A Precious Pearl in the Imperial City

Taking advantage of the others' momentary daze, Jiuzhu lifted the hem of her skirt and walked to Lady Shen's side: "Mother, let's go."

"Stay composed, don't panic." Lady Shen smiled. "In the future, when you encounter people you don’t wish to speak with, simply maintain a gentle smile and lower your eyelids slightly. They’ll take the hint and leave on their own."

Jiuzhu chuckled softly. "Wouldn’t that seem too arrogant?"

"No, this isn’t arrogance—it’s the dignity of those in high standing." Lady Shen glanced at the people who had just surrounded Jiuzhu. "Truly clever individuals wouldn’t resort to such foolish methods to flatter you."

Jiuzhu sighed. "Let things take their course. People in the capital live such difficult lives."

Lady Shen laughed. "I forgot—Daoism teaches us to follow the natural flow of things and act freely from the heart. Your temperament carries a touch of that Daoist carefreeness."

She patted her daughter’s arm, expertly masking the worry in her heart.

But after marrying into the imperial family, would Empress Su and Prince Chen allow Jiuzhu to remain this way?

"County Mistress Ming’s temperament… once she marries into the imperial family…" Princess Huai walked side by side with Sun Caiyao, having witnessed Jiuzhu being fawned over before hastily departing. Her tone carried a hint of melancholy. "No matter how innocent a young girl is, once she enters the imperial household, she becomes a vine twining around a tree."

Realizing her words might have been inappropriate, Princess Huai smiled at Sun Caiyao. "Just a lighthearted remark—don’t take it seriously, sister-in-law. My mother-in-law isn’t feeling well, so I’ll escort her back to the palace."

Princess Consort An and Princess Consort Jing had also left to attend to their mothers-in-law. Sun Caiyao stood alone in the increasingly empty outer hall, unsure where to go.

"Tonight… is the Lantern Festival, isn’t it?" She touched the phoenix-tail hairpin in her hair and smiled bitterly. Her mother-in-law had passed away less than forty-nine days ago, yet as the son and daughter-in-law, neither she nor her husband could wear mourning clothes. Instead, they had to dress in fine robes and gold hairpins for the coronation ceremony, performing the grand three-kneelings and nine-kowtows to Empress Su.

In previous years, she would have strolled the streets with her father, brothers, and sisters, solving lantern riddles and watching street performances. This year, no one would accompany her.

"Your Highness…" A palace maid looked at her with concern. The princess consort had lost much weight over these days, having barely rested.

"It’s nothing." Sun Caiyao returned to Zhangliu Palace, removed her hairpins and jewelry, and changed into a plain robe. Leaning against the windowsill, she watched the sky darken.

It was so late—where had His Highness gone?

Bright Moon Palace was adorned with red lanterns and silk balls. Even the palace maids and eunuchs wore red sashes around their waists, as if preparing for a wedding.

Emperor ​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​​‍Longfeng watched his distracted son staring at the red lanterns and asked with amusement, "Will the Ming Family’s young lady be going to the lantern festival with her family tonight?"

"It’s her first Lantern Festival in the capital—of course she’ll go." Prince Chen snapped out of his thoughts. "Father, why do you ask?"

"If you want to go, then go." Emperor Longfeng waved a hand. "The girl has had a difficult past. As her betrothed, you shouldn’t miss her first Lantern Festival in the capital."

Prince Chen shifted in his seat but remained. "Father, your son isn’t the type to forget his parents for the sake of a wife. Tonight, I’ll stay with you."

"Really?" Emperor Longfeng raised an eyebrow.

"Really." Prince Chen glanced at the darkened sky and gritted his teeth as he nodded.

The emperor laughed, watching his son—physically present but mentally far away—and kicked him lightly. "Go, go! On such an important day for your mother and me, who needs you here?"

Prince Chen dodged the kick and poured tea for Emperor Longfeng and Empress Su. "You really don’t want me to stay?"

"Liu Zhongbao told me the eldest, second, and third princes have all taken their consorts out to enjoy the festivities." Emperor Longfeng stood and took Empress Su’s hand. "Later, your mother and I will also leave the palace incognito. If you’d rather stay in Bright Moon Palace, I won’t force you—"

"This son won’t disturb Father and Mother any longer. I take my leave." Prince Chen sprang up, ran a few steps, then turned back and held out his hand.

Emperor Longfeng rummaged in his sleeve and tossed him a pouch. "You’re a grown man, yet you still ask your father for money to take your betrothed out?"

"Father, a little more." Prince Chen kept his hand outstretched. "There are two of us spending it."

"Liu Zhongbao." Emperor Longfeng sighed in resignation. "Give him a banknote."

Liu Zhongbao pulled several banknotes from his robe and asked cheerfully, "Your Majesty, which one would you like to give His Highness?"

Prince Chen leaped up and snatched all of them. "Thank you, Father! Thank you, Mother! This son takes his leave!"

Watching the prince’s delighted retreat, Liu Zhongbao bowed with a chuckle. "This old servant failed to protect the silver. I beg Your Majesty’s punishment."

"Enough, enough. You clearly failed on purpose." Emperor Longfeng laughed instead of scolding him. "Let’s go—we’ll see the commoners’ fireworks for ourselves."

By the time Prince Chen, pockets full of silver and accompanied by the Imperial Guards, reached the Ming Family’s residence, he learned they had left half an hour earlier. The servants didn’t know where they had gone for the festivities.

Amid the bustling crowds, Prince Chen’s smile faded. Walking shoulder-to-shoulder through the streets, he found the Lantern Festival dull—nothing but crowds and outdated lantern designs.

Scholars and beauties solved riddles, military officers carried packages for their wives, and food stalls steamed in the cold night air, packed with guests.

"Your Highness," an Imperial Guard whispered. "Shall we return to the palace?"

"No need. This prince will wander a bit." Spotting a stall selling puppy-shaped lanterns, he bought one and carried it.

The musicians’ tunes were lackluster, the acrobats’ tricks transparently clumsy, and even the clown’s act—which had others roaring with laughter—held no appeal.

The candle in his lantern flickered, nearly spent. Prince Chen paused, looking up at the full moon with a scoff before turning to the guard. "Find me a new candle."

"Brother, that lantern is so pretty!" Jiuzhu pointed to one atop a stall. "I want to buy it."

Ming Jiyuan glanced at the four or five lanterns already in his hands and nodded without hesitation. "Buy it."

"Shopkeeper, how much for this lantern?" Jiuzhu approached the stall, pointing at the one on display.

"Young lady, this is our showcase piece—it’s not for sale." The vendor, charmed by her bright demeanor, explained kindly. "You’re welcome to browse our other lanterns."

"It’s not for sale?" Jiuzhu’s shoulders slumped. "Alright."

Seeing her disappointment, Ming Jiyuan quickly consoled her. "Shall we try another stall?"

"Okay." But after searching two or three streets without finding a similar lantern, Jiuzhu plopped onto a roadside stone bench in defeat. "I guess we won’t find one tonight."

"You liked it that much?" Ming Jiyuan bought two masks and handed her one. "Let me see if I can arrange something."

"No need, brother." Jiuzhu shook her head. "Since His Highness couldn’t leave the palace tonight, I just wanted to bring him some beautiful lanterns to see. It’s fine if we can’t get that one."

"All these lanterns… were for Prince Chen?"

"Not quite." Jiuzhu pointed cheerfully at one of the lanterns. "This one is for you, brother. I noticed you sneaking glances at it several times. The others are for Father, Mother, and Sister Chunfen."

"What about yours?" Ming Jiyuan asked with a smile.

Jiuzhu froze. "I... forgot mine."

"You silly girl." Ming Jiyuan chuckled, putting on his mask. "Come on, I’ll take you to pick one—the lantern you like."

Mimicking her brother, Jiuzhu slipped her mask on and skipped after him. "Brother, I saw so many scholars solving lantern riddles earlier. You’re so talented—why didn’t you join them?"

"Solving riddles is a chance for scholars to show off. I’m already an official in court—no need to make things harder for them." Ming Jiyuan glanced back, concerned. "The streets are crowded. Hold onto my sleeve so you don’t get lost."

"Then let’s watch the lantern show!" Jiuzhu tugged at his sleeve. "Look, there’s a huge crowd over there!"

"Alright." Ming Jiyuan balanced several lanterns in one hand while shielding his sister with the other, skillfully weaving through the crowd until they secured the perfect viewing spot.

Behind their masks, he couldn’t see her expression, but he knew she was smiling brightly.

She gasped with the crowd, clapping along, carefree and innocent.

Under the dazzling lights, she removed her mask, her beautiful eyes sparkling with joy.

If he had a choice, he wouldn’t want his sister to marry into the royal family.

Yet here she was, walking street after street just to buy Prince Chen a lantern, ignoring the festive sights around her, even forgetting to taste the sweet yuanxiao.

"Brother?" Jiuzhu noticed his gaze and touched her face in confusion. "What’s wrong?"

"Put your mask back on." Ming Jiyuan adjusted it for her. "The show’s over. How about I take you for some yuanxiao?"

"Okay!" She nodded eagerly, but as they passed rows of lantern stalls, her eyes still searched for the one she truly wanted.

Suddenly, Jiuzhu spotted a figure in the distance—one hand holding a puppy-shaped lantern, the other clutching the very lantern she’d been seeking. She hurried forward. "Excuse me, sir!"

The man stopped and turned sharply, his gaze landing on her masked face. "Ming Little Pig?"

"Your Highness?!" Jiuzhu pulled off her mask. "How did you know it was me?"

"Even if you covered your entire head, I’d recognize you." He glanced at the lanterns in his hands and held them out. "Here. For you."

The candlelight flickered inside the lanterns as Jiuzhu took them. "Both... for me?"

"Who else would I buy them for?" Prince Chen studied her mask. "Where did you get this? I’ll buy one too."

Jiuzhu turned to Ming Jiyuan. "Brother, where did we buy the masks?"

"About a hundred steps ahead, there’s a stall selling them." Ming Jiyuan’s gaze lingered on the puppy lantern in her hands—he remembered her zodiac sign was the dog.

"Ah, Third Young Master Ming is here too." Prince Chen nodded politely. "Are Lord Ming and Lady Shen with you?"

"Your Highness, my parents had other arrangements." Ming Jiyuan glanced at the lantern in Jiuzhu’s grasp and spoke gently, "My sister wanted to buy this lantern for you and searched three whole streets without success. Yet here you are, already holding it. Perhaps this is fate."

"Your Highness, my sister is young and naïve. Please return her to our estate before midnight." Ming Jiyuan smiled faintly. "I’ll take my leave now."

Prince Chen watched his future brother-in-law depart, impressed. No wonder people praised Ming Jiyuan as a refined and courteous gentleman—what a considerate man.

"Brother!" Jiuzhu called after him, eyes brimming with reluctance. "Why are you leaving already?"

"I have matters to attend to." Ming Jiyuan glanced at Prince Chen. "His Highness will keep you company."

One had wandered the streets, determined to find him the perfect lantern.

The other had bought her a puppy lantern, carrying it through the bustling crowds, waiting who knew how long.

How could he bear to play the stern Queen Mother, parting lovers with her hairpin?