novelden Chapter 185 The Holy Rider Goes Out
Chapter 185 The Holy Rider Goes Out
The streets are brightly lit and bustling with people, and the festive atmosphere is thick and warm.
They happened to arrive at the end of the sacrificial ceremony, and took the auspicious dogwood from the bustling crowd, which was also a kind of festive ritual.
While walking, Yuan Fangfang ran into Jin Chengyuan's personal bodyguard, who saluted respectfully and said, "Miss Yuan, Lord Jin has specially ordered me to escort you home safely."
Ling Mo followed the guard's gaze and saw Jin Chengyuan standing alone at the bridge head with a proud and lonely back. He was talking in a low voice with an official in gorgeous clothes. The scene seemed particularly mysterious under the moonlight, as if he was secretly manipulating everything.
Yuan Fangfang knew Jin Chengyuan's majesty very well. The fear in her heart was like a trickle. She didn't dare to disobey him in the slightest. Her voice was slightly trembling as she said, "Mohui, I'll take my leave first. Let's find time to get together another day!"
Ling Mo looked back at Yuan Fangfang's hurriedly departing back, nodded lightly, waved her arm gently, and watched the carriage gradually moving away with a tenderness that seemed to be able to brush away the sadness of parting.
The sunlight shining on her profile added a touch of warmth and complexity to this farewell.
Just as Ling Mohui was about to turn around and head back home, fate seemed to have inadvertently turned its gears.
When she turned around, she unexpectedly met Han Zifeng's eyes, and there was a gleam of surprise in his eyes.
"Mo Hui, what a coincidence!"
Han Zifeng's voice was full of joy, like a warm breeze in spring, which inadvertently blew away the slight sadness in Ling Mohui's heart.
The originally planned journey home was changed because of Han Zifeng's words. He mentioned that there would be a banquet hosted by the dignitaries on the river later, and its luxury would be no less than any feast they had ever enjoyed.
"Let's go. Even if we don't set foot on that Chinese ship, just strolling along the river is a rare enjoyment."
There was an irresistible temptation in Han Zifeng's words, and the smile on the corners of his mouth seemed to contain infinite magic.
Ling Mohui struggled internally for a moment. She looked up at the early morning sky and thought to herself, since it would be too hard to sleep if she went home at this time, why not just go with the flow?
So, she finally nodded and agreed, and decided to follow Han Zifeng, adding a touch of unpredictable color to this unexpected leisure time.
On both sides of the river, the guards stood solemnly, as unwavering as sculptures, adding a touch of solemnity and mystery to the banquet that was about to begin.
On the water, the boats swayed gently, and in sharp contrast to the river bank was the tranquility coming from the river, as if all the noise was gently swallowed up by the blue waves.
As she walked, Ling Mohui's thoughts drifted back to the memories of that palace music banquet. The grandeur of that banquet was comparable to the river banquet she was about to attend.
She still remembers that the emperor personally came to the scene and his majesty was so unforgettable.
And the next day, her sister Ling Zhiyun was almost chosen to enter the golden cage-like palace.
"I'm afraid the person invited to this banquet is also an extraordinary person, right?"
There was a hint of curiosity in Ling Mohui's words, as well as a hint of exploration of the unknown.
Han Zifeng raised his lips slightly when he heard this, and a hint of amusement flashed in his eyes: "Not only is it extraordinary, the emperor himself will also be here!"
His voice revealed his affirmation of the news, but it also seemed to hide more unknown secrets. "The emperor has been particularly fond of traveling by boat recently. I wonder what kind of rare treasures are on this dragon boat that make him so obsessed?"
Ling Mohui's curiosity was completely aroused, and her eyes were flashing with a gleam of seeking the truth.
However, Han Zifeng glanced at her, and although his tone was calm, it contained a subtle warning: "Guessing the emperor's thoughts is a very risky thing. Ling Mohui, your courage is indeed impressive."
These words were like a bucket of cold water, which cooled Ling Mohui's enthusiasm a little, but she did not show weakness. Instead, she responded in a half-joking way: "Last time, the emperor suddenly had a whim and gave me a house full of concubines. With such an experience, how can I not be more cautious?"
Her words revealed her helplessness and self-mockery towards the game of imperial power.
Fu Yansheng heard this and couldn't help but chuckle, "You are so brave to tease His Majesty behind his back, Ling Mohui. You are simply putting your life and death aside!"
His laughter showed both appreciation and love for Ling Mohui's straightforward character.
Just as he finished speaking, the sound of a group of people's footsteps broke the tranquility of the street corner. They were walking towards this side in a grand manner.
"Look, they are coming! Ling Mohui, be careful when speaking, don't let them hear you."
Han Zifeng reminded quickly, his eyes full of control over the situation.
Ling Mohui smiled easily and answered confidently: "Don't worry, I'm just talking, I don't want to cause trouble for no reason."
Hearing this, Han Zifeng shook his head and smiled bitterly, the doting look in his eyes difficult to conceal.
The crowd moved slowly with their steps and finally stopped at the shore.
A ship decorated extremely luxuriously was quietly anchored on the water. A man dressed gorgeously and with extraordinary temperament slowly stepped onto the deck, surrounded by many courtiers.
Although Ling Mohui was standing farther away, she still recognized at a glance that it was the emperor.
"I remember that the last time His Majesty went on a tour, the Empress was always by his side. Why is it that only His Majesty is here today?"
Ling Mohui lowered her voice, her heart full of doubts.
Han Zifeng glanced at her sideways and lowered his voice: "The emperor sneaked out privately."
This news surprised Ling Mohui a little. It turned out that the emperor who was so high and mighty also had such a "down-to-earth" side.
After Han Zifeng presented the invitation letter, they successfully passed the concierge's guidance and boarded this mysterious ship.
"Have fun!"
A sharp and clear command came from the mouth of a eunuch. In an instant, melodious music and graceful dance became the dominant force on the river.
The dancers on the surrounding boats danced to the music, and ripples appeared on the water due to their dancing reflections. The scene was so beautiful that it was breathtaking.
Ling Mo looked back at this unique dance on the water and couldn't help but chuckle: "Dancing on a boat is indeed a unique idea, but if you accidentally fall into the water, it will be a crime of disrespect."
Her jokes contain both admiration for creativity and subtle satire of danger.
Han Zifeng revealed the secret: "This was the idea of the eunuch Deng Guiping who holds the seal."
When this name was mentioned, Ling Mohui couldn't help but frown. The second time this name sounded, it awakened her vague and uneasy memory of Yun Xian's death.
Thinking of the complicated relationship between Yunxian and Deng Guiping and her subsequent unclear death, Ling Mohui felt an indescribable uneasiness in her heart, as if some shadow was quietly looming over her.
The moment she entered the cabin, Ling Mohui's eyes unexpectedly met with Fu Yansheng and Ling Zhiyun.