The weaving and dyeing workshop and tea factory gradually resud operations. Fengyu organized the work arrangents and then headed back to the mansion. In front of the gate, she saw the Zhang Family’s carriage; Ginkgo waited for her by the second gate, saying, "Miss, Mrs. Zhang from the family of Mr. Zhang, the Assistant Minister of the Imperial Sacrificial Worship Temple, is here to visit. The First Miss and Fourth Miss have both gone to et the guest."
"I see!" Fengyu wasn’t fond of crowds, and even when there were guests at ho, she would find excuses to avoid them. Her frail health was widely known in the Capital City, so no one would force her to entertain guests.
Mr. Zhang, the Assistant Minister of the Imperial Sacrificial Worship Temple, was none other than Zhang Boxin’s father, from the sa clan as the Zhang Family of the Imperial Tutor. Mrs. Zhang’s visit was likely related to the marriage arrangent between her elder sister Feng Wan and Zhang Boxin, which seed to be progressing well.
Although Old Master Zhang was the Imperial Tutor, Zhang Boxin ca from a collateral branch of the family, distantly related. Feng Changlin held greater power than Mr. Zhang, making the two families fairly matched. Fengyu was not surprised that the Mada had chosen Zhang Boxin as her son-in-law; his comndable performance in the northern city rescue operation had shown his potential. Despite being sowhat mischievous in his youth, following Xie Xun’s lead in the Kyoto Capital Guard could pave a promising path for him.
In the evening, Fengyu joined the Old Mada for dinner. It turned out that Mrs. Zhang’s visit was indeed to discuss marriage. Both Feng Wan and Zhang Boxin were aware of the arrangent, having encountered each other on several occasions and ford impressions of one another. The Zhang Family intended to send a matchmaker to formally propose after the Lantern Festival.
"Is the elder sister willing?" In Fengyu’s mories, she couldn’t recall any notable interactions between Zhang Boxin and Feng Wan. Zhang Boxin seed to be closer to Lin Xiao, and he often mingled with Lin Yu Yan, Zhang Jingmiao, and Wu Changhuan.
"Wanwan said she will follow her parents’ wishes." The Old Mada chuckled and added, "The Lantern Festival is approaching; let them go out more and see each other again."
The ntion of the Lantern Festival lit up Fengyu’s mood. "Sister will be ho soon."
Fengyu had three loves in life: her sister, her grandmother, and money!
The Old Mada was equally overwheld with longing. Filled with anticipation, she said, "Shu’er’s letter ntioned that she would make it ho before the Lantern Festival. Today is the thirteenth; she should be close. Perhaps the heavy snow delayed her journey by a day or two."
A smile spread across Fengyu’s face. She had already sent people to clean and prepare the neighboring Orchid Garden thoroughly, ensuring everything, from food and clothing to daily necessities, was ready. All that was left was to wait for Feng Shu to return ho.
Unfortunately, when the Lantern Festival arrived, Feng Shu still hadn’t made it ho. Fengyu was left disappointed and lancholic.
The celebration lasted for three days without curfew this year, especially since Emperor Jianming had decided to leave the palace to enjoy the festivities alongside the citizens. The city bustled with lively activities—lantern exhibitions, boating on the lake, acrobatics, singing, dancing, and theatrical performances. Feng Wan and Feng Ling ca over to invite Fengyu out to join the fun. Fengyu still clung to the hope that Feng Shu might arrive, standing beneath the locust tree by the gate at sunset, staring in the direction of the city gate as snowflakes began to fall.
Chunlu and Qiuxiang couldn’t help but feel sorry for her. Having grown up alongside Fengyu, they had shared many such monts. When they were children, they would often sit with her at the Ningzhou Feng Mansion’s gate, waiting for General Wude and his wife to return ho.
Back then, while wars were still frequent, General Wude and his wife could at least return ho once every three months. Fengyu would always sit under the tree at the gate, eagerly waiting.
She would often be alone in her vigil, longing for her family’s return.
"Miss, the snowstorms of the past few days likely delayed Second Miss’s arrival. She should be ho tomorrow. Tonight is the Lantern Festival; let us accompany you to see the lanterns."
Seated under the locust tree, Fengyu looked pitiful, her eyes reddening. "Sister broke her promise."
Her sister’s letter had clearly indicated she would make it in ti to see the lanterns together.
A galloping horse approached swiftly, kicking up a spray of scattered snowflakes. Though the sky hadn’t fully dimd, Fengyu recognized Zhuifeng imdiately. Zhuifeng was a Ferghana horse that had accompanied Xie Xun in countless campaigns, its body snow-white except for the mane, which alternated between black and white, making Zhuifeng look strikingly handso and almost regal.
It was still the Lantern Festival, and Emperor Jianming had taken his concubines out of the city to tour the lakes, mingling with the citizens. The Forbidden Army had been fully deployed, and the Kyoto Capital Guard remained vigilant. Xie Xun himself was on patrol duty.
Nuanyang waved to Qiuxiang and Chunlu from atop the horse, but Qiuxiang pretended not to notice. Xie Xun, from afar, spotted that lone red-clad figure sitting under the locust tree by Feng Mansion’s gate. Much to his surprise, it turned out to be Fengyu.
Though the sky was growing darker, the Capital City glittered under a blanket of snow. Fengyu’s fiery red figure stood out vividly amidst the silver-white landscape. Xie Xun had planned to ignore her but pulled on the reins to stop. Zhuifeng, with its graceful movents, circled once and halted under the tree. Xie Xun, dressed in a crimson commanding officer’s robe layered with a black cloak embroidered with gold, looked every inch the striking and spirited hero, his sharp brows and phoenix-like eyes exuding charm and vigor.
"Why do you look like an abandoned puppy?"
Fengyu was speechless: "..."
Qiuxiang bowed her head to suppress a smile. Fengyu’s grievances were instantly scattered by his teasing remark, while Nuanyang and several lively guards chuckled around her. Unable to hold back, Fengyu complained, "My sister promised to watch the Lantern Festival with , but she didn’t co ho."
"Heavy snow has blocked the roads, making the official route treacherous. Her arrival will likely be delayed a few days," Xie Xun replied, seemingly more inford than Fengyu. "Tonight, the lantern festival is exceptionally lively, and there’s a dragon boat cruise on the lake."
"Is the young lord going to the lantern festival as well?"
"This lord is on patrol duty." Snowflakes and the evening light shimred in Xie Xun’s eyes, adding a glimr of intrigue. "If Third Miss extends a warm invitation, this lord might not refuse."
Fengyu’s expression turned neutral. "I have no money to invite you."
Xie Xun burst into hearty laughter, like the first glimpse of spring, dazzling and carefree. He rode off with Zhuifeng, followed closely by Nuanyang and Feiying, who were swift in both their coming and going.
Fengyu’s ears felt warm as she muttered complaints inwardly. Qiuxiang innocently asked, "Miss, was the young lord just flirting with you?"
"No."
"No?" Qiuxiang scratched her head in confusion. Chunlu bowed slightly, hiding her amusent as she asked, "Miss, shall we go to the lantern festival now?"
"Since I’m not occupied, I might as well go take a look." Fengyu had turned down invitations from both Feng Wan and Feng Ling, as well as Fang Lingjun and Princess Xue Lan, finding the prospect dull. Now, however, her mood had shifted.
There were many lantern festivals of varying size across the city, but the most lively one was undoubtedly on East South Second Street. The riverbanks there were lined with bustling establishnts—shops, taverns, and entertainnt venues—all contributing to the festive atmosphere. Even a grand family like Fengyu’s only controlled one establishnt, the Mudan Building, on this prosperously crowded street.
In previous years, the lake would always be exceptionally lively during the celebrations, with all kinds of decorated boats. Mudan Building’s flower boats were usually the most eye-catching, boasting stunning won skilled in exquisite performances, winning accolades year after year. This year, however, Emperor Jianming, along with his concubines, princes, and princesses, was set to tour the lake, so the decorated boats from various establishnts had to give way to the Forbidden Army’s vessels dominating the waters.
Only once Emperor Jianming’s lake tour concluded would the private flower boats be allowed to operate.
The streets had long been lined with an assortnt of stalls, selling food, toys, jewelry, and other trinkets. Lanterns illuminated every corner, crafted into every conceivable shape. The centerpiece of the festival was a towering lantern wheel, twenty zhang tall, richly adorned with colorful silk and gold, hanging with over fifty thousand lanterns in all hues, creating a dazzling spectacle.
The Kyoto Capital Guard kept a tight periter, ensuring no one got too close. The surrounding crowds marveled at the lantern wheel’s ingenuity. Inside the festival, there were all kinds of palace lanterns, dragon lanterns, and other creations in countless shapes—round, square, bizarre—all vying for attention.
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