Two months passed in a blur, and the day of Li Qin’s wedding arrived. Despite the Emperor’s prolonged illness, the atmosphere in the palace and the Lin mansion was joyful. Everywhere was ablaze with red, as if one could fall into this fiery world with a single misstep. Even sitting in the simplest rattan chair, one felt as if engulfed by flames. Everyone was bright and cheerful, no one was allowed to be angry or utter inauspicious words. Even the laziest servants were more diligent today. Someone suddenly pushed Qingqing, causing her to fall and burst into tears. The prankster’s mood quickly dissipated, murmuring in confusion, “Big Sister, I…” Qingqing’s tears flowed more fiercely. After a while, realizing her outburst, she said, “Hong’er, why aren’t you helping out at Yafu’s place? Why come here to join the commotion?”
Chapter 100: The Emperor’s Passing
Lin Hong shrugged helplessly, watching Qingqing, her face still wet with tears yet serious, and couldn’t help but want to laugh, only to be pinched hard by Qingqing, grimacing in pain, “It’s chaos over there; even the Third Concubine is helping. They find me in the way.” “Big Sister, why are you crying?” Lin Hong wanted to ask if she wanted to get married but remembered Mr. Liu’s scolding not to jest about such matters. Qingqing, understanding, sighed softly, “I’m happy for Yuzhen.” “Oh?” Lin Hong was puzzled, “Why not for Yafu?” “Yafu marrying the Crown Prince was inevitable.” Her eyes suddenly took on a cold light, “But Yuzhen marrying him is for the sake of the nation, fulfilling her wish.” Is marrying the one you love for the country’s sake considered happiness? Qingqing smiled, her smile as elusive as the clouds in the sky.
