nycdaug Chapter 150 Unusual Movement
Chapter 150 Unusual Movement
Jiang Ruyin smiled and said, "What the emperor wants is also what I wish."
The emperor was overjoyed and held Jiang Ruyin's hand tightly.
When the emperor turned around, Nian Shilan had already put down her pen, and the Kongming lantern with moon-white chrysanthemum pattern was particularly eye-catching.
This caused a lot of discussion in the audience, and the emperor's smile gradually faded. He felt a mixture of emotions, and finally said: "Release Kongming lanterns to pray, whether it is blessing the living or the dead."
The discussion stopped, the emperor calmed down, and took the lead to take the fire starter.
One after another, sky lanterns were lit, their flames flickering and steam rising. Like ethereal feathers, they slowly rose, gradually blending into the vast night sky. At first, a few solitary lanterns led the way, like pioneers exploring the unknown. Then, more sky lanterns followed, like a gathering of stars or a cascading river, instantly illuminating the night sky.
Everyone looked up, their gazes following the Kongming lanterns, eyes filled with ecstasy and yearning. The lights rose higher and higher, flew farther and farther, merging inseparably with the stars in the sky. At this moment, the hustle and bustle of the world seemed absorbed by the tranquil night sky, leaving only the light and shadows filling the lake and the hearts filled with prayer.
Lou Yong'er had long lost her own lamp. Several stars gradually disappeared in the sky. Lou Yong'er suddenly felt empty in her heart. The lamp that carried her longing for her family had already flown away into the endless night.
The hustle and bustle of the night banquet gradually died down, and under the bright lights, everyone was preparing to disperse.
Suddenly, Concubine Chun let out a startled cry of "Aiya!", a sound that seemed particularly abrupt in the vast outdoors. Then, a dull splash into the water broke the tranquility of the night.
Everyone looked sideways in astonishment, only to see ripples on the surface of the lake. Concubine Chun was only showing her head, struggling with splashes of water everywhere.
Because so many concubines gathered here, the guards were extremely anxious, but they did not dare to approach rashly and could only wander anxiously on the shore.
Lou Yong'er was standing not far from the lake. When she heard the noise, her eyes flickered unconsciously. There seemed to be a moment of hesitation in her eyes, but it was quickly replaced by determination.
Then she stretched out her body and jumped into the water like an agile swallow.
At this time, Chun Guiren was struggling in the water, waving her hands in panic, splashing large amounts of water.
Lou Yong'er swam to her side and reached out to pull her, but it was quite difficult. Chun Guiren seemed to be shrouded in fear and struggled subconsciously, making it difficult for Lou Yong'er to bring her to the shore.
Seeing this, Lan Li didn't care about anything else. She lifted her skirt and waded towards the two of them, wanting to help them.
Summer clothes were already thin, and after being soaked by water, they clung tightly to the body. Lou Yong'er, Chun Guiren, and Lan Li, who came to help, were tangled together in the water, and the scene was quite embarrassing.
When the guards saw Lan Li wading through the water, they no longer hesitated and ran over.
However, when they reached the lake, they were at a loss as to what to do when they saw the chaotic scene in the water. Lou Yong'er's brows were furrowed, her eyes filled with anger. She gritted her teeth and dragged Concubine Chun towards the shore, each step forward seeming to exhaust all her strength.
Fortunately, everyone reached out their hands and worked together to pull the three people ashore.
After getting ashore, everyone was in dishevel, with messy hair sticking to their cheeks, looking very embarrassed.
Jiang Ruyin and Jing Fei had already brought the cloaks to their side and hurriedly put them on the two of them. Tara also stepped forward and put her own cloak on Lan Li. Lan Li bowed his head to Tara in gratitude.
When Concubine Chun was dragged to the shore by Lou Yong'er and Lan Li, her face was pale, her eyes were closed, and a few strands of wet hair were stuck to her bloodless cheeks.
She seemed to have lost consciousness, lying limply on the ground, her chest covered by her cloak rising and falling only slightly, proving that she was still breathing.
Lou Yong'er was breathing heavily, supporting her knees with her hands. Water droplets kept sliding down from the ends of her hair and the corners of her clothes, forming a small puddle on the ground.
Lan Li was not much better off. While wringing the water out of her skirt, she asked Lan Li in a low voice, her voice trembling slightly.
The concubines around gathered around, some with concern on their faces, while others watched coldly, each with their own ulterior motives.
Seeing that their two masters had escaped, the guards retreated to the edge to avoid suspicion.
Jiang Ruyin soothed them, "It's getting dark, sisters, please return to the palace first. I will take Concubine Chun to a nearby place."
"Shu Dong has already gone to invite the imperial physician. Your Majesty should go back and rest early." Jiang Ruyin said to the emperor.
At this moment, a smoky blue Kongming lantern floated from the west, its light dim and slowly falling.
The emperor squinted at the shaky Kongming lantern, nodded, and was about to leave.
Concubine Chun coughed lightly a few times and slowly opened her eyes. Fear and confusion still remained in her eyes. She looked weakly at the people around her, not yet fully recovered from the shock.
"Your Majesty..." Chun Guiren had tears in her eyes and called the emperor in a hoarse voice.
The emperor cast his gaze away.
Nian Shilan, who had been watching coldly from the corner for a long time, said lazily, "I saw it all from behind just now. Could it be that Concubine Chun was so drunk on milk tea that she walked into the river?"
Concubine Chun's face was pale, and she coughed a few times, "Yes, I wasn't paying attention and took the wrong road."
The emperor's eyes moved slowly, "Since you feel unwell, go back and rest. Take good care of yourself. Don't go out unless necessary."
Concubine Chun was shocked all over, her eyes instantly filled with tears, and she choked up and said yes.
There was a fluttering sound coming from the lake surface, and the smoky blue Kongming lantern finally burned out and fell onto the surface of the Imperial Lake.
The emperor ordered people to salvage it, but Xiao Xiazi stopped Su Peisheng and went into the water himself, went to the surface of the lake, and walked back holding the remaining lantern.
Concubine Chun looked back with tears in her eyes and slowly left.
Nian Shilan looked at the emperor's back as he looked into the distance, and left quietly.
Jiang Ruyin comforted Lou Yong'er with kind words and asked Fu Qiu to send her back to the palace.
It was a rare cool breeze on a summer night, but it made Lou Yong'er shiver all over. She gritted her teeth and looked back at the Kongming lantern that was soaked in water and had ink stains.
The shore returned to calm, with only the summer evening breeze gently blowing across the lake, bringing with it a subtle and gentle sound, and occasionally the "splashing" sound of waves gently hitting the shore.
Jiang Ruyin said softly, "Your Majesty, Concubine Chun is from a Manchu military family. I will show my appreciation and ask Your Majesty to give me something to show me."
The emperor sighed.
Jiang Ruyin took a step forward and saw two clear lines of writing on the remains of the Kongming lantern on the ground:
I wish to devote the rest of my life to praying for the Emperor's good health and the longevity of the Qing Dynasty.
The signature is: Yixiu
Jiang Ruyin thought to herself, "As expected," she stepped forward, shook the emperor's hand, and said softly,
"The emperor is a man of great wisdom and talent, and he attracts great favor."