A Shocking Dream

Qin Ruoyu stood tall, his face stern and sharp, his eyes like a cold pond, deep and bottomless. He rode slowly towards them, atop a jet-black horse whose hooves trod on the snow. Beside him, Qin Rongchen was as gentle as jade, like a clear lake under the warm spring sun. The horse he rode was also incredibly majestic, its fur shimmering like satin.

As the two men arrived at the palace gate, the noise gradually died down, and all the officials looked at them and nodded in greeting. However, their respect could not hide the eagerness in their eyes. Today, everyone was looking forward to the return of the Linzhou warriors.

Caressed by the sunlight, the palace gates seemed even more solemn and majestic. The vermilion doors resembled a dormant giant beast, swallowing up the heavens and spitting out the earth, spitting out the fates of those who passed through. Qin Ruoyu and Qin Rongchen stood tall and straight, their robes fluttering, as if carrying the wind and rain. After dismounting their horses swiftly, they casually handed the reins to the waiting eunuchs. When they raised their eyes, they were already filled with the solemnity and alertness unique to the court.

Side by side, the two men strode across the high threshold. Their boot heels tapped against the stone pavement, a muffled thud like the steady beat of a drum, knocking open the door to the inner court, the heart of political intrigue. Step by step, they made their way resolutely toward the intersection of power and responsibility—the court.

Upon entering the hall, the first thing that strikes the eye is the golden plaque hanging high above the throne. The four characters "正大光明" (Zhengda Guangming) are written with a powerful stroke, seemingly imbued with the force of a thousand pounds, as if silently articulating the rules and regulations of the court and the emperor's expectations and considerations. The hall's furnishings include carved dragons on golden pillars, their fangs bared and claws bared, as if ready to soar into the heavens. Curls of green smoke rise from bronze cauldrons resembling cranes on either side, creating a hazy, ethereal air, yet quickly suppressed by the solemnity of the court, condensing to the ground and becoming invisible.

Qin Ruoyu walked forward with his head held high, his expression stern, like a lone star in a cold night, aloof and noble. Each step he took was steady and confident, as if the direction of the court had already been laid out in his mind. Qin Rongchen, on the other hand, wore a faint smile, his face as gentle as jade, concealing a penetrating understanding of the world. His eyes swept the hall, seemingly nonchalant, but in fact he took in the expressions of all the officials. He walked at an unhurried pace, shoulder to shoulder with Qin Ruoyu, like a gentle breeze accompanying the moon, harmonious yet with a hidden edge.

A moment later, the civil and military officials filed in behind them, their robes rustling and their ornaments jingling, like a mountain breeze through a bamboo forest. The rustling sound was filled with the unique order and hierarchy of the court. The ministers stood according to their rank, civil officials on the east and military officials on the west, lining up on either side. Their eyes followed the two figures in front of them, their expressions varied: awe, speculation, and flattery. This blended and converged, forming the underlying undercurrent of the court.

At that moment, the hall was so quiet that only the faint sound of breathing could be heard, like the calm before a storm, the air seemed frozen. Qin Ruoyu and Qin Rongchen walked into the hall and paused, their skirts fluttering in the breeze. They both lifted their robes and knelt, saying in unison: "Your Majesty, your sons and subordinates," "Your Majesty, may your Majesty rest in peace!" The sound echoed throughout the hall, bouncing off the golden pillars, the lingering sound shattering the suffocating silence and causing the emperor on the throne to look up. In a moment, a majestic voice seemed to echo from the clouds: "Stand up, the warriors of Linzhou have returned to the court today, and it is truly hard work!" The sound was like the tolling of a huge bell, reverberating and echoing through every inch of the carved brick and stone, every vermilion-painted beam and pillar of the Golden Throne Hall. It carried the emperor's majesty and heartfelt praise, instantly dispersing the hall's stagnant and solemn atmosphere.

In the dim morning light, a thin mist still lingered between the soaring eaves and brackets of the towering palace, like a veil, dimly obscuring the anxious anticipation within the inner court. During the Wanshou Festival, a bustling scene had already begun. Palace maids shuttled back and forth, each carrying carefully prepared snacks and fragrant tea. The pastries were exquisitely crafted, resembling the blossoms blooming on branches in spring, their rich, sweet fragrance lingering and filling every inch of the air.

Empress Dowager Kou Jing sat at the main throne. Though past her prime, the years had etched a graceful and composed look on her face. Fine lines at the corners of her eyes betrayed past hardships, yet her brows and eyes were filled with present-day joy. She wore a maroon violet brocade robe embroidered with golden auspicious patterns, exuding an air of elegance. Her hands folded in her lap, she would occasionally glance up toward the palace gate, the anticipation in her eyes like an old swallow waiting for its return to its nest in spring, both kind and anxious.

Empress Kou Lanzhi sat beside him. She was tall, her crimson phoenix robe accentuating her dignified figure. She wore a phoenix crown, and her pearl necklace swayed gently with her subtle movements, like the wind blowing across a lake, casting a shimmering light. Her face was gentle, a faint smile playing on the corners of her mouth, but the slight tightening of her fingers around the handkerchief betrayed her inner nervousness and concern. After all, the return of Crown Prince Qin Ruoyu was a matter of great importance to both the court and the harem. As the mistress of the harem, she still had many matters to discuss with the Crown Prince, and she hoped for his safety and well-being.

Kou Yurou sat a little further away, dressed in a moon-white silk dress embroidered with delicate blue lotus flowers. Just like herself, her pure and untainted beauty concealed a passionate devotion to the Crown Prince. She held a still-unopened flower branch in her hand, occasionally twisting it gently to calm her fluttering heart. But her eyes couldn't help but drift to the door, hoping for a familiar figure to appear soon. Ever since she heard the Crown Prince had departed for Linzhou, her heart had followed him to that windswept land, and she worried day and night, now hoping only to see her cousin return safely.

Footsteps could be heard outside the palace, hurried yet orderly. The Empress Dowager sat up straight, her gaze fixed on the doorway. The Empress and Kou Yurou also tensed, their expressions tense, looking over expectantly. Sunlight broke through the clouds, pouring onto the palace door. Qin Ruoyu, enveloped in a golden glow, strode in.

He strode forward, knelt on one knee, and said in a loud voice: "Grandson pays homage to the Queen Mother. May the Queen Mother be well! Greetings to the Queen Mother." His voice was steady and powerful, echoing in the hall.

The empress dowager had already stood up and walked quickly to Qin Ruoyu, helping him up with both hands. Her eyes were red as she looked at him carefully, muttering, "Hurry up, good boy, let grandma take a good look at you. Have you lost weight or are you hurt?" Her eyes were full of love and pampering.

The queen also stood up, tears in her eyes. Her gaze lingered on Qin Ruoyu, and a huge weight lifted from her heart.

Kou Yurou stood aside with a pretty face, her face flushed. She only dared to glance at Qin Ruoyu quickly, then lowered her head and said in a voice as soft as a mosquito: "Cousin, you are finally back." The emotions hidden in her heart were like a spring undercurrent, quietly surging at the moment of reunion, full of a girl's shyness and joy.

Qin Ruoyu raised his eyes and looked at everyone. A warm feeling surged in his heart. He nodded and smiled, "Thank you, grandmother and mother, for your concern. I am doing well. This time I return to the court, I hope to discuss many matters with you and add to the prosperity of Daqi." After that, there was laughter in the hall, like the warm spring sun, which dispelled all the worries and left only longing and expectations for the future.