As the moon rose and lanterns lit up, the streets grew lively. Colorful silks and lanterns filled the air, while firecrackers exploded, creating a dazzling spectacle.
The young emperor, never having left the palace before, found everything fascinating. Holding candy in one hand and a dough figurine in the other, he wished for stilts to see everything better as Zheng Yang carried him.
Noticing a crowded stall, he asked what was happening.
Zheng Yang peered over, “It seems to be a riddle-guessing game.”
Excited, the emperor pointed, “You are all pillars of the state, full of knowledge. Go guess the riddles, and I’ll reward you handsomely if you succeed!”
Though they thought “pillars of the state” was an exaggeration, they had to obey the imperial order and reluctantly approached the stall.
Ning Santong, lacking official rank, asked to choose first. He picked an easy one about a “candle” and “ear” forming the character for “bright,” which he solved correctly.
Feng Yiming chose a more difficult riddle about “entering Jiangdong” and “spring everywhere,” correctly guessing the character “lin.”
As Zheng Yang was about to pick, the emperor changed his mind. “You two are the top exam scorers. These are too easy for you. I’ll pick, and you answer.”
He chose one for Zheng Yang about “wind entering a maple forest,” which Zheng Yang correctly solved as the character for “forest.”
Finally, the emperor picked the longest riddle for Su Cen:
“Heart unforgotten before flowers, seeking hidden fragrance in one’s heart.”
Su Cen smiled, “This isn’t just one character, is it?”
“It’s a character riddle. How can it not be a character?” the emperor grinned. “Su Zhuangyuan, can’t you solve it?”
Su Cen explained that it was actually two characters forming the solar term “Grain in Ear” (芒种).
The stall owner praised Su Cen’s talent, admitting it was a hidden trick. He politely suggested they move on, as their skills were too advanced for his simple stall.
The young emperor, satisfied, went to choose prizes. Each correct answer earned a lantern. He picked three but struggled with the fourth choice.
“How about this one?” Su Cen and Feng Yiming spoke simultaneously, pointing at the same lantern depicting a sly-looking fox.
“Is this one nice?” the emperor frowned but chose it anyway. Unable to carry all four, he gave the cat lantern to Feng Yiming, the chubby-faced doll to Ning Santong, kept the white rabbit for himself, and gave the fox to Su Cen.
The young emperor waved his hand, “Time to reward based on merit.”
Zheng Yang, who had been carrying the emperor but received nothing, looked at him with feigned disappointment, “What about me?”
“You’re carrying me, how could you hold a lantern?” The emperor stuffed his half-eaten candy into Zheng Yang’s mouth, “This is for you.”
Zheng Yang: “…” He wished he could refuse.
After touring most of the Imperial Street, watching performances, and drinking sticky bean porridge, the emperor still seemed unsatisfied. Yan Fu reminded him it was time to return to the palace.
Not daring to delay, the group started heading back. Halfway, they encountered Qi Lin, who had clearly been waiting for them.
Everyone was startled. Qi Lin bowed, “The Prince sent me to escort Your Majesty back to Xingqing Palace.”
The emperor’s smile visibly stiffened.
It seemed Prince Ning’s spies were everywhere in Chang’an, likely tracking the emperor since he left the palace. However, since he sent Qi Lin to wait here instead of immediately returning the emperor to the palace, perhaps the Prince wasn’t too angry?
Hearing they were going to Xingqing Palace, Zheng Yang’s legs trembled. Feng Yiming, leaving for Yangzhou tomorrow, couldn’t linger. They parted ways, with Su Cen escorting the emperor to Xingqing Palace as his home was nearby.
After separating, Qi Lin led the way with Su Cen carrying the emperor behind.
The emperor, quieter now, buried his head in Su Cen’s shoulder and hesitantly asked, “Do you think Uncle is angry?”
Su Cen asked, “Is Your Majesty afraid of the Prince?”
Trying to maintain his imperial dignity, the emperor indicated with his fingers, “Just a tiny bit afraid.”
Su Cen smiled softly and, after checking their surroundings, quietly asked, “Do you like being emperor?”
The emperor was taken aback. No one had ever asked him this before. After serious thought, he tilted his head and replied, “We should like it.”
Su Cen asked, “Why do you like it?”
“Because We want to be like Uncle in the future,” the emperor answered without hesitation. “Although We’re a bit afraid of Uncle, We also think he’s impressive. This outing showed Us prosperous people living peacefully. Doesn’t this mean Uncle and We are governing well?”
“Yes,” Su Cen nodded sincerely.
Indeed, nothing was more convincing than good governance.
“When We take full power, We want to be like Uncle – implementing benevolent policies, gaining respect from all, and being a good emperor,” the emperor continued.
“Have you thought about…” Su Cen’s heart tightened, “what will happen to the Prince when you take full power?”
The emperor, arms around Su Cen’s neck, replied with clear eyes, “Uncle will always be Our uncle.”
“What if someone speaks ill of the Prince to you?”
“We know what you’re thinking,” the emperor smiled. “Uncle taught Us to discern right from wrong and not believe one-sided words.”
Su Cen nodded, understanding why Li Shi invested so much in educating the emperor. The young boy was incredibly intelligent and moldable.
“Don’t worry, We won’t tell anyone about our conversation today,” the emperor whispered, “not even Mother.”
Su Cen smiled, “Thank you, Your Majesty.”
“We’ll tell you a secret too. We like Lord Su,” the emperor whispered, “because Uncle likes Lord Su.”
As they approached Xingqing Palace, Li Shi was already waiting at the entrance.
Seeing his uncle, the emperor obediently got down from Su Cen and greeted Li Shi with a restrained “Uncle.”
Li Shi nodded, his expression unreadable. He called the emperor over and took his hand, while looking at Su Cen impassively.
Su Cen, unable to show much in front of others but also unable to leave, greeted Li Shi and stood with his head lowered, unsure of Li Shi’s intentions.
Finally, Li Shi smiled, “Go home. Let Qi Lin escort you.”
Su Cen secretly sighed in relief, “This subject takes his leave.”
As he turned to leave, he remembered, “Ah, my lantern.”
Li Shi looked at the two lanterns and smiled, “Which one is yours?”
Su Cen hesitated, unsure how to admit he chose the fox lantern that resembled Li Shi’s expression.
Su Cen pointed, “The rabbit is mine.”
The emperor looked up with big eyes and exposed him, “Didn’t you like the fox?”
Su Cen: “…” What happened to their alliance?
Li Shi took the fox lantern, its light flickering in the night breeze, making the fox look even more cunning.
“I like foxes too,” Li Shi handed Su Cen an ornate palace lantern. “Let’s exchange, Lord Su.”
Knowing Li Shi was teasing him, Su Cen didn’t take it, “This subject dares not. If Your Highness likes it, please keep it.”
Li Shi held out the lantern, “It’s dark and far. You need a light.”
Su Cen realized he couldn’t leave without accepting the lantern. He smiled helplessly and took it from Li Shi’s jade-ringed hand.
Li Shi smiled and walked away with the emperor, asking, “Where did these lanterns come from?”
As they approached Xingqing Palace, the young emperor, seeing his uncle wasn’t angry and seemed interested in his night’s adventures, excitedly replied: “We went to guess riddles. Su Cen was amazing! He solved even the most difficult ones immediately…”
Su Cen looked down at the palace lantern in his hand and smiled wryly. How did he end up being the fox in the end?
![Flying Dust [Fei Chen]](https://www.freenovels.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/9k.png "Flying Dust [Fei Chen]")