Chapter 18
Following Zhang Mi’s instructions, I left the Censor’s Mansion alone and waited outside Bright Moon Tower for Jiang Ting.
She had written him a letter. First, she stated that she had found a solution to the chess game Heir Jiang left behind when he last visited the mansion. Then, she subtly and tactfully expressed her regret at not being able to go out to view the lanterns with her brother this time. To convey her feelings, she ended with this line-
“From now on, I have no heart to love the beautiful night, let the bright moon shine on the western tower.”
As I waited outside Bright Moon Tower, the street was crowded with people and ablaze with lights.
During the Lantern Festival, the whole world celebrates together.
The Capital is always so bustling and lively.
That year, during the palace coup, Prince Ping of Yanshan Prefecture entered the Capital and, in just three months, seized the throne and ascended as emperor.
The world was in turmoil for only half a year.
Even within the Capital, there were no great waves or upheavals.
Perhaps it was Prince Ping’s destiny; halfway through, he defeated Prince Chen and others, drove them back, and finally led his army straight into the imperial palace, ascending the throne smoothly.
He is a good emperor. Now, three years have passed, and the country is prosperous and at peace.
Because the country is prosperous and at peace, young ladies like Zhang Mi seem overly sentimental.
From now on, I have no heart to love the beautiful night, let the bright moon shine on the western tower… How laughable. What does she know of sorrow and ruin?
She doesn’t understand. All of this, only I, Sun Yunchun, truly understand.
The world was in chaos for just half a year, yet it left me with a broken home and a ruined family.
During the Lantern Festival, I can no longer see the joy and bustle of Qingshi Town… Now, thinking back, it feels like a lifetime ago.
I waited outside Bright Moon Tower for a long time before I finally saw Jiang Ting and his companions emerge.
I looked around, and following Zhang Mi’s instructions, I quickly stepped forward while her elder brother Zhang Yanli was absent, bowed to Jiang Ting, and handed him the letter.
“Young Master, this is a letter from my lady for you. Please keep it safe.”
Jiang Ting did not take it at first, raising his brows and glancing at me, “It’s you?”
I said nothing, only offering the letter again.
He curled his lips in a faint smile. As he took it, his fingers brushed against mine by accident.
I looked up at him, my long lashes fluttering for a moment as our eyes met, then quickly lowered my gaze.
“Xiao Chun takes her leave.”
Just as I turned to go, he suddenly grabbed my wrist.
The street was bustling, voices everywhere. He smiled in his eyes, leaned in close, and whispered to me, “Miss Xiao Chun, you’re always stealing glances at me. I’ve noticed more than once.”
He was right.
When the Heir of Loyal and Brave Marquis entered the mansion, it seemed that it wasn’t only Zhang Mi whose heart was stirred.
Every time she approached him, the always demure and obedient Miss Xiao Chun at her side would also glance up, a fleeting look, and whenever their eyes met, she would quickly look away.
She bit her lip, the corners of her eyes tinged red, as if her secret had been discovered.
I’ve always said, Jiang Ting is a master of romance.
He could naturally see what was hidden in those glances.
He had no intention of provoking Zhang Mi, but me-he could certainly afford to provoke.
So, on the night of the Lantern Festival, he seized the opportunity and whispered in my ear, “Why do you always steal glances at me?”
I bit my lip and didn’t answer at first. After a moment, my voice was barely audible, “Naturally, it’s because I admire the Young Master.”
As expected, Jiang Ting was not surprised. He smiled in satisfaction and pinched my cheek.
He was about to say something more when a cool, clear male voice suddenly rang out from the street-
“Xiao Chun.”
Looking up, amidst the lanterns and the crowd, stood the Second Young Master of the Censor’s Mansion, Zhang Yunhuai.
Lady Zhu had two sons and one daughter. Aside from the unremarkable First Young Master Zhang Yanli, the pride of the Censor’s Mansion was the Second Young Master.
He was only nineteen, already renowned for his talent, and had passed the imperial examination at fourteen.
After Prince Ping ascended the throne, to quickly consolidate imperial power, in addition to the triennial imperial exams, he held a special selection at the Academy.
Zhang Yunhuai was recommended and appointed, entering directly as a Hanlin Bachelor, then observing and training at the Six Ministries.
Barring any surprises, he would become the most capable of his generation among the noble families, just like his grandfather, and serve as Grand Secretary.
The entire Zhang family placed the responsibility of bringing glory to the family on his shoulders.
The Second Young Master was like the bright moon itself; wherever he stood, even with ten thousand lanterns behind him, nothing could overshadow the lively, cold light between his brows.
He was always mature beyond his years, with a calm and extremely serious temperament.
When he called out to me on the street, I immediately lowered my head and quickly walked to his side.
He exchanged bows with Heir Jiang, offered a few polite but indifferent words, and was about to take his leave.
Jiang Ting said with a half-smile, “Yanli is still inside Bright Moon Tower, accompanied by beauties and so drunk he’s lost all sense. Second Young Master, aren’t you going to take him back to the mansion?”
“Of course I will take him back. Thank you for your concern, Young Master. I’ll thank you on my brother’s behalf.”