Chapter 39 Picnic

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The ministers bowed their heads timidly. It still astounded Xi Chen how much the atmosphere in these court meetings had changed over the months since Ye An's ascension. The usually aggressive ministers were now passive under the emperor's steely gaze. Even when they met Ye An outside the court, the ministers would lower their gazes instinctively. His chest swelled with pride thinking about it.


Over the next few weeks when the cold slowly made its presence known in the crispness of the air and the bleakness of the trees, Prince Adlai shadowed Ye An as she lived her daily life with Xi Chen by her side.


"I hope you're not bored, Adlai. My every day is just the same routine from the previous day. It's pretty unexciting." Ye An remarked to Prince Adlai as she read through some documents in the Mental Cultivation Hall with both the foreign prince and lieutenant in the room. The grand eunuch was currently by her table, preparing more fresh ink for her.


"It's alright." Within the first few days after the rest of the Northerners left, Prince Adlai still continued to communicate with paper and the brush that he had gotten from the morning market. But it was one thing to communicate that way during short outings and another when you need to communicate your thoughts for the entire day. So despite his initial reservation, Prince Adlai was now speaking in the common tongue with his heavy Northern accent.


"Really? Well, don't worry. Since tomorrow is Mid-Autumn, it's finally going to be an exciting day. Do you celebrate Mid-Autumn in the North?"


"Not really, we only experience two seasons up in the North. Summer and winter." Prince Adlai smiled. "The temperature fluctuates between the two extremes, which is why we sometimes even have snowstorms in the summer. This is the first time I'm experiencing such mild weather."


Xi Chen nodded in agreement. "That's true, Your Imperial Majesty. Even in the northern region, we have similar weather at the northernmost part where the border and the military barracks are."


"Wow, that sounds.. Harsh." Ye An mused. "But well, since you've never experience Mid-Autumn celebrations, you're in for a treat, Adlai."


"I certainly look forward to it, Your Imperial Majesty." Prince Adlai smiled.


*******


The next morning started as usual for Ye An. It had been a while since her wound had fully healed. So Governess Hsu hadn't been over in the mornings and Ye An's mornings returned to the usual silent routine with her servants. After her morning bath, Ye An was once again donned in the emperor's ceremonial robe, complete with her beaded crown. She was dressed to the nines in anticipation of the ceremony tonight.


The tradition of the imperial family spearheading the sacrificial ceremony during Mid-Autumn was to express gratitude to the gods for the year's good harvest and to pray for the continuation of the abundance into the following year. The ceremony was held at the Temple of the Full Moon in the southern plains and the imperial convoy would start their journey to the temple at around mid-morning.


When Ye An exited her residence, Xi Chen was already there to escort her to the royal chariot. The royal chariot was parked just outside the courtyard. The coachman and grand eunuch were already in the coachman's seat. There were three smaller and plainer chariots behind the large royal chariot. Surrounding all four chariots were armed royal guards on horseback and servants.

THE NIGHT EMPEROR: 夜安王 【The Night Emperor Book 1】| ✔️Where stories live. Discover now