With her deceased husband as her dowry, would Your Highness dare to marry her?

Outside the hall, Lin Ci walked back along the passageway.

The sounds of string and wind instruments from the banquet, separated by several palace walls, had become faint and indistinct by this point, like hearing voices through a layer of water, indistinct and unclear. She walked to the crescent-shaped gate, then suddenly stopped, thinking that the festivities belonged to others and she didn't need to join in. So she turned and went to the side hall where she was on night duty, brought out a small table, and chose a quiet corner to sit down.

Lin Ci touched her clothes and took out a piece of jujube cake from her bosom. She had been so focused on the Emperor Yan's movements at the banquet that she hadn't had a chance to eat it, but now was the perfect time to enjoy it in peace.

She took a small bite; the jujube paste was smooth and creamy, the rice cake was soft and fluffy, and the sweetness was just right.

The ones sold in the palace are quite different from those sold in town. Lin Ci felt she hadn't taken enough, so she would ask a eunuch to fetch some more later to take back to Song Xuan; he would definitely love them.

Thinking about it, she took another bite, her thoughts drifting back to New Year's Eve last year. At that time, the two of them had just settled in Zhangjia Village and didn't have many copper coins left. In order to have a good New Year, Song Xuan pawned the only decent piece of clothing he had, bought a fish, and hid two pieces of jujube cake in his pocket. The market was far away from Zhangjia Village, and when he returned, the cake was still warm.

That kind of jujube cake was naturally not as good as the one Lin Ci had; it tasted bitter and the dough was coarse, but it was the best thing to eat that year.

Lin Ci missed him. She looked up at the sky, waiting for the next spectacular display of lights, but unfortunately, nothing happened after a long while.

The palace lanterns under the eaves swayed gently in the wind, casting her shadow long and short.

After finishing the last bite of jujube cake, Lin Ci licked her fingertips and inadvertently looked down, only to see that the figure on the ground had a pair of rabbit ears.

She subconsciously touched her head, her hand shadow overlapping with the pair of "ears," but there was nothing on her head.

Turning around suddenly, she saw Pei Jinxuan crouching behind her, his hands raised to the sides of his head, each holding a Yuhuchun wine bottle, resembling rabbit ears. The lamplight under the eaves fell into his eyes, shattering into fine rays. When he saw her turn around, his peach blossom eyes curved into a smile, a hint of wine in his eyes, spreading in the night breeze, its aroma intoxicating.

"I waited for a long time, but you didn't come back, so I came to find you." Pei Jinxuan said, sitting down next to her and handing her a pot of wine. The hairpin given to him by the Yan Emperor was crooked in his hair, about to fall, adding a touch of dashing charm.

Lin Ci stared at him blankly, then smiled.

"What are you laughing at?" Pei Jinxuan was puzzled by her gaze, and his ears burned his cheeks.

Lin Ci's gaze did not waver, and her smile remained, but for some reason, a misty light rose from the depths of her eyes.

"It's so good to see you again," she said softly.

Pei Jinxuan vaguely felt that these words were not meant for him, but he did not want to think about it too much. He was willing to take these words as a gift to him tonight.

He raised the corners of his mouth and offered the wine jug to her.

"Then I'll stay here with you, okay?" he whispered, his tenderness hidden in his breath, a quiet affection he didn't want her to know.

Lin Ci didn't speak, but just looked at him, as if she were looking at another person with deep affection through his eyes.

Suddenly, there was a sound.

The sky was lit up by fireworks, one cluster after another, dazzlingly beautiful yet quickly fading away.

Gold, red, silver, and blue unfolded one after another in Pei Jinxuan's eyes. He looked up and smiled like a little child, the brilliance of the night sky lingering in his eyes for a long time.

He raised the wine jug and said loudly, "Let us drink this wine of peace, and from now on, may all our wishes be fulfilled, just as before."

As she spoke, she looked at Lin Ci, her peach blossom eyes gleaming.

Lin Citong raised his wine cup, his phoenix eyes curving into crescent moons.

May you be like a flower and a leaf, year after year, sharing the spring breeze.

**

When the banquet ended, it was already late at night.

Consort Chang returned to her bedchamber, removed the double-petaled peony from her temple in front of the mirror, tidied her slightly disheveled hair, and ordered Pearl to help her change her clothes.

"It's so late, is Your Highness still going to the Buddhist hall?" Pearl asked softly, bringing over a set of very simple clothes.

Consort Chang gazed at her reflection in the bronze mirror, placing the last hairpin in her vanity case. She paused for a moment, then used her little finger to pick up a dab of rouge and lightly applied it to her lips.

"His Majesty is unwell, and there's nothing I can do but copy a scroll of scripture to pray for his well-being." She rose, her expression calm. "No need to follow me."

Pearl bowing her head should be the correct interpretation.

It was nothing new for the imperial concubine to do this every night.

The Buddhist hall is located behind the main hall, accessible through a narrow covered corridor.

Inside the hall stands a golden statue of Guanyin, with an ever-burning lamp on the altar. The flame flickers in the lamp oil, illuminating half of Guanyin's compassionate face while the other half remains hidden in shadow. The sandalwood incense is so strong it seems to linger, like a veil separating this place from the outside world.

Consort Chang pushed open the door and entered. She did not walk towards the Buddhist altar, but stood there and looked at the Guanyin statue for a moment.

Behind him, the door closed silently.

A hand reached out from the shadows and wrapped around her waist.

"You're late," Liang Wang's voice was low and husky, close to her ear.

Consort Chang did not struggle, nor did she even turn her head. She closed her eyes, her long eyebrows furrowed slightly, but she couldn't help but turn her head slightly so that his kiss could land on her neck.

"I must wait until His Majesty has rested before I can leave."

She then turned around.

The ever-burning lamp in the Buddhist hall cast a dim light on Liang Wang's face, his dark blue eyes fixed on her, his emotions unreadable.

Consort Chang lowered her head, avoiding his gaze, and whispered, "I came to tell you that I have done everything you asked me to do. But I am ultimately His Majesty's consort, and I cannot... nor should I..."

Before she could finish speaking, Prince Liang had already grasped her face. His thumb traced her lips, leaving a red stain on his rough fingertip. He glanced down at her.

"You've put on rouge."

Consort Chang, realizing his thoughts had been seen through, quickly turned her face away. Prince Liang forcibly turned her face back, lowering his head to savor the crimson hue on her lips.

Burning hot lips pressed against cool skin.

She struggled a few times, then fell silent, like a lamb waiting to be slaughtered, her eyes filled with tears yet utterly docile.

"How is Your Majesty's condition tonight?" His lips pressed against hers, moving from the corner of her mouth to the side of her neck. He knew her best, knowing how to arouse her interest without leaving a trace.

"The same as always." Consort Chang closed her eyes, her defenses gradually crumbling.

He slipped his hand inside her clothes. The icy coldness of his fingertips made her gasp.

"What did you say to him?" He unbuttoned her clothes and moved his kiss to her chest.

"I told you... about arranging the marriage for Prince Jing'an." She gradually slumped down, almost too weak to think.

"What did he say?" King Liang kept asking, his actions never ceasing.

Consort Chang stopped trying to hide herself and turned her back to the person.

But at this crucial moment, King Liang stopped.

"What did he reply?" he asked again, his tone heavy.

She grabbed his hand and placed it on her body, her voice trembling, "He said... royal dignity cannot be taken lightly. Hurry... hurry..."

King Liang laughed. He glanced down at Consort Chang's infatuated appearance and deliberately turned her body around so that she was facing the Buddhist shrine.

"No!" Consort Chang covered her face with her hands, panicked and distraught, the scalding blood instantly turning cold.

King Liang, however, did not grant her wish. He grabbed her shoulders and forced her to reveal her most shameful and unsightly side before Guanyin.

The Buddhist hall was quiet, with sandalwood incense burning like a curtain.

Guanyin lowered her eyes, the lamplight falling on the corners of her compassionate mouth, a smile that was neither a smile nor a frown.

"On the fifth day..." As the Prince of Liang was engaged in erotic acts, he leaned down and bit the last half of his sentence onto her shoulder, swallowing it indistinctly into her flesh, "I'll give Prince Jing'an a good show."

Consort Chang bit her lip, sobbing, not daring to make a sound.

The candle flame jerked violently and nearly went out.

Outside the door, at the end of the covered walkway, Eunuch Gao walked by carrying a cup of hot tea.

He didn't stop walking, but as he passed the Buddhist hall, his gaze inadvertently fell on the door for a moment before looking away.

The water in the teacup rippled slightly before returning to calm.

He glanced down at it and continued walking.

Before dawn, it was already the fifth day of the lunar new year, and the Jing'an Prince's Mansion was already bustling with activity.