The next day, Zheng Liang and Yang Ning made their way to the Main Palace in the morning to greet His Majesty and seek his blessings. It was the first day of the Spring Festival, a time of renewal and new beginnings.
After the tumultuous events of the past months, which included His Majesty being poisoned, the exile of the Empress, and an attempt on Zheng Liang's life during his trip outside the palace, it was a moment to put those troubles behind and embrace a fresh start.
Zheng Huang, seated on his bed with his back against the headrest, directed his concerned gaze at Yang Ning, who occupied a chair beside him. He remarked, "It's been quite a while since I last saw you. You appear to have lost a considerable amount of weight. Are you not eating well these days?" His worry was evident in his tone.
Zheng Liang and Yang Ning had both come to greet him, but Zheng Huang seemed to disregard his own son, focusing solely on Yang Ning. She appeared relaxed as if visiting her father, while Zheng Liang sat with a formal posture as if attending a meeting.
Yang Ning cast a helpless glance at Zheng Liang in response to His Majesty's comment and then turned her attention back to Zheng Huang. She replied, "Father, I should be saying this to you. I heard from Lady Yu Ling that you haven't been eating well these days. Why do you worry so much about court affairs?"
"Zheng Liang is here to handle court matters. You should only focus on your health. I heard you caught a cold yesterday. Are you not taking care of yourself?" Yang Ning continued, adopting a caring and daughterly tone that melted Zheng Huang's heart.
Zheng Liang often felt awkward around his father. Their relationship lacked the warmth and ease of a harmonious father-son bond. Zheng Huang had always carried the weight of his role as Emperor, and Zheng Liang's responsibilities as the Crown Prince had added to the formality and distance between them.
The dynamics between father and son often shifted between "His Majesty" and "Father."
Yang Ning watched with a smile as this exchange unfolded, glad to see a bridge forming between father and son. While they might still maintain a degree of awkward formality, they were now wishing each other well and not at each other's throats.
She was confident that, over time, the void between father and son would gradually be replaced with joy and laughter. The Spring Festival was indeed a time of renewal and new beginnings, not just for the Empire but for their family as well.
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Since it was the first day of the Spring Festival, there were no court hearings. Instead, a small banquet was held in the afternoon, attended by all the ministers and officials. They came to demonstrate their loyalty to His Majesty by offering gifts and tributes.
Throughout the event, Yang Ning sat like a mannequin, occasionally stifling a yawn at the tedious, formal proceedings. Everyone seemed to be engaged in nothing more than flattery and ingratiating themselves with His Majesty.
She was simply biding her time, eagerly awaiting the end of the banquet so she and Zheng Liang could proceed to the Spring Festival Carnival.
After coming to this world, it would be her first experience attending a Spring Festival Carnival, and she couldn't contain her excitement.
Xiaowei had filled her with tales of the carnival, describing how the streets of the market were adorned with lanterns, illuminated by the glow of fireworks and firecrackers. Stalls selling jewelry, clothing, and ornaments would line the streets. Food vendors would offer mouthwatering delicacies, and there would even be a local puppet show. Stay connected with m|vl|e|mp|y|r
As she listened to these descriptions, Yang Ning couldn't wait for the evening to arrive, eager to immerse herself in the vibrant festivities of the Spring Festival Carnival.