...
The fireworks continued.
The old city wall on West Street, its gray, ancient bricks illuminated by the brilliant fireworks overhead, shone in myriad colors. When Pei Yunmeng left the Renxin Medical Hall, the joy of the Dechun Platform had not yet ceased.
The occasional laughter of children drifted from afar; Dechun Platform's fireworks would burn until the latter half of the night. The commoners, who rarely had the chance to witness such splendor, would naturally want to revel in it today.
West Street was deserted, the crunch of boots on thin snow sounding crisp like grains of salt, unlike the sticky muddiness of wet clay.
Grave soil soaked with river water, tinged with the scent of incense and candles.
Pei Yunmeng stopped in his tracks.
A figure leaned against the wall in a nearby alley ahead, gazing up at the fireworks in the direction of Dechun Platform. Hearing Pei Yunmeng's approach, the person stood upright and turned around, revealing a stern face.
