Chapter 76 Fate Brings Us Together "May joy and happiness be found in heaven and on earth, year after year..."
The seventh day of the seventh lunar month is the Qixi Festival, a traditional Chinese festival for praying for skill in needlework.
Xue Chan went out to celebrate the festival with Cheng Huaizhu as agreed, but unexpectedly, the people who came to pick them up took them directly to the painted boat.
The two had barely boarded the painted boat when Xiao Yangjun was already standing at the bow, waving to them.
"Here you are, come quickly, come quickly."
As they approached, they saw Xiao Huaiting standing not far away, exchanging greetings with the others.
Although a long time had passed since the incident at Jixiang Temple, the two were still somewhat awkward when they met, but they nodded to each other tacitly.
Before long, Fang Youxi also boarded the painted boat.
Xiao Huaiting said to Xiao Yangjun, "Since you're all here, I'll let the banquet begin."
Xiao Yangjun was somewhat surprised: "Aren't we waiting for Liu Lang and Jiang Erge?"
Xiao Huaiting said, "Liu Lang and Yao Guang said they had some urgent business to attend to, so they just sent someone to tell us to go ahead. As for mooring the boat..."
He paused, then caught a glimpse of Xue Chan standing by the railing, looking at the lights on the water, her dress fluttering in the evening breeze. Xiao Huaiting lowered his eyes, his voice softening.
"He was ordered to leave Beijing some time ago, saying he would finish as soon as possible, but it's not certain he'll be able to come back in time."
"I see..."
"Okay, I'll head over now."
"good"
Xiao Huaiting walked past Xue Chan, bowed to her, and Xue Chan returned the bow with her head bowed. Then he entered the painted boat.
After he left, Fang Youxi asked, "Why did Prince Xiao come with you?"
Xiao Yangjun replied, "We had previously discussed celebrating the festival, and after sending out invitations, my brother had someone book this pleasure boat. He was worried about me being alone, so he came with me. Anyway, the pleasure boat is so big, we're on this side, and my brother and Zheng Liulang are on the other side, so it won't affect us."
As she spoke, she invited the group upstairs.
"I've had everything prepared. Let's go upstairs and celebrate the festival with the wind and moon. Let's go, let's go."
The group went upstairs, where a small table was set out in the cabin, complete with wine, fruit, and snacks.
Xue Chan smiled and said, "This is the first time I've celebrated the Qixi Festival on a painted boat. It's truly unforgettable."
Cheng Huaizhu leaned against Xiao Yangjun's chest: "This is my first time too, it's really nice. You are nice, and so is Prince Xiao. It's a pity that my brother has taken up his post in Tongzhou, otherwise he would have accompanied me out to play every year."
Xiao Yangjun pinched her cheek and said, "Let alone you, this is my first time too. If my brother hadn't suggested inviting Zheng Liulang and the others, I was originally just planning to stay at home."
Cheng Huaizhu simply lay half-reclined in her arms, letting Xiao Yangjun peel grapes for her.
“Yang Jun, you’ve been looking rather downcast lately. What’s wrong? I also see that Prince Xiao doesn’t seem very happy.”
Xiao Yangjun couldn't help but sigh: "My brother... had a fight with our parents a while ago, and then moved into the government office. He only comes home every three to five days. But our parents are also angry with him. They neither mention letting him move back nor talk to him. After my brother moved out, I often cook and bring him meals, and also visit him."
Fang Youxi asked, "Why? I heard that Prince Xiao is the most diligent and gentle."
Xiao Yangjun lowered his eyes, somewhat saddened.
She remembered Xiao Huaiting arguing with his father in the flower hall about the marriage. Even though his father called him disobedient and said he didn't care about the Xiao family, he still wouldn't budge, even though he beat him with a ruler and made him kneel in the ancestral hall.
That was the first time in so many years that she had seen her usually gentle second brother so indignant.
But after scolding and beating him, his illness relapsed, and even after taking the medicine, he would still worry about his injuries.
The mother wept, saying that there was nothing she could do about it.
The Xiao family gradually declined, leaving only him.
Xiao Yangjun seemed somewhat saddened: "My second brother originally liked to have fun. He enjoyed composing music, writing lyrics, and singing. Sometimes, when he was drunk and carefree, he would even pull people to dance the crane dance on his own."
However, since her elder brother died young many years ago, all the responsibilities fell on her shoulders, and she only managed to cultivate a diligent and cautious nature.
The maid brought in fresh flowers and fruits, and the gloomy atmosphere immediately dissipated.
Xiao Yangjun smiled and said, "In the capital, people make Qiqiao fruits and arrange flowers. Do Yuchuan and Changzhou have any special customs? If needed, you can have someone prepare anything that is not available on the painted boat."
"Actually, they're all pretty much the same."
As if remembering something, Xue Chan called Yun Sheng to bring the prepared Qiaoguo (a type of pastry) back in.
"Neither Huaizhu nor I make Qiaoguo very often, so please don't laugh at us if we don't make it well."
She smiled as she opened the food box, which contained various kinds of pastries, such as naxiang and fangsheng-shaped pastries.
“It’s just for the occasion,” Xiao Yangjun said, taking a bite and his eyes lit up. “Although the presentation isn’t particularly appealing, it tastes quite unique.”
As she spoke, she took another one and handed it to Fang Youxi, who nodded in agreement.
Cheng Huaizhu said, "I don't know where Qiaoniang found the recipe; she's been working on it for quite some time."
Xue Chan smiled and drank a glass of fruit wine.
Several people sat together cutting and arranging flowers, then went outside the cabin to place carved fruits and vegetables, lit incense, and worshipped the moon.
Music arose from the water's surface; the instruments were few, the zither's sound clear and beautiful, the zither's gentle and melodious. The music was not sentimental, but rather simple and pure, like the ripples on the water and the evening breeze.
The clear and gentle singing voice drifted slowly along with the ripples on the water.
A sudden cool breeze sweeps through the courtyard, the sky is clear and refreshing... It must be the Cowherd lamenting the long separation, renewing their old promise... As far as the eye can see, wispy clouds drift by, and the Milky Way shines brightly high...
Several people peered over the railing. Xiao Huaiting was playing the zither at the bow of the boat, while his attendants, sitting around him, played the zither and poured wine.
He only sang a little over half of the song, playing the piano intermittently, drinking wine while facing the wind and the moon.
People from both sides of the strait threw flowers and money at him, and some even asked him questions.
"Why did you stop?"
Xiao Huaiting raised his glass and laughed heartily, "I forgot about the rest!"
Xue Chan looked at the lanterns reflected on both banks of the river and whispered to the moon.
May joy and happiness be found in heaven and on earth, every year on this night.
Xiao Huaiting paused in his drinking, then suddenly laughed, casually tossed the cup into the water, and resumed playing the zither and singing the rest of the lyrics.
When the music resumed, it was already carefree and unrestrained.
Looking out from the railing at the brightly lit and bustling scene on both sides of the river, Xiao Yangjun laughed and said, "Since we're waiting for them, why don't we go down and parade them through the streets?"
“Okay!” Cheng Huaizhu jumped up first and responded, then took Xue Chan’s arm. “Qiao Niang also said it was good.”
Xue Chan, who hadn't said a word yet, nodded: "Yes, I agree."
Several people, holding hands, disembarked from the painted boat and strolled around the various stalls and shops, chatting and laughing as they picked out novelties.
Xiao Huaiting followed them at a distance that was neither too close nor too far.
Because we were waiting for someone, we were only in a small area around the pleasure boat.
"Brother Xiao!"
Hearing Li Wu's voice, I looked over and saw him emerging from behind the lantern shop.
Xiao Huaiting was somewhat surprised to see that he was carrying many things: "Brother Yaoguang, what is this...?"
Li Wu couldn't help but laugh and said, "I originally came with Shao Yu. He bought a lot of things along the way because he liked this and that. Just as we were about to get here, he learned that Bo Zhou had returned, so he asked me to bring his things over first while he went back to pick up Bo Zhou."
Xiao Huaiting was delighted: "Bo Zhou is back. It's time to pick him up."
Li Wu shifted his gaze and landed on a few girls on the riverbank.
Fang Youxi was watching Xiao Yangjun and Cheng Huaizhu play with a smile when someone walked over to her side.
Xue Chan said, "It has been five years since we parted ways at Banzhong Mountain."
“You…” she suddenly spoke, and Fang Youxi didn’t know whether to be surprised or delighted, “You finally remembered me.”
At that time, her mother, Princess Huayang, committed suicide. She was heartbroken, but did not want her family to know, so she used the excuse of going to a temple on Banzhong Mountain to worship Buddha. She secretly went out to cry at night, feeling that her existence was not appreciated.
Someone said a lot to her.
When I received the flowers and the note underneath, I wanted to find the person, but they were already gone.
When Xue Chan arrived in the capital, she recognized her at first sight.
Fang Youxi lowered her head: "Am I being dramatic? I could have explained things earlier, but I made you guess all the time."
Xue Chan tilted her head and smiled, "What do you think?"
The two exchanged a smile, and Cheng Huaizhu and the others came over, trying to drag them off to play.
Xue Chan jumped and wasn't caught by them, but Fang Youxi was dragged away instead.
She walked up and saw Li Wu smiling as he looked at the people on the riverbank, so she smiled and said, "Senior brother, please look at Miss Fang..."
Li Wu lowered her head, her smile still gentle: "As you see, as you think."
Xue Chan couldn't help but chuckle: "Senior brother is so frank."
He replied, "What's wrong with not being honest?"
Xue Chan looked at Fang Youxi, who had bought flowers and was standing by the water watching the fireworks. At that moment, a handsome young man, either straightforward or shy, came up to her and started talking.
Xue Chan smiled and teased, "This is the fifth time that Miss Tongfang has spoken to me on this journey."
Li Wu smiled and said, "It's because she's so good that so many people are attracted to her."
Xue Chan: "But senior brother, are you really not worried or nervous?"
Li Wu asked, "What's the rush?"
Seeing Li Wu's dazed expression, Xue Chan felt something was amiss.
This was not the Li Wu she knew.
"Since you, senior brother, are in love with Miss Fang, and she is such a beauty that others are vying for her attention, aren't you afraid that Miss Fang might already have someone else in her heart, and you'll miss out on each other? There are plenty of good men in this world."
Li Wu laughed out loud: "Qiao Niang, you never used to care about these things. But I still want to thank you for worrying about your senior brother. But I can tell you that you are overthinking it."
Xue Chan was somewhat puzzled, her long eyebrows furrowing slightly.
"Are you so sure, Senior Brother, that Miss Fang will definitely choose you and will never fall for anyone else?"
Li Wu looked at the serene and beautiful girl by the water, her reflection in the water and lamplight making her even more beautiful than a painting.
He turned his gaze back, still maintaining that serene expression.
"Yes, because there will never be anyone else around her."
Fang Youxi once again dismissed the young man who came to talk to her, feeling exhausted. She and Xiao Yangjun walked back together.
She bumped into Li Wu, who was smiling at her. She glanced back; the view of the waterfront was unobstructed from this spot.
She chuckled to herself, then met Li Wu's smiling eyes again.
"There's a stall selling 'Qiao Fan' up ahead. Huai Ting and her junior sister are just about to eat some 'Qiao Fan' and drink it while waiting for Shao Yu and the others to arrive."
Fang Youxi didn't answer, but instead went with Xiao Yangjun to find Xue Chan and the others.
After eating rice, rice dumplings, and honey wine, the group lit fireworks and gathered by the water to watch them.
When Zheng Shaoyu and Jiang Ce arrived, only Li Wu was there.
"Where are Xiao Huaiting and the others?"
Li Wu: "I was originally watching the fireworks downstairs, but then I went to stroll around and have some fun. I guess I haven't gone far yet."
Jiang Ce turned and left in the direction he pointed.
Zheng Shaoyu scoffed, put his hands on his hips, and said, "He's heartless. He took forever to change his clothes. It's a wonder I had the patience to wait for him."
Not long after Jiang Ce left, Xue Chan and the others returned.
Both sides were surprised when they met.
"Why are you back?"
"Where is the boat moored?"
"He went to—" Zheng Shaoyu hesitated for a moment, then said, "to go to you."
Li Wu said, "He'll come back if he can't find it. Let's wait here for a while."
The group sat down next to each other at the cold drink stalls, chatting and laughing.
But Jiang Ce has yet to return.
After Xue Chan and Cheng Huaizhu said something, she stood up and said, "I'll be right back."
She walked slowly along the water's edge. It was getting late and quite dark, and it was difficult to see clearly where there were no lights. People passing by would look up and take a closer look, so Xue Chan walked very slowly.
Xue Chan stood in front of the stone railing on the riverbank, reached out and touched the long willow swaying in the evening breeze, and sighed softly.
Yun Sheng and Chu Tao behind her held lanterns to light her way, and in the small halo of light, her dress could be seen fluttering and swaying in the wind.
Her double-bun hairstyle, carefully styled, was adorned with flowers and jade, and tied with a long, flowing crimson ribbon.
Playing with the wind, entwined with the willows.
Xue Chan touched the necklace around her neck, looked down at the shimmering water, and spoke softly as gentle as water.
"If I had known, I shouldn't have worn this outfit."
Chu Tao said, "Miss, this outfit is beautiful. You spent a long time putting together the look. Why don't you like it now?"
Xue Chan turned around and smiled: "It's not bad, it's just not perfect, it has some flaws."
Yun Sheng: "We've been out for too long, let's go back."
Xue Chan nodded and left with them.
The three walked into the alley of lanterns, where hundreds of lanterns shone brightly as they turned, their dazzling light making one feel dizzy.
When the wind subsided and the lanterns stopped swirling, a young man in a blue and pink robe, with a jade and flower pendant around his waist, emerged from the side of the lantern alley.
He walked to the water's edge, sat down by the stone railing, and gazed at his reflection in the water.
"I wonder if she'll be happy to see this."
Long Liu gently stroked his cheek.
Jiang Ce sighed, then got up and slowly walked back.
He walked through the alley of lanterns and then circled around to the side of the Bright Moon Bridge.
A red leaf drifted down, and Jiang Ce reached out to catch it, looking in the direction it had come from. A maple tree, many years old, stood by the bridge; now half was green and yellow, the other half ablaze with fiery red.
Jiang Ce walked to the maple tree, looked up, and murmured, "So it's the Acacia Maple Leaf Pill."
The bridge was teeming with people and adorned with flowers, yet there was no one he truly longed to see.
Jiang Ce clutched the red leaf, looking lost and dejected.
He sighed deeply, but for some reason, he inexplicably raised his head again.
Jiang Ce's breath caught in his throat; she was on the bridge, and he was below.
Xue Chan stood at the bridgehead, propping her face up with her hand, tilting her head and smiling at him.
The bridge was bustling with people, and red leaves were fluttering down, but he saw her clearly.
She smiled gently.
"It's been a long time, Second Young Master."
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Author's Note: "A sudden chill wind sweeps through the courtyard, the sky is clear and refreshing... It must be the Cowherd lamenting the long separation, renewing their old promise... As far as the eye can see, wispy clouds drift by, and the Milky Way shines high..."
May joy and happiness be found in heaven and on earth, every year on this night.
Liu Yong's "Erlang Shen: The Blazing Light Fades"
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