Yun Yanze jolted awake from his slumber. Opening his eyes to the silent chamber, he called out, "Attendants."
"Your Highness." A young eunuch hurried to the bedside. "You're awake?"
"Where is the Princess Consort?" Leaning on the eunuch's arm, he rose from the bed. Each step sent a sharp pain through his body, but his refined upbringing forbade any undignified gesture—even a furrowed brow was impermissible.
"The Princess Consort, she..." The eunuch hesitated, unwilling to speak further.
"What happened?" Yun Yanze draped an outer robe over his shoulders. "Has someone slighted her?"
"No," the eunuch explained. "Earlier, someone from Bright Moon Palace spoke with her. Afterward, the Princess Consort seemed troubled and went to see Prince Chen."
Why would his mother’s attendants seek Caiyao? And why would she then go to Yun Duqing?
"I’ll see for myself."
"Your Highness, your injuries haven’t healed. You shouldn’t exert yourself."
Yun Yanze coughed softly. "It’s nothing. My fifth brother has a fiery temper. I fear Caiyao might clash with him."
The eunuch swiftly helped him dress, and with another attendant supporting him, they left the courtyard. As they approached Prince Chen’s residence, the Princess Consort’s voice reached them.
"If Fifth Brother refuses to see me, I won’t leave."
The eunuchs bowed their heads, not daring to meet the Prince of Qi County’s gaze.
Yun Yanze regarded Sun Caiyao’s back with calm detachment before clearing his throat. "Caiyao."
"Your Highness?" Startled by his voice, Sun Caiyao turned, flustered. "Why are you here?"
Yun Yanze smiled faintly. "I woke to find you absent and worried you might have been slighted, so I came to check."
A pang of guilt struck Sun Caiyao. He had sought her out solely out of concern.
Though the palace stewards dared not skimp on the imperial family’s provisions, ever since his demotion to Prince of Qi County, the servants’ gazes had grown subtly disdainful. She had concealed this well, not wishing to burden him further.
"You’re a prince, and I’m your consort. Who would dare mistreat me?" Sun Caiyao stepped closer, her voice tender. "Your wounds are still healing—you mustn’t catch a chill. Let’s return."
"Didn’t you wish to see Fifth Brother?" Yun Yanze took her hand. "I’ll accompany you."
"No need." She shook her head, reluctant to agitate him with news of Consort Ning lest his wounds worsen. "Nothing matters more than your rest."
"Is that so?" Yun Yanze’s smile deepened. "You’re too good to me, Caiyao."
"I’m your wife. If I don’t care for you, who will?" Sun Caiyao entwined her fingers with his, her eyes brimming with affection.
"Then let’s go back." As Yun Yanze glanced toward the gate, a flickering lantern caught his eye. "What’s that?"
"Fifth Brother mentioned it’s a mermaid-silk lantern," Sun Caiyao murmured, lowering her lashes. "They say he prepared it especially for County Mistress Ming."
"Do you like it?" Yun Yanze studied her.
"A wasteful trinket—pretty but useless." She eyed the lantern dismissively. "I don’t care for it."
Yun Yanze chuckled but said nothing.
"Your Highness, you’re laughing at me."
"I’m laughing with you, not at you."
"I’m truly cross now. I shan’t play along."
"Wait—don’t leave!" Prince Chen dashed after Jiuzhu, who was storming off with her skirts bunched in her hands. "Don’t you want the mermaid-silk lantern?"
Jiuzhu halted and glanced back at the lantern in Prince Chen’s grip, silent.
"Hmph!" She tilted her chin skyward.
"Since when did such a little lady grow such a temper?" Prince Chen strode to her side, pried open her palm, and pressed the lantern’s handle into it. "Hold it properly. I promise not to tease you again."
No wonder people said girls shouldn’t be indulged—the more you spoiled them, the more headstrong they became.
"I’m not like that." Jiuzhu clutched the lantern, guiltily staring at her feet.
"Not like what?" Prince Chen prodded.
Not... growing more temperamental.
Surely... not?
Jiuzhu mentally reviewed her recent interactions with His Highness, her head drooping lower. She couldn’t believe she’d actually lost her temper over something so trivial.
No wonder her masters claimed the capital’s feng shui was poor. It must be true—even her disposition had soured here.
"Not angry anymore?" Prince Chen poked the top of her bowed head.
"I wasn’t angry." Jiuzhu scuffed the ground with her toe, masking her embarrassment.
"Prove it by smiling. Otherwise, I won’t believe you." He bent to meet her eyes. "Go on—one smile."
Jiuzhu stared at Prince Chen’s suddenly close face, mesmerized by his deep, captivating gaze. Only one thought filled her mind:
His Highness’s eyes were so lovely. His nose was perfect. Really, everything about him was perfect.
"Ming Little Pig?"
"Hm?"
"Daydreaming again?" Prince Chen tapped her forehead with his fingertip. "Come on, smile."
Jiuzhu obediently curved her lips.
Prince Chen jerked his head away. *Good heavens, how did the Ming family raise such an adorably clueless girl?*
Someone this guileless needed to be tucked into a pouch for safekeeping.
He fished inside his sleeve. "Open wide."
Jiuzhu complied, and a mint candy landed on her tongue.
"Peppermint cools the body. This’ll soothe you." Prince Chen eyed her intricately styled *feixian* updo with regret—it was too exquisite to muss, or he’d have ruffled her hair.
"Thank you, Your Highness." Jiuzhu perked up instantly.
Prince Chen grinned inwardly. *So easy to please.*
His expression darkened as he noticed the figures at the gate. How long had Yun Yanze been standing there?
What was wrong with him? He had his own wife—why lurk outside spying on another man and his betrothed?
"Fourth Brother, Fourth Sister-in-law." Prince Chen stepped forward, shielding Jiuzhu. "Admiring the scenery?"
"Fifth Brother’s courtyard is indeed picturesque. I lingered too long—my apologies." Yun Yanze covered a cough with his fist.
His gaze flickered to the bamboo-green hem peeking behind Yun Duqing. Lowering his hand, he smiled faintly.
Ever since Yun Duqing’s engagement to Ming Jiuzhu, even the literati spoke less harshly of him—as if fortune itself had shifted in his favor.
The capital’s romanticized tales of the dashing prince had taken root among commoners, who now saw Prince Chen as the gallant, talented hero from those stories, adored by his devoted beauty.
"No harm done. I quite agree—my courtyard is splendid." Prince Chen arched a brow. "But Fourth Brother should rest. You can admire the view properly once you’ve recovered."
"My thanks for the concern. I’ll take better care." Yun Yanze’s smile didn’t reach his eyes. "County Mistress Ming, when did you arrive at the palace?"
Sun Caiyao glanced sideways at him. Even though Ming Jiuzhu’s path had diverged from her dreams—no longer entwined with His Highness—he still noticed her.
"Your Highness, I entered the palace today." Jiuzhu peeked from behind Prince Chen, curtsied, then ducked back like a startled rabbit.
"Fourth Brother." Prince Chen smiled without warmth. "You should return to your own courtyard to recuperate."
"Farewell." Yun Yanze took Sun Caiyao's hand. "Caiyao, let's go."
Sun Caiyao glanced at Prince Chen, then at Yun Yanze, but in the end, she said nothing and followed Yun Yanze away.
"Was the Princess Consort trying to say something?"
"If it wasn't spoken, it must not be important." Prince Chen looked at Jiuzhu's hand, his fingers twitching slightly before he tucked them back into his sleeve.
"I’ve asked the kitchen to prepare a mild, non-spicy dinner for you. After the meal, I’ll escort you back to Bright Moon Palace." He handed her a small medicine bottle. "Before bed, don’t forget to take a pill. The cut in your mouth will heal by morning."
"Thank you, Your Highness." Jiuzhu clutched the bottle, her guilt growing heavier.
Ming Jiuzhu, oh Ming Jiuzhu, Prince Chen had even planned what she would eat for dinner—how could you stay angry at such an immortal-like man? Doesn’t your conscience ache?
By the time they finished dinner at Zhangliu Palace, night had already fallen. Jiuzhu stepped outside and gasped softly at the sight of the lanterns illuminating the courtyard. "So beautiful."
"Come, let’s see the outer courtyard." Prince Chen carried her mermaid-silk lantern for her, guiding her down the stone path.
The soft glow of lanterns, floating lights on the winding stream, and rows of palace maids holding crystal lamps—everything was so enchanting, as if they had wandered into a fairyland.
Jiuzhu couldn’t bear to blink, unsure where to look first.
Prince Chen watched Ming Jiuzhu bathed in the candlelight, patiently standing beside her.
She had given him all her savings—now, he could only gift her this sea of lights.
"Do you like it?" he asked.
"It’s beautiful." Jiuzhu nodded slowly, tugging at his sleeve. "Did Your Highness prepare this for me?"
Prince Chen paused before murmuring, "...Yes."
"Thank you, Your Highness." Jiuzhu gazed up at the lanterns hanging from the trees. "These are the most beautiful lights I’ve ever seen."
"You think *these* are the most beautiful?" Prince Chen chuckled. "In the future, I’ll give you even lovelier ones."
Jiuzhu smiled at him, and it was as if all the stars in the Milky Way had leaped into her eyes.
Prince Chen stayed with her for a long while, until the night breeze grew stronger. "Let’s go. I’ll take you back."
Jiuzhu hurried after him.
Though countless lanterns shone brightly, she followed him without hesitation.
Sun Caiyao stood in the shadows, waiting until Prince Chen and Ming Jiuzhu had left before stepping into the light. "Let’s go," she said to the maid behind her.
No matter the reason, as a daughter-in-law, she had to go to Bright Moon Palace to plead for Consort Ning’s sake.
The palace paths were quiet but not eerie—instead, they carried an indescribable serenity. The lanterns stretched Prince Chen’s shadow long, and Jiuzhu stepped on it, as if she were a little tail trailing behind him.
Suddenly, Prince Chen stopped and turned. "The road ahead is dark. Hold onto my sleeve."
"Okay." She reached out and lightly grasped it.
Their shadows merged into one indistinct blur against the palace wall.
At the gates of Bright Moon Palace, Jiuzhu let go and smoothed the wrinkles she’d left on his sleeve. "Your Highness, I’m here."
"Mm." Prince Chen clasped his hands behind his back. "Go inside."
Just as Jiuzhu stepped through the door, she heard Xiangjuan murmur, "After all these years, I wonder if we can still find that little girl."
Jiuzhu turned back—Prince Chen hadn’t left yet. She suddenly spun around, rushed to his side, and grabbed his sleeve again.
"Aunt Xiangjuan, who are you looking for?" Holding Prince Chen’s sleeve with one hand and gripping the doorframe with the other, she leaned in to ask.
"Ah, County Mistress Ming is back?" Xiangjuan approached and only then noticed Prince Chen standing behind her. She bowed slightly before whispering, "Eight years ago, His Highness saved a little girl from drowning in Lingzhou. Her Majesty wishes to find her."
"Is finding her important to Her Majesty and His Highness?"
Xiangjuan nodded. "Her Majesty has already petitioned His Majesty to send the Imperial Guards to Lingzhou. We can only hope she succeeds."
But the world was vast—who knew how long it would take?
Jiuzhu’s grip on Prince Chen’s sleeve tightened, then loosened, then tightened again. "Actually… there’s no need to search."
Prince Chen turned to her, reaching through the sleeve to hold her trembling hand in his palm.
"I know where she is."
