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墨書 Inktalez
The night was clear, with a thin mist swirling around.
The snow in front of Cining Palace had long been cleared away, and the red lanterns that had been hung both inside and outside were now shining brightly, creating a festive atmosphere. From time to time, various consorts entered the hall, carrying gifts to congratulate.
The Empress Dowager smiled kindly; although her aged face was well-maintained, a few fine lines still appeared when she smiled.
She turned her head to glance around the room, noting that all the consorts were present, but the Empress's seat remained empty. Curiously, she asked, “Where is the Empress?”
“In response to the Empress Dowager, the Empress said she wanted to perform for you today, so she has gone to prepare,” replied a eunuch beside her in a sharp voice.
Long Huan frowned slightly, yet a hint of interest curved her lips.
What kind of performance could that unruly girl prepare? Let’s hope it doesn’t embarrass anyone.
“Oh? Then I must watch closely later,” the Empress Dowager said, her heart blooming with joy. After all, Minjin was still her niece; she remembered seeing her as an infant back in Khorchin.
After several rounds of drinks, the sound of drums faintly echoed from outside, and the rich and pleasant music gradually spread through the quiet night.
“It’s the Empress,” the eunuch's words immediately piqued everyone's curiosity. Turning their heads, they saw Minjin slowly entering Cining Palace in a red outfit.
A string of golden bells was tied around her snow-white ankles, producing a delightful sound with each movement.
With one hand striking a waist drum and her feet dancing rhythmically, she captivated everyone present.
As Long Huan's gaze shifted to Minjin's rosy little face, she suddenly choked on the wine that was about to go down her throat and let out a laugh.
"Greetings to the Empress Dowager. May she have blessings as vast as the Eastern Sea and a longevity that rivals the Southern Mountain."
As the dance concluded, Minjin knelt on the ground, reciting the phrase she had painstakingly memorized.
The Empress Dowager immediately broke into a broad smile, gesturing for her to sit beside her.
"Why is your little face painted so red? The Emperor was laughing just now," the Empress Dowager whispered in her ear.
"The Emperor only laughs because he doesn't understand. For this dance, the rouge on my cheeks needs to be a bit brighter," Minjin deliberately raised her voice for Long Huan to hear, thinking that with so many people around, he wouldn't dare to lose his temper. Sure enough, when she glanced over, Long Huan's expression was far from pleasant.
The Empress Dowager had long heard that they had not yet consummated their marriage.
As soon as the birthday banquet ended, she ordered them into Kun Ning Palace and even locked the door behind them.
Minjin knocked vigorously on the door, but there was no response.
"Stop knocking. Since this was done intentionally, they won't let us out so easily," Long Huan said, casually sitting at the redwood table in front of him and pouring himself a cup of tea, taking a sip.
"What should we do then? Why did the Empress Dowager lock us up in the same room?" Minjin stepped forward awkwardly. Seeing his relaxed demeanor made her feel quite irritated.
"Once we complete our marriage, we can naturally go out." Long Huan suddenly chuckled, standing up and walking toward her.
Minjin was startled and took a few steps back until her back hit the cool wall, leaving her with no escape.
"Long Huan, you... you have always disliked me. You wouldn't do this, would you?"
As she looked at Long Huan, who was now so close that his face almost touched hers, her heart raced uncontrollably.
Unconsciously, she pressed her hand against her chest, but then she heard Long Huan's triumphant laughter from above: "Why are you so nervous? You actually like me, don't you?"
He turned around and said softly as he walked toward the bed, only to be suddenly tackled from behind by a heavy object that pushed him straight onto the soft mattress, his face comically sinking into the warm blankets.
"You are such a jerk, a jerk who loves to mock me!" Minjin shouted angrily while sitting on him, not forgetting to hit him with a pillow.
Long Huan felt the impact from earlier and winced as his body collided with the edge of the bed. Dazed from her blows, he angrily flipped over and pinned her beneath him.
But he was taken aback to see her face streaked with tears, her small nose unattractively sniffing back the tears that were about to spill.
"Why are you crying? I didn't cry even after you beat me up like this," Long Huan said helplessly, his long fingers gently brushing over her swollen eyes as he wiped away the tears at the corners.
"You must be so pleased with yourself! I do like you, but you don't like me!" Minjin blurted out, unable to contain her feelings as she gazed at his handsome face.
She knew she was not a virtuous woman; she was willful, spoiled, and malicious.
At first, she had thought that she could win the emperor's heart and had joyfully married into the Forbidden City.
The first time she saw the Emperor was on the wedding night when the red veil was lifted, and her heart felt cold.
"Why are you acting like a child? Fine, I’ll treat you better from now on," Long Huan said, pressing his lips together, a rare moment of tender regret for her.
"You don’t even like me. It would be better if you didn’t treat me well at all; it would save me from longing for you," she replied.
Minjin rolled her eyes and kicked her small feet in frustration, trying to get up, but Long Huan pressed her back down again.
"I originally planned to treat you well and let you sleep on the soft couch, but since you don’t appreciate it, you can sleep on the floor tonight," he said, his face dark with displeasure as he glared at her with his deep black eyes, frustrated.
He reached out to pull her down, but Minjin clung tightly to him, refusing to budge.
"If you won’t let me sleep on the bed, then I won’t let go," she pouted defiantly.
"Alright then, we’ll sleep together," Long Huan said with a smirk, his expression both charming and mischievous.
Just as Minjin was about to release him, he suddenly leaned back forcefully, and they both tumbled into the soft embroidered quilt.
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