The New Year passed in the blink of an eye.

After her serious illness, Madam Ji had never fully recovered her strength. On the day of the Lantern Festival, not wanting to move about, but mindful that Zhang Si Niang was newly married and their daughter would soon be wed, she sent the three of them to observe the lanterns in Yizhou City.

The Ji family had only one mule cart, and in the cold weather, it could squeeze at most three people. Xiang’er and Ling’er thoughtfully chose to remain at home. The three siblings set out in the afternoon and entered the city at dusk.

The curfew was lifted for the Lantern Festival. People streamed endlessly into the streets to view the lanterns and enjoy themselves. Yizhou City, the former capital of the Shu Kingdom, was influenced by Zhuge Liang—during the Lantern Festival, they had the custom of releasing Kongming lanterns and performing Nuo opera to pray for blessings. The first Kongming lantern would be released by the Military Commissioner from the highest point of the Sanhua Tower.

While the Emperor celebrated with the common people in the capital, the Military Commissioner who governed this region would also celebrate the festival with the local citizens. In Sanhua Tower, the Military Commissioner hosted a feast for his officials and the city’s notable scholars and gentry. The area around Sanhua Tower became the liveliest place in Yizhou City during the Lantern Festival.

The lantern market surrounding Sanhua Tower was the most bustling, and the three from the Ji family headed there upon entering the city.

There were too many visitors, so Ji Fu went to park the mule cart. After agreeing on a meeting time and place, the Ji siblings and Zhang Si Niang walked leisurely, admiring the lanterns hung by merchants and solving lantern riddles along the way.

After walking for a while, Ji Yingying spotted a stall selling Chao Shou dumplings. Since they had planned to have dinner in the city anyway, she pulled her brother and sister-in-law to sit down and ordered three bowls of chicken soup chaoshou.

The North and South had great differences. Northerners called them huntun, while in Shu they were called Chao Shou. The wrapper was slightly thicker than huntun, giving more texture when eaten and being more filling. The owner used bamboo scoops to lift the cooked chaoshou from the bone broth into bowls. Then he ladled three spoonfuls of chicken soup, made from stewing old hens in a separate small clay pot, over them, sprinkled green onions on top, and added a few drops of sesame oil, creating an enticing aroma.

The small stall faced Sanhua Tower. Watching the officials and nobles, ladies and gentlewomen coming and going at the entrance, Ji Yingying thought of Yang Jingyuan. On such a festive day, he would probably be touring the streets and admiring lanterns with his wealthy friends. With Sanhua Tower being so lively, he should come here, right?

Once this thought took root, she couldn’t concentrate on eating anymore, keeping her eyes fixed on the people passing before the tower. It was considered unlucky to meet before the wedding—what should she do if she saw Yang Jingyuan?

“Yingying, what are you thinking about?” Zhang Si Niang asked curiously.

Ji Yaoting watched his sister’s dark eyes reflecting the brilliant lantern light, her expression animated and teased: “She must be thinking she might see Third Young Master Yang at the lantern festival. It’s unlucky to meet before the wedding, otherwise Young Master Yang would surely have come to our home to take you to view the lanterns in the city.”

He had easily guessed Ji Yingying’s thoughts. She instinctively wanted to deny it. Just then, a drum sounded, and the Nuo opera dance began at the foot of Sanhua Tower, adding color to the Military Commissioner’s feast.

People surged forward, surrounding the tower so tightly that not even water could pass through.

“The Nuo dance has started!” Ji Yingying changed the subject.

Ji Yaoting held Zhang Si Niang’s hand and instructed Ji Yingying: “Hold onto brother’s sleeve—be careful not to get separated in the crowd.”

Ji Yingying grabbed his sleeve and smiled: “It’s fine if we get separated. The Military Commissioner and Prefecture Lord are in Sanhua Tower, and there are soldiers and runners maintaining order all around. We just need to wait for Uncle Ji Fu at the agreed place at the appointed time.”

After paying the bill and leaving the Chao Shou stall, the three squeezed into the crowd to watch the grand Nuo dance.

Ji Yingying was happily watching while holding her brother’s sleeve with one hand when someone gently tugged at her sleeve. She turned her head, and a wooden mask was placed over her face. Startled, she let go of her brother’s sleeve to steady the mask. Yang Jingyuan stood before her, smiling and holding another mask.

He said proudly: “This way, it won’t be unlucky.” His expression clearly said ‘Hurry up and praise me.’

Ji Yingying looked at him with delighted surprise: “How did you find me?”

Yang Jingyuan pointed at Sanhua Tower: “Sang Shisi reserved a table, and I’d just gone up to the second floor and looked down. When I saw you, I ran right down. I was just wondering how to meet you when I saw the Nuo dance and thought of this idea. Clever, aren’t I?”

Ji Yingying scoffed: “Even a pig could think of that.”

Yang Jingyuan was exasperated and flicked her mask: “You never have anything nice to say!”

Ji Yingying lifted her chin: “If you’re so clever and thought of using masks to avoid bad luck, why didn’t you wear a mask and come to our home to take me to see the lanterns in the city?”

Oh yes, why hadn’t he thought of that?

Seeing Yang Jingyuan standing there foolishly, Ji Yingying burst out laughing: “If you can show me the most beautiful lantern scene tonight, I’ll call you clever once.”

As they were talking, Ji Yaoting alertly turned his head: “Who are you talking to?”

“Brother Ji!” Yang Jingyuan cheerfully cupped his hands in greeting, “It’s me, Yang Jingyuan. This way it won’t be unlucky to meet with Yingying!” As he spoke, he put on his mask.

Ji Yaoting smiled slightly: “Indeed. Third Young Master, please look after Yingying. We didn’t bring any servants today, and I was worried about not being able to take proper care of everyone.”

Yang Jingyuan was overjoyed: “Don’t worry, Brother. Go ahead and accompany Sister-in-law. When it’s time, I’ll bring Yingying back.”

His hand dropped down, lightly touching Ji Yingying’s hand hidden in her sleeve, his fingers intertwining with hers, not letting go.

Ji Yaoting glanced at his sister and said: “Don’t get too carried away, and don’t take off the mask, lest it bring bad luck.”

“I know,” Ji Yingying had barely answered when Yang Jingyuan pulled her out of the crowd.

He wore a sky-blue narrow-sleeved robe and a fierce demon mask, standing beneath the brilliant lantern light looking at her. The smile in his eyes spread to his mask, softening its fierce expression.

Yang Jingyuan suddenly pulled her forward into a run, laughing as they went: “I’ll take you to see tonight’s most beautiful lantern scene!”

Sanhua Tower overlooked the river, with a pond of clear water drawn from the river below. After the first Kongming lantern was released from the tower, thousands of Kongming lanterns rose into the sky all around. The points of light reflected in the lake like a mirage, flowing with brilliant colors.

Ji Yingying watched the Kongming lantern she had lit herself rising gracefully and unconsciously pressed her palms together to make a wish.

Her tall figure, and skirts moving in the evening breeze, created an enchanting silhouette. Yang Jingyuan couldn’t help but embrace her from behind, asking softly: “Do you miss me?”

Ji Yingying shook her head like a rattle drum, responding crisply: “No.”

“Ji Yingying, getting bold, aren’t you? Won’t even praise me once, and dare to say you don’t miss me?” Yang Jingyuan turned her by the shoulders and pushed her mask up slightly.

Against the painted mask, her skin was as white as fresh snow. She lifted her delicate chin, her red lips curved in an enchanting smile. His heart stirred, and without thinking, he lowered his head.

The wooden masks knocked together with a light ‘bump’.

Seeing Yang Jingyuan touching his mask in embarrassment, Ji Yingying burst into muffled laughter. She reached out to pull the mask back down: “My brother said it’s unlucky to remove the mask. Want a kiss? No chance!”

He’d stolen many kisses before, but this time he was thwarted by a mask. Yang Jingyuan’s teeth itched with frustration. Nuo opera masks came in two types: full-face and half-face. Why hadn’t he bought the kind that only covered half the face?

Yang Jingyuan turned to look around. There were many stalls along the lake, just a few zhangs from the shore. He turned and walked toward them, pointing at Ji Yingying as he went: “Wait here. Don’t wander off.”