What was that touch on her forehead? He Yan stood frozen, unsure of what to do. The spot where his lips had brushed felt burning hot.

Xiao Jue was equally rigid, standing motionless with his beautiful eyes downcast, his expression unreadable.

It was Big Brother who broke the silence with a laugh, “Why are you both standing still? Young Sir, we’ve arrived.”

Xiao Jue seemed to finally snap back to reality, releasing his hold as if stung by a bee. He turned away coldly and said, “Let’s go.”

He Yan responded with a simple “Oh,” masking the turbulent waves in her heart as she followed behind Xiao Jue, while internally screaming.

She had… kissed Xiao Jue?

Though it was just the forehead, such intimate contact was impossible to ignore. Even if it was an accident, the timing couldn’t have been worse!

Having just crossed the Lovers’ Bridge, if the Water God had seen this, he might think they were a couple in love. What if he decided to play matchmaker? He Yan shuddered at the thought.

Xiao Jue, perhaps affected by what had just happened, walked extremely fast, forcing He Yan to quicken her pace to keep up. When they returned to Cui Yuezhi’s side, the spectators who had been watching burst into applause. Cui Yuezhi laughed, “Huanqing, truly worthy of being a Cui family member! Crossing successfully on your first try! I was worried that if you didn’t make it this time, you might be too scared to try again. Ha ha ha ha, but who would have thought, who would have thought, you crossed the Lovers’ Bridge so smoothly!”

He Yan thought to herself, they’re already planning for next time – this Lovers’ Bridge really has no bottom line.

“This is wonderful,” Concubine Wei smiled, patting He Yan’s hand. “Having crossed the Lovers’ Bridge with Young Master Huanqing, you’ll never be apart in this life, from the heights of heaven to the depths of earth!”

He Yan: “…”

How terrifying.

Chi Wu and Fei Nu wore expressions that spoke volumes, while only Lin Shuanghe was thoroughly enjoying himself, fanning himself as he said, “You’re making me want to try it too.”

“Then go ahead,” He Yan replied irritably, remembering how Lin Shuanghe had eagerly joined in the teasing earlier.

“I’ll pass,” Lin Shuanghe said primly. “With three thousand streams of weak water, why settle for just one drink? This bridge isn’t suited for me. Besides, where would I find a young lady willing to hold me as we cross?”

Xiao Jue: “Shut up.”

He Yan didn’t dare speak anymore, finding the joke embarrassing. The silver lining was that when they got off the bridge, the crowd had been too far away to see the accidental forehead touch when she almost fell and Xiao Jue caught her. Otherwise, if Lin Shuanghe had seen that to joke about, she would have died of embarrassment.

“Now that we’ve crossed the Lovers’ Bridge, let’s see the other attractions of our Water God Festival,” Cui Yuezhi smiled. “Look, this is the Water Market.”

Jiyang relied on its waterways, and boats of all sizes were moored along the river. At the stern sat the oarsmen, while the bow displayed various snacks, fruits, jewelry, and cosmetics. If someone on shore saw something they liked, they would wave, and the boat would dock for customers to make their selection. If boat passengers were interested in goods, both vessels would stop in the middle for trading.

He Yan noticed a small boat selling green leaf-wrapped cakes shaped like water chestnuts, topped with yams and red dates, and sprinkled with fine honey sugar. They looked very tempting. Seeing her interest, Cui Yuezhi instructed his servant to call the boat over and buy several packages.

After thanking him, He Yan took a bite and found the lingering sweetness delightful. She secretly sighed, thinking how the Danai cakes she and He Yunsheng sold in Shuojing were quite ordinary in comparison.

She ate earnestly, her cheeks puffed out like a squirrel’s. Xiao Jue seemed unable to bear watching and said, “There are crumbs in your mouth.”

“What?” He Yan hadn’t heard clearly.

The next moment, he impatiently threw his handkerchief at her face: “Wipe it clean, you’re embarrassing.”

He Yan: “…”

As she wiped her mouth, she muttered, “So fussy.”

Just then, they heard exclamations from another direction. Looking over, they saw a crowd gathered around a racetrack, though it wasn’t clear what was happening.

Not understanding, she pointed and asked, “What’s that over there?”

“Oh, that,” Cui Yuezhi looked where she was pointing, “That’s called Wind Capture.”

“What’s Wind Capture?”

“You see, there are many horses in the arena,” Cui Yuezhi explained with a smile. “The track is circular, with a high platform in the center topped by a flag. Riders must leap from their horses onto the platform to grab the flag when passing by. After securing the flag, they jump down, preferably landing back on their horse. If they can capture the flag within the time limit, it’s considered a successful Wind Capture. Those who succeed receive good prizes. The time is measured by a water clock – the shorter the time taken, the better the reward.”

He Yan whispered after listening, “So it’s capture the flag.”

Lin Shuanghe fanned himself, asking with a smile, “Sounds interesting, but what kind of prizes are there?”

“The prizes are quite varied. For men seeking for themselves, they’re usually weapons, sometimes silver. If men are competing for ladies, the prizes are typically jewelry, gems, or fabrics.”

As Cui Yuezhi spoke, he led them toward the racetrack. Though Jiyang’s track wasn’t as large as the training grounds below White Moon Mountain in Liangzhou, it was already crowded with spectators. Several men in fitted garments were riding past on horseback, their steeds stirring up gusts of wind as they passed the platform, leaping up to compete for the flag at the top.

The flagpole was extremely tall with no footholds around it, requiring pure skill to reach the top. One person fell into the sandpit below before even reaching the flag. Another barely managed to grab the flag before falling, but couldn’t remount his horse and only received copper coins as a consolation prize.

To one side was a table displaying various Wind Capture prizes, a dazzling array of items. He Yan’s eyes were immediately drawn to a whip at the top.

The whip was long and appeared extremely durable, with an oily purple sheen that spoke of quality. Since He Yan now feared revealing her identity and couldn’t use a sword, she relied more on whips. The whips at the training grounds weren’t considered treasures, but this one looked far superior to what she had used before.

In an instant, He Yan felt tempted.

She asked the arena master, “Excuse me, what are the requirements for winning this whip?”

The arena master replied with a broad smile, “Young lady has good taste. This Purple Jade Whip is our grand prize for Wind Capture. Whoever can grab the flag in the shortest time measured by the water clock will win this whip. Many young men have come today hoping to win it, but no one has managed yet. I doubt anyone will succeed today!”

Her question drew everyone’s attention. Cui Yuezhi smiled, “Does Yuyan like this whip?”

“It just looks very special,” He Yan replied modestly.

“Why not let Huanqing compete for you?” Cui Yuezhi smiled. “I’ve observed Huanqing’s foundation. He must have trained in martial arts before, so he shouldn’t be afraid to try.”

After all, as a martial artist himself, Cui Yuezhi could immediately gauge someone’s skill level.

He Yan looked at Xiao Jue, who coldly replied, “Don’t even think about it.”

“I’ve already started thinking,” He Yan moved closer, pleading in a low voice. “Help me just this once. Get this whip for me. With it, I can serve you better in the future. If I hadn’t noticed that everyone here is male, I would try myself. Commander, General, Young Master… husband?”

Xiao Jue: “Shut your mouth.”

He Yan had to stay quiet, but her gaze kept returning to the Purple Jade Whip, coveting it desperately. Good weapons weren’t easy to come by, especially ones that could be obtained without spending a single coin. Such opportunities might come once in a decade – wouldn’t it be a shame to miss it?

But today… of all days, she had her monthly cycle and felt some discomfort in her abdomen. Though it was still bearable? He Yan pondered for a moment – if she could grab the flag in the shortest time, she’d only have to endure the pain briefly. It should be manageable.

With this in mind, she smiled sweetly and asked the arena master, “Excuse me, are women allowed to participate?”

The arena master was stunned, as were the surrounding spectators. He hesitated before responding, “It’s allowed… though no one has ever done so before.”

Xiao Jue turned to her in disbelief, “Have you lost your mind?”

“I can’t help it,” He Yan said helplessly. “But I think a whip like this will be hard to find in the future. Don’t worry, you know my abilities. This small challenge won’t be difficult for me.”

“Aren’t you… aren’t you…” he seemed unable to continue, leaving the words unsaid.

He Yan looked at him strangely: “Aren’t I what?” As she spoke, she started to tie up her hair – long hair would be inconvenient. As for her clothes, she’d have to bind them up as well.

Just as she raised her hand, Xiao Jue grabbed her elbow.

“What’s wrong?” He Yan asked.

Xiao Jue held back his frustration, his gaze sharp as daggers as he pronounced each word clearly: “I’ll go.”

“Eh?” He Yan was stunned, but before she could say anything, Xiao Jue had already walked forward and was speaking with the arena master.

“Huanqing is going to attempt Wind Capture?” Cui Yuezhi was surprised. “For the whip that Yuyan likes?”

He Yan was speechless. Although she had pleaded with Xiao Jue, she never actually expected him to do something like this. For a commander leading tens of thousands of soldiers to do this… Moreover, Second Young Master Xiao had always been proud and would normally look down on such things. She hadn’t expected him to agree.

While the arena master led Xiao Jue to get a horse, Concubine Wei spoke with admiration: “Young Master Huanqing treats Miss Yuyan very well.”

Though that was true, but… for a moment, He Yan felt confused.

Lin Shuanghe looked at He Yan, then at Xiao Jue’s retreating figure, his fan gradually stopping as he stood lost in thought.

Soon, Xiao Jue emerged on horseback.

It was spring, with fresh greenery everywhere in the warm, fuzzy air. The handsome young noble seemed to brighten the spring scenery around him. Today, to suit Jiyang’s Water God Festival, he wore casual dark blue clothes instead of his usual long robes, making him appear even more elegant and refined. His gaze was lazy and aloof as he sat upright on horseback, immediately drawing everyone’s attention.

He Yan heard women behind her exclaim: “What a handsome young man!”

“Such refined features, and he looks so noble!”

“When did Jiyang get such a figure? Which family’s young master is he?”

Hearing this, He Yan felt proud by association. A line of poetry came to mind: “Spring grass green and fluffy white clouds are white, thinking of you on horseback, what a splendid sight” – it described this scene perfectly.

Suddenly, she remembered the winter hunt at Xian Chang Academy in her youth, where the person who caught the most prey would receive rewards. Xiao Jue had dominated the competition. At that time, He Yan could barely draw a bow and arrow and hadn’t caught a single prey. She could only join the crowd’s amazed and envious gazes as that youth emerged from the snow, wearing brocade and fox fur, full of grace.

Many years had passed, but he remained unchanged. Whenever he stood in a crowd, he would always be the most dazzling one. No amount of hardship could dim such a bright pearl.

Xiao Jue began circling the track on horseback.

By now, not only men but many young women had gathered around, obviously to watch Xiao Jue. Lin Shuanghe walked to He Yan’s side and whispered: “Sister, you’re amazing. Even Xiao Huaiqin is willing to make such a show for you.”

He Yan blushed: “I didn’t expect him to help either.” Who could have predicted this? She suspected Xiao Jue might have been possessed, but judging by his earlier behavior toward her, that seemed unlikely.

“Are you moved? Ready to pledge yourself to him?”

He Yan jumped in surprise, instinctively wanting to loudly object, but suddenly remembered Cui Yuezhi’s group was nearby and couldn’t be too unrestrained. She whispered back: “No! I don’t like the Commander.”

“If you don’t like him, why are you so nervous?” Lin Shuanghe teased. “Brother, your ears are red.”

He Yan quickly covered her ears with both hands. “That’s not true, stop talking nonsense!”

Just then, sudden exclamations arose from the crowd. They looked over to see Xiao Jue had already galloped his horse to the base of the platform. Without any pause, he leaped up, treating the slippery pole as if it were flat ground.

The spectators, even those skilled in martial arts who would find it difficult to climb up, had never seen such a display, someone capturing the flag with such ease.

He moved incredibly fast, reaching the top like lightning, then stepping onto the pole’s tip and casually pulling down the red flag.

The wind blew, making the flag flutter in his hand. For a moment, the young man’s face overlapped with that of the brilliant youth from spring days past. His gaze was casual as he raised an eyebrow, and looking at the crowd below, or perhaps just at He Yan, he curved his eyes in a slight smile and said: “Got it.”

He Yan stared at him, suddenly aware of her heartbeat, too loud to ignore. In her mind, she recalled a lesson from her time at Xian Chang Academy.

The Transmission of the Lamp recorded that when the Sixth Patriarch Huineng first stayed at Faxing Temple, the wind was blowing a banner. Two monks were arguing – one said the wind was moving, and the other said the banner was moving. The Sixth Patriarch said, “Neither wind nor banner is moving. It is your mind that moves.”

She had previously found these words obscure and difficult to understand, unclear about their meaning. Now, without explanation or discussion, just one look, just this one moment, made everything clear.

It wasn’t the wind moving, wasn’t the banner moving, it was her heart moving.