The Empress Arrives: Rebirth of Concubine Hua

Chapter 127: Lantern Festival Extra: The best time of the year is the Lantern Festival
Last year's Lantern Festival was the first year that Nian Shilan entered the palace. Unfortunately, Nian Shilan was not feeling well during those days, so she did not go to the Old Summer Palace with Yinzhen and Ulanara to attend the palace banquet on Lantern Festival. She also had no interest in the festive activities in the palace and just stayed in Jinglan Courtyard, where she was living at the time.

This year's Lantern Festival had to be prepared several days in advance. Ulanara handed over all the trivial matters to Nian Shilan, and only said that Concubine Hua would assist in the household chores and that some matters should be delegated to her for handling.

Nian Shilan followed the old custom of celebrating the three days of the Lantern Festival and arranged for people to hang lanterns inside and outside the palace early. Because it was the first month of the year, the palace had already been decorated on New Year's Eve, so it was easy to add more lanterns now.

Nian Shilan received a pair of cards and had people tie colorful ribbons on the trees throughout the palace. When the lights shone at night, the entire palace was bright and festive, a radical change from its usual solemnity and dullness.

The clusters of red plum blossoms in the garden are in full bloom, and there is some white snow that has not yet melted. The red plum blossoms look extremely beautiful under the colorful lights.

The water in the garden lake is a pool of hot spring water brought in from outside. It never freezes even in the coldest times. Now it acts like a mirror, with the shadows of candles dancing in the wind on the sparkling water.

That day was the thirteenth day of the first lunar month. At night, Ulanara stood in the pavilion in the middle of the lake and looked around the garden.

Jianqiu and Jiang Fuhai stood behind her.

Ulanara stood for a moment, looking at the lake, and said lightly.

"Concubine Hua has done a really good job. No wonder the master suddenly gave her the power to assist in the household affairs. What do you think, should we hand over the palace to her next?"

Jianqiu and Jiang Fuhai looked at each other, Jiang Fuhai nodded slightly, and then Qiumei spoke.

"Master, don't worry. No matter how good Concubine Hua is, she is just a concubine. You are the Concubine listed in the royal family's imperial edict, and Concubine De is your aunt. From what I have seen, she doesn't like Concubine Hua. In my humble opinion, as long as you are devoted to the master, the household affairs of this mansion will always be in your hands. Concubine Hua is just a temporary novelty for the master. Look at the women in this mansion, which one can be popular for a hundred days?"

Ulanara did not respond, so Jianqiu continued.

"Jiang Fuhai has done everything you asked him to do. Hu is also a fool. Even if we can't kill two birds with one stone this time, it's good to get rid of one of them."

Ulanara nodded slightly.

"Amitabha. If I don't do something, someone will come to harm me."

Nian Shilan sneezed in Cheng'en Garden, and Songzhi hurriedly said.

"Master, have you caught a cold? Master has been busy these days, and sometimes he feels hot, and he doesn't wear enough clothes to keep cool. I am really worried. How about asking the imperial physician to come and take a look later?"

Nian Shilan gently pressed her nose with a silk handkerchief and said.

"It's nothing. It's just a sneeze, no need to make a fuss. I just feel uneasy and I don't know why. Xiao Linzi, you should check every corner of this courtyard for me these few days. The weather is dry and it's a big festival. I'm afraid the candles will go out. It's not a big deal if something is burned, but if someone is hurt, it will be unlucky in the first month of the year."

Xiao Linzi responded quickly.

"Well, I will watch the yard carefully. Please rest assured, Master."

Songzhi helped Nian Shilan wash up and lit the calming incense she brought from the Nian Mansion. The incense was light and pleasant, and Nian Shilan liked it. She also asked Wen Xianqing and felt relieved when using it.

At the hour of Yin on the 14th day of the first lunar month, Nian Shilan was helped up by Songzhi. She was still in a daze as she sat on the bed. How come it was already dawn just after she closed her eyes?

After Songzhi asked someone to bring a basin of water and a face towel to help Nian Shilan wash and dress, Nian Shilan finally realized that she had to put on her formal makeup today and go to the palace to attend a banquet for relatives of the vassal.

It was not until he had paid his respects to Ulanara and stood in front of the palace gate with Ulanara, about to get on the carriage, that Nian Shilan suddenly came to his senses and his eyes lit up.

Songzhi supported Nian Shilan and found it funny that her master was still as sleepy as she was when she was a young lady and was always in a daze.

Yinzhen and Ulanara rode together, while Nian Shilan and Qi Yuebin were in the carriage behind.

As soon as she got on the bus, Nian Shilan leaned against the carriage, wanting to take a nap.

Qi Yuebin sat upright opposite Nian Shilan. She maintained the good posture she had developed as a student, with her hands folded on her knees.

"Did Concubine Hua sleep late last night? It's already morning and you're still so sleepy."

Qi Yuebin said with a smile.

Nian Shilan didn't even open her eyes. She originally didn't want to pay attention to her, but after thinking for a while, she spoke lazily.

"Thank you for your concern. I'm very sleepy now. Let me sleep for a while."

Qi Yuebin stopped talking, and the carriage swayed all the way towards the Old Summer Palace.

It was a busy day. Nian Shilan attended the banquet in the Old Summer Palace with Yinzhen and Ulanara.

The Defei just looked at them from across the seat and had no chance to talk, which saved Nian Shilan a lot of trouble, as she didn't like talking to the Defei.

In the previous life, wasn't the bowl of medicine that was said to stabilize the fetus but was actually for inducing abortion prepared by Concubine De at the request of Ulanara, and then given to her by Qi?

Concubine De is Yinzhen’s biological mother. Even though we can’t touch her now, it doesn’t mean we won’t be able to do anything to her in the future.

But now, when Nian Shilan can avoid facing her head on, she will never approach her, lest Nian Shilan remembers those things and cannot help but do something extreme.

When we returned to the palace, it was already the You hour.

Yinzhen looked at the colorful lanterns and flying ribbons everywhere in the palace, and the servants were all in high spirits, and his mood also became cheerful.

"Thank you for your hard work, Madam, in decorating the house so magnificently. The Lantern Festival is a good time of the year to pray for blessings and good fortune. This year, everything will go smoothly for sure."

Ulanara replied with a faint smile.

"Master, you are too kind. These arrangements are all due to Sister Nian's contribution. Master has a keen eye and discovered Sister Nian's talent for managing things. Now everyone in the mansion is convinced by Sister Nian."

Yinzhen turned around and looked at Nian Shilan and smiled.

"Listen, even the wife praised your talent for managing affairs, which shows that you are quite capable. I heard that your brother was very brave in killing the enemy at the front line, and you must be very capable in the palace."

Nian Shilan's heart sank. Ulanara's words "talent to be in charge" easily pushed her to an usurpatory position.

Nian Shilan didn't show any expression and laughed.

"Master and Consort Fu are really too kind to me. I am just following the old practice of previous years and settling down with what is available. Consort Fu is tolerant of me because I am not stupid. My brother is fighting for the country on the front line, and he is passionate about it. He wants the people to be safe so that his family can live well in the capital. In the final analysis, it is just the selfish desire of an ordinary person. My little ability is not a big deal. Everything is given by Master. I am very grateful."

Yinzhen laughed and walked forward.

"Well said. It is rare for Shilan to be neither arrogant nor conceited. We are all tired today, so let's rest early. Tomorrow is a good day, and I will celebrate the festival with you."

Ulanara took Nian Shilan and Qi Yuebin, said goodbye and went back to their respective residences.

Early in the morning on the fifteenth day, the concubines paid their respects to Lady Ulanara and waited in the Xingfu Courtyard for the special dishes presented by the palace.

As early as the twelfth lunar month, Ulanara had already bought new winter clothes for the servants. Today, she ordered the housekeeper to reward the servants with silver according to their ranks. The servants were extremely happy and kept thanking the lady for her great kindness.

In the evening, Ulanara held a banquet as usual, and everyone followed Yinzhen to tour around the palace and guessed riddles in a lively manner.

Yinzhen rewarded the concubines according to their status, and everyone went back to rest.

Before leaving, Qi Yuebin watched Yinzhen and Nian Shilan talking together, and his heart was filled with sadness. Even the newly-appreciated brocade and jewels looked dull.

During the three days of the Lantern Festival, the lights in the palace were kept on all night, and the servants in various places received rewards and worked with great care.

Yinzhen and Nian Shilan changed into their regular clothes. Yinzhen wore a dark blue robe with blue cuffs instead of bright yellow, and embroidered with gold patterns. Yinzhen was born into a prominent family, so even though his clothes were plain, anyone with a keen eye could tell that he was a rich and noble young man.

Nian Shilan picked and chose, and finally pointed to a goose yellow top and skirt, and asked Songzhi to help her change.

She asked Guyu to change her hair bun, and waited for Songzhi to put on a moon-white brocade cloak and lambskin boots for her before she walked lightly to the side door of the palace.

Yinzhen had been waiting for two quarters of an hour and was feeling bored when Nian Shilan gently hooked Yinzhen's hand from behind him.

When Yinzhen turned around, he saw a pretty and bright young lady standing in front of him.

"You are wearing very nice clothes, but it is too eye-catching. Didn't you tell me that you wanted to go out incognito and experience the joy of an ordinary couple?"

As Yinzhen spoke, there was a smile in his eyes, and Nian Shilan did not miss that smile.

"Master, what you said is wrong. Can't ordinary couples dress nicely? You and I are just a pair of rich idlers in the market today. Let's go. If we are any later, we will miss the Lantern Festival~!"

Nian Shilan smiled charmingly and looked at Yinzhen with her big, charming eyes, which made Yinzhen feel like he was being scratched by a kitten.

Yinzhen smiled and took Nian Shilan's hand.

"Okay, then I am just a rich young man today, and Shilan is my young lady. Let's go to see the lanterns together."

Yinzhen and Nian Shilan walked along the street with the crowd, and nearby were only Su Peisheng and Songzhi, who had also changed into ordinary servants' clothes.

The streets were lined with lanterns, and Yinzhen saw many young men and women walking together, with almost all the men giving lanterns to the women. The lanterns were beautifully made, with vivid rabbit lanterns, beautiful lotus lanterns, and auspicious cloud lanterns that symbolized good fortune, and each one seemed to come alive under the flickering candlelight.

There is even a Chang'e lantern, in which Chang'e is holding a small moon in her hand, with a jade rabbit faintly appearing on the moon.

The girl holding the lantern smiled contentedly, looking at the man beside her with deep affection in her eyes.

Nian Shilan looked at the couples passing by them and spoke in a low voice.

"Young Master has been born in a wealthy family. I think it's rare for you to go out and hang out during the Lantern Festival like today."

Yinzhen held Nian Shilan's hand and talked as they walked.

"Yes, young master. I have never been so relaxed as I am today. Look at those lanterns. Do you like any of them? I will buy some for you."

Yinzhen pointed to a small lantern stall not far away, the owner of which was a little old man.

The old man was greeting customers coming and going to buy lanterns. He looked up and saw Yinzhen and Nian Shilan in the crowd a few steps away, and waved to them with a smile.

"Sir, would you like to see my lantern? I'll buy it for your wife, and she will be happy!"

Yinzhen smiled and walked towards the old man's lantern stall. An Yi, An Er, and An San were all hidden in the crowd, following Yinzhen and Nian Shilan not far away.

In the palace, Ulanara heard that her master had quietly left the palace through the side door with Concubine Hua. She stroked the jade ruyi in her hand and said lightly.

"Let them go. Where the master wants to go is not something I can control. Go get some water early. I need to rest. Tomorrow is the sixteenth, and there is still one day left."

The real secret guards that Yinzhen left in the mansion had already captured four men in black who wanted to break into the dungeon and take Hanlu away. However, when the four men in black saw that their plan had failed, they immediately swallowed poison and died before the secret guards could ask any questions.

Nian Shilan picked a crab lantern. The crab had two thick claws open, which waved non-stop when people walked, looking very lively.

Nian Shilan was so pleased that she circled in front of Yinzhen holding the lantern.

"Sir, look, is this lamp beautiful?"

Yinzhen looked at Nian Shilan and laughed out loud.

"It looks good, it looks good. If this crab were alive, I could probably make you a lot of crab cakes."

Nian Shilan said angrily.

"My lord, you really know how to make fun of me. Why can this crab only be eaten? Look at its domineering appearance, how funny it is!"

Yinzhen stretched out his arms to protect Nian Shilan in the crowd to prevent people passing by from bumping into her, and said with a smile.

"Yes, yes, you are as domineering as it is. No wonder you like it. You are the same kind."

Su Peisheng was paying the old man behind him. When he heard that a crab lantern cost one or two taels of silver, he couldn't help but exclaimed.

"You old man, are you trying to trick me? This lamp only costs one ounce of silver? It's too expensive!"

The old man still smiled.

"No wonder you are surprised. You can't find another lamp like mine anywhere in the market. If you don't believe me, go and have a look. If you can find an identical one, I will return the money to you immediately. This lady has good taste. The one she chose is one-of-a-kind!"

Yinzhen listened to the old man's words and had an idea. He pulled Nian Shilan, who was happily playing with the lanterns, and asked with a smile.

"This old man said that you have a unique vision and that what you choose is unique. Is that also true for me?"

Nian Shilan smiled and put the lamp in Yinzhen's hand.

"Sir, try this lamp too. It's fun to walk around with."

Seeing that Nian Shilan did not answer him directly, Yinzhen was about to speak again, but he saw the crowd suddenly screaming and dispersing, and a path was immediately made clear on the street.

Several men dressed as young masters came over with tiger-head lanterns and stag lanterns in their hands, and their servants drove away the surrounding people with whips.

Yinzhen and Nian Shilan were traveling incognito today and did not want to cause fuss, but one of the young masters happened to see the crab lantern in Nian Shilan's hand.

"Hey! This lamp is interesting! I want it!"

As the young man spoke, he reached out to snatch the lamp from Nian Shilan's hand. Nian Shilan did not dodge or avoid him, but looked at him coldly.

Yinzhen had already broken the young man's wrist, and the young man screamed in pain.

The other companions immediately shouted to their servants and rushed forward, with Su Peisheng protecting Yinzhen and Nian Shilan.

"Master, leave quickly!"

Yinzhen waved his hand impatiently, and the secret guards hidden in the crowd had already covered their faces with black scarves, and in no time they threw those young masters and servants to the ground.

One of them was a fat and big-eared young man lying on the ground with a broken leg. He rolled around in pain, twitching all over and still screaming to himself.

"Do you know who we are? How dare you hit us! Just wait! I'll ask my father to destroy your lair!"

Yinzhen smiled coldly.

"Who are you, my father? How dare you snatch things from me?"

Among the servants who had just been beaten to the ground, those who were still able to move quietly got up, squeezed out of the crowd, and stumbled to report the news.

Yinzhen signaled, and the secret guards who had hidden themselves in the crowd again stopped moving and let the servant run away.

Yinzhen didn't bring many people today. Su Peisheng was asking whether to ask the secret guards to go back to the mansion to call for protection when he heard a loud and angry shout from outside the crowd.

"Where did this villain come from? How dare you cause trouble during the Lantern Festival under the Emperor's feet!"

Yinzhen looked in the direction of the voice and met the eyes of Guan Zhengke, the deputy leader of the Jingji garrison, who was called by the servant.

Guan Zhengke was so shocked that before he could kneel down, the fat and big-eared young man didn't even bother to cry out in pain, and shouted happily.

"Brother, you're here! Hurry up and catch that troublemaker! Tell my father to destroy his lair!"

Guan Zhengke said loudly.

"Shut up! You idiot!"

The young man was stunned and saw that his elder brother Guan Zhengke had already knelt down.

"Your servant Guan Zhengke is late, please forgive me, Your Majesty!"

Everyone present was shocked and immediately knelt in a circle. For a moment, the street that was crowded and bustling just half a quarter of an hour ago became silent.

Yinzhen said coldly.

"I heard from your brother that he wants your father to destroy my lair?"

The sweat on Guan Zhengke's head flowed like water in this first month of the year.

"Your Highness, please forgive me! My brother is stupid and does not recognize the great man! I have offended you, and I will make him kowtow and apologize!"

Nian Shilan pulled Yinzhen's hand. Yinzhen knew that Nian Shilan was concerned about the people around her and urged him to deal with it as soon as possible.

A few days ago, Yinzhen was worried about how to deal with Guan Shanyu, the lieutenant commander of the Baoyi Guards who always secretly made trouble for him, and today his good son came to his door.

"It's a small matter to offend me, but your brother's behavior is enough to show the big picture. It can be seen that he is a bully. Su Peisheng, ask someone to invite these people to the Shuntian Prefecture Governor's Office. I will report to the emperor tomorrow and then try them."

After saying this, he took Nian Shilan back home without paying any attention to Guan Zhengke's pleas.

The position of the commander of the Baoyi Guards should be vacated.

If Nian Gengyao wins this battle, he should be promoted.

Nian Shilan returned to Cheng'en Garden, thinking about what happened tonight.

She heard about Guan Shanyu's official position on her way back home. In her previous life, her brother also rose to prominence from that position.

The Lantern Festival is such a great day.

　I caught a cold last night. I had planned to write two chapters of the main text and an extra chapter today, but I had a headache. During this festive season, I forced myself to write an extra chapter. I hope everyone has a happy Lantern Festival! Thank you for your understanding and support!
　　
　
(End of this chapter)