Time flew by, and soon it was the fifteenth day of the eighth lunar month.
In previous years, when the Ji family lived near Huanhua Stream, Ji Yingying would take her maids to Songxian Bridge to release lanterns and pray for blessings. This year, having married into the Yang family, Songxian Bridge was too far. To release lanterns, she could either do so within the manor or in the river that flowed through the city. It was said that during the Mid-Autumn Festival, both Jinli in the western part of the city and Sanhua Tower in the east were extremely lively.
Less than a year had passed since Old Master Yang’s death. The Yang family had erected an altar near the Jin River, not far from Sanhua Tower, with a lantern as large as a round table, and invited monks to chant sutras for Old Master Yang’s soul.
At dusk, the masters of all three branches of the Yang family gathered by the Jin River.
Ji Yingying followed behind Second Madam Yang and immediately caught Fourth Young Master Yang’s smiling gaze. She froze momentarily, hearing Madam Yang ask kindly, “Fourth Young Master, has your health improved?”
Fourth Young Master Yang glanced at Yang Jingshan before replying with a smile, “Imperial Physician Gu’s medical skills are excellent. Like Elder Brother, I might be able to walk again by year’s end.”
The second and third branches had caused Yang Jingshan to be beaten nearly to death by the Military Commissioner. The first branch’s revenge was because you harbored evil intentions and tried to ruin Ji Yingying’s reputation. Madam Yang laughed coldly inside – this little beast was tough, managing to recover from broken legs. She smiled and said, “Fourth Young Master should learn from this lesson and stop being mischievous. You’re eighteen now, only months younger than Third Young Master. You should know better.”
Mischievous? Fourth Young Master Yang’s face twitched, nearly losing his smile. “Aunt’s guidance is correct. Fourth Young Master will be more careful in future actions.”
As he said this, he deliberately glanced at Ji Yingying.
Madam Yang noticed his gaze, anger surging in her heart, wanting to slap him. This little beast still had designs on Ji Yingying. Still thinking about being more careful next time? Suppressing her fury, she maintained pleasantries: “Your Third Sister-in-law wanted to visit, but since your Third Brother wasn’t home, it wasn’t convenient.”
Ji Yingying could only force a smile and greet Fourth Young Master Yang: “Now that Fourth Young Master is well, sister-in-law can rest easy.”
“It was Fourth Young Master’s carelessness that caused injury and worried Third Sister-in-law. I feel truly apologetic.” Fourth Young Master Yang emphasized the word “carelessness,” but Ji Yingying pretended not to notice. She smiled and nodded at him before following Second Madam Yang away.
He had thought she was just a simple maiden from a modest family, inexperienced and easily deceived. Unexpectedly, she had some cunning, putting on an act of innocence to trick him. Watching her graceful figure retreat, Fourth Young Master Yang’s eyes filled with venom as he whispered, “Ji Yingying, just you wait.”
Though everyone wore smiles during the greetings, Ji Yingying found it uncomfortable. Fortunately, Madam Yang and the two branches of Yang Jingshan’s brothers stood in front of her, so she only needed to maintain proper etiquette. She knelt on the reed mat, listening intently to the conversation between Second Master Yang, Third Master Yang, and Madam Yang. To her amazement, the three chatted easily, as if no friction had ever existed between them. Ji Yingying lowered her head and sighed softly – she truly wasn’t used to this.
These emotions made her miss Yang Jingyuan even more. In July, she made new clothes, shoes, and socks for Yang Jingyuan, which were sent to Santai along with two pairs of shoes made by Madam Yang, personally delivered by Xiangyou.
Madam Yang gave her twenty taels of silver monthly. Since she didn’t spend money on food or clothing, she kept five taels and saved the rest, exchanging it for a small bag of gold nuggets for Xiangyou to take to Yang Jingyuan. However, Xiangyou returned with the gold unchanged, along with a letter and a five-tael silver ingot. He wouldn’t use any of the Yang family’s money. But he had accepted the two pairs of shoes from Madam Yang. Although he didn’t send any words of greeting to Madam Yang, Ji Yingying was still relieved.
His flowing handwriting revealed an unchanged-spirited personality. Yang Jingyuan said the five taels of silver were his saved salary from the past few months, and he would send two taels home monthly from now on. He told Ji Yingying to spend freely, promising her a life of luxury in the future as if two taels were a great fortune.
He had become a grown man who knew he needed to earn money to support his family.
Ji Yingying didn’t mind the small amount, keeping the monthly allowance and instructing the accountant, Nanny Ji, to manage expenses within the two taels monthly.
As darkness fell, amid the Buddhist chants, the Yang family’s lantern was released into the river. The ladies began releasing their small lanterns. Ji Yingying excused herself to Madam Yang and went with Xiang’er and Ling’er to release lanterns.
She moved slightly away from the Yang family, finding a quiet spot to release her lantern. The lanterns floating downstream from above looked like they were drifting in mid-air, creating a breathtaking scene. Ji Yingying stood by the river watching her lantern being carried away by the current, hands clasped in silent prayer.
“What did you wish for?”
The voice close beside her startled Ji Yingying, nearly causing her to step into the water. Yang Jingyuan pulled her into his arms, looking down at her with a smile: “Is my voice not pleasant?”
Ji Yingying looked up to see Ling’er and Xiang’er had already retreated several steps away. She angrily exclaimed, “You scared me and still have the nerve?!” She raised her fist to strike him.
“Last Mid-Autumn Festival was the same, hitting me without rhyme or reason.” Yang Jingyuan didn’t dodge, remembering last year’s festival.
Last year, after he and Xiangyou had broken through the siege, he had looked back from afar. Ji Yingying had stood beside Zhao Xiuyuan, looking up at him. Even from that distance, he could sense the affection between them. But this year’s Mid-Autumn Festival, she stood beside him, her snow-white dress billowing in the river breeze like a flower blooming in the night.
His eyes reflected the lantern light like stars in the night. His facial features were extraordinarily distinct in the half-light, so handsome she couldn’t look away. Unconsciously, Ji Yingying’s clenched fist softened against his chest and remained still. She could feel his strong heartbeat under her palm, and without realizing it, she sighed and leaned her face against him: “Third Young Master, you’re back.”
Her voice was as soft as the river water, making Yang Jingyuan lose himself. He closed his eyes and wrapped his arms tightly around her.
The river flowed silently as if it would flow until the end of time.
“Third Young Master, Young Mistress, Second Young Master is coming,” Xiang’er carefully reminded them as she saw Yang Jingyan approaching with large strides.
Ji Yingying hurriedly left Yang Jingyuan’s embrace, her face red as she stepped back to his side.
“Third Brother!” Yang Jingyan greeted with a smile, punching Yang Jingyuan’s arm. Finding it like hitting iron, his eyebrows twitched, “You’ve grown strong. Go pay your respects to Mother.”
His eyes flickered as he spoke. With all three branches of the Yang family in the pavilion, it would be unacceptable for Yang Jingyuan not to pay respects to Madam Yang. If his spoiled half-brother refused to show face, he would have no way to handle it.
Ji Yingying also grew nervous. When Yang Jingyuan had returned for Old Master Yang’s hundred-day memorial, he had repeatedly said he wasn’t the Yang family’s Third Young Master. If he refused now, it would truly shame Madam Yang.
“Alright,” Yang Jingyuan answered, walking side by side with Yang Jingyan.
He was different from before. Ji Yingying glanced at him quickly, following with a smile.