Chapter 25 Ice Skating

Chapter 25 Ice Skating

"Many people yearn to marry the person they love, but Sixth Brother is very lucky," Xue Qingning said, her voice a mixture of envy and admiration.

The surroundings seemed to suddenly quiet down. Shen Nanzi noticed that Xue Qingning and Xie Yan had both picked up their wine glasses and were looking down at the ice skating below.

Shen Nanzi also looked over and saw a group of women wearing ice skates and long-sleeved purple gauze dresses, singing and dancing lightly and gracefully.

"Your Highness, this dance is just like your style back in the day."

Shen Nanzi was startled and looked up. She didn't know when the Emperor and Consort Wei had arrived.

Because the Emperor had issued an edict, there was no need to go and pay respects.

"It's kind of Your Majesty to still remember my beauty back then," said Consort Wei.

"Time flies so fast. We're all approaching our twilight years. Time waits for no one!"

"Your Majesty is still wise and mighty, how could you be old? In my eyes, Your Majesty will always be in your twenties, full of vigor and spirit."

"How could that be? After the New Year, I will be fifty years old."

"Even if His Majesty is fifty years old, he is still incomparable to ordinary people. Long live His Majesty!"

"I want to go ice skating," the Emperor suddenly said.

Consort Wei did not respond, but looked at the Emperor reproachfully.

"Back in the day, I was the best skater, and I even won first place. The late emperor rewarded me with a jade unicorn."

"I remember that the Imperial Concubine is also skilled at smoothness, isn't she?"

"Your Majesty admired me back then, and I put in a lot of effort behind the scenes. It's kind of Your Majesty to remember this, and it's all thanks to my hard work back then."

"Then shall we go skating together today?"

"Your Majesty's hospitality is too much for me to refuse."

Shen Nanzi listened in disbelief, her eyes fixed on Xie Yu opposite her.

The meaning is obvious: your parents want to go ice skating!

Consort Wei glanced down and clearly saw Xie Yu. She suggested, "Let's call the children over and let him see our ice skills. He shouldn't think we're all old-fashioned people who don't understand new things."

Consort Wei's suggestion seemed to suit the Emperor's wishes perfectly, so he granted it, saying, "Invite them all, let's have some fun."

The Emperor's words naturally reached the ears of the people below.

They all sent servants to fetch ice skates.

Shen Nanzi's ice skates were placed to the side, and Xie Yan noticed them, remarking, "She's quite proactive."

"We're here to have fun, so wouldn't it be against His Majesty's wishes if we weren't enthusiastic?" Shen Nanzi bared her teeth and gave him a fierce look.

Xie Yan sat upright beside her, glancing at her sideways: "You can skate?"

When asked about this, Shen Nanzi felt guilty. She tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear, then twitched her nose and said, "I know a little."

"Oh?" Xie Yan clearly didn't believe him. "Don't touch me later."

"Xie Yan!" Shen Nanzi exclaimed anxiously. Without anyone to guide her, she simply didn't know how!

Wuying had already brought the ice skates, and Xie Yan slowly put them on before getting up and leaving without looking back.

Xue Qingning, also served by her maid, put on ice skates and walked onto the ice.

Shen Nanzi looked at the ice skates, rested her chin on her hand, and looked helplessly at Xie Yu opposite her.

"You may all go and keep the Emperor company!"

"It's boring, just having a drink is enough!"

"Alright, let's drink!"

Shen Nanzi looked at the ice surface chosen by the Emperor, then turned her gaze away and drank with Xie Yu.

The Emperor and Consort Wei joined hands, creating an unprecedentedly enthusiastic atmosphere that brought the ice skating banquet to a climax.

The other princes came off the ice one after another and began gliding on the ice.

The emperor was getting on in years, and even though he longed to display his former glory again, his health simply wouldn't allow it.

He then returned with Consort Wei, leaving the other young people to play.

When Consort Wei returned, she saw Xie Yu still drinking at the table and asked in surprise, "Why aren't you skiing? Isn't that your favorite activity?"

“Mother, liking to play doesn’t mean you have to play! Watching someone dance is fine too.”

"You silly child." Consort Wei looked at Shen Nanzi with puzzlement.

Why didn't Princess Jing go either?

Shen Nanzi stood up and said, "Your Highness, I would not."

Consort Wei recalled seeing Xie Yan on the ice and knew about their marital discord, and a look of pity appeared in her eyes.

Looking at the Emperor, the Emperor said, "Where is Prince Jing? Doesn't his own wife teach him? This is an old tradition; how could the wife not know it?"

"Go and call Prince Jing back. Tell him that I have ordered him to teach Princess Jing."

Shen Nanzi didn't expect the Emperor to stand up for her. After thinking about it, she guessed that the news of Xie Yan saving Xue Qingning and her son had reached the Emperor's ears, and this was a warning to him.

And so, Shen Nanzi was led into the ice rink by Xie Yan.

"You're tattling?" Xie Yan's expression was unpleasant. Once inside the ice rink, he let go of her hand.

Shen Nanzi was afraid of falling, so she gripped his sleeve tightly.

"Yes, I complained! Who told you not to take me?" Shen Nanzi said irritably when she saw his reluctance.

"Didn't you say you knew a little bit?" he teased, moving his legs and his body moving smoothly.

"Can I save face?"

As he slid, Shen Nanzi also started to move, but ultimately, she was gliding because of him.

He wasn't Xie Yu; he wouldn't care if she fell or not. He would definitely hope she fell so badly she couldn't get up.

Because she was worried about slipping, she couldn't experience the joy of skating.

She hugged his arm even tighter, making Xie Yan feel uncomfortable. "I'll teach you! I'll only say it once, so remember it well."

Shen Nanzi quickly shook her head, "I can't learn it!"

Xie Yan didn't care at all. "Listen carefully, stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, bend your knees, put your hands down naturally, relax your body, and don't stick your chest out or raise your head."

Shen Nanzi found herself already following his instructions and performing the actions correctly.

"Okay! Pigeon toes... kick!!"

Shen Nanzi's legs trembled. "I wouldn't dare!"

"If you don't dare, then just wait to fall!" With that, Xie Yan slid away.

Only then did Shen Nanzi realize that she had let go of his arm without her noticing.

Her legs were already trembling, and her mind was filled with all sorts of wrestling poses.

"Don't be afraid, I'm behind you!"

Listening to Xie Yu's voice is like hearing heavenly music.

Shen Nanzi's bristling hairs seemed to find a foothold, and she pushed off with her right leg, followed by her left.

A biting wind blew past my ears, chilling my parched heart.

After this exchange, her body relaxed, and Shen Nanzi discovered that she could skate!

Moreover, she already had some basic knowledge, so this is equivalent to an upgrade.

So she doesn't look like a novice.

She didn't dare turn around, but just made a hand gesture to show Xie Yu that she understood!

The starry sky sparkled, and Shen Nanzi swam freely on the ice like a joyful fish.

After skating for several laps, Shen Nanzi felt she could skate now, so she said to Xie Yu behind her, "Don't you have a girl you like? Go and be with her, this is a good opportunity, don't miss it."

Not hearing any noise behind her, and thinking that Xie Yu had gone to find his beloved girl, Shen Nanzi skated for a while longer.

Until screams shattered the joyful moment.

"A rat! There's a rat!"

There were quite a few of them, and they were running around the ice rink, causing panic among the skaters.

The noble ladies, in particular, screamed in fright.

Shen Nanzi also discovered a problem: she wouldn't stop, Xie Yu wasn't there.

She could only turn to Xie Yan, help him up, and quickly stop him.

The mouse was terrified and had nowhere to hide, so it ran rampant.

Shen Nanzi finally found Xie Yan, her voice trembling, "Hold me! Xie Yan!"

Xie Yan turned around, just as he was about to reach out his hand.

"Ah?" Xie Yan screamed as her hand was snatched away.

Xie Yan also took the opportunity to pull the person who came.

Shen Nanzi couldn't stop in time and ran into a rat, causing her to fall to the ground.