Sixteen people slowly retreated, revealing Shu Li. Her delicate plum blossom makeup enhanced her elegance. What was most unforgettable were her sparkling, starry eyes. She wore a golden gauze dress, with a Hangzhou silk white robe barely visible underneath, and her waist wrapped in light blue gauze.
Her black hair hung delicately at her waist, styled in an elegant cloud-like updo with a purple crystal crescent moon magnolia hairpin. She wore a light purple cross-collar dress embroidered with pearl flower patterns, over a jade-colored misty silver gauze shirt, paired with a moon-white lotus short waist jacket.
“This child wishes Your Majesty a long life,” Xu Qiu’er bowed slightly.
The Emperor felt comfort in his heart. The Crown Princess’s grand entrance and the courtiers’ surprised expressions made him indescribably happy. Seeing a beautiful woman belonging to the Crown Prince, he returned to his dragon throne and said, “Someone, bestow a reward.”
In one corner, Bangyan Rong Xuan remarked, “What a pity, unable to see that painting.” They were far away and could only catch a glimpse, but even that brief look showed the profound artistic skill of the painter. Rong Xuan, the most skilled in painting among them, felt an itch to compete with the Crown Princess.
The Emperor heard a familiar voice and lifted the curtain of the sedan chair, spotting the young palace maid who had performed a dance at the birthday banquet.
Feeling somewhat interested, the Emperor ordered the sedan to stop. A eunuch hurriedly draped a robe over him, as the night was deep and the dew heavy. If something happened to him, they would all be in trouble.
“Raise your head,” he said.
Xiao Ju complied, with tears on her small face, looking touching in the moonlight. The Emperor asked, “What’s making you so anxious?”
Xiao Ju replied, “Your Majesty, our young mistress has fainted, and we want to inform the Crown Prince.”
The Emperor raised an eyebrow and ordered a eunuch to inform the Crown Prince. “Alright, get up. It’s windy tonight; come and wait for news.” Although his words sounded casual, the implication was clear.
Xiao Ju extended her hand to the Emperor, her expression fading, a tear dropping into the dark night.
Fu Qiu Hall –
