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On the night of the Lantern Festival,
Fu Xuan, gazing at the fireworks rising outside the window, suddenly remembered what day it was.
As Su Qing passed by and noticed her alone, he inquired about her solitude.
With a book open before her, Fu Xuan rested her chin on one hand and replied to her master's question, "During the New Year celebrations, there were too many people around, constantly coming and going without a moment's peace. I told my parents I preferred returning early to the Divination Commission, so here I am."
Su Qing felt his disciple truly embodied unconventionality. Amidst everyone else enjoying the festival, she had the composure to settle down and study alone at the commission.
[Sparkle: Joyfully, Fu Xuan and Qingque seem like polar opposites now.]
[Sparkle: With such a diligent boss, Qingque must feel incredibly fortunate, as if blessed by deeds from a past life, @Qingque, wouldn't you agree?]
[Qingque gasped audibly—p-p...past-life fortune?!]
[More like past-life karma, am I right?!]
[But within the chat, Qingque could only respond:]
[Qingque: Indeed, having such a diligent leader as the Grand Diviner brings me immense joy. ???]
[Sparkle: Hahahaha, look at how delighted Qingque is, even shedding tears of happiness. ?]
[Silver Wolf: "Tears of Happiness"]
[Fu Xuan: Humph, no need for empty pleasantries.]
Hard work was undoubtedly commendable. However, considering Fu Xuan had already overdone it once before...
Su Qing suggested, "Fu Xuan, if you're willing, why don't we go explore the bustling market outside together? It's at its liveliest now."
Fu Xuan lowered her gaze to the half-read book before her. Truthfully, she had little interest in festivities. The noisy and chaotic scenes held far less appeal than the knowledge in books or the mysteries of divination.
But since her master had spoken, Fu Xuan obediently stood up and closed the tome. "Alright, where would Master like to go? I'll accompany you."
[March 7th: Alright, alright, alright! What a well-behaved little disciple.]
The vicinity of the Grand Diviner's residence remained relatively quiet. After crossing two streets, however, the sounds of people gradually grew louder.
Upon turning another corner and reaching the main area for Lantern Festival celebrations, the atmosphere instantly became vibrant.
What first caught their eye was a sea of lanterns.
Despite the nightfall, this street shimmered brilliantly with lights. An array of ornate lanterns hung high, resembling trees ablaze with fiery blossoms, casting dazzling reflections on each other.
Children ran about playfully, while adults strolled together, appreciating the lanterns. The entire street buzzed with joyous merriment and harmony.
The spectacle of lights made Fu Xuan's eyes sparkle. Although she claimed no interest, upon witnessing this radiant and colorful scene, she couldn't help but be deeply captivated.
Su Qing glanced at Fu Xuan and cleared his throat gently. "If you spot any interesting lanterns, feel free to point them out so we can admire them together."
This further piqued Fu Xuan's enthusiasm. She looked around eagerly, and within moments, tugged at Su Qing's sleeve. "Master! Look over there, it's a faceted lantern!"
"Ah, and here too! A palace lantern!"
"Master, over there—look at those gauze and bird lanterns!"
Su Qing smiled. "Slow down," he said, "I can't keep up with your pointing." Pausing briefly, he added approvingly, "Even I don't recognize some of these; thank you for introducing them."
"Really?" The young disciple blinked her lovely eyes.
With that, Fu Xuan's initial disinterest in the festival began to fade. Just moments later, she could no longer hide the smile blossoming on her face.
Fu Xuan tugged at Su Qing's sleeve again. "Master—what kind of lanterns interest you? Let me tell you about them~"
[March 7th: Aiyo—]
[March 7th: Every time Fu Xuan speaks like this to her master, it just sounds so sweet, doesn't it?!]
[Sushang: Exactly! That delicate voice, eager to showcase her knowledge to her master—it's utterly charming and endearing!]
[Black Swan: (laughs) Fu Xuan is now very authoritative, but back then, she was truly adorable.]
[Fu Xuan: Ahem, please watch your language. Terms like 'adorable' are quite inappropriate; avoid using them recklessly.]
[Firefly: How is it inappropriate? Seems perfectly fitting to me!?]
[Stelle: She was so adorable back then! Can Fu Xuan still be like that now?!]
[Guinaifen: It feels quite unlikely now. Since she's become the Grand Diviner, those days of innocent simplicity and acting cute with her master can't return.]
[March 7th: Cannot return? Personally, I think when she meets Su Qing again, we might just see some of that. ?]
A burst of sounds echoed as fireworks bloomed, illuminating half the night sky.
The Lantern Festival coincided with the fullest moon of the year.
The fireworks resembled blossoming flowers and streaked across the sky like showers of meteors, leaving trails of dazzling light beside the bright moon.
As Su Qing and Fu Xuan entered the street, the atmosphere around them became even more vibrant.
In the distance, faint notes from a flute could be heard, while nearby, dancers adorned in splendid costumes held various colored lanterns, gracefully swaying amidst the rhythm of drums and music.
They waved their lanterns with fluid movements—some mimicking fish gliding through water, others resembling dragons coiling among clouds, each gesture elegant yet full of energy.
Su Qing led Fu Xuan, choosing a spot to stand and enjoy the spectacle together.
Their spot was perfect, right where the lantern procession paused for performances.
As they arrived, the lead dancer brought the troupe directly in front of them, performing captivatingly for the crowd nearby.
Up close, Fu Xuan watched with delight, her charming smile beaming as she couldn't help but applaud enthusiastically.
Once the lantern parade moved on, Fu Xuan suddenly recalled something and curiously asked, "Master, is this coincidental positioning because you used divination?"
Su Qing smiled without speaking, shaking his head to indicate he hadn't performed any divination.
[Stelle: Did he really need divination for such a thing? Our innate ability to Avoid Calamity and Seek Fortune suffices!]
[Sparkle: Impressive, Master: Just enough without overdoing it!]
[Bronya: This Talent is incredibly handy! It feels even stronger than those old luck charms, providing a constant boost to fortune!]
During the Lantern Festival, riddle-solving contests alongside the lanterns were a must-have tradition.
After enjoying the illuminated spectacle, Fu Xuan and Su Qing approached the roadside lined with shops hosting these riddle games.
This activity played perfectly into Fu Xuan's strengths.
Shopkeeper: "Two persons, fourteen hearts, guess a single character."
Without hesitation, Fu Xuan responded, "Virtue."
Vendor: "Flying on grass, guess a single character."
Fu Xuan: "Dawn."
Initially, it went smoothly, but as they progressed, Fu Xuan seemed to catch onto a pattern. Before the vendor could finish each riddle, she would confidently call out the answer.
The vendor started sweating profusely; while some were common riddles, several towards the end were unique creations. How could this little girl solve them so swiftly with just a blink of an eye...
With a troubled expression, the vendor implied, "Are you two here to disrupt our event?"
[Silver Wolf: Ha ha ha, imagine that—a Grand Diviner from the Divination Commission and their direct disciple solving lantern riddles! It does seem like they're here to upstage everyone.]
Seeing Fu Xuan's enthusiasm, Su Qing smiled and suggested, "Let her complete all the riddles. We're here for fun, after all; we don't need too many prizes."
The vendor visibly relaxed at these words.
As they continued down the street, Fu Xuan nearly aced every riddle they encountered.
Su Qing gently patted her head in praise.
Basking in the compliment, Fu Xuan felt utterly delighted.
In the end, they only claimed two prizes—one for herself and one for her master. These were two intricately crafted miniature lanterns, beautifully painted in vibrant colors, making them quite appealing.
After solving riddles with fervor, Fu Xuan's excitement remained unabated. She exclaimed, "Master! Look over there, it seems quite lively too. Let's go check it out!"
[Kafka: @Fu Xuan, you're really enjoying yourself here.]
[Kafka: Earlier, you claimed no interest and only came to accompany your master.]
[Kafka: Now tell me, who's actually accompanying whom - you Su Qing, or Su Qing you?]
[Fu Xuan (face slightly flushed): W-well...it doesn't really matter. On this joyous festival, happiness is most important. Why fuss over such trivial details?]
[Silver Wolf: Where did these women come from, daring to flirt with Su Qing?!]
[Stelle: Unbelievable! I think we should summon Little Silver Wolf!]
[Silver Wolf: Exactly! Couldn't agree more!]
[Stelle: ? Hahahaha, you're really taking the bait?]
[March 7th: So flirting with Su Qing isn't the issue; the problem is that it's not you doing the flirting, right?]
[Firefly: (shrugs) Ah, little Silver Wolf always knows how to disappoint. As his teammate, I'm used to it.]
[Silver Wolf: @Firefly, pretending to be all high and mighty now? Just wait, next time there's an opportunity, you're not invited!]
[Firefly: Ah???]
[Firefly: Cough, um, actually, Silver Wolf might have a point...]
[Stelle: Joyful, swift comeback!]
Seeing Su Qing surrounded by unfamiliar women, Fu Xuan hastily rushed back. "Master—what are you doing?!"
[Sparkle: Su Qing says: Disciple, step aside and don't interrupt your master meeting pretty girls!]
[Fu Xuan: Master would never do such a thing!]
The attention of the wealthy young ladies shifted slightly upon noticing Fu Xuan. "Aiya, what an adorable little girl."
"How old are you? Your pink twin tails are so lovely."
"Come here, let Big Sister pinch your cheeks, okay?"
[Stelle: Joyful.]
[Sparkle: Joyful.]
[Qingque: Absolutely hilarious.]
Fu Xuan felt slightly irritated as she glanced at the others. "I'm not much younger than you!"
Frustratingly, they were just better developed and taller—what was there to be so smug about?!
The wealthy young ladies chatted animatedly, but Fu Xuan found them unbearably noisy.
She looked up at Su Qing.
As expected of her master, he appeared perfectly composed amidst their chatter. Surrounded by numerous girls, he remained unfazed, showing no signs of discomfort.
[Black Swan: After all, your master has already navigated his fair share of chaotic situations.]
[Seele: Indeed? Those who interact with your master are typically Stellaron Hunter caliber; this is small fry for him.]
Taking a deep breath, Fu Xuan was about to shoo away the crowd when unexpectedly, Su Qing smiled and agreed with them, "She truly is adorable."
Just as Fu Xuan had gathered herself to dismiss the group, she froze, momentarily stunned. Her face slowly began to flush red.
Unable to muster any anger, she stammered, "Master, wh-why would you..."
With a blush on her cheeks, Fu Xuan lowered her head, unable to continue speaking.
The wealthy young ladies found this even more amusing and began teasing Fu Xuan.
"Aiya? Little sister, what's your relationship with this handsome gentleman?"
"Blushing now? You're even cuter!"
"What a lovely little maiden! Can I give you a hug? Will the Cloud Knights swoop in to take me away?"
[Stelle: ?? Ha ha ha, it feels like being surrounded by a group of March 7ths!]
[Silver Wolf: That would be terrifying.]
[Seele: Absolutely terrifying. +1]
[March 7th: Terrifying?! Being encircled by beautiful girls as charming as myself should feel like heaven, right?!]
[Stelle: Self-absorbed much, March?!]
[March 7th: Hmph!]
One of the girls reassured Fu Xuan, "Don't worry, there's no need to rush. Since she already has someone, we won't try to compete with you, dearie!"
Fu Xuan felt even more embarrassed and indignant, stomping her foot as she protested, "I've told you, I'm the same age as you! And I have absolutely no intention of 'competing' for my master—don't make things up!"
However, with her face flushed, Fu Xuan's rebuttal sounded more like playful pouting, which only made the others laugh uncontrollably.
Only after Su Qing intervened did they apologize, saying, "Sorry, we couldn't resist teasing her; she's just too adorable."
"Um, do you want to exchange contact information?"
"Or maybe explore together?"
Su Qing waved them off again, and with laughter, they finally departed, leaving behind a lingering fragrance.
Recalling what Su Qing had said earlier, Fu Xuan couldn't help but speak up, "Master, honestly! Why would you join in their mischief?"
Su Qing smiled, "Everything I said was true, my dear disciple."
Fu Xuan found herself at a loss for words, stammering, "Master, y-you're still joking about me!"
Naturally, Fu Xuan wouldn't be genuinely upset with Su Qing, but the blush that had barely faded from her cheeks flared up once more.
"Cute"...
Before this moment, her master had only praised her diligence in studies, never using such terms.
Fu Xuan felt a mix of emotions, embarrassment clearly taking the lead, yet happiness and delight also swirled within her heart.
They continued exploring the festival grounds. Having learned from the earlier incident, Fu Xuan remained vigilant, staying close to Su Qing, fearful that her master might inadvertently get surrounded by other girls again.
Earlier, when those wealthy young ladies praised Su Qing's handsomeness, Fu Xuan couldn't help but pay slightly more attention to her master from that perspective.
The entire street was brightly lit and bustling with activity, filled with people coming and going amidst numerous enticing attractions.
Yet as she observed, everything else in Fu Xuan's field of view gradually blurred. Her gaze steadily focused on Su Qing at the center of her sight.
In this moment, for Fu Xuan,
no matter how lively the surroundings, the only clear figure remained her Master.
His presence outshone even the brilliant lights, captivating her far more than the vibrant festivities of the Lantern Festival could match.
Time seemed to slow down.
Gradually, Fu Xuan walked beside her master, her small face uplifted, becoming almost mesmerized by him.
[Bronya: From Fu Xuan's viewpoint, all the surrounding lights have become hazy, leaving only Su Qing in focus.]
[Silver Wolf: @Fu Xuan, you can't deny having a bias now! This is clearly textbook selective perception!]
[Fu Xuan: ...]
[Fu Xuan: Is it possible—just hear me out—is there a chance that my master has always been this handsome?]
[Kafka: ?, you're gradually dropping the act too, aren't you?]
[Kafka: So, the surrounding lights were actually meant to be that blurry, right?]
[Fu Xuan: It's not...not entirely impossible!]
[Sushang (counting on her fingers): Not, entirely, impossible, and three more negations—that affirms it!]
[Guinaifen: ? Sishang is so clever!]
[Sparkle: Joyful.]
***
[Current Time]
Having recounted the lively scene from back then, Fu Xuan commented, "Before, I didn't find the Lantern Festival particularly interesting. But perhaps during that visit, it coincided with the grand celebration held every ten years, making it exceptionally vibrant."
Qingque observed Fu Xuan, her expression somewhat nuanced.
Was it truly because of the festival's festivities?
From her detached perspective, she could see clearly.
When Grand Diviner Fu Xuan spoke about the Lantern Festival, it was markedly different from how she talked about her master. The former was merely a matter-of-fact description, while the latter carried emotion and included many more details.
Hearing Fu Xuan attribute her enjoyment to the large celebration held every ten years, Qingque asked, "Grand Diviner, is there a possibility that you found the Lantern Festival so interesting simply because you were with your master?"
Seeing the earnestness in Qingque's question, Fu Xuan couldn't help but chuckle. She shook her head, saying, "How could that be? Objective experiences aren't influenced by personal feelings; something is either beautiful or not, regardless of my thoughts."
[Bronya: Initially, I thought Fu Xuan was just as stubborn as Silver Wolf.]
[Bronya: Later, I realized she genuinely believes this...]
[Stelle: Beyond the Stubborn category, introducing another—Clueless!]
Having listened to several of Fu Xuan's stories and considering additional evidence, Qingque grew increasingly confident in her assessment.
Rarely did Qingque contradict Fu Xuan, but she spoke up this time: "Yet, even though you're clearly recounting the Lantern Festival, most of your words—nearly all—are about your master!"
Fu Xuan remained unfazed. "This tale is indeed about my experiences with my master. Even if I speak more about him, it's simply because..."
Fu Xuan initially thought Qingque was joking.
However, at that moment, a scene flashed before her eyes—an impressionable sight, vividly recalled as she narrated to Qingque. But now, nearing the end of her story, Fu Xuan suddenly remembered:
Over a hundred years ago, after the Lantern Festival festivities concluded, there had been a quiet moment shared between her and her master.
"Simply because..." As the memory surfaced, Fu Xuan paused, lost in thought. "No, wait."
"What you've said, Qingque, seems...not entirely without merit..."