Youthful Glory

"Pfft—cough!" Hearing this, Zhang Huaiyu couldn't suppress his laughter, spraying wine and choking on his own cough.

Before he could recover, something flashed before his eyes. Then he felt a numbness at his neck, his throat blocked—when he tried to speak, no sound came out.

Mute acupoint!

Though everyone present practiced martial arts, only one person could strike so swiftly and seamlessly: the man beside him, the Great Xian's god of war who made northern barbarians tremble at his name—Prince Dingbei, Jiang Xu.

Zhang Huaiyu's eyes widened as he pointed his folding fan accusingly at Jiang Xu.

Jiang Xu neither avoided nor resisted, merely lifting his eyelids to gaze calmly at him. Those eyes were like a frozen lake—dark, still, and utterly indifferent. For some reason, Zhang Huaiyu felt an inexplicable chill down his spine and timidly lowered his fan the next second.

Outside the window, lantern lights from both riverbanks shimmered on the water's surface. Warmth returned to the quiet pavilion, with only the fan pendant on the table catching candlelight as its tassel swayed gently.

"Minmin, did you hear something just now?" Ming Tan asked hesitantly.

"A sound? What sound?" Bai Minmin looked utterly confused.

Ming Tan glanced around, silent for a moment before shaking her head. "It sounded like someone coughing... maybe I misheard."

Though the Listening Rain Pavilion had decent soundproofing, the adjacent room housed martial artists whose movements could naturally be heard clearly. Had the window not been open for viewing the scenery tonight, Ming Tan's ears likely wouldn't have caught anything.

Perhaps out of caution or because their important discussion had concluded, the two girls soon drifted into trivial chatter typical of young maidens.

At the hour of Xu, the official boat anchored mid-river on the Xianjiang, preparing to set off fireworks.

Bai Minmin had already stationed herself by the window, while Ming Tan—usually so proper and reserved in public—lifted her skirts to step onto the window ledge, hands gripping the frame as she couldn't resist peering out eagerly.

The capital's Lantern Festival nights were always brilliantly lively, with extraordinary performances and endless singing and dancing. Both riverbanks blazed with lights as crowds gathered awaiting fireworks, while prayer lanterns floated from docks, painting a scene of prosperous splendor from afar.

Amid cheers from shore, fireworks from the official boat finally shot skyward in clusters. Wealthy families along the banks launched their own in response, until the entire night sky seemed illuminated as bright as day by the dazzling display.

Though Ming Tan and Bai Minmin came from noble families accustomed to fine spectacles, their fifteen- and sixteen-year-old hearts still brimmed with innocent wonder. Both held their breaths, eyes wide open, unwilling to miss a single moment.

"So beautiful," Ming Tan murmured, cupping her face as she gazed at the sky.

Bai Minmin nodded excitedly. "I loved that rabbit-shaped one just now! So adorable!"

"I prefer those golden showers—the crackling sounds are so pleasant, like... Look! There's another!"

The girls' soft, delighted voices not only drew each other's rapt attention but also unconsciously pulled the neighboring pavilion's occupants to glance outside.

Jiang Xu remained unmoved, still pouring wine for himself. Yet his seat faced the window directly, and when he tilted his head back, the dreamlike golden rain filled his vision. His eyes flickered slightly; even the liquor sliding down his throat seemed to lose its bite.

Fireworks were breathtakingly beautiful—and heartbreakingly brief. As silence reclaimed the night sky, Ming Tan stood by the window, dazed, an inexplicable melancholy settling over her.Fortunately, it wasn't too late yet. Bai Minmin wanted to join the festivities on South Imperial River Street and eagerly urged her to come along. Ming Tan's earlier melancholy was quickly dispelled by the lively scenes of flower carts parading and dazzling lanterns that Bai Minmin described.

Before this, Ming Tan had never visited South Imperial River Street during the Lantern Festival. This bustling riverside thoroughfare was always lively yet chaotic, and every year during the festival, incidents involving women and children were common. Noble families generally didn't allow their daughters to set foot here.

The two carefully covered their faces with veils. When they stepped out of the carriage, the dazzling lights and overwhelming liveliness of the scene momentarily dazed Ming Tan.

Bai Minmin, however, had sneaked out here for several years in a row and adapted quickly. She glanced around and suddenly exclaimed, "Huh?"

"What is it?" Ming Tan asked.

"Nothing, I just thought I saw Second Young Master Shu," Bai Minmin replied, peering ahead with curiosity.

Second Young Master Shu Jingran was the son of the Right Minister, a graceful and talented scholar admired by many young women in the capital.

Rumors said he had participated in this year's imperial examinations, and it was widely believed that with his brilliance and demeanor, he was the undisputed candidate for the Tanhua (third-place scholar) honor.

Ming Tan had once glimpsed him from afar—a refined nobleman like an orchid or jade tree. If not for the troublesome engagement with the Duke of Ling's household, a marriage alliance with the Shu family wouldn't have been a bad choice. After all, her annulment was inevitable, and she ought to start considering a better match.

While Ming Tan was lost in thought, Bai Minmin gasped in surprise, "I wasn't mistaken! A Tan, look—isn’t that Commander Lu? If he's here, Second Young Master Shu must be with him!"

Following Bai Minmin's gaze, Ming Tan spotted a tall man ahead wearing a sword, with a distinct scar stretching from his left temple to his brow. It was none other than Lu Ting, the Deputy Commander of the Imperial Guards, infamous in the capital for his ruthless methods.

It was common knowledge that Lu Ting, Shu Jingran, and Zhang Huaiyu were close friends. Before Ming Tan could get a clear look at Shu Jingran beside Lu Ting, Bai Minmin eagerly tugged her forward to find them.

"Wait—miss!" Their maidservant, realizing what was happening, hurried after them.

They moved swiftly, but the streets were packed with revelers. In the blink of an eye, the figures they had spotted earlier vanished without a trace.

Failing to get a closer look at the handsome men, Bai Minmin couldn't help feeling disappointed. But her playful nature soon took over as she became engrossed in the colorful stalls lining the riverbank.

One moment she wanted to buy sweet cakes, the next roasted chestnuts. She carried trinkets in her hands and insisted on lifting her veil to stuff snacks into Ming Tan's mouth.

Ming Tan, always fastidious about food and attire, dared not eat any of the street snacks. Their playful dodging and laughter made for a delightful time.

"So, isn’t South Imperial River Street much more fun than the decorated tents at Daxiangguo Temple?" Bai Minmin asked proudly after they set their lanterns afloat by the dock.

Just as Ming Tan was about to respond, someone ahead waved a folding fan and called out, "Tan Meimei!"

For a moment, Ming Tan thought she was hearing things.

But the man quickly approached, proving her wrong.

"Tan Meimei, and this must be... Min Meimei?"

The newcomer was strikingly handsome, dressed in an exquisite white brocade cloak with intricate patterns and a pale golden hair crown—the very image of a noble young master.Bai Minmin recognized the person immediately and had the strong urge to kick him. She snapped irritably, "Who's your sister!"

While the Duke Ling's residence was betrothed to Marquis Jing'an's household, they had little interaction with the Duke Chang's family. Bai Minmin refused to acknowledge this overly familiar address of "Min sister." The visitor didn't argue, quickly bowing with clasped hands to apologize for his presumption.

Knowing this wasn't the day to sever ties completely, Bai Minmin still couldn't suppress her anger and wanted to verbally jab at him. Ming Tan, however, gently tugged at her sleeve, maintaining her composure as she asked, "Young Master, how did you recognize me?"

He chuckled lightly, fanning himself gracefully as he replied, "Sister Tan is like a radiant pearl. Even with a veil, your brilliance cannot be concealed."

Ming Tan's expression remained neutral, but inwardly she wanted to slap him and demand he speak properly.

Strangely enough, she used to think her fiancé Liang Zixuan was a handsome and refined gentleman. Though not quite as elegant as Shu the Second, he was still an excellent match.

But now, looking at him again, she felt as if her eyes in previous years must have been given to the blind. Who fans themselves in such cold weather! And his words were so frivolous and inappropriate! Greasy! Pretentious!

Perhaps sensing Ming Tan's displeasure, Liang Zixuan quickly explained with a smile, "Actually, I recognized the Zhaoshui hairpin in your hair. You seem to particularly like this one."

Ming Tan didn't respond.

Liang Zixuan paused briefly, then continued speaking to fill the awkward silence.

But today, no matter what he said, Ming Tan remained indifferent, and the Bai girl kept glaring daggers at him from time to time.

Could it be about that matter...?

No, impossible. That matter had been kept tightly under wraps. How could the Ming and Bai families know?

If they did know, given Duke Chang's fiercely protective and quick-tempered nature, why would he remain so quiet and not cause trouble for the Duke Ling's residence?

Thinking this, Liang Zixuan felt slightly reassured. Yet he belatedly realized how important his mother's earlier advice had been.

He did like his cousin's delicate charm, but he had always considered Ming Tan his future wife. Moreover, the Ming and Bai families behind her would be significant assets to his political career—this marriage must not be lost.

With this in mind, his previous dismissive attitude of "why make such a fuss" during the conversation with his mother finally dissipated. Subtly clasping his hands behind his back, he tapped his wrist lightly with the fan.

Meanwhile, as if nothing were amiss, he changed the subject and continued his one-sided conversation with Ming Tan.

Ming Tan was waiting for Lü'e and the guards to arrive so she could use them as an excuse to return home and escape Liang Zixuan's pestering. After waiting for what felt like ages, just as she spotted Lü'e in the distance, a sudden commotion erupted in the crowd.

"Stop that thief!"

"You there! Don't run!"

Ming Tan turned toward the noise, but before she could see clearly, two figures from the chaotic crowd came barreling toward the dock. Before she could react, she felt a forceful push—

"A Tan!"

"Miss!"

Accompanied by Bai Minmin and Lü'e's distant screams was the abrupt splash of someone falling into the water.

Liang Zixuan reacted swiftly, calling out "Sister Tan!" as he urgently removed his outer robe to dive in after her.

Lü'e rushed forward and, recognizing the future son-in-law, clutched at this lifeline in her panic, nodding urgently. "Young Master, please save my lady!"

Bai Minmin instinctively grabbed Liang Zixuan's arm, shouting anxiously, "Don't you dare go!"No matter how playful and mischievous she was, she was still a young lady from a prominent family. No one understood better than her that if Liang Zixuan rescued Ming Tan now, Ming Tan's entire future would be ruined!

"Do you want to watch her die?" Liang Zixuan demanded, then shook off Bai Minmin's restraining hand without hesitation.

Splash! Another body hit the water.

Bai Minmin instantly felt her hands and feet turn icy cold. She knew Ming Tan best—if Ming Tan were to be rescued by Liang Zixuan in front of all these onlookers, she would rather drown in the Xian River than endure such humiliation!

She stared fixedly at the river's surface, forcing herself to remain calm as she directed the arriving guards and maids:

"You lot, keep the onlookers away! No one is allowed to come near!"

"You two, get in the water and pull Liang Zixuan out. And you two—can you swim? Get in there and bring A Tan back to me!"

"We won't be able to hold them off for much longer. Lü'e, go back immediately and bring more guards to help keep the crowd away!"

"Yes!"

Spring had not yet arrived, and the river water was bitingly cold. Combined with the harsh wind blowing against them, Liang Zixuan had only been in the water for a short while before realizing that rescuing someone was far more difficult than he had imagined. Not only was the rescue itself challenging, but he couldn't even spot Ming Tan anywhere.

Not just Liang Zixuan—even after the guards and maids Bai Minmin had sent into the water searched for a long time, there was still no sign of her.

The water at this dock wasn't particularly deep. Logically, it shouldn't be possible for someone to drown so quickly and silently. Yet, they truly couldn't find even a trace of Ming Tan's clothing.

After nearly half an hour of searching, the onlookers were forcibly kept at bay outside the dock, knowing only that someone had fallen into the water but unaware of the details.

Some idlers, seeing the commotion and the efforts to keep people away, guessed that it must involve a young lady from a wealthy family. They eagerly clamored to jump in, hoping that fate might smile upon them and they could land a good marriage by forcing their way into the situation.

As it became increasingly difficult to hold the crowd back, Bai Minmin felt both frantic and despairing. She cursed herself for suggesting this disastrous trip to South Yuhe Street. If anything happened to Ming Tan, Bai Minmin would never be able to atone for it, even with ten thousand deaths!

Just at this critical moment, beyond the crowd held back by the guards, a figure in a green dress suddenly waved a handkerchief at Bai Minmin. "Young Mistress, why are you still here? I've been searching everywhere for you! My lady has personally made sweet dumplings today and is waiting for you to come taste them!"

The woman in green deliberately raised her voice.

Yet her tone was gentle and clear—and oddly familiar.

Bai Minmin turned around and froze for a moment.

That was...

Suxin, Ming Tan's most trusted maid?

What was she doing here?

And what had she just said? Her... her lady?

Suxin stepped forward, calmly curtsying to Bai Minmin before repeating her invitation to taste the sweet dumplings her lady had prepared.

Noticing Liang Zixuan behind Bai Minmin—who was half-frozen and being hauled out of the water by the guards—Suxin feigned surprise and asked, "Did Young Master Liang fall into the water?"

Bai Minmin was still struggling to process the situation and didn't know how to respond.

Only when she caught sight of Lü'e, who had rushed back and was still gasping for breath, frantically waving at her and mouthing the words "it's fine," did she suddenly understand, as if a dam had broken in her mind.

She hurriedly replied, "Yes, yes. Young Master Liang fell into the water, and I—I happened to pass by, so I sent my guards to rescue him."

"Ah, so it was just a man."

"What kind of man needs rescuing after falling into water? How embarrassing!"

"All this fuss over nothing."

"Let's go, let's go. I thought it was some noble lady!"The onlookers waved their hands listlessly and quickly dispersed.

"???"

Liang Zixuan was shivering all over from the cold, unable to speak, but his eyes were filled with disbelief.