The young general and the prince, who was to be married off, fell in love at first sight!

Although the Lunar New Year has passed, it is still winter and very cold.

Early on, it got dark outside. Seeing that Lin Shiming could no longer wait, Lu Yuxi finally relented and led the expectant Lin Shiming out the door.

The Duke of Zhenguo's mansion held a high position and wielded great power, so naturally, the family residence was located in the most luxurious area of ​​the capital, just one turn away from Zhuque Avenue, the central axis of the capital.

...The country has nine longitudinal and nine latitudinal roads, each with nine tracks. To the left is the ancestral temple, to the right the altar of the land and grain; in front is the imperial court, behind is the market. The market and the court are one man's domain...

Although this is not the same world as Lin Shiming's original world, many cultural similarities remain. Take the layout of the capital city, for example; it is a clear manifestation of Confucian ethics. While cities in the Jiangnan region have relatively more flexible layouts, the capital, as a feudal political center, still adheres to a strictly governed grid system.

The only difference is that commerce is quite developed. Not only are there two concentrated markets in the east and west, but some of the main roads in the city have also formed the beginnings of commercial streets.

Today's Lantern Festival activities are mainly concentrated in the middle section of Zhuque Street. Lin Shiming and his group started from the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion, turned a corner, and left the neighborhood to reach Zhuque Street. Walking south for about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, they arrived at the most lively place today.

To secure a good spot, vendors braved the cold and set up their stalls early. The market was already bustling; while not yet so crowded that it was impossible to move, it was certainly teeming with people and vehicles.

"Let's park the carriage here, otherwise it will be difficult to get back out." Lu Yuxi led Lin Shiming off the carriage at a street corner. "Let's take a stroll before it gets too crowded, and then go to a private room at Weimingxuan for dinner, which will also allow us to avoid the crowds."

Lin Shiming had no objection. He didn't know much about the Lantern Festival in the capital, so he naturally left everything to Lu Yuxi's arrangements.

The two walked slowly inside, with several guards protecting them from the shadows. Because of the vendors on both sides and in the middle of the street, the usually wide Zhuque Avenue seemed much more crowded. Coupled with the lanterns and decorations along the way, Lin Shiming suddenly felt as if he had returned to the modern world.

"Shi Ming".

"Huh?" Lin Shiming suddenly snapped out of his daze. Lu Yuxi was looking at him gently. "What's wrong?"

"Is there anything you want? I see some nice lights over there, shall we go take a look?"

Lin Shiming smiled and nodded, "Okay."

Although the lanterns on the street couldn't compare to those in the palace, they had a more rustic charm. Therefore, Lin Shiming hesitated, looking left and right, unable to make up his mind.

"If you like it, just buy more. Why worry so much?"

"No!" Lin Shiming firmly disagreed. "Can a single piece and a whole bunch of them have the same commemorative significance? I only want my favorite pair."

Lu Yuxi thought about it carefully, and it did make sense, so she continued to let Lin Shiming look at the lamps one by one.

Lin Shiming looked left and right, carefully selecting, until he made the vendor so uncomfortable that he became quite annoyed.

"Sir, which one have you taken a fancy to? How about I give it to you?"

Lin Shiming wasn't embarrassed at all. He had already chosen a pair of elegant and free-flowing auspicious cloud lanterns and a pair of interesting lion lanterns, and was currently selecting between the two pairs.

Since the vendor was urging him, Lin Shiming simply slapped a few coins on the stall and said, "I'll take both pairs!"

The auspicious cloud was left for himself and Lu Yuxi, to commemorate the days of freedom they had spent together, and also to wish His Highness the Crown Prince good fortune and happiness.

As for the pair of lion lanterns, Lin Shiming stuffed one into Lu Yuxi's hands, saying, "Your Highness, please take this lantern back to the Crown Prince for me." He'd use the other to fool his little nephew—perfect!

Lu Yuxi picked up the lion lantern and examined it for a moment. "Okay, I'll give it to him when I get back."

Seeing Lu Yuxi hand the lion lantern to the attendant behind him, Lin Shiming gave him a lucky cloud lantern as well.

"Here, this is for you. Wishing Your Highness good fortune and prosperity!"

Lu Yuxi smiled and carefully took the lamp. "Thank you."

As the crowds grew, the streets became more congested. Lu Yuxi and Lin Shiming stopped lingering and began walking down the street, creating a warm and gentle atmosphere.

Not long after, the two arrived at Wei Ming Xuan.

Lu Yuxi naturally booked the best private room by the window.

The dishes were served quickly, and the two ate and drank while chatting and looking out the window at the bustling street.

"I've heard that every year during the Lantern Festival, when families bring their children out to see the lanterns, there are always child snatchers who take advantage of the crowds to steal children." Looking at a family of three passing by below, Lin Shiming suddenly remembered something, "Does this happen in our capital city too?"

"Yes. With so many people today, it's indeed hard to avoid. But after all, there are many high-ranking officials and nobles in the capital, and every family's child is precious. Everyone cares a lot about these things. So every year at this time, Father Emperor would arrange for the military police to secretly guard certain places. Once they see a child get lost, they would gather them up immediately and have their family members bring witnesses to pick them up after the lantern festival ends."

"But the devil is always one step ahead of the saint. Even if the whole street is manned, it is still inevitable that one or two children will be abducted every year."

Lu Yuxi sighed, "Right now, our dynasty is well-governed and the people are living in peace and health, but there will always be natural disasters and man-made calamities that cannot be eliminated, and there will always be treacherous officials who want to muddy the waters and fish in troubled waters. Sometimes my father would confide in me, saying that being an emperor is truly exhausting, both physically and mentally."

As she spoke, Lu Yuxi turned to Lin Shiming and joked, "I wonder if our ancestor, Emperor Taishi, regretted being so easily pushed onto the throne by your ancestor. But I know my father definitely regretted it. Every time he finished dealing with a major matter, he would go to the Fengxian Hall to pay his respects to the ancestors, and then take the memorial sent by your father and scold them."

Lin Shiming burst into laughter, "It seems my ancestors were right, choosing an easier path."

“However, everything has two sides,” Lin Shiming said, turning his head to look at the peaceful and prosperous country outside the window. “Everyone occupies a different position, but whatever rights and benefits they gain, they must bear corresponding responsibilities and duties. This is especially true for a monarch. With the support of the people and the power in his hands, he must do things worthy of these honors.”

"Regardless of status or wealth, people are always interconnected. The people have bestowed supreme honor upon the royal family, so the royal family should reciprocate with peace and prosperity. As the saying goes, 'Water can carry a boat, but it can also capsize it,' and that is exactly the case."

Lu Yuxi looked up at Lin Shiming, who was unusually serious, and the image she had formed in her mind became much clearer and more complete.

"I have read in history that the Lin family rose up with Emperor Taishi to save the people from suffering. Now that I hear what you have to say, I think the Lin family's heart for the world has never changed."

Lin Shiming raised his glass, "Today is the perfect time. May our two families remain true to our original aspirations."

Lu Yuxi understood, raised her glass and clinked it with his, saying, "I will definitely remember this."

*

As people came and went outside the window, Lin Shiming and Lu Yuxi upstairs had almost finished eating.

"It's already past 7:45 PM. Every year at this hour, there's a fireworks display, which is both the climax and the most lively time of the Lantern Festival, and also the beginning of the end of today's grand event. I've always heard you say that your lightness skill is quite good, so how about I accompany you to the top of the watchtower today, and we can watch the fireworks from the highest point in the city?"

"Great! Great!" Lin Shiming's boredom vanished instantly, but then he thought, "But there must be quite a few others planning the same thing, right? If the rooftop is full of people, wouldn't that be... a bit awkward?"

“I brought you out here, so I naturally planned everything carefully.” Lu Yuxi stood up and handed her hand to Lin Shiming. “The watchtower is part of the capital’s defense. I have already made arrangements for today. No one but you and I will be allowed to go up to the roof. I have also informed Father and Mother in advance.”

Lin Shiming smiled brightly and took Lu Yuxi's outstretched hand. "Take me out to play and then tell His Majesty and the Empress. Aren't you afraid they'll laugh at you?"

"It's alright, they've done it before!"

*

The watchtower is located at the northernmost part of the capital, and it usually takes more than half an hour to get there, but it's different for Lin Shiming and Lu Yuxi.

One was a master of martial arts with few rivals, and his lightness skill was exceptional. The other, though primarily a scholar, never neglected his martial arts.

Therefore, the two of them leaped and bounded, managing to reach the top of the observation deck just before the first firework exploded in the night sky.

Soon, a continuous stream of fireworks filled the starry sky, and the entire capital was filled with a lively and festive atmosphere. Even from the northernmost watchtower, one could faintly hear shouts from afar.

"This place truly lives up to its reputation as the highest point; the fireworks display is indeed dazzling and spectacular." Lin Shiming leaned against the roof ridge and couldn't help but sigh. "It's just a pity that I forgot to ask for another pot of wine when I came out. A beautiful view without wine is ultimately a bit lacking."

Lu Yuxi didn't say anything, but took out a small silver pot from her sleeve and threw it into Lin Shiming's arms.

Lin Shiming's eyes lit up, and he immediately opened the lid of the pot. A fragrant aroma of wine wafted out.

"Your Highness, after today, there will be no one more charming than you here."

"Stop flattering me, that's all, there won't be any left after you finish drinking it."

Lin Shiming smiled and took a big gulp.

*

On February , the dragon looked up.

The Duke of Zhenguo's mansion was already bustling with activity early in the morning.

Ancient weddings were usually held at night, but Lin Shiming was different. He also had a ceremony to confer the title of Crown Princess, so he had to go out just after noon.

Fortunately, the dowry and other items had already been delivered to the Eastern Palace yesterday, so today she only needed to wear the "wedding dress" that had been prepared in advance and modified to be almost identical to the Crown Prince's wedding attire, and then comb her hair.

Lin Shiming was, after all, a man, and no matter how troublesome the dressing process was, it wouldn't take long. Moreover, he had completely skipped the step of the old man Quanfu combing his hair, which made it even simpler and faster.

However, when it comes to the dowry, the fact that the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion carried it to the palace yesterday shocked the entire capital.

Lin Yunyue was a hypocrite. He kept saying that Lin Shiming should earn the dowry himself, but when the people from the Ministry of Rites came to Lin Yunyue to discuss the dowry with Emperor Longyun’s wicked approval, he still cursed a few times and turned around to open the Zhenguo Duke’s storeroom.

“Although my youngest son is a boy, I don’t want to use the word ‘married.’ But he is married after all, and I can’t let him go out empty-handed and be looked down upon; or have to put up with that stingy emperor’s attitude if he wants to do anything. My family is not short of money!”