TSFLIP Chapter 863

Only then did Fengguang realize that it wasn’t just women who could make men go weak at the knees—men could do the same to women.

And what was strange was that he wasn’t even seductive. He was clearly a quiet, gentle gentleman, and yet somehow he had suddenly gained the power to make her ears burn and her heart race.

Her eyes darted about awkwardly as she tried to pull her hand back, but the grip he had on her didn’t seem like it would let go so easily. With his fingertip, he lightly traced words in her palm again:

The Flower Deity Festival is in three days. Will Fengguang attend it with me?

“The Flower Deity Festival…” She’d heard the elderly man Yisu mention it before—basically a roundabout version of Valentine’s Day. She hesitated for a moment, then said uneasily, “That festival… seems pretty important.”

“Last year, Fengguang and I spent it in the palace. This year, I want to take you outside the palace.”

She felt even more conflicted. After all, she’d lost her memory because she’d been hit by a horse outside the palace. “Just going out so casually… doesn’t seem like a good idea…”

“That day will be very lively.” His finger paused, then continued writing:
There will be many street vendors—candied hawthorns, osmanthus cakes, sugar figurines…

“I’ll go!” she shouted, raising her free hand.

The corners of his eyes curved with a captivating smile.

Only then did Fengguang realize how overly excited she’d been. She lowered her hand awkwardly, not daring to look at him. “I just think that, since this festival is so important, it wouldn’t be very appropriate for me to refuse you…”

And besides, he was inviting her, not Yi Ren?

But she quickly figured it out. After all, she was the chancellor’s daughter and his properly wedded Crown Princess. If he openly ignored her to seek out Yi Ren instead, it would look terrible. More importantly, his position as Crown Prince wasn’t particularly secure—he’d been framed so easily by a mere eunuch. He needed the chancellor’s support, so of course he couldn’t afford to offend him by going too far.

Once Fengguang understood the reasoning, she felt at ease. Since everyone was just acting their parts anyway, why turn down a free chance to leave the palace and have some fun?

Back at the Eastern Palace, Fengguang was in a good mood. Even the usually overbearing Feiyu—the household manager—seemed much more adorable to her. Seeing her young lady smiling from ear to ear and returning together with the Crown Prince, Feiyu immediately gave Fengguang an encouraging look that said My lady finally knows how to compete for favor. Then she glanced at Yi Ren, who stood obediently to the side, lifted her chin, and snorted through her nose. Her young lady was firmly seated as Crown Princess—how could a mere palace maid ever shake that position?

Yi Ren kept her head lowered, eyes straight ahead, pretending she’d seen nothing.

Fengguang caught all of Feiyu’s little gestures but didn’t bother to call them out. She only hoped that when this girl eventually learned of her plan to step down as Crown Princess, she wouldn’t collapse into tears.

She then looked at Baili Mo, seated across from her. He was very quiet, calmly sipping his tea and looking at no one in particular. But when he noticed her gaze, he lifted his eyes, his lips curving slightly as he offered her a faint smile.

Fengguang immediately looked away, pretending she hadn’t seen anything. After a moment, she could still feel his gaze lingering on her. Unable to withstand it, she raised her head and deliberately turned to Feiyu, forcing a topic of conversation.

“Feiyu, has your heatstroke gotten better?”

“Miss, I didn’t have heatstroke.”

“Then how did you faint?”

“That was because…” Feiyu’s face went pale.
“…I was too badly frightened.”