Setting aside the various schemes of the Old Yang Family, having finally managed to go out for once, An Ning was surprisingly reluctant to return home.
All sorts of novel-looking lantern riddles, bustling crowds coming and going, even the street-side painters crafting small sugar figurines seemed incredibly fascinating.
Before long, the group of guards behind them were already loaded with purchases.
Seeing her so unusually happy, Situ Jing beside her couldn't help but have a flicker in his eyes. Under his wide sleeves, his large hands firmly grasped hers, and after a moment he finally spoke: "Does A-Ning find the Eastern Palace too cramped and boring?"
As if just realizing what he had said, An Ning froze for a moment, the sugar figurine in her hand still spinning slowly.
She leaned in and stared fixedly at the person before her, then suddenly couldn't help but burst into laughter.
Situ Jing was momentarily stunned.
At that moment, amidst thousands of lanterns with light flowing like pillars, the beauty stood gracefully in her red garments, her eyes brimming with radiant joy—for a moment it was hard to tell which was more dazzling.
"Husband, what are you thinking! The outside world has its charms, but our home has its own wonders too. Every season brings the freshest flowers and plants, there are bird nests designed by you, me, and Rui'er ourselves, the osmanthus tree planted in the courtyard last year, and that wisteria swing I absolutely adore..."
"Besides, isn't the outside world interesting precisely because we don't come out often? If we were here all the time, we might even find it boring!"
An Ning truly felt this way.
Though that was the case, she still coaxed him into promising to take her out to play next time. But they must remember to bring their dear Rui'er along.
"A-Ning is right, your husband was overthinking things!"
Gazing directly into the clear eyes of the person before him, Situ Jing's eyes soon regained their warmth. He stepped forward and carefully fastened her large red cloak that had slipped slightly due to her vigorous movements, then took her hand again and said gently:
"Didn't A-Ning say earlier that you wanted to visit Jiangnan? Next time... and also Northern Frontier, the sunset there is equally magnificent..."
"Really? Even more beautiful than what we saw at Western Hills last time?" An Ning asked with curiosity.
What answered her was his undisguised laughter:
"Don't worry, it definitely will be..."
As they spoke, the two had arrived at the famous Moon Lake within the capital. The originally clear lake surface was already covered with various colored floating lanterns.
The roadside stalls were similarly piled high with lanterns for making wishes.
Since Master Wuxiang's predictions had come true, people nowadays, especially those in the capital, had become increasingly believing in matters of fortune and spirits.
Especially these past two years, the entire vast Moon Lake couldn't even contain them all. Just as An Ning, out of novelty, thought about releasing one to play with, she suddenly heard a familiar voice from not far away.
"A-Ning! Tai... cousin, what are you doing here too!"
It turned out to be Mu Yang, who had urgently made her way through the crowd. As soon as she approached, she grabbed her little friend's sleeve, saying excitedly:
"Great, A-Ning! I was just thinking about looking for you to play! Never expected..."
Before she finished speaking, a familiar yet somewhat strange male voice came from behind. It was the long-unseen Second Young Master Xie, who slowly stepped forward and offered a respectful bow to the person before him:
"Cousin..." Finally, he turned to face An Ning's direction and said:
Perhaps the night breeze was particularly chilly tonight, as those last two words carried some hesitation when spoken.
His gaze lingered on their tightly clasped hands for a moment, and Xie Heng's folding fan gripped in his hand tightened considerably.
Perhaps it had been too long since they last met. Compared to the previously gentle-faced yet subtly proud Second Young Master Xie, this person now clearly carried more desolation.
Draped in a moon-white brocade cloak, he now appeared noticeably thinner.
Only his eyes... why did they seem somewhat...
Though puzzled inwardly, An Ning showed no sign of noticing on the surface. After a simple nod of greeting, she continued chattering happily with her companion nearby. Instead, it was Situ Jing who, after observing the person before him for a moment, suddenly spoke:
"I've long heard cousin has great aspirations. Since you passed the imperial examination last year and became a scholar, it would be better to settle down soon!"
"Why not let me take some concern today and personally act as matchmaker for cousin?"