Hood flipped over Tao Hua's head by Shan Si. The two started for the city, with a handful of activities to enjoy. It took Tao Hua some time to get used to the crowd, having bumped into the odd person here or there, but each time he'd be dragged back next to Shan Si's side.
Under his watch, this curiously timid individual wouldn't get lost, and he ensured this by keeping a tight grip on Tao Hua's hand.
Since most of the festival was primarily held during the late hours of the night, daytime was made for preparation. There were plenty of groups of conversing folk, holding up various decorations, while the smell of food wafted through the air.
It was so lively and happy that one glance at the unfolding scenes of families, couples, merchants, and stragglers beyond could enrich any onlooker with delight. Festive times truly did bring out the best in people!
Their first stop was a street of stalls that had many types of books, some old and new, and from all over the world. Tao Hua stared at it for a good moment until Shan Si felt his hand drag and jolt. As he turned, he found the pair of peach coloured eyes dreamily admired it until Tao Hua rammed into Shan Si's chest.
Rubbing his forehead, Tao Hua looked up at Shan Si, who just knowingly smiled and held his hand toward the stalls, offering Tao Hua to scour the stalls.
How could he say no? This street was any scholar's dream, let alone a poet's and aspiring storyteller's!
None of them were anything Tao Hua would have chosen, but he was rather weak to a good-looking book. To be exact, the topics of trade in the vast universe, there was an unending genre to choose from. One merchant especially invited him in to take a closer look, encouraging Tao Hua to look up at Shan Si for approval. When he nodded, Tao Hua smiled, rushing to the stall.
This was the status quo for the next few hours, but that time felt like minutes to Tao Hua. He ran from one stall to the other, looking through books, until the two emerged from that very street with quite a few of them tucked in Shan Si's right arm.
Many on constellations and stars, and a few on the distant history of their land. Tao Hua decided that it was time to branch out and try new things, just as he had with the poetry.
He'd decided this was the first step taken into the next chapter of his life. This flower was finally blossoming in many ways he hadn't ever imagined.
During their time roaming, he'd also significantly calmed down from his anxiety.
Not once did anyone insult him or call him worthless! In fact, he was complimented for the most part, with some staring longer than he found comfortable. There were a few cases of the same face lingering, but when Tao Hua tried to get a good look, they'd turn away.
So, he measly chalked it off as nothing but someone wanting to cause trouble.
How could they with Shan Si next to him? He was taller than most in the city, if not all, albeit a few guards, with an intimidating aura that only ever dissuaded when glancing down at Tao Hua.
And if that wasn't enough, his sword was practically on display for all to see, even when he was busy paying for Tao Hua's purchases. As long as Tao Hua remained near him, he knew he'd be fine. So, he clung onto Shan Si for most of their trip, refusing to let his hand go.
Even during lunch, he'd sit next to Shan Si, crooked between the wall and Shan Si with little room to spare, and kept to himself. He mostly read one of his newer books as Shan Si focused on the order and gossip from the servants.
Not much was unearthed, just that this celebration was going to be bigger than all other years, celebrating twenty years of Gaifu. Shan Si just scoffed, brushing it away.
By the end of the day, just at the early hours of sunset as the pair made their way to the inn, Tao Hua stopped at a young girl holding up a few flowers, offering them to passersby for money.
It was a curious scene, and Tao Hua had stopped to admire it. Eventually, her eyes fell on Tao Hua and brightened gleefully. She quickly made her way to him and held up what looked like a premature white peony.
"For Big Sister," she smiled.
Tao Hua was midway to accepting the flower, every bit of his heart melting, when his hand froze.
Big Sister? He stared down at that little girl, helpless in his expression, completely locked in place. He was dressed as Shan Si's wife; who was he to complain? Still, it was disorienting to say the least.
As for his counterpart, well, he was no help. Shan Si had hidden his face in his hands, and by the way his shoulders shook, it was clear he'd been enjoying this scene more than Tao Hua.
But this young girl was nonethewiser! She was persistent in offering Tao Hua that flower. How could he refuse something as darling as this? With a small smile, he finally thawed and timidly reached for the flower.
"Th-Thank you," he whispered.
Looking down at that peony, as pale as possible, Tao Hua cheekily smiled, almost as if he'd cry at a moment's notice. No one had ever given him anything like this flower back in Siyue Town.
"What about mine?" Shan Si asked, his hand over Tao Hua's head, elbow resting on his shoulder.
The little girl looked up at Shan Si, and in those round eyes of hers, she showed not even an ounce of fear. Tao Hua was surprised. "If Uncle wants one, Uncle will have to buy it."
Shan Si's brows furrowed at the girl, his stare challenging.
"Mama is selling flowers just over there." She pointed to a stall filled to the brim with adorning flowers, sacks of seeds, and even trees off to the sides. Every single one was well nurtured and packaged. Then, she motioned to the peonies in her hand. "Only beautiful women with wealthy uncles get this flower. Ask Mama, she'll tell you!"
This fucking child. Shan Si removed his hand from Tao Hua, gently pushed him aside, and crouched to reach eye level with the girl.
Even in his deadset stare of determination, she still didn't waver any! This girl was used to nobles of all types; what could this potentially blind man say or do that she wasn't prepared for?
"So this is how the little miss conducts business, huh? This 'uncle' needs more convincing," he said, holding up a ring of coins. "Succeed, and all of this can be yours."
As they continued, Tao Hua watched as Shan Si easily bartered with this young girl, almost as if it were natural to him. Though he seemed serious, Tao Hua knew when Shan Si was messing around, and this situation wasn't any different.
When he thought about it, Shan Si really didn't have an issue speaking with anyone they'd come in contact with—Tao Hua couldn't help but marvel at it, watching these two go at their schemes.
If only he'd been born somewhere like this, then perhaps he'd be as confident when speaking to others like Shan Si. Glancing down at the flower, Tao Hua weakly smiled and turned around to admire it more.
I'll have to turn this one into a bookmark, he happily thought, holding it up against the fading oranges and pinks of the evening sky. For a moment, he wondered which flower would best suit Shan Si—they'd have to get another so he could make something to match.
In the midst of his thoughts, just as he lowered the flower, his eyes met with another, and a face he swore he'd seen looking at him countless times before. Eyes narrowed, his heart pounded, and immediately, he turned away from the man, sparing no time in gluing himself to Shan Si's.
Tugging at his shoulder, he quickly declared, "I want to go buy flowers. Let's go buy some of the flowers. Please?"
In Shan Si's dismay, the girl smiled a smile so wide it could have reached her ears. She won! This uncle ahead of him lost! That smile now looked proudly at the unamused pale eyes, grimacing at her. This wise young soul knew the ultimate weakness of any man, and she played her cards well.
"This way, Miss."
Tao Hua leached down and grabbed Shan Si's hands, mouthing an apology to him. However, there wasn't any need. Shan Si rose to his feet and let out a sigh, softly brushing his bangs.
"Just so you know, I would have won that."
Tao Hua smiled softly at him. "I know."
They started to move ahead with the stall just over a small, stone bridge, leading them to a street filled with many artisans of all trades. When Tao Hua turned back to look at the previous street, the noticed the person was no longer there.
Despite this, his smile faded. He turned his body back to face straight ahead, then looked down at the flower in his hand.
Staring at each innocent, gently bent petal, it almost looked tarnished compared to the ground. Rather, maybe it was his thoughts that made it look bad, but he couldn't quite quell the bad premonition he'd been feeling. One he couldn't quite explain.
He was certain that the man's face was one he'd seen before, but nothing like he'd seen in Chuhen Palace. Which meant it was someone from Siyue Town. Thinking back to the conversation he'd overheard at the inn just before Shan Si paid for their room, his stomach twisted.
The premonition only felt worse. But this time, it was fine, right? He glanced over at Shan Si's waist, and the sword protruding.
It had to be okay this time.
Moving closer, Tao Hua bumped into Shan Si's side and nudged his arm a few times to get his attention. Rather than say anything, Tao Hua awkwardly positioned it around his waist and continued on, securing the flower's safety.
As if saying he was cold.
Confused, Shan Si listened, holding it firmly there. He wasn't sure what was going on with Tao Hua, so he just watched as Tao Hua weakly smiled down at the flower, counting each petal in small whispers.
This wasn't the face of someone who was freezing.
Chapter end.