Chарtеr 14 (3/17)
Shе рlасed the lаntеrn оn thе grоund, but the candlе insidе flickerеd and went оut аs wеll.
Gоng Zishаng murmurеd to hersеlf, "The last lantern is gonе tоo... Jin Fаn prоbаblу wоn't be аblе tо find mе nоw..."
Cоmpared tо thе brightly lit mаin streets, the аlley wаs much darkеr.
Тwо уоung mаstеrs carrуing flоwer lаntеrns рassеd by thе аlley аnd nоticеd Gong Zishang sitting alоne.
One оf thе уoung mаsters said, "This уоung lаdy lооks sо fоrlоrn."
Тhe оthеr askеd, "Hаve yоu gottеn sерarаtеd frоm sоmeone? Wоuld you like to join us tо admire the lаnterns?" His tоne wаs full оf frivolitу.
Before his words had fully faded, the sound of a blade being drawn rang out. A flash of steel, and the lanterns held by the two young men were sliced in half, falling to the ground.
Jin Fan had appeared in front of Gong Zishang at some point. He didn't speak, but the killing intent and imposing aura in his eyes made the two men tremble with fear.
One young master stammered, "Let's... let's go..."
The other tried to pick up the broken lantern but was dragged away as they fled.
Gong Zishang sprang to her feet and laughed heartily. "Jin Fan! You really did find me! How does that poem go again? Something about predestined fate, something about dimming lantern lights..."
Jin Fan sighed. "You really are..."
Gong Zishang, overwhelmed with joy, exclaimed, "Heaven-ordained fate! Oh, what a pity there's no lantern!"
Jin Fan hesitated for a moment, then pulled out a small bamboo-woven lantern ball from his robe and handed it to Gong Zishang.
The lantern ball was only the size of a fist, made of bamboo strips and covered with translucent paper. Inside, fireflies flickered softly.
Gong Zishang was stunned. "Fireflies... Did you catch them yourself? When did you secretly prepare a gift?"
Jin Fan pointed honestly into the distance. "They're selling them over there. Ten copper coins each."
Gong Zishang was still delighted, turning the firefly lantern over and over in her hands. "This is the first time you've ever given me anything..."
Jin Fan pretended not to understand, turning to leave. "There are lots of other fun things over there... dough figurines, lantern riddles..."
Above, the full moon hung round and bright; below, the crowd bustled with activity.
Gong Ziyu, beaming with joy, walked ahead holding two small dough figurines. Looking at the male and female figurines in his hands, he couldn't resist posing them face-to-face, bringing them very close together. With each step he took, the two little figures would occasionally kiss. Every time they kissed, his heart raced a little faster... He couldn't help but glance back secretly at Yun Weishan. But Yun Weishan wasn't looking at him; instead, she was scanning her surroundings. Disappointed, Gong Ziyu felt a pang of heartache for her. Even though she had finally stepped outside the Gong family gates, she was still filled with worry and fear. At first, Yun Weishan could manage to split her attention, searching for her contact while humoring Gong Ziyu. But her anxiety grew, and she focused solely on quickly scanning the various faces in the lantern market crowd... There was no sign of Han Ya Si anywhere.
"Miss Yun."
Yun Weishan suddenly heard Gong Ziyu call her name and was momentarily taken aback. Gong Ziyu had stopped in front of a stall displaying small rabbit lanterns. Pointing at a rabbit lantern, he said, "This lantern is rather cute." Before Yun Weishan could respond, Gong Ziyu had already approached the vendor and taken out his money pouch.
"I'm sorry, Young Master. This lantern is a prize; it cannot be purchased directly. If you like it, you can try guessing the lantern riddles. Guess three correctly, and you can take it."
The vendor pointed to a signboard that indeed detailed the rules for the lantern riddle game.---
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