Chapter 966 New Year’s Eve
“How could that be? A new emperor’s wedding is something that many people would never have a chance to see in their entire lives. Master, we eagerly wish you to hold the wedding every day.”
Baizhi said in a silvery voice, which made the people around her burst into laughter.
Baishao knocked Baizhi’s head dotingly. “This girl seems to be confused about everything except food.”
The courtyard became more lively, and Lin Mengya also smiled. Her mood, which rose because of their parting, gradually dissipated with everyone’s laughter.
Although she did not keep it from Long Tianyu, she did not tell him precisely when she was leaving.
Her beloved, the emperor had the glory to rule the world. And she would rather turn into a flowing light behind him and light up the endless darkness for him.
Her mind was slightly chaotic. In the end, all those unclear words transformed into a faint sigh.
New Year’s Eve, the last day of the year came.
Early in the morning, Lin Mengya was pulled up from the bed, letting the girls comb her hair and make fashion hairstyles for her with their skillful hands.
Her hair was tied up, with a gorgeous hairpin with ornaments hanging in her thick black hair.
Her new tailored dress in bright red paired with her delicate skin, which appeared as white as jade.
Low and deep music was heard from outside the courtyard.
That was the rite when the new emperor went out of the palace to offer sacrifices to Heaven. When the music had completely gone, Lin Mengya dressed up ready, and stood beside the mirror.
“Master, you really live up to your reputation as the most beautiful woman in Dajin. I’m afraid that our new emperor will fall in love with you deeply when he sees you.”
Baizhi fetched a quicksilver mirror as tall as half a man and looked at Lin Mengya in the mirror, who was in fancy clothes and looked gorgeous. She was no longer immature, and a little bit of beautiful coldness revealed a kind of charm that could not be offended.
Lin Mengya was also a little stunned. Then, she curled up her lips slightly and softened the coldness in her eyes and eyebrows of the woman in the mirror. How long had she not looked at herself like this?
She was still very young. After this year, she would be just 20 years old.
However, her eyes could see through everything as if she had lived for several lifetimes.
No one else could have encountered what she had experienced during the past 20 years, right?
She had been through so many hardships and reversed difficult situations so many times. What was waiting for her ahead was the unknown that had been buried for thousands of years, and also the fetters that had laid across the river of time.
In such a life, there were vigorous magnificent feats and plain sincere harmony.
In short, Heavens was kind to her.
“The Empress Dowager, Her Grace, sent someone to deliver the things here early in the morning. Her Grace is very thoughtful. These things are perfectly matched for you, Master.”
Baiji, who was always the most considerate, knew that this was actually a disguised compensation from the Empress Dowager.
After all, both the Empress Dowager and the new Emperor kept thinking about their master.
“Well, it’s not bad, but what’s lively here? Menya, how about hanging out?”
It was very lively in Yixin Courtyard. The master and servants all had changed into new clothes.
Qinghu wore a sable coat, which made his handsome face appear more delicate than a woman’s.
With his unique foxy smile, he looked at his only sister, and his eyes were full of doting.
People around Lin Mengya knew that the legendary Duke loved their master the most. So they also echoed and persuaded Lin Menggya to hurry up to hang out with Qinghu.
“Master, put on this cloak, lest you catch a cold.”
“Master, here are some silver changes. Buy whatever you like. Don’t be hard on yourself.”
“Master, take this box of pastries. We also put some snacks in it. Take a bite when you are hungry on the way. Don’t starve yourself.”
Lin Mengya’s three maids were very loyal to her. One moment, one took out a sachet, and the next moment, another one took out a box… In a short while, both Qinghu and Lin Mengya were covered with a dazzling array of items.
Lin Mengya didn’t know whether to laugh or cry as she looked at the three “housekeepers”. She just went out for a walk.
“Put them away for now. I’ll bring them with me when I’m free in the future. You guys take good care of the home, and I’ll bring you something good when I’m back in the evening.”
After comforting them one by one, the three girls were willing to let her go.
However, they still stood at the side, with their envious eyes on Baisu, who had been standing by Lin Mengya’s side since a moment ago.
“It’s great to learn martial arts.” After a long time, Baishao, who always had a silver tongue, spoke angrily.
Unexpectedly, the other two nodded in unison.
Baisu, who was used to being indifferent, did not respond.
It was not until she left with Lin Mengya and Qinghu that she said a word faintly.
“It’s that simple to practice martial arts.”
Behind her, the three girls were so angry that they almost rushed up to tear Baisu apart.
Qinghu glanced at Baisu strangely, then sighed, and shook his head.
“Alas, they all become bad.”
With that, his abdomen was hit by an elbow at once.
“I can beat you even without learning martial arts.”
Lin Mengya, who did not show any guilty conscience, glared at Qinghu with an elegant smile.
Qinghu had to put on a flattering smile and resolutely support his sister in all aspects.
Although they were of noble status, they went out of the Imperial Palace without any obstruction because of the token given by Long Tianyu.
As soon as they walked out of the Imperial Palace gate, Lin Mengya saw a small carriage parked not far away.
“Brother Tian, why are you here?”
The carter looked delicate and refined. Even though he was in coarse clothes, he revealed a bit of scholar’s mildness.
When Tian Ning saw Lin Mengya, whom he had not seen for days, his eyes were full of smiles.
“Not only me. Look, who is this?”
He casually lifted the curtain of the carriage. Who else could be sitting inside quietly except her teacher, Baili Rui?
Lin Mengya felt so happy as if colorful fireworks were blossoming in her heart. She quickly climbed into the carriage, held on to her teacher’s arm and shook it repeatedly.
“Mr. Baili, why are you here? I was thinking of secretly transferring all of you to the palace.”
Hearing that, Baili Rui said nothing but smiled dotingly.
He knew that Lin Mengya had been through lots of ups and downs. However, he didn’t expect that she was still unrestrained inside like a youth.
He thought, “That’s good. If she is as lifeless as me, she will live up to her youth.”
“Where are we going for fun?”
Lin Mengya had never been so happy. In the past, she spent the New Year alone, either in the laboratory or in the dormitory to sleep.
This year, the people she cared about would be all around her.
In front of outsiders, the dignified and steady Lin Mengya was as happy as an innocent child.
“You’ll see later.”
Qinghu kept her guessing leisurely. Lin Mengya didn’t bother to coax him. She knew him best. It would be better to let him arrange it.
The carriage sped along the western suburbs of the Capital City.
Seeing that the surrounding buildings became fewer and farther behind, and the people were all attracted by the magnificence and liveliness of the new emperor’s first Heaven Worship. The carriage finally stopped at the door of an inconspicuous folk house.
“Here we are. Get off.”
Qinghu jumped out of the carriage first. Looking at Lin Mengya’s suspicious expression, he was extremely triumphant.
Since he fell into Lin Mengya’s hands, he had been made a fool of by her every time.
Now that Qinghu finally had a chance to hold his head high, so why did he not show off?
“Qinghu, what’s your plan today?”
Qinghu just smiled mysteriously and then gently pushed her into the yard.
The yard was a lot wider than that looked from the outside. It was neat and clean. It didn’t look like a prince’s mansion, and it wasn’t as splendid as the Imperial Palace.
However, it had its style, looking like a residence of a wealthy family.
Lin Mengya looked around, but she couldn’t find out anything.
Qinghu was even more triumphant. With a wild smile, he pulled Lin Mengya’s arm all the way to the inner courtyard.
Before Lin Mengya could steady herself, two figures ran out of the room, playing and laughing.
“Just wait and see, Long Qinghan! When I get home, I’m gonna show you what the family rules are.”
The young girl was in a light yellow dress. In winter, this soft color could always make people feel exuberant vitality.
As for the man behind the young girl, he had a face of a wicked smile.
“My dear, have you forgotten? Yesterday, you tested our family rules on me one by one, and you did not allow me to get up until all the ‘instruments of torture’ were broken under my knees.”
The man’s eyes sparkled with deep love, but the girl did not appreciate it.
When she pouted and was thinking about how to fight back, she accidentally saw Lin Mengya. Immediately, her eyes lit up, and like a light bird, she threw herself into Lin Mengya’s arms, held her slender waist, and complained pitifully.
“Sister-in-law, Long Qinghan bullied me. Please help me.”
Lin Mengya looked at Gu Pan in surprise, as well as Long Qinghan, who was chasing over from a short distance.
“You… Shouldn’t you go with His Majesty to the Heaven Worship ceremony? Why are you here?”
A cold light flashed across Long Qinghan’s eyes, and Lin Mengya got the point in an instant.
“That’s right. Long Qinghan is the first-in-line successor to the throne in Jin State.
“If he doesn’t pretend to be at odds with Long Tianyu, how can he pull the wool over those people’s eyes?
“Power can indeed confuse the eyes of others. However, there will always be some people who can clear the confusion and see what they should cherish.”
She gave Long Qinghan a slight nod. Long Qinghan had sacrificed many things, no matter whether it was for Dajin or for her and Long Tianyu.
“Hump! What Heaven Worship ceremony? I don’t care. Sister-in-law, the things that you sent me some time ago were all damaged by this treacherous court official, Long Qinghan. Is it great to have Martial arts? Can he bully me because he is a martial artist?”
Gu Pan still held Lin Mengya and complained tearfully, but there was no tear in her clear eyes.
It was obvious that she was over-favored, but no one would dislike her, even a little.
“That’s easy. Tomorrow, I’ll let someone make a large pair of caltrops and send it to you. I’m sure your prince will be totally convinced if he kneels on them.”
Lin Mengya narrowed her eyes and laughed wildly.
Long Qinghan’s handsome face turned pale instantly.
He said through his teeth, “Sister-in-law, you win!”
