Chapter 24
Qi Yu looked down at the colorful string on her wrist and put her hand down with satisfaction.
Since Pei Jiu wasn't there, she gave the other one to Wu Shiyan and helped him put it on.
So they continued walking forward.
Qi Yu never hesitates to buy anything she sets her sights on, and if it suits Wu Shiyan, she'll buy two of them.
The two walked and stopped frequently as it got dark and more people appeared.
As they emerged from one of the shops, Wu Shiyan had already taken Qi Yu's hand, saying, "There are many people, so we don't get separated."
Qi Yu nodded in agreement. After that, because Wu Shiyan was holding her hand, she didn't buy so many things that she couldn't carry them all before handing them to Wu Shiyan to give to Pei Jiu and the others. Instead, she would play with them and then casually give them to Wu Shiyan.
The street was bustling with activity, and Qi Yu's attention was always drawn to novel things. They stood in front of an acrobatic performance where the juggler was breathing fire, which drew cheers from those around them.
Qi Yu tossed the broken copper coins into the wooden tray containing the reward silver.
From beginning to end, Wu Shiyan didn't pay attention to anything else except Qi Yu.
She put a bracelet on his wrist, carried a rabbit lantern and pulled him forward. She stopped to try on some unremarkable wooden hairpins, but because the stall owner was so eloquent, she bought several with a smile.
Of course, Qi Yu handed over all the lanterns, wooden hairpins, and even the out-of-season kites she had bought to him after she had had her fill of their novelty.
Then she added other novelties to her body, such as the bell and ruyi lock on her waist, the small jade buckle in her hair, and the round fan embroidered with peach blossoms in her hand.
As for the rouge, face powder, perfumed handkerchiefs, gold and silver ornaments, jade ornaments, and fabrics that had been purchased, they were handed over to the guards to take away.
Suddenly, the flames spewed up by the juggling act grew so large that they illuminated Qi Yu's hair, making it glow golden.
Wu Shiyan's gaze softened instantly.
As Qi Yu was engrossed in her thoughts, a woman wearing a Nuo opera mask and a rouge-colored dress suddenly appeared beside her. The mask completely covered her face, but her elegant demeanor was still evident.
Noticing that Wu Shiyan hadn't separated the people, Qi Yu looked back again. A few steps behind the woman was a man wearing a black and red mask and a floral blue robe, and next to them stood Yue Lu.
Qi Yu laughed, and at that moment the woman also took off her mask, revealing a face that resembled hers.
Qi Yu's eyes sparkled: "Madam Zhao, where did you buy your masks?"
That's so cool!
Zhao Wanyi said, "It's at that stall up ahead. I'll take you there. Just call me Wanyi."
Thinking that Zhao Wanyi was a year older than her, Qi Yu called out, "Sister Zhao."
Zhao Wanyi's heartstrings were tugged by that "sister," and she couldn't calm down for a long time.
Pei Jin, who was standing to the side, removed his mask and respectfully nodded to Wu Shiyan.
Pei Jin had a brotherly relationship with Wu Shiyan, so Wu Shiyan didn't give him a cold look, but he also didn't exchange pleasantries. He simply nodded and turned his gaze back to Qi Yu.
Qi Yu let go of Wu Shiyan and took Zhao Wanyi's hand to the mask stall.
Zhao Wanyi didn't notice this scene. Wu Shiyan was standing to Qi Yu's left, while they came from the right, so naturally they couldn't see the two holding hands in their sleeves.
Pei Jin took in this scene and glanced at Wu Shiyan, but because Qi Yu and Zhao Wanyi were together, even if he saw the direction of His Majesty's gaze, he couldn't tell who he was looking at.
Moreover, he kept to his proper place and knew he shouldn't look at Qi Yu, so he looked away.
Originally, Zhao Wanyi had no interest in the Qixi Festival whatsoever.
She was only interested in how much money her shop would make that day, but suddenly, in the afternoon she suggested going out.
They wandered the streets for fifteen minutes, buying only two masks, until Zhao Wanyi spotted Qi Yu and approached her. Only then did Pei Jin realize her purpose for the day.
However, His Majesty happened to be by the side of the Imperial Concubine.
Pei Jin glanced at the gold hairpin in Zhao Wanyi's hair and felt a sense of unease.
Qi Yu and Zhao Wanyi had already arrived at the stall. Qi Yu was not interested in the masks that could only cover half of her face, so she picked out two masks that were similar to those of Zhao Wanyi and Pei Jin. Upon closer inspection, the only differences were in color and pattern.
After paying, Qi Yu habitually asked Wu Shiyan to help her put it on, and then handed the other one to Wu Shiyan.
Wu Shiyan also put on a mask.
Qi Yu glanced at Wu Shiyan and couldn't help but laugh.
Upon seeing this, Zhao Wanyi and Pei Jin also put on their masks.
The four walked forward, and Yuelu was spotted by Peijiu, who was following at a distance, and Peijiu pulled her over.
Yuelu slapped her hand away: "I want to follow the girl."
Pei Jiu said, "Our Lady hasn't brought any servants yet. If you follow too closely, His Majesty will be displeased. Here, would you like some candied hawthorn?"
Fortunately, she had the foresight to see that the Empress was carrying silver, so she carried some as well.
The Empress bought things in front, while she bought things behind. With guards around, she wasn't afraid of getting lost at all.
Upon hearing "Your Majesty," Yuelu lost her temper. She took the extra string of candied hawthorns that Peijiu had bought and began to bite into them, holding them with a handkerchief.
Qi Yu wandered around for a while longer, buying everything she needed and satisfying her curiosity.
He then began chatting and laughing with Zhao Wanyi.
Their almost daily correspondence brought them closer, and they had an extremely harmonious and tacit understanding.
Wu Shiyan frowned. When did Ayu and Zhao Wanyi become so familiar with each other?
It seems that he knew nothing about Zhao Wanyi ever since he told Ayu that they didn't need to mention her.
At this moment, the crowd suddenly grew larger. Qi Yu turned her head and did not see Zhao Wanyi. There was a figure standing next to her. She thought it was Wu Shiyan, so she reached out her hand.
But when she caught a glimpse of a blue robe out of the corner of her eye, she suddenly realized it was Pei Jin, and her fingertips brushed against Pei Jin's sleeve.
The next instant, Wu Shiyan reached out and grabbed Qi Yu's hand, which had not yet been withdrawn.
He gripped Qi Yu's hand tightly, pulled her into his arms, and his expression was not good.
Pei Jin momentarily realized his mistake, but he and Zhao Wanyi had never been intimate, and he quickly came to his senses. Even so, he paused for a moment.
Because he recognized her as Qi Yu.
Qi Yu touched her ear, feeling a little embarrassed, but since the movement was so subtle, she figured no one would have noticed, so she put the matter aside with a sense of relief.
Because Wu Shiyan was wearing a mask and her expression was not visible, she only assumed that Wu Shiyan was pulling her because he was afraid of being separated from her.
A subtle atmosphere flowed between the three of them, but Qi Yu was completely unaware of it.
She removed the mask, revealing a beautiful face.
She wanted to find Zhao Wanyi as soon as possible, as wearing a mask would obstruct her vision.
When Wu Shiyan saw Qi Yu take off her mask, Pei Jin's eyes turned towards her, so he subconsciously put his hand on the side of Qi Yu's head and gently pressed her into his arms.
He exuded an oppressive aura, his frosty gaze meeting Pei Jin's stunned eyes in mid-air.
Pei Jin slowly shifted his gaze away.
His Majesty actually thinks he covets the Imperial Concubine. Qi Yu is no longer the little girl she was back then, so naturally he wouldn't have any thoughts about her.
Does Your Majesty think all men in the world are as...despicable as him?
Wu Shiyan lowered his head and said to Qi Yu, "There's a breeze."
Qi Yu didn't delve into his words.
They quickly found Zhao Wanyi.
When there are too many people, it becomes unsuitable for visiting.
The restaurant Zhao Wanyi mentioned in her letter last time was called Shi Ding Lou, and its dishes were said to be exceptional. Qi Yu then said, "I have reserved a private room at Shi Ding Lou. Shall we dine there?"
The other three had no objections and put their masks away.
Qi Yu chuckled softly upon seeing this, and the three of them removed their masks with increasing speed and efficiency.
Shi Ding Lou, second floor private room.
Listening to the storyteller sitting on the stage on the first floor telling stories about the Qixi Festival, Qi Yu took off her small ornaments and put them in several piles.
Because the bracelet was too light, I hesitated for a moment and then didn't take it off.
Finally, she cleverly placed the mask on top of the pile of things in the middle.
Feeling much lighter, Qi Yu smiled knowingly.
Zhao Wanyi watched this scene quietly, a picture flashing through her mind.
The young girl, who was staying in her boudoir, was carefully playing with the things that her maid had bought from the market, things that she had grown tired of playing with. One of them was a mask with a cat's face painted on it. She was used to dividing things into several piles, but in the end, she was stumped by the mask.
After thinking for a moment, the little girl placed the mask on the pile of things in the very center, and was finally satisfied.
But the little girl's interest came quickly and went quickly; she soon forgot about it and called for her nanny.
This is her twin sister. She is actually the same age as Qi Yu, not a year older.
Back then, the Zhao couple could only take one person with them to replace their recently deceased daughter; "Zhao Wanyi" was only nineteen years old.
Her nominal mother was actually her aunt, who risked her life to save one of the sisters. Her younger sister, Chunshan, gave her the only chance and fled with her nanny towards Hedong County.
From then on, his fate remained unknown.
Qi Yu had too many similar characteristics, which made her unable to resist testing her again.
Zhao Wanyi's eyes welled up with tears. After a moment, the four of them sat down and began to eat. She concealed her emotions, and her gaze became unusually firm.
Qi Yu listened to the storyteller with great interest, not even bothering to respond to Wu Shiyan's words.
When she saw Wu Shiyan serving her food, she lowered her head and slowly ate the food in her bowl.
As obedient as a cat.
It was completely dark outside, but there were lanterns and sheds everywhere, making it as bright as day.
After the meal, Qi Yu suggested that they go and see the scenery near the inland river.
A river flows outside the capital, and a branch flows into the capital. People in the capital call this river the Inner River. The Inner River is not turbulent and forms a lake in the capital.
A bridge with a history of over a hundred years has been built where the lake narrows. Because the bridge is shaped like a magpie, it has long been called the Magpie Bridge. Every year during the Qixi Festival, the area around the Magpie Bridge is always bustling with activity.
The lake surface shimmered under the glow of lanterns at night, making it exceptionally beautiful. Several ornately decorated pleasure boats dotted the lake, their sounds of revelry filling the air, creating a wonderful atmosphere.
When Pei Jin heard Qi Yu's vague explanation, he knew that she only had a superficial understanding of these things, otherwise she would have chartered a pleasure boat to enjoy the scenery.
Pei Jin was not disappointed and nodded in agreement.
At dawn, the wife sang and the husband followed.
Zhao Wanyi said yes.
It was quite late when we arrived near the Magpie Bridge, but the crowds on the street were still considerable.
Qi Yu was not disappointed. Instead, she and Wu Shiyan walked onto the Magpie Bridge and looked around to admire the view.
The scenery on the lake is indeed beautiful.
Just then, she heard a soft clatter of a broken cup hidden in the crowd, followed by a sudden chaos in the flow of people.
Qi Yu wanted to warn Wu Shiyan, but out of the corner of her eye, she caught a glimpse of the blade's reflection. The people lurking in the shadows weren't just after Wu Shiyan; she was among them!
Beads of sweat appeared on Qi Yu's nose. Before she could dodge, Wu Shiyan shoved her away and slammed his knife heavily against the bridge railing, sending splinters flying.
So close!
Wu Shiyan went to seize the knife, and Qi Yu saw Lin Qi appear and rushed towards her.
Not wanting to cause trouble for Wu Shiyan, she ran towards Lin Qi, but was pushed into the lake by a hand reaching out from the crowd.
Because she didn't slow down while running, she landed in the lake very easily.
In the last second before falling into the lake, Qi Yu struggled to think, thank goodness it's not winter.
A note from the author:
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