Half an hour later, the palanquin arrived at Prince Yi’s manor.

Jing Yi wore crimson robes, standing spiritedly at the entrance to welcome the bride.

After the palanquin was set down, he stepped forward and kicked open the palanquin door, welcoming the bride down.

Between them stretched a red silk cord.

Beneath the red bridal veil, Ji Muqing could only hear the sound of gongs and drums by her ears. Her entire being was in a daze. She simply followed the matchmaker’s lead, and amidst the crowd’s congratulations, entered Prince Yi’s manor and crossed that threshold.

In a confused state, she completed the ceremonial bows, then followed the matchmaker to the bridal chamber. They had her sit on the bed without moving and told her not to remove the veil.

She was to wait for Prince Yi.

She obediently nodded.

As the door closed, she was finally left alone in the room. She opened her eyes but could only see her own feet.

The sound of gongs and drums outside had temporarily ceased. She could only hear the wind blowing against the windows, creaking and groaning.

It was just like her current mood—swaying left and right, uneasy and anxious.

Although the matchmaker had told her many times what to do during the wedding night, now her mind was completely blank. She couldn’t think of anything.

The more she thought about it, the more nervous she became, her heart seemingly leaping to her throat.

Outside, fireworks were being set off, shooting up into the sky one burst after another.

They exploded the ink-black sky into a riot of colors.

So lively.

Not only Prince Yi’s manor, but the entire imperial palace was filled with festive joy, decorated with lanterns and colored streamers, gongs and drums sounding.

Fireworks filled the entire sky.

The palace maids and eunuchs were overjoyed, all running the risk of being scolded by their masters to rush to the fireworks pool to watch.

But only the dilapidated Tongren Hall formed a stark contrast with the festive scene outside.

Jing Xian wore a cloak, standing in the courtyard, looking up at the fireworks bursting in the sky.

He couldn’t remember how long it had been since he’d seen fireworks, or even how long since he’d heard those joyful sounds of gongs and drums.

The bursting fireworks illuminated the entire sky, their brilliance seemingly seeping into his deep eyes.

Translucent, beautiful.

It must be said that Jing Xian was an extremely handsome man, even more attractive than Jing Rong, especially those eyes—warm and profound. Though they carried a sickly quality, they didn’t seem lifeless. Rather, they were like a warm, flowing current. If one gazed too long, ripples would stir in one’s heart.

“Boom!”

Another burst of fireworks exploded!

A smile gradually overflowed from the corners of his lips, but looking at it, it also carried a trace of desolation.

Fu Lu came over and stood beside him in silent companionship.

They remained together for a long while.

The corners of Jing Xian’s mouth lifted slightly, his voice soft: “Prince Yi’s grand wedding is so lively. Outside, with red decorations stretching for miles, the wedding procession must be very long. Some carry the palanquin, some carry congratulatory gifts, some beat gongs and drums, and some beam with joy. The matchmaker supports the bride, all the way into the manor. Three kowtows in the hall, then the wedding night.”

As if he had been present at the scene.

Fu Lu said, “Yes, it’s indeed very lively outside. Not only is Prince Yi’s manor lively, but the palace is too. Many palace maids and eunuchs have gone to the fireworks pool to watch. The Imperial Garden side is even more lively. Would Your Highness like to go see?”

“See? How would I see?” He mocked himself. “Would you support me to see? Or push me to see? If I fainted halfway through, wouldn’t I trouble people to carry me back? At that time, wouldn’t I spoil everyone’s interest, ruin the joy, and disturb Imperial Father? Wouldn’t I become a criminal?”

He smiled.

Who speaks of themselves this way?

Fu Lu quickly said, “Your Highness’s health has improved considerably. With Young Master Muruo’s medicine, this servant believes Your Highness will recover soon.”

“You’ve been saying this for fourteen years.”

“This servant…”

“Enough, you don’t need to comfort me anymore. I know my own body’s condition. No matter how often you say such things, it’s useless. If I’m meant to die, even the greatest immortal couldn’t save me.” His tone was cool.

Fu Lu sighed, his eyes full of heartache, but said no more. He stood quietly to the side, accompanying him to continue watching the fireworks for a while.

Before long, wind picked up in the courtyard.

“Your Highness, perhaps you should go inside? This late at night, the wind is strong. It wouldn’t be good if you caught a chill.”

“It’s fine.” He shook his head lightly. “It’s been a long time since the imperial palace has been this lively. I want to watch a bit longer. If I don’t appreciate it properly today, there may not be another chance in the future.”

Perhaps after watching tonight, he would die.

In any case, Jing Xian had always maintained this attitude—he was living day by day, barely surviving!

Fu Lu said, “Yes, then this servant will keep you company here.”

The two stood outside, one in front of the other.

After a long while, Jing Xian suddenly spoke softly: “This time Prince Yi married the Ji family’s legitimate daughter. In the future, his position will be even more secure.”

“What did Your Highness say?”

“Nothing.”

Fu Lu sighed and said, “When Your Highness leaves the palace, you can also marry a princess consort. At that time, you’ll have a companion by your side.”

Ha ha.

Jing Xian smiled.

He had been confined in this palace for fourteen years. He had long grown accustomed to the feeling of solitude, coming and going alone. It was better than being among those demons and monsters.

“Having barely survived for fourteen years, I’ve long grown accustomed to it. Whoever anyone is has nothing to do with me. Whatever anyone obtains also has nothing to do with me. Having a companion or not is all the same. Rather, if I could die in this Tongren Hall, it would actually be a beautiful thing!”

Hearing this, Fu Lu quickly spat “Bah, bah, bah” several times, saying, “Your Highness must not speak such nonsense. Your Highness will surely live to a hundred years. Once you recover, His Majesty will order Your Highness to leave the palace.”

“Whether I leave the palace or not doesn’t matter anymore.” He sighed, gazing at the sky full of fireworks, then turned to ask Fu Lu, “In the hall, are there any decent items left?”

“What does Your Highness mean?”

“To give to someone.”

“This… there aren’t any.”

Tongren Hall was probably the poorest place in the entire imperial palace, even poorer than the cold palace.

The only thing that was never lacking was charcoal, because years ago, His Majesty had decreed that Tongren Hall could be cut off from everything except charcoal.

But besides charcoal, there wasn’t a single presentable item.

Jing Xian thought carefully. “Right, go pack up that set of scholar’s four treasures in my room.”

“Your Highness intends to?”

“Send it to Prince Yi’s manor as a congratulatory gift. Imperial Brother is getting married—how could I not send a gift?”

Fu Lu was shocked. “That set of scholar’s four treasures is Your Highness’s favorite. This…”

“So what if it’s my favorite? Just send it. It’s already the only presentable item I have.”

Alas…

Fu Lu’s shoulders slumped. He could only agree and went inside to pack the items.

Jing Xian wrapped his cloak tighter around himself. Those eyes that had been warm and profound suddenly deepened.

“Jing Yi, oh Jing Yi! You’re too hasty.”

…

The gift that Fu Lu sent someone to deliver to Prince Yi’s manor was received and thrown directly into the room where gifts were stored.

There were too many items inside. It fell straight to the ground.

It was even kicked a few times.

No one paid it any attention at all!