A waning crescent moon with one edge missing.

The large willow tree hanging on the riverbank still shone brightly like water.

The moonlight was unattainable, but the reflection on the river seemed almost within reach.

Inside Qinghe Xiaozhu, Aunt Ji sat by the window.

From an outsider's perspective, even at this age, Aunt Ji is still a beauty.

Her skin remained smooth, and her hair remained jet black.

She wore a jade bracelet on her wrist and a jade hairpin in her hair. Apart from that, she wore no other adornments.

Seeing Qi Su carrying a lantern as she entered from outside the shop, a smile appeared on her face.

"Come quickly, your aunt has made your favorite oven-baked chicken."

This restaurant is quiet and peaceful.

There was only a young girl with her hair in pigtails sifting wine at the counter; no one else was there.

Aunt Ji sighed, "Your brother was afraid of making noise, so he had this restaurant booked out long ago. Today, my daughter and I can relax and eat and drink to our hearts' content."

Qi Su nodded.

"Second brother is very thoughtful."

She sat down opposite Aunt Ji.

The full-moon lantern he was carrying hung in front of the window.

Facing the wind, reflected in the water, the faint fragrance of plum blossoms wafts from the lanterns.

Several tiny black insects, seemingly appearing from nowhere, flew around the lantern.

Aunt Ji looked her over with a smile.

"You've lost some weight. If you ask me, it's still not good to live outside. When your brother comes later, we'll discuss bringing you back to the manor."

"Okay," Qi Su replied, picked up her chopsticks, and took a piece of chicken.

It was indeed Qi San Niang's favorite dish.

Back when they lived in the countryside, Aunt Ji would occasionally make it when she was in a good mood.

This is the taste of her mother in Qi San Niang's memory.

Aunt Ji smiled and handed over a bowl of water shield soup.

"Look at you, you greedy little puppy, you haven't changed at all. Is it tasty?"

Qi Su nodded.

“It’s delicious. But—” She touched her eyes.

Why didn't I shed tears?

Aunt Ji asked in bewilderment, "Tears? Why are you crying all of a sudden?"

Qi Su placed her palm on her chest.

There seemed to be a slight ripple there, but it quickly subsided.

Aunt Ji's oven-roasted chicken used to be considered the most delicious food in the world. But after eating it today, I realized it was nothing special. It wasn't even as good as that bowl of fresh meat wontons.

Generally speaking, what we can never obtain and is hidden in our memories is the most beautiful.

Aunt Ji scolded him.

"Why are you so quiet again, you little rascal?"

Qi Su smiled.

"Thank you, Auntie. The food was delicious. Where's Second Brother?"

Aunt Ji smoothed her hair and said, "He's entertaining colleagues; he'll be over later."

Qi Su: "Where's my little brother?"

Aunt Ji smiled and said, "It's rare that you still think about him. The little one is a heavy sleeper and has already fallen asleep, so I didn't disturb him. Once you return to your residence, there will be plenty of opportunities to see him."

Qi Su: "Oh, what about Duan Ting, the young master? Has he figured out how to answer me?"

Aunt Ji's smile froze.

The conversation downstairs could be heard without any obstruction from the private room upstairs, which was not far from the table by the window.

The woman in red, sitting at the head of the table, frowned and said resentfully:

"Hmph, so he's still thinking about Duan Lang."

The old woman standing nearby quickly grasped her hand and lowered her voice.

"Second Mistress, be quiet. After tonight, it will be no use for her to think about anyone else."

The mistress of the Changping Marquis's mansion was a noblewoman from a high-ranking family, so naturally she would not appear on such an occasion.

Tonight, Aunt Ji is going to meet her daughter, Third Sister.

The wet nurse accompanied the second young lady to meet her sisters.

.

Downstairs, Aunt Ji sighed.

"Third Sister, there are plenty of talented young men in the capital, why fixate on just one?"

Look, she clearly lured her here on purpose, using Duan Ting's name.

But he also advised her to be more magnanimous, to let go, and to put things aside.

If she lets go, how will the rest of the show proceed?

The girl opposite laughed.

“Auntie is wrong. There are many talented young men in the capital, but they have never let me down. Only Young Master Duan has failed to keep his promise to me.”

He allowed Qi San Niangzi to get close to him, neither refusing nor taking responsibility.

They allowed, or even condoned, the spread of rumors in Kyoto.

When the Third Sister placed all her hopes on him, he verbally promised to take responsibility, but in reality did nothing.

Such a man is naturally unforgettable.

Aunt Ji sighed.

"A tragedy."

The girl opposite her had a pair of dark eyes, smiling, staring at her intently, waiting for her reply.

"Third Sister, for your aunt's sake, break it off with him. Your aunt and second brother will find you a better one."

Aunt Ji pleaded.

The girl smiled faintly.

“Auntie, don’t worry. I don’t want to steal someone’s marriage. I’m just looking for an explanation.”

Aunt Ji remained silent for a while.

"Since you've made up your mind, fine... Your second brother has already spoken with Young Master Duan; he's upstairs. Go and see him."

Qi Su didn't delay at all.

He stood up and picked up the full moon lantern hanging on the windowsill.

The lamps, like full moons, shone brightly, and a faint fragrance of plum blossoms wafted from their wicks.

She stepped onto the wooden steps, and Aunt Ji looked at her from below.

"Third Sister, let's make things clear with him this time, and then we'll be even. Let's never see each other again, okay?"

Her eyes were red-rimmed and filled with tears.

The image of a heartbroken and helpless mother is vividly portrayed.

Qi Su smiled at her and said, "Okay."

.

She carried a lantern upstairs.

Upstairs in the living room, several dim lamps hung in front of the window, swaying gently in the breeze and moonlight.

Several tables stood silently.

Only in the very center sat a young man with a blue hair ribbon tied around his neck.

He was staring blankly at the teacup in front of him, which was steaming.

It looks like we've been waiting for a while.

Qi Su called out, "Young Master Duan."

A beauty as lovely as jade.

A beautiful woman, as lovely as jade, holds a dimly lit full moon lantern.

Long sleeves draped down, revealing slender fingers.

Under the lamplight, he gave him a half-smile.

The burning, bright emotions of that girl from the past seem to still be vivid in my mind.

Duan Ting stood up, his voice filled with undisguised joy.

"Third Sister, it really is you."

The girl walked to his side and casually placed the lantern on the table.

"Who else could it be but me?"

Duan Ting wanted to question her about why she had tricked him by inviting Qi Shulan and his cousin together, putting him in such an embarrassing situation.

But now that she was right in front of him, he couldn't bring himself to say anything to scold her.

Duan Ting looked at the girl's bright eyes with a complicated expression.

I was both happy and a little regretful.

To her delight, she really couldn't let him go; how could she possibly let him go?

Unfortunately...

Thinking about the other people in this restaurant besides them.

Duan Ting regained his senses. The old woman from the Changping Marquis's residence sent a message home.

Both families have reached a consensus that his engagement to Qi Shulan is absolutely non-negotiable.

What needs to be done now is to nip any potential crisis that could jeopardize the family's reputation in the bud.

"Third Sister, my heart belongs to another, and I cannot reciprocate your feelings."

The girl opposite him did not show any signs of despair or sadness.

On the contrary, she actually laughed after hearing it.

Resting her chin on her hand, she asked, "What does it have to do with me that you have someone you like? But when did you start liking someone?"