"Are you sure this is a good idea?" Xiao whispered as Yu Yue pulled her through the servants' corridor in the Eastern Courtyard.
Mei didn't respond. They were already in too deep.
Yu Yue peeked around the stone archway leading to the outer wall, clutching her sleeve tightly. "The guards are still there," she murmured. "We'll have to wait."
Xiao let out a frustrated sigh. "I could have just asked to leave."
"And been denied," Mei said, adjusting the mask tucked into her sleeve. "We're sneaking out, not arguing about it."
Yu Yue eyed Xiao's elegant silk robes. "Mei, I don't think we thought this through. She's going to stand out."
Mei smirked. "Not for long."
"This is a terrible idea," Xiao muttered, watching the guards.
"You've said that already," Mei said, leaning against the wall. "Twice."
"And I'll say it again. What if we get caught?"
Mei grinned, pulling her hood over her head. "Then don't get caught."
Xiao groaned but pulled on the robe anyway. "If I die because of this, I'm haunting you."
Mei clapped her on the back. "Then I'll never be lonely."
Approaching footsteps sounded down the hall, and all three of them went quiet. They watched as another guard walked over to the others, said something, and led them away.
Wasting no more time, Mei and the ladies extinguished the candlelight and slipped into the darkness.
....,..
The first lanterns floated into the night, drifting upward like lost stars finding their way home. Below, Shanguang Village buzzed with energy, drums pounding in time with dancing footsteps, voices blending into lively songs, and the rich aroma of spiced duck and sesame cakes filling the cool evening air. Children darted between festival stalls, their laughter ringing as brightly as the fireworks waiting to light up the sky.
Cheng weaved through the crowd with Yizong beside him, keeping his head down as they ducked past a group of performers twirling long ribbons in mesmerizing patterns. The lantern light flickered against his black mask, casting shifting shadows across his face, and he found himself wondering if Mei would recognize him with the disguise.
Cheng wandered aimlessly through the festival, idly browsing trinkets and decorations at the stalls, but his patience was wearing thin. Was Mei already here? Was she somewhere on the other side, unaware he was searching for her? The thought irritated him, he wasn't even sure why he cared this much, but the restless energy in his chest only grew stronger.
A flash of silver and jade drew his attention. Nestled between two larger stalls, a small shop displayed a bracelet on a wooden stand. The craftsmanship was exquisite, jade beads carved and woven with silver, both elegant and understated. Before he realized it, his hand was already reaching for it.
"You have fine taste, young master," the seller said in a voice rich with the smooth confidence of experience. "That bracelet would look stunning on your lover's wrist."
Cheng stiffened. "She's not—" He cleared his throat. "She's not my— I mean, I wasn't—"
The seller chuckled. "Ah, I see. A gift for a close friend, then?"
Cheng opened his mouth to argue, but instead, he stepped back, shaking his head. "Never mind," he muttered, turning to leave.
He barely took a step before colliding with someone.
"Ah, I—" He stopped mid-apology when he saw her.
For a moment, mei only looked at him in confusion, her brows drawing together as if wondering why a stranger was staring at her instead of apologizing. Then, she recognized him, and a slow smile spread across her lips.
"Cheng," she said, his name light and pleasant on her tongue.
A warm feeling bloomed in his chest. Even with the mask, she knew him.
His lips curled into a smile in return, but the moment was short-lived.
"Cheng?"
The familiar voice sent a cold jolt through him.
Cheng spun around, his heart sinking as his gaze met Princess Chàn Juàn's. She stood a short distance away, with her emotionless eyes fixed on him.
Princess Chàn Juàn started toward him, but Cheng barely noticed. He turned back to Mei, only to see her giving him a small smile before disappearing into the crowd. He felt a dull ache of disappointment in his chest. He had planned to spend the festival with her. And just like that, she was gone.
"Cheng," Chàn Juàn's voice pulled him back. "What are you doing here?"
He tore his gaze away from Mei's fading figure. "What are you doing here?" he countered.
Chàn Juàn raised an eyebrow. "Since when do you respond to a question with another question?"
Cheng did not bother replying.
She let out a sigh, crossing her arms. "Do you have any idea how dangerous this is? you do remember the emperor's punishment, don't you?"
Cheng ran a hand over his temple. "I'm not in the mood for a lecture, Chàn Juàn."
They stood in silence for a moment, Chàn Juàn watching him intently.
"Then let's not waste the evening," she said, stepping closer. "Since we are already here, why don't we spend the festival together?"
Cheng shot her a skeptical look. "Since when do you attend festival gatherings?"
She hummed softly, her eyes drifted to the glowing lanterns above. "I still think they're childish. Loud. And, above all, pointless." Then she glanced back at him, a small smirk playing at her lips. "But… I suppose I can try to enjoy it. For you."
She turned toward the festival stalls, the crowd bustling around them. "Now, where do we begin?"
.....