The Lantern Festival masks sold well, and they also bought some to join the fun, but they were all fierce beasts with fangs and tusks, symbolizing bravery. Yu Mingjing, however, was excessively cute.
Yu Mingjing had long anticipated that these people wouldn't let him off the hook, so he simply resigned himself to their mockery.
A true doting brother.
Yu Mingyue's eyes immediately fell on Xie Jiayan, and she gave a slight nod of acknowledgment.
He was sitting next to the Seventh Prince, indicating that the Seventh Prince held him in high regard.
The two seats beside the Seventh Prince had previously belonged to her brother and Gu Tingyun.
It seemed Xie Jiayan had already entered the circle of the capital's second-generation officials.
Those who could accompany the Seventh Prince were either capable individuals or were exceptionally doted upon by their families.
In short, they were all prominent figures in the capital.
It was understandable, though. Xie Jiayan's father was currently heavily relied upon by the Sage, so Xie Jiayan's status naturally rose accordingly.
Xiao Che's gaze landed on Yu Mingyue. She was thinner than on the day of the hunt and had grown taller, already possessing some of the graceful bearing of a young lady.
This was the best private room in the Five Flavors Pavilion. From the room, one could see the bustling street below, offering a different sensation from being amidst the throng.
From here, one could also see the scattered lights on the Luo River, and it seemed there was the sound of music.
Not only Yu Mingyue, but Gu Tingyun and the others also gazed towards the banks of the Luo River. In truth, they also wished to go boating on the water, but the area was mostly occupied by pleasure boats, and if they went, their legs might be broken.
Xiao Che suddenly beckoned to Yu Mingyue, "Yue'er, come here!"
Although Yu Mingyue disliked it, she dared not disobey and had no choice but to go over.
"Your Highness!"
"This is for you too!" Xiao Che handed the *mianxi* from his plate to Yu Mingyue.
Tonight was the Lantern Festival, and every household would make *mianxi*. They were made to resemble official seals.
Inside the *mianxi*, slips of paper would be placed, inscribed with phrases like official ranks or auspicious greetings. Eating a *mianxi* with a slip of paper inside symbolized good fortune.
The Five Flavors Pavilion had also prepared a *mianxi* for each guest today. It was said that one of the *mianxi* tonight contained a grand prize, a tradition the Five Flavors Pavilion upheld annually.
Yu Mingyue hesitated, not daring to accept. This was the Seventh Prince's *mianxi*; who would dare to eat it?
News of the Seventh Prince accompanying the Sage during the Grand Court Assembly had already spread throughout the capital.
Previously, princes at the Seventh Prince's age should have already been sent to their fiefdoms, or at the very least, have established their own residences outside the palace. Yet, the Seventh Prince still resided within the palace.
Although the Sage had not yet appointed a Crown Prince, he was already treating the Seventh Prince as his heir apparent.
"Take it!" Xiao Che said again with a smile.
She had seemed somewhat disappointed earlier for not getting a *mianxi* with a slip of paper. For some reason, seeing her frown made him feel a pang of reluctance.
Yu Mingyue saw her brother nod, and only then did she accept the Seventh Prince's plate, "This humble maiden thanks Your Highness for your favor."
Under everyone's expectant gaze, Yu Mingyue took a bite. Her cheeks puffed out as she chewed, looking exceptionally cute.
"Sixth Miss, is there a slip of paper inside?" one of them prompted.
Yu Mingyue had taken too small a bite earlier and hadn't reached it. She took another bite, and this time, the paper strip inside was revealed.
Although Yu Mingyue knew this had been prepared beforehand, she feigned surprise to save face for the Seventh Prince, "Your Highness, I found one."
Xiao Che watched Yu Mingyue with a smile in his eyes, "Open it and read it!"
Since Xiao Che intended to elevate her, Yu Mingyue could not refuse and read, "A year of abundance with plentiful millet and rice, a granary full to the brim, a hundred million measures reaching the final grain."
The crowd quickly chimed in, "A year of abundance with plentiful millet and rice, this is a great omen of auspiciousness, Heaven blesses Great Wei, and the Sage is wise."
Yu Mingyue, along with the crowd, congratulated the Seventh Prince: Heaven blesses Great Wei, and the Sage is wise.