The days passed quietly.
Winter gradually deepened, and before anyone realized it, the capital had welcomed the final days of the year.
For the Shen Residence, the end of every year was the happiest time.
The usually solemn residence became lively with laughter from dawn until nightfall.
Because the Imperial Court had entered its year-end recess, even Shen Ruiwen and his younger brother, Shen Rui’an, were free from official duties for several days.
The two brothers no longer needed to rise before sunrise to attend court.
Instead, they spent their days accompanying their family.
Old Madam Shen would sit in the central hall directing the servants as they hung red lanterns beneath every corridor.
The maids carefully pasted bright red Spring Festival couplets on every doorway.
Fresh plum blossoms were arranged inside elegant porcelain vases.
The kitchens became the busiest place in the residence.
Steam continuously rose from bamboo baskets as cooks prepared dumplings, sweet pastries, braised meats, rice cakes, and countless festive delicacies.
Even the usually reserved servants wore cheerful smiles.
Everywhere one looked...
The atmosphere was warm.
Peaceful.
Filled with the joy of family.
Shen Xuan loved these days the most.
In her previous life, festivals often meant eating takeout while scrolling through her phone alone.
Now...
She had loving parents.
An affectionate grandmother.
Big Sister.
Big Brother.
Second Brother.
Second Uncle’s family.
Sometimes she almost forgot that she had transmigrated into a tragic novel.
As for the Crown Prince...
Ever since that brief visit several weeks ago...
He had never appeared again.
Nor had there been any news concerning him.
Gradually...
The anxiety buried deep inside Shen Xuan’s heart began to disappear.
"Maybe..."
"The original plot has already changed."
"Maybe he completely forgot about me."
Thinking of that possibility, Shen Xuan secretly became happier every day.
"Wonderful."
"Very wonderful."
"Looks like this salted fish can continue lying flat peacefully."
...
Today was the final day of the year.
The capital would celebrate with its grandest Lantern Festival after sunset.
For days, Shen Xuan had begged her parents to let her see the festivities with her own eyes.
After much persuasion...
Shen Ruiwen finally relented.
Of course...
There was one condition.
She had to be accompanied by her elder siblings and several hidden guards.
The little girl naturally agreed without hesitation.
Compared to staying inside the residence...
Anything was better.
After breakfast, the three Shen siblings gathered at the front courtyard.
Shen Zhiqian, the eldest young master of the Shen family, stood tall despite being only fifteen years old.
Dressed in a pale blue scholar’s robe, he carried himself with quiet elegance remarkably similar to their father.
Gifted from childhood, he had already passed the provincial examinations on his first attempt.
Many officials privately praised him as another Shen Ruiwen in the making.
Standing beside him was thirteen-year-old Shen Ziheng.
Unlike his elder brother, Shen Ziheng wore a dark blue riding robe with narrow sleeves.
His movements were energetic, his smile bright and carefree.
Having trained under their maternal grandfather, Grand Protector Gu Zhengyuan, his martial arts far surpassed those of ordinary youths.
If Shen Zhiqian embodied refined scholarship...
Then Shen Ziheng embodied youthful vigor.
Finally came Shen Yuerou.
At eleven years old, she already possessed the graceful bearing of a noble young lady.
She excelled in calligraphy.
Painting.
Chess.
Embroidery.
The guqin.
Even her cooking had earned Old Madam Shen’s endless praise.
Though she had not yet reached her coming-of-age ceremony, everyone believed she would one day become one of the capital’s most accomplished young ladies.
And then...
There was Shen Xuan.
The family’s youngest treasure.
Wrapped snugly in a white rabbit-fur cloak, she looked like a tiny snow dumpling.
The moment the carriage stopped outside the bustling eastern market...
Her eyes sparkled.
"So many people..."
Without waiting for anyone else, Shen Xuan excitedly hopped off the carriage.
"Awu!"
Shen Zhiqian called helplessly.
"Walk slowly."
"Don’t run."
But how could a five-year-old child listen?
The lively streets stretched endlessly before her.
Rows of colorful lanterns hung from every shop.
Street performers breathed fire while children clapped excitedly.
Merchants loudly advertised their goods.
The sweet aroma of roasted chestnuts mixed with candied hawthorn and freshly steamed buns drifted through the cold air.
Elegant ladies admired silk.
Young masters browsed antique fans.
Acrobats balanced atop tall poles while musicians played joyful melodies nearby.
It was unlike anything Shen Xuan had ever seen.
Her little mouth opened in amazement.
"So beautiful..."
"So lively..."
"This is incredible..."
Her bright eyes darted from one stall to another.
She wanted to see everything.
Buy everything.
Eat everything.
Shen Ziheng quickly caught up to her.
Seeing his little sister staring longingly at a vendor selling candied hawthorn, he smiled.
"Wait here."
Before Shen Xuan could ask where he was going, he had already disappeared into the crowd.
A few moments later...
He returned holding a bright red stick of candied hawthorn.
The glossy fruits glistened beneath the winter sunlight.
"Here."
He crouched down before handing it to her.
Shen Xuan’s eyes lit up.
"For me?"
"Who else?"
Shen Ziheng laughed while lightly flicking her forehead.
"Our little Awu has wanted this since she got off the carriage."
Shen Xuan happily accepted it with both hands.
"Thank you, Second Brother!"
Her sweet smile instantly melted his heart.
"Our little sister is truly the cutest in the world."
Just as the siblings continued walking...
A loud commotion suddenly erupted nearby.
"Make way!"
"Quickly!"
"The dragon dance is coming!"
A massive crowd surged toward the main street.
People rushed forward excitedly.
Children laughed.
Adults squeezed closer to watch.
Within moments...
The orderly street became chaotic.
The force of the crowd pushed Shen Xuan several steps away from her brothers.
The candied hawthorn slipped from her tiny fingers.
"...Ah!"
It fell onto the stone pavement.
Before she could pick it up, countless feet stepped over it.
Shen Xuan froze.
She hurriedly looked around.
"Big Brother?"
"Second Brother?"
No answer.
The sea of people blocked her vision completely.
She could no longer see their familiar figures.
Her little heart skipped a beat.
"...Big Brother!"
"...Second Brother!"
She stood on her tiptoes, anxiously searching the endless crowd.
Nothing.
They had disappeared.
Shen Xuan swallowed nervously.
"This..."
"This shouldn’t happen, right?"
"The hidden guards should still be nearby..."
Then another terrifying thought surfaced.
Her expression gradually stiffened.
"Wait..."
"I’m a five-year-old daughter from an extremely powerful family..."
"Separated from everyone..."
"In ancient China..."
"Isn’t this exactly how every kidnapping plot begins?"
Her imagination immediately ran wild.
"Oh no..."
"What if I get kidnapped by human traffickers?"
"Then Father and Mother spend years searching for me..."
"Twelve years later they finally find me..."
"But another girl has already taken my place..."
"Wait..."
"Wasn’t that the plot of at least three novels I read in my previous life?"
"No, no..."
"Calm down, Shen Xuan."
"Real life isn’t a novel."
She took one deep breath.
Then another.
Just as she was beginning to calm herself...
A shadow quietly stopped behind her.
A gentle male voice spoke above her head.
"Little sister..."
"Are you looking for someone?"
Shen Xuan’s entire body froze.