32. Chapter Thirty-Two
Chapter Thirty-Two
Mu Fanqing
The Imperial City is gloriously lit, illuminated as it is by thousands of lanterns. It makes the paltry celebration of Yanzhou look like child’s play. But that’s the Imperial City for you, always bigger and more grandiose than anything else you can find in Da Xian.
I blink as I stare out into the street, the crowd moving like a seething sea.
It’s a very different change of scenery from my time in the academy, even what I experienced in Yanzhou.
Everything is so big and bustling and busy.
I can see why Shu doesn’t like coming to the Imperial City.
I stifle a shudder, it’s too much sometimes.
“Are you cold, sister-in-law?” Quanyu asks, stepping forward. He tilts his head, grinning at me.
I give my head a small shake. “No, I am just thinking.”
Quanyu narrows his eyes as he studies me. “If you’re cold just tell me. Boss would kill me if I let you be chilly. You have no idea how much he lectured me about how you had to have the best time possible.”
I release a sigh as I glance up the street, past Qu Ting who is waiting quietly behind me, trailing along a few steps behind as usual like my shadow. I turn back around and study the crowd. A sea of people and yet not one of them is the one I want to see the most. “When will he be here?”
Quanyu hesitates for a long moment. “He was meeting with the emperor personally, it’s impossible to say how long that would take.”
“Are you speaking about me?” Shu asks, stepping up to us. I cannot help the smile at his presence. Shu is still dressed in his purple robes and official hat, proving that he came here straight from his meeting with the emperor.
He has assured me that this summons was just to fill the emperor in on everything that had happened in Yanzhou, especially since the case involved such high-profile victims as the governor’s first wife.
His presence proves that I worried for nothing.
Still, I look him over to make certain that he really is all right.
His ear is healing nicely, although the tip is now completely gone.
Still, I think he looks very handsome tonight.
I never thought I would be an official’s wife, but I can’t help but think he looks quite nice in his courtly getup.
I reach up, dusting off his robe and smile up at him. “I knew you wouldn’t be gone all evening.”
“I owe you a lantern,” he concedes nodding his head.
“And a candied haw, and a sugar stick,” I say. Shu is nodding along. I pause for a second as I get an impossible idea. “And a lifetime together.”
He pauses mid-nod; I half expect him to whip out the contract right now and shove it in my face but instead he simply chuckles and reaches up a finger to flick my nose. “You’re greedy tonight.”
Since I already went all out, I straighten my shoulders as I raise my chin. “I only want what I am owed.”
Shu wraps an arm around my shoulders as he begins to guide me forward toward the lantern festival. He shakes his head, but his face shows a smile. “And you are owed the very best. After all, you aren’t just my wife. You are my partner in crime.”
I twist to look at him, unable to ignore the excitement bubbling up within me. “So, does this mean that you will bring me into your circle? I would dearly love to see how you operate things.”
“I think it is definitely high time the Midnight Runners meet their mistress,” Shu says with a nod.
I beam up at him, and then since we are already so close, I lean my head over resting it on his shoulder as we walk. “Xiao Shu, I promise you this. I will always be by your side.”
His foot stalls one step, and then two. Suddenly he turns so that he is facing me. I blink in surprise as he reaches forward, grasping my arms.
“I will protect you in this lifetime,” he says softly as he looks into my eyes. “As long as I am here you will have nothing to fear. I swear it.”
I don’t know what inspired him to say such a thing.
Perhaps it is because of the nature of the dangerous life he leads, or maybe it is because of the haunting memory of his family, or perhaps he was simply moved by the emotion of the night.
Same as I was. Whatever his reason for his vow, I believe every word that he says and I make my own silent vow in return.
I will never allow anyone to hurt him.
We will protect each other. Man and wife, fellow spirit hunters, partners in crime. I don’t care what we are or what mask we wear. Whatever it is, we will face it together and we will hold true to our oaths.
I stand on my tiptoes and throw my arms around Shu’s neck.
He doesn’t hesitate even a second before he wraps his arms around my waist, lifting me slightly off my feet.
Our combined laughter lifts into the air, joining the already festive clamor of the lantern festival and the grand city that is currently celebrating it.