There were a lot of people setting off festive lanterns on the riverside and knowing that Little Qiuâer was shy with strangers, Yu Xiang deliberately picked a secluded corner.
The entire river was full with the lotus-like lanterns floating around. Pink lights were swaying along the undulating surface of the river which was beautiful as an imaginary illusion, as though the galaxy had fallen from heaven. Mosquitoes and moths were seen flitting along the lights, gathered above the lanterns with buzzing sounds incited by their wings which attracted schools of whitebaits trudging along which might leap up to the surface for feeding.
The refined people would simply feel that the lanterns, the river, the people, the stars in the sky and the galaxy on earth were beautiful. However, the unrefined people would feel the sight of trapping the fishes was more beautiful than these lanterns candlelights on the river.
Yu Xiang and Little Qiuâer were precisely the only two unrefined people in Xihe garden.
A big carp leaped out of the water and caught a moth before dropping back into the river creating a glittering splash.
Little Qiuâer clapped her hands as she was unable to contain her joy.
Yu Xiang propped up her cheek with one hand, licked her lip and whispered, âThis fish must be at least two catties in weight and the meat must be absolutely tasty as it grew in such a clear river. It will be good if it can be prepared into sweet and sour carp.â She rubbed her stomach and heaved a long sigh, âI am actually a little hungry.â
A foodie would always sympathized with another foodie when Little Qiuâer also promptly nodded her head and chimed in, âI am hungry too!â
Her master had never played so happily for a long time thus the old Momo smilingly cut in, âTwo little masters please wait for a moment, Nubi will go get some food over.â As two of Yu Xiangâs maidservants were here and they were also in the imperial garden, she was utterly at ease leaving her master here while she left. But who would have thought that the moment she just departed, along came a group of malevolence noble girls.
Their leader was about twelve or thirteen and dressed in extreme luxury. The rest was just following about two steps behind and indistinctly led by her. The beautiful girl whom Yu Xiang saw before was also mingled in this crowd with Yu Si Yu.
âGive me the lantern!â The girl immediately rushed towards Little Qiuâer with her hand stretched out when she got closer and her tone of voice was insufferably arrogant.
Little Qiuâer was intimidated and hastily hid behind Yu Xiang while staunchly shaking her head.
Tao Hong and Liu Lu stepped forward to stop but were dragged away by two old pozi who the girl brought along and covered their mouths with handkerchiefs. The whole action was carried through so smoothly that it was rather done proficiently.
âThis priceless sacred Nirvana lantern was a tribute from the Tianzhu (India) country to the Great Han Dynasty and the only one in this world. So, are you deserving of it? Give it to me!â She overbearingly took a few steps forward.
Little Qiuâer hastily avoided her and went to the other side of Yu Xiang.
Seeing that Little Qiuâer simply refused to give her the lantern, she was somewhat filled with anger and made a sudden move to snatch it.
Though Yu Xiang was fond of children, she really disliked those unreasonable brats. Hence with her extremely protective nature, she instantly flared up and pushed the girl away before sneeringly said, âYou dare to bully my Qiuâer and also secretly capture my maidservants. Do you believe I would splash the lantern oil onto your face?â
âHow dare you! Do you know who I am? Iâm Qinghe Junzhu[1] and my father is Prince Yu!â After getting pushed, she staggered and hissingly shouted out loud.
âSo what if you are a Junzhu? We have won this lantern fair and square that could be regarded as a bestowment from the Empress. Whatâs the idea of you coming over to snatch without even asking and to capture other peopleâs maidservants without a reason in this imperial garden? Is it possible that as a Junzhu, you can surpass the Empress as well as the laws of the Great Han Dynasty?â Yu Xiang took the lantern from Little Qiuâer and extended her hand over the surface of the river as she smiled contemptuously, âI would rather toss it into the river to feed the fishes than giving it to you for nothing. If you are capable, you can come and snatch it.â
The lantern was getting closer to the surface of the river that if she was to step forward to snatch it, she would probably have fallen in and instead become the food for the fishes. Qinghe Junzhu couldnât utter a single word. She was shaking with anger that her quivering finger pointed at Yu Xiang. Her father, Prince Yu was the Emperorâs younger paternal uncle who was in control of 800 thousands soldiers. He could be regarded as one of the powerful and influential meritorious nobility in the Great Han Dynasty, thus everyone would flatter her no matter where she went. However, this little cripple dared to rebuke and even suppress her today. This was truly absurd!
âWhich family are youâŠâ She gritted her teeth and asked.
âYou guess.â Yu Xiang muffled her light laugh.
Little Qiuâer poked half her head out as she laughed too. She wasnât the least bit afraid anymore with lotus seed cake here.
Qinghe Junzhu fell backwards as she was so furious with the despicable attitude of these two. Just when she was about to fly into a rage, she saw the second Di daughter of Duke Jingguo manor, Chang Ya Fu coming over through the crowd and spoke with a soft voice, âJunzhu, do calm down. This is Marquis Yongle manorâs younger sister Yu Xiang. I would like to request Junzhu not bicker with her for my sake.
Without waiting for Qinghe Junzhuâs response, she stepped forward and squatted down in front of Yu Xiang while she patiently guided, âXiangâer, elder sister has a set of white-jade bell phoenix hairpin embedded with a total of thirty six ornaments that was meticulously pieced and handcrafted by the famous craftsman, Fu Xilin who was praised for his superb workmanship. Can this elder sister use that hairpin to swap with you? This lantern is passable now, but the inner surface will be covered with black oil after it is lighted for a long time and will not be as splendorous as it is now. The hairpin would be more practical.â She squeezed Yu Xiangâs fingers after she finished her words with an absolutely intimate approach.