TSFLIP Chapter 865

Three days later, a carriage rolled out through the palace gates and entered the busiest street in the imperial city. A man and a woman stepped down one after the other. Both were strikingly beautiful; with just a glance, passersby couldn’t help but think they were a perfect match, a pair made by heaven itself.

Today, Fengguang hadn’t brought Feiyu with her, and Baili Mo hadn’t brought Xiao Zhaozi. Naturally, Yiren was nowhere to be seen either—though in the shadows, quite a few guards were quietly protecting them.

The street was full of young men and women, along with vendors selling fresh flowers. Nearly every young couple carried a flower in their hands. Along the way, Fengguang had already seen many men and women exchanging blossoms.

That made her feel increasingly uneasy, especially with a gentle, considerate man standing beside her. Yes—Baili Mo was very attentive. The street was crowded, and whenever a passerby looked like they might bump into her, he would thoughtfully step closer to shield her. For some reason, she felt that today he seemed to be radiating a strong masculine allure; even the flower lanterns hanging all over the street seemed dull by comparison.

A little girl carrying a flower basket stopped in front of them.
“Sir, madam, today is the Flower Goddess Festival. Would you like to buy a flower?”

The girl had a sharp eye. She’d noticed that the two of them, unlike everyone else, weren’t holding flowers, and their clothes clearly marked them as anything but commoners. She guessed they would be generous and worked up the courage to approach.

Seeing the hopeful look on the girl’s face, Fengguang couldn’t bring herself to refuse. She picked up a flower and was just about to take money from her pouch when the person beside her moved faster.

Baili Mo took out a silver ingot and also selected a white flower from the basket.

The girl accepted the money, then hesitated.
“Sir, I don’t have enough change to give you back.”

Baili Mo glanced at Fengguang.

Understanding immediately, Fengguang said to the girl, “No need for change. This gentleman isn’t short on money—go ahead and keep it.”

“Thank you both! You’re such kind people!” the girl said happily. “I wish you a lifetime together, growing old side by side in perfect harmony!”

With that, she ran off cheerfully.

Fengguang’s gaze drifted away as she said, “I didn’t expect that little girl to be so good with words.”

Then, a pure white flower appeared in front of her.

She looked up at the owner of the hand holding it. Baili Mo was gazing at her quietly, a gentle, luminous warmth in his eyes, as if he were looking at some precious treasure in the world.

Uncertain, Fengguang asked, “Are you… giving this flower to me?”

He nodded, lifting his lips in a smile—clean and almost sacred.

But Fengguang knew all too well that today’s flowers couldn’t be accepted lightly. Today was the Flower Goddess Festival, a day when men and women used flowers to express their love. When she’d accepted his flowers a few days ago, it was partly because that day carried no special meaning, and partly because she’d been momentarily dazzled by his looks. Today was different. If she accepted his flower now, she would be expected to give one in return. After all, she was his crown princess—but they were not a couple truly in love.

What’s more, in her mind, he was someone who loved Yiren.

She hesitated and didn’t take the flower. His hand remained raised for a long while. At last, as if he understood something, he slowly lowered it. The gentle light in his eyes dimmed.

Fengguang suddenly felt as though she were a sinner.

But soon, he curved his lips into a smile again, took her hand, and led her across the street to a candied hawthorn vendor. He paid for a skewer and placed it in her hand.

Then he looked at her once more, his eyes filled with unmistakable delight.