Chapter Twenty-One: Making a Wish to the Lantern

As she stood there, unsure what to do, a powerful arm suddenly wrapped around her waist, lifting her off the ground with swift ease.

Among the bustling throng, Song Mozi frowned as he scoured the crowd for a glimpse of her small figure, but all he saw was an endless sea of faces. Behind him, Mingyu was nearly out of breath from exhaustion, yet she stubbornly refused to let go of his sleeve.

"How can we search all night and still not find her? Mingyu, why haven't any of your people reported back? They're so unreliable!" Song Mozi complained bitterly.

“Pant... pant... Third Brother, look—Jing’an City is so huge, and there are so many people. How could it be so easy to find her?” Mingyu made a funny face behind Song Mozi’s back, careful not to reveal that she had deliberately told her people not to search.

“Third Brother, the sky lanterns are about to be released. Why don’t we go watch them first?” Mingyu sidled up to him, her big eyes blinking expectantly.

"I'm not in the mood. Go by yourself," Song Mozi replied without hesitation.

"But if we keep searching like this, who knows how long it'll take? Maybe she's off somewhere sweetly enjoying herself with Eldest Brother and doesn't want you to interrupt." Mingyu pouted, hands on hips, feeling quite displeased. Third Brother had promised to take her out for fun tonight, yet all evening he’d been looking for Rong Jiu. It was infuriating!

"What did you say?" Song Mozi’s face darkened instantly.

“If you find it troublesome, return to your palace. Stop meddling in my affairs!”

Perhaps because Song Mozi had never spoken to her with such a tone or expression before, Mingyu was startled, then a little aggrieved, her eyes moistening. What was so special about that woman? To think Third Brother would speak to her so harshly for her sake.

No sooner had he spoken than Song Mozi felt regret. He knew his words had been too harsh and, uncertain what to do, he turned away awkwardly.

"I know I was wrong. I shouldn't have said that. Please don't be angry with me, Third Brother," Mingyu said, tugging pitifully at his sleeve.

"Enough, enough. It was my fault. I shouldn't have vented my frustration on you," Song Mozi apologized, gently brushing her head. He had never been willing to let his little sister suffer.

"Then... Third Brother, let's go watch the lanterns first, shall we? After that, I'll help you search properly!" Mingyu looked at him, her eyes full of hope.

"Alright," Song Mozi answered, his gaze uncertain but nodding nonetheless. Lanterns? They might go to see them as well—perhaps he could find them there.

"Wonderful! Let's head to Meng's lantern boat—it's the best spot for viewing!" Mingyu jumped with joy at his agreement.

Meanwhile, Rong Jiu had just touched down, her eyes wide with shock. Song Moting had actually carried her here using martial arts? The sudden happiness was overwhelming.

Song Moting saw her startled expression and explained, "This was faster."

Still feeling the warmth from his touch, Rong Jiu struggled to contain her joy, lowering her head with a silent, exuberant smile. He had willingly embraced her! Rong Jiu, it seems you still have a chance!

"Wow, the sky lanterns are rising! They're so beautiful!" someone in the crowd exclaimed, and Rong Jiu looked up. The orange glow bathed her, like stars within reach. Though she watched from afar, the radiance seemed to warm her heart.

The gentle breeze, the flowing water, the crowd, and the sea of lanterns—all was dreamlike, as if painted in a masterpiece. She feared this magical night would fade like a fleeting dream.

Rong Jiu turned her head and, from her angle, could see Song Moting’s chiseled profile as he gazed intently at the lanterns above. He looked utterly captivating.

A smile touched her lips, happiness shining from her eyes. She wished time would freeze in this moment, with him always at her side.

Perhaps he was the only one in this life capable of sweeping her off her feet and drawing her ever deeper. With that thought, Rong Jiu clasped her hands together, closed her eyes, and fervently prayed, hoping these tranquil, beautiful days would last forever.

Noticing her devotion, Song Moting was puzzled.

"I'm making a wish," Rong Jiu said, grinning as happiness spilled from her eyes.

Song Moting couldn’t quite understand; he had never believed in such things. "Wishes are fulfilled by effort. Unrealistic desires won’t come true, even if you pray to heaven."

Rong Jiu frowned at his spoiling the mood—this was meant to be romantic and meaningful! "One must have hope for the future; that's the joy of living! Listen to me, you should make a wish too!"

As she spoke, a sudden impulse struck her. Before Song Moting could react, she grabbed his hand, guiding him in the act of making a wish.

"Alright, now close your eyes and ask heaven to grant you happiness every day!"

Song Moting was caught off guard, his body stiff. Whenever Rong Jiu touched him, his heart raced uncontrollably—a strange yet unforgettable feeling.

He didn't believe in such rituals, but seeing the hope in Rong Jiu’s eyes, he couldn’t bring himself to refuse.

"May every day be joyful," Song Moting said with his eyes closed.

"Wrong! You're supposed to make your own wish, not just repeat mine," Rong Jiu laughed helplessly.

"No, I meant you," Song Moting replied.

"Ah?"

A cool breeze stirred her hair as Song Moting’s calm voice reached her. Rong Jiu was stunned for a moment before she understood. Her cheeks flushed, and to hide her embarrassment, she quickly turned away, pretending to watch the boats drifting slowly on the water.

"Hey, isn't that your third brother and his friends? Seems he skipped the palace banquet," she said, surprised, pointing to a nearby boat where Song Mozi, Mingyu, Meng Zigui, Shen Mingshan, and Yun Niang were chatting and laughing.

Song Moting glanced over indifferently. He had known Song Mozi would use Mingyu as an excuse to avoid the palace banquet.

"It's getting late. Let me escort you back," he said.

The lanterns drifted away on the wind, shrinking to the size of stars before disappearing into the night sky. The final event of the Lantern Festival had ended, and the crowd began to disperse.

"Oh!" Rong Jiu drooped her head, feeling drained of energy. She didn’t want to go back so soon—it was rare to have time alone with Song Moting!

"The palace banquet has ended by now. If you don’t return, your brothers will worry. If you haven’t had enough fun, you can come out again during the Mid-Autumn Festival," Song Moting explained, guessing her thoughts.

"Will you... accompany me then?" Rong Jiu looked up into Song Moting’s deep, unfathomable eyes.

His gaze was beautiful, as profound as the night sky—close yet impossibly distant.

Her question caught Song Moting off guard; for a moment, he didn’t know how to respond.

"It's alright, I was just asking, let's go back," Rong Jiu said, lowering her head, unable to hide her disappointment.

Perhaps she shouldn’t hope for too much.

Tonight may have already reached its peak.

"Just, don’t make me promise wishes again," Song Moting said with unexpected gentleness. Watching her dejected look, he felt a pang of sympathy—though he’d accompanied her tonight only to avoid his father’s demand that he attend the palace banquet.

"Alright!" Rong Jiu’s eyes lit up again, her mood soaring from low to high. She hummed a tune, skipping along the path home.

"You can’t lie to me!" she called out.

Song Moting followed, a rare smile tugging at his lips.

At that moment, Meng Zigui spotted Rong Jiu from the boat, exclaiming as if he’d discovered a new world, "Hey, Mozi, isn’t that Rong Jiu with your eldest brother? She’s hopping along, looks like she’s having a great time! Who’d have thought your cold, aloof brother would actually have someone he likes? Seems you’re out of luck."

"What? Where?" Song Mozi looked in the direction Meng Zigui pointed, and sure enough, saw two familiar figures.

A surge of jealousy rose within him. He hadn’t expected them to be out together, and so happily.

"Zigui, please help me escort Mingyu back to the palace," he said, and without waiting, used his martial arts to leap ashore.

"Third Brother!" Mingyu cried, stamping her feet in frustration. She had been abandoned just like that, her earlier joy vanished.

"This guy is relentless!" Meng Zigui said, giving a thumbs-up in admiration.

"Relentless? I’d call it shameless," Shen Mingshan shook his head.

"Exactly! She’s already said she likes Eldest Brother, so why does Third Brother keep pestering her? It’s infuriating!" Mingyu was thoroughly upset—she didn’t want Song Mozi to have someone he liked.

"In my view, Third Prince might truly be fond of the Fifth Princess," Yun Niang said softly. After all, when you like someone, it shows in your eyes.

"Him? I’ll tell you, if he can stick with this for three months, I’ll write my name backward," Meng Zigui scoffed. He knew Song Mozi better than anyone.

"Oh? Is that so? I’ll look forward to that day," Shen Mingshan replied with a smile.

The night breeze swept away the last traces of gentleness. Vendors began packing up, and the crowd thinned—every beautiful scene must come to an end.

Tonight was fated to be a sleepless night.

In a secluded corner of an alley, more than ten masked figures in black stood lined up. Their leader, dressed in dark robes, wore a mask that could not hide the coldness in his eyes.

"Proceed as planned! Go!" he commanded, and at once the group melted into the shadows.

Through the narrow canal, a hint of white could be seen among the crowd.

The leader clenched his fist and, with a few steps, blended into the throng himself.