Chapter 212: Chapter 211: Private CollectionThe Chinese Valentine’s Day is not as grand as New Year.


    But it’s the young men and women who come out to revel, which makes for a unique charm.


    Sang Yan momentarily felt like she was living in the modern day.


    Open, lively, peaceful.


    This feeling intensified upon reaching the harbor.


    The harbor is usually filled with cargo ships.


    But tonight, for the festive atmosphere, those cargo ships had all been moved to another harbor.


    Now, at Quanzhou City’s largest harbor, docked three huge flower boats.


    The flower boats were painted entirely red, with various patterns symbolizing good fortune and beauty, and even featured colorful depictions of the Cowherd and Weaver.


    Red ribbons fluttered from the eaves, and lanterns adorned with colored paper swayed in the sea breeze.


    On deck,


    stood a bevy of well-dressed and attractive men and women, a feast for the eyes.


    Sang Yan felt the excitement, and with a thrill pointed at the lotus lanterns on the sea, "Xinyuan, look, how beautiful!"


    The sea was covered with countless lotus lanterns that, bobbing with the waves, converged into a shimmering sea of light.


    She was dazzled by the sight.


    He Ying’s attention wasn’t on the scenery.


    He was intently watching the young woman by his side, catching her joy and inadvertently showing a hint of a smile.


    "There, they’re guessing lantern riddles!"


    Sang Yan pointed toward a lively crowd up ahead.


    There were steps there for tourists to board the flower boat.


    On the closest flower boat, the perimeter was lined with lanterns, and underneath hung brocade bags.


    Quite a sight to behold.


    "Let’s go take a look."


    Sang Yan tugged at He Ying’s hand, took a few quick steps, and boarded the flower boat.


    "How does one play this lantern riddle guessing game?"


    She asked a genial-looking owner standing by.


    The owner was a man in his forties who, seeing potential customers, explained with a smile, "You take down a brocade bag and guess the word based on the riddle it carries. If you guess correctly, you’ll receive a corresponding reward. If you guess them all right, you can take a free ride on the flower boat and enjoy a lap around Quanzhou City, admiring the night view."


    While speaking, he pointed to the details of the rewards posted in the center of the flower boat.


    The rewards were not particularly valuable, but they were exquisitely delightful, especially for the first prize – a pair of lifelike jade carvings of the Cowherd and Weaver.


    Sang Yan took an instant liking to them.


    But would He Ying be willing to participate?


    She looked up, gazing eagerly at the man she loved.


    He Ying understood her wishes without her having to say another word.


    He nodded gently, a tender smile playing across his face, "As long as you’re happy."


    Then, before the crowd could squeeze closer, he pulled her in towards himself a bit more.


    This flower boat was really too crowded.


    Too bad Ah Yan liked it.


    Actually, when it was time to head back to the palace, setting up a flower boat there wouldn’t be impossible.


    Sang Yan, unaware of He Ying’s thoughts, had already eagerly approached the owner to sign up.


    "Hey, owner, we want to participate."


    She was eager to try, "Ten copper coins, just pick a brocade bag, right?"


    The owner nodded, "Uh-huh. Pay the money, and then you can choose any of the hanging brocade bags."


    "Okay."


    As soon as Sang Yan’s voice fell, He Ying handed over the money.


    She went to pick a brocade bag, looking from start to finish, finally setting her eyes on a bag embroidered with an elegant lotus pattern.


    "Let’s go with this one."


    Just as she was about to take down the brocade bag—


    A delicate hand reached out first, snatching the bag she had her heart set on.


    Sang Yan turned to look at the owner of the hand and immediately furrowed her brows.


    Qin Tangyue came over at some point with several other women, and she was now holding the brocade bag that Sang Yan was about to pick.


    Was this unrelenting thievery?


    Still coveting her man?


    "Sorry, we took a fancy to this one first."


    The speaker was not Qin Tangyue but a girl by her side wearing a lake-green skirt.


    The girl was wearing a veil, obscuring her face, but her restless little eyes kept rolling, clearly amazed when they landed on He Ying.


    However, she quickly shifted her gaze away, looking at Sang Yan with disdain.


    Especially upon seeing the embroidered pattern on Sang Yan’s veil, disdain practically oozed from her eyes.


    Hmph, such a common girl, how could she be worthy of such a gentlemanly figure?


    "Release—"


    He Ying, seeing those girls appear before him again, was furious and opened his mouth to scold them.


    Sang Yan quickly tugged his hand and shook her head at him.


    If this gentleman lost his temper, there would be no more fun to be had tonight.


    He Ying, getting the hint from Sang Yan’s eyes, swallowed the scolding words that had reached the tip of his tongue.


    Forget it, he would certainly have Lu Zijin investigate later on which household these vulgar girls belonged to!


    They were truly an eyesore!


    "You say it’s what you fancy, then let it be what you fancy. We’ll look at something else."


    Sang Yan gracefully stepped aside.


    She didn’t want to waste time with these girls.


    The time for their date was precious, and it shouldn’t be squandered on others.


    But when Sang Yan pulled He Ying to get another Brocade Bag, it was snatched away again.


    Sang Yan: "..."


    Were these women specifically here to pick a fight?


    Even the best temper couldn’t stand such provocation!


    Sang Yan stood up straight, giving Qin Tangyue a cold look: "Do you have a matter? Didn’t you say you wouldn’t be a concubine?"


    "Of course, I, Qin Tangyue, will not be a concubine."


    Qin Tangyue, with a handkerchief alliance by her side, spoke with confidence, her chin held high: "But I think such an outstanding gentleman like yours deserves a better partner. How about we compete? If I win, you’ll let him go to me."


    Qin Tangyue tried her best to ignore the man’s intimidating gaze, negotiating terms with Sang Yan with feigned composure.


    Nearby the flower boat, there were also some small boats.


    On these boats, many scholars and literati were composing and reciting poems.


    Some recognized Qin Tangyue.


    Although she wore a veil, her stunning figure was easy to identify.


    "That’s Miss Qin!"


    Someone shouted, and in an instant, countless eyes turned their way.


    Especially when they saw Qin Tangyue seemingly blocking a couple, and the man in the couple had a noble and extraordinary countenance, hardly human.


    They began to speculate:


    "Is Miss Qin actually trying to steal that woman’s man?" sea??h thё N?vel(F)ire.nёt website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Seems like it. Miss Qin indeed has good looks. Even just standing there, she resembles a willow tree in grace, a celestial in beauty."


    "Is that man blind? Miss Qin has taken an interest—"


    A man wearing a Jade Crown, both envious and jealous, and criticizing He Ying for his lack of taste, was speaking excitedly when suddenly he was bumped into and fell straight into the sea.


    The man swallowed a large mouthful of seawater, spitting it out repeatedly.


    Finally, when he resurfaced, he glared furiously at a young man on the shore dressed in dark, tight-fitting clothes: "Did you bump me?"


    Lu Zijin, expressionless: "My mistake."


    He resented not being able to draw his sword.


    How dare that fellow be disrespectful to the Emperor!


    The atmosphere below the boats was lively.


    And above the boats was equally lively.


    Sang Yan was now at her wit’s end, not expecting that taking He Ying out for a stroll would tangle him in such a troublesome love affair.


    She looked at He Ying somewhat helplessly and, seeing his expression, didn’t quite know what to say.


    The displeasure on his face had vanished, and he seemed to look at her with something akin to anticipation.


    Anticipation?


    Sang Yan looked again at He Ying, ensuring he was indeed smiling, almost ready to throw in the towel.


    This scheming man wanted to see how she would defeat the other woman?


    Deep down, He Ying certainly had his own cunning plans.


    With Sang Yan fighting for him, how would she act? He was indeed curious.


    The feeling of being treasured by her was simply indescribable.


    Sang Yan: "..."


    This guy must be smirking again.


    "What’s the matter, scared to compete? Or should you just admit defeat? After all, what kind of talent can one expect from someone who embroiders such a pheasant veil?"


    The girl in the pale green skirt spoke again, breaking Sang Yan’s contemplation.


    Pheasant?


    Sang Yan stared with her beautiful eyes, her pale fingers touching the veil: her painstakingly embroidered mandarin ducks had been likened to pheasants?


    "Let’s compete!"


    Agitated with anger, she accepted the challenge on the spot.


    With the woman trying to steal her man and mocking her embroidered veil as pheasants, how could she tolerate it?


    Wasn’t it just guessing lantern riddles?


    She was a whiz at solving riddles!