White Hedge Dream

Chapter 151 Festival

See Shen Qing? Zhou Jingyun was stunned for a moment and did not answer immediately. Instead, he turned around and got out of bed, took a drink of water, and then turned around and handed it to Zhuang Li.

Zhuang Li reached out and took it out of habit.

But holding the tea cup, Zhou Jingyun did not let go. He looked at her and asked, "Are you A Li?"

Zhuang Li was stunned for a moment, couldn't help but burst into laughter, and immediately understood why Zhou Jingyun asked.

Last night, she had just told her truth frankly that Shen Qing was a very dangerous person to her, but she suddenly woke him up before dawn and said she wanted to see Shen Qing.

Zhou Jingyun was wondering whether she really wanted to see him or...

After hearing so many incredible things, he didn't become confused, but became more cautious.

That's good for her, too.

Zhuang Li stopped laughing and nodded seriously: "I am."

After answering like this, she felt Zhou Jingyun let go of the teacup. She took a sip of tea and motioned for Zhou Jingyun to sit down.

"It's true that I wanted to take a look at Shen Qing. In fact, I specifically went to take a look at Shen Qing yesterday."

Speaking of this, he looked at Zhou Jingyun and smiled.

"I didn't expect to scare the prince, and I didn't succeed."

It turned out that he went there on purpose. Zhou Jingyun breathed a sigh of relief and shook his head: "You are too risky."

Did she find Shen Qing at that time?

She said it, but she didn't seem to say how she found it. Was it through Mrs. Li?

She is really amazing. She has barely left the house since entering Beijing. Faced with the situation that her "husband" cannot be trusted, she can find a way out on her own...

Zhuang Li's voice came to his ears.

"I'm doing it openly and he's doing it secretly. If I don't take risks, I may always suffer secret losses."

Having said this, Zhuang Li reached out and pulled Zhou Jingyun's sleeve again.

"And when I say take a look, I really just take a look. I won't get close, let alone talk."

She went to see him yesterday. Although she was interrupted, one time would naturally lead to a second time. She was not really helpless if he left her, but she was still willing to "act like a baby" with him. Zhou Jingyun pinched his sleeves as he watched. Seeing him looking over, his little hand shook.

Zhou Jingyun nodded: "Okay." He looked at Zhuang Li again, "You know yourself and his abilities better than I do, so be careful in everything."

Zhuang Li smiled happily: "Yes, I love myself."

When she was a child, her father told her that just because others hated her, she should cherish herself more.

Zhou Jingyun said hello.

"It's still early, let's sleep a little longer." Zhuang Li said, a little apologetically.

Because she had something on her mind, she stayed up all night. After figuring out a way, she couldn't help but wake up Zhou Jingyun.

Zhou Jingyun stood up: "It's almost dawn. It's the 15th today and I'm busy at home. I'll go keep an eye on it and find out about Shen Qing's movements." He paused at this point, "After I learned that Shen Qing had intercepted the letter, I Someone was also arranged to keep an eye on him.”

"The prince is also a person who never suffers losses." Zhuang Li said with a smile.

Zhou Jingyun smiled and said, "Would you like to sleep a little longer? You haven't slept all night, right?" After that, without waiting for Zhuang Li's reply, he put down the tent and went out.

Zhuang Li listened to Zhou Jingyun's footsteps on the bed. The maids on night duty were also awakened by the voices in the room and had been standing outside for a long time. They heard Zhou Jingyun telling them, "Young Madam, sleep a little longer and don't disturb her."

The footsteps faded away, the voices disappeared, and silence returned inside and outside.

Zhuang Li looked at the top of the tent quietly for a moment.

In fact, her luck is not too bad.

When Zhuang Li woke up again, it was already broad daylight. When he heard the noise, Chun Yue walked in from outside: "The prince has had dinner in the study outside and went to Madam Hou's place. He told the young madam not to be in a hurry and to be there in time for lunch. That’s it.”

After saying that, he smiled.

Zhuang Li glanced at her: "What are you laughing at?"

Chunyue said: "It's a festival, I'm happy."

The Crown Prince and the Young Madam are back to their original state, but this is just her feeling. The Young Madam and the Crown Prince don't say anything to anyone, let alone her current status.

Zhuang Li naturally saw that Chunyue was not telling the truth, but she would not ask further questions. As long as she was happy, it was a good thing. She raised her hand and grabbed a handful of big money from the box and gave it to Chunyue: "Here, I will make you happier."

Chunyue giggled while holding the money.

Mrs. Dongyang Hou served the festival meal at noon so that the young people and children at home could go to the street to enjoy the lanterns in the evening.

"Take more people with you when you go out. You are not allowed to go near places with a lot of fireworks. You are not allowed to enter restaurants and teahouses to play in Sanqufang..." Mrs. Dongyang Hou repeatedly warned, "Don't go too far away from home. Just enjoy the lanterns in the three nearby streets."

Zhou Jiuniang couldn't help but say: "The lights in Dongshi are the most beautiful."

It's also far from home.

Mrs. Dongyang Hou glanced at her: "If you don't want to go out, go to the attic at home. You can also look at the lights at a high altitude."

Even if she was just standing at the door, she could feel the atmosphere unlike climbing up in the attic. Zhou Jiuniang immediately stopped talking.

Zhou Jingyun coughed lightly at this time: "Mother, A Li and I are going to Dongshi..."

All eyes in the room immediately looked over, especially Zhou Jiuniang. Before she opened her mouth, Zhou Jingyun hurriedly continued.

"The Minister of Rites, Wang Shilang, is hosting a banquet at Wanhua Tower in Dongshi City."

There was no way to follow the banquet, Zhou Jiuniang pouted.

Mrs. Dongyang Hou didn't know what to say, so she looked at him and said, "There are many people during the festival, so don't drink too much and come back early."

Zhou Jingyun responded, and Zhuang Li bowed his head and saluted.

Because there were a lot of preparations to go out for the festival, Mrs. Dongyang Hou sent everyone away.

"...The Crown Prince must have agreed to go to the banquet just to show his sister-in-law the lanterns." Zhou Jiuniang's voice came from outside, "The Crown Prince's brother never went out to banquets during holidays before..."

"How old are you? Just talk about the past. What do you know about the past?" Zhou Jiuniang's concubine scolded her.

The two walked out muttering.

Mrs. Dongyang Hou in the room heard it and pouted to Xu's mother: "He must be taking his wife to watch the lanterns."

Mother Xu tied a colorful rope to a small lantern nearby and said with a smile: "Madam, how old is the prince? Are you still afraid that he will be taken away by a kidnapper or hit and stepped on? You can carry him with you in two years." The child has gone to see the lanterns." Mrs. Dongyang Hou couldn't help but agree. He held up his hand and murmured in the direction of the Buddhist hall: "I don't ask for a man or a woman. If I can have a child this year, my heart will be at ease." After saying this, he looked at Xu's mother, "I sometimes feel like these days are like a dream. Jing Yun suddenly married someone..."

Xu's mother interrupted her with an exclamation: "What do you mean suddenly? It was because the prince had been searching for many years before he finally found the one he liked and married her." As she spoke, she gave her the colorful rope in her hand. "Madam, you are too free during the holidays. Please tie the rope for me, so that you can save yourself the trouble of thinking about other things."

Mrs. Dongyanghou sighed.

Others here speculated on Zhou Jingyun's thoughts. When they returned to the yard, Zhuang Li also asked, "Yes..."

Zhou Jingyun nodded and accepted the words: "Yes, the news has come that Shen Qing is going to General Li's float tonight to cheer for him."

Noble families would set up lanterns in the city and decorate floats to add color to the festival and show their status.

Naturally, General Li's family will not fall behind.

He's really good at it.

He has already been in and out of Princess Jinyu's Mansion, and has frequent contacts with Queen Yang's family. Now he has joined General Li. This Shen Qing is worthy of being Shen Qing. Zhou Jingyun was silent for a moment, then looked at Zhuang Li: "The float will be in the most lively East Market. exhibition "Wanhua Tower faces the street. You can sit by the window and watch the floats, and you can also catch a glimpse of Shen Qing playing music on the floats." He smiled again, "Wanhua Tower does have a banquet for Wang Shilang. I will." Go over and have a toast.”

Zhuang Li nodded: "Thank you, Your Majesty."

Zhou Jingyun shook his head, what's the point of thanking him, and frowned slightly: "Is it safe?"

Zhuang Li smiled: "It's not safe. Nothing in this world is foolproof."

Zhou Jingyun frowned even more, and the next moment he saw Zhuang Li raising his hand and shaking it.

"But I'm prepared."

Her hands were clenched, as if she were holding something.

Zhou Jingyun couldn't help but ask: "What is it?"

Zhuang Li hid his hands behind his back and smiled: "I can't tell you now. Zhou Jingyun won't know until he gets there."

When he gets there, will Zhou Jingyun know at that moment? This sounds weird, but the things between her and Shen Qing are weird. The weirder the better, which shows that she is really prepared.

Zhou Jingyun didn't ask any more questions, just nodded and said hello.

….

….

As night falls, the capital city shines brightly.

Shangguan Yue was leaning against the corner outside the princess's mansion as usual. No one was allowed to approach the princess's mansion before, but now it's different. The princess has put away her slaves and is approachable. These days, there are really many brave people who want to see the strange things. Pass here.

Today, a lotus lantern was set up at the street entrance, which is three stories high and looks like a lotus blooming in the night.

It also attracted countless people to come and watch, with compliments ringing out from time to time.

Some guards stood in front of the lotus lantern, and they were loudly introducing that the lantern was presented to the princess's consort as a filial piety by Shangguan Xiaolangjun.

Shangguan Yue saw that there were more and more people watching, so she stood up straight, wrapped herself in a red cloak, put on her hat, and signaled to Ji Xiang, "Let's go."

Ji Xiang whispered: "Master, are you waiting for the princess's consort to come out?"

Shangguan Yue carefully presented lanterns to the princess. Under the persuasion of the consort, Princess Jinyu finally came out to enjoy the lanterns. Shangguan Yue then expressed her apology and respect to the princess. Then under the gaze of the people, Princess Jinyu recognized her son and became A good story from the Lantern Festival.

From this, Shangguan Yue can follow Princess Jinyu and become a relative of the emperor.

"No need, my presence is still unnecessary." Shangguan Yue said, "It is better to let the princess and the consort love each other deeply. This is the dignity the princess gives to the consort."

Ji Xiang said, this was all agreed upon, and today was just a show for the people. Even if Shangguan Yue was not here, Princess Jinyu would not regret it, so he said nothing more and followed Shangguan Yue to the street. Go.

"Master, do you want to go back to the ship?" Jixiang asked.

On the 15th and 16th festivals, the business of building boats is also closed, so as not to affect the family reunion, and attract less hatred from people, so that business can last long.

Shangguan Yue hummed, lowered her head and walked forward.

"Sir, let's go through the East Market and see the lanterns. The East Market is very lively this year." Jixiang suggested.

Shangguan Yue said hello and walked towards Dongshi as expected, but still lowered her head. From time to time, Ji Xiang called the young master to look at this lamp and the young master to look at the flower cakes sold here. Shangguan Yue would look up, say it looks good, and wave her hand. After shouting to buy, Jixiang soon had his hands full.

But Shangguan Yue kept her head down most of the time, with her hat covering her head and face, walking in the busy city, seemingly isolated from the bustle.

"Young Master, Young Master." Ji Xiang called from behind again.

Shangguan Yue didn't even raise his head: "It looks good." "Buy it."

Ji Xiang lowered his voice behind him, "It looks good, but you can't buy it—it's the Duke of Dongyang and the young lady."

Shangguan Yue's steps suddenly stopped, and she reached out to lift her hat. The street was brightly lit and people were coming and going. She felt dizzy and couldn't see anything for a while.

"Where?" he asked urgently, looking around.

The young master had been in low spirits all night, and Ji Xiang was surprised when he suddenly saw him so energetic. Shopkeeper Cai told him to pay attention to Dongyang Hou Shizi... and the couple. As for why they should pay attention, he didn't say, so when he saw Dongyang Hou Shizi and his wife just now, he couldn't bear it. Just tell the young master.

Looking at it now, Dongyang Hou Shizi and his wife are indeed very important to the young master?

Seeing that the young master was about to look for him in a nearby shop, Jixiang quickly stopped him with his arm: "Up above, above."

Above?

Shangguan Yue raised her head and recognized Wanhua Tower in front of her.

At this time, the Wanhua Tower was decorated with countless lanterns, like thousands of flowers blooming, which almost blinded the eyes, but the next moment, the face of Prince Dongyang appeared among the thousands of flowers.

He stood by the window, looking at something in the distance, and then lowered his head and spoke to the woman sitting by the window next to him.

The woman sitting by the window raised her head, leaned out slightly, put her hands on the window, and looked into the distance.

She was wearing an apricot-yellow skirt with colorful ribbons on her arms. As the night wind fluttered, the lanterns around her flowed with it, as if they were alive.

Her hair is high, her face is like white jade, and her eyes are shining.

Shangguan Yue seemed stunned: "Who is she?"

Ji Xiang squinted his eyes beside him, with a silly smile on his lips: "She is sitting next to Dongyang Hou Shizi, so she is naturally the Dongyang Hou Shizi's wife."

The woman by the window seemed to have heard it. She lowered her eyes to the street with a slight smile on her lips.

Shangguan Yue felt her ears buzzing, and at the same time, there was noise in the street.

"The float is coming—"

Shangguan Yue looked forward, the soldiers and guards opened the way, the crowd on the street got out of the way, and a float came slowly.

This float is modeled after a peony flower, with its stamens made into a high platform on which a woman is swaying and dancing. A man is sitting on the shaft, bowing his head and playing the piano.

The sound of the piano seemed to fall from the sky, penetrating the hustle and bustle of the street and falling into everyone's ears.