Do not lean against the west railing to lock in the clear autumn

Chapter 52

I hurriedly asked how to get there, and a kind girl immediately helped me point out the way. I pulled Zinuo along and walked inside, while Zinuo looked uncomfortable.

Upon arriving at the residence the maids had mentioned, they heard someone inside calling for hot water, followed by someone grumbling, "I've asked for hot water so many times, but I don't know what I'm washing, it's still not clean after so many washes..."

I stopped the maid and said with a smile, "If you're tired, sister, I'll get you some hot water."

The maid looked at me warily, and I quickly said, "My sisters all say that the princess is beautiful, but I haven't seen her yet. I'd like to take a look."

She then relaxed and led me to fetch water. I told Zinuo to wait at the door.

After fetching the water, I handed one bucket to Zinuo, and the two of us carried the water inside. The room was filled with steam, indicating that a lot of hot water had indeed been used. A clear female voice came from behind the screen and said, "Miss, you've washed yourself quite well. Although there was a lot of dust on the road, you rinsed off as soon as you arrived at the inn."

"The inn is crude; I'm not used to it," a woman's voice, as gentle as water, said.

"Sigh..." The girl sighed, then muttered, "Why hasn't the water been delivered yet?"

I quickly said, "The water's here."

A tall woman emerged from behind the screen, with delicate features and a pretty face. She looked quite capable and was likely Xiaoyue.

She directed Zinuo and me to carry the water in and pour it into a large wooden tub behind the screen. On the low couch next to her, a woman dressed in white silk was leaning against the wall. She looked a little tired, but she could not hide her peerless beauty, which was as beautiful as clouds and water. Her long hair was wet and clung to her body, adding to her charm.

After filling the water container, Zinuo and I came out, only to find Zinuo's face flushed. I teased him gently, "Isn't your second sister beautiful?"

Zi Nuo said, "She is similar to Miss Yunshang, but I prefer Miss Yunshang."

"You think she's too picky and hard to please, right?" I laughed. Mu Hanyan is such a clean freak.

Zi Nuo shook her head.

I saw the bride, and also my long-lost father, the Marquis.

Zinuo and I disappeared back into the shadows and headed towards Qi Yunhou's residence.

Outside the Marquis of Qiyun's courtyard, many guards stood watch, and there wasn't a single stranger in sight. Judging from their attire, they appeared to be the Imperial Guards. Had the Emperor really sent the Imperial Guards to guard the Marquis of Qiyun's courtyard?

Just to be on the safe side, Zinuo and I didn't use the same method again. Seeing how heavily guarded the courtyard was, we figured the two girls would have a hard time sneaking in. We quietly jumped onto the wall and climbed onto a tree outside the study. We could hear sounds coming from inside the study.

"Brother An, you've been stationed in the southwest for so many years, you must be tired." A deep male voice said.

The voice of Marquis Qiyun came: "Your Majesty, this is the duty of a subject. I am not troubled."

I was secretly surprised. So the emperor himself had come?

But the emperor said, "Brother An, we have been brothers for decades. Now that we have finally met again, how can we be so distant?"

"Your Majesty, there is a distinction between ruler and subject; I dare not do that."

Someone sighed, "It must be the emperor; Marquis Qiyun wouldn't be so sentimental."

Then the emperor said, "Fortunately, Ting'er is finally getting married, and we can finally put our minds at ease. The day after tomorrow, we will be in-laws."

Marquis Qi Yun hurriedly expressed his fear.

I found it boring, so I quietly pulled Zinuo away, just as we had come quietly.

Do not lean against the west railing to lock in the clear autumn. Chapter 39

Chapter word count: 3377 Update time: 09-08-04 12:29

On February 18th, the Second Prince was getting married. Shen Haoyu went to the ceremony with the Prince and Princess, taking a group of guards with him, leaving only Zi Nuo and me to guard Qiufeng Garden.

Well, we've already seen the bride, what else is there to see?

But later, when I heard people talk about the sky full of red and the ground covered in flowers, I still felt a little regretful. A royal wedding, how rare it is to witness one!

As the weather gradually warmed, Shen Zexuan invited me to participate in the Spring Flower Festival on the third day of the third lunar month. The Spring Flower Festival was a major festival at the beginning of the year in the Youjing Dynasty. At this time, all flowers were in full bloom, and young women, dressed in their finest attire, would carry flower baskets and pick blossoms. If they met a man they admired, they could give him their flower basket, and the man was obligated to accept it on this day. If he also reciprocated the woman's feelings, he would take the most beautiful flower from the basket and place it in her hair. On this day, farmers would also worship the God of Grains, praying for a bountiful harvest that year.

The above describes the common people's way of celebrating the "Spring Flower Festival." The imperial court and officialdom had different customs. Every year at this time, the palace would distribute "Hundred Flower Tokens" to eligible young ladies from the families of officials throughout the capital, inviting them to participate in the grand flower festival at the "Jinxiu Garden" (Brocade Garden) on the third day of the third lunar month, presided over by the Empress. At that time, some noblemen's sons would also be invited to participate, making it a large-scale, high-class matchmaking event for young men and women from the upper class.

Since the Empress's death three years ago, the Emperor has not appointed a new Empress. Currently, only the Imperial Concubine holds the highest rank and temporarily manages the six palaces in place of the Empress. The Empress did not bear any sons, only Princess Ziling by her side. It is said that Princess Ziling is lively and loves martial arts, disliking needlework and other traditional crafts, and the Emperor has not said much about it. However, according to Shen Zexuan, Princess Ziling's life in the palace is not easy. After all, a child without a mother's support cannot fare well in the palace; perhaps it would be better if she had an older or younger brother.

On the third day of the third lunar month, I got up early and found Zinuo, saying I wanted to go out early to see what the commotion was like. Surprisingly, I had already left early that morning. Zinuo readily agreed and didn't ask me to take him with me. This surprised me, and I asked, "Why didn't you ask me to take you with you?"

Zinuo looked at me like I was an idiot: "You're sneaking away, so naturally you need to leave someone here to cover for you."

I looked at him with extreme gratitude, then bypassed the guards and left the Prince Qing's mansion. To be honest, after doing so many sneaky things lately, I've become increasingly adept at it, and I'm showing more and more potential to be a thief.

When I arrived at the meeting place, "Cui Xin Fang," Nightingale was already waiting there. I greeted her with a smile, "Why are you here so early?"

She ignored me and simply changed her clothes. After we were both changed, I told her she didn't need to climb the tree so early today, and that she could go shopping or something, but she absolutely had to avoid the Second Prince himself. I wasn't sure if he still remembered me, so it was better to be careful.

In the Luomei Room of Liuzui Residence, Shen Zexuan, still dressed in red, was waiting for me. I went up to him and affectionately took his hand, leading him outside. Once outside, I and Guangqi sat separately on either side of him, following respectfully. People on the street were heading out of the city to pick flowers and enjoy the spring scenery. Watching the flow of people, I asked which way we were going. Shen Zexuan said we should go through the east gate, and if we got tired, we could rest at his villa.

A guard led the horse over, but Shen Zexuan waved his hand and said he would ride it after leaving the city.

On the way, I asked Shen Zexuan, "Your mother is hosting a Hundred Flowers Banquet, are you not going?"

"In other people's eyes, I would probably attend the 'Hundred Herbs Banquet'," Shen Zexuan said with a smile. "See, this is one of the benefits of male homosexuality."

I asked again, "I always take the place of the Nightingale. She has become me and lost her freedom. Will she blame me?"

“This is my order,” Shen Zexuan said dismissively.

I pursed my lips. Even if it's an order, people will still be dissatisfied. Thinking of Nightingale's indifference, I felt incredibly selfish.

Outside the city, pedestrians strolled in twos and threes. We mounted our horses, not urging them on, but letting them roam freely. Shen Zexuan, dressed in red, sat on his horse, attracting frequent glances from many women. Amidst the vibrant spring scenery, he was even more dazzling than the flowers.

My horse snuggled close to his side and whispered, "Your Highness, given your personality, you don't seem to particularly like red, do you?"