Lunar New Year's eve
The children's song that caused such a stir was ultimately overshadowed by the festive atmosphere of New Year's Eve. The streets were bustling with people, all busy preparing for the New Year's Eve dinner.
Yan Shu's body grew heavier day by day; counting the days, she was over six months pregnant. Occasionally, she would feel her belly tighten and harden, only to relax on its own after a while. She figured it was probably what modern medicine calls Braxton Hicks contractions, nothing serious. But Ling Yuan was still worried and summoned the imperial physician to examine her.
The imperial physician carefully examined her pulse and inquired about her condition. Stroking his beard, he said, "The princess's pulse is currently quite stable, and the pregnancy is also stable. However... the princess's body was slightly weakened before, and this tightness in her belly, although common during pregnancy, should not be taken lightly. She needs to rest and avoid overexertion, and her emotions should also be kept calm."
Yan Shu listened and felt reassured. Taking advantage of the presence of the imperial physician, she asked, "Imperial Physician, I've been cooped up in the mansion all day, and it's quite boring. Tomorrow is New Year's Eve, and I was thinking... could I go out for a walk, get some exercise, and perhaps share in the festive atmosphere?"
The imperial physician thought for a moment and nodded: "Appropriate walking is indeed beneficial to the circulation of qi and blood. However, remember not to overexert yourself, and avoid crowded places. It is best to take a short stroll and then return to your residence to rest."
After seeing the imperial physician off, Yan Shu stared longingly at Ling Yuan.
Ling Yuan could tell what she was thinking just by looking at her eyes. Remembering her relentless determination before the winter hunt, he sighed inwardly. There was no stopping her; the more he tried to stop her, the more she would fixate on it.
“You can go if you want,” he said sternly, setting conditions, “but I must accompany you. Ling Ying will lead men to follow you in the shadows. You are not allowed to go to crowded places. If you feel tired, say so immediately. You are not allowed to push yourself.”
Yan Shu's eyes lit up immediately, and she nodded hurriedly, "Okay, I'll do whatever Your Highness says!"
On New Year's Eve, the weather was quite nice, with a warm sun. Yan Shu had specially changed into a loose and comfortable padded jacket and skirt, with a thick cloak over it, and a hand warmer tucked into her arms. Ling Yuan had also changed into casual clothes, and the two looked like an ordinary young couple.
This was the first time Yan Shu had ever walked side by side with Ling Yuan on the streets of the capital in broad daylight. Although she had become the Princess Consort of Duan, she spent most of her time either at the Prince's residence or attending banquets at the palace. Strolling leisurely through the market like this was truly unprecedented for her.
The streets were bustling with activity. Vendors selling New Year pictures, writing Spring Festival couplets, blowing sugar figurines, frying meatballs... all sorts of shouts, bargaining, and children's laughter mingled together, and the air was filled with the aroma of food and firecrackers.
Yan Shu found everything fascinating. She picked out some delicate paper-cut window decorations, selected a few nice-looking candied fruits, and even bought a pair of adorable tiger-headed rag dolls for her unborn child. Chun Tao carried the smaller items, while Ling Yuan paid for and had the larger ones, such as a pot of daffodils that Yan Shu had her eye on, and had them delivered to the Duan Prince's residence.
As Yan Shu walked, she was drawn to a small stall. The stall was filled with all kinds of hair clips, some with velvet flowers, some with beads, and some with various small stones inlaid in them, all of which sparkled in the sunlight.
She leaned closer and picked them up one by one with great interest. She picked up a butterfly-shaped one, held it up to her head, and then tried on a tassel one. She watched intently.
Ling Yuan watched as she picked up a begonia-shaped velvet hair clip, tilted her head slightly, and carefully pinned it to her hair in front of a small bronze mirror provided by the stall owner. The petals were light pink, which made her cheeks blush faintly. She tried it on a few times, seemed quite satisfied, and turned to him, her eyes sparkling, asking, "Your Highness, do you think this looks good?"
Her eyes crinkled with laughter, and the crabapple blossom trembled gently in her dark hair, appearing even more delicate than a real flower.
Ling Yuan stared, somewhat lost in thought, feeling as if something had gently bumped into his heart, making it melt away completely. He subconsciously reached for the purse at his waist, replying, "Hmm, it's pretty. Buy it if you like it."
He reached for his waist, but found nothing. He paused, then checked the other side, still nothing. He patted himself all over, but the purse containing his money had vanished.
The daffodils were still there when I bought them...
Yan Shu was still holding the hair clip. Seeing his strange expression and odd movements, she couldn't help but ask, "What's wrong?"
Ling Yuan said in a low voice, "The purse... seems to be missing."
"Huh?" Yan Shu blinked, looking at his empty waist and then at his unusually embarrassed expression, and couldn't help but burst out laughing. The more she thought about it, the funnier it became. This Prince Duan, who was a powerful figure in the court and had the final say in the military camp, had actually had his purse stolen in the middle of the city?
Her smile made Ling Yuan's ears burn slightly, and he felt even more embarrassed.
Just then, Ling Ying suddenly appeared from some corner, carrying a thin, timid-looking man. Ling Ying pressed the man to the ground and said to Ling Yuan, "Your Highness, I just saw this fellow sneaking around behind you and he stole your purse." As he spoke, he handed over a familiar brocade purse.
The thief was terrified and kowtowed repeatedly, begging, "Your Highness, spare me! Your Highness, spare me! I was blind and ignorant, I will never dare to do it again! Please, Your Highness, have mercy!"
Ling Yuan took the purse, his face darkening. In broad daylight, right under the emperor's nose, someone dared to steal from him. He said coldly, "Send it to the authorities and punish them severely according to the law."
Ling Ying responded with a "Yes," and dragged the thief, who kept begging for mercy, away like a chick.
Yan Shu watched this scene and finally managed to stop laughing. She nudged Ling Yuan with her elbow and teased, "If it weren't for Ling Ying's sharp eyes, our Prince would probably have to run up a tab tonight."
Ling Yuan pursed his lips, too embarrassed to admit that he had been so engrossed in watching her try on the hair clips that someone had taken advantage of the situation. He simply retied his purse, took out some loose silver, and paid for the hair clips.
The crabapple blossom hair clip was eventually pinned in Yan Shu's hair.
It was already evening when they returned to the Prince's Mansion. The mansion was already decorated with lanterns and colorful decorations, exuding the festive atmosphere of the New Year.
Dinner was served in Lingxiao Pavilion. The dishes were much more lavish than usual, though not as extravagant as palace banquets, but all were home-style and delicious. The two of them sat facing each other to eat, which was much more comfortable than dealing with the formalities in the palace.
During the meal, they chatted for a while. Suddenly, Yan Shu remembered what had happened during the day and couldn't help but smile, "Your Highness is truly... a rare sight to see today."
Lingyuan knew what she meant, picked up a piece of bamboo shoots that she liked and put it in her bowl, trying to change the subject: "Don't talk while eating."
Yan Shu, however, was not going to let him off the hook, and asked with a smile, "Speaking of which, Ling Ying has been following the Prince since he was a child, right? He's really skilled and quick-witted."
“Hmm,” Lingyuan’s expression softened slightly when she saw that she no longer mentioned the purse. “His father is the son of a general under my uncle. My uncle had him follow me when I was still a prince.”
"What about Qingfeng?" Yan Shu asked curiously. "Is he from the same background, which is why he followed Xuan Gui?"
Lingyuan shook his head: "Qingfeng isn't. He's an orphan."
"orphan?"
"Yes. When Xuan Gui was little, probably five or six years old, he went out of the palace with Consort Lin to offer incense at a temple. That boy was mischievous and ran off when no one was looking. The maids and eunuchs who were with him couldn't find him and were scared half to death. Consort Lin was so worried that she was about to send someone back to the palace to report to her brother, the Emperor." Ling Yuan's tone relaxed a bit as she recounted the past. "In the end, he was taken in by Xiao Qingfeng, who was also wandering near the temple at the time. After Consort Lin found out the situation and learned that he had no parents, she wanted to thank him and, seeing that he was clever, she let him stay with Xuan Gui."
Yan Shu suddenly realized: "So that's how it is. No wonder Qingfeng and Xuan Gui don't look like master and servant, but more like brothers."
The two ate and chatted, and the New Year's Eve dinner lasted a long time. The sound of firecrackers gradually rose outside the window, and the night was illuminated by the occasional fireworks.
As they stayed up until midnight, Yan Shu had already started to doze off. Seeing this, Ling Yuan urged her to settle down.
Lying in bed, with the bed curtains drawn, blocking out the sounds from outside, Yan Shu habitually leaned against Ling Yuan, finding a comfortable position. Ling Yuan's arms encircled her, carefully avoiding her protruding belly.
"Your Highness, Happy New Year," she mumbled sleepily.
Lingyuan lowered his head and gently kissed the top of her head. The begonia hair clip had already been removed, and a faint fragrance still lingered in her hair.
"Okay, go to sleep."
Soon, he heard breathing in his arms. Listening to the faint sounds of the New Year's festivities outside the window, and feeling the soft warmth of the person in his arms, Ling Yuan felt as if all the turmoil and scheming of the past year had been dispelled by this moment of peace.
He folded his arms and closed his eyes.
New Year's Eve passed quietly like this.
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