As the Mid-Autumn Festival approached, the streets of the capital city were decorated with lanterns and riddles hung up, preparing for the festival night for the citizens to enjoy.
Niu Pan’er rode her horse slowly down the street, watching the lantern stalls with interest, and said, "The capital is indeed much more prosperous than the Northeast, no wonder so many people are dying to return to the capital for a position."
Yuan Yi rode alongside her and said dismissively, "In my opinion, the Northeast is better. At least you don’t have to worry so much when riding a horse."
Niu Pan’er chuckled lightly.
In the capital, there are many noble families and many rules. While doing as you please is not impossible, it comes at a great cost, as this is under the Emperor’s feet.
"Damn, Song Si, you dare to hit my face!"
"Your mouth is so foul, what’s wrong with hitting your face? I ought to rip that filthy mouth of yours!"
"Am I not speaking the truth? You are the one whose engagement got broken!"
Niu Pan’er looked at the people inside, curiously turning to Yuan Yi: "What’s going on? Broken engagement?"
Yuan Yi replied, "I heard that Master Song Si’s engagement with the Shen Family’s young lady fell through."
The marriage between Song Zhiyu and Fu Qing, although not finalized, could not be hidden as both families intended to marry. Suddenly, it fell through, and neither could conceal it.
Some people knew about it and hence mocked Song Zhiyu.
Niu Pan’er raised her eyebrows, jumped off her horse, and walked into the alley.
Song Zhiyu still wanted to punch the person opposite him, but Niu Pan’er coughed heavily.
"What are you doing here? This Commandery Princess saw the Five Cities Military Department’s patrol coming."
The few people turned around, recognizing the imposing and sword-wearing Commandery Princess Dongyang, and immediately shrank their necks, saluted, and dispersed like birds and beasts.
Song Zhiyu also wanted to run; getting caught by the tomboy in a brawl wasn’t good, so he needed to flee.
"Your lip is busted; if you don’t treat it, Madam will nag when she sees it." Niu Pan’er pointed at his mouth while keeping one hand behind her back.
Song Zhiyu instinctively touched his lip, grimacing with an "ouch": "That brat ruined my handsome face; I’ll not spare him later."
Niu Pan’er and Yuan Yi: "..."
Shuiyunjian Tea House.
"Hey, hey, be gentle. Si Xi, your hand is brutal. Are you trying to poke me to death?"
Si Xi, with a face blotched red and blue, said, "Master Si, it won’t pain the memory unless it’s painful. I advised you before, no need to compete with a fallen one."
"I’m not competing with him; I’m reasoning with him." Song Zhiyu snorted.
Niu Pan’er, holding a cup of tea, took a sip and teased with a smile, "Reason with fists? Yet you didn’t win?"
"Who says I didn’t win? If you hadn’t come, see if I didn’t beat him to death!" Song Zhiyu snorted.
Si Xi had already applied the medicine and stood aside.
Niu Pan’er said, "It’s just a broken engagement, no need to be angry and fight. A true man worries not for lack of a wife. So don’t be upset."
"I’m upset?" Song Zhiyu pointed at himself, eyes wide: "Which eye of yours saw me upset? I, the mighty Master Song Si, elegant, handsome, a noble young lord, a man of responsibility, a true gentleman. They gave up on me; the lady’s family should be upset, not me!"
Niu Pan’er burst out laughing, her eyes curving.
"Why are you laughing? Did I say something wrong?" Song Zhiyu puffed his cheeks.
Niu Pan’er: "You didn’t say anything wrong." It’s just I’ve never seen someone so self-loving and boastful.
"As my mother would say, I have overwhelming confidence. A noble young lord like me won’t worry about a wife. But you, I’m genuinely worried for you..."
"How dare you!" Yuan Yi’s sword unsheathed with a shing, held horizontally in front of Song Zhiyu.