Releasing river lanterns
"I don't want to know what kind of person the First Madam is. Anyway, as long as she doesn't touch me, I naturally won't cause any trouble." Jiang Yi blew on the ink on the paper and handed it to He Lin. "Here, keep it safe. With this, you won't have to worry about me defaulting on my debts in the future."
He Lin took it, glanced at it, raised an eyebrow, and then returned it.
What did you write?
"It's an IOU, what's wrong with it?"
After Jiang Yi received it, she scanned it over and over but couldn't find any faults, except that the handwriting was crooked and not very neat.
He Lin didn't say anything, just stared at her.
Jiang Yi carefully read those lines of text again from beginning to end, and suddenly realized what was going on.
The words were correct, the text was correct, but the ancients wrote from top to bottom and from left to right, while her IOU was written in a completely modern style, with the order reversed. No wonder He Lin couldn't understand it.
"Uh, shall I rewrite it?"
He Lin snatched the paper from her hand and then tore it to shreds.
"No need."
Jiang Yi pointed at He Lin with wide eyes: "You, you, you, you tore this yourself, it has nothing to do with me."
"You don't need to write this to me anymore, and you don't need to return it."
"What?! You mean I don't have to pay you back?! You mean I don't have to pay you back?!"
Jiang Yi was stunned. Such a good thing could exist in the world! Debts didn't have to be repaid?
"No need, you should get some rest."
"Hey, wait a minute!" Jiang Yi stepped forward and grabbed He Lin's arm. "How about this, I'll grant you one wish? As long as it's within my ability, I'll do my best."
"you?"
"Um."
"Go to sleep now."
"You don't believe me?"
Jiang Yi followed He Lin closely like a little tail until they reached the bed where he slept.
"A wish..." He Lin looked up at her calmly and said indifferently, "Not for now, I'll let you know when I do."
Jiang Yi nodded: "Okay, but don't go too far, or don't blame me for not recognizing you."
After blowing out the candle, darkness enveloped everything. A few rays of moonlight streamed in through the window, but the person inside the green gauze curtain felt no sleepiness. Listening to the sound of falling petals outside, it was like a hurried yet melodious tune.
Jiang Yi has never liked sleeping with a high pillow. She pulled it out and threw it aside, then rested her head on her arms and stared blankly at the ceiling. Without a phone or internet, she couldn't even listen to music.
"He Lin, does your courtyard have a name? I saw that Mother's courtyard is called 'Fragrant Garden,' what's your courtyard called?"
After waiting for a while without hearing any movement from his side, just as Jiang Yi was about to shut up and go to sleep, He Lin's cold voice rang out.
"It has no name."
"Huh? There isn't one."
After a pause, Jiang Yi continued, "Then I'll choose one—Luoyingyuan (Fallen Blossom Courtyard). What do you think? Does it sound nice? The ancients wrote of fallen blossoms in profusion. I see that there are quite a few flowering trees planted in this courtyard, and you can hear the sound of falling petals outside. This name is just right. I never thought I had such talent. Maybe I can even become a 'talented woman' and have some fun..."
He Lin slowly closed his eyes, lay back on the couch, and listened quietly to her rambling.
...
Days passed by like this, and everyone got along peacefully without any major incidents.
Then one day, an imperial edict was issued from the palace, which immediately caused a great uproar in the general's mansion.
With the border unstable and the northern deserts restless, His Majesty is sending He Wei to guard the border. This does not mean that the two sides will go to war immediately. With the cold winter approaching, and considering factors such as food supplies and weather, the main goal is to negotiate peace. If the problem can be solved without losing a single soldier, that would be the best outcome.
After all, nobody wants to experience bloodshed in war unless absolutely necessary.
Therefore, His Majesty's intention is to first send General He Wei, the Grand General of Dingyuan, to the border to guard against any eventuality, and not to fear an invasion by the Northern Desert people.
Time waits for no one. Upon receiving the news, He Wei immediately donned his military uniform and rode to the military camp to muster his troops and prepare for departure. This was the first time Jiang Yi had ever experienced the oppressive atmosphere of war firsthand, so close to her.
Everyone in the mansion revered the First Madam. They waved goodbye to He Wei at the entrance of the General's Mansion, watching his departing figure on horseback, their thoughts unknown.
Since He Wei left, Madam Tong has become increasingly reluctant to go out, spending her days in Qinxiang Garden eating vegetarian food and chanting Buddhist scriptures. Jiang Yi didn't want to disturb her, so she became even more bored.
I've browsed several popular shops along the main street and visited the best restaurants in the capital, but I still feel like something's missing.
Yes, life is just too damn bland, there's no excitement at all, it's like drinking plain water, tasteless...
"Ziyu, have you made any progress on the matter I asked you to investigate last time?"
"The investigation is still ongoing. The assassination attempt on the southern journey was kept extremely secret. Apart from a few guards around the Crown Prince, only Young Master Yu knew the details. However, judging from the bodies at the scene, they all had a common feature: a black eagle emblem on their chests, suggesting they were specially trained bodyguards..."
He Lin pinched the bridge of his nose, crumpled up a piece of paper written on it on the desk, and threw it aside.
"You are in a lot of trouble at the General's Mansion. Send a message to Yanzhi and ask him to investigate. If necessary, you can have Wu Yuan test the Crown Prince."
"Yes. By the way, young master, Lord Zhaobai wishes to see you."
"Okay, tell him the usual place."
"..."
As Jiang Yi approached the study door, she heard voices coming from inside. Involuntarily, she slowed her pace, held her breath, and slowly drew closer, craning her neck to listen.
Xia Zhi, who was behind her, secretly tugged at her sleeve, but Jiang Yi pulled her back instead...
Upon seeing the shadow outside the door, He Lin immediately shushed Gu Ziyu and gestured with his chin for him to open the door.
Gu Ziyu nodded in understanding, and with his exceptional lightness skill, he silently approached the door. After obtaining He Lin's permission, he pulled the door open, and the fiery red rays of the setting sun immediately streamed in.
The two people caught in the act outside the door stood frozen in place, dumbfounded.
Jiang Yi's eyes darted around a few times, she rubbed her hands together, and said awkwardly, "Hey, Gu Ziyu, um, where's He Lin?"
Gu Ziyu rubbed his nose and stepped aside to make room for someone to walk.
As soon as Jiang Yi entered, she saw He Lin leisurely drinking tea inside and laughed, "It's great that you're here, He Lin. I see you have nothing to do at home, why don't you come out for a stroll with me?"
Seeing his slightly furrowed brows, Jiang Yi, fearing he might refuse, quickly added, "Let's make this clear first, this is Mother's wish."
He Lin looked up at her: "You've lived in the capital since you were a child. Haven't you had enough of this big city? Where else would you like to go?"
Upon hearing this, Jiang Yi choked. Had she heard correctly? He Lin said that the capital city was such a small place? He thought the capital city was too small?
Just kidding. Even compared to first-tier modern cities, this place has absolutely nothing to do with Kyoto. Four main roads, eight branch roads, and twelve streets lead in all directions, extending outwards from the Imperial Palace, like a specially designed Bagua formation. It has all the advantages of timing and location, making it an absolute "Kyoto".
"Mind your own business! I just want to shop with you, are you happy?"
"Although there are night markets in the capital, don't forget that the General's Mansion has a curfew. Even if I miss the appointed time, I still can't get in. Think it through."
"I understand, I understand. Let's go, stop arguing."
The long street is filled with stars and brightly lit.
Jiang Yi wondered if it was just her imagination, but she felt that there were more people at night than during the day. Did people in ancient times also like to go out and have fun at night?
The group blended into the crowd and followed the flow of people.
Why are you dressed like this?
Jiang Yi looked left and right, finding everything novel and interesting, and casually asked, "Isn't it pretty?"
He Lin had nothing to say and silently shut his mouth, staring straight ahead.
Before leaving, for some reason, she went inside and changed into men's clothes. Her long hair was tied back in a high ponytail, and she wore a sky-blue dress with a belt that accentuated her waist perfectly. She grabbed a folding fan and fanned herself vigorously in the wind.
It's not that it looks bad; even He Lin was stunned for a moment when he saw this outfit, but...
But the rouge and powder on her face were still there. What young master would wear powder and draw eyebrows?! It was obviously a woman in disguise. She didn't even bother to put in any effort. It was like "protesting too much."
"Hey Lin! There are people releasing river lanterns over there! Let's release one too, I've never done this before!"
Jiang Yi excitedly patted He Lin's arm, and after saying that, she ran straight towards the stall selling river lanterns, with Xia Zhi following behind her.
Gu Ziyu looked around and stepped forward to remind He Lin, "Young Master, Lord Zhao Bai has arrived."
He Lin watched Jiang Yi's retreating figure and let out a soft "Mmm" from his throat.
Then, Jiang Yi walked towards her, bought a very common lotus lantern, and turned to wave at He Lin.
"He Lin, the boss said we can write our wishes on this. Here, write one down and I'll put it in."
Why?
"Huh?" Jiang Yi was taken aback, but quickly realized, "My writing isn't very good, you should do it."
He Lin took the pen, but hesitated to put it down, asking, "Is there anything you want to say?"
Jiang Yi crossed her arms, rested her chin on her hand, looked down at the lamp for a moment, and said, "May you be safe. How about writing this?"
He Lin gave her a deep look, and as instructed, wrote the three characters on the lamp, stroke by stroke.
Jiang Yi bent down with him. He Lin wrote, and she looked at it. She couldn't help but praise, "Wow, your handwriting is really beautiful. Just like you."
He Lin paused, pursed his lips, and continued writing.
Jiang Yi and Xia Zhi went down the overpass together to release lanterns on the riverbank below.
He Lin stood on the bridge and watched as she placed the river lantern into the water, then stirred the surface with her hand, letting it drift downstream with the current.
In the crowd, his eyes reflected thousands of floating lights, but upon closer inspection, only that one figure stood out.
He Lin didn't say anything, and decisively turned and left.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
