Chapter 1422 - 772: A Paper Divorce (Double-Length)

The Lantern Festival arrived unnoticed.

From the afternoon, various lanterns hanging within the Prince Mansion were gradually lit up for testing.

Under the corridors, in the courtyards, beside the pavilions, koi carp lanterns, lotus lanterns, revolving lanterns, palace lanterns... either hanging or carried, still or turning, exuded a hazy warm glow in the light of the still-bright sky. Servants shuttled among them, doing final checks to ensure that when the night fell and all lights were illuminated, none would go wrong.

A faint smell of gunpowder lingered in the air, prepared for the fireworks to be set off at midnight.

The main hall of the Prince Mansion had been converted into a venue for a night banquet, with long cases set out and seats arranged neatly to host dignitaries, Qin family relatives, tribal leaders, and their families.

Zhu E, accompanied by the Housekeeper, was doing the final check of the arrangements of the seats and the order of the dishes, maintaining a composed and gentle demeanor, only occasionally glancing at the gradually darkening sky outside the hall.

Yin Weiyin was in the side courtyard with Qin Yue. The little girl had again donned a brand new little red jacket, her hair styled in twin buns adorned with tiny pearls. Her face was flushed with excitement, chattering around the female crown, asking about the lanterns and sweets.

Yin Weiyin, unusually, did not find her noisy, simply leaning against a corridor pillar, watching the few rabbit lanterns that had been lit in the courtyard, the horsetail whisk lightly resting in his arm, his expression appearing somewhat distant in the deepening twilight.

Lin Wanxiao's courtyard was the quietest. Her condition had stabilized, but it was still not suitable for her to exert herself. She would not attend the banquet tonight, having only a simple supper in the yard.

Xiuhe considerately hung two small embroidered ball lanterns under the corridor, the warm yellow light filtering through the thin silk, softly spilling onto the steps.

Lin Wanxiao, draped in a thick cloak, was assisted by Xiuhe to slowly walk two laps in the courtyard, looking up at those two lanterns, then lowering her head to gently stroke her still-flat stomach, her face showing no particular expression, only her eyes were gentler than usual.

What about Chen Yi?

He first sat briefly at Lin Wanxiao's place, accompanied her for half a bowl of sweet soup, exchanged a few words like "Rest well, I'll see you tomorrow," watched Xiuhe attend to her rest, and then got up to leave.

He did not head to the main hall immediately, nor did he return to his own courtyard, instead seeming to stroll casually amidst the gradually lit lantern shadows.

He appeared to be looking for something.

Or rather, looking for someone.

The Prince Mansion, not too big, not too small.

He walked through corridors adorned with colorful lanterns, crossed the garden dotted with glass lanterns, bypassed the rockery, and reached the water pavilion... every housekeeper and maid he encountered greeted him respectfully, he just nodded slightly, his gaze occasionally sweeping over other places.

Finally, beneath a pavilion in the less frequented northeast corner of the Prince Mansion, he saw that figure.

Qin Qingluo was not wearing complex auspicious attire, only a dark crimson regular robe.

The pavilion was unlit, only the distant glow from the corridors and courtyard faintly reflecting over, outlining her tall and upright silhouette, inexplicably conveying a hint of aloofness.

She raised her head, looking towards the southeast direction at the most bustling streets above Dragon Tail City, where assorted glows were starting to ascend faintly, the mingled sound of voices, music, and laughter forming a vague and warm din, carried over by the evening breeze.

Chen Yi walked over lightly, pausing a few steps behind her.

She did not turn around, seemingly already aware of his arrival.

The two stood silently, one in front and one behind, for a moment, the distant city noise growing clearer, emphasizing the quietness of this corner.

"The Prince has such a refined interest, hiding here to enjoy the hubbub," Chen Yi spoke first, his tone usual.

Qin Qingluo still looked at those glows, her voice calm as still water, "I find the hall stifling, came out to get some air."

"The banquet is about to start, Zhu E must be getting anxious," Chen Yi said.

"Hmm," she responded but did not move.

Chen Yi looked at her straight back, walked two steps forward, standing beside her, gazing at the increasingly resplendent city lights together.

Qin Qingluo did not turn around, the night was now dark, the nearer and further were all lively scenes, while it was instead quiet here. She momentarily recalled that night on New Year's Eve, how Chen Yi had arrived unexpectedly, bowing his hands and saying "Greetings to Your Majesty."

Your Majesty, was he truly in the presence of Your Majesty...

Even with doubts, those short four words were enough to stir her heart.

She closed her eyes, seemingly feeling the Python Robe and Auspicious Clothes flowing over her as if rising up like a dragon, the crown on her head increasingly heavy.

So momentarily, ambition overshadowed the resentment of a mother.

She knew this was Chen Yi's stalling tactic, and that night she had indeed fallen for it.

But even so, the sudden pregnant young woman was like a thorn in the flesh, a barrier between the two of them.

Upon thinking of this, Qin Qingluo's hand involuntarily clenched slightly.

"Your Majesty should attend the banquet," the person behind suddenly spoke.

The Princess lowered her eyes, he was indeed a cunning person, so she smiled and said:

"If you help me gain the realm, with achievements overshadowing the sovereign, I shall grant you death."

"I, this treacherous minister, care not about that, as long as I can lay upon Your Majesty's dragon bed before death."

"Misusing the imperial carriage, a grave offense, let's see how many iron certificates of immunity you'll have then."

As she laughed, she patted Chen Yi's shoulder, displaying the closeness of a monarch to a minister,

"To me, you are much like Han Xin to Han Gao and Bai Qi to King Qin, strive hard."

Chen Yi did not act frightened and trembling as he used to.

Seeing his lack of reaction, Qin Qingluo couldn't help but wonder if he was indeed so uneducated.

The next moment, Chen Yi instead smiled at her, with a slight hint of mockery.

Qin Qingluo lowered her eyes, becoming unusually uneasy.

At this time, the mocking-faced Chen Yi, was like when they first met, making her momentarily somewhat unable to adapt.