in2ebook Chapter 72 Auspicious Chapter on the Seventh Night of the Seventh Month (2)
Chapter 72 Auspicious Chapter on the Seventh Night of the Seventh Month (2)
Xu Jiaojiao took the wooden plaque and examined it. The plaque and the love knot felt somewhat rough and were not exactly exquisite.
One side of the wooden plaque reads "May you grow old together in harmony, like mandarin ducks flying wing to wing," while the other side reads "May the spring sun bring good fortune, and may your students be of one heart."
Xu Jiaojiao couldn't help but smile slightly: "It is auspicious."
Zhao Yunzheng took the wooden plaque from Xu Jiaojiao and glanced at it: "Jiaojiao, would you like to hang it at the very top of the wishing tree?"
Xu Jiaojiao glanced sideways at the prayer tree.
The tree is quite tall, and its trunk is covered with prayer plaques, but there are very few at the top, which shows that it's not so easy to hang prayer plaques there.
She was both expectant and worried. After a moment, she reluctantly took the prayer plaque back from Zhao Yunzheng's hand, smiled and shook her head: "Never mind, the tree is too tall."
Just as she was about to return the prayer plaque to the vendor, Zhao Yunzheng grabbed her hand, his eyes full of seriousness: "Jiaojiao, I'm asking if you want to, not if you can. Just tell me, do you want to or not?"
Staring into Zhao Yunzheng's dark pupils, Xu Jiaojiao was stunned, vaguely feeling her heart sinking.
Despite the noise and commotion around her, she could only hear her own heartbeat.
Xu Jiaojiao parted her red lips slightly: "I want to..."
Upon receiving the message, Zhao Yunzheng slightly curled his lips, his smile displaying a somewhat cynical and roguish air.
He pulled Xu Jiaojiao toward the wishing tree: "With me here, why do you need to worry about not being able to hang it up?"
The vendor saw the two people take the goods and leave, and was about to stop them when a tall, burly man stepped forward.
The man's face was full of menace, and his deep gaze stared at him, frightening the servant into silence.
A moment later, the man tossed a silver bean onto his stall: "A silver bean for a blessing plaque."
Here, Xu Jiaojiao and her companion arrived at the wishing tree.
Zhao Yunzheng had Xu Jiaojiao hold the prayer plaque, then turned around and came behind her, grasping her hand holding the plaque. He leaned down and whispered in her ear, "Do as I say. Throw it away when I tell you to."
The man's warm, moist breath brushed against Xu Jiaojiao's ear, tickling and tingling, making her feel somewhat confused and infatuated. Her thoughts had already wandered far away from the wishing tree.
Zhao Yunzheng narrowed his eyes slightly, carefully examined the height of the wishing tree, and then pulled Xu Jiaojiao's hand to his chest: "Get ready, swing it out forcefully in the direction of my hand."
As soon as she finished speaking, Xu Jiaojiao felt Zhao Yunzheng exerting force. She immediately came to her senses, followed his lead, and let go of his hand, allowing the prayer plaque to fly out of her palm and draw an arc in mid-air.
"Susu..."
The branches trembled slightly, and the prayer plaque hung steadily on the highest branch. Xu Jiaojiao's eyes lit up, her heart pounded, and she excitedly turned around and rushed towards Zhao Yunzheng: "It's up! It's up!!"
The sound drew the attention of those around, who looked on with envy and offered their congratulations: "Congratulations!"
Listening to the congratulations around him, and holding his beloved beauty in his arms, Zhao Yunzheng smiled sweetly and softened his gaze.
A vendor nearby chimed in at the opportune moment: "Congratulations, young lady! Congratulations, young master! You two will surely grow old together in harmony and mutual respect."
Zhao Yunzheng was in a good mood and immediately signaled to Yingyi, who was following not far away.
Yingyi understood and took out a gold bean from his pocket and threw it to the vendor: "Thank you for your kind words, boss. My young master also wishes you a prosperous business and abundant wealth."
The vendor never expected that his casual blessing would earn him a gold ingot. Overjoyed, he bowed repeatedly, saying, "Thank you, young master! Thank you, young master! You and the young lady will surely be loving and devoted to each other for life!"
After hanging the prayer plaque, Xu Jiaojiao looked at the statue of the Weaver Girl, her eyes filled with anticipation: "I heard that only by worshipping the Weaver Girl can the blessings on the prayer plaque be fulfilled. Husband, I want to go and worship the Weaver Girl."
The word "husband" was melodious and pleasant, and it made Zhao Yunzheng's heart tremble.
He had brought Xu Jiaojiao to worship the Weaver Girl, so naturally he wouldn't refuse her suggestion.
Zhao Yunzheng nodded slightly, his gaze gentle and doting: "Go ahead, I'll watch over you from here."
Having received permission, Xu Jiaojiao ran briskly to the flower girl next to the statue of the Weaver Girl, took the incense from her, and then quietly waited in line behind a group of women who were worshipping.
She would occasionally turn back to look at Prince Chen. Each time she turned back, Prince Chen's gaze would linger on her. When he saw her looking over, he would smile gently, making Xu Jiaojiao feel infinitely at ease.
After one devout woman after another finished bowing in prayer, it was soon Xu Jiaojiao's turn.
Holding the incense stick, she stepped forward, gently lifted her skirt, and knelt on the prayer mat. She then pressed the incense to her forehead and began to pray devoutly.
Weaver Girl Goddess, your faithful disciple Xu Jiaojiao comes to offer sacrifices today. I am of humble status and dare not presume to ask for the Prince's exclusive favor. I only beg you to extend your compassionate hand, soothe all my pain and suffering, and grant me a peaceful and prosperous life...
After praying, Xu Jiaojiao slowly opened her eyes.
Just as she was about to put the incense into the incense burner, Xu Jiaojiao's heart suddenly fluttered, and she unexpectedly thought of Prince Chen.
At that moment, Prince Chen was still waiting for her not far away.
Thinking of the man's tender gaze, a hint of confusion appeared in Xu Jiaojiao's eyes.
Looking at the statue of the Weaver Girl, she murmured to herself:
Weaver Girl, I have a question in my heart, and I hope you can answer it. Is Prince Chen... a suitable man to whom I can entrust my true heart?
The statue is silent, only looking down upon the world with her compassionate gaze.
Xu Jiaojiao lowered her eyes, secretly laughing at her own stupidity, and then raised her hand to put the incense into the incense burner.
Just then, a gust of wind blew, scattering the incense ash in all directions. Xu Jiaojiao was blinded by the ash and hurriedly raised her hand to shield her eyes, instinctively looking in the direction of Prince Chen.
The other female believers nearby were also startled by the scalding hot incense ash and began to scream, causing chaos in the scene.
Amidst the commotion, Xu Jiaojiao saw Prince Chen anxiously pushing through the crowd towards her, and in that instant, she knew the answer.
She looked up thoughtfully at the statue of the Weaver Girl, then smiled faintly and murmured, "Thank you for your understanding, Your Majesty..."
Just as she was about to get up and return to Zhao Yunzheng's side, Xu Jiaojiao heard a whooshing sound coming from afar.
"Ah! Killing!"
"The Qiang and Wu barbarians are attacking!"
"Help!"
"Don't kill me! Don't kill me!"
"..."
A rocket suddenly appeared from nowhere and shot straight toward the statue of the Weaver Girl.
The paper-painted deity statue was instantly set ablaze, flames shooting into the sky, with ashes and fragments mixed with the flames scattering everywhere.
Before she could react, Xu Jiaojiao saw that the statue of the Weaver Girl had been destroyed.
Immediately afterwards, she was hit hard and stumbled and fell onto the prayer mat. Behind her, the chaotic crowd scurried around like headless flies, and it looked like they were about to trample on Xu Jiaojiao.
"Master, be careful!"
Like a god descending from the heavens, Vajra single-handedly blocked all the surrounding people, helped Xu Jiaojiao to her feet, and ran away.
Amidst the chaos, Xu Jiaojiao looked at Prince Chen.
Just then, Prince Chen, who was about to reach them, was suddenly entangled by five or six masked men, and Yingyi was fighting alongside him.
These people were clearly highly skilled. In such chaos, Prince Chen had no time to pay attention to Xu Jiaojiao, but fortunately, Jin Gang was by her side...