Prince Luo returned to his estate, though his mood was not quite as furious as he let on. Many people had been on the streets, and they had all witnessed him abandoning his horse to walk back to his manor simply because of a single remark from his eldest imperial brother.
“Perfect” was not always a good word. A person who was occasionally impulsive but willing to listen to his elder brother wouldn’t face too much criticism. People always held those who were perfect to the highest standards, yet they treated those who made small mistakes but showed a willingness to change with a sense of tolerance.
His imperial brother was sickly and frail, destined to never inherit the throne. He could afford to wait.
Recalling the young lady he had encountered on the street, he turned and asked his attendant, “That glazed lantern from the palace—has it been delivered to the manor yet?”
The attendant lowered his head, not daring to look at Prince Luo’s expression. “Your Highness, that lantern has already been taken.”
“By whom?”
“It is… it is said to be His Highness Prince Ruining.”
Ling Yanshuai again!
In his memory, for many years, he had been the only child in the Prince’s manor. His father and mother had treated him like a precious pearl. Then, on a night filled with rumbling thunder, the Emperor and Empress had suddenly brought back a skeletal, wound-covered youth, claiming he was his elder brother. From that moment on, he was no longer the unique and only child of his parents.
“It’s just a lantern. If Imperial Brother likes it, let him have it,” Prince Luo said calmly. “Select a few more beautiful lanterns and send them to his estate.”
The night was long; how long could the candle inside a lantern truly burn?
***
“Yun Qiya, how long have you been studying physiognomy?”
Under Yun Qiya’s solemn direction, Lu Mingzhu obediently changed her seating position. Listening to her talk about earlobes and the Destiny Palace, she actually began to believe that Yun Qiya knew a thing or two about the art of face reading.
Yun Qiya held up two fingers.
“Two years?” Lu Mingzhu asked skeptically. What could one really learn in two years?
“Two months.” Yun Qiya looked even more proud. Seeing Lu Mingzhu’s doubtful expression, she explained huffily, “Don’t worry, I read many people’s fortunes back in Guozhou, and they all said I was great. If you don’t believe me, ask Helu.”
The moment Lu Mingzhu looked over, Helu lowered her head, too embarrassed to meet her gaze. “When Miss was at the God of Wealth Temple, there were indeed people who specifically sought her out for readings.”
It was just that back then, her lady wasn’t even ten years old. The adults saw how pretty and cute she was and let her “read” them just to make her happy. At the time, Helu had also thought her lady was a natural-born genius who could do anything, until she accidentally overheard the adults chatting and realized they were just humoring her.
To this day, perhaps only her lady still took those words meant to coax a little girl seriously. If nothing else, her lady’s level of self-confidence was truly something else.
“Alright then, give me a proper reading.” Lu Mingzhu nodded, a bit more trust appearing in her eyes. Helu didn’t look like the type of person who would lie.
Helu was completely speechless. One was bold enough to say it, and the other was brave enough to believe it.
“Your hands are warm, soft, and fair; you were born with the fate of a noble lady,” Yun Qiya said with an air of great importance. “Your earlobes are round, fortune and longevity abound. Your eyes are clear, blessings from everywhere are near. Your Destiny Palace is bright, your neck long and upright. Born for greatness, a truly auspicious sight.”
“Sister Mingzhu, you have a one-in-ten-thousand countenance.” Yun Qiya wagged her head like a true master. “Those who treat you with sincerity and stay by your side will surely share in your good fortune.”
Having finished, she scooted her stool over and sat right next to Lu Mingzhu.
“What are you doing?” Lu Mingzhu’s face flushed. Her voice was sharp, but she kept her back stiff and allowed Yun Qiya to lean against her without moving an inch.
“I’m rubbing off some of your luck, hehe.” Yun Qiya hugged Lu Mingzhu’s arm. “Staying close to someone with good fortune makes your own luck better.”
Lu Mingzhu had heard far too many comments about her having an ill-fated destiny. This was the first time someone had hugged her arm so affectionately and said they wanted to share in her luck. She felt helpless, yet also… happy.
“Watch your hairpin, don’t poke my neck,” she said, pretending to be annoyed as she nudged Yun Qiya’s head away, though the smile on her face grew more radiant by the second.
Downstairs from the teahouse, a handsome man observed the upper floor and asked the old man behind him, “Is Lu Mingzhu truly inside?”
“Every Lantern Festival for the past few years, she has appeared in this teahouse.” As the old man spoke, the cheekbones on his thin, withered face twitched slightly. “This is the best teahouse in the capital. Sitting upstairs, one can take in most of the city’s night views. As the only daughter of the Princess, while others are attending banquets, she can only admire the scenery alone. Don’t you think she would feel lonely and dejected because of this?”
“People are most easily moved by others when they are at their most vulnerable,” the thin old man urged. “You must find a way to get close to Lu Mingzhu tonight. Don’t waste such a perfect opportunity.”
***
“Sister Mingzhu, you really know how to pick a spot.” Yun Qiya clung to Lu Mingzhu’s arm with one hand while eating a pastry with the other. “I can’t believe you can see most of the capital’s night scenery from here.”
“It’s decent enough.” Lu Mingzhu was quite pleased with Yun Qiya’s praise. “The best place to view the night scenery in the capital is the Wentian Tower outside Yaoguang Palace. Standing atop Wentian Tower, the entire capital is laid out before your eyes.”
Seeing the spark of curiosity in Yun Qiya’s eyes, Lu Mingzhu poured cold water on the idea. “Don’t even think about it. Yaoguang Palace houses the ancestral tablets of the Ling clan. Aside from imperial descendants, outsiders cannot set foot in Wentian Tower.”
The light of curiosity in Yun Qiya’s eyes vanished instantly. If she couldn’t have it, there was no point wasting energy thinking about it; it wasn’t good for her health.
“Being able to see most of the capital’s prosperity from here is already wonderful. Besides…”
Yun Qiya’s words were interrupted by the sound of a reed pipe coming from the neighboring room.
The sound of the reed pipe was tragic and desolate. If someone were in a bad mood, hearing such music would likely make them burst into tears on the spot.
“Who plays such a sorrowful tune with a reed pipe in the first month of the year?” Yun Qiya covered her ears. “Aren’t they afraid of blowing away all their good luck for the year?”
The first month wasn’t even over yet; one should play more festive tunes to invite good omens. People in the capital were truly unique, showing no regard for taboos at all.
“I’ll have someone kick them out,” Lu Mingzhu frowned. Coming to a bustling teahouse on the Lantern Festival to play such depressing music—weren’t they afraid of other guests looking for trouble? It was truly unlucky.
“It’s the New Year, forget it, forget it. If he doesn’t mind the bad luck himself, why should we bother with him?” Yun Qiya stopped Lu Mingzhu. “It’s so lively outside, let’s go for a stroll.”
“Go down and stroll?” Lu Mingzhu was dazed. In previous years, she would sit by the window, watching the streets go from lively to quiet, from brilliant lights to dim darkness.
“With it being this lively, of course it’s only fun if we go play in the streets.” Yun Qiya dragged Lu Mingzhu downstairs, giving her no chance to change her mind.
***
In the neighboring room, the man played the reed pipe over and over until his mouth was dry and his throat ached, but he heard no movement from the room next door. This wasn’t right. Even if the person next door were a monkey, hearing such a tragic tune should have made them wail in sorrow by now.
Left with no choice, he could only open the window, trying to let the room next door hear his playing more clearly. This tune was even more lonely and desolate; Lu Mingzhu would surely be moved after hearing it and send someone to find him.
“Stop blowing that thing!” A window two rooms over slammed open, and a man’s angry roar erupted from within. “It’s a holiday! What on earth are you playing? If you play one more note, I’ll smash your crooked mouth!”
Fearing the irritable man would actually come to hit him, the man stopped playing immediately. The people of Da An had far too much “martial virtue”; he was truly afraid.
The beautiful night view on the street caught his attention. He rubbed his nose, which was red from the cold because he was wearing too little, and hunched his shoulders miserably.
*Wait, why does that lady in the distance look a bit like Lu Mingzhu? But she’s laughing so happily, accompanied by a close friend. She doesn’t look lonely or isolated at all.*
*So, that shouldn’t be—*
*Like hell it isn’t! That IS Lu Mingzhu!*
The man was instantly filled with indignation. Who was it that said Lu Mingzhu had no friends and would be lonely and cold today? Who was this person laughing so brightly that her whole face was radiant? And who was this person walking hand-in-hand with her?
And who was it that said she would stay cooped up in the teahouse and not go out?
The information he had received was all fake. What was the point of him playing the reed pipe in the freezing wind for so long? Was he just being made a fool of?!
***
“Huh?” Yun Qiya, carrying a flower lantern Lu Mingzhu had bought for her, glanced around.
Lu Mingzhu stuffed a candy snack into her mouth. “What are you looking for?”
“I feel like someone is staring at us.” Yun Qiya mumbled with the snack in her mouth, her eyes still darting around.
“It can’t be helped.” Lu Mingzhu arched an eyebrow. “Who told us to be so good-looking?”
Yun Qiya withdrew her gaze. “Sister Mingzhu has a point.”
Helu turned her face away, pretending she hadn’t heard a thing. Her lady and Miss Lu were truly… birds of a feather when it came to their shared interests.
***
Princess Rongshan sat in her courtyard, filled with worry. As soon as the palace banquet ended, she had hurried back to her mansion to wait for her daughter’s return. The servants of the Princess’s Residence didn’t dare make a sound, fearing they would upset her.
“Your Highness, it is late. Please go inside and rest,” her personal palace maid advised softly.
“It’s fine. I wouldn’t be able to sleep anyway.” Princess Rongshan heard movement outside the main gate. “Is the young lady back?”
Lu Mingzhu had left in silence but returned in high spirits. The attendants behind her were carrying arms full of items.
“Mingzhu?” Princess Rongshan was astonished to see her daughter smiling so brightly. In previous years, Mingzhu always returned from the Lantern Festival in a low mood. What had happened tonight?
Thinking of the grievances her daughter had suffered over the years, a ridiculous and terrible suspicion formed in her mind. Could some scoundrel have taken advantage of the holiday to trick her daughter?
She remained composed on the surface, and after coaxing her daughter to sleep, she summoned the servants to ask about tonight’s events.
Upon hearing that her daughter had met the young lady from the Chengping Marquisate Manor, she was instantly relieved. Her worry vanished, replaced only by joy. Her daughter had made a good friend; this was a wonderful thing.
***
At the God of Wealth Temple in Guozhou.
The night of the Lantern Festival was half over, and the bustling temple was gradually becoming quiet. A small, thin old woman wearing a headcloth was slowly packing up her stall. The stall was filled with various trinkets, peace talismans, red hand-strings, and the like.
“Granny Fortune Teller, how many noble people did you read for today?” A nearby vendor selling incense and candles finished packing his remaining stock and, seeing the old woman’s slow movements, helped her pack.
Those who set up stalls at the God of Wealth Temple were all old acquaintances. Hearing this teasing, they all started laughing. Everyone knew that no matter who the Granny Fortune Teller read for, she loved to say they had the fate of a noble person or that they would be aided by a benefactor. Whether it was accurate or not, no one knew, but she certainly made people happy.
The old woman laughed along, her mouth wide and showing only a few teeth. “A kind word keeps one warm for three winters. Until a life is over, good things can always happen.”
Everyone laughed again. “Granny, everyone is a noble person in your mouth. Have you ever actually met a truly special noble person?”
“Of course I have. That person had an exceptionally noble destiny and was deeply blessed.”
Another wave of laughter broke out. As the lingering scent of incense drifted through the temple, no one took her seriously. In their tiny Guozhou, where could so many “noble people” possibly come from?
***
“Miss, you’re truly amazing at fortune-telling. Miss Lu’s mood improved so much after hearing your words.”
*Amazing*, not *accurate*. This was the final line of Helu’s blind loyalty to her lady; it couldn’t go any lower.
“Of course. Just look at who I am.” Yun Qiya tilted her head proudly.
“Young lady.”
Yun Qiya turned around. An unremarkable carriage was parked by the roadside. The curtain was lifted, revealing the pale, sickly face of that young man.
The sickly man handed something out. “Thank you for the flower today, young lady.”
After seeing what the man was holding, Yun Qiya felt her scalp go numb with fear. Her proudly tilted head instantly shrank back like a startled little bird.
*Big brother, since you couldn’t pick a flower from the Imperial Garden, you just snatched a glazed lantern instead? It’s a holiday—do you not want to live to see tomorrow?!*