Lin Hao truly hadn’t expected that Scholar Yang Zhe would give the glazed lantern to her.
Were they… that familiar with each other?
Yang Zhe’s action shocked countless people.
Han Baocheng slapped Wen Feng’s shoulder hard. “Brother Wen, so Brother Yang has feelings for your cousin!”
Wen Feng’s expression was somewhat serious. “Brother Han, don’t speak carelessly.”
The top scholar was certainly excellent, and with his cousin, they could be called a talented scholar and beautiful lady. But according to custom, the glazed lantern had to be given to someone, and it was possible Brother Yang had no beloved, so he gave it to his cousin with whom he’d met a few times.
In that case, it wouldn’t be good to speak carelessly.
Han Baocheng felt somewhat helpless. “Brother Wen, you’re so young—can you not always be so serious?”
Qi Huan was more agitated than most people, pulling Qi Shuo and lowering his voice. “Big Brother, did you see? Did you see? That Yang fellow is trying to steal your wife!”
“I’m not blind.” Qi Shuo’s tone was cold and heavy, his gaze like a pool of water whose depths couldn’t be fathomed, settling over there.
The glazed lantern’s flowing brilliance was dazzling, beautiful as a dream.
“Then you should go give yours too! Don’t you have a lantern in your hand!” Qi Huan was frustrated, almost ready to snatch the butterfly lantern from Qi Shuo’s hand and help him present it himself.
Qi Shuo’s grip on the lantern pole tightened.
If he went to present it now, Lin Hao would be the one pushed into the eye of the storm.
Seeing Lin Hao’s lack of response, Chen Yi gently tugged at her.
If she didn’t accept this glazed lantern, then Ah Hao would be the one laughed at. Something that had become customary—deviating from it would always invite gossip.
Lin Hao put away her surprise and reached out to receive the glazed lantern. “Thank you, Scholar Yang.”
Yang Zhe smiled and walked toward Han Baocheng and the others.
Zhu Jiayu released the hand she’d been using to muffle her scream, her face full of excitement. “Ah Hao, how do you know the top scholar?”
Though Chen Yi and Tao Qing said nothing, they were obviously very curious as well.
Lin Hao held the glazed lantern, her expression calm. “He’s friends with my cousin. Among the young ladies present, I’m probably the only one he recognizes.”
“Oh—” The three drew out the sound, laughing teasingly.
More young ladies cast envious gazes toward Lin Hao.
Lanterns bright as day, a gentleman like jade—who wouldn’t hope to receive such a glazed lantern?
“Ninghua, who is that young lady?” Princess Yian looked toward Lin Hao, her tone flat.
Qi Qiong’s heart surged with emotion, but her face revealed nothing. “Which one is the princess asking about?”
Princess Yian was somewhat impatient. “The one Scholar Yang gave the lantern to, of course.”
If possible, Qi Qiong really didn’t want to reveal Lin Hao’s identity, but she knew very well she couldn’t hide it.
“Oh, the princess is asking about the young lady in the bean-green jacket. She’s a young lady from the Lin family of the General’s Mansion, the younger sister of the prospective Princess Consort Wei.” Qi Qiong deliberately emphasized the Lin family’s connection to Prince Wei.
Princess Yian withdrew her gaze, her voice betraying neither pleasure nor anger. “So she’s the prospective princess consort’s younger sister.”
“Princess, the riddle has been solved. Shall we return to Xuande Tower?” Qi Qiong suggested with a smile.
By intuition, Princess Yian was very displeased by Scholar Yang’s act of presenting the lantern to Ah Hao.
Princess Yian’s brow furrowed. “What’s the rush? We finally got to come out and have fun.”
As she spoke, she actually strode toward Lin Hao.
Qi Qiong’s expression changed slightly as she hurried to follow.
Lin Hao didn’t wish to become the focus of everyone’s attention. Carrying her lantern, she was quietly leaving with Chen Yi and the other two when a voice suddenly called from behind, “Wait a moment.”
She didn’t stop or turn around, but instead quickened her pace and merged into the flowing crowd.
“Ah Hao, I think someone was calling you just now.” Chen Yi hurriedly glanced back and hesitantly reminded her.
“Calling me?” Lin Hao blinked. “That probably wasn’t it. There’s no one I know here.”
She had just received Scholar Yang’s glazed lantern, and now a woman was looking for her—even thinking with her toes, she knew it was nothing good. In this situation, the best strategy was naturally to pretend not to know and leave.
After all, that shout hadn’t named anyone specifically.
Princess Yian watched helplessly as Lin Hao merged into the coming and going crowd and disappeared, unable to help feeling frustrated.
“It seems Second Miss Lin’s ears aren’t very sharp.”
Qi Qiong secretly applauded her friend’s quick thinking while maintaining a neutral expression as she consoled, “With so many people and so much noise, Second Miss Lin probably didn’t think someone was calling her.”
Princess Yian pressed her lips together and flicked her sleeve. “Let’s return to Xuande Tower.”
Qi Qiong secretly breathed a sigh of relief and accompanied Princess Yian toward Xuande Tower.
By this time, Liu Chuan had already returned to report. “Your Majesty, the riddle has been solved.”
“Who solved it?” Emperor Tai’an became interested.
“Scholar Yang, the top scholar and compiler.”
Upon hearing this, Emperor Tai’an couldn’t help but laugh. “It’s Yang Zhe! I knew he’d have no problem.”
Liu Chuan heard the approval in Emperor Tai’an’s tone toward Yang Zhe and smiled. “Your Majesty didn’t see it—after Compiler Yang obtained the glazed lantern, countless young ladies looked so anxious.”
The Crown Prince at the side felt uncomfortable hearing this and said coldly, “It’s just a palace lantern.”
Emperor Tai’an didn’t catch the sour note in the Crown Prince’s words and laughed heartily. “It’s not just about a palace lantern. By the way, did Yang Zhe give the glazed lantern away?”
“He gave it to Second Miss Lin from the General’s Mansion.”
The General’s Mansion again?
This thought instinctively arose in Emperor Tai’an’s mind as he frowned slightly.
The young ladies of the Lin family from the General’s Mansion had quite an appeal—First Miss Lin had won the Fourth Prince’s favor, and now Second Miss Lin had caught the top scholar’s eye.
Letting First Miss Lin become Princess Consort Wei was fine. He only had two sons—the Crown Prince had to inherit the realm and state, so letting the Fourth Prince, an idle prince, marry a girl he fancied was acceptable. It could be considered his love for his son as a father. But Yang Zhe couldn’t marry Second Miss Lin.
Emperor Tai’an glanced at the Crown Prince with his sour expression.
Yang Zhe was outstandingly talented and still young. He had already heard important ministers praise Yang Zhe’s solid work several times.
Such a promising talent, he intended to keep for the Crown Prince’s use. That made him unsuitable to marry Second Miss Lin and become brothers-in-law with the Fourth Prince.
It seemed he needed to take the initiative to show concern for his subject’s marriage.
Emperor Tai’an’s mind stirred, and he instructed Liu Chuan, “Summon Compiler Yang for an audience.”
Princess Yian ascended the tower. Seeing the Grand Eunuch Liu Chuan hurrying away, she smiled and walked before Emperor Tai’an.
“Yian is back. Did you have fun?”
“Yes, especially the lantern mountain riddle competition. It truly opened your daughter’s eyes.” Before Emperor Tai’an, Princess Yian was nothing but lively and charming, showing not a trace of willfulness.
Qi Qiong secretly curled her lip.
Sure enough, willfulness depended on who you were with.
Emperor Tai’an wore a smile, listening to Princess Yian describe the lantern scenery on the streets. Before long, Liu Chuan led a young man over.
“Your Majesty, Compiler Yang has arrived.”
Princess Yian’s voice halted as she became distracted.
“This subject greets Your Majesty and His Highness the Crown Prince.” Yang Zhe respectfully performed his obeisance.
Emperor Tai’an smiled. “I heard that Compiler Yang easily guessed the riddle that others racked their brains over but couldn’t solve. Truly worthy of being the top scholar I personally appointed.”
“This subject was merely fortunate.”
“Which young lady did Compiler Yang give the glazed lantern to?” Emperor Tai’an asked in a conversational manner.
Yang Zhe replied steadily, “This subject came with several friends. Among the women present, I only recognized Second Miss Lin, so I gave the glazed lantern to her.”
“It seems Compiler Yang should take a wife. That way you won’t have to give the glazed lantern to just anyone.” Emperor Tai’an smiled as he glanced at Princess Yian.