As the poet Bai Juyi wrote: “On the fifteenth night of mid-autumn, the bright moon hangs before the pavilion.”

At this time, the Mid-Autumn Festival had not yet become the family reunion celebration known in later generations. However, during the second month of autumn, admiring the moon and releasing flower lanterns to pray for blessings had already become a custom.

Huanhua Stream was a section of the river south of Yizhou City. Legend had it that a farmer’s daughter once lived by the stream. One day, as she was washing clothes by the bank, a monk covered in sores passed by. The monk accidentally fell into a ditch, his robes covered in mud and filth. He asked the farmer’s girl to clean his robes. During the Great Tang Dynasty, Buddhist customs were prevalent, so the girl gladly agreed. When she dipped the monk’s robes into the stream to wash them, lotus flowers suddenly bloomed in the water, filling the air with an extraordinary fragrance. From then on, this section of the river became known as the Huanhua Stream (Washing Flowers Stream).

On the fifteenth day of the eighth month, endless streams of visitors came to release lotus lanterns. Legend said that some had seen the Eight Immortals standing on the bridge, admiring the brilliant lanterns in the river. People watched as the Eight Immortals ascended to the celestial realm from the bridge, and thus the stone bridge crossing Huanhua Stream became known as the Bridge of Immortal Ascension.

On this day, without Ji Yingying having to wheedle and coax, the Ji household unlocked the courtyard gate, allowing her and the dye housemaids to go out and enjoy themselves.

Just as darkness fell, Ji Yingying brought Xiang’er and Ling’er to the head of the Bridge of Immortal Ascension. Xiang’er was tight-lipped, so Ji Yingying wasn’t worried. Ling’er, following Madam Ji’s orders, stayed close by. Even if Ji Yingying wanted to send her away, she couldn’t. She frankly told Ling’er, “I have matters to discuss with Second Young Master Zhao by the bridge. You can tell the Madam if you wish, but stay far from me when the time comes, and don’t eavesdrop.”

It wasn’t the first time Ling’er had faced Ji Yingying’s displeasure, so she quietly agreed.

The area around the Bridge of Immortal Ascension was already bustling with activity. Since dusk, stalls selling lanterns had lined up along the riverbank. As night descended, the lanterns on the stalls were lit, turning the long river into a brilliant galaxy. Under the glow of lanterns and torches, street performers started their shows, beating gongs and forming circles. Food stalls selling noodles and snacks set up tables and chairs, with the aroma of bone soup wafting through the air. Vendors selling leaf cakes, bean jelly, and tofu pudding called out their wares in an endless chorus.

Large and small lotus lanterns bobbed up and down on the river’s surface, drifting away with the current. The lantern light reflected on the water created a breathtaking scene. The clear, melodious laughter of young ladies drew groups of young gentlemen to stop and watch.

Idle men gathered in groups of three or five, buying wine and enjoying the lanterns together.

Pleasure boats occasionally passed by on the river, with wealthy families hiring musicians, their silk and bamboo music floating along the stream.

The three from the Ji household stood by a thick willow tree on the riverbank for about an incense stick’s time. Ji Yingying watched countless couples walk by, angrily breaking off a willow branch to swing in her hand, muttering, “One more incense stick’s time, and if he doesn’t come, he need never come again!”

Despite her words, another incense stick’s time passed, and still, Zhao Xiuyuan had not arrived for their appointment. Ji Yingying still couldn’t bring herself to leave.

Xiang’er and Ling’er, still young, enviously watched as the maids of other young ladies were allowed to buy lanterns to release. Without Ji Yingying’s permission, the two could only stand there like wooden posts, feeling disappointed.

Suddenly, Ji Yingying stamped her foot hard. “You two go buy three lanterns. Remember to get the lotus lanterns from Old Liu’s shop.”

The two maids immediately burst into cheers. Xiang’er, emboldened by Ji Yingying’s usual kindness toward her, boldly asked, “Would Young Miss like a cup of sour plum soup? Your servant can buy it together with the lanterns.”

Hearing the words “sour plum soup,” Ji Yingying swallowed. She had indeed become thirsty on the walk from home to the bridge, so she generously said, “Buy three cups, you two can have one each.”

Xiang’er and Ling’er beamed with joy, curtsied to Ji Yingying, and left hand in hand.

Watching their happiness, Ji Yingying couldn’t help muttering, “If he still doesn’t come, I might as well go enjoy myself too.” She turned around and saw a lantern floating toward the bank, stopped by a rock.

It was said that the further a lantern floated, the more likely one’s wish would come true. Ji Yingying’s heart softened, and she lifted her skirts to walk to the stream’s edge, carefully using the willow branch to push the lantern back out. Watching it drift into the river of lights, she became lost in thought. Last year, she and Zhao Xiuyuan had released lanterns here together. Zhao Xiuyuan had bought a double-lotus lantern. He had made a wish in a low voice, deliberately letting her hear. He said when the double lotus bloomed, the next year would bring their wedding day.

But her brother had drawn those portraits of other men, asking her to choose a husband. If the Zhao family hadn’t lost interest, her brother wouldn’t have done such a thing.

When she left home today, her brother’s expression had been inexplicably strange, as if he were waiting to watch a show.

Could it be that Zhao Xiuyuan wouldn’t come today either?

Ji Yingying’s heart felt bitter and astringent. One moment she fiercely told herself not to cry, the next she hoped Zhao Xiuyuan would come and firmly tell her he would marry her.

A stone splashed into the water in front of her, spraying Ji Yingying. She cried out in surprise, hearing laughter behind her. Ji Yingying turned around angrily.

On the riverbank, servants surrounded a group of young men in silk robes. Each wore gorgeous brocade in bright colors, with large flowers pinned to their gauze caps, and waists decorated with sachets, pouches, and jade ornaments. They were the pampered young masters of Yizhou City.

“Hey hey, I told you it was a beautiful young lady!”

“Miss, how can you be alone in such beautiful scenery? Why not join us brothers for the company?”

Dare to flirt with me? Ji Yingying was furious inside but pretended to use her willow branch to push at a lantern trapped by rocks two feet away, speaking to herself, “If only some kind gentleman would help me.”

“Miss, I’ll help, I’ll help!” One young man started walking toward Ji Yingying.

Someone in the crowd snickered, “Seventh Young Master Zhou, don’t say I didn’t warn you. Be careful not to get pricked by thorns!”

“Third Young Master Yang, just watch!” Zhou Seventh cast a proud glance at the crowd.

That voice sounds familiar… Third Young Master Yang? Ji Yingying looked carefully. Yang Jingyuan wore eye-catching brocade with green peacock patterns. He had ostentatiously pinned a purple chrysanthemum as large as a bowl to his hat, dressed in a gaudy fashion, and was now winking at her.

“Green and purple, how ugly! A bunch of caterpillars!” Ji Yingying snorted and turned to leave.

“Don’t go, Miss!” Zhou Seventh wasn’t very tall, and the yellow chrysanthemum on his hat looked larger than his face. He spread his arms to block Ji Yingying’s path, grinning from ear to ear.

You asked for this by not heeding warnings and delivering yourself to my doorstep. Ji Yingying sneered inwardly but pretended to be coy: “Why are you blocking my way, young sir? Aren’t you afraid I’ll get angry and kick you into the river?”

Walking to the tree and seeing Ji Yingying’s beautiful face like a hibiscus flower, Zhou Seventh lost his wits and stammered, “Even if Miss kicks me into the river, I won’t be angry. Wait, let brother help you push the lantern further out.”

With that, he stepped on the stones by the water’s edge and bent down to push the lantern.

Without hesitation, Ji Yingying kicked him squarely in the back. Zhou Seventh let out a great cry and fell face-first into the water. The river was shallow near the bank, so he wouldn’t drown, but when he stood up, the water reached his knees. His robes were soaked through, the flower on his hat had come loose and hung by his ear, and he stood in the water looking pathetic, his lips trembling with rage: “You, you dare kick young master?”

Ji Yingying ran away as soon as she kicked him into the river, laughing as she fled: “Young sir said he wouldn’t be angry at me! I was just testing if that was true!”

“Hahaha!” The young men on the bank laughed so hard they nearly fell over.

Yang Jingyuan guffawed, “Seventh Brother Zhou, you fell for it!”

Zhou Seventh finally realized what had happened and called out loudly to his servants: “Catch her! Ten strings of cash reward!”