TICIEC Chapter 73.2

The moon was high in the sky.

After finishing his two meals, Helian Qi went to the bathhouse to change.

Ning Wanyin lay lazily on the couch, not wanting to move a single finger. But thinking of the three flower lanterns she had asked Lian Rui to prepare, she mustered her spirits, changed into her nightgown, and went to the lotus pond.

In the Great Yan Dynasty, there’s a custom of releasing lanterns to pray for blessings on one’s birthday.

Ning Wanyin arrived at the lotus pond, picked up a tinderbox, lit a lotus lantern, and placed it in the water.

“My first wish is for the Great Yan Dynasty to be prosperous and its people at peace.”

“My second wish is for my family to be safe and sound.”

“My third wish is that Your Majesty be healthy and have all his wishes fulfilled.”

The three lanterns were released into the water one after another.

A slightly hoarse voice came from behind her: “Why don’t you make a wish for yourself?”

Ning Wanyin turned around in surprise: “Why is Your Majesty here…”

Actually, she had calculated the time until His Majesty finished bathing before releasing the lanterns.

Of course, the Emperor might not come looking for her.

He might just wait for her to return to her bedchamber.

But that didn’t matter; the palace servants would naturally report the three wishes to him.

“My wish has been fulfilled.” A hint of shyness flashed in Ning Wanyin’s eyes.

“What wish?” Helian Qi looked at her.

Ning Wanyin also looked at Helian Qi, her eyes bright, frank, and beautiful: “This concubine only wishes to be with Your Majesty.”

This was, of course, true.

If she weren’t with the Emperor, wouldn’t she fall out of favor? (T/N: It’s indeed right!)

However, some people were with the Emperor for love, while she was for power.

She spoke the most sincere words of love, but harbored the most unspeakable motives.

Helian Qi was taken aback; the young woman’s eyes were too intense.

He thought about it and realized that although he wouldn’t love her, spoiling her would fulfill her wish.

Helian Qi lifted Ning Wanyin’s chin and leaned down to kiss her lips.

So neither of them could sleep that night.

…

The lotus flowers in Lingxue Pavilion gradually faded, but the lotus flower paintings hanging in Lingxue Pavilion remained.

Summer passed, and autumn arrived, the heat of July intensifying.

Ning Wanyin rarely left the palace, except for occasional visits to Changchun Palace.

“Your Majesty, it’s not that we servants are not doing our best, but it’s just that we haven’t been able to find an opportunity. We haven’t seen her stroll in the Imperial Garden even once in all this time!”

The newly appointed head palace maid, Zhu Sha, reported with difficulty.

“We initially thought she was just afraid of the heat, but now that the weather is getting cooler, we haven’t seen her go out either…”

A cold glint flashed in Xue Jinyan’s eyes.

“Hmph, I think she’s a turtle, holed up in Lingxue Pavilion, not moving an inch! Fine, if she doesn’t go out, her followers will, right? This charade will be put on for her cousin!”

She remembered how Tang Meiren had talked back to her last time because of Ning Wanyin.

“Yes.”

Xue Jinyan smiled faintly: “I believe Ning Wanyin will not disappoint me.”

No one dared to offend her.

But she and Ning Wanyin were already openly mortal enemies.

If she gave Ning Wanyin a chance to kill her, she was certain Ning Wanyin would not miss it.

…

The Imperial Garden—

“Cui Ping, look how beautiful these orchids are…”

Tang Miaoling strolled leisurely along the tree-lined path.

Cui Ping smiled and agreed.

The master and servant walked a short distance when they suddenly heard a woman’s voice coming from some flower bushes nearby.

“This is a reward from the Master. The message you delivered last time was very useful, and the Master will remember your contribution. We will meet again at this time and place in seven days.”

Tang Miaoling held her breath and looked ahead.

In the corner of a flower bush ahead, a palace maid handed a packet of silver to a young eunuch.

The eunuch then handed her an envelope.

Tang Miaoling quickly covered her mouth with one hand and Cui Ping’s mouth with the other, her eyes wide open.

She seemed to have stumbled upon something big!

 

 

 

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