Chapter 42: The Maiden's Shot

  It was already night at this time, the night color was not thick, but the bright moon could be seen hanging in the sky. Today is October 16th, and the moon is full.

  What makes everyone exclaim in surprise? Just look up and you'll know.

  The full moon rises, the amber color is just right, thin fog surrounds it lightly, and the moon is veiled with a layer of gauze. A gentle breeze brings over a faint, ethereal singing voice.

  Looking up and listening carefully, it was in the direction of the moon.

  A snow-white figure descended from heaven, solitary and alone, standing on top of a palace.

  The crowd held its breath and stared blankly, forgetting to make a sound, gazing up at the figure in the sky.

  The flute's sound was melodious and lingering, and the heavenly being finally spoke up.

  "Tonight's moon is like the one of old, I raise a cup to ask the blue sky. What year is it now in the heavenly palace?" As soon as he finished speaking, everyone couldn't help but exclaim again.

  Her voice is clean and crisp, her singing is elegant and moving, without a single distracting thought, as if the heavenly music had mistakenly entered the mortal world.

  "Wanting to ride the wind and return home, yet fearing that the jade towers and crystal palaces are too high and cannot withstand the cold. Dancing and playing with the clear shadows, how can it be like being in the human world."

  Shui diao ge tou? Hmm? This dynasty is after the Song Dynasty, otherwise how would they know Su Shi's great work!

  I pulled a maid who was listening intently beside me and asked in a low voice, "Sister, do you know who Wang Fei is?

  "Your Highness?" She looked at me with a puzzled expression.

  "Uh-huh, Wang Fei!" I nodded repeatedly.

  "Which queen? Queen Ting? Queen Jing? Queen Huai? Queen Yi? Or Queen Rui?"

  Okay, I was wrong, shouldn't have mentioned Wang Fei at all!!!

  "Was it me who said Su Shi? Yes, it was indeed Su Shi!"

  The palace woman, though disturbed by me, did not get angry, but kindly asked, "Su Shi? Who is he? Which palace? You have something to ask him, I'll go and help you ask!"

  "Never mind, I think he's not here right now! Thanks sister!"

  "Hehe, it's nothing!" The palace maid replied with a smile.

  It seems they don't know who Su Shi is, and this poem? Is it possible that all the articles in the world are just a big copy, and even Su Shi... No, no, Mr. Su is actually a master of prose, I shouldn't doubt such a literary giant.

  "The vermilion pavilion is low, the embroidered door is bright, but there is no sleep. Why should there be resentment when parting is always a cyclical affair."

  The voice is sweet and soft, like a dream, yet not pretentious or artificial. It's as if the warmth of early spring has arrived, touching people's hearts and making them feel comfortable.

  "Human life has its joys and sorrows, partings and reunions; the moon has its phases of darkness and light, fullness and emptiness. Such is the way of things from ancient times."

  My god, it's the emperor's birthday, why sing this line, what a suicidal rhythm!

  "May we all live long and share the beauty of the moon together from afar!!!!!"

  The singing has stopped, but the crowd is still silent, savoring the dreamlike song that has just ended, staring blankly into the distance under the night sky.

  That figure in white, facing the wind and snow, slightly turned around, unable to discern whether it's joy or sorrow.

  Suddenly two thick snowflakes fell from the sky, mixed with ice and snow, gathering in mid-air to form a crystal clear path. In an instant, the fairy leaped forward, light as a feather, like a rabbit escaping, stepped onto the double snowflake, slowly floated towards the crowd, twirled around, and landed on the ground.

  This scene is simply beautiful!

  A pair of snowy feet touched the ground, standing back to back, with a flowing green silk like a smooth stream, and the clothes that were blown up by the wind were as thin as gauze, pure white without any texture, elegant and extraordinary.

  Such scenery is probably unforgettable for everyone.

  "Immortal, where did you come from?" The emperor, whose eyes had already gone dull, stroked his whiskers with one hand as he spoke.

  "...The man remained with his back turned, silent and unmoving."

  "Immortal maiden....." The Emperor couldn't help but ask again.

  "It's all for the emperor..." As she spoke, the woman turned around, her skirt fluttering, snowflakes swirling, petals shining brightly, moonlight hazy, and flowers beginning to bloom.

  Take a closer look, this person is not Mu Yan, who is it then?

  "You're Zhou Zhaoyuan!!!"

  Zhou Mu Yan had rarely appeared in the palace, and it was only this year that she entered the palace. Not many people knew her, so when they heard Zhou Zhao Yuan, they suddenly realized that this person was not a fairy, but rather a beautiful woman from a distant country, Zhou Mu Yan.

  The emperor obtained this excellent person, certainly was greatly delighted, opened his heart and laughed loudly, clapped his hands and praised as good!

  "Good! What a wonderful fairy maiden, with heavenly beauty and elegant spirit. You have arranged such a program for me, putting in so much thought and effort. It's cold and freezing outside, look at you wearing such thin clothes, come closer to me and warm up!"

  "Thank you, Your Majesty!" Mu Yan bowed low, but was pulled up by the Emperor before he could complete his obeisance. The Emperor took off his own black dragon-embroidered ermine cloak and draped it over Mu Yan's shoulders, ensuring that he would not feel cold today. His face was filled with joy.

  "Your Majesty! What about my reward?!" Princess Yuki Sakura asked, seeing the Emperor's satisfaction, she requested a reward.

  "I am very pleased with this gift, but it was prepared by Zhou Zhaoyuan for me, what does it have to do with you?" The emperor asked with a smile.

  Although this was a joke, Princess Snow Sakura couldn't stop and asked with her small mouth, "What's the crime?"

  "Your Majesty, you can't be joking! If it weren't for me, your humble subject, acting as the matchmaker between you and Empress Zhao, I'm afraid things wouldn't have turned out so wonderfully! Empress Zhao, isn't that right?!"

  "What the princess said is indeed true, if we lose the princess's help in this matter, I'm afraid it will be difficult for us to succeed!" Mu Yan hastily explained.

  "Oh, really?" The emperor with autumn in his eyes gazed intently at Mu Yan and asked softly.

  "Of course it's true! If Father Emperor doesn't believe me, I can ask someone to come and testify!" Princess Xueying said, nodding her head towards the back.

  Everyone's gaze turned towards the princess, and suddenly a familiar tune rose up, it was the same melody as the song that Mu Yan had just sung.

  A handsome young man, wearing a long gown with a dark green base color, water-colored bamboo leaf embroidery, and moon-white cloud patterned edges. This kind of gown made him look even more robust and upright. He held a jade flute in his hand, his slender fingers were as white as scallions, and he played with abandon, yet brought out an extraordinary melody.

  He walked a little closer, the purple vine hairpin, tied up his neat and tidy hair, with a hint of melancholy between his eyebrows, the curve of his nose was just right, the slightly raised corners of his mouth seemed to smile but not quite, leaving people wondering, his eyes sparkled like a pair of bright stars in the Milky Way, dazzling and captivating, this is what they call a beautiful man.

  It's just this guy, seems like he is alone!

  Take another step closer, no, it's really him, Zhou Mulang!

  He walked up to the emperor, dusting off his clothes and kneeling down on both knees, saying loudly, "Xian Min Zhou Mu Lang pays respects to Your Majesty!"

  "Oh, I don't know who you are?" The emperor asked casually.

  "I report back to Your Majesty, Zhou Zhaoyuan is indeed a villager's younger sister!" Zhou Moulang replied with his head bowed.

  Such a relationship is undoubtedly true, but with the addition of Princess Yuki, it's intriguing.

  "So that's how it is, then what does it have to do with Princess Yuki?"

  "Ah..." Zhou Mulang hadn't even opened his mouth when he was interrupted by Snow Xue's anxious princess.

  "Your Majesty, let me explain!" The princess said.

  "Very well, you explain it to me!" The emperor's indulgent gaze fell on the princess, who responded warmly.

  "When I left the palace, I met this Mr. Zhou Mu Lang, and I highly appreciated his talent. It was only by chance that I found out his elder sister is actually Zhou Zhao Yuan. As Father's birthday is approaching, I thought of asking Zhou Zhao Yuan and her brother to help me send a gift to you, Father. Are you satisfied with this gift?" Princess Xue Ying occasionally glanced at Zhou Mu Lang kneeling on the ground, explaining.

  "Xue Ying sent it, when was I ever dissatisfied?!" The emperor's face was full of kindness, laughing and saying.

  "Where is my reward?" Princess Yuki Sakura jumped up excitedly, clapping her hands and asked.

  "What do you want? Tell your mother and I will grant it all!"

  "Hahaha!! Thank you, Father Emperor!" The princess exclaimed with joy.

  "Congratulations to Your Majesty, congratulations to Princess Zhao Yuan, and congratulations to Princess Xue Ying!!" The witty minister flattered, one person opened his mouth, and the crowd raised their glasses to celebrate.

  Such a scene, falling into the eyes of someone who cares, is it joy or worry?