It was late at night. The moon, as big as a jade plate, hung high in the clear sky. Its gentle glow was like tender water, shining upon the pedestrians in the night.
On the night of the Mid - Autumn Festival, there was a moon - viewing fair in the town.
Originally, it was just a time for people to take a stroll and enjoy the moon after a family reunion dinner. But gradually, it had evolved into a bustling fair, becoming a well - known sight in the capital.
A Si was eager to go. He said there were plenty of delicious foods at the fair, and the atmosphere was warm and friendly, a great place to relax.
A San also wanted to see if there were any weapon stalls to find some new treasures.
A Da and the others also seemed very excited.
Yan Zhao naturally wouldn't refuse. Instead of taking the carriage, they all walked back to the Prince's Mansion on foot.
It was only two streets away anyway.
They walked and stopped along the way, seeing people guessing riddles to win lanterns, making wishes on red silk under the trees, and the beautiful lanterns under the bridge.
People came and went, and everywhere was filled with joy. No wonder people said they "didn't envy immortals", and no wonder immortals "envied the mortal world".
The liveliness of the mortal world was truly alluring, making it hard for people to leave.
Above their heads was the bright full - moon, and in front of them was the magnificent sight of the mortal world.
Ning Yuwang blinked her long eyelashes. Many years ago, it seemed that on such a Mid - Autumn night, she had enjoyed the moon hand in hand with someone.
She gently scratched her palm with her fingertips, nervously wondering if that person could be Qing Yu.
"Yuwang?"
Yan Zhao seemed to notice her distracted thoughts. He tilted his head slightly and asked in a low voice.
There were a large number of people in the fair. His right hand had been gently blocking the crowd, protecting Ning Yuwang firmly.
Ning Yuwang pretended to be scared and guided his right hand to her waist. "There are so many people. My prince, you must protect me well."
Suddenly, she stopped in her tracks because she saw a familiar figure in the crowd, elegant, gentle, and generous.
It was Pei Yunlu.
She was smiling sweetly and whispering to a man. Tenderness was oozing from her, and when their eyes accidentally met, there seemed to be a hint of shyness.
Every gesture between them showed their mutual understanding.
With the help of the moonlight, Ning Yuwang squinted her eyes and saw the man's face clearly.
She was half - surprised and half - suspicious. She subconsciously glanced at Yan Zhao beside her.
The latter didn't know that his younger sister was just ahead. He just smiled gently and replied to Ning Yuwang's words, "It's my pleasure."
He was willing to protect his wife whole - heartedly.
There was no one else in his eyes but Ning Yuwang.
As for A Da and the others behind them, they were attracted by the stalls around.
Except for Ning Yuwang, no one else saw Pei Yunlu.
Nor did they see Pei Yunlu pulling the man's sleeve and happily walking around the lake with a lantern.
Just from their backs, they were really a well - matched couple, a handsome man and a beautiful woman.
It was a pity about the man's identity...
Ning Yuwang secretly made up her mind to talk to Pei Yunlu privately in a few days to find out the details.
For now, she didn't want to ruin Pei Yunlu's joy.
So she didn't tell Yan Zhao, who was completely unaware.
Just then, they didn't feel like walking forward anymore.
There was a noodle stall beside them, with curling smoke and steaming hot air. The delicious smell was overwhelming.
A Si couldn't help swallowing his saliva. "I'm hungry."
Everyone had just had a full meal at the Marquis of Yongning's Mansion, especially A Si, who had a bulging belly.
But the smell of the noodle stall was just too tempting. Even Lianzi was looking at it longingly and didn't want to move.
Yan Zhao was never strict with them. "Then let's sit down for a while."
"Great!"
A Si was the first to agree. He wiped the table and asked Ning Yuwang and Yan Zhao to sit down. "What would you like to eat, Princess?"
"Plain noodles, please."
Ning Yuwang replied casually. A Si immediately understood and shouted, "Boss, seven bowls of plain noodles, please."
He didn't even need to ask Yan Zhao's opinion.
If the princess liked it, the prince would like it too.
If the masters liked it, they, as subordinates, would like it as well.
He led the other four people to sit at another table and happily waited for the noodles to be cooked.
The noodle - stall boss cheerfully started making the noodles. "Okay, sir. Please wait a moment."
"Boss, a bowl of plain noodles, please."
Soon, a new customer came to the noodle stall.
The voice of the new customer was familiar. Ning Yuwang looked up and saw a surprised and happy face.
"Qing Yu?"
"Awan, it's really you!"
He was still wearing the same inky white robe. The golden dragon on the hem was almost invisible in the night.
Fortunately, the night was so dark that Yan Zhao couldn't see the character "wan" under the dragon's claws, which would make him less jealous.
Qing Yu looked a bit better than when he returned the dragon scales.
Although his body was still a bit hunched, there was a bit of color on his face.
Ning Yuwang carefully looked at his chest. The black qi was still surging, even worse than last time.
Qing Yu covered his chest with his hand and coughed a few times before saying, "I didn't expect to meet you today."
As a sick person, his body was getting worse and worse.
But Yan Zhao's health was getting better.
Ning Yuwang knew that she hadn't cared enough about Qing Yu, and she felt even more guilty.
The once - arrogant Dragon Princess was at a loss.
She hesitated for a long time and finally said, "Are you hungry?"
Qing Yu nodded and smiled gently, his smile full of doting.
Ning Yuwang avoided his tender gaze and shifted her attention. "Boss, one more bowl of plain noodles, please."
The boss still smiled cheerfully. "Okay!"
As a man, Yan Zhao naturally understood the meaning in Qing Yu's eyes at a glance.
He was originally sitting next to Ning Yuwang. Now he put his arm around her shoulder. "My dear, who is he?"
Qing Yu seemed to just notice Yan Zhao. His smile froze, and then he tightly pursed his lips. "Awan, won't you introduce me?"
He had known that Ning Yuwang had married Yan Zhao, but he had never seen it with his own eyes. There was still a glimmer of hope in his heart.
Yan Zhao was infamous. Ning Yuwang's personality shouldn't have allowed her to submit.
Maybe they weren't completely at odds, but they weren't on good terms either.
Ning Yuwang gently struggled out of Yan Zhao's arm. The latter immediately lowered his head dejectedly, with redness at the corners of his eyes.
When the new love and the old love were both vying for her attention, whom should she choose?
She didn't hesitate. She finally held Yan Zhao's hand. "This is my husband, Yan Zhao."
"So you're the famous cold - blooded prince. I've heard a lot about you."
Qing Yu's smile gradually disappeared. He coldly clasped his fists. "I'm Qing Yu, an old acquaintance of Awan's for many years."
Yan Zhao also showed no expression. "So you're the nobody Awan never mentioned. Nice to meet you!"
One was cold and the other was arrogant, but they both stared at each other without backing down.
The atmosphere was quiet and awkward until the boss brought all the plain noodles.
"Sir, here are the plain noodles you ordered."
"Humph!"
Qing Yu was the first to look away. His tone gradually became happy. "Awan, you still like to eat plain noodle soup on the Mid - Autumn Festival, just like before."
Ning Yuwang had just ordered the plain noodles casually, but in Qing Yu's words, it seemed like a deliberate choice.
But the "before" he mentioned was the memory that Ning Yuwang had lost.
She was even more eager to ask. "I liked plain noodles before?"
"Very much."
Qing Yu looked back at her, his eyes deep. He wasn't just answering her question about the plain noodles but also expressing his deep love.
"Many years ago, you were eager to experience the Mid - Autumn Festival. But the noodle soup caught your attention at first sight. At that time, we had no money, so we used a small pearl to exchange for two bowls of plain noodle soup. You once said it was the most beautiful memory for us."
The "many years" actually meant thousands of years.
And the outside world was the mortal world.
But since there were only ordinary people around, he couldn't tell the real situation.
But Ning Yuwang understood what he meant. She lowered her head and apologized. "I forgot."
In the floating world, a memory that only belongs to one person is so sad and lonely!