Chapter 13 The Lantern Festival
I hadn't slept so soundly in a long time.
Xie Ning had laid soft cushions and blankets in the carriage.
Incense burned in all four corners, meant to calm the mind.
The scent made me drowsy.
My eyelids grew heavy.
With Xie Ning nearby, everything felt safe.
The curtain suddenly lifted.
I woke with a start.
Xie Ning's face appeared, breathless and urgent.
I rubbed my eyes. "Xie Ning? What's wrong?"
His expression eased.
"Nothing."
I straightened my clothes while complaining. "I waited so long I fell asleep."
Xie Ning's throat moved.
A small wreath of wildflowers was placed on my head.
His fingers brushed my ear.
I stared at him.
He looked away.
His voice stayed casual. "I saw these flowers and thought they'd suit you. It took some time."
Xuan Ming urged his horse forward and we entered Lan Shan by evening.
I helped A Li down and thanked Xie Ning.
"You've worked hard, Xie Ning."
Xuan Ming, still catching his breath, muttered, "Imperial Princess, have you considered that Xuan Ming and the horse also worked hard?"
Xie Ning shot him a look. Xuan Ming shut his mouth.
Lan Shan was decorated with lanterns everywhere.
It was my first time here.
After being taken back to Yu Jing, I hadn't left Yun Tai Palace for two years.
I had barely taken two dresses from the tailor when I was pushed behind a screen.
"Change quickly," Xie Ning called from outside. "There's a lantern festival tonight. I'll take you."
In my last life, when Rong Che hunted us, Xie Ning and I had only been married a month.
We never did the things ordinary couples did.
Now he wanted to take me to the lantern festival.
The thought made me happy.
I was untying my sash when noise erupted outside.
A familiar voice cut through the crowd.
"Xuan Ming? Is your Young Valley Lord here too?"
Yan Zhuo.
I froze.
The door burst open.
Before I could cast a spell, I was pulled into a warm embrace.
Xie Ning held me with one arm and grabbed a cloak from the rack, covering me completely.
I looked up. "Xie Ning?"
His finger pressed against my lips.
A small pill was pushed into my mouth.
"Don't speak," he whispered.
Someone knocked hard on the door.
Xuan Ming stood outside. "Commander Yan, what is the meaning of this?"
"Open the door. I'm looking for someone." Yan Zhuo sounded impatient.
Xuan Ming answered firmly. "Our lady is changing inside."
"Lady?"
Yan Zhuo laughed. "I didn't know Xie Ning had a wife. Open the door!"
I clutched Xie Ning's robe under the cloak.
The knocking grew louder.
It sounded like the door would break.
Xie Ning opened it just a crack.
"Yan Zhuo."
He pressed his blade to Yan Zhuo's throat.
His voice turned cold. "Do you need to watch my wife change clothes?"
Yan Zhuo saw the woman in Xie Ning's arms.
The cloak hid her face.
He looked embarrassed. "I was ordered by the Young Lord to search the city for the Imperial Princess. Could the lady please show her face?"
I swallowed.
Xie Ning patted my back gently.
He lifted the cloak just enough to reveal my eyes then covered me again.
"Well, Commander Yan?"
Yan Zhuo had seen me before.
Even that brief glimpse was enough.
I gripped my bone fan.
After a moment, Yan Zhuo forced a smile.
"My apologies for disturbing the Young Valley Lord and his lady. Please forgive me."
I froze.