Chapter 197 - 198: Lantern Festival
After Yin Chai’er’s performance, the Empress fell silent, her expression dark.
The Emperor noticed and took the initiative to speak with her.
"Tonight’s performances were quite interesting. Lady Hua’s dance was especially lively, and your niece’s wasn’t bad either. They both have their own merits."
The Empress ignored the first half of the Emperor’s words and seized the opportunity to ask.
"Chai’er may be young, but she is sensible and clever. She has always admired Your Majesty’s stately presence. I wonder what Your Majesty thinks of her?"
The Emperor immediately understood the Empress’s intentions.
’So the Empress plans to have her niece enter the palace.’
Then the Emperor recalled what had happened earlier and instantly understood why the Empress was in a bad mood.
The Emperor smiled and said casually.
"A young lady from the Yin Family is, of course, excellent."
The Emperor’s tone was rather meaningful, and for a moment the Empress couldn’t tell if he was being sincere. After a brief hesitation, she pressed on.
"If you like her, why not take her into the harem?"
The Emperor stared at her intently.
His gaze made the Empress a little uncomfortable.
"Why are you looking at me like that, Your Majesty? Did I say something to displease you?"
The Emperor smiled again. "You are so considerate of me. How could I be displeased? Since you’ve asked, let’s choose a day for Chai’er to enter the palace."
Her goal for the night finally achieved, the Empress felt a bit more at ease.
"What rank does Your Majesty intend to give Chai’er?"
The Emperor said, "Since she is your niece, her rank can’t be too low. We shall grant her the title of Beauty for now. We can promote her later, depending on her conduct."
The rank of Beauty was exactly one step below Concubine.
The Empress was dissatisfied with this rank. ’Hua Qingqing was made a Concubine the moment she entered the palace,’ she thought. ’On what grounds does a daughter of our Yin Family only deserve to be a Beauty?’
But the Emperor’s word was law; what he said could not be changed.
The Empress could only suppress her dissatisfaction and reply with a smile.
"Then I thank you on Chai’er’s behalf."
After the moon-viewing banquet, the Empress specially called Yin Chai’er over.
When Yin Chai’er learned from the Empress that she had been granted the title of Beauty, the knot of anxiety in her chest finally loosened.
Although her dance hadn’t achieved the stunning effect she’d hoped for, the outcome was good enough.
Seeing the joy on her face, the Empress reminded her in a solemn tone.
"I can get you into the Imperial Palace, but whether you can win the Saint’s favor ultimately depends on you. I hope you won’t disappoint me or the Yin Family."
Yin Chai’er quickly wiped the joyful expression from her face and replied earnestly, "I understand."
After sending Yin Chai’er away, the Empress remained sullen.
The Chief Palace Maid at her side couldn’t help but ask.
"The Saint has already granted Lady Chai’er the title of Beauty. Why are you still unhappy?"
The Empress replied curtly, "I’m not unhappy."
She just felt a deep unease.
She was the Empress. She looked like a model for all under Heaven, and everyone who saw her had to be deferential.
But that was all just a facade.
Her only son was dead, yet the Emperor refused to give her justice. Her own parents and family thought only of the clan’s future. To secure their position, they had even sent her niece into the palace to vie for favor.
Her parents had told her that as long as Chai’er became pregnant, the child—be it a boy or a girl—could be raised under her name.
That way, she would have someone to rely on in the future and not be left all alone in her old age.
They never considered how she must feel. Her son had only just died, he wasn’t even cold in his grave, and before she had even begun to process her grief, she had to find a way to send her own niece to the Emperor’s bed. How could she not be in agony?
...
After leaving the Imperial Palace, Hua Manman and Li Ji took a carriage and made a detour to Changle Street.
Changle Street was holding a lantern festival tonight. Lanterns were hung everywhere, and at first glance, it seemed as if they had entered a long river of light.
The entire street was illuminated as bright as day.
The shops along the street were still open, and pedestrians bustled back and forth. It was incredibly lively.
Hua Manman’s attention was soon captured by a shadow puppet show on the side of the street.
She squeezed her way through a crowd of children and watched the performance with relish, clapping and cheering along from time to time.
Li Ji stood behind her, watching her carry on like a child.
She watched the show, and he watched her.
When the show ended, a middle-aged woman came before the audience with a basin to collect tips.
Hua Manman immediately turned to Prince Zhao and held out her hand for money.
Her reasoning was perfectly straightforward.
"You’re my husband, so isn’t your money meant for me to spend? Who else would you want to spend it on?"
Li Ji laughed.
’This woman only remembers that I’m her husband when she wants money.’
’Usually, she’s in here calling me a dog of a man with every other thought.’
Li Ji tossed her his coin purse.
Hua Manman took a small piece of broken silver from the purse and tossed it into the basin.
Everyone else had given copper coins; only she gave Silver.
Even though the piece of Silver was only the size of a fingernail, the woman was overjoyed.
She bowed hurriedly in thanks.
Hua Manman pulled Prince Zhao away.
’This is my first time at an ancient lantern festival! I have to have some fun!’
How could you go to a lantern festival and not guess lantern riddles?
Many of the shops selling lanterns held riddle-guessing events. If you could solve the riddle on a lantern, you could have it for free.
It was a special event for the Mid-Autumn Festival’s lantern fair, held every year.
There were people guessing riddles just ahead, surrounded by a crowd of onlookers. Curious, Hua Manman joined the crowd to watch.
Two young men were in the middle of guessing. Judging by their attire, they were clearly rich or noble.
They seemed to be experts at it, having already solved so many riddles that they had nearly won every lantern in the shop.
The shopkeeper looked like he was about to cry.
But he knew these two customers were no ordinary folk, so he didn’t dare shoo them away. All he could do was stand by miserably, watching his lanterns get carried off one by one.
The onlookers couldn’t appreciate the shopkeeper’s pain; they just thought the two young men were brilliant and kept clapping and cheering.
Only when the shop was nearly cleared of lanterns did the two young men finally stop.
They had their servants carry all the lanterns away.
As they turned, they happened to see Prince Zhao and Hua Manman standing at the entrance, who knows for how long they’d been watching.
Both of their expressions stiffened slightly.
They looked like they wanted to pretend they didn’t know them, but felt that would be too blatant.
After a moment’s hesitation, the two steeled themselves, came forward, and greeted Prince Zhao with a smile.
"Prince Zhao, long time no see. We didn’t expect to run into you here."
Li Ji’s response was cold. "Just passing by."
"W-well, we’ll let you continue your stroll. We’ll be on our way. Let’s catch up another day."
The two of them spoke and then left in a hurry.
Judging by how they scrambled away, you’d think a tiger was on their heels.