Chapter 249: Lantern Festival Romance
On the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, the flower lanterns on Vermilion Bird Street lit up one after another before dusk.
After the snow, the sky cleared, and the flower lanterns formed a continuous stream, appearing like a burning river of stars from afar.
Xue Sui, accompanied by Xiao Zhao and Ru Yi, walked slowly along the blue stone slab road. She wore a plain colored cloak gifted by Tuya over a grey monk’s robe, revealing only half her face. Her slender jawline appeared exceptionally soft in the warm glow of the lanterns.
Xiao Zhao carefully guarded her side, very vigilant.
Ru Yi, on the other hand, was lively and energetic, her eyes sparkling as she gazed at the stalls lining the street.
“Young Lady, look quickly, it’s a rabbit lantern!”
“Young Lady, look quickly! It’s a hydrangea lantern!”
“Young Lady, look quickly! It’s a double fish lantern!”
Xue Sui and Xiao Zhao exchanged a glance and smiled, shaking their heads.
Her days at Shui Yue Nunnery had made this lively and active young lady restless.
“Young Lady, come and see!” Ru Yi suddenly tugged at her sleeve, standing on tiptoe to reach for an octagonal, exquisite lantern hanging down.
“This bamboo strip lantern is so intricately woven, I’ve never seen anything like it before…”
Xiao Zhao stood behind, arms crossed, laughing at her.
“You’re all grown up, and you’re still interested in these childish things.”
Ru Yi puffed out her cheeks indignantly, “I’m picking out pretty lanterns for the Young Lady to put in the monastic room.”
Xue Sui stood at the head of the Nine-Bend Bridge, gazing at the lotus lanterns floating on the river, letting them laugh and play.
“Young Lady, almond curd.” Xiao Zhao pushed through the crowd holding an oiled paper packet, a snowflake still clinging to the tip of her nose.
Xue Sui chuckled upon hearing this, “You, you laugh at Ru Yi for being childish. Look at the sesame seeds on your collar…”
Xiao Zhao stuck out her tongue and lowered her head to wipe her clothes, “Young Lady, aren’t you the same? I still remember that year in the first lunar month, when you snuck out to see the lanterns and came back with sugar candy residue on your skirt hem, only to be caught by the Eldest Young Master. You were even more disheveled than I was…”
Xue Sui recalled Senior Brother Tianshu’s expression as he left and shook her head with a smile.
“I suspect you were sent by Senior Disciple Brother to monitor me.”
“Not at all…” Xiao Zhao placed a piece of sesame candy in her hand, then quickly withdrew it as if burned, “The Eldest Young Master said the Young Lady has weak qi and blood and should eat less sweet and greasy food. Is this crispy pastry not supposed to be eaten… But the vegetarian meals at the nunnery are completely devoid of any oil or flavor. I feel like I’m about to scrape meat from my stomach…”
She narrowed her eyes and swayed the oiled paper packet, her eyes full of slyness.
“Young Lady, let’s go to Misty Rain Tower and have some meat.”
Xue Sui glanced at the bulging contents of Xiao Zhao’s arms and couldn’t help but laugh.
“You and Ru Yi go. I’ll wait for you by the bridge…”
“If the Young Lady doesn’t go, how can we eat with peace of mind?”
“I am a nun…”
“You’re not truly a nun, it’s enough to observe the precepts in the nunnery. Now that you’re out, why be so harsh on yourself…” Xiao Zhao pleaded with her.
Ru Yi also tugged at her sleeve and shook it, her eyes full of entreaty.
“Young Lady, please go, Ru Yi is practically starving to death…”
Xue Sui was pushed and turned to walk forward, chatting and laughing with them. Suddenly, she felt Xiao Zhao beside her hesitate.
“It’s Third Miss Guo and the Crown Prince…” Xiao Zhao whispered to remind her.
Xue Sui looked up abruptly, seeing a young lady approaching with a cheerful smile. Her crimson cloak accentuated her rosy cheeks, like peach blossoms in March.
Beside her was the Crown Prince, Li Zhao, clad in a magnificent Yun Jin brocade cloak, his hair tied with a jade crown. His upright posture was like jade branches reflecting snow, noble and unparalleled.
The Crown Prince was actually accompanying someone to see the lanterns?
She tightened her cloak and turned, intending to retreat into a dark alley.
“Sister Xue!” Third Miss Guo’s sharp eyes spotted her and she called out softly. Then, lifting her skirt hem, she hurried over. The pearl hairpin in her hair shimmered under the lamplight, and her fair face was flushed from running, her eyes curved into smiles.
“It really is you. Yun Rong had intended to visit you at the nunnery in a few days, I didn’t expect to meet you here!”
“Thank you for your concern, Third Miss Guo. This nun is well.”
Xue Sui bowed and, as she looked up, met Li Zhao’s gaze.
He stood with his hands behind his back, his brows slightly furrowed. His eyes, like a cold pool tempered with jade, suddenly froze upon meeting her gaze. He turned his face away, looking at the distant lantern tower, as if they were strangers…
“It’s been a long time, Sister. You’ve become thinner.”
Guo Yunrong examined her from head to toe, wanting to hold her hand.
Since cultivating at Shui Yue Nunnery, she always wore monk’s robes, woke early to chant sutras and attend morning classes. Unconsciously, she had indeed acquired a touch of otherworldly grace, appearing more aloof than when she wore magnificent robes.
“But Sister is still as beautiful… and your aura is even more refined than before.”
Xue Sui smiled.
Guo Yunrong looked at the face, unadorned by cosmetics yet exceptionally beautiful, and felt a pang of envy.
“Is Shui Yue Nunnery so good for one’s complexion? I want to go cultivate with you too…”
Xue Sui shook her head and chuckled, “Simple food and plain living wear down one’s ambition. How could Third Miss Guo endure such hardship…”
After speaking, she added, “Hurry along, don’t keep the Crown Prince waiting too long…”
Guo Yunrong shyly glanced back.
Li Zhao stood about ten paces away, his eyes like ink beneath his dark jade crown. Despite the throngs of people passing by, brushing shoulders, no one could steal his noble aura. He stood alone in the crowd, like a crane among chickens.
Actually, Li Zhao wasn’t accompanying her; he had gone to the palace to pay his respects, and the Empress had insisted he come out under the guise of “experiencing the common folk’s life.” However, upon reaching the entrance of Vermilion Bird Street, the Empress had claimed to feel tired and unwell and returned to the palace early.
However, the Eastern Palace had already performed the betrothal ceremony, and the Six Rites had begun. The two were considered engaged.
Guo Yunrong twisted her handkerchief, forcing herself to remain calm to maintain her composure, and said with a soft smile, lowering her gaze, “The Crown Prince doesn’t usually enjoy such festivities; it was I who pleaded with the Empress for this favor…”
Her cheeks flushed slightly, and her voice lowered.
Xue Sui glanced at the man standing like a stone statue in the lamplight.
“Miss Guo and His Highness are a perfect match, very well-suited.”
Guo Yunrong tugged at her hand again.
“The lantern market is so lively this year, why don’t you join us for a stroll?”
Xue Sui took half a step back and clasped her hands together, “This nun, in her plain robes, would not wish to disturb the pleasant mood of Miss and His Highness.”
“Sister, why are you being so distant…”
Guo Yunrong, completely unaware of the undercurrents between her and Li Zhao, spoke of her happy news with a face full of sweetness.
“The Crown Prince may seem unapproachable, but he is actually very kind to people and very thoughtful. During the royal hunt the other day, His Highness hunted a white fox in the northern park. Its fur was bright white, and I mentioned it would make a nice scarf. He immediately sent someone to deliver it…”
Xue Sui smiled knowingly, “His Highness’s sincerity towards you is truly commendable.”
“Then, when Yun Rong gets married, can Sister come for a wedding toast?”
“Has the wedding date been set?”
Guo Yunrong shook her head, “Not yet, but I sincerely hope Sister can come. If Sister hadn’t helped me that day, how could Yun Rong have worn a wedding dress and married into the Eastern Palace…”
Mid-sentence, she suddenly paused and looked back at Li Zhao.
“Is Sister perhaps a little afraid of the Crown Prince?”
“His Highness is noble, this nun naturally holds him in awe.”
Xue Sui followed her gaze, and in her peripheral vision, she saw Li Zhao lowering his eyes to adjust his sleeve cuff…
Clearly, he was already growing impatient. He had always disliked noise, and now he seemed even more melancholic.
“The riddle guessing stall is about to start! I need to get a good spot. Third Miss Guo, we’ll meet again if there’s a chance. Farewell for now…”
Xue Sui clasped her hands together in a bow and was about to take her leave.
“Then it’s settled. After the new year, I’ll visit you at Shui Yue Nunnery. You’re not allowed to hide from me…”
Guo Yunrong said as she waved, turning back to look at Li Zhao as she walked away.
Li Zhao remained standing silently, not uttering a single word throughout.
“Young Lady?” Xiao Zhao held Xue Sui’s arm, “Why are your hands so cold?”
“It’s nothing, perhaps the wind is strong.”
“Then… are we really going to guess riddles?”
“Let’s go. The lantern tower stages over there are already crowded.” Xue Sui took a deep breath and smiled slightly, “I heard there are glazed pottery lanterns from Persia this year, so transparent they can reflect one’s image. Wouldn’t it be a pity not to see them?”
In the center of Vermilion Bird Street, a three-zhang-high lantern tower was erected, with hundreds of revolving lanterns displaying various patterns.
Xue Sui followed Xiao Zhao and Ru Yi, squeezing through the crowd…
The city’s lights were like stars falling, and the long street resembled a winding Milky Way.
Li Zhao stood with his hands behind his back on the railing of the elevated flying bridge, watching Xue Sui’s receding figure…
Guo Yunrong looked up at him.
“Your Highness, why are you always so indifferent to Sister Xue? She is a very good person, just a bit reserved in personality, making her seem unapproachable…”
Li Zhao’s brows twitched, and a hint of obscurity flashed in his eyes.
“Third Miss Guo, I have something to tell you today.”
Guo Yunrong felt a sense of unease and looked at him with confusion.
“Your Highness, please speak…”
Li Zhao: “I cannot marry you.”
Guo Yunrong’s pupils contracted, her face turned pale, and her lips trembled slightly.
“Why…”
Li Zhao said, “The war in the Western Frontier is critical. Ashina is personally leading a hundred thousand troops to invade our borders. General Lu has sent an urgent dispatch requesting reinforcements. I wish to request an imperial decree to go to Chishui Pass to oversee the troops in battle. This journey will take at least one to two years, possibly three to five years. My life will be uncertain, and my return date unknown. I ask that you find another suitable match and not waste your time…”
Guo Yunrong’s eyes turned red, and she bit her lower lip, shaking her head.
“Yun Rong will wait for Your Highness to return…”
“No need!” Li Zhao raised his eyes to look at the sky full of lanterns, his handsome face as cold as frost, “The engagement with Miss was a temporary measure. The marriage contract has been burned and is void. I will report to Imperial Father and Imperial Mother to dissolve the engagement between our two families.”
Tears streamed down Guo Yunrong’s face, falling in large drops.
“Your Highness says to break it off, and I am to face the world’s judgment…”
“I apologize!” Li Zhao clasped his hands and bowed deeply to her, “Regarding the annulment of the engagement, I will explain to the public that it was due to the Eastern Palace’s lack of virtue, and I will handle it properly to preserve the Duke of Zheng’s mansion’s reputation and not harm Miss’s honor.”
After speaking, he turned, his wide sleeves stirring up a gust of cold wind.
The scattered lamplight flowed over the railing of the flying bridge, stretching his figure into a lonely and slender silhouette…
Guo Yunrong trembled uncontrollably, tears soaking through her clothes.
“Your Highness…”
Seeing him walking further away, she steeled herself, mustered her courage, ran forward, and grabbed his sleeve.
“Does Your Highness detest me this much? Is there someone else in your heart? Or have I done something wrong to displease Your Highness? I am not understanding enough, clumsy, and too impatient… I can change. I can change all of this. I will be careful with my words and actions from now on, learn to be a virtuous and gentle woman, and be considerate of Your Highness’s feelings… Can you, can you give me another chance…”
Li Zhao’s body stiffened slightly, and his fingers behind his back curled slightly.
How ridiculous.
He saw his own reflection in Guo Yunrong’s face.
The words he had swallowed a thousand times in his heart, yet could not speak, spilled from this young lady’s mouth, helping him say them word for word, piercing his lungs like needles.
He closed his eyes and brushed away Guo Yunrong’s hand.
“You are very good, but you are not the one I want. Forcing two people together will only lead to pain. Why mislead yourself and others?”
Guo Yunrong looked up at him, tears pouring down like rain.
“Your Highness…”
Before her choked sob could subside, a ghostly blue flame suddenly erupted from the lantern tower not far away. The lanterns hanging high above suddenly exploded, and sparks splashed into the crowd, igniting small fires on sleeves…
Screams erupted one after another.
The broken bamboo frame collapsed with a loud crash, filling the air with a pungent smell of burning.
Amidst the billowing smoke, someone shouted.
“The Persian glazed lantern exploded! Someone deliberately filled it with saltpeter, they’re killing people…”
“Help us—”
Li Zhao’s expression changed. He suddenly pushed past Guo Yunrong and ran quickly towards the lantern tower, his dark eyes filled with undisguised panic…
The sound of clappers in the distance shattered the night sky.
The firelight reddened half the sky, and the crowd scattered like headless flies.
It was chaos.
Li Zhao, ignoring the burns on the back of his hand from the sparks, pushed through the crowd and entered. He saw a string of prayer beads lying on the ground, bent down to pick them up, and a flicker of pain flashed in his eyes.
“Xue Liu!”
No one responded.
No one stopped.
Amidst the jostling crowd, he pushed aside several panicked pedestrians, his gaze searching frantically.
Faces, all unfamiliar, were filled with fear and confusion.
Xue Sui was not here…
She was not here…
Li Zhao, oblivious to the scorch marks on his robes, stood there like a clay statue, lost and dejected.
“Crown Prince!”
Several guards surrounded him to protect him. Li Zhao slowly turned his head.
He saw Xue Sui standing at the entrance of a nearby alley, holding a wounded little girl. Her cloak was dusted with ash, and she met his gaze across the crowd.
Her back was straight, her expression distant, like ink bamboo after frost.
A sudden night breeze swept through the lantern market, blowing open the hood of her cloak…
Li Zhao saw her smooth, fair scalp, his throat bobbed slightly, and just as he was about to step forward, Guo Yunrong pushed through the crowd and rushed towards him, crying.
“Is Your Highness hurt…”
Li Zhao frowned and avoided her touch, his gaze still fixed on the direction Xue Sui had left. He subtly slipped the prayer beads into his sleeve.
“I’m fine.”
Guo Yunrong looked at the turbulent ferocity in his eyes, completely different from how he had appeared on the flying bridge earlier.
There was a light in his eyes, like a burning flame, but it was not for her.
“Your Highness,” Guo Yunrong’s heart suddenly ached as if cut by a knife, and she almost urgently promised, “I have thought carefully about what I said. Yun Rong will wait for you to return, no matter how many years…”
“My decision is made!” Li Zhao flicked his sleeve and turned, seeing the guards approaching.
Guo Yunrong stood frozen, her fingertips gripping her handkerchief until they turned white.
Every year during the lantern festival, the authorities would deploy patrols and conscript yamen runners to maintain order. Such an incident occurring at the lantern market was highly unusual. The Five City Military and Horse Department quickly arrived, and the fire was gradually brought under control.
Guan Ya looked around and quickly approached Li Zhao, cupping his hands.
“Reporting to Your Highness…”
He glanced at Guo Yunrong beside Li Zhao and did not continue.
Guo Yunrong, knowing when to withdraw, wiped her tears and gracefully curtsied.
“Yun Rong will take her leave now. Your Highness, please take care.”
Li Zhao nodded, lowered his eyes to conceal his sharpness, and walked with Guan Ya to a dark corner of the street.
“How is the investigation?”
Guan Ya cupped his hands, “Reporting to Your Highness, the arsonist cut the lantern ropes and used phosphorus powder to ignite the fire. A curved saber belonging to a Xizi Wolf Guard was found under the lantern frame. Yuan Cang has already led men to pursue the blood trail, and we should have a response tonight.”
Two in one, see you tomorrow!
Li Zhao: Can we have some alone time tomorrow?
Xue Sui: …That’s too much.
