Chapter 20 Lanterns Carrying Wishes

Chapter 20: Lanterns Carrying Wishes

The next day, Jiang Yinhan came to visit the Crown Prince's Consort.

When Jiang Yanzhou was with the Jiang family, although he had a weak constitution, he slept poorly and was an early riser, so Jiang Yinhan thought his timing was appropriate.

But after drinking one cup of tea, then two... and finishing two whole pots in the front hall, there was still no sign of Jiang Yanzhou.

He grew increasingly impatient, suspecting Jiang Yanzhou was deliberately making him wait. After holding back for a while, he finally couldn't take it anymore.

"I wonder what exactly the Crown Prince's Consort is occupied with," he asked politely through gritted teeth, suppressing his irritation. "Could you please inform him again?"

The attendant refilling his tea replied, "His Highness usually rises around mid-morning (the hour of Si). He should have just gotten up now and still needs to wash, have breakfast, and take his medicine. Please wait a little longer, he will arrive shortly."

Mid-morning!?

Vice Minister Jiang, who had to attend court regularly and be present for roll call except on days off, couldn't comprehend how someone could sleep until mid-morning!

And if he wasn't up, why hadn't they said so earlier?

It was clear: the entire Crown Prince's residence was doing this on purpose.

Swallowing his anger, Jiang Yinhan waited a while longer with his tea. Finally, Jiang Yanzhou showed up, taking his time.

After he arrived, the other attendants withdrew, giving their masters space to talk.

Jiang Yinhan observed him and realized Jiang Yanzhou truly was different.

On the day of the customary post-wedding visit, he thought it might have been an illusion. But after hearing Jiang Linque describe the incident in the side hall during the Lantern Festival banquet, he understood Jiang Yanzhou was a changed man.

It was strange. Previously such a cowardly person, now daring to stake his life on a gamble.

Had he finally realized that, with only a few years left to live, he might as well make everyone else miserable?

Jiang Yinhan pushed the bottle containing the antidote toward him. "If you don't want the Crown Prince's residence to find out, you'd better take it now."

But Jiang Yanzhou wasn't in a hurry. He pocketed it. "No rush."

Because it had already been discovered.

Jiang Yinhan frowned but didn't say more.

The two brothers had never been close from a young age. Under Chancellor Jiang's tutelage, Jiang Yinhan despised incompetence, especially from a Jiang family member.

Coupled with Jiang Yanzhou's difficult disposition, they rarely had the chance to sit quietly and drink tea together like this.

Jiang Yanzhou said, "Take the two attendants I brought from the Jiang family back with you."

After all, he no longer needed to send monthly reports to the Jiang family.

Jiang Yinhan was taken aback. Those two were still alive??

Given Jiang Yanzhou's audacity in confronting Jiang Linque, they assumed the servants had either been killed by Jiang Yanzhou or on the Crown Prince's orders. They never expected them to still be alive.

He finally couldn't help but remark, "You really have changed."

But there was no other idle chatter between them. Jiang Yinhan stiffly relayed Jiang Linque's message: "Father still wishes to speak with you during the spring hunt. Go find him then."

After the Lantern Festival banquet, before the foreign envoys departed, a large spring hunt would be arranged.

The Qi Dynasty's aim, of course, was to showcase its grandeur and martial prowess. Warriors from various countries were also unwilling to miss the opportunity.

Whoever won would naturally be deemed the most valiant.

But Jiang Yanzhou said directly, "I won't go. I've said all I needed to say. Besides, the spring hunt is crowded during the day, and staying at the traveling palace at night isn't convenient."

Historical records don't document everything.

For instance, that the spring hunt lasted three days at Fenglin Hunting Grounds, with overnight stays at the nearby traveling palace—this was something Xiao Yunlang told Jiang Yanzhou.

Also, for example, Fenglin's traveling palace had just been renovated last year by the Ministry of Works.

The Minister of Works was none other than the Wei family's Elder Wei.

If anything went wrong with the traveling palace's structures, the Ministry of Works couldn't escape responsibility.

By specifically mentioning the traveling palace through Jiang Yanzhou's mouth, it was a reminder to the Jiang family.

If the Jiang family did nothing during the spring hunt, then the Crown Prince's residence would take action.

Jiang Yinhan's heart stirred slightly upon hearing "traveling palace," but his expression didn't change.

They indeed planned to do something during the spring hunt, but Jiang Yanzhou couldn't possibly know that.

His business done, Jiang Yinhan stood up immediately. "I've delivered the message. Whether you go or not is up to you. But I must remind you, you're still a Jiang. Quarreling with Father—enough is enough. Otherwise... hmph."

As if having done his utmost, he left with a contemptuous tone. Passing under the corridor, he saw servants still using poles to hang palace lanterns and found it puzzling.

The Lantern Festival was over, why were they putting up new lanterns?

But it had nothing to do with him anyway.

No sooner had Jiang Yinhan stepped out of the Crown Prince's residence than Mu Baicao popped up, taking the antidote to examine it carefully.

"Hmm, it's the real antidote, alright. But you don't need their stuff anyway; mine is better," Mu Baicao said.

The household steward, Wang, also came to find Jiang Yanzhou. He presented a thin booklet. "Young Master, this is the proposed menu for tonight's family banquet. Please see if any changes are needed?"

Jiang Yanzhou knew Xiao Yunlang was hosting a banquet tonight and was curious about the dishes. Ever since arriving at the Crown Prince's residence and tasting the chef's skills, he had been looking forward to meals.

Jiang Yanzhou opened the booklet with keen interest—

Then his gaze froze.

He recognized the characters, but combined, they were incomprehensible. Half the items on the menu were dishes completely lost to modern society; just reading the names gave no clue what they actually were.

Things like *Swallows Returning to Spring Woods* or *Four Gentlemanly Delicacies*.

Jiang Yanzhou silently closed the booklet and returned it to Steward Wang.

He was better suited to eating whatever was served, not ordering dishes.

"It looks fine," Little Young Master Jiang said calmly.

Steward Wang asked, "No changes needed? Or perhaps there's something specific you'd like to eat? Just give the order, and the kitchen can prepare the ingredients."

Jiang Yanzhou shook his head. "No need. Let's proceed according to your arrangements."

Steward Wang retrieved the booklet with some regret.

Young Master Jiang appears to take an interest in many things, but he never fusses over food flavors.

He seems fond of antiques, calligraphy and paintings, yet those items are always admired and then placed on the study's display shelf, left to gather dust, unlike other collectors who keep their treasures close for frequent enjoyment.

Being okay with anything essentially means nothing truly matters—sweet or bitter, valuable or worthless, it's all the same.

Is Little Young Master Jiang truly living happily?

After several bouts of illness, he has grown so thin there's barely any flesh left. If his heart can't find a little joy, how miserable life must be for him.

Steward Wang, being older, is prone to deep paternal concern and often worries quietly.

The Crown Prince was much the same. Steward Wang followed him from the Northwest Princely Estate to the capital's Princely Estate and now the Crown Prince's residence, watching Xiao Yunlang grow from a child into a young man, stepping right into the capital's storm of blood and intrigue.

But considering his age, how young he still is, yet he must already fight for his life against wolves and tigers.

And now comes Jiang Yanzhou. One after another, they're still just children.

Steward Wang sighed. All he could do was guard this residence, help them light the lamps, and look after the household.

*

When the moon rose over the willow branches, casting silvery light everywhere, the inner residence of the Crown Prince's manor came alive with a banquet.

Since it was a family feast, there weren't many formalities. Trusted advisors, along with guards like Feng Yi and Feng Lan, also took their seats.

Compared to grand palace banquets, there was no noisy song and dance, but the smiles on everyone's faces were genuine. The lanterns under the eaves and the steaming hot dishes on the tables held more warmth and human touch than any palace feast.

Though less formal, Jiang Yanzhou still shared the high seat with Xiao Yunlang. Xiao Yunlang raised his cup first, thanking everyone for their wholehearted dedication to the Crown Prince's residence, before the feast officially began.

Jiang Yanzhou finally got to see those dishes with profound names.

Turns out, he had eaten some of them before!

He just didn't know their names.

Weren't banquet dishes supposed to be elaborate and complex? Yet he could eat them casually on ordinary days...

"What are you thinking?" Xiao Yunlang suddenly asked.

In the palace, he couldn't always look at Jiang Yanzhou, but at home, there were no such restrictions.

Jiang Yanzhou snapped back to attention: "Ah, nothing."

Xiao Yunlang personally served him a bowl of soup: "If it's nothing, then eat quickly. You mustn't go hungry. You need to eat well before taking medicine."

Jiang Yanzhou picked up his spoon, scooping up the tender, fragrant pigeon meat stewed in the soup, thinking to himself that all the advisors probably had the same daily meals.

The Crown Prince truly treated his trusted aides well.

Unless necessary, he didn't like speaking up in crowded settings, so he quietly ate beside Xiao Yunlang, listening to him chat and laugh with the others.

Amidst the cheerful toasts and carefree banter, Jiang Yanzhou took bite after bite, watching this rare, relaxed version of Xiao Yunlang.

It's really nice, he thought.

This was the first time he had celebrated a festival so joyfully and warmly with everyone.

In the past, when other families were lively, he was always an outsider. Even with the one family that was kind to him, he never stayed long enough to celebrate the New Year with them.

Now, not only could he truly be part of the feast, but Xiao Yunlang was also here.

All his luck in life was probably right here.

After the meal, attendants cleared the tables, and each table was provided with brush, ink, and a sky lantern.

Only then did Jiang Yanzhou learn that they would later release the sky lanterns, and the brush and ink were for writing blessings and wishes on them.

Xiao Yunlang picked up the brush and wrote swiftly, his strokes vigorous and elegant like dragons and phoenixes dancing, iron hooks and silver strokes—two lines of calligraphy worthy of being treasured, completed in one go:

"Clear rivers and peaceful seas, a prosperous nation and contented people."

After finishing, he noticed Jiang Yanzhou holding the brush, not even having dipped it in ink, as if deep in thought or simply staring blankly at the lantern.

Xiao Yunlang remembered his handwriting and thought this sky lantern probably couldn't hold several lines of the Crown Princess's wishes. He couldn't help but curve the corners of his mouth slightly, then quickly straightened his lips, reaching out seriously: "Shall I write for you?"

Jiang Yanzhou immediately felt as if granted amnesty, pushing the lantern over: "Yes, please!"

Xiao Yunlang picked up the brush: "What wish do you want to make? Tell me, I'll write it."

Jiang Yanzhou rested his elbows on the table, cupping his chin as he tilted his head to look at the lantern: "I don't have any wishes. Your Highness can write whatever you like."

Xiao Yunlang's hand holding the brush froze. He turned his head in surprise, meeting Jiang Yanzhou's eyes: "No wishes?"

"That's right."

Jiang Yanzhou's face, bathed in the room's lamplight, was like jade, his gaze gentle and warm. He seemed immersed in cozy, warm water, carrying a touch of laziness, a hint of tranquility, and complete contentment.

He said: "I feel everything is very good as it is now."

Xiao Yunlang didn't need his wishes for protection, because he was destined to leave a lasting legacy and have everything go smoothly in the future; the trajectory of the Qi Dynasty was set, the rise and fall of the world had its own path, and it didn't need his writing.

As for himself, being able to come here and meet Xiao Yunlang, he had no regrets in this lifetime.

How could he still think of any wishes? How could he dare to be greedy and ask for more?

Jiang Yanzhou's eyes sparkled, holding the most beautiful light Xiao Yunlang had ever seen.

Yet it made him feel as if something was stuck in his throat.

All humans have emotions, desires, selfishness, and wants. Even sages who care for the world have wishes.

In this world, many people fear one sheet of paper under the lantern isn't enough to write all their wishes, or a few words before the Buddha aren't enough to say all they desire. The human heart is small, yet it holds so much.

Even if Jiang Yanzhou said he didn't believe in making wishes, that would be easier for Xiao Yunlang to accept than having no wishes at all.

The pearl in Jiang Yanzhou's hair swayed with his puzzled movement: "Your Highness?"

He didn't understand why Xiao Yunlang had stopped and remained still.

Xiao Yunlang wanted to say something, but the strong liquor he had drunk earlier seemed to burn his throat only now, preventing any words from coming out.

How could this be good enough?

Never mind other things, you're still burdened with illness and pain.

Suppressing the turmoil in his eyes, Xiao Yunlang picked up the brush and wrote again.

"Spring warmth fills the road, long years without worry."

—May you have warm sunshine every year, health, happiness, and a long life.

Since Jiang Yanzhou couldn't think of a wish, Xiao Yunlang would do it for him.

Xiao Yunlang put down the brush, and Jiang Yanzhou held the lantern in admiration. "The calligraphy is truly beautiful!"

Written by Emperor Wu himself, it's worthy of being a treasured keepsake!

He had thought Xiao Yunlang would write blessings for the nation, never expecting it to be a wish for his own well-being.

But then again, Xiao Yunlang's own lantern was already about matters of state.

Still... this was the first time someone had made a wish for him.

Whether it was just a casual, polite gesture or not, at least it was written for him.

Jiang Yanzhou was suddenly reluctant to release this sky lantern.

But if he said so, it would likely seem strange and dampen the mood for others.

Xiao Yunlang, however, still hadn't shaken off a lingering heaviness. He watched Jiang Yanzhou holding the lantern without a word.

Even though they had become comrades, the more he saw and learned, the less he felt he understood Jiang Yanzhou.

When it came to matters of state, he dared to use any tactic, yet he seemed indifferent to his own affairs.

Logically, people should first look after themselves before considering the world, but Jiang Yanzhou... did his eyes ever truly see himself?

Xiao Yunlang felt as if he had touched upon something, but it was still veiled in a thin mist, still elusive.

With the wish slips written, it was naturally time to release the lanterns.

Wrapped in his heavy cloak, Jiang Yanzhou stood in the courtyard, let go of his lantern, and watched as it slowly ascended, its flame flickering.

After the Lantern Festival, there was no grand spectacle of thousands of lanterns illuminating the night, but the scattered lights drifting from the Crown Prince's residence didn't seem lonely.

For they carried boundless hopes from this courtyard—from the mountains, rivers, sun, and moon to the span of a human life—where the heart holds a vast world.

Jiang Yanzhou tilted his head back, the scattered light making his eyes sparkle like stars. He didn't even blink, watching his lantern fly farther and farther until it vanished from sight.

Jiang Yanzhou clenched his fingers, feeling an emptiness in his heart.

Sky lanterns were made to be released; they couldn't be kept.

His reluctance was too obvious. Xiao Yunlang asked, "...Do you really like sky lanterns?"

Jiang Yanzhou didn't know how to put it. He said softly, "They're quite beautiful."

The sky lantern had no special shape or intricate patterns—just fire-resistant paper crudely pasted together. If it couldn't fly, there would be nothing remarkable about it.

What Jiang Yanzhou loved was the words written on it.

Jiang Yanzhou tightened his cloak. Xiao Yunlang broke the silence. "Let's go back. It's cold outside; don't stay out too long."

Jiang Yanzhou nodded and, along with the other advisors, bowed to the Crown Prince before everyone dispersed to their own quarters.

For some reason, Xiao Yunlang suddenly instructed, "Bring me a palace lantern fit for an inscription."

After a moment's consideration, he amended, "Bring them all. I'll choose myself."

*

After the banquet ended, Jiang Yanzhou returned to Yan Gui Pavilion. He took his medicine and went to the adjacent bathhouse for a medicinal soak. When he finished and came out, he suddenly noticed an extra palace lantern on the table in his bedchamber.

Puzzled, Jiang Yanzhou reached out and gently turned the lantern. "This is...?"

He abruptly fell silent.

It was a rotating lantern, with several panels depicting adorable little rabbits pushing snowballs, forming a continuous long picture. Whoever designed it had a clever idea.

As Jiang Yanzhou turned it, the palace lantern spun and stopped at the panel inscribed with words—

"May your journey be bathed in spring warmth, and may you live long without sorrow."

It was Xiao Yunlang's handwriting, which he had just seen.

The two lines leaped off the paper, the ink clearly freshly dried, still emitting a faint scent.

Jiang Yanzhou's fingertips felt as if scalded, and he quickly withdrew his hand.

He felt inexplicably flustered, yet couldn't help staring at the lantern.

Feng Lan's voice came from beside him. "His Highness noticed that the Young Master seemed to like the lantern and specifically had it sent over."

...Ah, it was real.

Jiang Yanzhou pressed his lips together tightly, then tentatively reached out and touched the lantern again. Slowly, his eyes began to shine, and he cradled the lantern in both hands.

He had wanted Xiao Yunlang's words written for him, a lantern given to him—and now he actually had it.

—The wish that had been released had returned.

Did this count as a wish coming true?

Jiang Yanzhou couldn't put it down, overjoyed.

No wonder so many people were willing to follow Xiao Yunlang. Though he often wore a cold expression and had a tough temper, he was truly good to his own people.

The historical records saying he "treated scholars with courtesy and respect" were true.

He treated everyone to a feast and even gave them lanterns.

Jiang Yanzhou naturally assumed everyone had received a lantern tonight, just with different inscriptions.

"Should we hang the lantern? ...No, no, better to keep it within reach so I can turn it and look at it. Where should I put it? Let me think..."

Seeing Jiang Yanzhou treat the lantern as a priceless treasure, Feng Lan realized the young master was exceptionally fond of it, unlike his reaction to other gifts.

With other jade artifacts or antiques, he would simply admire them, but now his joy was overflowing.

This needed to be noted down.

It was worth His Highness spending so long choosing this particular lantern, solemnly inscribing it, and having it delivered.

Tonight, it seemed the young master would sleep well.