The fifteenth day of the eighth lunar month was the Mid-Autumn Festival.

This day was no different from usual, at most the Jiang household ate a reunion dinner together. But even this reunion dinner couldn’t accurately be called “together.” Because Jiang Yu’e had been sent to a manor to “recuperate from her injuries,” Jiang Yu’e would have to go to Marquis Ningyuan’s household next spring. She was actually still quite young, but Yang Shi feared that dragging things out too long would be unfavorable for Jiang Yu’e, so she had no choice but to let Jiang Yu’e marry over first.

Jiang Youyao had probably finally realized this matter could no longer be salvaged. Even if she was unwilling to give up, being confined by Old Madam Jiang every day meant she could do nothing. In less than a month, she had lost considerable weight. Her formerly charming and lovely appearance now looked as if she would collapse at the slightest breeze, pitifully delicate.

However, this made Jiang Yuanbai feel even more heartache. During the meal, Jiang Li noticed that Jiang Yuanbai’s attitude toward Ji Shuran and her daughter was extremely gentle. He probably felt Zhou Yanbang’s matter had wronged Jiang Youyao and was compensating her.

Seeing their family’s harmonious appearance, Jiang Li didn’t feel much of anything. But Lu Shi couldn’t stand it and deliberately said to provoke Ji Shuran, “Tonight’s Mid-Autumn lantern festival—everyone is going, right?”

“Youyao won’t go,” Ji Shuran said. “Youyao caught a cold these past days and still hasn’t recovered. If she goes out and catches the wind, it will be even more troublesome. You all go. I’ll stay home to keep Youyao company.”

Old Madam Jiang hadn’t yet lifted Jiang Youyao’s confinement. Given Jiang Youyao’s temperament and her feelings for Zhou Yanbang, letting her out would inevitably lead her to seek out Zhou Yanbang. Old Madam Jiang hoped Jiang Youyao would give up. If Jiang Youyao persistently entangled herself with Zhou Yanbang, it would also make Marquis Ningyuan’s household look down on the Jiang family.

Jiang Youyao herself was also unwilling to go out, though being confined was quite vexing. But whenever she thought about going out and having everyone look at her with sympathetic eyes, Jiang Youyao felt extremely humiliated. Although the Zhou Yanbang affair had nothing to do with her, it implicated her as well, making her a laughingstock in this romantic scandal—the pitiful fiancée. Rather than going outside and being troubled by others’ gazes, it was better to stay in the household where out of sight was out of mind.

“I won’t go either,” Jiang Yuanbai said. “I still have court matters to handle.” Now that he felt he had wronged Jiang Youyao, he was determined to compensate this younger daughter. Since Ji Shuran and her daughter weren’t going, Jiang Yuanbai absolutely had no reason to abandon his wife and daughter to go alone.

Lu Shi’s eyes darted around. She said, “If none of you are going, what about Li’er? We can’t let Li’er go alone, can we?”

Jiang Yuanping on the side coughed lightly.

“It’s fine,” Jiang Li smiled. “I don’t particularly want to go either.”

“Li girl, go together with your Second Aunt,” Old Madam Jiang suddenly spoke. She said, “You just returned to the capital this year. The Mid-Autumn lantern festival is quite nice. You’ve also worked hard these days—go have a good rest.”

Since Old Madam Jiang had spoken, Jiang Li naturally couldn’t refuse. Though she was extremely unwilling in her heart, she could only agree. This put Jiang Yuanbai in a difficult position—on one side was his eldest daughter who had just returned to the capital not long ago, on the other was his wronged younger daughter. Both were his flesh and blood. However, in the end, he still decided to stay in the household. Jiang Li appeared both sensible and generous, while Jiang Youyao had never suffered any hardship. In the future when there was opportunity, he could compensate Jiang Li.

Seeing her eldest son still only caring about Ji Shuran and her daughter, stubborn as ever, Old Madam Jiang sighed in her heart, shook her head, and returned to her quarters after eating. Instead, Jiang Jingrui was the happiest. After the Old Madam left, he kept winking at Jiang Li. After everyone dispersed, he deliberately hung back and said to Jiang Li, “You said you didn’t want to go, but with one word from the Old Madam, you still have to obediently follow along, don’t you?”

Jiang Li was feeling vexed and annoyed and couldn’t be bothered with him. Jiang Jingrui started talking on his own, “You’ll definitely have your eyes opened then. All along the way there’ll be food, sugar figurines, and lantern riddles. I heard Jin Mantang will even perform a private show tonight. I’ll take you to see it all. Hey, don’t walk away—”

Jiang Li left Jiang Jingrui far behind, her steps getting faster and faster. She truly couldn’t avoid him. She had thought staying home tonight would spare her from painful memories, but Old Madam Jiang had spoken, and if she tried to avoid it, it would seem too deliberate. However, going out wasn’t without benefits—when outsiders saw her out viewing lanterns while Jiang Yuanbai, Ji Shuran, Jiang Youyao and the others were not, they would probably make some comments in their hearts.

In front of outsiders, Jiang Yuanbai always had to maintain some face and try to treat everyone fairly.

She could only take things one step at a time.

Because Old Madam Jiang had spoken, after dinner when the sky darkened, Jiang Li was forced to go out with the Second Branch people.

Old Madam Jiang wasn’t going—her legs were inconvenient, so she stayed in the household to play with Jiang Bingji. From the First Branch, only Jiang Li went out, while all the Second Branch people went together. Yang Shi and Jiang Yuanxing from the Third Branch didn’t come out either. After what happened with Jiang Yu’e, now when Jiang Yuanxing went out and encountered colleagues, he had to walk with his head down. Of course he wouldn’t go out to embarrass himself. Jiang Yuyan even less likely to go.

Tong’er and Baixue also followed Jiang Li. The two maids were attending a lantern festival for the first time and kept exclaiming in amazement. Jiang Jingrui deliberately lagged behind, walking side by side with Jiang Li, saying, “Why aren’t you curious at all? I see your two maids seem happier than you.”

Jiang Li’s expression was very calm, a different kind of calm from usual. Jiang Jingrui noticed she could even be described as indifferent. Though the corners of her lips held her usual faint smile, even the warm glow of the flower lanterns couldn’t illuminate that smile.

However, this somewhat lonely beauty attracted quite a few pleasure-seeking young gentlemen. Along the way, Jiang Jingrui spotted no fewer than seven or eight young masters stealing glances at Jiang Li.

The capital’s main streets and small alleys, wine shops and teahouses—everywhere was filled with all kinds of flower lanterns, all personally made by the common people. Each place’s customs were similar. For instance, the capital’s flower lanterns were like Tongxiang’s river lanterns, except flower lanterns were hung on ropes while river lanterns floated on water.

Some were hexagonal, others made to look like lamp stands. There was no shortage of skillful people. Don’t look at how Jiang Jingrui was usually carefree—he was actually quite interested in these beautiful things. He kept pulling Jiang Li to say this one looked good, or that one looked good. Jiang Li was rather speechless, feeling that compared to herself, Jiang Jingrui was more like a true budding maiden—his face full of innocent romance, gentle and full of longing.

When he saw a rabbit-shaped flower lantern, Jiang Jingrui absolutely refused to move. He didn’t even keep up with the Second Branch people ahead and insisted on buying it. Unfortunately, the boss who made the rabbit lantern was also stubborn, saying the lantern wasn’t for sale—unless someone could guess the riddle on it, in which case he’d give it to them as a gift.

Jiang Jingrui got a headache whenever he saw reading and writing. Jiang Jingyou and the others had already walked far ahead. So he grabbed Jiang Li’s sleeve and said, “Weren’t you first in the school examinations? Come on! Guess this one and help me win this rabbit lantern. I’ll give you fifty taels of silver!”

Jiang Li looked down on Jiang Jingrui’s behavior, originally wanting to refuse. But when she heard his last sentence, she changed her mind. Fifty taels of silver wasn’t a small amount. Jiang Jingrui was truly a wastrel young master, really spending money like water—willing to exchange fifty taels for such a useless flower lantern. Unfortunately, even a penny can stump a hero. Jiang Li never thought she’d have a day when she’d sell her talents for silver.

However, having silver was better than not having silver. Hadn’t countless scholars throughout history been talented yet penniless?

So she stopped and carefully looked at the flower lantern Jiang Jingrui so favored.

The person who made the lantern did have some skill. Animal-shaped lanterns were already difficult to make, yet this person had made it look lifelike. The body was wrapped in snow-white fabric with a bamboo frame inside. A pair of long pink-tinged ears, eyes decorated with two red beans. As the lamp flame inside flickered, the rabbit’s eyes also seemed lively, as if it would hop up at any moment.

It truly was a very beautiful flower lantern.

Looking at the riddle written on the wooden plaque beneath the lantern, Jiang Li had been smiling as she looked, but suddenly her smile froze and her expression changed dramatically.

On the riddle, a line of small characters clearly showed a familiar riddle: “Searching for him thousands of times in the crowd.”

In an instant, that tender voice seemed to echo in Jiang Li’s ears again. He had said, “This character is like me toward you.”

All past events fell before her eyes. Jiang Li withdrew her hand as if burned.

Jiang Jingrui urged her, “What’s wrong? Hurry and guess!”

“I can’t guess it,” Jiang Li said coldly.

“How is that possible?” Jiang Jingrui said. “You’re the top student of Mingyi Hall. This lantern riddle isn’t even red, so it’s not the hardest to guess. How could you not be able to guess it?”

Jiang Li said, “If I can’t guess it, I can’t guess it. You’d better find someone else more capable.” She turned and pulled her leg to walk away, as if she detested that lantern extremely and didn’t even want to look at it once more.

Jiang Jingrui was caught off guard, yet reluctant to leave the lantern. For a moment, he didn’t chase after Jiang Li. By the time he caught up, Jiang Li’s figure had long disappeared in the crowd. Jiang Jingrui immediately thought this was bad.

Following the crowd, Jiang Li walked slowly.

Lu Shi and the others had already walked far ahead, and Jiang Jingrui was behind. The crowd was packed shoulder to shoulder—people would quickly be separated. Not staying in place, it was easy to get lost.

Jiang Li wasn’t very afraid. She knew the capital’s roads and had also noted the location of the nearest city garrison. If there was truly any problem, she could immediately call for help from the garrison closest to her.

She also didn’t want to go find Lu Shi or Jiang Jingrui. She felt this was a rare moment of solitude. Since returning to the capital, she was Jiang Li. Though she had already gotten used to this identity, occasionally she would remember—her original name was Xue Fangfei.

She feared that if she lived as Jiang Li for too long, she’d forget her original name and what she wanted to do. Indulging in the still-comfortable life this identity brought—this wasn’t what she wanted. Tonight’s lantern riddle was like a bitter, strong medicine. Though bitter enough to numb her heart, it also brought brief clarity.

Therefore, being able to cast aside the moments of being “Jiang Li” and stay alone like this was also good.

But Tong’er and Baixue didn’t know what Jiang Li was thinking. Seeing they could no longer spot Jiang Jingrui’s group in the crowd, Tong’er said, “Miss, shouldn’t we go find Second Master and them? We can’t see anything anymore. What if we can’t find our way back to the household?”

“It’s fine,” Jiang Li said. “I remember the way.”

“There are too many people,” Baixue also urged. “We don’t have a single guard with us. What if something happens?”

Jiang Li looked at herself. Currently, Second Miss Jiang’s fiercest enemies were only Ji Shuran and her daughter. But even if Ji Shuran and her daughter wanted to act against her, they wouldn’t choose such a crowded place, under everyone’s watchful eyes. Setting aside Jiang Youyao, Ji Shuran was extremely meticulous and wouldn’t leave any evidence. However, there were always exceptions to everything—one couldn’t judge by common sense. If this mother and daughter became mad enough, anything was possible.

So she put aside the thought of wanting to walk around alone and said, “You’re right.”

Both Baixue and Tong’er breathed sighs of relief. Jiang Li was about to go forward to look for Lu Shi when she inadvertently glimpsed someone in the distance: “Ye Shijie?”

Since the palace banquet, Jiang Li rarely went to Mingyi Hall. Jiang Yu’e’s matter had ultimately affected the reputation of the Jiang family’s young ladies. Old Madam Jiang told them to go out as little as possible during ordinary times and wait until this storm blew over. So Jiang Li hadn’t had the opportunity to encounter Ye Shijie again.

At this moment, not far away at a small flower lantern vendor’s stall, Ye Shijie and a middle-aged man seemed to be selecting lanterns while talking, looking quite familiar with each other.

Jiang Li guessed it was someone Ye Shijie knew. Thinking to inquire about Ye Shijie’s recent situation, especially whether Li Lian had tried to recruit him again, she planned to pass through the crowd and walk toward Ye Shijie.

She didn’t know that this entire scene had been completely observed by another person.

Atop Wangxian Tower, Kong Liu was staring blankly at the coming and going crowds below. He didn’t really love looking at these flowers and lanterns—the brightness dazzled his eyes. However, compared to staying at the Duke’s Estate handling boring court matters, excitement was naturally better to watch. Moreover, among this excitement were many pleasing young ladies who could add brilliance to the dim night.

Only tonight, among the pleasing young ladies, Kong Liu discovered a familiar figure.

“Hey, it’s Second Miss Jiang!” Kong Liu stood up, excitedly calling to Ji Heng. “Come look quickly, it’s Second Miss Jiang. Didn’t expect she’d also come out to see lanterns tonight. Wait, why is she alone? Not a single Jiang family member by her side. Did she sneak out?”

Lu Ji, who was tasting tea, followed his gaze and looked down, saying, “Who sneaks out and still brings maids? With so many people outside, she probably just got separated from her family.”

“Separated?” Kong Liu’s brow furrowed. “With so many people outside, there are plenty of villains. Every year there are women abducted by villains. Such a lovely young lady will inevitably attract attention. If something happens, it would be bad.”

“So what would you do?” Lu Ji looked at him curiously.

“I’ll escort her to find her family!” Kong Liu said as if it were obvious.

“Kong Liu,” Lu Ji said, “don’t be delusional. Never mind that she’s the Chief Minister’s daughter—even an ordinary young lady wouldn’t fancy someone your age.”

“My age?” Kong Liu immediately flew into a rage. “I’m at the best age. What do you know? What’s wrong with my age? You’re the old one—your damn beard is so long!”

Lu Ji wasn’t angry at all and smiled as he pointed outside again, showing Kong Liu, “I’m not saying you can compare to young lads. Look, isn’t Second Miss Jiang going to find Young Master Ye?”

At these words, not only Kong Liu but even Ji Heng, who had been playing with his fan on the side, couldn’t help glancing downward.

Sure enough, in the flowing crowd, Jiang Li and her two maids were walking toward the opposite street. Because there were too many people coming and going, even that short street distance was extremely difficult to traverse. However, remarkably, her sense of direction was excellent—she kept heading in one direction without being swept away by the continuous stream of people.

And her destination was undoubtedly the extraordinarily handsome young man standing there—Ye Shijie.

She wanted to walk to Ye Shijie’s side.

Lu Ji smiled and said, “These cousins have excellent feelings for each other.”

“Isn’t that obvious? They’re relatives.” Kong Liu momentarily forgot about Lu Ji mocking his age and focused on watching Jiang Li and Ye Shijie.

Ji Heng also stood by the window, watching thoughtfully for a few moments, then suddenly closed his fan and said, “Wen Ji.”

The black-clothed guard appeared silently before him.

“Invite Second Miss Jiang up here.”

Both Lu Ji and Kong Liu hadn’t expected Ji Heng to suddenly say such a thing and looked at him together, their gazes unable to hide their astonishment.

“Tell her I’m inviting Second Miss Jiang to watch Jin Mantang’s private performance and have arranged the best seat for her.”

Kong Liu’s jaw nearly dropped.

…

The crowd was truly very crowded.

Though the capital was much larger than Tongxiang, it also had many more people. Even at its liveliest, Tongxiang couldn’t compare to half of what the capital was now. It was hard to imagine that an ordinarily narrow street would be so difficult to cross today.

Finally, she was about to reach the other side.

Just as Jiang Li was secretly breathing a sigh of relief, about to take the two maids toward Ye Shijie, suddenly a black-clothed person blocked their path.

Tong’er was so frightened she almost screamed. Baixue also raised her fist. But the black-clothed person seemed expressionless, saying word by word, “Second Miss Jiang, His Grace the Duke invites you to watch Jin Mantang’s private performance. A seat in the front has been arranged at Wangxian Tower.”

“His Grace the Duke?” Jiang Li said, “Ji Heng?”

Wen Ji was somewhat surprised that Second Miss Jiang would speak His Grace’s name directly without changing expression. He nodded.

Jiang Li frowned. Tong’er whispered, “Miss, this person suddenly appeared. What Duke—isn’t he trying to deceive us…”

“It’s not deception,” Jiang Li answered. “He’s Duke Su’s person.”

Now Wen Ji was even more surprised. He was certain Jiang Li had never seen him before, but how could Jiang Li speak with such certainty? The next moment, he heard Jiang Li’s calm voice, “Duke Su loves beauty and abhors ugliness. This secret guard is so handsome, he must undoubtedly be Duke Su’s person.”

Though Wen Ji stood very steadily, the moment he heard Jiang Li’s words clearly, he nearly stumbled.

Instead, it was Tong’er who at this moment seriously raised her head to examine Wen Ji. When she saw Wen Ji’s face clearly, she couldn’t help gasping and saying, “It’s true! Miss, he’s much better looking than the guards in our household! Almost as good-looking as Second Young Master!”

Wen Ji: “…”

Baixue tugged Jiang Li’s sleeve and whispered, “Then Miss, should we still go?”

Jiang Li looked at Wen Ji. She couldn’t read any expression on his face. After thinking it over several times in her heart, she finally sighed and said, “Let’s go.”

Tong’er was still a bit afraid, but Jiang Li was very helpless. She knew that even if she said she wouldn’t go and refused Duke Su, Ji Heng would have ways to make her go. The reason he was being so polite was only because he wanted to appear polite, but in this person’s bones flowed the blood of autocracy.

No one could refuse him, because he always had his own methods.

A wise person submits to circumstances. Jiang Li could only say, “Let’s go.”

She, along with Tong’er and Baixue, followed Wen Ji toward Wangxian Tower.

Ye Shijie was selecting flower lanterns while talking with Ye Mingxuan. During an inadvertent turn of his head, he suddenly glimpsed a familiar figure. He almost blurted out Jiang Li’s name, but before he could speak, that figure was swallowed up by the crowd and could no longer be seen.

Ye Shijie suspected he had seen wrong, staring blankly lost in thought. Ye Mingxuan finished paying and turned to see Ye Shijie staring at the crowd in a daze. He asked, “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing.” Ye Shijie withdrew his gaze and shook his head, thinking to himself it was probably an illusion. Even if Jiang Li came out tonight, she wouldn’t be alone—there would always be Jiang family members accompanying her.

He was truly too obsessed.

…

Wangxian Tower was the capital’s largest wine shop.

When Jiang Li had been a Shen family wife, she had once passed this building with Madam Shen and Shen Ruyun. At that time, Madam Shen and Shen Ruyun had been extremely envious. She herself hadn’t cared much—compared to the Shen family, her desires had always been remarkably faint. However, from that time on, she knew that Wangxian Tower was a money pit, a place for upper-class people.

A place she couldn’t set foot in her previous life, she could now swagger into in this life, even as an “honored guest” being “invited” in. Though this invitation wasn’t quite that invitation, it was still proper and justified.

The main hall on the first floor already had some people, but the place Jiang Li was invited to was the second floor.

A tea room on the second floor.

The Chief Minister’s residence was already extremely luxurious, but Wangxian Tower was even more particular than the Jiang family. Just the carpet laid on the floor was a Persian long-wool embroidered carpet decorated with gems. Jiang Li couldn’t identify the incense burning in the room, but it had an extremely comfortable and fragrant scent—in Xue Zhao’s words, it “looked very expensive at first glance.”

In the “looks very expensive at first glance” tea room on Wangxian Tower’s second floor, Wen Ji helped Jiang Li lift the curtain and walked in.

Jiang Li saw the people inside.

Beyond her expectations, besides Ji Heng, there were two other people. One was a scholarly figure in green robes with a goatee who smiled faintly at Jiang Li. Jiang Li didn’t recognize this person and only smiled back in courtesy. The other person Jiang Li did recognize—the examiner for the “imperial archery” section at the examination grounds, Assistant Commandant of Light Chariots Kong Wei, called Kong Liu.

Kong Liu seemed very happy to see Jiang Li and greeted her in a rough voice, “Second Miss Jiang.” He seemed to want to chat with Jiang Li a bit, but after thinking and thinking, couldn’t come up with appropriate words. He could only dryly praise, “Second Miss Jiang rides horses well and shoots arrows well too!”

Just like praising soldiers under his command.

Both Lu Ji and Ji Heng looked at him strangely.

Kong Liu scratched his head, gave a silly laugh, and stopped talking.

Only then did Jiang Li look toward Ji Heng. This young man was wearing a light red robe today. Though light in color, it made his appearance even more gorgeous. His skin was whiter than a woman’s powdered face, his lips redder than April peach blossoms. So the white became whiter, the red redder, and yet his eyes were a luminous amber color. His entire being was untouched by mortal dust. Wherever he stood became a painting. Even lazily playing with the golden silk folding fan in his hand, he was beautiful enough to be painted and become a riddle at any moment.

“What does His Grace the Duke want with me?” Jiang Li asked. She truly couldn’t figure out what Ji Heng wanted her here for.

Ji Heng glanced at her and suddenly smiled. He said, “We at least have some friendship. Second Miss Jiang needn’t be so distant. Today is Mid-Autumn. Meeting by chance on the road, with Jin Mantang performing a private show at Wangxian Tower, I’m merely inviting Second Miss to enjoy it together.”

Jiang Li was puzzled—where did they have any friendship? If one spoke of friendship, it was all ill-fated connections. Ji Heng had seen her scheming against Master Jing’an and Liaowu at Qingcheng Mountain, and had also seen her instigating Shen Ruyun to muddy the waters between Zhou Yanbang and Jiang Yu’e. And she had also stumbled upon Ji Heng’s secret dealings with the Li family. Each knew the other’s secrets—at certain times, it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say they wanted each other dead. Yet Ji Heng spoke with such a light and breezy expression, as if they had a gentleman’s friendship of many years.

Simply unbelievable.

And they hadn’t met “by chance on the road” either. Clearly Ji Heng had sent someone to “invite” her up without giving her a second choice.

Jiang Li said, “Thank you for His Grace’s kind intention, but I don’t enjoy watching opera.”

“If Second Miss wants to perform her opera better in the future, she might as well study famous performers more carefully,” Ji Heng replied with a smile.

Jiang Li could barely maintain her smile. Ji Heng’s words seemed to be reminding her about the palace banquet again. Really, the one thing she did wrong was letting Ji Heng catch her weakness to use as constant leverage!

Kong Liu looked left and right, completely puzzled by the subtle atmosphere between Ji Heng and Jiang Li. However, he was fairly amiable and said to Jiang Li, “Second Miss Jiang, we saw you from upstairs earlier without a single guard by your side or any of your family. Did you get separated from your family? Every year, quite a few women get lost at the lantern festival, and there are many villains. Even with the city garrison, things aren’t foolproof. Why not wait until after this performance, and we’ll have someone escort you back to your household and reunite you with your family? This will prevent any accidents.”

One doesn’t strike a smiling face. Moreover, Kong Liu seemed much more sincere and straightforward than Ji Heng. Jiang Li found it hard to feel ill will. And Kong Liu’s words weren’t without reason. Seeing the night grow darker, the lanterns on the streets brighter, and the crowds coming out to admire the moon increasingly dense, wandering alone through the crowds truly wasn’t a wise thing to do. Seeing worry on both Tong’er’s and Baixue’s faces, Jiang Li made up her mind to temporarily follow Kong Liu’s suggestion.

She instantly put on a smile, appearing very gentle and pure, and said, “Thank you, Official Kong.”

Kong Liu felt somewhat flattered and couldn’t help looking at Lu Ji proudly. See? He hadn’t frightened the young lady. He wasn’t that old, was he?

Lu Ji turned his head away, too lazy to look at his foolish appearance.

Just as they were speaking, a distinctive theatrical troupe opening sound suddenly rang out from downstairs.

Jin Mantang’s private performance was about to begin—this was the opening act.

Author’s Note: Second Young Master Jiang Jingrui, who loves the little rabbit lantern, has a maiden’s heart? (????ω????)?