Reborn Spoiled Girl Tames the Regent

Chapter 40: Would you be willing to enter the palace?

Every year around the time of Frost's Descent, the capital city holds a lantern festival, which is a lively and bustling event.

The three followed the crowd to the busiest market. Vendors carried lanterns, and their calls echoed along the street. Amidst the surging crowd, it seemed as if even the air itself was filled with the warmth of the lanterns.

Jiang Wan ran lightly onto the arched bridge, looked down at the lanterns floating on the river, her eyes filled with excitement.

Ning Zhi followed beside her and, seeing her lean over to look at the river, gently reminded her, "Miss Jiang, be careful not to fall in headfirst."

Jiang Mian turned around, her eyes crinkling with a smile, the curve of her lips appearing especially gentle in the candlelight.

She pointed to the lanterns floating in the distance and asked, "Does Your Highness think they're beautiful?"

Ning Zhi's gaze fell on her face, and he smiled, "You look beautiful."

"Let's go release lanterns too! To bring good luck."

Jiang Mian laughed, lifted her skirt, and ran briskly towards the bridge. Her light and agile figure quickly blended into the bustling lights.

Ning Zhi looked at her, a slight smile playing on her lips, and was about to follow when a figure suddenly appeared beside her, blocking her path.

He paused, tilted his head, and asked, "Young Master Xiao? What is the meaning of this?"

Xiao Hengzhi's expression was cold, and his tone carried a hint of dissatisfaction: "Your Highness must know about the relationship between the Second Miss and me. It is probably inappropriate for you to pursue her so closely."

Ning Zhi said jokingly, "Young Master Xiao, I told her to choose for herself. You can't block my way just because of a verbal engagement."

He smiled confidently and with absolute certainty, then turned his head to look under the arched bridge. He saw Jiang Mian squeeze into a vendor's stall, buy a lantern, and walk slowly along the riverbank.

Then she gently pushed Xiao Hengzhi's hand away and walked down the bridge.

Xiao Hengzhi stood there, feeling both empty and heavy inside.

He knew perfectly well that he was no match for Ning Zhi. Jiang Mian liked Ning Zhi, and now Ning Zhi also had feelings for her. All Ning Zhi needed to do was ask, and Jiang Mian would definitely go to the palace with him.

He wasn't sure if he would repeat the same mistakes as in his previous life...

……

Under the bridge, Jiang Mian held the lantern in her hands with great care.

Ning Zhi walked over from behind and couldn't help but laugh when he saw her like this.

"What is Your Highness laughing at?"

"I find Miss Jiang's serious attitude towards the lanterns quite endearing."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Mian's lips curled up slightly, and she tilted her head back: "Sincerity is key, of course I need to be careful."

After she finished speaking, she saw a less crowded spot ahead and quickly ran over there.

Squatting by the river, she gently straightened the lantern and placed it on the water. She clasped her hands together at her chest, closed her eyes, and whispered, "I hope everything goes well for the Jiang family. I hope Xiao Hengzhi will always be a good person... and get better and better..."

She repeated it twice, with utmost sincerity.

Ning Zhi's smile froze on her face.

Xiao Hengzhi was standing far away and didn't hear her words, only seeing her smiling face. He wanted to go forward, but was afraid of spoiling her mood, so he just watched from a distance.

After releasing the lantern, Jiang Mian stood up, her gaze following the lantern into the distance until it merged into the countless points of light in the river.

She turned and walked towards the market on the shore, with Ning Zhi following closely behind. A thought struck him, and he tentatively asked, "When do Miss Jiang and Young Master Xiao plan to get married?"

Jiang Wan looked at him with some surprise: "Why did Your Highness suddenly ask about this?"

Ning Zhi's smile remained gentle: "It was just a casual question. After all, if you two get married, I won't be able to walk alongside you like this anymore."

"What's the harm? If Your Highness ever comes to the capital again, please feel free to ask me to accompany you."

She spoke so lightly, completely unaware of the deeper meaning in his words.

Ning Zhi simply stood in front of her, stared at her, and asked very generously, "What I mean is, would Miss Jiang be willing to enter the palace and accompany me?"

Jiang Mian froze, as if in a daze for a moment.

She almost forgot that Ning Zhi had always been very direct about matters between men and women.

In her past life, she sneaked into the inn where he was staying, dressed in a simple gauze dress. After a night of passion, he asked her the same question directly: "Would you like to enter the palace and become my concubine?"

At that moment, she clung to Ning Zhi as if grasping at a lifeline, refusing to let go.

Now that she does everything, Ning Zhi takes the initiative to show her goodwill.

If it were before, she would have been overjoyed to hear these words. Ning Zhi was in love with her, and she could easily get to his side.

She can resolve grudges from past lives and make amends for mistakes made in past lives.

They could even go along with it and use Ning Zhi's power to ensure the Jiang family's lifelong peace.

But Jiang Wan hesitated.

What is she hesitating about...?

It was as if there was a string in her heart that was pulling at her, making it impossible for her to accept Ning Zhi's feelings.

There was silence for a long time.

Ning Zhi noticed the embarrassment on her face and chuckled to ease the awkwardness: "Miss Jiang, there's no need to be embarrassed. My mother has chosen a Crown Princess for me, but I don't have much to say to her. On the contrary, I get along very well with Miss Jiang, which is why I asked so abruptly."

Although the words were lighthearted, Jiang Mian did not respond, her gaze falling on Xiao Hengzhi in the distance.

Amidst the surging crowd, she spotted him at a glance.

As our eyes met, it felt as if a string in my heart had been gently plucked.

Ning Zhi knew where she was looking, so she took a deep breath and subtly moved her feet, blocking her view.

He turned his head and gave a slightly apologetic smile: "If I have spoiled Miss Jiang's mood today, I am truly sorry."

Jiang Mian lowered her eyes: "Your Highness is too kind. I was just a little surprised."

"If that's the case, then cheer up. Is there anywhere else you'd like to go?"

Jiang Mian turned her head to look at the opposite bank, and a brightly lit pavilion came into view.

Remembering what had happened before, she pointed and said, "Let's go there."

Ning Zhi squinted and saw the three large characters on the pavilion: Zuiyin Tower.

......

Jiang Mian took a few steps toward that direction, but stopped when she got close.

"What's wrong?" Ning Zhi asked.

"Your Highness is unaware that women are not allowed to enter the Drunken Sound Pavilion."

He tilted his head: "There are such rules?"

Jiang Mian looked around and suddenly spotted a tailor shop not far away. Her eyes lit up, and she turned to say, "Wait for me a moment."

Before she finished speaking, she had already run into the shop. A moment later, she came out dressed as a man.

He wore a long black robe cinched at the waist, and his hair was styled with a slanted crown. Without a close look, he really did resemble a young master.

Ning Zhi smiled and said, "What's inside this Drunken Sound Pavilion that makes Miss Jiang go to such lengths to get in?"

Jiang Wan put her hands behind her back and said, "I also want to know what's inside. Let's go in and take a look."

She walked to the entrance of Zuiyin Tower and casually queued to enter, but she couldn't help feeling uneasy.

When it was her turn, she handed the entrance fee to the servant and was secretly relieved when the servant suddenly raised his hand to stop her: "Wait!"

Jiang Wan's heart tightened: "What's wrong?"

The servant squinted and looked her up and down: "Young master's attire... seems a bit off."

Jiang Wan forced herself to remain calm: "What's wrong?"