The prince loves me like his life, but I force him to rebel

"Although today's incident was very satisfying, the Bai family will obviously not let it go. This is your first time patrolling the capital, so you must not make any mistakes."

"Thank you for the reminder, Third Prince. Huaiyuan has already made preparations. He will definitely live up to your trust."

The three of them first raised their glasses to celebrate their small victory in the court today. As usual, Gu Nianzhi could only drink tea instead of wine, but this did not affect her mood at all.

Although they were happy, Shu Huaiyuan and the third prince remained highly vigilant.

"I heard that the annual Lantern Festival will be held soon. If the Bai family really wants to cause trouble, they will probably choose that day, right?" Gu Nianzhi said.

Before, she often saw in the news that group gatherings abroad were often targets of terrorists.

If the Bai family wants to find Shu Huaiyuan's flaws and push him out of his current position, creating chaos at the Lantern Festival may be the best way.

And she vaguely remembered that there was a scene in the original book where an explosion occurred at the lantern festival, which happened when the emperor was blessing the people.

As for the details, she wasn't serious enough when she watched it, and now she can't remember the specific plot.

"Mr. Gu is right. During the Lantern Festival, even the emperor has to go up to the city tower to watch the ceremony. Huaiyuan, you must be absolutely sure."

"Third Prince, Mr. Gu, please rest assured. Huaiyuan has a plan in mind."

The Dasheng Lantern Festival is held annually during the autumn harvest season.

Everyone in Dasheng State attaches great importance to this festival.

-----

During the Lantern Festival, people wear their most formal clothes, go shopping, admire lanterns, cruise the lake, and guess lantern riddles.

The most lively place on this day is Zhuque Street. Every year, this long street that runs through the Duanmen Gate of the Imperial Palace and the city gate is decorated with lights and creates a joyful and festive atmosphere.

At the time of Si, the emperor, together with the empress, all the adult princes and important officials of the palace would come to the city wall above Duanmen and sprinkle copper coins for the people on Suzaku Street. People would rush to pick them up, wanting to take the emperor's blessing home.

This part is often the most chaotic time of the Lantern Festival.

If someone wants to cause trouble, it is easiest to do so at this moment.

The Third Prince will have dinner with the Emperor in the palace today, and then set out for Duanmen with the Emperor and others at the hour of Si.

As the leader of the imperial guards, Shu Huaiyuan will do his best to ensure the safety of the Lantern Festival and the emperor.

Gu Nianzhi enjoyed her leisure time, strolling here and there in the bustling streets.

There is an inconspicuous stall on the corner of the street, selling all kinds of cosmetics.

Qiluo had become very busy recently for some reason, and Gu Nianzhi had looked for her several times but to no avail.

Remembering that there were not many eyebrow pencils left, he couldn't help but stop in front of the stall.

"Sir, these are all top-quality goods. It would be perfect to buy them for your loved one."

"I want to buy some indigo for my wife."

"Indigo is a rich color, and the most popular color in Beijing right now is the spiral-shaped indigo."

The stall owner was a pretty woman. She gently picked up the Luozidai and drew a light stroke on the back of her hand, then took the Qingdai and drew another stroke on the side.

"Please look, sir. The color of the spiral brow is slightly lighter. After it is applied on the eyebrows, it looks more gentle and dignified."

"I just want Qingdai."

Considering the large amount she would consume every day, Gu Nianzhi simply asked the stall owner to pack up all seven or eight sticks.

At this moment, someone patted my shoulder.

"Mr. Gu, what a coincidence!"

Turning his head, he was facing the smiling face of Princess Yun'an. Thinking of Bai Mo's warning, Gu Nianzhi couldn't help but take a private look.

Then he bowed out of courtesy and said, "Greetings, Princess Yun'an."

"Who is Mr. Gu buying eyebrow pencil for?"

Yun An had a curious look on his face as he asked while moving closer to look at the various things on the stall.

"Nianzhi..." Gu Nianzhi said guiltily, "Nianzhi bought some makeup for the girl he likes."

"Is it Qiluo? The Qiluo in the brothel?"

"Exactly."

As a last resort, Gu Nianzhi had to use Qiluo as a shield again.

"Mr. Gu is really unique. He cares about the prostitutes."

Yun An chuckled, his tone disdainful.

Qi Luo is indeed a beauty, but she is just a prostitute after all.

Yun An really looked down on such women.

She also knew that there were many men in the city who fell in love with the courtesans, but she was also aware that even if they spent a fortune to spend a night with them, they only treated such women as playthings and would never regard them as their "sweethearts".

Gu Nianzhi was not restrained.

"Qi Luo sells her art but not her body."

How could Gu Nianzhi not know Yun An's little thoughts? She didn't want to refute, so she just said this lightly.

"Gu has something else to do, so I'll take my leave now."

With Bai Mo's warning, even if Gu Nianzhi had the courage of heaven, he would not dare to stay with Yun An for too long.

"How come the two of you are together?"

A familiar male voice came from behind. It was Shu Huaiyuan.

"Brother Huaiyuan!"

Yun An's eyes lit up.

Gu Nianzhi was holding the brown paper containing the eyebrow pencil in her hand, but at this moment she looked like someone had caught her, and was afraid that Shu Huaiyuan would ask her what she was holding.

"You didn't sneak out from home, did you?"

Shu Huaiyuan saw that Yun An had no followers around him and immediately made a judgment.

"Keep your voice down, Brother Huaiyuan..."

Yun'an did indeed sneak out.

Today, my father and grandfather, as important officials in the court, will accompany the emperor to Duanmen.

Originally, Yun'an's mother did not allow him to go out on the street, but she found an opportunity and tricked her personal maid into changing clothes with her. She left the maid in the room and quietly slipped out of the house.

Gu Nianzhi then noticed that Yun An was wearing ordinary maid's clothes today, which was out of place with the grand festive atmosphere.

She couldn't help but marvel at Shu Huaiyuan's extraordinary observation and reasoning abilities.

"Today, there are many people on the street, and the flow of people is complicated. It is not safe for you, a county lord, to not bring any entourage with you."

Shu Huaiyuan turned sideways and called the two guards behind him.

"Since you sneaked out of the house, your family naturally wouldn't allow it. I'll ask them to send you back."

"No, I'm dressed like this, who would know I'm a princess?"

Yun An was unwilling, and while begging for mercy, he gently pulled the corner of Gu Nianzhi's sleeve, and then whispered in his ear: "Mr. Gu, please help me say a few words, I haven't watched the Lantern Festival for a long time."

"This..." Gu Nianzhi was embarrassed, but didn't know how to refuse.

"I see Mr. Gu is traveling alone, so why don't I just follow him the whole time?"

"Princess, this won't do!" Gu Nianzhi was anxious. He had already been misunderstood and even threatened by the Bai family. If the Bai family knew that the princess had sneaked out of the house and traveled with him, it would be even more difficult to explain.

"If you insist on doing this, I will have no choice but to tell your father about your actions today and ask him to keep a close eye on the princess."

Shu Huaiyuan spoke in a serious tone and with a stern face. Without waiting for Yun An to react, he directly ordered his subordinates, "Send Princess Yun An back home without any mistakes."

Yun An turned around angrily, followed by two guards.

Shu Huaiyuan changed his tone and warned Gu Nianzhi, "Princess Yun'an is from the Bai family. It's not that Huaiyuan wants to interfere with Mr. Gu's freedom to make friends, but the Bai family is not to be messed with. Mr. Gu, please be careful when dealing with the Bai family."

Gu Nianzhi knew what Shu Huaiyuan meant. It was not only to remind him of his relationship with Yun An, but also to hint at his visit to Bai Mansion a few days ago.

The truth was not convenient to be stated, so Gu Nianzhi could only respond casually.

"Today is the Lantern Festival, and there are many people. Mr. Gu is shopping alone, so he must pay attention to safety. Huaiyuan will take his leave first."

"Master, wait a moment!"

Gu Nianzhi seemed to suddenly think of some plots in the original book.