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

The azaleas in the Imperial Gardens barely had time to burst into dazzling glory before the lotuses in the lake stole the show. The golden chrysanthemums, blooming like morning glow in the autumn sun, returned to dust in early winter. The golden glazed tiles of the Forbidden City, barely coated with a thin layer of fresh frost, were instantly covered in drifting snow, transforming them into magnificent palaces.

An Lingrong leaned against the window, looking at the scenery of the changing seasons.

Three years passed silently between the red walls and green tiles of the Forbidden City, as flowers bloomed and fell, and frost and snow alternated.

Entering the thirteenth year of Yongzheng's reign.

The harem was peaceful during these three years, but it was so peaceful that it was frightening.

An Lingrong often stared at her reflection in the bronze mirror in a trance when she got up in the morning to dress up - the person in the mirror had the same eyebrows and eyes, but fine lines had quietly appeared at the corners of the eyes.

She gently stroked the lines and suddenly realized that the sharpest knife was not the open or hidden arrows, but the time that passed silently in the deep palace. It moved slowly and unstoppable, making it impossible to stop it and unable to fight back. They could only watch their vibrant colors gradually fade away day after day.

"Rong'er!"

A familiar voice brought her out of her thoughts.

Looking back, Shen Meizhuang was still sitting on the couch by the window, holding an account book that seemed like she would never finish reading.

The sunlight filtered through the carved window lattices, casting mottled shadows on her.

For the past three years, this scene has been played out almost every day. It is so familiar that it makes people feel at ease, yet so strange that it makes people frightened. Since when, Shen Meizhuang has to hold the account book farther away to see the dense handwriting on it.

Yes, they are all over thirty years old.

An Lingrong came to Shen Meizhuang, snatched the account book from her hand without saying a word, threw it aside, leaned on her and closed her eyes.

Shen Meizhuang raised her hand and touched her back, patting it gently...

The spring rain was continuous, like silk threads, the glazed ridge beasts on the eaves of the Forbidden City looming in the mist. The flowers in the Imperial Garden, soaked by the rain, scattered their petals to the ground, mingling with the fragrance of the earth, forming a pale pink carpet on the bluestone slabs.

The rain lasted for several days.

At dusk, the sky finally cleared up. An Lingrong, feeling dizzy after a day's sleep, muttered, "I've been cooped up for so many days, my bones are going moldy."

She turned to look at Shen Meizhuang who was arranging flowers, "Sister, shall we go out for a walk?"

Shen Meizhuang placed a trimmed flower in a blue and white porcelain vase and frowned when she heard this: "The rain has just stopped, and the ground in the Imperial Garden is probably still wet. What if I slip? How about going tomorrow?"

"No, sister, I'm feeling bored." An Lingrong stood up and took her arm, shaking it coquettishly, "Why don't we just not go to the Imperial Garden?"

Shen Meizhuang's hair was messed up by her shaking, and she quickly compromised: "Okay, okay, where do you want to go?"

"Shall we go talk to Sister Zhen?"

Without waiting for Shen Meizhuang to speak, Caiyue said, "Your Majesty, the Seventh Prince has caught a cold, and the Emperor has just gone to Yongshou Palace."

"Forget it, let's go see Sister Zhen tomorrow!"

An Lingrong thought for a moment and then said, "Let's go to the prince's residence to see Hongxu. It's been raining these days, so he hasn't returned to Yonghe Palace."

Then he added, "We still have some peach blossom cakes from dinner, so I'll give him one. He likes it."

Shen Meizhuang nodded helplessly: "Okay!"

The Prince's Residence was located in the northeast corner of the Forbidden City, separated from the Yonghe Palace by only the Jingyang Palace.

Hongxu is already twelve years old and has grown into a handsome young man.

When the two arrived, he had just returned from martial arts training. His tight moon-white riding and archery suit made him look straight and straight, and he exuded vigor and vitality.

"Mother, godmother."

Hongxu had sharp eyes and saw the two people from afar and walked quickly to meet them.

As he saluted with his fists clasped, beads of sweat on his forehead sparkled in the sunlight.

An Lingrong subconsciously reached out to wipe the sweat off his face, but her arm suddenly stopped mid-air - she didn't know when this little guy who needed her to lean over to him could now stand shoulder to shoulder with her.

Hongxu keenly noticed her hesitation, and immediately bent his knees slightly and lowered his head obediently.

This thoughtful gesture warmed An Lingrong's heart, and the silk handkerchief in her hand gently brushed across his smooth forehead.

"Are you tired?" she asked softly.

"Not tired." Hongxu raised his head, his eyes sparkling with joy. "Today, I have shot nine arrows. When I can shoot ten, please ask mother and godmother to come to the training ground, and I will show you how to do it."

As he spoke, he straightened his back unconsciously, his brows filled with a little pride that he couldn't hide.

Shen Meizhuang smiled and replied, "Okay, your godmother and I will wait." She reached out to straighten Hongxu's slightly messy collar, touching the damp hair at the back of his neck, "Go change your clothes, be careful not to catch a cold. Your godmother made some small cakes today, change your clothes and come and try them."

"Really? I'll go right away!" Hongxu's eyes lit up, and when he turned around, he jumped two steps unconsciously, then hurriedly steadied his body and walked away with a steady manner.

The man who was trying to act like an adult couldn't hide his joyful back, which made the two of them smile at each other.

In front of outsiders and the Emperor, Hongxu had long since learned to maintain the dignified demeanor expected of a prince. Only around the two of them would he inadvertently reveal such childish innocence.

After eating the cake, Hongxu started practicing calligraphy again. Shen Meizhuang and An Lingrong did not disturb him and left the prince's residence together.

When I came outside, it was already dusk.

An Lingrong suddenly stopped and said, "Sister, I haven't seen Sister Xinpin for a while. Why don't we go to Chuxiu Palace to take a look?"

"it is good!"

"Then we'll take Concubine Xin to Xianfu Palace and play mahjong with Concubine Jing."

Shen Meizhuang was pulled forward by her and couldn't help laughing: "After going around in circles, this is your purpose, right?"

"Will you accompany me, sister?"

"go with!"

After passing Zhongcui Palace, opposite Kunning Gate is the Imperial Garden.

The palace lanterns on both sides of the road cast a soft halo in the humid air. The two walked slowly along the wet palace road. The blue bricks under their feet still had traces of rain. Every step they took shattered a pool of lantern shadows, making a slight "tapping" sound.

A gentle breeze blew, the sweet aroma of earth and the freshness of grass and trees blending together, wisps of it seeping into my nostrils. The faint fragrance of flowers wafting in from afar added a unique fragrance to the post-rain air, rich but not strong, elegant yet lingering.

Everything around them was so beautiful. An Lingrong and Shen Meizhuang held each other's fingers, slowed down their pace tacitly, and immersed themselves in this rare tranquility and tenderness.

The followers behind them walked very quietly for fear of disturbing them.

But there are always some discordant voices breaking the silence.

"Um……"

"what……"

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