Looking at the rows of lantern riddle stalls downstairs, a group of people eagerly went downstairs and went to the three adjacent stalls in batches. After a while, everyone's hands were full of lanterns.
They each picked one they liked and gave the others to the accompanying servants.
As the crowd moved forward, they bought a bunch of river lanterns, put small pieces of paper with their wishes written on them, lit them and gently placed them on the river, letting them drift away.
"Lin Jinyan? Is it really you?"
Hearing the shouting, the group of people all turned around to look. The caller, Wang Huizhao, came forward with two daughters to meet with them.
After getting to know each other, several women walked in front, followed by An Zhixian, Gu Ruizhou and others, separated by several rich maids.
There was an entourage in front of them to clear the way. Lin Jinyan and the five people walked slowly side by side. They were all daughters of similar age. In addition, Wang Huizhao in the middle was chatting around. After a while, they became familiar with each other.
While they were talking and laughing, the crowd in front suddenly fled in all directions. A large group of people in front of them rushed in the opposite direction towards Lin Jinyan and others. Lin Jinyan was rushed by the panicked crowd and was about to fall to the ground. Hong Jiu, who was behind him, hugged her waist.
Under Hong Jiu's protection, she managed to squeeze into a side alley to stand still, and Lin Jinyan hurriedly said:
"Hong Jiu, I'm waiting for you here. Go and see Bai Zhi and sister."
Hong Jiu didn't have time to think too much. He glanced at the alley filled with people who were hiding like them, turned around and quickly got into the crowd.
Lin Jinyan stuck her head out and looked at the fire in the distance, then realized what was happening.
Holding on to the pillar beside him, he stepped on his feet and scanned the crowd, looking for his own people. Sensing eyes falling on her, Lin Jinyan looked back. The alley that had been crowded with people was now much empty, and the crowd dispersed towards the other exit of the alley.
Lin Jinyan glanced twice, withdrew her gaze, turned her head and continued searching. Suddenly a hand stretched out from behind and covered Lin Jinyan's mouth and nose. A strong smell of medicine hit her, and Lin Jinyan's body fell limp and unconscious.
On Hong Jiu's side, Wang Huizhao and Lin Wanrong were pushed by the crowd and fell to the ground. They all suffered some trauma, especially Wang Huizhao who had his ankle stepped on and could not stand.
Several daughters with loose buns were being helped to sit by the river, still in fear. If Gu Ruizhou and others hadn't rushed forward to help and lifted them up, they would have been trampled to death.
Hong Jiu checked the abrasion on the back of Bai Zhi's hand and saw that it was not serious, so he asked her to wait here while he went to pick up Lin Jinyan.
An Zhixian: "Brother Zhou, several of the rich followers have gone back to inform the mansion. You guys stay here and wait while I go over and check the fire in front."
Gu Ruizhou: "I'm not worried about your skills, but fire and water are ruthless, so it's better to be careful."
An Zhixian nodded in agreement, caught a glimpse of Hong Jiu's figure, and took steps to catch up.
When Hong Jiu arrived at the alley, he didn't see Lin Jinyan. His heart skipped a beat, and he quickly ran into the alley and called out but got no response.
"Where is the person? I have told her many times not to leave her alone."
Hong Jiu turned around when he heard the sound and saw An Zhixian following him. He hurriedly stepped forward and pointed at the pillar and said hurriedly:
"Master, the lady is gone. There are walls and pillars blocking this place, which can avoid the collision of the crowd. I just placed the lady here. The lady said she would wait for me here. She will not run around. She should be Something happened."
An Zhixian looked towards the pillar and found a hairpin in the corner where it was protected from light.
(End of chapter)
