Capítulo 126: Radiance of Grace
The crescent moon arrived at the training grounds, surrounded by a crowd of people. A bonfire burned brightly in the center, roasting a leg of lamb that gave off a rich, mouthwatering aroma, making it hard for anyone to resist swallowing hungrily. Before the bonfire, three steps away, stood a raised platform where Xianyue and Bai Pingting were seated. From this platform, the others formed a circle around the fire, sitting in layers.
The cool night breeze swept away the weariness of the day. In the glow of the fire, those young faces appeared even more vibrant, full of energy. No longer opponents on the battlefield, they were now companions, enjoying the fragrant scent of roasting meat, holding cups of wine, drinking heartily, and speaking without restraint. This was the joy and ease they had longed for. Yet tonight, their gazes were drawn more to Xianyue.
Sitting atop the high platform, Xianyue's gaze swept over the faces below—women whose delicate appearances belied their strength. Their slender shoulders bore the weight of the heavens and the earth. They did not pout or act coquettish; perhaps they had suffered, but they faced the world with optimism and vigor. To Xianyue, their resilience was a source of comfort, as if they were the only thing she could truly hold onto now.
On the table in front of her were dishes of freshly prepared game, not as refined as the palace cuisine but full of rustic flavor. With one hand, Xianyue held a lamb leg, and with the other, a roasted duck. Grease glistened on her fingers and smeared half of her face. Beneath the starry sky, she grinned at those below, who, seeing her state, burst into laughter—genuine, free from any trace of mockery.
She was their princess, the one and only ruler in their hearts. Her face, young like theirs, with delicate features and a vermillion mark between her brows, looked almost bewitching in the firelight. Though she wasn't a peerless beauty, there was something breathtaking about her. Her bright eyes, like the stars in the night sky, were more dazzling than the flames. Once someone's gaze fell upon her, it could never easily be torn away. Even in her rough manner, there was no one who could compare to her.
If they hadn't seen it for themselves, they would not have believed how approachable and warm their princess was. It was she who had given them new life. Though they had only met her a handful of times over the past decade, their gratitude had not faded but deepened with time, like fine wine growing richer with age.
"Princess," Yueying raised her cup high toward Xianyue, "For over ten years, this is the first time we've gathered with you face-to-face. I hope that from now on, you will always join us. No matter what happens in the future, we swear to stand by you, sharing in your trials, and we will never allow you to be harmed. Yueying drinks first to this promise."
With that, Yueying drained her cup in one swift motion, smiling at Xianyue as she showed the empty cup.
"We are with you as well."
The others raised their cups in unison, their resounding voices seeming to shake the very heavens of the dark night.
Xianyue smiled, put down the food in her hands, and threw her cup to the ground. Turning to Bai Pingting, she said, "Bring me a bowl."
Seeing this, the others also threw their cups to the ground. Before Bai Pingting could rise, someone from below had already stood up, "I'll get the bowls."
One after another, more stood and followed, replacing all the cups on the table with simple, rough bowls.
Xianyue held the large bowl filled with wine in both hands and stood up from her seat. "I've come late, so I will drink three bowls as punishment."
Cheers erupted from below as they pounded on the table in excitement. Bai Pingting frowned and started to rise, but before she could, Xianyue turned and said, "Sister Pingting, please don't spoil the mood."
Holding the rough bowl in her left hand and the wine jug in her right, Xianyue tipped her head back and downed three bowls in a row, her face unchanged. The cheers grew louder, with some even clapping in approval.
"Blue Robe hopes that, no matter what the future brings, the people of Feng Kingdom may live in peace and be free from the horrors of war."
Blue Robe's voice was as gentle and clear as Bai Pingting's, her entire demeanor soft and delicate. Yet the words she spoke were filled with power, stirring the hearts of all who heard.
"Well said! Well said!"
Xianyue banged the table twice and raised her bowl toward her. "With me and all of you, who would dare bully Feng Kingdom?"
"I, Lü Zhu, have no grand ambitions. I only wish to always remain by the princess's side. Whoever harms her will have to face me. No matter who they are, even if it costs me my life, I will take them down with me."
"I hope the princess will always be happy and never encounter any troubles," said Ya'er, her voice still young and sweet. When she smiled, two bunny teeth appeared. Petite and innocent, she looked as if she knew nothing of the world.
Each of them offered a toast to Xianyue, and she did not refuse any. She lost count of how much she had drunk, her head spinning slightly, yet her mind grew clearer. The worries she bore, tangled like vines in her heart, knotted into an unsolvable puzzle. The silent pain she could share with no one was like the wine in her bowl, swallowed down, unrelenting.
"The man who wins the princess's heart must be someone truly exceptional, worthy of her trust for life. I, Yilan, wish the princess and her consort a long and happy marriage, with many children to come."
Her crisp laughter echoed from below. Xianyue's gaze settled on Yilan, dressed in pink, looking charming and delicate. Yet her words were sharp and jarring, utterly at odds with her appearance.
Xianyue, still holding the wine jug, stood abruptly. Perhaps she had drunk too much, for she swayed as she moved. Bai Pingting called out in alarm, but Xianyue raised a hand to stop her, "I'm fine."
Her drunken eyes glimmered even more brightly, the stars within them flickering with a thousand lights. She glanced at Yilan and chuckled softly, "I also hope Yilan finds a man worthy of your lifelong devotion."
Lifting her jug, Xianyue poured the wine into her open mouth, some spilling onto her face. Mechanically, she gulped it down as the cheers around her swelled. At the edge of her vision, she saw Yilan rise, grabbing a jug to drink in turn, unwilling to be outdone.
Dazed, Xianyue felt as if she were walking on clouds, her body swaying uncontrollably. When she finally emptied her jug, she slumped back into her seat, belching slightly.
Below, Yilan continued drinking, but she could not keep pace. As the last of the wine went down, she collapsed onto the table, utterly drunk.
"Ha ha."
"Ha ha."
Xianyue pointed at Yilan, who was slumped over the table, and pounded the table with laughter. "You think you can compete with me with such a poor tolerance for alcohol?"
Bai Pingting watched Xianyue with a slight frown and leaned in close to her ear. "Princess, you're drunk. Let me help you down to rest."
Xianyue brusquely pushed Bai Pingting aside and glared at her in frustration. "Who says I'm drunk? I'm not drunk, and I don't want to sleep."
Though she had consumed quite a bit, it wasn't enough to truly inebriate her—her low spirits were what had dampened her tolerance.
"Yilan, Yilan is the one who's drunk! You—and you there—help her down to rest," she commanded, pointing at the two people seated beside Yilan.
As they lifted Yilan, she suddenly opened her eyes and shook them off. "I'm fine! Why are you helping me?"
The two exchanged amused glances, clearly used to such scenes at these monthly gatherings.
"You're drunk. The Princess asked us to help you rest," one of them explained.
"Xingyue, nonsense!" Yilan bellowed with a drunken laugh, pointing at Xingyue. "You're the one who's drunk! Last time, you got so drunk, you ran around kissing everyone you saw. I'm perfectly sober."
"Yilan!" Xingyue fumed. If it hadn't been for Yilan and the others forcing drinks on her last time, she wouldn't have gotten drunk at all.
"Xingyue, Yilan's already gone—there's no point in arguing. Just take her back," Lüzhu said, clearly enjoying the spectacle.
"Right, take me back," Yilan mumbled, her voice slurred. She lazily draped herself over Xingyue's arm and glanced at Lüzhu with drunken glee. "And when I get back, I'm going to eat all the dried bayberries you've hidden under your pillow."
Lüzhu's face paled. She instinctively looked toward Xianyue, then rushed forward, clapping a hand over Yilan's mouth. When she was little, there had been a large bayberry tree in front of her house, and her mother would dry the fruit every year around the Dragon Boat Festival. Lüzhu loved their tartness, but more than that, they were a taste of her childhood memories. Of course, they weren't supposed to keep such things.
"Dried bayberries, huh?" Xianyue chuckled at Lüzhu's panic. "You'd better take Yilan back before she eats them all—and make sure to leave some for me."
Lüzhu exhaled in relief, glancing once more at the silent Bai Pingting sitting by the Princess. "I'll take Yilan back and send some to you later, Your Highness."
Without further delay, she dragged Yilan away. Yilan struggled but couldn't match Lüzhu's strength and cast a forlorn look at Xianyue. "Princess, I'm not drunk!"
Status de energia semanal
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Poder