"I've made up my mind." Min Ning swung onto the horse, flashing a carefree smile.

Thus, a dashing young hero escorted the unmarried daughter of a wealthy family back home, much like the scenarios depicted in storytelling books.

The difference, however, was that this young hero was actually a woman in disguise, and her heart already belonged to someone else.

Zhou Yitang observed all of this and knew in her heart: Min Ning was born to master the art of the Living Sword.

Lu Ying was skilled in Taoist Skills, but her swordsmanship left much to be desired. It was far inferior to Min Ning's. Though Min Ning knew little about Taoist Skills, her talent for Martial Arts was exceptional.

Recalling this, Zhou Yitang murmured softly:

"Min Ning is remarkable."

Min Ming murmured her agreement under her breath, but before she could say more, she heard the one-armed woman continue:

"If she weren't, he probably wouldn't have fallen for her."

Min Ming was startled, briefly suspecting if this was a veiled rebuke, but no—it wasn't. Zhou Yitang's face remained calm as she silently sipped her tea.

Min Ming exhaled a sigh of relief and followed up: "At the time, I was always worried she might place her trust in the wrong person. But now that I see it, Chen Qianhu truly seems like a worthy man."

What was meant as a compliment, however, surprised Min Ming when she noticed the one-armed woman's expression darken.

"A worthy man?" She sneered.

Min Ming glanced at the cup of tea cooling on the table, then at the still and lifeless courtyard, unsure of what to say.

That's when she finally understood—Zhou Yitang wasn't just talking about Min Ning. She was using Min Ning as a means to speak of someone else.

Someone who hadn't come back, even on Lunar New Year's Eve.

Min Ming was about to offer words of comfort when the sharp crackle of firecrackers broke through the night.

The New Year had arrived.

The sky soon lit with fireworks exploding above, painting the night in luminous hues.

In the glow of the distant fireworks, the one-armed woman's face was illuminated, yet she remained silent and unspeaking.

Zhou Yitang lowered her head, savoring the rich aroma of her tea.

After finishing it, she murmured softly: "Not bad."

"Thank you for the compliment, Madam."

Min Ming replied dutifully, only to hear another comment:

"Better than the Princess of Xiang's."

Min Ming dared not respond.

Was Madam… jealous?

The two women stayed in the hall for who knew how long.

Occasionally, sounds would echo faintly from afar, like chasing… or perhaps driving away.

"Gone, my fireworks are gone."

"Firework thief! Firework thief! Someone stole the fireworks!"

"Catch him, catch that person!"

Those were children's voices. During the New Year festivities, there were many kids outside the Donghua Gate lighting fireworks.

...…

The cheerful noises grew louder, floating into nearby homes where some night watchers poked their heads out to observe.

Min Ming also got up to take a look, but after stepping out of the courtyard and watching for a while, she saw nothing and returned.

Not long after, the playful clamor gradually quieted.

And in the distant sky, the fireworks became fewer and fewer, their light fading away.

Min Ming realized one thing.

He wouldn't be coming back tonight.

The tea bowl was now empty. Zhou Yitang no longer wanted to wait; she rose to her feet and returned to the guest room.

Min Ming watched her leave, then turned back to see another porcelain bowl that still had tea remaining in it.

The tea had gone cold.

Min Ming let out a soft sigh, not knowing how to offer comfort.

She was just about to shut the doors of the hall and head to bed.

Suddenly, a hurried commotion of footsteps burst into the courtyard. He didn't come through the main gate, but instead leaped directly inside.

Without any hesitation, he shouted toward the interior:

"Light the fireworks!"

Min Ming froze in place, and saw Chen Yi, his arms full of fireworks, casually dropping them onto the ground.

He hollered towards the guest room:

"I just stole these fireworks!"

So the firework thief was him?!

Min Ming was dumbfounded.

Chen Yi turned his head and noticed Min Ming. It took a moment for her to respond before she took hesitant steps forward.

"Master… these are…"

Min Ming pointed at the pile of fireworks on the ground.

"Fireworks I stole, of course. Where would you even *buy* fireworks at this hour?"

Having returned from the palace, Chen Yi chuckled softly, adding:

"But truth be told, I actually paid Silver for them. Those kids just started making a fuss, insisting I'd stolen them."

Min Ming didn't really believe Chen Yi would steal fireworks. After all, as a Qianhu, his household lacked nothing.

Chen Yi crouched down, fiddling with the assortment of fireworks.

At this hour of the night, after settling Little Yin, he had left the palace in haste.

If he had decided that all three of them needed to walk through that door together, how could he treat any of them unfairly?

After leaving the palace, he had immediately sought out some children to buy fireworks.

Even though he'd paid handsomely, some more kids started clamoring for a higher price, saying it wasn't enough.

But Chen Yi didn't care. He had paid plenty and took the fireworks in hand, running off.

"Light the fireworks!"

Seeing she still hadn't come out, Chen Yi cupped his hands around his mouth and shouted again.

After a long while, the one-armed woman finally opened the door, emerging with a cold expression as she said:

"I'm not deaf."

Chen Yi asked: "Then why didn't you come out?"

She didn't answer.

Chen Yi burst into laughter, covering his mouth as though he might collapse rolling on the ground, his antics making him look endlessly annoying.

Zhou Yitang's gaze grew frosty.

His laughter gradually subsided, and he wiped at the corners of his eyes as he said:

"Were you thinking… that I wouldn't come back?"

The one-armed woman's heart faltered for just a moment.

In the next instant, she averted her gaze, saying:

"Shut up."

"Alright, alright. Let's light the fireworks."

With that, Chen Yi placed one set of seven-barrel fireworks on the ground, stood up, and drew out an incense stick from his coat. He lit it and held it up to Zhou Yitang.

The one-armed woman furrowed her brow, intending to push his hand away.

But Chen Yi sidestepped swiftly, avoiding her resistance. Not only that, he circled to her side, taking hold of her remaining arm and gently placing the incense stick in her hand.

Near her ear, his warm, tender voice resonated:

"Let's light them together, shall we?"

Zhou Yitang didn't reply.

So Chen Yi guided her hand, using the incense stick to ignite the firework's fuse.

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