The silver light of the bright moon shines on the earth, and all kinds of lanterns are lit up in the streets and alleys. Thousands of lanterns illuminate the city brightly, with clusters of flowers and swaying lights, which is too beautiful to behold.
The East City was buzzing with people, and it was very lively.
Pei Yan held Tao Ti's hand tightly, for fear that she would run away.
Tao Ti saw everything fresh, her little head turned left and right, and her smile never stopped—
"Wow, these lanterns are so beautiful, husband, let's buy one!"
"Okay, buy it."
Then, Tao Ti had a delicate Moon Rabbit Lantern in her hand.
"Husband, there are lantern riddle guessers over there, let's go and have a look!"
"Okay, let's go and see."
Then, Tao Ti got two new lanterns, a mask of a Kunlun slave, two sachets, and an exquisite jade pendant, all of which were won at the lantern riddle guessing booth.
The owner of the lantern riddle stall was about to cry, and bowed to Pei Yan with his palms folded, "My lord, you are very smart, my small stall is not enough for you, you can take your wife to go shopping elsewhere."
Seeing this, Tao Ti couldn't help laughing, pulled Pei Yan's sleeves, and said softly, "Husband, let's go shopping elsewhere."
Pei Yan put away his interest in guessing lantern riddles and nodded slightly, "Okay."
The two continued to stroll forward, after watching a shadow puppet show and a lion dance performance, they happened to come across a candied haws stand.
Seeing that Pei Yan really wanted to buy a whole bundle of candied haws, Tao Ti suddenly remembered the dream she had before, and subconsciously stretched out her hand to cover her cheeks, "Husband, don't buy a whole bundle, there are too many to finish."
Pei Yan paused, lowered his eyes, looked at the little girl with floating eyes, raised his thick eyebrows slightly, "Then how many do you want to buy?"
Tao Ti said, "Well, let's have two, one for you and one for me."
Pei Yan's eyes were full of teasing, "Is it enough for you to eat only one?"
Tao Ti hesitated, "...it seems that it is not enough, then buy three or four?"
Seeing her tangled face, wanting to eat but forcibly controlling her, Pei Yan laughed lowly.
In the end, he still bought a whole bunch of candied haws. Anyway, the candied haws are not easy to spoil in winter.
After walking down the street slowly, Tao Ti's legs felt a little sore from walking, and her stomach started to growl.
Pei Yan took her hand, went to the restaurant along the street, and found a private room.
The elegant room is facing the street, and the carved wooden window is half open. Looking at the street from a height, it is a different kind of bustling and prosperous.
Tao Ti took the menu and ordered a table of dishes, including fried quail with three fresh bamboo shoots, crispy sliced raw tofu with vinegar hoof in wine, white fish cooked in wine, golden belly soup, braised roast chicken, tofu ball soup, and Two big bowls of fragrant daylily noodles.
Seeing that she ordered so many, and that she is a big and wealthy customer, the waiter in the shop became more and more enthusiastic, "We also have excellent Xinfeng wine, Xizhou wine, Shaoxing Nurhong, and the homemade plum blossom wine is also very fragrant and mellow. Can a guest officer come to have a taste?"
When Tao Ti heard "Plum Blossom Brew", her eyes lighted up slightly. She had tasted a lot of flower brewed wine, such as Peach Blossom Brew, Osmanthus Blossom Brew, Xinghua Brew... this plum blossom brew hadn't tasted yet.
She looked at Pei Yan with her watery black eyes, and called softly, "Husband."
The ending sounds a bit soft and coquettish.
Pei Yan glanced at her, seemingly helpless, and said to the waiter, "Bring me a bottle of plum wine."
The shop waiter responded with a smile, stooped out with the menu in hand.
Linglong and Fu Xirui stood guard at the door, and closed the door of the private room very considerately.
With no one else around, Pei Yan tapped the tip of Tao Ti's nose, "You, you have such a poor capacity for drinking, and you still want to drink too much."
Tao Ti thought that she had changed to a mortal body, if it was in her own body, she would not get drunk no matter how much she drank.
She grabbed his finger, smiled and said, "Anyway, with you by my side, it doesn't matter if I'm drunk."
She felt at ease with him.
Pei Yan narrowed his black eyes, stretched out his long arms, grasped the back of Tao Ti's neck, and led her towards him.
For a moment, the distance between the two narrowed. If it wasn't for a table corner between the two of them, Tao Ti would have fallen directly on his chest.
Pei Yan lowered her head, her thin lips raised a slight smile, "Is it okay to be drunk?"
His warm breath brushed her skin vaguely, and Tao Ti's slender eyelashes trembled.
Before she could respond, Pei Yan said in a hoarse voice, "Drunk Ati is more enthusiastic than usual, and I like it very much."
Tao Ti's white and tender ears turned red.
Ah, why is this person so... provocative at the slightest disagreement!
She bit her lip, hammered his chest with her little hand, and said angrily, "Don't talk nonsense."
Pei Yan saw her face flushed, and the smile in her eyes deepened.
He didn't continue teasing her, after all, he hadn't eaten yet and he was still outside, if he teased her hard, and instead drew out his own evil fire, it would be difficult to end.
Not long after, the waiter in the shop brought up the food and wine.
All kinds of delicious dishes were set on the table, and Tao Ti was already hungry, so she picked up the chopsticks and started to eat.
Pei Yan was not in a hurry, picked up the plum wine and poured two glasses.
With slender fingers, he pushed a cup to Tao Ti.
Tao Ti looked at the wine he specially poured, and her cheeks that had just cooled down became hot again.
If he didn't say the ambiguous words, she would definitely drink it directly. But he said that, and when she looked at the wine again, she couldn't help but think about the aspect of "sex after drinking".
It's a shame!
Pei Yan seemed to have forgotten what happened just now, and calmly tasted the fine wine, with the corners of his mouth raised, and praised, "The plum fragrance is elegant, sweet and sweet, and smooth in the throat, it's really good."
Seeing him drinking with gusto, Tao Ti swallowed.
I endured and endured, and finally I couldn't resist the temptation of plum blossom wine, so I picked up the wine glass and tasted it.
After drinking it, the plum fragrance overflowed, as if a tree of snow-white plum blossoms had condensed into drops of this fragrant wine. The tip of the tongue was slightly sweet, and the throat was not spicy at all, which was very suitable for girls to drink.
"Delicious." She said.
Pei Yan smiled, picked up the chopsticks to pick up food for her.
The bright moon is in the sky, drinking and eating food, the atmosphere is harmonious. Suddenly, there was a "boom, boom, boom" sound from the sky.
Tao Ti was slightly stunned, and when she looked up, she saw gorgeous and bright fireworks exploding in the dark sky, the stream of light was flying around, and the stars were dotted like rain and fog, which was too beautiful to behold.
"Wow, there are fireworks!"
She was also 80% full now, so she simply put down her chopsticks and lay down by the window to watch the fireworks.
Between the interlacing of light and shadow, her profile seemed to be glowing with soft light, gentle and beautiful.
Pei Yan also put down the bowl and chopsticks, went to sit beside her, and put his arms around her shoulders.
His embrace was warm and firm, and Tao Ti leaned into his embrace intimately.
In the restaurant, the two cuddled together to watch the fireworks.
At the same time, on the riverside not far away, Qinghe and Xu Guangji set up a wishing river lantern together.
Three days later, Princess Jingyang and her family will return to Longxi.
At the thought of not seeing each other for more than half a year, the two felt very sad, and they had endless things to say to each other.
Compared to them, Xu Wenchan and Mr. Xie who were standing by the bridge were a little embarrassed—
Xu Wenchan: In order for her elder brother and sister-in-law to travel to the Lantern Festival together in a legitimate way, she really paid too much!
Out of the corner of her eye, she caught a glimpse of the handsome young man beside her. She suppressed the nervousness in her heart and lowered her head.
The two were like two pieces of wood, chatting dryly and awkwardly.
Xie Xiaogong, "The Shangyuan Festival in Chang'an is really lively."
Xu Wenchan, "Yes."
Grandpa Xie, "Would you like to release the river lanterns too? I heard that it is very good to make a wish by releasing the river lanterns on the Lantern Festival."
Xu Wenchan, "My wish is to get rich in the New Year. Rather than throwing river lanterns, I would like to ask Arti to launch more new products."
Xie Xiaogong, "..."
Silence, silence is an unknown bridge in Chang'an City tonight.
After a while, Grandpa Xie found another topic, "Look, these fireworks are really exciting."
Xu Wenchan raised his head to look, it was colorful and really beautiful.
When she looked up at the fireworks, Mr. Xie suddenly walked in front of her.
He was tall and just blocked her view of the fireworks.
Xu Wenchan was stunned for a moment, and said sincerely, "...you are blocking me."
Xie Xiaogong was silent for a moment, did not move away, just stared at her, "A Chan, in three days, I will leave Chang'an."
"I know that." Otherwise, her seventh brother has been moaning and moaning at the parents for the past few days.
Xie Xiaogong said, "Maybe if I go back to Longxi this time, I won't go back to Chang'an..."
Xu Wenchan's heart skipped a beat, but he didn't show it on his face, and asked, "Qinghe will marry next year, won't you marry me?"
Xie Xiaogong said, "If my father personally delivers the marriage, then I will stay in Longxi and sit in charge."
Xu Wenchan's eyes flickered slightly, and he forced a smile, "That's it, that...it's pretty good. The Duke personally sent the marriage, which shows that he attaches great importance to this marriage. When he comes to Chang'an, my father You can also buy him a drink... "
"You clearly know that's not what I'm going to say." Young Master Xie frowned and interrupted her.
Xu Wenchan choked.
Xie Xiaogong took a step forward, and she subconsciously took a step back.
"Achan, my intentions are already very obvious, how about you? Don't tell me you really don't like me at all?"
"I..." Xu Wenchan quietly clenched his fists, subconsciously trying to escape.
She couldn't figure it out, really couldn't figure it out.
She doesn't know how to play piano, chess, calligraphy, painting, poetry, wine and tea, and she doesn't have fair skin and long legs. The only thing that can be compared with other noble girls in Chang'an City is her family background.
She really didn't understand why he liked her? I wonder if he's blind, or if he's just making fun of himself.
While her thoughts were chaotic, she thought of Ati's previous encouragement and enlightenment, and took a deep breath. In any case, she asked clearly today—
"My lord, why do you like me?"
Young Master Xie was dazed for a while, then came back to his senses, frowned seriously and said, "If you like it, you like it. Is there a reason?"
"That's natural. There are so many outstanding noble ladies in Chang'an City, all of them are beautiful and tall, they are proficient in all kinds of piano, chess, calligraphy and painting, and they can speak well. Choose them?"
Xu Wenchan didn't want to belittle herself so badly, but she felt that self-knowledge was the most important thing in a person, and she always had to recognize the reality.
Hearing her words, Young Master Xie pondered for a moment, then said softly, "I think you are very good."
The corner of Xu Wenchan's mouth twitched, "Huh?"
Okay, it's a blind man, the identification is complete.
At this time, Young Master Xie also understood Xu Wenchan's worry. It turned out that her avoidance was not because she hated him, but because she felt inferior.
Realizing that she didn't hate him, he breathed a sigh of relief, and immediately said sincerely, "I ask you, why didn't you refuse when Pei Changzhou proposed to you?"
Xu Wenchan, "...?"
Why did the topic jump here
"Isn't he tall and handsome enough? Is he not familiar with poetry, books, rituals, music, riding and shooting? Is he not prominent enough?"
These three consecutive questions confused Xu Wenchan.
Young Master Xie stared at her with scorching eyes, waiting for her answer.
She swallowed, "Although his conditions are good, but he has a wicked heart. He asked me to marry me not out of love, but because of the power of my father and brother."
"What you value is character and sincerity, and that's what I value too."
Xie Xiaogong said calmly, "You are kind by nature, you treat people with sincerity, and you are affectionate and righteous. Although you don't know how to play piano, chess, calligraphy and painting, you are good at riding and shooting, and you are also good at doing business. As for your obsessive appearance..."
Having said that, he paused for a moment and asked doubtfully, "Why do you have to worry about it? I think you are very cute. Which law stipulates that only tender and slender people are called beautiful?"
He felt that Xu Wenchan's eyes were big and bright, and when he looked at people, he was clear and enthusiastic;
And when she smiles, she shows her white teeth, with deep dimples on her cheeks, that smile is like the bright sunshine, shining directly into people's hearts, warm.
This is called laughing. It's not like those noble girls who don't show their teeth when they smile, they have to cover their smiles with handkerchiefs and round fans, and they can't laugh out loud, which is extremely boring.
After listening to Mr. Xie's words, Xu Wenchan was speechless.
She is usually a talkative person, but now she just feels that she can't argue with him, her eyes are straight, as if her soul is out of her body.
Xie Xiaogong said, "Don't avoid me anymore, okay?"
Xu Wenchan grabbed the hem of his clothes and muttered softly, "You're going back to Longxi, and I don't have to avoid it."
Young Master Xie was stunned for a moment, then realized immediately, did she mean to give him a chance
Feeling joy in his heart, he said with a slight smile, "I'm back in Longxi, and we can also exchange letters."
Xu Wenchan secretly breathed a sigh of relief when he saw that he didn't open his mouth to get engaged, but gave each other time to get to know each other slowly.
After the matter of Zhang's reconciliation, she became more cautious about the marriage.
If you marry for the sake of marrying someone, and if you are confused and marry someone who is not human, it is better not to marry in the first place. Wouldn't it be nice to be a little rich woman with a large mansion in a fertile land
She raised her head, met the expectant gaze of Young Master Xie, and nodded, "Okay, then write a letter."
Under the silver moonlight, the two stopped by the bridge, looked up at the dreamlike star-like fireworks in the sky, with faint smiles on their brows and eyes.
...
On the day of Shangyuan Festival, there is no curfew in Chang'an City, so the common people can be lively until dawn.
But Tao Ti and Pei Yan still had to go back to the palace to rest, after all, Pei Yan had to go to court tomorrow morning.
Tao Ti was carried into the carriage by Pei Yan. The plum blossom wine tasted sweet, but had a lot of stamina. She passed out immediately after drinking half a bottle.
She nestled in Pei Yan's arms, Shui Lingling's eyes were half-opened, and she muttered, "Why is this carriage swaying like a boat..."
Pei Yan hugged her from behind and said in a low voice, "It's not the carriage shaking, it's because you're drunk."
"Just kidding, how can I get drunk, I'm not drunk after a thousand cups."
After she finished her big talk with a smile, she supported her head the next second, frowned and said, "I'm so dizzy."
Pei Yan had no choice but to lay her body flat, let her lie in his arms, and gently stroked her temples with his fingers, "You are the one who is greedy, and you are the one who is stubborn."
He massaged her head like this, and she felt much more comfortable, squinting her eyes like a cat.
But her head was comfortable, and the smell of alcohol came up, and she felt hot again, so she stretched out her hand to tear her clothes.
Tao Ti wore a lotus-colored stand-up collar jacket today, and the Ruyi pearl mother-of-pearl buttons on the collar were tightly buttoned one by one, which was not easy to untie.
She messed around a few times, but she couldn't untie it. She became short-tempered, and as soon as she grabbed Pei Yan's hand, she put it on her collar, "Husband, help me, I'm hot."
Feeling the softness of his hands, Pei Yan's eyes darkened.
The person in his arms is still restless, his soft and fragrant body twists and turns, his soft cheeks are flushed with drunkenness, his eyes are misty, he is aggrieved, and he screams hot.
This innocent and flirtatious appearance made him rage wildly.
With patience, he unbuttoned her collared jacket one by one, and stuck his big palm into the skirt. The other hand pinched her small chin, and kissed her thin lips along her eyebrows and eyes all the way to the ear.
Kiss like vines, entangled with each other.
He was breathing more and more heavily.
After finally ending the kiss, Tao Ti felt that she was about to suffocate, and tearfully condemned the man, "You bullied me."
Pei Yan lowered her deep eyes, under her messy clothes, her Adam's apple was rolling up and down.
The hand on her waist increased his strength, a lazy and wanton smile appeared on his clear and handsome face, he bit her red and swollen lips, and said in a hoarse voice, "Gu just wants to bully you."
He bullied her so badly that she cried and begged for mercy.
The little eunuch driving outside the carriage was still young, when he heard the movement from inside, he wondered in his heart: Could it be that a noble lady like the Crown Princess would go crazy when drunk? This is crying and smashing things, the movement is really not small. But His Highness is so gentle and good-tempered, he will definitely comfort the Crown Princess.
About half an hour later, the carriage returned to Yaoguang Palace.
The little eunuch bravely said to the inside, "Your Highness, the Crown Princess, have arrived at Yaoguang Palace."
There was no movement in the carriage, and no one came down.
The little eunuch was surprised, but he didn't dare to urge his master to make trouble in the snow.
Fu Xirui and Linglong walked over, the little eunuch driving the carriage saw them coming, and went forward as if seeing a savior, "Eunuch Fu, sister Linglong."
Fu Xirui glanced at the carriage door that was still closed, and asked the little eunuch in a low voice, "Why haven't your Highness and the Crown Princess got out of the carriage yet?"
The little eunuch shook his head, "The little one has already informed you. Uh, maybe the prince is still comforting the princess. The princess is so drunk that she cried all the way."
Cried all the way
Linglong's eyebrows twitched, and she suddenly understood something.
Seeing Linglong's reaction, Fu Xirui also guessed it, and murmured in his heart: His Highness usually looks calm and reserved, but he never thought that he is also a lustful person.
The three stood outside the carriage and waited quietly.
It didn't take long before the carriage door opened.
Without waiting for them to go forward to help, the prince walked out of the carriage with the princess in his arms.
The princess was tightly wrapped in a cloak, not even a hair was exposed. The prince held her firmly, and went to Yaoguang Hall without saying a word.
Linglong and Fu Xirui looked at each other, looked at the prince's back, and then at the messy carriage—
Both the incense burner and the tables were overturned, a beaded flower was still on the seat, a soft pillow was scattered on the floor, and there was a light white embroidered sock.
All this shows how fierce the battle is along the way.
In the middle of the night, snowflakes floated in the sky again.
In the scented curtain, Pei Yan's brows and eyes were full of laziness.
Suddenly, he raised his hand and caressed Tao Ti's soft and flat belly, and said in a hoarse voice, "It seems that I haven't worked hard enough."
The stomach is still flat.
Tao Ti was extremely tired. Hearing his words, she thought he would come for the third time, her slender legs curled up slightly.
Pei Yan kissed her cheek and comforted her gently, "Hey, I won't do it again today."
Don't worry, they will have a long time to come anyway.
...
The Shangyuan Festival has passed, which means that the Spring Festival is also over.
In the second early court after the Shangyuan Festival, Emperor Zhaokang, who had been ill for a long time, finally came to court.
However, the first thing he did after going to court was to announce a big news to the civil and military officials—
"I am determined to pass on the throne to the crown prince Pei Yan. From now on, all military and state affairs, no matter how big or small, will be executed by the new king. I will abdicate and be called the Supreme Emperor. I will live in Xingqing Palace and will not interfere in government affairs any more."
As soon as the news came out, there was an uproar in the court.
Even Pei Yan himself, looking at Emperor Zhaokang sitting on the dragon chair, had complicated eyes.