Chapter 346 – The Familiar Flower-Shaped Paper On The Lantern
“The marriage is at Your Highness’ command, of course,” Yan Huaijing denoted with a light smile on his face without any change in his expression. He curved his thin lips into an elegant smiley arc. Under the lights of the lanterns, he looked as handsome as a deity.
Although Wei Qiufu disdained the woman in Yan Huaijing’s arms, she had to react according to the Crown Prince’s order. Reluctantly, she marched forward and extended her hands, wanting to take Wei Yuewu’s hand, as she uttered in a soft tone, “Miss, let’s go over there and talk. There is a pretty flower-shaped lantern over there.”
Wei Qiufu had to do as the Crown Prince said despite her disinclination. By doing so, the Crown Prince would definitely see her generous performance and think that she was magnanimous and good-mannered.
However, Yan Huaijing curled his arm slightly and hugged Wei Yuewu tighter. Then, he looked at Wei Qiufu with his cold gazes. “Fourth Miss Wei, thanks but no thanks.”
This time, Yan Huaijing was acting extremely passionless, which was inconsistent with his usual gentle and elegant image. Wei Qiufu subconsciously raised her head and met with his frosty and profound eyes. His glare was not only stoic but also callous as if he could see through her. His eerie glare caused Wei Qiufu to shudder unconsciously. Her hand froze in the air, not daring to approach Wei Yuewu.
Wei Qiufu involuntarily retreated.
Wen Tianyao frowned in dismay. Although Yan Huaijing sounded polite, there was a hint of dissatisfaction in his tone. He then looked at the woman in his arms. Although she was delicate and weak and did not say a word, she leaned against Yan Huaijing and did not move. It was obvious that she would not leave with Wei Qiufu voluntarily.
Although her face was covered by the veil, the veil couldn’t hide her arrogance as she slightly lifted her head proudly. Judging from her proud attitude, Wen Tianyao deduced that not only was the woman the daughter of an aristocratic family in the State of Yan, but she was also not an ordinary young lady. She should be the legitimate daughter of a prominent family.
Only this kind of woman had the confidence to stand there and not respond to Wei Qiufu’s words.
From the looks of it, Wei Qiufu’s poise seemed to be a bit low!
If Wei Yuewu was here, her status would be equal to the woman no matter how he looked at it. Thinking of Wei Yuewu, Wen Tianyao thought of the Nine-Phoenix Hairpin incident. In fact, that hairpin was a test.
However, Wen Tianyao was satisfied by the outcome of the test. From the test, he concluded that Wei Qiufu was pettier and much more dimwitted. Not only did she not return the Nine-Phoenix Hairpin after receiving it, but she also assumed that she was the one he wanted to give the hairpin to.
Of course, he would not really give the hairpin to Wei Qiufu…
“Royal Brother, Heir-apparent of Yan, why are you still standing here? Let’s go and admire the lanterns!” The Third Princess appeared out of nowhere and stood at the intersection in front of them with a smile. There was only one palace maid beside her. The Third Princess looked at Wei Yuewu, and she began to judge her.
It was different from seeing her from a distance on the tall building that day. Now that she looked at Yan Huaijing and Wei Yuewu from a close distance, she could literally feel Yan Huaijing’s deep concern toward the woman.
Ever since Yan Huaijing entered the capital, the Third Princess had never seen him act so intimate with any woman. He did not even hold any woman’s hand, let alone hugging her in such a domineering manner. Hence, the Third Princess concluded that this woman was special.
The Third Princess was even more concerned about the woman’s identity. She was the daughter of a prominent family in the State of Yan and also Yan Huaijing’s childhood sweetheart. Even after Yan Huaijing married her, this woman would have the support of both Yan Huaijing and her prominent family. Therefore, this woman should be her biggest opponent.
“Let’s go together!” Because of the appearance of the Third Princess, the turbulent displeasure between Wen Tianyao and Yan Huaijing eased. Wen Tianyao smiled and stepped forward.
Wei Qiufu hurriedly followed him.
Yan Huaijing held Wei Yuewu’s slender waist gently and walked to the left of Wen Tianyao.
After leaving the intersection, the scene on both sides suddenly became brighter and livelier. The main palace path and a few small roads on the side were filled with all kinds of lanterns, which extended to as far as their eyes could see.
Wei Yuewu had never seen so many lanterns before, and her heart inexplicably began to stir in excitement. When she was at her maternal grandparents’ home, Grandmother would forbid her to go out even if there was a lantern festival on the street. When her cousin sisters came back, she was envious of them as she listened to them chattering about the interesting things outside.
Wei Yuewu had always wanted to have a chance to see the scene of all the lanterns gathering together. Unexpectedly, her dream came true in the Palace today.
“How about it? Shall we go over and take a look?” Sensing Wei Yuewu’s excitement, Yan Huaijing lowered his head and asked gently.
Wei Yuewu nodded forcefully, her watery eyes under the veil looking left and right. At this moment, she felt that there was too much to see, and she didn’t know where to start.
“Your Highness, Third Princess, let’s take a look over there. She hasn’t seen the lanterns in the Palace, so she wants to take a look.” Yan Huaijing raised his head and smiled at Wen Tianyao and the Third Princess.
Before Wen Tianyao could answer, the Third Princess had already laughed softly and said, “Heir-apparent, we also happen to be looking over there. Why don’t we go together? There are many lanterns in the Palace, and some of them are placed in remote places. Why not take me as your tour guide today and show you around the place? This sister can enjoy her time here today. It will be a pity if she misses anything interesting today.”
“I’ll join you too, since I have nothing to do. Let’s go together!” Wen Tianyao nodded and said. He and the Third Princess had the same goal. They both wanted to observe the interaction between Yan Huaijing and this woman closely.
“Okay. Thank you, Third Princess!” Yan Huaijing smiled in an unusual gentle manner.
The few of them went forward to admire the lanterns. Wei Yuewu began to relax more as she enjoyed Wen Tianyao’s and the Third Princess’ stealth observation. She was with Yan Huaijing anyway, so it was almost impossible for them to find out who she was.
She was tightly wrapped in a snow coat, and her face, which was exposed, was covered by a veil. Jin Ling carefully tugged the lower end of the veil into the coat. No matter how strong the wind blew, it would not be able to lift the veil up.
With Yan Huaijing around, Wei Yuewu believed that no one would dare to come over to lift the veil up.
The few of them walked forward together. The Third Princess happened to walk beside Wei Yuewu. However, Wei Qiufu had already been left behind by them. With her status, she could only follow behind the crowd. Because everyone ignored her, the smile on Wei Qiufu’s face could not help but stiffen.
Despite her dismay, Wei Qiufu knew that she had to maintain a polite and calm smile. Otherwise, her meticulous makeover would be in vain.
Wei Qiufu believed that as long as she followed the Crown Prince closely today, it would improve her reputation, which would absolutely be beneficial to her. When she entered the Crown Prince Mansion, she might not be the Crown Princess, but since the Crown Prince had given her the hairpin, there was hope for her to become the Empress in the future.
Thinking of this, Wei Qiufu felt warm all over, and the stiffness on her face slowly calmed down.
Wei Yuewu stood under a lantern. The lantern was very big, and it was hung under a big tree. It had eight eaves in eight colors and tassels hanging down, making it look conspicuous and beautiful.
As the wind blew, the lantern spun, and the patterns on it rotated. The women with fluttering clothes seemed to be going to dance in the wind, and there was more than one such woman.
When Wei Yuewu stood still, Yan Huaijing stretched out his hand to stop the lantern from spinning.
There were pictures on the lantern, which seemed to be a scene depicting women in the harem who were playing. The painting was so realistic and surreal that the women seemed to come alive with their gorgeous smiles and sweet faces.
There were also some women who were passing a small note. Seeing the appearance of the small note, Wei Yuewu felt her heart fluttering, and she hurriedly squinted to look closely.
The flower-shaped paper! It was indeed the flower-shaped paper!
It was exactly like the one Wei Yuewu had found by her window and the one in Wei Qiufu’s room. All of them were folded into a flower-shaped pattern.
Wei Yuewu stretched out her hand from within the snow coat. Her delicate finger touched the flower-shaped note on the picture, and she nudged Yan Huaijing lightly with her other hand that Yan Huaijing was holding, indicating for him to ask about this piece of paper.
“Third Princess, why did this paper have to be folded into the shape of a flower?” Yan Huaijing glanced at Wei Yuewu from the corner of his eyes. He pointed at the flower-shaped paper on the picture and asked the Third Princess with a smile.
A trace of jealousy flashed through the Third Princess’ eyes as she glared at the two fingers that pointed at the flower-shaped paper on the picture. However, she did not show her emotion on her face. Putting on a sweet smile, she answered, “In the past, there was a trend in the Palace where everyone folded their notes in the flower-shaped pattern. I don’t know which imperial concubine came up with it. But I don’t see it now!”
“Why not?” Yan Huaijing asked lazily.
Wei Yuewu withdrew her hand and covered herself behind the thick snow coat again.
“I’m not sure about this either. I think because something happened in the past. Mother doesn’t like these flower-shaped notes at all, saying that they look petty and inferior, so there are no more flower-shaped notes in the Palace now.” The Third Princess shook her head, indicating that she was not clear.
That was to say, before the Empress entered the Palace, there were many people in the Palace who would fold their notes into such a shape, but no one passed the flower-shaped notes in the Palace when the current Empress was designated.
Wei Yuewu could tell that the person had been adept at folding the paper into a flower-shaped pattern when she first received the note. It was obvious that it was not the first time the person folded it. Did that mean that the person who sent her the message, advising her not to have any enmity with Wei Yuejiao, was someone from the Palace? Moreover, the person should not be younger than the Empress and had worked in the Palace for a long time.
But what did such a person have to do with her?
That person was older than the Empress, which meant that she might be older than her father. How could such a person have anything to do with her? Moreover, she was talking about the private matter between her and Wei Yuejiao, and the note was placed in her window.
There seemed to be too many connections in the imperial palace, but the only connection Wei Yuewu could find right now was Empress Tu. Unfortunately, it was not easy to investigate the matter. Due to Empress Tu’s status, Wei Yuewu could only carefully speculate the matter instead of investigating it directly.
Therefore, this connection could be considered as null.
“What an interesting lantern. It even has a song on it!” Wen Tianyao seemed to have seen something interesting and smiled.
He was standing next to the Third Princess, but he was not looking at the lantern in Wei Yuewu’s hand. Instead, he was looking at a lantern on the side. Wei Yuewu subconsciously looked back and saw an unremarkable lantern on the side.
Whether in terms of the style or the picture drawn on it, the lantern was very crude. It was almost hard to believe that such a mediocre lantern was made in the Palace.
But when Wei Yuewu looked at the picture drawn on it clearly, she was stunned as if she was struck by lightning…
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