cabin.
She couldn't help feeling a little annoyed.
"What a coincidence."
She bowed perfunctorily and looked at the woman who was being helped down from the cabin by a maid.
"Princess Yunce, it seems we have the same interests and hobbies."
Princess Xian, Song Shumin, came forward with a smile. She was wearing a bright red dress embroidered with cloud patterns in red gold thread today. She looked dazzling. Although she was smiling, there was a hint of sadness in her eyes.
"It's a rare opportunity to meet you. I'd like to invite Princess Yunce to have tea on the boat. Is Princess Yunce interested?"
Xian Wangfei Song Shumin seemed not to notice Zhao Yunzhu's impatience towards her and continued, "Please don't refuse, Princess Yunce. After all, I will be leaving Chang'an after the New Year, and I'm afraid I won't have the chance to come back in the future."
Zhao Yunzhu saw the bitter smile on Song Shumin's lips.
Looking at the small boat docked on the shore, she felt a little uneasy and was unwilling to take any risks.
Princess Xian noticed her worry, smiled, and explained, "If Princess Yunce is worried, you can just follow with your guards. Besides, the boat is docked at the shore, so there's really no need for you to worry so much."
"Go ahead, I have something to tell you."
There was a hint of pleading in Princess Xian's eyes.
"Okay, since Princess Xian has said so much, I can't refuse any more."
The small boat docked at the shore was surrounded by guards. Zhao Yunzhu boarded the cabin of Princess Xian with her maids, servants and two guards.
But the cabin was not big, so Song Shumin asked all her servants to wait on the deck outside the cabin.
"I will be leaving Chang'an in mid-February after the New Year."
Princess Xian picked up the teapot and filled the cup in front of Zhao Yunzhu with tea.
Her voice was low and her expression showed a hint of fatigue.
When the teacup was full, she poured herself another cup of tea.
"I really envy you for being able to stay in Chang'an."
Zhao Yunzhu smiled faintly and did not respond.
The atmosphere fell into silence for a moment. "Zhao Yunzhu, back then you and I were in Chang'an, so many people envied us, but now—"
She smiled bitterly and shook her head, "Now it seems that you and I are actually the same, both of us are just pitiful people under the imperial power."
"I'm afraid the virtuous princess invited me here today for more than just a reunion."
Zhao Yunzhu said coldly that she and Song Shumin had always been fighting with each other in Chang'an, and later they schemed against each other. She didn't believe that she and Song Shumin had any friendship that could allow them to speak so openly to each other.
"Today I really just want to catch up with you. After all, as you know, I don't have many friends in Chang'an these years."
Zhao Yunzhu couldn't believe this at all.
She looked at Song Shumin calmly and did not respond.
But Song Shumin stopped talking. She just drank her tea until the cup was empty. Then she put down the teacup in her hand and turned her head to look outside the bed.
"I'm afraid I won't be able to see it again in the future."
The light in the eyes of the virtuous princess gradually dimmed. She withdrew her gaze and turned to meet Zhao Yunzhu's gaze. She said calmly, "Thank you for accompanying me to watch the lanterns for the last time today. I won't disturb you anymore."
Zhao Yunzhu was a little surprised that Song Shumin said goodbye.
He slowly stood up and said goodbye to her.
After getting off the boat and reaching the shore, she did not see Song Shumin come out of the cabin. She was still sitting in the middle of the cabin, smiling and waving goodbye to her.
Zhao Yunzhu nodded slightly in response to her.
Although he wanted to take another look, it was clear that Princess Xian's boat showed no signs of leaving.
She didn't want to stay here any longer.
He left with his men.
Only when the shore gradually disappeared into the vast night did Aunt Hua breathe a sigh of relief. "Miss, what do you think the virtuous princess has planned today? I have always felt that the virtuous princess has no good intentions."
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