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Xun Qingqing brought Jun Wuxian to the place where people were lighting lanterns. There were professionals here to assist with the lighting, and the cost was discretionary; wealthy individuals might give more, and one could earn a substantial amount in a day.

There were many people releasing lanterns; Xun Qingqing and Jun Wuxian queued together and soon it was their turn.

After lighting two lanterns, Jun Wuxian generously tipped with pieces of silver.

The lantern lighter, seeing the silver, broke into a wide smile, repeatedly showering them with compliments.

"The young master is dashing and elegant; the young lady is as beautiful as a flower. A match of talent and beauty; may you have many sons and blessings."

Indeed, everyone loves to hear kind words; Xun Qingqing was pleased to hear them, but as she remembered her disfiguration, her smile faded.

Reaching the riverside, Xun Qingqing bent down to carefully place her lantern in the water then gently manipulated the currents to help it follow the flow of the river.

In truth, she was quite greedy, wanting everything.

She wanted her family to be healthy and live long lives.

She wanted Jun Wuxian to find his sister quickly and stop the exhausting search.

She wanted to restore her former appearance.

And she wanted...

Jun Wuxian squatted beside Xun Qingqing, placing his lantern into the river, watching as it slowly caught up to Xun Qingqing’s lantern.

He looked at Xun Qingqing, who, veiled and in the dim lamplight, made it hard to see her expression.

"I heard from your brother that you’ve tasted strawberries and that it was in the Imperial Palace. Is that true?"

Upon hearing this, Xun Qingqing looked up at Jun Wuxian with a smile and nodded, "Of course it’s true. They are strawberries grown by the Crown Princess, and they taste especially good. I get to eat a lot every year."

As she spoke, she began to miss the Crown Princess and the babies again, as the Crown Princess went out to search for the Crown Prince and had yet to return.

Jun Wuxian continued to inquire, "You’re saying the strawberries were planted by Shen Chuwei?"

"Mhm, Daxia doesn’t have this fruit, and the palace didn’t either, only the Crown Princess’s Xiyun Pavilion has strawberries."

After finishing, Xun Qingqing asked with curiosity, "Why do you ask this?"

"Not just Daxia, but the neighboring countries don’t have strawberries either.

Yet Xiaojiu knew about them," Jun Wuxian said while flicking his folding fan, thinking of Shen Chuwei and suddenly feeling that the coincidences were too many.

But if Shen Chuwei was Xiaojiu, how could she belong to the Shen Family?

"Do you suspect the Crown Princess might be your sister? I don’t think that’s likely though; she was brought back from the countryside by the Shen Family.

But the Crown Princess is amazing, many of the foods were ones I’ve never seen before, and the booklets she showed me contain a lot of novel knowledge," said Xun Qingqing, feeling a sense of loss as she couldn’t see those booklets anymore after leaving the palace.

Jun Wuxian said, "I did suspect, but there’s been no evidence to prove she is Xiaojiu."

Xun Qingqing comforted, "Don’t worry, you will surely find her."

Jun Wuxian chuckled, "Let’s go. Since we’re here in Daxia during the Double Seventh Festival, we should go out and enjoy the festivities."

Xun Qingqing promptly concurred, "Sure."

Not far behind them, Cai Xia was beside herself with excitement, "Miss has been down lately, but now that Master Jun is here, she’s finally come back to life."

Chu Zhao sighed, "Does your miss like my master?"

Cai Xia turned to look at Chu Zhao, "What’s wrong? Can’t she like him?"

Chu Zhao, perplexed, asked, "Then why did Miss Xun show no reaction when my master said he wanted to marry her?"

Cai Xia replied, "Didn’t you see my miss smile? How can you say she had no reaction?"

Chu Zhao thought to himself, "That counts as a reaction?"

Meanwhile, in the Imperial Palace

Susu had been eager to find mommy these past few days, and the Emperor felt pained seeing this. Considering that today was the Double Seventh Festival, and the Capital’s Longest Street would undoubtedly be bustling with activity.

When he was the Crown Prince, he’d taken the Empress out for some fun. So many years had passed, and he hadn’t taken the Empress out since.

So tonight, the Emperor ordered to have Susu and Taotao brought to the Fengyi Palace.

Originally, the Emperor only intended to take Susu, but it was Eunuch Li who reminded him about the Grand Imperial Son, and so he decided to take both children with him.

"Empress, change your clothes, we’re going out of the palace for a walk," said the Emperor.

Upon hearing this, the Empress watched the dog Emperor undressing for his usual attire, still finding it somewhat unbelievable.

"Your Majesty has such free time today to take your concubine out for a stroll?" the Empress asked.

"Today is the Double Seventh Festival. In these years consumed with state affairs, I haven’t taken you out for fun. It’s not too busy today, so let’s go out and wander," explained the Emperor, urging, "The Empress should also change quickly; Susu and Taotao will be here soon."

Seeing the dog Emperor was serious, the Empress wasted no time and started changing.

Anyone would get stuffy staying in the palace too long; the chance to go out during the Double Seventh Festival was naturally a happy occasion.