Sensing that something was off with Ye Chutang, Xiao Wu looked up in confusion and gently tugged her hand.
Ye Chutang quickly snapped out of it and discreetly scanned her surroundings.
Everything looked normal.
She picked up Xiao Wu and said, "Do you really like that lantern, Xiao Wu? How about I buy it for you now, okay?"
Xiao Wu's eyes widened in delighted surprise. She clapped her hands and planted a kiss on Ye Chutang's cheek.
'She thought her big sister was going to make them go back and get Third Brother and Fourth Brother to play before she would buy it for her!'
Ye Chutang supported the little girl's bottom, tightening her arms to hold her closer as she turned back toward the bustling street.
They soon arrived at a lantern stall.
Ye Chutang gestured with her chin. "Which one do you like? Go on, pick one."
Today was the Spring Lantern Festival, and the streets were filled with stalls selling all sorts of beautiful lanterns.
Xiao Wu blinked, then pointed to the adjacent stall.
Ye Chutang's gaze followed her finger, and her brow twitched.
It was a small, exquisite rabbit lantern. But more importantly, it was the exact same one from her dream!
'In the dream, Xiao Wu had been holding this exact lantern while running ahead, and then…'
'Ye Chutang had already scanned the area. Of all the stalls nearby, this was the only one with this design.'
'And of all the lanterns, Xiao Wu had to pick this one!'
'This meant that the rest of her dream was about to come true!'
Ye Chutang asked softly, "Are you sure you want that one?"
Xiao Wu nodded joyfully, taking out her small purse and pulling out a piece of broken silver.
'I'll buy it with my own money! It's a gift for Big Sister!'
Ye Chutang didn't stop her. She simply handed the piece of broken silver to the vendor.
"We'll take this one."
The vendor was overjoyed. "The little lady has excellent taste! This is the most beautiful lantern here, I guarantee it! You won't find another one like it at the entire Spring Lantern Festival!"
Ye Chutang took the lantern and gave it to Xiao Wu.
A radiant smile bloomed on the little one's chubby face. She held up the lantern with her small arms for Ye Chutang to see.
'Do you like it, Big Sister?'
Ye Chutang nuzzled her forehead.
"I love it. I love anything you give me, Xiao Wu."
A few children ran past, laughing and playing.
Xiao Wu saw them and wiggled, wanting to run off too. Ye Chutang set her down and took her left hand.
"It's crowded, Xiao Wu. Don't run off, okay?"
As Ye Chutang spoke, she led Xiao Wu slowly forward.
Xiao Wu held her lantern, her eyes wide as she took in the dazzling, bustling market.
After a while, she suddenly remembered something and looked back at Ye Chutang curiously.
'Where are Third Brother and Fourth Brother? Weren't we going to get them to come with us?'
"It's still early," Ye Chutang said. "We can take our time heading back. We won't be late."
Xiao Wu was finally reassured, her attention quickly captured again by the sights around her. The brilliant lights of the festival reflected in her large eyes, dark as grapes.
But Xiao Wu didn't know that Ye Chutang had already changed her mind. 'Trouble is coming. The fewer people involved, the better.'
'If Yan and A Feng were here, I'd be distracted and might not be able to protect everyone. But with only Xiao Wu by my side, I'm confident I can handle whatever happens.'
Ye Chutang mulled over how to handle the coming situation as she walked.
After her rebirth as Ye Chutang, she'd discovered that she occasionally had prophetic dreams.
At first, she hadn't paid them any mind, but she later discovered that everything in her dreams came true.
From then on, she knew she had another secret in addition to her rebirth: the ability to see the future.
She didn't have these dreams often, but they always concerned matters of life and death.
So with every dream, Ye Chutang didn't dare let her guard down, always preparing for them with caution.
She hadn't had a dream like this since moving to Jiangling three years ago. A few days ago, she'd only seen a fragment of one, and now it was already coming true!
The dream had only contained a few blurry images. Ye Chutang replayed them in her mind, trying to bring them into sharper focus.
The crowds began to thin. Suddenly, Xiao Wu spotted something lying on the bluestone path ahead, apparently dropped by someone.
She let go of Ye Chutang's hand and scurried over on her short little legs.
Ye Chutang raised a hand to lightly touch the wooden hairpin in her hair, her voice soft as she called out, "Slow down."
Xiao Wu glanced back with a smile, but in the next instant, her eyes widened in shock!
Almost at the same time, that bone-chilling presence surged up behind her again!
Ye Chutang froze, stopping in the middle of the path. She casually shifted, positioning herself to completely shield Xiao Wu.
Then, she slowly turned to look behind her.
"Been waiting long? Why don't you come out and say hello?"
The words had barely left her lips when several figures emerged silently from both sides of the narrow street, completely blocking the way.
Ye Chutang quickly sized them up.
There were three of them, all masked. They were burly and powerfully built, with menacing auras.
"You're a sharp one!" the man in the middle threatened. "So, what'll it be? Are you coming with us willingly, or do we have to get rough?"
'The voice was unfamiliar. I've never seen them before, but they're clearly here for me.'
Ye Chutang gave a faint smile. "I don't particularly like either of those choices. Is there a third option?"
The man in the middle scoffed as if he'd heard a joke. "You don't know what's good for you! Since you're refusing to do this the easy way, don't blame us for getting rough!"
With a raise of his hand, the three men charged at her simultaneously!
They were in a narrow, winding alley, flanked by high walls. With the three men blocking the only exit, there was no escape!
Ye Chutang said calmly, "Xiao Wu, close your eyes."
Xiao Wu immediately dropped her lantern, obediently covered her eyes, and turned around.
...
Shen Yanchuan had made a rare trip out today.
Lian Zhou followed behind him, still worried. "Master, you haven't fully recovered yet. The night air is chilly. Shouldn't we head back soon?"
"Your master isn't made of paper," Shen Yanchuan said nonchalantly. "It's good to get some fresh air. I heard today was the Spring Lantern Festival in Jiangling. It is indeed lively."
Hearing this, Lian Zhou thought of his master's previously desolate life, and a pang of sorrow silenced him. He swallowed his protests and continued to follow obediently.
The street was bustling with people, yet Shen Yanchuan drew every eye as he walked among them.
It seemed some people were simply born to be admired. He drew all eyes effortlessly, without doing a thing.
Many young women blushed as they gazed in his direction.
'Since when did Jiangling have such a devastatingly handsome young master?'
Shen Yanchuan seemed completely unaware of this.
He stopped before a stall, raising a long, jade-like finger.
"I'll take that lantern."
Staring at the intricate, hollowed-out lantern, Lian Zhou was stunned. "Master, since when... since when did you take a liking to this sort of—"
Shen Yanchuan raised an eyebrow. "Aren't these what children like best?"