Jun Yelan remained in his room, privy to the news of the Lantern Festival. He looked at Lan Yan, her playful nature surely yearning for an outing.
He lowered his gaze to his legs, then thought of his face. How could he possibly go out!
He said, "The Lantern Festival, you alone..."
"I've already made arrangements," Lan Yan replied with a smile. "This year, we'll celebrate in the manor. Your Highness, just you wait and see."
Jun Yelan paused, surprised that Lan Yan had already seen to everything. He asked, "Don't you want to go out?"
Lan Yan sat down, took a sip of tea, and without looking at Jun Yelan, said, "It's so crowded, it'll be sweltering. It's better to stay home, enjoy snacks, and watch the lanterns comfortably."
"Besides, no matter how beautiful the lanterns are, they're still made of paper. Your Highness, if you like them, I can make one for you."
A smile curved Jun Yelan's lips. "Mm," he responded. He would instruct the manor staff to prepare more rabbit lanterns and osmanthus cakes, things Lan Yan favored.
Lan Yan acted on whatever came to mind. She took the leftover fruit peels from their last meal, sewed them together to resemble lotuses, and attached a bamboo strip.
Finally, she placed a candle in the center, and the lotus lantern was complete.
Jun Yelan watched her silently.
Meanwhile, at the Lan State Duke's manor, Lan Xiaoxiao received a returned invitation. Seeing the large characters written on it, she flew into a rage and threw the invitation forcefully onto the floor.
"Lan Yan, you've gone too far! You're just a mere Third Princess Consort, do you really think you're all that!" The more she thought about it, the angrier she became. She swept everything off the table, but still felt unappeased.
Madam Lan heard the commotion and hurried over, only to find the floor in disarray. "Xiaoxiao, what's wrong?"
"It's all that Lan Yan's doing!"
Upon hearing Lan Yan's name, Madam Lan was still somewhat dazed. "She's still alive? But her life in the prince's manor can't be that good!"
Lan Xiaoxiao retorted angrily, "She's wearing gold and silver in the manor now, and her temper has grown. She's living much better than she did in our estate." How could a concubine's daughter possibly deserve all this?
Hearing this, Madam Lan was initially surprised, then indignant. "I never expected her to have such good fortune. But with her health, she probably can't handle it!"
"Xiaoxiao, don't worry. Don't forget, her birth mother and mute brother are in our hands. Mother will get justice for you. If I can't touch Lan Yan, I can still touch them!"
Lan Xiaoxiao immediately felt pleased, realizing her mother was the best. "Mother, you must teach them a harsh lesson this time. If Lan Yan treats me like this again, I'll make sure she cries without tears."
Vindictiveness filled the eyes of mother and daughter as they headed towards the most secluded courtyard in the manor.
The next day, on the Lantern Festival, the manor was adorned with colorful lanterns. Lanterns hung everywhere along the corridors, and red ribbons were tied to the trees. Furthermore, two long tables were set up in the courtyard, with riddles pasted on the lanterns and snacks placed beside them.
Lan Yan, of course, was in charge of the arrangements. She gathered everyone in the manor and announced, "You've all worked hard recently. Today, I'm giving you all a day off. Guess the riddles, and you can take a lantern home, along with a free snack."
The servants' faces lit up with smiles. "Thank you, Princess Consort." They had initially thought the princess consort would only be harsh, never imagining she would be so thoughtful of them.
They resolved to do an even better job with the affairs of the prince's manor from now on.
They lined up one by one to guess the riddles and collect their snacks. The entire manor buzzed with liveliness.
Jun Yelan, seated in his wheelchair, remained in the pavilion, watching Lan Yan. He looked at the rabbit lantern in his hand and, as Lan Yan approached, said, "For you."
A tiny character "Yan" was inscribed on the rabbit lantern.
Lan Yan's lips curved upward when she saw it; it was the style she liked. She hesitated to reveal the lotus lantern behind her, saying, "Your Highness, mine is a bit ugly. Perhaps you could choose one from the courtyard."
Jun Yelan's gaze fell upon the object Lan Yan was hiding behind her back, and he said, "No need, I want the one in your hand more."
"Alright." Lan Yan felt completely embarrassed as she brought it out. She shouldn't have been lazy; she should have bought a prettier one.
Jun Yelan placed the lotus lantern on his lap, his fingers tracing the fruit peels and silk threads – it was handmade by Lan Yan. The corners of his mouth lifted; it was the first lantern he had ever received.
"It's very beautiful."
Lan Yan smiled. "Actually, it looks better the longer you look at it. Your Highness, I'll go hang up the lantern you gave me first." She surveyed the surroundings of the pavilion and chose the darkest spot.
She stepped onto a stool and reached out to hang the lantern. The lantern instantly illuminated the area around it. "This lantern is like Your Highness," she said, "bringing light even in darkness."
Jun Yelan was momentarily stunned, his gaze fixed on the lantern and the face illuminated beside it.
Lan Yan turned her head, preparing to jump down, but lost her balance and lunged forward.
Jun Yelan extended his hand and caught her, pulling her onto his lap.
Lan Yan, expecting to fall, instinctively closed her eyes. But she opened one eye and saw Jun Yelan. Then she opened both, realizing she was embracing his neck, her backside seated on his lap.
She felt mortified.
Jun Yelan, seeing Lan Yan still in a daze, found her clumsy and adorable. He couldn't help but chuckle.
Hearing his laughter, Lan Yan wished she could disappear into the ground. She was indeed prone to falling and stumbling. She tried to get up, only to find Jun Yelan's hand still around her waist.
She attempted to pull his hand away, but this only brought her closer to Jun Yelan, her earlobe brushing against his lips.
Jun Yelan's eyes darkened. He gently held Lan Yan's hand, saying, "Don't move." He lowered his head slightly, gazing at Lan Yan's flushed cheeks and equally red lips.
He wanted to lean closer.
Lan Yan nervously clutched the front of Jun Yelan's robe, wondering if she should close her eyes!
"Oh my, your lantern is even prettier." The playful chatter of maids drifted from outside the pavilion, each holding a lantern.
The maids walked side by side, conversing, "I think mine is prettier."
More and more voices approached. Lan Yan's cheeks flushed, and she pulled away from Jun Yelan. "I should get up now."
Jun Yelan nodded, releasing her this time. He looked at the lingering warmth on his palm, feeling a sudden sense of regret.
The maids noticed them and bowed, "Greetings, Your Highness, Princess Consort." Then they departed, whispering curiously, "Why is the Princess Consort's face so red?"
"The Prince's face is also red."
Seeing that everyone in the manor had retired, Lan Yan pushed Jun Yelan's wheelchair forward. "Let's go back too." Her heart was pounding, and she didn't know how to speak to Jun Yelan.
Once back, she immediately lay on the floor and fell asleep. In her dreams, she unconsciously kicked off her blanket.
Jun Yelan, unable to sleep for a long time, turned his head to watch the scene, a helpless smile on his face. He got up, intending to cover Lan Yan with the blanket, but his legs gave out, and he tumbled from the bed.