The Supporting Female Character Enters the Game, the Crazy Crown Prince Slowly Falls Deeply in Love - Chapter 54

In the original book, Jiang Mingji  did not send the young servant back with a message. The Jiang family, seeing Jiang Mingji delay his return, were extremely anxious. They not only sent people to wait at the palace gates but also stayed up all night at home.

Therefore, Jiang Ying did not leave the house on the night of the Mid-Autumn Festival and certainly did not meet Xiao Wuheng.

But today, because Jiang Yao  had reminded Jiang Mingji in advance, he specifically sent the servant back with a message, allowing Jiang Ying the opportunity to meet Xiao Wuheng. Everything seemed to be progressing in a positive direction.

“Your Highness, did you not attend the palace banquet today?” Jiang Yao asked tentatively.

Xiao Wuheng finally withdrew his gaze from Jiang Ying. Hearing the question, he chuckled lightly, his tone carrying a sense of detachment. “Such a boring banquet, I simply claimed illness and didn’t go.”

“It’s the same every year, nothing but false pretenses. It’s much more interesting to come out and walk around, to see the human world and its lively atmosphere.”

Jiang Ying listened nearby, a hint of surprise in her eyes. She whispered, “Didn’t you say… that you had angered His Majesty and were sent away, and had nowhere to go, so you…”

Oho!

Jiang Yao raised an eyebrow, looking at Xiao Wuheng. You little rascal. You discovered that her sister responds better to kindness than to force so quickly?

Xiao Wuheng was exposed by Jiang Ying’s words, yet he didn’t show any embarrassment, his smile only deepening. He lightly cleared his throat, deliberately lowering his voice, “Miss Jiang, if I hadn’t said that, how would you have been willing to come out tonight?”

Jiang Ying’s face immediately flushed with shyness. She complained, “…Improper.”

Xiao Wuheng’s smile grew wider when he saw her smile. He smoothly changed the subject, raising his hand to point at the lively crowd nearby. “Shall we go take a look over there?”

Jiang Yao had just consumed a large amount of public display of affection (PDA) and couldn’t help but chime in, “Great! Sister, let’s go check it out!” Knowing the plot had changed put her in an excellent mood.

Jiang Ying was rendered speechless by the two of them and could only nod in agreement.

The trio walked towards the hub of activity, where a crowd was gathered in front of a raised platform. The platform was adorned with colorful lanterns, and various riddle papers were tied beneath the lights.

On the platform, a middle-aged man in brocade clothes was loudly announcing, “Today, the Pavilion of Immortal Gathering is holding a lantern riddle contest! Those who correctly answer ten riddles will receive a jar of the Pavilion’s special fine wine; those who correctly answer twenty riddles will receive ten taels of gold; and if you can correctly answer all thirty riddles, you will also receive a VIP token for the Pavilion of Immortal Gathering!”

A burst of cheers immediately erupted from the crowd below. Some commoners rolled up their sleeves, eager to try.

Jiang Ying looked at the dazzling array of riddles on the platform, a hint of interest flashing in her eyes. She softly said, “These lantern riddles are quite interesting.”

Xiao Wuheng turned his head to look at her, his smile gentle. “If Miss Jiang is interested, why don’t we give it a try?”

Jiang Ying hesitated, whispering, “Will this… be too conspicuous?”

Seeing this, Jiang Yao smiled and released Jiang Ying’s arm. “Sister, you and His Highness go up. If you win first place, you must count me in on the credit.”

Jiang Ying became even more self-conscious from her words. She gently pushed Jiang Yao’s arm. “Stop talking nonsense! How can I leave you alone down here…”

“So what? Are you two going to enter the bridal chamber… Mmm mmm mmm?”

Before Jiang Yao could finish, Jiang Ying quickly covered her mouth, preventing her from continuing. She turned to Xiao Wuheng, her voice apologetic. “Your Highness, I’m so sorry. My sister is still young, hehe… just childish words…”

“No worries, no worries. Third Miss is just refreshingly honest.” Xiao Wuheng sounded casual, but a hint of pink on his earlobe betrayed him.

Jiang Yao was still “Mmm-ing” something with her mouth covered. Jiang Ying gave her a light glare but finally released her hand.

“Oh, hurry up and go! You’ll be too late to sign up otherwise!” Jiang Yao dragged Jiang Ying to the front of the platform, paid the registration fee for her.

“The registration fee is two taels of silver! You are really good at making money.”

The brocade-clothed man registering the participants looked up at Jiang Yao, a flash of surprise in his eyes. He immediately bowed respectfully. “Young Lady, are you entering the riddle contest?”

“I’m not entering. My sister and… him are,” Jiang Yao pushed Jiang Ying forward.

“Yes, I’m with him,” Jiang Ying pointed at Xiao Wuheng behind her.

The man quickly instructed someone to bring a brush, ink, paper, and an inkstone, and respectfully presented them. “Please, Young Lady and Young Master, take the stage.”

As the two stepped onto the platform, they instantly attracted the attention of the crowd below. Although Jiang Ying wore a veiled hat, her graceful demeanor was evident in her every movement, drawing the gaze of everyone below. She stood beside Xiao Wuheng. Though she remained silent, she naturally possessed an air of elegance.

The two of them truly looked well-matched, Jiang Yao thought, watching excitedly from below.

Just then, several pairs of eyes in the crowd fixed on Xiao Wuheng. The individuals were dressed plainly and were not conspicuous in the crowd. They exchanged glances, seemingly communicating silently, and then quietly slipped out of the crowd, disappearing into the bustling street.

At the same time, Xiao Wuheng, on the stage, seemed to sense something. His gaze flickered towards the direction where the few people had departed, but he quickly withdrew his attention.

“Your Highness, what is it?” Jiang Ying followed his gaze but saw nothing.

Xiao Wuheng curved his lips, his tone light. “Nothing, I’m just a little nervous.”

Nervous? A prince like him, nervous just from being on a stage?

Jiang Ying gave Xiao Wuheng a strange look but still tried her best to comfort him. “Your Highness needn’t be nervous. I’m here.” Her tone was gentle, and the concern in her eyes seemed genuine.

Xiao Wuheng What should I do if she misunderstood?

The riddle contest officially began. The brocade-clothed man held a scroll of riddles and loudly read out the first one: “‘One dot, one horizontal line long, one sweep to the foot of the mountain. A person is at the foot of the mountain, only one inch tall.’ Guess one character.”

The crowd below began to whisper and discuss among themselves. Jiang Ying lightly frowned. After a moment’s thought, she softly asked Xiao Wuheng, “Is the answer the character  (mansion/prefecture)?”

A flash of approval crossed Xiao Wuheng’s eyes. He nodded. “Exactly.”

The brocade-clothed man saw Jiang Ying write the correct answer and quickly smiled. “The young lady is indeed quick-witted! Next is the second riddle…”

It started raining softly overhead. Jiang Yao asked Chunlan to return to the Jiang manor for two umbrellas.

Xiao Wuheng and Jiang Ying cooperated seamlessly on the stage, answering more than a dozen riddles in a row, drawing continuous applause from the audience below.

Jiang Yao watched enthusiastically from below, completely unaware that she had been squeezed into a corner. As the difficulty of the riddles increased, the number of people on the stage gradually decreased, until only Jiang Ying and Xiao Wuheng, and a pair of siblings, remained.

The brocade-clothed man loudly read out the final riddle, “‘Moon hangs on the willow branch, people meet after twilight.’ Guess one character.”

The pair of siblings exchanged glances, their faces showing distress. Jiang Ying looked up, her eyes suddenly lighting up. She softly said to Xiao Wuheng, “It’s the character (friend).”

Xiao Wuheng nodded, picking up the brush to write the answer on the paper.

Just then, a hurried sound of horse hooves suddenly came from a distance. Immediately following, a squad of armored guards rushed into the crowd, splashing rain as they went, and loudly shouted, “By order, we are arresting the rebel! All non-essential personnel are to immediately clear the area!”

Jiang Ying’s heart sank. She instinctively looked towards where Jiang Yao had been standing.

Where was she!?