Chapter 15: 14. New Year, New Surprises

A couple days later, the Lunar New Year celebrations began. Fireworks cracked, and a multitude of colours exploded in the sky. Drummers beat on the large tanggu while dragon dances paraded through the streets of Nanning. Sky lanterns were being sold by street vendors. Incense was lit all over the palace and the city. The festivities brightened everyone's moods.

Tang Daiyu was walking with Feng Rong through the streets of Nanning. A childish glee beamed on her face. He laughed at her innocence.

"What?" she pouted. "I love New Year's! Plus, I haven't celebrated it for years."

He smiled fondly at her. "It's cute seeing you so happy about it."

Her brows furrowed, and she lightly punched his arm. He laughed again and led her over to a lantern stand. The vendor smiled at them and bowed respectfully.

"Greetings to His Majesty. Greetings to Her Majesty. I'm honoured that you've come to look at my lanterns."

"Yes, I noticed that there's an option to make our own. I think the Empress would like to do it. Wouldn't you, Daiyu?"

She nodded. "Yes, I used to when I was little. I liked that I could draw anything I wanted. My father spoiled me since I was his only child."

The vendor bowed again. "Then it is my honour that Her Majesty has chosen to come here. Please, follow me. I'll take you to the studio where you can work."

"Thank you," Tang Daiyu said.

She followed the vendor inside the building and was led over to a seat. The materials were spread out before her, and she got to work.

~~~

Meanwhile, Feng Rong quickly pulled his attendant over to him.

"Yes, Your Majesty?"

"Zhao Chin, stay here and wait for the Empress. I doubt she'll be done by the time I return, but if she it, tell her that I had an urgent meeting that needed my immediate attention."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Feng Rong nodded and slipped off into the crowd. He wound his way down street after street. Finally, he came upon a jeweller's stand.

~~~

Back in the studio, Tang Daiyu was hard at work on her design. Her brush slid slowly and carefully over the rice paper. She concentrated on every little movement and line.

When she was finally done, Tang Daiyu called for the vendor. He came in, helped her open the sky lantern and put the bamboo frame in. Once it was set up, she looked at it proudly and smiled happily.

"It's a beautiful lantern, Your Majesty. The design is exquisite. Your Majesty is a rare talent."

"Thank you."

Tang Daiyu carried her lantern outside and paid for it. Feng Rong stepped forward.

"What did you draw?"

She gave him a shy smile and said mysteriously, "I'll light it back at the palace."

"Okay, well, while you were busy, I went ahead and bought you something."

Her face lit up immediately. "What is it?"

He took white jade earrings out from his sleeves and presented it to her. She reached out and let her finger slid against the smooth stone. Tang Daiyu turned around, and he put the earrings in for her. She turned back around and smiled.

"They look beautiful on you," he murmured.

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She blushed, and they continued to go down the streets. The two stopped and watched a dragon dance. The drums were beaten and bells jingled. Tang Daiyu watched the dance intently. When the dance ended, the audience clapped. Feng Rong and Tang Daiyu got up and went to go find some food.

They sat down at a table and had some roast duck along with some noodles and tanghulu. The two toasted with a cup of rice wine.

Later that evening, they returned to the palace. As they were walking, Tang Daiyu stopped. Hua Chao-Xing stepped forward and gave the lantern over to her. Tang Daiyu opened it up, put a small candle in it, and lit the candle. The sky lantern glowed, revealing her drawing. Feng Rong's eyes widened as he took in the depiction.

"Are you serious, Daiyu?" he breathed.

She nodded. "I am."

On the lantern was a drawing of the both of them. He was standing just behind her, arms wrapped around, and looked down at a small bundle in her arms. She was holding a baby and was looking down at the child's face.

"I'm pregnant, Rong."

Joy shined on his face. Excitement bubbled up inside of him. He embraced her gently.

"I'm going to make an official announcement tomorrow. I can't believe it; Heping's going to have a little prince."

She smiled and placed a hand lightly against her stomach. "Rong, I still want to go to Chang. I'm only a couple months in, and I already asked the Royal Physician if travel was okay. He approved it."

"Okay, Daiyu. Whatever you feel comfortable with."

"I wonder what Emperor Jianyuan will think when he learns I'm with child."

"He won't be happy, from what I've heard from you, but there's he won’t be able to do anything about it."

She nodded, and her thoughts strayed. Sixth Concubine Luli, I'm sorry I haven't followed through with your plan. But, I've risen from the ashes of my past like a phoenix, and I hope you'll be proud of me for that. Father, Mother, Baobao, I hope I've made our ancestors proud. When we get back from Chang, Rong's already promised to build a memorial to our family here in Nanning. I promise to visit you all every day. I miss you.

~~~

Around midnight, Tang Daiyu rolled over and eyed Feng Rong. Seeing her husband sound asleep, she slipped out of bed and pulled on a spray blue silk night robe over her red nightgown. Tang Daiyu headed outside and made her way over to the palace prison. Inside, she walked over to An Mei's cell. A guard offered to unlock the door, but she denied it. Instead, Tang Daiyu got up close to the cell bars.

"An Mei," she called out.

Her former maid looked up from the cot she was laying on.

"What do you want?"

"Surely you know by now that I'm not just some street rat from Chang'an."

Tang Daiyu squatted down and gripped the bars for support. An Mei glared at her, hatred evident in her eyes.

"No, you're a disgraced woman, Tang Daiyu. Your family got what they deserved. You will too someday. All of you Tangs are traitors to Chang."

Tang Daiyu's features hardened, and her jaw set, rigid.

"How can I be a traitor, An Mei, when Emperor Jianyuan and Chang betrayed my family first?"

"You should've died with your family, Tang Daiyu!"

Fury alighted in her eyes as her hands clenched into tight little fists. She stood and used a a couple thin, hairlike needles to unlock the cell door. Tang Daiyu stepped inside, but blocked the exited with her body so An Mei couldn't escape.

She snarled, "And you can stay and rot in here. Rong and I were going to take you back to Chang and let you stay there under Emperor Jianyuan supervision, but now, my magnanimity has ceased. I've changed my mind."

Using her knowledge of martial arts, Tang Daiyu flew forward with her qinggong, circled her wrists and quickly slammed her hands against An Mei's chest, thereby breaking her heart meridians. After Two Point Hit was done, she turned without a word and left her former maid to die a slow, painful death in her lonely, dirty cell.

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