Part 2
“It is the Luoyang Relay Station,” the attendant replied with a smile.
A man wearing a crimson robe walked toward her and said warmly, “Go change your clothes. Today is the Mid-Autumn Lantern Festival; Zhen will take you to the South Market to see it.”
Zhao Yiyi was stunned and turned her head slightly. “Bixia can go see it by yourself.”
“Still angry?” Gu Zhen stepped forward helplessly two steps, speaking in a voice only the two of them could hear. “It was raining a few days ago, yet you insisted on riding a horse. Zhen merely stopped you with one sentence, yet you’ve been angry with Zhen until now. Your temper is truly getting bigger.”
Zhao Yiyi glanced at him, then looked away, saying indifferently, “This concubine is not angry. Besides, it was just a little drizzle; didn’t Bixia also ride a horse? Clearly, only the prefectural official is allowed to set fires, while the common people aren’t allowed to light lamps.”
Gu Zhen couldn’t help laughing. “Where did you learn all these phrases? Alright, quickly go up and change clothes. Don’t be angry; Zhen will take you riding to the South Market today.”
Zhao Yiyi turned around expressionlessly and walked upstairs with a da-da sound. The relay station was old, and the wooden stairs made a loud noise as she stomped on them forcefully.
Before going up, she left a sentence behind: “Bixia go by yourself; this concubine is going to rest.”
Still saying she wasn’t angry.
Let her look at herself; did this look like she wasn’t angry?
Staring at her graceful retreating figure, Gu Zhen’s lips hooked into a smile.
After waiting downstairs at the relay station for a long time without seeing her come down, Gu Zhen knew she was truly annoyed.
Zhao Yiyi was playing with a string of jade beads when she suddenly heard the squeak of the door. She looked up abruptly, only to realize she had forgotten to latch the door, allowing him to push right in.
“What is Bixia here for?” She glanced at him, then lowered her head to continue playing with the jade beads, muttering a sentence.
The relay station was located in the Qinghua Ward, where many government offices and dignitaries resided.
The half-open window faced directly toward the main gate of the Imperial College (Guozijian). Students wearing light-colored robes came out in groups of twos and threes, chatting and laughing all the way, looking like they were going to see the lantern festival.
Zhao Yiyi looked out the window, counting the passing figures one by one, but didn’t count the one she wanted to see.
Feeling somewhat unhappy, she turned her head back.
Afraid she would be blown by the cold wind, Gu Zhen stepped forward to close the window. Helplessly lowering his voice, he said, “The lantern festival is about to start. If we don’t go now, there will be too many people later, and we won’t be able to squeeze in.”
Saying this, he put his arm around her shoulder, getting a few inches closer, and said warmly, “Here with Zhen, there is news regarding your younger brother.”
“What?” Zhao Yiyi raised her eyebrows slightly.
Gu Zhen’s eyes were gentle, and every word he spoke carried a coaxing tone. “When we get to the South Market, Zhen will tell you.”
Zhao Yiyi glared at him angrily, finally stood up with a cold face, and asked him, “When does Bixia want to go?”
The South Market was on the south bank of the Luo River, more than twice the size of the North Market. Carriages and horses were like dragons; tourists were like woven fabric.
Countless brilliant lanterns hung high, suspended over the roads on both sides. Children ran happily holding toys, followed by the scolding of adults, which only made the children run faster.
Zhao Yiyi hadn’t visited a lantern festival for many years.
Every year there was a lantern festival in the palace too, but she always felt it lacked the liveliness of the common folk. Amidst the brilliant lights and shadows, it always seemed covered by a layer of hazy gauze, unlike the reality outside.
“The lantern lights this year are quite good,” looking up at the vendors and lanterns all around, Zhao Yiyi said with a smile.
Her lotus-like face appeared even more soft and moving under the illumination of the lights.
That face held a hint of a smile, affectionate and gentle.
Gu Zhen paused for a moment, then whispered, “Next year, Zhen will accompany you to see them again.”
Silence fell between the two. Gu Zhen gently clenched his fist, fingertips digging into his palm, causing him to frown subconsciously in pain.
After strolling around the South Market, buying some fruits, pastries, and stir-fried dishes, the two went to the Luo River to take a painted pleasure boat.
The lights on the painted boat shone brightly. Light gauze draped around all sides, and the sound of silk and bamboo instruments played continuously.
Zhao Yiyi sat upright at the table, poured herself a cup of tea, and asked warmly, “What was the matter Bixia wanted to tell this concubine earlier?”
Sure enough, she was still thinking about it.
How could she easily forget something she wanted to remember?
Gu Zhen was helpless with her in his heart but replied calmly on the surface, “He beat Cui Siyuan up.”
Zhao Yiyi was stunned instantly, frowning, “How did this concubine not know?”
“He beat him in private and didn’t dare tell you. Even Cui Siyuan himself doesn’t know who beat him.” Gu Zhen smiled and said, “The Marquis of Hejian went to the government office several times, wanting the Luoyang Governor to investigate this matter thoroughly. The Governor found out it was him but didn’t dare to make a decision on his own, so he reported it to Zhen first.”
Zhao Chen looked gentle and humble on the outside, but in his bones, he was prouder than anyone. When the Late Emperor passed away, an official from the Court of Imperial Sacrifices saw his handsome features and extraordinary bearing and selected him as a pallbearer, but he bluntly refused.
Turning down an opportunity to enter officialdom that was right in front of him, he insisted on taking that path with no visible end.
It was possible he ordered servants to beat someone, but given his dignified manner, Zhao Yiyi couldn’t imagine him beating someone personally no matter what.
But thinking that the person he beat was Cui Siyuan, she inexplicably felt relieved.
“Is the Empress satisfied with this news?” Gu Zhen looked at her with a smile, hooking the corners of his lips lightly, his voice like a wisp of ethereal autumn wind.
Although Zhao Yiyi felt relieved, she still felt this matter was tricky. She couldn’t help saying, “I once heard people say the Marquis of Hejian uses ruthless methods and is a person who seeks revenge for the smallest grievance. If he finds out it was Ah Chen who beat him, he certainly won’t let it go easily…”
Gu Zhen said, “No matter. Zhen has already suppressed this matter.”
Houses lined the banks of the Luo River row upon row. Every household had lights lit, raising their heads to admire the moon.
Zhao Yiyi walked slowly to the railing, looking down at the distant scenery, gazing at the willows relying on the riverbank. She couldn’t help sighing, “The last time we came out on Mid-Autumn night, we were also touring the Luo River on a painted boat. Duanduan even bought a small lantern to give me.”
Gu Zhen’s mind moved slightly. He suddenly asked her, “How did your family adopt her?”
“She was sold by her brother and sister-in-law when she was six. This concubine’s mother passed by and saw her. Because talking to her happened to save Mother from a bridge that collapsed ahead, Mother bought her back.” Zhao Yiyi’s voice was clear and moist, like the Luo River murmuring under the moon, rippling with circles of clear waves.
Gu Zhen was stunned. “She had parents, brothers, and sisters-in-law before?”
“Naturally, she did. Otherwise, how could a small child grow so big?” Zhao Yiyi looked back at him strangely, her almond eyes narrowing slightly. “Speaking of which, Bixia has frequently asked about this concubine’s sister these days.”
Gu Zhen was greatly shocked in his heart. A trace of daze flashed across his phoenix eyes, then he quickly calmed down, pulling his lips to laugh twice. “Zhen was just asking a couple of questions about your family affairs. In the past, when I didn’t ask, you said Zhen ignored you. Now that I ask more, you find it annoying.”
He sighed lightly, pulled her over, and asked softly, “What do you want Zhen to do with you?”
Zhao Yiyi frowned and brushed his hand away, turning around. “Bixia is surprisingly good at finding excuses.”
“It’s just that Zhen saw her appearance resembles a deceased old acquaintance, hence the question,” Gu Zhen explained softly, then added, “Why did her brother and sister-in-law sell her?”
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