Ning Yunzhao knew why she was surprised.

At this time, the moon was tilted, and the shadow where he was originally located had moved away. The lights on the street were shining, and he took off his hood, revealing himself without any obstruction.

Since she is a woman, she should recognize Ning Yunzhao.

Ning Yunzhao knew that many women in Yangcheng hoped to meet him. They came to the Lantern Festival with the fantasy of running into Ning Yunzhao unexpectedly, or bumping into him head-on, or seeing him in the darkness of the lanterns when they turned around.

When the dream comes true, will the woman be surprised?

“It’s you.”

When Ning Yunzhao heard what the woman said, he could tell that she sounded surprised.

Although the woman was standing in the shadows, she was holding an embroidered ball lamp in her hand, which also illuminated her face.

She was younger than he had imagined, and could not be called a woman, but only a girl.

She had a pretty face, very beautiful under the embroidery lights, not stunning, but making people feel very comfortable.

This was how he imagined her to be, and it felt good.

After saying this, the girl did not take a step forward in joy, nor did she retreat in panic, but continued to stand firmly where she was.

"What a coincidence." She just said with a little sigh.

Ning Yunzhao was also very happy with her reaction. He had been a little nervous just now, worried that the woman's reaction would break the gentle and peaceful atmosphere.

Although he didn't know what he wanted this woman to do, he felt that everything now was what he wanted, both in appearance and reaction.

Ning Yunzhao saluted her.

"I have to admit that Miss is better at chess than you." He said, "Who is your teacher?"

To inquire about the master means to inquire about the other person's origin.

Ning Yunzhao was already eighteen years old, but he was still inexplicably nervous. It was the first time he did this to a girl.

Although he didn't mean anything else.

The woman standing in the shadow opposite was silent for a moment, and Ning Yunzhao felt her gaze falling on him.

"You're a good chess player, too," she said, curtseying in return, pausing for a moment. "You're better than I thought you were."

Did she originally think she was bad?

Ning Yunzhao raised his head and looked over. The woman took a step forward and suddenly reached out and handed the embroidered globe lamp to him.

"For you," she said.

Give it to me?

Ning Yunzhao was startled for a moment, then smiled.

"Consolation for losing?" he asked.

The girl smiled.

"Happy birthday to you," she said.

Ning Yunzhao was stunned and looked at the girl with a complicated expression.

Yes, today is his birthday. His birthday is the fifteenth day of the first lunar month.

Firstly, the date of birth is of great importance and will not be revealed to others easily. Secondly, the 15th day of the first lunar month is a bit too important, so compared with other children in the family, his birthday is known less by outsiders and will not be celebrated on this day. It is always one day late or one day early.

This strange girl actually knew about it, and it seemed that she was more than just an ordinary admirer.

Ning Yunzhao didn't know what to say, and even felt a little sad.

Perhaps the exciting chess game just now will become a bargaining chip for the improper and responsible marriage.

Seeing his silence, the girl took a step forward.

Ning Yunzhao took a step back subconsciously.

Should I say "Miss, please respect yourself"? Ning Yunzhao hesitated in his heart.

He knew that many girls admired him, and some bold ones even sent him many things secretly through various means, such as poems, flower arrangements and even embroidery. There were people who handled those things for him.

Although he was already 18 years old and had met the emperor with his uncle, this was the first time a girl had given him a gift in person. He didn't know how to respond.

The girl saw Ning Yunzhao's reaction. Instead of feeling uneasy, she smiled and put the lantern into his hand.

"Take it, she will be very happy." She said softly.

she?

Shouldn't I say I'm happy? Who is she?

Ning Yunzhao was a little stunned, but the girl walked away without saying a word.

Ning Yunzhao came to his senses and turned around.

Some things are better explained clearly.

He opened his mouth to call her, but his voice was drowned out by rapid cries in the night sky, followed by bursts of fireworks.

Suddenly more people crowded onto the street, laughing and shouting as they watched the fireworks in the sky. The girl disappeared from sight in an instant.

Ning Yunzhao couldn't help but chase after him, but someone held him back.

"Yun Zhao!"

At the same time, many lanterns were held in front of him, illuminating many young faces.

"Look, we won."

It turned out that all those friends who won the lanterns in chess had returned.

"You can go now. That chess player is just like that. You will definitely win." Everyone said with a smile.

Ning Yunzhao shook his head.

"No. I lost," he said.

This puzzled everyone, and Ning Yunzhao did not explain further, but looked at the street again.

The girl was as if she had never appeared. If it weren't for the lantern in his hand, he would have thought he was dreaming.

"Hey? Where did you get it?" His companions noticed that he also had a lantern in his hand and asked hurriedly.

Ning Yunzhao looked at the lantern in his hand.

"Someone gave it to me." He said with a wry smile.

He gave away a lamp tonight. Unexpectedly, he received a lamp from someone else.

His companions did not notice his wry smile, and uttered strange cries and reached out to hit him.

"You guys are really going too far. Even when you wear a hood to cover your face, people still send you lanterns."

"Oh no, he took his hat off."

His companions then noticed it, stopped and stared at Ning Yunzhao, but then reached out and hit him again.

"That's really too much. You took off your hat and showed your face to get a lamp. Has your worth dropped, Tenth Young Master?"

…

"Miss, Miss."

Liu'er held a handful of lanterns in her hands and stood in the crowd, shouting loudly at the girl who was getting closer and closer through the crowd.

“I won a lot of lanterns.”

Miss Jun smiled and nodded.

"Miss, you are amazing. Following the route map you drew, I actually walked out of this array of lanterns." Liu'er's eyes lit up with joy.

Winning so many lanterns is secondary. The most important thing is that you can move smoothly among the lanterns, and when you walk through the right door, someone will pick a lantern and give it to you, and you will see the looks of the onlookers.

Surprise, admiration, envy and praise.

This feeling had never occurred to Fu Ning even when she was the eldest daughter of the county magistrate's family.

It was quite exciting for a thirteen year old kid.

But Liu Er was not so excited that she lost herself in thought.

"Miss, since you can get through, why don't you go by yourself?" she asked puzzled.

Just now, she and the young lady passed by the lantern maze set up by the county school. Many people were eager to try it out. The young lady took her there and walked only one corner. She got an embroidered lantern and then did not move forward. Instead, she borrowed a pen and paper and drew a few lines for her, letting her walk along the lines so that she could pass the levels and get out of the maze.

She originally thought that the young lady was unsure, so she asked her to give it a try, so that if she made a mistake, she would not lose face for the young lady.

I didn't expect it to be so accurate. If I had known that I would be the center of attention if I went there, I would have let those people see how amazing I am.

Miss Jun smiled.

"I don't like playing this," she said.

Because there is no benefit, she doesn't want to waste too much time on useless things. After all, she doesn't have that much free time.