Chapter 250
All the people were respectfully kneeling for a long time.
In the midst of the shouting, the emperor and his entourage soon ascended to the high platform and sat down on the seats that had been prepared.
Grand eunuch Zhou Xin passed on the emperor’s words to make the people rise, and said some words of “weal and woe” and “happiness with the people”, and then, the Lantern Festival officially began.
A trail of fireworks from the ground scurries up, lighting up the dark night sky with purple and red.
As the people cheered and applauded, Qin Jiu watched with rapt attention.
The royal fireworks were really a masterpiece, almost every firework was without repetition and Qin Jiu was dazzled by the sight as she secretly praised these ancient fireworks over the modern pattern.
After her little face was tilted up, it was never lowered, illuminating her little face with the lights and fireworks all around her.
A while later, a young servant who serves the emperor’s palace came and leaned over Qin Jiu, he said, “Third Young Miss Qin, empress dowager asks you to come over.”
Qin Jiu stood up somewhat reluctantly, “I have troubled eunuch.”
The young eunuch also knew that Empress Dowager Liu liked Qin Jiu, and was as polite as could be: “Third Young Miss Qin is very polite, this way please.”
The young eunuch walked in front to lead Qin Jiu.
Empress Liu’s side was very lively, the Princesses and Princes were sitting around her like stars and moons, making Empress Dowager Liu happy beyond words.
Third Princess Changning and Princess Yingluo were also there.
Qin Jiu hadn’t seen these two for a month and a half, and her gaze fell with interest on Changning’s face, trying to see where she was actually hurt.
However, based on what Qin Jiu saw, the left side of Changning’s face was fair and delicate, looking clean and with no blemish.
When Qin Jiu arrived, Empress Dowager Liu was obviously in a good mood as could be heard in her voice, she said to the princesses.
“…Changning, Yingluo, arguing and squabbling are only natural, but you two are cousins you need to distinguish when to stop and not take things too seriously.”
With these words, Empress Dowager Liu patted Yingluo’s hand admonishingly.
“Yingluo, you are so violent, you have to change your temper in the future. Don’t be so impulsive. Fortunately, Changning just hurt her forehead and can cover it with bangs. Think about how important a girl’s face is!”
Empress Dowager Liu looked at the pair of cousins with complicated looked in her eyes.
Changning was weak from childhood and often fell ill so, among several princesses, Empress Dowager Liu inevitably favored her a little bit. Different could be said for Yingluo, but she saw her grow, this little girl would often visit her palace to greet her and Empress Dowager Liu also liked her.
As the saying goes, the palm and the back of the hand were all meat.
For Empress Dowager Liu, Changning and Yingluo were both her granddaughters.
Yingluo’s lips tightly closed in a straight line and didn’t speak.
A month and a half has obviously passed but Yinglou’s heart was still very aggrieved every time she thought about it.
She has never been so aggravated in all her life. It’s obvious that Changning destroyed her own face, but even her father and brother don’t believe her!
Changning smiled gently, “Imperial grandmother, don’t worry, this granddaughter will not be at ease….”
Yingluo’s face was even worse as she listened but couldn’t retort and could only purse her lips and said nothing.
Empress Dowager Liu could also see that Yinglou was still a little dissatisfied when she happened to see Qin Jiu coming from the corner of her eyes and sighed.
“Look at Xiao Jiu, she has a calm temperament, you two should learn from her.”
And so, the eyes Changning and Yingluo looked at Qin Jiu in unison, both of them with extremely complicated looked, and what they had in common was that they were both hostile.
Changning’s soon calmed down, smiling warmly, and the curved on her lips looked conniving but looked perfect outside.
Qin Jiu: “…”
Empress Dowager Liu was oblivious to this and smiled as she beckoned to Qin Jiu, “Xiao Jiu, come here quickly.”
Qin Jiu walked up to Empress Dowager Liu under the burning gaze of the pair of cousins until Qin Jiu together with Yun Jiao who was with her both saluted.
Qin Jiu said with a smile, “It’s all because Empress Dowager has taught us well. Empress Aunt often says that Empress Dowager would always say girls should be dignified and quiet, steady and generous, and remain calm in the face of events.”
Empress Dowager Liu nodded frequently and her smile deepened, “That’s how a girl from our family should be!”
With the corner of her mouth twitching, Yinglou endured but couldn’t help herself and said, “So it’s now called prim when you whip people? Your talking lies with your eyes open!”
Empress Dowager Liu frowned slightly and said, “Yingluo, you are of marriage age but you still talk loudly. Xiao Jiu is younger than you but she already has principles, while you don’t know how to accept defeat and learn from it!”
At this time, the fireworks outside finally stopped and a green-robed eunuch came to report that the dragon lantern dance was to be performed next.
Empress Dowager Liu ushered Qin Jiu to sit down.
Immediately after, a long dragon lantern in a burst of rhythmic drums appeared. The dancers of the dragon lantern had extraordinary skills, they were flipping on a high platform as if it was nothing, and they would also sometimes spin while playing the ball…
Everyone stared in awe while applauding from time to time, which hurt Qin Jiu’s palm.
“Actually, you know all about it…”
Suddenly, Qin Jiu heard Changning’s familiar voice and made the corner of her eye twitch, and then noticed that Changning had sat beside her at some point.
Qin Jiu tilted her little head and looked at Changning with a puzzled expression, “Why did Your Highness say that?”
Changning: “…”
She knew everything that had happened at Bibo Pavilion that day, and after thinking about it, she finally understood.
Qin Jiu clearly knew from the beginning that she was scheming for her and taking advantage of the situation for her own benefit yet she got herself into the trap instead.
Changning’s dark willow eyes swept a fine light clutching the handkerchief.
Sure enough, Qin Jiu this wild girl from the countryside who just recently entered the high society in just a few months already gained a firm foothold in the capital. Up to now, not only did Emperor and Empress Dowager favors her, but she was now also engaged to Duan Wangfu. How could she be so stupid!
Changning’s feelings about Qin Jiu were extremely complicated, she could never say that she liked her, or hated her, nor could she say that she had never felt resentment.
But this time, she has already figured out the advantages and disadvantages. She doesn’t need to be the enemy of Qin Jiu, and offending her would not do her any good!
Her eyes flickered slightly as she whispered, “Third Young Miss Qin, I have no enmity against you, it’s all because Yingluo wanted to sit on the mountain and watch the tiger fight*.”
(*watch in safety whilst others fight then reap the rewards when both sides are exhausted)
With that said, Changning picked up the teacup and handed it to Qin Jiu.
“This cup, please consider this as my amends to young miss!”
What she means was that from now on, they would let go of the past and forget their grievances with a smile!
Qin Jiu had a faint smile plastered on her face but did not bother to take this cup of tea.
Changning’s long curly eyelashes trembled like frightened butterflies and said timidly, “Sister Jiu, are you unwilling to forgive me?”
Her delicate appearance was like a small white flower in the wind, soft and frail, looking as if the wind could blow her away causing goosebumps all over Qin Jiu’s body.
Just then, a commotion came from the southwest, and the seats there was a complete mess.
Qin Jiu subconsciously looked at where the sound came from.
That was where Duan Wangfu’s seat was.
Empress Dowager Liu naturally noticed and ordered her personal servant to check the situation.
The servant hurried away and came again, panting, bowing he said. “Empress Dowager, Duan Wang Fei fainted!”
Qin Jiu’s eyes flickered slightly when she heard this.
***
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