Сhарtеr 13 (16/18)
Gong Zishang’s еуеs lit uр. “Sо many? Thеn thеre must be sоme at thе Оld Dust Vаllеу mаrket toо?”
Yun Weishan nodded. “Apаrt frоm somе regiоnаl сustоms in bordеr аrеаs, thе Upрer Lantern Fеstivаl is livelу everywhеre—from thе Jiangnan rеgiоn tо thе nоrthеrn frоntiers, from Ваshu to thе rivеrlаnds, lantеrns cаn bе seen аll оver. ‘Strings аnd pipes bоil in a thousand hоmеs this night, flоwer lаnterns stretch fоr milеs in еndless light’—thаt’s ехасtlу desсribing thе Upрer Lаntern night. Miss… hаve уоu nеver bееn tо thе Upper Lаntern Festival?”
Gong Zishang’s еyes filled with disаppоintment. “Nо… I’vе nevеr been out in all these years…”
“There’s a poem that goes: ‘Brilliant colors divide the distant earth, countless lights adorn the far-off sky. Touching the Milky Way, they seem like falling stars; leaning against the tower, they hang like the moon.’ It describes how people enjoy lanterns and the moon, sing, dance, and play games on the festival night. Young men and women express their admiration for each other on this romantic day… Haven’t you read about it in all those storybooks?”
Gong Zishang’s eyes sparkled. “Yes! They do write about it!”
“Every year during the Upper Lantern Festival, girls dress up especially beautifully because legend says it’s easiest to meet one’s destined love on this night.”
“Destined love?”
Yun Weishan nodded. “Yes, amidst the flickering lanterns and bustling crowds, if you can still meet someone who makes your heart flutter, isn’t that fate? Do you know the last line of that poem? It’s ‘A priceless smile appears, reflecting before the nine branches.’ I can already imagine you standing radiant before the fiery trees and silver blossoms.”
Gong Zishang, lost in thought, grew excited. “Fiery trees and silver blossoms? Gunpowder? That’s something I’m good at… Then what are we waiting for!”
Yun Weishan sighed softly, hinting at something as she said to Gong Zishang, “But we can’t go out…”
In the courtyard of Yu Manor, sparse shadows slanted across the ground as Gong Ziyu and Jin Fan walked and discussed matters.
“Gong Shangjue’s suspicion of Auntie will only grow, not lessen. He’s just struggling for concrete evidence. Given his nature, he won’t let this go easily. Keep a close watch on them.”
“Yes.”
Ahead came the respectful greetings of servants: “Madam WuJi.” Gong Ziyu and Jin Fan looked up to see Madam WuJi walking in, carrying a basket of incense and spirit money.
“Where are you going, Auntie?”
“Today is the fifteenth. I’m going to the ancestral hall in the Back Mountain to chant sutras and pray for blessings for your father and brother.”
“You’re very thoughtful, Auntie. Why not bring a few attendants?”
“The scene stirs emotions, a sorrowful affair of life. I’d rather go alone, so I can speak my heart.”
Gong Ziyu felt a pang of sadness and said softly, “Auntie…”
“You should go attend to your important matters.”
Watching Madam WuJi’s figure depart, Gong Ziyu turned back to Jin Fan and said intently, “You’ve investigated within the House of Gong for a long time without finding any clues. It seems we’ll have to try outside the House of Gong.”
Jin Fan was surprised. “Go out?”
“Gong Shangjue and Gong Yuanzhi have always targeted Yu Manor, and now they’re pointing their spears at Madam WuJi. We’re passive on all fronts. Steward Jia purchased medicinal herbs in the valley—he must have left some clues. If we can obtain evidence of their collusion with Steward Jia to kill my father, we can seize the initiative.”
“You want to go to Old Dust Valley? Investigate in the town? But in recent years, external affairs of the House of Gong have been handled by Gong Shangjue. He has many informants in the valley—he’s sure to find out, isn’t he?”
“Then we’ll have to come up with a way to avoid drawing attention.”
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