Chapter 85: Little White Face? So What? Her Highness Spoils Me!
Source: https://www.jjwxc.net/onebook.php?novelid=3614052
This translation was originally posted on https://love4baihe.blogspot.com please read it there. and check out other stories too.
The main event of the Lantern Festival had always been at night.
When the sky turned dark, the lanterns on the streets lit up one after another. The streets were decorated with lanterns, and the atmosphere was lively.
Not only were the roadside stalls on both sides of the street filled with all kinds of lanterns, but even above the pedestrians in the middle of the road, various lanterns were hanging.
At first glance, walking on this street tonight felt as if one was in a sea of lanterns.
In this world, not many women could resist the temptation of such a beautiful sight.
Among Meng Chang'an's group, except for Shu Yao, who was already wearing a mask and did not need one, the other three had all put on the masks that the Princess had bought during the day.
This was an unwritten custom of the Lantern Festival. Wearing a mask while strolling through the festival meant that the person was already taken, or they simply wanted to enjoy the festival and were not looking for a match. This way, talented men and beautiful women would not mistakenly give their lanterns to someone who had no interest.
Therefore, these masks were a good way to avoid attracting unwanted admirers.
Tonight at the hour of Hai*, the fleet of flower boats would set sail, carrying lanterns and dancers along the river.
*hour/time of the pig 9-11 PM
The most important moment of the Lantern Festival every year was when the fleet brought the grand performance of song and dance.
Thus, the liveliest and most bustling streets tonight were naturally the ones closest to the docks and the river around the city.
This way, festival-goers could finish strolling the streets in time to watch the river procession.
At this moment, on the streets near the river around the city, not only had the street vendors already secured their spots, but merchants had also set up stages and arranged performances, shouting loudly to attract customers.
"Honored guests, do not miss this as you pass by! Tonight, aside from the lanterns on the official fleet, the biggest, most beautiful, and most exquisite lanterns in the city are right here!"
"If you want to give a lantern to someone you admire, it must be one-of-a-kind to be truly respectable!"
"Lanterns bring fated love from a thousand miles away! If you choose the right ‘red thread,’ your destined love will come sooner!"
"Only ten taels to sign up! As long as you rank in the top ten in both the literary and martial tests, you can take home these ten large lanterns on stage tonight to give to your beloved!"
"Even if you do not make it to the top ten, it does not matter! Tonight, our master is here just to bring everyone some fun. No matter if it is the literary test or the martial test, those who perform excellently can take a lantern from us tonight!"
The shouting, powered by internal energy, was naturally much more attention-grabbing than the hoarse cries of the nearby street vendors.
As the voice spread, people began to gather one after another near the tall stage.
Of course, the main reason was that the ten large lanterns on this stage, each about the height of three people, were truly made with sincerity. All ten lanterns were lifelike, and even from a distance, one could see the fine craftsmanship.
As Meng Chang'an's group strolled along, they guessed many lantern riddles and won quite a few small lanterns. Unfortunately, they had not come across any designs they particularly liked. To avoid the inconvenience of holding lanterns too early and affecting their fun later, they had only satisfied their urge to play the riddle game. All the lanterns they won were returned to the stall owners.
Source: https://www.jjwxc.net/onebook.php?novelid=3614052
This translation was originally posted on https://love4baihe.blogspot.com please read it there. and check out other stories too.
Shu Yao had not yet found the lantern that Shen Lingyun had her eyes on today and was still unwilling to give up. Seeing that the Young Master was already drawn to the lively commotion at the high stage, she said a few words to Li Qiubai, then pulled Shen Lingyun away in another direction to continue searching for lanterns all over the street.
Meng Chang'an had been drawn to the lively scene at the high stage precisely because she had noticed the lifelike large lanterns on display. As she approached with the crowd to watch, she could not help but tug at the sleeve of the person beside her.
When the Princess turned her head inquiringly, Young Master Meng pointed excitedly at one of the lanterns shaped like a flaming phoenix and said, "I want that one. Go win it and give it to me!"
The mask could not hide the brightness in the young girl's eyes. When the Princess met Young Master Meng's expectant gaze, her heart softened instantly, and she wished she could present the lantern to her right then and there.
Unfortunately, before Young Master Meng could hear the Princess' reply, she was already met with a wave of disapproving stares from the surrounding crowd.
Nearby, several young ladies from noble families were eagerly discussing the lanterns on the high stage. Some men, who were accompanying their female companions, had volunteered to take on the challenge of winning a lantern to make their beloved smile. Others were egging on their friends to go on stage and make a name for themselves, hoping to seize the chance to catch their sweetheart’s attention.
Though they were not all acquaintances, the people gathered here shared a similar interest and intent.
Only Young Master Meng stood out in stark contrast, daring to shamelessly ask a woman beside her for a lantern while appearing as a "man."
The commander guarding Yecheng was surnamed Ying. The Ying family's third young lady was merely sixteen this year, at the age of youthful liveliness and playfulness. Today, she had arranged to go out and have fun with a group of noble young ladies from official families.
Among them, only she and another young lady from a military family practiced martial arts, while the rest were delicate and scholarly noblewomen. None of them were skilled in both literature and martial arts, meaning none had the chance to secure a top ten spot on the stage. Just as they were hesitating over who should go up to win a lantern to play with, they happened to hear Young Master Meng’s shameless remark.
The Third Young Lady Ying turned around in surprise, looking at Young Master Meng and the Princess. Seeing that their clothes were carefully coordinated in matching colors of fine silk, she immediately knew their relationship was close. Then, she looked at Li Qiubai, whose noble demeanor, stunning beauty that could not be hidden even by a half-mask, and expensive brocade robes suggested a high status. It was not hard to guess that Li Qiubai was either rich or of noble birth.
At that moment, she could not help but recall a story she had once heard from a storyteller.
A lazy, idle little white face* married into a wealthy wife’s household. Not only did he live off his wife’s wealth, but he even schemed to take away her family’s fortune.
*derog. Young fair face—handsome, effeminate young man/gigolo
After associating Meng Chang’an with that kind of idle little white face, Third Young Lady Ying kindly offered a reminder, “Miss, what use is there in keeping such a little white face? He even has the nerve to ask you to win a lantern for him. I do not know how he dares to say such a thing. I suggest you quickly find another one while you still can today! With your beauty, there must be plenty of young talents willing to throw themselves at your feet tonight.”
Hearing this, Young Master Meng was momentarily stunned on the spot.
What little white face? What outstanding young men willing to throw themselves at Her Highness' feet? Who is this person? What nonsense is she imagining?
Although the Young Master did not react immediately, the people around them were not willing to miss this chance to join in the commotion. They immediately began to jeer and echo the sentiment.
"Yes, yes, little white faces are unreliable! Miss, you should change to another man!"
"Exactly, how could he make a lady win a festival lantern for him?"
"Ai, truly embarrassing for us men!"
An even bolder young man directly offered himself, saying, “If the young lady is willing, I am willing to win a festival lantern for you. May I be fortunate enough to earn a smile from you?”
“Bah! How are you even more shameless than that little white face?” Someone in the crowd immediately laughed and cursed. After scolding him, he quickly turned toward where Li Qiubai was and loudly asked, “Young lady, do I have a chance?”
Meng Chang’an: “…”
Her fists hardened.
She never expected that simply asking the Princess for a festival lantern would attract so many wild butterflies for her.
Yet these people were merely teasing with words and had not truly acted rudely, making it difficult for her to teach them a lesson in front of such a large crowd…
Just as the Young Master was considering whether to take the Princess and escape this troublesome place, she saw the Princess smile slightly and raise her voice to say to those around them, “No need for everyone to trouble yourselves. My husband rarely asks for anything. If winning a festival lantern can make her happy, then why not?”
Author's Note:
The Advertisement Law prohibits the use of absolute terms like "the most xx," so do not follow the example of this merchant in the story~
Happy Lantern Festival, friends! Though this chapter is a bit short, at least I managed to post it on the festival! I have achieved weekly updates! Praise me!
