"Alright, whatever you say." Pei Qingfeng wasn"t able to deal with Ling Xian"er and could only brush her off for now.
The still surface of the lake was finally disturbed by the sudden emergence of fireworks. The instant the first firework exploded in the sky, Bai Luochu raised her head in shock.
"What occasion is it? Why are there fireworks?" Bai Luochu looked at Pei Rumo, hoping that he could give her an answer.
Pei Rumo paused for a moment before replying, “Today is our Cloud Water Nation"s Colored Lantern Festival. Men and women who hold affection for each other would enjoy each other"s company under the beautiful moonlit night. Apart from this lake, the streets should be really lively now. I thought you wouldn"t enjoy the clamor in the streets and chose to bring you to the lake. If you wish to visit the bustling streets, we can go right now.”
Bai Luochu shook her hand in order to decline the invitation. “I appreciate Your First Highness" good intention, but I really dislike the hustle and bustle of the streets. Why are fireworks only set off during the Colored Lantern Festival? Why not other festivals?”
In her previous life, Bai Luochu had never partic.i.p.ated in such activities and she became interested after hearing Pei Rumo"s introduction.
When Pei Rumo saw that Bai Luochu was full of zest, he wouldn"t choose to hide anything from her. “The Colored Lantern Festival is the most lively festival in the Cloud Water Nation. This isn"t the most important festival, but it is one with the least restrictions. As long as the young lady is of age and the young man is ready to marry, they can invite each other out to enjoy the night of festivities. If the other party is willing to accept the invitation, the relations.h.i.+p is probably going to work. Both sides would probably be sending matchmakers shortly after the festival ends. The fireworks at the end are a kind of blessing for these young men and women. After the fireworks, they would set off sky lanterns and release colored lamps on the surface of the lake. When thousands of lamps are released into the lake, the beauty of such a scene isn"t something one can easily come by. Otherwise, I wouldn"t go through all the trouble to bring you here tonight.”
After his explanation, Pei Rumo turned to look at Bai Luochu cautiously. He wanted to see if she realized his true intentions. Only men and women who were mutually affectionate to one another would spend time together at such a festival. Will she understand my intention?
Bai Luochu didn"t bother responding and Pei Rumo felt that he did everything for nothing. However, he was able to act as though nothing had happened as he quietly looked at Bai Luochu.
It wasn"t because Bai Luochu didn"t understand Pei Rumo"s intention. She wasn"t thinking about the friends.h.i.+p she had with Pei Rumo. Instead, it was because her thoughts had s.h.i.+fted over to Pei Qingfeng and Ling Xian"er after Pei Rumo"s explanation.
Mutually affectionate men and women huh? Bai Luochu turned to look at Pei Qingfeng and Ling Xian"er. Under the illumination of the fireworks, Ling Xian"er"s face alternated between light and dark as she various colors of the fireworks painted her skin with myriad of colors. She wasn"t able to forget Ling Xian"er"s fairy-like appearance and her carefree and limpid eyes.
Bai Luochu became gloomy when she saw Ling Xian"er as their personalities were completely different. For a refined and aloof prince like Pei Qingfeng, Ling Xian"er seemed to suit him more.
Bai Luochu could sense the feelings Pei Qingfeng had for her and she knew that she had feelings for him as well. She was merely unwilling to admit it. She didn"t wish for the disaster in her past life to happen again and she kept denying her feelings for him. She kept retreating and finally realized that she was at a dead end. She discovered that the wall stopping her was one she had built around her heart and it wasn"t as indestructible as it seemed. Just a mere push caused the wall to collapse. The jealousy she felt when she saw Pei Qingfeng and Ling Xian"er on the other boat caused her to topple the wall herself. Bai Luochu finally noticed her feelings for Pei Qingfeng.
Isn"t it too late… Because of my cowardice, Pei Qingfeng no longer has the courage to pursue me...
When Pei Rumo saw Bai Luochu"s confused expression, he knew that she was thinking of Pei Qingfeng. He sat there silently as he sipped on his wine only to discover that it tasted a little bitter.
Will she even bother looking at me? If she turns to look at me, does that mean I will have the opportunity to pursue her?
As the fireworks ended, a sombre atmosphere descended on the two boats.
“Divine Physician Bai, look up to the sky. The sky lanterns have already been set off.” Pei Rumo wanted to s.h.i.+ft Bai Luochu"s attention and tried to interrupt her thoughts.
“It"s really pretty.” Bai Luochu replied half-heartedly.
It was indeed beautiful as countless sky lanterns rose into the sky. It seemed as though they wanted to compete with the stars in the starry night as they flew higher and higher into the sky. Every single lantern contained the wish of potential couples and it was a breath-taking scene.
Apart from the sky lanterns, the surface of the lake was filled with colored lamps. The countless lanterns and lamps contained endless wishes as they drifted towards the unknown.
It was a night where the dragons danced in the sky as fishes waltz in the lake. When the colored lamps finally cleared, the sky was no longer filled with sky lanterns. The night eventually pa.s.sed and Pei Rumo escorted Bai Luochu back to the general"s residence.
Before leaving, Pei Rumo didn"t forget to leave behind a few words. “Luo Chu, it is truly fortunate that we can go boating together on the Colored Lantern Festival. If there is a chance in the future, let"s go to other amazing places.”
Bai Luochu nodded mechanically and remained silent. She entered the general"s residence without looking back.