AYM Chapter 17

In the eyes of the Northern Jin people, the Qiyuan Festival is considered a deeply sentimental occasion. If two people were mutually in love, they would choose this day to pledge their lifelong commitment to each other. Even those who admired someone in secret could pray to the gods, as it was said to be highly effective.

 

Although the festival was associated with romance, people of all ages would go out to enjoy the festivities on this day. Over time, street performers and artisans began to gather in the capital whenever these two days[mfn]t/n: don’t know whether it’s a typo or not, because in the previous sentence it said ‘one day’, but I’ll just follow the original text to translate just in case. Original paragraph: 可虽说是与情意相关的日子，但这一日男女老幼都会出来游玩，于是渐渐地每到这两日，一些杂耍卖艺或是手艺人都会聚集在京城，尤其是运河两岸的街市将是会人潮攒动，摩肩接踵的热闹景象。[/mfn] arrived, especially along the bustling street markets on both sides of the canal, where crowds gathered in great numbers, moving shoulder to shoulder in a lively and packed scene.

 

Thus, it was clear that Li Xuanjing had chosen this day to conceal his actions amidst the crowd. Naturally, Li Xuanming had no need to go in person, but Huai De reported that Yan Yihuan had seemed rather listless in the past two days. Not only had he not gone out for walks and sightseeing, but was also not eating well.

 

“The Third Young Master even insisted that Li Jiang throw away the warm jade, but Li Jiang didn’t dare and secretly kept it.”

 

Though the speaker had no intention, the listener took it to heart. In an instant, the events of that night flooded Li Xuanming’s mind. Ever since Yan Yihuan had murmured “Li Xuanjing” in his dazed state, Li Xuanming had not set foot in the retreat for several days. Lowering his gaze, he drained his tea in one go, hoping to quell the restlessness within him, but it was to no avail.

 

Looking up again, he saw a petition laid at a corner of his desk, submitted by Yan Yihuan just a day ago to request audience with the emperor. It was written with earnest and sincere words, but Li Xuanming knew he was just eager to lodge a complaint.

 

“Since you are so eager to see Zhen, then let it be as you wish.”

 

Li Xuanming opened the petition and elegantly wrote with a brush soaked in cinnabar:

 

Approved.

 

Meanwhile, in the secluded courtyard, Yan Yihuan was well aware that today was the Qiyuan Festival. Thinking if he were in Linjing now, he would undoubtedly be at the street market with a few friends to have some fun before finding a place of indulgence to spend three hundred taels on fine wine and drunkenly resting in the arms of a beauty. How joyous that would be! Yet here he was, stuck passing the time with sleep.

 

Zhao Chufeng must have been possessed by some thousand-year-old fox demon with profound cultivation. Therefore, it wasn’t his(YYH) own will, he had merely been bewitched. If anyone was to blame, it was Zhao Chufeng for looking too damn good. It’s just that in the storybooks, fox demons always submitted to others. When had there ever been one like Zhao Chufeng, who bullied people instead?

 

While Yan Yihuan was lost in his wild thoughts, Li Jiang knocked on the door from outside, saying that the Emperor, sympathizing with his homesickness, had specially granted him permission to go on a painted boat on the Grand Canal during the Qiyuan Festival. Upon hearing this, Yan Yihuan’s eyes lit up. He hurriedly threw off his blanket and stopped caring about his worries.

 

Thinking back to the last time, when he had barely begun to savor the experience on the painted boat before Zhao Chufeng ruined everything. This time, with the edict personally issued by the Emperor, allowing him to go out and enjoy himself, see who dares to stop him.

 

By the time he arrived at the side of the canal, the bright moon hung high in the sky. Yet, no matter how luminous the moonlight, its reflection on the water would be constantly sliced by the passing boats, disappearing without a trace. Lanterns, shimmering like gold, cast their glow over the misty river, stretching endlessly, creating a scenery like the celestial realm. The view before him was as bright as day.

 

The brightly lit markets on both sides of the canal, and the painted boats echoing with laughter and song, was exactly the kind of scene that Yan Yihuan had been longing for. At this moment, the brilliance in his eyes outshone everything before him.

 

At the docks, several painted boats still awaited passengers. Standing at the bows were the establishments’ most prized courtesans, each one a stunning beauty, graceful and alluring. Not to mention, their flowery and extravagant invitations made Yan Yihuan’s heart itch with excitement.

 

He already knew from last time that the way to distinguish the type of boat was by the lanterns hanging from the masts. He happily picked one out and was about to stride towards it, when an arm suddenly blocked his path.

 

“This way, Third Young Master.”

 

Yan Yihuan nearly forgot that Han Zhen had been following him. Looking in the direction Han Zhen indicated, he saw that there was indeed a two-story painted boat docked ahead.

 

At first glance, there was nothing unusual about it. But upon a closer look, he noticed that the mast was completely bare. Though the boat was brightly lit like the others, it was eerily silent, standing in stark contrast to its lively surroundings, exuding a strange sense of unease.

 

It was only then that Yan Yihuan came to his senses, realizing this so-called “outing” was nothing more than another “secluded retreat” in disguise. He was still under someone else’s control, so how could there be any real freedom to expect?

 

“Please board the boat, Third Young Master.”

 

Coming from Han Zhen’s mouth, these words sounded more like “Please enter your prison cell, Third Young Master.” A shiver ran down Yan Yihuan’s spine, leaving him caught between advancing and retreating. But retreating was pointless, as Han Zhen stood right behind him, giving him no room to escape. Just as he reached the boat, a man knelt on one knee and raised his arm, offering support as Yan Yihuan stepped onto the boat.

 

As soon as he stepped onto the deck, he was struck by how different this boat felt. Unlike the last one, which swayed with every movement, this boat was as steady as solid ground. Yan Yihuan found it very novel and took in his surroundings before heading towards the cabin.

 

But just after taking two steps inside, he was startled by a loud bang from behind and hurriedly turned around, only to find that the cabin door had been closed by someone.

 

Yan Yihuan suddenly had a bad feeling and turned around to leave, but at that moment, a loud voice from outside announced that they were preparing to weigh anchor.

 

The boat was about to set sail!

 

At the same time, footsteps thudded from the second floor above him. A figure descended the staircase, smiling warmly at him.

 

“Greetings, Third Young Master. Wine and dishes have been prepared on the second floor. Please, this way.”

 

“Huai De…?”

 

Yan Yihuan felt a moment of confusion. Wasn’t he one of the people from Zhao Chufeng’s residence? How could he be on the emperor’s boat? Could it be…?!

 

Another figure followed closely behind Huai De. Although only a corner of their robe was visible, Yan Yihuan’s heart clenched violently. Without hesitation, he spun around, pushed open the cabin door, and leaped onto the bow of the boat in a few quick steps.

 

Two boatmen were using thick bamboo poles to push against the riverbank, and with a loud shout, the boat began to slowly drift away. Yan Yihuan watched as the distance between him and the shore grew wider and wider.

 

There was still a chance!

 

Yan Yihuan secretly grit his teeth and took a few steps back, then suddenly sprang forward with great force. Just as both his feet left the deck, an arm suddenly wrapped around his waist with such force that his back slammed into a solid chest. The two of them stumbled backwards several steps before finally stabilizing. Then, a furious voice rang in his ear, nearly scaring Yan Yihuan’s soul out of his body,

 

“Are you trying to get yourself killed?!”