Chapter 30.1

Turning his head, Prince Ying allowed his gaze to fall upon Lin Wan. Then he said to his personal attendant, “Go have a look at who’s up there.” Following that, he said to Lin Wan, “Miss Lin, it’s a bit chilly today. You should have worn more.”

“Many thanks, Your Highness, for the concern.” Stiff was Lin Wan’s smile. After learning that she would meet Prince Ying tonight, she had spent special attention matching her clothes and jewelry to accentuate her beauty.

She did not spend all her mental and physical efforts just to have a man remind her that it was cold.

Cold or not, she’d know. Did she really need him to point it out?

What a pity that Prince Ying did not understand her intention. When his personal attendant returned, he frowned. “What is it? Who’s up there?”

“Your Highness, this slave merely thought of something.” Then the personal eunuch said in a soft voice, “Every year on the Lantern Festival, the crown prince would be up there to admire the lights.”

“What kind of lousy bad habit…” At that moment, Prince Ying recalled that the crown prince’s birth mother, Empress Gonghui, had died the day after the Lantern Festival.

Prince Ying no longer remembered what the crown prince’s birth mother, Consort Hui, had been like. He only recalled that on her death, Ji Yuansu had yet to turn five years old. Once Ji Yuansu had been conferred the position of crown prince, Consort Hui’s honor grew with her son’s, the emperor conferring her the title of empress posthumously.

She could not have been considered a calamitous beauty. If it wasn’t for his imperial father doting on her son, one would fear she’d have no presence even in death.

“Since the crown prince is up there, we should not disturb him,” said Lin Wan. Before she arrived at the capital, she had already made some inquiries regarding the relationships of the imperial princes. As such, she did not want the two brothers to have conflict at this time.

If rumors spread that on the evening she and Prince Ying met, the eldest prince and the crown prince were on bad terms, then how could she live in the capital in the future?

It wouldn’t just be her. Her daddy’s reputation would also take a blow.

“If the crown prince is there, then this prince can go too.” Originally, Prince Ying did not hold much interest toward the viewing platform. But after hearing that the crown prince was present, he insisted on going.

Lin Wan tactfully advised him a little, but Prince Ying’s expression grew more and more unsightly. In the end, she could only fall quiet.

The higher they climbed, the stronger the winds were. Lin Wan rubbed her cold arms. Raised her head to look at the viewing platform. She stopped in her tracks. How is that the crown prince’s figure? It is obviously a woman’s.

She wanted to call out to him, but Prince Ying had already pulled ahead of her quite a few steps. Thus, she clenched her teeth and followed him up.

“People have arrived?” asked Hua Liuli, shifting her gaze to the flight of stairs. And a Prince Ying who was rushing up the steps fell into her line of sight.

When he saw Hua Liuli’s dainty face, Prince Ying could not find it in himself to look her in the eye for some reason. It was probably because she had almost become his princess consort. And right now, he was bringing his fiancée to where she was. It was inevitable that he would feel awkward.

“Eldest Brother.” The crown prince appeared from the shadows. He made his way to Hua Liuli’s side and said to the Prince Ying who was lost in thought, “Why is Eldest Brother in the mood to view the scenery today?”

The crown prince looked at the young lady following Prince Ying from far away. And he could guess Consort Xian’s intention. Unfortunately, Consort Xian clearly overestimated her son’s ability in coaxing women. Allowing him to interact with his fiancée alone would not cultivate emotions between them. Rather, it would impede their relationship.

Prince Ying finished ascending the stairs to the viewing platform. Took notice of the cloak Hua Liuli was wearing that clearly did not match her outfit. He turned his head and greeted the crown prince with clasped hands, expression one of displeasure. “We happened to pass by and so came for a look. I did not expect such a coincidence in encountering the crown prince and Commandery Princess Fushou here.”

Hua Liuli curtsied toward Prince Ying and retreated a step to the side, wisely allowing the two brothers to have a chance for an “amicable exchange.” Just when she got to standing in the corner, a young woman approached. She appeared delicate, the night wind lifting the foot of her dress and causing it to sway; it almost appeared as if the wind could easily blow her away.

Who’s this?

Prince Ying did not say who was with him. Hua Liuli also did not step forward to greet him, merely nodding a hint.

She did not recognize Lin Wan, but Lin Wan recognized her. When Prince Ying had addressed her as “Commandery Princess Fushou,” she knew the identity of the woman admiring the scenery with the crown prince.

The other party’s appearance was more beautiful than she had imagined. Especially that pair of dewy eyes. It easily inspired pity in the hearts of others.

Lin Wan was aware that Prince Ying and Commandery Princess Fushou had nearly been engaged. And she felt slightly strange about it. Hua Liuli nodded to her. Curtsied.

Perhaps it was because she had just arrived at the capital that she found the place wholly unfamiliar. Therefore, as she stood at the viewing platform, she felt nervous and awkward. Ever since she had climbed up here, neither the crown prince nor Prince Ying spared her a single glance. As if she did not exist.

A strong gust of wind barreled over, howling as it blew against the palace walls.

“Are you cold?” asked Prince Ying.

When Lin Wan heard his voice, she raised her head and prepared to respond, only to discover that he was not looking at her. Instead, his gaze was aimed at Commandery Princess Fushou.

“This official’s daughter is not cold. The cloak that His Highness the crown prince gave me is very warm,” said Hua Liuli, hurrying to shake her head. Prince Ying brought a woman to admire the view here, so why did he rush over and ask if she was cold?

Wasn’t this just helping her make enemies? Never had she imagined that although Prince Ying seemed simple and honest, he still knew a bit about how to scheme for the throne. In the end, he was a prince who had left the imperial palace; he would have more experience in this field than other people.

But Hua Liuli absolutely could not be resigned to her fate. If a rumor spread that made people suspect her of choosing between men, then even if she leaped into the Yellow River, she would never be able to wash herself clean of it.

Hua Liuli hurried to shift closer to the crown prince’s side. She needed that other woman to see clearly that she had come with the crown prince and had no business with Prince Ying.

“Crown Prince must have forgotten about Commandery Princess Fushou’s delicate constitution. She mustn’t be blown by the wind.” Prince Ying smiled with satisfaction as his gaze fell upon him. “If Commandery Princess falls ill, how could this be explained to General Hua and General Wei?”

The crown prince nodded. “Eldest Brother is right.” Then he faced Hua Liuli. “Commandery Princess, I will escort you back.”

Rarely did the crown prince ever follow instructions. That said, Prince Ying felt somewhat sullen.

“Alright,” blurted Hua Liuli, not wanting to remain here and disturb Prince Ying and this woman’s tryst.

“Careful.” The crown prince still had that handkerchief around his hand, waiting for Hua Liuli to give him hers. He wrapped her hand with his own and led her slowly down the steps.

The wide cloak dragged upon the ground. Under the glow of the palace lights, it seemed to shine faintly gold, courtesy of the golden thread embroidered onto it.

Lin Wan gazed at the cloak that seemed to shine like the twinkling stars upon the dark night. She turned and cast Prince Ying a glance. And she felt so cold that she shivered.

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After descending from the viewing platform, the crown prince said to Hua Liuli, “That’s the future Princess Consort Ying. A daughter of the Lin family.” The young lady by his side had almost taken that role, but when she heard his words, she did not seem to have much of a reaction.

“Oh.” Hua Liuli nodded. Previously, Jiamin had mentioned this Princess Consort Ying, so she wasn’t curious about it anymore. She removed the cloak. “Your Highness, this official’s daughter will return this to you.”

“Drape it over your shoulders,” said the crown prince, standing in place. “It’s already late into the night. Have a palace maid deliver it back.”

To which Hua Liuli nodded. After curtsying, she turned to leave. Once she reached the corner, she glanced back. The crown prince was still standing in that same spot. His hands were clasped behind him, head raised toward the heavenly moon.

As one gazed at a beauty under the moon, the more one looked at them, the more beautiful they seemed.

She had long since sensed that the crown prince had not been in high spirits tonight. Yet, as the daughter of an official, she mustn’t stick her nose in the imperial princes’ business. Thus, she could only pretend not to have noticed anything.

Unfortunately, beauty allured people. All of a sudden, Hua Liuli felt that she would feel guilty should she leave the unhappy crown prince alone.

“Your Highness.” Hua Liuli turned around and made her way before him, all smiles as she gazed at him. “It’s so lively outside the imperial palace. Shall we have a look?”

The crown prince stared at her in a daze. Suddenly, a smile graced his lips. “Alright.”

“Commandery Princess…” For the sake of eye candy, Yuanwei’s master was staying up so late and would even leave the palace. She whispered, “Your honored self has been out for so long. Should we send someone to inform Mistress?”

Hua Liuli said to another of her personal servant girls, “Yurong, let Mother know that His Highness the crown prince and I will be going out to purchase some pretty colored lanterns to play with.”

Once the words had left her lips, she did not wait for a response, dragging the crown prince away.

Palace maids delivered a well-fitting cloak to Hua Liuli; the crown prince took his back and put it on. He said to her with a smile, “Let’s go.”

The palace servants watched as the crown prince actually brought Commandery Princess Fushou outside the palace to play. Those who were to inform the imperial guards went to inform the imperial guards. Those who were to prepare the carriage went to prepare the carriage. On the contrary, it was Yuanwei who wore a comparatively unperturbed expression, following behind Hua Liuli with quick steps.

It was said that back then, Great General Hua had been awed after laying eyes on her mistress. Even after taking a beating and scolding, he still wanted to marry her mistress as his wife. Now that her family’s commandery princess had seen such a handsome crown prince, it was already considered reserved for her to merely accompany him outside and look at some colored lanterns.

Being lovers of beauty was a trait that had been passed down for generations in the Hua family. It wasn’t something that could be changed.

After they had stepped foot outside the palace, it seemed even the wind smelled a bit like fireworks. The two came across the liveliest street. Couples traversed it, laughing and talking. And Hua Liuli sighed. “There’s so much malice toward single people tonight.”

She noticed that many shops were giving out colored lanterns to whoever could solve their riddles. And she thought that although she wasn’t too good at riddles, she could still buy the lanterns. Thus, she purchased the most beautiful colored lantern and presented it to the crown prince. “Your Highness, this is for you.”

The crown prince chuckled. “For me?”

“A colored lantern is supposed to be given to a beauty. This lantern is the most suitable for Your Highness.” Covering the corners of her mouth with a handkerchief, Hua Liuli coughed. “Come on. Let’s go see what’s ahead.”

The crown prince raised the lantern for a better look. It depicted an adorable fox praying to the moon, and its eyes carried alertness.

A fox?

As Hua Yingting’s daughter, Hua Liuli learned from a young age how to coax women.

To put it nicely, when accompanying someone in admiring the bright moon, what was most important was buying things.

Unfortunately, Qinghan Prefecture did not have many places to spend money, nor did it have any beauties she wanted to coax. The crown prince was the first.

On an outdoors stage, a brothel was hosting a beauty pageant with lanterns involved. The crowd below the stage was jam-packed with excited men. They cheered for the beautiful women they had taken a fancy to.

Not far away, there were stalls selling food, with their seating areas filled with people. From time to time, yamen officers would patrol.

Once they reached the riverbank, there were men and women, old and young, all around the shore making wishes as they released lanterns. Countless lanterns floated on the river’s surface, resembling stars twinkling in the Milky Way.

Hua Liuli shot Yuanwei a meaningful glance. And Yuanwei purchased two river lanterns at once.

“Does Your Highness want to make a wish together with me?” asked Hua Liulu, passing a river lantern to him.

The crown prince accepted it. Raised his head to face the surface of the river that twinkled with light. “I have never believed in these things.”

“It doesn’t matter. This official’s daughter doesn’t believe in that either,” said Hua Liuli. She made her way to the river bank. Waved to the crown prince who was standing farther behind her. “Your Highness, it doesn’t matter if you believe in this. But it’s very important to follow the customs.”

He handed the lantern depicting a fox praying to the moon to a guard behind him. Brought the river lantern to Hua Liuli’s side. “Commandery Princess, what are you wishing for tonight?”

“I don’t really lack anything. And there’s nothing I want to achieve.” Hua Liuli took in the moon’s reflection on the river’s surface. Lit up the lantern with some flint. Following that, she dropped to a squat and looked at the crown prince. “Then how about I wish that Your Highness’ wish will come true?”

The river lantern swayed a hint upon the water. The crown prince copied what Hua Liuli did, placing his lantern down. “You don’t know what it is that I wish for.”

“That’s not important. What’s important is that you participated in this activity.” Resting her chin on her hands, Hua Liuli beamed as she looked at him. “Your Highness, there are many circumstances where it’s not important if you get a desired outcome. Just being happy is enough.”

Light laughter spilled from the crown prince’s lips. He watched as the two lanterns slowly floated away on the river. It was a mystery how many wishes the river below them had carried.

“Then I will thank Commandery Princess.”