The imperial heirs grew up in the palace from a young age and naturally had their own palaces.
Qin Zhaoyue stayed overnight in the palace, visiting Lanzhixuan, where she used to reside.
The empress had avoided having children for many years, and these palaces were not used for any other purpose, remaining as they were.
Qin Zhaoyue had memories, but had never actually lived there, so she didn't feel any nostalgia.
Lanzhixuan is a three-courtyard complex with a main hall and two side halls on the west side. As the sixth son, its location and structure are just average.
The three characters "Lanzhixuan" on the gilded plaque were covered with a layer of dust as thin as cicada wings. Two bronze sparrows perched on the eaves, and the bronze bells hanging between their beaks were entangled by wisteria into a velvety green cocoon.
Since the palace was uninhabited, it was normal for the cleaning ladies to slack off a bit.
Passing through the swastika-patterned screen wall, the sweltering heat was suddenly cleaved open.
A half-acre lotus pond floats with scattered gold dust, and a small, emerald-green frog sits on a half-withered giant water lily leaf.
The original owner's favorite bamboo blind was half-rolled up, and the light that leaked in flowed into the blue bricks in ripples.
As soon as you step into the deep blue-tiled building, you can smell the scent of camphor.
The maids, who had just received the news, were still working on their tasks. Upon seeing the person, they quickly stepped forward and bowed, saying, "Your Highness."
Qin Zhaoyue waved her hand, letting them go about their business.
It's just for one night, so there's no need to be too particular.
The original owner of this body was rebellious from a young age, or rather, deliberately deviated from the norm in order to attract more attention from her mother, the Empress.
They were a bit naive and used the wrong methods.
She was impatient with the tedious rules and lectures of the old palace maids. When she left the palace to establish her own residence, she did bring a tutor with her, but she was sent back not long after.
So now there isn't even an older person around, and the head maids Taoyao and Yingnuo are both young and inexperienced, becoming increasingly reckless and willful.
This is actually a good thing for Qin Zhaoyue, as she can't stand those rules anyway.
The bamboo couch under the eaves must have been freshly wiped clean; it looked shiny and cool.
The attire for the audience was inevitably cumbersome, and after lying down, I still felt a bit hot, so I asked someone to bring a basin of ice to place in the corner.
She didn't bring her two maids with her when she entered the palace, and her reputation wasn't good, so none of the palace maids or nannies at Lan Zhixuan dared to approach her.
For a time, she was all alone, guarding this courtyard.
This is what Suimo saw when he arrived.
No fuss, no playing around, just quiet and peaceful. Suddenly, four words flashed through her mind: "peaceful and quiet life."
A draft swept through the twelve plain gauze screens, melting the ice in the glass. The dampness meandered across the orchid-patterned tiles, like a faint tear stain.
The old pear tree in the southeast corner knows the season best; it's clearly not autumn yet, but it has already shed a few yellow leaves.
At some point, Qin Zhaoyue's breathing became even, and she drifted off to sleep.
Broken Ink: This person has so much knowledge...
The setting sun dipped below the eaves, startling fireflies into the courtyard, their pale green light spilling into the lotus pond.
Three clapper sounds came from afar, signaling the time for the palaces to light their lanterns. The horn lanterns in Lanzhixuan also lit up one after another.
Qin Zhaoyue opened her eyes, her gaze gradually focusing, and she saw the person quietly guarding not far away. "Tsk."
Broken Ink: ...
The Qingluan Guards have a special status; when they are out in public, they represent His Majesty's face, and even princes and nobles are not required to kneel.
But at this moment, she knelt on one knee and said, "Your subordinate, Suimo, greets Your Highness."
Regardless of the details, His Majesty did indeed betroth her to the Sixth Princess, and he had to show some respect.
Qin Zhaoyue raised her head, lowered her eyes, and glanced at her with an unfriendly expression.
"You had no choice but to enter the palace, huh? You threatened me by taking off your clothes, huh? You kidnapped me and took me away, huh? You tried to seduce me with breakfast, huh? Hehehe..."
Broken Ink: ...
"Don't worry, I'm not that petty. You're going to suffer for it."
Broken Ink: ...
Is it too late to go back and beg His Majesty now?
"Get up."
"yes!"
"Will you have to wear a mask from now on when you follow me?"
The Azure Phoenix Guards are special; they are required to wear masks on all occasions.
But if things continue like this, isn't that just blatantly revealing one's identity to others?
After a moment's hesitation, Suimo reached out and removed the mask.
Her cheekbones were like the ridge of a sword, her eyebrows slanted and flew into her temples, and there was an old scar about an inch long, which severed her gentle femininity.
Years of wearing nail polish gave her skin a pale, glazed look, and her lips were very pale, resembling two newly sharpened blades when pressed together.
He has a certain heroic air when he is expressionless, but overall his appearance is average.
Qin Zhaoyue knew the rules of the Qingluan Guards' face-covering armor, and her request was also a test.
Seeing that she was quite decisive, I felt a little more at ease. Maybe... perhaps... it really is going to be given to her?
"Speaking of which, you should be quite familiar with the imperial kitchen. I'll leave dinner to you; I'd like to have something good."
Suimo understood what these words meant; they were referring to the incident that day when she used food to lure her awake in the Phoenix Palace.
Without offering any explanation, he bowed and left.
The imperial palace is also a kind of martial arts world, full of twists and turns.
Qin Zhaoyue has a bad reputation, and she's only staying for one night, so the imperial kitchen might just do a shoddy job.
She ordered Suimo around partly because she didn't want to be wronged or spend money, and partly to test the waters again.
In the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, she returned with a food box.
Open the gilded, intertwined floral food box, and the dishes are laid out one by one before you.
Qingfeng Rice is made by steaming freshly cooked glutinous rice wrapped in lotus leaves, with tender water chestnuts and gorgon fruit interspersed among the grains, and three mandarin fish pieces carved into the shape of lotus pods. It is then drizzled with mint dew to make it cool.
Ice-cup sashimi is made by covering thin slices of sea bass with crushed ice, and serving it with green plum sauce and shredded ginger.
Jade Dew Dumplings filled with lotus seeds and cheese; Snow Cloud Soup simmered with hibiscus petals and tofu; Mountain-style Three Crispy Delicacies: tender bamboo shoots, wolfberry sprouts, and shiitake mushrooms;
Finally, there was a cold dish of dumplings, made with kudzu root starch and soaked in plum syrup, with fine water droplets condensing on the outside of the glass bowl.
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