Zhuo Longxia calmed down, "Although she is suitable, there are only two days left, we must hurry up. Kidâ" She looked ahead and suddenly realized that Fu Manman was gone.
Then the three of them simultaneously turned their heads towards the door and saw Fu Manman tiptoeing and trying to sneak away with Xianchan.
Zhuo Longxia was shocked, took a few steps, and blocked Fu Manmanâs way.
So fast!
Fu Manman immediately realized in her heart that this person was very strong, no... all three of them were very strong! She was definitely not their match.
Seeing her expression, Zhuo Longxia smiled helplessly, "Do you think we would harm you?"
No wonder Fu Manman wanted to run, as the gazes from these three were just too intense.
Fu Manman asked warily, "Then what do you want?"
Zhuo Longxia spoke softly, patiently recounting the course of events.
Fu Manman gaped slightly, staring blankly at her, and after a while, realizing something, she shook her head like a rattle drum, "No, no, no, no, no, no, no! Dancing in front of so many people, no, no, no... Besides, Iâve never danced before!"
Zhuo Longxia laughed, "Itâs okay." She pointed at the slender Wen Luo and said, "This is the first dance instructor of Great Li, best at teaching people to dance." Then she pointed at the melodious Liu Qingshan and said, "This is the first musician of Great Li, able to easily evoke the true meaning of the melody and bring you into the best dancing state. Moreover, with your talent, you will learn it easily."
"No no no no no no no not possible!" Fu Manman felt faint at the thought of dancing in front of so many people.
Over the past year or so, traveling around with Fan Wubing, although her shy personality had improved a lot, she wasnât yet brave enough for that.
Zhuo Longxia persuaded, "The Flower Fairy will be adored by everyone in Great Li."
"No no noâ"
Zhuo Longxia gritted her teeth, "Endless rewards!"
"No no noâ"
"Promotions and nobility!"
"No no noâ"
"Admiration of the masses!"
"No no noâ"
"A chance to meet the Holy Emperor!"
"No way!"
Zhuo Longxia gritted her teeth tightly, grabbed Fu Manman, and pleaded tearfully, "Good sister, I beg you, help your sister just this once!"
Fu Manman was startled, seeing the previously mature and intelligent elder sisterâs image shatter to pieces.
Wen Luo and Liu Qingshan, standing to the side, expressed understanding. There was no choice; the pressure was too much and could twist a personâs personality.
"Iâll... Iâll think about it."
Fu Manman hadnât expected Zhuo Longxia to go as far as this.
She was a bit troubled... these people really didnât seem to have any ill intentions, and becoming the Flower Fairy seemed to be an opportunity others couldnât even dream of. But... dancing in front of so many people was really too scary! What if she didnât dance well?
Her emotions gradually calmed down.
She couldnât help but think, "Is this all I can do? I left with Wubing to gain experience, to make more friends. But after a year... have I changed? When I parted ways with Wubing, I said I would think about my life, my Immortal Path, to become better... Is this now an opportunity for me to become better?"
Her timid gaze corrected itself bit by bit, becoming firm, "I... agree to help you!"
Zhuo Longxia was so excited she nearly fainted, "Good sister, whatâs your name?"
"Fu Manman."
Zhuo Longxia immediately shouted aloud, "Someone, report this. This yearâs Flower Dance has the name âLianchun,â led by the Flower Dispersal Envoy Fu Manman! The Flower Dance tune is titled âLianchun Zhengdiao,â performed by Liu Qingshan."
...
March 7th, Thousand Flowers Festival.
The clattering of hoofbeats struck solidly on the official road as the Red Flame Dragon Horse came to a halt at a certain point, snorting loudly and whinnying, awakening the drowsy boy on its back.
Fan Wubing opened his eyes and looked ahead, seeing both sides of the ten-li long straight path adorned with colorful flowers, like the flowing scarves of performers.
The wind rose, flowers swayed, and fragrance filled the air.
Fan Wubingâs exhaustion vanished entirely.
After leaving Queyu Mountain, he traveled along the northern border for a month before heading south towards Celestial Balance Upper City. The purpose of this was partly to learn more about Great Li and also to pay respects to Chengmingâs deceased wife, Jiang Nianshu. In a way, the âRain Dragon Heavenly Soundâ he acquired was also from Jiang Nianshu, let alone the Bao Li Zither in his hand was originally a relic of hers.
Whether for his own peace of mind or to let the Bao Li Zither see its former owner, it was worth the visit.
When he reached Jiang Nianshuâs burial site, Fan Wubing immediately saw traces of Chengmingâs previous visit.
The grave had been refurbished, the tombstone re-erected, inscribed with âTomb of deceased wife Jiang Nianshu, established by husband Li Ming,â with three burnt incense sticks in front of the tombstone, remnants of explosives from burnt firecrackers nearby.
Everything looked quite ordinary.
Perhaps it fulfilled Jiang Nianshuâs wish to âlive ordinarily, die ordinarilyâ...
Fan Wubing dismounted, took off the contract from the horse, and patted the horseâs flank, "Get going!"
The horse whinnied and galloped towards the nearest relay station set up by Changyun Passenger Transport.
Fan Wubing stepped onto the ten-li Thousand Flowers Path alone.
If one is in a good mood, even the flowers by the roadside seem to be smiling.
He felt just that, the various colors and shapes of the flowers along the way appeared to smile at him.
Upon reaching near the city gates of Celestial Balance Upper City, he found it had long been crowded with people, all lining up to enter the city, a vast and bustling crowd, each with radiant faces.
Fan Wubing couldnât help but ask a bystander, "Why are there so many people?"
"You donât even know this? Must be a foreigner!"
Fan Wubing laughed, "I just arrived in Great Li not long ago."
"Today is March 7th, the Thousand Flowers Festival in Great Li, marking the melting of ice and snow, welcoming spring and bidding farewell to winter. The festival was established to commemorate the day when the âSpring Deityâ ascended to the position of True God in Great Li."
"Spring Deity... the Four Seasons Gods..." Fan Wubing fancied.
The Four Seasons Gods, even among the True Gods, held a very high position.
"This yearâs Thousand Flowers Festival is the most extravagant ever, truly bustling!" The speakerâs eyes sparkled, "Look at those young people, most have heard that this yearâs Flower Fairy is exceptionally stunning and rushed over."
"Flower Fairy?"
"Thatâs right! The Flower Fairy will dance the Flower Dance of the mortal world on the Phoenix Perch Platform! Haha, youâre lucky to have just arrived in Great Li and to catch this, a feast for the eyes."
Fan Wubing smiled slightly, "Then letâs go have a look."
He said so, but in his heart, he didnât take it seriously.
Exceptionally stunning? Can anyone compare to my Manman?