Yu Lingxi looked at Ning Yin in shock: “What are you saying?”

Ning Yin looked at her for a moment, then suddenly smiled: “I’m just teasing you. If I died, I couldn’t play with Young Lady anymore.”

Yu Lingxi knew that Ning Yin wasn’t merely joking.

In this world, there was nothing he didn’t dare to do, only things he wasn’t willing to do.

“You shouldn’t tease me like this either.”

She held the half-peeled lotus pod, composed herself, and said seriously, “Nothing is more important than living well. Such thoughts, you mustn’t even think about them in the future.”

Ning Yin gazed at her slightly furrowed brow, a faint ripple appearing in his eyes.

“Very well.”

He slowly rotated the small medicine jar in his hand, “Then Young Lady, don’t give me a reason to have such thoughts.”

Yu Lingxi couldn’t possibly control those mad ideas that frequently popped up in his mind, but whenever she heard one, she would certainly stop him.

She carefully finished peeling the lotus seeds, placed them on the lotus leaf beside his hand, then opened her palm and said: “The lotus seeds are for you, the medicine for me.”

Ning Yin lowered his gaze, the small medicine jar that he had been casually turning paused, and then was placed in her hand.

As he let go, his fingertips lightly brushed her palm, as if an inadvertent touch.

“Once in the morning and once in the evening.”

Ning Yin glanced up from the corner of his eye, saying with complete seriousness, “If I administer it personally, the effect would be better.”

The fragrance of lotus leaves drifted across the pond surface; taking a deep breath was refreshing to both mind and spirit.

“Ning Yin,” Yu Lingxi called out very softly.

Ning Yin turned his eyes to look at her.

“I’ve wanted to say this for a long time. Rather than seeing you die for someone, I’d much prefer to see you live for someone, live well.”

Yu Lingxi suddenly had a thought: she wanted to light up stars and moons in his dark eyes and make them rise with brilliant, flowing light.

If you can’t make everyone like you, then make everyone fear you.

After Yu Lingxi left, Ning Yin took a lotus seed in his mouth, carefully savoring her gentle words.

He didn’t taste the bitterness of the lotus seed but rather found sweetness.

Everyone cursed him to die, but only Yu Lingxi urged him to live well.

Since this was so, how could he dare to disappoint the Young Lady’s earnest expectations?

He curled his lips slightly, placed his hand on the railing, and looked up at the sky.

He was reluctant to die.

If one day the bird grew tired of his branch, he might as well seize a piece of the sky and keep her caged there.

……

The medicine ointment Ning Yin gave had remarkable effects. After eight or nine days of healing, the scabs on her arm began to slowly fall off.

The wound healed evenly, and it seemed it would not leave a scar.

On the day of the Seventh Night Festival, the Marquise of Qingping hosted an event, renting out the Sky Painting Bridge at Wangxian Tower, inviting the Yu sisters and the newly married Su Wan to view lanterns and enjoy a night stroll.

This had been arranged between the two families half a month ago, but it had been only ten days since the assassination attempt on the Yu family.

Yu Lingxi had some hesitation, but unfortunately, she heard that the old matriarch of the Tang family was gravely ill, and Tang Buli was quite distressed, wishing to light lanterns to pray for her grandmother’s blessing.

As Tang Buli’s only close friend, if Yu Lingxi were absent or broke her promise, it would seem somewhat inconsiderate.

“That child lost her parents, and such a vast family business is entirely supported by the old matriarch. Now her only support has fallen ill, and she is truly helpless and isolated. We should go keep her company.”

After hearing Yu Lingxi’s request, Lady Yu sighed and said, “Xinyi, take good care of your sister and Awan, and don’t be careless.”

Yu Xinyi nodded: “Don’t worry, Mother.”

“I’ll accompany them too,” said Yu Huanchen, who had hurried back from the military.

He never wanted to experience a second time what had happened on Yongning Bridge.

With Yu Huanchen and Yu Xinyi in charge of this outing, and bringing along skilled guards like Qingxiao and Qinglan, Lady Yu was slightly reassured, though she reminded them countless times to return early.

Yu Lingxi sent someone to invite Ning Yin.

That day when she was recovering in the brothel, she had promised Ning Yin that she would take him to release wishing lanterns, and now was the perfect opportunity.

At the end of the hour (5-7 PM), the lanterns were just being lit.

Yu Lingxi changed into a lotus-pink summer garment with an apricot-red bordered skirt, descended the stone steps with a soft silk gauze handkerchief in hand, and saw Ning Yin approaching with his hands behind his back.

He wasn’t wearing his usual dark-colored martial robe but had changed into light-colored clothes. His ink-black hair was partially tied up with a matching ribbon at the top of his head, while the other half cascaded down his shoulders. As he walked through the lantern light, he looked as handsome and noble as in her previous life—indescribably stunning.

Only when he stood before her did Yu Lingxi come back to her senses and ask: “Why are you dressed like this today?”

“Doesn’t the Young Lady like it?”

Ning Yin seemed to have seen through her little thoughts, saying in a deep voice that only she could hear, “Every time I wear snow-white clothes, the Young Lady can’t take her eyes off me.”

If she liked gentle young masters, he could pretend to be one.

“I do not!”

Yu Lingxi refuted without much conviction, then added, “You naturally look good in anything, but it’s rare to see you in light-colored clothes, so it just seems novel at first glance.”

In her previous life, Ning Yin loved to wear red clothes or purple robes, elegant and indolent, beautiful in an aggressively captivating way.

But when he wore white robes, his madness seemed contained, leaving only the cold, handsome beauty of a mountain deity.

“Ahem, ahem.” Yu Huanchen cleared his throat heavily behind her.

Yu Lingxi then restrained her flood of compliments, smiled, and blinked her eyes, lifting her skirts as she boarded the carriage.

The sky was half the color of rouge with lingering sunset, half covered in indigo twilight. At this junction of light and dark in the noisy mortal world, a sea of lanterns meandered.

The streets were crowded with many visitors.

The carriages moved with difficulty, all stuck at the ward gate, hardly moving a few feet in half an hour.

At this rate, who knew how long they would be delayed, so everyone had to get off and walk, with the guards following closely.

A tile-roofed shop was performing fire shows, with bare-chested men spitting flames three or four feet high, drawing cheers from the crowd.

Qingxiao led the way at the front, Yu Lingxi and Ning Yin walked side by side, while Yu Huanchen followed behind with Su Wan and Yu Xinyi.

Su Wan fingered the ice jade sword tassel she had prepared in her sleeve, a sweet nervousness appearing on her face, her round cat-like eyes constantly looking at her young and handsome husband beside her.

Unfortunately, her husband seemed preoccupied, staring unblinkingly at the guard called Wei Qi ahead of them.

She tried to present her gift several times but couldn’t find the right moment.

Yu Lingxi naturally noticed her brother’s inquiring gaze, and couldn’t help but smile, pretending to look straight ahead while lowering her voice: “Wei Qi, my brother is watching you, so you’d better behave well.”

She knew clearly that to make her family accept Ning Yin’s identity, hiding him wasn’t enough.

She might as well openly bring Ning Yin out, show his best side, and dispel her brother’s doubts.

Ning Yin could certainly guess her little scheme, also looking straight ahead: “When have I ever not behaved well in the Young Lady’s presence? Hmm?”

That “hmm” had a rising tone, carrying a seductive meaning, sounding particularly pleasing amid the clamor of the market.

Yu Lingxi turned and smiled, stopping in her tracks.

She looked toward the crowded Yinbing Pavilion nearby and said to Yu Huanchen, who had been secretly observing them the whole way: “Brother, may I buy a bowl of iced dessert?”

Yu Huanchen neither agreed nor objected, so Yu Lingxi happily went to arrange it.

She bought ten bowls of iced drinks, distributing lychee water and bayberry juice to her brother, sister, and the attendants. Only two bowls of grape custard did she reserve for herself and Ning Yin.

She gave iced drinks to everyone just so Ning Yin could reasonably enjoy this cold, sweet, refreshing bowl of grape custard.

Yu Huanchen didn’t suspect anything, only frowned as he took his wife’s bowl and said sternly: “Your constitution is cold, drink less.”

“Just one more sip, just one!”

Su Wan craved the sweetness of the lychee water, extending one finger as she softly pleaded, “Husband?”

The Young General Yu, who would not change his expression even when facing a hundred thousand enemy troops, was defeated by his wife’s large cat-like eyes.

“Wei Qi, here.”

While her brother and sister weren’t paying attention, Yu Lingxi handed one of the bowls to Ning Yin, then took the other bowl herself and elegantly sipped it.

On the pale purple grape ice, white fragrant milk and amber-colored honey were drizzled, emitting wisps of coolness in the reflection of the street lanterns.

Ning Yin scooped a spoonful with a small spoon and slowly brought it to his lips.

The coolness spread across his tongue, then dissolved into a slightly sour yet sweet fruit fragrance.

“Is it delicious?”

Yu Lingxi asked softly, the jeweled flowers in her hair reflecting bits of warm light.

Ning Yin suddenly had a thought: if some sorcery could make all the bustling, noisy figures in the street disappear, he would use it without hesitation.

This way, he could freely embrace the light before him, absorbing it into his bones and blood.

“It lacks some flavor.”

Ning Yin commented with a thin, upturned lip, though his eyes filled with deep warmth, “Not as good as the lychee and lotus seeds fed by the Young Lady’s hand.”

Yu Lingxi was slightly stunned, then her face flushed as she used her eyes to warn him: don’t push your luck.

So Ning Yin smiled with pleasure.

He and she savored the same sweet-and-sour taste, strolling in the river of light flowing against the current.

On the third floor of Wangxian Tower was a magnificent painting bridge spanning both sides of the street, like a magpie bridge built in mid-air, making it the perfect place to view lanterns and scenery on the Seventh Night.

Tang Buli had already prepared fruits, food, and wine, waiting in the private room.

Behind her stood an unfamiliar handsome young man.

Seeing Yu Lingxi and others enter, she forced her usual bright smile and welcomed them: “Suisui, Sister Xinyi, please come in and sit.”

“Ah Li.”

Yu Lingxi took Tang Buli’s hand, and then looked at the quiet young man behind her, “Who is this?”

“Oh, him! Grandmother always punished me by making me copy books. Being too playful and lazy, I once happened to meet him in a bookshop. Seeing he was good-looking and had some scholarly talent, I spent some silver to support him, letting him copy books for me.”

Tang Buli explained, her voice lowering, “But now Grandmother has fallen ill, and I don’t have spare money to keep him anymore. After tonight, I’ll send him away to find another path.”

Behind her, the handsome young man probably didn’t know he was about to be sent away, still quietly brewing tea, appearing very obedient and honest.

Tang Buli sniffed: “If Grandmother could get better, I’d be willing to copy books a hundred times.”

Yu Lingxi recalled how, in her previous life, after the Tang family’s decline, Tang Buli had hastily married, and felt concerned. She said softly: “The old matriarch has the age of a pine and the longevity of a crane, she will surely recover.”

“I’ll take Suisui’s kind words as a blessing.”

Tang Buli suddenly laughed, raising her spirits: “Let’s not talk about this anymore, let’s go release lanterns!”

Ning Yin was still sitting in the corridor, leaning on the railing and looking at the endless stream of people below, holding the half-eaten grape custard in his hand.

His fingernails were slender, easily supporting the white porcelain ice bowl with just one hand.

Yu Lingxi, fearing he would feel neglected, was just about to go over to him with a paper lantern when she heard Yu Huanchen exclaim “Oh!” and laugh: “Isn’t that Ah Cen?”

Yu Lingxi paused and followed her brother’s gaze.

At the foot of the painting bridge, the crowd was packed. Two young men in brocade clothes sat on horseback, blocked at the roadside, unable to move.

The one in white clothes and jade belt, showing not a trace of impatience on his face, was indeed Xue Cen; while the red-lipped, white-toothed young man in brocade robes beside him was Ning Zitao, the Prince of Nanyang, whom they hadn’t seen for a long time.

Yu Xinyi mischievously grabbed a piece of paper, crumpled it into a ball, and threw it down toward the painting bridge.

It happened to hit Ning Zitao’s chest.

Ning Zitao was already frustrated from being stuck and looked up angrily, but when he saw Yu Xinyi on the bridge, his tightly furrowed brows instantly smoothed out. He raised his arm, waving the folded fan in his hand, and called out loudly: “Commissioner Yu!”

Xue Cen raised his head accordingly and naturally saw Yu Lingxi holding a paper lantern on the painting bridge, his eyes brightening slightly.

Ning Yin, who was leaning on the railing watching, caught sight of Xue Cen, his eyes gradually darkening as he curled his lips into a sneer.

“I’ll go down for a moment.”

Yu Xinyi handed the wishing pen to Yu Lingxi, winked, and went downstairs with her hands behind her back to greet Ning Zitao.

Shortly after, Xue Cen came up from downstairs and greeted Yu Lingxi: “Second Sister.”

“Brother Cen.” Yu Lingxi hadn’t expected him to come up and returned his greeting.

In the corridor.

Ning Yin watched the two people exchanging greetings, expressionlessly picking up a piece of half-melted ice from the bottom of the bowl and putting it in his mouth.

Eyesore, he sneered.

After talking with Xue Cen for a while, Yu Lingxi went to the painting bridge to help Tang Buli with light-wearing lanterns.

The entangled lantern fires throughout the street suddenly became piercing to the eye.

Too much of an eyesore.

Ning Yin slowly bit the ice with a crackling sound.

He narrowed his eyes, glanced down at his plain white clothes, then frowned.

If blood-stained clothes of this color, it would likely ruin Yu Lingxi’s pleasure.

Taking another piece of ice and placing it in his mouth, Ning Yin tapped his fingers unhurriedly.

He wouldn’t kill Xue Cen; there were plenty of ways in this world to torment someone’s heart.

But he wondered how much this childhood friendship would count when faced with the interests of the Xue family.

……

Yu Lingxi came down from upstairs and found Ning Yin in the corridor.

He was still sitting in his initial posture, his eyes hidden in the shadow of the bamboo blind, the ice bowl beside his hand now empty.

“Wei Qi!”

Yu Lingxi ran over, catching her breath as she whispered, “Guess where I just went?”

Ning Yin glanced at her, the warmth in his eyes fading.

After leaning against the carved railing for a long time, he said with a half-smile: “I have no interest whatsoever in ‘where the Young Lady went to whisper with other men.'”

Yu Lingxi was stunned, then laughed: “What are you thinking?”

Ning Yin slowly replied: “I’m thinking of things that would make me happy but would not please the Young Lady.”

Yu Lingxi laughed.

She curved her eyes: “Come with me, I’ll take you somewhere.”

Ning Yin continued to look at her as if trying to see into the depths of her soul.

“Hurry up! Don’t let my brother notice.”

Yu Lingxi urged him softly again, the lantern light making her eyes beautiful and bright.

Only then did Ning Yin stand up, following her small quick steps as she lifted her skirt, ascending the stairs.

The top floor of Wangxian Tower was a small pavilion open to the breeze on all four sides, often used by scholars and talented young men to gain a high vantage point.

Because of the strong wind and cold night, there was no one else in the pavilion, only a single lamp for company.

“This is the place I just found, with an excellent view.”

Yu Lingxi smiled, reaching out to push open the window shutters. Instantly, the night sky appeared as dark as ink, stars hanging down, with the winding night scene of the capital city’s lanterns visible in its entirety.

That light rushed into Ning Yin’s eyes, causing him to blink.

He slowly walked to the window, standing shoulder to shoulder with Yu Lingxi, looking down. Their clothes rustled against each other in the howling wind, smoothing away all irritation in his heart.

“The Young Lady disappeared for so long, just to find this place?” Ning Yin raised an eyebrow.

“What else?”

Yu Lingxi said, “I climbed a full five floors to find such an unoccupied place.”

“Why?” Ning Yin stared at her and asked.

“What do you mean ‘why’?”

Yu Lingxi reached up to tuck the windblown hair at her temple behind her ear, smiling lightly, “Didn’t I promise to bring you to release wishing lanterns? With so many people watching downstairs, it wasn’t convenient.”

As she spoke, she took out the brush, ink, and paper lantern she had prepared earlier and placed them on the windowsill.

She began to write, inscribing an elegant sentence on the paper lantern: “May all things be as desired.”

Then she handed the brush to Ning Yin, resting her chin on her hands as she leaned on the windowsill: “You write too. Perhaps it will come true!”

Ning Yin did not believe in spirits or gods; these childish things were merely objects of derision in his eyes.

But he accepted the brush still warm from Yu Lingxi’s touch, and on the blank space on the other side of the sky lantern, his brush danced like dragons and snakes.

Yu Lingxi watched his handsome profile immersed in the lantern light, feeling as if they were in another world.

In her previous life, she had wanted to see the lanterns with Ning Yin, but it had never been realized.

Fortunately today, she had finally felt this small regret.

Her gaze lowered, falling on the wet characters Ning Yin had just written.

She was slightly stunned.

What he wrote was not some murderous phrase, but a resolute line: “May Suisui always have peace and tranquility.”

An ordinary sentence, but because it contained her nickname and his surname, it seemed extraordinary.

Seeing her lost in thought, Ning Yin set down the brush and asked: “Is the Young Lady satisfied with my calligraphy?”

Yu Lingxi collected herself, nodding in praise: “The writing reflects the man; naturally, I am satisfied.”

In both lifetimes, Ning Yin’s calligraphy had always been extremely beautiful.

Ning Yin laughed very softly: “Is the Young Lady’s mouth praising me, or praising the writing?”

“Wei Qi, you see, there are always things in this world that can make me happy and also make you happy, aren’t there?”

Yu Lingxi lit the paper lantern, and her smile spread in the entangled firelight.

The wind was strong on the pavilion, and she nearly couldn’t hold the paper lantern steady.

Ning Yin raised his hands from both sides, helping her stabilize the sky lantern that was about to tip over.

Their hands overlapped, shadows enveloped, and Yu Lingxi was completely encircled in Ning Yin’s embrace, feeling his gentle, steady breath brushing past her ear…

Her fingertips involuntarily trembled, and the sky lantern slipped from her grasp, wobbling as it flew toward the night sky.

The person behind her smoothly rested his hands on the windowsill, still maintaining his encircling posture, without any intention of letting go.

“There could be even happier things,” he said.