Chapter 316: Chapter 126: Winning Lantern_4
The elongated rivers of lanterns from both streets cast a kaleidoscope of light and shadows upon the ground from above. Standing in the radiant light, he was the peerless and striking Princely Heir of a high-ranking family, while she stood in the shadows, a humble and vigilant commoner with a heart of steel.
Light and shadow, cloud and mud, nobility and commoner.
He was someone destined to ascend higher, whereas she was resolute on dragging those from above down into the mud.
Those who tread opposite paths were never on the same journey, and were doomed to never become friends.
The wind blew in from the riverbank, bringing with it the chill of the clear night. Perhaps they had lingered here for too long, attracting the attention of the surrounding vendors.
A few little girls wearing red dresses with their hair parted in double buns weaved through the crowd pushing a bamboo cart. Attached to the cart were little lamps adorned with plum-red and gold, and as the girls beat their drums, they called out their wares: "Bodhi leaves, bees, Snow Willows, Golden Moths—"
Lu Tong came back to his senses.
This was a mobile cart selling women’s hair accessories.
Such hair ornaments were commonly sold at the Shengjing Lantern Market: white silk plum blossoms, dark golden paper butterflies, paper Snow Willows, Bodhi leaves, and the like. On such festive days, women, whether noble or common, would always dress up exquisitely and beautifully.
One of the red-dressed little girls pushed the cart up to Lu Tong and looked up at her with a crisp laugh, "Sister, why not buy a moth?"
The dark golden paper moths trembled on the bamboo rack amidst a heap of fresh flowers, with the gold leaves setting off the vibrant purple, attracting onlookers’ attention.
Lu Tong shook her head and refused.
The little girl seemed somewhat disappointed and pushed her cart away.
Pei Yunmeng glanced down at the person beside him.
Lu Tong, holding her lantern, silently stepped past the flamboyant scenery and continued forward. Perhaps because of the festival night, her hair was combed more delicately than usual, with small braids entwined with her long hair falling to her shoulders, decorated with fluffy white flowers that accentuated her clear complexion, resembling a girl from ancient temple murals, as the Toad Lamp in her hand emitted a serene emerald glow.
Beautiful, yet lonely.
Pei Yunmeng’s gaze lingered for a moment on the white fluffy flowers atop her head, then he suddenly spoke up, "It’s the New Year, wearing white is inauspicious."
He avoided the previous topic.
Lu Tong glanced at him curiously, not understanding why he would suddenly say that.
Pei Yunmeng spoke indifferently, "I thought you would wear the pair of Golden Swallowtail Butterflies."
She realized then.
It was about that.
The pair of Golden Swallowtail Butterflies still lay in the box in the clinic’s drawer, untouched by Lu Tong since New Year’s Eve. She originally had no interest in dressing up her hair, let alone wearing something Pei Yunmeng had given her.
Lu Tong nodded, "Thank you for the Marshal’s kind intentions, but gold ornaments don’t suit me. I will have someone return the item to the Marshal later."
Some gifts could not be accepted. After all, there’s no such thing as a free lunch, a lesson she had already learned from the vendor selling the Toad Lamp just earlier.
"No need," he turned his face away, "there’s no reason to take back a gift once given."
Lu Tong was adamant, "I am not accustomed to accepting gifts," she paused, then added, "It feels like a debt."
"Then consider it a debt," the young man smiled, "I am your creditor."
Lu Tong was taken aback.
This man seemed completely unaware of her deliberate aloofness and guards, as generous and affable as ever. To outsiders, they might find the Commander of the Imperial Guards excessively good-natured.
After pondering for a while, Lu Tong decided to let it go. After all, Pei Yunshu’s servants would be coming to retrieve the Treasure Bead prescription in a while. Since they were siblings, if Pei Yunmeng wouldn’t accept it, giving it directly to Pei Yunshu would end up the same.
Borrow for business, sell land to repay debts. Shengjing folks knew how to do business well, so it was best not to owe favors, especially to Pei Yunmeng.