Chapter 143 A Perfect Match
The fifteenth day of the first lunar month is the Lantern Festival.
The bustling atmosphere in the capital city began in the afternoon. Colorful tents and lanterns of all kinds were already erected along the main streets. Vendors selling glutinous rice balls, sugar figurines, and windmills called out their wares, filling the air with the sweet aroma of roasted chestnuts and fried dough sticks. Children, dressed in new clothes, darted and laughed through the crowds, eagerly awaiting the grandest lantern festival after nightfall.
Inside the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion, however, all was quiet. Gu Yangui had gone to the military camp on the outskirts of the capital early in the morning to handle military affairs, while Su Wanrou, along with Mingxuan and Gu Sheng, who was being cared for by their wet nurse, while whiled away the time in the warm pavilion. Mingxuan seemed somewhat absent-minded, glancing out the window every now and then.
"Mother, I heard there's a lantern on Zhuque Street tonight, it's taller than a house!" He finally couldn't resist and ran to Su Wanrou's side, saying eagerly.
Su Wanrou put down her needlework and patted his head: "Yes, this year marks the fifteenth anniversary of the Emperor's ascension to the throne, so the lantern festival is exceptionally grand."
"Then...can we go see?" Mingxuan asked softly, his eyes full of anticipation. In previous years, he was too young to really be in the midst of such a lively event, except to watch from the gate of the mansion.
Just as Su Wanrou was about to answer, she heard familiar footsteps outside the door. Gu Yangui lifted the curtain and entered, dressed in a dark-colored casual suit, his shoulders still carrying the chill of the outside air.
“Father!” Mingxuan immediately stood up straight.
"My husband is back." Su Wanrou rose to greet him, taking off his cloak for him. "How are things going at the camp?"
"Nothing serious, everything has been arranged." Gu Yangui's gaze swept over his son's expectant little face before returning to his wife. "What were you talking about just now?"
Su Wanrou smiled and said, "Xuan'er wants to go see the lantern festival."
Gu Yangui pondered for a moment, then looked at Mingxuan: "You want to go?"
Mingxuan nodded vigorously, then added cautiously, "I'll go with my father and mother."
Gu Yangui, unusually, did not immediately refuse, but instead turned to Su Wanrou: "Do you want to go?"
Su Wanrou was slightly taken aback. Since marrying into the Duke's mansion, she had always traveled by carriage or sedan chair, surrounded by attendants. She had never truly experienced the festive atmosphere of the common people. She recalled that before she was married, she had gone to the lantern festival with her family. The bustling scene of crowds and bright lights was still fresh in her memory.
She nodded gently, her eyes filled with longing: "I heard this year's lantern festival is exceptionally beautiful."
Gu Yangui looked at her rare display of girlishness, and the corners of his cold, hard lips curled up slightly: "In that case, let's go out for a walk incognito later."
"Really?" Mingxuan jumped up in surprise.
Su Wanrou was both surprised and delighted: "Husband, is this... appropriate?" After all, given his status, traveling incognito would inevitably carry risks.
"It's alright, just have Gu Qing take a few capable people and follow them secretly." Gu Yangui said confidently, "It's a rare holiday, the children should have some fun."
Mingxuan was so happy he spun around in the room, and Su Wanrou felt a warm current surge in her heart. She knew that this was not only fulfilling the child's wish, but also a sign of Gu Yangui's thoughtfulness towards her.
As night fell and the city lights began to twinkle, the side gate of the Duke's mansion quietly opened, and an inconspicuous blue-curtained carriage drove out, disappearing into the bustling crowds of the capital.
The carriage stopped at the alleyway some distance from Zhuque Street. Gu Yangui alighted first, then helped Su Wanrou down. She had deliberately changed into the ordinary attire of a wealthy lady: a lotus-colored satin jacket, a moon-white silk skirt, and a silver fur cloak. Her hair was adorned only with a single pearl hairpin, simple and elegant. Gu Yangui was also dressed in a dark blue brocade robe, befitting a wealthy merchant. Mingxuan, on the other hand, wore a royal blue robe, excitedly looking around.
Gu Qing, accompanied by two guards disguised as servants, followed at a distance that was neither too close nor too far.
As soon as you step into the main street, a wave of noise hits you. All kinds of lanterns compete for beauty: rabbit lanterns, lotus lanterns, revolving lanterns, palace lanterns... their shimmering lights illuminate the night sky as if it were daytime. The crowds are thick and dense, shoulder to shoulder, with laughter and chatter filling the air.
Mingxuan had never seen anything like it before; his eyes couldn't take it all in. He gripped Gu Yangui's hand tightly, his face flushed with excitement. Su Wanrou was also caught up in the excitement, a smile playing on her lips.
"Candied hawthorn! Father, Mother, I want to eat candied hawthorn!" Mingxuan pointed to a vendor not far away.
Gu Yangui gestured, and Gu Qing immediately went forward and bought a few skewers. Mingxuan took them and eagerly took a bite; the sweet and sour taste made him squint his eyes.
"You should try some too." Gu Yangui handed another skewer to Su Wanrou.
Su Wanrou accepted the food somewhat shyly. Eating on such a bustling street was a long-lost experience for her. She took a small bite, the crisp sweetness of the rock sugar and the tartness of the hawthorn melting in her mouth, bringing back childhood memories. She looked up and met Gu Yangui's gaze. In the lamplight, his deep eyes appeared exceptionally gentle.
"Does it look good?" he asked the lamp, but his gaze fell on her lips, which were stained with sugar and looked exceptionally delicate.
Su Wanrou blushed and nodded gently: "It looks good."
The three of them moved slowly forward with the flow of people. Mingxuan was curious about everything, wanting to watch shadow puppet shows one moment and solve riddles the next. Gu Yangui was surprisingly patient, accompanying his son as they stopped at each stall. When Mingxuan couldn't solve a riddle, he would whisper a hint, but never give the answer directly, guiding the child to think for himself.
Su Wanrou followed behind the father and son, watching Gu Yangui's tall figure carefully protecting Mingxuan and listening to his deep voice patiently explaining things. Her heart softened completely. This man, who commanded respect in the court and whose orders were strictly enforced in the military, was now just an ordinary father and a considerate husband.
"Madam, would you like to buy a mask? This year's most fashionable mandarin duck mask symbolizes marital harmony!" a mask vendor enthusiastically greeted.
Su Wanrou stopped in her tracks. The stall was filled with all sorts of masks, from ferocious Nuo masks to cute animal shapes. The pair of exquisite mandarin duck masks were particularly unique, with white feathers and red beaks, and they looked incredibly lifelike.
Gu Yangui noticed her stop and turned back. He looked at the masks, then at Su Wanrou: "You like them?"
Su Wanrou blushed slightly and before she could answer, Gu Yangui had already taken out some loose silver and handed it to the vendor: "I want this pair."
He picked up the female mandarin duck mask and gently placed it on Su Wanrou's face. The mask covered most of her face, revealing only a pair of shimmering almond-shaped eyes, which were particularly captivating under the light. Gu Yangui himself also put on the male mandarin duck mask, which concealed his cold and handsome features, adding a touch of mystery.
Mingxuan clapped his hands and laughed, "Father and Mother look good in their masks! I want one too!"
Gu Yangui bought another little tiger mask for his son. The family of three, wearing masks, mingled in the crowd, seemingly becoming one of the millions of ordinary people, enjoying the simplest of joys.
The closer you get to the center of Zhuque Avenue, the more crowded it becomes. Nearing the legendary Aoshan Lantern, it's almost impossible to move. Lanterns of all shapes and sizes are piled high, dazzling and captivating, eliciting gasps of amazement from the crowd.
Amidst the surging crowd, Su Wanrou stumbled and nearly fell. A strong arm caught her just in time, holding her firmly in its embrace.
"Stay close to me." Gu Yangui's deep voice sounded in her ear. He shielded her and Mingxuan in front of him, using his body to separate them from the crowd. Su Wanrou leaned against his broad chest, feeling his steady heartbeat and warm body temperature. The surrounding noise seemed to disappear instantly, leaving only a reassuring embrace.
Mingxuan, held in Gu Yangui's other arm, sat on his father's strong arm with a wide view. He excitedly pointed to the towering, constantly rotating Aoshan Lantern: "Father, Mother, look! The dragon's eyes can move!"
Su Wanrou looked up and saw the majestic lantern mountain, with golden dragons coiling and precious pearls spinning—truly a masterpiece of craftsmanship, breathtaking in its beauty. She turned her head to look at her husband beside her. His mask concealed his expression, but she could feel the focus and gentleness in his gaze. At this moment, there were no Duke and his wife, only an ordinary couple with their child on an outing, enjoying family time under the dazzling lights.
They lingered in front of the Aoshan Lantern for a long time until Mingxuan began to rub his eyes, showing signs of fatigue.
"Let's go back," Gu Yangui said in a low voice.
On the way back, Mingxuan was half asleep, leaning on Gu Yangui's shoulder. Su Wanrou walked beside him, still holding the unfinished candied hawthorn in her hand. They passed a small stall selling glutinous rice balls, steaming and fragrant.
"Want to have a bowl of glutinous rice balls before going back?" Gu Yangui asked.
Su Wanrou was indeed a little hungry, so she nodded. The three of them sat down at a small table next to the stall, while Gu Qing and the others kept watch not far away.
The stall owners were an elderly couple who, seeing their distinguished bearing, were exceptionally hospitable. Soon, three bowls of plump, white glutinous rice balls were served, each drizzled with osmanthus-flavored syrup.
"Homemade glutinous rice flour, sesame and peanut filling, please have a taste, madam and young master," the old woman said with a smile.
Su Wanrou scooped up one, gently blew on it, and bit into the soft, chewy outer layer. The sweet filling flowed into her mouth, warm and comforting. She looked up and saw Gu Yangui also eating. Although his movements were still elegant, they were more casual than when he was in the mansion. Mingxuan was awakened by the aroma and ate a small half bowl in a daze.
"Old man, how's business?" Gu Yangui rarely struck up a conversation with the stall owner.
"Thanks to you, business is booming today!" the old man said with a smile. "In these peaceful and prosperous times, we ordinary people can finally celebrate the holidays and do business in peace, right?"
Gu Yangui nodded slightly and said nothing more. But Su Wanrou saw a hint of relief and satisfaction in his subtle expression. Wasn't what he was protecting the peace and tranquility of these countless homes?
After eating the glutinous rice balls, they felt warm all over. On the way back to the manor, Mingxuan fell asleep completely in his father's arms. A few fireworks bloomed in the night sky, illuminating the snow-covered streets. Su Wanrou walked side by side with Gu Yangui, her hand somehow found in his grasp again.
"I'm very happy today," she said softly.
"Mmm," he responded, squeezing her hand tighter. "We'll come every year from now on."
A simple sentence, yet it filled Su Wanrou's heart like it was filled with something. Coming every year signifies long-term companionship, and it means they have countless more ordinary yet heartwarming days like this.
Back at the manor, after settling the sleeping Mingxuan in, it was already late at night. The bedroom was warm with candlelight. Su Wanrou removed her hairpins and changed into her nightgown, feeling a sweetness even in her weariness from the day.
Gu Yangui embraced her from behind, his chin gently brushing against her neck, his breath carrying a faint scent of alcohol—he had also ordered a small pot of cloudy wine at the street corner earlier.
"Jiaojiao," he called her softly, his voice more husky and magnetic than usual.
"Hmm?" Su Wanrou leaned against him, feeling relaxed.
"The lamp is pretty, but not as pretty as you." He said abruptly, turned her around, and kissed her deeply.
The moonlight outside the window intertwined with the still-lit lamps, casting a soft glow through the windowpanes and filling the room. On this Lantern Festival night, stripped of the hustle and bustle, the most touching thing is nothing more than having your loved one by your side, enjoying the tranquility of life. A perfect match is not merely a gift from heaven, but also the result of nurturing and cherishing each other little by little in this ordinary world.
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