Quick Transmigration: Saving The Crazy Villainess

Chapter 118: Jiang Ying Yue (25)

When the two had their talk about the news from the Ministry, both of them were in the study. Jiang Li was quite busy since he had to ready everything for departure tomorrow.

Jiang Li had already arranged some people to run the Chen Wang estate while he was away. He didn't plan to leave it in his mother's hands. While the woman was warm-hearted and truly always thinking of his future, she was not suitable to run a residence, especially not a large one like theirs.

In the Original's memories, the one truly in-charge of household affairs was his grandmother. Unfortunately, she already passed away five years ago. The registry and wealth of the whole Lu Clan were then transferred to his mother.

However, while Lady Lu was not completely incompetent, she had a bad hobby of giving positions to those she was close to, and this was without checking if they were capable or not. He didn't want the previous incident to happen again. Since his mother selecting useless people for important roles was the root cause, why would he let her be the sole authority of the estate?

The other things he settled were the stores and businesses belonging to the Lu Clan. This was his real forte so even though it took him a whole day and a half, when the general manager in charge of coordinating with all the other store and property managers witnessed his speed of checking and tallying the records, his mouth fell open. Then when he heard that Jiang Li even prepared new innovative business strategies to quadruple their profit in three months' time, his eyes went so wide, he began comparing Chen Wang to the renowned business genius of the empire, the first miss of the Sheng Clan.

"Your Highness, are you going to visit His Majesty before officially leaving for the south?" asked Xun He when he went out of his room.

Jiang Li flexed his neck to the side, his hands massaged his aching upper back. "Did I receive an invitation from the palace?"

"No."  

"Oh. Then I won't be going. Anyway, His Majesty is aware I will be leaving tomorrow." 

Looking at his boss who now had dark circles under his eyes, Mao Hong thought for a moment then said, "Your Highness, I can see that you've grown tired for working nonstop these past days. Why don't you go out for some time for relaxation? I heard that Miss Sheng is holding a lantern event where people could light lanterns holding candles inside them and release them to float in the river. Your Highness should see it. I think the sight this evening by the riverbank would be very spectacular!"

"A lantern event, huh?" Jiang Li's face was sour initially, remembering that it would be where the heroine would try to raise favorability with him. However, since it was true the scene should be quite breathtaking, it would be a pity to not watch it. This was why after thinking about it more thoroughly, he decided to say yes to Mao Hong's suggestion. 

...

"Wear it to hide your face once you become uncomfortable showing your appearance around." After tossing a veil to Jiang Ying Yue, he motioned her to get inside his palanquin.

"Where are we going, Your Highness?" asked the girl who fumbled with the item and almost didn't manage to catch it. Urged by her maids, she followed Chen Wang inside a sophisticatedly designed litter, suppressing the nervousness she was feeling for being in the same space with the man again.

Jiang Li simply answered, "Riverbank."

The girl repeatedly corrected her sitting posture on her seat. From the moment she stepped into the spacious palanquin, she did her best not to look at his direction, especially his face. Her hands too were busy fixing the veil in place.

"Your Highness. May I know what we are going to do there?" After a while, she asked with her head lowered hand and hands placed down on her lap. She looked so meek and delicate. The girl, though, had barely rested after getting back from the witch's home. She was not tired, like usual, but her face was a bit ash-white, blood not coursing properly in her face yet.

On the other hand, Jiang Li was quite exhausted, so after telling her, 'You'll know in a bit', elbows against his thighs, he supported his chin with one hand and closed his eyes. This would be his first rest after working for more than thirty-six hours.

Jiang Ying Yue at first didn't know that he was already taking a nap, her fault since she was stubbornly keeping her eyes away from his direction for almost half an hour. Only when she realized he was too quiet and barely moving did she sneak a peek at him. 

Not long after and her eyes widened. Chen Wang just went to sleep like that?

'... How dare this prince sleep just like this in the presence of someone he doesn't really know? Or is he just confident I won't poison him or attack him?' She complained in her heart. However, deep inside her she relaxed and was no longer feeling nervous. In fact, without her realizing, she started to watch the man sleep and would giggle every time his face slips from his palm.

More or less an hour since the ride, Jiang Li woke up. They finally arrived. And the moment they stepped down the palanquin, they immediately saw a very moving scene.

A starry night sky, ribbons, and paper lanterns floating up or swaying in the air, some emitting soft orange-yellow candlelight flickering on the tranquil water surface... The many people scattered in the riverbank and the arched bridge. The laughter and smiles on their faces became the finishing touch of this moving picture.

"Wow..." Jiang Ying Yue couldn't help but exclaim as she watched the red box-shaped paper lanterns floating down the flowing water, the breath-taking glow they give off was reflected by her eyes not hidden by the thin gauze veil.

Next to her, Jiang Li had also briefly shown a moved expression. Despite this though, his hands never stopped fixing his attire and the bamboo-weaved hat on his head. He pulled down his hat so his face wouldn't show much.

The two of them walked the rows of stalls at both sides of the bridge for a while and checked the items being sold there. Most were lanterns, of course, some souvenirs or hair decorations, the other food stalls selling piping hot snacks.

"How much for a dozen?" Jiang Li bent down and asked a child aged eleven or twelve selling lanterns. The boy shyly said the price and Jiang Li readily had Mao Hong pay him.

"You light them all up for me." He suddenly said to the girl.

Jiang Ying Yue was surprised for a while, but then after she glanced back to the people having fun by the riverside, excitement emerged from her eyes. She also wanted to be by the riverside. She couldn't wait to join them!

Nodding repeatedly, the girl cheerfully answered, "Leave it to me, Your Highness."

His eyes followed her figure as she walked towards the river. A kind commoner lady helped her light her lanterns while she released them one by one. Joy was in her face as she looked at those she belonging to her race with the other ones released by those next to her. She laughed like a child. In her heart, a foolish desire quietly have blossomed. A desire for that beautiful night to never end.

"Want more?" After she set free the last lantern, the prince's amused voice rang behind her. Jiang Ying Yue turned her head his way and happily nodded.

The man chuckled before ordering his faithful guard to buy more lanterns, and some snacks while at it. Afterward, he returned his attention to the girl.

While he stood next to her, Jiang Ying Yue remained sitting next to the water hugging her knees, watching how far the spark she caused would go. There was a fascination in her face. A part of her was wishing for her to be like that fire. She wanted to be as dazzling and memorable as it was. Even if it meant a shorter lifespan, she desired to have a wonderful purpose in existing and live a beautiful life.

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