Peng Fanjin and Meng Yao had long been acquainted, though they were less familiar with Qin Shuang and Yue Ning. However, being young ladies of similar age, they quickly grew close. Both Yue Ning and Meng Yao knew why Peng Fanjin had come to the residence today, but as they weren't particularly intimate with her, they refrained from teasing. The group divided red threads and began threading needles to weave decorative knots.
Before long, faint voices could be heard nearby. Glancing over, they saw Hu Shi leading Madam Peng into the garden from outside, followed closely by Qin Yan and Qin Ye. Qin Guan and Yue Ning exchanged looks, while Peng Fanjin's cheeks flushed slightly. Though she didn't particularly fancy Qin Yan, everyone knew this visit was meant for her to evaluate him as a potential match. Qin Guan tugged at Peng Fanjin's sleeve, whispering, "My third brother..."
During the previous palace banquet, Qin Yan had glimpsed Peng Fanjin from afar, just as she had observed him. But today's circumstances were entirely different. The pavilion stood deep within the garden, where late-summer crabapple blossoms partially obscured Qin Guan and her companions. In the distance, Qin Yan seemed unaware of Peng Fanjin's group watching him.
A rosy glow spread across Peng Fanjin's face. After one swift glance, she lowered her lashes to sort the red threads. Qin Shuang covered her mouth with a chuckle, "Fanjin, if you don't look properly now, don't regret it later..."
Peng Fanjin responded with shy stiffness, "I've seen the heir apparent before. There's nothing special to observe now."
Meng Yao's eyes sparkled mischievously as she concealed a smile behind her hand, "Fanjin, tell us what differences you see between the heir apparent and the fourth young master?"
Peng Fanjin instinctively glanced again. While Qin Yan and Qin Ye were clearly distinct, before she could speak, the others burst into laughter. Qin Shuang added, "Notice how my third brother has the sturdy build of a martial artist?"
Before Yue Ning could comment, Peng Fanjin's face crimsoned deeply, "Please... stop teasing me. The Crown Prince said today was just for Qi Qiao celebrations. Why is everyone so focused on the heir apparent?"
Despite their initial restraint, the teasing continued. Meanwhile, Hu Shi escorted Madam Peng around the courtyard perimeter before returning to the front hall, with Qin Yan and Qin Ye following. Peng Fanjin's tense shoulders relaxed, though her expression turned somewhat complicated. Noticing this, Qin Guan deftly shifted the conversation elsewhere, allowing Peng Fanjin to regain her composure.
After spending the afternoon in the garden, Hu Shi prepared an exquisite feast for Madam Peng and Peng Fanjin. Notably, she had sent Qin Yan and Qin Ye away, sparing Peng Fanjin any direct encounter. Freed from this pressure, the Qi Qiao banquet proceeded merrily. After the meal, Madam Peng departed the marquis' residence cheerfully with her daughter.
Not only was Peng Fanjin an unconstrained spirit, but Madam Peng also proved refreshingly straightforward. Hu Shi found their company most agreeable. After their departure, Meng Yao took her leave first, while Qin Shuang needed to return home early. Yue Ning remained to chat with Qin Guan, "I overheard Grandmother mentioning a few days ago that third brother should begin preparing for marriage. But with his eye condition still unhealed... even if Grandmother finds suitable matches, other families might hesitate to wed their daughters to him."
Yue Ning's face clouded with melancholy as she spoke. Qin Guan observed this clearly and reassured, "The Crown Prince's eye condition will heal. There's no need to rush. We can wait until his eyes recover before arranging marriages."Yue Ning pursed her lips, seeming hesitant to speak.
Qin Guan smiled. "What's wrong? Is there something you find difficult to say?"
Yue Ning then said, "Do you know what I was thinking when Grandmother was worried that Third Brother couldn't find a suitable wife?"
Qin Guan widened her eyes and looked at Yue Ning, who continued, "I was thinking that if Third Brother truly couldn't find a good wife, I would become his wife myself..."
Qin Guan was startled. With these words, the vague suspicion in her heart was instantly confirmed!
"You... could it be that you like the Crown Prince?"
Yue Ning instinctively shook her head, but after moving her head, a dazed expression appeared on her face, as if she couldn't answer this question immediately. Seeing this, Qin Guan sighed inwardly. "Is it because you feel guilty toward the Crown Prince due to what happened back then, or do you truly have feelings for him?"
Yue Ning looked at Qin Guan. "Is that important? I only know that Third Brother's eye condition was caused by me, and back then, he treated me the best. The bond between us is something no one else can compare to. If Third Brother truly misses out on marriage, I'm willing to marry him as his wife. Regardless of the reason, I'm willing."
Qin Guan began to understand. Yue Ning both felt guilty and held deep admiration for Yan Ze in her heart. But was this admiration the affection between siblings from their youth, or was it the love that desires to become the closest of spouses?
This point, perhaps even Yue Ning herself didn't know.
"Marriage is no trivial matter. I only hope you marry someone who genuinely cherishes you and whom you also love. You need to be cautious with your current thoughts. Besides, would Grand Princess and your adoptive mother agree?"
Yue Ning smiled. "If I speak up, Grandmother and Mother will definitely agree. They watched Third Brother grow up."
Qin Guan's mind flashed with Wei Qizhi's face, and she sighed. "You need to think this through clearly yourself. If you truly have developed romantic feelings for the Crown Prince, that would of course be wonderful."
A thoughtful look flashed in Yue Ning's eyes, and she nodded.
After leaving Loyal Marquis Manor, Yue Ning took a carriage back to Marquis Anyang Manor. Along the way, she kept thinking about Qin Guan's words. Were her feelings for Yan Ze truly romantic love?
She couldn't figure it out. She couldn't even clearly understand what romantic love was.
"Your Highness, Young Master Wei is here..."
As they approached the manor gates, a servant outside called out. Yue Ning immediately lifted the carriage curtain to look outside. There she saw Wei Qizhi with Wu Shu, both riding horses, about to depart from in front of the manor.
Yue Ning was surprised. "Wei Qizhi! What brings you here?"
Wei Qizhi hadn't visited the manor for quite some time. Seeing him, Yue Ning felt an inexplicable joy in her heart and called out to him without thinking. Turning and seeing Yue Ning, Wei Qizhi's eyes brightened slightly as he turned his horse toward the carriage. "I came to say goodbye. The day after tomorrow, I'm heading north and will likely be delayed for two or three months."
Yue Ning was first surprised, then quickly understood. "Are you acquiring new horses?"
Wei Qizhi smiled and nodded. "Yes, we've obtained another batch of fine horses."
Yue Ning pressed her lips together. "I knew it. This is your proper business. Then... may you have a smooth journey."
Wei Qizhi laughed heartily. "Good, I'll take your auspicious words. Have you just returned from outside?"Yue Ning then mentioned her visit to the Loyal Marquis Manor for the Qixi Festival. Wei Qizhi let out an exclamation, as if only just remembering, "So today is the Qixi Festival! I’d completely forgotten. I left a small gift at the gatehouse—you can check it out when you return."
Yue Ning gave a soft acknowledgment. Wei Qizhi cupped his hands in a salute and said, "Well then, I still have to bid farewell to some other friends. You should head back now, Princess."
For a moment, Yue Ning didn’t know what else to say. "Then... take care on your journey."
Wei Qizhi flashed a carefree smile, flicked his horsewhip, turned his steed around, and swiftly galloped out of the street.
Yue Ning sighed. During the recent case, she had interacted frequently with Wei Qizhi, who was always boisterous and lively. Now that this bothersome presence was gone, she felt strangely unaccustomed to the quiet.
Exhaling deeply, she released the lingering heaviness in her heart. Upon entering the manor, she noticed a gift box placed in the gatehouse. A servant approached and informed her that it was from Wei Qizhi.
Carrying the box inside, Yue Ning suddenly turned and asked, "Did he say he wanted to see me?"
The gatehouse servant shook his head. "No, Young Master Wei only dropped off the gift and left immediately."
Yue Ning raised an eyebrow. Had she just happened to run into him today? Otherwise, would he have simply left the gift without a word? It had only been a month since they last met—how had Wei Qizhi turned into someone so lacking in manners?!
She silently grumbled to herself before returning directly to her courtyard. As soon as she entered, she eagerly opened the box. Inside, she found an exquisitely crafted sword tassel adorned with a jade pendant. The sight of it pleased her immensely—it was neither overly extravagant nor too humble, perfectly suited to her taste. Though she had once considered sword tassels cumbersome, she now felt differently. Since it was already gifted, she might as well make use of it.
After Yue Ning left, Qin Guan couldn’t help but sigh. She had never considered Yue Ning to be the sentimental type, but now she saw the downside of such a temperament—Yue Ning seemed unaware of her own feelings. Her concern for Yan Ze was indeed unusual, yet the reason behind it remained unclear. If Yue Ning truly had feelings for Yan Ze, it would be an excellent match.
With these thoughts, Qin Guan felt fortunate to already know where her own heart lay, sparing herself the confusion. As she reflected, she remembered that today was the Qixi Festival. According to Great Zhou customs, it was a day for young men and women to confess their affections. She wondered what Yan Chi was doing today!
In the late summer evening, the breeze carried a slight chill. Qin Guan draped an outer robe over her shoulders and stood by the window, her thoughts drifting between Yan Chi and her father’s unresolved case. Her emotions rose and fell, making it difficult to find peace.
Just then, she lifted her gaze and spotted a softly ascending light outside her window. At first, she thought her eyes were playing tricks on her, but after rubbing them, she confirmed it was indeed a flying sky lantern!
In all her years, Qin Guan had never seen a sky lantern that could rise so high. Looking closely, she noticed the lantern seemed to be painted with what resembled lotus petals. A strange sense of familiarity washed over her. She tried to focus, but the lantern soared higher and higher, soon becoming indistinguishable. Who could be releasing such a lantern so late at night?!Qin Guan felt puzzled in her heart. After careful consideration, she realized the Sky Lantern couldn't have risen from too far away—likely just beyond the Marquis' residence. Then she vaguely recalled reading in some book that during the previous dynasty's wars, General Li Guang had used flying lanterns to transmit military intelligence, a method still occasionally employed in the army today.
The army?! Qin Guan's heart skipped a beat. Determining the lantern's origin seemed to be from the backyard's direction, she quickly put on her outer robe, took a lantern, asked Baiying to accompany her, and headed straight north of Pine Breeze Courtyard.
North of Pine Breeze Courtyard lay no residential quarters—only flower beds and rockeries stretching backward, soon giving way to dense greenery beyond which stood the Marquis' estate's high walls.
Harboring suspicions, Qin Guan hadn't brought Fuling along, merely claiming she was going to the back garden for digestion. Unsuspicious, Fuling led the young maids in needlework for Qixi Festival traditions. As Qin Guan proceeded northward and looked up, the lantern had already soared high, now transformed into a shining star blending with the myriad stars in the night sky.
"Young Miss—"
Baiying's reminder made Qin Guan lower her gaze, spotting the figure standing against the wind beneath the high wall.
Yan Chi stood within the wall's shadow, his form further obscured by a cluster of slender bamboos at its edge. Yet Qin Guan recognized him instantly. She quickly took the lantern herself and approached, while Baiying tactfully remained behind.
Drawing nearer, Qin Guan looked at Yan Chi with both delight and amusement. "Why did you lure me here tonight?"
Usually, Yan Chi would simply climb through her window!
Standing beside the green bamboos, Yan Chi smiled as Qin Guan approached. When she was close, he didn't rush to answer but gazed at her with a curved lip, only speaking after taking her hand: "I came early tonight. Climbing through your window now might alert your maid."
Qin Guan chuckled. "Weren't you afraid I wouldn't realize you sent the lantern?"
"No matter, I had a backup plan."
Yan Chi glanced at his feet. Looking down, Qin Guan saw two lanterns placed beside him—too distant to discern clearly before, but up close, she immediately recognized their style: the very same lanterns she had bought at the Qixi Festival lantern fair in Jinzhou!
Qin Guan couldn't help laughing. "Where did you learn this method?"
"A messaging technique from the previous dynasty's army. Others might not understand, but I knew you would."
As he spoke, Yan Chi wrapped his arm around Qin Guan and pulled her into an embrace. Frowning slightly, Qin Guan sensed something unusual in his mood. Holding the lantern in one hand, she cast a warm, dim glow in the shadowy spot. When she asked, Yan Chi replied with a smile, "Today is Qixi Festival. I came to see what you wished for."
Hearing this, Qin Guan's smile relaxed. This Qixi Festival, she had indeed made a wish related to him.
"I wished for your safety and smooth journey."
As the words left her mouth, Yan Chi's arm tightened around her. Ever since hearing Zhang Daoshi's words, Qin Guan had been on edge, and now even on Qixi Festival she was praying for his safety.
Yan Chi smiled, raising his hand to gently stroke her hair. His hand hesitated on her back before he said, "The heavens must have heard your wish. From now on, I will surely be safe and sound."Yan Chi gently stroked her back twice. "Alright, time to go back before someone comes looking for you."
Just as Qin Guan was thinking of Yan Chi, he appeared. Though they had only exchanged a few words, Qin Guan felt completely content. Glancing at the lanterns on the ground, she said, "Since you're already here, why not give me these two Sky Lanterns?"
Yan Chi laughed. "Why not? They're meant for you anyway."
Qin Guan hadn't let go of the lanterns yet. Clutching them happily, she headed back. When she returned to Pine Breeze Courtyard, Fuling grew curious about where the lanterns came from. Qin Guan made up an excuse, saying they were made by craftsmen in the estate. Fuling believed her without question. Qin Guan, however, couldn't bear to set them aside just yet. As she was about to enter her room, Fuling suddenly said, "Miss, what's that in your hair?"
Qin Guan paused and touched her hair, her fingers brushing against a jade hairpin. The pin was carved from pure white jade, and she could tell it was newly crafted—the sides weren't fully polished smooth, and the pattern was quite simple. Suddenly, she recalled how Yan Chi had gently touched her bun earlier and understood. Looking at the lanterns in her hand and then at the jade pin in her palm, a wave of rich, sweet warmth blossomed in her heart...
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