nashuaworldcup Chapter 245 Longevity Lock
Chapter 245 Longevity Lock
Zhen Huan's departure was like a stone thrown into a calm lake, causing ripples. When the ripples dissipated, everything returned to silence.
An imperial decree, "No one in the harem is allowed to mention this person again," silenced everyone. Thus, Zhen Huan, the most favored concubine in the harem, was wiped out in an instant.
The palace servants no longer whispered about her as they walked. The voices of envy, jealousy, and gossip had now disappeared without a trace. Her name was no longer mentioned in the gatherings and conversations in the various palaces. All the topics and speculations that once revolved around her disappeared with her departure, as if she had never existed in this harem.
The magnificent and bustling Suiyuxuan was also locked up. Once a place brimming with life and warmth, its doors were now sealed, its vermilion paint gradually losing its luster under the erosion of time. Peering through the crack in the door, I saw only weeds and fallen leaves covering the courtyard. The former prosperity was gone, leaving only an empty, inexplicably melancholic silence.
The days go by one after another.
The weather is getting colder, and the world is covered in silver. The earth is covered with thick snow, as if covered by a soft quilt. All things sleep in the cold, the trees shed their gorgeous clothes, the mountains and rivers have restrained their former sharpness, and the rivers have stopped their rushing pace. Everything has become quiet and peaceful.
New Year's Eve arrived in the blink of an eye. Within the palace walls, lights and colorful decorations were hung everywhere. The exquisite palace lanterns illuminated the entire Forbidden City as bright as day. The vermilion palace walls, illuminated by the lights, appeared even more solemn and mysterious.
The concubines dressed in gorgeous clothes and wore dazzling pearls and jade on their heads, and carefully decorated themselves in order to win the emperor's favor and good luck in the coming year.
A stage was erected beside Taiye Lake, where graceful dancers nervously prepared for their performance. The melodious sounds of stringed instruments wafted through the air, adding a touch of liveliness and warmth to the chilly winter day. As night fell, fireworks exploded across the Forbidden City, a dazzling display of colors and a dreamlike atmosphere, enveloping the entire palace in a joyous and peaceful atmosphere.
After New Year’s Eve, the weather gradually becomes warmer.
In spring, the earth resembles a palette overturned by a carefree painter, its vibrant colors flowing freely. Wildflowers sway gently in the wind, their graceful forms whispering the secrets of spring. Swallows dart among the willows, their nimble figures slicing through the curtain of spring.
In the height of spring, An Lingrong celebrated her nineteenth birthday.
When An Lingrong woke up, all the servants in Yonghe Palace had changed into new clothes and knelt before her: "I wish your Majesty peace, health, and a long life."
"Everyone, get up! There will be a reward later!"
After a while, Shen Meizhuang came over with a bowl of steaming hot noodles. These were the longevity noodles she had made early in the morning by kneading the dough and selecting the vegetables herself.
"Rong'er, happy birthday!"
"Thank you sister!"
After saying these two sentences, the two fell into silence. Although they were both thinking of the same person, neither of them wanted to mention it.
The crabapple tree in the courtyard stands quietly, its lush branches and leaves verdant, pink and white flowers hanging in clusters on the branches, the petals delicate and tender, the breeze blows, the flowers tremble slightly, and the faint fragrance of the flowers drifts away, lingering in the entire courtyard for a long time, unwilling to leave.
At dinner time, Feng Ruozhao came to Yonghe Palace.
At this time, she was more than four months pregnant, her belly was slightly bulging, and her whole body exuded the radiance of motherhood.
Seeing the two people's somewhat sad expressions, she sighed secretly and had to ease the atmosphere herself: "Okay, today is Sister Wen's birthday, let's all be happy! Sister, I prepared a gift for you."
An Lingrong became interested: "What gift? Isn't it another IOU?"
Hearing her words, Shen Meizhuang burst out laughing!
"Oh my god, how could I bear to give you your IOU!" Feng Ruozhao said coquettishly and waved behind her.
Hanzhu immediately stepped forward and placed the box on the small table.
Feng Ruozhao gently opened it, revealing a glittering longevity lock. "I know you don't like hairpins and jewelry, so I asked the Imperial Household Department to make a longevity lock for you. I hope you'll be safe and healthy in the future!"
For the frail An Lingrong, this was indeed a very thoughtful gift!
Feng Ruozhao's voice was gentle, his eyes full of concern and blessings. He personally picked up the longevity lock and carefully put it around An Lingrong's neck.
The heavy weight made An Lingrong's neck sink, and she couldn't help but bend down. "So heavy?"
"Yes, I know you like gold, so I hit you harder!"
"How much?"
"Ninety-nine taels, representing a long and lasting time!"
Over six catties (one catty in the Qing Dynasty was equal to sixteen taels)! An Lingrong was speechless for a moment, her eyes widening as she said with a hint of exaggeration and complaint in her tone, "Sister Jingfei, wearing this thing for even an hour, let alone a whole day, would bend my waist!"
Feng Ruozhao smiled and said, "I didn't ask you to wear it all the time. It's the same if you hang it on the headboard!"
An Lingrong took off the longevity locket and placed it on the table, stroking it carefully: "Sister Jingfei, your gift is too precious, how can I dare to accept it!"
"Don't say that. I've always wanted to thank you but felt it was too awkward, so I took this opportunity on your birthday. If it weren't for you, I would never have been able to get pregnant in my life. I don't know how to thank you, so I can only use these yellow and white things to express my feelings." Feng Ruozhao stroked her belly, her eyes full of sincerity.
Every time she thought about being pregnant, she felt it was unreal. Only when she touched her belly could she truly feel that there was a little life growing vigorously in her belly.
She didn't know what method An Lingrong used to heal her body, which had been poisoned by Huan Yi Xiang, and make her pregnant again, but it didn't matter. From the moment she became pregnant, her fate was tied to Shen Meizhuang and An Lingrong!
An Lingrong raised her head and smiled brightly. "In that case, I'll accept it this time. But please don't give me such expensive gifts in the future. The friendship between us sisters doesn't need to be measured by these material things."
"Okay, listen to you!"
Shen Meizhuang also joked, "Sister, this gift really touches Rong'er's heart. She loves gold the most!"
Feng Ruozhao picked up the wine jug and poured her a glass of wine, then said, "Thank you for your reminder, sister!"
"Come on, take me with you!" An Lingrong hurriedly handed over the wine glass.
"You are the birthday boy today, so naturally this first toast should be to you!"
For a moment, the atmosphere in the room relaxed a lot. Just as they were about to start eating, they heard Su Peisheng's voice outside the hall: "The emperor has arrived!"
The smiles on the three people's faces froze in an instant.