bestfiction Chapter 204 The two have arrived in Jiangnan
Chapter 204 The two have arrived in Jiangnan
The Emperor Emeritus and Empress Dowager's entourage moved slowly along the winding official road, heading south and gradually entering the Jiangnan region. It was springtime, and the sky over Jiangnan was exceptionally blue, like a large, pure sapphire. Floating white clouds drifted gently, changing shape in the breeze. In the distance, the rolling mountains resembled a meticulously painted ink painting by nature, lush and verdant, shrouded in mist, dreamlike and ethereal.
The convoy arrived at a peach orchard. The Emperor Emeritus and Empress Dowager, captivated by the beauty before them, decided to disembark and walk. Stepping into the orchard was like entering a pink ocean; millions of peach trees bloomed in profusion, their blossoms clustered together, bending the branches low. A gentle breeze swept by, and petals drifted down like snow, carpeting the ground with a romantic tapestry of flowers.
The Empress Dowager gently raised her hand and caught a falling petal, her eyes filled with surprise and admiration: "Your Majesty, the peach blossoms in Jiangnan are so beautiful, it's like a fairyland." Her face was beaming with a childlike smile, and the traces of time seemed to be smoothed away by the beautiful scenery at this moment.
The Emperor Emeritus looked at the Empress Dowager with eyes full of love and nodded, saying, "Yes, such a beautiful scene, no wonder the world praises the beauty of Jiangnan." He took a deep breath, the air filled with the fragrance of peach blossoms, refreshing and delightful. "This fragrance is also very pleasant."
The two strolled hand in hand along the peach blossom path, the soft petals beneath their feet rustling gently. Occasionally, a few rays of sunlight filtered through the leaves, casting golden beams that gilded their figures.
Emerging from the peach grove, a clear stream came into view. The water flowed gently, revealing the sand and pebbles at the bottom. Fish swam happily in the water, occasionally leaping out and splashing tiny droplets. Beside the stream, several village women were washing clothes, chatting as they worked, their cheerful laughter ringing out from time to time.
Upon seeing the Emperor Emeritus and the Empress Dowager, the village women were initially taken aback, but quickly reacted and knelt down to pay their respects. The Empress Dowager hurriedly stepped forward and said kindly, "Sisters, please rise, there's no need for such formalities." Her voice was gentle and kind, like a spring breeze.
An older village woman looked up, her eyes filled with curiosity and awe: "May I ask who you two are?"
The retired emperor smiled and said, "We are just ordinary travelers who were passing by and were attracted by this beautiful scenery."
Upon hearing this, the tension on the village women's faces gradually dissipated. The older village woman said warmly, "This Jiangnan region is full of beautiful scenery. Our village is not far ahead. If you don't mind, you can come in and sit down for a while and have some tea."
The Emperor Emeritus and Empress Dowager readily agreed. Following the stream, they soon arrived at the village. The village was small, but well-arranged; the white-walled, black-tiled houses, nestled among the green trees, appeared exceptionally peaceful and serene. At the village entrance, several children were playing. Upon seeing the strangers, they stopped their games and stared wide-eyed with curiosity.
Upon entering the village, every household's courtyard was filled with various flowers: vibrant peonies, elegant orchids, and many other small wildflowers whose names I didn't know, all vying for attention in a riot of colors. In one villager's home, an elderly man was pruning flowers in the yard. Upon seeing the Emperor Emeritus and Empress Dowager, he quickly put down his pruning shears and came out to greet them.
"Guests from afar, please come in," the old man greeted them warmly.
At the old man's home, the Empress Dowager and the old man's wife chatted inside, while the retired emperor and the old man exchanged tips on growing flowers in the courtyard. Pointing to the flowers in the yard, the old man said proudly, "These flowers are all carefully cared for by my wife and me. Looking at them every day makes me happy."
The retired emperor smiled and nodded: "Old man, your courtyard is decorated so elegantly, it shows you put a lot of thought into it."
As evening fell, the setting sun bathed the entire village in an orange-red glow. A bonfire was lit in the open space at the village entrance, and villagers brought out their own delicacies: fragrant glutinous rice cakes, fresh fish and shrimp, and homemade rice wine. Everyone sat around the bonfire, enjoying the food while admiring the night view of Jiangnan.
"Your Majesty, the people of Jiangnan are simple and kind, and their lives are simple yet full of joy," the Empress Dowager said softly to the Emperor Emeritus.
The retired emperor remarked with emotion, "Indeed, this trip to Jiangnan has shown us a different way of life and allowed us to experience the peaceful and prosperous lives of the people."
As night deepened, the Emperor Emeritus and Empress Dowager, at the villagers' warm invitation, stayed overnight in the village. Lying in their warm bed, listening to the chirping of insects outside the window, the Empress Dowager, with a contented smile on her face, slowly drifted off to sleep.
The next morning, the Emperor Emeritus and Empress Dowager bid farewell to the villagers and continued their journey. They arrived at a small town in Jiangnan, built along a river with many ancient stone bridges spanning it. These bridges connected the streets on both banks. People came and went on the bridges: vendors carrying loads, children with schoolbags, and scholars in long robes.
Strolling along the street, the shops were dazzling with their wares: silk, tea, and handicrafts. The Empress Dowager entered a silk shop, where various exquisite silk products were displayed, their colors vibrant and their textures soft. She gently stroked a piece of light blue silk and said to the Emperor Emeritus, "Your Majesty, this silk is truly exquisite. Take some back for the children; they will surely love it."
The Emperor Emeritus nodded in agreement. Seeing customers arrive, the shopkeeper quickly and enthusiastically introduced the products: "Esteemed guests, these are the finest silks from Jiangnan, made from the finest silkworms and meticulously crafted by skilled embroiderers."
After selecting some silk at the shop, the Emperor Emeritus and Empress Dowager went to a teahouse. Inside, the aroma of tea filled the air, and several tea drinkers were leisurely sipping their tea while listening to a storyteller on stage recounting tales of the wonders of Jiangnan.
The two found a seat and ordered a pot of local famous tea. Soon, the waiter brought over the steaming tea, its aroma filling the air. The Emperor Emeritus took a small sip and praised, "This tea is fragrant and has a lingering sweetness; it is indeed a fine tea."
In the teahouse, they listened to the storyteller recount the history of Jiangnan, gaining a deeper understanding of its culture. After leaving the teahouse, they went to the riverbank and boarded a small boat. The boat glided slowly across the river, a gentle breeze bringing a touch of coolness. The scenery on both banks was picturesque, with ancient buildings and verdant willows passing by.
"Your Majesty, the beauty of Jiangnan is truly breathtaking," the Empress Dowager exclaimed, gazing at the scenery before her.
The Emperor Emeritus grasped the Empress Dowager's hand and said, "Yes, in the future, if there is an opportunity, we should definitely go out more often."
As the small boat moved forward, they came to a lotus pond. It was the peak season for lotus blossoms, and the pond was filled with graceful lotus flowers. Some had their petals fully open, revealing tender yellow lotus pods; others were still buds, looking so full they seemed about to burst open. The lotus leaves were crowded together, like large, round, emerald-green plates.
The Empress Dowager was captivated by the beautiful scenery before her and softly recited: "The lotus leaves stretch to the sky, an endless expanse of green; the lotus blossoms, bathed in sunlight, are a uniquely vibrant red."
The retired emperor smiled and said, "Empress, your talent remains as brilliant as ever. This lotus pond is, just as you said, breathtakingly beautiful."
Small boats glided through the lotus pond, occasionally startling a few water birds, which flapped their wings and flew into the sky, adding a touch of life to the tranquil scene. During their time in Jiangnan, the Emperor Emeritus and Empress Dowager experienced the gentle beauty and local customs of the region, their faces always beaming with happiness. This journey became an unforgettable memory in their lives.