Chapter 4 Spring Festival of Lanterns
The arrival of spring transformed the Imperial Palace into a sea of color.
Cherry blossoms drifted on the breeze like pink snow, while thousands of lanterns hung from pavilions, bridges, and garden trees. The annual Spring Lantern Festival had finally arrived—a celebration beloved by nobles and commoners alike.
As dusk fell, musicians filled the palace grounds with melodies from flutes and zithers. Courtiers dressed in magnificent silk robes gathered beneath the glowing lanterns, eagerly anticipating the evening's festivities.
For most of the empire, the festival marked the arrival of spring.
For Prince Li Wei Chen, it meant something entirely different.
It meant seeing Yu Lan.
Preparations for the celebration had occupied the palace for weeks.
Yu Lan stood before a polished bronze mirror while Lady Mei Xue adjusted the final ornament in her hair.
"You look beautiful."
Yu Lan laughed softly.
"You've said that seven times already."
"Because it's true."
Mei Xue stepped back and admired her work.
The pale jade gown seemed woven from moonlight itself. Silver embroidery depicted blooming orchids along the sleeves, while delicate jade earrings matched the pendant hidden beneath her collar.
The mysterious jade pendant had remained warm ever since Yu Lan discovered it.
She had told no one except Prince Wei Chen about the strange visions.
Even now, she occasionally felt its faint pulse against her skin.
"What are you thinking about?" Mei Xue asked.
Yu Lan hesitated.
Then she smiled.
"Nothing."
Her friend rolled her eyes.
"You were thinking about the Crown Prince again."
Yu Lan nearly dropped her fan.
"I was not!"
Mei Xue burst into laughter.
"You absolutely were."
Before Yu Lan could defend herself, palace bells echoed across the grounds.
The festival was beginning.
Meanwhile, Prince Li Wei Chen stood in the royal pavilion, dressed in formal ceremonial robes embroidered with golden dragons.
Ministers praised him.
Nobles bowed before him.
Daughters of powerful families attempted to gain his attention.
He noticed none of them.
His gaze searched the crowd.
Then he saw her.
The moment Yu Lan entered the garden, everything else seemed to fade into the background.
Even among hundreds of guests, she was impossible to miss.
The lantern light illuminated her figure as she walked among the blossoms.
For several seconds, Wei Chen simply stared.
General Han Mo noticed immediately.
"There she is."
The Prince frowned.
"I don't know what you're talking about."
Han Mo smirked.
"Of course not."
The celebration soon filled every corner of the palace.
Colorful lanterns floated above ponds.
Children chased glowing lights.
Dancers performed graceful routines beneath flowering trees.
Laughter echoed throughout the gardens.
For once, the palace felt less like the center of a powerful empire and more like a place of joy.
Yu Lan wandered near the lotus pond when a familiar voice spoke behind her.
"You're late."
She turned.
Prince Wei Chen stood there.
A smile immediately appeared on her face.
"I arrived exactly when the festival began."
"Then I arrived early."
Their eyes met.
Both laughed.
The ease between them had grown stronger with each passing day.
As musicians began playing a slower melody, couples stepped onto the garden courtyard.
Many guests gathered to watch.
Lady Mei Xue nudged Yu Lan from a distance and mouthed a single word.
Dance.
Yu Lan immediately looked away.
Absolutely not.
Moments later, a hand appeared before her.
She looked up.
It belonged to the Prince.
The entire courtyard seemed to fall silent.
Even the musicians appeared startled.
Wei Chen spoke calmly.
"Would you honor me with a dance?"
Yu Lan's heart nearly stopped.
Around them, hundreds of eyes watched.
Nobles whispered.
Ministers stared.
Several young noblewomen looked horrified.
No one had ever seen the Crown Prince invite a woman to dance.
Especially not a palace lady.
Yu Lan swallowed nervously.
Then she placed her hand in his.
"I would be honored."
The music resumed.
Together they stepped into the center of the courtyard.
The lanterns above swayed gently.
Flower petals drifted through the evening air.
Wei Chen guided Yu Lan effortlessly across the polished stone floor.
For the first time in years, he forgot about politics.
Forgot about duty.
Forgot about being Crown Prince.
There was only Yu Lan.
Only this moment.
The crowd watched in astonishment.
Rumors spread like wildfire.
"The Prince is dancing with her."
"Who is she?"
"Have they known each other long?"
"Could she become the future Crown Princess?"
The whispers grew louder.
Neither of them cared.
As the dance ended, applause erupted throughout the garden.
Yu Lan smiled breathlessly.
"I fear we've created quite a scandal."
Wei Chen glanced at the crowd.
"Let them talk."
The simplicity of his answer made her laugh.
For a brief moment, she thought nothing could ruin such a perfect night.
She was wrong.
Hidden among the festival guests stood a cloaked stranger.
His eyes followed Yu Lan.
More specifically, they followed the faint glow beneath her gown.
The jade pendant.
The stranger's expression darkened.
"So it's true."
He disappeared into the crowd.
Unseen.
Unnoticed.
And carrying news that would soon plunge the empire into chaos.