Reborn Lady - Chapter 452

That New Year, the palace brimmed with liveliness, especially during the Lantern Festival on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, celebrated throughout the entire capital for three consecutive days.

On the night of the Lantern Festival, relatives and courtiers gathered in the palace to revel in the festive atmosphere.

The moonlight illuminated the surroundings, casting a soft glow that obscured the wrinkles on the faces of the Empress Dowager, Concubine Li, and other elders, lending an aura of youthfulness.

Yin Hui glanced at her sisters-in-law once more.

Xu Qingwan maintained her dignified and serene demeanor, engaged in conversation with the elders seated beside the Empress Dowager. Ji Xianxian, not particularly close to Xu Qingwan and Fu Shan, found herself distanced that night. Instead, she had her two daughters-in-law serve her attentively by her side. Observing their diligent service, Ji Xianxian expressed satisfaction, even casting a sly wink at Yin Hui, hinting that she too might select two daughters-in-law for herself in the near future.

Yin Hui smiled and shook her head, shifting her gaze to Fu Shan.

While savoring the delicious feast, Fu Shan gazed upon the distant lanterns, her smile exuding a sense of carefree innocence, her eyebrows slightly arched.

Princess Gui, Wang Junfang, the youngest among them, had once been close friends with Xu Qingwan. However, it was now challenging to approach her. Seated alone at a table, she maintained her noble bearing, unchanged since their first meeting.

The seats of the Eldest Princess and the Second Princess were adjacent, engaged in silent conversation.

Yin Hui shifted her gaze towards the Second Princess.

Everyone had gathered, except for Wei Ying.

Wei Ying had set sail with Cui Yu, their destination unknown. After harboring feelings for someone for over twenty years, now they could explore the world together hand in hand. Wei Ying must be content, wouldn’t she?

As the clock approached two o’clock, the lantern festival within the palace drew to a close.

The royal relatives departed one by one.

Xu Qingwan, the eldest, was supported by her sons’ wives respectively.

Ji Xianxian trailed behind. Although Xu Qingwan had daughters-in-law to attend to her and filial sons, Ji Xianxian couldn’t help but feel for her spending so many nights alone over the years. Glancing at Wei Yan by her side, she felt fortunate. As one aged, the need for companionship grew. Despite Wei Yan’s increasing weight, he still dutifully obeyed her requests, fetching tea and water when she was thirsty in the middle of the night, and providing warmth in bed during winter.

Eager to show off, before Xu Qingwan got into the carriage, Ji Xianxian deliberately quickened her pace and came near her carriage, calling Wei Yan in a coquettish voice, “Help me quickly.”

Wei Yan ran over without thinking.

When he was young, he had a good face, and he didn’t want his elder brothers, sisters-in-law and younger siblings to know that he was afraid of his wife. However, he endured ridicule for over twenty years. At this moment, Wei Yan no longer cared. Serving Ji Xianxian had become instinctual to him.

Obediently, he complied with Ji Xianxian’s request, prompting her to smile triumphantly at Xu Qingwan before entering the carriage.

A fleeting smile crossed Xu Qingwan’s eyes as she stepped into the carriage, finding herself alone in the vast space. On this Lantern Festival night, thoughts of Wei Yang inevitably crept into her mind—her husband who had always smiled gently at her when he was young.

Xu Qingwan closed her eyes, allowing a brief moment of melancholy to wash over her before silently turning the beads on her wrist.

The carriages of the Jing Mansion and the Chu Mansion departed one after another.

Wei Xuan had just assisted Fu Shan into the carriage.

“The lamb skewers tonight were quite delicious, but unfortunately, people kept talking to me, so I didn’t get to enjoy them fully,” lamented Fu Shan, a hint of regret evident in her tone as she pulled out a hot water bottle from her pocket.

Wei Xuan watched her with skeptical eyes. “You long for that every day. When you agreed to marry, was it just for our Central Plains cuisine?”

Fu Shan protested, “No, I’m here for the long-term friendship between our countries and to foster cultural and business exchanges between the Kingdom of Jin and the Kingdom of Wei.”

Wei Yan pursed his lips. “Besides that, what else are you plotting?”

Fu Shan blinked, racking her brain.  The more she talked, the darker Wei Xuan’s expression became. Just as the carriage neared the Xiang Mansion, Wei Xuan couldn’t resist reminding her, “And what about me? What were your thoughts when you learned that I was going to marry you?”

How could Fu Shan know what he looked like?

Since childhood, she had overheard her father Khan talking about King Yan with those around her. She knew that King Yan’s third son was a formidable warrior.

“I suppose the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree, and given King Yan’s strength, his son shouldn’t be lacking, right?” She replied.

Wei Xuan reluctantly accepted this as a compliment, fixing Fu Shan with a gaze. “And what were your thoughts upon meeting me?”

Fu Shan returned Wei Xuan’s gaze, her smile genuine as she sweetly confessed, “I thought you were handsome, even more so than any man I’ve seen on the grasslands.”

Wei Xuan had hoped for a better response, but Fu Shan’s words left him blushing.

—-

In the palace, Yin Hui entertained the royal relatives and guests all night, but she couldn’t truly enjoy the lanterns. After the palace banquet, as the guests left, the lanterns remained aglow.

She took Wei Luo’s hand and glanced towards the Imperial Garden. 

Wei Luo understood her silent request, and he instructed the palace attendants to withdraw, leaving the two alone to admire the lanterns.

As the moon ascended higher into the sky, its brilliance surpassed that of any lantern, casting an enchanting glow over the scene. Yin Hui, no longer interested in the lanterns, sat on a bench with Wei Luo, leaning against his arms, enjoying the moon in comfort.

“Do you think Chang’e truly resides on the moon?” Yin Hui murmured, toying with his warm hand, captivated by the allure of the moonlight.

Wei Luo gazed at her, then at the moon, and replied, “No.”

His tone was resolute, prompting Yin Hui to find it amusing. She tilted her head, peering at him as she asked, “And how can you be so sure?”

Wei Luo gently squeezed her hand, a faint smile playing at his lips. “You are the one who descended to the mortal world.” 

Yin Hui was momentarily taken aback before realizing his compliment. When Wei Luo spoke sweet words, they held a unique sincerity.

Blushing slightly, Yin Hui chuckled, “If I were Chang’e, I’d still choose Houyi. Why would I choose you?”

Wei Luo pondered for a moment before replying, “When Chang’e descended to earth, the Jade Rabbit also seized the opportunity to visit the mortal realm.”

Yin Hui’s eyes widened in realization. “So you’re the rabbit spirit!” 

Wei Luo tightened his grip on her before she could protest, lowering his head to kiss her.

Amid the beauty of the moon and the lanterns, she was the most beautiful of all.