Ji Yunshu’s curved almond eyes glanced at Wei Yi with seeming anger.

Thinking again—this kid had at least made two lanterns.

Forget it, she wouldn’t fuss over it!

Turning, she ordered Luan’er: “Luan’er, go find some paste, paper, and some painting tools.”

“Yes, this servant will go right away.”

Luan’er rushed out on her errand and found all the things she needed.

Wei Yi propped up his cheeks and asked Ji Yunshu: “Shu’er, what are you looking for these for?”

While spreading the paper flat, she picked up those delicate brushes, dipped them in water colors, and began to paint delicately on the paper.

Wei Yi stared in wonder and stopped making noise.

The brush tip on that pure white paper lightly sketched with ink—each stroke and dot extremely fine.

In less than a moment, a plum blossom branch had been outlined on the paper. The branch was slender, extending to the flower buds, elegant and refined.

Lifting the brush and dipping it in red ink, she slowly carved it out, gradually taking shape!

On the white paper, a plum blossom bloomed vividly to life!

In the air, there seemed to be a gentle breeze slowly blowing down the petals of that plum blossom, pervading with a delicate fragrance.

Aromatic fragrance overflowing!

Like a wonderful hand—the reputation well-deserved.

Setting down the brush, Ji Yunshu waved her sleeve, gently fanning to dry the ink.

“Shu’er, your painting is really beautiful.”

Wei Yi exclaimed in admiration, leaning closer. His clean face almost pressed against the paper.

Ji Yunshu handed him the painting: “You and Luan’er cut this painting into eight pieces, all the same size, and paste them on the eight sides of the lanterns.”

“Why cut it open?”

“That way it looks better.”

Does it look better?

He didn’t understand—why cut up a perfectly good painting into eight pieces?

But he still obediently went with Luan’er to cut the painting.

Ji Yunshu then immediately painted another plum blossom, similarly cut into eight pieces and pasted on the eight sides of the lanterns.

The two lanterns were now even more exquisite.

Eight sides with flowers—surrounding together, still forming the shape of a plum blossom branch.

At this time, the sky had gradually darkened.

Under Wei Yi’s anxious clamoring, Ji Yunshu finally brought Luan’er and him out of the Wei residence.

Carrying the two lanterns, the orange-red candlelight flickered faintly, illuminating the plum blossoms on the paper surface with vivid beauty.

On the main road, the night was black as ink, red lanterns like stars!

Lanterns of different colors and various shapes hung on thin long strings, extending in rows, suspended above the entire main road.

Just like a bustling Christmas!

And everywhere the eye could see, one could only see head after head!

No end in sight!

Crowds strolled leisurely, each hand holding a lantern. Every household—men dressed splendidly and substantially, women clothed in youthful charm.

Though called the Lantern Gathering Festival, it was more like an annual matchmaking convention!

The three of them—Ji Yunshu’s group—walked among the crowd toward Frost Dwelling Pavilion.

“Shu’er, look!”

Wei Yi was very excited all along the way. Walking to a stall, he took down an opera mask and put it on his face, shaking his head and acting with great style.

“Do you like it?”

While being amused by him, Ji Yunshu also asked him a question.

“I like it.” He nodded.

So she took out silver and bought the mask, giving it to him.

But this troublemaker didn’t stop for a moment, running around everywhere. Several times Ji Yunshu almost lost track of him.

Running here and there, naturally they also bought quite a lot of things—toys, food, accessories—a whole pile.

Walking and stopping, they finally arrived at Frost Dwelling Pavilion.

In the private room on the second floor, Jingrong’s keen eyes had already found Ji Yunshu in the crowd early on.

She in the crowd was like the lantern in her hand—standing out extremely prominently.

Such a woman had no luxurious brocade clothes, no precious pearl hairpins or silver bracelets, nor a meticulously made-up face.

Yet she had completely captured his passionate gaze hidden beneath the iceberg.

And everything around became invisible—in his gaze, there was only Ji Yunshu alone.

Slowly, a faint smile floated to the corners of his mouth as he murmured softly:

“A village girl’s dream—bedrock solid as firm.”

At this moment, Ji Yunshu had already entered Frost Dwelling Pavilion. Following the shop assistant’s guidance, she went up to the private room on the second floor.

Upon entering, she met Jingrong’s burning gaze, which startled her into an involuntary shudder.

Wei Yi was quite familiar. The pile of playthings in his hands he dumped onto Lang Bo.

And he instructed: “Hold them carefully. Don’t break them, or you’ll have to compensate.”

“This…” Lang Bo held the pile of strange things in his arms, a black line across his head. He turned to look at his prince with pleading eyes: “Your Highness, this…”

Jingrong was amused: “Since Young Master Wei told you to hold them, hold them well.”

This was favoritism toward outsiders!

Lang Bo could only obey and hold them carefully.

Jingrong looked at Ji Yunshu and pointed to the seat beside him: “Miss Ji, please sit.”

“I want to sit too.” Along with Wei Yi’s voice, he plopped down right onto the seat Jingrong had indicated, looking at the table full of delicacies and asking Jingrong: “Big brother, can I eat now?”

Jingrong’s face looked unpleasant as he forced a smile: “Eat.”

Eat hard, stuff yourself to death!

The seat that should have been left for Ji Yunshu had been occupied firmly by this fellow.

This lightbulb was quite bright!

Ji Yunshu lowered her head and smiled, silently sitting down across from Jingrong.

Wei Yi had already started eating!

“It’s really delicious—even better than what’s made at home.” Wei Yi spoke while eating.

“If you love eating it, next time this prince will invite you over alone to eat, how about that?” Jingrong picked up his chopsticks, took a piece of chicken leg, and placed it in his bowl: “Eat slowly. There are plenty of chicken legs—as many as you want. But you can’t compete with this prince for the chicken heart.”

This innuendo!

Wei Yi didn’t understand it, but Ji Yunshu did.

She immediately changed the subject, also picking up chopsticks and pointing at the table full of dishes: “Such a large spread—Your Highness is truly generous. I’m just afraid we can’t finish it and it’ll be wasted.”

Having said that, she turned to Luan’er: “Luan’er, you sit down too. I believe His Highness won’t mind.”

“This…” Luan’er was timid. If she had known the person they were meeting was Prince Rong, she shouldn’t have come out.

Jingrong’s expression was gentle as he nodded to Luan’er: “So you’re Luan’er.”

Luan’er was surprised—when did His Highness come to know her?

She nodded: “Yes, this servant is called Luan’er.”

“Then sit down together. No need for formalities.” He also said to Lang Bo: “Put the things in your hands safely to the side and sit down too.”

So at one table, five people sat down!

How was this different from the original arrangement!

Miscalculation, what a miscalculation!

Through the entire meal, Jingrong ate vinegar, Ji Yunshu ate awkwardness!

Wei Yi was truly full though.

While Luan’er and Lang Bo ate with trepidation.

The shop assistant brought up pastries—plum blossom fragrant cakes, rose crisps, seven clever pastries, auspicious cakes, lucky fruits…

Jingrong picked up a piece of auspicious cake and placed it in Ji Yunshu’s bowl.

“Try it. Frost Dwelling Pavilion’s auspicious cake is very delicious.” In his tone was a flavor of indulgence.

“Thank you, Your Highness.”

Ji Yunshu picked up that piece of auspicious cake and sent it into Wei Yi’s bowl, her tone soft: “Eat more.”

“Okay.”

Wei Yi wasn’t picky. He picked it up and put it in his mouth.

Eating with great delight.

Jingrong wasn’t willing to give up. He picked up a lucky fruit, just preparing to give it to Ji Yunshu, but unexpectedly midway, Wei Yi intercepted it!

“Thank you, big brother.”

He took it over and ate it in one bite.

Hey, that wasn’t for you, eternal lightbulb!

Ji Yunshu secretly smiled. At this moment she truly wondered if Wei Yi was doing it on purpose.

Jingrong’s face had already turned extremely pale, gloomy and unhappy, right up until they left Frost Dwelling Pavilion.

At this time on Jinjiang’s main road, the crowd was packed, everywhere boisterous.

Jingrong had a twisted expression, looking at Ji Yunshu and Wei Yi, each person carrying an identical lantern. His mood was simply at its limit.

“Shu’er, tell me, where should we hang our lanterns later? Mother said the higher they’re hung, the better.”

Wei Yi pulled Ji Yunshu along, extremely happy.

Ji Yunshu smiled: “Wherever.”

“Then I need to look carefully.” Wei Yi raised his head and began searching for a suitable place to hang the lanterns.

At this moment, seven or eight children rushed out from the crowd, carrying lanterns of all colors and varieties. They seemed to split the packed crowd in half, then slowly merge back together.

It was precisely because of those children’s chaotic bumping that Wei Yi, who had excitedly walked ahead, was scattered in an instant.

“Young Master Wei…”

Seeing this, Luan’er immediately dove into the crowd and followed.

Jingrong narrowed his long eyes slightly and called Lang Bo: “Follow them. Don’t let Wei Yi get lost.”

“Yes.”

So Lang Bo’s originally burly body forced itself into the crowd.

Ji Yunshu was also just preparing to push through the crowd to find Wei Yi when her arm was suddenly grabbed by Jingrong.

“Don’t worry. With Luan’er and Lang Bo following, he won’t get lost.”

It would be good if he did get lost!

“But I’m still worr—”

Ji Yunshu’s face was full of worry, but before she finished speaking, her shoulder was suddenly bumped by someone.

Her petite frame was violently knocked into Jingrong’s embrace.

She was just about to push away when Jingrong’s arms tightly clasped her in his embrace, firmly protecting her.

“There are too many people here. We should go over there first.”

“Wei Yi he…”

“I already said not to worry about him. Lang Bo will naturally send him back.”

His voice was somewhat deep, brooking no opposition.

Because there were too many people around, Ji Yunshu was pressed against his chest and couldn’t move away half a step.

And that palm embracing her shoulder applied even more force, not allowing her to exert strength.

She followed his steps, moving bit by bit out of the crowd. Inadvertently, raising her eyes, what she saw was Jingrong’s sharp-edged face. Those brows carved as if by a small knife also clearly held a stern coldness.

Jingrong protected her as they walked out from the crowd, which finally allowed her to breathe a sigh of relief.

The next moment, she forcefully pushed him two steps away from herself.

Lowering her head: “Thank you, Your Highness.”

“Must you truly be so distant with this prince?” His words carried a trace of displeasure.

“You are a prince, while I am only…”

Before she finished speaking, Jingrong seized both her arms and pressed her against the cold wall to the side.

Perhaps because he used too much force, the plum blossom lantern in her hand loosened from her grip and fell to the ground.

At this moment, her back was pressed tightly against the mottled wall surface. Jingrong clasped both her arms. Between the two of them—the distance of one finger.

This…

A wall pin?

Her brow furrowed. Just recovering from the pain in her back, she collided with Jingrong’s clear, cold eyes.

In those eyes burned a trace of angry fire!

As if he wouldn’t stop until he had burned her to ashes.

“Your Highness, what are you…”

“Ji Yunshu, how this prince treats you—do you truly not know?”

Yes, he was somewhat anxious now, somewhat burning with anger!