Chapter 20: The Person I Long to See

A servant brought over a cloak and draped it over Su Mingxiu’s shoulders, reminding him, "Young Master, it is cold at night; you should not sit by the window and let the draft blow on you."

Su Mingxiu ignored him, remaining seated and motionless, his eyes still scanning the outside.

In recent days, his mother had hired another physician and kept him confined at home to recuperate, forbidding him from going out. When the Lu manor held a birthday banquet before the new year, he had wanted to go and pay his respects, hoping to catch a glimpse of Jiang You'an, but his mother had insisted it was too cold and refused to let him go, even losing her temper at him.

If his mother hadn’t gone to visit relatives today, he would not have been able to accompany his brother and sister-in-law out for the festivities.

The lantern festival this year was so lively, with so many people out enjoying themselves; if only he could run into Jiang You'an...

Just as he was thinking this, he saw a boat approaching from the opposite direction, the lantern at its prow bearing the character "Lu."

It was the Lu family!

Su Mingxiu immediately straightened his posture. As the two boats passed each other, they slowed down, and the passengers exchanged greetings.

Su Mingxiu looked into the opposite cabin with eager anticipation. He saw Lu Xuanheng, Princess Nanhua, and Lu Yunzhu, but he did not see Jiang You'an.

So she did not go out today, then...

Su Mingxiu felt a wave of disappointment.

The Su family’s boat continued eastward. Su Mingxiu no longer sat by the window letting the cold wind hit him; he retreated back into the cabin without a word.

...

The lantern mountain, several stories high, was dazzling. A dense crowd gathered in front of it, pressing against one another. Jiang You'an had been with Lu Yunyao, but before long, Lu Yunyao had been jostled away into the throng.

She stepped back from the crowd and craned her neck to look around for a while, but she could not spot Lu Yunyao.

Qiulan said, "Miss Yunyao has several elderly maids with her; she won't get lost."

Jiang You'an nodded, but having lost the mood for strolling, she said, "The Old Madam and the others are drinking tea at the teahouse. Let’s go tell them and head back first."

She wove through the sea of people, looking down at the rabbit lantern in her hand, lost in thought, and was almost struck by a carriage.

She gathered her wits, retreated to the side of the road, and left with Qiulan.

Su Mingxiu sat in his carriage, resting his forehead on his hand as if dozing.

The boat ride had made him dizzy, so he had disembarked early to take the carriage home.

As the carriage crawled forward through the crowded streets, Su Mingxiu felt even more nauseated, his brows furrowed tightly.

Suddenly, he heard a cry through the noisy din of the crowd.

"Sister You'an—"

Su Mingxiu opened his eyes and, feeling uncertain, opened the carriage window to look out.

In the bustling throng, the girl with bright eyes and white teeth turned around, the brilliant lantern light casting a soft glow upon her face.

Su Mingxiu’s eyes also lit up, and he immediately ordered the carriage to stop.

Hearing someone call her name, Jiang You'an turned around and saw Lu Yunyao running toward her.

"There were too many people; I couldn't find you," Lu Yunyao said, linking her arm with Jiang You'an's. "I've seen enough; let's head back."

Jiang You'an nodded, but no sooner had Lu Yunyao spoken of leaving than she turned her head, caught sight of people guessing lantern riddles at a nearby restaurant, and, her attention captured, ran over excitedly.

Jiang You'an, fearing she would lose her again, trotted along behind.

Suddenly, her wrist was grabbed.

She turned around abruptly. Su Mingxiu stood before her, panting, his peach-blossom eyes filled with the gentlest of smiles and the brightest radiance.

"Su... Young Master Su."

The person she had wanted to see had appeared as if from the heavens. Jiang You'an was stunned by the sudden surprise, standing blankly for a long moment before smiling at him.

Once Su Mingxiu caught his breath, he looked down and realized he was still holding her hand, and quickly apologized.

He had been chasing her for a while and had called out several times; it was only in his urgency that he had grabbed her hand.

Jiang You'an, of course, took no offense, looking down with a shy smile. "Are you out to see the lanterns today as well, Young Master Su?"

"I had been staying at home to recuperate and hadn't had the chance to go out."

The two of them naturally walked side by side, moving through the layers of lantern light, the pale pink sleeves of her dress and his dark blue cloak brushing against each other from time to time.

"Is your knee injury healed?"

Jiang You'an glanced at him sideways, her eyes filled with a touch of playfulness. "It’s been over a month; of course it’s healed."

Yes, it had been over a month since he had last seen her.

"During the Lu family Old Madam’s birthday banquet, I had intended to come, but I was delayed by other matters..."

Su Mingxiu murmured, as if explaining, yet also as if expressing his own regret.

Jiang You'an twisted her hands together and asked tentatively, "Young Master Su, what kind of person is your aunt’s second nephew?"

Su Mingxiu was taken aback, a blank look on his face.

"When Madam Su visited last time, she mentioned you had a cousin on your aunt's side who was quite excellent, and she wanted to propose a match."

As Jiang You'an spoke, she watched his expression and saw his handsome brows knit together slightly.

"I was unaware of this..."

He glanced at her, but instead of commenting on his cousin, he said with a hint of complaint in his tone, "My mother was presumptuous."

Jiang You'an took in his reaction, thinking to herself that her guess was correct.

Su Mingxiu had feelings for her, but Madam Su did not approve of her.

She smiled and said, "It was just a casual mention during idle chatter; Madam Su meant well."

She could not use Su Mingxiu’s affection for her to provoke a confrontation with his family. For one, she was not entirely sure he was truly willing to marry her, and for another, if Madam Su remained opposed, even if Su Mingxiu insisted on marrying her, she would have no easy life under Madam Su’s roof in the future.

Perhaps she should find a way to make Madam Su like her.

As the two continued to walk slowly, Su Mingxiu glanced at her. "My cousin is indeed capable; he holds a position in the military."

Jiang You'an nodded. "I see. However, I don't care for martial officers; all that killing and fighting is quite frightening. I prefer a scholarly, elegant gentleman."

Upon hearing this, the corners of Su Mingxiu’s mouth curled slightly.

Jiang You'an asked suddenly, "Are you out alone today? Is Madam Su not with you?"

"Mother went to my aunt’s house, saying they are going to Xuanzhen Temple tomorrow. I had originally intended to spend the day with my brothers, but I felt a bit unwell on the boat earlier and parted ways with them."

Jiang You'an nodded slowly, silently noting the name Xuanzhen Temple.

The two wanted to say more, but seeing Lu Yunyao emerging from the restaurant, Jiang You'an had to say, "I must go. Since you are feeling unwell, Young Master Su, you should return early to rest."

A flicker of regret crossed Su Mingxiu’s eyes. He noticed a jewelry stall nearby and went to buy a moth-shaped hair ornament; it was the fashion for young ladies to wear these during the Lantern Festival.

He handed the ornament to Jiang You'an. "This is for you."

Jiang You'an looked at him and tilted her head slightly. "Then, will you help me put it on?"

Her slender, snow-white neck was revealed from her collar. Su Mingxiu blushed slightly and, pressing his lips together, pinned the ornament into her hair.

Jiang You'an looked up and gave him a faint smile before turning and walking away.

Only after watching her silhouette completely vanish into the sea of people did Su Mingxiu leave.

There was no curfew tonight, and though it was already the hour of the boar, the streets remained lively, the city’s lights illuminating the night as if it were day.

The Lu family did not linger long. After the Princess was picked up by the royal household’s escorts, Jiang You'an and the others returned to the manor.

Having spent the entire night out, everyone was exhausted and headed back to their respective rooms.

Jiang You'an’s courtyard was in the same direction as Lanyue House. Seeing Lu Xuanheng ahead of her, she intentionally slowed her pace, wanting to avoid running into him.

Just as Lu Xuanheng disappeared around a corner, she walked slowly past it, only to be suddenly swept into an embrace.

Under the dim eaves, Lu Xuanheng gripped Jiang You'an’s waist, staring at the ornament in her hair. "What is this? I didn't see you wearing it earlier."

Jiang You'an was terrified that someone would see her with Lu Xuanheng, so she pushed at him. "It’s just a moth ornament. Yunzhu and Yunyao are both wearing them; what is so strange about it?"

As she said this, fearing he would snatch it, she reached up and took it off.

Lu Xuanheng chuckled. "Keep it on; it looks good."

After he spoke, he called for Xiuzhu, who brought over a crimson silk lantern.

"I bought this for you," Lu Xuanheng said, handing her the lantern. "Go back and sleep early."

Jiang You'an stood where she was, watching Lu Xuanheng walk away.

The crimson lantern cast a pale yellow glow at her feet. She held the lantern and walked quietly along the long corridor.

Back in her room, she examined the exquisite, beautiful lantern, and after a long while, she extinguished it.

The next day, Jiang You'an set out early in the morning, heading straight for Xuanzhen Temple.

Having heard from Su Mingxiu that Madam Su would be coming to the temple today, she needed to find a way to make contact with her and win her over.

After waiting at Xuanzhen Temple for over an hour, she finally saw the Su family’s carriage arrive.

A graceful and noble lady stepped down from the carriage. Jiang You'an looked closely and saw that it was indeed Madam Su.