Chapter 246 "Was all of this a dream, or...?"
Chapter 246 "Was all of this a dream, or...?"
Inside the Ninth Prince's Mansion, the lights were bright, and a warm atmosphere permeated the entire space. In the main hall, beneath the carved beams and painted rafters, a round table made of carved sandalwood gleamed in the candlelight.
Murong Yi, dressed in a moon-white brocade robe with a black jade belt around her waist, sat upright in the main seat, her expression gentle and her eyes full of contentment.
Lin Qianqian, dressed in a rose-red brocade dress embroidered with gold and depicting pomegranate flowers and a hundred children, possessed a graceful figure. At this moment, she was holding a swaddled baby in her arms, the little life inside sleeping soundly, the rosy face even more adorable in the candlelight. She gently stroked the child's cheek, her eyes filled with the radiance of maternal love.
Consort Su Wan'er, dressed in a light pink silk dress with butterfly and peony patterns, and a jade hairpin tucked into her hair, looked even more gentle and charming. She held little Jin Cheng in her arms, and the little guy danced around in her arms, occasionally letting out a "giggle" of laughter, which echoed in the hall.
The three sat around a table laden with delicacies, steaming hot and fragrant. Murong Yi smiled as he served food to his two beloved wives, saying, "This meal today has been truly delightful."
Lin Qianqian nodded slightly, a faint smile playing on her lips: "Your Highness is right. It's better for the whole family to be together than anything else."
Su Wan'er softly echoed, her eyes filled with happiness.
Outside the hall, a group of servants were bustling about in an orderly fashion. Some carried newly added dishes and walked briskly into the hall; others waited on the side, ready to serve tea and water to everyone.
The maids, dressed in matching emerald green skirts with ribbons tied in their hair, deftly cleared away the leftover food from the table. Outside the hall, the servants arranged the braziers neatly, ensuring the hall remained warm and inviting. The entire mansion was immersed in a warm and lively atmosphere, filled with laughter and cheerful conversation.
Xiao Die, standing beside Lin Qianqian with bright, sparkling eyes, suddenly teased playfully, "Hey? Your Highness, Your Highness, shouldn't we give our little prince a name?"
As she spoke, she gently reached out her finger to tease the child in Lin Qianqian's arms, then smiled playfully, revealing two adorable dimples.
Upon hearing this, Su Wan'er paused slightly as she gently coaxed Xiao Jincheng, her expression changing drastically. However, she quickly recovered and forced a smile, agreeing, "Yes, we must carefully consider the name of the young prince."
Lin Qianqian tilted her head slightly, pondering seriously: "Hmm~ I should really choose a name, but what should I pick..."
Her eyebrows furrowed slightly, her fingers tapping the table unconsciously. Her gaze sometimes fell on the baby in the swaddling clothes, and sometimes looked into the void, as if searching for the most suitable words in her mind.
Murong Yi also fell into deep thought. His brows were furrowed, his expression focused, and various auspicious words kept appearing in his mind, trying to piece together a perfect name.
Just then, Murong Yi's eyes suddenly lit up, and she shouted as if she had an inspiration: "That's it, I've got it!"
Everyone turned to look, their eyes filled with curiosity and anticipation. Lin Qianqian, her eyes brimming with expectation, asked softly, "What did you think of?"
Murong Yi chuckled, her eyes sparkling with a lively light, and said, "Let's name him Murong Huaijin. 'Holding jade in one's arms' is a metaphor for a person with pure and noble character. I hope that our child will have a noble character throughout his life, untainted by worldly corruption, with a heart as pure and gentle as jade."
Standing next to Xiaodie, Wuming couldn't help but sigh with admiration upon hearing this: "What a wonderful name!"
Xiao Die's eyes darted around, and she tilted her head playfully, agreeing, "Of course! Just hearing that name tells you it's a name with a bright future! When our little prince goes out with that name, he'll surely charm countless young ladies!"
After saying that, she exaggeratedly covered her face, making a lovestruck expression, which made everyone burst into laughter.
Lin Qianqian looked tenderly at the baby in the swaddling clothes and murmured softly, "Murong Huaijin~ This one is good!"
She pondered for a moment, a gentle yet playful smile appearing on her face, and then said, "As for his nickname, let's call him Aheng. It symbolizes wearing jade, which not only shows his masculinity but also implies that his life is as precious and beautiful as jade. It also sounds cute and affectionate."
After listening to Lin Qianqian's words, Murong Yi's face was full of satisfaction. She nodded repeatedly, her smile growing wider, and exclaimed, "Aheng... this is really beautiful!"
He turned to look at Lin Qianqian, his eyes filled with doting affection, as if the most precious treasure in the world was standing right in front of him. His gaze was gentle as water, and the corners of his mouth were slightly upturned as he said softly, "Qianqian, you are so thoughtful. The name you chose has a good meaning and is easy to pronounce."
Watching this scene from the side, Su Wan'er felt a burning jealousy. Her nails dug deep into her palms without her noticing. She tightly gripped the swaddled baby in her arms, her knuckles turning white from the force.
Suddenly, the baby in the swaddling clothes burst into tears. Su Wan'er snapped back to reality, her face filled with shock.
Everyone turned to look at her. Murong Yi asked with concern and confusion, "Wan'er, what's wrong? Why is Cheng'er suddenly crying?"
Lin Qianqian also frowned in confusion, a hint of bewilderment flashing in her eyes, and quietly looked at Su Wan'er.
Su Wan'er looked flustered, her eyes darting around, and stammered, "Uh...maybe...Cheng'er is hungry! Well, Your Highness, I'll go back to my room first." After saying that, she forced an awkward and strained smile.
Murong Yi nodded slightly and said gently, "Well, in that case, you may go back now!" Then she instructed Huan'er, who was standing to the side, "Help the concubine go back to rest."
The servant respectfully replied, "Yes."
Su Wan'er turned around hastily, holding the child. She appeared calm, but her steps were hurried. She was filled with resentment, and every step felt like she was stepping on fire.
Thinking of Murong Yi's favoritism towards Lin Qianqian, her hatred intensified. Huan'er followed closely behind her, noticing Su Wan'er's unusual behavior, but dared not ask any questions, and could only follow absentmindedly.
Lin Qianqian watched Su Wan'er's departing figure, lost in thought, her expression gradually deepening. She narrowed her eyes slightly, her mind swirling with countless thoughts, yet unable to articulate them clearly. She could only sigh inwardly, keeping her doubts to herself.
Murong Yi keenly noticed Lin Qianqian's soft sigh, and a concerned expression appeared on her face. She asked gently, "Qianqian, what's wrong? Why are you sighing like that?"
Lin Qianqian realized her lapse in composure, smiled, and tried to hide her worry. She said cheerfully, "Oh, it's nothing, Your Highness, let's eat!" As she spoke, she picked up a piece of food with her chopsticks, put it in her mouth, and smiled with satisfaction. She glanced at Murong Yi from time to time.
Although Murong Yi still had some doubts, seeing Lin Qianqian's smile, he didn't press the matter further. He picked up his chopsticks, carefully placed a piece of her favorite fish on her plate, removed the bones, and said gently, "This fish is cooked so tenderly, you should eat more."
Lin Qianqian accepted it, her eyes filled with sweetness, and softly thanked her.
At this moment, Ah Heng, still in his swaddling clothes, stirred slightly and waved his little hand in the air, as if he too could feel the warm atmosphere.
Seeing this, Murong gently touched Aheng's little face, and the scene of the family of three was warm and happy.
Xiaodie and Wuming exchanged a smile. Xiaodie's eyes were full of envy, and she couldn't help but sigh softly, "Look, the prince, the princess and the young prince, what a happy family they are."
Wuming nodded slightly, a smile playing on his lips, and replied softly, "Yes, these kinds of days are truly heartwarming."
Although their voices were soft, they added a unique touch to the lively and warm atmosphere.
After dinner, the night was deep. The inky sky resembled a vast piece of silk, with countless stars twinkling like jewels inlaid on it. Murong Yi gently took Lin Qianqian's hand and said softly, "Qianqian, there will be fireworks tonight. I'll go out with you to see them."
Lin Qianqian blushed slightly, nodded gently, and let him lead her slowly towards the courtyard of the Prince's Mansion.
In the courtyard, servants had already set out soft couches and tea. The two sat down side by side, looked up, and saw "fire trees and silver flowers merging, star bridges and iron locks opening" in the night sky.
The fireworks were like dazzling flowers, blooming instantly in the night sky, or like shooting stars streaking across the heavens, disappearing in an instant, leaving behind a dreamlike and illusory light and shadow.
Murong Yi turned to gaze at Lin Qianqian, her eyes gentle and affectionate, as if all the fireworks in the world could not compare to the faint smile of the person in front of her.
The moonlight shone on his face, outlining his resolute and handsome features. He said softly, "Qianqian, with you by my side, every year is just as wonderful."
Lin Qianqian felt the intense gaze of the man beside her, and a warm feeling welled up in her heart, making her cheeks burn even hotter.
She tilted her head slightly, meeting Murong Yi's gaze. Her eyes were filled with emotion and love as she softly replied, "Being able to accompany Your Highness is the greatest blessing of Qianqian's life."
Fireworks continued to bloom and fade in the night sky, casting their shadows on and off. A gentle breeze carried the delicate fragrance of flowers, lingering around them.
At this moment, time seemed to stand still, and the whole world seemed to consist only of each other and the dazzling fireworks, together weaving a beautiful and eternal picture.
Lin Qianqian quietly turned her head, her gaze seemingly falling on Murong Yi. The moonlight, like water, gilded his silhouette with a silver edge, outlining a familiar and captivating appearance.
Her gaze gradually became unfocused, but the corners of her mouth unconsciously turned up slightly, revealing a gentle smile.
Lin Qianqian gazed at the fireworks exploding in the night sky, her thoughts drifting away. She pondered to herself: "Every little thing I've done with him these past few days has been filled with meticulous care and deep affection. He truly loves me. But how long can this happiness last? Is this all just a dream, or…?"
The glow of the fireworks reflected on her face, flickering like the turbulent emotions she felt. She took a deep breath; the air was filled with the scent of fireworks and faint floral fragrance, intoxicatingly beautiful.
She silently told herself that even if it was just a dream, she was willing to be immersed in it and never wake up. As long as he was by her side at this moment, happiness was with her.
Wuming and Xiaodie stood far away under the corridor, quietly watching Murong Yi and Lin Qianqian admiring the moon and fireworks side by side in the courtyard.
Xiaodie's lips curled up slightly, her eyes sparkling with gossip. She pursed her lips and couldn't help but chuckle, looking exactly like a curious ghost who had just stumbled upon some juicy gossip.
Just as Xiaodie was completely immersed in the sweet atmosphere between the prince and princess, a warm and strong hand suddenly gently put its arm around her shoulder.
Xiaodie was startled and subconsciously looked up. She saw that Wuming had approached her at some point, and the two were very close. She could even feel the warm breath coming from Wuming.
She looked up and met Wuming's deep, unfathomable eyes. In the moonlight, Wuming was smiling at her, a smile as warm as the spring sun, warming her heart.
His eyes were full of tenderness and affection, as if nothing in the world could compare to the little butterfly before him.
Xiaodie's cheeks instantly burned, like flames that had been lit, quickly spreading to her ears.
She blinked frantically, and it took her a while to react. She quickly turned her face to the side, lowered her head, and tried to hide her shyness with her drooping hair.
Fireworks continued to burst in the night sky, their colorful lights illuminating the entire courtyard as if it were daytime. Inside, Murong Yi and Lin Qianqian nestled together, immersed in their own sweet world; beneath the eaves, Wuming and Xiaodie, one gazing deeply into the distance, the other shyly looking away, created a similarly beautiful and touching scene. The moonlight, like water, gently bathed both couples, adding a touch of dreamlike beauty to their moment.
vstars