Chapter 93: Stay Together, Lest You Get Lost

The day before, time was lost at the Kuang household, and the visit to the Zhan family had to be postponed. Early the next morning, Mofei Lianhao had no choice but to take Xuanxuan to the Zhans, informing Kuang Shao to join them, as the matter was too significant for anything less than the three families discussing together.

It was clearly unrealistic to send Kuang Hongyi, so Kuang Shao was summoned instead.

Meanwhile, Zhan Yu had already heard from Kuang Shao about the confirmed situation with the Insect Tribe; the Zhan family's own investigation had yielded clues, enough to be nearly certain.

Zhan Shaohua suggested that since the other two families were sending their juniors, it would be best for their family to send Zhan Yu as well. Thus, he only met Kuang Shao, Mofei Lianhao, and Xuanxuan in the living room before heading to his study, while Zhan Yu’s grandmother went off to the kitchen.

Regarding the three-family collaboration on the potion project, there was no opposition from any side, and Xuanxuan had already messaged Zhan Yu on the StarNet in advance.

The three simply discussed how many people and materials each family would contribute, and whether they needed to change the location, as the old Zhujing Pavilion was no longer suitable for the number of people involved.

But the potion project was only a pretext; in truth, the three families were entering into a full-scale alliance.

At such a time, especially while the Insect Tribe gathered their strength, if the Kuang, Zhan, and Mofei families did not join forces and let the Federation run wild, none of them would see a good outcome.

Now, with their alliance, they hoped to resolve their internal issues early, so they could turn their attention to external threats.

No one wanted to be stabbed in the back when facing a foreign enemy.

Yet the alliance was so conspicuous that everyone in the Federation began to speculate.

During the New Year, the third young master of the Mofei family visited the Kuangs with his daughter, and the Kuang family’s young master personally greeted them at the door.

Was this the prelude to a marriage alliance between the Kuang and Mofei families?

That evening, the Kuang patriarch took his son along to visit the Mofei household, staying until nightfall before returning.

So, was the matter already settled?

The Federation erupted in a storm of rumors, with everyone guessing: was the first military aristocratic family of the Federation about to join forces with its wealthiest family, unstoppable in their alliance?

Speculation ran rampant: Was the Mofei family using its power to swallow the Kuangs, forcing their submission? Or was it a marriage alliance, a double union?

Either option forced the Federation’s other great families into deep contemplation, strategizing late into the night.

Early morning, as most were still asleep, fresh news arrived: the third young master of the Mofei family, his daughter, and the Kuang young master Kuang Shao had together visited the Zhans, where Zhan Yu personally greeted them at the door.

Those who had only fallen asleep at dawn scrambled out of bed. Was this a love triangle? Or a contest between the Kuangs and the Zhans?

How could the supposedly useless daughter of the Mofei family be so sought after by both the Kuangs and the Zhans?

Was this a conspiracy, or a triple alliance?

No matter how wild the speculation, the three families remained unmoved, not uttering a word.

Once the alliance was officially established, they stayed for lunch, after which Xuanxuan was whisked away by her father. Mofei Lianhao dared not leave her at the Kuang household: one was Kuang Shao, whose private life was chaotic; the other was Zhan Yu, rumored to have a penchant for young girls. Mofei Lianhao felt his daughter was far too at risk—if he let his guard down, what if Xuanxuan got too close to either of them?

Xuanxuan, however, was reluctant to leave. Zhan Yu was so lucky—his grandmother’s cooking was exceptional. Her father wanted to go, but she certainly did not.

Even after returning home, Xuanxuan kept thinking about the delicious food at the Zhan family.

Regardless of Xuanxuan’s longing for the Zhan family’s cuisine, or how the Federation speculated and rumors swirled, the Lantern Festival arrived. Xuanxuan felt the holiday lacked meat, only offering glutinous rice dumplings, which seemed dull, and the chaos outside left her no opportunity to go out, so she headed early to the StarNet.

Over at Zhujing Pavilion, many more had come to study, but under Elder Ji’s strict authority, no one dared to challenge Xuanxuan.

Yet, for the Lantern Festival, at Mofei Wu’s suggestion, Xuanxuan granted everyone a holiday. Elder Ji alone disagreed, but was dragged away by Shizi Shan.

Upon entering the StarNet, Xuanxuan went straight to Herb Star. Kuang Shao was nowhere to be found; only Zhan Yu was there. In Zhan Yu’s hand was a lantern, which from afar looked like a phantom fox. Only up close could one see it was a lantern, crafted with exquisite detail. Xuanxuan had noticed, days before, that Zhan Yu kept staring at the phantom fox.

She had thought he coveted its fur and considered generously giving it to him; after all, the pet was fairly obedient, and even in the StarNet, this was no small feat.

Xuanxuan hesitated for two days, thinking if he truly wanted it, she’d just give it to him. Who would have expected him to make a lantern instead? Clearly, she need not give up her phantom fox after all.

Still, Zhan Yu was not a child anymore, yet he played with such things.

According to Mofei Weihao, children who play with fire wet the bed.

She glanced at Zhan Yu, wondering if he might.

Zhan Yu, unaware of Xuanxuan’s less-than-romantic thoughts, was pondering the Lantern Festival. He wanted to give Xuanxuan a gift and, after much deliberation, decided to make a lantern in the shape of the phantom fox for her.

The Lantern Festival always involved eating rice dumplings and admiring lanterns.

He handed the lantern to Xuanxuan. “Let’s go for a stroll.”

“Where to?” Xuanxuan accepted the lantern, admiring Zhan Yu’s craftsmanship, and placed her jealous phantom fox on her shoulder.

“There’s a fun place in the imperial capital,” Zhan Yu replied with a mysterious smile, refusing to elaborate, simply leading Xuanxuan along.

He had planned this long ago, knowing there would be festivities during the Lantern Festival.

In the real imperial capital, there was indeed such a street. Although called a street, it was sizeable—like a small city, modeled after the glorious Chang’an of the Tang dynasty in ancient China. It lacked the grandeur of “Chang’an Avenue stretching into the distance, green oxen and white horses, seven-scented carriages. Imperial carriages crisscrossing noble households, golden whips flowing toward the homes of lords.”

But for Xuanxuan, a girl from another world, it was already immensely impressive.

“Is this the Chinese style?” Xuanxuan gazed at the classical wooden architecture, the festive atmosphere of the Lantern Festival, the city ablaze with lights and trees blooming with silver and gold, and asked.

Zhan Yu nodded. He was, after all, a member of the Chinese ethnic group. “Beautiful, isn’t it?”

Xuanxuan nodded. These wooden buildings were both grand and splendid, with crowds bustling about. On both sides of the streets, ancient shops lined the way; inside, people wore Tang dynasty costumes, and lanterns hung at many doors, while passersby carried lanterns in their hands.

Xuanxuan found it fascinating. Zhan Yu glanced at the throng, then seemingly by accident, took Xuanxuan’s hand. “It’s crowded; don’t get lost.”

Xuanxuan nodded, but why did Zhan Yu’s voice tremble a little?

And his palm was damp—was he hot?

Zhan Yu’s feelings, at this moment, were beyond Xuanxuan’s comprehension. The softness of her hand in his gave Zhan Yu a rare sense of security, as though she would not suddenly disappear.

Long ago, in China, the Lantern Festival was also an ancient Valentine’s Day.

In the Federation era, it was not a Valentine’s Day, but still considered a good day for dating.

So the street was filled with couples, though Xuanxuan did not notice. Zhan Yu squeezed her small hand, his heart delighted.

This was no small progress, he thought.

Xuanxuan was slow to understand feelings, which Zhan Yu had already realized. Their acquaintance was still brief; he would allow her to gradually get used to his presence.

As the two walked, the street was crowded, yet strangely no one was close to them; though they did nothing special, they were highly conspicuous, all eyes drawn to them.

Zhan Yu’s presence needed no explanation.

Xuanxuan, dressed in a white dress and veiled, showed only her eyes, but even those alone were impossible to ignore.

Moreover, she carried a delicate lantern shaped like a phantom fox, with a real phantom fox perched on her shoulder.

Phantom foxes were rare pets; their abilities played a part, but their cuteness was undeniable, captivating countless admirers.

Many girls stared at the phantom fox on Xuanxuan’s shoulder, wanting to ask where one could buy such a pet and lantern, but the sight of Zhan Yu deterred them.

Xuanxuan paid them no mind. Let them look—she wouldn’t lose anything by it.

Zhan Yu stopped with Xuanxuan in front of a shop. “Let’s go in.”

Xuanxuan glanced at the sign: “Rainbow Garments,” and nodded.

As soon as Zhan Yu entered, someone came forward. “Young Master Zhan, you’re here!”

“Where’s the item I ordered?” Zhan Yu asked.

“It’s ready; please come upstairs.”

Zhan Yu led Xuanxuan upstairs.

On the second floor, the largest display area held a garment, and nearly everyone’s attention was fixed on it.

Xuanxuan glanced at it—it looked complicated, hard to decipher.

A hint of displeasure flickered in Zhan Yu’s eyes.

The staff who brought them up quickly noticed and hurried to take the garment down. Many on the second floor sighed; quite a few had already taken a liking to the garment, but the owner had said it was custom-made, not for sale. Now, clearly, its rightful owner had arrived.

“The fitting room is over here,” the staff guided Zhan Yu and Xuanxuan to a private dressing room, then left them alone.

Xuanxuan looked at Zhan Yu with mild puzzlement.

A blush spread across Zhan Yu’s face. Xuanxuan’s clothes were so different from the local style. Every time he saw her, he felt she was far away, as though she might leave at any moment. He always wanted her closer, so he personally chose this garment for her to wear. “This is the clothing from the era of these buildings. Would you like to try it?”

Realization dawned on Xuanxuan. She glanced at the garment in Zhan Yu’s hands. “Is it like what the staff are wearing?”

“More or less,” Zhan Yu replied.

Xuanxuan, intrigued, nodded—it looked interesting.

She took the garment and went into the dressing room. It seemed fascinating, but wearing it was a different matter.

Unable to put it on by herself, Zhan Yu fetched a female staff member to help, and eventually it was done.

When Xuanxuan emerged, Zhan Yu looked up, and for a moment, he felt as though he had forgotten how to breathe.