Song Zixing smiled, neither agreeing nor disagreeing.
Tang Ye glanced at the two of them but remained silent.
Aside from Du Qianqian, no one knew whether this was true or not. Gongzi Yi's words were likely meant to help his sister out of a difficult situation, but Song Zixing's words were almost certainly true, since everyone knew about the kite-flying incident that afternoon. Could it be that Tang Ye really made a mistake? But why would Tang Ye say it was Wu Duoduo's? Although everyone had doubts, no one dared to confront the Poison King Tang Ye directly.
At this moment, Hua Wuduo calmly took the bib and kite from Tang Ye, walked over to Song Zixing, put it down, and said with a smile, "Here you go."
Song Zixing gave her a half-smile and said, "Thank you."
Hua Wuduo replied very politely, "You're welcome."
At this moment, Gongzi Xiu silently drank the wine in his cup.
From then on, the fact that Song Zixing flew a paper kite in the street was confirmed. The evidence was conclusive and beyond doubt.
Song Zixing himself never expected that, by such a coincidence, he would personally tacitly approve of this matter.
This incident could very well become an indelible stain on his reputation, making him a laughingstock for life.
Song Zixing slightly raised the corners of his mouth, laughing at himself. Indeed, it was laughable…
I lie here watching the stars Altair and Vega.
Everyone expected that Tang Ye wouldn't apologize. But what no one expected was that Wu Duoduo was completely indifferent to the matter. She didn't pursue it, nor did she complain. Although the other party was Tang Ye, and no one dared to ask too many questions, it was understandable that Wu Duoduo didn't pursue it. However, she could still smile and calmly hand the undergarment to Song Zixing, and then return to her seat with an indifferent expression. This was something that not an ordinary woman could do.
Although the night was full of ups and downs, it ended rather dull in the end.
The banquet ended late at night, and many adults and young masters were helped out of the main hall. Some were too drunk to stay overnight at the Prince's residence.
Gongzi Yi staggered to his feet, unconsciously touching his back as he walked, muttering to himself in utter bewilderment, "Why is it wet..."
He didn't mean anything by it, but Gongzi Yu, who was following behind and was drunk and staggering, heard it. Gongzi Yu replied in a daze, "Couldn't hold it in, huh?"
Young Master Yi, still half-asleep, asked, "Really? But why isn't the area in front wet?"
"..." This time, Gongzi Yu was unable to answer.
At this moment, Hua Wuduo stepped forward to support Gongzi Yi and said, "Brother, let me help you back."
Gongzi Yi smiled at her and leaned over as if it were the most natural thing in the world, and the two walked side by side.
Hua Wuduo whispered in his ear, "I've caused you a lot of trouble, haven't I?"
Gongzi Yi said softly, "I'm used to it."
Upon hearing this, Hua Wuduo smiled slightly and said nothing more.
At this moment, Gongzi Qi, who had just finished exchanging pleasantries with Liu Jin and Liu Yu, also followed and dismissed the maid who was carrying a lantern to lead the way.
A night breeze blew in my face, the bright moon hung in the deep sky, and a few light leaves occasionally drifted down. It was unusually quiet all around.
The three walked slowly, each lost in thought, and remained silent.
In Hua Wuduo's heart, the shock of the evening wasn't seeing Tang Ye, but Song Zixing's standing up for her. Gongzi Yi's open protection might have been for his sister Wu Duoduo's reputation, but Song Zixing… Hua Wuduo couldn't fathom or understand why Song Zixing acted that way. She had always disliked Song Zixing, but tonight's actions were quite unexpected. Given Song Zixing's cunning, how could he possibly condone such a despicable act?
As for Tang Ye, although she wasn't afraid after meeting him today, she didn't want to provoke him again. Perhaps her sister was right; she couldn't afford to mess with Tang Ye. The fact that he could so easily identify her kite was truly terrifying. Moreover, he was riddled with poison, and considering that even his brother Tang Feng kept his distance, this might be true. She wasn't about to gamble her life on a momentary impulse. Discretion was the better part of valor; facing Tang Ye, she chose to retreat and keep her distance, not intending to provoke him again.
But fate is often like that. In the vast sea of people, if a bellyband can fall from the sky and hit him, how can he avoid it?
Each of the three was preoccupied with their own thoughts. After walking for a while, Gongzi Qi suddenly said, "It will be dawn in two or three hours. How about we go watch the sunrise together?"
Hua Wuduo, preoccupied with his own thoughts and not yet sleepy, said, "I have no objection."
Gongzi Yi asked, "Where should we go to see it?"
Gongzi Qi said, "The highest point here is the roof of the council hall of the Prince of Jin."
Gongzi Yi said, "Let's go."
The night was as still as water, and the sky was filled with stars. The three of them lay on the roof of the council hall, gazing at the night sky. Gongzi Yi sat in the middle, while Hua Wuduo and Gongzi Qi sat on either side of him.
The roof of the Prince of Jin's council hall was indeed very high. Soldiers patrolled the area below frequently, and guards were stationed all around. When climbing the roof earlier, Gongzi Yi, drunk and clumsy in his light-footed skills, was almost discovered. It was only thanks to Hua Wuduo's quick thinking and cat-like meowing that he was able to escape the danger.
The council chamber had a high roof, and the rubble made it difficult to lie down. However, the high eaves around the room provided good cover, and there were guards on all sides, so the three of them were very careful as they chatted.
Hua Wuduo gazed at the twinkling stars in the sky and reached out to brush them aside, as if he could somehow disrupt their order.
Gongzi Qi smiled and said, "Wu Duo's dance today was truly amazing."
Gongzi Yi dismissed the comment, saying, "He's just showing off because he's good at light footwork."
Hua Wuduo scoffed and said, "It's all because of you, otherwise I wouldn't have jumped."
Gongzi Yi suddenly perked up: "I spent two thousand taels of silver!" He deliberately stretched out two fingers in front of Hua Wuduo, making them appear larger.
Hua Wuduo beamed with joy upon hearing the price of two thousand taels of silver. Two thousand taels of silver! Just thinking about it made him happy.
Gongzi Qi said, "I think this is the most worthwhile time you've ever spent money."
Gongzi Yi glanced at Gongzi Qi and said, "Qi, Hua Gudu's dance has mesmerized you, hasn't it? You're even speaking up for her."
Gongzi Qi said, "No, I am just telling the truth."
Hua Wuduo was extremely pleased to hear this.
Gongzi Yi scoffed at it.
Gongzi Qi suddenly sighed and said, "So this is what Tang Ye looks like."
Gongzi Yi also sighed with regret, "Yes, they can't even be considered human."
"Pfft..." Hua Wuduo burst out laughing, and immediately saw Gongzi Yi next to her glare at her. She quickly covered her mouth with both hands, but her eyes were already smiling.
Gongzi Qi sighed, "He must have been poisoned since childhood, which is why he looks like that." There was a hint of pity in his words.
Hua Wuduo asked curiously, "Will I really die if I get within three steps of him?"
Gongzi Qi said, "I don't know, but the rumors are true."
Gongzi Yi said, "When you went to get the kite, you were about three steps away from him. It's a pity you didn't die. It seems the rumors are not credible."
Gongzi Qi said, "Yes, rumors shouldn't be taken at face value. However, his composure when he went to get the kite is truly admirable."
Upon hearing this, Hua Wuduo couldn't help but feel smug and said, "Of course, who am I!"
Glancing sideways at Hua Wuduo's smug self-satisfaction, Gongzi Yi remained silent.
Gongzi Qi asked, "Wudu, what exactly is your connection with Song Zixing?"
Hua Wuduo said, "I don't know him at all."
Gongzi Yi said, "Only a fool would believe that."
Hua Wuduo disagreed, saying, "Believe it or not."
Gongzi Qi chuckled softly. In the darkness, her voice was low and gentle, quite pleasant to hear.
Hua Wuduo chuckled softly, feeling quite pleased at the thought of two thousand taels of silver. He stretched out his hand and scribbled aimlessly at the night sky.
Gongzi Yi gazed at the night sky and remained silent.
The three waited for the sun to rise. But not long after, Gongzi Yi noticed that Hua Wuduo beside him had her head resting on his arm, breathing shallowly and evenly, and had fallen asleep... Sigh, she's so carefree.
Under the moonlight, Gongzi Yi's faint smile was suddenly reflected.
Gongzi Qi sighed softly at the moon and recited: "The night sky is as cool as water, I lie watching the Cowherd and the Weaver Girl stars..."
At this moment, Gongzi Yi said, "The roof of the Prince of Jin's council hall is not a comfortable place to stay. I won't come here next time."
"..."
*******************
The next day, at the beginning of the morning, the sun rose slowly in the sky, bathed in the glow of dawn. The three men who had intended to watch the sunrise ended up sprawled out on the roof of the Prince of Jin's council chamber, fast asleep. When they awoke, the sun had already peeked over the horizon.
Because of the Phoenix Boat Race, Prince Jin had no business to attend to today, and the guards in the mansion were much more lax than usual. Fortunately, this was the case; otherwise, if the three of them had been discovered in their disreputable behavior, things would have been difficult. However, Gongzi Yi and Gongzi Qi didn't seem to care about being discovered, otherwise they wouldn't have allowed themselves to sleep until this late.
Only Hua Wuduo looked at the guards standing ramrod straight and alert early in the morning in the council hall and asked, "What if we're discovered?"
Upon hearing this, Gongzi Yi replied nonchalantly, "Just say you accidentally caught a butterfly here while chasing it."
Gongzi Qi was both amused and exasperated upon hearing this, and asked, "What about the two of us?"
Gongzi Yi replied, "We were just helping to catch it."
Upon hearing this, Hua Wuduo and Gongzi Qi exchanged a glance, speechless with emotion.
Hua Wuduo was about to use his lightness skill to leave when he found an opportunity, but Gongzi Qi grabbed him: "Wuduo, you have the best lightness skill. Go down first to distract the guards, so that Yi and I can find a chance to leave."
Hua Wuduo didn't think much of it. He was about to nod in agreement when he suddenly remembered something and hurriedly asked, "What about the Phoenix Boat Race?"
Gongzi Qi smiled warmly, like a spring breeze, and said, "Don't worry, I've arranged everything."
Hua Wu glanced at Gongzi Qi's seemingly friendly but actually treacherous smile. A sense of unease crept into her heart, and she asked, "Really?"
Gongzi Qi smiled and nodded, saying, "Of course it's true."
Hearing this, Hua Wuduo felt even more uncertain for some reason, but he couldn't say anything. So he stopped talking, tapped his toes, and disappeared into the buildings in an instant.
Seeing Hua Wuduo disappear, Gongzi Qi couldn't help but feel a little deflated. He had originally asked Hua Wuduo to lure the guards away so they could escape at a chance! But... he had completely forgotten about Hua Wuduo...! Gongzi Qi withdrew his helpless and longing gaze, glanced at Gongzi Yi beside him, and couldn't help but sigh. He knew it; these days, no one could be relied on. He had originally wanted to slack off a bit, but unfortunately, the last one left was even less capable than him! It seemed that he still had to rely on himself for everything!
Seeing that Hua Wuduo had walked far away, Gongzi Yi finally spoke up: "You really arranged a substitute for her? Aren't you curious why she refused to sing even when she was dying?"
Gongzi Qi hesitated for a moment, then said, "I did arrange for a double. However..."
Upon hearing this, Gongzi Yi looked as if he had expected it and asked, "But what?"
Gongzi Qi smiled and said, "However, I'm more afraid that she'll run away at the last minute and ruin our plan. So I did arrange for a substitute."
Gongzi Yi glanced at him and immediately said, "I don't believe it."
Gongzi Qi said with a half-smile, "Believe it or not, it's up to you." After saying that, he swept away.
The three of them left the roof of the Prince of Jin's council hall one after another and sneaked back into the room.
The morning dewdrops glistened on the petals, early birds hopped among the branches, and the clouds in the sky seemed to be welcoming the rising sun.
What a lovely morning!
Hua Wuduo carefully crept back to her room. As soon as she entered, she sensed something was amiss; it seemed someone had been there the night before. She quickly searched the bedside table, pulled out her precious disguise bag, and checked it. Seeing that everything was there, she felt relieved. She immediately wondered who could have come in. Before she could think further, she heard a maid from the Prince's mansion knocking on the door and softly asking if she was awake. Hua Wuduo quickly rolled onto the bed, pulled off her clothes, and lay down, then lazily replied, "Come in."
Wu Duoduo is a significant figure today, and the opening ceremony is the highlight of the Phoenix Boat Race, so it cannot be taken lightly. Presumably, there were instructions from above, as the servants of the Prince of Jin's residence are exceptionally attentive to Wu Duoduo.