Chapter 4: Mid Autumn Festival (I)
"Yihan,you left your shoes,"Yanliang Yao and Huyan Luo hurried towards her carrying a pair of boots with them.
"It's dangerous to walk barefoot,"Yanliang Yao said worriedly.
"HanHan,did you lose your memories? Why are you behaving so strangely? "Huyan Luo suddenly pointed out eyeing her suspiciously.
Chen Yuqi gulped slightly but composed herself immediately. She couldn't let them know she wasn't the real Liu Yihan. And it was that moment she decided she would play the role of Liu Yihan,get herself into the character,give a flawless act as she waited to regain her original identity as Chen Yuqi.
"I was a little muddled and I couldn't think clearly. Sorry I couldn't recognize you guys immediately,"She lied with a nervous smile.
"It's okay we understand. It's because you hit your head after the fall,"Huyan Luo said reassuringly.
Chen Yuqi now Liu Yihan took the boots from them and wore them. She was grateful that her heels didn't get pierced by anything while she was running around like a madwoman.
"Madam wants to see you,"Yanliang Yao informed her.
'Madam?' Yeah right- that's how they addressed their sect leader. She was lucky enough to have read the novel otherwise she would have had a hard time adjusting to the place.
Without uttering an extra word the three of them headed towards the sect leader's pavilion.The closer they got the clearer the captivating tune being played became. As explained in the novel,the Xiuhua Sect leader was a connoisseur of music and an excellent qin player.
When the entrance came into view,Liu Yihan slowed down, taking her time to compose herself after feeling a little overwhelmed with dealing with the characters in the story whose temperaments she had no idea how to deal with. When she reached outside the entrance she took a deep breath and started taking slowly steady steps inside,her hands clasped on her tummy,her chin raised high exuding the elegance that the real Liu Yihan was described to have. She had a slight smile plastered on her face as she approached her master.
Beitang Qing,a middle aged woman sat on her throne- like seat which was placed on a raised dais with a large table in front of her where her qin was laid out in display. She stopped playing the tune,her long slender fingers still lingering on the strings of the Qin,her lips curving into a gentle smile at the sight of one of her favourite disciples.
"Shifu,how are you?"Liu Yihan bowed.
"I am fine. I was worried about you but I'm glad to see you're fine now,"She responded her lips stretching into a wider smile.
"Tonight is the Mid Autumn Festival. Are you ready for it?"
"I am."
"You'll be in charge of the disciples. Don't let them run off we can't afford something happening to them before the Wuxia Conference,"Beitang Qing said in a motherly tone.
"Yes,master."
"Luo'er,Ah Yao,"the older woman called out and the two girls who had been waiting outside responded in unison walking in and bowed simultaneously at their master.
"You two will help Han'er to manage the other disciples,"Beitang Qing instructed them.
"Yes, master,"they responded enthusiastically.
She then dismissed them and resumed playing the Win.
Liu Yihan had been a little nervous earlier thinking that Beitang Qing would mention the little stunt she pulled earlier after regaining her consciousness but the lady didn't mention it at all and she was relieved fir that.
******
Relating to the novel,the Mid Autumn Festival of that year made a significant impact on Liu Yihan's life. It was their first time going out for a night festival. Usually their master kept them confined at the sect during such festivals threatening to inflict heavy punishment on anyone who tried to sneak out. It didn't make sense how their overly protective Shifu had suddenly given them freedom especially with the upcoming Wuxia Conference.
In the novel,it was the first time Liu Yihan and Baili Ming met during that festival. Baili Ming and his fellow disciples had travelled to Happy Town to attend the Wuxia Conference that was to be held two days later. Happy Town was where Xiuhua Sect was situated. That night when Baili Ming and the other disciples left the inn house,he met the martial arts fairy at the market during the festival.
Liu Yihan was nervous now that she knew the flow of events in the novel. She knew she was bound to encounter Baili Ming and his sect brothers. But unlike the real Liu Yihan who fell for Baili Ming at first sight,she was excited to see Changsun Yue the guy she had been rooting for.
******
When evening came,all the disciples gathered at the central courtyard all dressed in beautiful pink gowns except Liu Yihan and her two other friends who had worn differently coloured dresses. Liu Yihan passed a few instructions and they all carried their sheathed swords heading out of the sect. Even the instructions were derived from the novel. She had accustomed herself to the real Liu Yihan's manner of speech to avoid suspicion.
When the disciples reached the market center ,the place was already bustling with lanterns hanging on every corner illuminating the whole place. There were several booths set up each containing different things including delicacies , jewelleries and lanterns.
"Don't run around too much and walk in pairs or groups. Be each other's keeper. You're free to walk around but make sure you come back before midnight,"She gave her final instructions and the girls squealed with joy parting in groups to explore around.
Liu Yihan was now left with her two friends. They walked around , their curious eyes exploring everything. As they walked,a unique silhouette caught Liu Yihan's eye and she directed her gaze towards the balcony of an inn house that seemed not too far from where they were. There on the balcony stood a young man clad in grey robes ,his hair tied up neatly into a ponytail, hair flying freely under the influence of the cool night breeze. In his right hand he was holding a sheathed sword whose scabbard seemed to glitter under the light.
Liu Yihan was very familiar with the scene and the person associated with the scene. It was none other than the popular Baili Ming standing in all his glory,his graceful self blessing the Happy Town with his presence. The two other girls followed Liu Yihan's line of gaze and jolted in surprise noticing the young man.
"He's so handsome,"Yanliang Yao gasped covering her mouth in surprise.
The two girls even the original Liu Yihan didn't know the young man's identity. They had never seen Baili Ming before so they couldn't recognize him.
But the current Liu Yihan knew who he was. Baili Ming shifted his gaze and immediately locked eyes with the most beautiful girl he had ever seen .
'So this is how Baili Ming actually looks like. Not bad. He looks quite good,' Liu Yihan thought,her lips stretching into a knowing smile somehow understanding why the real Liu Yihan fell in love with him at first sight. But she was different,the person she was interested in seeing was actually Changsun Yue.
Liu Yihan tore her gaze and turned to look at her friends who were gawking at the boy shamelessly.
"If Shifu were here she would have scolded us for ogling the boy,"Yanliang Yao commented and the two of them reluctantly withdrew their gazes from the boy.
******
"Shi Xiong, we're going to join the festival, "a slightly shorter boy with a slim figure said approaching Baili Ming.
Baili Ming didn't bother to look back at him ,he was still stuck admiring the beauty.
"I'm coming with you,"Baili Ming spoke in his gentle manly voice.
"Huh?!" the shorter boy exclaimed in surprise . Baili Ming wasn't one to stroll around aimlessly.
"I'm just patrolling around to make sure everyone is safe not traipsing aimlessly,"he said nonchalantly.
"As expected of you."
Baili Ming and the rest of the disciples left the inn house to join the festival.