Peng Fan Jin and Meng Yao had known each other for a long time, though they weren’t as familiar with Qin Shuang and Yue Ning. However, being young ladies of similar age, they quickly became acquainted. Both Yue Ning and Meng Yao knew why Peng Fan Jin had come to the mansion today, but since they weren’t close enough to tease her about it, the girls occupied themselves with threading red string through needles to make decorative knots.
Shortly after, voices drifted over from nearby. Looking up, they saw Madam Hu approaching from outside the garden with Madam Peng. Behind them walked Qin Yan and Qin Yi. Qin Wan and Yue Ning exchanged glances as Peng Fan Jin’s cheeks flushed slightly. Though she couldn’t say she liked Qin Yan, everyone knew she was here to meet him as a potential match. Qin Wan tugged at Peng Fan Jin’s sleeve, “My Third Brother…”
At the previous palace banquet, Qin Yan had caught a distant glimpse of Peng Fan Jin, just as she had seen him from afar. But today’s circumstances were quite different. The pavilion stood deep in the garden, and in the late summer, several crabapple trees partially concealed the pavilion and its occupants. From a distance, Qin Yan seemed unaware they were watching him.
A rosy blush spread across Peng Fan Jin’s face. After the quickest of glances, she lowered her eyes to focus on the red thread. Qin Shuang covered her mouth and laughed, “Fan Jin, if you don’t take a proper look now, don’t regret it later…”
Peng Fan Jin replied shyly, her voice somewhat stiff, “I’ve seen the Young Lord before. There’s nothing to look at now.”
Meng Yao’s eyes sparkled with mischief as she hid her smile behind her hand, “Fan Jin, look carefully – what’s the difference between the Young Lord and Fourth Young Master?”
Peng Fan Jin instinctively looked again – Qin Yan and Qin Yi were certainly different – but before she could speak, the others burst into laughter. Qin Shuang added, “Fan Jin, take a look – doesn’t my Third Brother have a fine warrior’s build?”
Before Yue Ning could speak, Peng Fan Jin’s face turned crimson, “You… you all should stop teasing me. The Princess said we were just coming for the Double Seven Festival today. Why is everyone so interested in looking at the Young Lord?”
Though they’d promised not to tease, they couldn’t help themselves. In the distance, after Madam Hu had shown Madam Peng around the courtyard, they returned to the front court. Qin Yan and Qin Yi naturally left with them. Peng Fan Jin’s tense shoulders finally relaxed, though her expression grew complicated. Seeing this, Qin Wan steered the conversation elsewhere, which helped Peng Fan Jin feel more at ease.
The group spent some time in the garden. By afternoon, Madam Hu had prepared an elaborate feast to host Madam Peng and Peng Fan Jin. Qin Yan and Qin Yi had been sent away by Madam Hu, so there was no need to face Qin Yan. The Double Seven Festival feast was thoroughly enjoyable. After the meal, Madam Peng happily departed with Peng Fan Jin.
Not only was Peng Fan Jin of an unrestrained nature, but Madam Peng was also quite forthright. Madam Hu found it quite pleasant to interact with Madam Peng. After they left, Meng Yao needed to leave first, and Qin Shuang also needed to return home early. Yue Ning stayed behind to talk with Qin Wan, “A few days ago, I heard Grandmother say that Third Brother needs to prepare for marriage, but since his eye condition hasn’t healed yet, Grandmother feels that suitable families might be reluctant to marry their daughters to someone with such an ailment.”
As Yue Ning spoke, her face showed traces of melancholy. Qin Wan noticed this clearly and said, “The Young Lord’s eye condition will heal. There’s no need to rush; we can prepare for the marriage after his eyes recover.”
Yue Ning pressed her lips together, seeming to hold back words.
Qin Wan smiled, “What is it? Is there something you can’t say?”
Yue Ning then said, “Do you know what I was thinking when Grandmother worried about Third Brother not finding a suitable wife?”
Qin Wan widened her eyes, looking at Yue Ning, who continued, “I was thinking, if Third Brother truly couldn’t find a good wife, I would be his wife…”
Qin Wan was startled. With these words, her subtle suspicions were suddenly confirmed!
“You… could it be that you have feelings for the Young Lord?”
Yue Ning instinctively shook her head, but after moving it slightly, a dazed expression crossed her face, as if she couldn’t answer this question herself. Seeing this, Qin Wan sighed inwardly, “Are you feeling guilty about the past incident with the Young Lord, or do you truly have feelings for him?”
Yue Ning looked at Qin Wan, “Does it matter? I only know that Third Brother’s eye condition was caused by me, and back then, he treated me the best. Our bond is unlike any other. If Third Brother truly misses his chance at marriage, I’m willing to be his wife, regardless of the reason.”
Qin Wan began to understand. Yue Ning felt both guilt and childlike affection for Yan Ze, but was this childlike affection the sibling love from their youth, or romantic love seeking the intimacy of marriage?
At this point, perhaps even Yue Ning herself didn’t know.
“Marriage is no small matter. I only wish for you to marry someone who truly loves you and whom you also like. You should be careful with such thoughts. Besides, would the Grand Princess and your mother agree?”
Yue Ning smiled, “If I just speak up, Grandmother and Mother will surely agree. They watched Third Brother grow up.”
The image of Wei Qi Zhi flashed through Qin Wan’s mind, and she sighed, “You should think it through carefully. If you truly have romantic feelings for the Young Lord, that would be wonderful.”
Yue Ning’s eyes showed deep contemplation as she nodded.
After leaving Zhong Yong Marquis’s mansion, Yue Ning took a carriage to An Yang Marquis’s mansion. Along the way, she pondered Qin Wan’s words. Were her feelings for Yan Ze truly romantic love?
She couldn’t figure it out. She couldn’t even clearly understand what romantic love was.
“Princess, Young Master Wei has come…”
Just as they were approaching the mansion gates, the servant outside called out. Yue Ning immediately lifted the curtain to look outside. She saw Wei Qi Zhi with Wu Shu, both on horseback, about to leave from in front of the mansion.
Yue Ning was surprised, “Wei Qi Zhi! Why did you come?”
Wei Qi Zhi hadn’t visited the mansion for quite some time. Seeing him, Yue Ning felt an inexplicable joy and called out to him spontaneously. Wei Qi Zhi turned to see Yue Ning, his eyes brightening slightly as he turned his horse toward the carriage, “I came to bid farewell. I’m heading north the day after tomorrow, and it might take two or three months.”
Yue Ning was first surprised, then quickly understood, “Are you going to acquire new horses?”
Wei Qi Zhi nodded with a smile, “Yes, I’ve found another batch of good horses.”
Yue Ning’s lips pursed slightly, “I knew it. This is your proper business. Well… have a safe journey.”
Wei Qi Zhi laughed heartily, “Thank you for your good wishes. Are you just returning from somewhere?”
Yue Ning told him about attending the Double Seven Festival at Zhong Yong Marquis’s mansion. Wei Qi Zhi made an “ah” sound as if just remembering, “So today is the Double Seven Festival? I had completely forgotten. I left a small gift at the gatehouse; you can check it when you return.”
Yue Ning made a small “oh” sound. Wei Qi Zhi cupped his hands, “Well then, I still need to bid farewell to other friends. Princess, please head back.”
Yue Ning didn’t know what else to say, “Then… take care on your journey.”
Wei Qi Zhi smiled casually, flicked his horsewhip, turned his horse around, and left, quickly galloping out of the street.
Yue Ning sighed. Previously, she had frequent contact with Wei Qi Zhi due to the case, and he had a boisterous personality. Now, without such a person around to annoy her, she felt somewhat unaccustomed.
Yue Ning exhaled, breathing out that slight melancholy from her heart. After entering the gate, she saw a gift box at the gatehouse, which the servant said was from Wei Qi Zhi.
Yue Ning carried the gift box inside, then suddenly turned to ask, “Did he say he wanted to see me?”
The servant at the gatehouse shook his head, “No, Young Master Wei only came to drop off the gift, then left immediately after.”
Yue Ning raised her eyebrows. So she had just happened to run into him today? Otherwise, he would have just left the gift and gone? After not seeing each other for only a month, how had Wei Qi Zhi become so lacking in manners?!
Privately grumbling to herself, Yue Ning returned directly to her courtyard. As soon as she entered, she immediately opened the box. Inside was an exquisitely crafted sword tassel with a jade pendant. Seeing it was a sword tassel, Yue Ning felt quite pleased. It wasn’t too precious, but it perfectly suited her taste, and it was quite practical. Although she used to find sword tassels cumbersome, she had changed her mind now – since it was already given, she might as well use it.
After Yue Ning left, Qin Wan couldn’t help but sigh. She felt that Yue Ning wasn’t typically a sentimental person, but now, this trait showed its drawback – she didn’t understand her feelings. Yue Ning’s care for Yan Ze was indeed unusual, but the reason behind it was unclear. If she truly had feelings for Yan Ze, it would make an excellent match.
Thinking this way, Qin Wan felt that knowing her own heart early on was quite fortunate – at least now she wasn’t lost and confused. With these thoughts, Qin Wan remembered that today was the Double Seven Festival. According to Da Zhou customs, it was a day for men and women to confess their feelings. She wondered what Yan Chi was doing today!
In the late summer evening, the gentle breeze carried a hint of coolness. Qin Wan stood by the window wearing an outer robe, her thoughts alternating between Yan Chi and her father’s case, her heart rising and falling, unable to find peace.
As she was thinking, Qin Wan looked up and suddenly saw a light slowly rising into the sky outside her window. At first, she thought her eyes were playing tricks on her, but after rubbing them and looking again, she saw it truly was a flying sky lantern!
In all her years, Qin Wan had never seen such a lantern that could rise into the air. Looking carefully, she noticed the lantern seemed to have lotus petal patterns that looked somewhat familiar. Just as she tried to focus on it, the lantern flew higher and higher until she could no longer see it. Who would be releasing lanterns so late at night?!
Puzzled, Qin Wan tried to determine the direction and realized the lantern must have been released not too far from the mansion, likely just outside. Then she remembered reading somewhere that during the previous dynasty’s wars, General Li Guang used flying lanterns to transmit messages, a practice still used in the military today.
The military?! Qin Wan’s heart skipped a beat. She judged the direction and realized the lantern had risen from behind the mansion. She quickly put on her outer robe, took a lantern, and asked Bai Ying to accompany her as she headed directly toward the north side of Song Feng Court.
North of Song Feng Court were uninhabited courtyards, with flower beds and artificial mountains stretching backward, leading to dense vegetation and finally the mansion’s high walls.
Having her suspicions, Qin Wan didn’t bring Fu Ling, saying she was just going to the back garden to aid digestion. Fu Ling didn’t suspect anything, staying behind to thread needles with the other maids for the festival. As Qin Wan walked northward, she looked up to see the lantern had risen very high, now resembling a star among countless others.
“Young Miss—”
Bai Ying called out in warning, and Qin Wan lowered her gaze to see a figure standing in the wind beneath the high wall.
Yan Chi stood in the shadow of the high wall, his silhouette partially hidden by a cluster of bamboo, but Qin Wan spotted him immediately. She hurriedly took the lantern herself and went forward, while Bai Ying tactfully stayed behind.
As Qin Wan drew closer, she looked at Yan Chi with both delight and amusement, “What brings you here tonight?”
Usually, Yan Chi would simply climb through her window!
Yan Chi stood beside the bamboo grove, smiling as he watched Qin Wan approach.
When she got close, Yan Chi didn’t immediately answer, just smiled at her with curved lips, taking her hand before saying, “I came early tonight. If I climbed through the window now, your maids might notice.”
Qin Wan chuckled, “Weren’t you worried I wouldn’t know the lantern was from you?”
“No matter, I came prepared.”
Yan Chi glanced at his feet as he spoke. Qin Wan looked down and saw two lanterns beside his feet. Earlier, from a distance, she couldn’t see clearly, but now up close, she instantly recognized the lantern style – weren’t these the same type she had bought at the Jin Zhou Autumn Lantern Festival?
Qin Wan couldn’t help but laugh, “Where did you learn this trick?”
“It’s a signaling method from the previous dynasty’s military. Others might not understand, but I knew you would.”
As he spoke, Yan Chi’s long arms encircled Qin Wan, drawing her into his embrace. Qin Wan frowned slightly, suddenly sensing something different in Yan Chi’s mood. With one hand holding the lantern, this shadowy corner was filled with warm, dim light. She asked him about it, and Yan Chi smiled, “Today is the Double Seven Festival. I came to see what you wished for.”
Hearing this, Qin Wan’s smile widened – she had indeed made a wish about him during the festival.
“I wished for your safety and good fortune.”
At her words, Yan Chi’s arms tightened slightly. Ever since hearing Taoist Zhang’s words, Qin Wan had been constantly worried, and now even used the Double Seven Festival to pray for his safety.
Yan Chi laughed softly, brushing his hand through her hair, then hesitating as he placed it on her back, “Heaven will surely hear your wish. I will certainly be safe in the future.”
Yan Chi stroked her back a couple of times, “Now, go back, lest someone come looking for you.”
Just as Qin Wan had been thinking of Yan Chi, he had appeared. Though they had exchanged only a few words, she felt quite content. Looking at the lanterns on the ground, she said, “Since you’re here, why don’t you give me these two sky lanterns?”
Yan Chi smiled, “Of course, they’re meant for you.”
Qin Wan hadn’t yet released the lanterns, happily taking both as she left. When she returned to Song Feng Court, Fu Ling was very curious about where the lanterns came from. Qin Wan made up an excuse about them being made by the mansion’s craftsmen, which Fu Ling believed without question. Qin Wan, unwilling to just put them away, was about to head inside when Fu Ling suddenly said, “Young Miss, what’s that in your hair?”
Qin Wan stopped, touching her hair to find a jade hairpin. It was carved from a single piece of white jade, and Qin Wan could tell it was newly made because the sides weren’t completely smooth yet. Moreover, the pattern was quite simple. She suddenly remembered Yan Chi’s earlier gesture of brushing her hair, and everything became clear. Looking at the lanterns in her hands and then at the jade hairpin in her palm, a sweet warmth filled her heart…