The young county princess explained apologetically, “Princess Yian usually invites County Princess Ronghua from Prince Ning’s mansion to view the lanterns together every year, but for some reason this year, she suddenly summoned me.”

On the day of the Lantern Festival, ruler and subjects celebrated together. The Emperor would bring high-ranking consorts, the Crown Prince, princesses, and other members of the imperial family to ascend Xuande Tower to view the lanterns.

Emperor Tai’an’s offspring were few. Apart from the Crown Prince and Prince Wei, he only had one young princess who was not yet ten years old. The “Princess Yian” that Qi Qiong mentioned was the granddaughter of the Empress Dowager’s younger brother. After that incident ten years ago, when the Empress Dowager was in low spirits, she had brought her then six-year-old grand-niece, Miss Kou, into the palace to keep her company, and this arrangement had continued until now.

Emperor Tai’an was a filial son. To make the Empress Dowager happy, he had enfeoffed Miss Kou as Princess Yian.

Although Princess Yian was not an imperial daughter, she had the Empress Dowager’s favor. Even Noble Consort Zhuang and Consort Jing had to be courteous to her, let alone the county princesses from various princely mansions.

Qi Qiong was also puzzled in her heart.

Princess Yian had always been inseparable from County Princess Ronghua. Why would she suddenly call her to view the lanterns during the Lantern Festival?

Lin Hao naturally wouldn’t take issue with the young county princess’s cancellation. “Then the county princess should enjoy herself with the princess. When the time comes, you’ll be above Xuande Tower and we’ll be below it—it’s actually the same.”

Qi Qiong keenly caught the key word. “We? Who are you viewing the lanterns with, Ah Hao?”

Lin Hao smiled. “I also received an invitation from Miss Chen. I was going to ask if the county princess could join us.”

Qi Qiong sighed upon hearing this. “Miss Chen is also an interesting person. What a pity I can’t go with you all.”

Lin Hao had only seen Princess Yian a few times and had never even spoken with her, so she didn’t know much about this princess. But judging from Qi Qiong’s reaction, she was probably not the easiest person to get along with.

“It’s fine. We’ll make plans together next year.”

“Next year is still so far away.” Qi Qiong then smiled. “Fortunately, when the weather warms up, we can still go on spring outings together. Oh, last year’s lantern mountain riddle competition was particularly interesting. This year I won’t be able to see it from Xuande Tower, but you all can go watch.”

After hearing both Qi Shuo and Qi Qiong mention it, Lin Hao felt somewhat anticipatory.

On the day of the Lantern Festival, the weather was clear and fine. The area of the imperial avenue where commoners were permitted had long been packed with people, countless individuals waiting for nightfall when the Emperor would ascend the tower to view the lanterns, able to glimpse the imperial countenance from afar.

Lin Hao made plans with Chen Yi, Zhu Jiayu, and Tao Qing—the four of them would have tea, then walk leisurely toward the imperial avenue as darkness approached.

Ten thousand lanterns along both sides of the street had already been lit, draping those within in flowing, iridescent splendor. Everywhere the eye looked was prosperous brilliance.

“Look at that jade rabbit lantern!” Zhu Jiayu excitedly pointed at one spot. “Have you all noticed? That jade rabbit’s red eyes move!”

Chen Yi helplessly patted her shoulder. “Ah Yu, calm down a bit. We also saw a rabbit lantern with moving eyes at last year’s Lantern Festival.”

“Did we?” Zhu Jiayu seemed somewhat confused.

Tao Qing nodded. “Yes, except this year’s jade rabbit is lying down, while last year’s lantern showed it in a jumping pose.”

Zhu Jiayu smiled sheepishly. “It changed appearance, so I forgot. Ah, look there, look there!”

Amid their companion’s continuous exclamations, the four squeezed through the shoulder-to-shoulder crowd, holding hands as they walked inward.

Suddenly the crowd ahead erupted in waves of cheers, followed immediately by shouts of “Long live the Emperor!” One could dimly see figures moving about in Xuande Tower—the Emperor had ascended.

The cries of “Long live” were like ocean waves, each higher than the last. This earth-shaking cheering continued for a while before people’s attention finally returned to viewing the lanterns.

Lin Hao quietly breathed a sigh of relief.

Having not gone out during the Lantern Festival for two years, she had forgotten just how shocking this liveliness was.

She gazed toward Xuande Tower, her lips pressed together slightly.

That dog Crown Prince should also be up there right now.

With the truth revealed through rumors, the Crown Prince’s foundation couldn’t be completely shaken yet. To make that dog Crown Prince receive his due punishment truly couldn’t be rushed.

“Ah Hao, why are you still standing there in a daze? The lantern mountain riddle competition has started over there. Let’s hurry over.” Seeing Lin Hao motionless, Zhu Jiayu tugged at her.

Chen Yi smiled. “Ah Hao, are you thinking about the young county princess?”

Lin Hao casually acknowledged this.

Zhu Jiayu at her side laughed. “Being above Xuande Tower isn’t as free as being on the street. The young county princess might even envy us. All right, don’t waste time—let’s go over there quickly.”

When the four arrived, someone had already guessed one of the riddles on the second tier of the lantern mountain. Under the envious gazes of countless young ladies, the young man who had solved the riddle handed a koi lantern to the shy young woman beside him.

“Does anyone else wish to challenge?” The person hosting the riddle competition was a minor official from the Ministry of Rites. Facing the gathered commoners, he smiled cheerfully without any airs.

“I’d like to try.” A scholarly-looking young man stepped forward and cupped his hands toward the minor official.

“Which tier do you wish to challenge?”

“Fourth tier, southeast corner.”

A bailiff climbed up to retrieve the riddle attached to the lantern at the southeast corner of the fourth tier and presented it to the minor official.

The minor official read it aloud. “Stay away from flames and set your heart at ease—name one character.”

The young man pondered briefly, then declared loudly, “Stay away from flames and set your heart at ease—it’s the character ‘en’ (grace/favor).”

The minor official glanced at the answer and smiled slightly. “Congratulations, you guessed correctly.”

Among those gathered around, some were literate and some weren’t, but most still didn’t understand even after hearing the answer. They all asked, “Why is it ‘en’?”

Having guessed the riddle correctly, the young man was in excellent spirits and explained with a smile, “Stay away from flames leaves ‘yin’ (cause); ‘yin’ with a heart placed above becomes ‘en.'”

“It really is ‘en’! Young sir, your thinking is truly quick and clever.”

Amid the crowd’s praise, the young man accepted the lantern and gave it to the young woman who had come with him.

Zhu Jiayu was eager to try. “Let’s challenge one too! I’ve got my eye on the lotus lantern at the northwest corner of the fifth tier.”

For the lantern mountain riddle competition, only the palace lantern in the center of the ninth tier followed the unwritten rule that it must be challenged by an unmarried man. The others had no restrictions regarding age or gender.

“Hui’er, you’re best at riddles. Please help me win that lotus lantern.” Zhu Jiayu entreated her friend.

Chen Yi hesitated. “I’ll try, but don’t blame me if I fail the challenge.”

With encouragement from Lin Hao and the other two, Chen Yi lived up to expectations and won the exquisite lotus lantern.

“Thank you!” Zhu Jiayu took the lantern and hugged her friend while cheering.

The young ladies’ joyful laughter easily infected more people. Participation increased all at once, and the atmosphere became even more lively. However, when it came to challenging the glazed palace lantern on the ninth tier, everyone returned defeated.

Atop Xuande Tower, Princess Yian stood leaning against the railing, looking toward the sea of people at the lantern mountain with little interest.

Standing here, though one could see far, after a while it became dull. In previous years, chatting and laughing with Ronghua had made it bearable, but after their recent unpleasantness, she had changed to inviting Qi Qiong instead, yet they didn’t have much to talk about.

Princess Yian propped her chin with her hand, her eyes downcast and somewhat drowsy.

For Emperor Tai’an, busy with government affairs, ascending the tower to view lanterns was a rare moment of relaxation. He looked toward the liveliest area and said with a smile, “That’s the lantern mountain riddle competition over there, isn’t it? I remember that last year’s glazed palace lantern went unclaimed. I wonder if anyone has guessed it this year?”

Liu Chuan immediately said, “This servant will send someone to inquire at once.”