Lu Feibai, seeing she remained silent, slowly put down his teacup and looked at her with a pale smile.
"I came to find Miss Ye to tell you that I am a dying man, and marrying me would not be a good match for you."
"If Miss Ye is unwilling to marry me, I, Lu, will personally request an imperial decree to annul the engagement. I will bear the sole responsibility for defying the imperial order. Whether I live or die has nothing to do with you."
He was already on the verge of death; he didn't want to drag an innocent person down with him.
Ye Luan had not expected him to seek her out for this matter.
She began to carefully appraise the man before her. He wore a jade crown, possessed unparalleled beauty, and carried an air of refined elegance, like a gentle breeze.
When he looked at her, his eyes held a hint of tenderness, giving the impression of "a jade-like man on the road, a peerless gentleman."
She suddenly recalled what Xiao Chizhan had said about the Zhenguo Duke's mansion colluding with Northern Qi. Could his wish to break the engagement be to avoid implicating her?
Was there truly such a good person?!
"Defying an imperial decree is punishable by death. If His Majesty is enraged, the nine generations of the Zhenguo Duke's clan will suffer."
Lu Feibai had not anticipated her saying this.
He looked at her with a slight surprise, his pale lips curling into a self-deprecating smile. "I should have died long ago."
"Ah--"
Just then, from outside, the voice of a servant suddenly rang out.
"Young Master, we have arrived."
The Qiqiao festival was underway, the streets were filled with a cacophony of voices, and the lanterns glowed for three consecutive nights.
In the pitch-black firmament, the bright moon cast its light upon the ground.
A cool night breeze swept through, and the entire street was a spectacle of liveliness and splendor. From the imperial court to the common marketplaces, colored pavilions were erected, intricate and beautiful.
Female guests went out in groups to enjoy the festivities, reveling without rest.
Ye Luan alighted from the carriage and was momentarily stunned to see the man sitting in a wheelchair.
"My health is growing worse, I apologize for Miss Ye witnessing this."
He was smiling at her, a weak smile. The blue fox fur coat draped over him clung to his cheeks, adding a touch of tragic beauty.
"Xiao Wu, take off the cloak and drape it over Miss Ye."
It was a cloak made of white ermine fur, which fit closely, accentuating his serene, orchid-like demeanor.
"It's cold by the river for the lantern release, wear more clothes."
He was so thoughtful.
Ye Luan smiled gratefully, "Thank you, Young Master."
The streets were crowded for the Qiqiao festival.
Ye Luan pushed the wheelchair, avoiding the bustling throngs, heading towards the place for releasing lanterns.
"Selling candied haws, sweet and delicious candied haws—"
Lu Feibai heard the hawker's cry and immediately waved to buy a skewer, handing it to her.
Ye Luan took a bite with a satisfying crunch. It was sweet and sour.
She smiled sweetly, "It's delicious."
Lu Feibai smiled faintly, "I'm glad you like it."
The two of them also went to a stall to buy two more lanterns, one a rabbit lantern and the other a plain lantern painted with green bamboo. They walked towards the river, chatting and laughing.
On the colored pavilions.
Several men were drinking by the window.
Xiao Chizhan, clad in a snow-white robe, was nonchalantly observing the lively street scene below. But with a single glance, he spotted a familiar figure.
His eyes immediately froze, and the hand gripping his wine cup turned a terrifying shade of white.
"Yo, no wonder they said she wasn't in the manor. Turns out she's with her fiancé," sneered Tantai Ye from the side.
"Who? Ye Luan? Where is she?"
Liu Rongruo's expression remained unchanged. He pushed back the head that was leaning over, making Li Qiongyu, annoyed, circle around to look out the window.
"Hey, where is she?"
"Alright, alright, hurry up and sit back, you're squashing the wine."
As the group was speaking, Lan Murou entered with a woman dressed in a bright skirt.
"Brother Liu."
The woman's voice was charming. The moment her fair little face saw Liu Rongruo, she immediately scurried over and hugged his arm, acting spoiled.
"I finally get to see you."
Liu Rongruo's expression remained unchanged. He subtly withdrew his hand and drank his wine calmly.
Li Qiongyu sneered, "I say, Little Pepper, why are you putting on an act?"
The woman was named Wei Qingge. She had grown up with Liu Rongruo, childhood sweethearts, and had a fiery temper. However, ever since she fell for Prime Minister Liu, she had restrained herself considerably.
Now, upon hearing Li Qiongyu's jab, she immediately glared back. But not daring to make too much of a move, her expression was extremely animated.
"Hey, why are you glaring at me? If you have the guts, go glare at your Brother Liu."
Wei Qingge gritted her teeth and kicked Li Qiongyu hard under the table.
The next second, a terrifying aura assailed her.
Wei Qingge was startled by the look in Xiao Chizhan's eyes.
"Your... Your Highness."
Damn that Li Qiongyu, daring to get her into trouble.
She had followed her father to war for many years. On the first banquet after returning to the capital, she had been thoroughly intimidated by Xiao Chizhan. Even though they later became friends, she was still terrified of him.
"Your Highness, I didn't mean to."
"Hahaha, serving you right for kicking me, you kicked the wrong person."
Li Qiongyu laughed infuriatingly, and Xiao Chizhan kicked him so that he sprawled onto the table.
"Damn it, that hurts like hell, Xiao Chizhan, stop right there."
With a clang, the only response was a swaying door.
At the altar by the river, many fresh fruits and melons were offered. Many people who had released their lanterns would then go to burn incense, pray, and make wishes to heaven.
On the tranquil lake, several pleasure boats were adorned with lanterns and colorful streamers. Talented scholars and beautiful ladies recited poems and composed verses. Occasionally, a gentle breeze would blow down the crabapple blossoms by the bridge, causing ripples.
Ye Luan sat in a pleasure boat, her red lips curving into a smile as she watched the faint glow of the lanterns on the river.
Lu Feibai sat opposite her. Gazing at her smiling face, his cold, long-dormant heart slightly softened, as if infused with a vital force.
"Are you hungry?"
"Not hungry."
Upon hearing this, Lu Feibai handed her some pastries. "Then have some pastries." He paused and then asked, "How has Miss Ye considered what we discussed in the carriage?"
Ye Luan turned to look at him. "Why does Young Master intend to do this?"
Lu Feibai smiled bitterly. "I am a dying man. The Lu family will drag you down into hell."
Ye Luan knew well that Lu Feibai was being implicated by her.
This imperial marriage decree was arranged by Xiao Chizhan to force her to yield. If Lu Feibai defied the decree for her, he would die.
She did not wish for an innocent person to lose their life due to their entanglement.
"Young Master need not defy the decree for me; just wait patiently."
Seeing this, Lu Feibai looked at her faintly. Her bright eyes and white teeth, her captivating beauty, every move and gesture exuded unparalleled charm.
The corners of his pale lips curled. "May I call you A'Luan?"
Ye Luan, eating the pastry in her hand, smiled faintly. "You may."
"A'Luan, A'Luan—"
His voice was very low, his posture, as clear and cold as a cypress, was slightly bent. The lowered brows were veiled in an indiscernible mist.
After a while, he looked up and smiled faintly. "There is a temple on the outskirts of the city. The grass behind the mountain is fresh and fragrant. Would you like to go admire the flowers tomorrow?"
Ye Luan smiled and sipped her tea. "Young Master's health is not very good."
Lu Feibai spread his hands, his tone relaxed. "I don't have much time left. Can A'Luan accompany me?"
A faint smile graced his jade-like countenance. His eyes, which had accepted the inevitability of death, gazed at her tenderly. Ye Luan's heart gave a jolt, and after a moment, she nodded.
"Alright."