Farewell Flower Festival

The servant boy in white bowed to Chaoyan, then turned around and walked forward carrying the palace lantern.

Chao Yan looked around and followed. She followed the white-clothed servant into Heng Garden, and as soon as she entered, her eyes were attracted by the lake in front of her.

The lake reflects the bright moon like a mirror, as if the entire night sky is embedded in it, making it difficult to tell whether it is on the ground or in the sky.

After coming to her senses, Chao Yan found that the white-clothed servant did not go far, but stood there waiting for her with a palace lantern. After Chao Yan came over, the white-clothed servant led her to continue walking forward.

There was a dim light in front of her. When Chaoyan got closer, she found that it was another glazed palace lantern, held by another servant in white. The soft light shone on the white hair and white clothes. Chaoyan was a little stunned.

The person in front of me had an otherworldly face, and it was hard to tell whether he was male or female. His expression was calm and as cold as an immortal.

Is this priest so outstanding in appearance? ...

"Please take a seat, Princess." The voice was calm and magnetic, flowing slowly like a tranquil stream of water.

Yu Chen sat on a futon behind a table with an ancient zither on it. After Chao Yan sat down on the futon opposite him, she was a little afraid to look directly at that extraordinary face, and asked a little stiffly, "Are you Lord Yu Chen?"

Yu Chen nodded and asked, "Does the princess have any worries?"

Chaoyan was slightly stunned. She didn't know how the high priest could see that. Could it be that he figured it out through divination?

The soft light of the palace lanterns shone on the moonlight reflected in the lake, interweaving a tranquil and soothing atmosphere that made Chao Yan feel relaxed. The unique, tranquil and magnetic voice of the other person when he spoke also made her feel relaxed.

"What song did you play just now, sir?" Chao Yan asked.

Yu Chen replied, "Just do it as you like. What do you think, Princess?"

Chaoyan pondered for a moment and turned to look at the lake. "Listening to the adults' music is like looking at the lake in front of me. It makes people feel very peaceful." She stared at the calm mirror-like surface of the lake, which was so clear and flawless that it seemed to reflect her inner heart.

"Princess, if you have any troubles, please tell me. Perhaps I can help." Yu Chen said.

Chaoyan was a little surprised and felt that this high priest was really approachable and considerate. She thought for a moment and told him that Emperor Mu had given her two days to come up with a plan.

After hearing this, Yu Chen took out a bamboo scroll from his sleeve and handed it to Chao Yan, "This should be able to help the princess."

Chaoyan was a little surprised again, thinking that this high priest could possibly predict the future?

When she opened the bamboo slips and read them, Yu Chen said, "Please keep this a secret, Princess."

Chao Yan felt that the bamboo slips in her hand were a little hot, but this high priest looked so otherworldly that he would not use such despicable means to harm others. However, it would be better to ask for clarification.

"Is this written by an adult?"

"Gifted from a friend."

Seeing that the high priest responded so frankly, Chaoyan felt that she had been judging him by her own standards. She thanked him and Yu Chen nodded in return.

After saying goodbye, the servant boy in white once again carried the glazed palace lantern to see Chao Yan off.

The soft light of the palace lantern gradually turned into a blurry ball and slowly moved towards the door.

Yin Lin stood in the shadow of the corridor and watched the slowly moving blurry light until it disappeared behind the door.

After coming back, Chaoyan asked Liu'er and Dong'er to go to bed first while she wanted to read a book.

It was already past the second watch, but Chao Yan was still reading by lamplight.

The night was getting colder. Chao Yan rubbed his hands, wrapped his cloak tightly around himself, and turned off the lights and went to bed at almost three o'clock in the morning.

After breakfast the next day, Chao Yan studied hard alone behind closed doors, continuing to research the bamboo slips.

The wording and sentence structure above were somewhat obscure and difficult to understand, and she had to ponder over them again and again before she could sort out the meaning.

She didn't know yet that there were new rumors out there.

The emperor summoned her into the palace this time to arrange a marriage between her and the Second Prince Mu Tianqi. Concubine Yin sent all her dowry to Prince Xiaoyao's Palace.

When such a well-founded rumor reached Mu Tianling's ears, he could no longer remain as calm as usual. He believed Chao Yan, but could not control himself from thinking about the worst outcome. She was betrothed to Mu Tianqi. This thought entangled him like a wildly growing vine, getting tighter and tighter, as if to take away all his reason and judgment.

Qian Feng persuaded him that these were all rumors and asked him not to believe them easily. But Mu Tianling did not want to sit and wait for death. Instead of waiting and doing nothing, he might as well give it a try. If he really waited until the imperial decree of marriage came down and he did nothing, he would never forgive himself!

……

Emperor Mu was reviewing memorials in the imperial study. Eunuch An came over and reported to Eunuch De, who then came over and reported to Emperor Mu, saying that the Fourth Prince requested a meeting.

Emperor Mu paused for a moment while reviewing the memorials and said, "I am busy. Let him go back first."

Eunuch De agreed, and then came out and said to Mu Tianling, "The emperor is busy with official duties today, Your Highness, please go back first." Mu Tianling said, "I will not leave until I see my father today, please go and tell him again."

Eunuch De came back and reported: "Your Majesty, the Fourth Prince has an urgent matter and wants to see Your Majesty. Your Majesty should see him." Emperor Mu said, "Then let him wait until I am done with my work."

Eunuch De came out again and said to Mu Tianling, "Your Highness, please sit down for a while. The Emperor will see you when he is done with his work."

Mu Tianling sat in the tea room waiting for the whole morning. Eunuch An came over and advised him, "The Emperor has gone to the Imperial Concubine's place for dinner. Your Highness, why don't you go back first today?" Mu Tianling said, "I'll wait a little longer." Eunuch An didn't know what to say anymore and left first.

Then Eunuch An came to Chaoyan's residence and was seen by Liu'er.

Liu'er came over to pay her respects. Eunuch An came to see Princess Chaoyan. Liu'er went into the house to report first, then came out and led Eunuch An in.

Chaoyan was eating, and Eunuch An said he would come back later. Chaoyan asked Liu'er and Dong'er to go down first and asked if the emperor wanted to see her.

Eunuch An said, "I came to see the princess because I want to ask her for help." Chao Yan asked what it was. Eunuch An said, "I know that the princess and the Fourth Prince have a good relationship. Can the princess go and persuade the Fourth Prince?"

Chao Yan was a little confused. This question was out of context. "Your Highness has entered the palace?"

Eunuch An replied, "The Emperor is very busy with official duties today and cannot spare the time to see Your Highness. Your Highness has been waiting for the entire morning. I am afraid that he will not leave until he sees the Emperor today. The Princess and I will go and persuade Your Highness."

Chao Yan thought this couldn’t be a trick...

"Your Highness must have something urgent to discuss with the Emperor. How about you go and persuade the Emperor to make time to see Your Highness?"

After hearing what Chaoyan said, Eunuch An tactfully took his leave.

After Eunuch An left, Chaoyan was worried about Mu Tianling. What if Eunuch An had good intentions? After thinking it over, she decided to sneak over and take a look.