Her hair was cloud-like and beautiful! She opened her eyes and found herself back in the third year

The sky was overcast, and spring rain fell like silk threads, the wind swirling the raindrops in the air, sweeping in a few fallen petals.

Empress Dowager Cheng led Eunuch De out of the hall and watched from afar as the couple left under an umbrella.

In the pouring spring rain, they walked slowly. The woman lifted her skirt slightly, and the man turned slightly to hold an umbrella for her, shielding her from the wind and rain.

As if she had thought of something, she tugged at the clothes on his arm, turned to the side and looked up to speak to him. Her pure and bright face was full of gentle and beautiful eyes.

He turned his head slightly, listening quietly, his usually stern face softening, and even seemed to be smiling.

Just like a bright spring day, with a gentle breeze and slanting rain, the handsome man and beautiful woman lean on each other, like a perfect couple.

Empress Dowager Cheng stood in front of the palace for a long time, until the group of people disappeared, before she came back to her senses and looked down at the sleeves embroidered with golden phoenixes.

De Gonggong Hou stayed quietly by her side.

......

The next morning, Cheng Yan went to the court assembly early. When Qin Yizhen got up to do her hair and makeup, she only received a letter left by him.

"He left me a letter?" Qin Yizhen found it really strange. These days they had been sleeping in the same bed almost every day, and they went out and came back together every day. Why couldn't they say it to each other in person, and instead had to write a letter?

Lü Qiao chuckled, "Today is the princess's birthday. Perhaps the marquis has something he can't say to the princess in person? Princess, please take a look."

"What's wrong with saying it to his face? He's just someone who does whatever comes to mind." Qin Yizhen complained, but the corners of her mouth couldn't help but curl up slightly, and her eyes were full of curiosity.

She quickly opened the envelope, unfolded the letter, and read:

Today is an auspicious day, a special occasion. I will return at dusk to celebrate with you.

The meaning is simple and clear: "I will return at dusk to celebrate this auspicious day with you." But the way he wrote it has given it a touch of tenderness and lingering affection.

It was as if... as if they were an unmarried couple, and he secretly sent her a letter, asking her to meet him at dusk.

Qin Yizhen bit her lip, feeling her cheeks burning. Seeing Lü Qiao's curious gaze, she quickly folded the letter and put it back in the envelope, then coughed and said, "Hurry up and do my makeup."

"Oh, I almost forgot, the guests will be here soon."

"Guests? Where did these guests come from?"

"Look how forgetful I am, I actually forgot to tell the princess." Green Qiao smiled, her eyes crinkling with delight.

"The Marquis said that today is the princess's birthday. Although it is not appropriate to hold a grand celebration, it should not be celebrated in a cold and quiet manner either. So he had several young ladies and girls invited to come and keep the princess company. Oh, and I heard that the princess likes to listen to storytelling, so he specially invited two knowledgeable gentlemen to come and tell stories."

"Princess, please rest assured. The Marquis specifically instructed that their presence today is merely to keep you company and have some fun, and that you must not bring any gifts."

"Really?" Qin Yizhen's eyes lit up immediately upon hearing this.

Actually, she also felt that celebrating her birthday like this was a bit too quiet, but given her status, if she were to host a banquet, there would be too many people bringing gifts, and too many of them would be expensive, which she didn't want to accept.

Besides, there are so many people, it's exhausting to entertain them, and she doesn't want to deal with it.

But she is still very happy if only a few people come to keep her company.

As Lü Qiao styled her hair, she said, "Of course it's true. The Marquis instructed the kitchen to prepare more food early this morning, so that it can be sent to Biluo Garden when the guests arrive."

Biluo Garden, despite its name containing the character "garden," is not a garden, but rather a large courtyard used by the Marquis of Pingxi for banquets.

The courtyard features a waterside pavilion and stage, planted with lotus and daffodils. Sitting there, one can watch plays by the water, enjoy tea, and appreciate the flowers, which is indeed a refined pleasure.

However, this courtyard was only used when Cheng Yan and Qin Yizhen got married, and it has been deserted and empty ever since.

“Princess, look how much the Marquis cares for you. I’m so happy to see that.”

This woman's only wish in life was to marry a loving husband, have two children, and live a peaceful and stable life. It was naturally a joyous occasion that Qin Yi was so cherished by Cheng Yan.

Qin Yizhen looked at herself in the bronze mirror, her eyes crinkling with a smile, her face full of joy and anticipation.

She thought she was very happy too.

After she changed her clothes and came out of her bedroom, the maids and servants who served her in the courtyard came to greet her. Hongying had also returned, and Song Pingping was also there.

"Congratulations on the Princess's birthday! May the Princess live a thousand years!"

The spring breeze passes over the branches, the leaves sway, and fallen flowers are carried away by the wind.

The weather was fine, the white clouds were floating, and the world was at peace.

Qin Yizhen stood under the corridor, watching the crowd worship, as if she could see through time and witness scenes from many, many years later.

"No need for formalities." She raised her hand, dismissing everyone's formalities. "Today, all those serving in the courtyard during the spring break will be given a monthly allowance of three months' salary, and everyone in the manor will be given a monthly allowance of one month's salary."

"Thank you, Princess." Everyone was delighted to hear this, after all, they were happy to receive an extra monthly allowance.

"Go about your business," Granny Gui said, dismissing everyone. She then ordered breakfast to be served, saying, "Princess, please have your breakfast first."

"Granny Gui, have we received some guests?"

"Not yet, not yet. This matter is handled by this servant. It will probably take a while longer." It was Granny Jin who answered. "But the storyteller has arrived. One of the storytellers is a woman. If the princess likes her, she can come and tell the princess a story."

"It's actually a female teacher?" Qin Yizhen was surprised, then immediately said, "Then please invite her to sit down. Hongying and Aunt Song, you've already had some, so please sit down and have some with me."

The two men readily agreed and sat on either side of Qin Yizhen to have breakfast with her. Before long, someone brought over a female teacher.

She was in her early thirties, dressed in a blue robe and wearing a lotus crown. She was simple and elegant, aloof and graceful. After being led in by a maid, she bowed respectfully without being servile or arrogant.

"Suoyu greets the princess."

"No need for formalities, please sit down." Qin Yizhen invited her to sit down, then looked her over with some curiosity.

"I heard that the Marquis has invited a female scholar to tell stories. I am very curious. Judging from your attire, you look somewhat like a female Taoist priest?"

"I used to be a female Taoist priest, but I left the priesthood a few years ago. However, I can't change this habit."

Suoyu smiled calmly, her expression clear and bright. Although her appearance was not particularly outstanding, her elegance and refined charm were admirable.

Qin Yizhen was somewhat curious: "I see that you are so comfortable and at ease as a nun, why do you want to return to secular life? If you are willing to answer, you can enlighten me; if you are not willing, you don't have to answer."

“There’s nothing I can’t answer,” Suoyu smiled. “I lost a child many years ago and was heartbroken, so I became a nun.”

Two years ago, I was told that my poor child was actually still alive, but because my child and I were in the way of others, someone kidnapped and sold him.