Lantern Festival (Part Two)
Qu Linghan called out to Bai Hui.
I pulled him along to look ahead.
"This? Is this it?"
Qu Linghan's voice carried a rhetorical question, clearly indicating that he had already made some confirmation.
"It is Your Highness."
"The other one seems to be Miss Lu."
Qu Linghan continued Bai Hui's words.
The two stood like statues, watching as Liu Ziju relentlessly pursued Lu Shuyu.
"Stop following me!"
"It's so annoying. I've told you so many times, don't like me. I have someone I like."
Lu Shuyu's voice grew louder as she approached, eventually bringing her directly to Qu Linghan and Lu Shuyu.
Lu Shuyu noticed Qu Linghan and stopped walking.
"What a coincidence, Ling Han. Hmm..."
Lu Shuyu's eyes swept over Bai Hui.
What's this person's name again...?
Qu Linghan saw through Lu Shuyu's inner thoughts.
He immediately leaned closer and told her.
"Shuyu, just call him Bai Hui."
Although Bai Hui had changed to the mask with plum blossoms that Qu Linghan had just chosen, his sharp edge remained unchanged.
Lu Shuyu smiled meaningfully a few times, but felt a little scared and didn't speak to Bai Hui.
"Shuyu, wait for me. I don't mean any harm."
Liu Ziju arrived shortly after.
Qu Linghan, noticing that Liu Ziju hadn't seen Bai Hui, coughed twice to remind him.
Be careful not to get beaten up...
Finally, when they were only one meter away from Bai Hui...
Bai Hui's features appeared in Liu Ziju's eyes.
"Brother Zhaoming, Linghan. You're here too?"
Bai Hui's eyes were like those of a hawk at this moment.
Liu Ziju was the prey about to be captured.
Not to be outdone, Liu Ziju raised his chin and looked at Bai Hui.
"Brother Zhaoming, today is the Lantern Festival. I'm having a great time!"
"I know today is the Lantern Festival, but it's already late and there are so many people. What if some evil person targets you..."
Before Bai Hui could finish speaking, Liu Ziju interrupted him.
"Okay, okay. Stop nagging."
Bai Hui stood there, as if a thousand words were stuck in his throat.
Qu Linghan felt that Bai Hui must have hoped that his son would become successful, but unfortunately Liu Ziju was a disappointment.
Lu Shuyu saw Liu Ziju being reprimanded.
He then randomly pointed to a stall.
"The three of you, what about me?"
"I'm off!"
After saying that, without waiting for their reaction, she lifted her skirt and ran away.
"Brother Zhaoming, you're being too harsh! She's already gone!"
Liu Ziju's face was full of grievance.
"You prefer her?"
"yes."
"You should know your identity. You should know better than I what you want to do in the future."
Liu Ziju sighed heavily.
"I know."
…
The three remained silent for a while, and Qu Linghan felt the atmosphere was a bit awkward.
He then poked Bai Hui with his hand.
I really want to go and have fun.
Liu Ziju suddenly spoke,
“Brother Zhaoming, I probably won’t have time to see you off from the capital the day after tomorrow.”
"You must return safely."
Wait a minute? What?
These two sentences completely dispelled Qu Linghan's desire to continue shopping.
"What?! Going to the battlefield? The day after tomorrow?"
"Bai Hui, the day after tomorrow? Why didn't you say so earlier?"
Bai Hui's hair fluttered gently in the breeze, drifting to Qu Linghan's eyes and bringing with it his answer.
"Cough, there's no need."
How could it be unnecessary? It's a matter of life and death.
"Why didn't you say so earlier? I would have prepared some food and clothes for you."
Hearing that infectious diseases could occur on ancient battlefields, Qu Linghan felt a little scared and quickly reminded Bai Hui.
"Be careful, and change your underwear frequently."
"Don't drink the river water."
Qu Linghan spoke with heartfelt sincerity.
In Liu Ziju's eyes, it was all flirting and banter.
"Hey, I'm still here."
"Oh, sorry, I forgot."
"It's too late, you should go back now, it's not safe."
"oh."
Bai Hui remained silent at first, but suddenly spoke up when he saw Liu Ziju and Qu Linghan about to start chatting again.
"Do you need someone to escort you?"
"No need!"
He was no longer a child, and he didn't realize that he was someone who needed to be protected.
Liu Ziju felt inexplicably dissatisfied.
After saying that, he turned and left without looking back.
This child, really.
Never mind, never mind.
Let's continue!
Qu Linghan leaned towards Bai Hui,
"Let's go."
The words had barely left his mouth when a loud rumble followed, accompanied by a dazzling array of flashing lights.
"It's a lion dance!"
To be honest, Qu Linghan hadn't really looked into the history of the Liu Dynasty.
The unexpected lion dance was a pleasant surprise for her.
After all, two thousand years later, she had only ever seen this event on television.
Lion dances and floats came in an endless stream.
"Hurry up, Bai Hui."
Qu Linghan jogged to the street closer to the float.
Bai Hui, carrying the lantern she had just won from solving riddles, followed behind Qu Linghan.
Along the way, it was a scene of magnificent carriages and fragrant aromas. The sound of phoenix flutes filled the air, the jade pot gleamed, and fish and dragons danced all night.
"This is the first time I've ever seen a lion dance here!"
It was bustling with activity and filled with the noise of people.
Qu Linghan raised his voice.
"first?"
"Yes, it's my first time."
In Bai Hui's eyes, Qu Linghan's words and actions were sometimes rather strange.
How to describe it? It's roughly absurd.
It feels like I don't belong to this era, this world.
Never mind, perhaps he's overthinking it.
—
Qu Linghan pulled Bai Hui to squeeze into the front row, cheering to the rhythm of the lion dance.
When it was completely dark, only the bustling lights and the bright moonlight remained.
Qu Linghan was both tired and hungry.
Bai Hui was still full of energy.
"Shall we go?"
Are you tired?
I'm still a little hungry.
Qu Linghan then touched her stomach.
It's making a sound.
"go home."
"good!"
Qu Linghan got a lantern from Bai Hui and walked along the road, swaying it as she went.
The warm light flickered and shone on their faces.
A peaceful and serene world.
Upon arriving at the Bai residence, Qin Hang and his companions immediately went to greet them.
"My lord, there was a banquet for the troops at the military camp today! Why didn't you go? Pei Wuyang made a name for himself all this time."
Qin Hang looked at the lanterns in Bai Hui's hands, one on each finger.
Qu Linghan scratched his head sheepishly.
"Buying so much?"
"I didn't buy it, I got it by guessing riddles!"
Qu Linghan answered before Bai Hui could.
A sense of relief inexplicably rose in Qin Hang's heart.
That's enough, that's enough.
On the battlefield, strength still matters.
As long as the Marquis is happy.
"My lord, the kitchen at home has made some glutinous rice balls."
Qin Hang made a sharp turn.
"sweet dumpling!"
Qu Linghan, who was starving, immediately had her eyes light up.
"Where!?"
Qin Hang pointed out the direction to Qu Linghan.
"Then I'm leaving."
These words were meant for Bai Hui's ears.
See how he found out.
Qu Linghan quickly moved in front of Tangyuan.
"Absolutely delicious!"
After Qu Linghan left, Qin Hang couldn't help but remind Bai Hui of the current situation.
"My lord..."
Bai Hui interrupted Qin Hang.
"It's alright, I have a plan in mind."
We can no longer simply be the king's sword, devoid of thought and self-awareness.
After all, there was now a girl by his side.
—
The next morning, it was the same as usual.
Qu Linghan thought he had woken up quite early, but Bai Hui had already left the room.
Qu Linghan stretched.
"The training schedule for martial arts is so disciplined!"
But she was pretty good today too; she got up as soon as the rooster crowed a few times.
Okay, actually it's because Lanxu Pavilion is opening the day after tomorrow.
She's going to plan the opening activities in advance today.
After she washed up and ate her meal.
Pick up the lantern that Bai Hui won yesterday.
One, two,…
A plum blossom-shaped lantern suddenly came into Qu Linghan's view.
"Let's leave this at my son's house."
She liked it very much.
After tidying up the lanterns, Qu Linghan stuffed some colored paper into them.
Write down "one fold", "two folds", etc.
However, there were still too few. Qu Linghan called Jing'er and placed the lanterns in their hands in Lanxu Pavilion.
I was thinking of buying some more lanterns from other stores.
The two walked down the street with a purpose in mind.
Qu Linghan suddenly heard a girl sobbing softly.
She looked in the direction of the sound and saw a girl holding a green amulet, which she tied around the waist of the man in front of her.
"Be extremely careful on this journey."
After saying that, the man in front of her embraced her and rested his chin on her head.
Qu Linghan suddenly remembered that on the day she returned to Shucheng from Yuzhou, she and Bai Hui were in the same position due to a stumble.
"Madam, why is your face red?"
Jing'er spoke up to remind Qu Linghan.
"ah?"
Qu Linghan quickly touched her face with her hand.
It's so hot.
Qu Linghan felt a little embarrassed, and then quickly pulled Jing'er away.
"Madam, slow down..."
—
The two finally arrived at the place where lanterns were sold.
As Qu Linghan was making her selections, a sweet voice entered her ears.
"I want this one!"
Turning my head, I saw a girl flirting with the boy in front of her.
"Okay, I'll buy you whatever you want."
The lantern the girl was holding was the plum blossom-shaped lantern that Qu Linghan loved most.
It was the same one that Bai Hui bought for her.
"ah!"
What's going on today...?
"Miss, what's wrong?"
"No problem, no problem."
That's it, all I can think about is that there's nothing I can do.
Qu Linghan handed the selected lanterns and money to Jing'er.
"You keep picking, I have some things to take care of back home."
"good."
As soon as Jing'er finished speaking, Qu Linghan patted her shoulder.
"Then I'm leaving!"
As if she had finally shattered the heavy stone in her heart, Qu Linghan ran as fast as she could.
Touching the remaining money in his pocket, Qu Linghan thought.
"How about we make him a talisman?"
After all, her craftsmanship is so exquisite.
Without hesitation, Qu Linghan found a shop selling dried flowers and spices.
Looking at the wide variety of dried flowers, there was a dazzling array of them.
Qu Linghan was conflicted.
What should we buy?
Qu Linghan recalled the fragrance emanating from Bai Hui.
"Huh, what's there to think about when someone's so cold and aloof?"
Suddenly, a box of spices labeled sandalwood caught my eye.
"Yes, the sandalwood scent on him suits him quite well."
Moreover, it purifies the energy field and calms the mind.
"Boss, I want this!"
Alright!
Qu Linghan paid the money and returned to Lanxu Pavilion with the box containing the sandalwood.
It just so happens that Jing'er is carrying a lantern back home.
"Madam, what are you doing?"
"Make a talisman."
Jing'er nodded somewhat absentmindedly.
Qu Linghan then explained the lantern matter to Jing'er before going upstairs alone.
She was preparing to make a unique talisman for herself and Bai Huicai.
She first took a plain-colored piece of paper and wrote the word "triumphant return" on it.
Then he swept some soil from the second-floor window, symbolizing the soil of his hometown.
Then she chose a light green piece of cloth. Qu Linghan didn't know what color Bai Hui liked, so she prepared it according to her own favorite color.
Pour out the spices from the box and fold the paper with the blessing written on it into a square.
Qu Linghan then began cutting.
"Let's show this ancient man the level of an internationally renowned designer!"
Qu Linghan muttered to himself.
…
But in no time, they put another red string on it.
The amulet was then ready.
The final step!
Qu Linghan placed the amulet in his hands and clasped them together.
May he return victorious.
"Free from illness and disaster."
-
It was getting late, and the wind stirred up the moonlight.
Qu Linghan took the talisman and returned to the mansion.
"Qin Hang, where is the Marquis?"
Qu Linghan searched around but couldn't find Bai Hui.
"The Marquis has entered the palace."
"Entering the palace again."
"I understand!"
Qu Linghan returned to his room, feeling quite bored.
She lay in bed looking at the amulet in her hand over and over again.
Why aren't they back yet?
Qu Linghan blew out the candle and went to the study.
Bored, he picked up Bai Hui's military treatise.
It's very boring.
Suddenly, a gust of wind blew by.
The candle in the study fell over in the wind.
Her waist was encircled by a pair of cold hands.
"ah!"
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