Chapter 37: Lantern Festival

As soon as dusk fell on the day of the lantern festival, streets large and small throughout Fengling City were adorned with lanterns of all shapes and sizes.

Colorful lanterns hung in midair, each one unique in style and adorned with various scenic patterns.

Small vendors along the streets also showcased their exceptional skills, crafting lanterns of all kinds to hang at their stalls, attracting the attention of passing noble ladies and young men.

Today, Feng Bai Su was once again dressed in a bright red brocade robe with a matching cloak draped over it. Her exquisite and alluring features flickered in the glow of the dazzling lanterns. Her lazy peach blossom eyes were half-closed, filled with sparkling light.

With her tall figure and outstanding appearance, she effortlessly attracted the repeated glances of passing young men just by standing there nonchalantly.

When Wei Jing Mo saw her, his breath involuntarily caught for a moment, and his footsteps slowed.

At that moment, Feng Bai Su happened to look over. Her previously scattered gaze brightened, and a bewitching smile curled at the corners of her lips.

She lifted her feet and slowly walked towards Wei Jing Mo.

Wei Jing Mo stood still, his cool ink-black eyes fixed unblinkingly on her as she approached.

“Why are you dressed so thinly? Where’s your hand warmer?”

As Feng Bai Su drew near and saw his empty hands curled up, she reached out and placed a small golden hand warmer she had prepared into his hands.

“It’s a good thing this prince came prepared! Here, you take it!”

Wei Jing Mo instinctively accepted the hand warmer she passed to him. As the warmth spread to his hands, his dazed mind finally cleared.

His hands holding the warmer unconsciously tightened.

He hadn’t expected Feng Bai Su to suddenly invite him to see the lanterns together, and he had rushed over in a hurry.

Wei Jing Mo lightly bit his thin lip and softly asked, “If Your Highness gives it to me, what about you?”

Hearing this, Feng Bai Su’s expression was rather casual: “It was prepared for you in the first place. This prince is strong and healthy, I don’t need such a little trinket.”

Upon hearing her words, Wei Jing Mo’s heart couldn’t help but skip a beat.

His eyes brightened slightly as he looked up at her, but seeing her casual expression no different from usual, he slowly lowered his gaze again.

“Shall we go? There should be more lanterns up ahead.”

Feng Bai Su had unknowingly moved to stand beside him, shielding him from the passing crowd, and casually asked.

Wei Jing Mo nodded lightly in response and slowly stepped forward.

The reason Feng Bai Su came to this lantern festival was because after discussing it with Feng Bai Jiang, she suddenly thought of Wei Jing Mo.

Although she wasn’t particularly interested in these lanterns, she thought that these young men should all quite like such things. With that thought, she sent a message to the Northern Marquis’s mansion.

The two were already engaged, so Feng Bai Su naturally considered Wei Jing Mo as her person.

Being good to her own person and making them happy, Feng Bai Su felt this was what she should do!

She glanced sideways at Wei Jing Mo, who was curiously looking at the lanterns on both sides, his eyes occasionally revealing flashes of light, making his whole person seem lively and spirited.

A hint of a smile appeared in her lazy peach blossom eyes, her gaze unconsciously carrying a touch of indulgence and tenderness.

Her eyes flickered, and she suddenly asked softly, “Do you want one?”

Seeing Wei Jing Mo immediately raise his head, his expression seeming somewhat hesitant.

She slowly added, “Don’t worry, this prince will pay.”

Her low, pleasant voice was full of teasing laughter.

Hearing this, Wei Jing Mo immediately lowered his head, but the tips of his ears peeking out from his black hair reddened slightly.

Seeing this, Feng Bai Su couldn’t help but laugh softly, joking: “No need to save money for this prince, I can afford one lantern.”

“Moreover…”

She suddenly lowered her head, leaning close to Wei Jing Mo’s ear: “If you want, this prince can afford to buy all the lanterns on this entire street…”

As soon as the words fell, without waiting for Wei Jing Mo to react, she straightened up again and looked at him with a light laugh: “Go ahead and choose!”

Wei Jing Mo quietly covered his ear and touched it, the tip now red as blood.

He slowly raised his head, meeting Feng Bai Su’s peach blossom eyes that were filled with smiles and encouragement, and his face couldn’t help but redden again.

After a long while, he finally nodded gently: “Thank you, Your Highness.”

In the end, Wei Jing Mo chose a lantern with small foxes drawn on all four sides. Under the red lantern hung tassels, and the small foxes drawn on each side were adorably cute.

Feng Bai Su suddenly leaned close to the lantern in his hand, reaching out with her long-fingered hand to flick the tassel hanging below. Her gaze fell on the small foxes drawn on the lantern’s surface.

The moment she leaned in, Wei Jing Mo’s eyes widened slightly, whether from fright or embarrassment was unclear.

The distance between them was quite close now, with only a fist’s width between them.

Originally, Feng Bai Su was a step behind him, but now as she leaned forward, it was as if she was half-embracing Wei Jing Mo.

That unique, intoxicating floral scent that belonged to her instantly wafted over, assaulting all of Wei Jing Mo’s senses.

His breathing involuntarily slowed for a moment, and seeing Feng Bai Su still intently staring at the lantern in his hand, he finally couldn’t bear the shame in his heart and quietly shifted his body to the side.

Fortunately, Feng Bai Su quickly straightened up, and Wei Jing Mo’s heart finally relaxed.

Feng Bai Su hadn’t noticed Wei Jing Mo’s unusual behavior, and at this moment sincerely praised: “This lantern is well-made! The small foxes drawn on it are so vivid and lifelike. Each side looks quite lively and adorable!”

Her eyes flashed with interest, as if she had finally found some enjoyment in touring the lantern festival.

Seeing her completely oblivious appearance, Wei Jing Mo felt somewhat disappointed for some reason. Even the lantern in his hand seemed less appealing.

Cong Bai had been following behind them the whole time, and seeing her mistress’s clueless behavior, she felt exasperated!

Why couldn’t Her Highness be more proactive?

Seeing her still admiringly looking at the lanterns on both sides, Wei Jing Mo suddenly felt a surge of emotion, and the words slipped out: “If Your Highness likes it, Jing Mo can buy one for you as well.”

As soon as the words left his mouth, he regretted them.

After all, how could a man buy things for a woman? Normally, women might feel this damages their dignity, let alone Feng Bai Su who was a high and mighty princess.

He bit his lip, wanting to take back what he had just said, but not knowing what to say.

Dong Qing and Dong Gua, following behind him, were also startled by their young master’s boldness! Although this Seventh Princess seemed quite amiable towards their young master every time they met, it still concerned a woman’s dignity. This time, she might not let it go so easily.

The two also began to worry along with Wei Jing Mo, afraid that Feng Bai Su would turn a cold face towards Wei Jing Mo.

Hearing this, Feng Bai Su was rather surprised and looked at Wei Jing Mo to confirm once more: “You want to buy one for me?”

Wei Jing Mo’s long eyelashes trembled violently, and his heart tightened along with them. He wondered if Feng Bai Su was angry.

At this moment, a light laugh suddenly sounded in his ear: “I appreciate your sentiment. However, there’s no need to buy the lantern. This prince was merely admiring the craftsman’s skill!”

Her voice carried hints of laughter and laziness, without a trace of anger.

Hearing this, Wei Jing Mo slowly raised his head and saw that her expression was as usual, as if she truly was just thanking him for his good intentions.

His heart trembled involuntarily, and an inexplicable emotion lingered in his heart, refusing to dissipate.

Wei Jing Mo couldn’t help but wonder: Doesn’t she feel angry at all? If it were other women, they would probably be furious with embarrassment by now!

He wanted to ask her, but feared that reminding her might make her angry, so he ultimately didn’t voice his question.

—

The two continued walking along the street.

Suddenly, the joyful voices of some men came from nearby: “They’re about to start releasing sky lanterns at Fengyang Lake! Let’s hurry over!”

As soon as the words fell, a group of people rushed past them from behind, running towards the front.

Feng Bai Su stared at their retreating figures, then looked down at Wei Jing Mo and asked, “Do you want to go take a look?”

Hearing this, Wei Jing Mo nodded.

So the two also headed in the direction of Fengyang Lake.

When they arrived at the shore, the area was already crowded with people, mostly young men and women. Some were in pairs, others in groups.

Feng Bai Su looked at the sky lanterns in their hands, then walked over to a nearby vendor and bought one.

Then she handed it to Wei Jing Mo: “Do you want to make a wish?”

When Wei Jing Mo saw her suddenly walk away, he thought she had seen someone she knew, but he didn’t expect her to go buy a sky lantern.

Looking at the lit sky lanterns in the hands of the young men around, he reached out to take it, and his thin lips couldn’t help but curl into a faint smile.

Wei Jing Mo handed the small fox lantern to Dong Qing behind him for safekeeping.

Then he picked up a brush and began to write earnestly on the sky lantern.

After he finished writing, he looked at the blank space on the back. He hesitantly asked Feng Bai Su, who was standing beside him, “Does Your Highness want to write?”

Feng Bai Su lowered her head to meet his somewhat bright ink-black eyes, which seemed to hold a bit of expectation.

She laughed lightly, took the brush, and stood at the back of the sky lantern.

Before writing, she said in a lazy voice, “Hold it steady for me.”

Hearing this, Wei Jing Mo immediately fixed the sky lantern in his hand, standing opposite Feng Bai Su, and replied very seriously, “Your Highness, you can write now.”

Feng Bai Su was intentionally teasing him, and seeing his serious demeanor, her red lips couldn’t help but curl up slightly again.

Then, she raised her hand and wrote a line on the sky lantern.

“Done.”

A moment later, she put away the brush and stepped back a few paces.

Wei Jing Mo looked at the faint writing on the back of the sky lantern, his heart itching with curiosity like a cat scratching.

After hesitating for a few seconds, he finally asked Feng Bai Su in a low voice, “Your Highness, may I see what you wrote?”

Feng Bai Su didn’t mind and nodded to him, “Sure, go ahead.”

Hearing this, Wei Jing Mo’s jade-like face was tinged with a faint blush, and he spoke again, “Then, could you not look at mine?”

When Feng Bai Su heard this, she couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow.

She saw him standing there somewhat awkwardly, his cheeks flushed with embarrassment, his long, thick eyelashes trembling uneasily.

She laughed lightly and very cooperatively turned her back.

Seeing this, Wei Jing Mo finally looked at the words on the sky lantern with confidence.

What met his eyes was: “Wishing young master Wei’s wishes come true, may all your heart’s desires be fulfilled!”

Wei Jing Mo silently recited it once in a daze.

When he came to his senses, his pupils couldn’t help but contract, and the blush on his face spread down to his neck.

His thin lips parted slightly, his entire mind swirling with this one sentence.

“Release the lanterns!”

Suddenly, a voice came from afar.

Wei Jing Mo instinctively released his fingers, and the sky lantern in his hand immediately floated lightly into the night sky.

The warm yellow candlelight flickered inside the white lantern cloth, just like Wei Jing Mo’s heart at this moment, beating incessantly!