Even the wealthy Chu Shangxu couldn't help but sigh, "This isn't just setting off fireworks; it's burning silver!"
Everyone was extremely curious. The Chu family was the richest in Yunzhou, yet they had never spent such a fortune on fireworks.
Who on earth was being so prodigal?
Did they hold a grudge and were determined to outshine the Chu family on New Year's Eve?
Daoist Qiu had already started gnawing on a big pork knuckle. "Roses are quite rare in the Central Plains."
Liang Yuzhou was furious.
Just now, all he heard were a series of exclamations, but no one told him what kind of fireworks were so amazing.
Zhou Sheng and Zhou Yan were feasting to their hearts' content at another table. Wan Chu wasn't sitting beside him either.
She was chatting and laughing with others. Had she already forgotten about him?
Everyone was bullying him for being blind.
In a fit of pique, he threw down his chopsticks.
Chu Shangxu regarded Liang Yuzhou as a friend regardless of age. Seeing this, he nervously asked, "Daoist Qingzhou, are the food and wine not to your taste?"
Daoist Qiu wiped his greasy mouth and picked up a plate of fish. "It has nothing to do with the food and wine. Ignore him."
Considering his blindness, the Chu family had originally arranged a servant to serve him food.
But Liang Yuzhou flatly refused.
All his childish behaviors had long been noticed by Song Wanchu.
She wanted to laugh at his childishness.
But then she remembered what he had once said, "It's not you who can't live without me; it's me who can't live without you."
A warm feeling welled up in her heart. She called Xia He over and whispered a few words to her.
Xia He pursed her lips and smiled, then quickly walked to Liang Yuzhou's side and whispered her message.
"The young lady said that there are many elders here. You should behave yourself. After the banquet, she'll prepare a midnight snack in the Plum Shadow Pavilion."
Liang Yuzhou's handsome, dark face instantly broke into a smile, like a gentle breeze caressing the lake, bringing boundless clarity and tranquility.
Wanchu had openly invited him to the Plum Shadow Pavilion for a midnight snack just to coax him!
He picked up his chopsticks again, and even the fruit tea that had seemed tasteless before now tasted sweet.
...
When the roses bloomed in the night sky, Yaoguang and Shi Luohan were standing beneath them, passionately kissing.
"Brother Han, isn't this a bit too showy?"
The two separated breathlessly, but their breaths still intertwined, lingering ambiguously.
Yaoguang's face was glowing with joy. Suddenly, she asked worriedly, "Making these fireworks must cost a fortune, right?"
"Of course it does. The money spent could buy the entire Gaochang Kingdom."
Shi Luohan joked. Yaoguang glared at him嗔怒ly, then broke into a bright smile and kissed him on the cheek.
She understood. Brother Han wasn't showing off his wealth to her. He was telling her that there was no need for her to worry about the expenses for recruiting troops, hoarding food, and weapons to avenge their country and kill the enemy.
Her Brother Han was wealthier than a king.
"Brother Han, I've been out for a while. It's time for us to go back."
Shi Luohan had coerced and bribed Shi Minglang into releasing Yaoguang.
The two had eaten the New Year's Eve dinner together and watched this grand fireworks display.
Yaoguang knew her limits. She couldn't make it difficult for Shi Minglang. Her current identity was still the Crown Prince's "prisoner." She couldn't make it hard for Shi Minglang to explain to the Crown Prince.
"Okay, I'll listen to you. Anyway, no one is guarding you tonight. Aren't you scared in that empty room?"
Shi Luohan's mind was clearly on Yaoguang.
She had seen blood spatter three feet when killing people. When had she ever been afraid?
But at this moment, she nestled in Shi Luohan's arms like a timid bird. "I'm scared, of course I'm scared. Brother Han, you have to stay with me all night."
Her voice trailed off seductively, making Shi Luohan's heart itch. The wind on the roof was cold, and the snow was getting heavier, but he felt hot all over.
He picked Yaoguang up and gave her waist a gentle squeeze, then lightly jumped off the roof.
"Since my Yaomei is pleading with me, how can I refuse?"
The two held hands and walked towards the government office.
The snow had piled up thickly. Firecrackers were going off non-stop. Every household they passed had red lanterns hanging.
Yaoguang had once witnessed the tragic death of her relatives in front of her eyes, with blood flowing three feet. She had once been afraid of the color red. Even when taking a bath, she didn't dare to look at the bleeding rose on her waist.
In her eyes, red was a sign of bloodshed, a tragic memory, and a heavy hatred.
But at this moment, with the one she loved by her side, all the red around her had turned into the color of happiness.
As they were walking, Yaoguang suddenly stopped.
She smelled a strange odor.
"Brother Han, there's a smell of blood."
She was extremely sensitive to the smell of blood.
Shi Luohan tightened his grip on Yaoguang's hand and instinctively stepped in front of her, his broad shoulders shielding most of her body.
Their steps became cautious.
Getting closer, they could distinguish the sound of swords and guns clashing from the crackling of firecrackers.
Shi Luohan and Yaoguang glanced at each other.
"Shi Minglang said that under his governance, the security in Yunzhou has improved tenfold. But there are people fighting with weapons on New Year's Eve? I have to ask Shi Minglang if his face hurts!"
Shi Luohan still had the mood to joke.
But when they reached the scene of the fight, Shi Luohan couldn't laugh anymore.
In the snow, there were a pile of corpses lying haphazardly.
And they immediately saw the man in red, covered in blood, struggling to get up -
Who else could it be but Shi Minglang?
Shi Luohan and Yaoguang quickly rushed forward. Before their hands could touch Shi Minglang, he spat out a mouthful of fresh blood and shouted with his last bit of strength, "Be careful!"
As soon as the words left his mouth, another group of black-clothed assassins emerged from all directions!
...
The Chu family's New Year's Eve banquet was already halfway through.
Chu Yueying sat there motionless, her eyes red and her expression numb.
Song Wanchu felt sorry for her.
For Shi Minglang, she had specially worn a rose-colored brocade dress today, paired with a bright makeup. She looked passionate, gorgeous, lively, and yet still retained a young girl's reserve.
But Shi Minglang didn't show up.
Song Wanchu wanted to comfort her. Just then, she saw Xiao Anzi hurrying through the crowd and whispering something quickly into the Crown Prince's ear.
The Crown Prince was shocked and then angry. The happy look on his face instantly turned gloomy.
Song Wanchu felt uneasy.
She saw the Crown Prince stand up, apologize to the old lady of the Chu family, and whisper a few words to Daoist Qiu and Liang Yuzhou.
The three of them left the table in unison.
Liang Yuzhou didn't forget to call Xia He over and ask her to pass a message to Song Wanchu.
Song Wanchu immediately sensed something was wrong. Her intuition told her that something had happened to Shi Minglang.
She saw Xia He coming towards her and gave her a look.
She stood up and said she needed to go to the toilet, then walked to a quiet place.
Only then did Xia He step forward. "Miss, the master said he can't attend your New Year's Eve vigil tonight."
"Did something happen to Lord Shi?"
"Lord Shi was assassinated by villains on his way to the Chu family. Two of his escorts were killed. Lord Shi fought desperately. Fortunately, Master Shi and Miss Yaoguang passed by and killed the villains."
"How is Lord Shi now?"
"His injuries are very serious. He was hit in a vital spot. I'm afraid... his life hangs in the balance."
As soon as Xia He finished speaking, a red figure quickly disappeared in front of them.
Chu Yueying had heard it!
Chu Yueying caught up with the Crown Prince's sedan chair. Her eyes were filled with tears, and her face was deathly pale. She pleaded desperately, "Your Highness, I must see my cousin tonight!"