A life of two souls traveling through time

Chapter 328: Lion Dance at Lantern Festival

Three days later, it was the Lantern Festival. Yan Zong's injuries had mostly healed. Si Yao wanted to leave, but under the persuasion of Aunt Liang and eldest brother Fu Qingli, she had to wait until after the Lantern Festival before setting off for Qile City.

On the day of the Lantern Festival, the Fu family was unprecedentedly lively. As there were so many people, Aunt Liang prepared a banquet early. Farmers' family banquets are simple and do not have so many rules. Everyone, regardless of their status, gathered around the dinner table and had a great time. It was also the first time that Yan Zong showed up to attend this family banquet after healed from his injury.

"We are a poor farmer, and we only have simple food and wine. I hope you will forgive me, Young Master Zong." It was only three o'clock in the afternoon when the dinner started. After Aunt Liang distributed the dumplings to everyone, she smiled again at Yan Zong who was sitting next to Si Yao.

She had just returned yesterday from visiting relatives. Although she knew that there was another distinguished guest at home, Yan Zong had been staying in the room and had never shown up. So this was the first time she met this noble young man.

Aunt Liang came from a poor family and was sold to the Xi family as a maid when she was young. So even though she didn't know Yan Zong's identity, his noble demeanor made her, who came from a humble background, respect him.

"Aunt Liang, you are so polite. This family dinner is very sumptuous. Moreover, I have been here for many days to recuperate from my injuries. I am grateful for your hospitality and your generosity." Yan Zong calmly raised the wine glass in front of him and toasted to Aunt Liang, saying with a smile.

Yan Zong was injured, Si Yao wanted to stop him from drinking, but she was afraid of causing misunderstanding in front of everyone and didn't want to spoil his mood during the festive occasion, so she gave up. As a doctor, Si Yao has always been straightforward. If it was other patients, she would naturally not have these concerns, but she didn't even realize the uniqueness of Yan Zong.

Aunt Liang was flattered to see that this noble young man in front of her actually toasted her. She hurriedly and nervously picked up the wine glass and forgot what to say for a moment.

"Mr. Zong, since you are my sworn sister's old friend, you must also be Qingli's friend. It is natural to entertain friends warmly. But please don't blame me for my poor hospitality over the past few days." Seeing Aunt Liang feeling uneasy, Fu Qingli hurriedly raised his glass to help her out, and said to Yan Zongjing with a warm smile on his face.

Because Yan Zong had been recuperating here for several days and had not left his room, Fu Qingli had only met him briefly the night before. Although this young master was mysterious and cold, Fu Qingli could clearly feel that Si Yao treated him differently. Even though her face was cold as usual, her care for him was obvious.

The two of them have been calling each other brother and sister, and the appearance of this distinguished young master made Fu Qingli feel inferior. He gradually faced reality and completely gave up his improper thoughts about Si Yao, and contentedly became her elder brother.

"I dare not." Yan Zong said nothing more and raised his glass again in response, but his eyes became a little colder.

Yan Zong also learned from a small source that although Fu Qingli and Si Yao were sworn brothers, his feelings for Si Yao had gone beyond the limit. Yan Zong could not help but despise this kind of insincere and secret feelings under the name of brother and sister. Fortunately, he knew that Si Yao was straightforward and knew the limits, but she was only half-understanding about love and slow to react, so she must have agreed to swear brotherhood with him without realizing Fu Qingli's thoughts.

Seeing the sudden coldness in His Highness' eyes, Yu Cheng and the others felt a little shaken in their hearts, but fortunately, they had Miss Si Yao by their side, so they all kept silent and buried their heads in eating.

"There will definitely be lion dances in the city today during the Lantern Festival. It's still early, so why don't we go to An County to have some fun after dinner? Master Zong, Master, you will be leaving tomorrow, so don't miss the lion dance in An County tonight." At this time, A Wei suddenly became interested and looked up at Yan Zong and Si Yao and said.

He had been itching to ride in the luxurious carriage that had been parked outside the courtyard for several days. If he could take advantage of the excuse of going to the city tonight to watch the lanterns and lion dances, he would have no regrets in his life! Of course, it was because Master Zong was an old friend of his master that Awei dared to have such an idea.

"I've heard that the lion dance in the south is amazing. Today is a rare opportunity, so we can go and take a look." As soon as Awei finished speaking, Yan Zong glanced at Si Yao and nodded without hesitation.

Although Si Yao only agreed to teach A Wei archery but did not formally accept him as a disciple, A Wei still wanted to call her Master, and she had no choice but to acquiesce. Now Yan Zong also knew that she had an apprentice who learned archery, so he naturally loved A Wei and looked at him differently.

At dusk, the carriage drove slowly towards An County. Awei was amazed by the spaciousness and luxury of the carriage. Although Fu Qingli and Wu Da beside him were also shocked by the luxury and exquisiteness of the carriage, they were not as childish as Awei, and their hearts were revealed.

On the night of the Lantern Festival, the stars are twinkling and the full moon is hazy. The city of An County is bustling with people and the lights are bright, like stars and rain all over the streets. There are the sounds of flutes and Qiang flutes, the noise of gongs and drums, and the joyful laughter. Fire dragons are parading and lion dances are dancing to celebrate the festival.

After everyone got off the carriage, Ah Wei took his father Wu Da to the lantern market. Aunt Liang did not follow because her eyesight was not good at night and she did not like the hustle and bustle. Si Yao did not want to go with Yan Zong, but her eldest brother Fu Qingli had been pestered by Xiaolu to watch the lion dance. Yu Cheng and the other two secret guards were also gone, leaving only the two of them under the colorful fish lanterns.

"This scene reminds me of the Lantern Festival two years ago when we enjoyed the lanterns together in the Mucheng Villa." Yan Zong walked up to Si Yao, looked at her with his tender eyes, and whispered softly.

"Let's go, let's go watch the lion dance too." Si Yao didn't dare to look up at him, but just pretended to be calm and pointed at the lion dance in the distance. Just as she was about to take a step forward, she was stopped by Yan Zong, who suddenly looked serious:

"Si Yao, I regret it. I regret that I shouldn't have hurt you because of my suspicion..."

"Master Zong, let the past be the past. Besides, there is no medicine for regret in this world."

Without waiting for Yan Zong to finish, Si Yao quickly broke free from his hand, took two steps back, and interrupted him coldly.

"I'm sorry, Siyao."

Yan Zong's apology tonight was still sincere. He also understood that Si Yao found it difficult to accept him because of the pain he had brought her. Therefore, he had to bear the bitter consequences today.

"Let's go watch the lion dance." Si Yao did not respond to Yan Zong's apology. She just said it coldly and left.

Initially, it was indeed Yan Zong's suspicion and his tyrannical power that made Si Yao gradually wake up from her feelings for him. Now, his bringing up of the past would only make her more wary of the unequal status between them.

Amid the sound of gongs and drums, the lion dance performance is in full swing. Two lifelike lions are jumping, tumbling, and roaring to the sound of drums and music. Sometimes they are lively and unrestrained, sometimes they are cute and honest, and sometimes they are brave and mighty, which draws cheers from the onlookers.

Si Yao and Yan Zong stood in the crowd, one in front of the other, watching the lion dance performance, but each of them had their own thoughts. Amid the hustle and bustle, everyone showed joy on their faces, but loneliness appeared in their eyes.