Chapter Four: The Lantern Festival on the Fifteenth Night

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During the Lantern Festival of the First Full Moon, various lanterns of all shapes and sizes were displayed on stalls, illuminating the entire street. Women who usually had to wear bamboo hats today were free to stroll openly and proudly.

Song Qingcheng held the rabbit-shaped lantern that Shen Runzhi handed to her, walking cautiously beside him. Her small eyes kept scanning the surroundings, searching for Wang Meng’s whereabouts.

Where was she? Wasn’t she supposed to be nearby? Song Qingcheng wondered.

“I’m here, Song Qingcheng!” Wang Meng called out, waving beside a giant lantern. Standing next to her was the Crown Prince dressed in plain clothes.

Song Qingcheng immediately breathed a sigh of relief. Thankfully, she wasn’t being stood up. She turned and smiled at Shen Runzhi. “Cousin, let’s go over there.”

Shen Runzhi glanced faintly toward Wang Meng, then spoke softly, “The Crown Prince has a beauty to accompany him; he surely wouldn’t want others to interfere. I’ll stay and accompany you, Yaoyao, to enjoy the lantern festival.”

Song Qingcheng didn’t want to be alone with him. His gaze always carried a subtle possessiveness that made her uneasy and wanting to escape.

“That wouldn’t be appropriate, cousin. The Crown Prince invited us after all. If we just leave, it might offend him. Let’s go another time,” she said, placating him first and planning to deal with it later.

Shen Runzhi stopped and tilted his head to look at Song Qingcheng, his gaze finally resting on her ear. He raised his hand to touch it. Instinctively, she moved back but another hand held her in place. “Why are you hiding, Yaoyao?”

He picked up the earring that had fallen onto her shoulder and flicked it gently in front of her eyes. “You didn’t even know your earring fell off. Let me put it back on for you.”

Song Qingcheng reached to touch it; indeed, her ear was bare. She didn’t know when it had fallen off. “Thank you, cousin.”

The hand holding her prevented movement, and with the earring in his hand, it seemed no matter if she agreed or not, it made no difference.

“I’ve made a note,” Shen Runzhi suddenly said.

Song Qingcheng was puzzled. “A note? What?”

A note that her earring tended to fall off?

Shen Runzhi lowered his eyes, his voice faint and slow, “It seems Yaoyao lied to cousin just now. You’ve really grown up, learning to brush me off for outsiders.”

Damn!

Song Qingcheng never expected he was referring to what happened just now. Her mind raced as she noticed Shen Runzhi pulling his hand away. Instinctively, she reached out and grabbed his cool hand, which immediately closed around her slender, delicate fingers.

“What’s this, Yaoyao…” Shen Runzhi’s hand firmly held hers, and slowly, he stepped closer to her.

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Song Yitang pursed her lips and leaned back slightly, wearing a sweet, obedient smile. “I didn’t lie to cousin. What Yaoyao said is true. Tomorrow, I’ll take cousin out to play.”

That was a close call. She vowed never to speak recklessly again. Song Qingcheng felt helpless — once entangled, it was truly hard to break free.

Hearing this, Shen Runzhi stopped walking. “Then…”

“Qingcheng! You’re so slow! We’re about to miss the lantern show,” Wang Meng suddenly appeared, oblivious to the hands still entwined, and quickly grabbed Song Qingcheng’s hand, pulling her forward.

Wang Meng hurriedly dragged Song Qingcheng along. Shen Runzhi, afraid she might get hurt, released her hand and watched as they were pulled away. His indifferent gaze flickered toward Wang Meng as he followed at a leisurely pace.

Song Qingcheng glanced back at the person behind her, secretly relieved. Fortunately, Wang Meng came looking for her; otherwise, things might have ended badly.

At the end of the street, the Crown Prince waited with a smile, holding a peach blossom lantern. Seeing her approach, he gently handed it to her. “I noticed that all the women like this lantern, so I bought one for you as well, Qingcheng.”

Suddenly, all eyes turned to Song Qingcheng. A chill ran down her back as the lantern in her hands became like a hot potato—too sensitive to touch or reject.

Seeing this, Song Qingcheng raised her rabbit lantern. “Thank you… Your Highness, but I already have one. You should give this to Miss Wang Meng instead.”

Considering the Crown Prince’s sensitive status, Song Qingcheng carefully changed the form of address.

Surprise flickered in Wang Meng’s eyes. She became shy and hesitant, her fingers twitching as she glanced at the Crown Prince.

The Crown Prince paused but continued to smile warmly. “Qingcheng is right, I overlooked that. You can hold this for now; I’ll have someone buy one for Miss Wang Meng shortly.”

“If Your Highness insists, refusing again would seem impolite,” Song Qingcheng said.

Though the Crown Prince’s words were gentle, she sensed an unyielding strength behind them. After hesitating, she reached out to accept the lantern. The two lanterns, one in each hand, were placed side by side.

The Crown Prince’s smile deepened as he signaled his attendants to purchase more lanterns.

Wang Meng looked a bit disappointed as she gazed at the peach blossom lantern in Song Qingcheng’s hand. Within a second, an attendant arrived with another lantern. Her mood instantly lifted as she cherished it, a blush spreading across her face.

“I really like it. Thank you, Your Highness~”

The Crown Prince politely smiled at her and then turned to Song Qingcheng. “There’s a lantern performance over there. I heard that at the end, a pair of lovers will be chosen to receive blessings.”

“This… it wouldn’t be quite appropriate for us to go. Perhaps we should…” Song Qingcheng began to decline, but Wang Meng eagerly interrupted, “Yes, yes! Qingcheng, let’s go join the fun!”

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Wang Meng gave her a meaningful look. Song Qingcheng immediately understood — with her there, nothing unexpected would happen. If she agreed, “Alright, it’s fine to go take a look.”

“Cousin, do you want to come too?” Song Qingcheng didn’t dare forget him and turned to invite him.

“I’m going, Yaoyao, I’ll come too,” Shen Runzhi said as he casually walked between Song Qingcheng and the Crown Prince.

The Crown Prince was forced to step back, watching them walk away. Just as he prepared to follow, a crowd surged past, stepping on his foot. His gentle face darkened instantly, his eyes sharp and fierce as he gestured with his hand.

His attendants quickly came up, covering the mouths of the offenders and dragging them to a secluded place to deal with them thoroughly.

Another subordinate knelt to wipe the dust off the Crown Prince’s shoes with a sleeve. The Crown Prince lazily moved his foot, looked at the cleaned shoe, and then followed the others.

At the lantern performance, dancers displayed their lanterns with graceful, flowing movements and enchanting postures, captivating every eye.

Song Qingcheng’s eyes shone brightly, fascinated by sights she had never seen in the valley. In her previous life, she had been consumed by vanity and the pursuit of power, obsessing over marrying into a noble family and neglecting the beauty around her.

This life, she vowed to live well—truly and tangibly, winning wealth and honor through her own efforts.

Shen Runzhi’s deep eyes rested on Song Qingcheng, his light brown gaze filled with warmth and affection.

“We will select a pair of lovers today. The peach blossom ball will be tossed, and whoever it lands on will be the chosen couple,” the announcer declared, holding a pink ball and waving it in his hand.

The crowd pressed in tightly. Song Qingcheng was forced backward and stumbled, about to fall. The Crown Prince was quick to catch her, but Shen Runzhi’s eyes darkened; he grabbed her hand midair and pulled her into his embrace.

Song Qingcheng fell against Shen Runzhi’s chest. She tried to pull away, but the pressing crowd pushed her back.

The warmth of his touch lingered on her hand. Embarrassed, she turned her head away, waiting for the crowd behind to clear.

The Crown Prince’s hand grasped empty air. He shook his sleeve and smiled through gritted teeth. “Brother Shen, your reflexes are indeed swift.”