Chapter 46: Chapter 46

Chapter 46

The last firework fizzled out, and silence descended once more.

Bei Ming, dispatched to investigate the whereabouts of the Earl of Guangcheng's cousin, finally rushed back, reporting in a hushed tone, "Sir, something has happened to Miss Li."

Xie Zhenchuan's expression hardened, a cold glint flashing in his eyes. "Explain. Clearly."

"Miss Li has vanished. According to the two young ladies from the Earl of Guangcheng's household, she went to buy river lanterns and never returned. I also inquired at the shop, but she was not seen returning. I heard a shop caught fire during the lantern festival today, causing widespread chaos. Miss Li was likely abducted during that time."

Li Ci had resided in Yingtian Prefecture for over two years, living a reclusive life with minimal social interaction. It was improbable that her disappearance was financially motivated; more likely, she was entangled in this affair because she had agreed to provide him cover.

If anything untoward were to befall her...

Xie Zhenchuan, always composed and self-possessed, for the first time confronted a thought he dared not entertain.

"Immediately dispatch men to search. Seal the city gates—no one enters or leaves. Turn Yingtian Prefecture upside down if you must, but find her," he commanded calmly, though his eyes held a chilling intensity. "Furthermore, assign someone to closely monitor Feng Ruicai. Report any suspicious movement from him at once."

"Yes!" Bei Ming dared not delay, immediately accepting the order and withdrawing.

Nan Xuan, standing nearby, eagerly volunteered, "Your Highness, may I also go?"

Xie Zhenchuan turned to Nan Xuan, handing him the firestarter. "No need. Remain here and continue setting off fireworks."

Having spoken, he said no more, striding off the painted boat. An attendant on the shore presented him with a White Jade Cōng, which he mounted, swiftly disappearing into the night.

The grand painted boat was now left with only Nan Xuan. He gazed at the enormous firework tube, nearly half his height, and his heart pounded with trepidation.

Why had it seemed so effortless when His Highness set off the fireworks just moments ago?

He cautiously picked up the firestarter, extended it toward the fuse, gritted his teeth to light it, then leaped back like a startled rabbit, scrambling to the edge of the boat, wishing he could be as far away as possible.

The spark shot into the sky with a "bang," bursting into a shower of red and green sparks, scattering the fish in the river.

He truly couldn't fathom the appeal of fireworks.

Nan Xuan looked toward the shore again. Lovers lingering by the river, witnessing the fireworks, nestled closer, whispering sweet nothings. Those hurrying home quickened their steps, illuminated by the fireworks.

He sighed, raised the firestarter again, and approached the next firework tube.

Well, if Miss Li saw these fireworks and was reminded of His Highness's kindness, then this trouble would be worthwhile.

-

The float, adorned for divine blessings, carried the immense enthusiasm of the populace as it slowly paraded through Yingtian Prefecture.

Feng Ruicai's two kidnappers had arrived at the end of the procession with the borrowed soldiers, struggling to locate Guanyin and the child attendant on the lotus throne amidst the throng of deities.

The older one chided, "What happened? How did the drug wear off so quickly? They’re actually still on the float, parading!"

"I saw there was some of the drug left from last time, so I used it," the younger one admitted, somewhat guiltily. "At most, I’ll split the cost of the new drug with you."

"How could you dare to do something like this..." The older one intended to say more, but having accepted the money, he fell silent, only adding, "This blessing parade was arranged by Old Master Feng. He’s elderly and takes these matters very seriously. This time, we must keep a close watch. As soon as the blessings conclude, we seize them immediately!"

"I see them, over there!" The younger one had spotted Guanyin's figure and quickly led the soldiers toward the float bearing the lotus throne.

"Make way, make way!"

The young man with the scarred face, leading a group of soldiers, feigned clearing a path for the parade, chasing from the rear of the procession to the front.

He fixed his gaze on Li Ci and Xu Shucui on the float and whispered to the soldier beside him, "These are the people Lord Feng wants. As soon as the parade ends, act immediately. Don’t let them escape."

The man nodded. "Don’t worry, I’ve already made arrangements. Tonight, they won't escape even if they had wings. When Lord Feng inquires later..."

"Rest assured, you’ll receive your due."

"Guanyin" stood tall on the lotus throne, with the "child attendant" beside her. Xu Shucui was no longer nervous and had even learned to return smiles to the waving crowd. If she shook the lotus lantern, the crowd would cheer in response, as if she had truly become the child under Guanyin's guidance.

She was immersed in this novelty and joy, but being short, she stood on the float and happened to meet the fierce gaze of the scarred man. He resembled a child-eating demon from stories, his gaze seemingly capable of flaying a person.

Xu Shucui was immediately frightened again, tears welling up in her eyes. She dared not speak, nor could she, so she tugged at Li Ci's skirt.

Li Ci was diligently fulfilling her duties as "Guanyin," sprinkling sacred water with a willow branch, her arm almost aching from waving. Sensing the little girl's distress, she immediately turned slightly and followed her gaze, catching sight of the fierce, scarred face, his malice plainly written upon it.

...Well, no wonder the child was scared.

Li Ci had not yet encountered the kidnappers face-to-face, so she naturally assumed he was merely an unfriendly passerby. With the lively crowd as her shield, she felt no fear at all. She even remembered her role and offered the scarred man a slight smile.

Though it was merely a faint curve of kindness, it was like a warm breeze, capable of dissolving all the malice in the world.

The scarred man was stunned, his fierce expression freezing. For a moment, he was thrown off guard.

She looked quite innocent. Had he got the wrong person?

After a moment, he regained his composure, tightened his grip on the knife handle, and glared back fiercely.

Dammit, he had almost been fooled!

-

The Zhuoying Department's ability to track people was unparalleled. To avoid detection, the immediate course of action was naturally to transport the person out of the city.

Soon, the Zhuoying Guard sent to seal the city brought news: a cargo cart at the west gate had been startled by fireworks, and the delivery person, for some inexplicable reason, had enough influence to take the soldiers with him in pursuit.

Something fishy was afoot. Xie Zhenchuan calculated the timing of the fireworks and concluded that the group could not have gone far. He immediately spurred his horse, leading his men toward the west gate.

The White Jade Cōng galloped swiftly until its path was blocked by the throngs at the West Market lantern festival.

The West Market lantern festival was packed solid, making movement almost impossible. Trying to cross the street against the flow of the parade was even more arduous.

Since it was a kidnapping case, the Zhuoying Guard dared not reveal their identities. They could only physically force their way through the dense crowd to clear a path for Xie Zhenchuan. "My lord has urgent business. Make way, please make way."

The common people, oblivious, excitedly followed the float, inching forward slowly, occasionally exclaiming in admiration.

"Tonight's blessing parade is so lively! That Nezha even spits fire!"

"The Cowherd and the Weaver Girl are so deeply in love it’s enviable. Once a year—it’s truly not easy."

"Don’t push, don’t push! I still want to get closer to see Guanyin."

"Guanyin is the most beautiful, like a celestial beauty!"

...

What celestial beauty? It was nothing but superstitious nonsense. If gods and Buddhas were truly effective, why would the world be in such disorder?

Xie Zhenchuan sat expressionless on horseback, a cold, ruthless intensity mingling in his deep, unfathomable eyes. He slowly raised his gaze, his hand gripping the reins tightly, the only sign of tension the whitening of his knuckles.

Not far away, a firework rose into the sky, its golden flames like falling stars descending to the mortal world, soon consumed by human greed, anger, obsession, arrogance, and doubt.

The firework also reflected in Xie Zhenchuan's eyes, its faint light illuminating a fleeting look of astonishment.

From somewhere, "Guanyin" appeared, her hair styled in a coiled dragon bun, a lotus crown on her head, and a red gemstone necklace around her neck with impurities, yet somehow enhanced by her jet-black hair and snow-white skin.

She now stood gracefully upon the lotus throne, her eyes like a crystal-clear vase, coolly reflecting the shimmer of celestial pearls. The corners of her lips curved slightly, revealing a faint and compassionate smile, both vivid and dreamlike, like a starry river flowing into a dream.

This subtle, almost elusive gentle smile instantly melted away like spring thaw the moment she saw Xie Zhenchuan. Her eyes curved into crescents, her smile bright and radiant, like a river sparkling with firelight. The entire night seemed to brighten with his arrival.

The tension in Xie Zhenchuan's heart suddenly eased. He tightened the reins, bringing his horse to a standstill.

The crowd bustled around them, yet the world seemed to fall silent at that moment, so quiet that he could hear his own heartbeat.

The parade of floats continued to move slowly forward. The icy glint in Xie Zhenchuan's eyes had long been melted by the spring breeze, and his heartbeat gradually steadied.

He turned his horse, loosened the reins, and followed the float at a leisurely pace—more precisely, he followed the carriage bearing the lotus throne.

The man on the tall, majestic horse wore a moon-white Zhangzhou satin robe with silver-thread cloud patterns. He was as imposing as frost and snow, with an air of untouchable nobility.

The onlookers noticed him and couldn't help but whisper among themselves.

"What kind of deity is that beside Guanyin Bodhisattva?"

"He rides a white horse and carries such noble grace—could he be the Dragon-Power Bodhisattva?"

Both of them overheard these remarks. Unlike the bewildered Li Ci, Xie Zhenchuan's expression darkened.

The two continued their conversation.

"What bodhisattva?"

"Ah, it’s the Third Prince of the Jade Dragon, enlightened by Guanyin!"

Xie Zhenchuan pressed his thin lips into a tight line, a hint of displeasure flickering in his eyes, yet he couldn't very well make an issue of it.

Li Ci finally understood. Biting back a smile, she leaned down quietly, dipped a willow branch into a drop of nectar from the sacred vase, and gently touched it to his forehead.

A cool sensation spread across his forehead. Xie Zhenchuan was momentarily stunned. In the fading lantern light, she seemed to glow, pure and luminous as the moon, the vermilion mark between her brows shining brilliantly.

It must have been true nectar from the sacred vase—otherwise, how could his displeasure have dissolved so completely, leaving him willingly accepting her enlightenment?