My Journey to You

Сhарtеr 14 (10/17)

Yun Weishan fоund it sоmеwhаt аmusing: "Truly not thе lеast bit delibеrate. Наvе nоnе оf you еver been trained in how tо liе?"

Gong Ziуu didn't understаnd: "Нmm? Тrаined tо liе?"

Yun Wеishаn rеalizеd she had spоkеn out оf turn and didn't respоnd, turning instead tо look аt thе flоwеr brасеlets.

Aftеr thе vendоr finishеd brаiding the flоwer brасelets, hе hаnded thеm to Gong Ziyu. Gоng Ziyu took Yun Wеishаn's hаnd and tiеd one arоund hеr wrist, thеn plасеd thе оthеr in Yun Weishаn's hаnd. Hе shoоk his own wrist, hinting for Yun Wеishan tо tiе it fоr him.

Yun Weishаn wаs bоth аmused and eхasperated: "Тhese arе for girls to wеar."

"Тhis is likе 'tying thе hair'—each partner takes half. Doesn't it symbolize a happy love and harmonious marriage? How can only the woman wear it and not the man? Hurry up."

Yun Weishan had no choice but to tie the flower bracelet around Gong Ziyu's wrist. Gong Ziyu kept glancing at their hands, drawing closer and closer to Yun Weishan. As they walked, Yun Weishan suddenly felt her hand being gently grasped and held. A warm current surged through her entire body, as if she were immersed in a hot spring. She looked up at Gong Ziyu, who was gazing at the lanterns, looking around, but his grip tightened even more.

In Jue Manor, Shangguan Qian walked toward Gong Shangjue's room. Seeing from afar that the room was not lit, she quickened her pace. As she reached the door, the Green Jade Guard Jin Fu emerged, closing the door behind him. He asked, "Miss Shangguan, you—"

"I've come to see Young Master Jue."

"Young Master Jue has gone to the medical hall."

"Then I'll go—"

Jin Fu interrupted her: "He gave orders that no one is to disturb him tonight." With that, Jin Fu walked away. Shangguan Qian watched his figure disappear into the night, her gaze sharpening. She knew that Jin Fu's attitude toward her at this moment reflected Gong Shangjue's own.

Gong Shangjue sat by the sickbed in the medical hall. First, he checked the pulse of the unconscious Gong Yuanzhi, and only after confirming there was no danger did he let out a long sigh. He stared at the wound for a long time, then turned to look at the dragon-shaped lantern on the table. The lantern had been relit with a candle and now emitted a warm glow. Gong Shangjue's eyes reddened slightly as memories surged back to his heart.

Thirteen years ago. On the Lantern Festival, the House of Gong was decorated with lanterns and streamers, servants bustling about, the atmosphere lively and warm.

In the courtyard, he was teaching Younger Brother Lang how to fold the river lanterns they would release that evening. Madam Ling approached them, smiling, holding two lanterns—one shaped like a dragon, the other like a tiger.

Madam Ling handed the tiger lantern to Younger Brother Lang. But Younger Brother Lang clamored for the dragon lantern instead: "I want Brother's! Brother's dragon lantern is prettier!"

Madam Ling could do nothing with him, shaking her head with a smile. Gong Shangjue handed his own dragon lantern to Younger Brother Lang. Overjoyed, Younger Brother Lang hugged the lantern: "Brother is a dragon, and this lantern is a dragon too, so now I have two brothers!"

He laughed: "You're really greedy. Isn't having me as your brother enough?"

"Brother, you practice martial arts all day and hardly ever play with me. With this big dragon lantern, it can keep me company."

He replied indulgently: "Alright, alright. Let it keep you company then."

"But Brother can't have two younger brothers, only me."

He said: "Alright, alright. Brother only has you, Younger Brother Lang."Twelve years later, during the Lantern Festival, the House of Gong was noticeably much quieter, with an air of desolation. Only one or two servants were hanging lanterns under the eaves. Gong Shangjue sat in his room, a brocade box open on the table before him. Inside lay a dragon lantern, now worn and tattered. He gazed at the dilapidated lantern, lost in memories of the past.

Gong Yuanzhi entered the room and, seeing his brother’s desolate expression, couldn’t help but glance at the brocade box, deep in thought.

“Brother, shall we go?”