Gu Jianli crouched down and carefully placed the various lanterns he had bought one by one into the water. The red lotus lanterns, with their soft candlelight, gently swayed with the water’s waves.
“Next year around this time, we can bring Nan Nan here. I wonder if she will like it.” Gu Jianli lifted his sleeve with one hand and placed another deer-shaped lantern on the water, its gentle light flickering on the two antlers.
“They’re all gone.” Gu Jianli turned around, looked up at Ji Wujing, and tugged on his sleeve, speaking softly, “I want more.”
Ji Wujing crouched down beside her, lowering his voice, “More?”
“Yes,” Gu Jianli nodded, “I want to put them all in the water.”
“Oh,” Ji Wujing drawled, “So you want more lanterns, huh?”
“Of course, what else?” Gu Jianli looked at him in confusion.
Ji Wujing pulled the corners of his lips into a smile, then feigned disappointment, saying slowly, “I thought you wanted me.”
Gu Jianli froze for a moment, then quickly realized what he meant. She gave Ji Wujing a hard push, saying, “Hurry up and buy them for me!”
Ji Wujing patted her head, satisfied as he looked at her slightly embarrassed expression, then stood up and left the boat.
“Is that the Empress Dowager Zhengyi on the boat?” A woman called out loudly from the nearby shore just as Ji Wujing departed.
Gu Jianli turned to look and saw an elderly woman with kind eyes and a face full of smiles, radiating warmth. Though dressed like a commoner, she appeared to be well-mannered and somewhat familiar to Gu Jianli.
Gu Jianli directed the boatman to bring the boat closer to the shore and invited the woman aboard to speak.
A sudden wind arose, not strong but chilly enough to make Gu Jianli draw her furry cloak tighter around herself as she went into the cabin to meet the woman.
“Greetings, Your Majesty.” The elderly woman bowed properly, her face beaming with a smile.
“Who are you, and what brings you here?”
“Your Majesty, my family’s surname is Li. I often act as a matchmaker for the young men and women in the capital. When you and the National Father were married, I was one of the six matchmakers.”
Gu Jianli slowly began to remember her, recognizing the familiar feeling she had upon seeing Lady Li’s smiling face.
But what business did a matchmaker have with her?
Lady Li smiled and said, “Your Majesty, I am here on someone’s behalf to arrange a marriage.”
“Arrange a marriage for whom?” Gu Jianli asked, puzzled.
“Four years ago, the Yue family from the western city was transferred to the capital. At that time, Lord Yue’s family did not come with him. His concubine and several of his children stayed behind. This year, they finally moved to the capital. Among Lord Yue’s children, the sixth daughter is exceptionally smart. She is not only obedient and well-behaved but also modest and well-mannered.”
Gu Jianli listened as Lady Li continued to praise the virtues of the Yue family’s sixth daughter. The matchmaker’s words flowed like water, impossible to stop.
Gu Jianli did not interrupt, allowing her to continue speaking.
She picked up the teapot from the small table and poured a cup of flower tea. As the tea flowed into the thin white porcelain cup, petals floated on the surface, their bright red hue dancing on the tea. Gu Jianli’s gaze followed the floating petals. Once they settled, she lifted the cup and took a small sip.
The tea’s fragrance filled the air, leaving a warm sensation on her lips and teeth.
“Are you done talking?” Gu Jianli finished her tea and looked directly at Lady Li.
Lady Li, noticing the change in atmosphere, immediately stopped praising and said, “A person’s virtues are revealed through interaction, not through praise. If Your Majesty approves, you will naturally discover the goodness of the Yue family’s sixth daughter in time. If you just tilt your head and look out the window, you can see her.”
Following her instructions, Gu Jianli turned her head slightly and looked out the open window. Across the distance, on another painted boat, stood Yue Hanhe, quietly poised at the bow.
Throughout this, Gu Jianli’s expression remained neutral, revealing no emotion. This made it difficult for Lady Li, who was usually adept at reading faces, to gauge her reaction. Tentatively, Lady Li continued, “Your Majesty, harmony between husband and wife is paramount. If you want someone to be by the National Father’s side, the sixth daughter of the Yue family is an excellent choice.”
Gu Jianli chuckled softly and asked, “Why would I want to place someone by the National Father’s side?”
Lady Li was momentarily stunned, recalling the rumors in the capital about the National Father’s affection for the Empress Dowager Zhengyi. She quickly responded, “It is well known that the National Father is deeply devoted to you. He treats you well, and if you are considerate of him, it will bring even more affection in return, won’t it?”
Observing Gu Jianli’s gentle demeanor, her smile, and her approachable nature despite her high status, Lady Li felt reassured and continued speaking.
“If you proactively send someone to him, it is better than him seeking someone out on his own. The person would be yours, under your control, and the National Father would appreciate your thoughtfulness. Childbirth is taxing, and it is inconvenient for a woman to serve constantly. Over time, a man will inevitably feel the need to seek company, and that could cause you distress. Besides, you have already given birth to a little princess. Naturally, you will need to give birth to a legitimate heir in the future. Having someone by the National Father’s side during that time would be more reassuring.”
Ji Wujing stepped onto the painted boat and entered the cabin, casting a cold glance at Lady Li. He remarked casually, “Who is this noisy old woman chattering like a fool?”
Lady Li was startled and quickly knelt to pay her respects.
Ji Wujing ignored her, not even sparing her a second glance, and walked straight to sit opposite Gu Jianli. His eyes scanned the fruit box on the table, and he picked a piece of candy to eat.
Lady Li’s heart was filled with anxiety and worry, fearing that she might have angered the unpredictable Ji Wujing. She pondered his thoughts, wondering if the National Father would be displeased with her unsolicited advice. However, she believed that her suggestion might align with his desires.
Gu Jianli glanced at Ji Wujing, waited silently for a moment, but seeing that he was only interested in the candies on the small table and had no intention of addressing Lady Li, she finally spoke, her tone gentle, “Lady Li, you said that the sixth daughter of the Yue family is exceptionally smart, obedient, and well-mannered, correct?”
“Yes, yes, she is a very good and obedient child. Both of you will surely like her,” Lady Li quickly responded.
“I find it hard to believe that such a ‘well-mannered’ child would offer herself as a concubine. If you had praised her as innocent, lovely, and brave, I might believe you.”
Lady Li’s expression changed instantly, her smile freezing on her face.
Gu Jianli continued, “Lady Li, matchmaking is a joyous affair. But indulging in reckless matchmaking is unacceptable.”
Ji Wujing casually remarked, “Why bother with her nonsense? Just throw her out.”
Throw her out? Into the deep Ningyang River? Lady Li turned pale with fright. The river was freezing in this winter weather, and she couldn’t swim.
“You were one of the six matchmakers for our wedding, so naturally, you should be treated with respect.” Gu Jianli grabbed a handful of candies from the fruit box and placed them in Lady Li’s hand. “Take these and enjoy.”
“Ah, thank you, Your Majesty,” Lady Li said, standing up in a daze, forgetting even to bow properly. She stumbled out of the cabin. Only when she had taken a big step onto the shore, away from the painted boat, did she breathe a sigh of relief, feeling as though she had narrowly escaped a great danger.
Yue Hanhe saw Lady Li disembark and, feeling anxious, immediately sent her maid to inquire about the result. However, when Lady Li saw the maid approaching, she turned and ran without saying a word, wanting to get as far away as possible.
She had been possessed by a moment of madness, indulging her matchmaking habit, to dare to involve herself in the National Father’s affairs.
Inside the painted boat, Gu Jianli asked, “Did you buy them for me?”
“They’re piled up at the bow.”
Gu Jianli stood up to go outside, but as soon as she took a step, Ji Wujing grabbed her wrist. He gently pulled her into his embrace, making her sit on his lap.
Startled, Gu Jianli whispered urgently, “The boatman is still outside.”
“You know he’s outside, right? He hasn’t come in,” Ji Wujing said, wrapping his arms around her slender waist and resting his chin on her shoulder, holding her close.
He chuckled softly, his voice low against her earlobe, “Gu Jianli, something isn’t right. Shouldn’t you say something? Why are you only thinking about the lanterns?”
“Say what?” Gu Jianli asked.
“Tsk,” Ji Wujing laughed, “You should be grabbing my ear and sternly shouting, ‘Ji Zhao, if you dare to misbehave, I’ll kill you!'”
He mimicked her tone, deliberately high-pitched and dramatic.
Gu Jianli couldn’t help but laugh. She said, “Who cares about you? Do whatever you want; I won’t interfere.”
“That’s not acceptable,” Ji Wujing’s expression darkened. “No one can control me. It’s hard to find someone who can.”
“You always need someone to control you,” Gu Jianli lowered her eyes, a smile playing on her lips.
Ji Wujing gazed closely at her profile. He leaned in and playfully bit her cheek.
Gu Jianli pushed him away with all her might, freeing herself from his embrace and standing up. She reminded him quietly again, “The boatman is just outside.”
Ji Wujing’s face darkened as he stood up and strode out of the cabin. The painted boat moved to the riverbank, and Ji Wujing chased the boatman ashore.
Gu Jianli followed him out, her hand clutching a handkerchief on the wooden door. She asked, “You’ve sent him away. What about the boat?”
“Let it drift.”
At that moment, someone nearby set off fireworks. The fireworks rose into the night sky and exploded, filling the sky with colors. Gu Jianli looked up, gazing at the brilliant display.
Ji Wujing stood beside her, glanced at the fireworks, then shifted his gaze back to her, standing lazily at one side, silently watching her face as she admired the fireworks.
When the fireworks ended and no more were set off, Gu Jianli lowered her gaze.
Ji Wujing, already growing impatient, took her hand and pulled her back into the cabin. He closed the wooden door, and even the curtains on the small windows on either side were drawn.
It was only then that Gu Jianli understood what Ji Wujing meant by not going anywhere tonight.
“Ji Zhao, what mischief are you up to now?” Gu Jianli asked, alarmed.
She could hear the noise from the shore: men boasting about this year’s good harvest, women admiring the beauty of Ningyang River tonight, and children clamoring for lanterns and clay figurines.
The painted boat they had rented was rather modest and not very spacious. Inside the cabin, long benches were placed on either side, with a small square table in the middle, accompanied by four stools.
Gu Jianli sat on one of the long benches, her back pressed against the boat’s wall, watching Ji Wujing warily.
“Wait a moment.” Ji Wujing said, then got up and left the cabin.
Gu Jianli tilted her head, watching him through the open wooden door.
The painted boat drifted with the waves, slowly moving away from the riverbank. Ji Wujing walked on the surface of the river as if it were solid ground, and when he reached the shore, his shoes remained dry.
The people on the shore were amazed, calling out and exclaiming in surprise.