Seeing her expression, Yin Gezhi couldn’t help but reflect – had his expression been too fierce and frightened her? He had merely wanted to praise her earlier cleverness in using Zhou Zhenshan’s matter to trap Cold Yan, but before he could even give the compliment, she was already crying.

Looking down at the flickering lantern, Yin Gezhi slowly said, “Let’s go buy you a new one. That one’s broken.”

Huh? Fengyue could hardly believe her ears as she looked up at the man before her.

Had the sun risen from the west today? How could this man speak to her so gently?

Before she could react, he had taken her hand. Unlike Cold Yan’s rough grip on her wrist earlier, the First Prince’s way of holding a lady’s hand was tremendously comforting. He tossed her damaged lantern into the river and led her towards the bridge.

Summer was approaching. Young ladies in thin gauze dresses were spreading their fragrance on the bridge, originally surrounded by scholarly young men making them blush. But when Yin Gezhi appeared, these shy maidens suddenly found their strength, pushing aside the bothersome onlookers to gather around him instead.

“What a magnificently heroic young master! I wonder if he’s married?”

“This gentleman truly has jade-like qualities and golden features, unlike other common folk.”

“Young master? Young master?”

Surrounded by what seemed like eight hundred squawking ducks, Yin Gezhi lacked patience. He pulled his “wife” from behind straight to his front and pointed at her.

Quick to react, Fengyue wrapped her arms around his neck and planted a kiss on his chin, then looked triumphantly at the surrounding ladies with an attitude that practically screamed “Come fight me if you want to steal my man!”

Sighs of regret arose as the ladies stepped back. After casting fearful glances at this tigress, they finally cleared a path for Yin Gezhi.

“Your Highness is truly popular with the ladies,” Fengyue couldn’t help but comment. “Even if you were born to common folk, with that face, you’d probably still make it to the imperial court.”

Giving her a sideways glance, Yin Gezhi replied, “Thank you for the compliment.”

Not even a hint of modesty! Fengyue shook her head. Just as she was about to ask if he thought his face was as big as the moon in the sky, she noticed another group of ladies gathering in a circle at the other end of the bridge.

“Young master, may I know your surname?”

“Young master, you’re so handsome! Are you married? Even if you are, would you consider taking a concubine?”

These familiar pickup lines made Fengyue’s ears perk up, and she instinctively stood on tiptoe to look.

At the bridge’s end, Ye Yuqin was protecting Yi Zhangzhu, smiling elegantly: “This humble one is unmarried, but I have a beauty by my side. Excuse us.”

His smile caused the ladies to squeal in delight, instantly making the lantern festival more lively. Fengyue couldn’t help but sigh, elbowing the man beside her: “See? Isn’t a gentleman more appealing to women?”

Looking at her, Yin Gezhi asked, “You prefer gentlemen?”

“It doesn’t matter what this servant likes. Just look at Miss Yi’s expression,” Fengyue said. “In front of you, she always looks grieved and unhappy, but see how happily she smiles beside His Highness the Crown Prince?”

“Is that so?” With an expressionless grunt, Yin Gezhi strode toward them.

Yi Zhangzhu was still smiling when she caught sight of Yin Gezhi, immediately frowning as she called out, “Brother Yin? Why are you here?”

Yin Gezhi remained silent, looking back at the bridge.

Yi Zhangzhu followed his gaze to see Fengyue smiling at her like a blooming flower: “Miss Yi, what a coincidence.”

Her expression changed slightly as Yi Zhangzhu spoke unhappily to Yin Gezhi: “Brother Yin if you wanted to see the lantern festival, wouldn’t it be better to join us? Why did you bring her along?”

Yin Gezhi looked up, bowed to Ye Yuqin, and then said, “With His Highness here, I shall take my leave.”

“Wait!” Quickly grabbing his arm, Yi Zhangzhu bit her lip, glanced at Ye Yuqin, and whispered, “Even Brother Crown Prince knows to accompany me, why don’t you? There are still many interesting things ahead, are you leaving?”

The surrounding crowd was envious – they’d only seen two handsome men all evening, and both belonged to this lady.

Ye Yuqin showed slight displeasure, though his face still wore a smile. Fengyue could tell that Yi Zhangzhu’s behavior disrespected him. But he was used to smiling, and those lacking wisdom might truly believe he had a good temper and was tolerant.

The unwise Miss Yi continued trying to keep Yin Gezhi in front of him: “Brother Crown Prince must be tired from walking. For the remaining sights, won’t you accompany me instead?”

Yin Gezhi glanced back at Fengyue, his eyes carrying a hint of showing off.

Prefer gentle men, huh?

How childish! Fengyue ground her teeth while maintaining an admiring expression, thinking that First Prince Yin must have been addled by too many battles. Why argue with her over such a small matter? So what if she thought women should prefer gentlemen?

Ye Yuqin waved his fan, smiling somewhat desolately. Fengyue thought since they were both in the same boat, why not enjoy the lantern festival together?

So watching Yin Gezhi leave with Yi Zhangzhu, she bounced over to Ye Yuqin’s side with a sweet smile: “Young master, would you like to buy some lanterns?”

Looking at her, Ye Yuqin asked, “Do you sell lanterns?”

“No.” Pointing to the lantern shop nearby, Fengyue said, “This servant was thinking, if you’re buying lanterns, perhaps you could buy one extra for me?”

Unable to hold back his laughter, Ye Yuqin said, “You are… Aren’t these lanterns supposed to be given by men to women of their own accord? Who asks for them directly?”

Blinking, Fengyue pointed at herself.

Who asks directly? I do!

The gloom in his eyes instantly dispersed as Ye Yuqin smiled brilliantly, leading her toward the lantern shop while saying, “You are a treasure.”

“You flatter me.”

Yi Zhangzhu was just asking Yin Gezhi why he kept associating with that courtesan when she turned her head and nearly choked with anger: “Brother Crown Prince!”

The surroundings were too noisy for her voice to carry, only causing Yin Gezhi beside her to look back, his gaze cold.

“Brother Yin, what’s wrong with all of you!” Yi Zhangzhu grew annoyed, stamping her foot: “When did your judgment become so poor? Miss Fengyue may be pretty, but she has no real abilities, just like a decorative vase. What do you all like about her? Why keep protecting and accompanying her?”

Withdrawing his gaze, Yin Gezhi looked at Yi Zhangzhu, then turned to say: “For a woman, being beautiful is also a kind of ability.”

Choked by his words, Yi Zhangzhu’s face flushed red. She looked at him and asked: “Does Brother Yin think Zhu’er is not as beautiful as Miss Fengyue?”

“I didn’t say that.”

“Then what do you mean?” Her eyes reddening, Yi Zhangzhu said: “Isn’t that exactly what those words imply? Are you accusing Zhu’er of being narrow-minded, unable to accept someone more beautiful than her?”

Yin Gezhi: “…”

He had truly only stated a fact, why did it need to be interpreted in so many ways?

Somewhat headaches, he continued walking forward, looking at the lanterns around them without speaking further.

When a woman’s temper flares, staying silent is a grave offense! Yi Zhangzhu stood in place, watching his retreating figure, and burst into tears: “You don’t care about me at all!”

The surrounding crowd turned to look, and Yin Gezhi stopped, turning back to face her with visible frustration: “How should I show care?”

Looking up at where Ye Yuqin and Fengyue were, she saw him giving Fengyue a lantern, while Fengyue smiled sweetly and curtsied to him after accepting it.

Why could they be so romantic while she and Yin Gezhi couldn’t?

Pursing her lips, Yi Zhangzhu said with red eyes: “Look, Brother Crown Prince gave Fengyue a lantern.”

Not even bothering to turn his head, Yin Gezhi replied flatly: “Mm.”

Mm?! And then what? Shouldn’t he give her one too? Just a simple “mm” and that’s it? Yi Zhangzhu glared at him and pointed to the side: “There’s a lantern shop over there. Why don’t we go look?”

Following her gesture, Yin Gezhi said: “Too crowded. If you want to buy one, go ahead. I’ll wait here.”

Yi Zhangzhu: “…”

By the bridge, Ye Yuqin was just complimenting Fengyue with “Your face and the lantern’s glow complement each other beautifully” when Yi Zhangzhu’s tearful voice rang out from behind: “Brother Crown Prince, I don’t want to walk with him anymore!”

Fengyue looked up to see Miss Yi crying like a rain-soaked pear blossom, saying most pitifully: “Let’s go!”

Ye Yuqin raised an eyebrow, glancing at the distant Yin Gezhi standing with his hands behind his back. He couldn’t help whispering to Fengyue: “How is His Highness Yin so formidable? It’s rare to see Zhu’er this angry.”

Fengyue hid her face behind the lantern, whispering back: “In this servant’s opinion, though His Highness Yin isn’t gentle, his attitude toward Miss Yi isn’t bad at all. So, she’s probably just worked herself up into anger.”

Yi Zhangzhu was still fuming when she saw the two whispering, unable to hear what they were saying. This made her even angrier, and after glancing at the Crown Prince, she stomped her foot and said: “Fine! There’s nothing worth seeing here anyway. I’m going back by myself!”

“Zhu’er!” Knowing how difficult the young lady could be when angry, Ye Yuqin quickly stopped her, apologizing with clasped hands: “I was wrong. If you want to continue looking around, let’s do that. I’ll accompany you.”

Yi Zhangzhu was still feeling wronged. She looked at him, then at the lantern shop behind them.

Ye Yuqin understood women far better than Yin Gezhi did, immediately having someone buy another lantern and handing it to her: “Shall we go?”

Her anger subsided somewhat. Yi Zhangzhu pressed her lips together, looked at Fengyue beside them, and wiped her tears: “I’m sorry, you should go back to accompanying Brother Yin. I’ll go ahead with Brother Crown Prince.”

Having status was nice – she could switch between two princes without considering others’ feelings!

Fortunately, Fengyue didn’t have any particular feelings about it. Seeing her leave with the Crown Prince, she just held her lantern and waited for Yin Gezhi to come over.

Yin Gezhi strolled over, looked at the lantern in her hands, and said: “Looks quite nice.”

“Huh?” Blinking, she carefully considered the sarcasm hidden under his calm tone and immediately handed her lantern to a passing child, then smiled up at Yin Gezhi: “This one isn’t very pretty. Young master, won’t you buy another one for this servant?”