The Emperor’s Favorite Imperial Concubine is an OCh55.1 - Declaration (1)

Translator: ChiFu 

The winter solstice’s ice-skating performance was imposingly grand. Ria1sS

On the one-man-wide ice track, hundreds of men skated apart, then assembled in the shape of an enormous dragon. Three high gates of flags were in the midst of the formation, each with a ball dangling from it known as the Celestial Sphere. Skating at this point, the archers would draw their bows and aim at the ball, and if one of them hit it, the emperor would bestow a reward.

In addition, there were numerous acrobatic performers who did feats like juggling knives and sticks, sword dances and flag waving, upside-down boxing, and even three or four people doing complex acrobatic performances whose skills were at the pinnacle of perfection.

Story translated by Chrysanthemum Garden.

Such a fantastic spectacle captivated the princes and noblemen in the crowd. After it was over, several of them were tempted to skate on the ice.

It was bustling with activity. 2pk9ve

The most honorable seat in the very center, on the other hand, was somewhat oddly quiet.

Wen Mingyu was chagrined to no end after mindlessly uttering that sentence. Mu Zhan leaned over and said in a low voice, “This will do.”

Now that he rode the tiger, it was impossible to get off!

Do we really have to kiss?

Wen Mingyu was torn. Then he met Mu Zhan’s direct gaze and even seemed to make out some anticipation within them, making him feel that it was not nice if he wouldn’t commit to what he said.

But they were outside, and even if people wouldn’t normally look at the emperor, he felt it was too much to do in full view of everyone.

Wen Mingyu braced his hands on the edge of his chair, his fingers curling up tensely.

The wait was a bit long. Mu Zhan’s eyes squinted slightly, and he was about to speak when Wen Mingyu unexpectedly came over and put his lips to Mu Zhan’s face, catching him off guard. And because he was too flustered and couldn’t manage the impact, he nearly knocked into him, and even a little “mua” could be heard. nGFozp

Before Mu Zhan—who was kissed—had time to react, Wen Mingyu, the initiator of the kiss, seemed surprised himself and leapt out of his seat, saying, “I’m going skating!”

With his ears scarlet, he fled after barely finishing this sentence.

Mu Zhan stared blankly for a moment, looking at his back as he fled. Then his lips curled up in an arc; his mood was obviously good.

And Wen Mingyu, who had provided a “benefit” in exchange for the chance to ice skate, was completely distracted. His mind was filled with images of what had just happened, and that “mua” was so embarrassing that it made him want to pack his bags and escape the Blue Star overnight. FCUuv5

His heart was beating even faster, like it would pop out of his chest.

He had obviously engaged in more intimate things with Mu Zhan…

We’re sorry for MTLers or people who like using reading mode, but our translations keep getting stolen by aggregators so we’re going to bring back the copy protection. If you need to MTL please retype the gibberish parts.

Perhaps because he was in a change of mood, it resulted in him taking the initiative for the first time?

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His feet lurched, making a mark on the ice, and he nearly lost his footing. Fortunately, he skidded to the side in a panic and was able to regain his balance in time. Then, with a sigh of relief, he changed direction and moved on. Only Mu Zhan’s eyes remained fixed on his back, burning particularly hot and impossible to ignore.

… Zqu6U4

As the New Year drew near following the winter solstice, preparations for the spring festivities were already underway in the Imperial Palace, the capital, and everywhere else.

With a mountain of memorials and occasionally late discussions with ministers, Mu Zhan was even hectic at the end of the year. Wen Mingyu was also at the end of the semester, getting ready for his exams at Imperial College.

Time went by quickly once it became hectic. In the blink of an eye, it was New Year’s Eve.

Early in the morning, the imperial kitchen started getting ready for the banquet on New Year’s Eve, and some special and expensive ingredients were prepared a month in advance for today. VzsE0q

The banquet on New Year’s Eve at the palace had always been a glorious reunion of the emperor and his imperial harem concubines, imperial sons and princesses, and the rest of the imperial family.

However, Mu Zhan’s harem was uninhabited, and the imperial family had long since perished in the struggle for imperial power. The survivors, like the eldest princess, had always shied away from positions of authority, and even her grandchildren were not permitted to set foot on the career path of officials. As a result, it stands to reason that they would not enter the palace at this time, preferring instead to send the emperor a copy of the Buddhist scriptures with a prayer for blessings.

Naturally, civil and military officials were also at home during this period, celebrating the joys of family life with their reunited loved ones and gathering for reunion suppers.

Therefore, it was so unexpected that the palace was so eerily silent during such a grand period. tmCHf7

The New Year’s Eve meal was opulent. There were numerous palace servants serving around, amazing performances like singing and dancing, and the setting was lively and magnificent. However, only two people were actually seated at the table.

Wen Mingyu.

Mu Zhan.

At first, Wen Mingyu still had some intrigued anticipation for the performance and marveled at how good the rich cuisine was, but gradually he began to feel that something was off. With drums and melodies and entertainers singing and dancing together, it appeared to be a thriving gathering, yet it was in reality an empty husk. The more lively everything was, the more the loneliness of estrangement was reflected in it. TdDMsC

Mu Zhan had no more relatives. Then, in years past, how did he pass the New Year? Sitting alone with his meal and taking in the sound of fireworks outside, all the lamps and candles in each family’s home had illuminated the capital; all were reunited and together.

Wen Mingyu was hit with a sudden, intense discomfort in his heart, as if something were blocking and suffocating him.

He was well aware of what it was like to celebrate the Chinese New Year alone. It felt sad. It made you feel abandoned by the world.

His eyelashes drooped, and he was not paying attention to the performance. moZivd

Mu Zhan noticed his oddity and asked him. “Is it unappealing?”

Wen Mingyu shook his head. When he raised them again, he was already beaming once more. He handed a venison meatball to Mu Zhan and exclaimed, “This one is amazing! Your Majesty must give it a try!”

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Wen Mingyu then got animated and talked nonstop to Mu Zhan. He discussed which performance was good and wonderful and which dishes were tasty…and he hardly ever stopped. The whole person was like a little chatterbox.

His smile was warm and sincere, and as he spoke, his eyes gleamed and sparkled like stars within them. 3rSTWZ

Mu Zhan was startled at first, thinking he had consumed alcohol. Casting a glance at his cup, though, he hadn’t even taken a sip.

He was lively and chatty on purpose.

As soon as Mu Zhan realized what he was up to, a hint of a smile began to form under his cool, unruffled gaze. His cold face was slightly thawed as well.

After that, not only was Wen Mingyu speaking, but Mu Zhan also occasionally echoed his thoughts from time to time. There was a lot of back-and-forth exchange, so the two talked even more. The latter needed no deliberate effort, and they conversed at such a pace that they were oblivious to the passing of time. When they came back to their senses, it was already late in the evening. The banquet had reached its end. Wh2cG7

The fireworks, which had already been prepared and lit by the palace servants, shot up from the ground up to the night sky, exploding and illuminating it in a stunning display of blooming, multi-colored flowers.

From where they were seated, they naturally had the best viewing angle. With the grand fireworks display clearly reflected in their eyes, the shimmering glow of the fireworks began to fade into the distance.

Each one appeared to be blooming right before their eyes. It was breathtakingly beautiful.

But Wen Mingyu didn’t spend much time staring at it before he somehow ended up turning his head to glance at Mu Zhan. aPsbi4

It turned out, though, that Mu Zhan was also glancing his way.

The deep, pitch-black eyes were like a bottomless vortex that could draw others in.

In his ears were the constant explosions of fireworks, assaulting his head so badly that he couldn’t think.

Wen Mingyu froze for a moment and then opened his mouth. His throat seemed a little stiff and coarse, and his voice was a little mute. “…Fireworks, aren’t they pretty?” WDg415

Mu Zhan, a man who had never been fascinated by anything, answered by nodding his head in a rare and solemn manner.

“Pretty.”

This word, however, was said while looking at Wen Mingyu. One wondered whether this was referring to the fireworks or a person.

Wen Mingyu pursed his lips unconsciously and rigidly turned back, continuing to watch the entire bloom of the fireworks in the night sky. l6dXo

Although the eyes were on the sky, the mind was elsewhere, not even looking intently.

The whole person turned silly.

Chrysanthemum Garden.

After a while, Wen Mingyu suddenly felt his hand being held and wrapped up, whole and warm.

Wen Mingyu didn’t react. He kept watching the fireworks as if he had not realized it. iSnB93

Then, the fingertips made a small movement, gently bending and pressing against the edge of the back of Mu Zhan’s hand.

Until the last set of fireworks were set off, the night sky returned to darkness, and the New Year’s Eve banquet had ended.

Wen Mingyu and Mu Zhan returned to Taiji Hall, took their regular bath, and went to bed.

All snuggled up in bed, and on the way to sleep, Wen Mingyu’s mind seemed to operate slowly. He mused confusedly, “… Were we not supposed to stay up all night on New Year’s Eve?” 1POcrH

Mu Zhan stood by the bed and halted, asking, “You want to observe?”

With that demeanor, it seemed that as long as Wen Mingyu nodded his head, they would stay awake.

However, Wen Mingyu only asked this because it was a customary thing. His eyelids were fighting to open, and he was so exhausted that he probably would have dozed off as soon as he laid down.

Thus he shook his head and grunted, “I’m sleepy.” 2ruUjq

Mu Zhan followed suit, laying down and taking the young man into his arms. Wen Mingyu drilled into his arms, arching and effortlessly finding the most comfortable position.

As he narrowed his eyes and was about to nod off, Wen Mingyu suddenly remembered something. He struggled to keep his eyelids open and said in a raspy voice, “Happy New Year…”

Having said that, it appeared as though a very important mission had been accomplished. He finally closed his eyes and went to sleep in relief.

Mu Zhan stiffened, then whispered the same words back. Holding the young man closer, he rested his chin on top of his head as he fell asleep. XwFVNW

ChiFu: TT

Thank you for your patience! I have no intention of putting everyone in a sad seat, but yeah, my situation didn’t end well. Orz I will try my best to squeeze in translating, ofc!! My birthday is near! I want everyone to smile ~