She suppressed her chaotic thoughts, walked towards him with the lantern in hand, and said with a smile, "Zhaoyue, what a coincidence, we meet again."

His tense back suddenly relaxed, and a brilliant light reflected in his lowered eyes. He asked, "Are you going back?"

Xu Jiang wanted to answer yes, but changed her mind when the words came to her lips, "I want to go shopping again, Zhaoyue, do you want to come with us?"

Lou Yunchun raised the corner of his mouth and nodded.

"There's a Hundred Plays show up ahead, shall we go take a look?"

"good."

The dances at temple fairs often carried the meaning of offering sacrifices to the gods, but they were not solemn and were instead full of fun.

The two stood in the crowd, watching a performance of the Water God exorcising evil spirits unfold in the stands. The Water God was tall and imposing, while the evil spirit was thin and cunning. The two chased each other skillfully, drawing cheers from the audience. Finally, the Water God slew the evil spirit, concluding the performance.

"I once saw the Ba people's sacrificial dance during the Lower Yuan Festival in Fuzhou. It wasn't about the Water God removing disasters, but rather celebrating the return of warriors who had triumphed over rapids," Xu Jiang reminisced. "Fuzhou is prone to floods, and the Ba people revere the Water God as their supreme deity. Sacrificing to him is their most important festival."

"I read it in your Notes on a Journey South."

"Yes." Xu Jiang curled her lips and elaborated, "The Ba people lived on the cliffs along the Yangtze River. During their sacrifices, they selected dozens of the strongest men from the tribe to dress up as the water god and his attendants. Each of them sailed a single wooden canoe, and in the pitch-black darkness, they conquered the most treacherous riverbanks. Their fellow tribesmen lit torches on both sides of the river, praying and cheering them on. Those who returned would become the new generation of leaders of the Ba people, while those who were swallowed by the river would be hailed as heroes, with caves carved out of the cliffs for them, to be worshipped by the tribe for generations."

Through her narration, Lou Yunchun seemed to have witnessed that magnificent and thrilling sacrifice with his own eyes.

"At that time, I was in dire straits and felt that life was boring. But when I saw the Ba people rushing into the rapids without hesitation, I realized how insignificant and narrow-minded I was." The sound of the waves crashing against the shore and the cheers of encouragement were still ringing in her ears. Xu Jiang turned back to look at Lou Yunchun, "Since then, no matter how difficult the situation was, I felt it was nothing."

Lou Yunchun stared at her, feeling a little blocked in his heart for some reason.

"Ever since I set out on this journey, I've always wanted to come to the capital. I wanted to see what life was like for the people of the most prosperous and affluent land in the Central Plains. I encountered countless setbacks and confusion along the way, but every time I thought of that sacrifice, I found the courage to continue. Finally, I arrived here and opened a bookstore here."

Xu Jiang looked at the bustling scene in front of her and smiled faintly.

"The capital is more prosperous and bustling than I imagined. I love it here, but at the same time, it makes me feel lonely and unfamiliar. It's like a torrent torrent. I don't know if I can conquer it, I don't know if I belong here, and I don't know how long I can stay here."

Xu Jiang didn't know whether Lou Yunchun could understand what she meant.

She just wanted him to understand that she was not a good lady or a beautiful woman in the boudoir.

She lives in the love, hate, passion and desire of this world, coming and going alone, being born and dying alone. When she reaches the place of joy and sorrow, she has to bear it herself, and no one can replace her.

"I am responsible for it, no one can replace me." This is her lifelong prophecy. No one can bear the suffering and joy for her, from beginning to end, it is only herself.

He was the son of a noble family, and the ravine between him and a wanderer like her was like a rapids and dangerous shoals. If he didn't have the courage to risk everything, there was no need to plunge into it.

The acrobatics began, and the surroundings cheered. Lou Yunchun looked at the woman in front of him and said in a deep voice, "If I were a Ba people, I would also ride a canoe to brave the rapids."

Xu Jiang opened her eyes wide and stared at him in a daze.

Seeing her rare dazed look, Lou Yunchun curled his eyes and asked, "Are you still watching?"

Xu Jiang was even more stunned. It took him a long time to come back to his senses. He coughed dryly and said, "It's getting late. We have to open the gate tomorrow. Let's go back."

"I send you."

Xu Jiang paused and wanted to say something else, but then she felt that it would be redundant to say anything, so she might as well let things take their course and nodded.

On their way back, they met the separated Wang family. When Wang saw that she came out alone and they were going back together, he showed a look of deep sorrow, and Qin quickly pinched him.

Xu Jiang pretended not to see it, and with a slightly hot face, she walked behind the family with Lou Yunchun.

After finally reaching Huailiu Lane and saying goodbye to Manager Wang and his family, Xu Jiang felt much more at ease.

Arriving at the door of his own bookstore, Xu Jiang handed the donkey lantern in his hand to Lou Yunchun, "I'm here, you can go back."

Lou Yunchun stared at the donkey lantern, feeling a little hesitant. At this moment, the donkey in the backyard heard Xu Jiang's voice and started to cry "Ah-hmm, ah-hmm".

"Oh, I was so busy today that I forgot to feed it." Xu Jiang stuffed the lamp into his hand and hurried to the yard, waving at him as he walked. "Thank you for bringing me back. Goodbye."

Lou Yunchun had no choice but to leave with this ugly lamp that hurt his eyes.

Back at the mansion, the servant almost couldn't help laughing when he saw the lantern. He went to take it, but Lou Yunchun dodged him. Lou Yunchun walked into the garden with the lantern in hand. As he passed the bare persimmon tree, he suddenly remembered the holiday gift Xu Jiang had sent him today. He asked, "Where did you put the gift Madam Xu sent today?"

The servant replied, "I sent it to the master's courtyard. The master kept some mushroom oil and tried a few dried persimmons, but said they were too sweet, so he didn't eat them. He gave some to Liu Mei and the others as rewards, and kept some for you. He also kept the bean paste and bone buds for you."

"Next time she brings something, send it directly to my room."

"Ah?" The servant was startled at first, then quickly agreed, "Okay, okay." He added, "The master asked you to come back. Go to the study to see him. He said he has something to discuss with you."

My dear, there is more to this chapter. Please click on the next page to continue reading. It will be even more exciting later!