The shopkeeper leaned forward, his hands politely clasped.
> "Young lady, you have a great eye. This hairpin is handmade—delicate work like this is rare. It would look so beautiful on you."
I smiled, about to reach into my sleeve for coins—until a calm voice from behind interrupted.
> "Miss… this piece is broken."
I turned, startled. A young man stood behind me, dressed simply yet tastefully. He held the hairpin gently between his fingers, tilting it so I could see the faint crack near the base.
> "Huh? Oh—yes, you're right." I narrowed my eyes at the shopkeeper. "Are you selling broken things to customers?"
The shopkeeper stammered, visibly embarrassed.
> "M-maybe there's been a mix-up… I-I'm terribly sorry, young lady."
I sighed, placing the hairpin back on the tray.
> "It's fine. But I'm not buying anything here. Thank you…"
As I turned to go, the man beside me stepped forward with a respectful smile.
> "My apologies for stepping in. I'm Huang Ming."
The name rang vaguely familiar.
> "Ohh… I feel like I've heard your name before," I said, curious.
He chuckled softly.
> "Maybe you know the Huang family—we run the royal tailoring house."
> "Ah, of course," I nodded, the memory clicking into place. "You're the older son, right?"
> "Yes. But no need for titles—just call me Mingkai," he replied, offering a friendly smile. "And you are…?"
> "Xiaofeng. Princess Xiaofeng." I gave him a nod, lips curving with amusement.
His eyes widened in shock.
> "Princess!? I—I mean, it's an honor to meet you." He bowed slightly, a mix of charm and awe on his face.
> "You're sweet," I said with a laugh. "Nice to meet you too, Mingkai."
Just then, a voice cut in—familiar and unmistakably teasing.
> "Hey. I bought your sweets… Who is he?"
I turned to see Lóngzi approaching with two boxes of candied lotus cakes, his gaze narrowing ever so slightly at Mingkai.
I gestured with a smile.
> "This is Huang Ming, son of the Huang family."
Mingkai gave a polite nod.
> "Greetings. I'm Huang Ming."
Lóngzi's lips curved in a slow smile, but his hand found mine—firm, casual, unmistakably claiming.
> "Bai Long. Crown Prince of Longshan. And this beautiful lady beside you is my fiancée."
Mingkai's brows lifted, clearly surprised.
> "Ohh, I must be quite lucky to meet both a princess and a crown prince today," he said, bowing again. "I'll take my leave now."
> "Hmm," Lóngzi said coolly, and Mingkai disappeared into the crowd.
I turned to Lóngzi, arms crossed, a playful smirk tugging at my lips.
> "What was that? Are you getting jealous?"
He raised a brow, voice low and confident.
> "Of course not. I know you're mine."
I laughed, shaking my head at him when—
> "Fengjie! What are you doing here?"
We turned to see Xiao xiao skipping toward us with a mischievous glint in her eyes.
> "Ohh! Greetings, Prince Lóngzi," she added sweetly, clearly holding back a smirk.
Lóngzi narrowed his eyes.
> "Not Crown Prince anymore?"
he grinned.
> "I'm just preparing to call you brother-in-law after the wedding."
A rare, wide smile spread across Lóngzi's face.
> "That's my favorite name so far."
Xiao xiao leaned in dramatically, clasping her hands.
> "So, my future brother-in-law, can I join you two?"
Before Lóngzi could respond, I nodded.
> "Of course."
But Xiao xiao gave me a look.
> "You're my sister, not my brother-in-law. Why are you replying?"
Lóngzi let out a low laugh, eyes gleaming.
> "Okay, okay, you can join us."
Xiao xiao squinted at him, half-pouting, half-teasing.
> "You talk too much. I feel like slapping you."
Lóngzi held his hands up in surrender, smiling.
> "Forgive me, my beautiful sister."
Xiao xiao tried to hold a stern face—but the corner of her mouth twitched, and a small, reluctant smile broke through.
The three of us continued down the lantern-lit path, laughter echoing into the warm summer night, our shadows long beneath the red glow. For a fleeting moment, it felt like the world had forgotten its politics and expectations—and we were simply... happy.