CHAPTER 676: CHAPTER 656: FLOWER LANTERN

After the New Year’s Eve family banquet, Xie Xun took Fengyu out of the palace to enjoy lanterns on a boat trip. Not wanting to alarm too many people, Xie Xun had his personal guards, along with the Jinyi Guard and the Forbidden Army, form a protective unit watching from a distance. The two of them appeared like an ordinary couple on an outing.

Xie Jue also brought Ruyi along to play. Xie Xun wished to spend a world of two with Fengyu, so he parted ways with Xie Jue and Ruyi. Ruyi was reluctant to leave them, stretching out his hands, hoping Xie Xun would take him along.

After wavering back and forth, Xie Xun abandoned his beloved little nephew and went off to enjoy leisure with Fengyu.

Ruyi puffed up his cheeks angrily and clenched his tiny fists. "Little Uncle won’t take me, how hateful!"

Xie Jue couldn’t suppress his laughter and said with a smile, "Your father will take you on the boat trip."

Ruyi, feeling aggrieved, planted a kiss on Xie Jue’s cheek. "Daddy is the best!"

On New Year’s Eve, the snow fell thickly. Though the weather was bitterly cold, it couldn’t dampen the enthusiasm of the people. The great festivals of New Year’s Eve and the Lantern Festival brought lively celebrations to the Capital City—lanterns, boats, acrobatic shows, opera troupes, and so much more were everywhere. Fengyu loved the lantern fairs and flower boats during New Year’s Eve the most. Snowy boat rides, entertainment, and listening to music were indeed among life’s greatest pleasures.

Xie Xun seemed to return to the carefree days four years ago when he was a young Marquis. Back then, his father and brothers were still alive, and his mother and aunties weren’t strict with him. He served in the Kyoto Capital Guard, focusing solely on organizing military supplies and preventing clan members from causing trouble and delaying the supply chain for the Ningzhou Iron Cavalry. His days revolved around training the Kyoto Guard, draining the grain stores of the old clans, and concocting schemes to swindle Third Miss for money.

It was truly a happy period—one that he dearly missed as he reminisced about those times.

"Let’s go to the Observation Tower to enjoy the scenery." Four years later, he once again brought Fengyu to the Observation Tower. Fengyu still remembered that Lantern Festival years ago, when the young and extraordinary Marquis stood by the railing, his expression aglow with spring as he asked if she wanted to come admire the lanterns.

Back then, she was naive, her heart untouched by love’s stirrings. She couldn’t discern his teasing, only assuming he might be trying to swindle her out of money again. She had no romantic thoughts whatsoever.

"Were you deliberately waiting for me at the Observation Tower?" Fengyu asked curiously.

Xie Xun held her hand and led her up the stairs. The Observation Tower had remained unchanged after ten years, its staircase dimly lit by oil lamps, with large, intricately shaped lanterns hanging along the outer edges. The dark spiraling staircase seemed endless, with only the two of them ascending together.

"It was truly a coincidence. Back then, I happened to be responsible for the Hexi area. Seeing you alone admiring lanterns, I invited you out of sheer goodwill."

"Clearly, you had your eye on my gold and silver mountains."

"Don’t state the obvious, Empress!" Xie Xun teased, his tone playful. He didn’t mind Fengyu’s slow pace, guiding her step by step. When she tired, he let her rest. It was just like their journey from rebel against traitorous ministers to ruler of the realm—walking hand in hand, sharing glory and hardship.

"If I hadn’t had gold and silver mountains back then, would the young Marquis have paid me any heed?"

"...Probably. After all, Ayu is so beautiful, a feast for the eyes. I am but a mortal man," Xie Xun joked. Truthfully, he had set his sights on her after the snow disaster.

During that Lantern Festival, when he saw her alone by the riverside amid the vibrant lanterns, Fengyu’s stunning face outshone the lanterns themselves.

A covetous desire was born within him; his gaze became fixated on her.

Even though he knew they were unsuitable and ultimately incompatible, he still pursued her resolutely and extended his hand to her.

"Thank my parents for gifting me such beauty and grace."

Xie Xun laughed heartily, unable to contain his joy. The Forbidden Army trailing behind them thought to themselves: The Emperor and Empress truly are different when together—more cheerful, playful, and even their words are gentler.

Though Fengyu was still panting when she reached the top of the Observation Tower, she managed better than she had a few years earlier and found the climb less straining. Gazing from the heights, they saw the expansive hundred-mile scenery stretching before them—countless lanterns rising in the snow like a dazzling river of light.

Xie Xun never let go of her hand, standing with her as they admired the distant nightscape. From the Observation Tower, they could still see the Imperial Palace, its grandeur visible even from afar—a place they now called home.

"Standing here back then, neither of us imagined we would one day become its masters," Fengyu said. Despite having a rebellious streak, she had thought little of Emperor Jianming, seeing him as weak, incompetent, and overshadowed. She had never considered overthrowing him herself but merely anticipated the day Emperor Jianming would fall ill and another emperor would take his place.

"We only envisioned changing emperors!" Xie Xun agreed, their minds perfectly aligned like only true partners could be. They both shared the same thoughts back then.

Xie Xun had never anticipated ruling the realm himself. Life’s twists and turns were indeed miraculous. Now, with their fingers tightly intertwined atop the Observation Tower, their hearts were in a place completely transformed from the past.

The seas now lay calm, the people lived in peace, and Xie Xun and Fengyu lacked any worldly desires.

No, Fengyu still had desires.

Once, she had hoped for the health of her family and the stability of Yanyang.

Now, she longed for a lifetime of companionship with Xie Xun, for them to raise children together.

"Shall we release lanterns?"

"Let’s go to the riverside and release them!" Fengyu said with a gentle laugh. "I’ve never released lanterns by the river before."

"You’ve been in the Capital City for years yet never released lanterns riverside?"

Fengyu shook her head lightly. "I’ve always been frail since childhood. During winters here, I rarely ventured outdoors. On New Year’s Eve and Lantern Festival, my grandmother worried I’d catch cold and forbade me to go out. I wasn’t fond of crowds either. That year during the Lantern Festival, when I met you, it was the second time I’d ever stepped outside for the holiday."

"Ayu, how pitiful!" Xie Xun affectionately cupped her face, chilled slightly by the cold wind. He imagined his little Ayu gazing through the window at lanterns in the sky with longing eyes—a sight surely stirring the deepest sympathy.

"I’m not pitiful at all. I’ve never enjoyed going out or being battered by freezing winds. Staying indoors under warm covers to tally finances is far cozier. Besides, my elder sister adored me. Though I couldn’t go out to see lanterns, every year for New Year’s Eve and Lantern Festival, my sister would prepare all sorts of novelty lanterns in my courtyard. Whatever could be seen on the streets, I could admire in my garden. I didn’t need to step outside to enjoy a lantern show." Mentioning Feng Shu brought both sadness and fond memories to Fengyu. Though grief lingered, she chose to honor her sister’s memory and move beyond sorrow.

Raising Ruyi well was the best consolation for her sister.

Xie Xun also thought of Xie Zhang, his voice gentle as he said, "Your elder brother and sister-in-law are reunited now. On the other side, they must also be living peacefully and happily. Don’t be too grieved."

"I know," Fengyu replied, her tone tinged with sadness. "I just find myself missing my sister sometimes."

"Come, let’s release some lanterns," Xie Xun said. Nostalgia is a sentiment hard to dispel. Redirecting their focus was often the best remedy, so he took Fengyu to the riverside to release floating lanterns.

The riverside was packed with crowds. Fearing any mishaps, the guards considered clearing some space, but both Xie Xun and Fengyu felt it unnecessary. Having grown up outside the palace, neither was overly preoccupied with such precautions.

The riverside was mostly filled with unmarried young women releasing lanterns in hopes of finding love. Among the crowd, Xie Xun’s striking presence stood out starkly.