novelhk Chapter 246 Troubled Times
Chapter 246 Troubled Times
Yang Ling immediately got out of bed, rushed to the window, pushed it open, and peered out, coldly watching the people in the courtyard.
The man was dressed in a black brocade robe with a jade pendant at his waist. His black hair was tied up high, and he had handsome features and a cold expression. He was staring straight at Yang Ling.
Yang Ling was stunned for a moment, then realized that it was Yang Yan.
"Big brother," Yang Ling called out.
Yang Yan nodded slightly, turned around and went into the room.
He closed the door and sat down at the table.
"Big brother, what brings you here?" Yang Ling asked.
He wasn't familiar with Yang Yan; their only connection was that Grandpa Yang had occasionally mentioned Yang Yan, urging the two brothers to get closer.
But Yang Ling was puzzled by their late-night visit.
Yang Yan picked up his teacup, took a sip of hot tea, and said calmly, "Today, I went to your residence and heard from the servants that you came to participate in this year's Lantern Festival."
"Yes." Yang Ling nodded.
Yang Yan put down his teacup, looked at Yang Ling, and his dark, deep eyes flashed with a complex and inexplicable light, as if he wanted to see through Yang Ling. He said, "Your poetry skills are extremely high. You are worthy of being the eldest grandson of the Yang family."
Yang Ling frowned, disliking Yang Yan's condescending attitude towards him.
"Brother, you flatter me," Yang Ling said lightly.
Upon hearing this, Yang Yan raised an eyebrow, pondered for a moment, and suddenly asked, "You're only sixteen years old this year, so why are you already a Juren (a successful candidate in the imperial examinations)?"
This incident is a stain on Yang Ling's life, and Yang Yan has always avoided talking about it.
Yang Ling pursed her lips but did not answer.
Seeing this, Yang Yan became even more certain.
Yang Ling is a very good lad; no one had ever known that he was a scholar who had passed the imperial examinations before.
At this moment, Yang Ling suddenly spoke up.
"Brother, there will be a grand dance performance at the lantern festival tonight, and I'd like to invite you to watch it."
"Oh?" Yang Yan was slightly surprised.
"I've already talked to my father, and he agreed," Yang Ling said with a smile, as if she were asking for credit, revealing a touch of childishness.
“Alright, I’ll go with you.” Yang Yan said, standing up and walking out.
Watching Yang Yan's retreating figure, Yang Ling couldn't help but mutter, "Did Big Brother take the wrong medicine today? He seems really strange."
Yang Ling scratched his head and chased after him.
The two rode in a horse-drawn carriage to the venue of the lantern festival.
The Yang family's residence was far from the location of the lantern festival, and it took them a full half hour to get there.
By this time, it was already packed with people.
"Let's go over there quickly!" Yang Ling called to Yang Yan. "Big brother, remember this: tonight's main characters are a group of women. Whether they sing, dance, or compose poems, you just need to watch."
Yang Yan glanced at him but didn't say anything.
"Big brother, are you listening to me?" Yang Ling asked.
"Yeah, I remember."
"..." Yang Ling sighed helplessly. Her older brother's personality was just too dull!
"Alright, let's go!" Yang Ling pulled Yang Yan and squeezed inside.
Although Yang Yan's face was gloomy, he let Yang Ling pull him in step by step.
"Wow! Brother, who is that person? He's riding a horse!" Yang Ling exclaimed.
Yang Yan looked up for a moment, then looked away and said calmly, "His name is Zhao Fei. He is said to be a famous scholar in the capital. He just happened to be passing through here today and decided to stay for a few days to tour the sights of the capital."
Yang Ling immediately looked at him with admiration: "This talented Zhao Fei is indeed exceptionally talented. No wonder His Majesty chose him to be a study companion."
Yang Yan curled his lip and ignored Yang Ling.
"By the way, brother, I heard that a girl is going to perform a dance today. I wonder if she's pretty?"
Yang Yan glanced at him and said cryptically, "Perhaps, she's very ugly."
Yang Ling paused for a moment, then burst into laughter: "Big brother, you're too funny!"
Yang Yan ignored Yang Ling and walked away on his own.
Yang Ling touched her nose, feeling a little embarrassed.
Not long after Yang Yan left, he suddenly remembered something and turned back.
"Big brother, what's wrong?" Yang Ling looked at Yang Yan in confusion. "Weren't you going to see the performance? Why are you back?"
Yang Yan said without changing his expression, "I suddenly realized that since you organized this, as the eldest brother, I should do you the honor of showing my support."
Yang Ling looked at Yang Yan suspiciously, feeling that her older brother was acting strangely.
However, he didn't think much of it because he was looking forward to the girls' performance that night, so he urged, "Brother, hurry up and get ready, the time will be up soon."
Yang Yan nodded in agreement and walked out.
Yang Ling watched Yang Yan disappear around the corner before turning her gaze away and continuing to walk forward.
As soon as Yang Ling stepped into the lantern festival area, she was drawn to the lively atmosphere.
They walked into a wide, straight street, surrounded by a constant stream of people that filled the street.
The streets were brightly lit, with all kinds of exquisite lanterns hanging in the air, dazzling and making the night sky shine brilliantly.
The crowds surged, and the noise was deafening.
Yang Ling held Yang Yan's sleeve with her left hand and a flower lantern in her right, jumping and skipping excitedly.
He jogged along, shouting, "Second Sister, come quick and help!"
"Don't worry! I'm coming!" Yang Wanru greeted them from another direction, helping to alleviate some of the crowd for Yang Ling.
With the combined efforts of the three, they finally managed to disperse the crowd and successfully reach the lantern festival site.
This is a huge palace, majestic and magnificent, resplendent in gold and dazzling with wealth.
Outside the main hall, hundreds of tables have been set up for people to admire. The tables at the front are for scholars, literati, and noblemen, followed by those for wealthy merchants, officials, their wives, and women. The tables for ordinary people are arranged at the back.
"Big brother, second sister, look! There's a huge lantern over there!" Yang Ling exclaimed excitedly, pointing to a giant lotus-shaped lantern in front of her, and pulled Yang Yan and Yang Wanru towards it.
Yang Ling picked up the huge lantern and spun around happily: "It's so beautiful! This lantern is practically tailor-made for me!"
Yang Yan and Yang Wanru exchanged a glance.
"Ah Ling, do you like this lantern?" Yang Yan asked deliberately.
Yang Ling nodded earnestly: "This lantern is so beautiful, it represents my love!"
Yang Yan: "..."
Yang Wanru chuckled and ruffled Yang Ling's hair, saying, "Silly boy, this isn't your love at all."
Yang Ling muttered, "Anyway, I just like this lantern!"
"Okay, this lantern is for you!" Yang Yan patted Yang Ling's shoulder affectionately and smiled gently.
Yang Ling blinked, staring blankly at Yang Yan for a long time before finally reacting and laughing happily.
He tiptoed close to Yang Yan's ear and whispered, "Big brother, thank you."
Yang Yan curled his lips into a slight smile, a strange light flashing in his eyes.