The ice and snow had just melted, marking the beginning of early spring.
In Willow City, willow branches were just beginning to bud.
Nanfeng Pavilion was silent during the day, but came alive with unparalleled splendor after nightfall.
In this place called Willow City, the Tianwaitian Restaurant was as famous as Nanfeng Pavilion.
During the day, the streets teemed with bustling pedestrians, and the cries of vendors filled the air.
"Freshly made sugar-coated hawthorn!"
"Sugar figurines for sale!"
"The Lantern Festival is approaching, won't you buy a lantern?"
...
Suddenly, a horse galloped recklessly, shattering the prevailing peace on the street.
Chaos ensued.
"Get out of the way!"
A small boy on the horse, with a look of panic on his face, clutched the reins tightly. However, the horse seemed to have gone mad, out of his control, and was charging through the street.
Amidst the chaos, the rider on the horse was almost thrown to the ground.
"It's the Fourth Young Master from the City Lord's Mansion! Everyone, get out of the way!"
The boy on the horse looked no more than seven or eight years old, and was now utterly terrified.
Following behind the boy was another, about ten years old, with a cold and ruthless expression, seemingly in pursuit of the City Lord's Fourth Young Master.
"Young Master!"
Seeing that Liu Qi was about to fall, Xiao Yuan's cold expression finally softened.
Worse still, someone was approaching on horseback from the opposite direction.
Behind him was a small detachment of soldiers.
If they collided, the consequences would be unimaginable.
Liu Qi had just managed to steady himself, preventing a fall from the horse. Upon seeing the scene ahead, he was even more terrified.
Just as the two horses were about to collide, the person on the opposite horse suddenly leaped into the air and then landed steadily behind Liu Qi.
A calm and powerful voice rang out, "Give me the reins! Hold on tight!"
The next moment, the horse let out a roar and reared its front hooves high, nearly unseating its rider.
As everyone watched in stunned silence, the man's skill averted disaster, and the horse instantly calmed down.
The sound of applause erupted from the crowd.
Xiao Yuan arrived, saw Liu Qi unharmed, breathed a sigh of relief, and quickly dismounted.
At that moment, the man also dismounted.
He was dressed in black, attired like a military general.
"Can you dismount?" he asked in a deep voice.
The boy on the horse nodded and slowly got off.
"Fourth Young Master!" Xiao Yuan rushed to Liu Qi's side and helped him.
"I'm fine..."
Liu Qi first said to Xiao Yuan, then turned to the man.
"Thank you for saving me, General!"
Hearing this, a flicker of surprise crossed the man in black's eyes, but he smiled, "It was a natural course of action. Saving you was saving myself. No need to worry about it!"
His words were full of heroism.
"General, don't be late!"
Someone from behind gradually approached and spoke to the man in black.
"Let's go!"
Liu Qi watched as the man in black mounted his horse and left.
He had never met anyone he admired so much...
The City Lord's Mansion.
"Father, I'm back!"
Those inside who were discussing matters stopped their conversation upon hearing the voice from outside.
"It's my useless son returning. My dear brother, please excuse my embarrassment."
The next moment, a small boy appeared at the entrance.
He was dressed in moon-white, but now had a dark stain on it.
"Father!"
The boy glanced at the person beside his father, his expression drastically changing, his astonishment impossible to hide.
"You?"
"Show some respect! Ah Qi, this is your Uncle Lu!"
Liu Qi snapped back to reality, walked up to the two, and called out loudly, "Uncle Lu!"
Lu Mingcang smiled and then said, "We truly have a connection."
The City Lord, not understanding, could only inquire what had happened.
After being told the truth, the City Lord's expression clearly soured.
However, Lu Mingcang was quite fond of the young boy before him, saying, "To be able to ride such a magnificent horse at such a young age, he's a promising talent!"
Upon hearing his praise, Liu Qi's eyes filled with joy.
To receive commendation from someone he admired was the greatest happiness to him.
...
The Lantern Festival.
Lanterns were lit as dusk fell.
"Miss, would you like a lantern?"
"Sir, buy a lantern for your lady..."
The Lantern Festival was a good time for lovers to go out and stroll through the market.
Everywhere was illuminated by colorful lights, filled with festivity.
A young man in white, with a face like jade, stood beside a woman whose forehead adornment sparkled under the lantern light, adding to her charm.
Looking at a particular lantern, a glimmer of hope flashed in the woman's eyes.
But she, a person like herself, had never been worthy of possessing such things.
The forehead adornment seemed to constantly announce her identity.
She was a dancer at Nanfeng Pavilion. Although she sold her art and not her body, who would truly care...
"Boss, I'll take that one."
"Certainly!"
The vendor's smile deepened upon hearing this.
"I want that one!"
It was a bird-shaped lantern, exquisitely crafted.
When the young man brought the lantern to the girl, her expression was complicated.
Was it shock? Delight? Or perhaps sadness?
It was impossible to know.
"Brother Shen, actually... you don't have to..."
The girl's voice was lost in the surrounding clamor.
"Look quickly, that man is so handsome!"
"So imposing!"
"I heard he's a general from the Imperial City, and he's still unmarried!"
"..."
Shen Ting Chi's jade-like face slowly turned towards the center of the street, towards the person surrounded by the crowd.
The young man's eyes, which had been as stagnant as dead water, flashed with envy.
Once upon a time, he too was such a bright and upright young man.
"Brother Shen, why don't we go back?"
Luo Ying looked at the young man's face and, sensing something, turned to leave.
"Okay."
The word fell silently.
Nanfeng Pavilion.
"Oh dear, you two finally decided to come back? Many guests have arrived, hurry up!"
The madam's face, full of wrinkles, crinkled even more as she saw them.
"What are you waiting for? Go!"
The madam's expression shifted, her gaze falling on Luo Ying's lantern.
"Oh ho, little vixen, you've got a crush? Don't you dare dream. If the two of you harbor any private feelings, I'll make you pay!"
The madam's face was fleshy, and spittle flew everywhere.
Luo Ying's fingers tightened around the lantern's string, thinking—Indeed, she wasn't meant to have it...
"Oh! We have a distinguished guest!"
A greedy glint appeared in the madam's eyes, but upon looking at the two before her, her expression instantly changed.
"Hurry and get yourselves presentable, prepare to receive guests!"
As she walked past, she even bumped into Luo Ying.
The lantern quietly fell to the ground. In an instant, the exquisite bird seemed to have its wings broken, scattering into pieces.
"Are you alright..."
A soft, gentle voice fell into her ears, like a clear spring, silently nourishing Luo Ying's heart.
She paused, then mechanically nodded.
Shen Ting Chi picked up the fallen lantern from the ground, his eyes devoid of emotion.
"I'll handle this, you go on..."
Luo Ying nodded again and then moved her stiff legs upstairs.
Shen Ting Chi's slender figure also quickly disappeared into the corridor.
"Oh, esteemed sir! Please come in!"
Lu Mingcang gritted his teeth and stepped into Nanfeng Pavilion.