the cat in emperor's arms

shangyuan

The Shanglin Garden, located to the west of the Ziwei Palace, was originally a secluded and scenic royal garden. However, ever since the Emperor ascended to the throne and changed the reign title, it had been almost neglected and left to gather dust for three long years.

Only now, on this spring day of the fourth year of the Shangyuan era, did it finally welcome a long-awaited guest — the one who would breathe new life into this place, the beloved consort who graced the entire palace.

With the rainy season just over, the glazed tiles shone with a special luster after being washed clean, and the air was moist and fragrant. Verdant vines cascaded down, and the flower branches swayed gracefully. One could hear the trickling of water in the flower garden and the melodious singing of orioles.

The Emperor’s grand procession was magnificent, with the man dressed in a dark golden dragon robe, his presence solemn and profound. He personally carried down from the jade sedan the delicate and charming woman who held his heart.

She was carefully attended to by all the palace servants, strolling slowly through the central courtyard.

At the core of this, it was due to Pei Shenyu's recent efforts to amuse Ming Luomeng, who had become somewhat melancholy. Not only had he personally pushed her on a swing, but he had also made up for his previous moment of awkwardness by calmly suggesting an outing for the Shangsi Festival in early spring to see the flowers. This had finally earned him a glance from his "little kitten."

“Then let His Majesty take me to the Upper Garden,” she had murmured, her eyes lowered slightly, telling herself it was not because she knew his vulnerabilities, but rather due to a hint of sympathy for the departed.

“There’s no need to wait until the Shangsi Festival… let’s go in the next few days.”

Some words, after all, needed to be spoken clearly.

Pei Shenyu naturally agreed to make the arrangements, and so today, he accompanied her to the Upper Garden.

The palace attendants waited at a distance, observing with a mix of awe and admiration. None knew if the famous flowers, peach blossoms, and plum trees carefully planted on the Emperor's orders could win the Consort’s favor.

The flowering trees had been newly planted the previous year, before the Consort had even entered the palace.

At that time, Eunuch Yuanhao had personally conveyed the Emperor’s order, while Master Fu of the Ministry of Works oversaw the repair and replanting, selecting rare flowers and trees, including precious plants from all over the empire.

After three seasons of meticulous care, the garden was finally in full bloom today.

Roses shone emerald, corals clustered thickly.

However, the Consort’s expression did not show any joy or pleasure.

The once radiant and innocent beauty had, due to changes in her heart, taken on a demeanor that was cold and dignified.

In her resplendent beauty, Ming Luomeng wore a skirt embroidered with golden peacock feathers, and a diadem adorned her forehead with peonies. Her elegance was like a luminous flower blooming amidst gold and jade. Her face, capable of expressing both anger and joy, appeared even more radiant and splendid. She was as dazzling as sunlight, almost too bright to look at directly.

Her figure was slender and graceful, appealing even to women...

Let alone the Emperor.

In recent days, she had been thoroughly willful and indulgent, yet Pei Shenyu still indulged her with utmost tolerance, even more so than before.