A flash of realization crossed Qin Wan’s mind. “Your elder brother is also skilled at the zither?”
Wei Yan Zhi nodded, “Yes, my brother showed exceptional talent from a young age. Mother hired the best zither master in the capital to teach him. Later, when he grew older, Father said that a man shouldn’t spend all day playing with musical instruments, so my brother gradually set it aside. The ‘Seagulls Forgetting Themselves’ was his favorite piece. I’ve heard it countless times, so I recognized it from the first notes.”
Qin Wan pursed her lips, “Does Young Master Wei know that Miss Song is also skilled at the zither?”
Wei Yan Zhi’s eyes showed a trace of pain as he nodded, “Of course I know. Xiao Rou became interested after watching my brother practice. The zither master taught them both, so their techniques could be considered from the same lineage.”
Qin Wan nodded, suddenly remembering the bite mark she had seen on Song Rou’s shoulder. That mark had been left within the past seven months. If it wasn’t coincidental, it suggested an intimate relationship. Song Rou lived in seclusion, and the men she could normally interact with were limited to a few cousins. Could it have been the Wei family’s eldest son, who practiced zither with her?
“I see. I heard your elder brother was supposed to escort the bride, but he broke his leg a few days ago?”
Wei Yan Zhi nodded, “Besides loving music, my brother is fond of training horses. That day, he fell from horseback while training and injured his leg. That’s why I had to come instead.”
Qin Wan nodded slightly, “Is your brother recovering in the capital now?”
“Indeed.” Wei Yan Zhi sighed, “My brother is destined for an official career. If he becomes permanently disabled, his life would be ruined.”
The Wei family had no hereditary positions, and their children could only advance through official careers. According to the Great Zhou law, those with disabilities were barred from government service.
Qin Wan nodded as she listened. At this point, Yue Ning said, “Today is for enjoyment. Don’t think too much. Let’s set aside Miss Song’s matter for now and all relax a bit.”
Hearing this, Wei Yan Zhi gave a bitter smile. “I’ve spoiled everyone’s mood.”
Qin Wan’s lips curved slightly, “Not at all. We understand Young Master Wei’s deep affection and grief. We just don’t want you to worry too much. Even if Miss Song knows from the afterlife, she wouldn’t want you to be like this.”
Wei Yan Zhi nodded, “I understand everyone’s kind intentions. Thank you.”
Yue Ning blinked, “Alright, let’s continue forward. Shall we go ahead and buy some lanterns to play with?”
Qin Wan naturally agreed, “Whatever the Princess Commands.”
The group continued forward. On the lake, the melodious zither music continued. Soon, a woman’s ethereal singing voice could be heard. Yue Ning explained, “There are some ordinary pleasure boats here. Most of the women aboard are talented but have fallen into the pleasure quarters. Usually, Jinzhou’s young nobles love to come here for entertainment.”
Qin Wan blinked, “How does Princess know about this?”
Yue Ning snorted lightly, “Do you take me for one of those sheltered young ladies from the capital who never leave their courtyards?”
“Of course not.”
Qin Wan shook her head with a smile. Looking up, she saw that the wine shops and teahouses along the lantern market had been decorated like celestial palaces. As darkness fell, the lanterns became increasingly colorful, making the entire Li Shui Lake appear like a dreamland. The further Qin Wan walked, the more surreal and dreamlike everything felt.
“Come, let’s go look over there…”
Yue Ning grabbed Qin Wan’s wrist, then turned back to look at Yue Jia and the others, “Brother surely won’t enjoy these things. Brother, please take Prince Chi and Young Master Wei to the bookshops…”
The places Yue Ning wanted to visit were all selling trinkets, rouge, powder, jewelry, and fine silks. Naturally, the men wouldn’t be interested. Hearing Yue Ning’s suggestion, Yue Jia nodded and invited Prince Yan Chi and Wei Yan Zhi to take another path.
Night had completely enveloped Jinzhou City, and the crowds at the lantern market grew ever larger. Yue Ning held tightly to Qin Wan, who in turn held Fu Ling, preventing them from being separated by the crowd. “Look, the lanterns here are exquisitely made. Would you like to buy one?”
The three stopped at a lantern stall. The small stall’s rack was full of small lanterns, each with a different design. There were elegant plum, orchid, bamboo, and chrysanthemum lanterns, as well as ones shaped like birds, fish, insects, and beasts. Qin Wan scanned them and pointed to an orchid petal lantern, “This one is beautiful. Which one does Princess like?” Then she turned to Fu Ling, “Fu Ling, which do you like?”
Fu Ling’s eyes were already sparkling. After looking around, she pointed to a magpie lantern, “Miss, I like this one.”
Yue Ning stroked her chin, “I don’t want one. I don’t care for these things. I just came to bring you here.”
Qin Wan tilted her head, “We’ll take one orchid lantern, one magpie lantern, and… a blue bird lantern!”
Just as Yue Ning frowned and was about to decline, Qin Wan quickly said, “Since we’ve come together to this Mid-Autumn Festival fair, Princess should enjoy herself like us. Otherwise, it would make us seem too presumptuous.”
Yue Ning pressed her lips together but said nothing. Qin Wan took out her money pouch, and they each retreated from the stall with a lantern. As soon as they left, more people crowded around, showing just how many visitors had come today.
Yue Ning looked at the bluebird lantern in her hand and felt warmth in her heart. Among the three lanterns, this bluebird lantern was the most expensive. The bluebird was a mythological divine bird, second only to the phoenix. By buying this, Qin Wan was acknowledging her noble status and wishing her good fortune. Yue Ning gripped the lantern tightly, realizing she hadn’t bought a lantern for herself in many years.
“Oh, what’s that over there…”
After walking just a few steps, they saw another stall crowded with people. Yue Ning looked carefully, “They’re selling masks. Look at what those people in front are wearing…”
The Mid-Autumn Festival had sacrificial significance, so masks were essential festival items.
Qin Wan smiled, “Let’s go take a look.”
It wasn’t that Qin Wan had suddenly become playful. She remembered that once, her father and mother were going to take her to the capital’s Mid-Autumn Festival fair. Compared to Jinzhou, the capital’s fair was even grander and livelier. However, at that time, just as they were about to leave, an urgent case from the Court of Justice called her father away, and he had to go to the office.
Without her father, she and her mother felt it wouldn’t be fun, so they never made it to that fair. Later, her father felt extremely guilty and promised to go the following year. He had someone buy these same small lanterns back to the mansion, at least creating some festive atmosphere.
However, that was the only time. In the following two years, during every Mid-Autumn Festival, her father was either away on cases or too busy with office matters. Seeing this, she naturally stopped mentioning the fair. If not for that night of July twenty-first, perhaps now she would be at the capital’s fair with her father and mother, buying lanterns as a happy family.
With these thoughts, Qin Wan reached the mask stall. The rack displayed masks of various colors, most decorated with patterns of ancient mythical beasts. Qin Wan looked at Yue Ning, “Which one does Princess like?”
Yue Ning pressed her lips together, “I didn’t want one, but if you’re buying, I’ll let you decide.”
Qin Wan’s eyes moved slightly, “Princess has an unrestrained spirit. How about the Wind God?”
The Wind God was one of the ancient mythical beasts, the deity of wind who could control earthly weather. Qin Wan’s choice naturally matched Yue Ning’s personality. Yue Ning glanced at her, “I didn’t expect you to know so much. That one it is.”
Qin Wan then looked at Fu Ling, “What would you like?”
Fu Ling didn’t recognize any of these ancient mythical beasts. She shook her head helplessly, “Whatever Miss chooses, I’ll wear.”
Qin Wan looked again, pondering briefly, “You should wear the Three-Legged Crow!”
Fu Ling’s eyes showed delight, though she didn’t know the meaning of the Three-Legged Crow. The mask vendor had been busy with customers, but seeing Qin Wan’s knowledgeable selections, he began paying attention to their conversation. Hearing this, he smiled broadly, “Young Miss is quite impressive! You recognize all these divine beasts?”
Qin Wan curved her lips, “I know a few.”
“Young Miss is being modest!” The vendor looked at Fu Ling, “The Three-Legged Crow is an auspicious bird, symbolizing the sun spirit. It brings joy and good fortune. I see this young miss has a round face and clear eyes, surely a simple, lively, and loyal character. The Three-Legged Crow is most suitable!”
Fu Ling accepted the mask from the vendor, overjoyed!
The vendor then looked at Qin Wan, “What would Young Miss like to choose?”
At this question, both Yue Ning and Fu Ling looked at Qin Wan, who seemed to have already decided, pointing to one, “I want this one!”
Fu Ling followed Qin Wan’s gesture and immediately frowned!
Yue Ning’s Wind God mask had a human face with a bird’s body, and with its delicate painting, it was quite pleasing to the eye. Fu Ling’s Three-Legged Crow was even more exquisite and magnificent. However, the one Qin Wan was pointing to was as large as an ox but had only one horn, with black bristling hair all over its body, looking fierce and savage.
The vendor was also slightly surprised, “The Xie Zhi! Young Miss chose the Xie Zhi. Other young ladies always pick beautiful ones like the Blue Bird or Phoenix, but Young Miss is different. The Xie Zhi understands human speech, has piercing eyes, can distinguish right from wrong, and recognizes good and evil, loyalty and treachery. Young Miss has a delicate and beautiful appearance, but there’s an unusual courage in your heart!”
Yue Ning and Fu Ling both blinked. Distinguishing right from wrong, and recognizing good and evil – truly suited Qin Wan perfectly. Qin Wan took the Xie Zhi mask and paid the vendor, “You flatter me. I just wanted to be different from other young ladies.”
As she spoke, Qin Wan walked away while putting on the mask.
Once the mask was on, Qin Wan immediately looked fierce and intimidating. Seeing this, Fu Ling and Yue Ning also put on their masks. The three looked at each other and burst out laughing. If they appeared before Princess Tai Chang and Lady Jiang like this, they probably couldn’t tell who was who without looking at their clothes…
“It’s starting! Quick, quick—”
Suddenly, a shout rang out in front of Qin Wan. In an instant, the already crowded crowd turned into a surging tide of people. The three held lanterns and couldn’t hold onto each other. With one push from the crowd, they were immediately separated. Qin Wan had no choice but to point in the direction of the flowing crowd – as long as they followed the flow, they would surely meet up somewhere.
Qin Wan’s thinking was simple, and Yue Ning and Fu Ling received her signal. However, soon Qin Wan’s brows furrowed as the crowd unexpectedly split into two streams. She was pushed into a different flow, watching as the distance between her and Yue Ning and Fu Ling grew larger and larger…