Chapter 249
Chapter 249
Duan Wang Fei looked at the basket of plum blossoms carried back by Qin Jiu and had a subtle expression.
Selecting plum blossoms to make plum tea was a delicate matter. Buds were more suitable for making tea rather than fully bloomed plum blossoms, as they could retain the fragrance and once the hot water was poured in, a breathtaking fully bloomed plum blossom could be seen.
Even if Qin Jiu doesn't know about this, her son should know otherwise, after all, every winter this was what they usually drink.
So, Zezhi was making her future daughter-in-law happy?
Thinking, Duan Wang Fei looked back and forth at Qin Jiu and Gu Zezhi, with interest brewing in her eyes as she commented to herself.
Well, when did Zezhi learn to coax this young miss?
Duan Wang Fei did not expose her son, instead smiled and told her maidservant, "Go and made some tea with this!"
The maidservant took the small basket in Qin Jiu's hand and went out to prepare the plum tea.
One tea time later, Qin Jiu tasted the rumored plum blossom tea.
Plum tea was very fragrant, it has a distinct fragrance that ordinary tea doesn't have.
After taking two sips Duan Wang Fei casually asked Gu Zezhi.
"Zezhi, how are the talks with Beiyan?"
Gu Zezhi smiled, "It's going very smoothly."
His long and narrow phoenix eyes were full of ripples and glittered with a meaningful smile.
This smile made Qin Jiu shed tears of sympathy for Beiyan in her heart, um, Beiyan would definitely bleed heavily this time, and he deserves it~~
Knowing this, it has given Qin Jiu a piece of mind and her mood was lighter.
After drinking plum tea, she returned to the marquis with a large box of fireworks given by Duan Wang Fei.
The streets were full of New Year's atmosphere. Seeing that the New Year was coming, the restaurants and shops on both sides of the street hung red lanterns. People were busy buying New Year's goods and the air was filled with a jubilant atmosphere.
This was Qin Jiu's first New Year in this great Qi Dynasty.
Every day was very new and interesting to her. She couldn't help being busy, but she doesn't know that her busyness and joy were painful in the eyes of Old Madam Qin, Qin Zening, and Qin Zeyu. Thinking that since Qin Jiu had a hard time for the past years, so this was probably the first time she has had a good year!
During New Year's Eve, Qin Zeyu was very obedient and took the initiative to take Qin Jiu to buy New Year's Eve goods, set off firecrackers and fireworks, and even hand-tied a rabbit lantern for Qin Jiu in time for the Lantern Festival.
In this lively and bustling atmosphere, the Lantern Festival arrived on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month.
As a tradition, tonight the emperor and empress would join the nobles of the royal family, and civil and military officials to celebrate, and watch lanterns and fireworks.
Although the House of Marquis has declined, it has also received an invitation to the Lantern Festival Palace Banquet.
Every year, Old Madam Qin and Madam Su would take several young misses of the family. But this year after Qin Sheng returned to her maternal grandfather's mansion in a fit of anger and hasn't come back for New Year Madam Su had to make an excuse saying her daughter was "sick" and stayed behind closed doors so Old Madam Qin departed without the young miss of the second family.
At the beginning Youchu*, Qin Jiu was standing near the gate and just a distance away she saw Qin Xin was also there wearing a rouge-colored clock woven with gold threads glistening against the sunset.
(*five in the afternoon)
Qin Xin carefully helped Old Madam Qin get into the carriage before getting in herself with the help of her maidservant.
Qin Jiu on the other hand didn't go to join the fun and was riding her own carriage.
After getting on the carriage, she leaned against the wall and closed her eyes to rest, a while later the carriage slowly moved towards the Chenghuang Temple.
As the sun sets in the west, the sky was getting darker and darker and along the way, many people hung up big red lanterns, emitting bright brilliance.
On weekdays, there was a curfew in the capital and there were usually no people on the road at dusk but today the capital was particularly lively with the streets bustling, vendors setting up their stalls and shouting, as people pouring in to enjoy the lantern festival.
Qin Zeyu rode along beside Qin Jiu's carriage looking like a flower guard. Her handsome face was beaming under the bright light on the streets and lanterns, but with a very intimidating aura like a soldier ready to go to war.
After an incense stick, the Qin family's carriage arrived outside the Chenghuang Temple.
Today, because the imperial family would personally visit the Lantern Festival, the open space in front of the Chenghuang Temple has been cleaned up, a high platform has been built, and the lamphouse has also been built, under it were densely packed red lanterns, which make the surrounding light as bright as day.
Qin Jiu followed Old Madam Qin to their seats where the Marquis of Zhongyi's seat was assigned. Along the way, Old Madam Qin inevitably met some women she knew well and exchanged pleasantries and greetings from time to time.
The sky was getting darker and darker, and there were more and more people who were already seated in their seats, and all of them were looking in the direction of the palace from time to time.
The people below gathered on the street leading to the Chenghuang Temple and stood by the roadside, excitedly waiting, each with a look of anticipation.
Near xushi* hour, in the distance came the sound of rumbling steps. At the end of the street, a bright yellow curtain could be seen floating like an auspicious cloud, this was the signal that the emperor was coming.
(*7-9pm)
The emperor and empress's carriage were getting closer and closer, accompanying them were empress dowager Liu as well as the concubines, imperial sons and princesses, clan dignitaries, and close subjects of the emperor, a large caravan under the escort of a large number of imperial troops marching majestically.
The common people waiting by the roadside all knelt down as they watch the emperor and shouted in unison, "Long live the emperor! Long live the empress! Long live the empress dowager!"
The shout was loud and impassioned.
***