162: Chapter 162 Dragon Lantern

Jiang Xun said indifferently:

"Young Miss Li, my wife is still in prison. I have no heart to participate in the lantern festival."

"But being anxious won't help," Li Shutang said. "If you come with me, my father might help your wife for the sake of my Face."

"But..." Jiang Xun remained unmoved, "I really am not in the mood."

Li Shutang lowered her head, saying with some disappointment:

"Alright, I am forcing the Young Master." Her tone was sad, "I have just arrived here and only wanted to make a friend to travel with. It seems I was being over-affectionate."

Jiang Xun felt a bit panicked. Why does it seem like I'm bullying you?

At this moment, her father Li Shimin's gaze once again fell coldly upon him.

That look was as if he wanted to devour him.

"...Fine." Jiang Xun nodded helplessly, "I will go."

Li Shutang smiled, "Then in two days, I will wait for the Young Master."

Jiang Xun cupped his hands, turned to walk out, took a few steps, then stopped. He suddenly said:

"Young Miss Li."

"Yes?"

"Why are you helping me?"

Li Shutang was silent for a moment, "Because Young Master is a good person."

Jiang Xun was somewhat surprised. He said nothing and stepped out of the courtyard.

Where did she see that he was a good person?

He couldn't understand it.

This sentence gave him no way to fathom her thoughts.

Perhaps Li Shutang was the only character in the game he hadn't treated as a romanceable target, so there was less utility and deception involved.

That's why she had the impression of him being a good person.

The door closed behind him.

Jiang Xun took a deep breath.

He suddenly felt like a prey trapped in a cage, with walls on all sides, and a pair of eyes watching him behind every wall.

He had to leave this place as soon as possible.

No matter what method he used.

Two days later.

In the evening, Jiang Xun changed into clean clothes and went out.

The wound on his side was almost healed; it didn't hurt to walk, though it would occasionally feel a bit sore.

The streets were already bustling.

Lanterns were everywhere—hanging under eaves, on treetops, and on bamboo poles.

Children ran back and forth in the alleys, carrying rabbit lanterns and carp lanterns, their laughter crisp and clear.

Jiang Xun walked among the crowd, pushed forward by the flow.

The starting point of the Wandering Dragon Lantern Festival was at the entrance of the county magistrate's office.

When he arrived, the place was already packed with people.

Li Shutang stood on the steps of the magistrate's office. Today she wore a pale gold dress, her hair pinned up high.

Under the reflection of the lights, she was as beautiful as a burning fire.

She saw Jiang Xun, walked down the steps, passed through the crowd, and came before him.

"Young Master, you've come."

"Yes."

"Let's go, I'll take you to a good spot."

She grabbed his hand and led him forward.

Jiang Xun felt the warmth of her palm, feeling a bit dazed for a moment.

The Wandering Dragon Lantern Festival began.

A long dragon set off from the magistrate's office. The dragon's head was made of bamboo strips and covered in red paper, with candles lit inside.

The dragon's body was formed by connecting lanterns one by one—there were hundreds of them, stretching from the start of the street to the end, like a glowing river.

The sound of gongs and drums was deafening. The dragon dancers were shirtless, shouting rhythmic chants as they held the dragon head high.

The dragon's body wove through the crowd like a giant beast come to life.

Jiang Xun stood by the roadside, watching the dragon pass before him.

Li Shutang stood beside him, silent.

She just quietly watched the dragon, the lanterns, and the people who were laughing, shouting, and crowding together.

"Young Master," she suddenly spoke.

"Yes?"

"Have you ever thought about what you would do if one day you regained your memory and found out your wife isn't actually your wife?"

Jiang Xun glanced at her.

"I haven't thought about it."

"Why?"

"Because I can't think that far ahead right now," Jiang Xun said. "I only want to save my wife and then live a good life."

Li Shutang lowered her head, looking at her toes.

"Live a good life..." she repeated, her voice very soft, "That's nice."

Jiang Xun didn't respond.

The dragon lanterns moved further away, and the sound of gongs and drums grew faint.

The crowd followed the dragon lanterns toward the outskirts of the city, and the streets gradually emptied.

"Young Master." Li Shutang looked up, "Can you accompany me there?"

Jiang Xun looked at her.

The moonlight shone on her Face, softening her silhouette.

There was no calculation or testing in her eyes, only a cautious expectation, afraid of being rejected.

"...Fine."

The two of them followed the flow of people toward Mount Tao.

On the way, more and more commoners gathered, merging into the light of the dragon lanterns.

Jiang Xun gripped Li Shutang's hand tightly. There were too many people, and he was truly afraid she would get separated from him.

Li Shutang followed behind him.

"Young Master."

"Yes."

"If you regain your memory later and find out your wife isn't your wife, will you go looking for your real wife?"

Jiang Xun was silent for a while.

"No."

"Why?"

"Because I don't know her," Jiang Xun said. "I only know Bai Jiu."

Li Shutang's footsteps paused for a split second before she continued walking.

"Then what if... your real wife has been waiting for you all this time?"

Jiang Xun did not answer.

The moon hung overhead, large and round, like a lamp that would never go out.

The distance between Lean County and Mount Tao was only seven or eight li.

It wasn't considered far.

In the distance, the silhouette of Mount Tao loomed in the moonlight.

The peach blossoms on the mountain were still in bloom, their pinkish-white petals falling in the night wind like a snow that would never stop.

By now, crowds from other counties had also arrived, surrounding Mount Tao with their own dragon lanterns.

The clamor reached the heavens.

This was a massive grand event.

The Empress was their faith, and the Great Tang was their glory.

Now that the Empress had manifested her power, the people from the surrounding counties swarmed here.

Jiang Xun sighed, "Truly spectacular."

Li Shutang let go of Jiang Xun's hand and suddenly said: "Then, Young Master, is this Great Tang as you wished?"

Jiang Xun was startled.

What did that mean? The people of Central Province were indeed the best-off among the Mortals of the Five Domains.

But what did 'as I wished' mean?

Jiang Xun didn't know how to answer, so he simply said: "I don't dislike this Great Tang."