The Lantern Festival was in full swing, and Feng Qingqing found herself surprisingly at ease. The soft glow of the lanterns illuminated the festival grounds, casting a warm, golden hue over the bustling streets. Next to her, Tian Weilong strolled with a relaxed gait, his usual aloof demeanor replaced with a rare smile. Feng Qingqing, holding a delicate paper lantern painted with peach blossoms, occasionally glanced his way, still adjusting to the idea of his unguarded presence.
"Would you like to try the ring toss?" he asked, gesturing toward a nearby stall where brightly colored prizes hung on display. A group of children cheered as one boy successfully landed a ring around a wooden peg, earning himself a small jade pendant.
Feng Qingqing nodded, her curiosity piqued. "I've never been very good at games like this, but it looks fun."
Tian Weilong chuckled. "It's about the spirit of the game, not winning. Come on, I'll show you."
At the stall, the vendor handed them a set of rings. The Crown Prince's first throw was confident but missed by a wide margin. Feng Qingqing stifled a giggle as he sighed in mock defeat. "Your turn," he said, stepping aside.
Feng Qingqing took a deep breath, squinting at her target. Her first ring wobbled in the air before landing clumsily on the ground, far from any peg. She groaned, but Tian Weilong smiled. "A good attempt," he said. "Try aiming a bit higher next time."
She tried again, and to her surprise, the ring landed neatly around a peg. "I did it!" she exclaimed, clapping her hands together in delight.
"Well done," Tian Weilong said, his expression softening as he watched her celebrate. He handed her a small trinket she'd won: a carved wooden bird painted in vibrant hues. "A prize for the victor."
Before she could respond, a commotion from the crowd caught their attention. Three of the guards assigned to Feng Ruyi approached, their faces pale and glistening with sweat.
"Your Highness, Miss Feng," one of the guards began, bowing deeply. "We…we have a situation."
Feng Qingqing's heart sank, quickly noticing the absence of her sister. "What is it? Where is my sister?" she asked sharply.
The guard hesitated, glancing nervously at the Crown Prince. "We… we've lost her, Miss Feng. We've searched everywhere, but she's gone."
The color drained from Feng Qingqing's face. "Gone? What do you mean, gone?" Her voice trembled, but her tone was firm. "How could you lose her? She was under your protection!"
The guards exchanged uneasy looks, clearly ashamed. "The festival was crowded, and she moved quickly from stall to stall. We tried to keep up, but…"
Feng Qingqing's chest tightened. Her earlier thoughts of Feng Ruyi's boldness and independence now felt like a curse. Feng Ruyi was clever and resourceful, but this was different. Something felt wrong.
When they had first met after her transmigration, Feng Qingqing had been wary of her older sister. The memories of the original Feng Qingqing painted Feng Ruyi as conniving, spoiled, and quick to manipulate others. But as the weeks turned into months, the layers of Feng Ruyi's personality had unfolded before her. The mischief, the audacity—it was all tempered by a kindness that couldn't be feigned. Slowly, Feng Qingqing found herself trusting her sister, even admiring her in quiet moments. Now, the thought of something happening to Feng Ruyi was enough to send a chill down her spine.
"We have to find her," she said, turning to the Crown Prince. "Please, Your Highness, can you help me?"
The Crown Prince's expression turned serious, all traces of their earlier lightheartedness vanishing. "Of course. We'll find her."
The Prime Minister's mansion was ablaze with activity when Feng Qingqing and the Crown Prince arrived. Servants scurried about, their faces tense, and the usually serene courtyard was alive with the murmur of urgent voices. The Prime Minister stood in the main hall, his posture rigid and his face dark with fury.
The moment Feng Qingqing stepped inside, she hurried to her father, her eyes wide with worry. "Father, older sister is missing. We need to—"
"I already know," the Prime Minister interrupted, his voice cold and controlled, though the fury beneath it was unmistakable. "The guards reported it to me before you arrived." He turned to the Crown Prince, bowing slightly. "Your Highness, I trust you understand the gravity of this situation. My youngest daughter has been taken, and whoever is responsible will pay dearly."
"Prime Minister Feng," the Crown Prince said, his voice calm but resolute, "I've already dispatched my own men to begin searching the area. We will find her."
The Prime Minister nodded curtly, his expression hard. "Good. I've already sent word to my top soldiers. They're scouring the city as we speak. No stone will be left unturned." He turned back to Feng Qingqing, his tone softening slightly. "Stay here, Qingqing. It's not safe for you to be wandering about."
"But Father—"
"No," he said firmly, cutting her off. "I won't risk losing another daughter tonight."
Feng Qingqing bit her lip, her hands clenching into fists. She wanted to argue, to join the search herself, but the look in her father's eyes stopped her. Instead, she turned to the Crown Prince. "Please, Your Highness. Find her."
He met her gaze, his expression steady. "I will."
The Prime Minister's command rang out through the hall, his voice echoing with authority. "Mobilize the riders. Search the city—every street, every alley. Bring her back unharmed."
As the soldiers and servants sprang into action, Feng Qingqing sank into a chair, clutching the painted wooden bird in her hands. The memory of her sister's laughter rang faintly in her mind, a sharp contrast to the cold silence that now gripped her heart. She could only pray that Ruyi would be found—and soon.