Chapter 318: Just look at you [Thank you all for your support! Bowing again!]

In a situation like Rong Feiyan's, it was originally nothing.

Elders like the Empress and Imperial Consort Rong saw her cloak wrapped tightly, and naturally had their own explanations, such as the weather being cold or Rong Feiyan being afraid of the cold.

After taking off the cloak and wearing it openly, it had already been ten-plus days since Xu Zaijing wore it on the first day.

Even if it could be seen, at most they would think it was a color clash.

But the expression Rong Feiyan had when her cloak was untied almost wrote her "impure intentions" on her face.

If Chai Zhengzheng hadn't interjected, and this situation had been allowed to develop, anyone could have seen that something was wrong.

This matter could be big or small; if it went big, Rong Feiyan's own reputation would be affected.

And these few words from Chai Zhengzheng downplayed the matter, saying this color was just a discussion and research between two young ladies.

Rong Feiyan looked at Chai Zhengzheng with gratitude in her eyes, then lowered her head and said somewhat embarrassedly:

"I... I also just saw Sister Zhengzheng's attire was unique, much better than mine!"

"So I felt there was room for improvement in this outfit, and that's why..."

The Empress sitting in the center heard the conversation between the two young ladies, looked at them carefully, and said:

"Feiyan young lady's attire has a very good color scheme. If a jade belt were added to the waist, perhaps it could be even better."

Chai Zhengzheng smiled and nodded upon hearing this.

The Empress continued:

"You are still young and your stature hasn't fully grown. If you grow to be like the eldest daughter-in-law of the Gu family, wearing this outfit would look even better!"

Imperial Consort Rong, who was listening with a smile, looked at Rong Feiyan and said:

"The Empress is right. In our Bianjing city, there aren't many who are as tall and well-proportioned as the Xu Da Niangzi."

Princess Pingning on the side said with a smile:

"Mother, before, when the Xu family's eldest sister was commended by your imperial decree, didn't she seem to be about the same age as them?"

The Empress looked at the two young ladies in the building and said:

"Hmm? She should have been older than them."

"I remember she was already engaged at that time!"

Chai Zhengzheng on the side looked at Rong Feiyan somewhat puzzled. She had only been in Bianjing for more than half a year, and she really didn't know about such long-ago things.

Rong Feiyan saw that the topic was no longer on her, and having understood Chai Zhengzheng's gaze, she said with some relief:

"Sister Zhengzheng, I'm not cold anymore, let's continue to watch the lanterns!"

Chai Zhengzheng heard that the elders' topic had already reached the Yongyi Hou Xu family, and she felt quite reluctant to go out.

Rong Feiyan immediately stood on tiptoe, whispered a few words in Chai Zhengzheng's ear, and Chai Zhengzheng's eyes lit up:

"Let's go! Let's go watch the lanterns."

As she spoke, the two noble ladies bowed to the Empress and the Imperial Consorts in the building, affectionately linked arms, and walked out together.

Going out from the side door,

The two noble ladies looked back at the building, and seeing no one paying attention, their hands naturally separated.

Rong Feiyan tilted her head to look at the young lady beside her and said sincerely: "Thank you."

Chai Zhengzheng waved her hand and said: "It's nothing."

"You grew up in Bianjing, you must know the reason why Sister Pingmei was commended by the Empress, right?"

Rong Feiyan nodded and said:

"Hmm, this matter spread very fiercely before!"

"I heard from my brother that it was also on a Lantern Festival like today, Sister Pingmei had just gotten engaged to the eldest son of the Gu family..."

"I heard that first someone created chaos..."

"Sister Pingmei used a hairpin to hurt several thieves quite badly, and the fifth young master of the Xu family, who was much younger than he is now, heard that he beat up quite a few people!"

"Later, Sister Pingmei became famous in Bianjing, and the Empress issued an imperial decree at that time to specifically commend Sister Pingmei."

Chai Zhengzheng on the side heard about Xu Zaijing beating people up a few years ago, and her beautiful eyebrows raised slightly.

"Although when I was young, I watched the horse riding and archery performance of the fifth young master of the Xu family while following my sister..."

Speaking of this, Rong Feiyan's eyes looked at the lanterns outside the Xuande Tower, but her thoughts flew to a long time ago, when she was celebrating the full-life birthday of the current Emperor.

She secretly thought in her heart: 'I wonder if the things my family sent him back then are still there.'

Chai Zhengzheng: "Cough."

Rong Feiyan withdrew her thoughts and said:

"And before, every first day of the New Year, my brother and I would see the disciples of the Xu family, but my brother never believed that the fifth young master could be so powerful."

"Until that year, when the fifth young master defeated the noble disciples of the other two countries in the main hall..."

Chai Zhengzheng nodded and looked at Rong Feiyan with some jealousy.

'There really are quite a few shared memories.'

Thinking of this, Chai Zhengzheng pouted.

Suddenly, Chai Zhengzheng caught sight of the thick corridor pillar not far away,

One of the Emperor's great eunuchs was standing on the side looking into the distance,

And a little eunuch was holding a lantern, facing the corridor pillar, standing there respectfully.

There was also a small head tilted out, exploring, facing the ear on her side. In order to hear more clearly, he even specially took off his ear muffs.

Seeing this scene, Chai Zhengzheng pulled Rong Feiyan's sleeve.

Rong Feiyan looked over suspiciously.

The two stopped talking.

Zhao Fang, who was listening under the corridor pillar, frowned. After his eyes turned, he stood up straight and hid behind the corridor pillar,

Then he casually put on his ear muffs and said to the little eunuch:

"Go, let's go change clothes."

"Yes, Your Highness."

Afterwards, he walked out from behind the corridor pillar as if nothing had happened, and even nodded at Chai Zhengzheng and the two with a smile.

Chai Zhengzheng and Rong Feiyan hurriedly bowed:

"Greetings, Your Highness."

Afterwards, Zhao Fang was surrounded by the eunuchs beside the Emperor, took a superfluous detour, and entered the building from the side door.

Later, the Emperor rewarded several people who had made colorful lanterns well or shouted auspicious words loudly.

It wasn't until it was late that the Emperor, Empress, and noble relatives left the Xuande Tower.

The commoners in front of the Xuande Tower saw that the lights at the Emperor's location on the Xuande Gate tower were extinguished, so they knew the Emperor had left the Xuande Tower.

The excitement continued, but it wasn't as intense as just now.

Inside the Imperial Palace,

Assisted by a female official,

The Empress was helping the Emperor change his clothes to prepare for sleep.

The Emperor looked at the Empress, who had a smile on her mouth, and said:

"Are both children asleep?"

"Hmm."

"Empress, what are you so happy about?"

The Empress sighed with a smile and said:

"Your Majesty, your son Zhao Fang said that the young ladies of the Chai family and the Rong family both look very good, very beautiful!"

The Emperor was stunned and scolded with a smile:

"How old is this kid, and he already knows this? Those few pillars of my court just taught him this? Really!"

"His eye for beauty is truly good! He is worthy of being my good child!"

The Empress gave the Emperor, who had a look of pride on his face, a bright white look, pouted, and said:

"Your son also told me, hoping that I, as his mother, could help him put in a good word."

The Emperor changed into comfortable pajamas,

The female official left the Emperor and Empress with the clothes,

And another female official walked over with a tray.

The Emperor raised his hand to block the tea cup for rinsing his mouth handed over by the Empress, and said:

"There's nothing to say. He's too young, his essence and blood aren't stable yet. Let's talk about it in a few years!"

After speaking, the Emperor took a sip and began to rinse his mouth.

When the Empress turned around to put the tea cup back on the tray, she said:

"Your Majesty! Fang'er wants me to help!"

The Emperor kept his mouth closed and waved his hand.

The Empress continued: "See if you can let his good Jing Ge'er marry both of these young ladies."

The Emperor, who was rinsing his mouth with his head tilted back, widened his eyes,

"Cough, cough, cough!"

Afterwards, he began to cough violently.

The Emperor finally calmed down. He looked at the Empress and said:

"What did this rebellious son say?"

"Achoo! Achoo!"

Xu Zaijing, who was returning to Quyuanjie, rubbed his nose.

In the carriage behind, Huaxiang poked her head out, looked at Xu Zaijing, and then shrank back.

Afterwards, the sound of the three little maids discussing boiling a bowl of cold-dispelling medicine for Xu Zaijing upon returning came.

Actually,

Tonight, Xu Zaijing strolled to the back mainly to accompany his sworn brother Lu Zezong and the six young ladies of the third branch of the Duke of Lian family.

Qi Heng followed behind Xu Zaijing. Halfway through the stroll, because Changbai, Gu Tingye, and the others were there,

Qi Heng was pulled by Seeing Mo Lan and Rulan to guess lantern riddles.

Xu Zaijing watched the Lu family crowd walking forward and could only hold Lu Zezong and follow.

Thus, they gradually separated.

Although the brightness of the candlelight of the ancient Lantern Festival lanterns was not as good as the light of modern lanterns,

The lanterns were cleverly conceived, and the performances were also brilliant.

From the look of the sparks, it could be seen that many lantern performances used gunpowder.

Lantern Festival,

Many young ladies from boudoirs in Bianjing who didn't go out much on weekdays took advantage of today to come out and stroll.

Like those like Shen Herui who had an engagement, they could take advantage of today to meet the young lady voluntarily or passively.

Of course, the young ladies of noble and official families who could come out, whether on weekdays or today, in the courtyard or in the carriage, were naturally scented.

Walking or sitting in a carriage to stroll through the lanterns, there was always a light or strong fragrance drifting in the air.

Xu Zaijing's heart's phrase "precious horses and carved carriages, fragrance fills the road" could really describe this scene.

These smells, plus the smell of gunpowder burning, made Xu Zaijing and Qingyun, whose noses were somewhat sensitive,

Have their expressions changing constantly along the way.

After watching the lanterns enough,

It wasn't easy for Xu Zaijing to find others. Xu Zaijing looked at the Lu family servants who were somewhat sparse due to the crowded crowd,

And his sworn brother Lu Zezong, who was full of longing and wanted to continue riding a horse,

He could only take people to half-escort and half-accompany them to ride around the Imperial City and walk towards Huihefang in the north.

Under the illumination of the lanterns all the way,

Xu Zaijing accompanied the Lu family crowd to the outside of the Donghua Gate, the east gate of the Imperial City.

At this time,

Lanterns were hung on the gate tower of the Donghua Gate of the palace,

The area near the palace wall wasn't dark either, because many people were carrying lanterns, or lanterns were hung on carriages,

And from time to time, the sound of talking came.

The carriages of the Xu family and the Lu family, plus several carriages that were in the same direction and were likely also rushing back from the south, formed a not-small motorcade.

The several families walking east from the Donghua Gate let them pass slightly at the intersection.

Leading them were the carriages of the Chai family.

On the wide Bianjing street, the horse Xu Zaijing was sitting on was too eye-catching,

Especially since there was a lantern with the word "Xu" hanging on the carriage behind him.

By the roadside, Chai Daniangzi, who was lifting the curtain and looking at which family was passing by, saw the group of people at once.

"Someone, go ask if it's Jing Ge'er of the Yongyi Hou family!"

The elderly woman waiting by the carriage hurriedly took two steps forward and said: "Is it the Fifth Young Master of the Xu family of the Yongyi Hou Fu?"

Qingyun hurriedly replied on the side.

In the Rong family carriage behind the Chai family, the Da Niangzi of the Hou Marquis Lady Fu Changhou was stunned and said:

"Hiss, Yan'er, did your brother say he went to find the Xu family brother to play?"

Rong Feiyan: "Yes, that's what brother said."

As a result, she was ready to follow her brother to watch the lanterns, but was pulled into the palace by her mother.

The Da Niangzi of the Hou Marquis Lady Fu Changhou also said: "Go, ask Jing Ge'er if he has seen our Xian Ge'er."

"Yes, Da Niangzi."

On the road, seeing Xu Zaijing stop his horse,

The Lu family's carriage also stopped and waited on the side.

Soon, the Chai family's carriage drove over.

In the lantern light of the servants,

Chai Daniangzi in the carriage lifted the curtain, looked at Xu Zaijing on the side, and said with a smile:

"Jing Ge'er, why are you still walking north so late?"

Xu Zaijing bowed slightly on the horse, revealing Lu Zezong's small face, who was somewhat confused under the cloak, and said:

"Madam, Zong Ge'er said he likes riding horses, and many of the Lu family servants were squeezed away, so I came to prepare to go to Huihefang."

Hearing the voice, and feeling some coolness, Lu Zezong, who was sleepy from the walk, woke up and greeted Chai Daniangzi.

Chai Daniangzi nodded and was about to speak when Chai Zhengzheng leaned over beside her,

Smiled, tilted her head to look at Xu Zaijing outside the carriage, and even waved at Lu Zezong with curved eyebrows.

At this time,

The Rong family's managing Mama walked over, bowed in the lantern light, and said:

"Greetings, Madam, greetings, Fifth Young Master! My Da Niangzi sent this servant to ask if you have seen our Xian Ge'er?"

Xu Zaijing said: "When watching the lanterns, we separated, but I haven't seen him since."

"Thank you, Fifth Young Master."

As she spoke, the managing Mama walked towards the back.

Chai Daniangzi said: "The road to the Chai family and Huihefang is the same, why don't we help you send people back, Jing Ge'er?"

Xu Zaijing: "Thank you for your kindness, Madam, it's not many steps away."

While speaking, the carriages walking north from the south had already passed.

Xu Zaijing controlled his horse and walked to the side: "Madam, you can go!"

Chai Daniangzi said before putting down the carriage window curtain: "Jing Ge'er, go do your business."

Xu Zaijing replied and drove his horse to catch up with the Xu and Lu family carriages in front.

After the Rong family managing Mama reported at the carriage, she also followed the carriage north.

Rong Feiyan quietly lifted the window curtain,

In her field of vision, there were only the shop fronts along the road and the lanterns and lanterns hanging, but there was no figure of the person riding the horse.

The carriage walked with a clatter,

Before reaching Huihefang, Xu Zaijing met Li Daniangzi, who was waiting in a carriage at the intersection to pick up Lu Zezong.

Without much small talk, Xu Zaijing turned around and returned.

Rong family,

After separating from her mother at the second gate,

In the lantern light, Rong Feiyan's footsteps were steady at first, but when she reached the vicinity of the Huixue Courtyard, her footsteps quickened.

After entering the courtyard, she said directly: "Let's go, go to the embroidery building."

After arriving on the second floor, when the maid was about to light the candle, she was stopped by Rong Feiyan.

Afterwards, Rong Feiyan muttered:

"Huihefang! Huihefang! Which direction was it in?"

Seeing Xi Bu on the side said: "Young lady, it should be this way."

Rong Feiyan whispered: "Put the lantern outside, open the window!"

A cold wind blew over her face.

On the street outside the window, two riding figures were walking this way with a carriage.

Rong Feiyan narrowed her eyes and could distinguish the word "Xu" on the carriage lantern.

The lanterns on the roadside shone out someone's figure from time to time.

Rong Feiyan stared at that person with her hands on her cheeks by the window.

That person tilted his head and looked over.

'I am in the dark, you are in the light, hmph, you can't see me! Just look at you!'

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 319 =====