Chen Wanqing and Zhao Jing were thus ushered out the door. This time, even De'an didn't grumble and complain.
Night had already fallen. The families along the alley had closed the doors to their homes and were eating dinner in their courtyards.
If you listened closely, you could hear the sounds of laughter and conversation, as well as the drone of someone reciting classical texts.
Chen Wanqing asked Zhao Jing, "You have to enter the examination hall tomorrow. You really should be studying today. Why don't we head back..."
"There's no need. A little time won't make a difference. Wanqing, let's head to the main street. The lanterns there are quite nice. I'll show you around."
He added in a low voice, "The first night we arrived, I saw the dazzling lights on the street and immediately thought of you."
"And why did you think of me?"
"I thought that you would love all this, and that if I brought you to see it, you would be overjoyed."
