Fire trees and silver flowers are blooming, and the iron locks of the star bridge are opened.
As the carriage approached the palace gate, Yu Xiaoman, who had just finished combing his hair, poked his head out and looked at the bustling streets, brightly lit as if it were daytime. He suddenly remembered that today was the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, the Human Race’s Lantern Festival.
Last year, during the Lantern Festival, he hadn’t yet developed his legs. He had watched from afar as the lights in the village of the Yu family sparkled brilliantly. Listening to his sister, Yu Biyue, describe the lanterns as cute and vivid, his overflowing longing almost overflowed the banks.
This year, not only did he catch up, but he also came to the capital city. His eyes reflected the dazzling lights, and the bustling noise echoed in his ears. Yu Xiaoman was so happy that he almost felt like flying, unable to resist calling out to his companions, “Look, look, that lantern is so beautiful!”
Apart from Duan Heng, who was driving the carriage, the only person he could summon was Young Master Lu.
Lu Ji obviously didn’t like crowds. He only glanced faintly outside the window and responded casually, “Hmm.”
The carriage stopped outside the palace wall, and with Duan Heng’s help, Lu Ji was assisted to sit on the wheelchair. Yu Xiaoman rolled up his sleeves to push him, but was stopped by Duan Heng beside him, “General can’t handle the bumps, let me do it.”
Yu Xiaoman pursed his lips, thinking to himself that he wasn’t that clumsy. However, he was aware that he wasn’t good at taking care of people. He carefully observed Duan Heng’s posture as he pushed the cart and how he crossed the threshold, preparing himself to take over.
The banquet was held in the Taiji Hall. As they entered the inner courtyard, passing through pavilions and bridges, admiring the courtyard gardens, Yu Xiaoman was curious about everything. Before he could fully appreciate the scenery in front of him, his attention was drawn elsewhere.
He pointed to the niche lamps embedded in the stone wall, “What are these lamps called? They are brighter than the two we saw at the Star Arch just now.”
Lu Ji followed his finger and looked in that direction, saying, “These are called eternal lamps.”
“Why are they called eternal lamps?” Yu Xiaoman became interested, “Do they never go out in the wind or rain?”
This time, Duan Heng answered before anyone else, “These lamps use oil from mermaids as fuel, so they can indeed never be extinguished.”
Upon hearing the words “mermaids,” Yu Xiaoman was startled, and the following word “oil” made him shudder all over.
Thinking that this country bumpkin was indulging in wild imagination again, Duan Heng continued, “Just look at it. Mermaids are rare and hard to catch. Fish oil is more precious than pearls and jade. Only the royal family is qualified to use it.”
Yu Xiaoman shrank his shoulders, closed his mind, and stubbornly said, “I won’t look, I won’t look. What’s there to see?”
The fear of being squeezed for oil persisted until the banquet began.
The palace banquet had many rules, and seating arrangements were also particular. Lu Ji and Yu Xiaoman were arranged at the official seat west of the Golden Dragon Grand Banquet Table, surrounded by military officials. After exchanging pleasantries, they could finally sit down.
Yu Xiaoman, who had only seen the palace in books before, was amazed at the grandeur of the scene before him. After nervously finishing the meal, he didn’t remember what the emperor had said or whose name he had mentioned. He only felt a sense of crisis, and even the lamps around the emperor might be those so-called eternal lamps.
In the latter half of the banquet, civil and military officials left their seats under the emperor’s permission to toast and chat with each other. Yu Xiaoman, feeling out of place, was led by a lady from an official family to the front of the hall. He looked up and saw a beautiful woman dressed in exquisite clothes, realizing that he had stepped into the palace women’s territory.
Prompted by the lady from the official family, Yu Xiaoman paid his respects and called out, “Noble Consort Yu,” waiting for the emperor to come over and take a look. Yu Xiaoman almost couldn’t get up after kneeling down and when she thought of the lamp, she broke out in a cold sweat and dared not even breathe.
“This is my cousin from my mother’s side. She is new to the capital and and looks a little timid.” Noble Consort Yu, who didn’t even know what her cousin looked like, boasted in front of the emperor with her eyes closed. “Although her family’s position is not high, the place is beautiful and surrounded by mountains and water. My cousin is also well-educated and virtuous, more than enough to match General Lu.”
After saying this, she asked Yu Xiaoman to lift his head. Although the emperor had doubts at first, when he saw the dignified and beautiful face, he relaxed, “The Lu family is loyal, and General Lu is a young talent. He joined the army at the age of sixteen and has made numerous military achievements. It is only right for him to marry a wife as beautiful as a flower.”
Yu Xiaoman’s mind was buzzing with thoughts, and even though he was praised by the emperor, he couldn’t feel happy. After the people left, a few official ladies came up and asked him various questions, but he absent-mindedly responded.
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.
“Where is the Yu jia Village ? I haven’t heard of this place before?”
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“P vbc’a ufa wemt rec.”
“Cgf sbe erfv ab rajslcu lc atf mjqlaji? Pr sbeg teryjcv agfjalcu sbe kfii?”
“Pa’r delaf ubbv.”
…
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“I heard that the daughter of Minister Shen is finally willing to get married.”
“It’s really pitiful. After waiting for so many years, it has been dragged to this age.
“They were originally a perfect match, who would have thought that General Lu’s legs are truly incurable.”
“Miss Shen is also affectionate. Now that General Lu is married, she can rest assured.”
…
Listening to them mention Lu Ji, Yu Xiaoman snapped out of his daze, pricking up his ears to listen.
The noble ladies, born and raised in poetry and rites, had a knack for gossip. Their conversation was neither offensive nor incomprehensible, and Yu Xiaoman pieced together a story that was no less dramatic than a folk tale.
During the Lantern Festival, the night was short and enjoyable, and the capital city lifted its curfew for the night. The banquet also had no time limit, and the emperor and his courtiers enjoyed the lively atmosphere until late at night.
The palace was brightly lit, and a few noble ladies who couldn’t hold on any longer took their leave, leaving in groups of three or two to return home. Yu Xiaoman mingled among them, leaving the Taiji Hall and walking through the lush pathways.
He remembered that Duan Heng had gone in this direction earlier, so he boldly ventured into the secluded path, thinking it was where the nobles were celebrating. To his surprise, it turned out to be a quiet garden instead.
Having eaten and drunk his fill and listened to a basketful of gossip, Yu Xiaoman wanted to hurry back for a foot bath and then sleep.
But this place was deserted, with no one in sight and only two lanterns lit by the entrance. As he walked back the way he came, Yu Xiaoman thought about where to find Lu Ji. However, as he passed by a pond shimmering with moonlight, he stopped in his tracks, his face showing longing.
Calculating the days, it had been almost half a month since he last went into the water.
Fortunately, everyone was drinking in the main hall, and no one was visiting this secluded corner. Yu Xiaoman tiptoed to the edge of the pond, squatted down, took off his shoes and socks, rolled up his pants and lifted his skirt, dipped his toes into the water first, watching the ripples spread out. Unable to resist the temptation, he slowly extended his legs into the water.
What emerged from the water surface was not legs but a translucent and flexible fishtail. Yu Xiaoman let out a long sigh of relief, closing his eyes. This was much more comfortable than soaking his feet in a basin; it would be wonderful if the Lu Mansion had such a pond.
He continued to soak, letting the fish tail sway gently, enjoying the cleansing of the clear water, his body relaxing against the edge of the pond.
Then he heard footsteps approaching from a distance, along with the familiar sound of wheels rolling over the ground.
It was too late to climb out of the water. The spot where the two people stopped was separated from the pond by just one tree. Any movement would be noticed. Yu Xiaoman felt as if he had been petrified, his fishtail touching the water grass at the bottom of the pond, and he dared not move a muscle.
On the other side of the tree, a woman spoke first, her voice crisp with a hint of softness typical of a young woman. “I went to the south of the Yangtze River with my father around the end of the year. I heard that you got married, but I didn’t have time to say congratulations.”
Yu Xiaoman couldn’t tell who she was. But he could recognize the person who spoke next.
“Thank you,” Lu Ji’s voice remained deep, his tone indifferent. “I was busy during the New Year, and I didn’t have the chance to visit. If convenient, please convey my regards to your father.”
“Are you really too busy, or just unwilling to visit?” the woman asked.
At this remark, both Lu Ji and Yu Xiaoman, who was submerged in the water, were stunned.
How Lu Ji felt was unknown, but Yu Xiaoman figured out their relationship from this brief conversation. This woman must be the one the noble ladies were discussing earlier, named Shen Muxue, the most talented woman in the capital and Lu Ji’s former fiancée.
After a pause, Shen Muxue asked anxiously, “How long are you planning to avoid me?”
Lu Ji’s silence was not just cold; it was almost indifferent.
He replied, “I am married now, and you are about to get married. We should avoid any suspicion.”
Shen Muxue chuckled lightly, “Avoid suspicion? Why didn’t you mention those words earlier?”
“I thought you knew.”
“I didn’t know!” Shen Muxue suddenly raised her voice, disregarding her noble demeanor. “All I knew was three years ago when I sent you off at the city gate, you promised me that you would return and formally propose marriage.”
Her tone gradually lowered, almost sobbing, “You promised… to marry me.”
After a long pause, Lu Ji replied, “You also said, it was three years ago.”
Moreover, that battle didn’t end in triumph. With frequent reports of victories, the imperial army planned to pursue the enemy, but they were ambushed when they reached the mountain passes at the border. Due to unfavorable terrain, the army suffered heavy casualties despite their fierce fighting, and the commander-in-chief lost both legs in that battle, unable to lead the troops to battle again.
“I don’t care, Brother Lu. I don’t care.” Shen Muxue took two steps forward and threw herself in front of him. “Whether you can go to the battlefield or stand up, since I agreed to you back then, I never thought of marrying someone else. I can take care of you, take care of you for a lifetime… I don’t care about what others think or say, I just want to be with you.”
Hearing this, Yu Xiaoman covered his heart with one hand, deeply moved by this passionate confession. In this world, few men could resist such sincere feelings.
Such passionate confession moved him deeply; there’s hardly any man in the world who could resist such genuine and sincere feelings.
Moreover, Shen Muxue was a rare beauty, outstanding not only in appearance but also in talent and background.
Yu Xiaoman couldn’t help but sigh inwardly. If she were to become the daughter-in-law, even the strictest mother-in-law would find no fault with her, unlike me…
In a brief moment, he had already envisioned what was going to happen next—Lu Ji accepting Shen Muxue, the two of them embracing and shedding tears, facing opposition from their parents, and ultimately convincing the elders to agree, living together in harmony.
As for himself, he would be a negligible character in this story. In order not to hinder the marriage between the two, he would of course ask for a divorce and vanish from the world, never to appear again.
But Lu Ji’s legs had yet to find a way to be cured.
Yu Xiaoman was so preoccupied with worry that he momentarily overlooked a pang of loss that flashed through his heart and nearly missed Lu Ji’s response.
From the tone of his voice, Lu Ji’s reaction seemed less intense compared to an onlooker’s. His voice was cold, and his speech was steady.
“But I care,” he said. “Consider the promise three years ago as a joke, and let’s move on with our separate lives.”
On the return journey, under the bright moon, the crowd was bustling.
Yu Xiaoman pretended to be fascinated by the night scenery outside the window. As they passed brightly lit areas, he sneaked a glance at Lu Ji sitting inside the carriage. He noticed the red imprint on Lu Ji’s left cheek, and his emotions became complex. He felt sorry for Lu Ji getting slapped but also believed that Lu Ji deserved it.
Sister BiYue once said that a husband who made his wife cry was not a good man.
But now, Lu Ji’s wife was himself, not that Shen Muxue.
Thinking of this, Yu Xiaoman inexplicably felt relieved, as if he had worried needlessly about something just now.
Back at the residence, with his skirt still wet from the water, Yu Xiaoman intended to wash his feet and change clothes. As he pushed the door open with a basin in hand, he saw Yun Luo directing two servants to carry a large wooden tub filled with hot water into the room.
Judging its size, it was more than enough for one person to sit comfortably.
Yu Xiaoman stared blankly at the wooden tub being placed in the middle of the room and called out to Yun Luo, who was about to leave, “Excuse me, Sister, what is this for?”
Without looking at him directly, Yun Luo replied, “It’s for bathing. Remember to pull the screen.”
Without time to ponder what he might have done to offend this sister, as soon as the door was closed, Yu Xiaoman walked to the tub and squatted down. He felt the steamy heat rising from the water on his cheeks and entering his nostrils. In this slightly chilly early spring night, it felt more refreshing than the pond in the palace.
Since it was already presented to him, not enjoying it would be foolish.
So, he stood up straight, raised his legs, and jumped into the tub with a splash, creating numerous water ripples.
His slender legs quickly transformed into a fishtail, and the warm clear water flowed over the scales, making them shine brightly like they had received much-needed nourishment.
After enjoying himself for a while, Yu Xiaoman stopped splashing around, and he began to feel a bit uncomfortable.
For a cold-water fish accustomed to living at the bottom of the sea, the water temperature of human baths was a bit too high. After soaking for a long time, he felt dizzy and his breathing became rapid.
Not wanting to turn into boiled fish, he had to get out and catch his breath.
With both arms gripping the edge of the tub, there was a loud splash as Yu Xiaoman half emerged from the water, wiping the water from his face with one hand. Just then, he saw that the screen was still folded next to the wall. He had just untied his hairband to swing it out and pull the screen open when he heard the sound of the door opening.
Yu Xiaoman’s heart skipped a beat as he turned to look at the door and saw Lu Ji entering. Subconsciously, he exhaled a sigh of relief, but then suddenly remembered something. He quickly lowered his hand to cover his lower body.
His fishtail had not yet retracted, and it was exposed outside. Fortunately, the edge of the tub was high, and he hadn’t taken off his clothes, so Lu Ji probably hadn’t seen it.
Yu Xiaoman breathed another sigh of relief, completely unaware that he had been focused on the lower half and overlooked exposing important parts.
It wasn’t until he looked down at the floor, following Lu Ji’s scrutinizing gaze, and saw the soaked clothes clinging to his flat chest, that he froze.
___
Thank you for the chapter 😍 ❤️ ❤️
Loving this beautiful story. Anything with mermaids is always so beautiful and tragic
Covering fishtail : ✅
Covering non-existent b0obs : ❌
Yu xiaoman’s priorities 😂😂