“He doesn’t want to get acquainted with you.”
After the show, the spectators dispersed, and several large men were packing up. The leader of the performance group grabbed a handful of copper coins and smiled from ear to ear towards Myrna. “Miss, please take this money. If it wasn’t for you, we wouldn’t have gotten this much money today.”
They were a traveling performance group. Today, they also came to seize the opportunity on this Lantern Festival and sold their talent on the street, making a good profit. They didn’t know what kind of crazy luck they had stepped on to meet such an unworldly beauty who was willing to join them.
“No need.” Myrna turned away, losing interest. “I had my fun.”
“Eh? Miss—” The big man wanted to stop her, but the lady in purple had disappeared in the blink of an eye.
He stood in place at a loss. “Strange, where did she go?”
_
Inside of an inn.
As soon as Myrna stepped into her room, two maids rushed forward, looking like their lives were saved.
“Saintess, you are back!” The maid almost cried with joy. “The Saint is waiting for you next door.”
Myrna rolled her eyes. “Why is he being so nosey? I’m not going.”
“If I don’t, you would have gotten yourself killed ages ago.” A grave and stern foreign-looking man appeared at the door. The two maids put their right hands on their right shoulders and saluted, before tacitly withdrawing from the room and closing the door.
Myrna was unhappy at his tone and smacked the table. “Aslan, you are the Saint, and I’m the Saintess, we are on equal standing, so you don’t have the authority to tell me what to do!”
“Lao Lao ordered me to look after you. Her worries for you are indeed warranted.” Aslan said coldly, “Where do you think you are? This is the country of Qin’s territory. I know you want to have a good time, but this is not a place where you should act recklessly. Right now, we are envoys representing the country of Liang. If you sneak out today and cause trouble, how can we justify ourselves to the King?”
“I know how to behave. I just want to experience their festival!” Myrna huffed impatiently, “Can you stop treating me like a child? I have slept with more men than the number of women you’ve met.”
“…”
Aslan clenched his fists in silence.
“Oh, that’s right.” Myrna smiled, deliberately shared, “I met a very interesting man today. Although he was wearing a mask, I have a feeling that he is better looking than you…”
“You slept with him?” The emotion deep in Aslan’s eyes turned violent.
In the Liang Dynasty, as long as the man was young and good-looking, he could get into Myrna’s bed.
…Except for him.
“No, he is a cut sleeve.” Myrna sighed. “What a pity. I really want a taste of his yang energy. Such a pure energy. It would definitely increase my strength by tenfold.”
When Aslan learned Myrna and the masked man did not have a night of fun, the emotion in his eyes became at peace. He studied Myrna and informed in a riddle, “You think he is the one who is off the hook, but don’t you know it was you who was schemed?”
Myrna frowned. “What do you mean?”
Aslan said vaguely, “Why don’t you check? Are you missing anything?”
Myrna felt around herself, and her eyes widened in shock. “Where is my revival pill?”
Shaman voodoo magic is prevalent in the country of Liang. As the Saintess of the country, she possessed many poisonous objects. It was natural for her to be carrying a revival pill, known to detoxify all poisons.
The pill is extremely precious as it was concocted by many rare medicinal materials. She was only able to craft one which she kept close to her and regarded as her treasure.
How could her precious possession be pocketed by some stranger!
Myrna recalled the event carefully and found that when she tried to bewitch the youth in green, the other party was clear-headed from start to finish…maybe the pill was taken from her during that time.
She thought she had spotted a tasty meal, it turned out she was the juicy steak the youth got his eyes on.
“Damned it! That cunning fox actually tricked me!” Myrna stamped her feet angrily. “This shouldn’t have happened. I’m a first-class martial artist. Doesn’t that make him a peerless expert to be able to take my pill off of me without me noticing it?”
“There is a saying that in the wider world, there are people more talented than yourself. The country of Qin is a nation known to have Crouching Tigers and Hidden Dragons, land of concealed talent. This is why I keep reminding you to be careful.” Aslan warned.
Myrna was careless and suffered a loss, so she was in no position to refute Aslan. She sat down, fuming and gnashing her teeth. “He better hope that we don’t meet again!”
_
We’re sorry for MTLers or people who like using reading mode, but our translations keep getting stolen by aggregators so we’re going to bring back the copy protection. If you need to MTL please retype the gibberish parts.
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“There’s no where there is enough room in that box’s secret compartment to fit an adult.”
“As long as you know the art of contortion, it is not hard for an adult to bend and fold their body into the small gap.” Ji Yue replied, “Why make a big deal on something so trivial?”
“Oh.” Wei Lian forged his amazement. “You are still the smartest.”
Ji Yue glanced at him. “It’s you who is too dumb.”
Now that was uncalled for.
Wei Lian was the smartest in the world.
As for Ji Yue…he could be titled as second, just barely.
“There is a ‘guess the riddle on the lantern’ ahead.” Wei Lian looked at the crowded stall before them. “Why don’t we compete?”
To see who is smarter.
“Fine, let’s compete. Think you’re better?” Ji Yue accepted proudly.
They came to the front of the stall. The lantern seller is an old man. The lanterns for selling only were set aside on display for the customers, while small and exquisite lanterns with riddles written on them were hung on a pole. Anyone who guessed the riddle correctly could take that lantern home.
Some talented man was able to take a few lanterns and present them to their beloved lady. The activity was still going on. The old man read the riddle on a lantern with a peach blossom pattern. “The blessing of giving birth to a baby boy, one wo—”
Wei Lian answered, “Nephew.”
“Oh.” The old man was stunned and immediately said with a smile, “Young master, you were able to give the right word before I could finish reading. You are correct. This lantern is yours.”
Wei Lian shook his head. “This one doesn’t want the lantern. I just want to compete with my companion.”
Otherwise, if the competition got too heated, and no winner could be decided, there wouldn’t be enough lanterns in the stall to be given out.
Once the old man found out the young master did not want a lantern and only wanted to solve the riddle, why shouldn’t he agree to do such business? He cleared his throat and began reading the next one, “The bird that lands on top of the mountain can’t see its feet as it searches everywhere for them, one wo—”
Ji Yue answered nonchalantly, “Island.”
The old man choked on his saliva and silently moved on to the next one, “One dim, one dark; one short, one long; one daytime, one nighttime; one—”
Wei Lian took the lead in finishing the one man’s riddle, “One hot, one cold. The ming character.”
The old man continued, “The coiled dragon lies low in the winter as the branches and leaves form in summer, the dragon whiskers climb upward, the pearls…” Rest downward.
Ji Yue seized the answer, “Plant is the hint. The answer is grapes.”
Old man: “…”
Could you young people let this old man finish the riddle?!
If it was anyone else, he could have a brief rest after he had finished the riddle while the customers racked their brains. What was the matter with these two? The time they came up with the answer was faster than the time for him to finish the riddle!
If it wasn’t for them not wanting his lanterns, he would have thought they were here to cause trouble at his stall.
The duo clashed with each other, and they were evenly matched, which attracted a lot of attention. Scholars are well respected by the people, as their talents are the subject of admiration. Although Ji Yue and Wei Lian were incognito with their masks, they still possessed outstanding temperaments, not to mention their quick reaction.
Currently, there were many spectators at the two’s competition. Seeing more and more people gathered, the old man smiled so wide with an open mouth. More people meant more business.
In order to make the competition more exciting and attract more onlookers, he picked his most difficult riddle and intended to stop the two’s smooth ride. However, it appeared that nothing could be called a riddle in front of these two. Usually, the old man would get interrupted mid-sentence. One of the two contestants would give the answer before the spectators could have time to ponder over the riddle.
The gap between them was so small, there were even times when they answered in unison. Neither losing ground nor gaining the upper hand.
Someone in the crowd cheered loudly.
Finally, the old man shook his head and said, “Gentlemen, there is no more riddles.”
Wei Lian asked, “Is there a winner?”
A busybody on the side shouted, “Equal scores! Both of you answered nine questions!”
Another draw.
Wei Lian sighed, “It seems that a victor still can’t be decided today.”
Ji Yue picked up a rabbit lantern. “Old man, you’re fine with giving me this one?”
Of course, the old man had no objection. According to the rule, he would have to give them his entire stall as rewards. He was naturally very happy if they only wanted one.
Ji Yue nodded to give thanks and handed the lantern to Wei Lian. “Take it.”
Wei Lian was surprised, “For me?”
What was he going to do with this rabbit lantern?
“For you.” Ji Yue smirked. “Rabbit is the little fox’s favorite snack, so he should like rabbit lanterns as well.”
Wei Lian: “…”
There was no correlation between rabbit and rabbit lantern.
No, hold on. He had no correlation with a little fox!
Wei Lian still accepted the lantern, cupping it in his hands to inspect it before lowering his hands.
This rabbit lantern, made by the rough workmanship of common folk, was far less exquisite and valuable than the ceramic glaze lantern given to him by the King of Qin back at the palace.
Believe it or not, Wei Lian likes this rabbit lantern more.
The ceramic glaze lantern was gifted by the King of Qin to Young Master Lian.
The rabbit lantern…
Was gifted by Ji Xiao Yue to Wei Xiao Lian.
_
Wei Lian carried the lantern. As he was about to turn and leave, someone from the crowd stopped him.
“Can the two please stay?” A handsome scholar with an elegant temperament bowed and said, “This one’s name is Zhang Wuwen, courtesy name Enbo. I’m a scholar preparing for this year’s preliminary round of imperial examinations. Today, I am amazed by the two’s talents in solving the lantern riddles. It was such a brilliant display. I was wondering if the two are also candidates for this year’s examination? And if I can have the honor to make acquaintances with you two?”
Wei Lian glanced at him. The uncovered part of his face smiled, then Ji Yue suddenly held his hand.
“He doesn’t want to get acquainted with you.” Ji Yue replied coldly and pulled Wei Lian away from the other person.
Zhang Wuwen: “…”
“Who does he think he is? So arrogant.” His companions came forward and defended him, “Zhang-xiong, forget about them. These are just simple riddles on some lanterns. Even people without a brain can solve it. While for you, Zhang-xiong, the future top scorer in the imperial examination, remember to recommend me in front of His Majesty once You win top marks.”
Zhang Wuwen stopped his friend, “Zipiao, please don’t run your mouth.”
He said that, but there was a determined expression on his face there, as if he was already the top candidate for the examination.
_
“Ah.” Once they were a distance away, Wei Lian finally tugged his back sleeve from Ji Yue’s gasp. “Why are you in such a hurry?”
Ji Yue asked angrily, “Why did you smile at him?”
Do you not know how good-looking you are when you smile? A smile that can make anyone fall for you?
We do not allow this!
Wei Lian: “?”
Ji Yue cared about this?
Wei Lian replied helplessly, “But that’s basic politeness…”
Ji Yue was even more upset. “I have never seen you being that polite to me.”
Wei Lian always acted insolent in front of him.
“…”
Wei Lian was at his wit’s end with three-year-old Ji Yue.
“Then I won’t smile at him anymore.” Wei Lian curved his lips, and his eyes also followed. “I will only smile at you, good?”
Ji Yue was blinded by the youth’s smile.
It took him a long time to whisper, “…Good.”
In the street where people were coming and going, it was like the two were frozen in place as the masks covered their complicated thoughts.
The multitude of lanterns illuminating the surrounding was nothing compared to the bright stars in each other’s eyes.
“Gentlemen, come buy a lotus lantern.” A girl carrying a basket interrupted their delicate moment. “Place it in the river to make a wish. The wish will come true if it reaches the river god’s ears.”
Ji Yue turned around and found that he had pulled Wei Lian to the riverside. They were surrounded by countless men and women squatting by the river to put their lotus lanterns on the river, and couples with their eyes closed to make their wishes.
Matter regarding ghosts and god would only work for believers, not for non-believers. If it wasn’t for his mother, he wouldn’t have believed in them. Even then, he would not entrust something like granting wishes to a deity.
But after the sale pitch, Ji Yue looked at the girl and asked, “How much for one?”
The seller stretched out five fingers. “Five for one.”
Ji Yue gave her ten copper coins and said, “Give me two.”
“Alright, here you go.”
The little lady skipped away in joy now that she was ten copper coins richer. Wei Lian looked at the two lotus lanterns in each of Ji Yue’s hands as emotion in his eyes flickered.
He suddenly had the urge to laugh.
They were only being their truest self towards each other when under masks.
Ji Yue handed one of the lanterns to the youth. “Let’s go put it on the river.”
Wei Lian pushed his prior thoughts out and said, “Let’s.”
_
The decorated pleasure boats on top of the river were brilliant. Paddling sound and light shadow. The sound of flutes was harmonizing with the pipa across the bank. The two instruments did not need to know each other, exchanging music could also be seen as meeting by chance.
The water surface glistened, reflecting an inverse image of the round moon.
Several pink lotus lanterns in full bloom float on the water surface and swing with the river current, carrying people’s wishes to the palace of the legendary river god.
Wei Lian and Ji Yue found a more deserted corner, squatted down and gently put the lotus lantern from their hands into the river.
During their wish making, Wei Lian closed his eyes but hesitated for a moment.
What wish should he make?
If someone had asked him this question a month ago, it would have been regicide, just to calm his resentment.
But that thought was gone.
People were really fickle creatures. Wei Lian smiled softly.
Then…
Wishing for the land’s prosperity, commoner’s welfare, and world peace.
May the glory of today be forever.
Thank You for the chapter ｡✰✧(♡´❍`♡)✧✰｡