Rebirth of a Star General Chapter 226

Chapter 226: Lantern Riddles

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He Yan walked up to Xiao Jue. Xiao Jue’s gaze swept over her, and he slightly frowned, “Why are you dressed so lightly?”

“It’s too hot.” He Yan bit the bullet and pretended as if nothing had happened. She fanned herself with her hand, saying, “I don’t know why, but I always feel a bit hot.”

Xiao Jue wanted to take off the cloak, but was stopped by He Yan, “Really not necessary. If I feel cold, I can always go back and get another piece of clothing. The reason I’m dressed like this is that it’s too hot. Haven’t you heard Lin Shuanghe talk about it? Sometimes people feel hot, and wearing something too thick won’t dispel the stuffiness inside the body and can lead to illness.” She casually made up an explanation.

Xiao Jue stared at her with suspicion.

He Yan grabbed his arm, “Okay, don’t worry about what I’m wearing. Let’s go to the East Market first. It’s getting late, and we might miss the exciting parts.”

In the bustling city of Shuojing, there were prosperous markets divided into East Market, West Market, South Market, and North Market. The most bustling one was the East Market near the Chenghuang Temple.

The East Market was further divided into markets for each month, starting from December Market, January Lantern Market, February Flower Market, March Silkworm Market, April Brocade Market, May Fan Market, June Incense Market, July Treasure Market, August Osmanthus Market, September Medicine Market, October Liquor Market, November Plum Market, and finally, December Peach Symbol Market.

At this time, it was the end of November, and beginning of December. The Plum Market had already closed. Only three or two vendors were still selling stacks of red plums, while the December Peach Symbol Market had just started. Everywhere there were vendors selling and writing spring couplets. Each time they stopped, a crowd would gather, either cheering or applauding, creating a lively atmosphere.

As the New Year approached, the Lantern Market was also in full swing. The streets were lit up with various colored lanterns, creating a dazzling and ever-changing scene. The streets were crowded with people, making it extremely lively.

As He Yan followed Xiao Jue to the entrance of the East Market, she already felt the prosperity of the crowd.

“So lively.” She looked up at the various colored lanterns hanging over her head and couldn’t help but exclaim, “This is my first time visiting a night market.”

“Your first time?” Xiao Jue glanced at her.

He Yan nodded, “Yes, in places with a lot of people like this, I couldn’t come before to avoid exposing any flaws. Every year, when the younger generation of the He family went to the night market together, I envied them. When I was in Jiyang City before, I thought the night market there was so much fun, and now, the one in Shuojing City is not bad either. It’s really beautiful!”

Her eyes were full of excitement and joy, like a child experiencing happiness for the first time. Although she had lived two lifetimes, she was experiencing this for the first time.

Many things that ordinary people took for granted were prohibited for her.

Looking at the girl by his side, the young man’s gaze was gentle and compassionate. The next moment, He Yan had already grabbed his sleeve and squeezed through the crowd to a stall selling sugar figurines.

“Sugar figurines!” He Yan exclaimed happily, “I remember when I was a child, I couldn’t come to the night market, and I was so envious. In the end, my aunt went to the night market and asked someone to buy one for me. I couldn’t bear to eat it and put it in a pen holder. It eventually melted and became a mess everywhere.” She turned to look at Xiao Jue, “Xiao Jue, do you want to eat? I’ll buy one for you. Do you prefer the qilin or the phoenix?”

Xiao Jue glanced at the various sugar figurines on the grass mound, “No need.”

“Why not?” He Yan was very generous, “I have money, I’ll buy it for you.”

Xiao Jue’s gaze shifted from the sugar figurines to her face, his tone indifferent, “No flower basket.”

“Flower… basket?” He Yan was confused, “Do you like flower baskets?”

His tone was as calm as usual, but in that calmness, there was a subtle nuance, “In Jiyang City, didn’t you send Chu Zilan a red sugar flower basket?”

“How do you know?” He Yan was startled.

“I just know,” the man raised his eyebrows slightly and walked ahead. He Yan quickly caught up. Now she realized that the tone in which Xiao Jue said those words sounded a bit displeased.

Okay, maybe Second Young Master Xiao was particularly sensitive about receiving gifts.

“…At that time, he gave me a tassel,” He Yan held onto his sleeve tightly, preventing them from getting separated in the crowded place, while trying to express her loyalty, “I also felt it was not right to owe someone a favor, so I gave him a flower basket. You know, in this world, it’s hard to settle the accounts of favors. Our relationship doesn’t have to be so clear-cut; we don’t need to be so meticulous. Don’t be angry, it’s such a trivial matter. Lord Commander Xiao has a big heart; don’t bother with these little things, Lord Commander Xiao, Second Young Master… Young Master?”

Xiao Jue seemed to be annoyed by the persistence, turned his head away, maintaining a serious expression, but his lips curved slightly.

He Yan noticed that he wasn’t as concerned as before. She saw a stall selling Yangchun noodles on the street and pulled him towards it. “Today is your birthday; you should eat a bowl of longevity noodles. Come, I’ll treat you!”

The noodle seller was a married couple who set up a stall by the street, with a pot of boiling water, a basket of flour, and jars of salt and vinegar on a small table. A few tables and stools were set up on the side, making it a makeshift shop.

He Yan asked Xiao Jue to sit first and then approached the boss lady, smiling, “A bowl of noodles, please.” Pausing for a moment, she added, “Today is this young gentleman’s birthday,” she gestured discreetly towards Xiao Jue, “so kindly make the presentation beautiful, add an egg, more vegetables, and a bit more braised pork… um, if there’s chicken leg, that’s good too…”

“Enough, enough, young lady,” the boss chuckled, “if we add more, the bowl won’t hold it.”

“Oh,” He Yan nodded, “then let it be like this for now.”

The boss lady, while kneading the dough, said with a smile, “Is the gentleman sitting there the young lady’s lover? He’s really handsome.”

He Yan blushed and dared not respond.

The boss lady probably didn’t recognize Xiao Jue and was purely captivated by Xiao Jue’s good looks. “In all the years of selling noodles, this is the first time I’ve seen such a handsome young master. Since you’re a couple, how about ordering a bowl of sweet dumplings too? Sesame filling, eating a bowl of sweet dumplings under the lanterns, you two will be a couple forever.”

“No need,” He Yan smiled, “this young master doesn’t eat sweets.”

“Is that so, what a pity,” the boss lady continued to smile, undeterred, not pushing further.

He Yan was about to go to Xiao Jue, walked a couple of steps, turned back, and inexplicably said to the boss lady, “Well… let’s have a bowl.”

The boss lady smiled, “Alright!”

When the bowl of noodles was served, Xiao Jue stared at it for a moment and said without words, “He Yan, are you feeding pigs?”

The noodle bowl wasn’t large, but it was filled to the brim with noodles. On top of that laid an egg, vibrant green leaves, and several large pieces of braised pork, making it look very abundant. Just by looking, it seemed like it was about to overflow from the bowl. Other people had regular noodles in their bowls, but what was in front of Xiao Jue was notably different.

“Have some more,” He Yan handed him chopsticks, “since it’s your birthday, you can’t just pass it casually. I specifically asked the boss lady to make it for you. I’m treating you, so don’t be polite.”

All eyes around them fell on their table. For the first time in his life, Xiao Jue felt scrutinized by people with the gaze of someone looking at a food container. However, the girl in front of him, hands supporting her chin, had an exceptionally sincere smile. After hesitating for a moment, he finally resigned himself and picked up the chopsticks, starting to eat the longevity noodles in front of him.

He Yan was very satisfied, “Remember to finish it all.”

Xiao Jue shook the chopsticks slightly, trying to maintain a calm expression.

At this moment, the boss lady’s sweet dumplings arrived. Round and cute, there were exactly nine of them, served in a red-bottomed porcelain bowl, which looked especially delightful. The boss lady, perhaps intentionally, only handed her one spoon.He Yan lowered her head, scooped one and put it in her mouth. The sesame filling was particularly fragrant and sweet.

Outside was extremely cold, but the lively night market and the crowded streets dispelled some of the chill. The hot soup and sweet dumplings in front of her, combined with the quiet sight of the person sitting across from her eating noodles, suddenly made He Yan feel a sense of well-being through the ages.

The days filled with danger, conspiracy, plotting, and flashing blades seemed to become distant. It felt as if these peaceful days could continue for a long time to come.

She smiled, lifted a spoon, and obediently scooped up a sweet dumpling to eat.

One bowl of sweet dumplings, one bowl of longevity noodles, they ate slowly.

Perhaps due to He Yan’s “overwhelming hospitality,” or maybe because of the boss lady’s excellent craftsmanship, Xiao Jue finally managed to finish a bowl of noodles. When he put down the chopsticks, He Yan had just finished the eighth sweet dumpling in her bowl.

As she was about to pick up the ninth, she suddenly remembered what the boss lady had said.

“Eating a bowl of sweet dumplings together under the lanterns, you two will be a couple forever.”

A lifetime, she had always felt that the term was distant. However, she didn’t know when it started, but she had a yearning and anticipation for it.

Xiao Jue noticed her hesitation and asked, “What’s wrong?”

He Yan gently pushed the red-bottomed porcelain bowl towards the middle, raised her head, looked into Xiao Jue’s eyes, and coughed lightly, “Do you… want to have one too?”

Xiao Jue lowered his eyes to the soup bowl with only one sweet dumpling left and remained silent.

Feeling somewhat guilty for no apparent reason, He Yan suddenly felt like a demon enticing an innocent girl. She added, “Considering you don’t like sweets now… or maybe, let’s just…”

Xiao Jue smiled a little, said nothing, took the bowl, picked up the spoon that He Yan had used earlier, and finished the last sweet dumpling.

The boss lady was tidying up the dishes at the next table and, seeing this, smiled, “Great, eating a bowl of sweet dumplings together, sweet and happy, a blissful union.”

He Yan was startled, subconsciously looked at Xiao Jue, and saw the handsome young man staring at her, as if he had glimpsed her secret thoughts.

He Yan with a “whoosh” stood up, took out a few copper coins from her pocket, “Well, we’re done. Let’s go.”

And escaped abruptly.

After getting full, wandering around the night market made them feel much warmer. When He Yan and Xiao Jue walked to a certain place, they found a crowd gathered ahead. He Yan casually asked a guy beside her, “Excuse me, what’s happening up ahead?”

The guy glanced at He Yan and said, “They’re guessing lantern riddles. Today is the last day. If the young lady wants to join, there’s still time. The more you guess, the higher the chance of winning the most beautiful peacock lantern!”

Since they were already at the night market, it was natural to join in the excitement. He Yan pulled Xiao Jue into the crowd. Once they squeezed in, they saw a long corridor with various colored lanterns hanging from the eaves. Under each lantern was a piece of paper with a riddle written on it. Most of the people here were couples, some of whom had already guessed a few and were holding several lanterns. Seeing this, He Yan felt eager to try and asked Xiao Jue, “Do you have a favorite lantern? I’ll help you win one.”

Xiao Jue lowered his gaze and asked, “You’ll help me?”

“Of course. It’s your birthday today, and I’ll buy whatever you want. Winning a lantern is a small matter. After all, I also studied at the Xianchang Academy.”

Xiao Jue smiled slightly and was about to speak when someone not far away called out to him, “Xiao Huaijin!”

He Yan turned around and saw a couple coming towards them—Yan He and Xia Chengxiu.

The two of them were dressed in matching goose-yellow long robes and skirts today, looking quite harmonious. Yan He was still his old self, never looking at people with a straight face, swinging his ponytail high as he walked. When they reached them, before He Yan could say anything, Yan He said to Xiao Jue, “Oh, rare guest! I never expected to see Xiao Huaijin here at the night market.”

Compared to Yan He’s rudeness, Xia Chengxiu was much gentler. She just smiled at He Yan and Xiao Jue, saying, “Miss He, Commander Xiao.”

He Yan returned the greeting, “Miss Chengxiu.”

Yan He finally noticed He Yan by Xiao Jue’s side, glanced at both of them, and showed a disgusted expression, “Xiao Huaijin, you wouldn’t be intentionally accompanying this kid… bringing filth everywhere, giving me goosebumps all over my body!”

He Yan: “…” Where did this guy get the authority to comment on others? Wasn’t he here accompanying his wife to the night market as well?

Xia Chengxiu pulled Yan He aside, and Yan He grumbled, “What’s wrong? I didn’t say anything wrong.”

“Sorry,” Xia Chengxiu smiled at He Yan, “Nanguang has this temperament, just joking without malice. Miss He, are you two also here to guess lantern riddles?”

He Yan nodded, “Yes. Just passing by, General Yan is also guessing lantern riddles?”

“I don’t guess things that women like. I’m here to accompany her,” Yan He said, looking at Xiao Jue, “What about you, Xiao Huaijin…”

“He’s not guessing either; he’s accompanying me,” He Yan quickly interrupted him. Yan He had a habit of turning competitive whenever he encountered Xiao Jue. If Xiao Jue started guessing, it would trigger Yan He’s competitiveness. Tonight, instead of enjoying the night market, they would end up in a contest of solving riddles.

To ensure they could continue to other places later, He Yan decisively stopped it.

“Fine,” Yan He crossed his arms, “Then go ahead and guess.”

He Yan and Xia Chengxiu exchanged a glance, and with a slight smile, Xia Chengxiu picked up a paper from the lantern in front of her. Following her lead, He Yan also looked at the paper attached to the lantern nearby.

The lantern riddle was quite simple, Every mountain is filled with thoughts of longing. He Yan recognized the characters, but the meaning when combined was unclear.

On the other side, Xia Chengxiu had already received a paper and read it aloud, “Parting thoughts with you.” She thought for a moment and looked at the craftsman, asking, “Is this ‘Fen’?”

“You have a keen eye, young lady.” The lantern maker smiled and handed Xia Chengxiu a wooden card with a red stroke drawn on it.

It seemed that gathering ten strokes would allow them to exchange for one of the lanterns here.

Taking a deep breath, He Yan felt that the riddle she chose might not be right. Thinking quickly, she walked to another lantern shaped like a lotus and picked up the hanging paper.

“No winter, no summer.”

He Yan: “…” What’s this?

She glanced sideways at Xiao Jue, who was standing not far away, looking at her with calm amusement. Not willing to lose face, He Yan cleared her throat and moved to another lantern.

“Mist loses the tower, the moon bewitches the ferry.”

He Yan: “?”

She was about to cry. She had boasted about having studied at Xianchang Academy, but now she felt that not studying might have been better. What were these things? Although she recognized the characters, the combination made no sense. Looking at the women nearby who were solving the riddles effortlessly, He Yan felt overwhelmed. Even facing the most challenging battle wouldn’t be as difficult as this moment.

Feeling uncertain about her choices, she stood there holding a paper when suddenly a voice came from behind, “Aren’t you supposed to gift me a lantern?”

At some point, Xiao Jue had walked over and now stood behind her. He Yan hummed for a while, unable to find words.

He curled his lips, “It seems your poetry skills haven’t improved over the years.”

“Each has its own expertise,” He Yan defended herself, “I can’t multitask.”

He seemed to chuckle lightly, and the warm breath he exhaled tickled the back of He Yan’s neck. Meanwhile, Xia Chengxiu had completed guessing ten lantern riddles, and the craftsman gave her a wooden card with ten ink strokes, exchanging it for a jade rabbit lantern.

Yan He proudly held the lantern in his arms and taunted He Yan, “Why haven’t you guessed it yet? Haven’t you studied? Xiao Huaijin,” He added while embracing Xia Chengxiu, provocatively challenging Xiao Huaijin, “The lady you’ve found isn’t as good as my wife.”

Is Yan He out of his mind? He Yan was speechless. Was he trying to compare their wives just because Xiao Huaijin was superior in other aspects? Who didn’t have strengths and weaknesses? How could he be so shallow!

He Yan was cursing Yan He in her mind when unexpectedly Xiao Huaijin whispered in her ear, “Ignore him.” Then, standing behind her, he smoothly took the lantern riddle paper in front of He Yan.

Xiao Huaijin was tall. When he bent down slightly to pick up the paper from behind, it seemed to onlookers as if he were encircling He Yan in his embrace. He Yan could almost feel the warmth of his chest against her back. Her ears turned red, and she forgot to look at the riddle paper in front of her. Xiao Huaijin had already started, “Two places vast and boundless, both nowhere to be found.”

“Ah?” He Yan was momentarily stunned.

But the craftsman laughed, holding a wooden tray, “Young master guessed it right!”

“Xiao Huaijin, you’re cheating!” Yan He exclaimed angrily, “How can you help her guess!”

“What’s it to you?” He Yan couldn’t take it anymore and retorted, “If you’re not happy, you can help me guess too!”

“Who would help you guess!” Yan He waved his sleeve, “Let’s go, let’s go, seeing them is annoying!” He dragged Xia Chengxiu away.

Now, He Yan finally had time to focus on the lantern riddles in front of her.

She read the words on the paper while Xiao Huaijin whispered the answers behind her.

“Since ancient times, more feelings than hate remain.”

“Heart longs.”

“When ten enters, subtract three.”

“Pile.”

This person used to be the top scholar in Xianchang Academy. When He Yan recited the lantern riddles above, he didn’t need to think at all; he directly spoke out the answers. Xiao Jue, naturally outstanding in appearance and a smart, handsome young man, always stood out in such occasions. In no time, girls, whether they had a lover or not, gathered in a circle, either fascinated by Xiao Jue or casting admiring glances at He Yan.

Nine lantern riddles were almost finished, and He Yan picked up the note from the last lantern.

“Two trees do not make a forest, but there’s a heart below the field.” After she finished reading, without waiting for Xiao Jue to speak, she said, “I know this one; it’s lovesickness!”

The craftsman laughed heartily, “The girl is pure and kind-hearted.”

He Yan blushed at the praise. She guessed one out of ten lantern riddles, feeling unworthy of such compliments. The one truly pure and kind-hearted was the person behind her. The craftsman finished drawing her wooden plaque, saying to He Yan, “Miss, choose a lantern you like!”

He Yan turned around, pulling Xiao Jue and asking, “What do you think? I promised to give you a lantern, and I will. Which one do you like?”

Various lanterns hung under the eaves, a dazzling array of choices.

He Yan pointed at a lantern shaped like twin fish, “This one with twin fish looks nice. Do you like it? Or maybe this gourd-shaped lantern is good too… This auspicious lantern even has a horse-riding illustration…”

From start to finish, Xiao Jue just smiled faintly, letting her be playful.

He Yan saw a blue veil lantern on the side, depicting a landscape pavilion. As people moved around, the light and shadow changed, and the waterfall seemed to flow, very unique. Among all the lanterns, this landscape lantern might not look outstanding at first glance, but it contained hidden depths. He Yan was immediately attracted to it and thought that giving this lantern to Xiao Jue wouldn’t be embarrassing. She said to the craftsman, “I want this one.”

The craftsman, busy giving wooden plaques to another pair of lovers, said, “Miss, feel free to take it.”

He Yan told Xiao Jue, “Wait here, I’ll get the lantern for you.”

As she approached the landscape lantern, she heard a familiar voice not far away, “There are lantern riddles ahead; do you want to take a look?”

Immediately after, a woman’s voice followed, “Sure, we can buy one to hang in the courtyard later.”

He Yan turned her head to see a couple walking towards them a few steps away. The man was handsome and refined, and the woman was charming and beautiful. It was Xu Zhiheng and He Xinying.

Xu Zhiheng held He Xinying’s hand, and behind He Xinying, a maid carried a stack of trinkets, probably random purchases made while strolling through the night market, such as rouge and powder. At first glance, the two looked like a perfect couple, and Xu Zhiheng smiled indulgently. When speaking, his words were gentle and affectionate.

He Yan stared blankly, unsure if it was ironic. She had thought that Xu Zhiheng would only accompany He Wanru to the night market in his lifetime, but now it seemed that anyone but herself could be his companion.

“Miss?” The craftsman, noticing her standing in a daze, curiously reminded her. He Yan turned back, startled, and instinctively looked at Xiao Jue.

He also stood under the lantern, with a handsome figure and calm, almost indifferent, eyes.

–––Side Note–––

Du Du: A bit jealous.

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