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| Rebirth: Back to Zero Author: 祎庭沫瞳 (Yi Ting Mo Tong) |
Chapter 10 Ushering in the New
Year (Part 1/3)
After the banquet, all the princes
stayed overnight in the Palace. Jun Lixuan and Ling Qiyang were
arranged to sleep in the East Hall of Serene Palace.
"Is it cold?" Jun Lixuan
took off Ling Qiyang's cloak and handed it to the attendant.
"It's a little bit along the way, but the hall is
warm." Ling Qiyang placed his hands above the charcoal stove and baked
away the chills from his body. "There’s less snow this year. If we could
get a few heavy snowfalls after the new year, it will be good for the autumn
harvest."
"Have you sobered up? Why are you thinking
about something so far away?" Jun Lixuan found the image of Ling Qiyang
swaying to and fro as he left the Palace of Harmony was still fresh in his
mind. To him, this fascinating and cute sight must be reserved for his enjoyment alone.
"It's not strong liquor. When the biting wind blew
on me, it took the alcohol away." Ling Qiyang pouted in annoyance at him. His gaze was
drowsy and lacklustre, with a tad more straightforward and naivety than usual.
"If you really got drunk today, I will restrict you to water next
time." Jun Lixuan warned as he pinched Ling Qiyang’s nose.
"I slipped up today. It would be fine if I took
some anti-alcohol medicine in advance." As he hurried about the venues, he
forgot to make the relevant preparations before the banquet.
“I've only heard of hangover cures, but I have never heard of
medicine for pre-drinking." Learning new knowledge from Ling Qiyang had become
one of the unique interests of Jun Lixuan's life.
"Naturally, such medicines exist. There are even
medicines to make people get drunk easily. But no matter what the medicine, too
much always hurts the body." As a doctor, he naturally understood that
medicines were only temporary relief and not a cure. If the patient overdosed,
his body would suffer in the end.
"That's true. But suppose we could put the drunk medication into the
imperial noble concubine's and the others' food. We could get them to leave the banquet earlier. Then, things would be more enjoyable." Thinking of the various hoo-has at the
banquet today, grumpiness surfaced on Jun Lixuan's face, "Such is the
Imperial Harem, decent and honourable on the surface, but dark and conniving
underneath. If you want to live in the Palace, you have to use your brain. Even
as the Empress, you are not spared of the toxic feuds."
Ling Qiyang looked at Jun Lixuan and said softly, "Every family has their difficulties, let alone the royal family."
"Yeah. Fortunately, we live outside of the Palace. We don't have to witness these ugly
arguments often." Jun Lixuan said as he embraced Ling Qiyang.
The attendants brought snacks and tea to help the two stay awake for the New
Year Vigil**. Since Jun Lixuan had nothing to do, he dragged Ling Qiyang to
play chess with him. Since their marriage, he knew that Ling Qiyang could play
chess. However, he never had idle time to play chess, since they spent more
time reading together. Today's vigil was the perfect opportunity for the epic
clashing of their chess skills.
** It is a custom to stay up on through the night of New Year's Eve. Traditionally, the practice is thought to bring good health and longevity for our parents.
The two chatted as they played. Ling Qiyang asked, "Why didn't the Second Prince attend the banquet tonight?"
Jun Lixuan said, "Second Brother’s biological mother was
just a low-ranking concubine who died early. Besides, Second
Brother was not fond of arguments. The moment he reached adulthood, Emperor
Father gave him a fief. The journey back to the Capital from his fief is long
and especially tiring in this harsh winter. Knowing this, Emperor Father told him to not
make this annual winter journey for the New Year's. So, he only returns during
the end of spring."
“I
see." Most likely, the Second Prince was a man who stood aloof from
worldly contest. Otherwise, how could he stay in the fief willingly? The moment
he accepted the status of lord of a fief, he no longer had a chance of being
the crown prince.
"Second Brother also grew up under the
guidance of Empress Mother. Although he was given a name with
"Cheng", his relationship with us three is closely knit. When the
opportunity arises in the future, I will take you to visit his fief. I heard
that people there live in peace and prosperity. It sounds like an excellent place."
"Sounds good."
After some time, Jun Lixuan won
the chess match by a single piece. Ling Qiyang packed up the chess pieces and did
not contest the game.
"Who taught you chess? Your master?"
Ling Qiyang shook his head,
"Father taught me. Master is too impatient to play
chess with me, and thinks I do not have the aptitude for it.
"Your father must be talented since he raised an excellent son like
you."
"Yeah." His father was indeed a talent. What he had learnt was barely half as
much. However, due to his innate introversion, his father did not like to show
off his abilities. At that thought, Ling Qiyang's mind wandered. He could not
help thinking about how lonely his Father must be, celebrating the New Year
alone.
"How did
you celebrate the New Year at home in the past years?" Jun Lixuan asked as
he served a cup of tea to Ling Qiyang.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Chapter 10 Ushering in the New Year (Part 1/3)
After the banquet, all the princes
stayed overnight in the Palace. Jun Lixuan and Ling Qiyang were
arranged to sleep in the East Hall of Serene Palace.
"Is it cold?" Jun Lixuan took off Ling Qiyang's cloak and handed it to the attendant.
"It's a little bit along the way, but the hall is warm." Ling Qiyang placed his hands above the charcoal stove and baked away the chills from his body. "There’s less snow this year. If we could get a few heavy snowfalls after the new year, it will be good for the autumn harvest."
"Have you sobered up? Why are you thinking about something so far away?" Jun Lixuan found the image of Ling Qiyang swaying to and fro as he left the Palace of Harmony was still fresh in his mind. To him, this fascinating and cute sight must be reserved for his enjoyment alone.
"It's not strong liquor. When the biting wind blew on me, it took the alcohol away." Ling Qiyang pouted in annoyance at him. His gaze was drowsy and lacklustre, with a tad more straightforward and naivety than usual.
"If you really got drunk today, I will restrict you to water next time." Jun Lixuan warned as he pinched Ling Qiyang’s nose.
"I slipped up today. It would be fine if I took some anti-alcohol medicine in advance." As he hurried about the venues, he forgot to make the relevant preparations before the banquet.
“I've only heard of hangover cures, but I have never heard of medicine for pre-drinking." Learning new knowledge from Ling Qiyang had become one of the unique interests of Jun Lixuan's life.
"Naturally, such medicines exist. There are even medicines to make people get drunk easily. But no matter what the medicine, too much always hurts the body." As a doctor, he naturally understood that medicines were only temporary relief and not a cure. If the patient overdosed, his body would suffer in the end.
"That's true. But suppose we could put the drunk medication into the imperial noble concubine's and the others' food. We could get them to leave the banquet earlier. Then, things would be more enjoyable." Thinking of the various hoo-has at the banquet today, grumpiness surfaced on Jun Lixuan's face, "Such is the Imperial Harem, decent and honourable on the surface, but dark and conniving underneath. If you want to live in the Palace, you have to use your brain. Even as the Empress, you are not spared of the toxic feuds."
Ling Qiyang looked at Jun Lixuan and said softly, "Every family has their difficulties, let alone the royal family."
"Yeah. Fortunately, we live outside of the Palace. We don't have to witness these ugly arguments often." Jun Lixuan said as he embraced Ling Qiyang.
The attendants brought snacks and tea to help the two stay awake for the New Year Vigil**. Since Jun Lixuan had nothing to do, he dragged Ling Qiyang to play chess with him. Since their marriage, he knew that Ling Qiyang could play chess. However, he never had idle time to play chess, since they spent more time reading together. Today's vigil was the perfect opportunity for the epic clashing of their chess skills.
The two chatted as they played. Ling Qiyang asked, "Why didn't the Second Prince attend the banquet tonight?"
Jun Lixuan said, "Second Brother’s biological mother was just a low-ranking concubine who died early. Besides, Second Brother was not fond of arguments. The moment he reached adulthood, Emperor Father gave him a fief. The journey back to the Capital from his fief is long and especially tiring in this harsh winter. Knowing this, Emperor Father told him to not make this annual winter journey for the New Year's. So, he only returns during the end of spring."
“I see." Most likely, the Second Prince was a man who stood aloof from worldly contest. Otherwise, how could he stay in the fief willingly? The moment he accepted the status of lord of a fief, he no longer had a chance of being the crown prince.
"Second Brother also grew up under the guidance of Empress Mother. Although he was given a name with "Cheng", his relationship with us three is closely knit. When the opportunity arises in the future, I will take you to visit his fief. I heard that people there live in peace and prosperity. It sounds like an excellent place."
"Sounds good."
After some time, Jun Lixuan won the chess match by a single piece. Ling Qiyang packed up the chess pieces and did not contest the game.
"Who taught you chess? Your master?"
Ling Qiyang shook his head, "Father taught me. Master is too impatient to play chess with me, and thinks I do not have the aptitude for it.
"Your father must be talented since he raised an excellent son like you."
"Yeah." His father was indeed a talent. What he had learnt was barely half as much. However, due to his innate introversion, his father did not like to show off his abilities. At that thought, Ling Qiyang's mind wandered. He could not help thinking about how lonely his Father must be, celebrating the New Year alone.
"How did you celebrate the New Year at home in the past years?" Jun Lixuan asked as he served a cup of tea to Ling Qiyang.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
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