After being reborn, I went on a killing spree in the imperial court.

During the Lantern Festival, although the border region is not as prosperous as the capital, it is still very lively, with bright lights and colorful decorations adorning the streets and alleys.

After finishing the peace negotiations, Cao Yuan and the other two went out together to celebrate the Lantern Festival.

Cao Yuan and Bai Lu changed into their usual women's attire.

Cao Yuan wore a red silk dress, with floral decorations on her forehead and an elegant updo, which was quite different from her usual glamorous attire. She exuded a youthful lightness in the crowd, making people want to get closer.

"So many people! The lanterns the princess and the others are carrying seem even prettier than those in the capital. I'm going to buy a few!" Bai Lu dashed off to choose lanterns.

"I always thought Bai Lu was so composed in the palace, that she was a person with a calm and collected mind. I didn't expect her to be so lively in everyday life," Cao Yuan exclaimed.

"If my brother were still alive, they would be very happy."

Chu Yan looked at her profile; the lamplight illuminated her face as if it were coated with a soft golden edge.

A surge of indescribable tenderness welled up in Chu Yan's heart. "Isn't the princess the same? If the world weren't so full of hardships, who would want to live in constant scheming!"

"Fortunately, heaven has eyes, and we can start over." Cao Yuan smiled.

She turned her head, her bright eyes gleaming warmly in the firelight.

I really want to know what kind of face is behind that mask.

"Let's go release some lanterns too!"

Cao Yuan grabbed his wrist and said, "Brother Xiao, let's hurry up and catch up, or we'll lose them."

Bai Lu bought three lanterns and gave one to Chu Yan.

"You guys should release it!"

Among the things these girls play with, Chu Yan, a man holding a lantern, naturally stood out somewhat in the crowd.

"Brother Xiao, releasing lanterns is a tradition of the Lantern Festival. Writing your wishes on the lanterns will make them come true!" Cao Yuan explained patiently to him.

"Never mind him! He's just embarrassed. So many women are writing lanterns here to pray for marriage, you can't expect him to do the same!" Bai Lu laughed.

Cao Yuan handed him a pen, "Who says everyone writes about marriage? I'm not one of them!"

"Brother Xiao, please write one! We're already here! Sincerity is key!"

Seeing Cao Yuan's enthusiasm, Chu Yan felt embarrassed to refuse.

Cao Yuan went to release the lanterns first.

"What did you write?" Bai Lu secretly ran up to Chu Yan and snatched the lantern away. "May the people live in peace and prosperity, and may there be no more war!!"

"You, a person from Shu, making such a wish..."

Chu Yan's gaze darkened slightly, and Bai Lu dared not continue speaking.

"Are you all ready? Go and release them!"

Chu Yan handed the lantern to Bai Lu and asked her to set it off for him.

The three sat by the pond watching the lanterns drift away.

"What did the princess wish for?" Bailu asked as she approached her.

"How can you say your wish out loud? If you do, it won't come true!"

Bai Lu pouted.

"Let's go, let's find a place to have a big meal. You've helped me for so long and I haven't treated you to a meal yet! You must try the local jade dumplings during the Lantern Festival, they're a specialty from the border region."

"Okay!"

"Let's drink until we drop to our hearts' content!"

Bai Lu followed Cao Yuan outside, with Chu Yan following behind. Suddenly, he stopped and looked at the lanterns on the pond. He was curious about what wish Cao Yuan had made on that lantern, but he also felt that such behavior was not gentlemanly.

But for some reason, his body wouldn't obey him, and he leaped out and scooped up Cao Yuan's lantern.

On Cao Yuan's lantern were several powerful characters: "May the Great Wei be free from war!"

Looking at the words above, Chu Yan felt a surge of shame. He had thought she would make a promise related to Xue Xinian, but it seemed he had been too narrow-minded.

The three of them drank several pots of wine in the private room.

Bai Lu and Cao Yuan drank quite a bit, but Chu Yan remained sober.

"Bai Lu, you've had too much to drink. We should head back." Chu Yan patted Bai Lu on the shoulder.

Bai Lu shook off his hand and lay down on the ground. "Ugh, leave me alone! I still need to drink with the princess!"

"Brother Xiao... I..." Cao Yuan was pulled up by Chu Yan, her head was spinning, and she fell into his arms.

Chu Yan stood frozen in place, his heart pounding, his mind in turmoil, and his eyes darting around.

Cao Yuan buried her face in his chest and rubbed against him, stray hairs falling from her forehead, her cheeks flushing. "Why is your heart beating so fast? Why is your face red too? And your body too."

Cao Yuan reached her hand towards his face, but Chu Yan quickly grabbed her wrist. "Princess, no!"

Looking at the masked person in front of her, a familiar face suddenly appeared before her.

"Lord Chu!"

Chu Yan nervously took a few steps back, and Cao Yuan suddenly leaned backward. He quickly reacted, steadily supporting Cao Yuan who was about to lose her balance, and held her head with his hand.

The two fell to the ground together, and Chu Yan lost his balance and landed on top of Cao Yuan.

The distance between them closed in an instant, and an ambiguous atmosphere seemed to fill the air. Cao Yuan suddenly raised her head, and her forehead accidentally bumped into Chu Yan's lips.

Chu Yan was slightly taken aback by the sudden touch, and then a hint of panic flashed in his eyes.

"Princess, are you alright?" Chu Yan's voice was low and concerned, his eyes filled with tenderness and worry.

Cao Yuan opened her eyes groggily, seemingly a little more awake than before.

Why were you peeking at our lanterns just now?

Chu Yan's pupils contracted sharply, leaving him speechless. He could only swallow hard.

Cao Yuan looked at his Adam's apple, reached out and touched it, her fingertip lingering on it.

Chu Yan grabbed her wrist. "Princess, please have some self-respect!"

"Why is it 'self-respect' again! What do you mean I don't have self-respect? You're the ones who have self-respect!" Cao Yuan impatiently pushed him aside.

"Forget it, forget it. I, Cao Yuan, don't need to be self-respecting. So what if no man likes me! I am the fourth princess of the Great Wei, the only princess of the Great Wei who commands an army of 100,000!"

"Once I divorce Xue Xinian, I'll immediately replace him with ten, twenty male concubines. They'll all be the most handsome in the capital, a hundred times more handsome than Xue Xinian!" Cao Yuan shouted, standing on the table.

"Princess, please come down first!" Chu Yan pulled her down.

"You still haven't answered my question? Why did you want to look at my lantern?"

"I... am..." Chu Yan pursed his lips.

"Have we met before? It feels like we know each other."

Who do you think I resemble?

Cao Yuan shook her head, "I don't know! Anyway, he doesn't look like Xue Xinian!"

"Do you care about him a lot?" Chu Yan asked tentatively.

"I do care!"

How could Cao Yuan not care about this enemy?

Chu Yan lowered his eyes, seemingly lost in thought.

"Why are you wearing a mask to sleep at night? Let me take it off for you!"

Before Chu Yan could react, Cao Yuan removed his mask.