Chapter 45: Chapter 45

Chapter 45

◎ In an instant, the brilliant light illuminated those dark, beautiful phoenix eyes, as tender and crystalline as the moonlight. ◎

Li Ci didn't know how long she had been unconscious. When she opened her eyes, everything was still pitch black. She tried to move and was relieved to find that her hands and feet weren't tied, but the effects of the drug hadn't fully worn off—her limbs felt weak and limp, with little strength to spare.

Since childhood, her father had taught her and her brother that if they were ever kidnapped, they must not panic. If they could lull the kidnappers into carelessness and carefully seize an opportunity to escape, that would be ideal. If not, the Li Family was willing to pay the ransom, and let bygones be bygones, as preserving their lives was the most important thing.

Remembering what her father had told her to say, Li Ci tried to speak, suppressing the fear in her heart, but her throat felt as if it had been seared by fire—dry and tight, unable to utter a single word.

She reached out and felt around, her fingers brushing against rough fabric. She confirmed that she was inside a burlap sack, likely in a moving carriage. The constant jolting was accompanied by the sound of turning wheels and the gruff voices of two men outside the carriage.

An older voice said, "The master said this 'cargo' is crucial. Your drug worked, didn't it?"

A younger voice mumbled in assent, "Don't worry. Once we're out of the city, we'll tie their hands and feet. They wouldn't be able to escape even if they were immortals."

Two people?

Hearing that someone else had been kidnapped along with her, Li Ci felt a small measure of relief. She bit her lip hard to calm herself and, feeling a bit of strength returning, tried to work a finger through the opening of the burlap sack at the top.

"Alright, stop talking. We're almost at the city gate."

The two men fell silent, and the carriage gradually slowed down.

The coarse burlap and the tight rope knot chafed her finger until it felt sore and swollen. Biting back tears, Li Ci painstakingly worked the opening wider, trying to feel for the knot at the sack's mouth.

Fortunately, the kidnappers had acted in haste and, assuming the drug would keep her subdued, hadn't tied the sack too tightly. After some effort, she managed to loosen the knot with trembling fingers.

Her fingers throbbed. Li Ci stifled her sobs, silently shedding tears as she carefully and quietly wriggled out of the sack. Her legs were still trembling, but she didn't dare make a sound. A faint light seeped through the carriage curtain, illuminating the interior.

To conceal the kidnapping, the carriage was filled with burlap sacks piled nearly as high as a person, likely containing fabric. There was also a smaller sack of an odd shape.

Remembering that she wasn't alone, her tears finally stopped. Summoning her courage, she reached out and felt a pair of small, warm hands.

Her heart tightened. Without a second thought, she quickly worked to untie the knot of the other sack. With her earlier experience, she managed to loosen it much faster this time.

She shook the sack open, revealing a young face.

The little girl, about seven or eight years old, had just awakened from the effects of the drug, her face streaked with tears and mucus.

Xu Shucui hadn't known about the lantern festival that day but had been drawn by the lively sounds and lights outside. She had promised her mother to only watch from the doorway but was lured away with candy and then drugged and kidnapped by the bad men.

When she woke up, everything was still pitch black, and she could hear the harsh voices of the bad men outside. Her father had told her about child traffickers, so she roughly understood what was happening. She thought she was going to die, but to her surprise, someone had come to rescue her.

A fresh wave of tears streamed down Xu Shucui's face. She remembered this fairy-like sister—she had bought paintings at their shop and was somewhat acquainted with her mother. Now, this sister had even untied her bonds, saving her from the bad men. It was such a relief.

Li Ci found her somewhat familiar and, upon closer thought, realized she was Shopkeeper Xu's daughter.

She immediately recalled Xie Zhenchuan mentioning that Xu Yuxuan was a key witness in the case he was investigating. The little girl had likely been dragged into this because of that. But why was she herself also kidnapped?

Li Ci couldn't figure it out at the moment, but now wasn't the time to dwell on it. Seeing the little girl's pitiful and dependent expression, she ignored her own swollen eyes and felt, for the first time, the responsibility of being an "adult."

Due to the drug, neither of them could speak. Following her grandmother's example of comforting her, Li Ci gently patted the little girl's head to soothe her.

As they approached the city gate checkpoint, the carriage came to a stop. A stern voice commanded, "People check over here, goods over there!"

The two kidnappers grumbled as they jumped off the carriage, quickly switching to ingratiating smiles.

The older voice said, "Officer, the goods on this carriage belong to a noble family. They must not be touched!"

"Yes, Officer, please have mercy and don't make things difficult for us lowly folk," the younger kidnapper chimed in.

As they spoke, they discreetly slipped some silver into the hands of the inspecting soldier.

The soldier weighed the silver in his hand, his expression softening. "Fine, I'll take a quick look myself. If everything seems fine, I'll let you leave the city."

He raised a torch and walked toward the carriage, preparing to give it a perfunctory inspection.

Just then, a tremendous "boom" sounded from the sky as a brilliant firework suddenly exploded, like moonlight pouring down, illuminating the world as bright as day in an instant.

No one had ever seen such a novel firework before—even the two kidnappers couldn't help but look up at the sky in awe.

The sudden loud noise and bright light spooked the carriage horse, causing it to whinny and rear up before bolting wildly.

Seeing the carriage run off on its own, the older kidnapper had no choice but to reveal the Feng family's token. "Quick, stop it!"

The younger one, emboldened by the authority, added, "If they escape, Lord Feng will make you regret it!"

The lead soldier took a look at the token and, confirming its authenticity, immediately dispatched horses and men to help the two chase after the carriage.

The carriage jolted violently, tossing Li Ci around inside. Xu Shucui was trembling with fear, but for some reason, Li Ci felt less afraid herself. She held the little girl tightly in her arms and clung to a large burlap sack. Fortunately, the carriage was filled with fabric, preventing them from being thrown out.

After the carriage swung around several sharp turns, the horse seemed to calm down, and the carriage gradually slowed. Li Ci's heart was pounding wildly. She took a deep breath, slowly moved to the carriage door, and tried to pull the reins, even mimicking a coachman by shouting "Whoa!"

Somehow, it worked—the carriage slowly came to a stop. Li Ci quickly jumped down, lifted Xu Shucui out, and holding her hand, the two stumbled forward together.

The area was remote and quiet, but they could faintly hear the pursuing hoofbeats and shouts of "Stop!" growing closer and closer, like a death knell hammering against Li Ci's heart.

She and Xu Shucui ran along the wide road for a while, but it was only a matter of time before they were caught.

This won't do. We need to change routes.

Gasping for breath, Li Ci pulled Xu Shucui into a narrow alley. The alley was dim and damp, cluttered with debris underfoot, and filled with a musty smell.

Xu Shucui stumbled over something, but Li Ci held her hand tightly, preventing her from falling.

The little girl felt both wronged and scared, wanting to say something, but though their strength had returned, the drug's effect on their throats hadn't worn off—they could only manage faint "uh uh" sounds.

Li Ci also tried to open her mouth, but her throat remained dry and tight, unable to form a single word. She could only squeeze the little girl's hand and gesture with her eyes for her to follow.

Though tears welled up in Xu Shucui's eyes from nervousness, she remembered to keep moving and nodded obediently, sticking closely behind Li Ci.

Li Ci was also terrified, her palms sweating, but seeing Xu Shucui's pitiful state, she forced herself to stay calm, silently encouraging herself. Even if she was afraid, she must not show it in front of the little girl.

Just then, another "bang" sounded from the sky as a firework shot up, its silver sparks exploding in the night sky like scattered stars, illuminating the entire alley.

Li Ci and Xu Shucui looked up simultaneously, their eyes reflecting the brilliant light of the fireworks.

So beautiful.

By the light of the fireworks, Li Ci carefully navigated around the debris underfoot, feeling less afraid in her heart.

She remembered that she had originally promised to watch fireworks with Xie Zhenchuan that night. He had said he would wait for her. She wondered how long she had been unconscious, what time it was now, and whether she could make it before 7 PM.

She could even bring Xu Shucui along. Lord Xie would surely be pleased if he saw she had brought such an important witness, right?

The firework's glow gradually faded, and the alley returned to darkness, but Li Ci's heart felt bright, and her steps grew more determined.

Mustering their strength, the two ran out of the alley and finally heard human voices.

Under the ink-black sky, a brightly lit ancestral hall stood not far away, its vermilion doors with bronze rings wide open, bustling with people who seemed to be preparing for some event.

A crowded place was always reassuring. Li Ci finally felt a glimmer of hope and hurried toward it with the little girl.

Inside the hall, people of all ages were bustling about preparing for the lantern festival parade for blessings. There were also many people in theatrical costumes, heavy makeup, or masks. Xu Shucui stared curiously at a man costumed as Sun Wukong, the Great Sage Equal to Heaven, wearing golden chainmail and a phoenix-winged purple gold crown. With a flick of his wrist, his golden staff spun rapidly, gleaming gold and humming through the air, making her momentarily forget her fear.

Li Ci was also at an age where she would normally enjoy such spectacles, but after just one glance at the Monkey King, she forced herself to turn away and turned to seek help. However, her throat still felt blocked, and she could only produce a few raspy, breathless whispers. Anxiously, she resorted to gesturing, trying to catch someone’s attention.

Soon, a middle-aged woman noticed the commotion. She walked over, sized up Li Ci, and exclaimed in sudden recognition, “You must be Mute Niang! Why are you so late? Quick, go change—the parade is about to start!”

Li Ci was stunned. Before she could explain—not that she was able to—the woman took her hand and pulled her into a room.

The room was filled with theatrical costumes, makeup cases, rouge, and floral hairpins. The middle-aged woman sifted through them and handed her a plain white robe. “What you have on is nice enough, but it’s a bit too flashy. Better change into this.”

Xu Shucui was also pulled aside by another woman, who muttered, “The child attendant’s here too? Perfect, quick, change into your costume!”

Li Ci with some difficulty took off her outer dress and put on the silver-trimmed, velvet-embroidered black bamboo Guanyin robe. The woman stayed busy as well, placing a lotus crown on her head, draping her with a plain shawl and red tassels, and handing her a holy water vase with a willow branch inside.

The woman seated her before a mirror, applied a few light touches of makeup, then set down the rouge and praised, “Ah, Mute Niang, your features are so lovely—truly, ‘brows like a crescent moon, eyes like twin stars, a face of natural joy like jade, lips touched with vermilion red.’ No wonder they asked you to play Guanyin.”

Xu Shucui was changed into the brocade robes and sash of a child attendant, her hair tied into two topknots, and she held a lotus lantern in her hands.

The woman helping with the child’s makeup sighed with pity, “Such a pretty face, but what a pity she’s mute.”

“Enough chatter,” the middle-aged woman said as she added a vermilion dot to Li Ci’s forehead and declared with satisfaction, “Now it’s perfect.”

Li Ci looked into the mirror and couldn’t help her eyes widening in astonishment. With just a few strokes of makeup, she seemed transformed.

The reflection showed a face both radiant and holy, with warm, jade-like eyes and an expression of compassionate serenity—though the surprise in her eyes betrayed her true nature.

“Ah, that won’t do,” the woman quickly said. “Mute Niang, during the parade and blessings, you can’t look like this. Master Feng has many rules. If you ruin the portrayal, your pay will be docked.”

She guided Li Ci’s hand herself to sprinkle the willow dew from the holy water vase. “When the time comes, bless people like this. Smile a little—oh, subtle, now, yes, just like that.”

Though thrust into this role, Li Ci had nearly forgotten her earlier nervousness. She was a quick learner in such matters. Curving her lips slightly and lowering her gaze, she looked perfectly convincing.

The mirror also reflected Xu Shucui’s flushed, round face. She stood to the side, eyes wide and mouth agape, staring at Li Ci, her expression full of admiration and awe.

The middle-aged woman decided they were ready and led them to the parade float lineup.

In the ancestral hall’s backyard, the procession of people dressed as deities for the blessing parade was already neatly arranged. The floats were adorned with colorful silk banners and all kinds of lanterns. Leading the way were the Jade Emperor and the Queen Mother, followed by the God of Wealth, the Earth God, the Weaver Girl and the Cowherd, and of course, the Great Sage, Nezha, and the Eight Immortals.

The Great Sage seemed to have been further made up with makeup, with designs resembling inverted peaches on his face and golden outlines around his eyes. He occasionally scratched his ears and cheeks, looking even more authentic. Nezha’s float was covered in bright red and yellow lanterns, and from a distance, he truly resembled a youthful hero standing on wind-fire wheels and holding a fire-tipped spear.

Li Ci and Xu Shucui were taken to Guanyin’s float. Compared to the vibrant, lively floats of other deities, this one was much simpler. The base was carved with light blue water patterns, and in the center was a pure white lotus-shaped throne embedded with layered lantern petals that trembled slightly as the float moved, like a breeze rippling across a lotus pond.

Just then, a commotion broke out outside the ancestral hall. The two pursuers had arrived with soldiers and began searching room by room. Screams from women and children occasionally echoed through the hall.

Li Ci’s heart leaped into her throat. She pulled Xu Shucui, dressed as the child attendant, onto the float, then pressed her lips together and offered a slight smile, just as the woman had taught her.

Xu Shucui didn’t know the pursuers had tracked them down. She was simply nervous from never having been surrounded and watched by so many people before. Sneaking a glance at the goddess sister, she felt as if an aura of peace and serenity surrounded her. Just looking at her provided a sense of reliance amid the chaos, easing the tension in her heart.

The float slowly started moving and entered the street. The crowd immediately burst into cheers.

“The Great Sage is here!”

“Guanyin, bless me with a healthy son!”

“God of Wealth, bring me prosperity—may wealth flow in endlessly!”

...

The two men and the soldiers searched every room in the ancestral hall but found nothing. The younger, sharper-eyed one noticed the floats in the backyard and immediately halted them, intending to search there too. But an elderly man, accompanied by young men from the ancestral hall, hurried over.

He struck the ground heavily with his cane and scolded angrily, “What are you doing? The blessing parade is a major event. If you delay it, can you take responsibility?”

The soldiers brought by the two men stopped, not daring to act rashly.

The younger one glanced at his companion, signaling him to produce the Feng family’s token again. But the older man shook his head and pointed to the ancestral hall’s plaque. The nighttime lights illuminated the character “Feng” on it.

He had no choice but to give up. Signaling to let them go, he forced a smile and said, “This is truly a case of mistaken identity—a misunderstanding, all a misunderstanding.”

After much appeasement, they finally gained the forgiveness of the Feng family elder. Just as they were about to leave with their men, a plainly dressed young woman rushed over in a panic. She found the person in charge of the parade, gesturing anxiously but unable to speak, only making “ah ah” sounds.

“It’s not that I’m being unreasonable,” the manager waved his hand, “but you know Master Feng’s temper. You’ve delayed for so long...”

As he spoke, he seemed to realize something was off. “Eh? Wait, Guanyin is already on the float.”

While the two parade organizers were still confused, the two pursuers understood. They exchanged a glance and urgently said, “After them!”

-

A painted boat lay quietly by the Jinling River, its broad hull standing three stories high. The eaves of the boat’s roof curved sharply upward, adorned with shimmering lanterns. Glazed tiles reflected a kaleidoscope of colors, and lantern shadows swayed gently.

The lantern festivals on both banks were incredibly lively. The moon hung over willow branches, colorful towers rose high, and crowds of tourists weaved through the dazzling lights, creating a flowing tapestry of light and shadow.

Xie Zhenchuan sat alone at the bow of the boat, seemingly oblivious. He only tilted his head to glance at the water clock in the corner.

His voice drifted through the night, calm yet carrying the chill of the evening breeze. “What time is it?”

This was already the third time he had asked. As for how many times the young master had checked the water clock himself, it was too many to count.

Why hadn’t Miss Li arrived yet?

Nan Xuan inwardly groaned but had no choice but to reply, “It’s almost Xu hour.”

Just as he was about to ask if someone should be sent to hurry her along, he heard the young master say, “Bring a Saiyueming.”

“Saiyueming” was the newest firework developed by the Li family of Liushui, said to shine brighter than the moonlight when lit.

Was the young master giving up on waiting and amusing himself first?

Though he didn’t understand Xie Zhenchuan’s thoughts, Nan Xuan brought the “Saiyueming” and a fire starter.

The firework tube, wrapped in red paper, stood on the deck. Xie Zhenchuan leisurely shook the fire starter, and a bright flame ignited.

A firework shot into the sky, tearing through the ink-black night like a meteor. In an instant, the entire Yingtian Prefecture was bathed in its light, bright as day. Shimmering golden sparks drifted down like falling stars, scattering into the Jinling River.

If she saw it, she would surely like it.

The fleeting brilliance illuminated his dark, beautiful phoenix eyes, weary and translucent as the moonlight.

**Author's Note**

"Brows like a crescent moon, eyes like twin stars, a face of natural joy like jade, lips touched with vermilion red" is from Wu Cheng'en's *Journey to the West*.