Recklessly Breaking a Delicate Branch - Chapter 73

Zhou Yan’s eyes swept over Jiang Wanshu. Seeing her nod, he looked back at the young boy held in his arms and spoke, “A-Yun.”

“Mm. Then can I call you Brother Zhou?” Jiang Yun thought to himself that if he had to conceal his identity, those accompanying him should do the same. Moreover, he had always found the four characters for “Guard Brother” too troublesome and wanted a change.

Zhou Yan glanced at her again, which sent Jiang Wanshu into a fit of soft laughter.

This man is currently like a rabbit led into a wolf’s den; he acts as if he needs the wolf’s permission for everything. Clearly, his true nature is that of a wolf, yet here with her, he has to check her expression for every little thing.

However, this also caused a genuine sweetness to rise in Jiang Wanshu’s heart. If the man she loved sought her advice on every matter, how could her future days be difficult?

With a smile as bright as a flower, she took Jiang Yun’s hand and said in a gentle voice, “Then Yun-er must stay with Brother Zhou and not run around, alright?”

“Okay, I’ve taken Sister’s words to heart.”

Jiang Wanshu squeezed Jiang Yun’s hand. “My brother is the best.”

Yet, the man standing beside her remained seemingly indifferent to this heartwarming scene. His expression was one of high spirits, but only because his ears were currently filled with the three words “Brother Zhou” that Jiang Wanshu had just uttered.

He hadn’t expected that the words he had longed to hear her call him would come out while she was coaxing Jiang Yun.

Even if it was unintentional, it was enough to make him ecstatic. One must know, he had long been jealous of how Jiang Wanshu called Zhou Shu’an “Brother Zhou.”

At the mention of that person, Zhou Yan felt a streak of bad luck and made an effort to push the man out of his mind. He was a man of his word; when he said he would push someone out of his head, he could achieve it in the next second.

While Zhou Yan was still basking in the smug satisfaction of her accidental slip of the tongue, his arm was suddenly covered by a fair palm.

Jiang Wanshu didn’t know what he was thinking; she only assumed he was happy to see such a lively scene. She hadn’t wanted to disturb him, but on second thought, it wasn’t right for the three of them to stand there blocking the path of those behind them. She tapped Zhou Yan’s arm.

“Zhou Yan, shall we take my brother to see the Great Ao Mountain?”

During the Lantern Festival nights, there were many such programs for entertainment.

Jiang Yun was attracted to the place Jiang Wanshu pointed out. He patted Zhou Yan’s right hand, which was holding him, and chimed in, “Let’s go, let’s go!”

Helpless, Zhou Yan began to walk forward.

Although he had never celebrated a Central Plains Lantern Festival, he knew that from the first night until the final hour of the last night, the most prosperous parts of the capital would see a group of dragon dancers—bearing their proud craftsmanship—running through the streets and alleys. Today, the dragon dance’s destination happened to be exactly where they were headed.

But Zhou Yan didn’t tell them. He thought it should count as a surprise.

Zhou Yan led them to the “Great Ao Mountain” (a massive structure of stacked lanterns), which was tightly surrounded by crowds. Because the throng was so dense, even though Jiang Wanshu was considered tall for a woman, her vision was blocked by a group of young noblemen watching the spectacle. Zhou Yan, being tall and sturdy, could see the entirety of the Ao Mountain from his position.

Jiang Yun was excited to be held by him, so Zhou Yan simply hoisted the boy higher, letting his two small legs rest upon his shoulders.

Sitting in that high position, Jiang Yun could see the Ao Mountain even more clearly. He clapped his hands in excitement, his chubby feet occasionally drumming against Zhou Yan’s chest.

For a strong man of the grasslands, however, this was a small matter. Zhou Yan did nothing to dampen Jiang Yun’s spirits.

One massive lantern after another cascaded down, and fireworks burst out in all directions, drawing cheers from the crowd. Zhou Yan had no interest in the display; his gaze was currently fixed entirely on Jiang Wanshu.

The girl’s expression wasn’t great; she kept hopping and jumping but still couldn’t catch even a glimpse of the mountain. Eventually, she stopped beside him and stood quietly.

It seemed she had given up on seeing the mountain. Zhou Yan finally couldn’t bear to watch any longer. While Jiang Yun was still occupied with the view, Zhou Yan lowered his head and stroked Jiang Wanshu’s dark hair.

His voice was steady. “Wanwan, do you want to see the Ao Mountain?”

“I do, but I can’t see it now.” There were simply too many people; with her height, she couldn’t see a thing.

Zhou Yan thought that since she had finally managed to leave the palace, he must ensure she got her wish. He tilted his head back and patted Jiang Yun’s thigh with his free hand.

Jiang Yun realized someone was calling him and looked down, his face full of joy. “Brother Zhou, what is it?”

“Your sister wants to see the Ao Mountain too. I’m going to hold her up so she can see. Don’t swing your legs, or you might kick her.”

Jiang Yun was young and didn’t have a deep understanding of the “separation of the sexes.” He nodded solemnly. “Okay, Brother Zhou, I won’t swing them anymore.”

No sooner said than done. Jiang Yun stopped swinging his legs and watched as Zhou Yan—unnoticed by his sister—squatted down slightly.

Zhou Yan was powerful. He hooked his arm around Jiang Wanshu’s waist and hips, his warm breath brushing against her neck. “Wanwan, wrap your arms around my neck.”

Feeling his arm beneath her, Jiang Wanshu finally realized that Zhou Yan intended to carry her to see the mountain. But with Jiang Yun right there, she worried the boy would see through their relationship.

If that happened, it wouldn’t be long before her Imperial Father and Mother found out.

As Jiang Wanshu hesitated, Jiang Yun—watching from above—urged her: “Sister, hurry up! It’s rare for Brother Zhou to be willing to act as a pillar for us to see the mountain. If you don’t get up here soon, the show will be over.”

Ultimately, Jiang Wanshu couldn’t resist the temptation of the Great Ao Mountain. she looped both arms around Zhou Yan’s neck. With a single movement, Zhou Yan stood up, and the perspective of the two people he carried soared.

In front of the gathered crowd, more lanterns fell one after another, depicting scenes like Along the River During the Qingming Festival, A Top Scholar Seeking a Wife, and The Hero Saves the Beauty and Becomes her Husband. One scene after another dazzled the eyes of the onlookers.

Jiang Yun clapped his hands excitedly from Zhou Yan’s shoulders, even chatting with Jiang Wanshu. “Sister, this is so much fun!”

Looking at Jiang Yun, Jiang Wanshu laughed from the bottom of her heart.

During this time, she turned her full attention to the Ao Mountain, occasionally conversing with Zhou Yan as he held her.

When the mountain display concluded, the crowd began to clear a path for the dragon dance. Jiang Yun asked in confusion, “Sister, what are they doing?”

Reminded by Jiang Yun, Jiang Wanshu remembered there was another program in the capital tonight. She took Jiang Yun’s hand and said, “In a moment, a dragon will pass through here.”

As soon as the words left her mouth, Jiang Yun jumped up. “A dragon?! Sister, is that true?”

These were things he had only read about in books; seeing one felt like something out of a dream.

Jiang Wanshu actually felt the same way, but to avoid disappointing Jiang Yun, she explained, “Perhaps there really are dragons in this world. However, the dragon we see tonight isn’t the true dragon written about in books. Instead, it’s a performance by craftsmen who take to the streets to pray for favorable weather and national peace. That dragon is made of other materials.”

“So that’s how it is,” Jiang Yun said, a look of sudden realization dawning on him, though his excitement didn’t diminish in the slightest.

Because of the dragon dance, the vendors at nearby stalls had all laid out long, unlit incense sticks.

Seeing this, an idea formed in Zhou Yan’s mind. He remembered storytellers saying that when the dragon arrives, the people of the Central Plains often try to “drill” under the dragon’s body as it passes, praying for the health and happiness of their families and themselves.

So, when the dragon approached and the crowds began to surge toward its body to pass under it, Zhou Yan scooped Jiang Yun up and looked down at her. “Do you want to go through? I promise I’ll keep A-Yun safe.”

The man looked reliable and spoke with a firm tone that instantly put Jiang Wanshu at ease.

She nodded, and Zhou Yan took her hand, waiting for the right moment. He led them through the dragon’s body several times.

By the time fireworks began to explode across the sky, the two of them were tired from playing. After the dragon had passed through the street, he led them both to a riverbank.

People were gathered all along the shore, their eyes drawn upward by the continuous display of fireworks.

Jiang Wanshu stood beside him. He looked down to see her beautiful profile, her face illuminated by the shifting colors of the fireworks, making her look captivatingly beautiful.

Her presence completely monopolized Zhou Yan’s attention, and he began to feel a stir of desire. Her pink, delicate lips were moist and shimmering as they opened and closed while she marveled at the beauty of the fireworks.

However, he remained somewhat clear-headed, knowing Jiang Yun was standing right there. Jiang Yun was a very obedient child; if told to go east, he wouldn’t go west. This gave Zhou Yan a small, mischievous idea.

Zhou Yan looked at the joy-filled girl beside him, then leaned down to whisper to Jiang Yun, “A-Yun, listen to Brother Zhou. Close your eyes, and don’t open them until I tell you to, okay?”

Jiang Yun was suspicious, but he was lured in by Zhou Yan’s next words: “If A-Yun does a good job, I’ll take you to buy some sweet candy that you’ve never eaten in the palace later, okay?”

As soon as he heard that, Jiang Yun squeezed his eyes shut. “Okay! I’ll wait for Brother Zhou to tell me to open them.”

At this point, Jiang Wanshu still didn’t know why Zhou Yan had told Jiang Yun to close his eyes. She was about to lean down to tell him to open them when, in an instant, she was pulled into Zhou Yan’s embrace.

“Wanwan, can we kiss for a bit?” Zhou Yan’s voice held a note of longing, his Adam’s apple bobbing.

He wanted to kiss her under the fireworks so badly it actually ached.

At that moment, the sky was filled with shooting sparks; the beauty of the scene could only be truly felt by those present.

Hearing Zhou Yan’s words, a crimson flush crept onto Jiang Wanshu’s face. She thought to herself that it would be okay.

She glanced down at Jiang Yun and saw he still had his eyes closed. Then she looked back up at the expectant gaze of the handsome man before her and shyly tilted her head up.

Seeing her movement, Zhou Yan knew she had agreed. He instantly leaned down to bridge the height gap between them. As the fireworks burst across the heavens, they kissed between heaven and earth.

The girl’s pink lips were soft and tender, like perfectly steamed buns. A sweet, cloying atmosphere began to spread around them. As the kiss deepened, Jiang Wanshu raised her hand to tap the man’s arm, which was still wrapped around her waist.

Her tap caused Zhou Yan to pause his movements. His eyes were hazy as he glanced at her.

Feeling like she was in a secret affair, Jiang Wanshu stole another look at Jiang Yun. Seeing that he was still closed-eyed, she whispered to Zhou Yan, “No more kissing. It won’t be good if my brother finds out.”

Unfortunately, once Zhou Yan started something like this, he was a man of singular purpose. He hadn’t kissed his fill yet, so how could he let her go?

He coaxed her gently, “Don’t worry, he won’t open his eyes halfway through.”

Jiang Wanshu still tried to struggle and push him away, but Zhou Yan caught both her hands and pinned them behind her back. “Wanwan, just a little longer. I promise, just a moment more.”

In the end, Jiang Wanshu was helpless and had no choice but to accept the man’s kiss once again.

As they kissed, she became so entranced by him that she didn’t notice the little boy behind them. Jiang Yun had been so bothered by fireflies nearby that he couldn’t stand it anymore. Thinking they were mosquitoes, he opened his eyes to swat them away, only to see a shimmering brilliance before him. His eyes sparkled. “Wow!”

At first, he didn’t notice the two of them kissing. It was only as his gaze followed the fireflies drifting toward them that he discovered the truth.

Jiang Yun suddenly witnessed this scene—his own sister and the guard who had brought her back to the palace that day were currently locked in a passionate kiss. He gasped, his mouth hanging wide open. “Si… Sister!”

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