A Different World - Chapter 13: Lanterns

Ye Yin leaned lazily on the small couch inside the carriage. Hearing Chang’an’s voice, he slowly opened his eyes and responded, “No need. I’m not very hungry. It’s so lively outside; since we rarely come out, why don’t you go and have a walk?”

“I don’t need to,” Ye Chang’an refused. Other than where Ye Yin was, he had no interest in going anywhere else.

As his words fell, he noticed that the passersby all carried a lantern in their hands. A man holding a lantern crossed the bridge and saw a young woman standing at the bridgehead, smiling and waving at him. He immediately ran towards her, the two exchanging lanterns before walking side by side toward the bustling market.

Ye Chang’an was suddenly reminded of something. He stopped the carriage by the roadside and said to Ye Yin, “Master, Brother Ziyun seems to have something to discuss with you. I’ll wander around nearby for a while.”

“Hm?” Ye Yin didn’t recall ever avoiding Chang’an when speaking with Jiang Yunxiu in the past. He sat up slowly, reached out to lift the curtain, and looked in the direction Chang’an was leaving.

“Master.” Jiang Yunxiu emerged quietly from the shadows of an alley and bowed his head respectfully beside the carriage. “The scouts we sent out have reported that quite a few sects have already gathered at the foot of Mount Lian.”

The Martial Arts Assembly was held once every three years. Six years ago, Zheyue Tower received an invitation for the first time, but at that time, they needed to lay low. Hence, the master had Jiang decline it. Three years ago, they similarly declined the invitation.

But recently, when the third invitation arrived at Zheyue Tower, not only did the master not have Jiang reject it, but he also decided, just days later, to depart for the Assembly held at Mount Lian in Yanzhou this time.

After traveling for several days, they were now just two cities away from Yanzhou.

Since leaving the mountain, Ye Yin had donned a mask. As he leaned silently against the carriage door, his expression was hidden, but Jiang Yunxiu could sense that the master had a specific purpose for this trip.

“If you want to ask something, just ask,” Ye Yin said softly.

When he left Qingdu at the age of fourteen, his facial features were mostly developed. Although ten years had passed since the upheaval, he had previously followed his father to various battlefields, making it inevitable that someone might recognize him. Wearing the mask was simply a precaution.

Chang’an, however, was different. Over the years, he had changed significantly. The once plump and cherubic eight-year-old had grown into a handsome young man, full of vigor. Constant sword training and exercises in Qiongshan had further honed his physique. Now, he stood a head taller than Ye Yin. Without their familial ties, one might find it difficult to recognize him.

In a low voice, Jiang Yunxiu asked, “Master, are we really going to participate in this Martial Arts Assembly?”

Six years ago, the master had predicted that the court harbored intentions of recruitment, seeking to both quell internal unrest and pacify external threats. Subsequent investigations by Zheyue Tower revealed that during the past two Assemblies, the court had indeed sent envoys to negotiate secretly with various martial sects, successfully recruiting many of them.

These sects either joined the military or took on civilian administrative posts, aiding local officials in governance. Though lacking the prestige of passing the imperial examination, they nonetheless secured opportunities for advancement.

Gradually, the Martial Arts Assembly had transformed into a platform for sects to gain entry into the imperial court, losing its former glory of duels and contests for supremacy.

The martial world was now divided into two main factions. One believed that the martial world and the court were inherently intertwined, and accepting recruitment was an inevitable trend. They argued that during the calamities under the Great Qi dynasty, exorbitant taxes had driven the people to form groups to contend with the authorities. But now, in an era of peace, why

“I know.” Ye Yin gazed at Chang’an’s figure, his cold eyes gradually softening. “But this is the most stable path among all the dangerous ones.”

Their very existence was a danger, so the road ahead was destined to be fraught with challenges. Ye Yin had spent ten years conserving his strength, all to ensure Chang’an’s safety as much as possible.

Jiang Yunxiu sighed lightly in worry and solemnly said, “Rest assured, Master. Even if I must brave fire and water, I will protect you and Chang’an.”

Ye Yin looked at Jiang Yunxiu and smiled reassuringly. Gazing toward the direction of Yan Prefecture, he slowly asked, “How are the arrangements for Ning Prefecture?”

Beyond Yan Prefecture to the west was Ning Prefecture, a border station between the Xiyu Titi tribe and the Great Qing Dynasty. However, the Yagong Mountain range separated Yan and Ning Prefectures, making troop support and supply transportation extremely difficult. Yet Ning Prefecture, with its vast territory, was a critical stronghold. If it were lost, the Great Qing’s western defense line would have to retreat behind the Yagong Mountains.

When the General of Cavalry was still stationed there, the Xiyu Titi tribe harbored ambitions but refrained from action, fearing the general’s presence. In recent years, however, the Titi army had edged closer to the border, showing signs of preparing for war.

Jiang Yunxiu nodded and reported, “Our dispatched people have already settled in as planned. As you instructed, they purchased old shops and erased traces of the former owners’ businesses, disguising them as first-hand industries under our support.”

Ye Yin nodded with satisfaction and shared the next step of his plan with Jiang Yunxiu. “Before we ascend Lian Mountain, send a message to Ning Prefecture. Have them secretly help me find someone. His name is Zhu Ling, originally from Min City, and he was once a Ministry of Rites official.”

“Understood!” Jiang Yunxiu nodded in agreement and was about to arrange for someone to deliver the message. Suddenly recalling that no one was watching the master’s carriage, he hesitated and asked, “Master, where is Chang’an?”

Ye Yin smiled and pointed toward the marketplace crowd, where a young man was playing touhu (pitch-pot). “There he is.”

As Ye Chang’an’s arrow landed in the pot, the onlookers erupted in cheers, praising his skill in the game.

Ye Chang’an ignored their reactions, handing the remaining arrows back to the stall owner. “I want that lantern.”

The owner was momentarily stunned and asked, “Young master, you can still continue. The grand prize is—”

“No need. I only want the lantern.” Ye Chang’an had no interest in anything else. Taking the lantern offered by the stall owner, he turned and left amidst the astonished gazes of the crowd.

Ye Yin watched as Ye Chang’an approached with the lantern and smiled. “Little Chang’an, why the sudden interest in lanterns?”

“I noticed everyone else had one.” Ye Chang’an handed the lantern to Ye Yin. “If others have it, you should too.”

In truth, he could have simply bought one. However, he overheard passersby at the stall say that gifting someone a lantern required making it oneself to show sincerity.

Since he didn’t have time to make one, this lantern he won was the most sincere offering he could muster at the moment.

Ye Yin was briefly stunned. Seeing no other intention from Ye Chang’an, he accepted the lantern. After carefully examining it, he smiled at him. “It’s beautiful.”

Jiang Yunxiu’s gaze flitted between the two of them before he silently turned and left. Chang’an had grown up on Qiong Mountain, surrounded by men, so naturally, no one had ever spoken to him about such matters.

Wasn’t gifting a lantern meant for someone you admire?