The great tree adorned with lanterns had long since lost its original name. Legend had it that many years ago, demons had ravaged the land, leaving behind countless corpses and rivers of blood.
A beautiful flower spirit, in a bid to save innocent lives, danced beneath the tree. Upon the conclusion of her dance, she vanished, and the demons, as if struck by awe, retreated.
Thereafter, every year on the eighth day of the eighth lunar month, people would hang their handmade lanterns on this tree, praying for favorable weather, family harmony, and love.
As indeed, many found their destined partners through this tradition, the tree gradually became known as a sacred tree in the eyes of the people.
Dao Yu Yue naturally harbored a small wish of her own. She didn't believe in fate, yet at times, she had to admit its existence.
Although this world allowed demons to take human form and humans to cultivate, it paled in comparison to the cultivation world. Even if she cultivated to the peak of this world, her lifespan would only extend to a few hundred years.
Therefore, she hoped that if reincarnation truly existed, she would meet her again.
Dao Yu Yue lowered her gaze, concealing the wistfulness in her eyes. With a light tap of her toes, she flew up and hung a lantern on the highest branch of the tree.
"Sister is amazing!" Xing Yuan clapped her hands, offering unreserved praise.
Dao Yu Yue ruffled Xing Yuan's hair again, a slight blush on her lips.
"Sister, look, they're also releasing small river lanterns over there. Shall we go take a look?" Xing Yuan gently tugged Dao Yu Yue's hand, her eyes sparkling with excitement.
"Alright," Dao Yu Yue nodded gently, allowing Xing Yuan to lead her to the riverbank.
"How many do you want to release?" Dao Yu Yue asked with a smile, her eyes warm.
"Hmm? What do you mean, 'how many do you want to release'? Don't people usually release just one?" Xing Yuan tilted her head, not quite understanding.
"Release more. If you release more, at least one river lantern will drift away, and then your wish can come true," Dao Yu Yue explained patiently.
She felt her idea was sound; if quality was lacking, quantity would suffice.
"Great idea! Then let's buy them all!" Xing Yuan declared. Then, remembering that her sister held the purse strings, she looked at her pitifully, her voice sweet and her tone rising, "Please, Sister~"
Dao Yu Yue's energy reserves depleted. With a grand gesture, she said to the vendor, "We'll take them all."
As a bag of silver coins left her hand, she belatedly realized she was being extravagant. However, seeing Xing Yuan holding the river lanterns and writing on them, her gaze softened.
Money was merely an external possession; using it to bring joy to a beloved was a most worthwhile transaction.
Xing Yuan's excitement waned with the repetitive act of writing. She sat on the ground, looked up at Dao Yu Yue, and pouted, shaking her hand slightly. "Sister~ I don't want to write anymore. My hand hurts."
Dao Yu Yue's lips curved into a faint smile, as gentle and evocative as the lingering spring rain in Jiangnan, tinged with a hint of tenderness. She bent down slightly, her long strands of hair brushing against Xing Yuan's cheek, tickling her. Xing Yuan was momentarily captivated.
Gently taking Xing Yuan's right hand, Dao Yu Yue let her spiritual energy flow between their fingers. Her clear voice resonated by Xing Yuan's ear, "Is it better now?"
"Mhm," Xing Yuan blushed and withdrew her hand.
"Feeling shy?" Dao Yu Yue's voice held a hint of curiosity, her tone rising like a hook. Though she was teasing, she conveyed a sense of utmost sincerity.
"You guess!"
"You still haven't told me what to do with these river lanterns! I can't finish writing them," Xing Yuan skillfully changed the subject.
How could she admit to such an embarrassing matter? She was a fox, and foxes were alluring; how could she be easily seduced by others?
Dao Yu Yue chuckled, her warm breath fanning Xing Yuan's ear. She laughed softly, a hint of helplessness in her voice, "Silly fox! Have you forgotten that you're not human at all? So why are you using human methods to write?"
Right! She could use magic.
Xing Yuan suddenly realized. However, she glanced around and hesitated, fidgeting. "There are so many people here!"
What if someone discovered she was a fox and caused trouble for her sister?
"The fox is being foolish again!" Dao Yu Yue sighed helplessly, her expression conveying, "What would I do without you?"
"I am the Imperial Tutor! Don't I know how to use magic? Didn't you see that people are afraid to come near us?"
Xing Yuan surveyed her surroundings and indeed found that the closest people were five meters away. Yet, she refused to admit she was a foolish fox.
She was very intelligent; she had simply forgotten to bring her brain with her today. Tomorrow, she would bring it.
Although Xing Yuan said nothing, she gave Dao Yu Yue a stubborn look, letting her understand.
After all, Xing Yuan was like a child she had raised since she was young. Even though she seemed to have changed a lot, she was still the same child. Dao Yu Yue had considerable experience in placating her.
"What do you want to write? I'll help you," Dao Yu Yue said, no longer mentioning Xing Yuan's embarrassing past, and changing the subject.
"Half for you, half for me. Sister, write what you want to write," Xing Yuan said. Then, with swift movements, she wrote a few characters in the air and imprinted them onto the river lantern.
Without waiting for Dao Yu Yue to peek at her writing, she immediately placed a small barrier around the lantern and pushed it into the river.
Then, she solemnly said to Dao Yu Yue, "Sister! You're not allowed to peek. If you peek, perhaps your final wish won't come true."
"Okay~" Dao Yu Yue replied. She then casually wrote a few characters on a small river lantern and released it into the river.
Xing Yuan's curiosity was unbearable. She went up and hugged Dao Yu Yue, her voice full of anticipation. "Sister, can you show me one? You have so many river lanterns! Even if one wish doesn't come true, it shouldn't matter, right?"
"Hmm..." Dao Yu Yue feigned contemplation, then shook her head in Xing Yuan's expectant gaze. "No!"
She lightly tapped Xing Yuan's forehead. Though it was a reprimand, her tone was extremely indulgent. "Ah Yuan, you little rascal! You must keep your word."
The light in Xing Yuan's eyes dimmed slightly. She pursed her lips, seemingly saddened by her failed attempt.
Even though Dao Yu Yue knew Xing Yuan was deliberately acting this way to soften her heart, she couldn't help but want to indulge her. "Alright! Don't be sad. And even though I have many river lanterns, there is only one wish inside, so of course, I can't tell Ah Yuan!"
"Okay! Then I won't force Sister! But I want a little compensation." Xing Yuan held out her hand, indicating she wanted a reward.
"Mmm~ What kind of compensation does Ah Yuan want?" Dao Yu Yue's voice rose as she looked down at her, her eyes filled with anticipation.
Even if the person she liked did nothing, she felt they were flirting with her. At this moment, Xing Yuan felt a little dazed.
She felt as if something was slightly amiss, yet everything seemed normal. Sister had always been like this, hadn't she?