Chapter 132: The Xiayuan Lantern Festival

Various lanterns were hung along the streets, stretching from the inner city to the outer city. Their shimmering light reflected against the moon, sparkling like a river of stars. During the lantern festival, the Xizhi Gate, near Yongping Street and Yongan Street, was opened, allowing the populace to come and go freely to admire the displays.

Bai Wuming accompanied An Yi through Liushao Lane, taking a shortcut to Yongping Street to view the lanterns, as that was the liveliest part of the inner city, teeming with crowds.

After walking in silence for a while, Bai Wuming glanced at Xiangqin, who was trailing behind An Yi and keeping a wary eye on him. He smiled and asked, "Younger Sister Nineteen, how have you been these days? What have you been busy with?"

"Copying calligraphy books and reading poetry and prose collections," An Yi replied. She had grown accustomed to Bai Wuming initiating small talk and no longer suspected him of having ulterior motives.

"Is Younger Sister Nineteen planning to become a talented lady?"

"It is to prepare for the Flower Appreciation Assembly," An Yi said with a sigh of resignation.

"Doing the same thing every day must be quite dull," Bai Wuming remarked with a sympathetic expression.

"It's alright," An Yi smiled faintly. Beyond the monotony of copying, she found a unique charm in reading poetry and experiencing the imagery within the verses.

"When shall we go back to eat the snacks at the Cuihua Workshop?" Bai Wuming made the next invitation quite naturally.

"I went with my second brother a few days ago," An Yi said casually.

"Your second brother serves in the barracks; why did he suddenly return?" Bai Wuming’s heart sank. If this involved the Northern Capital Army, it could spell serious trouble. What exactly had Gong Yanyou gotten himself into?

"There was a small matter at home, so my second brother came back specifically for it," An Yi said vaguely.

Bai Wuming’s eyes flashed. "What happened? Do you need my help?"

"Just a minor issue, it has already been resolved. No help is needed," An Yi replied.

"If you ever face any difficulties, just speak up. I will not refuse; I will certainly help you."

An Yi merely smiled.

"With all your time spent copying calligraphy and reading poetry, do you even have time to make medicinal pills?" Seeing Xiangqin blocked by someone approaching from the opposite direction, Bai Wuming quickly steered the conversation toward Han Songyan. He had learned from Han Songyan that An Yi was the one who had conceived the idea for the Heart-Saving Pill. Even then, he had been curious about this young, highly skilled girl. Later, when he met her in Lingnan, he hadn’t connected the two, only realizing the truth when he encountered her at the An residence.

"Even if I wanted to, I couldn't. I don't have enough medicinal ingredients on hand; I have to wait until I gather them all," An Yi said. She was counting on these pills to earn money, as she was currently relying on her savings from the bank.

"What ingredients are you missing? Does even the Jihuai Hall not have them?"

"If I buy ingredients from Jihuai Hall to make the pills, the cost is too high; it isn't worth it," An Yi said, purely from an economic perspective.

"If you go to buy them, you will definitely get the wholesale price. They won't overcharge you," Bai Wuming laughed.

"One cannot easily repay a debt of favor," An Yi noted.

"Sell the finished pills through Jihuai Hall, and the debt is repaid. In fact, you could let Jihuai Hall sell them, and they could provide the ingredients. You wouldn't have to spend a single copper," Bai Wuming’s eyes twinkled. "Unless the pills you make are not suitable for sale at Jihuai Hall."

"The pills sold at Jihuai Hall must undergo quality testing." An Yi could not take the pills researched by Ji Fanyi and sell them under someone else's name. Although Ji Fanyi wouldn't mind, as his apprentice, she was unwilling to do so; she preferred to walk the path of the wandering physician.

"That is indeed a troublesome matter," Bai Wuming realized. "Tell me what ingredients you are missing, and I will find a way to help you gather them."

An Yi was about to speak when she heard Xiangqin calling from behind: "Miss! Miss!"

An Yi turned around to see Xiangqin a few paces away. She stopped to wait for her to catch up.

Bai Wuming frowned slightly. This maid was a nuisance. Why did Younger Sister Nineteen have to bring her along?

Xiangqin, unaware of his thoughts, ran over and stuck tightly to her mistress’s side, not leaving her for a single moment. This left Bai Wuming with no further opportunity to steer the conversation toward Han Songyan or Young Master Gong, forcing him to limit his talk to the history of the lanterns.

***

As they spoke, the three arrived at Yongping Street, which had become a sea of lanterns. The lanterns hanging along the street were varied in shape—square, hexagonal, octagonal, round, flower basket, interlocking, twin fish, and more. Their colorful brilliance made the streets and alleys look as bright as day, and the crowds—men and women, old and young—were endless.

"Does Younger Sister Nineteen like riddles?" Bai Wuming asked.

"I am not very good at them," An Yi answered honestly.

"The lantern riddle contest held by the government office has very generous prizes. Would you like to try?" Bai Wuming was an expert at riddles and wanted to show off in front of An Yi.

"Is that so?" An Yi did not show much interest.

Bai Wuming looked down at her delicate, fair face, cast in colorful hues by the glowing lanterns, and sighed, "Younger Sister Nineteen, do you have no curiosity at all? Why don't you ask what the prize is?"

An Yi blinked and asked obligingly, "What is the prize?"

Bai Wuming smiled. "The smaller ones aren't worth mentioning, but the grand prize is a pair of jade-carved fish-dragon table screens."

"Do you want them?" An Yi glanced at him sideways.

"Don't you?" Bai Wuming countered.

"No," An Yi said. She did not know the value of the jade screens, and even if she did, she wouldn't want them. A government-sponsored contest would certainly attract many people; more people meant more trouble, and she already had enough of that. She just wanted to see the lanterns and go home.

"Then we won't guess riddles; let's go watch the acrobatics over there," Bai Wuming said, changing his plans immediately upon seeing her lack of interest.

"Alright," An Yi agreed.

The three followed the crowd toward the acrobatic stage. Along the square, four stages had been set up where performers were putting on energetic shows, and the watching crowd cheered in unison.

"Younger Sister Nineteen, there’s no good view if we squeeze to the front. Why don't we go up to the roof to watch?" Bai Wuming suggested.

An Yi was about to reply when she heard someone call out, "Miss An!"

An Yi looked around and saw Zhuang Manru and Tang Qinian approaching, surrounded by maids. Besides the maids, there were five young men she did not recognize. The person who had called her was the overly familiar Tang Qinian.

Bai Wuming frowned. How unfortunate—how had they run into them?

"Miss Zhuang, Miss Tang," An Yi greeted politely.

"If we had known you were coming to see the lanterns, we would have invited you to come with us," Zhuang Manru smiled.

"I decided to come out on a whim," An Yi said. There was little entertainment in ancient times, and women were bound by etiquette, leaving the house only a handful of times a year. On a festival like this, unless one was on the verge of death or in mourning, everyone came out to stroll. An Yi knew Zhuang Manru was just being polite, so she smiled coolly.

"Miss An, where did you buy this glass lantern? It’s so beautiful!" Tang Qinian asked.

"A friend gave it to me," An Yi said, glancing sideways at Bai Wuming, who had turned his face away. Was he pretending not to know her? Why?

"Ding-a-ling." Tang Qinian reached out and touched the small bell on the glass lantern. "The sound is so crisp."

"Miss An, have you been separated from your family?" Zhuang Manru noticed only a maid standing by An Yi. She didn't see anyone else, and she took Bai Wuming, who was looking elsewhere, to be just another passerby.

"No, I came out with my maid."

"Then let's walk together. These are my brothers, and these three are my brothers," Tang Qinian said, enthusiastically inviting An Yi to join them.

The five young men were well-bred aristocratic sons; they looked at An Yi with smiles, making no frivolous comments.

"No need, I have been out for a long time and should head back," An Yi politely declined.

"You're leaving so soon? The Water Official will be bestowing blessings soon; you should receive the blessing before you go. My family’s carriage is at the street corner; we can take you home," Tang Qinian suggested.

"That won't be necessary. I'll just buy a few things over there and then head back; I won't delay your lantern viewing," An Yi smiled, nodded slightly to Zhuang Manru, and turned to leave with Xiangqin.

Tang Qinian watched An Yi’s retreating back, pursing her lips with a trace of desolation in her eyes.

Zhuang Manru tugged at her sleeve. "Qi'er, let's go guess riddles!"

"Alright," Tang Qinian smiled. She would not be discouraged; she would eventually build a good relationship with An Yi. She understood the saying: "Before one knows the taste of the aunt's food, one must first let the little aunt have a taste."

After walking a few steps, Zhuang Manru looked back and saw Bai Wuming walk up to An Yi’s side, the two walking shoulder-to-shoulder. Her eyes shifted—so she was having a secret rendezvous with a man. How bold! If this were known, what would happen to her reputation?

On the other side, An Yi no longer wanted to stroll. "I am going back."

"Alright, I will see you home," Bai Wuming said.

"No need, I will hire a sedan chair. I’ve walked quite a distance and I’m tired," An Yi said with lowered eyes.

"I will go hire one for you." Bai Wuming did not force her to stay. Inviting her to see the lanterns had been the original plan; whether he could find out news about Young Master Gong was not important, as he would return to the capital tomorrow under the identity of Han Xuanye.

A sedan chair was quickly hired, and An Yi and Xiangqin boarded. Bai Wuming quietly followed behind the chair to escort her home.

As soon as An Yi stepped off the sedan chair, she heard the sound of horse hooves. Before she could react, she saw An Qinghe riding toward them. Oh no, what was she to do now?

An Qinghe spotted An Yi and dismounted. "Xi'er, why are you standing outside the door? Where have you been? Where are you coming back from?"

"I went to see the lanterns," An Yi replied.

"You went to see the lanterns with only one maid?" An Qinghe asked in surprise.

"Yes," An Yi had no intention of exposing Bai Wuming.

"Didn't your father tell you? If you go out, take more people with you." An Qinghe did not scold her for going out at night, only urging her to bring more people next time.

"I know, I’ll bring more people next time," An Yi wrinkled her nose. "Father, how much have you been drinking? You smell of alcohol."

"Not much, just a few cups," An Qinghe laughed.

Just then, An Kang’s sedan chair also arrived. He stepped out and asked, "Father, Younger Sister, why are you two standing at the gate chatting so late at night?"

"Oh, Big Brother also reeks of alcohol," An Yi covered her nose in disgust.

Distracted by An Yi’s remark, An Kang didn't bother to ask why she had been standing outside at such an hour. They entered the house, went to their respective rooms to bathe and change, and went to bed, enjoying a peaceful night's sleep.

***

Translator's Note: Apologies, due to a power outage and being stranded in the city by a rainstorm, I was unable to return home earlier.