Dai Zhiwan laughed and replied, "Besides, there were no lanterns given out last year, and they were added this year. No wonder there are so many people this year. If I had known earlier that lanterns would be given out, I would have sent people to grab a couple."
“Those are for young children. If you want one, you can pick one first when we go buy lanterns later,” Xu Yixuan said, amused.
Dai Zhiwan immediately took Xu Yixuan's arm and said coquettishly, "Sister Xuan is the best to me."
Suddenly, Su Wanyan met someone's gaze and gently nudged Dai Zhiwan: "Isn't that Young Master Liao Wenchang?"
Upon hearing this, Xu Yixuan and Dai Zhiwan both looked back and saw Liao Wenchang being pushed onto the bridge by the crowd. With his brows furrowed, he happened to see Su Wanyan and the other two.
Liao Wenchang had no choice but to bite the bullet and step forward to bow: "I greet Your Highness, Madam Qiu..."
When he looked at Dai Zhiwan, he paused slightly, embarrassed, before bowing and saying, "Miss Dai."
Dai Zhiwan quickly released Xu Yixuan, straightened her posture, lowered her eyes, and returned the greeting: "Young Master Liao."
"What brings Young Master Liao here?" Xu Yixuan asked.
Liao Wenchang opened his mouth, then closed it again, and finally said, "I used to watch the dragon lantern with my father when I was a child, and I miss it very much. I thought I would come and join in the fun today, but I didn't expect to meet you all. I apologize for my rudeness."
As he spoke, he clasped his hands in a respectful bow.
Actually, he was supposed to go to the palace for a banquet today, but his father sent him away halfway through, saying that because of the late emperor's suppression, he hadn't been able to properly take him to see the city. Today, during the Mid-Autumn Festival, there was a dragon lantern parade in the city, so he should take advantage of the festival to come and see it.
He was also told that the Magpie Bridge was the most lively place and the best spot to watch the dragon lanterns, so that he could have a good time.
In fact, he had already made an appointment with his friends to walk across the bridge during the day. Liao Wenchang did not know what his father's intention was. He arrived at the Magpie Bridge while wondering about it.
He didn't like crowded places, so he wasn't interested in watching the dragon lantern. When he saw the huge crowd on the bridge, he was about to leave when the people pushed him onto the bridge.
Liao Wenchang happened to be facing Dai Zhiwan, so his words seemed to be directed at Dai Zhiwan. In front of Liao Wenchang, Dai Zhiwan couldn't just hide behind Su Wanyan.
This awkwardness made the atmosphere between the two particularly uncomfortable, especially since they were engaged. In just a moment, Liao Wenchang's cheeks flushed slightly.
He was momentarily at a loss.
He considered leaving, but that would only be more rude, and there were people all around, so squeezing out would be an embarrassing situation.
Su Wanyan and Xu Yixuan exchanged a glance and both smiled in unison. Xu Yixuan broke the silence first: "We were just thinking of buying lanterns, but there are too many people on the bridge to walk. If it's convenient for you, Young Master Liao, could you please help us clear a path?"
Liao Wenchang quickly bowed and said, "It is my honor."
As soon as Liao Wenchang turned around, Dai Zhiwan immediately cast a pleading look at the two of them: What should we do? How did he get here?
Su Wanyan gently supported her shoulders to straighten her body and smiled, "Hurry up and keep up."
Dai Zhiwan was anxious and wanted to say something, but Xu Yixuan lowered his voice and said, "We can't expect Wanyan and me to follow behind Young Master Liao."
Both of them were married women. In the trio, Dai Zhiwan was Liao Wenchang's fiancée, so she should have gone first, both morally and logically.
Xu Yixuan added, "I'm just following along."
Upon hearing this, Dai Zhiwan thought about it and agreed, so she simply followed along.
She couldn't always take her anger out on Liao Wenchang based on preconceived notions.
Having adjusted her mindset, Dai Zhiwan took the lead and followed behind Liao Wenchang.
In Dai Zhiwan's mind, Liao Wenchang was a military man. After all, he had already gone to war when they were first engaged, so she didn't know much about him.
Although she didn't have many complaints about the marriage, she actually preferred scholars and writers, those who were good at writing and painting.
Dai Zhiwan suppressed her thoughts until the person in front of her stopped and looked up, and she saw that they had arrived at the bridge.
Liao Wenchang turned around, bowed, and said, "I have disturbed your enjoyment, so I will take my leave now."
Su Wanyan and Xu Yixuan both looked at Dai Zhiwan. Seeing that Dai Zhiwan didn't speak, Liao Wenchang was about to leave when he heard Dai Zhiwan's voice: "If Young Master Liao isn't in a hurry, shall we pick out the lanterns together?"
Liao Wenchang straightened his back, feeling both embarrassed and somewhat awkward: "If you all don't mind..."
Su Wanyan smiled and said, "Not at all, please, Young Master Liao."
Upon hearing this, Liao Wenchang had to lead the way again.
Dai Zhiwan glanced back at Su Wanyan and Xu Yixuan: Do I have to go with them?
Su Wanyan gestured: Or should we follow?
"..." Helpless, Dai Zhiwan could only quicken her pace and catch up.
Given their engagement, it's reasonable for them to stay together as long as they don't cross any lines.
The dragon lantern procession takes place on the street on the other side of the Magpie Bridge. This side of the street is relatively less crowded, and vendors selling lanterns set up stalls from one end of the street to the other. The closer you get to the main urban area, the more variety and styles of lanterns you'll find.
Dai Zhiwan lagged behind Liao Wenchang by half a step. Liao Wenchang stood ramrod straight and walked very slowly.
However, no matter how slowly he walked, Dai Zhiwan could not catch up.
It was only later that he realized she was deliberately keeping her distance from him.
Liao Wenchang didn't know what to do for a moment, so he could only keep walking forward with his body stiff. As for the lanterns, Dai Zhiwan didn't stop, so how could Liao Wenchang dare to stop?
However, Liao Wenchang was in front, and if he didn't stop, how could Dai Zhiwan stop?
The two of them seemed to be stuck in a vicious cycle, walking on in silence.
Liao Wenchang was slow, so Dai Zhiwan was slow, and since Dai Zhiwan was slow, Su Wanyan and Xu Yixuan, who were behind her, also had to be slow.
Seeing the silence between the two, Xu Yixuan covered her mouth and asked softly, "Did you arrange for them to bump into each other?"
Although it is a question, the tone is affirmative.
"It's just a trial," Su Wanyan replied softly. "The wedding is on October 15th. If we find out that Wan really doesn't like it, there's still room for negotiation."
Su Wanyan will use her status and position to find Dai Zhiwan a man from a better family during this time.
She felt that power should be used when necessary, and given her relationship with Dai Zhiwan, no matter which prominent family in the capital would neglect Dai Zhiwan.
Xu Yixuan sighed inwardly: "To be honest, Young Master Liao is not bad."
She grew up with Dai Zhiwan, and when Dai Zhiwan was about to get married, how could she not help her choose a husband?
After Liao Wenchang returned to the capital in triumph, she kept a close eye on his every move. He was diligent and conscientious in his important post in the capital, and he was approachable yet principled. More importantly, Xu Yixuan could sense that Liao Wenchang still respected Dai Zhiwan.
On another level, she also knew about the Ding'an Marquis's mansion. The Ding'an Marquis had a relative understanding of his own position. Putting aside the Dragon Flag Army led by Yu Nanqing, he knew that the Ding'an Marquis's mansion was now inferior to Ma Siyang above and inferior to the Qingping Marquis's mansion below.
The Shunguo Duke's Mansion received the news early on that the Northern Yue wanted to invade the country's borders, and Yu Nanqing was able to assist from the side. On the other hand, the Qingping Marquis's battle against the Southern Kingdom was a real head-on confrontation with the Southern Kingdom.
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