His calm voice said, “I was just worried that if you were upset, your parents would blame me.”

The fifteen-year-old Li Yanyong had defeated many rivals to reach the final round of the riddle contest. 

Confident and elegant in his white robe, his eyes held a hint of anticipation.  Several girls blushed under the lantern light.

But he was still young.  The winner, a twenty-year-old man in black, was taller and more imposing.  He confidently received his prize, the royal lantern. 

The crowd surrounded the winner, leaving Li Yanyong standing alone.

Lin Zhaoxue ignored the winner, going to Li Yanyong and patting his shoulder. “You were amazing!”

Li Yanyong shook his head, “I need to work harder. It’s not enough.”  His quickened pace betrayed his words.

It was time to go home, but Lin Zhaoxue, thinking he was disheartened, didn’t notice.  She watched as he entered his carriage, the light illuminating the interior. 

She admired his abilities but wondered why he was always dissatisfied. 

She realized how capable her future husband was.  But she wasn’t the type to fall in love at first sight.  Her admiration was genuine, nothing more.

Lin Zhaoxue and her maid were engrossed in the festival and returned late.  Expecting punishment, she was surprised to receive a note from Li Yanyong, saying he had lingered, taking responsibility for their lateness. 

He wrote, “It wasn’t intentional.  I’m a man; I’m tougher. You don’t need to kneel.”  He was only a year older than her.

This was the first time someone had taken responsibility for her.  Her parents, while loving, weren’t indulgent, and she always had to accept punishment.  Other young men always tried to avoid responsibility. 

His actions were what she had always wanted.  She fell for him that day—his silent companionship, his willingness to take the blame.  She believed his tolerance stemmed from affection.

“Miss, Master Li agreed,” Yulan said, interrupting Lin Zhaoxue’s reverie.

Lin Zhaoxue sprang up and chose jewelry and a red dress, excited.  She planned to make up for Li Yanyong’s lost opportunity to win the lantern and use the festive atmosphere to mend their relationship.

At the lantern festival, Lin Zhaoxue, exquisitely dressed, waited anxiously for Li Yanyong.  She arrived early, fearing any mishap. 

After a while, she saw his carriage.  Li Yanyong got out, dressed in red.  Lin Zhaoxue’s heart leaped, but then a woman emerged from the carriage, her hand on Li Yanyong’s arm.  It was Ding Huanhua.

Li Yanyong had accepted Lin Zhaoxue’s invitation for a private conversation.  As he prepared to leave, Ding Huanhua, who had been leaning against the doorframe, asked, “Husband… where are you going?”  Her eyes held fear.

Li Yanyong patiently explained, “I have a date with her.”  They both knew “her” meant Lin Zhaoxue.

Ding Huanhua asked, “The Lantern Festival?”  Li Yanyong nodded.  They fell silent.  Li Yanyong noticed Ding Huanhua’s distress and stopped.  Her voice trembled, “Can I come along?”

Li Yanyong, seeing her vulnerability, recalled Lin Zhaoxue’s frail appearance before her death.  He readily agreed.  It would reassure Huanhua.

The lantern market was bright.  But Lin Zhaoxue only felt sadness. 

She watched Li Yanyong and Ding Huanhua approach, looking like a perfect couple, highlighting her loneliness.  Lin Zhaoxue, dressed in vibrant red, felt her beautiful attire now weighed her down.

Li Yanyong noticed Lin Zhaoxue staring at Ding Huanhua.  He subtly moved Ding Huanhua behind him, calmly saying, “Don’t look at her like that.”

Lin Zhaoxue’s anger flared, “I only invited you. Why am I angry?”

Li Yanyong defended Ding Huanhua, “She didn’t mean to come.  She would be alone at home; I couldn’t bear it.”

Lin Zhaoxue retorted sarcastically, “You mean I’m deliberately excluding her?”

Li Yanyong frowned, exasperated, “Where did you get that idea?”

Lin Zhaoxue took a deep breath, realizing she couldn’t argue, especially in front of Ding Huanhua.  “The festival is starting,” she said, walking ahead.

She thought the festival would improve things, that Li Yanyong would be like he was in their youth.  But times had changed. 

She gradually realized she didn’t fit in with them.  Her pace slowed, while Ding Huanhua and Li Yanyong walked side-by-side, close together. 

Lin Zhaoxue realized Li Yanyong could walk side-by-side with a woman.  But in the past, he had always kept a distance.

Suddenly, Lin Zhaoxue understood.  Li Yanyong and Ding Huanhua were close, sharing the view. 

But during the Lantern Festival when she fell for him, he had simply followed behind her, keeping his distance.  She had interpreted his silent following as affection.