TMBIABHL: Chapter 14

 Character & Term Glossary

· Ye Chutang (叶初棠): The female protagonist, a reborn heir to an ancient medical family. The "Black-Hearted Lotus." Possesses the ability to have prophetic dreams.

· Little Five / Xiao Wu (小五): Ye Chutang's youngest sister. Innocent and fond of pretty things like the lantern.

· Shen Yanchuan (沈延川): The male lead. A nobleman recuperating at the clinic. His actions hint at a growing connection to the Ye family.

· Lian Zhou (连舟): Shen Yanchuan's attendant/guard.

· Rabbit Lantern (小兔子花灯): The specific lantern from Ye Chutang's dream, now a focal point of the impending danger.

· Spring Lantern Festival (春灯节): The festival setting, where the dream sequence begins to unfold.

· Prophetic Dreams (预知梦): Ye Chutang's ability to dream of future, life-threatening events.

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Chapter 14: Xiao Wu, Close Your Eyes

As if sensing something was wrong with Ye Chutang, Xiao Wu looked up questioningly and gently tugged her hand.

Ye Chutang quickly snapped back to attention, discreetly scanning their surroundings.

Everything seemed normal.

She picked Xiao Wu up and said, "Does Xiao Wu like that flower lantern very much? Should Elder Sister buy it for you first?"

Xiao Wu's eyes widened in delight. She clapped her hands happily and gave Ye Chutang a kiss on the cheek.

She had thought Elder Sister would only buy it for her after going back to get Third Brother and Fourth Brother to join the fun!

Ye Chutang held her firmly,tightening her arms, and turned back towards the bustling street.

They soon arrived at a stall selling flower lanterns.

Ye Chutang gestured with her chin. "Pick whichever one you like."

It was the Spring Lantern Festival; there were many stalls selling all kinds of beautiful lanterns.

Xiao Wu blinked and then pointed to the stall next to them.

Ye Chutang followed her finger, her heart skipping a beat.

—It was a small rabbit lantern, very delicate. More critically, this lantern was identical to the one from her dream!

In her dream the other night,Xiao Wu was running ahead holding this very lantern, and then…

Ye Chutang had already observed the surrounding stalls; this was the only one of this design.

And Xiao Wu had picked it out immediately!

This meant the events she dreamed of later were also about to happen soon!

Ye Chutang asked softly,"Are you sure you want that one?"

Xiao Wu nodded joyfully, taking out her little money pouch and pulling out a piece of broken silver.

—Use my money! For Elder Sister!

Ye Chutang didn't stop her. She handed the silver to the vendor.

"We'll take this one."

The vendor was overjoyed. "The young lady has excellent taste! This is the prettiest lantern, I guarantee it! The only one like it in the entire Spring Lantern Festival!"

(read @cherrybombbertranslations.blogspot)

Ye Chutang took the lantern and gave it to Xiao Wu.

The little milk bun's chubby face immediately broke into a radiant smile. She held up the lantern with her little arms to show Ye Chutang.

—Does Elder Sister like it?

Ye Chutang nuzzled her forehead.

"I like it. I like everything Xiao Wu gives me."

A few children ran past, laughing and playing.

Seeing them, Xiao Wu wriggled. Ye Chutang set her down and took her left hand.

"It's crowded. Don't run off, Xiao Wu."

As she spoke, Ye Chutang led Xiao Wu forward at a leisurely pace.

Xiao Wu carried the lantern, her eyes wide as she took in the dazzling, lively street.

After a good while, she suddenly remembered something and looked back at Ye Chutang curiously.

—What about Third Brother and Fourth Brother? Didn't you say we'd call them to come along?

Ye Chutang said,"It's still early anyway. We can take our time going back; it won't be late."

Only then did Xiao Wu feel reassured, her attention quickly captured again by the sights around her. Her big, black-grape-like eyes reflected the brilliant lights.

She didn't know that Ye Chutang had changed her mind: with trouble looming, fewer people were better.

If A-Yan and A-Feng were also here, she would inevitably be distracted and might not be able to ensure everyone's safety. But with only Xiao Wu by her side, she was confident she could handle any situation that arose.

As she walked, Ye Chutang contemplated how to deal with what was coming.

After being reborn as Ye Chutang, she discovered she occasionally had dreams about the future.

At first, she didn't pay them much mind, but later she found the events in the dreams actually came true, one by one.

From then on, she knew that besides the secret of her rebirth, she also possessed the secret of foresight.

She didn't have these dreams often, but they were always related to life-and-death dangers.

(read @cherrybombbertranslations.blogspot)

So, every time she dreamed, Ye Chutang didn't dare be negligent and handled things cautiously.

Since moving to Jiangling three years ago, she hadn't had such a dream for a long time. She only dreamed half of one a few days ago, and never thought it would come true so quickly!

The dream had only contained a few vague images. Ye Chutang kept recalling it, trying to make the dream clearer.

The crowd around them gradually thinned. Suddenly, Xiao Wu saw something dropped on the bluestone path ahead.

She let go of Ye Chutang's hand and trotted over on her short legs.

Ye Chutang lightly touched the wooden hairpin in her hair and gently urged, "Slow down."

Xiao Wu looked back with a smile, but the next second, her eyes widened in shock!

Almost at the same instant!

That bone-chilling cold sensation surged from behind her again!

Ye Chutang's steps halted. She stood still in the middle of the path, seemingly unintentionally placing Xiao Wu entirely within her protective reach.

Then, she slowly turned around and looked back.

"You've been waiting a while, haven't you? Won't you come out and show yourselves?"

As her voice fell, several figures silently emerged from both sides of the narrow alley, completely blocking the path.

Ye Chutang quickly assessed them.

Three men in total, all masked, strong and burly, with fierce and menacing demeanors.

"Quite sharp! Speak. Will you come with us willingly, or do we have to do this the hard way?" the man in the middle threatened.

His voice was unfamiliar. Ye Chutang was sure she had never seen them before, but clearly, they were here for her.

Ye Chutang smiled slightly. "I'm not very keen on either of those options. Isn't there a third choice?"

The middle man acted as if he'd heard a joke and sneered, "You don't know what's good for you! Since you refuse a toast only to be forced to drink a forfeit, don't blame us for being rough!"

As he spoke, he gestured with his hand. All three men charged towards her simultaneously!

(read @cherrybombbertranslations.blogspot)

This was a very narrow,cramped path with high walls on both sides. The only way out was completely blocked by the three men. There was nowhere to run!

Ye Chutang said calmly, "Xiao Wu, close your eyes."

Xiao Wu immediately dropped the lantern in her hand, obediently covered her eyes, and turned her back.

…

Shen Yanchuan had ventured out today, a rare occurrence.

Lian Zhou followed behind him, still worried. "Master, you haven't fully recovered yet, and the night wind is chilly. Shouldn't we head back earlier?"

Shen Yanchuan replied nonchalantly, "Your master's body isn't made of paper. It's good to get some fresh air. I heard it's Jiangling's Spring Lantern Festival today. It's indeed lively."

Hearing this, Lian Zhou thought of his master's formerly solitary and quiet life and felt a pang of sadness. He swallowed his remaining words and dutifully followed behind.

The street was packed with people coming and going, yet Shen Yanchuan, walking among them, was exceptionally conspicuous.

Some people seemed born to be admired. Even doing nothing, they could effortlessly attract everyone's attention.

Many young women glanced over, their faces blushing.

When did Jiangling gain such a handsome, peerlessly elegant young master?

Shen Yanchuan seemed completely unaware.

He stopped in front of a stall and lifted a slender, jade-like finger.

"That lantern. I'll take it."

Looking at the hollowed-out flower lantern, Lian Zhou was utterly astonished. "Master, since when did you start liking this kind of—"

Shen Yanchuan raised an eyebrow. "Don't children like these things the most?"

(End of Chapter)

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Translator's Note: check out my other work— My Younger Sister Insisted On A Marriage Exchange Wanting To Make Me The Wife Of A Marquis and Rebirth as the Matriarch of a Noble Family (⁠*⁠＾⁠3⁠＾⁠)⁠/⁠～⁠♡

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