Chapter 50: Assassination at the Lantern Festival

Just like the last time they went out to admire the flowers, when Shen Yuling arrived at the gate of the Residence of Prince Lingyang, Feng Moheng and Liu Jingyi were already waiting at the entrance.

This time, Liu Jingyi and Feng Moheng appeared even closer than before.

Even their clothing styles were quite similar.

From a distance, they truly resembled a pair of perfect matches.

A few days ago, Liu Jingyi had been ill and had employed a strategy that evoked sympathy.

Feng Moheng, feeling pity for her, had allowed her to go out and enjoy herself.

As Shen Yuling approached, Feng Moheng’s gaze fell upon her.

He instinctively wanted to retract the hand that was holding Liu Jingyi’s, but felt it inappropriate.

His expression became slightly awkward.

During the last outing to admire the flowers, he hadn’t cared about Shen Yuling’s feelings.

But now, after repeatedly telling Shen Yuling how much he liked her and declaring her his wife, how could he continue holding hands with another woman?

What would Yuling think?

Would she feel jealousy like Liu Jingyi?

As Shen Yuling drew closer, her eyes swept over their matching outfits and the hands they were holding.

She lowered her lashes, her face clearly showing disappointment.

Feng Moheng frowned.

He pressed his lips together, feeling increasingly uncomfortable, even wanting to shake off Liu Jingyi’s hand.

But Liu Jingyi felt triumphant inside.

Shen Yuling, since you are now the later arrival in Feng Moheng’s life, you must accept this outcome.

I simply want to be the protagonist of this world.

The three of them strolled down the bustling street in this strange atmosphere.

During this outing, Shen Yuling distinctly noticed that the number of guards accompanying them had increased significantly.

Surrounding them were guards in plain clothes, discreetly following on either side, constantly alert to their surroundings.

Since the assassination attempt at the cliff, Feng Moheng had become more cautious, strengthening his personal protection.

Soon, they arrived at the liveliest part of the street.

The bright moon hung high in the sky, casting a cool glow.

The annual Lantern Festival in Qianjing was in full swing.

One lantern after another hung beneath the eaves of buildings, swaying gently in the breeze as if vying for brilliance with the moon, while others were held by pedestrians, creating a flowing river of stars with each step.

The styles of the lanterns were incredibly varied; some were exquisitely crafted rabbit lanterns, while others were imposing qilin lanterns.

The gentle breeze swayed the lanterns, casting intertwining shadows, creating a dreamlike scene.

Feng Moheng and Liu Jingyi held hands the entire time.

Their matching outfits appeared even more harmonious under the lantern light, resembling a true couple.

Meanwhile, Shen Yuling stood to the side, feeling like an extra.

Feng Moheng and Liu Jingyi walked side by side, their actions intimate, exuding a sense of deep affection.

“Moheng, look at this lantern; it’s so beautiful! Buy one for me, and then we can release lanterns by the lake later, okay?”

Liu Jingyi gently tugged at Feng Moheng’s arm, speaking in a spoiled tone.

“Okay.”

Feng Moheng indulgently agreed and went to buy the lantern.

Once Liu Jingyi received the lantern, she happily examined it before handing it to a nearby servant to hold.

Seemingly unintentionally, she suddenly spotted Shen Yuling, who was standing apart.

“Moheng, buy one for sister too! I think that one with the begonia design is really nice.”

Liu Jingyi pointed at a beautifully crafted lantern.

Feng Moheng turned to Shen Yuling upon hearing this.

“Do you like that one?”

Shen Yuling gently shook her head.

“No need, husband. My mother grew up in Qianjing and loved lanterns very much.”

“Every year, my father would personally make lanterns for my mother.”

“She once said that no matter how exquisite the lanterns sold outside are, they can’t compare to the heartfelt intentions of those made by a loved one. So, I’m not interested in lanterns made by others.”

Liu Jingyi’s smile momentarily stiffened, and a trace of barely perceptible displeasure flashed in her eyes.

Feng Moheng, however, took Shen Yuling’s words to heart.

Seeing that she genuinely didn’t like it, he no longer insisted.

Liu Jingyi, unwilling for Feng Moheng’s attention to linger on Shen Yuling, took his hand again and continued walking forward.

Yet, as they walked, Feng Moheng still couldn’t help but occasionally glance at Shen Yuling.

Noticing her increasingly obvious expression of disappointment stirred a twinge of heartache within him.

But…

Deep down, he also felt a subtle enjoyment, just as he enjoyed Liu Jingyi’s jealousy.

Sometimes, Feng Moheng scolded himself for his odd feelings, but they were indeed his true emotions.

With two deeply loving women by his side, it was a scenario he had never dared to imagine in the past.

It seemed as if fate had granted him everything he desired.

Even double the affection.

He felt no regrets in this life.

The three of them continued to stroll.

Before long, Liu Jingyi cheerfully began to lead Feng Moheng away from the bustling street toward the lake where they would release lanterns.

Shen Yuling, with empty hands and no lantern, looked up at Feng Moheng.

“Husband, you all go ahead and release the lanterns; I want to browse the clothing shop nearby.”

Feng Moheng frowned.

As a delicate woman wandering alone in such a crowded place, she might encounter dangers.

Liu Jingyi quickly interjected with a smile, “Moheng, sister isn’t interested in lanterns, so let her go browse the clothes; it’s no problem.”

“We can send a few guards to accompany her, that way she’ll be safe.”

Feng Moheng pondered briefly, agreeing that Liu Jingyi had a point, and nodded.

Shen Yuling turned and walked toward the clothing shop.

Liu Jingyi, seizing the opportunity, linked her arm with Feng Moheng’s, leading him toward the lake.

As Shen Yuling moved through the bustling crowd alone, she didn’t get far before the guards who had accompanied her suddenly vanished without a trace.

Shen Yuling couldn’t help but hum softly.

She smirked inwardly.

Hmph, those guards must be Liu Jingyi’s people.

But this was fine; if those guards had been following her, she wouldn’t be able to execute her subsequent plans.

With that thought, Shen Yuling smiled slyly.

She kept walking toward her intended destination.

Soon, she entered a relatively secluded alley.

The assassins who had been following Shen Yuling, seeing that their target had unwittingly walked herself into a dead end, suddenly became arrogant.

“Princess Consort, stop struggling; today is your day to die.”

The masked assassin spoke with a tone of arrogance.

Shen Yuling raised an eyebrow.

A fierce glint flashed in her eyes.

She coldly commanded, “Silence them all.”

“Yes, ma’am!”

The Shen family soldiers, who had appeared from nowhere, replied in unison.

These were battle-hardened soldiers who had followed the Emperor, fighting alongside General Shen on the battlefield, exuding an overwhelming aura of experience.

Once that aura was released, the assassins felt a twinge of unease.

An inexplicable chill crept into their hearts.

The Princess Consort was clearly well-prepared!

Without hesitation, the Shen family soldiers charged at the group of assassins.

In an instant, a fierce battle erupted.

The number of assassins rapidly dwindled under the assault of the Shen family soldiers.

Seeing the situation deteriorating, the remaining assassins prepared to scatter and flee.

But there was no way to escape now.

The paths they had come through had long been blocked by the Shen family soldiers, leaving them with no way out.

Shen Yuling stood quietly to the side, her expression cold.

She calmly watched as the Shen family soldiers systematically eliminated all the assassins.

Facing such a brutal scene, she seemed utterly unfazed, her face still composed.

If the modern Shen Yuling had witnessed such a scene, she would not have been so calm.

But after spending sixteen years in this unstable dynasty, especially in the northwestern border regions, she had grown accustomed to it.

Once the Shen family soldiers had cleared away all the bodies of the assassins, Shen Yuling finally began to leisurely make preparations for what came next.