The district was alive with activity as families, couples, and friends eagerly anticipated the lantern festival.
Believing that the wishes made on this special day would come true, the festive air was charged with excitement and hope.
Traditional music filled the streets, with a group of men playing the guzheng and another expertly strumming the pipa, their melodies weaving through the crowd and adding to the joyous atmosphere.
Suyin, having failed to locate Qin Fuhua, retreated to the quiet of her room at the inn.
She hoped to avoid running into anyone else and took the opportunity to delve deeper into her studies. The Chinese medicine of this time period was more intricate and challenging than what she had been taught in her era.
The reliance on modern technology and the availability of herbs in her own time made it easier, but here, she struggled to distinguish between various ancient herbs and their uses.
In her era, obtaining specific items or herbs was as simple as visiting a pharmacy.
However, in this time, even essential medicines required arduous journeys to specific regions where the herbs were naturally cultivated. This added layer of complexity to her studies, making every discovery feel both rewarding and frustrating.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a warm glow over the bustling district, the townspeople's excitement for the lantern festival grew palpable.
Suyin, absorbed in her book, was eventually drawn away from her studies by the lively chatter of people outside.
Realizing she could no longer concentrate, she closed her book with a sigh and a sense of anticipation.
"Time for the festival then!" Suyin exclaimed, her enthusiasm rekindled.
She stepped out onto the balcony, observing the throngs of people streaming through the district.
It was a mesmerizing sight—a constant flow of humanity moving in two distinct streams, one heading up the path and the other moving down.
Feeling a surge of energy, Suyin prepared to join the festivities.
She wanted to experience the magic of the lantern festival, to lose herself in the sea of people and their shared hopes. The promise of seeing the sky illuminated with countless lanterns, each carrying a wish, filled her with a childlike wonder.
She descended the stairs and stepped into the street, becoming part of the lively crowd. The air was thick with the scents of street food and the sounds of laughter and music.
Suyin's eyes sparkled as she took in the vibrant decorations and the joyous faces around her. Lanterns of all shapes and sizes adorned the stalls and trees, their colors reflecting the collective dreams of the community.
As she wandered through the district, she spotted a group of children excitedly preparing their lanterns, guided by their parents' gentle hands.
Vendors called out, selling all manner of festival goods, from food to trinkets to the very lanterns that would soon light up the night sky. The festival was a sensory feast, and Suyin felt herself getting swept up in the infectious energy. Despite her initial reluctance, she felt a growing excitement about the night ahead.
The lantern festival was not just an event; it was a celebration of hope and unity, a moment where everyone could come together and believe in the power of their dreams. Suyin couldn't help but smile, ready to let her own wish take flight with the lanterns, joining the constellation of hopes that would soon illuminate the dark sky.
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Suyin had adorned herself with a green jade hairpin, the same one the maids had used to style her hair a few days prior.
She had also treated herself to a few luxuries: some lipstick sheets and a tiny clay pot about the size of a coin for eyeliner. She wanted to look her best for the Lantern Festival, a celebration she had never experienced before.
The dark sky, free from the light pollution of her own era, promised a breathtaking display of stars, enhancing the beauty of the night. Emerging from the inn in a simple but new outfit, Suyin joined the crowd of people heading toward the center of Liaoping, where the grand plum blossom tree and the serene pond were located.
The streets were packed, and movement was slow as people navigated the crowded walkway. Vendors shouted out their wares, adding to the festive atmosphere. "Come get your chicken skewers here!" one vendor called out. Suyin, feeling a bit hungry, made her way to the vendor. "Hello! How much would you like?" the vendor asked. Suyin smiled and lifted one finger. "Just one, please." "That will be 2 coins," the lady stated.
Suyin handed over the two coins and received a delicious-looking chicken skewer in return.
"Thank you," Suyin said, her smile broadening as she turned to rejoin the bustling crowd.
As she was about to merge back into the pathway, a sudden commotion caused her to pause. Someone pushed a young girl, causing her to stumble forward, her hair coming undone and her hairpin dropping to the ground right at Suyin's feet.
Suyin quickly bent down to pick up the hairpin, a delicate piece made of silver with intricate designs. She looked up to see the young girl, who appeared flustered and embarrassed, her cheeks flushed a bright pink.
Suyin bent down and grabbed the swan hairpin, returning it to the girl.
The girl caught the hairpin from Suyin's hand, looking up with a mix of surprise and gratitude.
"Thank you," she said, her voice tinged with recognition. Suyin's eyes widened slightly at the sight of this girl—it was the same young woman she had saved back at the
Suyin maintained a calm demeanor, though a small smile tugged at her lips.
"No problem," she replied gently.
"Have... I seen you before?" the girl asked, her gaze fixed intently on Suyin as if trying to place her. Suyin shook her head, feigning ignorance. "
I don't think so. You may have mistaken me for someone else."
She didn't want to reveal her true identity as the "man" who had rescued her.
Suyin believed it would only cause unnecessary confusion and possibly distress for the girl, who had likely been traumatized by the incident. "
Ah, I'm sorry," the girl said, bowing slightly.
"Thank you again." She then hurried off into the crowd, quickly blending in as Suyin watched her go.
"She's actually doing fine here," Suyin mused to herself, feeling a sense of relief and satisfaction.
Knowing that the girl was safe and managing well made her feel that her efforts had been worthwhile. "It seems like the little Miss may know her." A voice spoke from behind Suyin. The tone was deep and soft, yet carried an air of authority. Suyin felt a chill run down her spine and turned around nonchalantly.
Standing behind her was a tall man dressed in elegant robes, his posture straight and imposing. His piercing eyes studied her intently, and Suyin felt as though he could see right through her.
Suyin's accusatory finger pointed straight at Qin Fuhua, who stood before her with an air of cool detachment. His scowl deepened as her finger neared him, and he swiftly pushed her hand away with a disdainful expression.
"You dare to point a finger at me?" His voice was low, a dangerous edge creeping into his tone as he leaned in close to whisper in Suyin's ear. She instinctively took a step back, raising her hands in a defensive posture.
"I didn't mean to. You just appeared out of nowhere like a ghost," Suyin shot back, her gaze defiant as she met his intense stare.
She couldn't help but feel a surge of unease at his sudden appearance. How had he managed to sneak up on her like that? It was as if he had materialized out of thin air.
"What are you doing here? I thought something like this festival is not your kind of thing," she demanded, her arms crossed in front of her as she interrogated him.
Qin Fuhua's eyebrows furrowed in irritation, and he shrugged his shoulders dismissively.
"There was nothing to do in the inn, so I decided to come out for a walk."
Suyin eyed him skeptically, unconvinced by his explanation. His presence at the festival seemed out of character for him, and she couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to his sudden appearance than he was letting on.
"Is that so?" she replied, her voice laced with skepticism.
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In truth, the Prince had ventured out into the festival crowd with a specific purpose in mind—to find the girl he had encountered earlier.
He moved stealthily through the throngs of people, his keen eyes scanning the faces around him until he finally caught sight of her.
However, when he saw her again, he was momentarily taken aback. The girl had fallen, and it was Suyin who helped her up.
Suyin was now transformed, her features enhanced by makeup, her natural beauty accentuated despite her plain attire. It was as if she had blossomed into a radiant flower amidst the bustling crowd, her presence commanding attention despite her modest appearance.
Qin Fuhua couldn't help but feel a sense of admiration as he watched her from a distance. Despite her humble circumstances, she exuded an air of quiet strength and resilience that he found captivating.
A small smile tugged at the corners of his lips, a rare sight for those who knew him, as he observed her with a mixture of fondness and appreciation.
At that moment, he couldn't deny the pull he felt towards her—the same pull that had compelled him to intervene when she was in danger.
She had proven herself to be kind, courageous, and resourceful, qualities that he admired greatly. And as he watched her navigate the bustling festival with grace and determination, he couldn't help but feel a sense of gratitude for the role she had unwittingly played in his life.
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Qin Fuhua took the lead, striding purposefully away from Suyin with an air of authority. He paused after a few steps, turning back to look at her expectantly.
"Are you coming?" His voice carried a commanding tone that brooked no argument.
Suyin glanced up, meeting his gaze with a determined expression.
"Yeah," she replied, her voice steady as she fell into step behind him.
With resolute determination, she followed Qin Fuhua as they made their way through the bustling district, their presence commanding attention as they moved through the crowd.
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As the night descended, the streets became increasingly crowded, making it challenging for Suyin to keep pace with Qin Fuhua. She found herself bouncing up and down, trying to catch glimpses of his back amidst the sea of people.
"Wait!" Suyin called out, her voice barely audible over the din of the crowd.
A hand suddenly appeared in front of her, and she looked up to see Qin Fuhua's outstretched hand.
"If you don't want to get lost, hold my hand," he said, his voice barely reaching her ears amidst the noise.
Suyin hesitated for a moment before pressing her lips together in determination, reaching out to grasp his hand as he pulled her closer to him.
"So short," he remarked casually, earning him a sharp glare from Suyin.
"At least I can run fast!" she shot back, her tone laced with indignation.
"Fast enough to be caught by people," he added with a smirk, his eyes flickering with amusement as he glanced at her from the corner of his eye.
Suyin opened her mouth to retort, but before she could say anything, a child's excited voice cut through the air.
"It's almost time to release the lanterns!" the child exclaimed, holding his lantern high in the sky as he passed by them with his parents.
Suyin couldn't help but smile wistfully at the sight, a pang of regret coursing through her as she realized she hadn't brought her own lantern to the festival. However, her disappointment was short-lived as Qin Fuhua suddenly stopped in front of a cart piled high with lanterns.
"Young lady and young man! You two seem like a great pair together!" the elderly vendor exclaimed, beckoning them over with a crooked finger. Despite his hunched-back and wrinkled appearance, his eyes sparkled with warmth and sincerity.
"Ah, sorry, we're not a couple—" Suyin began to protest, but Qin Fuhua gently guided her towards the cart while he waited at the side.
"Ah, what a pair! But it seems like you two don't have a lantern for the festival, hm?" the old man observed, plucking a lantern from his cart and presenting it to Suyin with a smile.
"This is for you, young beautiful lady," he said, his smile genuine despite the few missing teeth. "I hope you two the best and give you my sincere blessings."
Suyin's eyes lit up with joy as she accepted the lantern, gratitude swelling in her heart. "Thank you so much!" she exclaimed, touched by the vendor's kindness.
Suyin returned to Qin Fuhua, her excitement evident as she proudly displayed the lantern she had acquired. It was adorned with intricate details, resembling a blooming flower in the darkness of the night.
"Look what I got! A lantern!" she exclaimed, her smile fading slightly as she glanced at Qin Fuhua, who remained impassive.
"Ahem," she cleared her throat, attempting to regain her composure.
Qin Fuhua simply pointed towards the towering plum blossom tree, where a multitude of lanterns illuminated the night sky.
"They're starting soon," he stated.
Suyin hesitated, torn between her desire to join in the festivities and her reluctance to leave Qin Fuhua's side. She glanced at him and then back at the crowd, a determined expression crossing her features.
"Wait, hold this!" she exclaimed suddenly, darting off through the throngs of people.
Qin Fuhua watched her go, his expression unreadable as she disappeared into the crowd. Moments later, she returned, clutching a magnificent phoenix lantern in her hands. She hastily handed over her remaining money to the elderly vendor before hurrying back to Qin Fuhua.
"I... You... need to join us too," she panted, offering him the lantern she had just purchased. Qin Fuhua exchanged a brief look with her before accepting the lantern.
"I'll see about that," he replied cryptically, clutching the phoenix lantern tightly.
Together, Suyin and Qin Fuhua made their way to the center of the district, where the crowd had gathered to release their lanterns into the night sky. The air buzzed with anticipation as people prepared to light up their lanterns and watch them soar into the darkness, carrying their hopes and wishes with them.
-------------------------------------------
The lanterns ascended into the night sky, their soft glow illuminating the darkness as they floated gracefully upwards.
Suyin held onto her lantern tightly, her heart filled with hope as she shut her eyes tightly, silently making her wish.
Qin Fuhua found himself compelled to light his lantern at Suyin's insistence, watching her with amusement as she clung to her lantern with determination.
He couldn't help but grin at her earnestness, recognizing the kindness in her heart.
"A kind-hearted soul," he murmured to himself, his lips quirking upwards as he closed his eyes and released his lantern into the night sky before Suyin could notice.
When Suyin opened her eyes and saw that Qin Fuhua had already released his lantern, she couldn't help but exclaim in surprise. Hastily, she let go of her lantern as well, watching as it soared into the night sky alongside Qin Fuhua's.
As they watched the lanterns drifting away, Suyin turned to Qin Fuhua with a radiant smile.
"So... did you make a wish?" she asked eagerly, her eyes shining with curiosity.
Qin Fuhua's expression shifted slightly, his brow furrowing as he avoided her gaze.
"Tell me! I'm sure the great Prince—uh, being you are, you would totally do it!" Suyin pressed, trying to coax an answer out of him.
But Qin Fuhua remained silent, refusing to meet her eyes or acknowledge her question.
Just then, a familiar voice interrupted their conversation, and Suyin turned to see Junli approaching them with a smile. Unlike before, he was dressed in ordinary attire, blending in seamlessly with the crowd.
"It's a pleasure to meet you here, Han Suyin!" Junli greeted warmly. "What happened to the lantern I gave you?"
Junli's appearance was striking, his hair elegantly tied up in a bun and adorned with a dark green silk robe that complemented his pale, flawless complexion. Despite the darkness of the night, his smile shone brightly, adding to his charm.
Suyin couldn't help but grin at his presence. "Oh, crap. That's right," she muttered to herself before addressing Junli with a friendly smile. "It's a pleasure to see you, too."
However, Qin Fuhua's reaction was far from welcoming. His gaze bore into Junli with intensity, his expression unreadable as he observed the interaction between Suyin and the newcomer.
"O-Oh! That's right!" Suyin looked at Qin Fuhua who had a fierce gaze to Junli. "This is Junli, my friend that I had made a couple of days ago because I dropped my money bag. This is--"
As Suyin attempted to introduce Junli, Qin Fuhua interjected abruptly.
"Tienzheng. Yi Tienzheng," he stated curtly, "Thank you for being generous to help my wife out." emphasizing the word "wife" as he referred to Suyin.
Despite her attempts to interject, Qin Fuhua's demeanor remained unyielding, his gaze fixed firmly on Junli.
Suyin leaned towards him, murmuring softly, "Okay, I get it, I'm your wife."
Although Qin Fuhua seemed to ignore her words, Junli chuckled, attempting to defuse the tension.
"I apologize for the misunderstanding, Sir Tienzheng," Junli said, his tone respectful as he addressed Qin Fuhua. "She seems rather fragile. I suggest you take more care of her, as her husband."
Qin Fuhua bristled at Junli's words, his patience wearing thin at the unwelcome intrusion.
Suyin, caught in the middle of the tense exchange, couldn't help but chuckle nervously, attempting to ease the tension.
"Anyway, I forgot to bring your lantern back home," Suyin confessed, turning her attention to Junli. She couldn't bring herself to lie to him about the lantern being forgotten at the manor.
But Qin Fuhua was quick to dismiss the issue, asserting, "It's nothing to worry about since she had her own lantern anyway," effectively disregarding Junli's presence.
Junli, however, remained unfazed, offering a reassuring smile to Suyin. "No problem, Suyin. I understand," he replied graciously, diffusing the tension with his calm demeanor.
"Young Master." A soft yet firm voice called out, drawing the attention of Suyin, Qin Fuhua, and Junli. They turned to see a female servant, her presence commanding respect despite her timid demeanor.
"There you are! Where did you go?" Junli inquired, his tone laced with concern as he turned to his servant, Jiayi, who bowed respectfully in front of Qin Fuhua and Suyin.
"Jiayi was trying to locate the medicine that you desired, so Jiayi has been seeking it the whole time and obtained it," Jiayi explained, her voice barely audible as she kept her gaze lowered, avoiding direct eye contact with Junli.
Junli chuckled reassuringly. "Ah, I told you it's nothing to worry about. Next time, don't do anything without letting me know, okay?" he said kindly, to which Jiayi nodded silently.
"I didn't interrupt anything, have I?" Jiayi asked, finally looking up at Suyin and Qin Fuhua.
"No, not at all. Don't worry about it," Suyin replied gently, shaking her head.
Qin Fuhua nodded in agreement. "No, it was just in time for us to leave, anyway," he added, taking Suyin's hand in his and intertwining their fingers.
"It's getting late, and we have to depart now. I bid you both goodbye."
With that, Qin Fuhua began to lead Suyin away, leaving Jiayi and Junli behind.
"Junli! I apologize but I will talk to you later!" Suyin called out as they hurried off.
"Young Master... who are those two?" Jiayi asked, her curiosity evident in her voice, as she watched Suyin and Qin Fuhua disappear into the crowd.
"Just friends," Junli replied softly, his eyes following the couple until they were out of sight. A bittersweet smile played on his lips as he observed their interlocked hands.
"We have to go back to take your medicine now," Jiayi reminded him.
Junli nodded, tearing his gaze away from the retreating figures. "Yes, I know. I will come back now."
As they turned to leave, Jiayi cast a fleeting glance back at Suyin and Qin Fuhua, sensing a depth of emotion in Junli's gaze that went beyond mere friendship.
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Qin Fuhua's grasp tightened around Suyin's hand, his fingers firm like steel clasps, until she forcefully wrenched herself free, her movements imbued with a blend of frustration and defiance.
Her brows furrowed, sculpting a frown etched with annoyance as she confronted him.
"Hey! Enough. I'm not some mere puppet or trinket for you to manipulate!" Her voice, now raised, carried a tinge of agitation, fueled by the knowledge that she hadn't yet had the chance to explain the situation to Junli regarding the lantern.
Guilt gnawed at her insides as she ruminated over the fact that he had purchased the lantern for her, a gesture of thoughtfulness that starkly contrasted with Qin Fuhua's apparent disregard for her feelings.
Qin Fuhua turned to face her, his demeanor stoic yet tinged with a hint of concern. "Nevertheless, we are bound by the ties of marriage in the eyes of society. I'd prefer not to have our reputation tarnished."
Suyin's lips twisted into a disgruntled grimace as she crossed her arms defensively. "Considerate? Ha! You should be more attuned to my emotions instead of behaving like a soulless automaton!"
Before she could voice further protest, Qin Fuhua abruptly pivoted on his heel, hastening his steps as he dashed towards the end of the alley, leaving Suyin standing alone, her thoughts swirling with confusion and caution.
"What in the world just happened?" Her mind raced with a flurry of questions, her senses heightened with wariness.
Though her instinct urged her to pursue Qin Fuhua, a pragmatic realization held her back — she'd only slow him down.
"My Hua!" Jianhong's slurred words sliced through the air as he stumbled into view from the shadowy recesses of a nearby shop, his arms outstretched in a clumsy attempt to embrace her, his breath heavy with the scent of alcohol.
"I've finally found you! Where have you been hiding?"
Suyin deftly sidestepped his inebriated advances, her movements swift and graceful, until Jianhong found himself sprawled upon the ground, his fingers grasping at the earth beneath him. A smirk danced upon his lips as he peered down at the dirt, his gaze tinged with a sinister gleam.
"Seize her," he commanded, his voice dripping with malice.