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Chapter 88 – Compared to the life-saving grace, this is nothing!
On the evening of the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, the Lantern Festival, the lantern viewing would only start when it was completely dark.
Xia Tian had an appointment with Ji Jin at dusk. She hadn’t even had dinner, and she left with Ning Xiang and Ning Xue.
A few people stayed behind at Jinglan Yuan for guard duty, and the rest were given a break, so they could go out and enjoy the lanterns.
At first, Xia Tian had thought about only taking Ning Xue with her, leaving Ning Xiang to go out and have some fun with others.
But when she mentioned it to Ning Xiang, Ning Xiang said she didn’t know anyone, so Xia Tian decided to take her along as well.
Shen Nian also accompanied them, and Mu Feng drove the carriage, taking them first to the teahouse, Tea Delight Pavilion, where they were supposed to meet Ji Jin. After seeing them go inside, he left, saying he’d come back later to take them to see the lanterns once it was completely dark.
Xia Tian went up to the second floor with Ning Xiang and Ning Xue, where Ji Jin and Lin Sanyu were already waiting.
When Ji Jin saw her enter, he quickly greeted her.
“Miss Xia, please, sit.”
“Good evening, both of you.”
Xia Tian smiled and greeted them, sitting next to Ji Jin.
Lin Sanyu picked up the teapot and poured Xia Tian a cup of tea. “Have some tea.”
Xia Tian was curious. Why were they being so enthusiastic today? Was something going on?
“Did you two call me for something?”
“No, we just invited you for tea,” Ji Jin said with a smile, seeing Xia Tian’s inquisitive look.
Xia Tian didn’t believe it, but she didn’t press further.
She hadn’t seen Hu Mengyao yet, which surprised her. The three of them—Ji Jin, Lin Sanyu, and Hu Mengyao—were usually inseparable.
So she asked, “Where’s Hu Mengyao?”
“She’ll be here soon, probably any minute now,” Lin Sanyu said, glancing down at the stairs.
Their private room had a direct view of the street in front of the teahouse from the second floor. The street was bustling, with many shops hanging large lanterns outside their doors.
Just as Lin Sanyu finished speaking, the door to their room opened, and Hu Mengyao walked in.
“Who’s talking about me?” she asked as she entered.
When no one answered, she pointed at Xia Tian, “Hey, was it you?”
Xia Tian rolled her eyes. “I don’t answer to ‘hey’!”
“Then what should I call you? Xia Tian? With a name like that, I’m embarrassed to say it out loud.”
“Why, what’s wrong with my name?” Xia Tian asked.
“Does your family have other siblings named Spring, Autumn, and Winter?” Hu Mengyao asked, sitting down and leaning in to look at her.
“Tsk tsk, you should really stop talking. With that brain of yours, you expose yourself as soon as you speak,” Xia Tian shook her head, mocking her.
“What’s wrong? What did I say that’s wrong?”
“Then tell me, why do you think I’m called Xia Tian and not Spring or Autumn?”
“What? Does your family like Xia Tian?” Hu Mengyao asked.
“I don’t want to talk to her anymore, afraid I’ll catch stupidity,” Xia Tian said while looking at Ji Jin and Lin Sanyu, inching closer to Ji Jin.
“Am I wrong?” Hu Mengyao noticed Xia Tian’s move as though she wanted to distance herself and got a bit annoyed.
Lin Sanyu quickly tried to calm the situation, “Miss Xia, her last name is Xia.”
Hu Mengyao, who had been glaring at Xia Tian in dissatisfaction, froze for a moment, then realized what was going on. Her face turned bright red.
“Hahaha…” Xia Tian couldn’t help but laugh at Hu Mengyao’s flustered expression. Hu Mengyao, embarrassed by the laugh, lightly punched Xia Tian’s shoulder. “You’re so annoying, you should have said that earlier.”
Seeing Hu Mengyao acting so shy, Xia Tian felt a chill. “Just go back to your usual self, with your claws out. I can’t handle this shy version of you.”
Hu Mengyao, no longer embarrassed, regained her usual demeanor. “What are you saying? When have I ever been all claws out?”
“Right now.”
“You!” Hu Mengyao rolled up her sleeves, looking ready to start a fight.
Ji Jin, seeing the endless back-and-forth between them, quickly interrupted. “You two, quiet down. Let’s talk quietly for a bit.”
She then turned to her maid, “Luoying, take the other young ladies to the table over there. We don’t need your service here.”
“Yes, Miss.” Luoying nodded and motioned to Ning Xiang and Ning Xue, “Sisters, let’s go sit over there.”
Ning Xiang and Ning Xue glanced at Xia Tian, who nodded, and then followed Luoying to the other table.
Once the maid had moved the others away, Ji Jin leaned forward and quietly said, “Liu San is dead, do you know?”
“Dead?” Hu Mengyao and Lin Sanyu exclaimed softly.
The two of them had been restricted from leaving the house since the fifth day of the new year, under the strict orders of their families. Today was the first time they’d been allowed out, thanks to Ji Jin’s invitation.
“Yes, I heard it from my brother. He told me not to tell anyone. It’s been causing quite a stir these past few days.”
“Could it be… because of that?” Hu Mengyao seemed worried. “My father hasn’t let me go out lately. I’m getting so bored at home.”
Lin Sanyu nodded, “My father’s the same, afraid I’ll cause trouble, so my mother doesn’t let me out either.”
“It’s all over now, don’t worry.” Ji Jin reassured them.
Xia Tian thought to herself that it was probably because the adults were worried they’d hear about Liu San’s death and that it might expose some flaws they were trying to keep hidden.
If they were allowed to go out now, it probably meant that the issue with Liu San was no longer a threat.
Ji Jin noticed that Xia Tian didn’t seem surprised and figured she must have already known.
Indeed, with Shen Nian around, she had likely been informed beforehand.
Ji Jin had invited them out today to talk about this. With Liu San dead and the people who followed him also gone, there was no longer any threat. She felt much more at ease.
At first, she had only suspected something, but after hearing her brother’s confirmation, she was certain that Liu San had targeted her. If Xia Tian hadn’t been there that day, she might have ended up in serious danger, and Hu Mengyao and Lin Sanyu would have been dragged into it as well.
Both Hu Mengyao and Lin Sanyu agreed that Liu San’s death was a good thing. He had been bullying others just because his father was the Minister of War.
“Humph, he really got off easy. With all the bad things he did, he deserved to die ten times over,” Hu Mengyao huffed angrily.
“Exactly, he should have died a long time ago,” Lin Sanyu chimed in, her tone cold.
“Alright, since he’s already dead, let’s not talk about him anymore.” Ji Jin changed the topic and took out a small box from her sleeve, placing it in front of Xia Tian. “I mainly came today to thank you, Miss Xia.”
“This is…” Xia Tian was puzzled. Was Ji Jin giving her a gift?
“Open it and take a look,” Ji Jin urged.
Xia Tian opened the box, and inside was a pair of sapphire bracelets. They were clear, flawless, and radiant, which told her this gift was incredibly precious.
Xia Tian closed the lid and pushed the box back toward Ji Jin. “This is too expensive, I can’t accept it.”
“Please take it. If it weren’t for you that day, we wouldn’t have made it out alive. Compared to the life-saving grace, this is nothing,” Ji Jin pushed the box back toward her.
“I was just looking out for myself. You don’t need to be so polite,” Xia Tian continued to refuse.
“It’s different. The chance to meet you that day and to go admire the plum blossoms together—it was our fate,” Ji Jin said sincerely, not taking no for an answer.
“Ugh, are you two done? Just take the gift, why make such a fuss?” Hu Mengyao, frustrated with the back-and-forth, spoke up.
“Yeah, Miss Xia, just take it. If you hadn’t been there that day, I would have never made it out. It would have all been over,” Lin Sanyu also started to persuade her.
“Fine, fine! I can’t argue with you guys,” Xia Tian relented, “Thank you, Miss Ji.”
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@ apricity[Translator]
Immerse yourself in a captivating tale brought to life through my natural and fluid translation—where every emotion, twist, and character shines as vividly as in the original work! ^_^