bayedsolid Chapter 54 Returning Home to Visit Relatives
Chapter 54 Returning Home to Visit Relatives
As dawn breaks, the first rays of sunlight, like a light veil, gently fall upon the majestic palace walls, illuminating the imperial palace and royal residences with shimmering brilliance. This, in contrast to the rosy dawn on the horizon, resembles a golden dragon playing with a pearl, with auspicious light and mist permeating every inch of the air.
In the Imperial Garden, the flowers are covered with dew, like stars falling to earth. The delicate petals sway gently in the morning breeze, emitting a faint fragrance that attracts butterflies and bees.
Murong Yi and Lin Qianqian, dressed in magnificent robes, walked side by side into this dreamlike palace garden. They strolled slowly along the winding palace path, the bluestone pavement beneath their feet gleaming softly in the morning dew.
The two first paid their respects to the Empress Dowager. The Empress Dowager sat radiantly in her bedchamber. Upon hearing that they wished to return to their parents' home to visit their relatives, she nodded slightly and sighed, "The hearts of parents are all the same under heaven. This is filial piety, and we should do it."
The Emperor nodded in approval, his face beaming with a smile: "Since it is a family custom, it should not be neglected. I wish you all a smooth journey."
Having received this permission, Murong Yi and Lin Qianqian bowed in thanks and left, then walked towards the palace gate. The weeping willows along the palace wall swayed gently, their slender branches dancing lightly in the wind, as if bidding them farewell. Once outside the palace gate, a beautifully decorated carriage was already waiting, the bronze bells on the carriage shafts ringing crisply and melodiously in the morning breeze.
Murong Yi stepped forward first, helping Lin Qianqian onto the carriage, before following her in. The carriage slowly started moving, speeding towards the Prime Minister's residence. The wheels rolled, raising a cloud of dust, as if telling of their eagerness to return home.
The two sat quietly in the sedan chair. The narrow space seemed to be shrouded in an invisible veil, exuding a sense of awkwardness and gloom.
Murong Yi stood upright, her face cold and stern. Through the thin, swaying gauze curtain, she gazed quietly at the ever-changing street scene outside, her thoughts seemingly drifting far away, as if pondering some profound and unsolvable mystery.
Lin Qianqian lowered her head slightly, but couldn't help stealing glances at Murong Yi. Seeing his cold and aloof demeanor, she felt a little uneasy. She subconsciously raised her hands slightly, pretending to scratch her head, trying to ease her tension. Her small head swayed casually from side to side a few times, her gaze drifting towards the bustling marketplace outside, attempting to divert her attention from the awkward atmosphere.
Xiao Die sat outside the sedan chair, accompanied by Afu, the prince's attendant. Afu was a clever and quick-witted young attendant, with a silver tongue and a knack for reading people. Seeing Xiao Die's somewhat reserved demeanor, he took the initiative to start a conversation, a warm smile on his face, and said softly, "Oh, look at the streets of the capital, so lively and bustling. I've heard that the Prime Minister's residence is also very wealthy and magnificent; this homecoming must be extremely grand."
Xiaodie turned her head slightly, pursed her lips and smiled as she replied, "My lady and the prince are returning to the manor. The family must be making careful preparations. We just hope everything goes smoothly."
The two chatted back and forth, their clear voices occasionally drifting through the sedan curtains into the sedan, slightly easing the heavy atmosphere.
Upon reaching the bustling city center, one is greeted by a dense crowd, shoulder to shoulder. In front of the colorful silk shops, bolts of fine silk hang, fluttering gently in the breeze, like clouds fallen from the sky to earth.
Passing through the bustling city, the scenery gradually becomes more serene. Along both sides of the official road, weeping willows sway gently, their slender branches dancing lightly in the breeze, as if bidding farewell to passersby. The tender green willow leaves, almost translucent in the sunlight, shimmer with the luster of life. In the distance, the rolling mountains appear and disappear in the morning mist, like a light ink landscape painting. In the fields, the wheat seedlings are green, and a gentle breeze causes the wheat to ripple and rustle, as if the earth is softly singing a harvest song.