Chapter 153: The Qixi Drama

On the vibrant evening of Qixi, the grand Xiangqiao Festival lit up the bustling streets of Wangjing City. The festive air was intoxicating, and the city pulsed with excitement.

After their daily duties, a group of unmarried young officials began eagerly planning their evening, voices overlapping in spirited debate about food, drinks, and the lively celebration awaiting them.

But their animated chatter faltered abruptly. Standing a short distance away, the formidable Duke Zhenguo, arms folded and gaze sharp, turned his head to study them. His expression carried a distinct edge of displeasure, and the sudden scrutiny left the group exchanging uneasy glances.

Today was Qixi, a celebration more traditionally feminine in nature. Even with the Emperor’s overt favoritism toward the Duke, surely His Majesty wouldn’t spend such a holiday with him.

Was Duke Zhenguo sulking because he had nowhere to go?

Over the years, Duke Zhenguo’s once-notorious behavior had mellowed, and his reputation among the common folk was surprisingly respectable. Many of the younger officials believed the tales of his temper to be exaggerated relics from older court officials.

Encouraged by this assumption, a newly appointed editor from the Hanlin Academy—a brash rookie unafraid to poke the tiger—stepped forward with a bold invitation.

“Your Grace, tonight’s festival is grand. We are headed to Wanghelai for wine and revelry. If you have no plans, would you honor us with your presence?”

The others froze, aghast.

What was this fool thinking?

They tugged desperately at his sleeve, silently begging him to stop.

But to everyone’s astonishment, Duke Zhenguo’s gaze narrowed briefly before he strode toward them.

The group stiffened. Was he seriously considering it?

They had only meant to be polite!

“You’re all far too young to be following in Grand Chancellor Xie Yunchuan’s footsteps,” he remarked with a sharp click of his tongue, shaking his head.

The officials blinked in confusion. Xie Yunchuan was a paragon of virtuous scholarship and every upright official’s role model. What could Duke Zhenguo possibly mean?

Duke Zhenguo’s tone turned biting as he continued, “He’s an old man, still living as a lonely bachelor. You lot shouldn’t aspire to end up the same way. Look at you—on such a fine evening, not one of you thought to invite someone you care about. Truly hopeless.” His disdainful sweep of their faces left them alternating between mortification and outrage.

Straightening his robes with deliberate care, Duke Zhenguo smirked, clearly pleased with himself. “At your age, I’d already won the heart of my beloved…”

“Xue Shu!”

A sharp, exasperated voice cut through the air from a nearby carriage, halting his words. The Duke froze, momentarily stunned, before his expression shifted to one of unrestrained delight.

He turned and strode toward the carriage with purpose. “Why are you so late, Your Majesty?”

“The discussion with Xie Yunchuan took longer than expected,” came the calm reply.

Duke Zhenguo scoffed, unimpressed. “That old bachelor has no one waiting for him; must he waste the time of others as well?”

The young officials, watching from a distance, couldn’t make out the conversation, but they were riveted when Duke Zhenguo lifted the curtain and stepped inside the carriage. Their collective breath hitched as they caught sight of the occupant—a man clad in regal purple, his golden crown glinting in the soft lantern light.

The Emperor himself.

They exchanged stunned glances. So the rumors were true—His Majesty’s affection for Duke Zhenguo bordered on indulgence.

Meanwhile, Grand Chancellor Xie Yunchuan emerged leisurely from the palace gates. Spotting the group of dazed officials, he paused, misinterpreting their aimless lingering as a lack of plans.

“On such a lovely evening, I’ve reserved a private room at Wanghelai,” he said lightly. “If you’ve nowhere else to go, you’re welcome to join me.”

The offer was a godsend, and they eagerly accepted. Yet as they followed the Grand Chancellor’s composed figure, Duke Zhenguo’s earlier words lingered uncomfortably in their minds.

Could it be that the esteemed Grand Chancellor, ever solitary and aloof, invited them simply because he was… lonely?

———TN: A hearty congratulations on reaching the finish line! May the royal majesty and the top dog revel in eternal happiness, bound together in a fiery, untamed, and unapologetically passionate union!