Chronicles of the Qin Dynasty

Chapter 273, Section 272: The Palace of Mindfulness
The grand and awe-inspiring martial arts spectacle, as impressive as a historical record, has finally come to an end.

The short New Year's Day holiday is finally coming to an end.

But in the last three days, Ji Heng finally remembered the people in the six palaces, so he waved his hand and specially ordered that they, who had been in seclusion for a year, could also come to Shanglin Garden to play.

The women of the harem moved in groups. Except for Dan and Feiqing, who knew they had a great responsibility and were reluctant to leave the chickens and ducks, the other princes and princesses also rushed to Shanglin Garden.

Not only that, but even the palace's variety shows were performed by hundreds of people. They feasted, played games, and enjoyed themselves.

Since the king had given his consent, they naturally had no more taboos.

No one wanted to meet with their boss during the holiday, so Qin Shi put himself in their shoes and simply met with everyone, said a few words (really just two words), and then happily left to find his beloved pet, Fei Shuang.

The small, reddish-brown pony was steady and docile. After a few days of getting to know each other, it had become quite accustomed to the sweet candies its owner fed it when he came to visit.

During the Qin Dynasty, a mere call was enough to summon its heavy hooves, which trampled the frost-covered withered grass before it came rushing in.

Its mane fluttered on its back, making it seem like a trustworthy companion, yet its shape clearly indicated it was still a mischievous child.

She also perked up, her expression full of joy:

"Flying frost!"

Because she couldn't bear to wear a dress while rushing to work on the weekend, she specially wore her own pants today.

The comfort provided by the elastic fabric was particularly noticeable. Now she moved lightly and nimbly. Although she couldn't do a super cool leap onto the horse, she could still sit steadily on the horse by placing her hands on the flat back of the horse and lifting her waist and abdomen.

Then, with a gentle flick of the reins, Fei Shuang, already adept at the routine, went from a slow walk to a trot, and finally let go of the horse's hooves, galloping freely in the vast and spacious Shanglin Garden.

The biting wind brushed against my cheeks, and my delicate skin, which had been pampered for months in the Xianyang Palace, turned slightly red.

But in this wind, there is an exceptionally vast and expansive world that makes one feel truly carefree!

The queen's laughter echoed through the woods, and the guards stood watch cautiously around her, both to protect her and to prevent anyone from disturbing her enjoyment.

Lady Chu strolled through the woods with her maids, and seeing the figure on horseback moving so freely, she couldn't help but say enviously, "It's so good to be a queen. Not only can you accompany the king to watch the martial arts performance, but you can also travel so freely..."

The maid hesitated for a moment: "But... those soldiers who were practicing martial arts led to the downfall of our Chu Kingdom..."

Mentioning her homeland, Lady Chu's eyes reddened again—although she didn't think much of her old friends and acquaintances in the country, she still had deep feelings for her homeland.

That’s all!

Just riding a horse!

The women of Chu are gentle and affectionate, as nimble as swallows. What's so special about riding this little pony? Before she had children, she was so light and graceful that she could hold a swallow in the palm of your hand!

The hardships and perseverance involved in practicing dance are something even the Queen could not compare to.

After silently comparing things in his mind, he regained his confidence and turned his head to the other side with his head held high.

In contrast to her, Madam Zheng actively sought out the Imperial Son-in-Law and then brought out several fine horses.

This wasn't her first time visiting Shanglin Garden, and the horse they found for her was slightly larger. Now, riding it freely, even its voice was much louder.

His spirited face, which had been quiet in the palace, was now full of radiant joy.

She asked her maid, "Do you think I could ask the Queen to let me stay in Shanglin Garden?"

The maid looked bewildered: "Madam is a member of the King's harem, how can she stay here for long?"

"What's wrong with keeping it?"

Madam Zheng pursed her lips.

"His Majesty would have preferred us to relax in Shanglin Garden when we have nothing to do, but I dare not do it." Just think about it, His Majesty is still working diligently by burning the midnight oil, while she, a mere lady, is coming to Shanglin Garden to play... If word got out, wouldn't that be too contrary to the natural order?

Therefore, although Ji Heng did not care, no one in the palace had been able to muster the courage to do so for so many years.

"Besides," Madam Zheng said, pulling a mirror from her bosom to examine her makeup closely, "I love you."
"Even if I stay in the palace, the king doesn't pay any attention to me."

"If only I could live in Shanglin Garden, and have the Queen send some of the best palace chefs to serve me!"

No, no, she can't enjoy this alone; she should bring Qian'er along too.

Since he is a prince, he is unlikely to attain the highest position. If he can't memorize the books, so be it. Why torture him?
I felt a little depressed.
"Wen'er has been quite quiet lately, saying that the Queen hasn't entrusted her with any important tasks... What do you think, why don't I ask the Queen to join me in the prayer?"

The Queen said that this is also a very important undertaking.

She even had a reason: "Qian'er memorizes like me, but isn't very good at it. Wen'er doesn't memorize like me, maybe she's just lucky like me?"

The maid didn't need to speak; she had already poured out all her thoughts and feelings from the past few days.

By the time the secret was finally revealed, the maid had already forgotten what the first question had been.

But it doesn't matter, based on her experience, Madam Zheng should have forgotten as well.

So he rode along on horseback and pointed into the distance:
"Madam, there are winter plum blossoms ahead. Shall we hurry and ride over to admire them?"

The thousand words that had been swirling in Madam Zheng's mind vanished in an instant, replaced by renewed excitement as she lightly shook the reins:

"go!"

"Let me pick a handful of plum blossoms to present to the Queen, so that she may know that my riding skills are not bad and that I cannot waste my days in the palace!"

……

In contrast, although Princess Xinming came to Shanglin Garden with everyone, the cold wind outside made her hesitate and stay in her palace room, and she did not go out for a long time.

The maid was young, and at this moment she was also somewhat tempted by the freedom of the mountains and fields, but she did not dare to persuade her, and could only look at her longingly.

Xinming sighed, "With my health, it wouldn't matter if I stayed in the palace..."

Her father, queen, and mother finally had a chance to play in peace, and if her old illness relapsed, it would be bad for her.

Her father probably wouldn't come to see her, and although she was afraid, that was all she felt.

The queen was tolerant and considerate, and she did not want to cause him any trouble.

Only Mother.

She thought of her mother, and a sense of unease inevitably crept into her heart. She worried that if her mother were to shed tears, she would lament her misfortune...

Xinming thought sadly: If even a princess of the Great Qin has such a miserable life, then what about the palace servants who serve her?

Then the mother would say: "It's their fate, and it's also her bad luck that the princess was born so frail..."

The back-and-forth struggle continued, and Xinming knew exactly what she was going to say, which made him feel frustrated.

Just as she was hesitating, the attending physician whispered, "Princess, the Queen is very considerate. Our prince, princess and their wives are taking this opportunity to travel because the palace residences need to have heated walls installed."

"The princess can stroll around this warm room from the sheltered spot and return to the palace in three to five days, thus avoiding the bitter cold of winter."

She paused, then added, "The Queen examined the palace layout and determined that Princess Daoxinming is afraid of the cold, therefore the palace must be moved to a sunny location..."

In other words, it would be three palaces away from Qi Ba Zi.

　The transitional vacation is almost over! Then it's back to work!
　　(End of this chapter)