Chapter 160 Mid-Autumn Night
Chen He looked at the sudden shock, pain and the ruthlessness that almost burst out of his body in his eyes, but his voice became gentler, like a stream under the moonlight, with the power to soothe people's hearts.
“Some filth, if left alone, will only breed more filth.”
Her voice was very soft, but every word struck Xue Minglan's heart clearly.
"It also constantly reminds us of the pain we don't want to look back on."
"Cleaning up the house at the right time is not cruel..."
Chen He's eyes fell on his clenched fist, the veins on it were exposed, as if a wild beast was trapped and about to break free from its cage.
She changed the subject with a barely perceptible softness.
"It's about giving yourself and the people you cherish a breathing space."
Xue Minglan's chest heaved violently, as if hit by a sledgehammer.
He suddenly closed his eyes, and his long eyelashes trembled in the moonlight.
He took a deep breath, and the air mixed with the fragrance of osmanthus and the smell of blood made his confused thoughts freeze for a moment.
When he opened his eyes again, the pain was still there, but it was replaced by a desperate clarity and determination.
The surging storm finally found a way to vent.
"I understand, He'er."
His voice was very hoarse, but extremely firm.
"When the wind blows..."
He paused, as if making a solemn oath.
"Before the dust settles, I will... 'clean up' what needs to be cleaned up."
He made a promise and fully understood her painstaking efforts.
She was not testing him or showing off, but paving the way for him, handing him a knife, giving him the opportunity to cut off the most humiliating and suffocating shackles with his own hands.
But what follows is deeper worry.
He raised his head suddenly and locked his eyes with hers.
"Just promise me that you will protect yourself no matter what."
There was a hint of pleading in his voice, and that paranoid love now turned into the purest fear.
"My chains are not worth the risk."
Shen He smiled.
She slowly withdrew her hand, and the remaining warmth seemed to still remain on the back of Xue Minglan's hand.
She picked up the small teapot on the table and poured him a cup of steaming ginseng tea.
"I will."
The moonlight reflected on her face, and the smile was incredibly gentle, as if it could heal all the scars in the world.
"After tomorrow, perhaps..."
She raised her eyes and looked at the bright moon outside the courtyard.
"We can all see a different moon now."
Hidden in those words was the infinite hope that the truth would be revealed and the clouds would clear and the moon would shine.
She gently pushed the teacup in front of him, a playful glint in her eyes.
"Finish this cup of tea and go to bed early."
"Keep your spirits up, tomorrow..."
Her voice was low, with a hint of mysterious smile, and she spoke each word clearly.
"Watching a show."
Xue Minglan picked up the cup of tea that was still warm, and the fragrance of the tea mixed with the faint fragrance of her fingertips penetrated into her heart.
He looked at Chen He deeply, as if he wanted to carve her current figure and the moonlight into the depths of his soul.
After a long time, he drank the tea in the cup, as if he had drunk a determination and a promise.
"good."
He put down his teacup, his voice steady and serious.
"He'er..."
"Happy Mid-Autumn Festival."
****
On the night of the Mid-Autumn Festival, the lights in the imperial city were as bright as day.
The jade buildings were lit up by thousands of palace lanterns, shining brightly and magnificently, just like the palace in heaven.
In front of the Hall of Supreme Harmony, bells and drums rang out, and the sound of stringed instruments was endless. A grand Mid-Autumn Festival banquet was slowly unfolding.
The emperor sat high on the dragon throne, wearing a dragon robe and with a majestic smile on his face.
Beside him was the empress dowager, her hair adorned with pearls and jade, looking graceful and elegant.
The first position below the Queen Mother is vacant.
A moment later, surrounded by palace servants, a figure slowly sat down.
It's the queen.
Her face was still beautiful, but the gloom in her eyes could not be completely concealed even with thick makeup.
After being confined for over a month, even after being reinstated, the glory and confidence that belonged to the Empress were ultimately damaged.
What is more eye-catching than the queen is the figure below her.
The Third Prince's wife, Chen Jiao.
She had an exaggeratedly large pregnant belly, was dressed in luxurious palace attire, and was carefully supported by the Third Prince Xiao Jingren.
That belly is her greatest support now, and it is her capital to look down on others.
"Conceived on behalf of God", these four words, like an invisible halo, hung over her head.
Xiao Jingren's face showed an undisguised look of satisfaction.
He frequently raised his glass with the relatives and ministers who came to congratulate him, and his eyes glanced at Chen Jiao's belly, and his smile deepened a little.
It seemed as if the country and the people were already in his pocket.
Led by the palace servants, Chen He sat down quietly at his seat.
She was dressed plainly today, without any makeup. In this bustling palace, she was like a cool and elegant orchid, inconspicuous.
However, her downcast eyes concealed a sharp eagle-like gaze.
Her gaze, like an invisible knife, slowly swept over everyone on the platform.
Emperor, Empress Dowager, Empress...
Finally, the picture freezes on Shen Jiao's face, which is slightly swollen due to pregnancy, but she is still forcing a happy smile.
"My dear friends, tonight is Mid-Autumn Festival. Let us celebrate with our families and our country. Let us drink this cup together!"
The emperor raised the golden cup and his voice was so loud that it echoed throughout the hall.
"Long live our emperor!"
"Long live the Queen Mother!"
Amidst the thunderous cheers, everyone raised their glasses and drank them all in one gulp.
Singing and dancing followed, with long sleeves fluttering and melodious music playing, creating a scene of prosperity and joy.
Soon, the atmosphere became lively.
"Congratulations, Third Prince! Congratulations, Third Prince!"
A nobleman who looked like a military general, holding a wine glass, approached Xiao Jingren with a flattering look on his face.
"Your Highness, having this Qilin child is a blessing for our Great Zhou!"
Xiao Jingren laughed and raised his glass in response.
"General Wang, you are too polite. When the prince is born, I will definitely invite you to the full moon celebration!"
"Of course, of course!"
Once this started, it was out of control.
Clan members and ministers flocked to Xiao Jingren's seat one after another, and congratulations were heard everywhere.
"Your Highness, may you be blessed with great fortune!"
"The Third Prince's wife is obviously blessed. This baby will definitely be a grandson!"
"That's right, look at that pointed belly, it must be a boy!"
Those explicit and flattering words surged towards Chen Jiao like a tide.
She covered her lips with an embroidered handkerchief, trying to maintain a dignified and appropriate smile as she responded one by one.
But Chen He could see it clearly.
Under the thick makeup, Chen Jiao's face actually didn't look good.
It is a pale, vague blue color.
Her smile was stiff, and deep in her eyes, there was a barely perceptible hint of irritation and fatigue.
Chen He picked up the osmanthus wine in front of him and gently shook the clear wine in the cup.
This grace of "conceiving on behalf of God" is both honey and arsenic.
It's time.
She put down her wine glass, and the crisp sound was barely audible amid the noise.
The show is about to begin.
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