On the imperial street south of Xuande Tower, ornate lantern structures stood at intervals, with the most eye-catching one right in front of Xuande Tower.
This lantern tower, known as Ao Mountain, featured two massive pillars over 200 feet tall. Giant dragons coiled around them, each holding a bright lantern in its mouth. When hundreds of thousands of colorful lanterns lit up together, the dazzling display of brocade and luminescence captivated all who beheld it.
Princess Fuqing gazed at the lanterns in the dragons’ mouths, entranced.
Though she had seen this grand spectacle of twin dragons bearing lights last year, viewing it again today still stirred her heart. How wonderful it was to witness such beauty in the world, she thought as she looked into the distance.
The imperial street bustled with songs, dances, and laughter – truly a magnificent scene of prosperity. Princess Fuqing felt somewhat regretful. As a princess, it was but a wishful dream to casually stroll the Lantern Festival holding a flower lantern like ordinary girls. However, she quickly suppressed these regrets. It was precisely because of her status as a princess that she could enjoy the view from atop Xuande Tower, free from life’s worries. To desire more would be ungrateful.
Meanwhile, below the tower, others were also admiring the wondrous sight of the twin dragons.
“It’s so lively today. It’s a pity Ahuan is too young to bring along,” Jiang Si remarked with regret as she walked along the brilliantly lit street.
With so many maids, servants, and nannies available, bringing Ahuan out to enjoy the lanterns wouldn’t have been a problem. However, Jiang Si worried that something might happen at Xuande Tower tonight, potentially causing chaos. For safety’s sake, she had left her daughter at home.
Recalling Ahuan’s pitiful expression when they left, Jiang Si felt increasingly uneasy.
Yu Jin, holding Jiang Si’s hand, didn’t share her concerns: “We rarely get to go out together, so let’s not think about our daughter now.”
By next year, Ahuan would be running around. Then, it wouldn’t be so easy for the two of them to slip away for an outing like this. They should cherish this opportunity.
As the couple strolled hand in hand through the sea of lanterns, sudden cheers erupted, causing them to stop and look up.
Fireworks burst into the sky, one after another, quickly filling most of the heavens.
Countless people, including those atop Xuande Tower, raised their heads to watch the pyrotechnic display.
Emperor Jingming, supporting the Empress Dowager, smiled and asked, “Mother, how do you find the fireworks here?”
The Empress Dowager replied with a smile, “They’re beautiful, of course. It’s been many years since I’ve seen them.”
“Then Mother should come to watch every year from now on. My Empress and I will accompany you,” Emperor Jingming said, pleased to see the Empress Dowager’s enjoyment.
The Empress, who had been keeping an eye on Princess Fuqing, quickly agreed when Emperor Jingming mentioned her.
“With your filial thoughts, everything looks good to me,” the Empress Dowager said, her features growing even more benevolent in the lantern light.
“I’m glad you enjoy it.”
As Emperor Jingming chatted with the Empress Dowager, the Empress instinctively searched for Princess Fuqing. Suddenly, her expression changed.
Princess Fuqing, who had been admiring the lanterns nearby just moments ago, had vanished.
The Empress hurriedly scanned the surroundings.
Just then, a young girl’s scream pierced the air, followed by a loud thud.
“Someone fell from the tower!”
The street erupted into chaos, with screams rising from all directions.
No one paid attention to the fireworks anymore as people surged towards Xuande Tower like a tidal wave.
“What happened?” Yu Jin, who had been pausing with Jiang Si before a man-sized jade rabbit lantern, looked sharply toward Xuande Tower as the commotion broke out.
Jiang Si was somewhat surprised, yet also felt a sense of relief.
Given how attentive the Empress was to Princess Fuqing, Jiang Si believed that with her warning, the Princess should be safe. Better for something to happen now than later – if nothing occurred during this year’s Lantern Festival, she couldn’t wait until next year to warn the palace under the pretext of another dream.
“It seems something happened at Xuande Tower. Should we go take a look?” Jiang Si suggested.
Yu Jin nodded, “Let’s go see.”
By now, Xuande Tower had descended into chaos.
Upon hearing the young woman’s scream, the Empress’s face drained of color. She darted towards the source of the sound.
“Empress!” Emperor Jingming called out, instinctively grabbing her sleeve.
The Empress, consumed with worry for her daughter’s safety, yanked her sleeve free with such force that she nearly toppled the Emperor.
Pan Hai quickly steadied Emperor Jingming.
The Emperor regained his balance, momentarily embarrassed, but quickly composed himself and addressed the Empress Dowager, “Mother, please stay here. I’ll go see what happened.”
“Be careful, Your Majesty,” the Empress Dowager cautioned, watching Emperor Jingming’s retreating figure with deep, pensive eyes.
When the Empress reached the scene, the sight before her allowed her racing heart to finally settle.
Princess Fuqing was being held tightly by the Fourteenth Princess. Both were pale as sheets, while nearby palace maids were peering over the balustrade.
“What happened here?” the Empress asked, striding over.
Princess Fuqing, tears in her eyes, bit her lip and said, “Mother, Qingdai fell…”
Noting Princess Fuqing’s distressed state, the Empress looked questioningly at the Fourteenth Princess.
The Fourteenth Princess, though not much better off than Fuqing and still trembling, didn’t forget to curtsy to the Empress. “Mother, just now… Qingdai suddenly tried to push Thirteenth Sister. Fortunately, a palace maid pushed her away…”
Recalling the incident, the Fourteenth Princess shuddered. She had faithfully followed the Empress’s instructions, staying close to her Thirteenth Sister. When the fireworks started, Thirteenth Sister had suggested coming to this spot for a better view, bringing her along. Who could have imagined that Qingdai, a palace maid, would try to harm Thirteenth Sister?
Qingdai was Princess Fuqing’s maid. Who could have foreseen she would harm her mistress?
The incident was so unexpected that even though the Fourteenth Princess had been right beside Princess Fuqing, she hadn’t reacted in time. Thankfully, a nearby palace maid had rushed over to push Qingdai away, averting a dire outcome.
The Empress felt a similar shock.
While she had instructed the Fourteenth Princess, she knew she couldn’t entrust her daughter’s safety entirely to a young girl. The palace maid who had pushed Qingdai away was one of her arrangements, skilled in martial arts.
She had advised the Fourteenth Princess as a precaution, worried that with the Empress Dowager present, her arranged maid might not be able to approach freely in case of an emergency.
But the Empress never imagined that the threat to Princess Fuqing would come from Qingdai, her maid.
“How did that wretched servant fall?” the Empress demanded sternly.
Princess Fuqing, now more composed, replied, “She jumped down herself.”
The Empress was taken aback.
The Fourteenth Princess added, “Yes, after being pushed away by the palace maid, she leaped over the edge. We couldn’t react in time—”
As the Empress was about to inquire further, Emperor Jingming’s low voice interrupted, “We’ll discuss this back at the palace.”
Below Xuande Tower, the crowd that had rushed over didn’t dare approach too closely. The fallen woman was quickly dragged away by guards.
Yu Jin and Jiang Si arrived, as did Prince Qi and others.
The guards, recognizing the princes and their consorts, naturally didn’t obstruct them.
At this moment, Emperor Jingming descended from the tower. Glancing at his sons who had come to see the commotion, he immediately felt his anger rise.