Lu Yalan's courtyard was dilapidated and deserted; it was nothing short of a haunted house.
At this moment, apart from the mistress and servant Lu Yalan and Juhua, six people with black veils stood in the small courtyard. Their eyes were lifeless, and they held crescent-shaped daggers in their hands. The blades were shiny and smooth as mirrors, and they were held quietly. The cold air penetrated their bones and flesh, as cold as being soaked in ice water.
"Miss... who... are they?" Without even making eye contact with them, just experiencing it firsthand, Chrysanthemum was already terrified, and her words came out in broken sentences.
Her body trembled uncontrollably, but out of her deep desire to protect her master, Chrysanthemum stepped forward to block Lu Yalan's path. Her delicate little face twisted into a terrifying expression, hoping to scare away the ghost.
Lu Yalan reached out and pulled Juhua aside, patting her head as she said earnestly, "Juhua, don't be afraid. They're not bad people. They're here to fulfill our wishes."
"Them?" You can't judge a book by its cover, and you can't measure the sea with a bucket. Chrysanthemum looked unconvinced.
Lu Yalan stepped forward, getting a clearer view of the six masked men. They were robust yet agile, with arms that reached past their knees, strong and powerful, and their breathing was steady. Lu Yalan knew that their stealth skills were truly excellent.
"Don't underestimate them, chrysanthemums."
Assassins who emerge in the dead of night are generally of higher quality.
Chrysanthemum curled her lip, unconvinced and secretly looking down on those mortals. The young lady was a celestial being descended to earth, her words capable of deciding life and death, changing fate with a single phrase; it was certainly true that they were extraordinary. However, Chrysanthemum still disliked those menacing fellows.
"One who stays near vermilion gets stained red, and one who stays near ink gets stained black." Chrysanthemum was terrified that they might ruin Lu Yalan's luck.
"Miss, I will definitely protect you." Instead of placing her hopes on others, Chrysanthemum thought it better to take matters into her own hands. With her there, no one could harm Lu Yalan in the slightest.
"Alright, Miss knows that chrysanthemums are the most loyal."
Lu Yalan assigned tasks to the assassins of the night, and confirmed them again and again before letting them carry out their missions.
The six assassins vanished in a flash, leaving only Lu Yalan and Juhua in the courtyard.
"I hope we can achieve success in one fell swoop."
This is a beautiful wish for Lu Yalan herself.
"Chrysanthemum, let's go. We can't miss this year's Dragon Birthday Banquet."
Chrysanthemum responded and took a cloak, draping it over Lu Yalan's shoulders. The mistress and servant, one in front and one behind, left the dilapidated courtyard without any reluctance.
Stepping out of the Lu residence, one is greeted by a vast expanse of sea and sky, a feeling of complete freedom.
Let's go!
Lu Yalan took one last deep look at the mansion that had raised her for over a decade or two.
Unlike Lu Yalan, who was melancholic and sentimental, chrysanthemums skipped and jumped into the bustling crowd, looking here and touching there, just like an innocent child.
Lu Yalan followed behind, and Chrysanthemum would occasionally look back. Lu Yalan would always return the smile in time, a smile like sunlight piercing through layers of dark clouds, where light and shadow intertwined, and warmth and coldness converged.
"Chrysanthemum!" Lu Yalan exclaimed. "Don't rush to play yet. Let's go to Chaoyang Hall on Chaoyang Street now. The Emperor will be making a plea to Heaven and Earth on the high platform later. If we go early, we can get a good spot and maybe catch a glimpse of the Emperor."
The emperor was high above, and even most ordinary people in the capital had never met him in their entire lives. Chrysanthemum knew her own lowly status and insignificant voice; she respected the emperor but had no desire to pay him any respects.
"Miss, can we not go? Someone just said that the dumpling over there is really fun, and I want to go check it out." Chrysanthemum was very reluctant to leave because of the "fun" part.
"The Dragon Birthday Banquet is a grand five-day feast, we have plenty of time to watch. And the Emperor is the Son of Heaven, favored by the Heavenly Emperor, a mere glance at his countenance would be an immeasurable blessing for us. If we don't go now, we may never have such good fortune again. Hurry up, let's go with Miss." Lu Yalan forcefully pulled Juhua towards Chaoyang Street and Chaoyang Palace.
After Lu Yalan and Juhua left, those who overheard their conversation thought it made perfect sense. The emperor was the Son of Heaven; a single glance from him would absorb some of the dragon's aura and heavenly fortune, ensuring a smooth and successful year—it was all within their grasp. Besides, the dumplings were open for five days; they could play again tomorrow.
Some were tempted and hurried off, afraid of missing out on a good spot. One person moved, two followed. With a leader, more and more people headed towards Chaoyang Street and Chaoyang Hall.
"Miss, the first step is complete."
On a path, Chrysanthemum stood beside Lu Yalan, the corners of her mouth curving into a deep smile.
...
At this very moment in the palace, Ji Xiaoxiao was dressed in an elaborately patterned dragon robe used for sacrificial rites. With each layer of long robes covering her, Ji Xiaoxiao became increasingly hunched over.
"Alright, Your Majesty."
It was like heavenly music. Ji Xiaoxiao breathed a sigh of relief, straightened her back, and carefully looked at the person in the bronze mirror. He had handsome features, a solemn expression, and a majestic aura. What an unparalleled woman!
"It's outrageous, how can I be so beautiful?"
Ji Xiaoxiao's infatuation hadn't subsided when the palace maids brought out a platter with a glittering dragon crown on it, followed by various hair ornaments of different sizes.
This is terrible!
Half an hour later, Ji Xiaoxiao, her face flushed and breathless, boarded the dragon carriage carried by eighteen men. The carriage moved as if on flat ground, steady and without any undulation.
"His Majesty has arrived."
With a loud shout, Ji Xiaoxiao, who was half asleep, woke up.
How long have we been walking?
Not expecting her ministers to solve the mystery, Ji Xiaoxiao gently rubbed her face in the imperial carriage to clear her mind before slowly descending and walking onto the high platform of Chaoyang Street. As soon as Ji Xiaoxiao ascended the platform, her ministers and the common people knelt in unison, chanting, "Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!"
Ji Xiaoxiao was used to being knelt to by people. She calmly told them to rise, took the prayer to Heaven and Earth from the Vice Minister of Rites who was presiding over the Dragon Birthday Banquet, and read it aloud in a clear and resonant voice.
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