She disliked showing vulnerability.  Composed, she went to her son’s courtyard, only to encounter Li Yanyong at the entrance.

“You shouldn’t have been so cold to Madam Ding last night. I told you to tell her about my past with your mother, to reassure her. Why didn’t you?”

Li Yanyong sat at a table, reviewing Li Hui’s schoolwork while sternly questioning him.  Li Hui showed no alarm, appearing puzzled. 

“What did I do wrong, Father? I don’t know why you’re angry.  But if you’re angry, I’ll accept my punishment; it’s filial piety.”

He acted respectfully, appearing sincere, yet subtly conveying that his father was unreasonable and neglecting his son. 

He was a master of feigned ignorance, making Li Yanyong look like a capricious man who had forgotten his firstborn son.

When Lin Zhaoxue arrived, Li Yanyong had stormed off, angered by his son.  He had hoped Lin Zhaoxue would reprimand Li Hui, who was stubborn and only listened to his mother. 

But Lin Zhaoxue, still angry, ignored him, walking past without a word.  Li Yanyong frowned, watching her cold back before giving up on conversation.  It was always like this.  Let her be; he didn’t have time to argue.

*

At dinnertime, Li Hui’s meal consisted entirely of vegetables.  Lin Zhaoxue initially thought he was being mistreated, but dismissed the idea.  He was too clever to allow himself to be mistreated.

She tried to persuade him, but he said, “You know I don’t change my mind easily. At least, not about eating meat.”

He continued, “Mother, you came to ask about Ding’s advantages over other eligible women when she married Father.  I think whoever married Father would be treated similarly. 

Your sudden death and his busy career meant he didn’t know about your illness.  Your death was a shock, causing a significant change in him.  He would change regardless of who married him.”

Lin Zhaoxue’s breathing quickened, “You mean he doesn’t like Ding Huanhua?”

A long silence followed.

“It’s hard to say,” her son replied hesitantly.

Lin Zhaoxue didn’t know what to say.  It was all natural, everyone’s choices, no malice involved.  Her grief turned to helplessness. 

Her son, with Li Yanyong’s amber eyes, calmly observed her despondency while practicing calligraphy.  His voice, clear and cool, reached her, “Mother, are you giving up so easily?”

He let her process her emotions.  He understood her.  After a while, Lin Zhaoxue turned to him.

“Since we’re unsure of his feelings,” she said seriously, “let’s win him back first, then I’ll ask him who he loves.”

*

Lin Zhaoxue focused on the Lantern Festival, a five-day holiday.  Li Yanyong, now a high official, had more leisure time. 

Their first meeting, when Lin Zhaoxue fell for Li Yanyong, wasn’t during a romantic celebration, but during the Lantern Festival. 

She planned to use the festival to evoke past memories, softening their strained relationship.

The snow stopped briefly.  She sat by the window, anxiously awaiting Yulan’s return with Li Yanyong’s response. 

The wait was agonizing.  She recalled the Lantern Festival seven years ago.  She was just a teenager, about to be married.  Her parents were anxious about her rebellious nature.

—

She often knelt in the ancestral hall as punishment.  As her wedding approached, her parents arranged a meeting with Li Yanyong to help him adjust to her personality. 

Lin Zhaoxue hadn’t met Li Yanyong and disliked the idea of him accompanying her.  But to attend the festival, she agreed.

Their carriages met at the festival.  Lin Zhaoxue, in red, saw a quiet and reserved man, almost androgynous in appearance. 

But his eyes were clear.  Most men exuded worldliness, while young noblemen were arrogant, mischievous, or focused on profit.  He wasn’t like that.

Lin Zhaoxue, curious, asked, “What’s wrong, young Master Li?  Why are you so glum?”  She chattered incessantly.

The young man, with the composure of an adult, replied, “I’d rather read than attend a lantern festival.”

Lin Zhaoxue realized his clarity stemmed from his lack of greed and his ambition.

At the festival, they weren’t exactly side-by-side.  Li Yanyong seemed to find her noisy, responding minimally.  But he silently followed her, observing like a tree.

Through their interactions, Lin Zhaoxue discovered he wasn’t as dull as he appeared, simply concise.  When she wanted to buy all the lanterns, her parents would lecture her. 

Li Yanyong stopped her with a single, direct, and practical sentence, making her ashamed.  He was pragmatic.

She was sensitive and dreamy, and they complemented each other.  Her curiosity grew into affection.

Lin Zhaoxue’s goal wasn’t just to buy lanterns, but to win the royal lantern, crafted by the Emperor and Empress, showcasing their love. 

It featured a jade rabbit design, coveted by all.  Only the winner of a riddle contest could obtain it.

Despite her parents’ efforts, they lost in the second-to-last round.  Lin Zhaoxue was disheartened.

Then, Li Yanyong unexpectedly spoke, “Don’t be sad. I’ll try.”

Lin Zhaoxue’s eyes lit up, not just for the lantern.  She was relieved, “You’re not as cold as you seem.”

Li Yanyong joined the crowd.  Lin Zhaoxue could only see his back.