Chapter 50

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Shengjing was bustling with activity, and the lanterns came in many varieties. Skilled artisans had crafted countless animal-shaped lanterns, each unique and charming. Yet, Prince Chengyun seemed to have his eyes fixed solely on the rabbit lantern.

As they approached the stall, his hand was suddenly pushed away with force. Wen Baisang quickly withdrew his hand. Earlier, a passerby had accidentally knocked over a lantern, interrupting their moment. Wen Baisang had thought Prince Chengyun would give up, but to his surprise, the prince remained steadfast.

Chengyun stopped in his tracks; Wen Baisang showed no irritation, as if pushing him aside was merely part of his daily routine, entirely devoid of emotion.

"Don't you want that lantern?" Chengyun asked.

"No," Wen Baisang looked up at the brightly glowing lanterns in the sky. "I want to release a floating lantern."

"Then let's go release floating lanterns."

Wen Baisang did not refuse his company, perhaps simply indifferent.

Behind them, a man wearing a silver mask watched them walk away. Someone by his side asked, "Why didn’t you make a move?"

"I just realized, Shengjing is the An Ding Si's territory. Acting here would be like seeking death."

They had arrived not too late, but the sky was already filled with many lanterns—some burning as they fell, others still floating far into the distance.

Wen Baisang wrote on the lantern: “Avenge grievances, eat and drink well, peace and health, live to a hundred years.”

After writing, he handed the brush to Chengyun. "What will you write?"

The lantern light was dazzling, the crowd dense, and the scattered stars faintly visible in the sky. Suddenly, Chengyun’s eyes focused solely on Wen Baisang.

As he took the brush, many poignant phrases flashed through his mind—“Parting late in the evening, morning and evening farewells,” “May there be years to look back upon, and may deep affection grow old together,” and “I see all living beings as grass and trees, but only you are the green mountain...” Yet, in the end, he simply dipped the brush in ink, turned, and wrote: “May Asang avenge grievances, eat and drink well, be safe and healthy, and live a hundred years.”

The floating lanterns were released together. Wen Baisang withdrew his gaze to look at the person beside him.

Chengyun continued to gaze at the sky, his usually handsome and flamboyant face touched by a rare tranquility.

"Why?" Wen Baisang spoke, and Chengyun tilted his head to look at him.

Wen Baisang said, "The wish made today will be very effective; why give it to me?"

"So it will be effective," Chengyun replied. "That's wonderful."

"I told you, I don’t like you. After killing Zhou Cangshu, I will leave Shengjing—maybe to Junzi City, maybe to Qi Country, maybe roam the world—but I will never stay here."

Without hesitation, Wen Baisang revealed his future plans. Chengyun was momentarily taken aback but soon smiled and said, "I know, you’ve said that before."

"Gong Chengyun," Wen Baisang said, "have you always been exceptionally good at everything since childhood?"

Chengyun placed his hands behind his back, lowered his eyelashes, and looked at him. "Yes."

"Your mother is the legitimate daughter of the Chang family, your father is the current emperor, and your grandfather was once a ruler. Since birth, you have been the center of attention, with all the best resources of the world at your disposal. You yourself are intelligent, studious, hardworking, and ambitious, never having experienced failure in any objectively verifiable matter, right?"

Chengyun’s expression remained calm. "Yes."

"Do you think you are deeply affectionate, especially loving, and touching?"

The crown prince said nothing.

"But you’re not really a sentimental person," Wen Baisang said deliberately. "Gong Chengyun, you want to succeed at everything you do. Even with liking me, you always expect something in return. I’ve told you before, all your efforts are voluntary. If you ever blame or hate me in the future, I won’t be responsible."

"...I never asked you to be responsible."

"Then stop doing these things." Wen Baisang raised his hand, and the modified hidden arrow shot out swiftly. Chengyun’s gaze followed the arrow as the just-released lantern burst in the air, instantly ignited by the flame, burning fiercely as it fell.

Within moments, all their wishes turned to ash, falling with a splash into the dark river.

His throat tightened, his expression restrained. After a long moment, he turned back to Wen Baisang.

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His tightly pressed lips quivered silently.

"You don’t like dragging things out, and neither do I," Wen Baisang said. "Please don’t be good to me anymore, and try to control yourself from liking me. The less you invest in something without a future, the fewer resentments there will be."

He returned to the stall, picked up paper, brush, and a blank floating lantern, and walked toward Chengyun. "I’ll make it up to you."

Chengyun looked at what he handed over, his expression a mix of laughter and tears. "Make it up to me?"

"Write a new one."

Chengyun’s lips twitched, then relaxed. He took the lantern and brush, turned, and walked down the stairs, placing them on the stone railing by the riverbank.

"I’m going back first."

Wen Baisang left. Chengyun kept his back to him, never once looking back, even as Wen Baisang’s figure disappeared into the crowd.

Wen Baisang climbed back into the carriage, sitting quietly, watching the crowd.

After some time, Qi Song returned and informed him, "The prince has asked you to go back first."

"Hmm," Wen Baisang said without asking further. After returning to the mansion, he first went to check on Xie Lingshu’s room.

Xie Lingshu was awake, holding a book, reading while yawning.

Hearing movement, he turned his head and asked, "Where’s Ah Hong?"

"She’s with Song Qianfan."

"Why didn’t you stop her?"

"Song Xiaodong’s family is decent and promised they could all return to Junzi City together."

Xie Lingshu seemed resigned. "He was born and raised in Shengjing, with such a prestigious family. How could he give up everything to accompany us to Junzi City?"

"That’s what he said."

"Don’t believe everything people say."

Wen Baisang paused, then suddenly turned and left his room. At the door, he said, "Got it."

Xie Lingshu yawned again, rubbed his eyes, feeling something was off.

He thought for a moment with his slightly muddled mind, then slowly got out of bed, wrapped in a long robe, and gently knocked on Wen Baisang’s door.

A clear, cold voice came from inside, "What is it?"

"I’m rarely awake, want to chat?"

"I’m going to sleep."

Xie Lingshu confirmed something. "Did Gong Sheng bully you?"

After a moment, the voice inside said coldly, "No."

"Then why are you crying?"

After another moment, Wen Baisang said, "No."

"You always take a while to speak after crying..." Xie Lingshu slowly crouched by the door, too tired to keep his head up, murmuring, "Open the door."

Wen Baisang faintly heard the word "always," then silence outside.

He curled up on the bed, covering his head with the quilt.

After an unknown time, Chengyun’s figure appeared nearby, his gaze falling on Wen Baisang’s door, and immediately noticing Xie Lingshu asleep against it.

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Chengyun frowned and instinctively walked over, reaching out to push him awake.

Xie Lingshu blinked drowsily; upon seeing his face, he immediately grabbed his collar. "Gong Sheng... why did you bully him? Huh?"

Chengyun quickly asked, "What’s wrong with him?"

"He cried... cried again, cries the most..."

Chengyun helped him up. Xie Lingshu kept yawning and said, "I’m asking you, did you poison my medicine?"

Chengyun’s eyelashes flickered. Xie Lingshu continued, "Lately I feel so drained, no matter how much I sleep... I open my eyes and it’s already dark. What have you done?"

Chengyun helped him back onto the bed. "Don’t worry about Asang. Today is the Lantern Festival; he just missed his parents."

"I see..." Xie Lingshu struggled to keep his eyes open. Chengyun added, "I’ve already comforted him. You rest well. If you wake and your injury is fine, I’ll take you to see Shen Yuerong."

Taking advantage of the other’s inability to distinguish truth from falsehood, Chengyun’s every word was reassuring. Xie Lingshu soon fell asleep again.

The prince left the room, closed the door, then looked again at Wen Baisang’s door.

After a moment, he approached and knocked.

No response inside; the light was off—it seemed Wen Baisang had already gone to sleep.

The next day, Wen Baisang woke late, still groggy, and upon stepping out of his room, heard voices from Xie Lingshu’s room: "No more medicine. I feel much better now. The dose was too strong. These days I felt like a walking corpse."

Wen Baisang came to the door and saw Lou Zhaozi looking troubled. Both saw him, and Lou immediately said, "Young master, you’re awake. Please persuade him; the medicine is ready."

Wen Baisang approached and asked Xie Lingshu, "Are you sure you’re better?"

"As long as I don’t take that medicine again, I feel fine."

Wen Baisang nodded. "Then pour it out. Don’t brew it again."

Lou Zhaozi looked surprised. "But—"

"Also, please ask the prince when we can see Shen Yuerong."

Xie Lingshu’s injuries were indeed nearly healed. After Lou Zhaozi’s inspection confirmed, Chengyun did not delay and directly brought them down to the dungeon.

The dungeon stairs were dim, and Wen Baisang stood behind, recalling their previous experience, his expression tense.

Chengyun went down first, turned, and extended his hand softly, "Don’t be afraid."

Wen Baisang did not take his hand, instead steadying himself against the wall and quietly followed.

The dungeon was as gloomy as ever, lit only by stone lamps casting a faint yellow glow. Upon entering, there was a large execution platform, and the walls bore various instruments of torture, all stained with black marks from congealed blood.

Xie Nihong rubbed her arms and shivered. "Is this really a place for people to stay?"

In the middle of the day, she was covered in goosebumps.

"Where else could prisoners stay?" Xie Lingshu looked around. "I didn’t expect the prince’s mansion to have such a large dungeon."

"The An Ding Si sends those they can’t imprison elsewhere here."

The shadowy corridors on both sides were reinforced with iron bars. As they approached, faint rustling and the clanking of chains came from within, as if malevolent spirits silently observed them.

Xie Nihong immediately grabbed Xie Lingshu’s arm, hiding behind him.

Xie Lingshu said, "If you’re scared, wait outside."

"No... you’re still injured. I have to protect you."