Reborn into the palace, she seduces the emperor's heart, driving the chief minister to madness!

Chapter 244 Lantern Festival Chapter

As dusk settled over the palace walls, Pei Yuanling finally put down his vermilion brush.

The two changed their clothes and left the palace with several attendants.

Daqing had long since lifted the curfew, so the capital was exceptionally lively on the night of the Lantern Festival.

The Zhuque Long Street was already ablaze with starlight, its jade pots gleaming, and jeweled carriages and fine horses were everywhere. Young masters from noble families came and went in an endless stream, and there were many lantern vendors on the street, their cries rising and falling, creating a lively and bustling atmosphere.

Chu Qingyin sat in the carriage, looking at the lively scene outside through the crack in the window, but she had no interest in sightseeing at all. Her palms were sweaty, and she secretly prayed that everything would go smoothly.

Pei Yuanling sat opposite her and, seeing her lack of interest, assumed she didn't like it. So he pulled her into his arms and asked softly, "What's wrong? You finally left the palace, why are you still unhappy?"

Chu Qingyin's brow twitched slightly, then she lowered her long eyelashes, seemingly saddened, and said, "It's just that I used to think that at this time of year, we would all go back to the Duke's mansion for a reunion dinner. Now, however, I can't go back to my former status, so I can't help but feel a little sad. Your Majesty need not worry."

Pei Yuanling lowered his eyes to look at the jeweled hair ornaments on the person in front of him and said softly, "If your brother hadn't returned to his hometown in Jiangnan, I could have taken you back to the Duke's Mansion for a reunion dinner right now."

Chu Qingyin was taken aback upon hearing this.

Looking at the serious expression on the man's face, I suddenly felt a tremor in my heart.

For some reason, she was a little afraid to look him in the eye.

"Your Majesty's kindness is enough for me."

Chu Qingyin nestled in his arms as if relying on him, and the carriage moved slowly along the bluestone slabs.

After walking for about fifteen minutes, a guard's voice came from outside: "Master, we have arrived at the entrance to the lantern market."

Pei Yuanling gave a faint "hmm".

Chu Qingyin straightened up, lifted a corner of the carriage curtain, looked at the crowds coming and going outside the carriage, and showed a bright smile: "Your Majesty, let's get off the carriage and take a stroll. I would like to see the dragon lantern dance up close."

Pei Yuanling was slightly taken aback, but looking at the expectation in Chu Qingyin's eyes, he finally softened and nodded: "Okay, I'll do as you say."

Before long, the two got off the carriage.

The attendants in plain clothes followed at a distance.

The night market was brightly lit, and Chu Qingyin was infected by the lively scene before her, and a smile gradually appeared on her face.

The two walked through the crowd, and Pei Yuanling even bought her a beautiful lantern.

Chu Qingyin, carrying the exquisitely crafted crab lantern, was as happy as a child, and even tiptoed to give him a light peck on the ear: "Thank you, Your Majesty."

Seeing her so happy, Pei Yuanling's lips also curled up slightly.

Not far away, a dragon lantern dance troupe came in a grand procession, and cheers rang out from the crowd.

Chu Qingyin pulled Pei Yuanling to the front, her eyes glued to the graceful dragon dancing in the night. The colorful lights illuminated her face, making her exceptionally beautiful.

"Husband! Look!"

Chu Qingyin held the exquisite crab lantern in her hand. The light blue lantern paper, illuminated by the firelight, looked ethereal and lifelike.

Hearing her call him "husband," Pei Yuanling's heartstrings trembled for a moment, and his expression softened instantly. "I'm glad my wife likes it."

After watching the dragon lantern dance, the two strolled down the lantern festival grounds like any ordinary couple.

Before they knew it, the two had arrived at a long corridor covered with riddles.

Colorful strips of paper covered with riddles fluttered gently in the breeze.

Chu Qingyin's eyes lit up, and she pulled him quickly to a riddle, reciting: "A thing is born strong, busy weaving a web every day. After finishing weaving, it sits quietly, waiting for mosquitoes to bump into it. Husband, guess what this is."

She tilted her head, her eyes full of anticipation, looking charming and adorable.

Pei Yuanling pondered for a moment, then smiled slightly: "This is no problem for you. The answer is a spider, isn't it?"

Chu Qingyin clapped her hands with a smile: "My husband is amazing! Now let's look at this one."

She then pointed to another note: "A knife, floating downstream, with eyes, but no eyebrows."

Pei Yuanling feigned distress and stroked his chin: "It's a fish."

"You got it right!"

Chu Qingyin smiled, her eyes crinkling, and pulled Pei Yuanling forward.

After solving one riddle after another, Chu Qingyin seemed to have put all her past worries behind her and was only enjoying this last beautiful moment with Pei Yuanling.

But good times are always fleeting.

Chu Qingyin had only walked halfway through the riddle corridor when she spotted Lu Zhiheng's subordinates in the crowd.

Her heart tightened, and she quickly tugged at Pei Yuanling's sleeve, raising her eyes and smiling sweetly, "Husband, I'm a little hungry. How about we go to that restaurant over there to eat some glutinous rice balls and rest for a bit?"

Upon hearing this, Pei Yuanling gently pinched Chu Qingyin's nose and nodded in agreement, "Okay, I'll do whatever you say."

As he spoke, he took her hand and walked towards the restaurant diagonally opposite.

That five-story restaurant, adorned with colorful lanterns, was the most famous in the capital, Zuixianju. Many high-ranking officials and nobles would hold banquets there, and the dishes were unparalleled in the capital.

Upon entering the restaurant, a waiter warmly greeted them and led them to a private seat by the window.

Pei Yuanling thoughtfully pulled out a chair for Chu Qingyin, and only sat down opposite her after she had sat down.

The food and wine were served quickly. Pei Yuanling looked at the person sitting opposite him with a doting expression: "Try this chicken broth tofu. I heard it's the signature dish of this Drunken Immortal Inn."

“Alright, Your Majesty, you may eat as well.”

Chu Qingyin picked up a spoon and first scooped a spoonful for Pei Yuanling, then scooped another spoonful into her own bowl.

The two ordered a table full of signature dishes. When they tasted the third dish, Eight Treasure Crispy Duck, the waiter came in carrying a celadon bottle.

"Gentlemen, this is the most famous pear blossom wine from Zuixianju. Please try it."

The waiter, with a beaming smile, bent down attentively to pour wine for the two of them.

Chu Qingyin glanced at the waiter without making a sound, and immediately understood.

When her glass was full, she raised it and smiled at Pei Yuanling sitting opposite her: "My husband, I would like to offer you a toast."

Pei Yuanling nodded: "Okay."

He picked up his glass and drank it all in one gulp.

Watching the man's Adam's apple bob as he tilted his head back, Chu Qingyin's heart pounded wildly, but she forced herself to remain calm.

As she raised her sleeve to drink, she quickly poured the wine into her sleeve.

Just as she was about to persuade Pei Yuanling to have another drink, a commotion suddenly broke out outside the window.

Chu Qingyin subconsciously looked out the window, and the next moment, she was stunned.

In the distance, colorful fireworks burst forth, adorning the dark night sky with a dreamlike beauty.

"Yinyin, I prepared these fireworks especially for you. Do you like them?"

Pei Yuanling's voice rang in my ears, slightly drunk, yet full of tenderness.

Chu Qingyin snapped out of her daze, her eyes still somewhat unfocused: "Yes, I like it..."

The two got up from the table and walked to the window.

Chu Qingyin subconsciously rested her head on the man's shoulder, a complex emotion surging in her eyes.

He had cancelled the fireworks extravaganza scheduled for the first day of the Lunar New Year, but he never expected to see it now.

The colorful light and shadow reflected on her face, and her eyes suddenly became a little moist.

This was, after all, the man she had once deeply loved...

If you really asked her to completely sever ties with him, it would be a lie to say that she would feel no reluctance.

But she knew she had to leave.

"What's wrong with Yinyin?"

Pei Yuanling frowned when he saw the glistening tears in the corners of her eyes. "Why are you crying?"

He gently wiped away the tears on her cheeks, his gesture full of concern.

"His Majesty……"

Chu Qingyin shook her head, forced a smile, but her voice choked with emotion, "Your Majesty... I'm just too touched. The fireworks are beautiful. I never imagined you would put so much effort into me."

She bit her lower lip, her nails digging deep into her palm, trying to numb her inner struggle with the pain.

Seeing this, Pei Yuanling smiled and pulled her into his arms. "Silly girl, it's just a firework display. If you like it, I'll set it off for you again in the future."

Chu Qingyin gave a faint "hmm".

The two nestled together, gazing at the distant fireworks, like an ordinary couple.

"Yinyin, I will definitely make you Empress and restore glory to the Chu family..."

For some reason, Pei Yuanling felt his eyelids getting heavier and heavier, and the scene in front of him gradually became blurry.

"Voice..."

His body suddenly swayed, and the next moment, he fell onto Chu Qingyin.

Chu Qingyin instinctively hugged him, a hint of struggle flashing in her eyes.

She knew the drug in the drink had worked.

"His Majesty."

A single tear slid down her cheek as Chu Qingyin gently stroked Pei Yuanling's face, murmuring in a hoarse voice, "I'm sorry."