Chapter 494 - 187: Celebrating the New Year (Part 3)
Chapter 494: Chapter 187: Celebrating the New Year (Part 3)
Chen Wanqing instructed the old woman in the courtyard, "Be a light sleeper tonight. If De’an shows any sign of discomfort, come and tell me right away."
"Understood, Madam."
After the eighth day of the New Year, their social obligations came to an end.
Zhao Jing picked up his books again, resuming his routine of studying day and night.
"Do you have to, Jing? It’s still the New Year holiday. You should take a break. Seeing you like this is putting a lot of pressure on me."
"You can rest. No one is forcing you to study."
"But with you studying so hard, how can I possibly rest? Thinking of my dear old father and mother, I feel like I can’t rest for even a moment. My heart aches just thinking about it... Forget it, I’ll just study with you."
The sight of the two of them in the study, heads buried in their books, filled Mrs. Zhao with gratification.
Mrs. Zhao set down some snacks and headed out. "They’re good boys," she said to Chen Wanqing as she walked. "They know how to be considerate of their elders. De’an has improved so much in the last six months. When your parents see him, they’ll surely be gratified."
De’an, hearing this from inside the room, grew despondent.
’If it weren’t for Zhao Jing putting so much pressure on me, I would’ve just waited until the academy started to get serious,’ he thought. ’Oh well, it’s too late for that now. I’d better just keep studying.’
「In the blink of an eye, it was the fifteenth day of the first month: the Lantern Festival.」
That evening, after dinner, the group went out together.
All the snow on the streets had melted, and the wet patches had frozen into a thin layer of ice. It made a delightful crunching sound whenever someone stepped on it.
Xiang’er and Chen Wanqing pleaded and pleaded, but they couldn’t get Mrs. Zhao to agree to come. In the end, Mrs. Zhao stayed behind to watch the house while the younger generation went out to enjoy the lanterns.
Once they were on the street and saw the lanterns hanging on both sides like a galaxy of stars, Xiang’er became as excited as a kid in a candy store. She stuck close to De’an’s heels, and in the blink of an eye, they had vanished into the crowd.
"Xiang’er! Xiang’er, don’t run off! It’s too crowded, don’t get separated from us!"
"Don’t worry, Sis! The maid is with us!"
But Chen Wanqing was still frantic. "This isn’t like the fair at the City God Temple. All four intersections were tightly guarded then; a kidnapper wouldn’t have been able to get anyone out. But there are alleys everywhere here. What if we look away for one second and someone covers Xiang’er’s mouth and drags her off?"
"I asked Mr. Cao to come out as well," Zhao Jing said. "With him keeping a close watch, nothing will happen."
The streets were absolutely packed, and both sides were lined with vendors’ stalls.
Some sold all kinds of exquisite trinkets, some sold rouge and powder, and others sold icy sweet dumplings, wontons, and roasted chestnuts...
Walking down the street was a feast for the eyes, and the wonderful aromas were a delight for the senses.
Of course, smelling so many fragrant aromas was enough to make anyone’s mouth water, and they couldn’t help but buy a few snacks to eat.
A few steps further, in front of the Golden Jade Restaurant, they saw Wang Jun and his friends, who had already gathered.
There was a new face with them this time: Ling Shuanghan, whom they had met once before at the pavilion.
Wang Jun secretly told them that the marriage between their two families was basically settled. All that remained was the exchange of betrothal cards and for the Ling family to formally present the engagement gifts.
The Ling family was very fond of Wang Zhen, and the Wang Family felt that the Ling family was a known quantity. With Ling Shuanghan’s promising future, a marriage alliance would be mutually beneficial.
Barring any surprises, the Ling family would be coming to present the betrothal gifts in a few days.
Wang Jun was also genuinely fond of his future brother-in-law.
He praised not only Ling Shuanghan’s scholarship but also his character. His words were full of approval, showing he already considered him one of the family.
De’an listened and let out a snicker, hitting Wang Jun and Wang Xiao where it hurt. "Your sister’s marriage is about to be settled, yet her two older brothers are still single. Don’t you think that sounds a bit embarrassing if word gets out?"
Wang Jun and Wang Xiao exchanged a glance. The two brothers moved in and slung their arms around De’an’s shoulders. "Well now, my friend. I take it you’re engaged?"
De’an’s heart sank. "No."
"And you have the nerve to talk about us? Ever heard of the pot calling the kettle black?"
"I do, I do."
But it was too late. The two brothers dragged him into a nearby alley, where the three of them had a ’friendly exchange.’
One moment there was squawking and shouting, the next giggling and laughter. It was impossible to tell what they were up to, but it certainly sounded lively.
Chen Wanqing glanced back a couple of times, and Zhao Jing reminded her, "Watch where you’re going. Don’t worry, they’ll be fine."
Chen Wanqing cleared her throat. "I wasn’t worried about De’an. I was looking at Wang Zhen and Ling Shuanghan."
"What’s there to look at? They have two eyes, a nose, and a mouth, just like everyone else."
"Honestly, you’re so unromantic. Look back at them. One is all shy and flustered, and the other is trying to act calm but keeps stealing glances at the one he fancies. It’s a beautiful sight."
Zhao Jing replied casually, "Well, I’ve never experienced a scene like that. Back when I wanted to marry you, I had to scheme and trick you into it. Now you’re making me watch other people be all lovey-dovey. Isn’t that just rubbing salt in my wound?"
Chen Wanqing: "..."