Chapter 116 Lights

Out of nowhere, the two of them started arguing again for some unknown reason. Ming Huashang felt very upset and exhausted.

The Duke of Zhenguo wanted her to have more contact with Cheng Xun, to see for herself what kind of person Cheng Xun was and how he treated people. If she still didn't like him, she could just refuse. The Duke of Zhenguo had already said this, and Ming Huashang couldn't refuse any more. She could just treat it as an appointment with a friend, and she would have a reason to refuse next time.

Unfortunately, she just wanted to complete the task, but the two people who were traveling with her were more restless than each other. Ming Huashang thought that the test was not Cheng Xun's level of dealing with people, but hers.

Ming Huashang said, "Thank you, Mr. Cheng, for reminding me. Second brother, you don't mind me squeezing you, do you?"

Ming Huazhang shook his head, and Ming Huashang naturally held Ming Huazhang's arm and said with a smile: "I knew my brother was the best. Look, there is someone spewing fire over there, second brother, Mr. Cheng, let's go and take a look!"

She kept calling him "my brother", and Ming Huazhang seemed to be smoothed by an invisible hand, and the anger in his heart dissipated unconsciously. After Ming Huachang finished speaking, she pulled Ming Huazhang and ran away. Ming Huazhang was forced to follow. He lowered his eyes to look at her beautiful and bright face under the light, like a helmsman bewitched by a mermaid, knowing clearly that this was an illusion, but unable to break it.

She was kind to everyone, including Cheng Xun, Jiang Ling, and Ren Yao. The only special thing about him was that he was her brother. If one day he was no longer her brother, would he be different from Jiang Ling in her heart?

Probably not. His sister is so lazy and content with the status quo that she will never move forward unless she is pushed.

Ming Huazhang is now like a gambler who has reached the end of his rope. He knows that he has very little left, but he still can't help but put all his chips on the gambling table, madly wanting to break the window paper, either completely turn over, or lose everything. He clearly warned himself to abide by the etiquette of brother and sister and not to be a person of bad morals, but he still can't help testing Ming Huachang and testing the Duke of Zhenguo. On the one hand, he suppressed himself, and on the other hand, he hoped that someone would find out that he had crossed the line.

Sometimes Ming Huazhang even despised himself. He was such a hypocritical person that he actually expected the worst to happen and the Duke of Zhenguo would be forced to marry her out of loyalty. With her optimism and insight, she would surely come to her senses soon and would not blame him for having such thoughts about his sister who grew up with him, right?

Ming Huazhang was lost in thought when he suddenly felt a chill on his face. He came to his senses and found that Ming Huachang had put a mask on his face. Through the dark hole, he saw Ming Huachang standing in the brightly lit area, glaring at him unhappily: "I've called you several times, why are you still distracted?"

Ming Huazhang was stunned for a moment before he found his voice: "Sorry, I didn't pay attention just now."

"You have to wear a mask. No, this one is too good-looking. You have to wear an ugly one." Ming Huashang picked and chose on the stall. She picked up a green-faced and fanged devil mask with satisfaction and showed it off in front of Ming Huazhang. "Look, is it scary?"

Ming Huazhang curled his lips slightly, his eyes tender and helpless: "Yeah."

"Then you will be punished to wear it, and you are not allowed to hide!"

Ming Huazhang didn't even think of hiding. He was a head taller than her, but he let her manipulate him and let her put the green-faced, fang-toothed mask on his face. However, when it was Ming Huachang's turn, she rejected the simple masks and went to another stall to choose one. Ming Huazhang paid for the masks without complaint. The stall owner saw it and said enviously, "You are so good to me. I wish you two will live happily together forever."

The vendor misunderstood, but Ming Huazhang did not explain. He handed the copper money to the vendor and said in an almost inaudible voice under the mask: "Thank you for your auspicious words."

Cheng Xun was blocked by the crowd and finally squeezed through. He almost didn't recognize them as siblings. Ming Huazhang was so handsome, but he wore a mask with fangs and claws. He stood aside and waited patiently for Ming Huashang to choose a mask. He didn't show any displeasure when facing the people's scrutiny. Cheng Xun walked over and asked, "Mrs. Ming Er, do you want to buy a mask?"

Ming Huashang turned around and saw Cheng Xun. She took out the two masks in her hand without any hesitation and said, "Yes, but I don't know which one to choose from these two."

"If Second Lady likes it, just buy it all." Cheng Xun was about to pay when he was stopped by Ming Huazhang. Through the green fierce ghost mask, his sense of oppression was particularly sharp and undisguised.

"No need. My sister doesn't need anyone else to spend money on her."

Cheng Xun couldn't help but retort: ​​"I am lucky enough to accompany the beautiful lady to watch the lanterns tonight, and it is my honor to pay for her."

Behind the mask, Ming Huazhang finally no longer had to suppress his emotions and said coldly, "There are so many beauties on the street, many of them are willing to satisfy Mr. Cheng's taste, so there is no need to get close to her."

"It's true that there are many beautiful women on the street, but only the Second Lady has done a favor to the Cheng family, so I naturally have to repay her."

"She doesn't need it."

"Ming Shaoyin, although you are my elder brother, aren't you being too controlling..."

"That's enough." Ming Huashang couldn't stand it anymore and shouted, and bought both masks with her own money, saying, "I came out to enjoy the lights, not to listen to people quarreling."

Cheng Xun and Ming Huazhang looked unhappy when they saw Ming Huashang paying for it herself. They drove very fast, and when Ming Huashang's eyes paused for a moment, they would rush to pay for it. In the end, Ming Huashang didn't even dare to stop.

Ming Huachang smiled brightly on the surface, but was speechless in her heart. She once again emphasized in her mind that she should not go shopping with men. It was simply a waste of time and effort to save face, and there was no fun at all.

Before they knew it, they were in front of a restaurant. In front of the restaurant, there was a row of lamp stands, like thousands of falling stars, with pieces of paper hanging under the lamps. It seemed to be a place for guessing lantern riddles. Ming Huachang turned over a riddle and was thinking about it when Cheng Xun had already given the answer.

Ming Huazhang glanced at Cheng Xun coldly and said in a bad tone: "Shang Shang is still thinking, what are you doing?"

"I just reminded the Second Lady." Cheng Xun said, "We have to wait for the Second Lady to decide whether it is right or not."

The waiter beside him heard this, took down the corresponding lantern, handed it to Ming Huashang with great discernment, and said with a smile: "Congratulations, sir, you got it right. This lantern is for you, my lady."

Cheng Xun smiled, looked at Ming Huashang and said, "It's just luck. I'm glad that Second Madam likes this lamp."

Ming Huashang could only take it with a smile. Even if she didn't see it, she could feel that Ming Huazhang's face looked very bad, and the night wind seemed to make it much colder.

Ming Huachang had no choice but to coquettishly put the lamp into Ming Huazhang's hands and said, "This lamp is so heavy to carry, second brother, please help me carry it. This rabbit lamp is so cute, second brother, do you know what the answer to the riddle is?"

Ming Huazhang condescended to take the lamp, glanced at it calmly, and uttered a word. Ming Huachang applauded and said, "I see. Thank you, second brother, this lamp is mine too."

Ming Huachang laughed and acted coquettishly, and finally managed to make Ming Huazhang look better. She breathed a sigh of relief silently, feeling very tired.

Ming Huashang lost interest as he walked along the street. He tightened his hood and said, "It's a bit cold. Let's go back and find the others."

Cheng Xun and Ming Huazhang both looked unhappy, and silently accompanied Ming Huashang back. The lanterns attracted many people, and Ming Huashang was running in the opposite direction of the crowd, and it was very difficult to squeeze. Seeing this, Ming Huazhang stood in front of her without saying a word, and blocked the people around her.

As they walked out, they could vaguely hear someone talking behind them, as if it was the owner of the restaurant. Ming Huashang was struggling to squeeze out, not paying attention to what was happening behind her. She grabbed Ming Huazhang's sleeve and finally walked to a slightly wider place, and breathed a sigh of relief: "There are so many people today."

Ming Huazhang looked up at the endless crowd and the people who were still coming in, and he instinctively felt a little ominous. He handed the light to the guard, pulled Ming Huachang and said, "There are too many people here, let's go to another place."

Ming Huachang was also squeezed and felt uncomfortable, so he nodded vigorously. There was a burst of cheers from behind, and Ming Huazhang turned around and said something, but Ming Huachang couldn't hear clearly, so he went over and asked, "Second brother, what did you say?"

Ming Huazhang no longer cared about the difference between men and women, and whispered in Ming Huachang's ear, "Follow me closely."

When he said this, Ming Huashang was half looking up at him, so she could see the sudden expansion of white light from his dark pupils.

Then there was a shrill sound. Before Ming Huashang could turn around to see what happened, Ming Huazhang hugged her.

Ming Huachang felt a scorching wave coming from behind, followed by countless screams and cries, knocking her off her feet. In the chaos, only a pair of hands held her tightly, blocking the crowd of people pushing her away and forcibly creating a space for her.

"Run, there's a fire!"

"Ah, someone's dead!"

Even if she didn't see it, Ming Huashang could probably guess from the cries of passersby that the owner of the restaurant had just turned on the lights, and for some reason the lights exploded, and the owner was probably in danger. What was even more terrifying was that today was the Lantern Festival, and the people of the entire city and even the surrounding counties were all out in Chang'an. There were millions of people on the streets, including women and children. If the panic was allowed to spread and a stampede occurred, it would be disastrous.

Ming Huashang suddenly felt a force gripping her waist, and then her body became lighter. Ming Huazhang actually used the strength of his arms to hold her and jumped onto a roadside shelf, moving lightly in the lantern. He put Ming Huashang in a safe place, and before she could speak, Ming Huashang said hurriedly: "Second brother, I learned the art of self-protection in Xuanxiaowei, so it's okay for me to stay alone. Go and maintain order, and don't let the trampling expand."

Ming Huazhang looked at her deeply, put a dagger in her hand, turned around without saying a word, and ran towards the restaurant. Ming Huashang stood up with the help of the wooden frame, staring nervously at the small dot in the crowd that was moving against the flow.

He had already taken off the mask with fangs, but he did not throw it away, but still held it in his hand. He had slender limbs and a solid body. Even in the turbulent current, he remained motionless, like the only rock in the middle of the river at high tide. He said loudly: "I am Ming Huazhang, the Junior Yin of Jingzhao Prefecture. Everyone, stay calm, don't push or shove, and everyone, listen to my command."

There is no curfew during the Lantern Festival, and it is a day of national revelry, which is the easiest time for things to go wrong. Therefore, the court has already had a plan, and every year they arrange patrols in the streets and alleys to prevent accidents like today. Ming Huazhang was originally from Jingzhao Prefecture and was very familiar with the festival process. After he revealed his identity, he quickly stabilized the people's hearts, commanded the soldiers to close the roads, limit the flow of people, and guide the people to evacuate in an orderly manner.

Ming Huazhang's calmness greatly infected the surroundings. The people saw a handsome man descending from the sky, standing in the torrent like a stabilizing force, commanding the crowd in an orderly manner. Their minds gradually calmed down and they stopped pushing and escaping.

The streets gradually regained order from the chaos. Cheng Xun was protected by his guards and was relatively unharmed. As soon as he got out of trouble, he hurried to find Ming Huashang. As a result, when he looked up, he saw Ming Huashang standing in the bright lights. The wooden frame was almost invisible in the darkness. He could only see her floating in the air like a fairy, her clothes fluttering, her hair flowing, her flower-like delicate face showing both sorrow and indifference, just like the flying fairy in the mural, ready to fly away in the wind at any time.

Cheng Xun paused, then squeezed over and asked, "Second Mother, can't you get down?"

Ming Huashang was looking at the place where the incident happened when she suddenly heard someone calling her. She looked down and saw Cheng Xun, then she slowly came back to reality, holding on to the shelf and jumped down easily: "It's okay, I can do it myself."

Cheng Xun was about to reach out to catch her when he found that Ming Huashang had already jumped down by herself, with her skirt fluttering like a colorful butterfly. Cheng Xun paused, then silently withdrew his hand and said with a smile, "You were smart to hide on the shelf in time when danger occurred."

"My second brother let me go up there." Ming Huashang was still concentrating on the accident ahead while talking to Cheng Xun. He muttered to himself, "Why did someone get killed in the explosion?"

Cheng Xun turned his head along Ming Huashang's line of sight and saw Ming Huazhang standing in the crowd, directing the evacuation in an orderly manner. Cheng Xun had heard that Ming Erlang was good-looking, but today, when he stood in the crowd and looked up at him from afar, he realized that Ming Huazhang was so outstanding.

His handsome appearance is only his most insignificant advantage; his calm demeanor, cool and sharp eyes, and his determination to rush into the crowd without hesitation when a commotion breaks out are the soul of this appearance.

Cheng Xun secretly competed with Ming Huazhang for the whole night, and at this moment, all those impulses faded away like the tide, leaving only the mess and shame. He finally understood where his grandfather and grandmother's praise for Ming Huazhang came from, and why Ming Huachang said without hesitation that her second brother was the best man in the world.

He is indeed far inferior. Cheng Xun secretly felt lucky that this man was just her brother. Even if he could not shake Ming Huazhang's position in her heart, at least he could still become the most important man in her second half of life in another identity.

Cheng Xun said, "Second Madam, Shao Yin will probably be busy for a while. It's too dangerous here. I'll take you away first."

Ming Huashang shook her head without even thinking, her eyes still looking forward, and said, "No, I'll stay here to help. Thank you for your kindness, Mr. Cheng. You can go first."

Cheng Xun frowned: "No. You are a girl, how can I leave you in a place like this?"

"It's not that I lost it. I chose to stay here." Ming Huashang finally turned around, looked Cheng Xun in the eyes, and said, "I appreciate your honesty. I don't want to delay your time, so I might as well say it directly. I understand what Madam Cheng and Madam Shizi mean. I am very grateful that your family recognizes me, but you and I are not suitable."

Everyone pretended to be ignorant of this matter. Cheng Xun did not expect Ming Huashang, a girl, to be the first to speak up. He was surprised for a moment, and then he spoke frankly: "Since Second Mother already knows, I have nothing to hide. Why do you say this? Are you worried that you will be wronged after marrying into the Cheng family? If you are worried about this, I can guarantee..."

"That's not the case." Ming Huashang gently interrupted Cheng Xun's words, looked at him seriously, and said, "I know that Madam Cheng and the Crown Prince's wife are kind and sensible, and the Cheng sisters are also easy to get along with. I like the Chengguo Mansion very much, but the problem between us is not anything external, but you and me."

"You and me?" Cheng Xun became more and more confused and asked, "Second Madam, do you think I did something wrong?"

"No." Ming Huashang explained quickly, "You are a good person, there is no doubt about that. On the contrary, I am untalented and mediocre, and I am very frightened to be valued by the Chengguo Mansion. It's just that we are not suitable. For example, now, I want to go to the scene to see what happened and why the shopkeeper was blown to death. I am willing to do it even if I have to wait until nightfall. My second brother and father support me to do so, but Cheng Dalangjun, will the Chengguo Mansion allow a grandson's daughter-in-law who disobeys the elders and stays outside to watch the corpse on her own initiative?"

Cheng Xun stared into Ming Huashang's crystal clear and watery eyes, and for a moment he wanted to say that he could try for her, but he quickly came to his senses. Even if he was willing to give in, what about his mother and grandmother, and so many relatives in the Cheng family?

He finally understood why he suddenly wanted to marry Ming Huashang. He accidentally glimpsed a free butterfly in his years of following the same rules. She passed through his fingertips, charming and beautiful, and smiled and said, "I don't need to be like others." The brilliance in her eyes when she spoke deeply shocked Cheng Xun.

Cheng Xun envied such freedom and light, so he wanted to keep the butterfly. However, once the butterfly is locked in a cage, its wings will wither, the spirit in its eyes will fade, and in the end, only a dull and dark specimen will remain.

How he wanted to indulge his meanness, selfishly catch the butterfly, and take her for himself. But Cheng Xun couldn't bear it in the end. He took a step back, forced a smile, looked at Ming Huashang and said, "So that's how it is. I understand. No wonder I felt that you and him were inseparable and that outsiders were not allowed to interfere. It turns out that this feeling is true. Don't worry, I will tell my grandmother."

Ming Huashang heaved a sigh of relief. Cheng Xun's ability to let go of things easily saved her a lot of trouble. Ming Huashang looked at Cheng Xun and said sincerely, "Thank you."

Cheng Xun seemed to want to smile calmly and keep his composure, but his smiles were forced. He gave up and said to Ming Huashang, "The night is getting colder. You should go home early. Goodbye."

Ming Huashang smiled brightly in return and said, "Mr. Cheng, take care on your way. See you later."

Cheng Xun wanted to say something, but gave up after moving his lips, and turned around to walk back. There were not many people on the street at this time. He walked into the dark and gloomy place, and suddenly stopped, turned around and asked: "Second mother, I don't know your name yet. When I am old and miss you when you were young, I don't know what I should call you?"

Ming Huashang smiled, her eyes sparkling, and said, "My name is Ming Huashang. Shangshang means Hua, and Yun means yellow. The son I meet is a man of honor."

Cheng Xun slowly pondered over the two words "Hua Shang" and "Hua Zhang". "Shang" refers to brightness, beauty and splendor, while "Zhang" refers to rites, music and laws. It turned out that they had been a match since such an early time.

Cheng Xun smiled, looked at Ming Huashang under the light from a distance, and said, "What a nice name."

There was a riot in Shanhefang. Fortunately, Ming Huazhang responded in time. Except for a few people who were injured in the initial scuffle, there were no casualties. Ming Huazhang was busy for half an hour and was too busy to handle everything. He only vaguely saw Ming Huashang and Cheng Xun standing together in the corner of his eye. The two talked for a long time.

Ming Huazhang couldn't help frowning despite his busy schedule. What were they talking about? Why were they talking so seriously?

The road in this area has been closed, and the streets are now empty. The person in charge is her brother. Ming Huashang did not shy away from suspicion and walked to the scene of the accident openly to check on the deceased.

The body was blown to pieces, and the surrounding items were burned, so there was no clue at all. Ming Huashang was looking at it carefully, when suddenly a clear voice came from behind: "The deceased is the shopkeeper of Jinxiu Tower."

Ming Huashang turned around and saw Ming Huazhang approaching slowly, with the green-faced, fang-toothed mask tied around his waist. His voice was a little hoarse, but his demeanor was still calm and composed. He said, "The shopkeeper was very happy to have a new son, so he set up a lantern stand in front of the wine shop to have fun with passers-by and lit a hundred-year-old lantern in public to bring good luck. Who could have known that the hundred-year-old lantern would suddenly explode just after it was lit, killing the shopkeeper of Jinxiulou on the spot, and injuring the accountant and the clerk standing next to him. His wife stood farther away from her son because he was crying, so she was spared and was only slightly frightened. I have sent someone to send the injured to see a doctor, and the specific injuries will be known later."

Ming Huashang nodded, looking at the unrecognizable corpse at her feet, wondering, "Even if the shopkeeper made the longevity lamp extra large for good luck, it's just candle oil inside, so why did it explode?"

"It shouldn't be an accident." Ming Huazhang said, "I saw a very dazzling white light at the time. It is possible that someone

The Hundred-Year-Old Lantern was tampered with and the gunpowder inside was replaced."

Ming Huashang was shocked when she heard this: "On an occasion of praying for a child, they put gunpowder in the lamp... What kind of hatred is this? Who did they offend?"

Ming Huazhang said, "We can only wait until the storekeeper's wife calms down before asking her."

The two of them were standing in the dark at the explosion site and talking. Suddenly, the sound of horse hooves came closer. The Duke of Zhenguo came running over. When he saw the two of them, he was shocked and scared: "Erlang, Erniang, are you okay?"

Duke Zhenguo didn't want to go out on the street and crowd with people. With Ming Huazhang around, he felt relieved to do his own things in the mansion, and let the children go out to play. Suddenly, Ming Yu and others came back and said in panic that there was a stampede on the street. Duke Zhenguo waited for a long time but didn't see Ming Huashang and Ming Huazhang.

Fortunately, both children were fine. Ming Huazhang then realized that he was so busy guiding the people that he forgot to report the news to the government.

Ming Huazhang quickly apologized to the Duke of Zhenguo. The Duke of Zhenguo was reluctant to blame them and sighed, "Erlang, this is too much. Get up quickly. I'm glad you're all okay."

Ming Huazhang felt extremely guilty. He ordered his men to seal off the scene, and then quickly asked someone to bring a carriage to take Duke Zhenguo and Ming Huachang back home to rest.

The rest of Chang'an was still bustling, but the Ming family had no interest in playing. The carriage rumbled by, and Ming Huashang leaned against the shaking carriage, closing her eyes and thinking about the bombing. The wheels rolled over the stones, and the curtain quickly opened a crack. She closed her eyes and did not see outside. Su Yuji and Su Xingzhi were walking towards them.

Su Yuji glanced at the person on the horse and was stunned, turning around to look back. Su Xingzhi didn't understand at first, but when he saw the familiar figure on the horse, his expression froze.

Ming Huazhang? The middle-aged man in front is the elder of the Ming family?

What's worse, is that the Duke of Zhen Guo Ming Huaiyuan?

Su Xingzhi quietly looked at Su Yuji. Su Yuji frowned and stared ahead with a look in his eyes.

This figure looked so familiar, she seemed to have seen it before.