Zu Xian remained silent for a moment, then gently turned around:
"good."
The vast Shangping Garden was adorned with strings of large red lanterns hanging at varying heights from the entrance to the long corridor; exquisitely crafted wooden frames adorned the sides of the corridor, displaying a variety of beautiful lanterns; yet, apart from a few people at the entrance, they saw not a single person along the way. Following the lights, at the end of the corridor was a small, open pavilion, with wooden partitions hanging on the east and west sides. Several braziers inside provided warmth, but the room was empty. A small table and three wooden chairs had been placed there, with a wine pot and cups on the table. Standing in the middle of the pavilion and looking to both sides, pink and dark green lotus lanterns floated on a delicate stone pond to the south, while to the north, a dazzling display of lights illuminated the scene, a warm yet serene spectacle.
"It's warm in here, let's stay here for a while." Hua Chongyang pulled Zu Xian inside, stood by the railing of the open pavilion and looked out. "How can this be? There's not a single person here?"
Turning around, I saw Zu Xian standing beside the wooden table, examining the teacups on it:
"White jade dragon."
"...A white jade dragon?"
"These were crafted by the world-renowned jade craftsman Ping San; only four exist in the world. Two were buried with Princess Guoyue twenty years ago. The remaining two," Zu Xian said calmly, raising his eyes, "fell into Bo Feng's hands last year."
If it fell into Bo Feng's hands, wouldn't that mean the person who hosted the banquet was...?
Just as Hua Chongyang was about to speak, he heard someone chuckle softly behind him:
"This young master seems to know very well."
A fragrant aroma wafted over, and Hua Chongyang turned around to see Bo Jiang, dressed in a magnificent red robe, and several attendants behind her. She instinctively tensed up. For some reason, the mere sight of Bo Jiang's face, hailed as the most beautiful woman in the world, sent a chill down her spine.
Bo Jiang smiled as he looked at her, his smiling eyes scanning her from head to toe:
"The servant at the gate told me that a stunningly beautiful young lady had just entered. I was wondering who it was. Turns out it was Sect Leader Hua. Luckily, I didn't let them throw her away. That outfit is truly exquisite. Which tailor did Sect Leader Hua commission?"
"...A tailor? Ah, bought it on the street." Hua Chongyang smiled insincerely. "No wonder the garden was so quiet; it turns out Miss Bo cleared the area beforehand."
"Could a tailor on the street make clothes like this?" Bo Jiang stepped forward, his nail-painted fingers pinching the corner of Hua Chongyang's sleeve. "Such embroidery is second to none in Jiangnan."
"...Is that so?"
Bo Jiangsong, his sleeves adorned with blossoms from the Double Ninth Festival, looked towards Zu Xian:
"By the way, Sect Leader Hua, won't you introduce this young master?"
Throughout, Zu Xian held Hua Chongyang's hand, seemingly oblivious to Bo Jiang's presence. Hua Chongyang hesitated for a moment before smiling:
"This is a friend of mine. I wonder which distinguished guest Miss Bo has invited to the banquet at Shangping Garden?"
Bo Jiang's gaze, which held a half-smile, fell on the two clasped hands. He raised an eyebrow before elegantly turning to ask the attendant behind him:
"I almost forgot if you hadn't mentioned it, Sect Leader Hua. The appointed time has passed, so why haven't the guests arrived yet?"
"It'll be a little while longer." The attendant bowed to Bo Jiang. "I've heard that the Heir Apparent of Situ is always punctual."
Hua Chongyang was taken aback.
Bo Jiang invited Situ Qingliu, and to make matters worse, she ran into Situ Qingliu and Bo Jiang when she was with Zu Xian.
She looked up at Zu Xian and said softly:
"Shall we go back?"
Zu Xian glanced at her.
Upon hearing her words, Bo Jiang turned around and laughed again:
"Young Master Situ will be arriving soon. It's fate that we've met; Sect Leader Hua, why don't you join us for a drink and to admire the moon?"
Moon gazing?
If she stayed, she would likely not be rewarded with the moon, but with several different expressions. Just as she was about to take her leave, footsteps came from outside the open pavilion, and then Bo Jiang's attendant led Situ Qingliu, dressed in a snow-white fox fur coat, into the pavilion from the other side.
Bo Jiang greeted him with a smile.
After exchanging pleasantries in hushed tones, Situ Qingliu looked over Bo Jiang's head and met Hua Chongyang's embarrassed expression, and was immediately stunned.
Hua Chongyang could only nod and smile at him.
"Miss Chongyang is here too, what a coincidence—" Situ Qingliu cleared his throat and walked across the Bo River to approach. His eyes were filled with a faint smile as he looked at Hua Chongyang, but when he took another step closer and saw her hand being held by Zu Xian, he couldn't speak for a moment. After a long while, he cleared his throat and said in a low voice, "Your clothes today—are very beautiful."
He paused, then repeated with a stiff smile:
"It's very beautiful."
Hua Chongyang could only awkwardly lower his eyes:
"...Thank you."
"And who is this young master?"
"Ah, yes, he's a friend."
Situ Qingliu spoke to Hua Chongyang, but his eyes were fixed on Zu Xian. Zu Xian, who hadn't looked up the entire time, only lowered his gaze to Hua Chongyang at this moment, his voice gentle and hoarse:
"Chongyang, would you like to come out with me to see the lanterns?"
Before Hua Chongyang could answer, he grabbed Hua Chongyang and turned to walk out of the open pavilion.
A chill swept over her as soon as she stepped out of the open pavilion, and Hua Chongyang couldn't help but shiver. Zu Xian led her by the hand deeper into the garden. Hua Chongyang shook his hand and whispered:
"Shall we go back? It's a bit cold tonight."
Zu Xian didn't answer, but strode forward. Various lanterns hung from the plum branches lining the brick path, with small lanterns of different sizes in the center. The flickering golden candlelight illuminated Zu Xian's face, revealing his tightly pursed lips. Looking back at the open pavilion, Situ Qingliu was still standing under the lanterns, staring blankly at them. Hua Chongyang felt even more uncomfortable, and gently tightened his grip on Zu Xian's hand.
"Let's go back and come out another day."
Zu Xian suddenly stopped in his tracks.
Hua Chongyang met his displeased expression and felt his grip on her hand tighten suddenly. A cold wind swept over her, causing her to shiver. Zu Xian noticed, pulled open his fox fur coat, and wrapped her in his arms, holding her tightly around the waist.
"...Double Ninth Festival."
As he spoke, Zu Xian coughed twice heavily. Hua Chongyang finally sensed something was wrong with him and was about to look up when he heard him ask softly:
"You don't like watching the lights with me?"
No, it's just—
"Or," Zu Xian looked at her, his expression indifferent but his gaze focused, "do you enjoy going out with Situ Qingliu?"
"...Situ Qingliu?"
What has this got to do with Situ Qingliu again?
Suddenly, Hua Chongyang realized why Zu Xian had insisted on coming out with her to see the lanterns today, but had been so absent-minded.
He saw her with Situ Qingliu on the street today.
Before she could explain, his cool, thin lips slowly brushed from her ear to the corner of her lips and bit down hard. The taste of medicine mixed with the ambiguous, moist breath filled her mouth, their lips and tongues intertwined. Hua Chongyang was overwhelmed by Zu Xian's kiss and reached out to hug his neck.
After a long struggle, the ancestor's hand somehow slipped inside her fox fur coat and unbuttoned her clothes, his thin lips whispering a husky voice into Hua Chongyang's ear:
"...Chongyang, I want you."
"You want me?" Hua Chongyang was stunned for a long time before he understood what "want" meant. His face suddenly turned bright red, and he shoved Zu Xian, who was pressing down on his clothes, and shouted, "Go to hell!"
Zu Xian grasped her hand and laughed: "What will you do if I die?"
"Mind your own business!"
I know you like me.
"Only a fool would like you."
"Yes. Besides Chongyang, who else likes me? I'll teach them how to become ghosts."
Hua Chongyang's flushed face finally broke into a smile:
"Is it wrong for someone to like you?"
Zu Xian raised an eyebrow slightly:
"They have to be someone who's worthy of you."
Hua Chongyang snorted, but couldn't help feeling pleased inside, and his face quietly warmed. He paused, then explained:
"This afternoon, I spoke with Prince Situ...we didn't say anything."
Zu Xian didn't answer, but raised his hand to touch the end of her hair, then took her hand and turned her around:
"We'll head north, following the path out through the north gate."
"Zu Xian!" Hua Chongyang squeezed his hand, "I have nothing to do with Prince Situ."
"I know," Zu Xian replied simply, then changed the subject, "After we leave through the North Gate, we'll go buy lanterns."
"……"
Hua Chongyang followed him silently toward the north gate.
In the distance, Situ Qingliu stood under the open pavilion lamp, watching the two figures walk away with a forlorn expression. Bo Jiang stood behind him, holding a white jade dragon cup, and chuckled softly.
"It's rare to see such deep affection from the Crown Prince."
"Miss Bo is joking."
"How could I be in the mood for jokes?" Bo Jiang scoffed. "My future husband only has eyes for others; how could I possibly laugh?"
Situ Qingliu turned around: "Miss Bo is not an unreasonable person."
"Does being sensible mean you have to suffer injustice?"
Situ Qingliu stared intently at Bo Jiang, a faint smile playing on his lips.
"Miss Bo isn't the type to let herself be wronged."
"Really? Your Highness noticed even that?"
Situ Qingliu smiled and changed the subject:
"Did you see that man just now, Miss Bo?"
"Don't recognize her. Doesn't seem like a simple character."
"Oh." Situ Qingliu lowered his eyes and pondered, "Even Miss Bo doesn't know, so it's probably not simple."
"Your Highness is worried that Sect Leader Hua might suffer a loss?" Under the dim light, Bo Jiang, his delicate fingers holding a white jade cup, raised an eyebrow at Situ Qingliu, then turned his back to him and chuckled softly, "That man just now probably only has eyes for Sect Leader Hua. Your Highness, rest assured, Sect Leader Hua is the one who truly cannot bear being wronged."
Perhaps he was too tired from walking all day. After leaving Shangping Garden and returning to Banlianzui, Hua Chongyang slumped onto the wooden couch and yawned as soon as he entered the room.
"It's still warmer in this room."
Zu Xian followed behind her, laughing at her lazy demeanor.
"My name is Anping, the tea server."