In the north-central part of the capital, the Imperial City and the Noble Clans stood proudly, embodying the most majestic presence in the entire Ancient Li Nation.
But when people spoke of the busiest and most bustling place, it was the Eastern Market in the east that was mentioned the most.
As its name suggests, the Eastern Market was a marketplace located in the eastern part of the capital.
There were no traditional residences here; instead, various shops, resembling the grandeur of Qionglou Yuyu, lined both sides of Ten-Li Long Street.
Of course, if one were to comment on the goods sold here, the saying went, “The market displays pearls and jade, the households abound in silks and brocades.”
“Wow, it really is the Lantern Festival today. Even though the weather is so bad, there are still so many people,”
Upward Moon Shangguan, dressed in a red jacket, raised her right hand to shade her eyes, her small mouth slightly parted.
“Xun Mu, why do I get the feeling like I’ve stepped into the ‘Ghost Market’ from those old stories? Today’s Eastern Market looks a bit eerie.”
The sky was overcast, casting a gray hue over the scene.
Many vendors had already lit lanterns in front of their shops, and the usual bustling crowds filled the streets, creating an atmosphere that the young girl couldn’t help but find off.
Unconsciously, she took a few steps back and clutched the corner of the boy’s clothing tightly with her left hand.
She was a little afraid.
Beside her, Yun Mu, his long hair tied back, hung his head low.
Though Shangguan Qiuyue had repeatedly praised how good he looked, he still felt uneasy wearing this new outfit.
Sensing the girl’s unease, he forced himself to ignore the discomfort of his clothes, lifted his head, and raised his right hand protectively in front of her.
His black eyes carefully scanned the surroundings, and after confirming that nothing was amiss, he turned to her with a reassuring smile.
“Miss, don’t worry. Although Yun Mu hasn’t been here before, this place definitely isn’t the Ghost Market you’re talking about,”
he paused, recalling the folk tales his parents told him in childhood.
Smiling, he said, “With such a strong human presence and the smell of daily life, any ghost coming here would probably be scared to death.”
As his smile grew, he didn’t notice that their faces were now barely an inch apart.
“Such beautiful eyes…”
“Hm?”
The sudden compliment, accompanied by a soft breath brushing against his cheek, made the boy realize the subtle closeness.
He was about to turn his head away, but Shangguan Qiuyue’s raised hands gently pressed him in place.
She stared into those eyes so near, blinking her own for a long moment before finally pulling away.
Noticing the boy’s flushed face, she bent slightly, hands clasped behind her back, looking up at him teasingly.
“What’s wrong, Xun Mu? So easily shy? Do you like me, then?”
“Hmm, of course I do…”
“Uh!”
The sudden response made Shangguan Qiuyue, who had spent the whole day preparing teasing lines for him, shiver and nearly lose her balance.
Only with the boy’s support did she manage to stay upright.
He really does like me…
“Then… Xun Mu, have you said this kind of thing to other girls before?”
The girl unconsciously twirled a strand of hair on her right side, her tone laced with hope.
“Or is it only me?”
“Other girls?”
Yun Mu recalled the people he had met since childhood and nodded.
“When I was young, Sister Xun Yi and Teacher also asked me this kind of question, and my answer was always the same.”
“Uh… Sister Xun Yi and Sister Lin, huh? Alright… I understand now.”
So it’s just that kind of like.
I thought it was something else.
Haha…
Shangguan Qiuyue, what are you thinking about?
His straightforward answer left the young girl momentarily at a loss for how to respond.
Though young, she understood the meaning of ‘like,’ and after hearing his answer, realized that the kind of affection he spoke of was very different from her own.
Yet even so, she couldn’t help but wonder:
If they really ended up together, like her parents, what would they do?
Would they study Shengxian Dao Li together?
Travel to admire the Mountains and Rivers?
Cook meals to experience the warmth of everyday life?
Or walk arm in arm through the bustling streets of the capital, soaking in its vibrant splendor?
But these were just lofty dreams to her now.
For a fragile girl, long-term companionship was nothing but a fantasy.
She knew she wouldn’t live long, which was why she had brought the boy to the Eastern Market.
I don’t have a future anyway, so I might as well make some memories now.
Staying in my own courtyard all the time would be so boring.
Besides, letting Xun Mu see the outside world might keep his heart from being trapped in the small Shangguan family courtyard.
Thinking this, she straightened up, suppressing the loneliness within, and imitated Lin Yayue by gently looping her arm through Yun Mu’s.
“Come on, Xun Mu, your mission today is to accompany me for a good stroll around the Eastern Market. Of course, it’s just the two of us.”
With that, they walked deeper into Ten-Li Long Street.
***
Elsewhere, at the Shangguan family residence, Shangguan Hongzhi stood in front of the Council Hall, hands clasped behind his back as he paced.
He was waiting for something.
After about half an incense stick’s time, he finally stopped pacing and looked up at the clouds in the distance, a joyful expression on his face.
On the horizon, an orange-red glow gradually grew larger and closer until it hovered above the Shangguan estate.
On a maple leaf-shaped magical artifact stood an elderly man, serene and ethereal, hands folded behind his back.
“Immortal Physician Lu, you’ve finally arrived. I’ve been waiting here for quite a while.”
The man in brocade bowed slightly in respect, but instead of a familiar hoarse voice, a refined and pure tone emanated, exuding an untainted celestial aura.
“Teacher, is this the Shangguan family you mentioned?”
“Yes, this is the place.”
“It looks somewhat modest and gives off a… repulsive feeling.”
“Haha, Luo Yi, bear with it. It’s been years since I last descended into the mortal world.”
“Hm…”
That voice, calling Immortal Physician Lu “Teacher” and addressing Luo Yi—could she be the princess of the imperial family?
Shangguan Hongzhi was puzzled but didn’t look up to confirm his suspicions.
Instead, he maintained the respectful demeanor due a subordinate.
From behind the elder, a slender girl in a white dress stepped forward.
Her attire was simple, adorned only with a silver-white hairpin holding up her chestnut-black hair.
She lowered her gaze to Shangguan Hongzhi, her cold face revealing two heterochromatic eyes—amber and azure—filled with scrutiny.
“You are Shangguan Hongzhi, the current head of the Shangguan family, one of the Four Great Families under my father’s command?”
“Your Highness, I am Shangguan Hongzhi,” he replied.
“You know me? We should not have met before, right?”
“The Eldest Princess of the Ancient Li Nation, Lu Qi, Immortal Physician Lu’s prized student, and the most gifted young royal of today’s generation, Qin Luoyi. How could I not know you?”
“You sound just like those courtiers, full of flattery. Skip the formalities—I don’t like them; they make me feel sick.”
“…Yes, Your Highness.”
Unexpectedly rebuked, Shangguan Hongzhi straightened, though inwardly displeased, he maintained his courteous demeanor and stood sideways, raising his right hand toward a nearby Upstairs Pavilion.
“Please, this way. I have prepared tea.”
“Save it. I didn’t come here to waste time on pleasantries. Just tell me where Yun Mu is. I’ve heard from Teacher that his constitution is very special—naturally attracting Star Power. My purpose today is to meet him.”
Her sharp words left the normally smooth-talking official momentarily speechless.
He stammered without replying and instead cast his gaze to Lu Qi, speaking privately.
[Immortal Physician Lu, what should I say? You never told me this little ancestor would come. Besides, as you instructed in your letter, I have Yun Mu accompany my daughter out for a stroll, so this…]
[You ask me? There are so many special constitutions in the world. Do you think I could have predicted Qin Luoyi’s interest in Yun Mu, that she’d risk going mad and break off her cultivation to come here? Also… dare you not welcome her?]
[Ah, your words. How could I not welcome her? It’s just that if she’s interested in Yun Mu, I worry it might affect my daughter’s future. After all, as a parent, one worries about one’s child…]
[Don’t worry. No matter how interested she is, she won’t do anything reckless. She’s promised me, her Teacher, that her actions won’t interfere with Qiuyue’s treatment.]
[That’s a relief.]
[Enough dithering. You think she wouldn’t notice all this telepathic communication?]
[Immortal Physician Lu, I still don’t quite understand the Eldest Princess. Could you offer some advice?]
[Taohuagao… she likes eating that. Just tell her you’ve prepared plenty of Taohuagao. That should temporarily put the matter of meeting Yun Mu aside. Be sure to treat her well—Luoyi is the Emperor’s child. If you make her uncomfortable, it will be you who suffers.]
[Understood…]
Shangguan Hongzhi glanced at Qin Luoyi, who hadn’t once looked directly at him.
Steadying his nerves, he then calmly suggested.
“Your Highness, Yun Mu is currently out with my daughter and has not yet returned to the residence, so you won’t be able to meet him for now, but…”
He paused slightly, his voice lifting a bit.
“The food I prepared is quite delicious, especially the Taohuagao, which is of superior quality and comes in various styles. You could rest for a while and wait for his return before meeting him.”
“Various Taohuagao? That sounds promising…”
Seeing Qin Luoyi accept this, he exhaled quietly, the weight of pressure lifting from his heart.
He clapped his hands twice, and soon several servants appeared carrying dishes.
Two plates of Taohuagao were placed prominently at the front.
Noticing the light shining in the girl’s eyes, he gestured invitingly.
“This way, Your Highness.”
“Alright, let’s go, Teacher.”
“Very well.”
In this situation, it was hard to tell who was the elder and who the junior.