Chapter 74: Chapter 70: You Gave My Rabbit Lantern to Them Too?

The two of them took the Little Princess around again, and whenever Shen Jingxian’s gaze lingered on something for more than three seconds, they would buy it.

Later, it reached a point where they were competing to pay for something.

“The hairpin earlier was already given to Miss Song by me. Is Miss Song overstepping?”

“Young Master Wen, this was a gift to His Highness by my capabilities. How is it a favor according to you?”

Both of them had their hands on the rabbit lantern, unwilling to let go.

Shen Jingxian watched the scene before her with a blank face, feeling a sense of inevitability.

Here it is! The essential prop in historical romance, the rabbit lantern!

Want to enhance the feelings between the male and female leads? Want to advance the plot? Not sure what to write and want to pad the word count? The allure of the rabbit lantern, your number one choice!

As everyone knows, the rabbit lantern is a wild plot device, made from paper, ceramics, or even oranges.

Over a long period of working with the rabbit lantern, it had been fought over by protagonists and antagonists, it had been a tool to slap faces, it had won the favor of the female lead, and today, it has finally evolved to a new level.

Being fought over by the male and female lead.

The rabbit lantern probably never expected to have such a glorious day. For the first time, the male lead didn’t tenderly hand it over to the female lead, but exchanged gentle punches with her, unrelentingly.

Shen Jingxian marveled in wonder.

The situation made her feel as if these two were competing for her affection.

Of course, she knew that was impossible.

Though neither was famous now, they were still notable figures in the Imperial College, and if anyone recognized them tangling in the street, it wouldn’t be good.

Still, neither was willing to let go, leaving Shen Jingxian speechless.

She exchanged a glance with the rabbit lantern vendor, both sharing the same helplessness.

Clearly, there were plenty of rabbit lanterns on the table, yet these two insisted on fighting over just one. Shen Jingxian couldn’t understand, attributing it to the unique attraction between the male and female leads.

She rummaged through her pouch, thankful that her mother had given her some loose silver before leaving.

“Two rabbit lanterns, please.”

The sweet, soft voice of the young girl interrupted their argument. Wen Ranchen and Song Yan watched as the Little Princess casually bought two rabbit lanterns from the vendor, then handed one to each of them.

“No need to fight. I’ll buy them for you.”

The sunset bathed Shen Jingxian, highlighting her gentle gaze, captivating all who looked.

Without hindrance, Shen Jingxian took the rabbit lantern that had just been competed over into her arms, beaming, “Although I’m the one who paid for this rabbit lantern, let’s consider it a gift from both of you to me.”

“Now we all have rabbit lanterns.”

Her words bore no ulterior motives or overstepped boundaries, yet for a moment, Wen Ranchen felt parched.

He couldn’t help but want to draw closer to the Princess, just like before, when he was the only one allowed to be so close.

Yet he always knew that he belonged to the Princess, but the Princess didn’t belong to him.

“Your Highness…” Unconsciously, Wen Ranchen reached out to touch the Princess, only for Song Yan to suddenly stand between them, shielding Shen Jingxian.

The cycle of karma comes full circle; heaven spares no one.

“Young Master Wen seems tired? If so, you should head back to rest earlier.” Implying, you want to touch the Princess? Dream on.

Wen Ranchen naturally withdrew his hand, landing on the rabbit lantern just given by the Princess, which still seemed to retain her warmth, “I’ve been trained in martial arts since childhood, I don’t tire easily. If Miss Song is tired, she should leave early.”

Goodness, at the slightest lapse, they were at it again. The back and forth, though free of foul words, left Shen Jingxian unsure whether they were really fighting or flirting.

Forget it, the affairs of the leads were beyond her understanding.

Time to play with the rabbit.

She just wanted to see what else these two would do.

And so, in front of a small market stall, a bizarre scene unfolded.

A handsome man and a beautiful woman stood before the stall, an eye-catching sight, yet the atmosphere was inexplicably strange.

Despite an apparent match, one could sense a tense vibe between them from afar. Or, seemingly dangerous, yet each held a small, adorable rabbit lantern.

Oh, and beside them sat an exceptionally beautiful woman, impossible to ignore at first glance.

Initially, with Wen Ranchen and Song Yan’s intentional or unintentional shielding, no one dared to glance at Shen Jingxian. Now, as she sat gracefully on a stool, she began to draw considerable attention.

Pan Jiaojiao, after her mind was stirred by Shen Jingxian’s words earlier, decided not to go back directly. Instead, she wandered the streets with her guards.

Initially disinterested, her mood shifted upon catching sight of a brilliant figure.

She thought she disliked this Princess.

“Which household does that young lady belong to, so beautiful!”

“I don’t know. I was about to ask, but her maid and guards nearby don’t seem easy to mess with.”

“Maid and guards? Doesn’t seem like it! Isn’t it a bit too much…”

“Haven’t heard of such a beauty in the Capital. Could she be from another place?”

“If she’s from elsewhere, isn’t that even better? Who doesn’t want to marry into the Capital?”

The young men’s words were mostly respectful, merely admiring Shen Jingxian’s beauty and slightly daydreaming about her possibly taking a fancy to them. Yet, for some reason, these words were unpleasant to Pan Jiaojiao.

Pan Jiaojiao bought a veil from a nearby stall and approached Shen Jingxian.

As she passed the daydreaming young men, Pan Jiaojiao sneered, “Toads trying to eat swan meat. Do they even think they deserve it?”

Pan Jiaojiao’s voice was loud, heard by those discussing young men.

They knew Pan Jiaojiao was mocking them, preparing to argue.

“You!”

“Ah, Brother Zhang, forget it. That’s the Commandery Princess, Prince Jing’s only daughter. Best not to provoke her…”

Hearing the silence behind her, Pan Jiaojiao scoffed.

As she reached Shen Jingxian, many continued to stealthily glance at the Princess.

Song Yan and Wen Ranchen also noticed, halting their argument.

About to lead Shen Jingxian away, Pan Jiaojiao suddenly appeared beside them, insistently helping Shen Jingxian put on the veil.

Song Yan: ?

Wen Ranchen: ?

Shen Jingxian: ?

What was happening?

As Shen Jingxian realized Pan Jiaojiao’s act of assistance, she became suspicious. They had clashed earlier; logically, this made no sense. A conspiracy?

Thinking of the revolutionary friendship between the Princess and Pan Jiaojiao in the original text, Shen Jingxian felt a complex tug on her emotions.

Pan Jiaojiao swiftly finished veiling Shen Jingxian. Facing her, she was momentarily lost for words.

Their earlier meeting hadn’t been pleasant.

While Pan Jiaojiao hesitated, something was suddenly thrust into her arms.

Glancing down, it was a rabbit lantern.

“Jiaojiao, this is a thank you gift.”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep