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they get nearer at the Central market of the capital, it became more crowded and the noises became much more louder, the firecrackers and the people's footsteps, shouts, and laugher were all mixed in. Creating a very lively atmosphere. It was so crowded that Yan Gen thought that it was no less compared to modern day's crowded new year holiday. This can't even be compared to the historical drama series and movies he watched when they shoot festival scenes.

There are many pasted couplets on each door of the houses they passed by, each of them has a written verse to welcome the new year. The streets in the capital are all brightly lit, dazzling the eyes of the people. "Watch where you're going!" Wei Yuu rudely shouted with a menacing voice at the two children who consecutively bumped into him. Yan Gen merely laughed.

"No worries. I'am fine, they're just children. It's very crowded in here, it can't be helped if you bumped into someone unintentionally" he's brimming in happiness at the thought that he's one of this crowd of people who are celebrating this ancient festival in great spirits. Feeling worried, Wei Yuu seized his small slender hand, holding it as they walked through the crowded place. He threw Yan Gen a glance "Don't get lost, stick close to me. Our whole clan will give me a hundred and thousand cuts if I lost you and your parents will strangle me to death if a single strand of your hair got damaged because of me"

Yan Gen chuckled. Right, he doesn't need to be responsible for all this, he can put all the blame to Wei Yuu if something really happen or if they get caught from sneaking out. That way, he won't receive a punishment. Oh, the advantage of being a lady. There are many things that you'll be excempted from. It was a good thing that he came with Wei Yuu, he only have to risk a little.

Both of them are really good looking and without fail, they attracted a lot of stare from those people who saw them. It was very easy to notice them even in a crowded place such as this, with Wei Yuu wearing a fancy clothing that is quite different in this sea of people wearing a plain clothes for commoners and although Yan Gen is wearing a simpler outfit compared to Wei Yuu, it was obvious that it is of high quality. Their presence became more apparent to the people around them.

It was also like this when they first go out and Wei Yuu brought him around in the street to look around. It was the day Wei Yuu taught him how to ride a horse.

Yan Gen heard the people who saw them saying that they're a good pair, a beautiful man and a beautiful woman, both are pleasing to the eyes. He would have nothing against their opinions if he was the former and not the latter.

A stall owner who sold flowers even called out to them, saying that Wei Yuu should buy pretty flowers for his beautiful wife, which is Yan Gen. Don't make me shove the flowers in your mouth, mister. I don't want to be rude.

They received compliments from different directions, making Yan Gen's face blacken as time passed while Wei Yuu's face is akin to a newlywed shy bride, his white complexion was flushed red. His steps became faster and his hold on him tighten. Yan Gen doesn't have an idea where they're going but since Wei Yuu is a person from this age who knows better than him, he let him drag his person for a while.

Afterwards, they stopped in front of a stall while still holding hands. Yan Gen looked around as Wei Yuu buyed something from that stall. He really wants to bolt around in this street to look around and have fun if Yan Gen doesn't know better that he'll get lost in here, he would have done that already.

A thin white veil suddenly obstruct his view, filtering the scene before him. Wei Yuu put a veil hat on him. Yan Gen looked up and saw his familiar 'gentle' gaze at him. "Do you think I'm the only one that attracts people's attention?" this guy must be an idiot or is he discriminating me on purpose? making me the one in inconvenience with this veil hat?

"I'am a man, but you're a woman. You shouldn't let anyone gaze at your face in common places, especially if you're a noble woman" Again with this ancient customs. This is sexism! He thought indignantly. Wei Yuu held his hand again and started walking.

Soon, Yan Gen feels like his hands were itching to land a lot of punches on Wei Yuu's beautiful face, leave a bloody bruises and make it swollen. He's already burning with jealousy because a lot of women they passed by are ogling him. So this was his purpose? to have the spotlight alone to himself and enjoy the attention of the ladies they're giving to him. This lucky bastard is really something. I should be the one in your shoes!

There are girls who give him flowers, others threw him small fruits, handkerchieves, and other things to express their great admiration. Some of them wants to follow him and strike a conversation with him to weight their chance but seeing the elegant looking lady that he's holding hands with, they give up, feeling like they have lost already. One look and you can already tell that this beautiful young master really likes the elegant lady following behind him closely, look at the expression on his face. It's the very image of an infatuated boy.

Yan Gen's hold on his hand tighten, using all of his strength to break his hand. However, it turns out to be a child's play to him, with his meager strength, what does he expect? Wei Yuu looked back at him. Is she jealous? He immediately shook that thought away, he must be dreaming. Maybe his cousin got a bit scared of getting lost in the crowd so he squeezed his hand a bit to reassure him. He bought snacks and other street foods they have passed by on the way and give it all to him, sometimes they share the foods they buyed.

"Look! It's the dragon dance!" Yan Gen exclaimed, pointing at the direction where they're performing the dragon dance while his other hand shook Wei Yuu's to get his attention. He complied to Yan Gen's every whim so he walk there with him in hand and watched the performance show.

Although Yan Gen's face is covered with the thin veil, he can tell that he's really happy with his actions, clapping and jumping. Sometimes exclaiming, sometimes laughing. For him, his cousin is very pleasant to look at in whatever she does. He looked back at the performance again and saw someone he's very familiar with. He froze on the spot, doesn't know how to react, doesn't know what to do.

It was at this moment of slight inattentiveness that Yan Gen disappeared beside him.

is another traditional festive performance that can not be missed. Dragon is regarded as the symbol of deity, emperor and imperial power. In the ancient times, people believed that dragon can make clouds and rain, so once in dry season, they played dragon dance to ask for rain and agreeable weather. In their minds, this creature is friendly and helpful, who inhabits in the body of water. When play the dragon dance, people prefer the longer dragon, the longer the better.

- lit. "Veil Hat" was one of the most distinctive head coverings during the Sui and early Tang periods.