Chapter 140: Even More Beautiful When Crying

"Princess, Princess..."

Feng Yin called out several times before Xiao Li snapped out of her daze.

"Princess, what’s wrong?"

Feng Yin’s attention was focused on the Princess, so he didn’t see the fleeting figure. Seeing Xiao Li staring blankly into the empty alley, he couldn’t help but call out to her.

Xiao Li was feeling unsettled. She detested this feeling, one she rarely experienced. She didn’t fear obvious danger, but she hated this sense of not being in control.

She looked at the face she so adored, now extremely close to hers.

Suddenly, she grabbed Feng Yin and pinned him against the wall.

He was half a head taller than her, yet at this moment, he was completely under Xiao Li’s control, looking utterly helpless.

Xiao Li’s intensely aggressive gaze swept down over him—from his wide, innocent eyes, shocked, to his fine, straight nose, and his full, beautiful lips.

"Princess~~"

Feng Yin stiffly raised his hands, unsure whether he wanted to embrace or push her away. He didn’t dare touch her either way.

"Hah!"

Xiao Li scoffed, it was unclear if she was laughing at him or herself, and then she kissed him.

It was a kiss meant to vent her frustration, devoid of any tenderness.

His hands, which had been weakly trying to push her away, were seized and pinned above his head, forcing him to endure her domineering kiss.

When Xiao Li had kissed her fill and her mood had improved, she finally let him go.

The poor boy had probably never been bullied like this in his life. His eyes welled up, tears threatening to fall, and his face was a picture of shock and shyness. It only made him look even more fun to bully.

Xiao Li pinched his cheek. "Tsk, you’re even prettier when you cry."

Feng Yin’s tears finally fell. He didn’t hate what she did to him; it was just too intense for him to handle.

The two of them walked out, one after the other. Xiao Li strolled ahead, composed as ever, while Feng Yin followed behind with small steps, like a timid new bride.

Hong Yue and Rong Qing, who were guarding the alley entrance, stood stiffer than statues. ’Ah... we didn’t hear anything. We didn’t see anything.’

Although Feng Yin was still dazed from the kiss, he hadn’t forgotten his purpose. He led Xiao Li to the largest lantern pavilion, where a large crowd had already gathered. Most were scholars and refined gentlemen, all vying for the most magnificent and exquisite "Lantern King."

This year’s Lantern King was the Eight Treasure Gentleman Glazed Lamp. It was painted with plum blossoms, orchids, bamboo, and chrysanthemums, and bore an inscription from a famous master. Its frame was made of glazed glass, with panels of pure silk, and it was adorned with tassels of pearls and jade. It was magnificent without being gaudy.

One glance was enough to tell its craftsmanship was expensive, but it couldn’t be bought with money.

Those who wished to compete for the Lantern King had registered three days prior. After receiving the topic, they wrote an essay and submitted it to the organizers. Only those whose academic prowess was approved by a special panel of judges were qualified to be here today to answer questions on-site and contend for the title.

Xiao Li looked up and saw four other lanterns hanging beside the Lantern King: a white crane, a koi fish, a black orchid, and a golden snake. These represented the Feng, Wang, Xue, and Shangguan Families, respectively.

This proved that the event was co-hosted by these four families.

And what those scholars and talents were competing for wasn’t just the Lantern King, but also political resources.

Xiao Li asked Feng Yin, "Which year were you the champion?"

Feng Yin replied, "The year before last."

’Just as I thought.’

The building was a circular, four-story structure. Its fourth floor contained six rooms, each accessed by a private staircase. The interior of each room—comprising a large main hall, two side rooms, and two smaller compartments—was as spacious as a commoner’s small home.

Pushing open the window, the railing directly faced the spot where the Lantern King was hung. Looking down from here, one could see the crowd of people surging below, as small as ants.

In the hollow center of the circular building was a platform of about a hundred square meters. The front of it was over a meter high, and standing there, one could see the second floor. The rear section, however, was more than two meters high, putting anyone standing on it level with the second floor.

All participants first competed on the lower tier. The winners would advance to the upper tier, where they would compete again to determine the final victor.

From the rooms on the fourth floor, one could not only see and hear clearly, but there were also dedicated staff who would transcribe the essays and deliver them upstairs.

The final decision on who would be tonight’s champion rested with these four families.

There was a list of names on the table. Xiao Li glanced through it. She didn’t really know these people, but she had heard most of the names before. Back at the Wang family’s residence, Wang Shiqi had gathered a group of people to show off, and Wang Wanqing had introduced them to her one by one as if they were prized possessions. That’s when she had heard some of these names.

The list was very detailed, including their names, ages, family backgrounds, literary talents, and even their physical appearances.

’Very thorough, you could say.’

Xiao Li sat by the window, watching the competition below. Although the classical language was a bit difficult to follow, it was quite interesting if you took the time to ponder it.

However, Feng Yin, sitting beside her, was growing restless. He hadn’t brought Xiao Li here just to watch the competition below.

But seeing that she was in good spirits, he didn’t want to disturb her.

Xiao Li’s gaze swept over the scene below. The area was lit as brightly as day, but it was a bit far, making it hard to see clearly.

"Hong Yue, bring me my telescope."

"Right away."

A guard outside the door was holding a box containing the things Xiao Li brought with her when she went out.

Hong Yue quickly found a long, tube-shaped object and brought it in. "Princess."

Feng Yin was curious. "So this is a telescope?"

Xiao Li placed it to her eye and aimed it downward. As expected, she saw quite a few familiar people.

On the third floor to the left sat Prince Wei and his gang of disreputable friends. Walking up from downstairs was Prince Yanping, flanked by two middle-aged men.

She didn’t spot the Nanqi King, but she did see Wang Wanqing. A young man was with her. He was chatting and laughing with the people behind them, and when Wang Wanqing glanced back at him, her expression was one of disgust and impatience, though she clearly had to endure it.

After a moment, Xiao Li looked away and scanned the crowd again, but this time she only saw unfamiliar faces.

She lowered the telescope, turned to see Feng Yin’s curious face, and casually handed it to him. "Here, you can play with it."

Feng Yin was speechless. ’...Why does it feel like she’s humoring a child?’

But the object was simply too fascinating for him to refuse. He mimicked her, putting it to his eye, and was instantly amazed.

"It can really see so far! It truly lives up to its name."

Seeing the look of novel astonishment on his usually tense and serious face, Xiao Li couldn’t help but smile. ’This face is much more interesting to look at.’

Feng Yin watched the people below, and Xiao Li watched him. It was a perfectly harmonious scene.

"Young Master."

Feng Yin’s personal servant came in. "Young Master, the Young Mistress and the Master have arrived. They wish to come in."

Hong Yue, standing by Xiao Li’s side, was clearly about to report the same thing.

"What are they doing here?"

Feng Yin frowned and immediately stood up. "Please wait here for a moment, Princess. I’ll be right back."

"Let them in," Xiao Li said.

Feng Yin didn’t want anyone to disturb them. "Princess, you don’t have to put up with it. I can just have a word with my sister."

’How does it look like I’m putting up with it?’

"I haven’t seen your sister in a long time. I’d actually like to speak with her."

In truth, she wanted to meet He Changyu. It was nothing more than pure curiosity; she wanted to see what kind of man could fool not only Feng Yu, but the entire Feng Family.