“Ah, that’s good, that’s good!”

Matthew Perry let out a big sigh of relief at these words, looking around in confusion. Only then did he realize that the area was already packed with people, with all kinds of street performers and lantern shows filling the road, creating an indescribably lively and bustling scene. Beside him, Eric Blake saw this dazed boy so dazzled that he could barely move his feet, not even bothering to wipe his sweat. She casually handed him a handkerchief, pointing at his face. As a result, Matthew Perry took it and, without a word, wiped his face, then foolishly handed it back. Seeing this, she couldn’t help but feel both exasperated and amused.

“This handkerchief, all oily and sweaty—where do you expect me to put it?”

“Ah… then I’ll return it to you later.”

Matthew Perry stuffed the handkerchief into his chest, a trace of embarrassment appearing on his face. His father had always taught him to value trust and promises, which was why he had come out today against all odds to keep his appointment. At this moment, he was secretly planning to quietly wash the handkerchief before returning it, completely unaware that stuffing a young lady’s handkerchief into his chest was quite improper.

As for Eric Blake, standing beside him, she had learned martial arts, literature, and archery since childhood, but never etiquette, so she didn’t think anything was wrong with this at all. She simply rolled her eyes, not realizing how this scene might look to others.

Lantern towers, lantern wheels, lantern trees—the air was filled with the roar of the crowd and the clamor of performances. While countless people clapped and cheered to celebrate the Lantern Festival, three people in the crowd were eyeing the southern city gate with predatory intent. Among them, one with a dark face looked even darker, hiding there and gnashing his teeth.

“Fifth Brother, are we just going to watch that little girl seduce the young master?”

Fifth Locke glanced at his sworn brother, feeling an inexplicable headache. This time, he had been ordered to follow Matthew Perry out, and along the way, the young master had obeyed his every word. Who would have thought that the first time he defied him would be over something like this? Looking from afar, Matthew Perry was standing with the girl named Eric Blake, watching the lanterns, his face filled with indescribable excitement. Thinking about it, after drifting in Tingzhou for so many years, this was indeed the first time the young master had seen a Central Plains festival. It would be too heartless to keep restraining him.

So, he completely ignored Seventh Rowe beside him, turned to the burly man on the other side, and said, “Second Son, anything unusual around us?”

Second Brooks answered concisely without looking aside, “Nothing for now.”

This answer satisfied Fifth Locke. Seeing the two across from him had somehow gotten a lantern, probably to go watch the lantern show, he couldn’t help but smile, nodded at Second Brooks, and followed after them. At this moment, the completely ignored Seventh Rowe was feeling utterly frustrated. He’d taken a punch for no reason, and with the blow to his hand yesterday, his two older brothers still wouldn’t stand up for him. Was there anyone in the world more unlucky than him?

Eric Blake had no idea someone was watching from afar. Since she had a dazed boy leading the horse and carrying the lantern, she cheerfully walked along, introducing all kinds of lanterns. In the end, she was suddenly reminded of a poem she had once loved, and recited it with a smile:

“Fiery trees and silver flowers merge,

Star bridges and iron locks open wide.

Dust in the dark follows the horses away,

The bright moon chases people as they stride.

Riders roam among blossoming plums,

Songs fill the air as petals glide.

The golden guards do not forbid the night,

Let not the jade water-clock urge us inside.”

Matthew Perry nodded repeatedly as he listened. “I remember this poem too. Isn’t it by Su Weidao, Minister Su?”

“You’ve got a good memory!”

Eric Blake glanced back at the dazed boy with a smile, but felt a bit emotional inside. Though this “Night of the Fifteenth of the First Month” was Su Weidao’s finest poem and still widely recited today, that former chancellor, once one of the Four Literary Friends, was probably now anxiously awaiting his final fate at home.

Who told him to curry favor with Zhang Yizhi?

Just then, a commotion suddenly arose ahead, and the street performers in the center of the road made way. Soon, an inner attendant in scarlet robes galloped past on horseback, shouting loudly, “By order of His Majesty, a general amnesty for the realm! All descendants of ruined families since the Wenming era are restored to their former status and privileges, except for the descendants of Xu Jingye and Pei Yan, who are not pardoned!”

At first, the crowd didn’t react to the amnesty, but soon cheers erupted everywhere. Since the new emperor’s ascension, many had been promoted and many imprisoned, but there had been no amnesty. Now, this decree was like long-awaited rain after a drought—who knew how many people would be spared disaster?

“Long live the Emperor! Long live, long live, long live!”

Hearing the thunderous cries of “long live” from the crowd, Eric Blake couldn’t help but wonder if this was the work of Shangguan Wan’er. She turned to call out to Matthew Perry, only to see the dazed boy standing there in a trance, the lantern in his hand having fallen to the ground at some point. In that instant, the amnesty decree flashed through her mind like lightning.

Could it be that this Matthew Perry is a relative of Pei Yan?

Not far away, three faces were equally dark and grim. The hot-tempered Seventh Rowe even started cursing, “Those dog officials, taking so many of our bribes, and this is what we get!”

Fifth Locke, recalling the officials’ earlier promises in light of the amnesty, suddenly felt a chill in his heart and muttered, “This is bad. If they’re singling out Chancellor Pei’s descendants, I’m afraid they’re about to turn on us and sell us out!”

Chapter Thirteen: Forced to Seek Help