Red Mansion and Crimson Pearl

Chapter 364 Fireworks Still Need to Be Set Off

Daiyu and Hongchang were walking side by side behind the two saints. When they heard these four words, they were both shocked.

The Supreme Lord raised his head with his hands behind his back, saw the night sky, stopped, and sighed softly: "Killing two birds with one stone..."

"Since we are in the open, we must always be aware of being a bird. Don't be sad. Those people don't care."

The Queen Mother gently hugged the Lord from behind, resting her face on his shoulder, and comforted him softly, "It's the people who care about you who will be sad to see you sad because of others."

The Supreme One curled the corner of his mouth, grabbed the Queen Mother's hand, and hummed.

"It's so cold, why don't you go back to the Yanjia Palace to drink tea and play chess?" Dai Quan suggested carefully, "I heard that the Queen has prepared fireworks. Let's watch them together at three o'clock in the morning before going to bed!"

The Queen Mother released her hand and turned back to order, "Bring up the sedan chair."

He turned around and looked at Daiyu and the other two worriedly, "Don't let them walk! It's so cold, their feet will freeze off."

Taishang also said: "It's New Year's Day, and it's too quiet with just the three of them. Go call Hongchang's brother over.

"Oh, and once the errands in the main hall are finished, have Ziying come as well."

Dai Quan paused for a moment, then asked carefully, "Are we going to Ganlu Palace?"

"Let's go to your Queen Mother. Ganlu Palace is so deserted, what's the point?" The Emperor took the Queen Mother's hand and got on his imperial sedan chair together.

The Queen Mother did not refuse, nor did she say anything. Nuan Nuan huddled with the Queen Mother in a cozy manner, with her head resting on her shoulder, just like when she was a little concubine.

Daiyu and the other two walked slowly along the way, waiting for the sedan chair.

Dai Quan whispered to the eunuchs to pass the message and find someone.

Tanchun rolled her eyes, pulled Dai Quan and whispered a few words to him.

Dai Quan's face flashed with joy, and he clapped his hands and said, "Good idea!" He then quickly called another eunuch and ran out.

The main hall of Linde Hall.

"I am a serious emperor.

"Logically speaking, for such a big thing, such a disgusting case, I should have sentenced him cleanly and innocently in court.

“But you all know what’s going on.

"If we really want to try the case right now, make them write confessions and sign their names, and arrest all the accomplices, internal and external spies, then you all will have to stay with us all tonight.

"Before sealing it, I wrote an edict, asking everyone to have a good New Year.

"It seems that my will is of no use.

"But I don't want to give you what you want. You want to disrupt my New Year's Eve banquet, so I'm really going to let you do it?

"Ah!

"Come, come, everyone, take your seats!

"Please ask the descendants of the Duke of Zhenguo, the Duke of Liguo, the Duke of Qiguo, the Duke of Zhiguo, the Duke of Xiuguo, and the Duke of Shanguo to withdraw and go home, and wait for your orders behind closed doors.

"The Prince of Nan'an went to the back hall and personally looked after the Princes of Dongping and Xining.

"Everyone else, let's continue playing music and dancing!"

Emperor Zhaoming's eyes were filled with murderous intent, yet his face was also filled with smiles. "No one is allowed to mention what happened just now.

"If anyone says one more word, please go back to the palace and wait for the emperor's order, just like those people."

The Censorate and others who were about to speak took one look at their master's face, then sat back down, as quiet as a wooden chicken.

The elegant music started again and the dancers came back.

That night, the opera theater tried its best but failed to make the ministers laugh again.

The ladies in the side hall sat upright, and no one dared to laugh or joke.

Only Princess Anchang was called to Empress Wan's side and asked her every detail about what had happened.

Anchang finally showed some cleverness and only said that "the East and West Kings were poisoned but they were not seriously injured, and the Emperor returned to the palace sadly." He did not mention anything else.

Empress Wan was also furious when she heard this, and she gritted her teeth and cursed, "I spent so much effort to prepare the New Year's Eve banquet, but it was ruined by this evil villain.

"Once we find out who it is, we will definitely confiscate his property, exterminate his entire clan, and execute him by slow slicing!"

Anchang hurriedly flattered: "That's right! Your Majesty and the Supreme Lord were very happy and praised the banquet for being well arranged!

"It's a pity that the thief has such evil intentions. Your Majesty has worked so hard."

After listening to her meaningless words, Queen Wan lost interest and was about to let her go.

How could An Chang bear to leave the high platform? He hurriedly whispered, "However, although Tai Shang and the others have returned to Taiji Palace, they may not fall asleep so soon.

"Hasn't your Majesty prepared fireworks? Why don't you ask His Majesty to let them go? It will also help to get rid of the bad luck!"

“How can it be New Year’s Eve without fireworks?” Empress Wan’s heart moved, and she found Anchang adorable again, so she smiled and asked someone to ask the emperor.

Zhu Ying replied at once: "Your Majesty said that not only should we release it, but we should also release more."

He leaned forward and reported in a low voice, "The great monk Zhitong from the Dali Temple has arrived, and he has brought along Cao Yu, the magistrate of Jiangning. It seems that His Majesty is really angry, and this case must be thoroughly investigated tonight."

"If you're not angry now, has Your Majesty become a Bodhisattva?" Queen Wan was calm and composed, and instead began to watch the singing and dancing with peace of mind.

After returning to Taiji Palace, the group quickly started eating and drinking seriously.

With Aunt Meng watching over the meal, they were all soups, stews and snacks that warmed the stomach and refreshed the mind.

Only Hongchang didn't have enough food. He touched his stomach and grumbled, saying that he was not even allowed to have a full meal during the New Year.

The Emperor and the Empress Dowager laughed so hard that the chess pieces in their hands fell to the ground, and they hurriedly ordered Aunt Meng to bring her more food.

At that moment, Situ Sheng, the eldest son of Prince Kejin, who was granted the title of Duke Zhongqin, came. When he saw three large bowls piled up in front of his sister, he couldn't help but sigh with his sleeves covering his face.

Shameful.

The Supreme Lord smiled and called him over, asked about his studies, his job, and whether he wanted to leave the capital.

Situ Sheng's eyes almost turned green: "Of course I thought so!"

"You are the only son in our family. What do you want to be? There is no way your mother will let you go out." Hong Chang took the time out of his busy schedule to say this, and then took another bite of the dessert.

Situ Sheng collapsed like a deflated ball, and said with a bitter face: "Emperor, save me!"

"A good man has ambitions to go far and wide. You are not a girl, so why should you stay at home all the time?" The Supreme Master disagreed and gave him some advice:

"Feng Ziying and Cao Kuangru, who are by your uncle's side, are both capable, but a single tree cannot make a forest, and they both lack help.

"If you want to get out, get closer to them. They will help you speak for you. If you continue to act like a spoiled child to your uncle, your parents will have to let you go even if they don't want to."

Situ Sheng smiled happily: "The Emperor really loves us!"

We chatted, ate and drank, and before we knew it, it was already past the second watch.

Suddenly, there was a sound at the door outside. Dai Quan was overjoyed and hurried to see for himself. He only heard a loud voice in the yard:

"Let's come and pay New Year's greetings to the Supreme Lord. If we can be the first to burn incense, we will at least get a big red envelope, right?

"——You don't want it? If you don't want it, give them all to me! I'll take two! Hahaha!"

The Queen Mother chuckled as she listened: "I can tell from the sound of it that Feng Ziying is that little monkey!"

The Supreme's brows opened, he twirled his beard and smiled.

“You should take a few more.

"You're getting married tomorrow, and these are your private savings, so save them up.

"Otherwise I'm afraid you'll have to borrow money every time you go out for a drink in the future."

Cao Kuangru's leisurely and calm voice followed into the hall, and the Supreme Lord was filled with surprise!