Lin Hao truly never expected that the Top Scholar, Yang Zhe, would actually give the glazed glass lamp to her.
Were they... that close?
Yang Zhe's action shocked countless people.
Han Baocheng slapped Wen Feng's shoulder vigorously. "Brother Wen, it turns out Brother Yang has feelings for your cousin!"
Wen Feng's expression turned somewhat serious. "Brother Han, do not speak recklessly."
Being the Top Scholar was certainly a good thing, and he and his cousin were considered a well-matched pair in both talent and appearance. However, according to custom, the glazed glass lamp had to be given away; it was also possible that Brother Yang had no one in his heart and thus gave it to a cousin he had met a few times.
If that were the case, it wouldn't be appropriate to gossip.
Han Baocheng felt somewhat helpless. "Brother Wen, you're so young, can you please not be so serious all the time?"
Qi Huan was more excited than most people. He pulled Qi Shuo aside and lowered his voice. "Big Brother, did you see that? Did you see? That man surnamed Yang wants to snatch your wife!"
"I'm not blind." Qi Shuo's tone was cold and heavy, his gaze like a deep, bottomless pool as it landed over there.
The glazed glass lamp flowed with brilliant light, beautiful as a dream.
"Then you should go give one too! Don't you have a lantern in your hand!" Qi Huan felt frustrated by Qi Shuo's lack of initiative, nearly reaching out to snatch the butterfly lantern from Qi Shuo's hand to give it for him.
The hand holding the lantern pole tightened.
If he went to give one now, the one pushed into the eye of the storm would be Lin Hao.
Seeing that Lin Hao had no reaction, Chen Yi gently pulled her.
If she didn't accept this glazed glass lamp, she would be the one mocked. It was an established custom; stepping out of line would always invite gossip.
Lin Hao set aside her surprise and reached out to take the glazed glass lamp. "Thank you, Scholar Yang."
Yang Zhe smiled and walked toward Han Baocheng and the others.
Zhu Jiayu let go of the hands she had used to muffle her screams, her face full of excitement. "A-Hao, how do you know the Top Scholar?"
Though Chen Yi and Tao Qing did not speak, they were clearly very curious.
Carrying the glazed glass lamp, Lin Hao's expression was calm. "He is a friend of my cousin. Perhaps he only knew me among the young ladies present."
"Oh—" The three of them drew out the sound, teasing her with smiles.
More and more young girls cast envious glances toward Lin Hao.
Lanterns as bright as day, gentlemen as elegant as jade—who wouldn't hope to receive such a glazed glass lamp?
"Ninghua, who is that lady?" Princess Yi'an looked toward Lin Hao, her tone indifferent.
Qi Qiong's heart surged with emotion, but she showed nothing on her face. "Which one is the Princess asking about?"
Princess Yi'an grew somewhat impatient. "The one to whom Top Scholar Yang gave the lamp, of course."
If she could, Qi Qiong truly did not want to reveal Lin Hao's identity, but she knew very well it could not be hidden.
"The Princess is asking about the lady in the pea-green jacket. She is a lady from the Lin family of the General's Manor, and the younger sister of the future Princess Consort of Prince Wei." Qi Qiong made a point to highlight the connection between the Lin family and Prince Wei.
Princess Yi'an withdrew her gaze, her voice unreadable. "So she is the sister of the future Princess Consort."
"Princess, the riddle has been solved. Let us return to Xuande Tower," Qi Qiong suggested with a smile.
By intuition, Princess Yi'an was very displeased with Top Scholar Yang's act of giving the lamp to A-Hao.
Princess Yi'an frowned. "What is the rush? We finally came out to have some fun."
As she spoke, she actually strode toward Lin Hao.
Qi Qiong's expression changed slightly, and she hurriedly followed.
Lin Hao did not want to become the center of attention. Carrying her lamp, she quietly left with Chen Yi and the other two, but a shout suddenly came from behind: "Wait a moment!"
She did not stop, nor did she look back; instead, she quickened her pace and blended into the bustling crowd.
"A-Hao, it sounded like they were calling you just now," Chen Yi glanced back hurriedly and reminded her hesitantly.
"Calling me?" Lin Hao blinked. "I don't think so. There is no one I know here."
She had just received a glazed glass lamp from Top Scholar Yang, and now a woman was looking for her; she could tell with her toes that it wouldn't be anything good. In such a situation, the best course of action was, of course, to pretend not to know and leave.
Besides, that shout hadn't even used her name.
Princess Yi'an watched helplessly as Lin Hao disappeared into the passing crowds, feeling a surge of irritation.
"It seems the Second Miss Lin's hearing is not very sharp."
Qi Qiong secretly cheered for her friend's wit, but maintained a composed expression as she advised, "There are too many people and it is too noisy; Second Miss Lin probably didn't think they were calling her."
Princess Yi'an pursed her lips and flicked her sleeve. "Let's return to Xuande Tower."
Qi Qing breathed a secret sigh of relief and accompanied Princess Yi'an toward Xuande Tower.
At this time, Liu Chuan had already returned to report. "Your Majesty, the riddle has been solved."
"Who solved it?" Emperor Taian grew interested.
"The Top Scholar, Yang Xiuzuan."
Upon hearing this, Emperor Taian couldn't help but smile. "It is Yang Zhe. I knew there was nothing wrong with him."
Sensing Emperor Taian's praise for Yang Zhe, Liu Chuan smiled and said, "Your Majesty did not see it, but after Yang Xiuzuan received the glazed glass lamp, I don't know how many young ladies looked quite nervous."
The Crown Prince, listening from the side, felt uncomfortable and said coldly, "It is merely a palace lantern."
Emperor Taian did not catch the bitterness in the Crown Prince's words and laughed heartily. "It is indeed not just for a palace lantern. By the way, did Yang Zhe give the glazed glass lamp away?"
"He gave it to the Second Miss Lin of the General's Manor."
The General's Manor again?
The thought surfaced subconsciously in Emperor Taian's mind, and he frowned slightly.
The ladies of the Lin family from the General's Manor certainly had quite the attraction. The eldest Miss Lin had caught the eye of his fourth son, and now the second Miss Lin had caught the eye of the Top Scholar.
It was fine for the eldest Miss Lin to be the Princess Consort of Prince Wei; he only had two sons. The Crown Prince would inherit the empire, and for the fourth son, a leisurely prince marrying a girl he took a liking to was also quite good—it could be considered a father's affection for his son. However, Yang Zhe could not marry the second Miss Lin.
Emperor Taian glanced at the Crown Prince, whose face was sour.
Yang Zhe was exceptionally talented and young; he had already heard several high-ranking officials praise Yang Zhe's solid work ethic.
Such a good talent should be reserved for the Crown Prince's use, so it would not be suitable for him to marry the second Miss Lin and become the brother-in-law of the fourth son.
It seemed he would have to take an active interest in his official's marriage affairs.
With a thought, Emperor Taian instructed Liu Chuan, "Summon Yang Xiuzuan for an audience."
Princess Yi'an ascended the tower. After glancing at the hurried Grand Eunuch Liu Chuan, she walked to Emperor Taian with a smile.
"Yi'an is back. Was it fun?"
"It was fun, especially the riddle-solving at the lantern mountain. It truly opened my eyes," Princess Yi'an said. In front of Emperor Taian, she was nothing but lively and charming, showing none of her usual arrogance.
Qi Qiong secretly curled her lip.
As expected, arrogance was selective.
Emperor Taian smiled as he listened to Princess Yi'an describe the lantern scenery on the streets. Before long, Liu Chuan led a young man over.
"Your Majesty, Yang Xiuzuan has arrived."
Princess Yi'an's voice faltered as her attention drifted.
"This official greets Your Majesty and greets His Highness the Crown Prince," Yang Zhe bowed respectfully.
Emperor Taian laughed. "I heard that Yang Xiuzuan easily solved a riddle that others racked their brains over. You truly are the Top Scholar I personally selected."
"This official was merely lucky."
"To which lady did Yang Xiuzuan give the glazed glass lamp?" Emperor Taian asked casually.
Yang Zhe replied steadily, "This official came with several friends. Among the ladies present, I only knew the Second Miss Lin, so I gave the glazed glass lamp to her."
"It seems Yang Xiuzuan should get married soon, so that he won't have to give glazed glass lamps away to just anyone." Emperor Taian smiled, casting a glance at Princess Yi'an.