The lanterns were lit, and as dusk fell, the entire city was adorned with brightly decorated lanterns. The taverns and teahouses along the streets gradually lit up.
Fire trees and silver flowers rged, and the starry bridges unlocked.
As per tradition, on Lantern Festival, there was no curfew. One could revel in joy. The streets were crowded, and the calls of vendors were incessant.
Wei Yingying was the first to leave. The Minister of the Ministry of Industry’s Wife had specifically sent soone to pick her up, evidently shaken by the incident a few days ago.
This was Shen Hua’s first ti attending the lantern festival, and naturally, she was not in a rush to return. Yan Mi wanted to say goodbye but seeing her eyes sparkle with a naive charm in everything she said and did, he decided to stay.
In her eyes, Shen Hua was a very contradictory person.
When discussing profound principles, she was more articulate than anyone else; yet, when playful, she was more childlike than anyone.
Yan Mi offered to accompany her.
Being familiar with Shengjing, Shen Hua naturally did not refuse.
The night was dense, yet the streets of Shengjing were as bright as daylight.
Yan Mi whispered, "Last year during the Lantern Festival, over a thousand lanterns beautifully adorned the moat, resembling silver stars in the sky. Many girls would write their wishes on paper slips, placing them on the lanterns, letting them flow with the stream. It’s said the further the lantern travels, the more likely the wishes are to co true."
As she spoke, the light in her eyes gradually dimd.
Last year, she had also let go of one.
First, she wrote the na Yan Mi, then fearing the nearby girls might see, she stealthily added another na, her heart pounding like thunder.
She was extrely cautious throughout, as if harboring all a girl’s thoughts like a thief.
Those thoughts were all about a young man who had amazed her for years.
She hoped the lantern would travel far, farther still.
Even if there was no possibility with Xie Xun, deep down, there was so solace left.
It was like having, at once, owned sothing.
But there wasn’t.
She picked a lantern for a long ti. Yet before it had traveled even ten feet, it was overturned by other lanterns.
However, she perked up in front of Shen Hua.
"The moat isn’t far from here, Miss Shen might want to give it a try."
Shen Hua was eager to try: "Sure."
The two left the private room and headed downstairs.
Before they had even left First-tier Sky Restaurant, they bumped into Cui Yun coming their way.
He had changed out of his official clothes and into casual attire, yet his noble aura was unmistakable.
Under the light, his facial features and jawline were striking, and as he approached, he resembled a lofty and towering pine.
Handso, sowhat reminiscent of the late husband she once boasted about.
Shen Hua couldn’t help but stare blankly for a mont.
Cui Yun’s gaze shifted from Shen Hua to Yan Mi and said lightly.
"Lady Yan."
Yan Mi was montarily stunned, honored and surprised, she bowed slightly, "Marquis, hope you are well."
Shen Hua felt incredibly superfluous!
A sensible person might have found an excuse to leave and given the two so space, but she was clearly not sensible.
She was still thinking about Yan Mi taking her to release the lanterns!
Shen Hua shalessly stood still.
"Commander suddenly fell ill in the palace, I received the Emperor’s command to escort him ho. The Dowager at ho is extrely anxious and specifically asked to find Lady Yan."
Shen Hua discerned the underlying implications in his words.
In just a few sentences, Cui Yun subtly reminded that what he was doing now had nothing to do with him personally. Escorting Lord Yan ho was Emperor He’s order. Coming to find Yan Mi was also at the Dowager’s behest.
It seed Emperor He and the Dowager were intentionally trying to match-make, yet he acted as if it didn’t concern him at all.
This man was terribly cold.
If it were any other man, he would have spoken beautiful words by now, capturing the lady’s heart.
Fear and concern in her voice, Yan Mi asked, "Is my Daddy alright?"
Cui Yun indifferently replied, "It’s nothing serious."
How could Yan Mi be at ease?
With an apologetic tone to Shen Hua, she said, "I’m afraid I can’t accompany you today, madam. I will apologize properly another day."
Shen Hua said, "I understand what’s more important, Lady Yan, please go back."
As she spoke, she brightly looked towards Cui Yun.
Go on! The chance to send her back has arrived!
The burning gaze of the girl, like a cat begging for sweets. Cui Yun’s eyes softened, and he turned to Ji Qing, "Take Lady Yan ho."
Ji Qing replied, "Yes!"
Yan Mi thanked him and hurriedly left.
Shen Hua: ??
You deserve to be inferior to Xie Xun.
She suddenly felt disinterested, listlessly walking out. Her walk was clumsy yet carried a sense of dejection.
Cui Yun couldn’t help but chuckle softly.
"Miss Shen."
Shen Hua cautiously said, "I have already returned the Silver from last ti!"
"These days are not peaceful, it’s better for Miss Shen not to go outside."
While saying this, Cui Yun glanced lightly at Yingwu.
Yingwu: "Subordinate acknowledges the mistake."
Shen Hua felt a twinge of conscience.
Because before going out, Yingwu had also stopped her.
—The Lantern Festival is crowded and chaotic. It looks calm, but who knows if it could be fraught with crisis?
—Aren’t you quite capable?
—But your subordinate can also not ensure complete safety.
—No, you can, you are the fifth-ranked Shadow Guard, I trust you, are you doubting your own skills?
—Subordinate trusts in myself as well.
—Then what are we waiting for? Let’s go!
Yingwu was spurred on by this, she patted her chest.
—Miss Shen, rest assured, with your subordinate here, no one will get close to you.
Shen Hua glanced at Yingwu. Then she looked at Cui Yun who retained a commanding presence without anger.
She felt ashad!
Shen Hua decided to add an extra large elbow to Yingwu’s al tonight!
"That’s right, it is Yingwu’s fault."
Yingwu was astonished.
She really had never seen such a runaway girl like Shen Hua.
Cui Yun was montarily speechless. From the subordinate’s expression, he knew he had been tricked by Shen Hua to co out.
"I will escort you back to the pear garden."
Shen Hua felt very moved.
She whispered softly, "But I haven’t yet set off the lanterns."
Cui Yun, sowhat impatient, his eyes darkening: "So..."
Shen Hua looked at him innocently.
"I’m afraid to die."
She had lost face in front of Cui Yun not just once or twice. She figured she might as well not fear adding one more ti.
"So, why don’t the Marquis accompany to set off the lanterns, then escort back?"
Shen Hua appealed to him, hence her tone was very sweet: "I heard setting off lanterns is effective, why not wish for a..."
Shen Hua paused.
Cui Yun cos from a good family background, has Silver, and is the Minister of Ministry of Justice!
What does he lack?
Quickly, Shen Hua found the answer.
"Wish for a good marital match."
Cui Yun narrowed his eyes.
Did Shen Hua really think he was an easygoing person?
"If you feared trouble, why go out at all?"
He mocked with a laugh, cold as autumn water, each word heartlessly reminding.
"Miss Shen, you ought to know, you have a kindness towards Rong, hence, I assigned Yingwu to co here, and even promised that in the future if you ask for sothing, I will certainly not turn it down."
"But I have repeatedly warned you, duty fulfilled to the utmost. The safety of your headstrong actions henceforth truly doesn’t matter to ."
"I am not idle. So, Miss Shen, are you certain you want to use that promise for this matter?"
His words were icy to the extre, yet they were also the most sincere.
Hearing this, Shen Hua was not pleased.
She pressed her lips together: "Why are you being fierce, my coffin isn’t ready yet, I can’t die just now."
"I also didn’t want to go out."
She was a little annoyed, like a cat with bared claws.
"I originally wanted to endure."
But she hadn’t managed to endure it!
Cui Yun had a bit of a headache.
This little girl didn’t have long to live, yet her temper was quite big.
Truly spoiled.
He let out a slight sigh from the corner of his mouth.
"Let’s go."
"I won’t go."
Cui Yun was simple and unenthused, compromising: "Let’s go buy the lanterns."
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