Yucheng Lantern Festival

After finishing dinner and changing her clothes, Yan Wanning followed Si Yunqi out to explore Yucheng's night market. All the way there, he carefully sheltered her in his arms, keeping anyone from bumping into her.

Both were exceptionally good-looking, and walking hand in hand made them easy to notice. All the more so because they wore splendid brocade robes with matching patterns in different colors, and the man gazed at the woman beside him with open affection, carefully shielding her in his arms. One look was enough to tell they were husband and wife.

Some young men and women secretly set their sights on the two of them, only to give up in disappointment when they realized the pair were most likely married. Even so, the couple drew plenty of attention.

Knowing the onlookers meant no harm, Si Yunqi paid them no mind and took his little princess consort by the hand, enjoying the sights with her.

Just then, Yan Wanning tugged at his sleeve and stopped in front of a stall selling lanterns. Pointing to one depicting a rabbit playing with a butterfly, she said, "Husband, I want that one."

"Mm."

Si Yunqi was just about to speak when the stall owner spoke first. "Young master, madam, I'm terribly sorry, but these lanterns aren't for sale."

Yan Wanning didn't make things difficult for him, though she was a little disappointed. "All right, then."

The stall owner smiled. "Don't be in such a hurry, madam. I haven't finished yet."

Pointing to the slip of paper pasted on the rabbit lantern, the stall owner said, "One tael of silver for each guess. If you're interested, you can give it a try."

Only then did Yan Wanning notice that every lantern on the stall had a slip of paper pasted to it, with a little riddle written on it.

"Could you take the slip of paper off the lantern?"

Si Yunqi silently handed over the silver. After accepting the money, the stall owner smiled and took the slip off the lantern for her. "Have a look, madam."

Yan Wanning looked at the slip and read aloud, "It lies down when it sits, lies down when it stands, lies down when it walks, and lies down when it lies down."

The stall owner nodded. "That's right. Please guess the animal, madam."

Yan Wanning thought for only a moment before answering, "A snake."

"Correct, correct! It is indeed a snake." The stall owner took down the lantern and handed it to her. "Here you are, madam. This lantern is yours."

Yan Wanning accepted the lantern, her heart full of joy. As if showing off her spoils, she held it up to Si Yunqi and said, "Husband, I got it."

Her smile was infectious, and Si Yunqi smiled too. He raised a hand to rub her head affectionately and praised her sincerely. "You're amazing, my lady."

Yan Wanning smiled shyly and pointed at another lantern on the stall, one shaped like a horse. "Shall I win one for you too, husband?"

Hearing this, the perceptive stall owner took the slip of paper off the lantern and handed it to her. Si Yunqi silently put down more silver.

The stall owner smiled until his eyes narrowed to slits. "Once you've looked at that one, madam, have a look at the others too. This riddle is a bit difficult, though, so think carefully before you answer."

"Take the character for horse, put something in its mouth, and add another stroke," Yan Wanning read, then answered, "The character for chicken."

The stall owner clapped his hands and said happily, "It is chicken! Madam, you're so clever."

Once she had the lantern, Yan Wanning gave the rabbit one to Si Yunqi. Hiding her own sweet little thought, she said softly, "Husband, you carry mine, and I'll carry yours."

"All right." Si Yunqi took her hand and continued onward.

"Take care, both of you, and please come again," the stall owner said.

A crowd had gathered at one spot in the bustling market. Everyone wanted to see what the commotion was about, and Yan Wanning was no exception. She tugged at Si Yunqi's hand, insisting on a look. Helplessly, he said, "It's crowded over there. How about we don't go? It wouldn't do for someone to bump into you and the child."

"With you protecting me, husband, that won't happen."

Seeing her coquettish expression, Si Yunqi felt utterly helpless. He took her hand and led her toward the crowd.

Yan Wanning smiled at getting her way. She took a few sour plums from the pouch Xiao He had given her before they left and popped them into her mouth, her cheeks puffed out like a little pufferfish.

Watching her eat them without a change in expression, as if they were some delicacy, Si Yunqi felt his teeth ache from the sourness.

When they drew closer, they discovered that acrobats were performing. They were about to smash a great stone on a man's chest, and the fascinated crowd widened their eyes, eager to witness the rare sight for themselves.

Yan Wanning was petite, and the people in front blocked her view. She was growing anxious when the man beside her lifted her up with a slight effort of his arms. Yan Wanning got the full view she wanted, though she felt a little shy. Apart from a few people, however, everyone's attention was on the performance.

A huge, burly man like a small mountain lay on a sturdy wooden board with a slab of stone on his body. He had two companions, one small and thin, the other just as tall and burly as he was. The smaller man beat on a clapper and called, "Come one, come all, don't miss it! A great stone smashed on a man's chest!"

The tall, burly fellow took a great gulp of water, raised a thousand-jin hammer, and brought it down with all his strength toward the chest of the brawny man lying on the board.

In that instant, everyone held their breath. Some even covered their eyes. Then, with a bang, everyone looked at the man lying there, only to find that the stone on his body had shattered into several pieces. The brawny man stood up unharmed and walked a few steps to show he was all right.

Clap, clap!

The crowd burst into applause. The small, thin man held out a plate to collect their copper coins, smiling as he repeatedly said, "Thank you." Si Yunqi casually tossed a piece of silver onto the plate as well, then set the woman in his arms down and took her hand, ready to leave.

"Make way! Make way! Everyone, make way!"