Chapter 43 Because I Hate the Qixi Festival

Chapter 43 Because I Hate the Qixi Festival

At night, Gao Wenyan lay in bed, still unable to shake off Chu Xu's mood.

His tone was flat, but Gao Wenyan felt deeply saddened.

In her previous life, she had also lost her family, and she knew this pain better than anyone.

But Chu Xu wasn't as fortunate; he couldn't go back to the past.

Gao Wenyan first met Chu Xu four years ago at the Chancellor's inauguration ceremony.

The young Chancellor, dressed in bright red official robes, rode his horse down the streets of Chang'an.

Crowds lined both sides of the road, all eager to catch a glimpse of the youngest Chancellor of Great Ning.

Gao Wenyan waited for Gao Wenting on the Blossom House, leaning against the railing, bored.

Then she saw Chu Xu sitting on his horse, casually lifting his eyes.

Their gazes met, and Gao Wenyan continued to look at him calmly, observing his features, his thin lips, and his hands holding the reins.

Soon, he passed by the Blossom House and disappeared into the distance.

But Gao Wenyan had already made up her mind.

Though he looked like a pretty boy, he was indeed very handsome.

Gao Wenting came out and asked what she was looking at.

"The newly appointed Chancellor."

So Gao Wenting leaned out too, only to see a red figure in the distance.

"I heard he is quite young."

"Seems he's just twenty-three," she teased. "Look at you, only a year older."

Gao Wenting didn't take it seriously, turning her shoulder and walking away.

He retorted, "Well then, my dear sister, what do you plan to achieve in three years?"

"Let me cut you down first."

She remembered these details so clearly, thinking she had long forgotten them.

After falling into a drowsy sleep, Gao Wenyan had many fragmented dreams.

Bits and pieces of her past life and the seventeen-year-old Chu Xu, none of which were pleasant.

The next day, even Wen Zishu noticed her exhaustion and asked if she had been up to something, looking so tired.

Yawning, she led the horse, preparing to set off.

"Really not staying another day?"

Gao Wenyan waved her hand and walked away lazily.

Wen Zishu somehow obtained two travel documents, allowing them to return to Great Ning openly.

Given her pace and temperament, Chu Xu thought she would continue traveling through the night without stopping.

However, before the sky darkened, Gao Wenyan found a bustling town to stay in.

Seeing her yawning all day, Chu Xu assumed she was tired.

But as soon as she put away her luggage, she enthusiastically pulled Chu Xu outside.

Today was the Lantern Festival, and warm lanterns illuminated the streets.

People were already releasing lanterns into the river, and they floated downstream, lighting up the banks.

Gao Wenyan, with her hands behind her back, secretly glanced at him.

"Are you trying to comfort me, lady?"

Chu Xu immediately understood her intention.

"Cough, cough."

She pretended to cough and said, "Just a coincidence."

"Did Young Master Yan ever release lanterns before?"

He shook his head. "No."

When his parents left, he had just turned sixteen, too young to change anything.

Later, living in the small city of Longnan for several years, he had no leisure to celebrate the Lantern Festival.

"Oh, not really."

His eyes flickered as he said, "Once, actually."

"Then let's do it again!"

Gao Wenyan acted immediately, running to a street vendor to buy a lantern.

She lit the lantern and carefully placed it in Chu Xu's hands.

She smiled. "Go ahead."

The lantern drifted into the water, shimmering as it floated away from his hand, soon merging with the river of lights.

His hand was still in the water; the river carried away the warmth left by the lantern.

Gao Wenyan pulled his hand out and whispered, "They have already received it."

Chu Xu came back to his senses and looked at her.

"It just feels amazing."

Seeing her puzzled expression, Chu Xu slowly stood up, ignoring her.

"Let's go; it's time for a meal."

However, before they reached the restaurant, they exchanged a glance and spontaneously changed their route.

Chu Xu led her into a tailor's shop.

Gao Wenyan frowned, disagreeing, "We can hear three people, and we can't avoid them."

"Can you fight them?"

Those three moved silently, clearly professionally trained, and their skills were not low.

Together, they could handle it, but she feared there might be more "rats" lurking in the shadows.

"In that case, I apologize, Lady Wenyan."

He handed Gao Wenyan a set of clothes.

After changing, they indeed temporarily confused their pursuers.

"I rarely see you dressed like this."

Gao Wenyan couldn't help but glare at him.

"You still have the heart for this."

Chu Xu picked out a red satin embroidered butterfly skirt for her.

Usually, she wore attire suitable for combat, rarely donning such elaborate clothing.

The Lantern Festival was meant to commemorate deceased loved ones and was not a sad occasion; many preferred wearing red on this day.

Gao Wenyan assumed Chu Xu chose the outfit to blend in, unaware of his ulterior motives.

They pretended to be a couple on a date, strolling here and stopping there.

Noticing Chu Xu frequently looking at her, Gao Wenyan turned to him, thinking he had something to say.

Inserting a gold-inlaid jade hairpin into her hair, Chu Xu tilted his head, observing for a moment before smiling contentedly.

Gao Wenyan was actually incredibly beautiful, but her mind was elsewhere, and she didn't realize it.

Her eyebrows were like willow leaves, her features lively, and the heroic spirit in her eyes made everything come alive, far surpassing ordinary women.

Changing her hairstyle today, Gao Wenyan already felt uncomfortable, and suddenly having an additional hairpin, she reached up to touch it.

Thinking she wanted to remove it, Chu Xu gently held her wrist and smiled, "Leave it on."

The vendor, understanding the situation, chimed in.

"This hairpin looks perfect on you! Sir, you should buy it!"

So, Chu Xu paid without hesitation.

"In such a small town, how dare they sell a hairpin so expensively."

Gao Wenyan couldn't help but mutter.

She hadn't brought enough money this time, making her particularly mindful.

"A hairpin for Lady Wenyan is worth it."

Under the long sleeves, Chu Xu still held her wrist, and Gao Wenyan, looking at their shadows, felt a momentary daze.

They truly seemed like a couple on a date, but it was all just an act.

"By the way, why is the Qixi Festival so quiet this year?"

Every year, the Qixi Festival was bustling with men and women, even fireworks.

Those days, Gao Wenyan was so busy she forgot about it until seeing the Lantern Festival today.

"Guess."

His eyes twinkled with amusement.

Gao Wenyan was slightly surprised and said, "No way?"

Chu Xu nodded, confirming.

"I told the Emperor that a Taoist observed the stars at night, and the Qixi Festival would bring calamity."

Thus, the Emperor issued an edict prohibiting all Qixi activities this year.

"Why did you do that?"

Her wrist was gently but firmly pinched.

He looked at her, smiling openly.

"Because I really dislike the Qixi Festival."