Ji Meiyuan was surprised to see that it was Nan Jinxue! He was dressed in a light purple robe with circular patterns, exuding an elegant and refined air, and his smiling face was as gentle as a spring breeze. Ji Meiyuan's cheeks flushed slightly, and she didn't even notice that Ji Wushang had prepared the tea and was checking her reaction.
Nan Jinxue greeted the old lady with a gentle smile, explaining that since the Marquis, who was also her father, was busy with court affairs, he had to send her instead. She also mentioned that she had prepared some small gifts and placed them at the mansion.
The matriarch knew that the Marquis of Jinnan's residence was receiving much attention from the Emperor, but the future title of Marquis was still uncertain. She personally nodded and offered him a seat.
Ji Meiyuan turned around, saw that the teacups of the two people in front of her were still full, picked up her own teacup, drank it, put it down, frowned and said, "Why aren't you drinking?"
"Hmm." Ji Wushang finished his last bite of food, smiled, and slowly drank the tea in front of him before elegantly placing it on the table. Ji Meiyuan watched, her heart filled with joy. She then turned to look at Nan Jinxue, whose eyes were fixed on him. The female guests, seeing that he was the most handsome man in the capital, Nan Jinxue, naturally couldn't help but steal glances at him, making Nan Jinxue feel quite embarrassed.
Nan Jinxue looked around and noticed that Ji Wushang and Ji Meiyuan were sitting at the same table. She couldn't help but think of the poem that Ji Wushang had written.
With whom can I share my solitary pride on Nanshan Mountain? A cup of turbid wine and a thatched door.
How lonely the ink chrysanthemums stand before the courtyard! No longing can compare to the wild geese flying south.
Longing is like a wild goose flying south; could she also be longing for someone? Now, seeing her adorned with a bright moon-shaped earring, her black hair embroidered with a jade and gold hairpin, her cheeks flushed, lips red, eyes bright, and teeth white, the more he looked, the more he couldn't take his eyes off her. Nan Jinxue frowned, picked up the wine cup in front of her, and drank it all in one gulp.
Ji Wushang pretended not to see his gaze and continued eating, but in the end, he couldn't resist the intense look in his eyes and could only turn around and glance at him expressionlessly. There was no shyness, no resentment, not a trace of emotion, but it struck Nan Jinxue's heart like a blow, making Nan Jinxue feel a sudden tightness in his chest, as if someone had choked him, making it hard to breathe!
Nan Jinxue could no longer remain seated and hastily rose to take his leave. Ji Tiankui watched as he saw him off at the gate. Ji Dingbei and Madam Bei then entertained their guest.
Finally, all the guests left, leaving only the young ladies and gentlemen of General Ji's mansion. Before everyone had finished enjoying themselves, Ji Wuxia suggested that they release lanterns to make wishes.
Everyone agreed.
☆、051 A beautiful day and a lovely scene, the prince's heart flutters
Upon hearing Ji Wuxia's suggestion, Ji Meiyuan's eyes immediately lit up, and she hurriedly praised it. Even Aunt Bai wondered why Ji Meiyuan was so supportive, but Ji Dingbei also felt it was good and ordered the lanterns to be lit. The Old Madam was tired, so she had Granny Guo help her back to Jingyuan.
After everyone had dispersed, Aunt Bai immediately pulled Ji Meiyuan aside and asked in a low voice, "Did something happen?"
"Auntie, just wait and see the show." Ji Meiyuan said, glancing at Ji Wushang. Aunt Bai followed her gaze and wondered if it was related to that little hussy.
The bright moon hung high in the sky, its gentle light bathing every corner of the courtyard. The General Ji Mansion was already brightly lit, its lanterns just beginning to illuminate the entire place. A small river flowed through the mansion, leading to a central lake. In the center of the lake stood a pavilion called the Wind and Rain Pavilion. People could rest and admire the lanterns from the pavilion, while those who wished to release their lanterns would do so either by the lake or the river.
The whole family gathered by the river, and everyone around was excited. Seeing how happy everyone was, Madam Bei ordered the maids and servants to follow their mistress and release lanterns, making the place even more lively.
Ji Dingbei sat on the covered pavilion in the center of the lake, talking with Madam Bei, Aunt Bai, Aunt Nangong, and Aunt Xie, while the young ladies and gentlemen had already gathered by the river to release lanterns. The river was almost packed with people, and the maids and servants were all very happy.
In the blink of an eye, they saw all sorts of colorful lanterns floating on the river: octagonal lanterns, fairy lanterns scattering flowers, dragon and phoenix lanterns, pumpkin lanterns, ox horn lanterns, lotus lanterns, and so on. All kinds of bright lanterns floated on the river and then drifted with the current to the central lake, which made the elders, including Ji Dingbei, happy.
Ji Wushang took a deep breath. It was rare to see so many people and such a lively atmosphere today. At this moment, Zhu'er brought over a colorful lantern. "Miss, here is the lantern you requested."
Ji Wushang's eyes lit up when he saw it. The lantern was really beautiful. He wondered what it would look like with candles lit on it!
When the lamps were lit, sure enough, candlelight was seen burning inside. As it burned, sparks danced in the air, like ribbons flowing to every corner. Those around couldn't help but clap and cheer.
Ji Wushang smiled and followed the lantern. Ji Meiyuan watched, keeping a close eye on Ji Wushang, but she didn't see any discomfort on her part; instead, she herself gradually felt a little dizzy.
"What's going on?" Ji Meiyuan picked up the teacup in front of her, took a sip, and exclaimed, "So precious, so precious!"
But where was Baoqi? He must have seen Ji Meiyuan skipping the lantern-releasing activity and rushed off to play by himself. Frustrated at not being able to call Baoqi, Ji Meiyuan could only sit down again.
Ji Wushang didn't care. He glanced back at Ji Meiyuan, thinking, "She poisoned herself, so let her suffer the consequences! I'm just afraid she'll make a fool of herself!"
After passing through the corridor, they finally saw the lanterns flowing into the central lake. Ji Wushang, finding it uninteresting, returned to his original spot. Zhu'er, seeing this, immediately said, "Miss, shall I go and get another one?"
"No need, I'll just take a walk." Ji Wushang turned around, and Zhu'er and Xian'er followed him back.
"Miss, why don't you sing a song? I was quite amazed to hear you sing at the Prince of Zhenbei's mansion. Why don't you sing another one so we can share in your good fortune?" Xian'er suggested, noticing that Ji Wushang seemed to have something on her mind.
Indeed, she had something on her mind. Now that her grandmother had returned, her marriage would inevitably be the topic of conversation. She said that she was about to come of age and if she didn't get married soon, people would think she was an unmarriageable person! Moreover, there was an order of seniority, and if she didn't get married or be engaged, neither Ji Meiyuan nor Ji Yinxue and Ji Wuxia could get married.
Moreover, it seems that a concubine named Xie Tiantian has been brought back. She is always clinging to Father, which makes Mother very unhappy. However, as the First Madam, she cannot say anything, otherwise, outsiders will spread rumors that she is a jealous woman, which is one of the seven grounds for divorce! Although she knows that Father will definitely not divorce Mother, she is still worried about Mother.
This family has made things lively, but it has also caused a lot of trouble.
"Me? I don't know any songs. It was just a spur-of-the-moment thing at the Prince of Zhenbei's Mansion. I don't have any inspiration right now!" Ji Wushang said, putting aside his thoughts. "Why don't you all sing one for me and make me happy?" As he spoke, he leaned against a tree next to him and looked at Zhu'er and Xian'er with expectant eyes.
Pearl and String exchanged a glance, both looking troubled.
“Miss, I don’t know how to sing. Why don’t you let Xian’er sing?” Zhu’er said immediately when she saw that Xian’er hadn’t spoken.
Upon hearing this, Xian'er laughed and scolded, "Sister Zhu'er, you're really joking! How could I possibly know any songs? I can't even sing a few lines of opera off-key!"
The three of them burst into laughter upon hearing this.
"Oh, little hussy, you're being modest!" Ji Wushang knew that Xian'er could sing a few lines. In the wealthy families of the Great Xia Zhou Dynasty, there was not much entertainment, so they listened to operas and sang songs. The servants liked to listen with their masters, so basically all these maids could sing a few lines. "Come on, Xian'er, sing a few lines. If you sing well, I'll give you a reward!" Ji Wushang teased.
Seeing that Ji Wushang's mood had improved, Xian'er also acted coquettishly, "Yes, Master, listen carefully!" This was just like acting, which made Ji Wushang and Zhu'er laugh out loud again.
Xian'er had already switched to Kunqu opera and sang a few lines of "The Drunken Concubine." While singing, she also imitated the actor's performance of the drunken concubine, which made Ji Wushang laugh heartily, and Zhu'er laughed so hard she bent over backwards.
After finishing her song, Xian'er bowed deeply as she took her final bow, saying, "Thank you for your support!"
Ji Wushang smiled, took a purse from his pocket, and gave it to her. Then he turned to Zhu'er and said, "Zhu'er, won't you sing a song? Otherwise, I'll give all the purses to Xian'er."
Pearl blushed slightly. Her mistress's purse was indeed good, but her voice was just not good enough!
Xian'er, hearing this, joined in the teasing, and Zhu'er then belted out a few lines, singing so off-key that Ji Wushang and Xian'er burst into laughter. After Zhu'er finished singing, her face was flushed crimson. "You're all making fun of me!"
Ji Wushang smiled and rewarded Zhu'er with the purse, "This is the first time I've heard this song, and I think Zhu'er sings it very well! That's why you're laughing so happily, isn't it, Xian'er?"
Yes!
The three of them, master and servant, were all laughing and happy.
“I just remembered a piece of music that I really like!” Ji Wushang said, looking at the moonlight.
Upon hearing this, Xian'er immediately exclaimed, "Miss's singing is definitely better than Zhu'er's!" As she spoke, she made a face at Zhu'er, who laughed and scolded, "It's still better than you, you little hussy!"
The three of them laughed upon hearing this.
Ji Wushang composed himself, recalling his youthful days, then changed his tone, looked at the moonlight, and began to sing:
Whose light did I steal by chiseling a hole in the wall when I was a child?
Uncombed in the past, a decade of hard study has passed.
Now, I leisurely read under the lamp, with a beautiful woman adding fragrance to my writing.
Half a lifetime of fleeting fame is nothing but vanity
In March, the landscape is shrouded in mist and haze, with orioles singing and grasses growing tall.
I saw my hometown amidst the fluttering willow catkins.
I wonder if you, the one I love, are still in Luyang.
A strand of black hair, treasured for a lifetime
Lovers on the bridge come and go in pairs
Red peonies by the bridge sigh that the night is too long.
The moon swayed, and people wandered aimlessly.
A mournful melody drifted from the awning.
The moonlight over Luzhou shines on my heart.
You under the moon are no longer the same as you used to be.
Too many wounds, too many to express.
Sighing, I thought it was just an ordinary thing back then.
[Excerpt from: Xu Song's "Luzhou Moon"]
Zhu'er and Xian'er were both captivated by the song, not daring to utter a word to interrupt. Ji Wushang was also engrossed in his singing, unaware that a pair of bright eyes were watching them from a distance.
Bathed in the bright moonlight, the young girl's robes fluttered, her hair billowing in the wind, making her seem like a fairy descended from the Jade Pool, captivating everyone's gaze. Her songs were sometimes like a clear spring, flowing straight into people's hearts, and sometimes like a towering building overlooking the sea, gazing into the distance with sorrowful longing, breaking one's heart.
Unexpectedly, he was late. He had originally planned to leave after presenting the birthday gifts, but he hadn't expected to hear that the mansion was being lit up with lanterns. So Nan Xuzong casually strolled around the deserted area of General Ji's mansion. It was his first time visiting the mansion, and unexpectedly, he heard that beautiful voice again, that heavenly music that was both melodious and poignant.
Nan Xuzong felt as if his heart was about to leap out of his chest. He froze, his heart pounding rapidly? He clutched his heart, feeling the intense pounding. It wasn't his imagination… it was her voice. Nan Xuzong took a deep breath, momentarily at a loss for what to do.
That day at the chrysanthemum appreciation party, on the way back from the Prince of Zhenbei's mansion, someone discovered that it was her white jade silver hairpin. However, she didn't know why she was involved with Beigong Minhao. At that time, Beigong Minhao was laughing so happily...
After Ji Wushang finished singing, he immediately said to the two maids, "How was it? Are you dumbfounded?" Then he laughed playfully.
Zhu'er came to her senses. "Indeed, Miss sang so beautifully! I feel my heart breaking. It's such a desolate feeling. How could it be so desolate?"
"How could you understand at such a young age?" Ji Wushang sighed, though he himself didn't want to understand.
“Zhu’er is not young anymore, she’s thirteen.” Zhu’er said quickly as she looked at Ji Wushang.
"You're thirteen already? I'll find you a servant tomorrow," Ji Wushang teased.
Immediately, Pearl blushed. "No! Miss, Pearl still needs to serve you!"
"You're such a chatterbox!" Ji Wushang tapped Zhu'er's nose, and Xian'er chimed in, "That's right, Zhu'er is such a chatterbox!"
"You're not young anymore, haha, let's both get servants!" Ji Wushang joked, teasing both maids.
Seeing that someone in the distance was heading towards the Wind and Rain Pavilion, Ji Wushang said, "It's getting late. Let's go back to the Wind and Rain Pavilion. It seems something has happened."
As soon as I turned around, I saw a person sitting in a wheelchair in the distance, seemingly deep in thought. In the moonlight, I could tell that he was struggling with something. There was no one behind him.
Upon seeing him, Ji Wushang wondered why he was here at this hour. He still said, "Greetings, Prince Nan."
Both the beads and the thread bowed in greeting.
Nan Xuzong then came to his senses, paused, and looked slightly embarrassed. "So Miss is here too. I... I was just passing by." With that, he turned his wheelchair and started to walk away.
The two maids exchanged bewildered glances. What was the Prince of Nan doing here? Ji Wushang also looked at Zhu'er and Xian'er in confusion. "Xian'er, Zhu'er, let's go to the Wind and Rain Pavilion!"
After Ji Wushang left with his two maids, Nan Xuzong emerged from the side path. Had he lost his composure just now? Before he could figure it out, someone ran over to announce, "Young Master Nan, Young Master Nan, my master invites you to the Wind and Rain Pavilion to enjoy the lanterns together! My master said that since Young Master Nan has gone to such trouble to come, please come to the Wind and Rain Pavilion for a gathering."
"Please lead the way," Nan Xuzong said, his expression returning to normal. The servant then went behind Nan Xuzong and helped push his wheelchair toward the Wind and Rain Pavilion.
Before Ji Wushang even reached the Wind and Rain Pavilion, he heard a series of loud noises coming from a side room next door, which frightened him. What was going on?
More and more people gathered, and Ji Wushang, also curious, brought Zhu'er and Xian'er to watch.
Ji Yinxue also rushed over from a distance. Seeing Ji Wushang, she hurried forward and asked, "What happened?"
Ji Wushang shook his head, "I don't know either. Who's inside? Someone, quickly go and inform Father, Mother, and Aunt!" Several quick-footed maids immediately went to report.
The maids shook their heads. Everyone had gone to release the lanterns; how could they have noticed who had entered this room? This room was probably for the young ladies to rest in!
Ji Wuxia seemed to realize something and exclaimed in surprise, "It's Second Sister inside!"