Lan Murou planned to tidy up her shops and manors before returning to the capital, ensuring they could sustain themselves under the care of loyal old servants.
She also wrote a letter to Lan Muyan, informing him of her plans.
The day before her departure, she went to pay respects to her parents. Unexpectedly, Tantai Ye followed her.
With no other choice, she allowed him to accompany her.
Upon arrival, Tantai Ye respectfully offered incense.
He watched Lan Murou, her eyes red as she knelt before the graves, and tenderly embraced her from behind.
"Rou'er."
Hearing his voice, Lan Murou felt a pang of sadness.
Since her parents' death, she had been by his side, entangled for years. In the end, he was still the only one beside her.
Indescribable, complex emotions surged within her, and her eyes grew slightly moist.
Tantai Ye detested her crying now, and seeing her tears felt like his heart was being sliced by a knife.
He held her, gently wiping away her tears.
"Why are you crying? If you miss them, we can come visit every day."
As he spoke, he solemnly addressed the tombstone.
"Parents, if you are aware in the netherworld, I, Tantai Ye, swear to you that I will only love Lan Murou in this life. I will never let her cry again. If I break this oath, may I die a terrible death."
Lan Murou was stunned. She turned her head, her eyes still tearful, and looked at him.
"Don't cry anymore, or I might lose my life."
He hugged her, gently wiping her tears.
Lan Murou felt defeated by him, torn between annoyance and amusement.
Her voice was slightly hoarse as she said, "Why do you talk like that? What if you bump into something and get hurt, and then cry—"
"I won't let you bump into anything."
"Then what if I feel sad from the scenery and want to cry?"
"I won't let you feel sad from the scenery. If you miss home, I'll bring you back. Wherever you want to go, I'll accompany you."
Lan Murou: "----"
She suddenly blurted out, "What if I accidentally get sand in my eyes and cry—"
Tantai Ye curved his lips. "Then you'll have to hold it in and not cry."
"-----"
Lan Murou's heart was unconsciously amused by him. She pushed him away and stood up, muttering quietly that he was boring.
"Little crybaby."
His voice, tinged with indulgence, made her a little dazed.
In truth, their interactions had been this harmonious in the beginning.
But back then, she had just lost her parents and was living under his care, always cautious. He, accustomed to his arrogance and wildness, didn't pay as much attention to her emotions as he did now. Yet, they had shared moments of tenderness and affection.
However, after he finished his military duties in the southeast and brought her back to the capital, their conflicts began.
The Tantai clan looked down on her, and the noble ladies of the capital always sought to humiliate her. At banquets, they constantly caused trouble for her, trying to drive her away from him. She faced various assassination attempts and persecutions, and her personality grew colder.
He, on the other hand, didn't understand, always thinking she didn't love him and wanted to escape, thus beginning to control her in every way.
Especially his temper, forged on the battlefield, was fierce and violent. She began to fear him and avoid him, which only made him angrier.
The more impassive and expressionless she became, the more he sought ways to torment her.
Later, she took advantage of his absence on the battlefield and ran away. He was driven to madness by anger. After capturing her, he forced her to drink the love-luring flower, which only widened the rift between them.
"Rou'er."
Lan Murou snapped back to reality, looking at the gentle person before her, momentarily lost.
For a proud celestial like him to change his temperament because of her single attempt to end her life.
Tantai Ye gently stroked her head. "What are you thinking about?"
"Nothing."
She glanced away, picked up the basket from the ground, and prepared to leave.
Tantai Ye noticed her unease, casually took the basket, and put his arm around her waist.
"I'll carry it, it's heavy."
Lan Murou paused slightly, but said nothing.
They returned to the capital by carriage and only switched to riding horses when they were close to the city.
After days of arduous travel, Tantai Ye, fearing she would be exhausted, stopped in Qizhou Commandery for a few days.
Coincidentally, it was the Qiqiao Festival in the city, so they went out to enjoy themselves.
The streets were adorned with lanterns and bustling with crowds.
He led her through the throng, watching people burn incense, make offerings, and pray under the moonlight. A gentle smile graced her face.
"Rou'er, do you want to participate in the skill contest?"
At the altar ahead, women were competing in needle threading, which was quite lively.
Lan Murou disliked being the center of attention and shook her head.
Upon hearing this, Tantai Ye pulled her hand and led her towards the auspicious bridge.
"Then let's go thread the seven-holed needle."
People were gathered around the stalls on the bridge.
Tantai Ye immediately took out money, intending to book the entire stall and clear everyone away.
Lan Murou blushed and quickly stopped him.
"Do you want to be mobbed? We have to queue."
"But there are so many people."
"---" Lan Murou tugged at him. "Even if there are many people, we have to queue."
Tantai Ye was also very agreeable. "Alright, I'll listen to you."
There were too many people here, and it was noisy, everyone waiting to thread needles and tie colorful threads.
Lan Murou, fearing he might lose patience and get angry, first pulled him to play with the Fairy Water.
Legend had it that the water of Fairy Lake on the Qiqiao Festival could ward off evil spirits, and those who prayed sincerely could have happy marriages. They walked around the lake once and also paid respects to Kui Xing.
Tantai Ye didn't believe in such things, but he couldn't resist her preference and followed her in offering prayers.
By the time they returned to the auspicious bridge, there were fewer people.
"Rou'er, when you finish tying the magpie's feather, don't throw it away. Give it to me."
Hearing his instructions, Lan Murou glanced at him and couldn't help but whisper.
"Why are you acting like a child vying for things now?"
Tantai Ye hugged her waist, lowered his head, and stole a kiss on her cheek.
He wanted everything that belonged to her.
"In any case, don't throw it into the river, otherwise, I'll go and fish for it."
"---"
Lan Murou nodded helplessly.
When it was their turn, she sat down, picked up a needle from the Mandarin Duck pool, and began threading it under the moonlight.
Tantai Ye watched her gentle profile from the side, the smile on his lips deepening.
The banquet halls were decorated with lanterns and colorful streamers, and within the inner court, figures of Mohuolu were sold, worth a thousand gold.
After Lan Murou finished playing, Tantai Ye took her to the Qiaolou and spent lavishly, buying her a Mohuolu carved with gold thread.
This was different from the Mohuolu sold on the streets; it was made of woven gold beads and kingfishers, with numerous cast gold beads and ivory, its value immeasurable.
Lan Murou thought it was a waste and didn't want it.
In the past, royalty and nobles in the capital often bought them for amusement, and they were very popular. He would also bring her Mohuolu, and the general's mansion had countless of them.
But Tantai Ye paid no heed and insisted on buying it.
"Everyone else has one, so you must have one too."
"This is too expensive. Any one bought on the street will do."
Tantai Ye didn't listen, pulling her outside.
Lan Murou couldn't possibly argue with him on the street. Seeing that the time was almost right, she quickly went to buy lotus lanterns.
Near the Fairy Water, there was a thousand-year-old ancient tree, where people would hang their lotus lanterns on poles.
When they arrived, the tree was already covered with lotus lanterns.
Tantai Ye leaped up directly and hung their lotus lantern in the highest spot.
"How's that? Qiongnian will definitely see your wish first."
Under the moonlight, his eyes were unrestrained and flamboyant, his long sleeves billowing in the wind, dazzling like a burning flame, radiating brilliance.
Lan Murou, in a daze, saw the少年 she first met.
Before she could react, her body was suddenly lifted. He embraced her waist, leaped onto a horse, his arms encircling her from both sides, holding her tightly.
"Hold on tight."
He swiftly kissed her cheek and, with a shout, galloped away.