Chapter 74 Hanging Lamp
"I--"
Qingqing was about to open her mouth first, but she only managed to utter two syllables before guiltily looking away.
Lowering her eyelids, she whispered to Yu Chuan and Yu Heng, who were looking at her with a probing expression:
"I've finished my work. Ladies and gentlemen, I'll go back to do some housework first, and then go back to work this afternoon?"
Yu Chuan crossed her arms and said, "Go ahead and don't ask me everything."
Qingqing nodded, then looked at Yan Dibai with feigned unfamiliarity, and said to Yuheng, "This...? Young Master Yuheng, it seems there are no left in the storeroom."
Yu Heng raised an eyebrow, probably surprised that the girl, who had been working hard all day, had suddenly become so talkative. Maintaining her composure, Yu Heng replied:
"Please come in, sir. This is the clerk in charge of cleaning our pharmacy. The Huang Cen you requested will be available as early as tomorrow, or at the latest the day after tomorrow. Please come here today."
Qingqing stood to the side, not daring to raise her face.
Through a layer of misty white gauze, Yan Dibai glanced at her and bowed to Yu Heng.
After Yuheng returned the greeting, Yan Dibai took a step and left. Qingqing, who had been pretending to check for any remaining stains, clapped her hands and bid farewell to the two of them in a relaxed manner.
As soon as the girl's slightly swaying braids disappeared from sight, Yu Chuan frowned:
"What filthy people I've run into today! This wretched soul, why is he drinking Scutellaria baicalensis? He should drink some ginseng soup instead!"
Ignoring Yu Chuan's usual sharp tongue, Yu Heng closed the door. Looking around the still faintly musty house, his expression darkened.
"The smoke of war is intensifying in the north, and the waterways are becoming increasingly difficult to traverse. Yuchuan, you stay here to watch the shop. I will personally oversee the docks tonight. If we can reach them today, then our men are safe. If they cannot reach them, go and inform the young lady that the river pirates are rampant and we must send more men."
Upon seeing his solemn expression, Yu Chuan immediately thought of her uncle who lived in seclusion in Xiangdong Garden.
The young woman had gone to great lengths to persuade the man to move to Jiangzuo. If even the finest medicines could not be supplied on time and in good quality, wouldn't that displease the young woman?
…The young lady has had a difficult journey, and having finally gained this support, she is determined not to tolerate her subordinates' incompetence.
He then abandoned his dismissive attitude and nodded emphatically.
“And the medicine chest,” Yu Heng called her back, his tone grave. “I told you long ago not to be lazy. Even if you’re not fully committed to this business, you still have to maintain appearances. The top medicine chest has been empty for too long without being replaced, attracting ants and insects that will start gnawing at it at the slightest disturbance. Luckily, it didn’t cause any trouble today. If it had really hit A Qing’s head, wouldn’t those families with their eyes on her have something to say about it? How do you expect me to explain that, young lady?”
The two had been together for many years. Yuheng was two years older and always gave in to Yuchuan, rarely scolding her with a stern face.
Yu Chuan couldn't help but shrink back, muttering, "But nothing happened."
Seeing Yuheng raise his eyebrows again, Yuchuan quickly said, "It won't happen again next time, so don't tell the young lady!"
-
Qingqing and Yan Tibai left Xichun Hall one after the other with an extremely strange tacit understanding.
After going around in circles, Yan Dibai did not return to the inn, but instead walked silently to a secluded flat bridge.
Qingqing followed silently behind, and after Yan Dibai stood in the shade cast by the flat bridge, she also stood beside him, not knowing what to say.
How so?
Did she happen to be helping someone out, or did she openly admit that she was there to work?
There was no one around at the moment, and Yan Dibai was standing there holding his breath, clearly waiting for her to speak first.
Qingqing smiled apologetically: "Where did Your Majesty get this veil? It's simple yet beautiful, and it exudes elegance."
The veil is just an ordinary veil that can be bought anywhere on the street. It covers the head and face, giving a feeling of ethereal lightness when walking.
In a positive light, this praise isn't wrong.
But before she could finish speaking, Qingqing's face stiffened, and she could clearly feel the boy glaring at her through the veil.
"Your Majesty?" she asked nervously.
Yan Dibai sneered: "Where are the vegetables you harvested? Did you forget them at Xichun Hall, or did you eat them yourself?"
Qingqing: ……
Seeing her silently hanging her head, Yan Di sighed, still feeling a tightness in her chest.
He was well aware that his words were harsh.
However, Yan Dibai couldn't bring himself to say anything empty or pretentious in a calm and collected manner.
What should I say? Should I mention that he also went for a job interview?
In fact, like Yang Liuqing, he didn't want the other party to know what he was doing outside.
To Qingqing, this attitude sounded like anger. Qingqing thought for a moment, then cautiously moved closer:
"Has Your Majesty eaten? Has Your Majesty taken the medicine I left?"
Yan Dibai's chest heaved a few breaths, and he said stiffly, "No."
"You didn't eat anything?"
Qingqing became even more flustered. "I'll go back and cook—but there's no time to cook, I'll go buy some—"
"No need," Yan Dibai exhaled, her tone returning to normal. "I'm not hungry."
"I," Qingqing said helplessly, her hand clutching the end of her braid tightly, "I didn't mean to lie to you. I was just afraid..."
"Afraid I'll overthink it?"
Yan Dibai scoffed, her face beneath the white veil abruptly turning away. Her voice rose sharply, "Who do you think you are? How much could I possibly think of you? Yang Liuqing, you overestimate yourself!"
Qingqing pursed her lips and then lowered her head:
"It was wrong of me to anger His Majesty. But I had no ulterior motives. I've inquired and found that Xichuntang's medicinal herbs are the best in Cangqian, and they also have highly skilled physicians there. After much thought, I've decided—"
"Enough!"
The emphasis in his voice went out of control, and Yan Dibai became increasingly agitated. The warm breeze blowing from the river came in gusts, making him restless and uncomfortable. He wished he could draw his sword immediately and wreak havoc to vent his anger.
When did he, an emperor, ever need people around him to grovel and work to support him?
He is the emperor. Even if all his honors and glory are reduced to ashes, he has been scheming and gradually closing in; why would he need her to toil away so painstakingly?
Acting on one's own initiative, acting on one's own initiative again!
This is her, Yang Liuqing!
When Yan Dibai saw her emerge from the cubicle with such a cautious and timid demeanor, he almost immediately lost his composure.
How dare you, a mere maidservant of the Cui family, order his men around?!
Yan Dibai was furious, extremely angry, and filled with hatred!
All sorts of resentment gathered in his heart, and he had a thousand words to say. However, when he saw Qingqing bowing her head firmly, even more cautious than when she was at Xichun Hall, Yan Dibai's heart, which had been clenched, suddenly clenched.
"..."
stop.
Yan Dibai rubbed his aching temples, took a few deep breaths, and then hissed, "It's my fault."
Contrary to Yan Dibai's assumption that she was frightened, Qingqing was completely immersed in simulating what to do next. Yan Dibai spoke quickly and softly, and just as she felt the tone soften in her ears, he changed the subject.
He swallowed the dryness and discomfort, and said, still with a hint of stiffness, "But can't you see I'm perfectly fine? I've been perfectly healthy for the past month. Are your two holes filled with human eyes or fish eyes?"
Qingqing: "..."
"But there's still no definite result."
Yan Di's throat bobbed: "There is no cure for the poison of metal and stone. There are no gods or Buddhas in the world, let alone any elixir that can bring the dead back to life and heal the wounded. I have never seen you believe in these things, so why do you keep placing your hopes in emptiness?"
"I know my own body best. Perhaps," Yan Dibai hesitated, remembering the doubts he had discovered on the way back, and did not tell the truth:
"Everything will be fine soon, don't overthink it. Don't go there again."
If the timing is right, the man who has been following them south will surely find the old man and accept the challenge to repair the abandoned pond. Lu Xing will definitely treat him like an honored guest before the pond in front of the warehouse is completely repaired.
Zhang Bian and he reached a cooperation agreement, agreeing not to interfere with each other. Once Lu Xi had tasted the sweetness of this great success, he would surely want more. Then he would reveal himself, helping the two brothers to check and balance each other; the small Lu family would be nothing to him then.
In the past, Yan Dibai could have casually informed Yang Liuqing of his whereabouts.
But for some reason today, Yan Dibai was at a loss for words regarding these interconnected schemes.
Yang Liuqing wasn't someone who had been immersed in palace intrigues since childhood like him. Getting involved would only cause more trouble.
Having said that, he felt a little better. Seeing that Qingqing was obedient and didn't argue, unusually well-behaved, Yan Dibai's tone softened, and he turned back to look at the swaying grass on the opposite bank of the river:
"...You used to stop calling me Your Majesty. Why have you started doing so again recently?"
Qingqing pursed her lips and said without much thought, "The distinction between ruler and subject must naturally be made clear."
Yan Dibai held his breath again.
"What's the meaning?"
“Rules are rules,” she said sincerely, quietly picking a blade of grass from her sleeve. “If you don’t remember them, it’s not good to overstep them.”
Not good? Hasn't she been overstepping her bounds all along? Now she realizes it's not good?
Yan Dibai was speechless for a moment, then coldly said:
"Don't bother me if I don't need you in the future."
Qingqing looked puzzled.
Yan Di paused for a moment, then laughed in exasperation: "Wasn't I already dead?"
You're gone, so where else can we go?!
She choked back tears, then twisted the end of her braid with a sigh, "From now on, will I really only be called this?"
"How many more weird names do you want to give me?"
“The situation was urgent at the time…” Qingqing said awkwardly.
Although she had chosen the name casually, she had only called it that once during that one time when she was deliberately teasing him. Thinking about it afterwards made her feel rather embarrassed. Qingqing didn't show this strange feeling, but Yan Dibai saw it all and knew exactly what she was thinking.
Unable to bear Qingqing's hesitant expression, Yan Dibai made the decision directly:
From now on, you are only allowed to call me by that name.
As if a huge weight had been lifted from her heart, she hesitated for half a second, then asked, "Your Majesty, Ah... Bai, shall we go back?"
He uttered a soft, yet fairly clear, "Ah Bai."
"I heard that the night market in Cangqian is very lively." Yan Dibai didn't say whether it was good or bad, but suddenly changed the subject: "I haven't explored Cangqian properly yet. I have some free time, so I'll take a look around."
Qingqing: ...She's never free.
We haven't informed Xichuntang about this yet.
Without waiting for a reply, the person swayed and led the way, half a meter ahead.
……never mind.
Since he's in such a good mood, let's skip work for half a day! I don't care if I get scolded!
Gritting her teeth, Qingqing quickly followed.
-
After the hottest part of the day, the streets were much more crowded. Yang Liuqing initially wanted to help Yan Dibai, but he refused, so she followed behind him, sometimes walking alongside him.
Unlike Qingqing's expected cursory glance, he walked slowly and observed carefully. His gaze lingered on the most ordinary of objects—the bamboo weaver's stall selling woven insects and birds, the carpentry shop exuding the scent of tung oil and pine wood, and he even stopped in front of the old man's pottery stall.
How could these ordinary things one day interest Yan Dibai?
Qingqing was amazed by his focus.
He could smash those priceless treasures in the palace whenever he wanted.
She couldn't help but quietly observe the blurry outline beneath the white veil.
Is it because you find these things unique? Or do you want to experience the rustic charm that is hard to find in the palace amidst the everyday life of ordinary people?
She didn't know, but she felt that Yan Dibai, no, Ah Bai, seemed to have had his icy aloofness melted a little by the warmth of the marketplace, revealing an almost clumsy desire to explore.
Even today, his steps seemed much more steady than usual, and the sickly and listless aura around him had faded, giving him a faint... vibrant human touch.
Qingqing was gradually infected by this rare leisurely mood.
Having been in this era for over a year, she had never gone shopping before. However, thanks to Yan Dibai's slow pace, she overcame the initial awkwardness and quickly integrated into this unfamiliar world.
Before we knew it, it was evening, and the sky had faded from its twilight glow.
The market street in front of the warehouse was sometimes long, sometimes short. They passed the food stalls and were greeted by rows of new stalls. The smells of ink, fragrance, and smoke mingled together. Qingqing quickly tidied up the cheese she had bought.
This was a refreshing drink sold by people from Jiangzuo, made from fermented grains and goat's milk, with a sweet and sour taste. Yan Dibai drank half a bamboo tube and then refused to drink any more. Qingqing couldn't bear to throw it away, so she tucked it into her belt to take back with her. Just as they finished tidying up the bamboo tube, Yan Dibai suddenly stopped outside the calligraphy and painting stall.
Qingqing nearly bumped into him. "What's wrong?"
Yan Dibai glanced at her, then cleared his throat softly and said in a low voice, "I want to see some calligraphy and paintings. You stay here and don't leave. I'll be right back."
Thinking that he probably had something to do, Qingqing naturally didn't disturb him. After watching him disappear into the crowd, she looked around, but her attention was soon drawn to a cluster of colorful lanterns nearby.
It was a lantern stall.
The stall wasn't large, but it was surrounded by a crowd. The owner must be a skilled craftsman, as the arrangement of the items was ingenious. Lanterns of varying heights were slung across bamboo poles, with thin wooden frames at the top, all in octagonal or hexagonal shapes. The lanterns were decorated with red paper and black characters for "good fortune," round fish, and delicate lotus flowers, shining brightly and illuminating half the sky.
Unable to squeeze inside, Qingqing looked up and gazed at the lanterns from afar. The lanterns in the upper row looked familiar, resembling palace lanterns, but not particularly exquisite. Nevertheless, given the limited space in Jiangzuo, they were undoubtedly the most eye-catching sight.
As Qingqing looked at the lanterns, her mood became as cheerful as the fish swimming on the lantern surface. Taking a few steps closer, she finally saw the lanterns in the lower row.
Unlike the ones above, the ones in the lower rows are all round pieces of coarse porcelain.
Traditional lantern making prioritizes practicality, opting for simplicity and cost-effectiveness. Beautiful lanterns, on the other hand, command high prices, and ordinary people only afford to buy one for decoration during festivals. This is not surprising.
The family of someone with the same name, "Yang Liuqing," had a rough porcelain lamp covered in a three-inch-thick layer of ash. Even though it barely emitted any light, Yang's parents still cherished it dearly.
It shouldn't be too expensive. Qingqing rubbed her fingertips on her belt for a while, then decided to buy two.
"Young lady, are you here to solve riddles or buy lanterns? The riddles here are different from those elsewhere. If you solve them correctly, I guarantee you'll find a good match next month on the Qixi Festival!"
The stall owner had spotted Qingqing early in the morning, and seeing that she finally seemed interested in buying, he immediately poked his head out and called out. His fingers deftly spun through the bamboo strips, while he continued to beckon to the young men and women gathered around the stall. Qingqing smiled, about to speak, when a sullen-faced boy pushed through the crowd, turned around, and angrily berated the stall owner:
"You heartless bastard! You've given me riddles full of obscure characters, you just don't want anyone to guess them! You've wasted all my effort!"
"Hey! I'm in the business of riddles, young master, and you blame me for not being able to guess them? If it were anything else, that would be one thing, but the one you're eyeing is the precious, gauze-draped lantern that only the powerful families of the capital would even consider!" The stall owner, used to this kind of scene, quickly retorted to the young man before raising another wooden cage:
"Gentlemen, take a look. Is my precious hanging gauze lamp any ordinary object?"
"Only aristocratic families and a dog emperor are worthy of looking at such things! How is it wrong for me to ask for a hundred taels of silver! You can't afford it and you can't guess the riddle. If I sell it to you at a low price, will we still be able to do business in the future?!" As he spoke, he raised the cage to a height where everyone could see it clearly.
The lamp, with its frame made of purplish-black sandalwood and an octagonal lamp head, is intricately carved with intertwined branches. Three layers of light gauze drape beneath, each topped with eight gilded copper chains, each ending in a tassel. With a touch from the stall owner, the entire lamp instantly radiates dazzling brilliance, drawing gasps of amazement from the crowd.
"But this price..."
"It's beautiful, but who can afford a lamp like this?" While the stall owner was proudly displaying the lamp, there was no shortage of discussion below.
Riddles have always been a gimmick for selling lanterns. Small vendors like these only offer cheap, low-quality items for riddles. Their aim is simply to lure people in and make it easier to sell more expensive lanterns.
The aristocratic families, being high and mighty, disdained to look down upon these common goods, so they targeted only wealthy households with some means of livelihood.
The young man, who was waving his sleeves and cursing angrily, was dressed in fine clothes and came from a well-off family. But let alone in Jiangzuo, which was regarded as Wu barbarians by the Central Plains, even in the capital of the Central Plains, things that cost a hundred taels of silver in the market were considered exorbitantly priced.
The young people at the stall didn't know what to say.
Most people were drawn to the lantern by its light. They first listened to the vendor's boasting and tried to solve riddles, but none of them could guess correctly. Finally, someone couldn't resist asking the price, only to be met with an outrageous demand.
I'm reluctant to leave now, but I can't afford to buy any more, so I might as well continue to appreciate the beauty of the colorful lights.
The young man in the robes angrily turned and left. The stall owner circled the lantern he was holding, then proudly hung it high up before patting his chest and proclaiming:
"The exquisitely crafted Baohua Hanging Gauze Lamp! If you offer this lamp to the Buddha, you will be blessed with boundless happiness and longevity! Don't be as impatient as that young man. The price of this lamp is not my fault. Just look at the wood; it's ebony!"
He pointed at each lantern frame and surface with his finger, sighed deeply, then suddenly clapped his hands, bent down and grabbed several similar lanterns from under the stall: "If you really like them, I have a few imitations that I kept for myself, only two taels each!"
Everyone around was stunned, and then someone boldly declared, "One and a half ounces, I'll have a cup!"
The stall owner readily agreed, and his lanterns were sold out in no time. He quickly grabbed a few more and raised his voice:
"Who else wants her? Would you like that young lady?"
Qingqing stared blankly at the lantern that was hanging high above.
The bustling sounds around her seemed to be separated by an invisible glass dome. Her brain, which had crashed after she saw the lantern in the stall owner's hand, began to function again with difficulty.
Isn't that the hanging lantern under the corridor of Xianning Hall?
Qingqing tried hard to open her mouth, but found that no matter how hard she opened it, she couldn't convince herself that she was seeing things wrong.
The hanging lamps are covered with three-colored gauze, and the copper chains rattle when the wind blows... This is the lighting lamp hanging under Yan Dibai's bedroom!
They've only been in Jiangzuo for a short time, and the palace lanterns under the eaves have already arrived too?
"Young lady?" Seeing that she didn't move for a while, the stall owner waved his lantern in greeting. Unexpectedly, the girl who had just been smiling suddenly turned around and ran away.
The stall owner was stunned: "...If you think it's too expensive, you don't have to leave!!"
"Ah Bai!" Qingqing ran straight to the calligraphy and painting stall.
We can't let Yan Dibai find out! The fall of the country, the desecration of graves, and the displacement he endured were already enough to upset him. Now, even a lamp in his bedchamber has been taken down and sold. If he finds out and continues to bottle up his anger, his health will deteriorate even further!
Where are they?
The calligraphy and painting stalls, which appeared bustling from the outside, were mostly frequented by passersby; Yan Dibai was nowhere to be seen. The stall owner, noticing her panting, slowly lifted his eyelids and asked, "What would you like to buy, young lady?"
Qingqing: "Have you ever seen a young man with a fence?"
The stall owner raised an eyebrow: "A veil? Who would wear a veil this late at night?"
Yan Dibai has never been here.
Qingqing thanked them hastily, then turned and searched every stall on both sides, looking frantic. "Yang Liuqing!"
She was startled.
Yan Dibai squeezed through the crowd outside the calligraphy and painting stalls and finally found Qingqing, who was standing there stunned. He loosened his half-clenched fist under his sleeve, stepped forward with a stern face, and said, "Didn't I tell you to wait here? Why did you run away—"
In the darkness, the girl's slender figure froze almost imperceptibly.
When Yan Dibai returned and found her gone, he was startled and annoyed, his tone harsh.
Sensing his displeasure, Qingqing also fidgeted with the hem of her dress. Just as Yan Dibai approached, Qingqing suddenly grabbed his sleeve. Before he could even react to her action, the girl blocked his way, flashing a smile:
"I didn't run away. It's just that it was time to eat, and I was thinking of checking out a nearby restaurant before you got back. Ah, Bai, you're back so fast."
They then pulled the person to the ground and turned them around, leading them in the opposite direction.
The force on her sleeve was sudden and alarming; her guilty conscience was impossible to hide. Yan Di frowned.
"What are you doing?" he said, glancing around sharply, trying to find the reason for her behavior.
"It's nothing! I was hungry, and I figured you must be hungry too! There seems to be a place selling mutton soup nearby, let's go check it out!"
The lantern stall was less than ten meters away from them, and it was so bright. How could she let him see the lanterns?
At this moment, Qingqing could only think of the excuse that she was hungry. She kept muttering about mutton soup and stubbornly blocked Yan Dibai from turning around.
Yan Dibai's heart sank.
Yang Liuqing always understood his frail physique and never urged him impatiently.
Such words are dull and meaningless; the sinister thoughts in his heart are no small matter.
"Yang Liuqing, why is someone spying on you from behind?"
The boy, who was being half-dragged and half-carried, staggered a few steps and suddenly spoke.
"What?" Qingqing instinctively turned around. There were all sorts of passersby. Who was spying on her?
Suddenly, his sleeve tightened. Oh no!
Yan Dibai had already turned his back. His gaze was fixed on the hanging lantern that attracted guests.
The night breeze blew, the copper chains jingled, and the three-colored veil fluttered, just like in the palace.
Qingqing suddenly felt an urge to facepalm.
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