Chapter 593: Chapter 207: The Ties of Affection

Under the colorful tower, the woman collected the silver and handed a silk-thread braided cord flower to each man and woman standing aside as a token for entering the tower.

Seeing Lu Tong standing still, the woman put the silver into a chest behind her, emphasizing, "No refunds."

Lu Tong said nothing.

Pei Yunmeng glanced at her and said, "If you don’t want to go, you don’t have to."

"I’ll go." Lu Tong took the cord flower from the woman’s hand and walked inside. "She already said no refunds."

Pei Yunmeng smiled and followed her.

The two arrived at the entrance of the tower, where, below Qiqiao Tower, countless colored embroidered magpies were woven at the entrance, known as "Crossing Magpie Bridge."

Lovers stood at the entrance in pairs, entering in turns. The crowd was so dense that bumps were inevitable while walking.

Pei Yunmeng let Lu Tong walk on the inside, blocking the flow of people as they made their way upstairs together.

On the second floor was a spacious hall. For the "Lanye Matchmaking Game," only twenty couples were allowed in at a time. Even the lanterns were shaped like magpies, creating a joyous and lively atmosphere.

The hall also featured flower embroideries piled up to resemble clouds and mist, arch bridges, or lotus leaves and flowers. At first glance, it seemed like a celestial realm.

A woman in a colorful embroidered dress stood at the head of a wooden arch bridge, raising her hand and said, "Quiet, please, and listen to me."

There was silence in the hall.

"Look at your feet."

Lu Tong looked down.

The dim light and the crowd had distracted her, but now, reminded by the woman, she saw that the hall’s floral patterns were crisscrossed with multi-colored silk threads, stretched across like a complex, colorful spiderweb that could trip someone if not careful.

"These colorful silk threads are called ’threads of affection,’ and we have hidden seven Golden Magpies in dark corners throughout the hall," said the woman with a chuckle. "Everyone needs to find the seven Golden Magpies amid these tangled threads. Whoever finds the most will be tonight’s Master of Ingenuity!"

As soon as she finished speaking, the crowd began murmuring excitedly.

Pitch black and with silk threads twisted around one’s feet, those accompanying each other were obliged to hold hands and stay close to walk nimbly.

Lu Tong frowned slightly.

This dark place was perfect for someone wanting to kill another without a sound.

Unfortunately, Qi Yutai was cautious and wouldn’t come to such a commoners’ playground.

She looked up and called out, "Marshal."

Pei Yunmeng leant against the wall, surveying the surroundings, seemingly not too accustomed to such a bustling atmosphere. Hearing Lu Tong call him, he looked down and asked, "What is it?"

"Quickly locate those seven Golden Magpies."

He was taken aback, "What?"

"Aren’t you the Commandant of the Palace Front Office?" Lu Tong said. "You should have excellent skills and be able to see in the dark. I can’t make them out, but you can, so when it starts, just go for them directly."

He was incredulous, "Is being the Commandant of the Palace Front Office all about doing this for you?"

As if he was some idle man by Luoyue Bridge doing errands for others.

Lu Tong was displeased, "How can we win if you don’t do it?"

He was taken aback, "I never realized Doctor Lu had such a strong competitive streak."

Lu Tong smiled, "That’s twenty copper coins."

He glanced at Lu Tong, sighed, "Fine, I’ll serve you this once today."

Lu Tong then let it go.

She had never played the "Lanye Matchmaking Game" before and wasn’t particularly interested in it, but somehow, ending up here by mistake, she found herself unexpectedly looking forward to it.

The woman in the colorful skirt saw that the crowd had mostly finished discussing, pursed her lips with a smile, and immediately thereafter, a gong sounded in the hall, and all the Magpie Lamps went out.

"Ah!—"

Some of the youngsters close by exclaimed in surprise.

It wasn’t that they were all extinguished; roughly three or four dim lights were hidden in the corners, just enough to vaguely discern human figures. Any deeper and it was impossible to see, let alone the threads of entanglement at one’s feet.

In the darkness, Pei Yunmeng’s voice came from beside her ear.

"Next to the wooden bridge, under the lotus leaf, there’s a Golden Magpie, closest to you."

Lu Tong’s spirits lifted, "Let’s go get that one."

No sooner had she spoken than she moved toward the wooden bridge.

However, the hall was already dimly lit, and the murky shadow of the wooden bridge could be seen, but the silk threads at foot level seemed to be alive. Even though she had already stepped over them, they still tangled around her and almost caused her to stumble.

"Be careful."

Pei Yunmeng reached out to steady her.

A "hey" sounded from nearby as it seemed a young man had fallen, startling the girl with him who quickly asked with concern where he was hurt.

Pei Yunmeng paused, then extended a hand, "It’s too dangerous to walk like this; hold onto me."

Lu Tong thought for a moment and did not decline his offer, reaching out to grab his hand.

It was too dark to see clearly, and she initially touched Pei Yunmeng’s hand. The touch of skin on fingertips was like a warm current, a delicate sensation that made her suddenly uncomfortable. Regaining her composure, Lu Tong moved her hand up to his arm and gripped it firmly.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by Aunomay Read