Chapter Fourteen

After the birthday, the Crown Prince and his sons were once again allowed to accompany the Emperor closely.

What appeared to be favor was, in truth, fraught with danger.

After returning home to care for my ill father, I spent my days reading.

“Yong’an,” my father called.

He glanced at the book in my hands. “Still reading this?”

“I can recite it, but I don’t understand it fully,” I admitted.

He smiled. “You’ll understand when you’re older.”

Lady Yang entered with a bowl of soup.

“In a few months, you’ll go to Luoyang,” she said gently.

We spoke briefly before she left.

My father then told me about the Emperor’s anger over the withered peonies—and how Li Chengqi had turned that anger into delight with a single remark.

Hearing this, my heart eased.

Then my father suddenly asked, “Do you have feelings for him?”

I hesitated, then nodded.

He sighed. “Your marriage depends on the Emperor. Until then, keep it secret.”

I agreed.

—

Days passed, and soon it was the Lantern Festival.

Yiping accidentally spilled tea onto Li Chengyi as he and Li Chengqi arrived.

I greeted them.

They explained they had come to visit my father—and also to enjoy the festival.

As night fell, we went out to see the lanterns.

The streets were crowded and dazzling.

Eventually, only Li Chengqi and I remained together.

He led me to a quiet bookstall.

While browsing, he found a hidden note inside a sutra.

After reading it, he burned it.

“Lai Junchen intends to frame Di Renjie for treason,” he said calmly.

I was shocked.

Before I could ask more, Li Chengyi and Yiping found us again.

Li Chengyi laughed. “Big brother, when did you learn to win someone’s heart like this?”

Embarrassed, I glared at him.

Li Chengqi only smiled. “Longji told me to get her a lantern.”

Li Chengyi exclaimed, “Ah! I forgot—that was Longji’s idea.”