Chapter 5: Shangyuan (5)

“Actually, only while alive does one have the chance to do what they want!”
Had she wronged him? Was he merely holding back temporarily? After Prince Li Hen left, the young man kept pondering these words.
No, this couldn’t be a reason for him to abandon her, nor a reason for him to sacrifice himself!
Of course, he wanted to leave Chang’an as soon as possible—ever since he learned that Yang Zhao intended to kill him, he had wanted to leave! But that didn’t mean he would make some kind of deal with Li Hen. Could he really just become a pawn in the hands of those in power, discarded after use?
He was unwilling to accept it; he refused to let his fate be controlled by those in power!
Li Linfu had fallen, and Yang Zhao had become the second Li Linfu. Even the weakest of them all, Prince Li Hen, wanted to extract as much value from him as possible.
What could he rely on?
The Emperor?
Ever since rumors of his affair with the Imperial Concubine spread, he could clearly sense the Emperor’s hostility. Wasn’t the Concubine being sent back to her home the best proof of that? Although the Emperor eventually brought her back to the palace, that only meant he had forgiven and trusted her—not that he trusted him as well!
At these thoughts, Li Kuo suddenly felt sweat break out on his forehead and his back turn icy cold. It seemed from now on, he couldn’t afford to make any more mistakes. Even ordinary mistakes might be escalated in the Emperor’s eyes into unforgivable crimes!
“Qilang, Xiao Qi, you stupid bastard! ~~~” Du Jingtian called out to Li Kuo several times without waking him, and she grew furious.
“Ah, ah.”
Li Kuo snapped out of his thoughts and smiled apologetically at Du Jingtian. Today was supposed to be a day to go out and enjoy the lanterns with the two girls, but unfortunately, he ran into the prince. The prince’s appearance completely stirred up his fear, pulling him back to reality. The situation was even more dangerous for him now—one wrong step could send him plunging into an abyss.
“Ah Tiantian, you and Liniang go back to the mansion first. I want to walk alone.”
Unwilling to let his emotions affect them, Li Kuo had no choice but to make this decision.
“Hey, what’s wrong with you? You talked to that strange man for so long just now, and then you stood there in a daze for ages. Today is Shangyuan Festival—Liniang and I finally got a chance to go out at night. Why are you so boring? Who is that man? What’s your relationship with him? Why do you seem so scared of him?”
With just one sentence, Li Kuo prompted Miss Du to talk nonstop, leaving him utterly exasperated.

“Sister Jingtian, the young master must have his difficulties. Let’s go back to the mansion first.”
Shen Liniang was understanding and stepped forward to persuade Du Jingtian.
“It was him who promised us. Why does he go back on his word now? I haven’t had enough fun yet. I heard there are even brighter lighthouses and all kinds of snacks on North Street. I don’t want to go home—I want to go back with you!”
Miss Du wasn’t easy to persuade; she stubbornly turned her head away.
“Ah Tian, listen to me.”
Li Kuo stepped in front of Du Jingtian and said, “Go back to the mansion first. I’ll bring you your favorite mask when I get back.”
“Really?”
Miss Du’s face lit up with joy at once.
“A word spoken cannot be taken back!”
Li Kuo nodded slightly in agreement.
“Alright, then let’s go back to the mansion!”
With that, Du Jingtian grabbed Shen Liniang’s arm and ran southward.
This child!
Li Kuo shook his head with a wry smile, watching the two girls disappear into the darkness.
Finally, he had some time for himself. To be honest, ever since he returned to Chang’an City, he had been busy planning with Yang Zhao to bring down Li Linfu, with no time to spare.
Take a break?
The second half of the Lantern Festival was noticeably quieter.
A breeze brushed against his cheeks, carrying the unique coldness of winter, without any harshness.
Walking alone on Zhuque Street, Li Kuo let the lantern light illuminate him as he reflected on the past six months. One scene after another flashed through his mind—Gao Xiuyan, Li Linfu, Yang Zhao, Li Heng, and those unseen figures, taking turns on stage, creating a fascinating spectacle.
And he seemed to be just a pawn, a thread connecting them all.
Gradually, the effects of the fruit wine began to set in; his forehead felt dizzy, and his vision blurred slightly.
If he didn’t want to be a pawn, he had to become stronger! Perhaps that was why so many people strived to climb higher!
Looking up, he saw a stall selling masks.
He really stumbled upon it!
With a wry smile, Li Kuo walked over to choose a mask for Du Jingtian.
The advantage of the Lantern Festival was that it gave everyone a chance to show their true selves. So why did so many people still buy masks?
Were they afraid of others seeing them, hiding their fragile hearts behind a strong exterior?
“Shopkeeper, how much is this Monkey King mask?”
Li Kuo picked up a bright red peachwood mask of a spiritual monkey and asked the shopkeeper.

“You really have excellent eyes, sir. This mask is the best-seller in my shop. I bought fifty of them, and forty-nine were sold already tonight. To be honest, the one you’re holding is the last one left!”
The mask seller was a thin man. Seeing that Li Kuo wanted to buy the mask, he began to praise its advantages. It seemed that if you didn’t buy his masks during the Lantern Festival, you’d regret it for life.
“How much is this mask?”
Li Kuo shook his head and asked again.
“Oh, you’re such a generous customer! I originally planned to charge you fifty coins, but since you’re so quick to agree, fine, I’ll sell it to you for forty coins.”
The thin man waved at Li Kuo with a smile, as if the young man had given him a huge discount.
“Boss, fifty coins—I’ll take this mask!”
A soft voice came from behind the young man. Before Li Kuo could react, the mask was snatched away.
“It’s mine now!”
By the time the young man turned around, the mask was already on his face.
With his actions, he put the shopkeeper in a difficult situation as well. After all, it was Li Kuo who first took an interest in this Monkey King mask. If that other person stole it, wouldn’t he be drowned in the spit from the other customers? There was no reason for him to risk his reputation over just ten coins.
“Sir, I was the first to see this mask. Please give it back to me,” Li Kuo said, extending his hand with a smile.