Chapter 53

The long dike of Bayin Lake stretched only more than ten zhang, yet Yiling felt as if she could never reach the end.

Pristine white snow blanketed the ground, and frost hung from the bare branches of the tall trees on either side, making the dike feel even colder and more desolate.

Throughout the walk, Xie Hengzhi hadn’t uttered a single word. He didn’t even glance at Yiling.

If it weren’t for the faint scent of pine drifting from him to her nose, Yiling might have forgotten his presence entirely.

Unable to resist, she stole a few glances at Xie Hengzhi.

Amid the hazy snowfall, his profile appeared even sharper, but his gaze carried a vague quality that made it impossible to decipher.

It was hard to believe this man had admitted his feelings before Shen Shufang just a quarter of an hour ago.

Though his words seemed more like a polite way to placate Shen Shufang, they might have been genuine.

The thought left Yiling frozen, her movements stiff and awkward, even as she walked.

Oddly enough, Xie Hengzhi looked entirely unaffected, as if nothing had happened.

Since he was acting this way, Yiling decided she needed to maintain her composure too. She couldn’t be the first to speak. That way, she could appear calm and unbothered, like someone who had seen it all.

So, Yiling set her face into a stoic expression, mirroring Xie Hengzhi’s demeanor.

Suddenly, it felt even colder.

No one noticed the palace attendants they passed quietly retreating to keep their distance. The colleagues from the Inner pavilion, who had initially been eager to greet Xie Hengzhi upon spotting his figure, promptly chose to take a detour when they saw the grim faces of the couple.

Only after they exited the palace gates and saw the two carriages waiting outside did Yiling’s expression remain unchanged, but her pace quickened involuntarily.

She glanced back over her shoulder and, seeing that Xie Hengzhi hadn’t followed her, sped up even more. By the end, she was almost running toward her carriage.

The moment she climbed into the carriage, she practically collapsed onto the soft cushions, fanning herself with her hands as she lay there.

Mallow hurried to untie the ribbon fastening Yiling’s cloak at the collar. When her fingers brushed Yiling’s neck, she exclaimed, “Goodness! It was such a short walk, and yet you’re sweating? Madam, are you that tired?”

Having been on edge the entire way, Yiling didn’t know how to explain her tension. She pretended not to hear and ignored Mallow entirely.

After all, for now, she didn’t have to face Xie Hengzhi anymore. Whatever came next could wait.

Just as she was thinking this, the carriage door suddenly opened.

Startled, Yiling looked up, only to see Xie Hengzhi stepping into her carriage and taking a seat.

The carriage, which had originally felt spacious, seemed slightly cramped with his arrival. Mallow said nothing and simply left on her own.

This left Yiling and Xie Hengzhi sitting across from each other.

Why was he squeezing in here when he had a larger, more comfortable carriage of his own?

“You’re not using your own carriage?” Yiling asked.

Sitting across from her, Xie Hengzhi adjusted his robes without looking at her. “This carriage doesn’t bear the Xie family name?”

“…”

That remark left Yiling speechless. As she watched him settle comfortably in the carriage, she felt an inexplicable discomfort spreading through her.

Flustered, she quickly blurted out, “I heard there’s a gathering in the eastern market tonight. I’m planning to take a stroll there.”

Hearing this, Xie Hengzhi raised his eyes to look at her.

Worried he might miss the hint, Yiling added, “You’re not planning to come along, are you?”

The words slipped out, and regret immediately followed. She had been too subtle. What if he took the opportunity to admit he wanted to stick around? Wouldn’t she be digging her own grave?

Nervously, she pressed her lips together and watched him closely.

Xie Hengzhi didn’t reply immediately. Instead, he studied her carefully.

In the silent standoff, Yiling could clearly feel herself losing this unspoken game. Whatever Xie Hengzhi intended to do, there was no room for her refusal.

Then, she heard him say, “Don’t worry, I don’t have time for that.”

With that, he stood and left the carriage, bringing with him a chilling gust of wind.

When the door shut, Yiling finally came to her senses.

The carriage felt empty again. While she breathed a sigh of relief, she also found herself staring absentmindedly at the door.

When Yiling arrived at the eastern market, she realized it was the Little New Year.

The past few days, the entire Xie household had been overshadowed by tension due to the matter concerning Hu Yanqi. Who had the mind to think about festivities?

Now, walking through the market, surrounded by the clamor of drums and flutes, Yiling saw a world adorned with brilliant lights and vibrant decorations. Yet she couldn’t summon much enthusiasm and merely observed the festivities in passing.

Every so often, she found herself thinking of Xie Hengzhi’s expression when he left the carriage.

It wasn’t fear she felt, but a vague sense of melancholy she couldn’t quite articulate—a feeling that lingered in her heart without reason.

Fortunately, the New Year festivities were lively. Since winter began, households typically shut their doors at sundown, but tonight, the city was abuzz with vendors calling out their final sales before the year’s end. Street vendors had also set up makeshift stalls.

Still, Yiling wasn’t interested in any of it. She wandered aimlessly, observing the latest snacks and amusements that were trending in the Shangjing.

Strangely, despite it being the New Year and not the Lantern Festival, there were numerous women carrying lanterns.

Curious, Yiling was about to investigate when Mallow, who had been dutifully following her, tugged at her sleeve. “Madam! Look at those beautiful lanterns over there!”

Yiling followed her gaze.

Night had already fallen, and the eastern market was dazzlingly decorated with lights that dazzled the eye. The place Mallow pointed to had set up a canopy supported by bamboo poles, under which a myriad of lanterns hung in elegant rows, illuminating a corner of the night.

It turned out to be a restaurant selling lanterns.

Such flamboyant displays naturally attracted more than just Yiling and Mallow. When they approached, the area under the canopy was already crowded with people, all craning their necks to admire the charming lanterns.

During the Lantern Festival, every lantern craftsman in the city would showcase their skills, hanging intricate and exquisite lanterns throughout the market.

But now, the lanterns before Yiling were merely ordinary six-sided hand lanterns—plain in design. Only their sheer number made them particularly eye-catching.

However, the one that truly caught Yiling’s eye was a flower basket lantern hanging in the center of the display.

“Did you bring any money?” Yiling asked Mallow softly.

“Not much,” Mallow replied, nervously clutching her small pouch. “Is it expensive?”

Yiling studied the flower basket lantern, raising her eyebrows slightly.

If she wasn’t mistaken, the body of the lantern was made of rosewood, while the floral branches were crafted from materials like coral, white jade, and tourmaline, accented with malachite and lapis lazuli.

These materials weren’t exceptionally rare, but the intricate craftsmanship of the floral carvings—delicate and lifelike—was extraordinary.

When the lamp was lit, the entire bouquet seemed to glow, its brilliance captivating.

Moreover, many of the lanterns had already been bought, leaving gaps in the display. Why was this most exquisite lantern still hanging there?

Surely the shopkeeper didn’t intend to keep it unsold?

The more Yiling thought about it, the more she liked the lantern.

She couldn’t let this outing be in vain. After all, she’d been braving the cold for long enough.

Glancing around, she gave Mallow a meaningful look.

“Excuse me, is the shopkeeper here?” Mallow called out. “Shopkeeper?”

After a moment, a young assistant emerged, bowing politely.

“Greetings, esteemed guests. Please, come inside!”

“There’s no need,” Mallow said, pointing to the flower basket lantern. “How much for this lantern?”

The assistant didn’t need to look to know which one she meant. With a smile, he replied, “This shop’s lanterns aren’t for sale.”

Yiling and Mallow exchanged a glance.

Not for sale?

Having turned away countless women coveting this lantern tonight, the assistant calmly repeated for the twenty-eighth time, “Our boss said that on such a fine evening, regardless of wealth, status, age, or gender, anyone who can complete the poem written on the lantern may take it home.”

Yiling: “…”

Suddenly, she found that the lantern wasn’t so attractive anymore.

Noticing the change in Yiling’s expression, the shop attendant seemed to understand and cheerfully said, “If you cannot match the poem, I won’t sell it even for a thousand gold coins.”

Was there truly such a merchant in the East Market who treated money like dirt?

Yiling looked up carefully and saw the plaque partially obscured by the lantern stand. On it were three bold characters: “Golden Bell Tower.”

No wonder.

In Yiling’s memory, the Golden Bell Tower had always been known for its gimmicks.

Over a decade ago, it was an unremarkable little building, but thanks to the literati who loved composing poems there, it earned a place in the East Market.

Over the years, its reputation had grown, but its cuisine had steadily declined.

Yiling held it in disdain. A restaurant should focus on perfecting its dishes rather than hosting some talent competition.

However, just as she was about to leave, Mallow suddenly exclaimed excitedly, “That’s perfect! Our madam is never short of talent! If she wishes, all your lanterns will be hers!”

These words immediately drew everyone under the lantern stand to look at Yiling.

A woman with a graceful and ethereal demeanor stood out in the bustling crowd, flanked by bodyguards, her distinguished status apparent.

Moreover, the maid’s bold declaration had attracted even passing vendors to stop and watch.

Yiling: “…”

If killing weren’t a capital crime under the laws of the Great Liang, Mallow would already be selecting her next family for reincarnation.

The shop attendant, seeing how Mallow’s wild boasting had drawn onlookers, quickly took the poem slip hanging from the exquisite lantern and handed it to Yiling.

“Madam, please.”

Reluctantly, Yiling took the slip and gave it a cursory glance. It read, “Mist locks the pond willows.”

It didn’t seem… too hard?

Yiling thought the bit of learning she had might suffice for this line.

After pondering briefly, she felt inspired.

Just as she was about to speak, the shop attendant added, “Madam, note carefully: the five characters in ‘Mist locks the pond willows’ correspond to the Five Elements—metal, wood, water, fire, and earth.”

…What on earth?

Her inspiration fled like a startled bird.

No wonder such an exquisite lantern had yet to be taken. Unless one was a top scholar, who could compose a matching verse?

And because the shop attendant had read the poem aloud, the crowd around them thickened.

Mallow, oblivious to the gravity of the situation, looked at Yiling expectantly, waiting for her to shine.

“Madam, just casually match it to show this shop attendant!”

The shop attendant cast a sideways glance at Mallow, smirking without a word.

The Golden Bell Tower had used this poem as their top challenge during every Lantern Festival for years, and no one had succeeded. It was merely a ploy to attract intellectuals.

Yiling saw through it now. The prized lantern was likely the owner’s treasure, never meant for sale, just displayed for show.

Yet under so many watchful eyes, was she really going to admit defeat?

Her urge to murder Mallow grew stronger.

…Perhaps it was time to persuade Xie Hengzhi to revise the laws of Great Liang!

At that moment, the owner of the Golden Bell Tower rushed out of the building, gesturing to the shop attendant and whispering in his ear.

The shop attendant’s expression shifted. The owner turned to glance at Yiling, then hesitantly approached and cupped his hands in apology.

“My lady, I deeply apologize…”

Yiling’s brow twitched. What now?

“What is it?”

Compared to the rash shop attendant, the owner of the Golden Bell Tower was far more discerning, his skill at reading people honed over the years. He could tell this woman was no ordinary guest, and he nearly bowed to the ground.

“Someone has already matched the poem, so this lantern…”

“So, I have no chance?” Yiling interrupted, her tone calm but laced with subtle mockery.

She discreetly pinched her palm to suppress the urge to laugh in front of the crowd.

“In a few days, it will be the Lantern Festival. Our shop will present even better lanterns then. Madam, you can…”

“How is this fair?” Mallow angrily interrupted the owner’s attempt to smooth things over. “Our madam clearly arrived first!”

The owner raised his head with difficulty, only to see Yiling sternly admonishing her maid: “A true gentleman does not take what others cherish.”

Without another word, she turned and led her entourage away.

“Do not act so ostentatiously in public again!”

A hundred meters away from the Golden Bell Tower, Yiling finally scolded Mallow with a stern face. “The capital is full of hidden talents. A single falling tile could hit two formidable individuals. Your arrogance will offend someone one day, and you won’t even realize it.”

Mallow wanted to say, Who could be more formidable than you, madam?

But upon seeing Yiling genuinely angry, she obediently admitted her fault. “This servant understands… I just thought it would make you happy.”

So Mallow had noticed that Yiling had been preoccupied tonight.

Yiling’s anger subsided significantly. She even comforted her maid. “I’m just tired from the cold weather. Once spring comes, I’ll be fine. Don’t worry.”

After speaking, she glanced at the dense night sky and sighed softly.

“Still, that lantern was truly beautiful.”

Her murmur was almost drowned out by the noisy night market, audible only to those nearby.
When she didn’t hear Mallow respond, Yiling turned her head—only to see the dazzling light of the lantern unexpectedly reflected in her eyes.

The bustling night market seemed to fall silent all of a sudden.

Yiling’s gaze lingered on the glittering flower-shaped lantern, her eyes shimmering faintly.

After a long moment, she followed the slender lantern pole upward, raising her eyes.

The instant she saw Xie Hengzhi, her inexplicably chaotic heartbeat made her instinctively turn her face away.

Gazing at the bustling crowd before her, Yiling blinked and steadied her breathing before turning back again.

When her eyes locked on Xie Hengzhi’s face once more, the sky was dark, and the lights were bright.

His face was enveloped in the interplay of light and shadow; even his deep-set brows and eyes seemed softened by the glow.

In the silence of their gaze, Xie Hengzhi placed the lantern’s pole into Yiling’s palm.

“The sky’s already dark. Aren’t you going home?” he asked.