Chapter 132: Moonlight In Tianjin
Lu Yun took Lu Ying out of Congshan Ward and walked straight west along the Luo River.
The Luo River Bank was shaded by willows, with scenery as beautiful as a painting; the autumn breeze blew against their faces, with no trace of summer heat. At this time, everyone wanted to hurry home before the ward gate closed, so there was not a single person on the bluestone path by the river. Only large and small boats on the river surface drifted downstream in the sunset, neither disturbing the pair’s elegant mood nor making the scene too desolate.
Lu Ying was overjoyed. She broke off a weeping willow branch and danced gracefully beside Lu Yun, just like back in their days in Yuhang.
“It’s so beautiful,” Lu Ying’s excited little face flushed red as she laughed happily to Lu Yun: “It’s like the entire Luo River belongs just to the two of us.”
“Then wouldn’t Elder Sister become the Luo River Goddess?” Seeing Lu Ying so happy, Lu Yun was also very pleased; it was worth all the hard rushing on the road to return early.
“Nonsense.” Lu Ying’s face instantly turned red, but her heart was filled with delight. Legend had it that the Luo River Goddess was the daughter of Fuxi. Enchanted by the beautiful scenery along the Luo River banks, she descended to the mortal world, came to Luoyang, and became the river goddess of the Luo River. The legend said this goddess had peerless beauty; even the peony flowers in Luoyang City paled in comparison before her.
Under the sunset, Lu Ying stood by the wind and water, her clothes fluttering; her shoulders were slender as if chiseled, her waist slim and graceful. She really resembled the Luo River Goddess somewhat. She lightly swept the willow branch in her hand across Lu Yun’s chin and teasingly asked: “If I were the Luo River Goddess, then who would you be?”
“Then I would be the River Earl of the Yellow River, locking you up in the dragon palace so you can never leave!” Lu Yun put on a scary expression and reached out to grab Lu Ying’s willow branch.
“In your dreams!” Lu Ying giggled and laughed coquettishly as she fled forward, her silver bell-like laughter scattering along the way. “You can’t catch me!”
Lu Yun also laughed and chased after her. The brother and sister ran one after the other along the Luo River for a good long distance.
“Don’t chase, don’t chase…” Lu Ying was out of breath, her fair face flushed red, hand on her slender waist; she couldn’t run anymore.
Lu Yun also laughed and stopped, his gaze looking past Lu Ying toward the front.
Lu Ying followed Lu Yun’s gaze and looked ahead, instantly dazzled, murmuring: “So beautiful…”
It turned out that, unknowingly, the two had arrived at the Tianjin Bridge bank. Tianjin Bridge was the largest bridge in Luoyang City, connected to the Dingding Gate Street on the south side and facing the main gate of Ziwei City on the north side from afar. Back then, the Founding Emperor had crossed the river over this bridge to enter and take residence in Ziwei Palace. Thus, the bridge was named Tianjin Bridge.
The entire Tianjin Bridge was three hundred thirty-three steps long and over twenty steps wide, spanning the Luo River like a jade rainbow. The bridge had corner pavilions, railings, and marker pillars; at both ends were markets and restaurants, connecting north and south, linking everything with one bridge—what grandeur!
This section of the river channel was also the widest. The river surface was as flat as a mirror, dyed golden yellow by the setting sun about to fall. That golden yellow stretched from before their eyes along the river channel all the way to the distant horizon, making one firmly believe that the fiery red sunset would fall right into that golden expanse…
Lu Ying watched in a daze, and only after a good while did she murmur: “I see it, I see it; the golden Luo River is truly so enchanting…”
Lu Yun nodded, found a clean spot by the river, and sat side by side with Lu Ying, quietly gazing at this brilliant golden Luo River.
From a fishing boat in the distance came a desolate fishing song:
‘The rise and fall of ages past are all like dreams; be it Wei or Jin, what use is it in the end.
Only the flowing water forgets the years; finding joy in the waves, also the water cloud immortal.
Sipping lightly and singing softly, with three or five fishing friends, on the willow embankment with oar calls, boats tied side by side,
Together sharing heartfelt words and lamenting past events, sighing over rise and fall, all day accompanying the setting sun…’
Listening to that song, Lu Yun couldn’t help but become entranced. The rise and fall of ages past are all like dreams; be it Wei or Jin, what use is it in the end. This Luo River quietly flows, the sunset slanting on the water day after day; who knows how many departed imperial dynasties’ silhouettes it has reflected, how much blood and tears of emperors, generals, heroes, and beauties it has soaked.
And who knows if, in the future, it will remember him, this insignificant little person…
Seeing Lu Yun lost in thought, Lu Ying also sat quietly beside him, thinking her own thoughts. Unknowingly, the sun had set, and heaven and earth were dim. But soon, a full moon already high in the sky sprinkled clear glow on the mortal world. The Luo River lit up again; this time, the river surface was no longer golden yellow but turned silver white.
At this time, with the bright moon overhead, weeping willows like smoke, sparkling waves under Luoyang Bridge, and distant Taoist temple bells occasionally sounding, the world was serene, cool and elegant, not like the mortal world.
“So that’s what Cui Ninger meant…” Seeing this magical change, Lu Ying, while entranced, also suddenly understood: “The river water really has different colors at different hours every day…”
“Yes.” Lu Yun smiled and nodded, softly saying: “If someone were boating on the river surface under the moonlight here, drinking and chatting happily, wouldn’t they look just like immortals?” He said with some amusement: “But coming from that Cui Ninger’s mouth, it sounded awfully strange.”
“What do you think of her?” Lu Ying hugged her knees, staring fixedly at the rippling silver river surface, and suddenly asked softly.
“Think what of her?” Lu Yun was stumped by the question.
Lu Ying lifted her head, grinning at Lu Yun: “Little Brother, Aunt probably has her eye on you…”
Lu Yun instantly felt a chill, his face full of shock.
Lu Ying was stunned at his reaction, then helplessly gave him a light punch, laughing and crying: “You dummy, it’s the kind where a mother-in-law eyes her son-in-law; what were you thinking?”
Lu Yun then breathed a sigh of relief, but immediately shook his head: “She’s the Cui Clan’s direct granddaughter; how could she possibly have her eye on me.”
“Nonsense!” Lu Ying said proudly: “My little brother is accomplished in both civil and martial arts; he’ll surely soar in next year’s Grand Competition. How could he not match that Cui Clan’s direct granddaughter?” After saying that, she started to worry. “When the time comes, all the families coming to propose marriage will surely break down the door.”
“I won’t get married. As for Elder Sister, it seems a matchmaker came the day before yesterday.” Lu Yun said softly.
“If you don’t get married, Elder Sister won’t marry with peace of mind.” Lu Ying shook her head, looking deeply at Lu Yun: “Little Brother, do you know how worried Elder Sister is about you?” As she spoke, her bright eyes welled up with heartbreaking mist.
“I know.” Lu Yun nodded heavily, not daring to look into Lu Ying’s eyes. Ever since hearing Gao Guangning’s words, he had been asking himself: if continuing to avenge his deceased Father Emperor and Mother Empress would bring misfortune to his Elder Sister before him and his father, should he still press on regardless?
If the result was failing to avenge the enmity but dragging in his last remaining family, could he really bear it?
Now looking at Lu Ying, he seemed to have an answer: he could not bear it. But that bone-deep hatred still gnawed at his soul ceaselessly, giving him not a moment’s peace, forcing him to be unable to stop!
An autumn breeze blew over, shattering the silver waves on the river surface; Lu Yun’s heart was even more chaotic, two thoughts clashing fiercely, making his breathing ever more difficult, an unnatural redness rising on his face…
“Little Brother, what’s wrong with you?” Lu Ying saw his abnormality and quickly asked with concern.
“Nothing.” Lu Yun suppressed his churning qi and blood, forcing a smile: “Maybe relaxing made me feel a bit tired instead…”
“Then let’s hurry back.” Lu Ying quickly said as she moved to stand.
“No rush; it’s rare to come out, and I want to properly admire the moonlight under Tianjin Bridge.” Lu Yun shook his head.
“No, there’ll be plenty of chances to see the moonlight; you should go back and rest right away.” Lu Ying insisted and pulled Lu Yun up.
“Alright then…” Lu Yun hesitated a moment, then left the enchanting moonlight at Tianjin Bridge bank with Lu Ying.
When they returned outside Lu Ward, the ward gate was long closed. Lu Yun wanted to take Lu Ying over the wall, but she firmly stopped him. She had already noticed her brother was somewhat off; how could she let him circulate qi again?
Fortunately, Lu Xiang was the ward chief of Congshan Ward. Lu Ying called at the gate, and the gate guard hurriedly opened a crack in the ward gate to let the two in.
