The Mid-Autumn Festival was upon them, and the streets teemed with people. Small stalls selling mooncakes lined the thoroughfares. High above, several Moon Immortals performed the scattering of celestial flowers, drawing many a gaze.
“Miss, buy a mooncake! We have flower-filled ones, lotus seed paste ones, and the flavor is absolutely more authentic than anything in the Heavenly Palace!”
Ye Ziling paused her steps, her eyes drawn to the flower-shaped mooncakes floating in the air. She stopped out of curiosity, and as she extended her palm, the mooncake seemed to sense her intention and landed in her hand. A rich aroma permeated her palm.
A ripple of emotion passed through her eyes. Looking at the exquisite mooncake, a hint of surprise flashed across her gaze, and she found herself involuntarily curving her lips into a smile.
It seemed the lives of these fallen immortals weren't as bleak as she had imagined. Instead, there was a certain earthly charm to them. Rather than vying for fame and fortune in the Heavenly Realm, constantly fearing being cast down to the mortal world, it was better to go with the flow and savor the ambiance of human life.
In the Heavenly Realm, no matter what festival it was, it was usually marked by banquets. There was nothing like the liveliness of the mortal world.
The rabbit demon, seeing her delighted expression, busied itself with greetings, “Miss, this one is peach blossom flavored. Eating it is like walking through a peach forest for ten miles. If you like it, you can try it.”
Ye Ziling didn't usually have a sweet tooth, but seeing the delicate pastry in her hand, she broke off a piece to taste.
The mooncakes of the mortal world were indeed sweeter than those in the Heavenly Realm, lacking their blandness.
“Mu Heng, pay,” she called out to the man standing beside her. However, the man merely glanced at her indifferently before shifting his gaze elsewhere.
Mu Heng’s gaze moved from the celestial maidens scattering flowers from the archway. He pouted, immediately displeased, and reluctantly pulled out a piece of silver from his waist, grumbling softly, “Why should I pay? I haven’t even received this month’s stipend.”
Seeing Mu Heng’s displeased expression, Ye Ziling didn’t press the matter further. She sighed resignedly, “Fine, since it’s Mid-Autumn Festival, you have the day off, and your stipend will be paid in advance.”
With that, she took out a pouch of silver from her waist, tossed it into his arms, and turned to leave.
“That’s more like it!” Mu Heng took the pouch, weighed it in his hand, and his face immediately broke into a grin. “You promised to give me the day off… I’ll be going then. Palace Master, you enjoy your stroll.” With that, he darted away as if blown by the wind.
Ye Ziling watched his retreating figure, which seemed like he was fleeing, and sighed helplessly.
Fine, his wings had grown strong. Let him go wherever he pleased. Today, she would explore every street and alley.
Ye Ziling quickened her pace, leisurely strolling along the bustling street. Shops lined both sides, adorned with various lanterns, and colorful streamers fluttered in the air, painting the street in a dazzling array of hues.
“Miss, today is the wedding day of the Jade Rabbit Fairy! Our stall is having a promotion, all lanterns are half price.” Several rabbit demons approached Ye Ziling, offering her a selection of lanterns to choose from.
Ye Ziling glanced at the lanterns with a faint expression, a sense of confusion stirring within her.
The Jade Rabbit Fairy? She had descended to the mortal realm as well?
“A wedding? Who is the groom?” A subtle gleam flickered in Ye Ziling’s eyes as she asked with a hint of suspicion.
The rabbit demons chuckled, their smiles reaching their lips as they spoke, “We hear she’s marrying the second son of the most prominent aristocratic family in the capital.”
The second son of the capital? How could the groom be a mortal?
Ye Ziling was momentarily astonished. She had had the fortune to chat with the Jade Rabbit Fairy in the Heavenly Palace, and the Jade Rabbit had clearly told her that her heart belonged to the Brilliant Immortal Lord. How could she possibly agree to marry a mortal?
Ye Ziling gazed at the lanterns, lost in thought for a moment. A rabbit demon glanced at the lotus lantern in its hand and smiled faintly at her, saying, “This lotus lantern is exceptionally beautiful. Miss has excellent taste.”
Looking at the blooming pink lotus lantern swaying before her for a moment, Ye Ziling finally collected her senses.
“Indeed, excellent taste.” A magnetic male voice echoed, and Ye Ziling instinctively turned to look. A fox mask was suddenly placed on her face. By the time she regained her composure, the man had already finished fitting the mask.
He too wore a fox mask. His dark robes fluttered in the wind, and his black, silky hair cascaded over his shoulders. His enchanting pupils shimmered with a captivating light, and his thin lips curved into a faint arc.
Ling Xi?
Even though the man wore a mask, she had not forgotten his eyes.
Ling Xi handed a piece of silver to the rabbit demon and said calmly, “I’ll take this lantern.”
“Certainly, sir, please take good care of it.” The rabbit demon quickly bowed respectfully.
“Scholar Ling is also here?” Ye Ziling looked at Ling Xi in surprise. He had recovered so quickly; it seemed the Thousand Mountain Snow Lotus had worked wonders.
“Today is the Mid-Autumn Festival. Miss Ye, would you be interested in accompanying me for a stroll?” He smiled faintly, his demeanor as graceful as an exiled immortal.
“No time,” Ye Ziling refused with a crisp decisiveness. Her gaze instantly returned to its usual placidity. She reached out, intending to remove the mask from her face, but it seemed to be welded on, refusing to budge no matter how hard she tried.
Ling Xi chuckled, appearing as if his plan had succeeded. He leaned close to her ear and whispered, “Miss Ye can refuse, but I fear this mask may never be removed.”
Ye Ziling froze, then looked up to meet his deep, serene phoenix eyes. She forced a smile, “Scholar Ling, why aren’t you behaving yourself on this festive Mid-Autumn occasion?”
She truly feared this harbinger of misfortune.
“If Miss Ye agrees to spend Mid-Autumn with me, I might consider helping you remove it. However, where we go will be my decision,” Ling Xi said with a smile, his tone carrying a hint of triumph and threat.
Before Ye Ziling could agree, he grabbed her sleeve and pulled her through the streets. She felt a chill rise from her feet to the top of her head.
Forget it. It was the Mid-Autumn Festival; one had to be happy. How else could it be celebrated? She’d just treat it as taking a dog for a walk.
After Ling Xi led her around the streets a few times, he went straight into a medical clinic and smiled at her, “There are many insects at night. I heard this clinic sells very good mosquito repellent sachets. Let’s go buy a couple of bags.”
“Mosquito repellent?” Ye Ziling frowned, examining the clinic’s decor. Although it looked old, it was clean and tidy. The walls were painted white, and the counter was wiped clean, looking quite presentable.
She wasn’t particularly interested in mosquito repellent, but she hadn’t seen any medicines like these in a long time, so it wouldn’t hurt to take a look inside.
The two stepped into the medical clinic.
“Miss, Sir, are you here to get medicine?” The physician, seeing customers, hurried forward. Upon seeing Ling Xi, a faint gleam flashed in his eyes, and he pointed with suspicion, “Are you… from last night…”
Although the handsome physician from last night was wearing a veil, he couldn’t forget those exceptionally beautiful eyes. He had never seen such handsome eyes before.
Ling Xi raised a finger to his lips, signaling him to be quiet. The physician quickly covered his mouth, making a gesture to keep silent, then straightened his posture and said earnestly, “My shop has all kinds of medicine. Miss, feel free to browse.”
“Do you have any mosquito repellent sachets here?” Ling Xi casually scanned the surroundings and asked.
“Yes…” The physician smiled and pointed to the shelves behind him. “The herbs in these mosquito repellent sachets are all collected from the southern border, and they are very effective. You can choose whatever style you like, honored guest.”
Ling Xi walked to the shelves, looked at the mosquito repellent sachets, and then moved to another shelf. He looked at the mosquito repellent grass displayed within, flipping through them casually, a faint smile gracing his eyes.
Miao Jiang?
Ye Ziling’s gaze darkened, her mind lost in thought.
Since there were mosquito repellent sachets related to Miao Jiang here, could there also be an antidote for Miao Jiang’s蛊毒 (gǔdú -蛊 poison)?
Her heart stirred, and she took two steps forward, asking the physician, “Do you have an antidote for Miao Jiang’s 蛊毒 here?”
The physician paused, looked at Ling Xi who was diligently selecting sachets, remembered last night’s instructions, and then smiled, “Of course. May I ask what kind of 蛊毒 antidote you require, Miss?”
Ye Ziling extended her sleeve, “I don’t know the poison. Please take a look for me.”
The physician took her hand, carefully felt her pulse, stroked his beard, and pondered, “Miss, do you feel an unbearable burning sensation all over your body when the poison attacks, accompanied by bone-gnawing pain, and sometimes you feel as if tens of thousands of insects are biting you?”
“That’s right,” Ye Ziling nodded and asked, “What poison is this?”
“This 蛊毒 is called Soul Severing. It is deadly, but I do have an antidote.” The physician said, taking out a pill and placing it in his palm.
Ye Ziling took the pill, her eyes brightening. “Thank you, sir. How much?”
“I do not charge for this. Miss can use it to detoxify as she pleases. Can Miss trust this old man?”
Ye Ziling pursed her lips and smiled faintly, “Your medical skills are superb, sir. I trust you.”
This person could name the 蛊毒; his medical skills were indeed impressive. Whether the antidote was real or not, she had to take a chance.
Just then, Ling Xi had selected two bags of mosquito repellent sachets. After paying, he led her out of the clinic. Before leaving, he said to the physician, “The sachets are good. I’ll come again.”
The physician hurriedly bowed and saw them off.
Ling Xi and Ye Ziling walked outwards, shops lining both sides of the street, filled with the clamor of vendors. They finally stopped at a jewelry shop. He pulled her inside, his gaze sweeping around before landing on a pure-colored balloon flower hairpin. He picked it up and held it up to her, saying, “This one… is like you.”
Ye Ziling followed his gaze and saw the budding balloon flower. She was slightly startled.
Like… like her?
While she was still stunned, Ling Xi picked up the balloon flower hairpin again, sniffed it, his eyes lighting up. A faint blush crept up his ears as he averted his gaze, “I meant… your scent.”
Ye Ziling lowered her eyes slightly, concealing the unusual emotion in her gaze. A strange flutter of excitement suddenly surged within her.