As dusk settled, Song Zhiyu was still slightly tipsy when she left Zuixianlou. Her face was flushed with a faint blush, and her eyes were gently closed, as if a thin mist had been veiled over her clear and lively eyes.
At this time, lanterns were hung high on West Street, and people came and went, with conversations and hawking sounds rising and falling, no less lively than during the day.
Song Zhiyu watched Ling Wushuang board the carriage before leisurely turning around to admire the unique scene on the street with great interest.
Having been back in Beijing for so long, she had never gone out at night, so she naturally had no idea that the city's nights were so bustling and lively.
Before they knew it, they had arrived at the lantern stall.
"Miss, this lantern is so beautiful!" Lu Bai exclaimed, pointing to a hexagonal flower and bird lantern hanging by the stall.
Song Zhiyu also noticed the lantern, simply because it was too eye-catching.
The lantern's frame is made of fine wood, and the silk is made of transparent and thin mica sheets. Various flower and bird patterns painted on it are lifelike and seem to come alive under the candlelight, which shows the ingenuity of its craftsmanship.
“Miss, this lantern is much prettier than the one that the Fourth Young Master gave to the Eldest Miss at the lantern festival.” Lu Bai pouted. She still remembered how Shen Yanxi helped the Eldest Miss snatch her Miss’s lantern.
Every time she thinks about it, she curses.
It was clearly a lantern that her young lady had worked hard to win, but just because the eldest young lady liked it, the fourth young master forced her young lady to give it away. How shameless!
Song Zhiyu gently pinched Lu Bai's puffed-out cheeks and soothed her softly, "Don't be angry, she didn't get the lantern in the end either."
The lantern that Shen Jinshu snatched from her hand was trampled flat by the crowd in less than half a cup of tea's time, and no one could get it.
Song Zhiyu would never admit that she deliberately destroyed the lantern; she would never give anything she won to Shen Jinshu, even if it was lost.
“That’s true. If she can take something away from you, Miss won’t want it anymore, and the same goes for people.” Lu Bai nodded, feeling much relieved.
Song Zhiyu simply smiled and said, "Boss, I'll take this lantern."
"Alright!" The stall owner exclaimed excitedly. This lantern was the most beautiful and valuable of all the lanterns.
Before Lu Bai could hand over the silver, a large, well-defined hand reached past her and placed a silver ingot on the stall.
"Brother." Song Zhiyu turned her head and saw Pei Qingyan dressed in green. Her voice rose slightly at the end, mixed with surprise and joy.
"Have you been drinking?" Pei Qingyan approached Song Zhiyu and smelled a faint scent of alcohol emanating from her.
"I had a little bit of a drink with Wushuang." Song Zhiyu held up two fingers, a slightly awkward smile on her face.
She doesn't have a high alcohol tolerance; if she drinks a few more glasses, she might really get drunk.
Pei Qingyan didn't expose her, but handed her the lantern in his hand, saying gently, "I'll take you back."
The two maintained a distance that was neither too close nor too far, exchanging a few words from time to time, but it was usually Song Zhiyu who asked the questions and Pei Qingyan who answered, showing her great patience.
As they walked, they were not far from the Chengen Marquis's residence.
Pei Qingyan subconsciously slowed his pace to match Song Zhiyu's rhythm. "Soon, Jin Yang will be returning to the capital in triumph."
Jin Yang, whom Pei Qingyan mentioned, is the third older brother that Song Zhiyu took in.
Since the battle in the northern frontier three years ago, Su Jinyang's reputation as a brilliant strategist has spread far and wide. He has won the Emperor's favor and has been promoted three ranks, and ordered to guard the frontier.
Song Zhiyu hadn't seen Su Jinyang for three years, only receiving a few letters from him informing her that he was alright.
Three years have passed in the blink of an eye.
Under Su Jinyang's fierce offensive, the Northern Kingdom suffered repeated defeats, and it was only a matter of time before they returned to their capital in triumph.
But there was still no news from outside, and Song Zhiyu was unsure of the situation in the northern frontier. However, Pei Qingyan's words reassured her considerably.
Song Zhiyu's lips curled up, her face visibly pleased. "I haven't seen Third Brother in so long, I wonder if he's changed."
Once his second and third brothers return to Beijing, the whole family can be reunited.
Third Brother has achieved a great victory over the Northern Kingdom and made a great contribution. He will be rewarded according to his merits once he returns to the capital.
The young general suddenly became a favorite of the court, with a promising future ahead of him, and many people wanted to win him over.
But this was also his death warrant.
Thinking of Su Jinyang's fate in her previous life, Song Zhiyu couldn't help but grip the lantern handle tightly, suppressing the anger in her heart.
This time, she would not give the Prince of Li any opportunity; she would protect her third brother.
Pei Qingyan noticed the sudden change in Song Zhiyu's expression, and the hint of ruthlessness that unconsciously crept into her eyes, which made him somewhat worried.
"What's wrong?" A gentle and warm voice brushed against Song Zhiyu's heart, which was filled with resentment, pulling her back from her thoughts, which were immersed in hatred.
Song Zhiyu shook her head and forced a smile, "It's nothing, I'm just a little worried about Third Brother."
"Don't worry, I promise you, Jin Yang will appear before you safe and sound." Pei Qingyan gently patted Song Zhiyu's head, even the usually upright and serious person was joking.
Song Zhiyu chuckled, patted Pei Qingyan's shoulder with her backhand, and was about to speak when she was interrupted by a shrill male voice.
What are you doing?
Shen Yanxi strode out aggressively, his eyes bloodshot as he stared at Pei Qingyan's hand that was rubbing Song Zhiyu's head. Every step he took seemed to be taken with all his might, making a dull thud on the bluestone pavement.
"You're a woman, and you're only coming back at this hour. Do you know how long I've been waiting for you?" Shen Yanxi stopped in front of Song Zhiyu and immediately questioned her.
Song Zhiyu scoffed, amused by Shen Yanxi's questioning tone, "Did I ask you to wait for me? And who are you to bother me like this?"
"I am your brother." Shen Yanxi was furious, his expression also showing a hint of grievance, as if he had been hurt by Song Zhiyu's words.
Song Zhiyu looked displeased, completely baffled as to who Shen Yanxi was trying to impress with this aggrieved expression. "Don't you only have one sister, Shen Jinshu? Don't make up stories. My brother is right here."
"Fourth Young Master Shen." Pei Qingyan greeted him with a slight smile and great manners, but the smile did not reach his eyes.
He hadn't forgotten how Shen Yanxi had accused Yu'er of harming her because of Shen Jinshu.
It's pointless to embarrass him to his face; he prefers underhanded tactics.
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