As Shen Miao walked, she looked at the lanterns and riddles on the street seriously. Shen Xin and the others hated guessing lantern riddles the most because they were all rough people from the military. They had no patience to dwell on a riddle. Shen Qiu said, “Sister, if you like that prize lantern, tomorrow, I’ll find the best craftsman in the capital for you to make one. You don’t have to go to the trouble of guessing the riddles.”
Shen Qiu could not understand the point of this whole thing. After waiting for Chen Ruoqiu and the others to finish guessing the riddle, the group walked on. At this moment, Concubine Wan suddenly said to Shen Gui, “Master, I heard that Fairy Jade Rabbit will be dancing at Wanli Lake tonight. This year, the Jade Rabbit Lantern will also be set free there. Let’s go and take a look.”
When Chen Ruoqiu heard that, she frowned and said softly, “That Fairy Jade Rabbit is from the Treasure Fragrance Chamber. I’m afraid it’s not appropriate for us to go there.” What kind of place was the Treasure Fragrance Chamber? It was the largest brothel in the capital. The girls there were all enchanting. How many men abandoned their wives for the sake of sleeping with the girls of the Treasure Fragrance Chamber? However, no matter how much those madams despised the Treasure Fragrance Chamber, they could not change the fact that the girls there were all talented. Therefore, this year, the Jade Rabbit Fairy was still played by a girl from the Treasure Fragrance Restaurant.
“Second Madam.” Concubine Wan said softly, “Although that’s the case, I think Fairy Jade Rabbit won’t do anything inappropriate in front of so many people. We’re out for some fun tonight. How can we miss the show? There’s no need to be so serious.” Concubine Wan did not want to argue with Chen Ruoqiu at first, but just like Ren Wanyun, she could not stand Chen Ruoqiu pretending to be high and mighty.
Everyone heard the confrontation between the two of them. For a moment, the awkward atmosphere became a little exciting. The men would not interfere in the women’s argument. Shen Dongling only held Concubine Wan’s hand and closed her mouth tightly without saying anything. Shen Yue wanted to speak up for Chen Ruoqiu, but she felt that it wasn’t her place to speak. For a moment, no one spoke.
“Who said that Fairy Jade Rabbit is the only thing to see in Wanli Lake?” Shen Miao said softly, breaking the silence, “The grand occasion of thousands upon thousands of people lighting the lanterns is not something that can be seen every day. Moreover, one can’t choose their family background. You don’t have to look down on others because of what they do for a living. No matter what her trade is, she’s Fairy Jade Rabbit tonight. Why do you care so much about who she really is?”
Everyone was stunned at first. Shen Xin was the first to laugh out heartily. “Jiaojiao is right. You can’t choose your family background. What’s the point of looking down on others?”
Luo Xueyan also smiled. When they fought on the battlefield, some of the soldiers in the army came from official families, but most of them were commoners. Some of them could not even afford to eat, and some of their parents were about to starve to death. Therefore, she would never look down on poor families.
“Sister.” Shen Qiu patted Shen Miao’s shoulder. “You sound like a heroine who has a heart for the world.”
Shen Miao knew that Shen Qiu was teasing her, but hearing that, she lost in deep thought. In her previous life, it was indeed because of love that she married Fu Xiuyi at first and became the empress, but as the empress, many responsibilities were thrust upon her. She had to ensure that the dynasty was in peace and people led a harmonious life.
