“When did Madam Feng arrive?” Zhong Li sat in the side room, picked up a box of Longjing tea, placed it in the clay teapot, and poured a cup of tea for Feng Niannian in front of her.
Feng Niannian watched her actions, her lips parted several times before she choked out, “I came from the yamen and stood by the entrance waiting for Deputy Clerk Zhong.”
Zhong Li put down the teapot and simply looked at her.
Feng Niannian was the most gentle woman she had ever met. In her opinion, such a woman should have a soft heart, but she never expected…
“I am investigating a case, and you should know that I have to be somewhat discreet,” Zhong Li offered a casual excuse, not wanting Feng Niannian to lose face in public.
“There are two more days…” Feng Niannian stammered.
“What?” Zhong Li didn’t hear and subtly leaned her head closer to her.
“Miss Zhong,” Feng Niannian suddenly looked up at her and asked, “Is the red dress I gave you still here?”
“Yes, everything is here, in the closet,” Zhong Li replied.
“Then, on the Lantern Festival, don’t forget to wear it,” Feng Niannian said.
“So, you came just to remind me of this?” Zhong Li asked.
Feng Niannian looked at her, her delicate lips trembling. She seemed to see something in Zhong Li’s eyes but was unsure.
She hesitated for a long time, then blurted out, “Actually, today… I wanted to invite you to the Lantern Festival to see the lanterns, Miss Zhong. I wonder if Miss Zhong…”
“Will Young Master Meng be there?” Zhong Li interrupted Feng Niannian and asked.
“Ah?” Feng Niannian was stunned.
Zhong Li curved her lips into a light smile. “The Lantern Festival is a time for reunion. Since Madam Feng is inviting me to see the lanterns, I imagine Young Master Meng will also be there. After all, you two are the only ones left in the Feng and Meng families now, aren’t you?”
“Yes, he will definitely be there,” Feng Niannian, lost in thought, didn’t grasp the obvious meaning in Zhong Li’s words.
Seeing that she had agreed, she glanced quickly at the dark night sky and said, “It’s getting late, past the hour of Xu. Meng lang is probably waiting impatiently. I must be going. Goodbye.”
With that, Feng Niannian took the outer cloak handed to her by Bi’er and quickly left the inn.
Zhong Li listened to the receding footsteps, then got up and walked to the window, her gaze sweeping over the carriage parked at the inn’s entrance.
Feng Niannian seemed very hurried. After giving a few instructions to the coachman, the horse neighed and quickly galloped south.
She looked up at the sky again. The moon was almost full.
-----
“Father, I want the brightest lantern.”
“Mother, hurry, Nannan wants to play at Gou Tou.”
…
Zhong Li, dressed in a simple and elegant fine-spun jacket and an outer cloak embroidered with peonies, wandered through the market with Lu Wuxie. Her gaze swept over the small children holding their parents’ hands, and she smiled knowingly.
Rarely did the entire populace of Yongcheng gather. Fenghe Street was adorned with fiery red lanterns, gently swaying in the spring breeze, instantly becoming as striking as a dense bloom of crimson.
“Careful.” As they passed a juggling performance, Zhong Li, perhaps walking too quickly, narrowly avoided a gust of fire.
Fortunately, Lu Wuxie noticed in time. He put an arm around her shoulder and smoothly turned her to the other side.
Startled, Zhong Li looked up and suddenly saw a bearded, foreign man holding a fiery baton, looking at her apologetically.
She gave the bearded man a reassuring smile and turned her attention back to the man in front of her.
He was dressed in his usual pale pink everyday robe, with golden auspicious cloud embroidery at the collar. He seemed not to favor tight clothing, his lapels slightly open. Illuminated by the red candlelight, his features were bright and stunning, his demeanor increasingly handsome and graceful. Occasionally, women passing by cast shy glances at him, with a hint of eagerness.
“Thank you. I was watching someone release sky lanterns just now and got a little lost in thought,” Zhong Li smiled and explained.
Lu Wuxie lowered his gaze, looking at her. He saw that his reflection was finally in her dark eyes and playfully remarked, “It’s nothing. I should be thanking that man. Deputy Clerk Zhong, with your current astonished demeanor, it seems you’ve finally noticed me.”
Zhong Li heard this and slowly lowered her gaze, momentarily unsure how to respond.
Lu Wuxie’s gaze shifted down to the woman’s flushed cheeks. Perhaps it was the lantern light, but she appeared so bashful, like a young maiden.
He recalled that as soon as it got dark, he picked her up and walked towards Fenghe Street, where the lantern festival was held.
She, uncharacteristically quiet, stopped excitedly at every merchant’s stall. Seeing her like this was rare, he followed her all the way, letting her weave through the crowds.
Until he realized she was completely absorbed in wandering, forgetting him entirely. He then noticed the wolf-like gazes falling upon him, and for a moment, he began to doubt if his appearance held any attraction for her.
“Come here.” His voice was gentle as his large hand covered her slightly cool fingertips. Amidst the disappointed and wistful looks of many women, he led her directly towards a place selling flower lanterns.
“Jincheng can also release sky lanterns. As for these flower lanterns, only Yongcheng, Jinzhou, and Liancheng have them,” he said, picking up a flower lantern and placing it in her palm.
Zhong Li lowered her eyes, looking at the small paper lotus in her hand. “I’ve released one before.”
“What?” Lu Wuxie couldn’t hear clearly over the surrounding noise. He leaned down slightly, bringing his ear close to her side to ask.
Zhong Li’s pupils contracted slightly. Looking at the man’s face so close to hers, her cheeks involuntarily began to burn. She intended to pull away, but her gaze drifted to a small mole on his neck, stopping at his Adam’s apple.
Lu Wuxie’s profile was beautiful, especially in the candlelight, making him appear even more sensual.
She swallowed a few times, just about to answer.
Lu Wuxie, likely impatient from waiting, turned his face towards her, intending to ask why she wasn’t speaking.
Unexpectedly, their eyes met, and the warmth of their breaths, more intense than early spring, was palpable.
“I… I meant…” Zhong Li was about to repeat herself but suddenly realized she had released a flower lantern before she transmigrated. She quickly corrected herself, “I meant, where can one release this flower lantern?”
Lu Wuxie narrowed his eyes. He hadn’t heard her words clearly, but that didn’t mean he didn’t notice the length of her previous sentence.
He fell silent for a moment, then tightened his grip on her fingertips, turning and leading her towards the city lake not far away.
The two left Fenghe Street, passing by people holding flower lanterns, and weaving through the dark alleyways.
Zhong Li followed him, her gaze sweeping over the alley entrances. She saw men and women dispersed by the narrow lanes. The blush that had been on her face finally disappeared, replaced by a look of vigilance.
“Stay close.” Lu Wuxie could feel her fingertips growing colder. As if unwilling to let go, the veins on his fair hand bulged with exertion.
Zhong Li felt her fingertips go numb from the pain but endured it without a sound.
Until they could faintly hear the sound of flowing water, and the view ahead opened up. Men and women emerged from various alleyways like fish from small streams converging into the sea. Amidst the surging crowd, Zhong Li felt a chill on her fingertips, and Lu Wuxie, who was in front of her, disappeared.
At the same time, a hand holding a white handkerchief quietly covered her mouth and nose.