The thirteenth day of the first lunar month is Wanshou Festival.
On Xiaobai's sixteenth birthday, a grand banquet was held in the palace. She sat high up, and there were people singing and laughing and congratulating her below, but she couldn't laugh because there was one person missing from the banquet.
She glanced at the ministers, missing Zhou Fan, he didn't come, why?
This is her first birthday after he returned to Beijing, which is of great significance. All the civil and military officials of the dynasty have arrived, but he is the only one missing. Except for the years when he has been absent, he has been there every birthday, and he will give her a gift.
.
Although it was not the most expensive or the best, when she recalled it, she realized that every time she received a gift from him, she was very happy and looked forward to it. Especially starting from the birthday of her lover, she began to like Wanshou Festival.
This is her sweet memory.
She had asked if she wanted a gift for her birthday this year, what would he give her, Zhou Fan didn't answer, it was mysterious, and she wasn't curious, but she was looking forward to this day in her heart, always looking forward to what kind of surprise he would bring her.
Xiaobai, who had been looking forward to it since the beginning of the banquet, felt a little disappointed. Xiaobai sat alone, without him, it seemed that everyone in the room had become a foil, and this birthday did not mean much to her.
It doesn't seem to matter though.
She was far away, and the civil and military officials below were watching the song and dance performance with great interest and were very immersed in it, but she found it very boring. Her eyes always glanced at the prime minister's position intentionally or unintentionally, but there was no one there.
The loss in her heart became more and more serious.
The Wanshou Festival is celebrated like this every year. Although it is her birthday, she is always aloof, forcing a smile to watch the joy below. They are very involved and excited, as if this is their festival, not her birthday.
Her birthday was celebrated by the whole country. She should be very happy. Why does she still feel dissatisfied and lonely? The feeling all year round is not as profound as this year. Maybe it is because she knows that he is in the capital but did not attend the Longevity Festival.
Dinner party relationship.
We just spent the day together yesterday, and they were fine, so why didn't they come? Zhou Fan was cautious in doing things, and if something happened, he would definitely send someone to tell her, so that she would have peace of mind.
She sat melancholy and looked hard at the entrance, hoping to see that handsome figure coming gracefully. But as the time went by, she became more and more disappointed and couldn't sit still.
Zhou Fan, what’s holding you back?
What's more important than my birthday? You know that I'm looking forward to spending it together.
Maybe, he would give her a surprise. The moon has not passed the zenith yet, and her birthday has not yet passed. Maybe he was waiting for her in the imperial garden like that year, and the two of them celebrated the festival.
The more Xiaobai thought about it, the more she couldn't sit still. It was like a little monster was living in her heart, always scratching her heart, itching and making her feel uncomfortable. She excused herself from drinking too much and asked the officials to continue having fun while she went back to the palace to rest first.
.
"Is the emperor in a bad mood today?" Official A whispered, "I haven't seen her smile all night."
Official B said, "Yes, in the past, the emperor didn't talk much, but he occasionally chatted with us and talked about recent interesting things. Today, he is sullen and silent. Who can offend the emperor? What a happy day it is.
"
General A said: "You really have no eyesight. Didn't you notice who was missing?"
Everyone looked around and suddenly realized, "The Prime Minister is not here..."
"Why didn't the prime minister come on such an important day?"
"Is there something that delayed you?"
"What could be more important than the Emperor's birthday?"
Long Teng jumped up and slapped the table, "Zhou Fan has gone too far!"
The ministers were startled by him. Several young officials who had always been friends with Zhou Fan touched their noses and secretly worried about Zhou Fan. Why didn't he arrive?
Xiaobai didn't want anyone to follow her, Ruyi also knew what was going on, and sent a shadow guard from afar to protect her safety. Qingfeng and Wuqing were not around, so the shadow guard was naturally responsible for her safety. It was generally safe in the palace. She saw that the weather was a bit cold, so she asked the palace maid to return.
Gong brought a big cloak to Xiaobai.
Xiaobai waited in the imperial garden for a long time, but no one was seen. As the night gradually deepened, she felt very uneasy, as if she was nervous and angry.
Ruyi took the big cloak into the imperial garden, put it on her, and said with a chuckle, "Your Majesty, the weather is getting cold, please don't freeze."
"I'm not cold." Even though she said that, she still put on the big cloak. The daughter's country is like spring all year round, and there is also a little bit of coolness in winter. The fire in her heart is also cooled down inch by inch.
"Your Majesty, maybe the Prime Minister is really delayed because of something urgent. He will enter the palace soon. He will not be absent on such an important day." Ruyi said understandingly.
Xiaobai said with a straight face, "Did I say I was waiting for him?"
Ruyi was speechless, and Xiaobai walked away, as if to prove that he was not waiting for Zhou Fan. He returned to the palace with a frosty face, Ruyi secretly smiled, and followed quickly, which was self-defeating.
However, Prime Minister, you have really made the Emperor angry.
After a moment, two figures quietly left the palace, climbed over the eaves and walked over the walls, and went straight to the Prime Minister's Mansion.
After Xiaobai returned to the palace, she was restless. Finally, she couldn't help but change her clothes and asked the shadow guards to take her out of the palace. Something must have happened to Zhou Fan, otherwise Zhou Fan would not have stopped coming. Since he didn't come, she would go.
She was worried that something might have happened to him.
The shadow guard took her to the Prime Minister's Mansion and hid her. Xiaobai went to Zhou Fan's bedroom by familiar routes. She had been to the Prime Minister's Mansion countless times and knew how to get there. As soon as she arrived outside the courtyard, she heard Jin'er and Qing'er.
There was an anxious voice mixed with a hint of scolding. She was confused and walked in. Unexpectedly, she saw Xiao Qinglian standing outside Zhou Fan's house with tears in her eyes. Qing'er's pretty face turned red and scolded her.
Xiao Bai was surprised and wondered, Xiao Qinglian actually went to Beijing? She was still living in the Prime Minister's Mansion, and Zhou Fan had never mentioned it to her. Although they only had a mutual relationship, she still recognized the woman who coveted Zhou Fan at a glance after two years.
Jin'er saw Xiaobai with her sharp eyes and exclaimed, "Your Majesty?"
Qing'er and Xiao Qinglian looked at her and saw that Xiaobai was dressed in men's clothing, standing in the wind, pretending to be a man, and standing in the night made Xiao Qinglian feel like he was seeing a deity.
"See you, Your Majesty!" Jin'er and Qing'er saluted.
Xiaobai helped them up and asked, "Where is the Prime Minister?"
Jin'er pointed at Xiao Qinglian angrily, "Your Majesty, this is the woman. She didn't know what she cooked for the Prime Minister to eat. When the servants came in, they saw the Prime Minister knocking him over. They ran out with red faces and no one was allowed to follow.