Chapter 68: Your Husband Will Be Gone

Chapter 68: Your Husband Will Be Gone

Beside the Sishui River, the lights on both banks were like a sea, and on the shimmering river surface floated countless river lanterns. The sound of languid music drifted from the pleasure boats moored along the shore.

On the streets, people bustled about; some wore masks, others carried flower lanterns, some walked in groups, while others were alone...

Ran Qinggu held a river lantern in his hand as he asked worriedly, "Heir, is it really alright? The princess consort is waiting for us to return for the hot pot. If we go back late, wouldn't that be bad?"

Shang Rongyu smiled. "Have you been to Jiang Nan?"

Ran Qinggu shook his head.

When someone brushed past them, Shang Rongyu put his arm around Ran Qinggu's waist, guiding him away from those who were bumping into them.

"The scenery in Jiang Nan is quite nice," he said. "The lakes and pavilions are arranged in an orderly yet picturesque manner. Especially on summer evenings, when the moon is bright and the stars sparse, a family would set up a hot pot on their courtyard terrace, warm two jars of fine wine, and chill three cups of plum juice... Life there is simply wonderful. But..." he changed the direction of his speech.

Ran Qinggu was listening intently and couldn't help but hum in agreement.

Shang Rongyu chuckled. "But the hot pot isn't their main meal; they eat it as a night snack. I remember the first time I went to my maternal grandfather's house, they cooked deer rice porridge that evening, but I didn't like deer meat, so I ate very little. Less than an hour later, I was hungry again, and then I saw the hot pot being cooked in the pleasure boat, with warm wine. So I ate with my cousins, only to find out later that the dinner that night was just to fill our stomachs a bit. Everyone was waiting for that hot pot, which we had started eating first."

"So you don't have to worry about returning late and the princess consort scolding us. I've calculated the time, and now her hot pot has just been placed on the table, simmering. We'll wander around for another quarter of an hour and then go back, arriving just in time."

"Sir, mad...am? Madam, you're dressed as a man?" A short, round-faced middle-aged man at the bridgehead of the Sishui River was selling flower lantern masks.

His gaze swept over Ran Qinggu, and he understood, saying, "That's good, safe. Otherwise, with Madam's beauty, there would certainly be many villains coveting you. There are some people on both sides of this Sishui River who harbor ill intentions, who knows what kind of dirty thoughts they might have."

Shang Rongyu laughed heartily. "Do you know us?"

The short, round-faced man replied, "Sir, Madam, you nobles have many things to forget, but a small person like me dares not forget. That year on the Qixi Festival, it was Madam who reminded me that the lantern shouldn't only have half the words written on it. It was also Sir you who, to make Madam happy, had me release all the river lanterns by the riverbank and rewarded me with a gold ingot. Because of that, my wife had money for treatment, and her health gradually improved..."

Shang Rongyu smiled. "I remember, you have a daughter."

The short, round-faced man smiled honestly. "Because Sir gave me a lot of rewards, my daughter could afford to go to school. Sir and Madam, do you want to see the flower lantern masks? I'll give you one for free..."

Ran Qinggu shook his head. "Thank you, we don't need any."

For some reason, the short man felt that this voice was different from before. But he thought that since this Madam was disguised as a man, she deliberately spoke in a rough voice, which made sense.

Shang Rongyu picked up a mask, the one with red thread ties.

The mask was painted with a face design, crudely made, but the fact that the face design was made of cloth and sewn on made it quite unique.

The short man hurriedly introduced, "This is called the Moon Old Man mask. The first person you reveal the mask to will be your lover, it's very effective."

Ran Qinggu looked at the people on the streets, wearing similar or identical masks.

Seeing Shang Rongyu's interest, he quickly handed another mask to him. "This one is for Madam, wishing Sir and Madam a long and happy marriage. You should already have a noble child, and I wish you a long life together and more noble children."

He cheerfully hawked the flower lantern masks at the bridgehead. "Selling flower lanterns, masks... Madam, sir... come and take a look."

Shang Rongyu held the mask with a smile. "Come, put it on, let me personally remove your mask, to make up for the regret of not lifting the veil on our wedding night."

Ran Qinggu smiled. "Can a veil compare to a mask?"

Shang Rongyu put the mask on Ran Qinggu and put one on himself. "Just consider it the same, besides, this is the Moon Old Man mask. Marrying this Heir, you're still beautiful..."

Ran Qinggu teased, "Not wanting to be a proper prince, you want to be an heir. I'm a shallow person, I want to be a princess consort, not a princess of the heir...Your Highness?"

As he spoke to Shang Rongyu, he raised his head and saw Shang Yuzhou standing not far from the bridgehead.

Shang Yuzhou looked indifferently at the pair under the dim light of the bridgehead and stepped forward. "I'm no longer a prince."

Ran Qinggu asked, "Are you here to see the lanterns too?"

Shang Yuzhou replied, "No, I came to find you."

Shang Rongyu immediately pulled Ran Qinggu back a step, alerting, "What do you want with him?"

Shang Yuzhou smiled warmly. "To say goodbye."

Ran Qinggu was puzzled. "You're leaving?"

Shang Yuzhou nodded. "You were right, I should go and see the world. These years, I've been trapped in the capital, I want to see the autumn scenery in other places."

Ran Qinggu frowned and asked, "When will you return?"

Shang Yuzhou shook his head. "I don't know."

With that, he handed a money pouch to Shang Rongyu.

It seemed to be an empty money pouch, not heavy at all.

Shang Rongyu did not accept it, pursing his lips and saying, "A few coins are unnecessary. Keep it to buy steamed buns, so you don't starve to death on the road. I plundered the imperial palace a few days ago, I have money."

Shang Yuzhou smiled faintly. "Didn't you say that when you returned to the capital, you would go to North City to propose to Aunt Ran Shang? You wanted to hold a wedding again and asked me to prepare two thousand taels of gold for you. I was afraid that when you remarried, I would be traveling around and wouldn't be able to present the two thousand taels of gold in time, so I'm giving it to you in advance."

Shang Rongyu looked Shang Yuzhou up and down. "Do you look like you have two thousand taels of gold? Aren't you known as a pauper?"

He looked suspiciously at Ran Qinggu, asking, "Is this true or false?"

Ran Qinggu smiled gently. "I don't know."

Shang Yuzhou pushed the bag into Shang Rongyu's hands. "Inside are silver tickets from the Shang Bank, you can take them to the bank yourself to withdraw the silver. For your second marriage, don't visit brothels anymore, be careful not to end up remarrying again."

Shang Rongyu was puzzled. "Which bank?"

Shang Yuzhou replied, "All of them."

He looked deeply at Ran Qinggu, turned, and walked toward the other side of the bridge. "I'm off."

Ran Qinggu nodded. "Take care."

Shang Yuzhou strode away with determination. Not long after Shang Yuzhou left, Bai Yu and Taozi arrived at the bridgehead, where they saw Ran Qinggu and Shang Rongyu. Bai Yu asked anxiously, "Cousin, did you see which direction the Third Prince went?"

Shang Rongyu pointed toward the bridge. "That way."

Bai Yu hurried off in pursuit, but after taking a few steps, she turned back. "Cousin, my mother said she hopes you'll visit Beicheng when you have time. She misses you very much."

Ran Qinggu asked, "And what about you? Aren't you going back?"

Bai Yu replied, "The Third Prince said he's going to the south for a look, and I'm also heading south. It's perfect that we can travel together. After I've had my fun for a while longer, I'll return to Beicheng next month. Now..."

She hesitated before continuing, "Cousin, I've been a bit extravagant recently, and I'm a little short on funds. Could you..."

Shang Rongyu handed Bai Yu a pouch containing a thousand taels of gold. "Here's a silver note for a thousand taels of gold. Take it and spend it."

Bai Yu was grateful. "So much! The Heir is indeed wealthy; your generosity is boundless. For my cousin to be with you is truly the result of good deeds accumulated from past lives..."

Shang Rongyu smiled contentedly. "This is the Third Prince's wedding gift to me and your cousin. Since you're leaving, I might as well give it to you for your journey."

Bai Yu thanked him. "Thank you, Heir."

Ran Qinggu expressed his concern. "Yu'er, you and the Third Prince..."

The Third Prince was too deeply entangled, while Bai Yu was wild and free-spirited. These two were like parallel lines that would never intersect. He feared Bai Yu would get caught up deeper and deeper.

Bai Yu smiled. "We're friends. He doesn't need someone like me, and I don't want to be tied down. Cousin, you don't have to worry so much. I'll take care of myself and won't let anyone make me suffer. This trip south is just to hitch a ride with him. It's nice to have company on the road. When we reach Nancheng, we'll part ways."

Ran Qinggu looked at Taozi. "Are you leaving too?"

Bai Yu pulled Taozi closer to her. "Cousin, you don't lack maidservants or protectors. Taozi isn't suited for the Wangfu."

Taozi nodded. "Young Master, I wish to travel and enjoy the scenery with Yu'er. But if one day you need me, Young Master, I will return."

Ran Qinggu gave Taozi a jade pendant, smiling. "Go ahead."

After Bai Yu left the city, she opened the pouch, only to find it empty except for a piece of paper that read, "A Thousand Taels of Gold."

Bai Yu thought, The Third Prince really hates the Heir.

Taozi remarked, "I suddenly understand why Young Master gave me this jade pendant."

==

Bang—

A firework exploded in the sky, followed by countless others, painting the entire sky with brilliant colors.

Crowds gathered along both banks of the Sishui River, cheering and screaming in excitement.

As Ran Qinggu watched, he felt a sense of nostalgia. Over the years, this city had remained unchanged. There were always youths growing old, maidens becoming wives, children playing and laughing, and talented scholars and beautiful ladies looking back at each other...

"My brother injured his eye during sword practice, and it's been bothering him these past few days. Your future sister-in-law will come to release river lanterns later. She always wants to be in the crowd, wanting to test whether her future husband can find her first in the sea of people... You must help your brother keep an eye out..."

"Okay."

A familiar voice suddenly rang out. Ran Qinggu turned around and saw two elegantly dressed young men carrying lanterns walking by the bridge, their robes fluttering in the breeze.

He couldn't help but follow them.

Shang Rongyu called out, "Qinggu, where are you going? It's already been half an hour; we need to hurry home for the warm pot and wontons."

The white figure disappeared into the crowded bridgehead, blending into the sea of people.

Ran Qinggu chased after them. Amidst the dim lights, he saw the brothers finding a charming woman at the bridgehead. She held a lantern and was playfully scolding them...

When he looked again, an elderly couple walked hand in hand onto the bridgehead. "How can the glutinous rice cakes from Sansu Zhai compare to those made by my wife? When it comes to desserts, no one can match my wife's skill. What I miss most when I'm away is my wife's cooking—it's the taste of home."

They passed by him.

Ran Qinggu stared for a long time, his vision blurred, leaving only the flickering lights.

He thought that perhaps in another world, his sister-in-law hid among the crowd, waiting for his brother to find her. His father was stern and serious, but when he spoke sweet words, he was sincere and touching...

Suddenly, Shang Rongyu lifted the mask covering Ran Qinggu's face, panting. "I knew it was you. Why did you suddenly leave? We need to hurry back, or we won't get to eat the warm pot and wontons. The Empress Dowager will nag us again."

Ran Qinggu explained, "I just saw some toys I used to play with as a child and chased after them to buy some."

Shang Rongyu raised an eyebrow. "Why didn't you buy them? Are you stingy? Don't worry, I have plenty of money."

Ran Qinggu smiled. "No, I was mistaken. Let's go back."

Shang Rongyu retied Ran Qinggu's mask. "This matchmaker mask is quite effective. In the sea of people, the first person I found was you. It seems our marriage is truly destined by heaven."

"It's him, he lifted our masks." Several people in white, both men and women, pointed at Shang Rongyu and shouted from the crowd.

A woman with a pockmarked face, thick eyebrows, and crossed eyes screamed, "It's him who lifted our masks. He's our destined partner."

Ran Qinggu was speechless.

No wonder Shang Rongyu came over and directly lifted his mask. He wanted to confirm if he was indeed Ran Qinggu?

Shang Rongyu held Ran Qinggu's hand. "No, listen to me explain. I rushed over in such a hurry because I was worried something might happen to you. In my haste, I lifted everyone's mask... But you have to believe that our marriage is truly destined by heaven."

The group rushed forward, fighting with each other as they charged. "He's mine..." "No, he's mine!" "He lifted my mask first..."

Shang Rongyu quickly pulled Ran Qinggu away, and the group chased after them.

Ran Qinggu asked, "Why are we running this way? Didn't you say we were going back for the warm pot and wontons?"

He clutched his hand tightly and ran in the direction opposite to the Prince's residence...

Shang Rongyu: "If you eat any more, your husband will be gone."

Author's note: The main story has come to a complete end. Waaah, I didn't think I'd finish the final chapter at half past two in the morning. I really can't bear to part with it. There will be some sweet side stories afterward, which I'll update irregularly, but within a week, all the side stories will be completed.

Thank you to all my lovely readers who have accompanied me on this journey. I'm truly grateful for your support. I love you all forever, mwah.

Check out my column for pre-releases. My next book, "When the Demon Lord Becomes a Foot Washer," about a cross-dressing, venomous beauty, is expected to start next year. For the next one, I want to write a pure comedy to lighten things up.

Synopsis of "When the Demon Lord Becomes a Foot Washer":

Demon Lord Dan Shen, with stunning beauty and indistinguishable gender, is the head of the first palace in the Demon Realm. Practicing the path of heartlessness, he commands thousands of demon soldiers, exterminating countless asuras, with a bloodlust that strikes fear into the hearts of many.

Due to his heinous deeds, he was annihilated by both the Immortal and Demon Realms, leaving no remains and his soul scattered.

In a single rebirth, he reincarnates as a servant in the Alliance of Ten Thousand Immortals, specifically a foot washer for the youngest son of the Alliance Leader.

This foot washer turns out to be a cross-dressing master.

Dressed as a woman due to an infatuation with Immortal Fuzhou, solely to wash his feet!

Rumors say Immortal Fuzhou is the most handsome man in the cultivation world, never losing a fight in a century, with unfathomable spiritual powers. Due to a battle with the Cold Demon from the Demon Realm, his left foot was injured, requiring daily soaking to remove residual poison and coldness!

To survive, Dan Shen has no choice but to diligently wash the feet of this Immortal.

On the first day of his rebirth, Immortal Fuzhou gave Dan Shen a cold glance. "Who let such an ugly thing in here? It dirties this Immortal's eyes."

Thus, the foot washer becomes a foot washer not allowed to look up!

"That lowly maid even dreams of climbing into the Immortal's bed, doesn't she know if she's worthy?"

"I heard the Immortal got angry. That lowly maid will soon be expelled from the Alliance of Ten Thousand Immortals."

"That lowly maid actually used bone manipulation to forcibly shape herself into the likeness of the great demon lord Dan Shen, as if the Demon Lord would spare her (him) a glance."

Later, the entire cultivation world went mad. The foot washer turned out to be the great demon lord Dan Shen, planning a resurgence to plunder the Three Realms!

Fuzhou: Is plundering the Three Realms more important than washing my feet? Come over, sit down!

A heartless, venomous beauty cross-dresser as the lead vs. a domineering, sarcastic, and devious attacker.

1v1, both virgins, happy ending.

Next up is "After Falling for Fanfiction About My Rival, I Fell in Love with Me." This is a purely comedic, silly little romance.

Synopsis of "After Falling for Fanfiction About My Rival, I Fell in Love with Me":

Upon entering the circle, Shen Ci offended many with his arrogance and talent.

Among those most offended was Ye Jinzhao, the handsome young master of a wealthy family, known for his acting skills and looks.

Their rivalry became a regular occurrence.

Suddenly one day, Ye Jinzhao told Shen Ci that they lived in a book, a story where one person is pursued by many.

He was the protagonist, and Shen Ci was one of the many lowly pursuers who loved him.

He said Shen Ci would fall in love with him, cling to him desperately, and never leave him, no matter how much he tried to push him away.

He warned Shen Ci not to harbor any improper thoughts towards him, as he had no interest in him.

So, Shen Ci avoided Ye Jinzhao whenever possible.

Wherever Ye Jinzhao was, he stayed away. Even if beaten to death, he would never be a lowly pursuer.

Later, Shen Ci discovered that the book was penned by Ye Jinzhao's assistant, a fangirl, as fanfiction.

And they weren't living in a book; it was all his rival's imagination after reading the fanfiction...

From the attacker's perspective:

Ye Jinzhao read a novel online where Shen Ci was one of his many lowly pursuers, and they ended up together happily ever after.

Ye Jinzhao was furious: What kind of crap is this book? I will never love Shen Ci.

Later, he read a certain chapter.

Ye Jinzhao: Shen Ci should come to tempt me tonight...

He waited impatiently, then decided to knock on Shen Ci's hotel room door himself.

Instead, he saw one of his other pursuers leaving Shen Ci's room, warning him to stay away from Shen Ci!

Ye Jinzhao: What happened to loving me desperately?

1v1, happy ending, both virgins, a joyful and humorous daily life story.

Lastly, please consider pre-adding my column. In the future, I'll try many different stories, perhaps there will be something you like!