Phoenix Astonished Heaven 058 Ten Miles Lamp Street

  As dusk falls, tourists throng the capital city, with lanterns as numerous as clouds.

  Everywhere is decorated with colorful lanterns, the whole city is full of fireworks and silver flowers, very prosperous and lively.

  Located on Changsheng Street, the Wangjiang Pavilion, which occupies a superior geographical position and can overlook the Ten-mile Lantern Festival, has also ushered in its busiest and most important day. The elegant seats for watching the lantern festival were snapped up three days ago, and the large hall downstairs is almost packed with people.

  All sorts of flower lanterns, colored lanterns, lamp trees, lamp pillars, and even giant lamp wheels and lamp cars are dazzling and beautiful.

  Not only that, but also dragon dance, lion dance, and in the opera house, the dancers are dancing...

  The prosperous cultural and economic development of the capital city, as well as its bustling markets, are fully displayed on Changsheng Street, which is renowned for its ten-mile-long lantern festival tonight. This also showcases the profound historical heritage accumulated over more than 200 years in Dayuan, as well as the luxurious grandeur that can only be found under the emperor's feet.

  The second floor of Wangjiang Pavilion has all its wide windows open, and sitting in front of the window, one can take in the beautiful view of the lantern festival with just a glance.

  Such a building is very convenient and meets the requirements of the nobles in Beijing, without having to walk on crowded streets to appreciate the beautiful scenery on the street, naturally sought after by many, which also makes Wangjiang Pavilion the first choice for the nobles.

  Tonight's Wangjiang Pavilion second floor has a small number of elegant rooms, with distinguished guests as numerous as clouds.

  Two elegant ladies stood by the window in one of the spacious rooms, admiring the lantern festival.

  Taofei looked at the Ten Mile Lantern Street with a gloomy expression, her mind not on the lanterns. Firstly, she had seen such lantern festivals every year and no longer felt much excitement. Secondly, what had happened half a month ago still lingered in her heart. Whenever she thought of herself watching the lantern festival here, perhaps Xiangxiang was suffering pain and torture, she couldn't feel happy.

  "Little Seventh sister, don't be gloomy anymore. If you continue like this, one day you will really worry yourself sick." Lin Yingying softly consoled.

  Tao Feyu smiled bitterly: "Ying sister, others don't know, do you not know?" Although the Tao and Shi families were at odds, she and Xiangxiang had gotten along since childhood.

  "I know you and Xiangxiang are close sisters, but now... things have come to this point, Little Seven should cheer up and take care of herself in order to help Xiangxiang."

  Tao Feyu hastily turned around and grabbed her hand: "Sister Ying, are you thinking of a way to help Xiangxiang? What method, as long as I can do it, I will definitely do it."

  Lin Yingying furrowed her brow in some embarrassment: "This... method isn't nonexistent, it's just..."

  "What is it? Come on, Sister Ying, hurry up and say it." Tao Fengyu urged anxiously.

  Lin Yingying gazed at the colorful lanterns in the distance, her face struggling, but finally spoke out: "Little Seventh Sister, tell me, who is currently the most favored by the Emperor?"

  "Of course it's Worry-free... what does Sister Ying mean?" Tao Fengyu opened her eyes wide in surprise, hesitantly looking at her.

  Lin Yingying nodded lightly.

  "But how could Princess Worryfree help me?" Although now everyone in the capital is talking about how amazing she is, perhaps in her eyes, she's just a pawn used by the emperor to comfort the imperial court, the harem and the common people.

  Whether she will help or not depends on how hard Xiaoyi works. As long as Xiaoyi can win the favor of Princess Wuyou, then when the time is ripe, let her help Xiaoyi enter the palace to see the Emperor, and perhaps Xiangxiang can also escape her suffering early.

  Taofei Yu seems to be thinking deeply, yes, starting with Princess Worry-Free is the best solution for now. As long as she gets close to Princess Worry-Free and flatters her, one day if she speaks to the Emperor on a good mood, who knows, he might pardon Xiangxiang?

  Although her aunt still has the fifth imperial son and is in a position of concubine, she is still under the influence of the eldest imperial brother and is now at the center of attention. She can't use her aunt and the fifth imperial son, on whom the Tao family relies for survival, to gamble even if she wants to help Xiangxiang.

  So she can only take the path of Princess Worry-Free. If the Emperor can pardon her, that would be best; if not, it's not the fault of the Tao family.

  After understanding, Tao Fengyu looked at Lin Yingying with gratitude: "Sister Ying, thank you."

  "Little Seventh, don't say that. It's just a pity that our Lin family is only an ordinary merchant household and can't help Sister Xiangxiang." Lin Yingying said dejectedly.

  "Although Sister Ying is not a noble lady, what does that matter? In my heart, Sister Ying is far superior to them, even the princesses in the palace are no match for..."

  Lin Yingying made a gesture to cover her mouth, and with a shy and angry look, she said: "You little girl, are you trying to harm me? How can I be compared with the golden branches and jade leaves?"

  Tao Fei smiled: "But it's really so, although the princesses are not necessarily inferior to Sister Ying in appearance, but the eldest princess is taciturn and the fourth princess is mischievous. How can they compare with Yingying's kindness? However, the third princess is actually not bad either." But after all, she was not born of her aunt, so she couldn't get too close to her.

  "So, little sister has never seen Princess Worry-Free?" Lin Yingying asked curiously.

  Tao Feyi forced a smile: "The day of the palace feast, I claimed illness and didn't go."

  Lin Yingying silently comforted her for a while before forcing a cheerful tone: "Alright, don't think too much about it. Today I'm going to introduce my brother and cousin to Little Seventh Sister. Qi Dao, why haven't they arrived yet?"

  Tao Feyn was somewhat surprised and curious, because her elder sister-in-law was the eldest daughter of the Lin family. She was familiar with Ying Jie and often visited the Lin family, but had only heard that Ying Jie had an older brother, yet never had the chance to meet him.

  "But, Little Seventh Sister, don't blame Older Sister for not warning you, my brothers and cousins are all stunningly handsome, so don't get too distracted later." Lin Yingying said with a smile.

  Tao Feiyu smiled and didn't think much of it. Hadn't she seen many handsome young masters and beautiful young ladies before?

  She didn't think much of it, and Lin Yingying didn't say anything, just smiled without speaking.

  The two of them admired the lanterns for a while longer before a maid came in.

  "Miss, Young Master and Cousin Young Master have arrived."

  Lin Yingying raised an eyebrow and glanced at Tao Feiyu, smiling: "Come on in!"

  Although Tao Feiyu didn't think much of Lin Yingying's words about beauty, she still felt some curiosity in her heart towards Lin Dage, the elder brother of Lin who had only heard of but never seen before. Her gaze fell on the door of the elegant room that was pushed open by the maid.

  Watching the two men walk in, Tao Feiyu was stunned and her mouth agape with amazement.

  Lin Yingying's gaze swept over Tao Fengyu, who was stunned, and she stepped forward with a curtsy: "Brother, Brother-in-law."

  Lin Wei Tang was not surprised by Tao Feng Yu's stone-like expression, and a faint smile played on his lips: "I suppose this is the younger sister of the eldest sister's sworn sister, Tao Family's Seventh Young Lady?"

  Tao Feiyu came back to her senses and her face suddenly turned red. She hastily bowed her head in greeting, saying "Brother Lin."

  "Little Seventh sister doesn't have to be polite."

  "Little Seventh sister, this is my cousin, just call him Wu Da Ge."

  When Lin Yingying introduced Wen Wumo to her, Tao Feyu's face turned even redder, but she still maintained a calm and collected demeanor: "Brother Wu."

  Wen Wu's face was calm and collected: "No need for excessive courtesy."

  Tao Feyu retreated to the side, controlling her gaze not to fall on the two men. This Lin brother was enchanting and captivating, while Wu brother was elegant and refined, each with their own unique charm, truly stunning. Just looking at them would easily make one's mind wander.

  What sister Ying said is indeed true. Such natural and stunning beauty and temperament are hard to come by, not just among men, but also among women.

  Wen Wuxia walked to the window and gazed out at the ten-mile-long lantern festival outside, the prosperity under the emperor's feet was more extravagant and luxurious than Rong'an, with an additional hint of reckless splendor.

  "How is it? Does my younger cousin like it?" Lin Weiting sat down on the chair in front of the window with a charming smile.

  Wen Wuxia said lightly: "I've seen many lantern festivals before, but none of them can compare to the ones in the capital."

  Listening to their conversation, Tao Ni Yu looked at Wen Wu Xiu with some curiosity: "Has Fifth Brother seen many lantern festivals in different places?"

  The sound of footsteps echoed outside, and the elegant door was pushed open by a maid: "Young Master, Young Miss, Mr. Gu and Mr. Liao have arrived."

  Lin Yingying's heart skipped a beat as she glanced at Lin Weitan with her peripheral vision, and it seemed that her elder brother had finally made his move.

  Lin Weiting stood up, and Wen Wuxia also turned around.

  Gu Ling walked in, seeing Lin Yingying and Tao Feiyu still there, he was slightly surprised. Subconsciously, he glanced at Liao Qingyun beside him, and only felt a little relieved when he saw that his face was calm and unaffected.

  "Two gentlemen, honored to have you, please come in!"

  "Master Lin is being polite, Qingyun, this is Master Lin, he's the younger master of the Lin family..."

  "My surname is Wu." Wen Wuxin said calmly.

  Gu Ling slightly narrowed his eyes and cupped one hand in the other, saying: "So it's Master Wu."

  After a round of greetings, everyone sat down in front of the large round table.

  The bright moon is in the sky, a ten-mile-long string of lanterns shines like daylight, and no one notices that the sky has completely darkened.

  ……

  Yu Worry didn't take the entire guard out of the palace, as she didn't want to make a big show of touring the capital. Except for Yu Zhu and Yu Cui, only Mu Yu followed closely by her side. Half of the guards were left in the Worry-Free Palace to stand watch, while the rest disguised themselves as ordinary civilians and followed secretly.

  Getting off the carriage and looking at the bustling ten-mile-long lantern street, Yu Zhu and Yu Cui were both excited and delighted.

  "These... so many lanterns?" Yu Cui exclaimed with wide eyes.

  Yu Zhu smiled and said to Yuan Wuyou: "Master, I didn't know until today that there are so many kinds of lanterns."

  Yu Worry wore a bamboo hat and looked through the thin silk at the bustling scene in front of her, smiling: "It's indeed magnificent, very beautiful." A song of sheng flute, spring like the sea, thousands of lanterns burning, night like day.

  "Master, let's go ahead." Yu Cui excitedly pulled Yuan Wuyou along.

  Yu Zhu lightly rebuked: "Yu Cui..."

  "It doesn't matter, tonight we're out to have fun and admire the lanterns." Yuan Wuyou said with a smile.

  "Thanks, Master." Yu Cui stuck out her tongue at Yu Zhu, looking quite mischievous.

  Yu Zhu didn't say anything more.

  Muyi followed behind the three people, still seeming like a transparent person, ignoring the behavior and movements between the master and servant trio.

  Yu Cu ran out and bought a beauty lamp: "Master, is it good-looking?"

  Yu Worry took it over, picked it up and looked at it carefully, smiling and nodding: "Hmm, very beautiful."

  It seems that with the special order of the master, Yu Zhu also slowly opened up, and she curiously looked at the place surrounded by many people not far in front: "Yu Cui, what are so many people surrounding in front for?"

  Yu Cu ran over, wanting to take a look, but there were too many people, she tiptoed and still couldn't see the situation inside. After a long while, she finally came back with a big smile on her face, excitedly pointing at the beautifully decorated lantern cars parked beside the crowd: "It's guessing lantern riddles! Whoever guesses correctly can take a ride on the lantern car to tour the lantern street without spending any silver."

  Yu Worry-free curiously took a glance and found it was a rickshaw-like vehicle, decorated with dazzling colors, with small lanterns hanging all over the body of the car. The people pulling the car were also wearing clothes that matched the color of the lantern car, squatting on the side as if waiting for the person who guessed correctly.

  "Master, would you like to take a seat?" Yu Cui said as she saw her looking around.

  Yu Zhu's excited and delighted expression slightly solidified, but quickly returned to normal. She could understand the true meaning of Yu Cui's words, but that didn't mean that General Mu would necessarily understand it too.

  In their hearts, as long as the princess wants it, she can guess the answer.

  Yu Wu smiled and said, "Of course we have to sit down now."

  Yu Cu's eyes lit up, and she glanced at Mu Yu with a slanted gaze: "Mu Wei, didn't you hear the master's words? The master wants to sit in that lantern carriage. Now go think of a way to get that lantern carriage over here."

  Mù Yǔ fell silent for a moment before respectfully saying, "Master, please wait."

  Yu Worry smiled and nodded.

  He squeezed into the crowd of onlookers.

  Yu Zhu's eyes glanced at Yu Cui, who was naturally calm. Earlier, she had really wanted to applaud and shout "bravo", but it turned out that not only had she come to a realization, but Yu Cui had also come to a realization.

  The silk curtain shaded her face, and Yuan Wuyou's mouth hooked slightly: "Very beautiful."

  Yu Cu's eyes became increasingly bright and clear.

  Yu Zhu looked at Yu Cui's sparkling eyes, which had just been praised by the princess, and smiled slightly. Today, she and Yu Cui were really happy because they had finally gained their master's recognition.

  They all knew in their hearts that if they didn't realize and recognize where they stood, they wouldn't have the qualifications to stand behind their masters.

  As soon as Mu Yu squeezed into the crowd, the crowd made way for him to come out. He didn't return directly, but instead pulled a rickshaw over, and Yuan Wuyou's smile on his face deepened even more.

  "Master, please get on the carriage." Mu Yu La came over with a lantern carriage and said respectfully.

  Yu Cui curiously said: "Mu Huwei, what trick are you thinking of?"

  Yu Zhu also curiously stared at him, Yuan Wuyou smiled and didn't speak, seemingly also somewhat curious.

  Mu Yu lowered his head and said: "I used silver to buy a lantern carriage for you."

  Yu Cui was somewhat disappointed: "I thought Mu Huwei would figure out those riddles himself."

  "Please forgive me, Master..."

  "It doesn't matter, so many people can't guess it, I suppose the riddle is very difficult, and Mu Yu not guessing it is also normal."

  "Thank you, sir. Please get on the carriage."

  "Master, Mu Huwei is pulling the lantern cart himself, let me help you get on."

  After Yu Worry sat down, Mu Yu finally pulled up the lantern car steadily. Yu Zhu and Yu Cui stood on either side of her, and the four of them, plus a flower lantern car, paraded along the bustling main street. The maids standing on both sides of the lantern car were exceptionally beautiful and had an extraordinary temperament that was not typical of ordinary household maids.

  Many people are gazing at the person sitting in the flower car wearing a bamboo hat and veil, watching with great curiosity and speculation.

  Sitting in the rickshaw, smiling at the long streets on both sides, Yuan Wuyou smiled. The preciousness of freedom is more valuable than life. Although she was not free yet, she believed that one day she would be truly free.

  At the same time, in another elegant room on the second floor of Wangjiang Pavilion, a man wearing a silver soft leather mask and a silver robe sat by the window, revealing only his pale but handsome lips and delicate chin. His slender fingers held a cup of wine close to his lips, sipping it lightly.

  By his side stood a hunchbacked servant.

  As he watched the light car slowly approaching from the far end of the street, his good-looking lips lightly curled up, drawing a dazzling arc.

  On the other side, in a private room, Gu Ling sat at a round table sipping tea and glanced over unintentionally. His gaze paused for a moment because he clearly saw that standing beside the most eye-catching lantern car on Long Street were Yu Zhu and Yu Cui.

  Although his expression changed for a short moment, the people sitting next to him did not neglect it and quietly looked down.

  After taking a closer look, Tao Fengyu smiled slightly and pointed at the charming flower lantern: "Sister Ying, I guess the person in the lantern car is either rich or ugly. This lantern car must not be won by guessing the riddle."

  Lin Yingying smiled: "This lantern car is really beautiful." It's just a pity that the people sitting in the lantern car wore hoods, so they couldn't see their faces clearly. Indeed, it wasn't because of guessing the riddle that they won, because the clothes and temperament of the person pulling the cart didn't look like ordinary citizens who pulled lantern carts at all.

  Tao Feiyu smiled and said: "Ying Jiejie, wait a minute, we'll also go guess, maybe we can take the lantern car to tour the Long Lantern Banquet."

  "Alright." Lin Yingying smiled and said.

  Listening to the conversation between the two, Lin Weiting's mouth curved up, seemingly smiling yet not quite: "I'm guessing it's a noble lady, what do you think, Brother Gu and Brother Liao?" That must be Princess Wuyou.

  Gu Ling smiled faintly: "I agree with Brother Lin's conjecture."

  Liao Qingyun looked at her carefully and said in a flat tone, "Indeed, she is a noble lady." As she herself had said, whether she was prosperous or fallen, her nobility was an undeniable fact, and now she was indeed noble enough to make everyone look up to her.

  The text was scrutinizing him with an expressionless face, his complexion didn't change, nor did he show any attitude.

  After listening to Liao Qingyun's words, Tao Feiyu re-examined her carefully and narrowed her eyes: "Listening to you say this, the person in the lantern car is actually Princess Wuyou?" There were only four princesses in the palace. The eldest princess had passed away, the fourth princess was under house arrest, and originally there were only three princesses left. Now, there was an additional Princess Wuyou. The two maids standing on either side of the lantern car were people she had never seen before.

  Princess Worry-free made her appearance, and neither Gu Ling nor Liao Qingyun spoke out in rebuttal, effectively defaulting to agreement.

  Tao Feiyu lowered her eyes and said: "I've heard that Princess Wuyou is stunningly beautiful, but I don't know if it's true or not. Unfortunately, I haven't seen her with my own eyes yet."

  Lin Yingying smiled slightly: "Liao Gongzi is fortunate to have seen her, I wonder if the Worry-Free Princess is really as peerless and matchless as the rumors in the streets?"

  Tao Feiyu stared at Liao Qingyun, with her understanding of Liao Qingyun, although he was eccentric and had strange hobbies, he would never be flustered. If it was something he couldn't answer or didn't want to answer, he wouldn't give face by speaking nonsense.

  And if he speaks out, it must be true!

  Digression

  The second update will be around 8-9 pm tonight.