Chapter 74 Sir and Lady, if you don’t mind, please accept this pair of sachets and pendants.
Su Ying felt that she couldn't escape, and couldn't even avoid his gaze. She saw herself in his eyes, whether it was shyness or joy, she couldn't tell, nor did she dare to see clearly.
Du Heng's eyes appeared double-folded, but in reality, double creases gradually emerged from the inner corners of his eyes, creating a sense of subtly oppressive, profound depth when he gazed at someone. His eyes, distinctly black and white, added to their clarity. His true feelings were unconcealed, fully revealed to Su Ying before him.
Su Ying couldn't help but look down along his gaze. His nose was straight and upright, like the thin gold script she often wrote, flowing smoothly from top to bottom. The narrowing of his nose was like the final retraction of the brush tip.
Also, it turned out that there was a black mole on the side of his nose, as small as an ink dot. It was so thin that if she hadn't looked so close, she wouldn't have been able to notice it at all.
Du Heng had already prepared himself. Every time he approached, her cheeks flushed, making him even more excited. But this time, Su Ying's eyes remained fixed on his face. He watched her eyes, slowly moving from top to bottom, and it seemed that with every step he took, his heartbeat quickened.
In his hand, he still held the stick with the dough figurine. It seemed to be made of bamboo, polished smooth and thornless. He unconsciously tightened his fingers. Her gaze slowly moved from his eyes down to his lips, and the stick seemed to make a "click" sound.
He couldn't help but lean towards her, and suddenly felt a light touch on the corner of his lips, and a slight pain came.
"Don't move."
Su Ying's gentle voice and the pain at the corner of his mouth brought him back from his trance. He looked closely and saw Su Ying gently wiping the blood from the corner of his mouth with a handkerchief.
His bloody lips were slightly swollen, and Su Ying seemed to feel the pain, her eyes slightly furrowed, her worry evident. But to Du Heng, this look was like a numbing decoction, making him forget the pain.
He held Su Ying's hand and smiled, "I'm fine. There are still many interesting things to do at this annual lantern festival. Come with me and don't waste time."
Having said that, he did not let go and continued to lead her forward.
But before he had taken a few steps, he was blocked by two stall owners who had been involved in the dispute.
"Thank you so much for your help, young master and young lady."
The jewelry stall owner and the two masters who played the strings and sang music came forward to express their gratitude, and the two men shyly let go of each other's hands.
Du Heng bowed to them and said, "Don't be so polite, everyone. It's just a small favor. No one wants to see this kind of scene during the festive season."
The jewelry stall owner's business was with women or unmarried men and women. Seeing the expressions of the two men, he already understood what was going on. He turned around quietly while the other masters were talking to them.
Soon, he came forward holding two small objects decorated with tassels.
"Sir, if you don't mind, please accept this pair of sachet pendants. They are a small token of my appreciation. Please accept them."
He opened his palms, and Su Ying finally saw clearly that the two pendants were each a finger-wide, an inch-long spherical ball, wrapped in satin and adorned with matching tassels. One was a light crimson embroidered with pink lotus flowers. The other was a dark gray embroidered with bamboo leaves. If they weren't placed side by side, it would be impossible for anyone to tell they were a pair.
Although Su Ying liked it, she felt uncomfortable accepting it for free, so she shook her head and declined.
Du Heng knew what she was thinking and took out some money. The stall owner, however, repeatedly declined, "Sir, this is really worthless. If it weren't for your help, I would have had to pack up and return home at the beginning of the year. If you like it, please accept it. It's our fate."
The Lantern Festival was packed, so it was difficult to refuse. The sounds of singing and string music had begun to rise again, and Du Heng, unwilling to delay their business, bowed, thanked them, and accepted the gift.
Su Ying looked at the pendant in Du Heng's hand, feeling a little shy, not knowing what to do. Du Heng, however, had already spoken: "Ying'er, although this fragrance is light, it has a strong aftertaste. It seems to contain cloves?"
As he spoke, he handed her the light crimson one. Su Ying took it, brought it to her nose and sniffed it, nodding and saying, "I think there's some dried mugwort as well?"
Du Heng also sniffed his own and hummed, "Hmm, it does smell like mugwort. Ying'er really has a keen nose."
Su Ying was startled, then furious. Du Heng usually looked steady, but she hadn't expected him to be so slippery. She turned away, ignoring him.
Du Heng found her anger endearing. She was carefree and unrestrained at the moment, completely free from the restraints she'd experienced back home. This was exactly why he'd brought her to see the lanterns. In a radiant mood, he quickly caught up and took her hand again.
The two followed the crowd toward the depths of the Lantern Festival. Unbeknownst to them, they each wore the fragrant pendant around their waists. Fortunately, the two items were different colors and designs, so unless they were placed together, it would be difficult for others to tell they were paired.
About a cup of tea later, the crowd gradually came in. Du Heng looked up and saw that the highlight of the Lantern Festival was approaching.
He was tall and slender, much taller than an ordinary person. Even without climbing to a high place, he could see Wanyi and Jinniang walking between the rows of riddles.
After three years of not traveling, Wanyi felt that each lantern was more exquisite than in previous years. She wanted to take one back home, but she needed to guess the lantern riddles. However, the answers were too difficult and she couldn't figure out any of them.
Jinniang, however, had no interest in watching the lanterns. She spent the entire journey secretly observing and calculating her timing. The less Wanyi could guess, the more time she had to prepare. So when Wanyi asked her for help, she simply brushed it off, saying the riddle was difficult.
Time flies when something's on my mind. Jinniang waited a moment, then suddenly saw her cousin Heng, a head taller than anyone else, walking side by side with Su Ying in the distance. She was a little surprised, however, because the maidservant, Taoxi, was several steps behind them, not following closely.
She gently shook Wanyi's arm. Wanyi turned around and saw the two of them. She trotted over and pulled Su Ying, saying, "Sister Ying'er, help me guess the riddle!"
After saying that, he took her away from Du Heng. Jin Niang was satisfied, and she stepped forward, bowed to Du Heng, and said dignifiedly, "Cousin Heng."
"Wanyi loves every lantern, but the riddles are a bit obscure. Why don't we help her guess them and win a few more lanterns?"
Du Heng agreed, but he was still thinking about which lamp Su Ying liked and wanted to guess one for her.
"Cousin, this Guanghan Jade Rabbit Lantern looks very childish. Why don't you try this riddle?"
Du Heng looked up and saw that the lamp was indeed exquisite, the style that Wanyi liked, so he reached out and lifted the riddle.
"You are a thoughtful person, guess a word."
Du Heng glanced at the riddle and knew the answer. He was slightly surprised. It would have been normal if Wanyi hadn't guessed it, but Jinniang, who claimed to be well-read, hadn't guessed a single one?
But, whatever. Whether she reads or not, whether she can guess the answer or not, what does it have to do with him?
Just as he was about to peel off the note with the riddle and go to answer it, he suddenly heard Jinniang scream, "Cousin! That man stole my purse!"
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
