New Year's Eve finally arrived.
The palace was adorned with large red lanterns. When the wind blew, the flames inside flickered gently. The accumulated snow on the ground had been swept perfectly clean, and the air was filled with the rich aroma of meat and brewed wine. Laughter and cheerful voices echoed everywhere, and the palanquins of the imperial concubines passed by endlessly.
For the sake of the royal family's face, the Imperial Clan Court still sent Xiao Yanchen a prince's standard banquet portion, which included assorted meats and some wine-preserved meat.
Xiao Yanchen did not eat. Wearing clean but worn-out clothes, he looked out the door with eager anticipation.
He was waiting for Xiao Xizi to take him to see the fireworks.
While the other palaces were brightly lit with red lanterns hanging at their doors, the entrance to Ruhui Palace remained exceedingly dim, standing in stark contrast to the joyous atmosphere of the rest of the imperial palace.
Xiao Yanchen stood at the door, his palms slick with sweat. Finally, he caught sight of that familiar figure.
Ji Zhaoxi was wearing a new outfit specially made by the Imperial Household Department. The cuffs and collar were trimmed with rabbit fur. She had run all the way here, her cheeks flushed a deep red.
"Seventh Prince!"
Ji Zhaoxi ran up to him, panting heavily.
Xiao Yanchen stared at her blankly, unable to react for a moment.
"Xiao Xizi..."
But in the very next second, Ji Zhaoxi grabbed his hand and pulled him into a run.
"Let's go quickly, the arrow tower is really far from here!"
Her voice was brimming with excitement.
Xiao Yanchen held her hand tightly and followed behind her. The two of them dodged patrols of imperial guards carrying lanterns, running toward the long-abandoned arrow tower.
Meanwhile, the palace banquet in the Hall of Supreme Harmony had reached its climax.
Horn lanterns illuminated the grand hall as bright as day. The banquet tables were laden with all kinds of delicacies, and the sound of music filled every corner of the Hall of Supreme Harmony.
The Noble Consort was dressed in her finest attire today, looking more radiant and delicate than a peony. She continuously offered toasts to the Emperor in a soft, sweet voice, casting a disdainful glance at the other concubines.
There were so many beauties in the inner palace, but she was the only one sitting beside the Emperor.
With a charming smile, the Noble Consort leaned closer to the Emperor. "Your Majesty, try these grapes. They are so sweet they melt right into my heart."
Her gaze met Consort Xian's below, and she raised an eyebrow provocatively.
The officials seated below were red-faced and beaming, their eyes crinkling into slits as they smiled. The moment the Emperor looked up, a chorus of flattery surged forward.
"Your Majesty's robust health is a blessing to the people!"
"This year will surely bring an abundant harvest!"
In the center of the grand hall, dozens of dancing girls in sheer silk spun continuously. As they twirled, their flowing red sleeves looked like blooming red peonies filling the hall.
In the darkness, the sound of the two sets of footsteps crunching in the snow grew more urgent, with nothing but the howling wind rushing past their ears.
They were so tired they could hardly catch their breath, but they never stopped running. Just as the arrow tower came into view, a sharp whistling sound suddenly pierced the horizon.
"Whoosh!"
"Boom—"
It was the signal from the Office of Palace Affairs.
"Run faster!"
Hearing the sound, Ji Zhaoxi pulled Xiao Yanchen and quickened her pace, dragging him so fast he leaned forward.
Xiao Yanchen's vision began to sway. He stared blankly at Ji Zhaoxi in front of him. A thin layer of sweat had broken out on her forehead, her side profile was flushed red, and her eyes were full of excitement.
The two finally climbed up to the arrow tower. Drained of all their strength, Ji Zhaoxi and Xiao Yanchen sat panting in the overgrown weeds.
"We almost didn't make it up here..." Ji Zhaoxi was exhausted. She pulled her collar open a bit to let the cool air in.
Xiao Yanchen sat close beside her, his throat burning with pain. He tilted his head and looked at Ji Zhaoxi, his eyes moist, smiling at her endlessly.
Right at that moment, with a muffled thud, several fireworks shot into the sky simultaneously.
"Bang— Bang—"
Massive fireworks exploded in the sky, illuminating the entire imperial palace as bright as day. Silver rain cascaded down like a waterfall. The bricks of the arrow tower were dyed in various colors by the glowing lights, and countless stardust particles trailed long tails as they fell behind the red walls.
Ji Zhaoxi looked up at the fireworks in the sky. Her eyes were incredibly bright, and the fragmented lights danced continuously across her hair, casting her flushed face in half light and half shadow.
She cupped her hands around her mouth like a megaphone and shouted toward the brilliantly lit sky, "Happy New Year's Eve—"
Xiao Yanchen had never heard this expression before, but he understood what she meant.
Looking at Ji Zhaoxi's sparkling eyes, he blushed and couldn't help but mimic her, shouting, "Happy New Year's Eve!"
Xiao Yanchen looked at the fireworks in the sky, then couldn't resist looking back at Ji Zhaoxi beside him. He thought she was much more beautiful than the fireworks above.
"Boom— Crack!"
The sound of the fireworks was deafening, and the wind was howling fiercely.
The two sat on the arrow tower, eating peach blossom pastries while watching the fireworks. They didn't finally climb down until both of their bellies were round and full.
The fireworks in the sky were still exploding continuously. On the way back, all the clamor gradually faded away.
Xiao Yanchen carried Ji Zhaoxi on his back, stepping on the snow one footprint at a time. The wind whipped against his face, but his eyes were filled with joy, and a flush spread across his cheeks.
He listened intently to the sound of her breathing right by his ear, his heart pounding wildly. With a voice softer than a mosquito, he asked, "Xiao Xizi, can we watch the fireworks together again next year..."
After he spoke, Xiao Yanchen held his breath, waiting for Ji Zhaoxi's answer, his heart knotting with intense nervousness.
The head resting on his back shifted slightly, and Ji Zhaoxi's voice, heavy with a sleepy nasal tone, replied, "Sure."
Hearing Ji Zhaoxi's answer, Xiao Yanchen pursed his lips, his eyes shining brightly. He hitched her up a little higher on his back, and his footsteps quickened.
He didn't just want to watch the fireworks with Xiao Xizi next year; he wanted to watch them with Xiao Xizi every single year for the rest of his life.
In the deep blue sky, golden streams of light exploded in the distance, stretching the silhouettes of their backs longer and longer.
