[Han’er, today is Qixi Festival. Would you like to go with me to see the lanterns in the capital?
Even the ends of heaven and earth have their limits, only longing is endless—Xiao Lang]
Gu Qinghan pinched a corner of the letter disdainfully. Xiao Yinghuai had sent someone to deliver it early in the morning. The messenger’s steps were unsteady, and his foolish appearance was irritating to watch.
The letter paper was also adorned with many peach blossoms, vaguely hinting at an ambiguous tone.
Seeing this, Chun Tao quickly brought a candle and lit the letter on fire.
Wanzhu, standing nearby, looked on with concern.
Her master was deeply devoted to the young lady, and today being Qixi Festival, he would surely not want to see her with Xiao Yinghuai.
Just as she was about to speak up to dissuade her, she saw Gu Qinghan instruct Chun Tao to burn the letter.
What did this mean?
Gu Qinghan motioned for Chun Tao to lean in and whispered some instructions. She then asked Wanzhu to write a reply on her behalf, arranging to meet Xiao Yinghuai at You hour on Guyi Street and telling him not to bring any attendants.
Hearing Gu Qinghan’s arrangements, Wanzhu pursed her lips, bowed, and withdrew.
She needed to inform her master about the young lady’s plans for tonight as soon as possible. She wondered what her master would decide—whether to watch from afar as usual or perhaps even speak a word to the young lady.
Chun Tao asked, “Young lady, should we prepare your makeup now? The capital is exceptionally lively during Qixi Festival. In previous years, you never joined in the festivities.”
Thinking about what would happen tonight, Gu Qinghan revealed a mischievous smile. “No need for makeup. Remove all the jewelry and just wrap the agate soft-bone whip around my right wrist.”
“Sister Chun Tao and the other sisters in the courtyard can rest today. Go out and have a good time. Wanzhu will accompany me. Also, withdraw fifty taels of silver from the accounts for them to use.”
Pausing for a moment, she added quietly, “Sister Chun Tao, withdraw an additional hundred taels for yourself. Go out and buy some jewelry and clothes. Don’t hold back because of money. If you see something you like and the silver isn’t enough, just put it on my account.”
“Young lady, please don’t worry. You’ve already given me more than enough over the years. With my current assets, I could buy a courtyard in the capital.” Chun Tao covered her mouth and chuckled. “Tonight, it’s the young lady who should have everything go as she wishes. I hope things unfold according to your desires.”
You hour, Guyi Street.
As dusk fell, the various lanterns hanging along the street were lit up. The colorful lotus lanterns swayed gently in the flickering light, their painted petals seeming to drift out with the fragrance of lotus.
There were butterfly lanterns, peony lanterns, and even intricately crafted dragon lanterns with lifelike heads that looked majestic when illuminated.
Gu Qinghan relaxed and strolled leisurely, with Wanzhu following closely behind, vigilantly watching their surroundings and staying alert to protect her.
Gu Qinghan recalled her previous life, when she was constantly swayed by the emotions of Xiao Yinghuai and Gu Xu. She never had time for herself and never experienced beauty beyond the two of them.
Just then, a group of young children ran past holding fish lanterns, humming a Qixi Festival nursery rhyme: “A pair under the lanterns, countless affections under the moon. Light the bright lanterns today, blow out the wedding candles tomorrow…”
Listening to the nursery rhyme, Gu Qinghan’s thoughts drifted far away.
Suddenly, she felt a hand grip her shoulder. Before she could react, Wanzhu, who was behind her, had already pulled the hand away, twisted it behind the person’s back, and pinned them down.
“Ahh, it hurts! It hurts so much! You wretched maid, let go of me! Ouch! It hurts…” Xiao Yinghuai grimaced in pain, his handsome face contorted. He shouted while trying to break free.
But Wanzhu’s martial skills ranked among the top ten in the Qi Kingdom—how could he have succeeded?
Wanzhu looked at this man before her, who was not even one ten-thousandth as worthy as her master, and remembered how he had constantly inserted himself between the young lady and her master. She tightened her grip with even greater force.
How dare someone as filthy and cowardly as you cling to the noble young lady? How dare you be so ungrateful, sowing discord and driving a wedge between the master and the young lady!
Xiao Yinghuai felt as though his arm was about to tear from his shoulder. The piercing pain caused beads of sweat to roll down his face, his complexion flushed crimson, and his teeth chattered uncontrollably.
Gu Qinghan watched his pained expression with amusement, only calling for Wanzhu to release him when she grew bored.
Wanzhu obeyed and let go. Xiao Yinghuai finally felt he could breathe again, gasping heavily as sweat drenched his face, leaving him utterly disheveled.
Once he had finally recovered, he abruptly raised his head, ready to confront Wanzhu.
He took a step forward, shouting, “You lowly servant, how dare you treat me like this? Do you not know who I am?” Wanzhu replied calmly and without deference, “I do not know your identity. I serve only Lady Han.”
Hearing this, Xiao Yinghuai felt somewhat deflated. He was about to say more when Gu Qinghan interrupted him.
“Xiao Yinghuai, if you’re not here to enjoy the festivities, return to your estate. Don’t stand here blocking the way.”
The Qixi Festival crowd was dense and bustling, and their presence in the middle of the street was causing considerable inconvenience.
Xiao Yinghuai gazed at Gu Qinghan’s breathtaking beauty—unadorned yet capable of outshining the moon and putting flowers to shame—and swallowed hard, quickly forcing a smile. “You’re right, Han’er. For your sake, I won’t hold it against her.”
Why had Gu Qinghan become so cold since returning to the capital? Gu Xu must be hiding something from him.
But for now, it was best to remain still and win her over with memories and gentleness.
“Han’er, it’s crowded here. Let me protect you so you won’t be jostled,” Xiao Yinghuai said in his gentlest tone. However, the noise of the crowd drowned out his words, and Gu Qinghan, unable to hear clearly, impatiently rubbed her ear and frowned. “Let’s go.”
Just as Xiao Yinghuai eagerly moved to wrap his arm around Gu Qinghan, Wanzhu bumped into him, nearly knocking him off balance.
Wanzhu said coldly, “I will protect the young lady.”
Xiao Yinghuai’s eyes suddenly turned menacing as he stared at Wanzhu, noticing that she, too, had a pretty face. A wicked thought arose in his mind: once Gu Qinghan married into the Xiao family, Wanzhu would not escape his grasp either.
By then, he would take all the maids in Gu Qinghan’s courtyard as his own!
A man in blue robes hurried through the crowd and, passing by Xiao Yinghuai, accidentally bumped hard into him—right on the shoulder Wanzhu had injured.
The man in blue said nothing and quickly departed.
Left behind, Xiao Yinghuai stared in disbelief. Why was he having such terrible luck today?
He did not see the man in blue exchange a glance with Gu Qinghan as he passed by ahead.
As night fell, a grand performance was about to begin.