Chapter 33: The Lantern Festival (5)

The streets were indeed crowded.

Shen Xiling had just stepped out of the carriage with Qi Ying when she was jostled by the surrounding crowd. At only eleven years old and extremely thin, she nearly stumbled and fell. Baisong, seeing her being pushed, instinctively moved to steady her, but to his surprise, the young master was quicker. Qi Ying swiftly pulled her into a half-embrace.

Nestled against Qi Ying’s chest, Shen Xiling was enveloped by the faint scent of sweet pine. For a moment, her mind went completely blank. He released her almost immediately, his brows furrowed as he murmured, “Be careful.”

Flustered, Shen Xiling nodded.

At that moment, Zhao Yao, who had just disembarked with her parents, happened to witness the scene. She was absolutely livid. After all the effort she and her mother had put into finding a way to celebrate the Lantern Festival with Second Brother, this lowly orphan had swooped in and ruined it. Fortunately, her mother had consoled her for quite some time during the journey from Fenghe Garden, and Zhao Yao had come to terms with it. She couldn’t afford to act impulsively or engage in petty jealousy with this orphan—it would not only be undignified but might also irritate Second Brother.

She didn’t need to stoop to competing with this orphan. Second Brother was hers—he had practically raised her since childhood. How could this Fang Yun, an outsider, ever compare to their bond?

With this mindset firmly in place, Zhao Yao felt somewhat reassured. Putting on a cheerful and innocent demeanor, she walked over to Second Brother, tugging at his arm and saying, “Second Brother, look! There’s a lantern shaped like a fox—it’s so unique!”

Following Zhao Yao’s gesture, Shen Xiling instinctively looked over as well. Sure enough, a beautifully crafted fox lantern hung outside a shop by the street. The fox was painted so realistically that it attracted a cluster of children admiring the light.

Shen Xiling glanced at it briefly before quickly averting her gaze.

By then, Qi Ning and Qi Le had arrived and were walking toward them. Upon hearing Zhao Yao mention the fox lantern, Qi Le became ecstatic and eagerly asked where it was. Qi Yun, accompanied by his wife and daughter, also joined them. Little Hui’er, experiencing the lantern festival for the first time, was absolutely delighted by the radiant lights. His large, grape-like eyes sparkled with curiosity as he took in the sights, utterly adorable.

Seeing the younger generation gathered together, Zhao Run chuckled and said, “You youngsters shouldn’t block the road. Head further down the main street—all the excitement is there.”

As everyone present was a junior to Zhao Run, they naturally complied. The family, harmonious and joyful, laughed and chatted as they made their way down the bustling street.

Initially, Shen Xiling stayed close to Qi Ying, but Zhao Yao subtly edged her aside when she approached. Then, as more of the Qi family’s young masters joined, Shen Xiling, feeling like an outsider, gradually retreated further away. By the time the group began moving down the main street, she was separated by the throng of other pedestrians and soon lost sight of Qi Ying.

At first, Shen Xiling felt a flicker of panic, looking around anxiously for Qi Ying. But being so young and short, her view was obstructed by the crowd, and she couldn’t see anything. Reluctantly, she accepted the fact: she was lost.

Shen Xiling sighed in frustration. She initially planned to return to the carriage and wait, but upon reconsideration, she realized that the others would likely stay out for a while longer. Returning to the carriage now might mean waiting for an indefinite amount of time, which seemed unbearable. So, she decided to follow the flow of people until she reached the moat.

The moat of Jiankang was exceptionally wide, drawing water from the Qinhuai, Qingxi, Jinchuan rivers, as well as Xuanwu Lake, Qian Lake, and Pipa Lake. It had protected the most prosperous capital city in the land for decades. However, with Jiankang long untouched by war, the moat hadn’t been needed for defense. Now, during the Lantern Festival, it became the perfect spot for releasing lanterns. Streams of visitors lined the banks, and countless floating lanterns illuminated the river, each carrying the heartfelt prayers of Jiankang’s residents.

It was at this moment that Shen Xiling thought of her parents.

Since falling gravely ill on New Year’s Eve, she had tried hard not to dwell on memories of her deceased parents. After all, indulging in those thoughts would only bring unnecessary pain—she didn’t want to upset them by wallowing in sorrow. Yet tonight, amidst the joyous reunion of families, she couldn’t help but feel stirred.

The Lantern Festival… Most of her memories revolved around her mother. When she was younger, her mother’s health hadn’t deteriorated as much, and for several years, she had taken Shen Xiling out to release lanterns. That fox-shaped lantern Zhao Yao had pointed out to Qi Ying—her mother had once bought one for her too. It wasn’t anything new; they’d had it for years.

Later, her mother’s health began to decline, and every winter became increasingly difficult. They stopped celebrating the Lantern Festival. Last year, her father, pitying her loneliness, insisted on taking her out despite everything. It was her first time riding in such a luxurious carriage. Her father bought her many lanterns, and she released them all by the riverside, each one praying for her mother’s recovery. Afterwards, her father treated her to sweet sesame-filled glutinous rice balls from a roadside stall—a taste she still remembered vividly even now.

Last year’s streets of Jiankang had been just as lively as today’s, teeming with people shoulder to shoulder. But back then, her father had been there, holding her hand tightly, ensuring she didn’t get lost and stayed by his side.

Everything felt so vivid, yet now both her parents were gone, leaving her alone.

She hated herself for being so sentimental, yet she couldn’t shake the overwhelming sense of loneliness. Just moments ago in the carriage, she had thought of Qi Ying as someone close to her. But now, she hesitated.

All day, she had heard Miss Zhao affectionately call Qi Ying “Second Brother,” their bond seemingly warm and harmonious. Though she knew she shouldn’t entertain any foolish thoughts, she couldn’t help but wonder: if her father were still alive, if she could openly claim her identity as his daughter, then she would be Miss Shen. The Qi and Shen families were old acquaintances, and Qi Ying himself referred to her father as his elder uncle. If that were the case… could she, too, call him “Second Brother”?

This fleeting thought flitted across Shen Xiling’s mind but was immediately crushed. She scolded herself inwardly for harboring such presumptuous and greedy notions, sinking into deep self-reproach and humility. Bitterly, she thought: Shen Xiling, how could you even entertain such an idea?

Lost in thought, she suddenly felt a weight on her shoulder. Startled, she turned around to find herself face-to-face with a fox mask. She gasped, but upon closer inspection, realized it was merely a fox-shaped lantern. She pursed her lips and peeked around the lantern to see its bearer—only to meet a pair of smiling, peach-blossom eyes.

It was none other than the Fourth Prince, Xiao Ziheng.

Shen Xiling quickly turned to bow, but Xiao Ziheng stopped her. His bright, mischievous eyes twinkled as he leaned in and whispered, “No need to bow. If you do, others will notice and have to bow as well. On a festive night like this, why bother?”

Shen Xiling found this prince exceedingly peculiar. He always seemed reluctant to reveal his true identity. The last time she saw him in the plum grove of Fenghe Garden, he had disguised himself under the name of a Han family young master. Now, he appeared equally determined to avoid recognition by Jiankang’s citizens, going to great lengths to remain inconspicuous.

Given his insistence, Shen Xiling had no choice but to comply. She listened as the prince chuckled and said, “I thought it was you earlier, though I couldn’t be certain from your back alone. Turns out it really is you—why are you here alone? Where’s Jingchen?”

He scanned the area but didn’t spot Qi Ying. After a moment of silence, Shen Xiling replied, “Master Qi is elsewhere, Your Highness. Perhaps you could look for him ahead.”

At this, Xiao Ziheng raised an eyebrow, scrutinizing Shen Xiling with a teasing grin. “So, you got separated?” he asked.

Shen Xiling: “….”

Seeing the girl’s flushed cheeks and her reluctance to speak, Xiao Ziheng knew he had guessed correctly. Grinning, he grabbed her hand and started leading her away from the crowd. Shen Xiling, unfamiliar with the prince’s temperament, was startled by his sudden action. Following behind, she asked, “Your Highness, where are we going?”

Xiao Ziheng glanced back with a smile. “Well, since you’re already lost, why not join me for some glutinous rice balls? Once your master realizes you’re missing, he’ll surely come looking for you.”

Shen Xiling never imagined she would one day share glutinous rice balls with the Fourth Prince of Liang. And not just that—she certainly didn’t expect they would sit at a rundown little stall by the street.

She herself didn’t mind, as she was accustomed to eating in such places. What surprised her was that a royal prince like Xiao Ziheng would willingly lower himself to such an environment. Today, he wore a silver-gray brocade robe. Though she wasn’t well-versed in fabrics, she could tell the stitching was intricate and expensive. Yet here he sat, unfazed by the dirt and grime of the roadside stall, completely unbothered about soiling his fine clothes.

What a strange man.

Xiao Ziheng noticed Shen Xiling observing him but remained perfectly at ease under her scrutiny. Smiling, he prompted, “Go on, tell me—how did you get lost?”

Shen Xiling didn’t think it appropriate to confide in the prince, so she vaguely mentioned she had accidentally gotten separated. Hearing this, Xiao Ziheng’s peach-blossom eyes gleamed with amusement. Shaking his head, he said, “Earlier, I saw you by the river looking rather downcast, as if something had upset you. Surely not—you weren’t scolded by your Master Qi, were you?”

Shen Xiling remained silent, but the Fourth Prince pressed on enthusiastically. “No, that can’t be right. As strict as he is, he wouldn’t spoil the festivities. Then what was it? Could it be…”

His eyes twinkled mischievously, and he grinned slyly. “Could it be that he left with someone else and forgot about you?”

Shen Xiling was speechless.

Seeing the girl momentarily stunned before slowly lowering her head, Xiao Ziheng knew he had hit the mark. Chuckling, he said, “So it’s true?”

Shen Xiling pursed her lips, shaking her head. “Your Highness, please don’t make assumptions.”

Xiao Ziheng smirked. “It’s not a big deal. You don’t need to feel embarrassed. Many people chase after him, and he can’t possibly attend to everyone. Not to mention you—even my sister often gets hurt because of him.”

His sister?

Shen Xiling hadn’t heard any rumors about Princess Liu and Qi Ying, so she was surprised. Just as she was about to inquire further, Xiao Ziheng chuckled and said, “Why am I telling you these things? You’re just a child.”

Though Shen Xiling was mentally mature for her age due to her hardships, she was still, in fact, a child. Her delicate frame and youthful appearance made her seem even younger. Xiao Ziheng had momentarily mistaken her for a maiden who had already reached the age of marriage due to her mature gaze, but he soon realized she was still a young girl. With that, he stopped discussing such matters with her.

Just then, the shopkeeper brought two steaming bowls of glutinous rice balls. Plump white spheres nestled against each other in porcelain bowls, looking rather endearing. Xiao Ziheng, full of enthusiasm, picked up a spoon and gave them a playful stir. Turning to Shen Xiling, he said, “Try them.”

Shen Xiling thanked the Fourth Prince and, at his urging, scooped up a rice ball with her spoon. Taking a small bite, the sweet black sesame filling immediately burst into her mouth, almost identical to the taste her father had treated her to last year.

Under the table, Shen Xiling’s other hand clenched tightly as she forced back her tears. To mask her emotions, she smiled through the rising steam and said to the Fourth Prince, “The flavor is wonderful, Your Highness. Please try some as well.”

Xiao Ziheng watched the smile that flickered across her face and was momentarily stunned.

He had known from their first encounter in Fenghe Garden that this girl was beautiful, especially with that red mole between her brows, which lent her an ethereal charm. She looked particularly enchanting amidst the flowers. Xiao Ziheng had assumed that her beauty during their initial meeting was enhanced by the garden’s blossoms, but now, seeing her seated in such a humble setting, smiling at him through a veil of mist, her beauty struck him even more profoundly.

Despite having seen countless beauties in his life, Xiao Ziheng couldn’t help but feel a jolt in his heart at that moment.

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Author’s Note:

Xiao Ziheng: Cutting someone off feels good once, but doing it repeatedly feels even better.