Though initially uncurious, Shen Xihe became intrigued when she saw his smugness and noticed that not only was Shen Yueshan no longer reluctant, but even his initial dislike had disappeared. She wondered what methods he had used to win her father’s approval.

Xiao Huayong remained tactful. After finishing the hot laowan, he departed into the snowy night, as if he had truly only come to discuss matters with Shen Yueshan.

This New Year was very satisfying for Shen Xihe because of Shen Yueshan’s companionship. He accompanied her to stay at the Tao residence for two days. Because of Shen Yueshan’s presence, Bu Shulin couldn’t visit properly, as she was still officially maintaining a male identity.

After the third day of the New Year, Xue Jinqiao openly arrived at the Princess’s residence with her belongings, acting every bit like a member of the Shen family. Xue Hang couldn’t control her, and since he didn’t interfere, no one else dared speak up, especially given the Xue family’s current decline.

In the eyes of the Xue family, Xue Hang had resigned from his position as Secretary of the Imperial Secretariat to protect Xue Yi. Xue Yi’s family endured daily cold shoulders from the Xue clan members and didn’t dare interfere with Xue Jinqiao, fearing they might anger Xue Hang and be expelled from the Xue family.

Although this rather inconsiderate future daughter-in-law reduced the father-daughter time between Shen Yueshan and his daughter, seeing how good she was to his daughter, Shen Yueshan tolerated it.

Moreover, he was quite busy, and having someone by his daughter’s side could reduce his worry and guilt.

For the Lantern Festival, Xiao Huayong was very generous in letting Shen Yueshan accompany Shen Xihe.

“You’re being so understanding, it makes me suspect you’re plotting something,” Shen Xihe had come to tell Xiao Huayong that she wanted to spend more time with her father during the Lantern Festival. In two months she would marry Xiao Huayong, and afterward, there might rarely be chances to accompany Shen Yueshan.

“This is called advancing by retreating,” Xiao Huayong never concealed his strategizing from Shen Xihe. “I knew early on that I couldn’t win by competing, and insisting on clinging to you would only put you in a difficult position. Moreover, this is my father-in-law, an elder. If it were my brother-in-law, I certainly wouldn’t yield an inch. Finally, by taking the initiative to yield today, you’ll appreciate my goodwill and feel guilty toward me, making you more accommodating during future Lantern Festivals.”

Shen Xihe couldn’t help but laugh: “You’re quite honest.”

“I wish I could take out my heart and show it to you, letting you see everything clearly,” Xiao Huayong declared earnestly.

“Aren’t you afraid that by saying this, I’ll feel no guilt toward you?” Shen Xihe asked, suppressing her smile.

“You won’t,” his dark eyes gathered silvery light, gentle and sparkling. His tone was soft but certain, “You like me this way.”

She was that kind of person – clear and straightforward. Being roundabout would only make her feel there wasn’t enough trust between them.

Shen Xihe’s smile became increasingly uncontainable. She had Zhenzhu bring over a lantern to give to Xiao Huayong. It was a wooden lantern: “I made it myself. I’ve never made a lantern for anyone else – this is the first one, and only you have it.”

Xiao Huayong looked at this fragrant lantern that had no carvings but was constructed using mortise and tenon joints to create the shape of a small house, its craftsmanship breathtaking.

He accepted it with extreme care, his movements incredibly gentle for fear of damaging it. The lantern was as sturdy as a house, and Xiao Huayong held it preciously, unwilling to let go.

“Indeed, the method of advancing by retreating is wonderful,” having gained an advantage, Xiao Huayong couldn’t resist showing off.

Shen Xihe gave him an amused look, stepped forward to explain the lantern’s ingenious features, showing him a window that could open to replace the candle inside, and then told him about the lantern’s origins.

After spending half a day with Xiao Huayong, Shen Xihe departed. Xiao Huayong contentedly saw her out of the palace before returning to study his precious lantern.

Shen Xihe accompanied Shen Yueshan to see the capital’s Lantern Festival. Even though there had been unpleasant events at last year’s festival, this year the common people still sang and danced, though there were more patrols.

On the night of the full moon, the streets were packed with people watching performances, drums thundered to the sky, torches lit up the ground, people wore animal masks, men dressed as women, and there were various entertainers and acrobats…

The interweaving lantern lights and bustling alleys gave Shen Yueshan his first experience of the capital’s Lantern Festival. Ten thousand bright lanterns illuminated the prosperity of a flourishing dynasty; smiling faces overflowed with the joy of living in a strong and wealthy nation.

Listening to his daughter, who now had experience and understanding of the Lantern Festival, explain everything, Shen Yueshan’s smile never faded. The only slight imperfection was Xue Jinqiao following like a little tail, but that could be ignored.

While Shen Xihe accompanied Shen Yueshan through the river of brilliant lanterns, Xiao Huayong sat in the Eastern Palace, chin propped on one hand, eyes fixed unwaveringly on the hanging lantern, its orange-yellow light gently enveloping it, making even the moonlight seem softer.

Tian Yuan looked at the sky, then at His Highness the Crown Prince. His Highness had been staring at it for two hours now. The moon had already climbed west, His Highness had changed positions countless times, but his eyes never left this lantern, and his smile was so… perplexing.

Tian Yuan had to gather his courage to step forward: “Your Highness, it’s time for bed.”

“I’ll look a while longer,” Xiao Huayong was in an excellent mood.

Tian Yuan: …

“Your Highness, although this lantern is a gift from the Princess, she has given you many gifts, yet Your Highness is…” Tian Yuan stopped there, afraid of being accused of failing to understand his master’s intentions and being dismissed.

Xiao Huayong was in such a good mood today that he didn’t mind the servant’s presumption, still staring at the lantern: “Is this lantern fragrant?”

“Yes.” Made of sandalwood and burning fragrant candles, how could it not be?

“Therefore, this is a fragrant lamp,” Xiao Huayong’s smile gradually became somewhat improper. “A fragrant lamp implies continuing the family line. Youyou gave this to me, meaning she wants to…”

As he spoke, Xiao Huayong’s smile became even more… indescribable.

Tian Yuan: …

He looked up at the sky and silently walked out. He shouldn’t have tried to persuade His Highness to sleep. With His Highness’s ability to read such implications into things, how could he sleep looking at such a lantern? Why would he even need to sleep?

If he dared to say this in front of the Princess, she would probably smash the lantern right on His Highness’s forehead!

Shen Xihe didn’t know that her lantern had been misinterpreted by the Crown Prince, causing him such excitement that he stayed up all night watching it until dawn.

After the Lantern Festival, the palace became busy, starting with the betrothal gifts. Xiao Huayong personally caught two live wild geese to send to the Princess’s residence along with the palace’s betrothal gifts.

While a court official read out the long list of betrothal gifts outside, Shen Xihe crouched nearby examining the two geese. Zhenzhu thought she liked them and said: “These geese don’t have any arrow wounds, I wonder how His Highness caught them.”

How else could he have caught them? Surely the gyrfalcon had forced them into submission.

Shen Xihe was also very satisfied: “They’re so plump – one for roasting, one for soup.”

Zhenzhu: …