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The young nobleman sitting at this small stall immediately gave off a sense of extreme mismatch. While the stall was clean, the furniture was extremely old and simple. However, the nobleman was adorned in luxurious attire, looking exceptionally handsome with his flowing dark hair. His refined and scholarly demeanor sitting there gave people a feeling akin to a traditional Chinese ink painting, likely filled with vibrant flowers.
“Young Master, why are you sitting here? It’s so cold, and the offerings here probably don’t suit your taste. Let’s go back; the banquet must be ready by now,” the young attendant behind the nobleman softly spoke. He didn’t understand why the nobleman had chosen to sit here. As the nobleman’s attendant, he had never seen the nobleman sit in a place like this. The nobleman had a slight obsession with cleanliness; even sitting down, he would find the seat dirty. The attendant believed the nobleman was not suitable for such a place; the nobleman should be enjoying luxury and opulence.
The nobleman looked at the two coarse porcelain bowls on the table and said, “Shut up.”
The young man immediately fell silent, lowering his head. He knew the nobleman was displeased. Since earlier, the nobleman had seemed somewhat off, and now, sitting in this unfamiliar place and especially at a table that hadn’t been cleared after others had eaten, left him puzzled about the nobleman’s current mood.
“Would you like to sit or have a bowl of Yuanxiao, sir?”
The elderly man selling Yuanxiao approached. He had overheard the young man’s words and, judging by the nobleman’s attire and demeanor, sensed that this wasn’t someone accustomed to their humble fare. However, every guest deserved attention. He hoped the nobleman’s demeanor matched his refined appearance and wasn’t here to cause trouble.
“I’ll have a bowl of Yuanxiao,” the nobleman replied.
The elderly man took the bowl, while his wife came over to wipe the table clean. The nobleman started eating the Yuanxiao promptly served by the elderly man. At that moment, the young man, finally coming back to his senses from his astonishment, felt like a whirlwind of emotions. He couldn’t help but wonder, what was going on with the nobleman today? He actually ate the food here!
The nobleman slowly savored the Yuanxiao, finding it very sweet. However, his mind was preoccupied with many thoughts, a touch of bitterness creeping in. After only finishing one Yuanxiao, he stood up and left.
The young man thought to himself, “Indeed, the nobleman isn’t accustomed to outside food.”
“This nobleman appears wealthy and influential, but he doesn’t seem as content as that happy couple from earlier. They were full of love and joy, while he seems lonely, almost burdened by something. It seems that money can’t buy everything, after all.”
The elderly man glanced at the barely touched Yuanxiao and a silver ingot on the table, then turned to his wife, nodding in agreement. They didn’t have time to dwell on it further and continued attending to other customers.
Shen Zi’an and Su Zhi walked together on the street, surrounded by a crowd. Shen Zi’an protected Su Zhi as they walked, admiring the lanterns on both sides.
“This lantern is beautiful; let’s buy this one,” Shen Zi’an remarked as they strolled along.
Shen Zi’an noticed the Lotus Flower Lanterns and pointed them out to Su Zhi. Upon looking, Su Zhi indeed spotted two Lotus-shaped lanterns snugly placed together, resembling a pair of intertwined lotus blossoms. The pink lanterns had a base of dark green leaves, and the light shining through made them sparkle brilliantly. Amidst the sea of lanterns, they stood out remarkably.
Immediately taken with them, Su Zhi exclaimed, “Great, let’s buy those. Both of them, one for you and one for me.”
As they approached, just as Shen Zi’an was about to speak, they heard a soft female voice say, “Excuse me, sir, please take down those two Lotus Flower Lanterns for us to have a look.”
Shen Zi’an and Su Zhi were momentarily stunned. There were only two Lotus Flower Lanterns there. Had someone beaten them to it? Su Zhi felt a pang of disappointment but turned to look at the woman interested in the lanterns. Upon closer inspection, she realized it was an attractive wealthy young lady, evident from the presence of two maids accompanying her.
The young lady, in the bloom of youth, possessed a graceful and slender figure. Draped in a purple cloak over a red dress, her dark hair was adorned with a single gold hairpin encrusted with jade. Her demeanor was elegant and serene, with eyes glistening like pools of water, exuding a delicate charm. The lantern light enhanced the faint blush on her snow-white face, making her even more radiant.
The stall owner, a man in his fifties, was delighted to see a young lady of such standing interested in his lanterns. However, he didn’t hand them over immediately, smiling warmly as he explained, “Miss, these Lotus Flower Lanterns are meant for a couple; I only sell them as a pair. If you intend to gift them to your beloved, I will gladly sell them. Otherwise, I cannot part with them, let alone just one. Are you still interested in purchasing?”
The young lady blushed upon hearing this unexpected revelation about the symbolic meaning of the Lotus Flower Lanterns.
One of the maids interjected, “Sir, are you speaking the truth? My mistress truly adores these lanterns. Please don’t tease us.”
The stall owner reassured them, “I never deceive anyone. Each year, I only sell a pair of Lotus Flower Lanterns at this stall, always meant for a couple. I’ve never sold them individually. At my age, why would I play tricks on you? Besides, who pushes customers away in business?”
The young lady appeared even more disappointed upon hearing this. Just as she was about to leave, a slightly deep voice behind her requested, “Sir, could you kindly take down those two Lotus Flower Lanterns for us?” She raised an eyebrow, halting her steps, as the voice sounded somewhat familiar. When she turned around, she beheld a face she had been recalling for days.
Su Zhi noticed the young lady turning to look at them and found her even more stunning face-on. However, she couldn’t help but wonder why the lady kept staring at her husband.
Observing her husband, Su Zhi noticed Shen Zi’an’s profile illuminated by the lantern light, appearing sharp and handsome. Over these days, with the nourishment of Lingquan, his skin had become smoother and acquired a sun-kissed wheat-like hue, a complexion that suited him perfectly. Unconsciously, a rural man had transformed into a striking figure.
“Is this young lady so poised and demure, or is she infatuated?” Su Zhi couldn’t help but entertain such a thought as she noticed the young lady gazing at Shen Zi’an. Drawing closer to her husband, she reminded herself that while it was fine for other women to look, she would never tolerate any encroachment on her relationship. Even in ancient times where men could have multiple wives and concubines, she wouldn’t allow a third party into her life!
Accepting the lantern from the stall owner, Shen Zi’an handed it to Su Zhi, saying, “Wife, this lantern is for you.”
Taking it, Su Zhi glanced at the young lady, who finally met her gaze. Feeling a pang of insignificance, she mused on how it took the lady quite some time to look at her. She refused to believe that the young lady had no interest in her man. A woman only fails to notice others around a man when she’s interested in him!
“Husband, this Lotus Flower Lantern is exquisite. One for you and one for me. Even if we get separated, others will know we belong together. Just make sure to hold onto me tightly and not lose me,” Su Zhi playfully remarked.
Su Zhi chuckled, feeling a bit embarrassed by her own words. She questioned when she had stooped to such basic measures to assert ownership over a man. However, her love for Shen Zi’an was genuine, and she was ready to extinguish any threat to their happiness.
Upon hearing Su Zhi’s words, Shen Zi’an smiled and reassured her, “Don’t worry, I won’t lose you. If you’re concerned, I can carry you on my back later, so there’s no chance of losing you.”
Glancing at the young lady, Su Zhi thought to herself, “I hope you’ve given up after hearing this. It’s best to crush any budding affection you have for my husband and seek your own happiness elsewhere!”
“The young man and the young lady truly make a remarkable couple, destined to grow old together. This Lotus Flower Lantern is meant for you, a sign of fate that will ensure a lifetime of happiness,” the stall owner remarked jovially, looking at Shen Zi’an and Su Zhi as he accepted the payment. Seeing the young lady still lingering, he added, “Miss, would you like to look at other lanterns? The peony lantern is also exquisite and suits your demeanor quite well.”
“Thank you, sir. I’ll take a peony lantern, please,” the young lady said, gesturing for her maid to pay before stepping forward, blocking Shen Zi’an and Su Zhi’s path. With a slight bow, she addressed Shen Zi’an, “Sir, unexpectedly, we meet again. You left in a hurry that day, and I didn’t have the chance to thank you for saving my life. Seeing you today is fate; may I ask for your name so I can express my gratitude? My mother has been expressing her gratitude for your kindness these past days.”
Su Zhi couldn’t help but wonder at this turn of events. Why was this woman not only interested in her husband but also addressing him as a benefactor? She turned to Shen Zi’an and inquired, “Husband, who is this young lady?”
Shen Zi’an finally recognized the young lady before him as the one he had encountered briefly on the street that day. It was when her carriage horse had been startled, and he had managed to calm the horse down. On that occasion, she had alighted from the carriage, but his concern for his wife had led him to leave hastily without much conversation. He never expected to meet her again today. If she hadn’t spoken, he might not have recognized her.
“Wife, do you remember the day when there was a carriage horse incident, and I stopped the carriage? This young lady was in that carriage,” Shen Zi’an answered his wife’s question first before turning to the young lady, saying, “Miss, that day was a minor incident. There’s no need to dwell on it. Enjoy the Lantern Festival today, and please excuse us. Wife, let’s go.”
Shen Zi’an held Su Zhi’s hand and, bypassing the young lady, they walked away, each holding a lantern, continuing their stroll.