Chapter 27: Trying to harm the younger sister but ending up wearing oneself out

"Why? Don't you love going to the Flower Lantern Fair the most?" Pei Shangyan asked, puzzled.

Every year, Zhi Mei Mei would pester them to buy her one lantern each; Lao Si would even joke that she had so many lanterns she could open a shop. Zhi Mei Mei would say the lanterns were tokens of affection, so naturally each person should get one, and one each year, to show how close they were as siblings.

"I said I'm busy, I have no time to go." Mu Yuanzhi repeated those words, then turned and left after saying them.

Pei Shangyan quickly rose to block her: "Are you busy making arrows for your second brother? It wouldn't be late to do it tomorrow—work and rest."

"Work and rest?" Mu Yuanzhi savored the phrase with amusement, "Isn't the Crown Prince the one who dislikes this phrase the most? It's an excuse for the lazy; only those who are extravagant and licentious pursue pleasure exclusively, ending in corruption and ruin, bringing destruction upon themselves. The Crown Prince's teachings—I have memorized every word."

Pei Shangyan's stance suddenly froze.

He remembered that these were the words he had once earnestly told her, though he only meant it for her own good—she didn't like the zither, chess, calligraphy, or painting, always wanting to practice swords and spears, but what young lady is like that? Moreover, as an imperial daughter, she certainly ought to be accomplished in everything.

He merely didn't want her to be looked down upon, to give others gossip.

He never expected this to also become part of the rift between them as siblings.

"Zhi Mei Mei..." Pei Shangyan called out bitterly, "I'm only doing this for your own good."

For her own good? Mu Yuanzhi once thought that way too, so even if it was bitter, exhausting, and she disliked it, she forced herself to calm down and train hard; yet even though she already surpassed ordinary noble ladies, he remained dissatisfied, wanting better, the best—otherwise he'd lose face from his own personal instruction, wouldn't he?

Otherwise, why would the same situation with Pei Yunxi be completely different? He tells Pei Yunxi it's fine if he can't, no need to force it; everyone has strengths and weaknesses—just be yourself.

He always took Pei Yunxi out to play, and when she practiced to the point of wanting to vomit, she would act cute and beg him for a break, only to be scolded for lacking ambition.

Whether practicing or resting, everything had to be led by him; she couldn't take the initiative, yet even so she still cautiously maintained their relationship, fearing she would be disliked.

Pei Shangling finally couldn't stand it, he rose and said: "Mu Yuanzhi, enough! Even the Crown Prince has lowered himself to ask, what more do you want? You don't even want to go play when invited— or are you hiding some mischief here?!"

"Enough, Lao Si, Zhi Mei Mei is also your sister; don't groundlessly speculate about her." Pei Shangyan looked at Pei Shangling disapprovingly.

We didn't come here to argue today, so why does the Fourth Prince always act like this?

"Where am I being baseless? The Crown Prince must have forgotten why Father Emperor confined Mu Yuanzhi to Yongxiang Lane— who knows if the explosion at the Ministry of Works that day was her attempt to harm her younger sister that backfired on herself?!" Pei Shangling grew more agitated as he spoke, his eye sockets practically shooting sparks."

"Pei Shangling!" Pei Shangyan rebuked in a low voice.

Mu Yuanzhi's head already ached from the bump, and hearing their quarrel here only made her feel worse; she just wanted them to get lost: "If you're going to argue, take it outside!"

Still angry, Pei Shangling flicked his sleeves and left immediately: "I don't want to stay another moment in this unlucky place!"

Pei Shangyan remained silent for a moment, then ultimately left with a heavy heart under Mu Yuanzhi's gaze that treated him as if he were invisible.

He exited the side hall, didn't see Pei Shangling, assumed the Fourth Prince had gone back, and headed to Changle Palace to find Pei Yunxi— after all, today is the Flower Lantern Festival; he ought to take his little sister out to relax, not let this affect him.

And Pei Shangling, in a fit of anger, stormed to the fountain in the Weiyang Palace courtyard and violently flung the bell he had intended to give Mu Yuanzhi into the water!

He stood there, panting, gazing at the fountain; the rippling water seemed to reflect a lovely face, holding up the bell he'd thrown in and smiling at him: "Ling gege, thank you for the bell you gave me!"

Pei Shangling jolted awake as if from a startle and dove straight into the pond to search.

Not there!

Not there!

Where did it go?!

Where's the bell?

I clearly threw it right here!

"Fourth Prince, what are you looking for?" Xiao Nianzi asked.

"Get lost!" Pei Shangling's eyes reddened to the point of dripping blood.

Xiao Nianzi scrambled away in terror, covering his chest as he took three steps and glanced back, fearing Pei Shangling might suddenly lash out and bring disaster upon the entire Weiyang Palace.

He kept looking back without watching where he was going, nearly colliding head-on with Linglong.

"Why are you running so frantically, have you seen a ghost?"

"It's the Fourth Prince, acting like he's gone mad, not knowing what he's looking for in the fountain..."

Mu Yuanzhi: "Isn't he always like this, flying off the handle at the slightest thing?"

Besides Xiao Nianzi, who personally witnessed Pei Shangling's madness, the other palace servants covered their mouths and snickered.

"But, my lady, you really aren't going to see the flower lanterns?" Hongdou asked, her eyes sparkling, clearly eager to go.

Mu Yuanzhi touched her mildly sore head, thought that applying medicine would be fine, and said: "If you want to go, I'll go with you."

Although the imperial palace isn't freely accessible, outings are permitted during festivals and holidays, but palace servants are different—they may leave only when on leave.

Hongdou immediately sprang up excitedly: "Really? Thank you, my lady!"

Xiao Nianzi, however, waved his hand: "My lady, you and Miss Hongdou, Miss Linglong go ahead; I'll stay behind to guard the gate."

He wasn't particularly interested in seeing the flower lanterns either.

Xiao Yunzi nodded: "I'll also stay on duty."

"Alright, you keep watch here; we should be back before the third quarter of the hai hour."

As night fell, Mu Yuanzhi led Hongdou and Linglong out of the palace gate.

This year's Flower Lantern Festival was indeed livelier than in previous years; the court had built a towering lantern several stories high, many people came by reputation, and even many foreigners showed up— everywhere were foreign merchants, the scene extraordinarily bustling.

Hongdou and Linglong were younger than Mu Yuanzhi, at the age when they love to play; seeing the bustle, they became excited, and with the crowd thickening on the street, they were naturally pushed apart as they walked.

"This little rabbit lantern is so pretty, my lady, look!" Hongdou turned around and suddenly lost sight of Linglong and Mu Yuanzhi.

"Hongdou, where are you? Linglong?" Mu Yuanzhi blinked and the two maids vanished from view; before her were crowds holding lanterns, pushing and shoving, blocking her sight— she could hear Hongdou and Linglong calling, but couldn't see where they were.

Never mind, they surely know the way back to the palace.

Fire trees and silver flowers, lanterns strung in colorful arrays.

Immersed in the lively atmosphere of the Flower Lantern Fair, Mu Yuanzhi momentarily forgot all her worries; she idly picked up a gaudy mask, and opposite the display stand, a handsome, graceful face suddenly loomed into her view.

Across a display rack wrapped in red cords, Mu Yuanzhi and Xiao Yichen locked eyes.