Suddenly, he saw several vendors selling lanterns, and Ji Wushang was reminded of something from a long time ago. Actually, it wasn't that long ago... He and Ji Yinxue left the General's Mansion, and Ji Yinxue left him to meet Beigong Jueshi. He wandered aimlessly into the Poetry Garden, and outside the garden, he bought a lotus lantern from an old woman. Unexpectedly, while guessing riddles, he encountered Nan Xuzong again, and on Nan Xuzong's wheelchair hung the same lotus lantern... Was this what they called a preordained fate?
"What are you thinking about?" Nan Xuzong asked when he noticed Ji Wushang had stopped. He followed her gaze and saw the lantern stall.
Nan Xuzong took her hand and they went together to the stall.
The middle-aged man selling lanterns came forward and recognized them as Prince Nan and his wife! Few people in the capital recognized these two! Even if they didn't know their appearance, they could tell from their clothing and the unique wheelchairs they wore!
"Excuse me, are you two thinking of buying lanterns?" the middle-aged man asked kindly.
Ji Wushang glanced at Nan Xuzong, who asked gently, "Do you sell lotus lanterns?"
"Yes, yes!" The middle-aged man smiled and nodded immediately. "I'll go get it for you." He then turned around and carefully searched the shop for the lotus lantern.
Ji Wushang turned around and smiled with delight, "You still remember."
"Of course I remember." Nan Xuzong took her hand and then turned to look at the middle-aged man searching for the lotus lantern.
"We've finally found it," the middle-aged man said. "Would you like me to light that lamp for you?"
"Make your decision." Ji Wushang looked into Nan Xuzong's eyes, and Nan Xuzong gestured for her to take the lead.
The middle-aged man took out the lotus lantern and handed it over, saying, "There's only one, I'm so sorry!"
“It’s alright, one cup will do.” Nan Xuzong said, taking out some loose silver from his pocket.
Ji Wushang took the lotus lantern and held it up in front of him. The lotus pattern was exquisite and the lines were beautiful.
"No, no, no money, no money. I only had one lotus lantern left, and since you like it, I'll give it to you. Best wishes to you!" It's not easy for a man in a wheelchair to marry such a beautiful wife. Best wishes to him!
Nan Xuzong nodded with a smile, "Thank you, sir."
Ji Wushang also bowed to the middle-aged man. Although he was of a higher status, he felt it was only right to show respect to such simple and honest elders.
The middle-aged man smiled and nodded. "A lady from a respectable family is indeed a lady from a respectable family. She is so respectful to the elderly, virtuous and filial. It's truly rare!"
Ji Wushang carried a lantern and walked with Nan Xuzong towards the poetry gathering while they strolled around.
"Are you tired?" Nan Xuzong asked, noticing the light sweat on her forehead. He then took a silk handkerchief from his pocket and handed it to her.
Ji Wushang took the handkerchief and wiped the fine sweat from his forehead. "The weather is a bit stuffy, and the wind is still a bit weak, but it's alright."
"Why don't we go sit over there?" Nan Xuzong looked at a place that looked like a courtyard, where groups of two or three people were sitting together chatting and laughing, or stopping to rest and have a cup of hot tea, or listening to a song being sung on stage.
Ji Wushang nodded. "Then let's go."
The two found a relatively secluded spot to sit down. Their personalities were actually quite similar; neither of them liked being disturbed.
Ji Wushang asked the servants who tended the garden to bring up some snacks and Longjing tea.
Nan Xuzong looked around and noticed something unusual. Many of these people were not ordinary citizens, but professional assassins! They were well disguised, but their eyes couldn't lie.
Of course, there were also many couples or young women. They were all doing their own thing.
When the scenery is beautiful, people naturally come.
Nan Xuzong frowned slightly and tapped his fingers lightly on the table three times. Each tap was so moving! The sound traveled from the tabletop, along the table legs, and then down to the ground.
Ji Wushang watched as the servant stepped forward and placed the snacks and Longjing tea on the table. "Please enjoy yourselves!" The servant smiled at Ji Wushang.
Ji Wushang placed the lotus lantern aside. By this time, the servant had already left. Ji Wushang's cold eyes flashed slightly as she picked up her wine cup. "Husband, let's drink."
"Alright!" Nan Xuzong's smile widened as he raised the glass in front of him. She rarely called him "husband," always addressing him by his name, Cong, so she knew something was amiss here!
☆、201 A shift in focus? Something's fishy!
Ji Wushang lowered his eyes slightly and smiled at Nan Xuzong. Nan Xuzong narrowed his eyes, and the next second he pulled Ji Wushang to his side. Then he splashed the tea at the people who rushed over, along with the tea in Ji Wushang's hand. He then pulled Ji Wushang with one hand and protected him by his side.
The couples and ordinary people around them were all terrified.
"Get down!" Nan Xuzong shouted at the group. Some people either lay down or scattered. Nan Xuzong tried his best not to harm innocent people. The assassins were also after Ji Wushang and Nan Xuzong, so they naturally didn't want to kill any more innocent people.
Seeing that Nan Xuzong seemed completely unaffected by the dispelling drug, the assassins all retreated slightly. Nan Xuzong's golden threads were simply too powerful, leaving them with no chance to defend themselves!
But at that moment, Nan Xuzong suddenly froze, and Ji Wushang exclaimed in surprise, "Cong!" He stepped forward to support him and prevent him from falling back into the wheelchair!
Nan Xuzong shook his head slightly to clear his mind. He still held Ji Wushang's waist with one hand, and the golden thread wrapped around his other hand made him hesitate for a moment.
All the assassins around, dressed in various clothes, watched. One of them shouted, "Hurry up! Kill them, and the master will reward you handsomely!"
Hearing such a voice, all the assassins rushed forward recklessly, ready to take the lives of Ji Wushang and Nan Xuzong.
Ji Wushang took out several medicine bottles from his pocket, opened them, and threw them at the assassins. Several assassins immediately fell to the ground.
Ji Wushang helped Nan Xuzong up, "How are you?"
"It's alright!" Nan Xuzong looked up, his eyes filled with a chilling coldness. He pushed Ji Wushang slightly closer to him, and with two golden threads, he killed all the men who came forward, but spared the lives of the women.
At this moment, many men dressed as guards arrived from all directions. Recognizing them as guards from the Marquis of Jinnan's residence, they hurriedly retreated. Their orders were to kill Ji Wushang and Nan Xuzong. They had been told that Nan Xuzong would be poisoned with a dissipating drug and would not have a single guard with him!
But now, most of the assassins are dead or wounded. How are they supposed to explain this?
Ji Wushang pushed Nan Xuzong to the side in his wheelchair, bent down, and quickly asked, "Zong, are you really alright?"
"It's alright, don't worry," Nan Xuzong said, his eyes gazing into the distance where his trained men were fighting the assassins. His men knew his methods, so he could rest assured.
Nan Xuzong took out a small bottle from his pocket, opened it, poured out a pill, and swallowed it.
"Didn't you say you wouldn't be drugged by them?" Ji Wushang asked nervously.
"It's alright, I'm sorry to have worried you." Nan Xuzong smiled and stroked her face. "They applied the medicine to the carriage. I have a habit of teasing internal energy in the carriage. People with profound internal strength usually adjust their breathing in their spare time. They took advantage of this."
"I think they're still unsure if the medicine in the pouch I'm wearing has worked, so they've come up with another plan." Nan Xuzong smiled. "Fortunately, the poisoning wasn't severe; it was neutralized instantly."
"Hmm." Ji Wushang smiled with satisfaction as he watched the paleness on his face disappear, but the next second, he took his hands and placed them on his left wrist to feel his pulse.
Nan Xuzong paused slightly, "To treat me?"
“Of course,” Ji Wushang said.
While those around them were engrossed in their conversation, Nan Xuzong and his companion seemed completely oblivious. Ji Wushang looked at him, carefully examining him. Feeling his breathing was steady, and checking his complexion, she finally released his hand with satisfaction. "Very good, diagnosis complete. Mr. Nan Xuzong, you are perfectly fine!"
Ji Wushang's slightly mischievous tone made Nan Xuzong laugh immediately. "Let's go, let's ignore them."
"Huh?" Ji Wushang was surprised. Were they just going to leave those assassins to the guards of the Marquis's mansion like that?
“Those are people I trained. They’re just wearing the uniforms of the Marquis’s guards. They know there’s still a cleanup and investigation going on. They’ll know the results in three days. So, let’s go outside for a stroll,” Nan Xuzong said with a smile. “I don’t want anyone to disturb our Lantern Festival.”
"Alright!" Ji Wushang agreed. Since that was the case, he had nothing to worry about.
Ji Wushang looked back, searching for the lotus lantern from before. Nan Xuzong, as if by magic, produced the lotus lantern from the side. "Is this what you're looking for?"
"Yes." Ji Wushang stepped forward and took the lotus lantern. "Let's go!"
Nan Xuzong's sharp eyes swept over those people, and then he led Ji Wushang out of the garden.
The people outside were completely unaffected!
However, Ji Wushang noticed that there were quite a few people guarding outside the garden, preventing people from entering. If anyone panicked and tried to escape, they would definitely be brought back!
No one dared to stop Ji Wushang and Nan Xuzong; instead, they respectfully ushered them out. It was obvious they were Nan Xuzong's men.
"They're releasing some lanterns over there, let's go take a look," Nan Xuzong pointed to the crowd gathered there. It was a long river, and many people stood on both banks, releasing lanterns they were carrying. Some were praying, others were chasing after the lanterns, and when they couldn't catch them anymore, they looked up at the sky…
Ji Wushang quickly followed Nan Xuzong forward.
The two arrived at the riverbank, where many lanterns were floating on the water, meandering along the current and flowing into the distance.
Ji Wushang stared, slightly lost in thought. There were golden dragon lanterns, peony lanterns, beautiful phoenix lanterns, mermaid lanterns, and many other colorful ones. Ji Wushang was so engrossed in looking at them that he completely forgot Nan Xuzong was beside him. Seeing a red dragon lantern about to drift downstream, Ji Wushang couldn't help but walk forward, but was pulled back by someone.
"No sorrow."
Ji Wushang finally snapped out of his daze, "I... I was lost in thought."
"I knew you'd be captivated and like it." Nan Xuzong smiled, without any hint of reproach. "Let's release our lotus lanterns!"
"Okay." Ji Wushang smiled and withdrew his hand, then straightened himself up, walked to the riverbank, glanced back at Nan Xuzong, and Nan Xuzong smiled slightly and nodded.
Ji Wushang turned around, squatted down, and then gently placed the lotus lantern on a plate, put it into the river, and pushed it out.
As the lotus lantern floated away, Ji Wushang felt a sense of anticipation.
Closing his hands in prayer, Ji Wushang softly murmured: "Please bless Nan Xuzong and me, so that we may always be loving and walk together. If I cannot even hope for such a blessing, please use the happiness of my entire life to bless him with lasting happiness and peace!"
Nan Xuzong looked at her as if she were praying, and a smile appeared on his lips.
River God, can you hear my heartfelt cry? If you have a heart, please bless Ji Wushang with peace and happiness! I am willing to give my heart for all that is good for her.
After Ji Wushang finished praying, she stood up, but at that moment, someone pushed her! Before she could react, she was about to fall! Fortunately, Nan Xuzong's golden silk immediately rolled out and pulled her into his arms. Looking closely, he saw that many people were being jostled around, and he couldn't tell who was pushing whom.
Nan Xuzong's eyes darkened. Could it have been an accident?
He pulled the gold thread back, gently touched her hand, and warmed it for her. "It's alright now. There was a slight accident just now. Be more careful in the future."
"Hmm." Ji Wushang nodded, realizing he had almost fallen into the water. It was the hour of Xu (7 PM to 9 PM Beijing time), and the water was getting a bit cold.
Ji Wushang turned around and leaned against him.
Unwittingly, it was noticed that the lotus lantern seemed to be controlled by someone, not flowing downstream like the other lanterns, but actually going upstream! It was flowing in the opposite direction!
Everyone watched in astonishment and couldn't help but marvel. Releasing lanterns during the Lantern Festival symbolizes the enduring love between men and women.
Ji Wushang and Nan Xuzong exchanged a strange glance. Was this a sign that their love wouldn't last? Or was it something different? Or perhaps, they were never meant to be together in the first place?
Ji Wushang had a million worries in his heart: would his prayers not come true? Would the heavens be against him? Would something happen to him in the future? Would he be unable to protect the happiness he had given him?
Nan Xuzong sighed inwardly, perhaps Heaven was telling him that his days were numbered... This simple happiness wouldn't last long, would it?
With a hint of bitterness, Nan Xuzong suddenly smiled and pulled Ji Wushang to his side. "We should go now. I'll take you somewhere to see something."
"Okay." Ji Wushang reached out and gently stroked his face. If it really couldn't last, then cherish the present, remember the present. He would definitely be alright, and she would definitely stay by his side and help him!
Nan Xuzong smiled, took her hand, and intertwined their fingers.
The lotus lantern was still drifting in the opposite direction.
Ji Wushang glanced back, and Nan Xuzong looked up, following her gaze to the lotus lantern.
Actually, the lotus lanterns drifting in the opposite direction might be a sign that the River God heard their prayers and sincerity and was going to grant their wishes.
Rather than the wish for a whole bunch of lanterns.
When they reached a banyan tree, Ji Wushang looked up and saw many red ribbons on the tree, with a small tag tied to each ribbon, and the tree was covered with ribbons.
These are conjoined trees. Ji Wushang saw the three characters on the stone tablet.