Chapter 71
Murong Qiufeng froze for a moment, then turned his head, his eyes lighting up with surprise as he gazed at a sudden bright point rising in the distance.
From the eastern sky, a swath of light ascended slowly before spreading out like fireworks, floating gently like drifting snow yet refusing to fall. Instead, it spread outward, suspended in the air. The light shimmered, shifting through a spectrum of colors. From afar, it resembled a myriad of blossoms blooming in the night sky, dazzlingly beautiful.
Shangguan Ye glanced at Murong Qiufeng, whose bright eyes shone in the night. With a low chuckle, he gently played with a strand of hair resting on Qiufeng’s shoulder and softly explained, “Those are called sky lanterns.”
“Sky lanterns?” Murong Qiufeng murmured, astonishment evident on his face before he chuckled wryly. “I never thought sky lanterns could be this beautiful.”
Shangguan Ye laughed lightly. “The Ministry of Rites is full of people with idle minds and creative ideas. They originally wanted the lanterns to form words in the sky, but unfortunately, once the lanterns are aloft, they’re at the mercy of the wind and impossible to control. In the end, they devised this vision of blooming flowers instead. It’s just various flower patterns in different colors. It looks impressive from a distance, but up close, it’s nothing extraordinary.”
As Shangguan Ye explained, Murong Qiufeng continued watching the endlessly transforming lanterns. A peculiar sense of tranquility and ease washed over him, leaving his heart feeling strangely light, ethereal, yet deeply stirring.
“Do you want to light a lantern?” Shangguan Ye suddenly asked, turning his head.
Murong Qiufeng stiffened, feeling a brief warmth brush against his cheek, accompanied by a trace of heat and coolness.
Shangguan Ye chuckled quietly, releasing him before taking his hand and walking forward. “Come with me.”
The sudden absence of warmth made Murong Qiufeng shiver slightly. He felt an inexplicable sense of loss.
Glancing at Shangguan Ye’s back, his feelings became complicated and muddled.
The two stopped at a clearing. Shangguan Ye let go of his hand and smiled, gesturing for silence with a finger. He then bent down, tugging at something on the ground. With a sharp pull, the grass folded back, revealing a piece of white cloth.
Momentarily forgetting his awkwardness, Murong Qiufeng curiously stared at the white fabric.
Shangguan Ye walked over, lifting the cloth. With a crisp swish, it unfurled like a curtain, hanging precisely on two pre-prepared bamboo poles. It looked like a white wall. Beneath it was a shallow pit that concealed a small table.
On the table lay brushes, ink, paper, and an array of colorful pigments.
With deft movements, Shangguan Ye busied himself, crafting thin wooden sticks and assembling them. Perhaps his experience from setting traps and pitching tents on the battlefield made him exceptionally skilled.
“Come over and help,” he called, looking up at the wide-eyed, curious Murong Qiufeng, who seemed lost in thought. He raised an eyebrow with a teasing smile.
Startled from his daze, Murong Qiufeng instinctively walked over, curiosity mingling with confusion as he eyed the lantern frame that resembled the ones floating in the sky.
“Hold it steady. Don’t move.”
Obediently, Murong Qiufeng grasped the tall frame, keeping it still.
Shangguan Ye stepped forward and draped the white cloth over the frame, enveloping both the structure and Murong Qiufeng within it.
True to his nature, Murong Qiufeng remained motionless.
The sight amused Shangguan Ye, who fought the urge to laugh. Restraining himself, he efficiently tied the cloth to the frame, leaving only Murong Qiufeng’s side undone. With a soft chuckle, he lifted the cloth. “Aren’t you worried I might tie you up and send you flying into the sky along with it?”
Murong Qiufeng smiled faintly. “If I could go, I wouldn’t mind.” He glanced at the finished lantern, raising an eyebrow in surprise. “You’ve done this before, haven’t you?”
“This is my first time,” Shangguan Ye replied, securing the last corner. He then busied himself preparing the interior with oil and other components. “Draw or write something on it.”
Murong Qiufeng nodded, picking up pigments and deftly mixing them. Though he wasn’t skilled at crafting lanterns, calligraphy and painting were his forte.
By the time Shangguan Ye finished his preparations, Murong Qiufeng had adorned the lantern with a landscape painting—a map of mountains and rivers. Its elegance reflected his distinctive style.
“I’ve heard sky lanterns can grant wishes because they rise closest to the heavens,” Shangguan Ye remarked, examining the painting. Picking up a brush, he began writing on one side of the lantern. “Make a wish.”
Murong Qiufeng nodded thoughtfully before penning a simple, heartfelt wish for family harmony. Curious about Shangguan Ye’s wish, he leaned closer to peek.
Shangguan Ye, however, held up his brush and wagged it playfully. “No peeking. Let’s release it together. You light the flame.”
“Alright.” Murong Qiufeng’s eyes sparkled with anticipation. Once Shangguan Ye lifted the lantern, Murong Qiufeng lit the tray inside.
As the fire caught, the lantern inflated, its interior filling with warm air. It swayed gently, ready to ascend.
Murong Qiufeng steadied one side and looked at Shangguan Ye.
Shangguan Ye nodded. “One, two, three—let go.”
The two released the lantern simultaneously, watching as it rose steadily into the sky.
Standing side by side, they gazed at the ascending lantern, an unspoken sentiment stirring between them. Murong Qiufeng turned his head, meeting Shangguan Ye’s gentle smile. That look was softer than ever.
“You’re quite skilled. I can’t believe it worked on your first attempt,” Murong Qiufeng remarked, quickly averting his gaze to mask his embarrassment.
Shangguan Ye chuckled deeply but said nothing, savoring the moment’s peace.
The soft laughter made Murong Qiufeng’s heart flutter, as though a kitten had brushed against it. Unsettled, he remained silent.
The mountain breeze rustled, mingling with the forest’s symphony. Murong Qiufeng gazed at the lantern, now a faint dot in the sky, unsure of where it would drift. Feeling a chill, he tugged at his shawl, only to notice an additional layer. He realized Shangguan Ye had given him his cloak.
Alarmed, he tried to return it, but Shangguan Ye stopped him. “I’m not cold,” he said, fastening the clasp securely.
Warmth rushed over Murong Qiufeng, making his heart race. He turned his head, unable to face Shangguan Ye, yet unwilling to reject such tenderness.
“It’s late, and the mountain’s cold. Let’s head back,” Shangguan Ye said softly, noticing the blush on Qiufeng’s fair face. With a gentle smile, he took his hand, the action natural and increasingly familiar.
Murong Qiufeng sighed quietly, pressing a hand to his chest as his emotions swirled in confusion—a mix of clarity and chaos.
By the time they returned to the royal residence, it was already midnight. The manor remained brightly lit, its servants wary of the pair’s volatile relationship.
Seeing them return together in good spirits, the staff breathed a collective sigh of relief.
However, Murong Qiufeng was surprised to receive a letter from Yun Feiyang, stating he had urgent business and had to leave. If not for the letter’s explanation, he might have assumed Yun was upset.
Shangguan Ye, on the other hand, wore a mischievous and triumphant smile, his delight almost palpable.
