Chapter 213 - 149:
Rewarding women to his adult son, a father would certainly not object.
Thus, the Emperor’s gaze naturally shifted towards Lu Ziyuan, smiling as he said, "Have any of these dancers caught your eye, my son?"
The eyes of everyone followed the Emperor and turned to Lu Ziyuan.
The hall suddenly became silent, with only the gentle music in the corner playing softly.
Xie Wanqing picked up the fruit wine on the table, took a sip, and restrained herself from looking over.
However, as the subject of the focus, Lu Ziyuan was seemingly unaffected. Noticing everyone’s gaze, he put down his wine cup, looked across the room, and with a hint of a smile, said leisurely, "I do fancy someone, but not any of the dancers."
Others followed his gaze, discovering he seemed to be looking at the Princely Heir of Duke Pei Mansion, but also perhaps at the heir’s wife beside him.
As they contemplated the relationships among these three, the atmosphere grew peculiar.
Lu Ziyuan, oblivious, continued to smile, "Lord Pei cares so much for the military generals, why not..."
With a light ’clang,’ the sound of the wine cup hitting the table interrupted him, as Xie Wanqing’s hand suddenly trembled, dropping the cup, the remaining wine soaking her sleeve.
Beside her, Pei Yuqing slightly frowned, took a cloth from Erqing’s hand, and gently wiped her hand.
Lu Ziyuan watched this scene, his lazy smile tapering off, his expression turning frightfully grim.
Xie Wanqing could no longer endure the ambiance and said softly, "I’ll go change my clothes."
Upon hearing this, Consort Shufei nodded and instructed the old servant behind her to lead the way.
Only after leaving the hall did Xie Wanqing feel a sense of relief.
Her outer garment was only stained with wine, having brought a spare to the banquet, she changed without being in a hurry to return.
She thanked the always waiting old servant outside, saying, "Please return to my aunt’s side to serve her, I’ll stroll around to clear my thoughts."
She had indeed consumed a few cups of fruit wine, her cheeks tinged with a rosy hue.
The old servant glanced at her, smiled, and bowed, saying, "Then this old servant will take her leave. The weather is cold, the heir’s wife should only walk around nearby, avoid staying outside too long."
Once the servant departed, Xie Wanqing stood there for a while before heading toward a nearby corridor.
Along the corridor, bright palace lanterns hung, each with unique designs. Erqing, who followed behind, murmured in admiration, "The lanterns in the palace are far more exquisite than those in common folks’ homes."
Xie Wanqing turned to look at her, "Do you like the Imperial Palace?"
Erqing hastily shook her head, "No, and don’t like Lu... don’t like Prince Zhenbei."
This name left Xie Wanqing momentarily startled, before realizing that Prince Zhenbei referred to Lu Ziyuan.
She chuckled softly, thinking that Erqing has remained unchanged across lifetimes.
Whatever she doesn’t desire, Erqing likewise rejects.
The master and servant walked along the corridor for a while; though snow wasn’t as heavy as late last year, the weather remained frigid. As a cold wind brushed by, Xie Wanqing instinctively tucked her neck in, while Erqing hurriedly said, "I’ll fetch a cloak for you."
Before Xie Wanqing could respond, Erqing turned and dashed away.
Xie Wanqing, having breathed enough fresh air, intended to return to the hall, and seeing this, shook her head gently, choosing to continue her stroll.
Though the palace lanterns were bright, outside the corridor, under the moonlight, she could faintly see a cluster of withered red plum blossoms on the fake hill. She recalled last year when she personally picked a branch at Marquis Qu Mansion.
With this in mind, she approached, planning to pick a few branches to bring back, for after all, the red plum was rare after the twelfth month.
Before she could reach the cold branches, a long-fingered hand suddenly appeared beside her, directly snapping the branches she had been eyeing.
Xie Wanqing froze for a moment, turned to look at the visitor, her eyes widening slightly, "When did you arrive, cousin?"
"A bit earlier than you," Ji Chengfeng replied, "Need a few more branches?"
"..." Xie Wanqing remained silent.
Ji Chengfeng lowered his eyes to her, shaking the flower branches in his hand, saying, "It’s quite cold, I’ll pick them for you as repayment for your favor of reading my palm."
At this, Xie Wanqing nearly choked on her own saliva.
She coughed softly, struggling to say, "You choose for me."
Ji Chengfeng nodded, and in earnest picked several well-presented branches from the withering plum blossomed thicket.
Those hands used to wield a pen, appeared even paler under the soft moonlight, the elegance in the fingers picking flowers charming in its own right.
Xie Wanqing’s gaze unconsciously settled on his face.
Her cousin had handsome features, his stature lean and upright, his entire visage pleasant and gentle, yet subtly exuding the indomitable spirit of a scholar...