Chapter 335: Chapter 305 Cold Food Festival
In the blink of an eye, it was the end of March.
The once quiet Jiangdu Palace had suddenly become lively again these past days. Shang Ruyi watched the palace maids and eunuchs bustling about as if preparing something and asked a few of her attending maids.
One of them said, "In response to the Madam, in a few days it will be the Cold Food Festival, and His Majesty plans to celebrate in the palace."
"Cold Food Festival, celebrate?"
Shang Ruyi furrowed her brows slightly and said, "Isn’t it supposed to be for sacrifices?"
The maid awkwardly laughed and shook her head.
Ever since ancient times, the Cold Food Festival has been a day of remembering the sages; very few celebrate on this day. Shang Ruyi did not know what Chu Yang intended with such arrangements. Just then, Eunuch Yu arrived with some people.
He saluted Shang Ruyi and then said, "Madam, His Majesty awaits you in the inner palace and asks you to attend."
Shang Ruyi asked, "Is there something important?"
Eunuch Yu replied, "His Majesty has arranged some things in the back; he asks Madam to take a look."
Though it was framed as a request, she realistically had no position to refuse, so she rose and followed Eunuch Yu out. As they walked, Shang Ruyi couldn’t help but ask, "Eunuch Yu, I’ve heard His Majesty intends to celebrate the Cold Food Festival. What’s being celebrated?"
At this, Eunuch Yu merely managed a wry smile.
Then he explained, "It’s not exactly a celebration. His Majesty plans to go for an outing in the gardens on that day. But recently, things outside have been unstable, so His Majesty does not intend to leave the palace, and therefore plans to stroll within the palace, arranging some scenery for the occasion."
"Scenery?"
Shang Ruyi was a bit surprised and right at that moment, they passed through the central gate and entered the inner palace.
At a glance, she saw the surroundings indeed differed from what she’d seen before. The winding cobblestone paths of the inner palace were originally lined with flowers and plants. Due to the season, while the green leaves were lush, few flowers were blooming; yet this time, Shang Ruyi saw a multitude of colors—red, pink, yellow, and purple flowers all seemed to be blooming in abundance, momentarily dazzling her eyes.
Upon a closer look, she discovered those flowers were made of silk, so lifelike that they could not be distinguished without scrutiny.
She said, "This is—"
Eunuch Yu said, "These are flowers made by artisans from the South that His Majesty specially commissioned, and each flower costs at least two silver coins."
"..."
Shang Ruyi frowned but said nothing more as she continued to walk forward.
The farther they walked, the more they could see scenes constructed with silk and satin or, so to speak, with silver coins, creating a beautiful spring scene. Red ribbons adorned some trees along the path, fluttering in the wind like the laurel trees in the Moon Palace.
The further Shang Ruyi walked, the heavier her heart became.
She was not unaware of the palace’s heavy expenditures; her daily food allowance alone was enough to feed several families. But this kind of extravagance, garnishing the entire Jiangdu Palace, was unimaginable in cost.
Just as they were about to reach the garden from that day, they heard a melodious sound of silver bells in the distance.
On previous visits, they’d heard the sound of silk instruments; now, for some reason, it was replaced by the sound of bells.
Shang Ruyi quickly hastened her steps and upon passing through the Treasure Bottle Gate, the sight before her made her eyes widen in astonishment.
The vast garden was once again carpeted with thick rugs, but this time they were dark green, resembling a field of soft grass. Unlike before, the garden was not visible in one glance, but instead, numerous screens had been placed, carving out countless winding paths in the garden. Embroidered on the silk screens were plum, orchid, bamboo, and chrysanthemum, along with graceful maids, making it look as if many people were strolling and enjoying the spring in this garden.
Overhead, a constant, delicate, and pleasant ringing of bells echoed.
Shang Ruyi looked up, suddenly startled again, for she realized that above the garden hung a giant net made of gold thread.
Numerous silver bells were suspended from the net, and when the wind blew, they chimed sweetly like the laughter of women enjoying a spring outing.
"Is it beautiful?"
A familiar voice suddenly sounded near her ear. Shang Ruyi hurriedly turned to see Chu Yang emerging from behind one of the screens, smiling at her.
Shang Ruyi was so shocked she forgot to curtsy. She looked at him, then back at the lavish scenery before her.
It was indeed beautiful...
Everything he created was breathtakingly beautiful.
Yet, what would become of such beauty in the end? Who could tell?
As for her "discourtesy," Chu Yang seemed greatly pleased. He took Shang Ruyi by the wrist and led her into the picturesque scene.
Shang Ruyi felt somewhat dizzy as they walked all the way to the tree, looking at the white jade-like blossoms and gold thread net overhead. She couldn’t help but ask softly, "Your Majesty, why make such a large net here?"
Chu Yang replied, "I had many flowers prepared, but there were also many birds here. A few days ago, they pecked and carried away quite a few, so I had a net placed here."
"..."
"However, just having a net looked unlucky."
"..."
"So I had thousands of these silver bells made overnight. With these here, those birds dare not come down."
As he spoke, a sparrow landed on the net, immediately setting off the silver bells which jangled loudly, causing the sparrow to shriek in fear and flutter away, while the other birds dared not land.
Seeing this, a smug smile spread across Chu Yang’s face.
He stood beneath the tree, reaching up to tinkle the round silver bells overhead. As the bells tinkled, the gold thread net trembled along, sounding like a chorus of birds, melodious and delightful.
He laughed and said, "This is the scenery Jiangnan should have."
"..."
"I originally intended to leave the palace for an outing, but I was told by those below that the weather outside the city is not good lately, so I decided to bring all this scenery into the palace instead."
"..."
"When the Cold Food Festival comes, we will come here for the outing and admire the spring."
"..."
Shang Ruyi silently looked at him, hesitating to speak several times.
Seeming to sense something, Chu Yang looked down at her, only to see that her expression was not as delighted as he had anticipated, prompting him to furrow his brows slightly: "What’s the matter?"
"..."
After hesitating for a while longer, Shang Ruyi finally spoke softly, "Your Majesty, for just one Cold Food Festival, this—it’s too extravagant."
Chu Yang’s brows immediately knitted together.
Eunuch Yu, who had been standing to the side all along, broke into a cold sweat at this moment.
Chu Yang looked at her coldly, saying, "Have you forgotten that I’ve said before, everything in this world is born for humans to use; if not used, then its creation has no meaning."
"...!"
Shang Ruyi’s heart suddenly sank.
Of course, she hadn’t forgotten. This was from their very first meeting, when she advised Chu Yang against his extravagant conduct, only to be met with his rebuttal.
Back then, she also advised him that all usage must have a measure.
But now, facing Chu Yang’s gaze, these familiar words couldn’t come out of her mouth.
Just then, that familiar, loathsome voice sounded from the side: "Emperor, I have something to report."
Shang Ruyi’s eyebrows knitted slightly, turning to see Wang Shaoji again appearing at the entrance of this garden. Eunuch Yu sighed upon seeing him, but could only salute respectfully.
Chu Yang’s expression softened slightly, "What is it? Speak."
Wang Shaoji said, "I have already arranged for people to work overnight to craft twenty sets of beaded curtains, to be hung around the palace gates of this garden on the day of the Cold Food Festival, using the moonlight to reflect and make the bright pearls shimmer, adding more splendor."
Upon hearing this, Chu Yang’s eyes also brightened.
He nodded, "Good, you’ve done well with this task."
Wang Shaoji continued, "Just one matter requires Your Majesty’s decree."
"What is it?"
"If the beaded curtains are hung, then the palace gates must not be closed; otherwise, the dazzling beauty of the candlelight will be lost."
Upon hearing this, Chu Yang nodded: "Makes sense. You may announce that on the night of the Cold Food Festival, the inner palace gates need not be closed."
Wang Shaoji’s eyes flashed slightly, immediately bowing in salute: "Understood."
But Shang Ruyi couldn’t help but furrow her brows.
The inner palace gates cannot be closed?
She thought for a while and softly said, "Your Majesty, not closing the palace gates, could something happen?"
Chu Yang glanced at her, not having said anything yet, when Wang Shaoji had already smiled and said, "Young Madam Yu Wen is worrying too much. You have lived in the palace these days, has anything unexpected occurred?"
Shang Ruyi said, "Nothing has happened because the palace gates are closed. But if the gates are opened—"
Wang Shaoji immediately said, "Are you implying that beneath the feet of the Emperor in Jiangdu Palace, rebel forces would appear?"
Upon hearing the word "rebel," Chu Yang’s expression immediately darkened.
Shang Ruyi’s heart sank as well.
She knew that now Chu Yang couldn’t stand hearing words like "rebel," nor did he allow anyone to mention the fall of the Eastern Capital. With Wang Shaoji pulling in such matters, she quickly said, "I didn’t mean that."
Wang Shaoji said, "In that case, Young Madam, please don’t concern yourself with the affairs of the Imperial Guard. The safety of the Imperial City is never neglected by the Imperial Guard, the only potential concern lies with the Old Palace Guard, who have always been restless."
"You—"
Shang Ruyi wanted to say something more, but Chu Yang coldly said, "Enough."
Both lowered their heads and remained silent.
Chu Yang glanced coldly at Shang Ruyi, but said nothing, only lifting his head to look at Wang Shaoji, contemplating for a moment, "The inner palace gates need not be closed, but the Bright Gate should be closed on time."
"..."
Wang Shaoji furrowed his brows slightly.
But immediately, he smiled, "Understood, I will go and pass on the decree."
With that, he saluted, turned, and left in haste.
After he left, Chu Yang lowered his head again, looking at the worried Shang Ruyi, saying in a deep voice, "I brought you here to accompany me in leisure, to admire the beauty, not to worry about matters outside. The outside affairs have people to manage them, you shouldn’t concern yourself further."
"..."
Shang Ruyi bit her lower lip, remained silent for a long time, and finally whispered, "Alright."