The Legend of Zhen Huan: Year after year, we share the spring breeze

The lotus root starch and osmanthus sugar cake seemed to have a special magic. On the day it was delivered, Yongzheng's heart was attracted by the softness and sweetness of the sugar cake, and he summoned Shen Meizhuang to sleep with him.

And An Lingrong returned to her leisurely days of sleeping until she woke up naturally.

Time passed slowly, and in the blink of an eye, it was May. The scorching sun grew stronger, shrouding the entire Forbidden City in a scorching heat wave. Even the breeze between the palace walls carried a hint of summer heat.

Unable to bear the scorching heat, Yongzheng chose an auspicious day and set off for the Old Summer Palace to escape the summer heat.

The Old Summer Palace continues to expand, with skilled craftsmen dedicating their efforts to creating intricate rock formations, winding pavilions and corridors, and gurgling streams. Every plant, tree, brick, and tile is meticulously laid out. The garden's scenery surpasses that of previous years, boasting both majestic lake and mountain scenery and exquisitely elegant courtyards. Winding paths lead to secluded areas, lush flowers, and verdant grasses. Every corner speaks of a unique sense of luxury and nobility.

In the distance, the vast lake ripples in the breeze, the water merging with the sky. Lotus flowers quietly bloom, their pink and white petals unfurling like shy girls resting on the azure waters. On the shore, weeping willows sway, their slender branches dancing in the breeze, as if whispering to the water.

The vast palace was now filled with noise and bustle. Eunuchs and palace maids scurried through the corridors like a swarm of ants, delivering gifts and other valuables for the concubines to the various palaces.

The young eunuchs shouted at the top of their voices, "Make way, make way," to clear the way for the large luggage, while the palace maids carefully protected the items in their hands, fearing any mishap.

Occasionally, there were a few newcomers who were not nimble enough and seemed a little helpless in the hurried crowd. The old maids beside them anxiously urged them on, with beads of sweat rolling down their foreheads, wetting the collars of their clothes.

The concubines came here with the imperial carriage and, according to past practices, arranged their own residences and attendants in an orderly manner. Everything was in order.

In this small world of the Old Summer Palace, a miniature version of the palace order has been rebuilt, waiting for the long summer to pass peacefully in this pleasant garden.

Only the Qingliang Hall stood alone in a corner, a deserted and forgotten place. Its red doors were tightly shut, the copper rings untouched by the warmth of human presence. In the cracks of the stone steps before the door, a few small, unknown grasses swayed gently in the breeze.

Inside the hall, dim light filtered through the cracks in the window lattices, and dust drifted slowly in the light and shadow. Tables, chairs, and benches were neatly arranged, but they were covered with a thin layer of gray from long disuse. The exquisite carvings seemed to have gradually lost their vitality in the silence, silently waiting for the bustle and prosperity that might never come again.

As the afterglow of the setting sun slowly disappeared behind the western hills, dusk gradually enveloped the entire Old Summer Palace.

The concubines, tired from their long journey, rested early. The hustle and bustle of the day faded away. Only in the deep shade of the green trees, the cicadas, like tireless bards, continued to chirp, adding a unique vitality to this quiet night in the Old Summer Palace.

"My Lady, please slow down!"

A bean-sized candle flickered tremblingly in the darkness. The weak light tried its best to compete with the surrounding darkness as thick as ink, but it could only barely illuminate a small area. The surroundings were still bottomless darkness.

The door of Qingliang Hall was slowly pushed open, and when they entered the main hall, one of them put down the lantern, took out a fire starter and blew gently, and a weak flame ignited.

The man brought the tinder close to the wick. At first, the flame only licked the wick tentatively, and then suddenly jumped up, and the wick was instantly ignited. The flame grew from small to large and began to jump violently.

However, because the lamp oil had not been used for a long time, it was somewhat solidified, and the flame did not burn smoothly. A few wisps of black smoke came out, and a faint smell of oil smoke filled the air.

After a while, as the lamp oil gradually melted and flowed, the dim light finally stabilized, slowly illuminating the surroundings. In the swaying light and shadow, the face of the visitor gradually became clear.

It is auspicious.

There is no doubt that the "Empress" she was referring to was Concubine Duan Qi Yuebin.

When the candlelight was lit, Jixiang picked up a handkerchief and cleared a clean area, asked Concubine Duan to sit down, and then he went to wipe the table clean.

Then, she opened the food box she had brought and pulled out two plates of exquisite pastries. One contained glutinous rice cakes as smooth as jade, exuding a faint rice fragrance, while the other contained golden, alluring crab roe pastries. She also took out a pot of wine and two small cups, placing them neatly on the table.

After everything was ready, she quietly retreated outside the hall, leaving only Concubine Duan in this slightly cold hall.

Qi Yuebin raised his hand slightly, his slender fingers grasping the small cup. With his other hand, he steadily lifted the wine jug. Clear wine poured out, instantly filling the cup. He then lifted the glass to his lips and took a sip.

After a few more drinks, Qi Yuebin became drunk, his eyes became blurry, and he tilted his head back and squinted slightly.

"Sister Yue, Sister Yue."

Just as she was immersed in this slightly drunk state, suddenly, a familiar voice blew gently into her ears. The voice carried the intimacy and familiarity of the past, which made her heart tremble suddenly.

Qi Yuebin quickly opened his eyes and looked eagerly in the direction of the sound. In an instant, the scene before him changed completely. It was no longer the cold and lonely palace, but a vast and boundless grassland.

I saw Nian Shilan standing not far away, wearing a dazzling red dress. The red color looked like a burning flame, and against the backdrop of the green grassland, it looked even more gorgeous. The corners of her clothes fluttered gently in the gentle breeze.

She didn't wear any complicated jewelry on her head, only a red ribbon tied up her black hair. The end of the ribbon fluttered freely in the wind, and her whole body exuded a unique kind of free and lively agility.

Nian Shilan's beautiful face instantly blossomed with a smile as bright as the sun, and her voice was crisp, pleasant, yet full of affection: "Sister Yue, thank you for coming to see me, I'm fine, you should be fine too!"

After she finished speaking, she moved as lightly as a swallow, and came to the front of the horse in a few strides. She lifted the hem of her skirt slightly, tapped the ground with her toes, and used the force to leap up, sitting steadily on the horse's back.

"Sister Yue, please take care of yourself!"

Then, with a gentle shout and a flick of the reins, the horse, sensing its master's high spirits, neighed loudly, unleashed its hooves, and galloped across the vast grassland like an arrow from a bow. The clouds of dust raised by the horse's hooves spread like golden smoke in the sunlight.

Qi Yuebin widened his eyes and wanted to speak, but no sound came out. He could only stare at her receding figure. Her red dress rustled in the wind, and she merged with the horse. Gradually, gradually, the bright red figure turned into a faint dot, and finally disappeared completely at the junction of the grassland and the sky.

"Lan'er, Lan'er."

Qi Yuebin subconsciously reached out, wanting to hold onto the receding Shilan. His fingertips clawed at the air, but he only grasped at nothing. As he leaned forward, his body lost its support and fell forward uncontrollably.

This sudden loss of balance instantly freed her from her trance and brought her back to clarity.

She slowly opened her eyes, and when she saw the scene clearly, the trace of expectation was completely extinguished. It turned out that it was still this cold and lonely palace.

Two bean-sized tears instantly slid down from his eyes, fell heavily to the ground, and splashed a small water drop.

After an unknown amount of time, there were light footsteps outside the palace. Jixiang walked into the palace slowly and lightly. Her eyes fell on Concubine Duan and she said softly, "Your Majesty, it's almost dawn!"

Qi Yuebin raised his head slightly and looked outside the palace. The faint light of dawn was slowly seeping in. The hazy light seemed to carry a trace of tenderness, but the moment it touched the cold palace, it was stained with coldness.

"Let's go!"