Yi Mu walked forward for about a hundred meters when a gust of wind suddenly blew by his side.
Bei Menlin walked to his side with a faint smile on his face.
"I have finished my official duties and have been discussing flood control plans with local officials for days. I haven't had time to see the local customs and culture. This is a good opportunity to accompany Your Majesty on a tour."
Yi Mu leaned closer to him and whispered, "Don't call me 'Your Majesty' when we're out. Just call me Brother Mu."
Bei Menlin readily agreed and took the heavy revolving lantern from his hand, saying, "Brother Mu."
The streets were bustling with activity, with vendors carrying loads on shoulder poles and selling sugar figurines.
Seeing that Yi Mu and Bei Menlin were dressed in rich clothes, he stepped forward and smiled ingratiatingly.
"Gentlemen, why don't you buy some sugar figurines? The ladies in your families will surely love them."
The load he carried contained the four characters from the Journey to the West, the heroes of Liangshan from the Water Margin, and even the legendary tale of the White Snake.
With his sharp eyes, Yi Mu spotted a pair of tiny figures huddled together inside.
There were two men, one dressed in imperial robes and the other in the court robes of a subject.
Yi Mu felt a sense of novelty and picked up the two little figures from the carrying pole.
The vendor didn't remember making these two little trinkets, but seeing Yi Mu's interest, he figured he could make a good profit off these two rich young masters tonight.
Yi Mu showed the two little figures to Bei Menlin: "Brother Lin, what historical figures do these two resemble?"
Bei Menlin was not simply a military general. Although he was not as learned as an outstanding civil official, he was still well-read.
These two little figures are more exquisite than the others on the vendor's carrying pole.
One wore a court bead headdress and imperial robes, while the other wore a court official's robes, but one sleeve was missing.
Legend has it that an emperor once discovered that one of his ministers was even more beautiful than the beauties of the imperial harem, so he took him into his harem and favored him every day.
One day, the emperor woke up and found his sleeve was under his favorite minister. Not wanting to wake the minister, he picked up a dagger and cut his sleeve.
That was the infamous scandalous affair between Emperor Ai and his minister Dong Xian.
The term "cut sleeve" used in later generations was used to describe them.
Bei Menlin looked at the two little figures in Yi Mu's hand, then looked at Yi Mu.
He was an emperor, he was a subject.
Bei Menlin didn't know what to say, feeling that their position made it inappropriate to discuss this matter.
Seeing that his expression was off, the vendor was afraid that the deal would fall through, so he quickly smiled apologetically.
"This was probably just something my good-for-nothing granddaughter made for fun. If you two gentlemen don't like it, you can get something else..."
Yi Mu handed the miniature Emperor Ai to Bei Menlin, then turned and continued walking forward with a smile.
The maid paid the vendor silver.
Bei Menlin stared at the little sugar figurine in his hand, unsure how to react.
The young emperor couldn't possibly not know who the sugar figurine was. Since he knew, why did he ask him?
Bei Menlin was preoccupied with complicated thoughts all night, until the lantern festival was about to end.
Everyone, each holding a lotus lantern, walked to the moat, placed their lanterns down along the bank, and clasped their hands together to make a wish.
I've heard that if you make a wish here, nine out of ten times it will come true; it's incredibly effective.
Bei Menlin didn't believe in these things, but he saw Yi Mu devoutly follow the actions taught by the locals, closing his eyes and making a wish.
His subordinates and servants stood a few meters away. In Bei Menlin's eyes, all the faces of the passersby were blurred, except for Yi Mu, whose face was solemn and clear.
Many strange images began to appear in his mind again, showing him and Beimen Mu sitting intimately at the desk.
Bei Menmu did not shy away from those top-secret memorials from him; the two even disregarded the proper etiquette between ruler and subject and dined together.
Bei Menlin covered his head, looking pained.
When Yi Mu opened his eyes, he saw Bei Menlin's face contorted in pain. His heart skipped a beat, and he quickly stepped forward.
Bei Menlin opened his eyes and looked at him, momentarily dazed, then instantly cold.
In a few quick shifts in expression, he abruptly shoved Yi Mu aside and turned to run away.
Yi Mu stared at the two sugar figurines on the ground, bent down, and picked up the dusty sugar figurines.
The maid said, "Your Majesty, these are all dirty. I'll buy you new ones..."
"Let's go back."
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