Chapter 210: Lantern Rain

On the night of the New Year's Eve, whether it is a prosperous capital or a remote town, it is all lanterns and fireworks that shine all night.

I don't know when a drizzle fell in the city of Hangzhou. The light market was bustling at this time, and because of the sudden rain, many vendors closed their stalls early, and pedestrians began to hurry home. But there are still some people who are more excited because of the night rain.

"Look, there's still an umbrella seller over there!" Zhilan hid under Zhan Shaofeng's sleeves and pointed to a shed not far away and said excitedly.

The two hurriedly trotted over, bought an umbrella at the stall, and walked calmly in the rain.

"Hah, this is a good time to go shopping. There were too many people at that time, and they were almost squeezed to death! Zhilan said as she held her hands and sighed, her eyes kept turning around, browsing the dazzling array of lanterns all the way.

Zhan Shaofeng looked at her frozen red face with a smile and said, "Why don't you go home and add some clothes?" ”

Zhilan was in high spirits at this time, where was she willing to go home, she shook her head again and again and said: "No, no, it's not cold at all, I'll go back after a while." Eh, there's a Lantern Festival over there! ”

At this time, the light market is still not gone, and although there are not as many pedestrians as before, there is still an endless stream. The stall selling the Lantern Festival is next to the lantern shed, reflecting the lights and drizzle, only to see the white steaming up, which makes people yearn for it.

The two went to buy a bowl of Lantern Festival and stood on the edge of the stall to eat.

Zhilan carefully sucked on the hot sweet filling, sighed contentedly and said, "Why do I think it's better than the ones at home?" ”

Zhan Shaofeng held the umbrella and smiled silently, just staring at her gently. Tonight, she was full of interest and vitality, sweeping away the previous gloomy color.

After eating the Lantern Festival, Zhilan didn't feel cold. Putting down the soup bowl, she was quickly attracted by the rouge gouache shop next door that had not yet been closed. Looking at her childlike appearance, Zhan Shaofeng couldn't help but shake his head funny, but a shallow layer of guilt appeared in his heart.

How long has it been since I've seen her smile like this?

Ever since he was a teenager as a guard in the Lin family, it has been his mission to protect Zhilan. Now that he has become her husband, it is his bounden duty to make her happy. But the world is not up to people, and it is not anyone's original intention to get to where it is today. Perhaps their lives seem peaceful and stable to others, but only they know how many dangerous moments have passed through this step by step.

He knew that since the death of the fourth prince, Zhilan had been in a state of panic, guilt, and depression. Although she never mentioned it, her smile was no longer pure, her words began to be cautious, and her expression became sad at times. And he saw all of this.

Not long ago, he received instructions from his father-in-law, who was far away in the capital, asking him to ask the imperial court to resign from the imperial merchant errand and quickly shrink the Zhan family's estate. He knew in his heart that the Lin family was already feared by the emperor, and next, the Zhan family, which had a big family and was rich enough to rival the country, would be the first to bear the brunt. In order to avoid making a big move, it is necessary to make a decision immediately and sting his hands and wrists before he can show his sincerity to the court and remove the emperor's suspicions. That's why he's been busy these days, dealing with all sorts of things.

He didn't tell Zhilan about these things, because he was afraid that she would worry. Because of such a big industry, she cut off her financial path like this, and according to Zhilan's temperament, she may blame herself again, thinking that she has brought disaster and trouble for her family. Rather than this, it is better to let her know nothing. After all, the Zhan family still retains two trades, porcelain and tea, and a small medicine hall, although it is no longer the richest man in the world, but it can still be rich. Zhilan has never cared about these things, as long as her food and clothing are as usual, maybe she won't even notice the change in the scale of the Zhan family's industry.

He used to think that this was all he could do to protect his wife as much as he could, to do his best to make a good deal, and to make more money so that she could have no worries about food and clothing for the rest of her life. It wasn't until tonight that he realized that he had been wrong all along.

This Shangyuan Festival, he was originally going to Suzhou to deal with some things that have not yet been settled. Due to temporary matters, he stayed in Hangzhou and failed to make the trip. And Zhilan was originally going to visit the lamp market with Qi Xuan, Zhan Qingqing and others, but he was not at ease and insisted on accompaniing. Later, when I went out, a large group of people gradually became several groups. Later, everyone was tired of shopping, and they went home one after another, and only the two of them were left together.

Zhilan was very happy this night, laughing and laughing all the way. Others may not be able to see any difference from the past, but he can see at a glance that this is Zhilan's true joy, her smile is heartfelt, innocent and sweet, and even has the shadow of childhood.

Discovering this made Zhan Shaofeng's heart shake slightly. It turns out that he has always been willing to seek the near and far. What can make his wife smile at the beginning is not the wealth of the family, not the power of the world, and the fresh clothes and delicacies. What she needs most is just her company. And myself, how long has it been since I have been with her like this?

Thinking of this, he felt more and more guilty in his heart.

"Hey, what are you thinking? The pestle looks like a piece of wood here. Zhilan happily walked over and poked Zhan Shaofeng's cheek with her finger.

"You're right, I'm a piece of wood." Zhan Shaofeng smiled and recognized the title of "wood" for the first time. Immediately afterwards, his arm, which was not holding an umbrella, suddenly stretched out and took Zhilan in his arms.

"Ah......" Zhilan immediately blushed and struggled to say, "Hurry up and let go, is this good outside......" At the same time, there was a "sneering" laughter from the food stall and gouache shop.

Zhan Shaofeng didn't let go, his voice was gentle and firm: "I won't let go." ”

Zhilan was stunned for a moment, although it was strange in her heart, she no longer tried to break free. "You...... All of a sudden, what's going on? She also stretched out her hand, walked around to the back and gently patted Zhan Shaofeng's back, and coaxed in a soft voice: "We have something to say, ah, you see that this will make people laugh." Tomorrow, the two of us will become the laughing stock of people's tea and dinner......"

Zhan Shaofeng couldn't help but let go of her in the end.

"That's right...... Zhilan breathed a sigh of relief, but she was still a little puzzled by Zhan Shaofeng's abnormality, so she asked, "Why don't you go home?" ”

"Okay." Zhan Shaofeng took her soft hand, his chest was full of thousands of words, but when it came to his mouth, he just said dryly: "Go home, I have something to say to you." ”