Тhis gоwn was breаthtаkinglу bеаutiful, with begonia blоssоms blooming frоm the shouldеrs dоwn tо thе hеm. Тhe high-cоllared neckline revеаled а glimpsе оf snоw-whitе shouldеr, whilе thе сrimsоn silk cаscaded frоm thе ribbon tiеd at her chеst, draping lаnguidly ovеr hеr slightlу bеnt knееs.
Тhe fitting roоm wаs small аnd sоmеwhat stuffу. Feng Yuе сould clеаrly sеe the man’s Аdam’s apрlе bоb up аnd down.
“What’s haрреning outsidе?” shе сhuсklеd, brеaking thе strаnge tеnsion.
Lоoking down аt her, Yin Gеzhi sаid sоftly, “Yоu’rе wеаring the gown Young Lаdy Yi ordered. She wаs just outside.”
A сhill shot up Fеng Yue’s sрinе, and shе shivered. “Then I’ll change out of it right away.”
“Mm.” Yin Gezhi nodded, then reached out and deftly untied the knot at her chest.
Feng Yue was stunned. She glanced around the small space, then looked at the long lashes of the man before her.
Huh, how can a man’s eyelashes be so long? I never noticed before, but up close they’re even more striking than mine!
Wait, that’s not the point! The point is, we’re in public, and this place still has to do business!
Snapping back to reality, Feng Yue quickly tried to push his hands away, but he countered her moves effortlessly, pinning her wrists firmly as if practicing tai chi. Then he lowered his head and bit open the thin fabric of her gown.
“Young Master,” Feng Yue said seriously, her eyes darting toward the door without a latch, her voice trembling slightly. “Even if I have no shame, someone of your status shouldn’t stoop to this!”
“Mm.” Yin Gezhi nodded, his chin gently brushing against her neck. Then he opened his mouth and bit her—like a dog!
Feng Yue hissed softly, tears welling in her eyes. “If you care about face, then not here!”
“They’ll be closing soon.”
It was broad daylight, with so many people still bustling outside on the streets. What kind of business closes at this hour? Who did he think he was fooling! She struggled, trying to evade his mischievous hands, her cheeks flushed with anger.
A hint of amusement flickered in his eyes. Yin Gezhi lifted his head and captured her lips.
Locked in an intimate embrace, every time Feng Yue tried to speak, he silenced her with his mouth. When she tried to push him away, he interlaced their fingers. When she tried to lift her leg, he pinned it down with his own. In terms of combat ability across all fronts, she was utterly defeated.
Just as she was feeling indignant, the shopkeeper’s voice came from outside, instructing the clerk: “It’s getting late. Close up, and let’s head to the tavern for dinner.”
“Right away!” the clerk replied cheerfully, then began sliding the door panels into place one by one.
Feng Yue was dumbfounded, forgetting even to resist. Listening to the commotion, she stared wide-eyed at the man before her.
“You…”
“They decided to close on their own. It has nothing to do with me.”
Wrapped in the gown, she was lifted into his arms. Feng Yue thought dazedly, What an odd coincidence.
Her back pressed against something cold. Feng Yue noted that the tables in the main hall were quite nice—they were actually made of agarwood.
As her gown fell open, someone covered her body, the searing heat startling her awake.
Wait? Wait! Coming to her senses and looking at the man atop her, Feng Yue pressed against his chest and said, “Didn’t you say I was dirty?”
His movements paused slightly. Yin Gezhi lowered his head and bit her lip hard.Yelping in pain, she pouted, "Those were your own words, saying you didn't want this servant to attend to you anymore. And now... in this state... right? What if I dirty your body? Would you come back to settle accounts with me afterward?"
His heart inexplicably ached. Yin Gezhi was slightly annoyed. "That mouth of yours. Can't you say something nice?"
"What counts as nice?" Tilting her head to look at him, Feng Yue smiled radiantly. "This servant doesn't quite understand."
Feeling somewhat flustered, Yin Gezhi fell silent and simply responded to her with action.
On Changning Street, the busiest thoroughfare in Shadowless City, a well-located tailor shop was closed. Passersby curiously glanced over, wondering if the shopkeeper had some urgent matter, closing shop during business hours.
Outside, the street bustled with traffic and noisy crowds, but behind the wooden door, fragrant breezes and boundless springtime scenes unfolded.
Perhaps stimulated by the clamor outside, this bout of intimacy was more intense than ever. The First Prince swallowed his earlier words without a hint of shame.
Feng Yue pursed her lips, finding it strange. Though he said nothing and it was too dark to see his expression, through his actions, she seemed to sense his apology.
What nonsense? Could apologies be conveyed this way?!
Still, his willingness to accept her again was a good thing. She couldn't speak to him of grievances or fairness—they were not equals, nor was this some tale of youthful romance.
As long as this lord was happy.
By dusk, the street grew even livelier. The tailor shop's door opened, and two people emerged nonchalantly, blending into the bustling crowd.
Having changed into light-colored clothes, Feng Yue sighed. "You certainly know how to pick a place."
Just when they needed a change of clothes, the shop happened to be full of them.
Walking expressionlessly beside her, the First Prince was in a rare good mood and refrained from retorting. Instead, he watched the townsfolk hanging lanterns and asked, "What is this?"
As a seasoned resident who had spent three years in Wu Kingdom, Feng Yue promptly explained, "The Lantern Festival. Held each time the seasons change, it's said to pray for blessings and wish for no natural disasters in the coming season."
Wei Kingdom also had a Lantern Festival, but the lanterns came in various shapes and were held only once a year. In Wu Kingdom, however, the lanterns were all lotus-shaped—some hung under eaves, others carried in hand, and some floating on the river.
"Would you like to see?" Feng Yue asked.
Shaking his head disdainfully, Yin Gezhi said, "I'm heading back."
"Then take care," she waved a handkerchief at him. "This servant will stay and watch for a while."
Yin Gezhi: "..."
Scanning her up and down, he asked, "You're watching alone?"
"Watching alone, one can always find company. No need to worry about this servant." Her eyes fixed on a certain spot in the crowd, Feng Yue said, "This servant will return tonight."
Who cared whether she returned or not? Frowning, Yin Gezhi hesitated. Staying seemed too indulgent, but returning... what would he do back at this hour?
After a moment of frustrated thought, the First Prince turned and headed into a nearby teahouse.Bowing towards his retreating figure, Feng Yue turned and pushed through the crowd, heading toward the stall selling lanterns.
"Shopkeeper, I'd like to buy a lantern."
The kind-hearted shopkeeper glanced at her, retrieved a lantern from beneath the stall, and handed it to her. "What a lovely young lady. Holding this lantern, you shine even brighter—surely you'll find a good husband."
"Thank you for your kind words." Smiling and nodding, Feng Yue handed over the copper coins and accepted the lantern along with a note tucked underneath it.
The shopkeeper covered her mouth with a light laugh, pointing toward the crowd. "There are quite a few people today. Why not take a look over there?"
"Alright." Feng Yue agreed, cradling the lantern as she walked. She unfolded the note, took a quick glance while the crowd jostled around her, then tore it into pieces, scattering them on the ground.
"Look, this year's young ladies are truly more beautiful than ever," remarked a passerby standing by the riverbank. "If the Emperor holds another selection for the imperial harem, half the girls along this river would likely be chosen as consorts."
"The Lantern Festival is wonderful—so many young ladies from respectable families come out. You rarely see them otherwise. Let's take a good look."
In the Wu Kingdom, the Lantern Festival had, for reasons unknown, become an occasion where men admired not only the lanterns but also the beautiful young women. Many from noble families would disguise themselves and mingle among the common folk, hoping to catch a glimpse of rare beauty. If they found someone they fancied, they might even take her home as a concubine.
For this reason, the young women attending the Lantern Festival dressed in their finest attire. Whether they aspired to become concubines or not, they would still present their beauty for all to see. If they attracted many suitors, it would serve as a talking point for matchmakers when the time came to choose a husband.
Feng Yue wove her way through the crowd until she reached the riverbank. Glancing at the lanterns floating across the water, her expression turned troubled.
"Young lady, did you forget to bring a flint?" someone nearby immediately chimed in with a smile. "I have one with me. Would you like to use it?"
Hearing this, many looked over, and after just one glance, they exclaimed in admiration, "This one is even more beautiful than the others!"
Soon, Feng Yue found herself surrounded by a sizable crowd. The commotion grew noticeable enough that even those seated in a nearby teahouse turned to look.
The young lady at the center of the crowd appeared flustered, shaking her head and murmuring something softly. Yet the men around her showed no intention of letting her leave, teasing and professing their affections until her cheeks flushed crimson.
Squinting slightly, Leng Yan remarked, "Truly a beauty I've never seen before."
His attendant promptly responded, "If you fancy her, shall I invite her for some tea?"
Seeing no objection, the attendant hurried over, pushing aside the young men around her and bowing respectfully to Feng Yue. "Young lady, my master is in the teahouse nearby. Would you care to join him for a cup of tea?"
Grateful, Feng Yue nodded. "Certainly."
The surrounding onlookers were displeased, but after noticing the quality of the attendant's clothing, they dared not protest. Reluctantly, they dispersed.
Entering the teahouse, Feng Yue first bowed to the seated man, speaking with dignified grace. "Thank you, sir, for rescuing me from that predicament."
Her bow was impeccable, and the fabric of her clothing was of fine quality—clearly, she was a young lady from a respectable family. Leng Yan smiled, gesturing for her to sit. "A chance encounter is fate in itself. Would you honor me with your company?"After a moment's hesitation, Feng Yue twisted her handkerchief and said, "I've been separated from my maid. I must return home early, and I will remember your kindness, sir."
Is her family quite strict? Leng Yan became even more interested. Setting down his cup, he gazed at her for a moment before asking, "May I ask where you live?"
Surprised, the respectable Feng Yue recalled the demeanor of the young lady Yi. She forced a blush onto her cheeks and whispered, "Why do you ask, sir?"
Her tone was both coy and flustered, soft and gentle, pleasing Leng Yan's ears. After all, as someone who had secured the position of Grand Coachman by the age of thirty, he believed that even heroes should falter before beauty. So, upon encountering such a beauty, he let his guard down and teased, "A lady as stunning as you must come from a place of extraordinary beauty. I'd like to see it and perhaps catch a bit of that divine aura."
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