He Yan walked up to Xiao Jue. His gaze swept over her before his brows furrowed slightly. “Why are you dressed so thinly?”

“It’s too hot.” He Yan swallowed back blood from her bitten tongue while silently cursing Chi Wu viciously. On the surface, she maintained a casual demeanor, fanning herself as she said, “For some reason, I just feel rather warm.”

Xiao Jue made to remove his cloak, but He Yan quickly stopped him. “There’s no need. If I feel cold, I can just go back and get another layer. I dressed like this because I was too warm. Haven’t you heard Lin Shuanghe mention it before? Sometimes when people feel hot, wearing too many layers can trap the internal heat and make one sick.” She made up this explanation on the spot.

Xiao Jue stared at her skeptically.

He Yan grabbed his arm. “Enough about what I’m wearing. Let’s head to the East Market first – we might miss the best parts if we’re late.”

Within Shuo Capital, the markets were prosperous and divided by cardinal directions into East Market, West Market, South Market, and North Market. Among them, the most flourishing was the East Market near the City God Temple.

The East Market was further divided into twelve monthly markets: the First Month Lantern Market, Second Month Flower Market, Third Month Silkworm Market, Fourth Month Brocade Market, Fifth Month Fan Market, Sixth Month Incense Market, Seventh Month Treasure Market, Eighth Month Osmanthus Market, Ninth Month Medicine Market, Tenth Month Wine Market, Eleventh Month Plum Market, and Twelfth Month Door Guard Market.

It was now the end of the eleventh month and the beginning of the twelfth. The Plum Market had already closed, with only two or three vendors still selling stacks of red plum blossoms. The Door Guard Market had begun, with calligraphers setting up stalls everywhere to write Spring Festival couplets. At every turn, crowds gathered to watch, either cheering and applauding or continuously expressing amazement. The atmosphere was extremely lively.

As the New Year approached, the Lantern Market had also begun displaying lanterns. The streets were brilliantly lit with endless varieties of lights, packed with people, and very festive.

When He Yan followed Xiao Jue to the East Market entrance, she could already feel the bustling crowds.

“It’s so lively,” she exclaimed, looking up at the colorful lanterns hanging overhead. “This is my first time visiting a night market.”

“First time?” Xiao Jue turned to look at her.

He Yan nodded. “Yes, I couldn’t come to crowded places like this before to avoid exposing any flaws. Every year when the young ones from the He family would visit the night market together, I was always so envious. When I was in Jiyang City, I thought the night market there was incredibly fun, but I didn’t expect Shuo Capital to be just as good. It’s so beautiful!”

Her eyes were filled with excitement and joy. Though she had lived two lifetimes, at this moment she was as happy as a child. The night market wasn’t an exclusive place for noble families – common people could come here for entertainment too. But for the person before him, this was her first time.

Many things ordinary people took for granted were forbidden to her.

The young man watched the girl beside him, his gaze gentle and sympathetic. The next moment, He Yan had already pulled his sleeve, squeezing through the crowd toward a candy figurine vendor.

“Candy figures!” He Yan exclaimed happily. “I remember when I was little and couldn’t visit the night market, I was so desperate for one that I finally had First Uncle’s wife ask someone to buy one for me when she went. I couldn’t bear to eat it, so I stuck it in my pen holder, and it eventually melted everywhere.” She turned back to look at Xiao Jue. “Xiao Jue, would you like one? I’ll buy it for you! What would you like? Is this qilin nice? Or do you prefer the phoenix?”

Xiao Jue glanced at the various candy figures stuck in the straw stack. “No.”

“Why not?” He Yan was quite generous. “I have money, I’ll buy it for you.”

Xiao Jue’s gaze moved from the candy figures to her face, his tone flat. “No flower basket.”

“Flower… basket?” He Yan was puzzled. “Do you like flower baskets?”

His tone remained as calm as ever, yet carried a subtle hint of something indescribable. “In Jiyang City, didn’t you give Chu Zilan a brown sugar flower basket?”

“How did you know?” He Yan was startled.

“I just do.” He raised his eyebrows slightly and turned to walk away. He Yan quickly followed, now realizing that Xiao Jue’s tone suggested he was somewhat displeased about her giving something to his rival.

Well, giving something to his opponent might have particularly bothered Young Master Xiao.

“…He gave me a tassel at the time,” He Yan held tightly to his sleeve to avoid getting separated in the crowded flow of people while trying to prove her loyalty: “I only gave him a flower basket because I felt indebted and couldn’t owe him a favor. You know how difficult it is to repay favors in this world. Our relationship isn’t like that at all, so we don’t need to be so particular. Don’t be angry anymore, why dwell on such ancient history? Great Commander Xiao should be magnanimous and not quibble over such small matters with this humble woman. Commander Xiao, Second Young Master… Young Master?”

Xiao Jue seemed to grow impatient with her pestering and turned his head away, his expression serious though the corners of his mouth turned up slightly.

Seeing that he was less bothered now, He Yan noticed a noodle stand at the street corner and pulled him toward it. “Since it’s your birthday today, you should have a bowl of longevity noodles. Come on, my treat!”

The noodle vendors were a married couple who had set up an iron pot on the street. Water boiled in the pot, with a basket of flour next to it, and small tables held jars of salt and vinegar. They had arranged several tables and stools on either side to create their shop.

He Yan had Xiao Jue sit down first while she went to the vendor’s wife smiling, “One bowl of noodles.” After a pause, she added, “Today is this young master’s birthday,” she secretly pointed at Xiao Jue, “Please make this bowl of noodles extra special, with an egg, more vegetables, and more braised meat… oh, and chicken leg if you have it…”

“Enough, enough, miss,” the vendor laughed, “Any more, and the bowl won’t be able to hold it all.”

“Oh,” He Yan nodded, “That should do for now then.”

The vendor’s wife smiled as she kneaded the dough, “That young master sitting there must be your sweetheart, he’s truly handsome.”

He Yan blushed and didn’t dare respond.

The vendor’s wife didn’t recognize Xiao Jue and was simply captivated by his beauty, “I’ve been selling noodles here for so long, but this is the first time I’ve seen such a handsome young master. Since you’re lovers, why not order a bowl of tangyuan too? Sesame filling. When couples share a bowl of tangyuan at the lantern market, they’ll be together for life.”

“That won’t be necessary,” He Yan smiled, “This young master doesn’t eat sweets.”

“Is that so? What a pity.” The vendor’s wife continued smiling and didn’t press further.

He Yan was about to walk back to Xiao Jue, but after two steps, she turned back to the vendor’s wife, as if possessed, and said, “Well… maybe one bowl after all.”

The vendor’s wife beamed, “Coming right up!”

When the longevity noodles were served, Xiao Jue stared at the bowl before him and remained silent for a moment before saying, “He Yan, are you feeding a pig?”

Though the bowl wasn’t particularly large, it was filled to the brim with noodles, topped with an egg, bright green vegetables, and several large pieces of braised meat. It looked extremely generous, almost overflowing. While others had ordinary clear noodle soup, Xiao Jue’s bowl was notably different.

“Eat up,” He Yan handed him chopsticks, “Since it’s your birthday, we can’t just let it pass casually. I specially asked the vendor’s wife to add extra ingredients. I’m treating, so don’t hold back.”

People around them were all looking at their table. Never in his life had Xiao Jue been looked at as if he were a glutton, but the girl before him was smiling so sincerely with her chin propped in her hands. After hesitating for a moment, he finally resigned himself to picking up the chopsticks and starting on the longevity noodles before him.

He Yan was very satisfied. “Remember to finish it all.”

Xiao Jue’s chopsticks trembled as he struggled to maintain his composure.

At this point, the vendor’s wife brought over the tangyuan as well. The tangyuan were perfectly round, exactly nine of them, served in a red-bottomed porcelain bowl, looking particularly appealing. Whether intentionally or not, the vendor’s wife only provided one spoon. He Yan lowered her head and scooped one into her mouth, finding the sesame filling especially fragrant and sweet.

It had been extremely cold when they came out, but the bustling night market and crowded people had driven away much of the chill. Now with the warm soup and sweet tangyuan before her, and the person sitting across quietly eating noodles, He Yan suddenly felt a sense of peace and contentment.

Those days filled with danger, schemes, plots, and violence seemed to fade into the distance, as if peaceful days like this could continue forever from now on.

She lowered her head and smiled, picking up her spoon to quietly eat the tangyuan before her.

Both the bowl of tangyuan and the bowl of longevity noodles were eaten particularly slowly.

Perhaps due to He Yan’s “persistence,” or perhaps because of the vendor’s wife’s cooking skills, Xiao Jue finally finished the entire bowl of noodles. When he put down his chopsticks, He Yan had just finished the eighth tangyuan in her bowl.

As she was about to scoop up the ninth one, she suddenly remembered what the vendor’s wife had said earlier.

“When couples share a bowl of tangyuan at the lantern market, they’ll be together for life.”

Together for life – she had always thought this phrase distant, but somehow, at some point, she had begun to yearn for and look forward to it.

Xiao Jue noticed her hesitation and asked, “What’s wrong?”

He Yan gently pushed the red-bottomed porcelain bowl toward the center and looked up into Xiao Jue’s eyes, clearing her throat slightly, “Would you… like to try one?”

Xiao Jue lowered his gaze to look at the bowl with only one tangyuan remaining, saying nothing.

He Yan felt inexplicably nervous, suddenly feeling like a demon trying to tempt an innocent maiden, and added, “I just remembered you don’t like sweets anymore… never mind…”

Xiao Jue smiled slightly, saying nothing as he took the bowl and used the spoon He Yan had been using to eat the last remaining tangyuan.

The vendor’s wife, who was clearing the neighboring table’s bowls, saw this and smiled, “How wonderful! Sharing a bowl of tangyuan, sweet and harmonious, a perfect match!”

He Yan was startled, instinctively looking toward Xiao Jue. The young man’s beautiful eyes were fixed on her, seeming to have glimpsed her secret thoughts.

He Yan abruptly stood up, pulling out several copper coins from her pocket, “Well, we’re done eating, let’s go.”

And so she fled in panic.

After eating, walking around the night market made them feel much warmer. When He Yan and Xiao Jue reached a certain spot, they noticed a large crowd gathering ahead. He Yan casually asked a young man nearby, “Excuse me, what’s happening up there?”

The man glanced at He Yan and replied, “They’re solving lantern riddles. Today is the last day. If the miss wants to try, you can still make it – the more riddles you solve, the better chance you have of winning that beautiful peacock lantern!”

Since they were already at the night market, they naturally had to join in the festivities. He Yan pulled Xiao Jue into the crowd. After squeezing through, they saw a long corridor with various lanterns hanging from the eaves. Under each lantern hung a piece of paper with writing – these were the riddles. Most visitors were couples, and some had already won several lanterns. He Yan looked excited and asked Xiao Jue, “Do you like any of these lanterns? I’ll help you win one.”

Xiao Jue lowered his gaze to look at her. “You’ll help me?”

“Of course! It’s your birthday today, and I’ll buy you whatever you want. Winning a lantern is nothing – after all, I did study at Xian Chang Academy.”

Xiao Jue smiled and was about to speak when suddenly, someone called out to him from nearby: “Xiao Huaijin!”

He Yan turned to look and saw a couple walking towards them along the corridor – it was Yan He and Xia Chengxiu.

The couple was wearing matching goose-yellow robes and skirts, looking very well-coordinated. Yan He maintained his usual attitude, never looking directly at people, his ponytail swinging high as he walked. Before He Yan could speak, Yan He addressed Xiao Jue: “Well, what a rare sight! Never thought I’d see the day when Xiao Huaijin would come to a night market.”

Compared to Yan He’s rudeness, Xia Chengxiu was much gentler, smiling at He Yan and Xiao Jue as she said, “Miss He, Commander Xiao.”

He Yan returned the greeting: “Miss Chengxiu.”

Yan He finally noticed He Yan beside Xiao Jue and looked them both over with a disgusted expression. “Xiao Huaijin, don’t tell me you specifically came to accompany this kid… this person to the night market.” He pretended to rub his arms. “How nauseating, I’m getting goosebumps all over!”

He Yan: “…” What right did this person have to criticize others when he was accompanying his wife to the night market?

Xia Chengxiu pulled at Yan He, who protested, “What? I didn’t say anything wrong.”

“I apologize,” Xia Chengxiu smiled at He Yan. “Nanguang is just like this – he’s joking, no ill intent. Are you also here to solve lantern riddles, Miss He?”

He Yan nodded: “Yes. We happened to pass by. Is General Yan also solving riddles?”

“Women’s entertainment, I don’t solve them,” Yan He said. “I’m just accompanying Chengxiu.” His gaze fell on Xiao Jue. “Xiao Huaijin, you…”

“He’s not solving them either, he’s accompanying me,” He Yan quickly cut off his words. Once Yan He encountered Xiao Jue, he became like a fighting rooster, always needing to compete. If Xiao Jue were to participate, it would trigger Yan He’s competitive spirit, and they’d spend the whole night watching the two of them compete at solving riddles instead of enjoying the market.

To ensure she could still visit other places later, He Yan decisively intervened.

“Fine then,” Yan He crossed his arms. “Go ahead and solve them.”

He Yan and Xia Chengxiu exchanged glances. Xia Chengxiu smiled slightly and took a paper slip from the lantern in front of her. He Yan followed suit, looking at a lantern nearby.

This riddle seemed simple: “Mountains all carry yearning thoughts.” She recognized all the characters but didn’t understand their combined meaning.

On the other side, Xia Chengxiu had already read her slip aloud: “Parting thoughts with you.” After a brief thought, she looked at the vendor: “Is it ‘bin’?”

“The miss has good insight,” the lantern craftsman smiled, giving Xia Chengxiu a wooden tablet with a red mark on it.

It seemed that collecting ten marks would allow one to exchange them for a lantern.

He Yan took a deep breath, feeling she might have chosen the wrong riddle. Perhaps she should try a simpler one. With this thought, she walked to a lotus-shaped lantern and took the paper slip hanging below it.

“No winter, no summer.”

He Yan: “…” What was this?

She glanced sideways at Xiao Jue, who was standing nearby, watching her with an amused expression. Not wanting to lose face, He Yan cleared her throat and moved to another lantern.

“Mist obscures the tower, moon bewilders the ferry crossing.”

He Yan: “?”

She was nearly in tears. Earlier, she had boasted about studying at Xian Chang Academy, but now she realized that perhaps it would have been better if she hadn’t studied at all. What were these riddles? She recognized all the characters, but put together, they made no sense to her. Looking at the other women solving riddles with ease, He Yan was overwhelmed, feeling that even the most difficult battle would be easier than this embarrassing moment.

As she stood there helplessly holding the paper slip, a voice suddenly came from behind: “Weren’t you going to give me a lantern?”

At some point, Xiao Jue had walked over and was standing behind her. He Yan could only respond with a long “Hmm,” having nothing else to say.

His lips curved slightly. “It seems your poetry skills haven’t improved much over the years.”

“Different people have different specialties,” He Yan defended herself stubbornly. “I can’t be good at everything.”

He seemed to laugh softly, his warm breath falling on He Yan’s neck, causing a ticklish sensation. Meanwhile, Xia Chengxiu had already solved ten riddles in the blink of an eye. The craftsman had marked her wooden tablet with ten ink strokes, and she exchanged them for a jade rabbit lantern.

Yan He held the lantern proudly and taunted He Yan, “Why haven’t you solved any yet? Don’t tell me you’re illiterate? Xiao Huaijin,” he put an arm around Xia Chengxiu and challenged Xiao Jue, “Your wife isn’t as good as mine.”

What was wrong with Yan He? He Yan was speechless. Was he thinking that since he couldn’t compete with Xiao Jue in other areas, he’d try to compete through their wives instead? Everyone had their strengths and weaknesses – how could he be so superficial?

As she was internally cursing Yan He, Xiao Jue suddenly spoke softly near her ear: “Ignore him.” Then, standing behind her, he followed her movement and took up the riddle slip in front of He Yan.

Xiao Jue was very tall, and when he reached for the paper from behind, he had to bend slightly, making it appear from others’ perspective as if he was embracing He Yan. She could almost feel the warmth of his chest against her back, causing her ears to turn red. Before she could look at the paper again, Xiao Jue had already spoken: “Two places vast and empty, both unseen.”

“Ah?” He Yan was stunned.

The craftsman smiled and brought over a wooden tablet: “The young master is correct!”

“Xiao Huaijin, that’s cheating!” Yan He exclaimed angrily. “How can you help her solve them!”

“How is it any of your business?” He Yan finally snapped back at him. “If you’re not happy about it, you could help me solve them too!”

“Who would want to help you!” Yan He flicked his sleeve. “Let’s go, just looking at them irritates me!” He pulled Xia Chengxiu’s hand and left.

Now He Yan finally had time to focus on the riddles before her.

She would read the characters on the paper slips in front, while Xiao Jue would give the answers from behind.

“Since ancient times, deep feelings leave only regret.”

“Heart grows weary.”

“Meeting ten, advancing one, descending three.”

“Lei.”

Having been the top student at Xian Chang Academy, Xiao Jue could give answers immediately without thinking as He Yan read the riddles. Being both intelligent and handsome, he naturally drew attention in such settings. Soon, young ladies, both with and without companions, gathered around, either gazing at Xiao Jue dreamily or casting envious looks at He Yan.

They had almost finished nine riddles when He Yan picked up the slip from the last lantern.

“Two trees, not a forest, the heart beneath a field,” she read, and before Xiao Jue could speak, she exclaimed, “I know this one – it’s ‘lovesickness’!”

The craftsman laughed heartily: “The miss has a refined and elegant mind.”

He Yan blushed at this praise – solving only one out of ten riddles hardly deserved such compliments; the truly refined and elegant one was the person behind her. The craftsman marked the final stroke on her wooden tablet and said to He Yan, “Miss, please choose a lantern you like!”

He Yan turned around, pulling at Xiao Jue’s sleeve, “See? I said I would give you a lantern, and I definitely would. Which one do you like?”

Various lanterns hung from the eaves, creating a dazzling display.

He Yan pointed to a double fish lantern: “This double fish one looks quite nice, do you like it? Or this gourd lantern is also good… this auspicious lantern even has a horse-riding scene on it…”

Throughout it all, Xiao Jue just smiled faintly, letting her fuss about it.

He Yan noticed a green silk lantern on the side with a landscape painting of mountains, towers, and pavilions. As people moved, the light and shadows changed, making the waterfall seem to flow continuously – it was quite remarkable. Among all the lanterns, this landscape one wasn’t eye-catching at first glance, but it held hidden depths. He Yan was immediately drawn to it, thinking this lantern would be a worthy gift for Xiao Jue, and said to the craftsman, “I want this one.”

The craftsman was busy giving wooden tablets to another young couple and replied, “Miss, please help yourself.”

He Yan said to Xiao Jue, “Wait here, I’ll get the lantern for you.”

As she walked to the landscape lantern and was about to take it down, she heard a familiar voice from nearby: “There are lantern riddles ahead, would you like to take a look?”

Then a woman’s voice responded, “Sure, we can buy one later to hang in the courtyard.”

He Yan turned to look and saw a couple walking several steps away. The man was refined and elegant, the woman delicate and beautiful – it was Xu Zhiheng and He Xinying.

Xu Zhiheng was holding He Xinying’s hand, while the maid following behind He Xinying carried a pile of small items, probably cosmetics and trinkets bought while browsing the market. The two appeared to be a perfect match, with Xu Zhiheng’s smile indulgent and his words as gentle as a spring breeze.

He Yan stared at them, unsure whether to find it ironic. She had thought Xu Zhiheng would only ever accompany He Wanru to the night market, but now it seemed anyone but herself would do.

“Miss?” The craftsman noticed her standing still and called out in confusion. He Yan turned back, her heart startled, and instinctively looked toward Xiao Jue.

He stood under the lanterns, his figure elegant, his gaze calm to the point of being almost cold.