221 - Destroyer of Ice and Fire
"Stop talking nonsense and go with Zisheng to paste those couplets at the entrance of Rongku Pavilion's main hall," Jian Ran smiled faintly. "Tonight, I'm looking forward to eating dumplings." "But... it's not time for dumplings yet... we have to wait a couple of days..." Luo Sheng murmured weakly. "If Master says we are having dumplings tonight, then we are having dumplings tonight," Ning Songwu declared assertively, cutting off Luo Sheng's words. "Oh... okay..." Luo Sheng obediently took the couplets and went with Ning Songwu to paste them at the entrance of the main hall. After fixing the couplets in place, Ning Songwu rushed over to check out the huge stash of New Year's goods that Cen Ran had brought back a few days ago. Cen Ran, being diligent in household matters, had prepared everything — paper cuttings, palace lanterns, firecrackers, fireworks, and a few festive red new clothes. Ning Songwu smiled as she sifted through the pile of goods. She was someone who enjoyed lively and spirited scenes. If given a chance, she longed to descend the mountain to experience the bustling world described in books. But since she could remember, she had been on this snowy Northern Expanse Mountain, and now, seeing this vibrant array of New Year's items, she felt a palpable sense of worldly joy. Perhaps she truly wasn't suited for this overly secluded place. However, since her master was here, she would stay here for her entire life. Ning Songwu suddenly found a dark brown paper bag amidst the goods and curiously picked it up. The bag was narrow and long. She squeezed her fingers inside and pulled out a bamboo skewer with something attached to it. It was a string of bright red candied hawthorn. Luckily, the cold weather on the Northern Expanse had kept the candied hawthorn from melting even after all this time. It was her first time seeing candied hawthorn. It looked just like how it was described in the books. Wait... No... this wasn't her first time... Something flashed quickly across her mind — a vague image of a white-clad figure, much taller than herself. The surrounding scene seemed noisy, like a street, and that person had a string of candied hawthorn similar to this one, shoving it into their own mouth. And then, nothing. Was it an illusion? Ning Songwu stared blankly at the candied hawthorn in her hand for a long time before lowering her head and taking a bite. The thick sugar coating mixed with the tart hawthorn was extremely delicious — crispy, soft, and cloyingly sweet. As she chewed slowly, Ning Songwu realized that she had tasted this before. She had eaten this in the past. Somehow, as she continued chewing, her eyes started to sting, and she suddenly felt an urge to cry. It felt like... the person who once fed her candied hawthorn had abandoned her. --- Chapter 85: Foreign Domain Ning Songwu felt dizzy, with all her emotions and restlessness intensified by the alcohol. She had an impulse to smash tables and throw chairs, but her rationality kept it in check. Kneeling on the ground, her eyes stung from the alcohol, and her heart was in such turmoil that she couldn't understand what she was doing. She didn't know how much time had passed before the door opened again. Jing Hu had returned, carrying a bowl of hangover soup. Seeing Ning Songwu sitting on the ground with her eyes closed, he quickly moved over to support her shoulder. "Ning Songwu, Ning Songwu, wake up." Ning Songwu, too muddled to tell who he was, instinctively wrapped her arms around Jing Hu's waist, burying her face in the crook of his shoulder, and began to sob softly. "Why... why did they abandon me... why..." Her voice was as faint as a willow in the wind, tinged with heart-wrenching sorrow. Jing Hu's face reddened deeply. He placed a gentle hand on Ning Songwu’s shoulder. "Ning Songwu, what are you talking about? Who abandoned you?" Ning Songwu didn't answer, only clung to him, crying even more sadly. Everyone had abandoned her. Her parents had left her in the wilderness; the person who once fed her candied hawthorn had ignored her coldly. Even her master had said she should no longer come close... Jing Hu gently pushed her away a bit to bring the bowl of hangover soup to her mouth, speaking softly, "Here, drink some hangover soup. You'll feel better after a nap." Ning Songwu drank half of the soup along the edge of the bowl, mumbling, "I don't want to sleep... I want... to carry a lantern..." Jing Hu's lips curved into a doting smile, finding her endearing to the extreme. "Alright, I'll take you to carry a lantern." Ning Songwu drank a bit more of the hangover soup muddledly and then fell into a deep sleep. Jing Hu carefully picked her up in his arms and walked towards the main hall. Everyone had already gathered in Rongku Pavilion's courtyard, surrounded by firecrackers and fireworks, each holding a red lantern. Jiang Mang was perched on someone’s shoulders, Cen Yunhuan and Jian Ran were standing together quietly. Luo Sheng and the younger disciples were busy setting off fireworks, filling the courtyard with lively clamor. Cen Yunhuan glanced at Jian Ran. "Jian Ran, you don't look well. If you're tired, you should go rest." "No, I'm not tired," Jian Ran said, pressing her slightly swollen lips together and avoiding Cen Yunhuan’s gaze. "… Disciples grow up differently," Cen Yunhuan suddenly remarked. "Hmm?" Cen Yunhuan just looked towards the courtyard entrance without saying more. Following his gaze, Jian Ran saw a tall, handsome man carrying a delicate, beautiful woman in his arms. They looked perfect together from a distance — a rare sight in the whole Northern Expanse. Jian Ran quickly looked away. But her fists, hidden inside her wide sleeves, clenched tighter and tighter. Why did she feel like something that belonged to her had been violated? Cen Yunhuan chuckled softly. "Jing Hu has always liked Ning Songwu. They're a perfect match in terms of age, background, looks, and knowledge." Jian Ran forced a smile. "…Indeed." "Jing Hu has told me many times that he wants to marry Ning Songwu. Since they belong to the same sect, wouldn't it be wonderful for our disciples to be united? I wonder if this phrase is appropriate here. But Jian Ran, if Ning Songwu also feels that way, would you be willing to let her marry into my sect?"