novelraw Chapter 74 : The Mid-Autumn Festival Garden Fair
Chapter 74 : The Mid-Autumn Festival Garden Fair
74: The Mid-Autumn Festival Garden Fair
A thought flashed through Qin Wan's mind. "Your elder brother is also skilled at the qin?"
Wei Yanzhi nodded. "Yes. My elder brother has been exceptionally talented since childhood. Mother hired the best qin master in the capital to teach him. When he grew older, Father said a real man shouldn't spend all his time on zithers and lutes. So, my brother gradually set this path aside. 'Seagulls Forget Their Cunning' is my brother's favorite qin piece. I've heard it countless times; I recognized it from the first few notes."
Qin Wan pursed her lips. "Young Master Wei, did you know Miss Song was also skilled at the qin?"
A flicker of pain appeared in Wei Yanzhi's eyes. He nodded. "Naturally, I knew. Xiao Rou became interested after watching my brother practice. The same qin master taught both of them. Their techniques can be considered as coming from the same lineage."
Qin Wan nodded, suddenly recalling the bite marks she had seen on Song Rou's shoulder. Those marks were made within the last seven months. If not a coincidence, the implication could only lean toward intimacy. Song Rou was raised in deep seclusion; the men she could ordinarily come into contact with were likely just a few male cousins. Could it have been the Wei family's eldest son, with whom she practiced the qin?
"So that's how it is. I heard your elder brother was originally supposed to escort the bridal procession, but he broke his leg a few days before?"
Wei Yanzhi nodded again. "Besides loving the qin, my brother also enjoys taming and riding fine horses. That day, he fell from a horse while trying to tame one and injured his leg. So, I had to come instead."
Qin Wan gave a slight nod. "Is your elder brother recuperating in the capital now?"
"That's right." Wei Yanzhi sighed. "My brother is also destined for an official career. If he's left with a permanent disability, his life would be ruined."
The Wei family had no hereditary noble titles to rely on. For their children to rise above others, the only path was entering the civil service. And according to Great Zhou law, those with physical disabilities were barred from official service.
Qin Wan listened and nodded in understanding. Meanwhile, Yue Ning said, "Today is for you to have fun. Don't think about so many things. Set aside the matter of Miss Song for now. Let's all relax a little."
Hearing this, Wei Yanzhi managed a bitter smile. "I've dampened everyone's spirits."
A faint smile touched Qin Wan's lips. "How could that be? We all understand Young Master Wei's deep feelings and profound grief. We merely hope you won't burden yourself with excessive worry. Even Miss Song, if she knows in the afterlife, would not wish for you to be like this."
Wei Yanzhi nodded. "I understand everyone's kindness. Thank you."
Yue Ning blinked. "Alright, let's keep moving forward. Shall we go buy a lantern to play with up ahead?"
Qin Wan naturally agreed. "As the Young Princess wishes."
The group continued onward. On the lake, the melodious qin music still played. Before long, a woman's ethereal singing voice also rose. Yue Ning commented, "There are some ordinary pleasure boats here. The women on them usually possess some literary or artistic talent but have fallen into the world of entertainment. The young noblemen of Jinzhou are particularly fond of coming here for amusement."
Qin Wan blinked. "How does the Young Princess even know about such things?"
Yue Ning gave a soft snort. "Do you take me for one of those delicate young ladies from the capital who never steps foot outside the inner courtyards?"
"Of course not."
Qin Wan shook her head with a chuckle. She looked up and saw that the wine shops and teahouses lining the lantern market were also decorated like jade palaces and jeweled towers. The sky grew darker, making the myriad lights appear even more brilliantly colorful. The entire Li River Lake was illuminated as if in a fantasy realm. The further Qin Wan walked, the more she felt an unreal, dreamlike sensation.
"Come, let's go take a look over there..."
Yue Ning grabbed Qin Wan's wrist and looked back at Yue Jia and the others. "Elder Brother certainly won't be interested in these things. Elder Brother, why don't you take His Highness Yan Chi and Young Master Wei to the literary society area..."
The places Yue Ning wanted to go were all stalls selling trinkets, along with cosmetics, jewelry, and fine silks. Naturally, Yue Jia and the other men would have no interest. Hearing Yue Ning's suggestion, Yue Jia nodded and then invited Yan Chi and Wei Yanzhi to take a different path.
Night had completely enveloped Jinzhou City, and the crowds at the lantern market grew denser. Yue Ning held tightly to Qin Wan's hand, and Qin Wan held Fuling's, just managing to avoid being separated by the throng. "Look, these lanterns over here are small and exquisitely made. Do you want to buy one?"
The three of them stopped before a stall selling lanterns. The small stall's racks were hung full of little lanterns, each with a different design. There were elegant small lanterns patterned with plum blossoms, orchids, bamboo, and chrysanthemums, and even lanterns shaped like birds, fish, insects, and beasts. Qin Wan's gaze swept over them and she pointed to an orchid-petal lantern. "This one is pretty. Which one does the Young Princess like?" She then turned to Fuling. "Fuling, which one do you like?"
Fuling's eyes had already begun to sparkle. Looking back and forth, she pointed to a magpie-shaped lantern. "Young Mistress, this servant likes this one."
Yue Ning stroked her chin. "I don't want one. I don't like these things. I'm only here to accompany you."
Qin Wan tilted her head. "One orchid lantern, one magpie lantern, and one more... a Green Sparrow lantern!"
Yue Ning frowned, about to decline, but Qin Wan immediately said, "Since we've come together to this Mid-Autumn Festival garden fair, the Young Princess should enjoy it with us. Otherwise, it would seem we are being too presumptuous."
Yue Ning pressed her lips together but ultimately said nothing. Qin Wan took out her coin purse from her sleeve, and soon she, Yue Ning, and Fuling each held a lantern as they stepped away from the stall. The moment they left, even more people crowded in, a testament to the sheer number of visitors today.
Looking at the Green Sparrow lantern in her hand, Yue Ning felt a warmth in her heart. Among the three lanterns, this Green Sparrow lantern was the most expensive. The Green Sparrow was a mythical divine bird, ranked just below the phoenix. By buying this, Qin Wan intended to acknowledge her noble status and also convey wishes for good fortune and happiness. Yue Ning tightened her grip on the lantern. It had been many years since she last bought a lantern for herself to play with.
"Huh? What's that over there..."
They had only taken a couple of steps when they saw another stall ahead, also surrounded by a dense crowd. Yue Ning focused her gaze. "It's a mask vendor. Look, those people in front have them on their faces..."
The Mid-Autumn Festival had sacrificial connotations, so masks had also become a festive necessity.
Qin Wan's lips curved upward. "Let's go take a look."
It wasn't that Qin Wan had suddenly become playful; she remembered that once, long ago, her father and mother had planned to take her to the capital's Mid-Autumn Festival garden fair. Compared to Jinzhou's, the capital's fair was even grander and more lively. But that time, just as they were about to leave, an urgent case from the Court of Judicial Review arrived. Her father had no choice but to go to the yamen first.
Without her father, she and her mother lost interest in going. So, that garden fair never happened. Later, her father felt deeply remorseful, saying they would go the following year. He had someone buy those little lanterns for Qin Wan to bring home, managing to capture some of the festive spirit.
But that was the only time. In the following two years, every Mid-Autumn Festival, either her father was away on a case, or yamen affairs were too numerous. Seeing this, she naturally stopped mentioning the garden fair. If not for that night on the twenty-first of July, perhaps now she and her father and mother would be a family reunited, buying lanterns together at the capital's garden fair.
Thinking this, Qin Wan had already reached the mask stall. The racks held masks of various colors, most painted with patterns of ancient mythical beasts. Qin Wan looked at Yue Ning. "Which one does the Young Princess like?"
Yue Ning pressed her lips. "I didn't really want one. But if you're buying, then you decide."
Qin Wan's eyes shifted thoughtfully. "The Young Princess's nature is free-spirited and unrestrained. How about choosing the Earl of Wind?"
The Earl of Wind was one of the ancient mythical beasts, a wind deity who could control the winds and rains of the mortal world. Qin Wan's choice naturally suited Yue Ning's temperament. Yue Ning glanced at her sideways for a moment. "I didn't expect you to know so much. Fine, that one then."
Qin Wan looked at Fuling again. "What do you want?"
How would Fuling recognize these ancient mythical beasts? She shook her head in confusion. "Whatever Young Mistress chooses, this servant will wear."
Qin Wan looked back at the masks, pondering briefly. "You shall wear the Three-legged Crow!"
Delight appeared in Fuling's eyes, though she didn't know what the Three-legged Crow symbolized. The mask vendor, originally busy attending to customers, noticed Qin Wan's knowledgeable selection and began paying attention to their conversation. Hearing this, the vendor laughed. "You are quite impressive, young lady. You recognize all these mythical beasts?"
Qin Wan curved her lips slightly. "I recognize a few."
"You're too modest, young lady!" The vendor then looked at Fuling. "This Three-legged Crow is an auspicious bird, representing the spirit of the sun. It brings joy and good fortune. I see you, young lady, have a round face and clear eyes. You must have a simple, lively, and loyal nature. The Three-legged Crow is most fitting for you!"
Fuling took the mask the vendor handed over, overjoyed.
The vendor then looked at Qin Wan. "And what would the young lady choose?"
At this question, both Yue Ning and Fuling looked at Qin Wan. Qin Wan, however, seemed to have already decided. She pointed to one. "I want this one!"
Fuling followed the direction Qin Wan pointed and immediately frowned.
Yue Ning's Earl of Wind had a human face and bird body, and with its exquisite painting, it was quite pleasing to the eye. Fuling's Three-legged Crow was even more intricate and gorgeous. But the one Qin Wan pointed to now was as large as an ox, yet with only a single horn. Its whole body was covered in dark, bristling fur, looking fierce and savage.
The vendor was also slightly surprised. "The Xiezhi. Young lady actually chose the Xiezhi. Other young ladies all pick pretty ones like the Blue Bird or the Phoenix. You are different. The Xiezhi can understand human speech. It glares with wide, angry eyes, can distinguish right from wrong, and recognize loyalty from treachery, good from evil. Young lady, you have a delicate and beautiful face, but there's an unusual courage in your heart!"
Yue Ning and Fuling both blinked. Distinguishing right from wrong, recognizing loyalty and treachery, good and evil... it truly matched Qin Wan quite well. Qin Wan took the Xiezhi mask and pulled out silver for the vendor. "You flatter me. I merely wanted to be different from other young ladies."
With that, Qin Wan walked away, putting the mask on as she went.
Once the mask was on, Qin Wan instantly appeared fierce and intimidating. Seeing this, Fuling and Yue Ning also put on their masks. The three looked at each other and couldn't help but laugh. If they appeared like this before Grand Princess Jiayi and Jiang‑shi, they probably wouldn't be able to tell who was who without looking at their clothes...
"It's starting! Hurry, hurry!"
Suddenly, a shout rang out in front of Qin Wan. In an instant, the already packed crowd surged into a rushing tide. The three of them, holding lanterns, could no longer hold hands. Swept by the human tide, they were immediately separated. Qin Wan had no choice but to point in the direction the crowd was surging. As long as they went with the flow, they would eventually regroup.
Qin Wan's thinking was simple. Yue Ning and Fuling received the signal. But soon, Qin Wan's brow furrowed. It turned out the crowd had split into two streams. She was pushed into the other stream, watching as the distance between her and Yue Ning and Fuling grew wider and wider...