Night had fallen, and the lights of Yufu City shone as brilliantly as a river of stars. Crimson lanterns hung high at the Estate of the Duke of Dingguo, swaying gently in the night breeze and casting dappled shadows.
Outside, the calls of street hawkers rose and fell, mingling with the laughter of children. The air was thick with the sweet fragrance of candied haws and the nutty aroma of roasted chestnuts. In the distance, fireworks suddenly erupted over the city watchtower, their colorful radiance weaving through the night sky. On this New Year’s Eve, the city felt as though it would never sleep.
Ji Xue, draped in a crimson robe, sat alone at a stone table in the courtyard. The surroundings were silent, save for the night breeze occasionally brushing through the treetops and stirring up a faint, rustling whisper. She closed her eyes slightly, quietly sensing everything around her, when suddenly, her soul seemed to soar into the sky.
Chapter 282