Sheng Qianmo held her slender waist to have her walk beside him. He lowered his head and couldn’t help but laugh. His deep and pleasant voice rang out from above Shu Nuan.
“Your skin is so tender. What if I hurt you later?”
Shu Nuan was at a complete loss as to what he meant. But after a moment, she recalled what that woman had taught her. Suddenly guessing at what Sheng Qianmo was referring to, her ears took on a crimson hue. She was so embarrassed that she even forgot to eat.
Sheng Qianmo was seldom in such a good mood. He bought many things for her to enjoy. However, he did not forget to buy a present for Sheng Gu along the way.
Following behind the pair, Sheng Gu hardly expressed her sullenness. Seeing her Fourth Uncle from afar, holding Shu Nuan by the waist, and talking to her intimately. How could her day be good? Sheng Gu felt more uncomfortable as the day progressed.
Fortunately, at noon, Sheng Qianmo finally paid some attention to her, taking her to a restaurant for lunch.
More importantly, he also bought her a present. It proved that her Fourth Uncle had kept her in mind. She did not expect this and so, she found herself in a good mood.
After lunch, Sheng Qianmo, taking into consideration Sheng Gu’s health, let her go home to rest until dinner, at which time they would go on a stroll again.
Sheng Gu listened to his arrangement. Knowing that her Fourth Uncle only had her wellbeing in mind, she agreed easily. And her mood also improved further.
***
In the evening, fireworks set off in the city lived their last against the night sky.
Sheng Gu climbed onto a stone bridge and looked up at the brilliant fireworks painted across the dark canvas of the sky. She happily turned back and shouted to Sheng Qianmo, who stood before the bridge, “Fourth Uncle, it’s so beautiful!”
Sheng Qianmo replied, “Come back down.”
Sheng Gu nodded and walked down the stone bridge happily. There she saw Sheng Qianmo talking to the boatman but didn’t see the slave girl beside him. Sheng Gu had to look around for her, and she found her crouched on a stone nearby. She asked curiously, “What are you doing?”
Shu Nuan looked back at her, and said, “The Lantern Festival tradition.”
Sheng Gu understood what she meant, looked at her, and said, “I also want to make a wish.”
With no other choice, Shu Nuan had to take the paper with her wish out and hand Sheng Gu the lantern.
The boat rented by Sheng Qianmo was huge and decorated with colorful lanterns, and red ribbons that flew along with the wind. The glittering red looked gorgeous.
As it was the evening of the Lantern Festival, many people were putting lanterns near the lake’s bank. However, even when the boat had reached the center of the lake, Shu Nuan had not let go of hers.
“Did you make a wish?” Sheng Qianmo asked casually, glancing at the lantern in her hand.
Shu Nuan hesitated to let go of the lantern after being asked. She only gave a small, “Hmm.”
Sheng Qianmo grabbed her other hand in response and squeezed her soft fingers.
“Stingy.”
Shu Nuan knew what he meant, and thus hesitated to invite him to do the tradition together. But before she could say anything else, Sheng Qianmo casually asked, “What did you wish for?”
Shu Nuan’s small hand grabbed the flower lantern. She pursed her lips and did not dare to answer.[1]
However, Sheng Qianmo’s patience was short lived, so he reached out and peeled back the “petals” of the lantern. He took out the paper with her wish on it, and looked at it. Small, beautiful handwriting came to his sight.
‘May His Highness Prince Sheng have peace and joy in his life.’
Sheng Qianmo, as a prince, was used to hearing nice words. But he had to admit that just a few delicate words written on the paper had softened his heart. Hefolded the paper again and returned it inside the lantern. He simply said, “Put the lantern now.”
Shu Nuan nervously let the lantern drift on the lake. Her eyes did not blink as she saw the lantern moving away with the wind, until it was far enough that she could not see it any more. Then, she removed her gaze from it.