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

The days in the palace passed quickly, and in the blink of an eye it was New Year's Eve.

Because the emperor had not yet married, the vast Forbidden City was left to the lonely consorts and concubines. As a sign of filial piety, Hongxu issued an imperial decree a month in advance, allowing the families of the concubines and concubines to enter the palace to reunite and celebrate the New Year. He also sent carriages to pick up those who lived farther away.

At the same time, out of consideration for the clan members, the emperor specially allowed the princes to stay at home and celebrate the New Year without entering the palace.

This move immediately won unanimous praise from the royal family, who all said that the new emperor was benevolent and filial.

After all, who would want to brave the snow to go to the palace and stay up with the emperor during New Year's Eve? Wouldn't it be much better to be able to sit by the fire in your own warm room, chatting with your wife and children?

Ever since Zhen Huan and Shen Meizhuang moved to the Old Summer Palace, all the affairs of the six palaces fell on Feng Ruozhao's shoulders. Fortunately, the harem is now quiet and it is less troublesome to take care of it.

The Imperial Household Department started preparing for this New Year's Eve family dinner half a month earlier to welcome the relatives of the imperial concubines and imperial concubines.

Although the mourning period for the late emperor had not yet ended for three years and therefore singing, dancing, rituals and music were not allowed according to the rules, the reunion of relatives and the sharing of their feelings with each other made the occasion even more heartwarming.

After three rounds of drinks, the atmosphere became increasingly heated. Seeing that the Empress Dowager and the Emperor had no airs at all, they no longer followed the rules and started chatting with people they knew.

An Lingyue sat at the table, a dazzling array of delicacies before him, yet he found them all bland. It wasn't that he was reserved, but rather that a gaze followed him like a shadow, making him feel uncomfortable.

He raised his eyes quietly and saw a lady in her early forties sitting opposite him staring at him intently.

The woman wore a jade-studded hairpin and a crimson-purple gown embroidered with gold. She must have been a concubine. Beside her sat a young girl, about the age of marriage, dressed in a pale pink dress embroidered with plum blossoms. She was graceful and had an extraordinary demeanor.

The more Concubine Xin looked, the more satisfied she became.

In this year's imperial examination, An Lingyue High School ranked eighteenth in the second class, and now serves as a scholar in the Hanlin Academy. Although his position is not high, he is a close minister to the emperor, and because of An Lingrong, even the emperor has to call him "uncle."

Such a future is truly limitless.

Moreover, this young man is handsome and well-mannered. If Shuhe could be betrothed to him...

Shen Meizhuang, who was sitting at the top, had already noticed Concubine Xin's thoughts. After a little thought, she also felt that this marriage was very appropriate.

There has never been a rule in this dynasty that the prince consort is not allowed to participate in politics, but it is a good match.

Just ...

Hongxu's sister is marrying his uncle...

That’s quite suitable!

Shen Meizhuang turned her eyes slightly, and saw An Lingrong and Su Yao were talking head to head. They were talking about something funny and laughing softly from time to time. They didn't pay any attention to the actions of other people at the table.

"Cough cough." Shen Meizhuang coughed lightly.

An Lingrong then raised her head, glanced at Shen Meiyu, nodded in understanding, and then whispered something to Su Yao. They both sat up straight at the same time, straightened their sleeves, and showed their standard eight teeth.

She thought Shen Meizhuang was reminding them to pay attention to their image.

Shen Meizhuang had no choice but to cough loudly again.

An Lingrong finally came back to her senses and looked at Shen Meiyu, asking with her eyes: What's wrong?

Shen Meizhuang tilted her head slightly, indicating that she should look in the direction of Concubine Xin.

An Lingrong followed her gaze and suddenly understood.

She quickly picked up the wine cup and raised it towards Concubine Xin.

Upon seeing this, Concubine Xin also picked up her wine glass, and the two of them drank from each other in a harmonious atmosphere.

Shen Meizhuang held her forehead with her hand.

Hongxu came to her side and asked anxiously, "Mother, what's wrong with you? Are you feeling unwell? Do you want to call the imperial physician?"

Shen Meizhuang: ...

After the banquet ended and the relatives had left, Concubine Xin gathered her fox fur coat and bowed with a smile, saying, "I am able to be reunited with my family today thanks to the grace of the Empress Dowager. I am truly grateful."

Shen Meizhuang took her hand and said gently, "Sister Xin, you're being a little awkward. It's New Year's Eve, so we should have a lively and festive time."

Concubine Xin's eyes turned and she suggested, "Today is New Year's Eve. Why don't we sisters stay up with the Empress Dowager? It would be lonely in the palace anyway."

"That's a good idea!" Feng Ruozhao clapped his hands and smiled, "It's been a long time since we've gotten together to talk."

Concubine Zhen also said, "If the Queen Mother doesn't mind, we will definitely join in the fun."

Concubine Kang nodded repeatedly.

Shen Meizhuang smiled and said, "Okay, okay, I was just afraid you wouldn't come! It just so happens that the Cining Palace just got a new set of ivory mahjong tiles, so we can play a few rounds together."

Then he added: "The children will go together. The New Year's money has been prepared."

Just as Hongxu was wondering if he was still a child, he heard a clear voice: "Sixth brother, Sixth brother, hurry up!"

Looking in the direction of the voice, Longyue and Xinyue were waving at him.

The corners of his mouth rose unconsciously and he quickened his pace: "Wait for me!"

He didn't want to go back to the deserted Yangxin Palace alone.

Outside the window, the sound of the midnight clappers could be heard from afar, sounding particularly long in the quiet snowy night.

Inside the Cining Palace, the crisp clash of ivory mahjong tiles echoed one after another, occasionally interspersed with the laughter of children playing.

An Lingrong picked up the teacup, and the hot steam blurred her vision.

Through the curling tea smoke, she saw Concubine Xin at the other table smiling and sticking notes on Concubine Zhen's face, while Concubine Kang was clapping happily beside her.

Hongxu sat on an embroidered cushion in the corner, his bright yellow dress hanging casually. Princess Jinghe curled up in his arms, her little head nodding as she muttered, "Sixth brother, I'm so sleepy." Hongxu lowered his head and chuckled, patting her back rhythmically with one hand.

Not far away, on the soft couch, Shuhe and Wen Yi were sitting opposite each other in front of a rosewood chessboard. Shuhe was holding the black piece, her fingers hovering above the board, her brows slightly furrowed; Wen Yi was holding her cheek with a sly smile on her lips.

Longyue and Xinyue were lying on the left and right of the table, whispering "play here" and "eat her pieces" from time to time, which made the two players laugh frequently.

On the other side, the twins were playing with Huarong Dao. As they were fighting over the wooden blocks, they fell to the ground with a clatter. They were not annoyed, but giggled and put them together again.

At this moment, there are no thrilling calculations, no caution of walking on thin ice, but only the most simple warmth of reunion.

She had spent more than ten years in the imperial palace, and had spent countless New Year's Eves in extreme caution. But tonight, she finally got a taste of the New Year atmosphere of an ordinary family.

Suddenly, I felt a warm touch on my hand.

When she looked up, Shen Meizhuang was looking at her with a smile.

An Lingrong clenched her hands and interlocked her fingers with hers.

Feng Ruozhao urged, "Hurry up and play your cards!"

Zhen Huan smiled and said, "Let Rong'er think about it for a while. She has already lost several games!"

Outside the window, the east is already bright.

The first ray of morning light this year pierced through the clouds and sprinkled golden light on the glazed tiles. The icicles hanging under the eaves gradually melted in the morning sun, and the crystal water droplets reflected colorful light.

a new Year.