“I will no longer accept such childish things.”
“Disciple, what are you doing here?”
Mu Lingyan was lost in a fantasy where she would present the sword tassel to He Xuan, imagining him smiling faintly and ruffling her hair.
Suddenly, He Xuan’s voice really came from behind her.
She hurriedly stuffed the Dream Fantasy Pearl into her Storage Ring, her cheeks flushing. “Ah, disciple just finished some official business and was resting here for a moment.”
“Master, have you recovered well?”
He Xuan stepped into the pavilion, having changed into a set of dark blue robes.
The hem was still embroidered with cranes, but this time with golden thread.
This color made He Xuan seem less aloof, adding a touch of dark, noble elegance.
He Xuan sat calmly opposite Mu Lingyan.
Nodding, he asked, “Mm, has disciple arranged everything properly?”
“Yes, Master, all is taken care of! We can return to Kun Mountain now. Is Xiao Jiu awake?”
He Xuan pondered for a moment, his expression hesitant, as if there was something difficult to say.
This couldn’t help but pique Mu Lingyan’s curiosity.
Her master was usually decisive, rarely this slow and hesitant.
She patiently waited for He Xuan to speak.
“Xiao Jiu has not woken up. Let us depart for the sect tomorrow.”
“Alright, I’ll follow Master’s lead!”
After Mu Lingyan spoke, the atmosphere fell silent for a moment.
Tucking a stray strand of hair behind her ear, she noticed He Xuan scratching the side of the stone table with his finger.
Master is so adorable—
Just as she was inwardly sighing with genuine admiration, He Xuan opposite her seemed to make up his mind and slowly said, “Disciple, the market in White Egret Town is very lively tonight. Would you accompany your master for a stroll?”
Mu Lingyan nodded with a smile without a second thought. “Of course, of course! Is there some special event at the market today?”
He Xuan’s expression was unusually gentler than usual.
“Mm, today is the Bayberry Festival. White Egret Town relies on growing bayberries for livelihood. Out of gratitude, the townsfolk hold the Bayberry Festival every year.”
Bayberry Festival?
That was quite novel. She had only heard of lantern festivals and such, but this was her first time hearing of a Bayberry Festival.
“Shall we set off now?”
Mu Lingyan’s joy was visibly evident. He Xuan lowered his eyelids, gave an “mm” of acknowledgment, and stepped out of the pavilion first.
The moon was very round tonight.
Under the moonlight, the garden seemed draped in a layer of gauze, hazy and gentle like an ink wash painting.
Mu Lingyan didn’t want to walk behind He Xuan. Summoning her courage, she caught up and walked by his side.
Advancing together with him…
Because He Xuan was a man of few words, the master and disciple didn’t talk much on their way to the market.
The central market of White Egret Town was brightly lit and exceptionally lively.
Stalls lined both sides of the street, including those selling lanterns—but these were shaped like bayberries or other fruits and vegetables.
Lanterns shaped like flowers or other common designs were rare.
As if sensing Mu Lingyan’s confusion, He Xuan explained calmly, “The people of White Egret Town believe that what fills their bellies is worth commemorating. So, during the Bayberry Festival, the surroundings are filled with food stalls. Even the lanterns are mainly shaped like fruits and vegetables; lanterns made of flowers are uncommon.”
“I see! That’s a wonderful idea, so interesting!”
“Master, wait here for a moment. I’ll be right back.”
He Xuan stood where he was, watching Mu Lingyan run over to a lantern stall.
Mu Lingyan pointed at a round bayberry-shaped lantern and asked with a smile, “Shopkeeper, how much for this one?”
The shopkeeper was momentarily dazzled by Mu Lingyan’s smile, staring blankly for a moment before replying, “Miss, this lantern is only two copper coins!”
Two coins, that’s really cheap!
She had enough money for that.
She cheerfully handed five coins to the shopkeeper, smiling sweetly.
“Boss, here are five coins. I just want one bayberry lantern and one watermelon lantern!”
“Alright!” With that, the shopkeeper handed the lanterns to Mu Lingyan.
Holding a lantern in each hand, Mu Lingyan stood there while He Xuan, who remained in place, felt an inexplicable sense of foreboding.
Sure enough…
“Master, Master! Look what I bought for you to play with. Do you want this bayberry lantern or this watermelon lantern?”
He Xuan stared at the two hideously ugly lanterns before him, momentarily stunned.
He couldn’t help but feel that Mu Lingyan’s tone sounded like she was coaxing a child.
“I think this watermelon lantern suits your temperament better, Master. You should carry this one! As for this round, plump bayberry lantern, I like it more! Hehe…”
Suits?
His temperament?
With that, she affectionately shoved the watermelon lantern into He Xuan’s arms.
He Xuan’s face darkened, but he had no choice but to hold it.
His expression was filled with reluctance.
Mu Lingyan held the bayberry lantern in her left hand while using two fingers of her right hand to pinch He Xuan’s sleeve, pulling him forward.
“It’s so lively over there! Master, let’s go take a look!”
Tonight, almost all the residents of White Egret Town had gathered at the market. The streets were bustling and noisy.
Perhaps because He Xuan and Mu Lingyan carried an extraordinary aura and looked like celestial beings, people automatically made way for them when they saw them.
Thus, Mu Lingyan didn’t have to exert much effort to pull He Xuan into the crowd.
Only after squeezing halfway in did she notice a stage set up ahead, where several women in pink dresses were dancing.
Someone nearby was accompanying them with a pipa.
Just as the master and disciple squeezed their way in, the dancers happened to step off the stage, and acrobats took their place.
There were performers jumping through flaming hoops and others dancing with jars balanced on their heads.
Mu Lingyan felt dazzled by the spectacle.
She stole a glance at He Xuan beside her and saw curiosity filling his usually calm and unruffled eyes.
Amidst all the clamor and excitement, her gaze was fixed solely on him.
Mu Lingyan stared at He Xuan’s profile, her heart skipping a beat.
After feeling a wave of shyness, she suddenly remembered.
He Xuan was curious about this performance because he had never seen such things as a child.
He was originally born into a prestigious family, but his life was far from happy.
His birth mother passed away early, and he had an irresponsible father and a malicious stepmother.
His stepmother told his father that she would send him to the Immortal Sect to cultivate, but in reality, she had him abandoned outside.
He Xuan was still young at the time. He once fought with dogs for food out of hunger and was bitten, stole leftovers from restaurants and was beaten by the owners, and slept in dilapidated temples where he was bullied by beggars.
Finally, a farming couple took him in, but they met with misfortune because of him and were tragically killed in their own home.
In short…
He Xuan’s childhood was as miserable as it could possibly be.
Mu Lingyan deeply regretted it.
His tragic childhood was entirely her doing. If she hadn’t written it this way, He Xuan would never have suffered these things.
But who could have known that the world in the book was actually real?
It was all too absurd.
Mu Lingyan blinked, forcing back her tears.
She tugged at He Xuan’s sleeve, stood on her tiptoes, and whispered in his ear, “Master, the performance is over. I’m so hungry…”
“Shall we go eat yangchun noodles?”
“Alright.”
The two of them retreated from the crowd.
He Xuan lowered his gaze and saw that Mu Lingyan was still carefully protecting the bayberry lantern in her arms, keeping it perfectly intact.
He picked up the green watermelon lantern and took a look—it had already been accidentally damaged.
Seeing the disappointment in He Xuan’s eyes, Mu Lingyan smiled and comforted him.
“It’s alright. After we finish the spring noodles, this disciple will buy Master ten more lanterns!”
“Perfect in every way! Hehe…”
He Xuan froze…
No one had ever been so attentive as to notice that he liked these trivial little trinkets.
Nor had anyone ever been willing to spend money on such things for him.
The lantern light flickered, casting a warm yellow glow on the woman’s cheeks, highlighting her captivating phoenix eyes and rosy lips.
But what stood out most was the sincerity and joy in her eyes.
He Xuan turned his face away and muttered, “These lanterns are so childish. This master won’t want them anymore…”