Ch 288: Visiting the Lantern Festival

Yu Nanqing’s eyes lit up at this, and Su Wanyan turned to him: “What do you say? Are you going or not?”

“Going.” How could he not go?

Yu Nanqing replied decisively.

Seeing that he was in a better mood, Su Wanyan smiled, gently pinching his cheek: “Then don’t be so downcast, it’s not a big deal.”

“…” Yu Nanqing hesitated for a moment, then replied: “Mm.”

Having just finished talking with Yu Nanqing about the East Sea envoy’s temporary stay at the mansion this morning, they arrived this afternoon, empty-handed.

Just as Su Wanyan had thought, Feng Yao came with Feng Lingxiao, and Yun Yi was also with them.

Yun Yi had cried in front of Su Wanyan this morning, and now she wants to move in this afternoon. Su Wanyan didn’t know how she felt.

The East Sea envoy is an esteemed guest, usually hosted and arranged by the mistress of the house, especially since Feng Yao and Yun Yi are women.

However, Prince Gong’s Residence is special; Su Wanyan didn’t participate in the arrangements at all.

Moreover, Feng Lingxiao and Feng Yao’s side rooms are in the central courtyard of the Prince’s Residence, while Su Wanyan’s main courtyard is in the back courtyard of the Prince’s Residence. Wang Zhang is hosting them; Su Wanyan didn’t even show her face, let alone interfere.

Not only did she not interfere, but Yu Nanqing had also ordered that no unauthorized personnel be allowed to enter the entire back courtyard of the Prince’s Residence.

This naturally includes Feng Lingxiao and the others who are visiting the Prince’s Residence.

Feng Lingxiao didn’t seem to care, but Feng Yao, during her stay, had tentatively visited the back courtyard several times, only to be stopped each time.

Although Su Wanyan didn’t see them, someone reported their every move in the residence to her daily.

To avoid accidents, since Feng Lingxiao’s arrival, Yu Nanqing had stopped going to court, spending his days making medicine with Su Wanyan, assisting her, looking at maps, and explaining about other countries’ royal family members.

Su Wanyan was interested and had someone find several unofficial histories of other countries for her to read.

As for Feng Lingxiao, unless they wanted to see him, Yu Nanqing ignored them. The servants of the residence took care of all their needs; even if they wanted to experience the local customs in the city, guards were sent to follow and protect them. Yu Nanqing didn’t need to do it personally.

He only said they could stay temporarily in the residence, but he didn’t say he had to accompany them in everything.

In this respect, Yu Nanqing protected Su Wanyan very well.

However, Yun Yi, the day Su Wanyan said she wanted to discuss her moving in with Yu Nanqing, had been trying to see Su Wanyan for days. Su Wanyan didn’t want to deal with it, so she avoided her.

July, Qixi Festival.

That night, Su Wanyan finally appeared.

They had agreed to go to the city to see the lantern festival.

However, just as they were holding hands and about to leave the residence, they ran into Feng Yao at the gate.

Su Wanyan knew that it was impossible not to see each other after living under the same roof for so long, especially since they hadn’t kept their plans secret, and Feng Yao could easily find out.

So Su Wanyan didn’t hesitate, and greeted her openly: “Princess Fengyao, how have you been staying at the residence?”

Feng Yao put on a smile: “Thanks to the Prince’s care, everything is fine.”

Then she changed the subject: “However, the Mistress has been avoiding us these days, and I wonder if the Mistress doesn’t welcome us, so…”

At this point, Feng Yao stopped, and laughed: “Forget it, maybe I’m overthinking things. How could the Mistress be so petty?”

“Oh, you’re not overthinking,” Su Wanyan didn’t indulge her: “I really don’t like being disturbed by outsiders. Even the King of Heaven himself wouldn’t be welcome, but there’s no way around it. You are esteemed guests, so to fulfill my duty as a host, I have to compromise.”

Su Wanyan smiled: “Princess Fengyao, is there anything you’re dissatisfied with? If you are dissatisfied, the Prince can arrange for you to stay at an inn, or even the Imperial Palace. Wasn’t that your initial accommodation, arranged by the Emperor? It’s far grander than this Prince’s Residence, and the Empress would certainly be more adept at hospitality than I am.”

After speaking, Su Wanyan looked at Yu Nanqing: “Right, Prince?”

“Mm.” Yu Nanqing nodded.

Feng Yao’s breath hitched, her brows furrowed tightly.

She didn’t understand why Su Wanyan’s words were always unexpected. Everyone cares about face and dignity, but these things seem unimportant to Su Wanyan.

Doesn’t Su Wanyan care about her reputation?

She’s the seventeenth princess of the East Sea, and Su Wanyan openly said she wasn’t welcome. Isn’t she afraid of being criticized and causing trouble?

Even the Emperor of Great Jin would give them some face?

Su Wanyan ignored her, taking Yu Nanqing’s hand: “Let’s go.”

“Mistress!” At this time, Yun Yi, who was following Feng Yao, couldn’t help but speak: “Are the Mistress and the Prince going to the lantern festival? The princess and I are too. It’s a rare encounter, why don’t we go together?”

“Yes, this princess is also about to go out. Shall we go together?” Feng Yao added.

But Su Wanyan shook her head: “NONONONONO, no, no.”

Feng Yao was stunned. What… what does that mean?

What does that mean?

Before she could figure it out, she heard Su Wanyan say: “The Prince and I are going on a private date. Recently, the Prince hasn’t had much time to spend with me because he’s been entertaining you. It’s Qixi Festival, a day for lovers, you wouldn’t be so shameless as to disturb us, would you?”

Feng Yao’s face turned pale, her lips parted speechless.

What does she mean he hasn’t had time to spend with her because he’s been entertaining them? Hasn’t Yu Nanqing been with her every day these days?

How can she lie with a straight face?

And who is shameless? She only asked if they wanted to go together; who wants to disturb them?!

Her face had been pale, but now Feng Yao’s face visibly darkened; a few words had choked her.

Su Wanyan ignored her. While Feng Yao’s face shifted between pale and dark, Su Wanyan and Yu Nanqing had already gotten into the carriage and set off for the lantern festival.

Looking at Yu Nanqing and Su Wanyan, a talented man and a beautiful woman, a perfect match, Feng Yao’s fists clenched in her sleeves, her eyes darkening imperceptibly, a hint of defiance curving her beautiful lips.

The lantern festival was in the bustling city, spreading from the city center outwards. From a high vantage point, one could see a vast expanse of colorful lanterns.

Some were as tall as three-story buildings, hanging from the tops of buildings. The restaurants along the streets held lantern riddle-guessing and ring-toss dragon lantern games.

Tonight, the street vendors mostly sold flower lanterns. Although Su Wanyan had seen them once before, she was still amazed by them this time.

“I remember,” Su Wanyan suddenly exclaimed excitedly: “Last year’s Mid-Autumn Lantern Festival, you were sick, didn’t we agree to watch it together this year?”