Reborn Princess

On the last day of the eighth year of Yongzhen, Shen Xilan specially wore the twin white magnolia hairpin given to her by Zhou Cechen, which looked very beautiful in her hair.

Zhou Cechen had given Shen Lilan many things in his daily life, including hairpins, neck and wrist ornaments. As long as he thought it was beautiful, it would definitely appear in Shen Lilan's jewelry box.

"You are going to the palace today, so you have to dress formally." Lu Nong said as she was combing Shen Xilan's makeup.

Shen Yanlan smiled and said, "Just dress as you normally would when entering the palace."

Liu Chun picked out a lavender-colored wide-sleeved shirt for Shen Xilan. The peacock pattern embroidered on it was made by the Suzhou Weaving House using peacock feathers, and it looked lifelike on the hem of the shirt.

Chao Yun also brought a set of silver-burned blue hairpins inlaid with gemstones and pearls. "My lady, the peacock pattern on this headpiece is the best match for your clothes today."

Shen Yanlan took a look and nodded, "Just take it."

Several personal maids were busy dressing Shen Xilan up to look dignified and beautiful.

Shen Yanlan looked at himself in the bronze mirror in a daze.

"The hair is loosely tied up, and the makeup is lightly done."

Shen Lilan looked at Zhou Cechen in the bronze mirror, and Zhou Cechen walked towards Shen Lilan.

"Xia Zi Yue Yun." He said while looking at Shen Li Lan's face.

Shen Xilan lowered her eyes. She had applied lipstick but had not yet used the lip gloss paper. She picked up the red lip gloss paper but it was snatched away by Zhou Cechen.

"I will serve the princess."

Zhou Cechen held it to Shen Lilan's mouth, and Shen Lilan pursed it and then let go.

Zhou Cechen gently pinched Shen Lilan's chin, pressed the lip gloss paper on her lips, and applied it carefully. His movements were gentle and his eyes were focused, as if he was treating a precious work of art.

"It's beautiful," he said.

Shen Yanlan smiled at him with curved lips.

"Jinzhi, this is our first year together."

……

In the Qingyuan Hall, stringed instruments and orchestral music intertwined.

Zhou Hengyan and Empress Cao Shuyi entered the hall, and everyone kowtowed.

Shen Lilan looked at Cao Shuyi. The queen's appearance was not something that ordinary people could look up to.

"No need to be polite. This is a family banquet. No need to worry about etiquette."

After everyone sat down, the Crown Prince and the Crown Princess wished the Emperor and the Empress a happy new year. Then the Second Prince, the Third Prince, the Fourth Princess, and the Fifth Prince all wished the Emperor and the Empress a happy new year.

The fifth prince is Cao Shuyi's youngest son. He is only six years old. He usually goes to school. Today, during the New Year, he has time to attend the banquet.

"I wish my father, the emperor and my mother good health and happiness, and may everything go well for them."

Looking at Zhou Qi Ze saying New Year greetings in the hall with a serious look on his face, everyone in the hall was looking at him with a smile.

Eunuch Chang beside the emperor was holding red envelopes wrapped in red paper and distributing them one by one, even Zhou Cechen and Shen Lilan got one.

Zhou Chao looked at the red envelope and lightly scolded, "It's just a child's toy."

Zhou Jingmo sat next to him and said with a smile: "During the New Year, I can receive red envelopes from my father like a child, so I am naturally happy."

The Crown Prince and the Crown Princess came to wish the two uncles a happy new year. For a while, the palace was filled with clinking glasses, pleasant music, and a harmonious atmosphere.

Shen Xilan looked at this scene. It should have been a similar scene in her previous life, but she claimed to be sick and did not go. Thinking of this, she turned her head to look at Zhou Cechen, and he was also looking at her.

In fact, such banquets are the most boring, but he has to come because of his status. In the past, he always sat in this cold seat and drank alone, which must have made him lonely.

Zhou Cechen was peeling a crab for Shen Lilan. He patiently peeled the crab bit by bit, picked out the meat and put it in a small plate, then brought it to Shen Lilan.

"Eat," he said.

Shen Yanlan smiled and scooped a spoonful and handed it to Zhou Cechen's mouth, "Try it first."

This scene was watched by many people. It was the first time that they saw the cold Zhou Cechen treat a woman so delicately, and everyone watched with great interest.

However, Zhou Chao found this scene particularly glaring. He stared at the two people's actions and drank the wine in front of him.

Zhou Jingmo, who was standing beside him, was looking at the two of them with a smile, but his hands were clenched into fists under his wide sleeves.

Zhou Qi Ze sat next to Zhou Huaining, peeling crabs with a frown on his face. Zhou Huaining teased and wanted to reach out to peel it for him, but Zhou Qi Ze dodged.

"A gentleman should provide for himself." The little baby voice was extremely serious.

This sentence amused Zhou Huaining, "Is this what you learned recently?" she asked.

"This sentence comes from Wenzi Shangde, which Mr. Pei taught me two days ago."

Zhou Huaining pinched Zhou Qi Ze's little face and said, "You are a little devil."

Zhou Qi Ze frowned and slapped Zhou Huaining's hand away, "Fourth sister, please be careful with your words and actions."

Shen Lilan was amused by the little Zhou Qi Ze, it was really funny.

"My Lords, on the first day of the first year, the whole nation celebrates, harmony brings prosperity, and a good harvest is auspicious. Tonight, I have specially set up auspicious lanterns for everyone to enjoy together."

At this time, Zhou Hengyan stood up, raised the wine cup and drank it all in one gulp. Seeing this, everyone stood up and drank the wine in the glass. Zhou Qi Ze drank the grape juice prepared for him by the nanny.

After saying that, Zhou Hengyan took Cao Shuyi's hand and said, "Let's go and take a look?"

Cao Shuyi nodded and followed Zhou Hengyan out of the hall, and everyone in the hall also followed the emperor and empress.

Walking to the observation deck in front of the temple gate, everyone looked up and saw the night sky lit up by countless sky lanterns, as if a brilliant starry sky had fallen to the earth.

In this sea of ​​lights, there is a particularly eye-catching Kongming lantern. Its color is particularly bright, with a phoenix with its wings spread and words next to it.

"Since I am willing to show preference to one person, I am willing to spend the rest of my life being generous."

The Crown Princess read out the words word by word. Cao Shuyi stared at the Kongming lantern in shock for a moment.

"Do you like it?" Zhou Hengyan asked her.

Cao Shuyi nodded and saluted, "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your grace."

"Why bother saying thank you between you and me?" Zhou Hengyan said as he helped Cao Shuyi up.

Seeing this, Zhou Tangyue smiled and said, "My brother is the one who favors my sister-in-law the most. This kind of surprise is unique in the palace."

Everyone in the palace knew that Cao Shuyi was Zhou Hengyan's favorite. At a banquet like this, only the Empress of the Central Palace could attend. If the Empress claimed to be ill, even the favorite concubine had no right to attend.

This is the rule of Zhou Hengyan.

Shen Xilan looked at Cao Shuyi and Zhou Hengyan holding hands, and she smiled knowingly.

Zhou Cechen held Shen Lilan in his arms, held her hand, and looked at the lights in the sky.

"Making a wish to a Kongming lantern is very effective." Zhou Huaining clasped his hands together and made a wish devoutly.

When the others saw this, they didn't care whether it was true or false, they all put their hands together and prayed devoutly.

"May the rivers and seas be clear, and the years be peaceful and prosperous."

"The spring is glorious and the country is on the rise."

"Peace reigns over the world, and the phoenix leads its nine chicks."

……

For a time, wishes for the country came one after another.

The sky full of Kongming lanterns, like twinkling pearls, decorated the whole night like a dream. It not only brought visual enjoyment to everyone, but also made everyone present feel the strong flavor of the New Year.

In the peaceful atmosphere, a palace maid came hurriedly and knelt down: "Your Majesty, something bad has happened. Concubine Yang is bleeding heavily."