Quick Travel to the Clouds

Chapter 694 My Family 12

Tang Yunmo looked at his outstretched hand, his well-defined fingers holding the warm, gleaming lamp holder as if it were a ray of moonlight from the heavens. Her heart skipped a beat, and joy overflowed from her eyes, shining even brighter in the lamplight.

She reached out her slightly trembling hand to take the lantern. The handle was cool, but her heart was burning with warmth. "...Thank you, Young Master Jiang. This jade rabbit...is so cute." She held the lantern to her chest as if it were a rare treasure, and the light reflected off her face, casting a shy yet joyful glow.

At another riddle stall, Gu Ting also displayed remarkable skill, delivering several clever answers that earned him cheers from the stall owner.

"Young master has a discerning eye! Please choose one!" The stall owner pointed to the wooden frame covered with lanterns.

Gu Ting's gaze swept over them steadily, then he picked out an elegant palace lantern painted with bamboo shadows and handed it to Tang Yunlian, whose eyes were sparkling: "This is for you."

Then she pointed to another delicate gauze lantern painted with elegant lotus flowers and said gently, "This lotus lantern suits the princess's refined taste."

Yun Chu smiled and accepted the lotus lantern. The glow of the lantern swirled between her slender fingers, adding a touch of warmth to her pale face. "Brother Gu, you've gone to so much trouble. This lotus lantern is a perfect complement to the scene." Tang Yunlian, holding the bamboo lantern, excitedly looked it over from left to right, repeatedly thanking Gu Ting.

Releasing lanterns to pray for blessings is the highlight. The riverbank is already packed with people, and various river lanterns float on the shimmering water, carrying countless beautiful wishes.

Tang Yunlian picked out a lotus lantern inscribed with "Passing the Imperial Examination," clumsily lit it, carefully pushed it into the water, watched it merge into the stream of lanterns, clasped her hands together, and looked very serious.

Yun Chu lit a small prayer lamp decorated with auspicious patterns, holding it in both hands. Under the light, her profile appeared exceptionally gentle and devout.

She closed her eyes for a moment, seemingly praying silently for the safety and well-being of her family, before gently sending the lamp onto the water and watching it drift away slowly.

Gu Ting stood to the side, quietly watching them release the lanterns, protecting them from being pushed and shoved by the crowd. He didn't release a lantern for himself; his tall figure appeared exceptionally calm and reliable in the interplay of moonlight and lantern light.

Just then, Yun Chu's gaze inadvertently swept over her brother, Tang Yunlian. After releasing the lanterns, he excitedly squeezed next to Gu Ting, and the two stood side by side, gazing at the river of lanterns flowing in the water.

Tang Yunlian was pointing at a huge pagoda lamp in the distance, excitedly telling Gu Ting something. Gu Ting tilted his head slightly to listen, his profile clearly defined in the flickering lamplight and moonlight, showing his calm and resolute demeanor.

A hint of indulgent smile played on his lips as he occasionally nodded in agreement. Meanwhile, with his brother Tang Yunlian beside Gu Ting, the restless and impetuous air seemed to be soothed by a gentle, invisible force, revealing the unpolished yet genuine and pure nature of a young man.

The moonlight was like quicksilver spilling onto the ground, clear and cold; the lights floating on the river, however, were a warm yellow, warm and vibrant.

Two kinds of light intertwined and flowed precisely onto the two figures standing side by side.

Tang Yunlian wore a brand-new brocade robe, exuding youthful vigor; Gu Ting, on the other hand, wore a simple blue cloth robe, his posture upright like a bamboo shoot.

Suddenly, it was as if tiny stars had fallen into Yun Chu's eyes, shining incredibly brightly.

This scene was frozen in her eyes, exceptionally harmonious and warm.

My brother's free-spirited yet pure nature needs a role model like Brother Gu, who is as steady as a mountain and as reliable as a rock. One is like a gentle breeze and a bright moon, warm and humble; the other is like green mountains and clear waters, resolute and steady.

The three of them found a relatively quiet wonton stall by the river and sat down. The bamboo shed was simple but clean, set up on the bank. Steam rose from a large pot on the stove, and the rich aroma of bone broth mixed with the fresh scent of dried shrimp wafted into their noses, warmly dispelling the slight chill of the night breeze.

Tang Yunlian was already starving, so she loudly ordered three bowls of fresh pork and shrimp roe wontons.

Gu Ting carefully scalded the bamboo chopsticks he brought with him in boiling water before handing them to Yun Chu and Tang Yunlian.

The steaming hot wontons were served quickly. The celadon bowl was filled with a clear and flavorful broth, and each wonton with a thin skin and a generous filling floated on the surface, the pinkish meat filling faintly visible, sprinkled with bright green scallions and golden-brown shrimp roe.

Steam rose from Yun Chu's cheeks. She blew on it gently, carefully scooped up a spoonful, blew on it to cool it, and put it in her mouth. The savory broth burst on her tongue, and the warmth flowed down her esophagus throughout her body. She let out a satisfied sigh.

Tang Yunlian ate too quickly, but burned her mouth and grimaced. Gu Ting helplessly handed her a glass of cold water: "Eat slowly, be careful not to burn your stomach."

Amidst the bustling riverside stalls and the still-glittering sea of ​​lights on the distant water, people quietly savor this simple, everyday pleasure.

Yun Chu occasionally glanced at the two men opposite her—the older brother had a satisfied, gluttonous look on his face, while Gu Ting moved with composure, exuding a calm demeanor even in this bustling street stall.

The light and shadow danced across his calm face, outlining a reliable and reassuring profile.

The moisture in Meizhou seems to truly nourish all things.

Yun Chu's body visibly became stronger, and the sickly paleness on her face faded, revealing the rosy glow unique to young girls.

Gu Ting's companionship and guidance transformed Tang Yunlian completely. The impetuousness she once had, tainted by the playboy lifestyle of the capital, vanished without a trace, and her demeanor now carried a touch of Gu Ting's composure and dashing charm.

Tang Yunmo's transformation was even more remarkable. Ever since that fleeting glimpse at Cuiming Pavilion, her heart had been gently struck as if by the jade ring at Jiang Junyou's waist, the echo lingering long after. She was no longer the arrogant girl who scorned Gu Ting and whose mind was filled only with the image of Fan Shaojie.

Jiang Junyou was like a warm, smooth pebble thrown into the lake of her heart; the ripples that spread out quietly changed her.

Although she still has a straightforward personality, her words have lost some of their unnecessary arrogance and gained more of a girl's delicacy and expectation.

She began to pay real attention to calligraphy and painting, and when she tried to play the zither, she also brought a touch of tenderness to it. Even Du Feiqin privately remarked to Tang Wencheng that Meizhou was truly a nurturing place, and even Mo'er seemed to be a polished pearl, gradually revealing her inner brilliance.

Chiang Chun-yu was also drawn to this bright yet shy crimson hue.

He was a free-spirited and insightful person. Although he found Tang Yunmo's flustered and helpless state at their first meeting quite amusing, as they spent more time together—whether it was her bright smile at the banquet at his residence or her seemingly calm but undisguised joy in her eyes when they occasionally bumped into each other in the market—his goodwill towards her grew day by day.

When Gu Ting discussed matters related to the academy with him, their gazes often fell on the Tang sisters, who were playing chess or sipping tea in the courtyard.

Mid-Autumn Festival of the 54th year of Tai'an

The Mid-Autumn Festival lantern festival in Meizhou is not as novel as it was last year, but the changes in people and events have added a unique sentiment. The banks of the Qinhuai River are still brightly lit, and throngs of tourists flock there.

When Tang Yunmo carried her treasured jade rabbit glass lamp and strolled with Jiang Junyou amidst the dazzling lights once more, her state of mind was completely different.

She was no longer so nervous that she was at a loss for what to do. Her bright eyes boldly followed the figure of the white-clad gentleman beside her, the lamplight flickering on her smiling lips. Jiang Junyou had also lost the indifferent detachment he had shown at their first meeting. His eyes were now filled with genuine laughter, and his gentle words carried a warm and comforting tone.