Chapter 26: The Lantern Festival

Wen Zhiyan had been settled into the Prince Fu Mansion by Li Honghui. With her three daily meals provided for, she found herself occasionally dazed, feeling as though she had returned to the Duke of the Nation’s estate from two years prior.

Back then, she could live a life of carefree ease as the young mistress of the house, her only worry being what kind of man her future husband might be. Now, she no longer even had that concern; no one would be willing to marry her.

Every few days, Li Honghui would come to sit with her, asking if she was adjusting well to life in the mansion and instructing her to have the steward provide anything she might lack. Naturally, Wen Zhiyan would not add to his troubles. Whenever he asked, she would reply, "Your Highness, I lack for nothing. To have your protection is already a blessing beyond measure."

Furthermore, Li Honghui often arranged for her to be taken out for outings. It was considered improper for a lady to show her face in public, so Li Honghui had many beautiful veils and hoods made for her. At first, Wen Zhiyan was reluctant to go, but the maids would try to persuade her.

"Please, Miss, go out for a stroll. You will surely fall ill from being cooped up in this courtyard for so long."

Wen Zhiyan would answer, "It is no matter. I am accustomed to a quiet temperament, and going out only makes me feel uneasy."

At such times, the maids would resort to a pitiable ruse: "His Highness ordered us to take good care of you. If you refuse to go out for some fresh air and remain sullen all day, His Highness will surely blame us and perhaps even cast us out of the mansion!"

How could Wen Zhiyan bear to see others punished on her account? Whenever she heard words like these, she would relent, don her veil, and, under the protection of several guards, go out for a symbolic walk.

After this had repeated three or four times, when Li Honghui once again visited the small courtyard where she resided, Wen Zhiyan could finally contain herself no longer and asked the question that had been weighing on her.

"Your Highness treats me with such fine food and drink, and even arranges for me to go out for diversion. You must surely want something that I possess, yet I am unaware of what that thing might be."

Li Honghui replied indifferently, "I merely admire the character of the late Duke of the Nation and do not wish to see his widow suffer."

Wen Zhiyan did not believe him. "Is it really that simple?"

"Of course, it is not just for that reason," Li Honghui said. "I also wanted to know how you have fared over this past year, but asking would feel like picking at your old wounds. I only wished to soothe them..."

Wen Zhiyan lowered her head. "Perhaps because I have been alone for so long, I have suffered many hurts and heard many lies. If Your Highness truly seeks nothing in return, then I find it all the more difficult to accept your care with a clear conscience."

She looked up again, searching Li Honghui’s eyes closely, hoping to discern his true intentions. "Your Highness, it would be better to speak plainly. Why did you send people to find me? And why are you so kind to me?"

Li Honghui did not answer directly. He looked at the moon just emerging above the window and said, "Today is the fifteenth. On every fifteenth, there is a lantern festival in the capital. Would you like to go and see it with me?"

"A lantern festival... it is either for parents taking their children out to play, or for newlywed couples on a date. In what capacity would I accompany Your Highness?"

Li Honghui stood up, selected a hood from the neat row of headwear, and walked over to pat her head. His voice was both firm and gentle. "It is not just for parents and children, or husbands and wives; there are also elder brothers taking their younger sisters out. In the capital, those who have older brothers often go out with them to the lantern festivals. As the eldest daughter of your family, it is a pity that you have missed so many years of these festivities."

He bowed his waist, placed the hood on Wen Zhiyan, lifted the veil, and looked at her face. "Today, just pretend that you have gained an older brother. Come, let your brother take you out to play."

Li Honghui extended his hand toward her. Wen Zhiyan looked at his hand—warm and broad—and his status represented a level of reliability she had never before encountered. As if bewitched, she carefully placed her hand into his.

Li Honghui smiled, took her hand, and stepped out the door with long strides. The guards instinctively followed. Li Honghui raised his free hand above his head and, without turning back, waved them off.

"There is no need to follow today! Go and rest!"

"Your Highness..." Wen Zhiyan said, worried. "If we do not have the guards with us, will it be safe?"

"What is there to fear!" Li Honghui displayed that legendary side of his as the dissolute, romantic young prince. "I am walking the streets to enjoy myself; who would dare to harm me?!"

At the lantern festival, Li Honghui did not act like an older brother at all; he was more like a mischievous, naughty younger brother, finding everything novel.

"Hey, these storybooks are quite interesting. I’ll buy two to take back for you to pass the time!"

He grabbed a few volumes at random and tossed silver to the bookstall owner without even asking the price. The owner behind him was overjoyed and shouted, "Thank you, young master! Thank you, young master!"

Wen Zhiyan quietly lifted her veil and flipped through a few pages, only to find illustrations of intertwined lovers in one of the books.

"What is this!"

Shame and indignation overwhelmed her, and she threw the book heavily into Li Honghui’s hands. Li Honghui had been confused at first, but upon seeing the illustrations, he became excited. "Wow, there are such good things as these! Wait, let’s go back and buy a few more!"

"Do not speak to me!"

Wen Zhiyan walked away quickly. Li Honghui laughed and chased after her, not forgetting to tease her: "Are you blushing already?"

"You!"

"Hahaha, I won’t tease you anymore. There are masks for sale up ahead; I’m going to buy one!"

He skipped and hopped ahead of her once more. Wen Zhiyan looked left and right; if she wanted to flee now, she could certainly escape into the crowded streets. But if she fled, where could she go? She might not believe that Li Honghui had truly been struck by a sudden wave of altruism, offering her kindness without expecting anything in return. However, she believed that the people outside would only be worse than Li Honghui, wanting far more from her.

As this thought crossed her mind, she quickened her pace and caught up with Li Honghui.

"Look, does the wolf mask look better, or the fox, or the ghost mask?"

Li Honghui seemed troubled, not knowing which to choose. Wen Zhiyan pointed to another mask below. Li Honghui followed her gesture and feigned indignation: "Aha! You actually think I am a dog! Just you wait!"

He grabbed the dog mask, held it to his face, and barked at her: "Woof! Woof, woof, woof!"

"Haha, hahahaha!"

Wen Zhiyan was so amused by his actions that tears pricked the corners of her eyes. Passersby were drawn to the commotion, their lingering gazes falling upon the two of them.

"Alright, alright." Wen Zhiyan quickly tried to stop him, instinctively covering his mouth with her hand. His warm breath brushed against her palm, and both of them felt a sudden heat.

Wen Zhiyan retracted her hand instantly, and Li Honghui fell silent just as quickly. The surroundings were bustling and noisy, but as they locked eyes, a silent, intimate space formed between them.