The city residents had a strange illusion that after the New Year passed, the festive atmosphere in Jin Jun City became even stronger. More red lanterns were hung in streets and alleys, and the main streets were washed again and again, so clean that not even a speck of mud could be found.
Two days later, several theater troupes were invited to perform. The stage was set up in front of the City King Temple, a full story high. People could often hear their high-pitched singing during rehearsals, and the open space began filling with various vendors setting up stalls, and selling snacks, pastries, fireworks, and delicate toys.
Logically, being only eighty li from the front line and serving as a serious supply transit point, Jin Jun City should have been in strategic mode—with curfew beginning half an hour earlier and no alcohol sales. However, starting from the fifth day of the New Year, the Governor unexpectedly ordered that the city gates remain open at night, the city be illuminated with lights, and wine shops and restaurants freely supply liquor.
One rule after another seemed to directly oppose the strict orders from the royal capital.
Of course, ordinary citizens wouldn’t ponder why the Governor’s mind had suddenly gone haywire; they simply celebrated joyfully. It wasn’t even past the first month yet, when people would normally still be celebrating the New Year.
On the fourteenth day of the first lunar month, Jin Jun City held a prayer lantern festival. All kinds of colorful lanterns were hung in front of the City King Temple, the stage was filled with the clamor of gongs and drums, creating a lively atmosphere, and even the river water was illuminated:
The citizens of Jin Jun released countless lotus lanterns into the water, letting them drift away with the current. Viewed from a distance, those countless weak yet orange-red lights truly resembled stars in the sky.
During these days, Governor Ke faced numerous criticisms, but even though his heart trembled, he still had to organize this grand event because—
This was Yun Ya’s wish.
The great State Preceptor Yun wanted to experience a lively fourteenth day of the first lunar month!
That day, without waiting for Feng Miao Jun to hint subtly, Yun Ya directly asked her to inform Governor Ke that he would only be pleased, and would only grant Governor Ke’s wish, after personally experiencing such a lively event.
Governor Ke was well aware of the State Preceptor’s influence with the King. Gritting his teeth, he complied.
Now Yun Ya and Feng Miao Jun stood under a large banyan tree behind the City King Temple. The front of the temple was packed with people, but here there were only a few cats. Feng Miao Jun didn’t quite understand—if he wanted liveliness, why didn’t he go to the crowded front? Why come here to look at a tree?
Although, this banyan tree was indeed growing splendidly, with a trunk so thick it would take twenty people joining hands to encircle it. Most special was that even in this freezing season, it still maintained a magnificent canopy of emerald leaves covering the sky.
How could such a tree not be bare in weather cold enough to freeze droplets of water? Impossible, right?
The branches were hung with countless red envelopes, clearly showing that the city’s residents treated this mysterious large tree as a wishing tree, writing their wishes on notes, sealing them in envelopes, and hanging them on the tree.
Yun Ya took out a bottle of wine, filled a cup to the brim, and poured it at the base of the tree, silently chanting something.
His expression was solemn, showing a rare dignity.
In this manner, he poured three cups of wine onto the roots.
Who was he commemorating? Feng Miao Jun didn’t know why he had come here to perform this ritual, but that person must have been very important to him.
She became even more curious about his past.
Even Mo Tizhun hadn’t been able to clarify Yun Ya’s origins.
After the three cups of wine, Yun Ya put away his previous solemn expression and smiled at her: “Don’t you want to make a wish?”
“I was just thinking of that.” Feng Miao Jun examined the big tree, “What kind of wish is most likely to come true with this tree?”
Did the State Preceptor also believe in such things? Actually, wouldn’t it be easier to have her wishes fulfilled if she made them to him directly?
“Wealth and marriage.”
Feng Miao Jun gave an “oh” and went to the temple to get paper and pen to write her wish. When she came out, Yun Ya saw only a red envelope in her hand and couldn’t help asking: “What did you write?”
She wanted to roll her eyes: “It won’t come true if I tell you.”
He persisted: “Whether you’re wishing for marriage or wealth, you can at least tell me that, right?”
Feng Miao Jun said helplessly: “For wealth, great wealth.”
“What’s so difficult about that? It can be fulfilled in an instant.” Yun Ya stroked his chin, “Why not wish for marriage?”
“Marriage shouldn’t depend on wishes.” She smoothed her hair, which had been disheveled by the night wind. “I want to decide for myself.”
“Oh?” He seemed very interested, “What kind of man does An’an want to marry?”
“Is the Young Master going to help me find someone?” She leaped onto the tree, chose a branch in the southeast to hang her red envelope, and then nimbly jumped down. “He must be handsome, with a good physique, strong stamina, devoted only to me, not taking concubines, not cheating, not flirting with other women outside.”
“This…” He raised his eyebrows. What did she mean by “strong stamina”? Why would she want a man with superhuman strength?
Feng Miao Jun maintained a straight face in front of him. As a lady, of course, she couldn’t explicitly say she wanted someone “well-endowed and good in bed”—that would be too vulgar, wouldn’t it?
But the man she would marry in the future definitely couldn’t be “all show and no substance”—useless when needed.
Before Yun Ya could finish speaking, a long laugh interrupted him: “Haha, what’s so difficult about that? Leave it to me…”
Following that, a brocade-clad man strolled out from the temple with his hands behind his back. He was tall, with sword-like eyebrows and bright eyes, appearing to be around twenty-eight or twenty-nine years old. Feng Miao Jun recognized him—another acquaintance.
Although they hadn’t seen each other for several years, his face hadn’t changed much; his nose was still that nose, his mouth still that mouth.
The second son of the Wei King, Xiao Yan.
Feng Miao Jun had originally been facing away from the temple’s back door, with her back to Xiao Yan, so he could only see her graceful silhouette. When she turned around, Xiao Yan’s words caught in his throat, and he suddenly lost his voice.
To think the world had such a beauty, as clear and enchanting as flowers blooming under the moon, with features that suggested a blossoming beauty about to fully bloom.
Xiao Yan couldn’t move his eyes away for a moment.
Yun Ya’s face showed displeasure: “Why aren’t you at home taking care of your children? What are you doing here?”
Children? Feng Miao Jun’s expression changed slightly. Had Xiao Yan been promoted to fatherhood? Indeed, when they met at Ju Ping Village before, he was already quite mature in age, and being a lecherous man, having a brood of children wouldn’t be surprising.
Xiao Yan came back to his senses and smiled: “The commotion here is too great; Father is unhappy, so I came to take a look.” He couldn’t help glancing at Feng Miao Jun again, thinking that the State Preceptor had either been abstinent for many years or had directly found such an incredibly beautiful woman, which was indeed consistent with his character of making a tremendous impact when he finally acted.
“Seen enough?” Yun Ya waved his hand, “You can leave now.”
“Fine, fine, I’m done looking.” Xiao Yan withdrew his gaze, no longer looking in Feng Miao Jun’s direction. “I know you’re upset and that’s why you won’t go to Ji Yuan, but instead come to this place to seek amusement. But this matter really can’t be blamed on the King…”
With these words, Feng Miao Jun finally understood—Yun Ya wasn’t creating such a big commotion in Jin Jun City just for his entertainment, but to show it to the royal army eighty li away!
He wanted the people there to know that he had returned to Wei territory but was extremely displeased and unwilling to return to the army.
Oh my goodness, could this guy be so dramatic?