Have You Written Your Will Today?
Chapter 76: Giving the Lamp

Chapter 76: Chapter 76: Giving the Lamp

The streets were indeed crowded, but they were also extremely interesting.

Lanterns shone splendidly, and all sorts of plays were on display.

In "Liyuan Opera," Chen San and Wuniang met under the lanterns and fell in love at first sight.

Therefore, on Lantern Festival, even the girls who usually never left their homes would go out at night to enjoy the lanterns, hoping to encounter a fortuitous marriage alliance if lucky.

Couples already bound by a marriage arrangement could wander together among the lanterns and guess riddles tonight, with their elders showing unusual leniency.

"Yanyan, may I hold your hand as we walk?"

"That would be improper."

"Then just for a moment. We are to be married, after all; such contact could hardly be considered frivolous."

To the right and in front, Shen Hua heard a commotion and craned her neck to see.

In Cui Yun’s eyes, the girl had a slender neck, pale and delicate. She seemed fearful of the cold, retreating after just a moment’s exposure. After watching intently for a while longer, she didn’t forget to lean back and whisper to the maid behind her.

"Look quick, that shameless man."

Out of fear she might have overlooked, Shen Hua was still very considerate, and didn’t forget to ask Cui Yun for his opinion with a serious face.

"What does Marquis think?"

It was utterly preposterous.

Once one concession was made, the second and third times became markedly less difficult to accept.

Cui Yun no longer hurried Shen Hua. His voice was cold and deep.

"Affection originates in emotion but must be contained by propriety. Even husbands and wives should not be excessively affectionate in public. Such behavior is not of the gentlemanly sort; it should be appropriately restrained."

Shen Hua nodded in agreement, then turned her head and said to Yicui, "I just saw two men arm in arm, I suspect they might be involved in a homosexual relationship."

Cui Yun: ...

Shen Hua still did not forget Cui Yun. She even courteously pointed towards a spot.

"Look over there, does it not seem so to you?"

Cui Yun’s gaze narrows with ambiguous meaning.

He was not sure if they looked like they were involved in a homosexual relationship, but he recognized the two men.

The next moment, Ji Ge to the right and in front noticed Cui Yun, and began to wave and shout with all his might.

"Cui Yun!"

"Shen! How come you are here too!"

As he spoke, Ji Ge tugged the man next to him and squeezed through the crowd with effort.

Cui Yun looked towards Shen Hua.

"This is what you mentioned..."

Shen Hua interrupted: "I did not, I did not say that!"

Ji Ge came over and, curious about what they were discussing, asked, "What are you talking about?"

Cui Yun looked at the girl with a half-mocking smile, "Saying you..."

Shen Hua continued to interrupt with trembling voice.

"Saying that the moon tonight is so big and round! It’s just like the winter melon I stole from the melon field."

Cui Yun’s thin lips curled up slightly.

Ji Ge was somewhat surprised but believed it.

"You’ve stolen winter melon before!"

Shen Hua pursed her lips and fell silent.

She would never admit that while stealing the winter melon, she had panicked, tried to escape, and fell over, breaking one of her front teeth, which Shen Zhi had laughed at incessantly.

If her tooth hadn’t grown back later, she might have lost her love for speaking forever.

Cui Yun’s gaze fell upon the man beside Ji Ge. It was Third Prince Ji Teng, who had been a hostage for many years before returning to the capital.

Seeing two princes here was not a surprise for Cui Yun.

During the Lantern Festival in the palace, two unfavored princes were indeed of no importance.

He could ignore Ji Ge, but not the Third Prince Ji Teng, who had suffered for thirteen years.

Cui Yun was about to greet with a bow.

Ji Teng panicked and began to fidget with the hem of his robe subconsciously.

Ji Ge had never disclosed his identity in front of Shen Hua, fearing that Ji Teng would become unnaturally stiff, so he said.

"You need not mind the formalities."

"Shen, this is my Third Brother."

Ji Ge: "My third brother is not talkative, please be considerate of him."

Shen Hua looked over.

Ji Teng was quite frail, with a withered complexion. He was a head shorter than Ji Ge. If Ji Ge didn’t mention he was his older brother, Shen Hua would have thought that he was a servant bought out of Ji Ge’s charity.

No wonder Ji Ge mentioned several times how pitiful his third brother was.

Even the fabric of his clothing was outdated, and even... ill-fitting.

This wasn’t about not liking to talk at all; Ji Teng standing there was just a pitiable sight. As if, amidst the passing crowd, a villain ready to whip him could emerge at any moment.

Cui Yun didn’t doubt that if they had to choose another prince to give away as a hostage, Emperor He would select Ji Teng without hesitation. Only at such times would he remember that he had such a son.

Indeed, a discarded child is still a discarded child, and even after returning, they cannot escape the fate of being undervalued.

But who still remembers that when Ji Teng was born, Emperor He was overjoyed? He had never held the Crown Prince or the Fourth Prince, yet he had held Ji Teng.

Back then, Ji Teng’s mother, Consort Shao, was greatly favored, causing the entire harem to be wary.

Yet in the blink of an eye, he cruelly eradicated Consort Shao’s entire maternal family.

Such is the feigned affection of the Emperor.

Ji Teng said softly: "Seventh brother, I want to go back now."

"We have just arrived. We haven’t even had dinner yet, would those dogs at your residence even save you a meal?"

Ji Teng looked desolate enough to cry.

"But... but I..."

Ji Ge pointed to Cui Yun: "This is the Marquis from Marquis Yangling Mansion. Third Brother has also met him not long ago. He may seem difficult to get along with, but he is actually quite decent."

Ji Ge: "He is also generous. He even said he wanted to invite Third Brother to dine at the First-tier Sky Restaurant, right Cui Yun?"

Shen Hua: ...

Even with Mount Tai collapsing before him, Cui Yun’s expression wouldn’t change.

Hearing this, he simply caressed the Vajra Bodhi Bracelet on his wrist.

Ji Teng: "How could I accept such kindness?"

Cui Yun smiled faintly: "The return of Third Prince is a joyous occasion, and it is only right for me to welcome you and help you settle back in. Unfortunately, I’ve been tangled up in a myriad of affairs. Are you available tomorrow?"

Ji Ge knew Cui Yun’s character the best.

His mouth could sometimes infuriate others, yet sometimes it covered all bases.

But this was nothing more than pleasantries. Ji Teng was truly timid, and moreover, Cui Yun had many quirks. Why bother bringing them together for an awkward meal?

Moreover, he had achieved his goal.

"No need, no need. I’ll take Third Brother to the restaurant now, we can just put it on your tab, it’s all the same."

Cui Yun smiled faintly: "If that is the case, Weizhen will not insist. Third and Seventh Princes, take your time."

Ji Ge triumphantly pulled Ji Teng away with intimate closeness.

Ji Teng: "Is this really acceptable? I heard dining at the First-tier Sky Restaurant is quite expensive."

Ji Ge: "Don’t be polite with him. I love to take advantage of him. I wouldn’t agree to go to a cheaper restaurant either."

Shen Hua: ... If only you could lower your voice a bit, I wouldn’t think you’re shameless.

As for Cui Yun, his expression remained unchanged, calm and composed. Even his voice was steady and measured, with just the right tone: "Let’s go."

Shen Hua: "Alright."

Vendor: "My lady, take a look at the lanterns, ten copper coins each." The vendor’s smile was welcoming, and the stall was adorned with a variety of innovative and distinct lantern designs.

Shen Hua stopped in her tracks.

She chose a rabbit-shaped lantern, delicate and finely crafted, light enough to carry without effort.

Just there, Cui Yun reached out and took down a lantern. It was styled like a languid cat.

He, a man carrying a lantern, looked relaxed and elegant, yet it added a touch of festivity.

Shen Hua thought he was buying it for Cui Rong.

Unexpectedly, in the next moment, the man handed the lantern to her.

Shen Hua: "I already have one."

It was her favorite kind of rabbit!

It resembled the toy her Mama had made for her by about fifty percent.

Cui Yun’s eyes were deep, as if looking through Shen Hua at something else.

His lips moved slightly. In a trance, there was enough warmth.

He said five words.

"This lantern suits you better."

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