The next day, Hua Wuduo secretly left the palace early in the morning. By the time Gongzi Yi and Gongzi Qi got up, she had already returned.
Another day passed. After Gongzi Yi and Gongzi Qi left, Hua Wuduo got up and dismissed all the servants. After dressing up, he went out and strode through the palace. The maids and servants he passed all respectfully greeted him, "General Song."
Hua Wuduo nodded in a perfunctory manner, walked towards the Prince's stables, asked for a horse, and headed straight for the southwest riverbank.
Although she was not as tall as Song Zixing and was relatively thinner, her appearance, mannerisms, and voice were exactly the same, making it difficult for ordinary people to tell that she was an imposter at a glance. Naturally, everyone assumed that it was Song Zixing's doing. She had already found out that Song Zixing had not been in the Prince's Mansion since yesterday, which made her even more unscrupulous.
Once outside the city gates, she galloped at full speed for nearly an hour, until she spotted a bamboo-built teahouse by the roadside. Some passersby were resting and drinking tea inside. The summer heat was stifling, and Hua Wuduo was parched, so she spurred her horse towards the teahouse. When she was about a hundred paces away, she suddenly spotted someone smiling and turning to look at her. It was none other than Song Zixing, now dressed as a commoner. Hua Wuduo gasped, abruptly reining in her horse. The horse neighed loudly, its front hooves rearing up, nearly throwing her off. Once she had regained control, she was surprised to see Song Zixing right in front of her. He suddenly flipped over and sat behind her, taking the reins from her hand, and whispered in her ear with a smile, "I've been waiting for you for a long time. You're really late."
Just as Hua Wuduo realized he had fallen into a trap, he heard an old woman with a cane passing by say, "Phoenix, look! A pair of identical twins!"
The old man supporting the old woman replied, "Biyue, you know perfectly well that my eyesight is failing me and I can't see clearly anymore. Let's hurry on our way."
Hua Wuduo's head buzzed. So this was the Phoenix Jade Moon... an old man and an old woman...
Just then, she heard Song Zixing chuckle in her ear, "Have you found what you were looking for?"
Let go of the bellyband
Hua Wuduo froze on the spot. The faint aura of the person behind her made her extremely annoyed. She stiffened her neck and slowly turned her head, slightly raising one side of her forehead, and stared at Song Zixing behind her with hostility. She saw that Song Zixing's phoenix eyes were looking at her with a half-smile. After their eyes met, something seemed to ignite in his eyes for a moment. Just as she was wondering what kind of dog-like god Song Zixing was, his lips suddenly covered her forehead.
She froze, stunned into place, her expression one of disbelief. She forgot whether she should fight back or struggle; the unprecedented sensation, the warm softness, seemed to scald her forehead. It was an invasion, yet it felt strangely odd, inexplicably strange.
With just a light touch, Song Zixing's lips left hers. He lowered his eyes to look at Hua Wuduo, who had her mouth open and her gaze blank. But in the blink of an eye, she seemed to suddenly realize what was happening. Just as her face was about to contort, he quickly lowered his head again and kissed her lips this time.
At this moment, the old woman who hadn't left suddenly exclaimed in surprise, "Phoenix, they...they..."
An elderly man with poor eyesight nearby hurriedly asked, "Biyue, what's wrong? What happened?"
The old woman gasped for breath before trembling and saying, "They!...They..."
The old man asked tremblingly, "What happened to them?"
The old woman, seemingly having reached her limit, exclaimed in shock, "They're kissing! They're homosexuals!"
That kiss struck Hua Wuduo like a thunderbolt. He felt like he was about to collapse, and somehow, he fell backward off his horse, landing awkwardly on the ground. Just as he was grimacing in pain, he heard someone chuckle from above: "Will you dare to impersonate me again next time?"
Without a second thought, Hua gritted her teeth and shouted back, "Dare!"
A glint flashed in Song Zixing's eyes, a smirk appeared on his lips, and he turned and rode off, reins in his horse. Before leaving, whether intentionally or not, he stomped his horse haphazardly on the ground, scattering dust all over Hua Wuduo's head and face, making him cough.
***************
Watching the man and horse gradually disappear into the distance, a cheerful whistle suddenly reached her ears. Hua Wuduo, extremely frustrated, lay back, kicking her arms and legs wildly in the air several times as if in venting her anger. Suddenly, she noticed the two figures, "Phoenix and Moon," still staring at her in disbelief. Her hands and legs froze instantly. Embarrassed, she sprang to her feet, flicked her sleeves to brush the dust off her clothes, glanced sideways at "Phoenix and Moon," who were still staring blankly at her, pursed her lips, and suddenly shouted to the sky. "Phoenix and Moon" were startled and took several steps back, attracting the attention of people in a nearby teahouse. Among them was a man, sipping coarse tea from a narrow two-finger cup. Hearing the shout, he slightly raised his eyes. The two beautiful young women serving behind him seemed to understand, one of them asking in a low voice, "Young master…?" The young master shook his head slightly, and the women understood without speaking further. The young man put down his teacup and turned to look in Hua Wuduo's direction. He saw Hua Wuduo angrily swinging his sleeves, arms slightly outstretched, and stomping away with heavy steps. A beautiful woman behind him chuckled softly at the sight, and a smile appeared in the young man's eyes as he suddenly said, "That's a woman." The two beauties gasped softly at his words, clearly not expecting this.
Hua Wuduo had never felt so agitated. His forehead, where Turtle Star had touched him, burned intensely. The thought that Turtle Star had even bitten his lip... made his gaze turn fierce. The way he walked and the way he looked drew frequent glances from passersby.
With the Phoenix Boat Race starting the day after tomorrow, famous courtesans from all over the country have gathered in Jiangling for the past two days, attracting countless romantic talents. Every day, they indulge in romance, wine, and brothels, making Jiangling a place of extravagance. The bustling scene makes it seem as if the beggars and refugees who were driven out of the city never existed.
Hua Wuduo was currently dressed as Song Zixing, and her dashing and debonair manner was undeniable. However, her clenched teeth, fiery eyes, and arrogant demeanor significantly diminished her charm. With a burning anger simmering within her, Hua Wuduo unknowingly arrived at Yanshan Pavilion.
The entrance to Yanshan Pavilion was bustling with people. Hua Wuduo, dressed as Song Zixing, though his expression was unfriendly, clearly belonged to a wealthy man. The girls soliciting customers at the pavilion greeted him with smiles, their soft "My lord" sending shivers down his spine. But Hua Wuduo was in a terrible mood and paid them no heed, hurrying past. Just then, a woman chased after him, calling out, "Young master, please wait!"
Hua Wu was stunned for a moment, then saw a woman dressed as a maid running over with a brocade box in her hand, blocking her way. The maid first curtsied to her, and then said with a little shyness, "Young master, a young master surnamed Song asked me to give you a gift. Please accept it."
A young master surnamed Song?! Upon hearing this surname, Hua Wuduo immediately thought of Song Zixing. After a slight hesitation, he still reached out and took the brocade box handed to him by the maid. He opened it and saw... His eyes twitched and his mouth clenched.
The maidservant beside her also glanced into the brocade box. Upon seeing what was inside, her face flushed even more, and she stammered, "Young Master... Young Master Song asked me to pass on a message to you. Young Master Song said... Young Master Song said..."
The maid seemed quite hesitant, and Young Master Song didn't respond for a long time. Hua Wuduo also seemed to have no interest in listening. His gaze was gloomy, and he ignored the maid, gripping the brocade box tightly. He seemed to be thinking about something. After a while, he turned and left, his steps seemingly unsteady.
The maid seemed to find it extremely difficult to speak, hesitating several times before finally managing to finish her sentence. But seeing that she was about to leave, she seemed to disregard everything else and hurriedly said haltingly, "Young Master Song said... Young Master Song said... this undergarment is very... very... very suitable... for you—." The maid's voice grew softer and softer until the last word was almost inaudible, but Hua Wuduo's hearing was still sharp enough to hear it clearly. After saying this, the maid probably realized something was amiss. Her eyes darted around, and she stood there, her face flushed, somewhat at a loss. Suddenly, she heard a muffled thud and looked over to see Hua Wuduo had bumped into a tree, her face pressed against the trunk for a long time. Then, the maid was shocked to see the brocade box in Hua Wuduo's hand being crushed little by little. The maid was terrified and immediately realized that she should not stay there any longer. She quickly turned and ran into the nearby Yanshan Pavilion.
Meanwhile, on the second floor of the Yanshan Pavilion not far away, a person stood by the window, gazing into the distance. He held a wine glass in one hand, taking a sip, and waved a folding fan with ink painting in the other. He was dressed in white with a blue belt, exuding elegance and refinement.
The man gazed into the distance with great interest, his mouth and eyes full of smiles. As he looked, he suddenly saw something and burst into laughter. The burly man sitting at the table behind him, who was drinking heavily, was slightly surprised when he heard the sound. He quickly got up and went to the window to look in the same direction. After seeing it, he also laughed loudly: "Haha! Which idiot is that who would bump into a tree in broad daylight?"
The man in white smiled and glanced at the man, saying, "If you could see who she is, you probably wouldn't be laughing."
The man asked in surprise, "Why?"
The man in white smiled slightly but did not answer.
The rough, hard bark hit my face—it hurt!
Even though it hurt, it couldn't suppress the anger in Hua Wuduo's heart at this moment!
A bellyband! A red bellyband! A red bellyband embroidered with peonies! Song Zixing actually gave her a bellyband! Not only that! He even said that this bellyband was very... very... very... perfect for her!!!
Hua Wuduo had never felt so indignant. As she walked, until she was almost at the gate of the Prince of Jin's mansion, she realized that she was still tightly clutching that damned peony-red bellyband in her hand. The sight of it made her teeth grind. Just as she was about to find a corner to throw it away, she happened to see a kite seller nearby, and she couldn't help but narrow her eyes.
Behind the stall hung a striking kite, on which was painted a beautiful woman whose face was half-hidden by a silk fan. The kite was exquisitely painted, making the woman in the painting appear even more graceful and charming. Even the peony-red undergarment under the woman's gauze dress could be vaguely seen...
I remembered what I was clutching tightly in my hand...
This is intolerable!
As dusk fell, a gentle breeze blew.
Hua Wuduo was still dressed as Song Zixing, carrying a paper kite, and strode towards Jiangling Street, where the crowds were the largest. Standing in the center of the street, he looked around and his eyes locked onto the tallest city wall not far away. Suddenly, he leaped up and flew over the heads of countless people, soaring straight up to the wall. This action immediately drew gasps and stares from the surrounding crowd.
Hua Wuduo stood atop the wall, the wind blowing against him. With a flick of his sleeve and a turn of his head, he exuded an indescribable air of elegance.
The people on the street were caught off guard by this sudden event, and for a moment they all looked at Hua Wuduo to watch the commotion.
Hua Wuduo glanced at the crowd below the wall, then suddenly raised the kite in her hand and leaped up the city wall. Her figure was graceful and agile, her movements fluid and graceful, exuding an indescribable coolness and a touch of madness after being provoked. But these were not the key points. The key point was that her arm was raised high in the wind, and a very dazzling red kite was slowly released behind her. Everyone stared intently and looked closely. It was a kite made of a peony red bellyband!
The entire audience erupted in uproar!
At this moment, Hua Wuduo, while displaying his lightness skill, loudly proclaimed, "Fellow elders and folks of Jiangling, I am Song Zixing from Jiangnan. Recently, I came to Jiangling and found this place to be beautiful, with its mountains and rivers, abundant resources, and outstanding people. Everywhere I look, there are beautiful women. I am not talented enough to do so, but I wish to use this paper kite made from a peony-red bellyband to fly in the sky and seek my destined marriage. Whoever the kite lands in, I, Song, will marry, regardless of gender or age. Everything is up to fate!"
No sooner had the words left his mouth than the kite string snapped, and the kite plummeted from the sky. Everyone scattered and fled... not a single person even tried to catch it.
It makes sense. First, not many people in Jiangling know Song Zixing. Second, Hua Wuduo's behavior is already bizarre; he even dares to say in front of so many normal people that he can marry anyone, regardless of age or gender! This kind of person is either considered crazy or just a handsome crazy person!
How could I not run away?
Amidst the chaos, the kite plummeted! Everyone calmed down and looked intently, only to see the kite had indeed landed in someone's arms! A sudden silence fell over the surroundings.
Just then, the man, holding a kite, looked up slightly and met Hua Wuduo's gaze.
Hua Wuduo was startled and hurriedly shouted, "The young master who got the kite must come to the Prince of Jin's mansion to find me!" After saying that, his figure quickly disappeared into the streets of Jiangling.
Hua Wuduo fled in such a hurry that she didn't notice two familiar faces in the western corner. One of them was a burly man who was glaring at her departing figure and wanted to chase after her, but was stopped by the white-robed young man beside him.
Just then, someone in the crowd suddenly pointed at the young man in white and exclaimed, "Hey everyone, look! This man looks exactly like that madman!"
These words immediately attracted the attention of the surrounding crowd. Following the direction the man pointed, they saw a young man in white robes, with an elegant and noble appearance, a blue sash adorned with jade pendants, standing out prominently in the crowd. His left hand lightly held a folding fan, one end of which was pressed against the chest of a burly man. It seemed effortless, yet the man was unable to move forward. And indeed, this young man in white robes and blue sash bore a striking resemblance to the madman who had boasted of marrying men, women, young, and old—not just a slight resemblance, but practically identical. The crowd began pointing and whispering, speculating that he might be the madman's brother.
The young master was taken aback at first, but then, seeing so many people pointing and whispering about him, he couldn't help but shake his head and chuckle.
The burly man beside the young master glared fiercely at the one who had spoken earlier. He was about to speak when the young master's ink-painted folding fan tapped his mouth. Though angry, the man immediately softened upon seeing the young master's expression. The young master closed the fan, then opened it with a whoosh, revealing an ink-painting scene—a painting symbolizing a meeting of kindred spirits amidst towering mountains and flowing water. The white-robed young master sighed softly, seemingly amused and exasperated, "This woman is really troublesome..."
The burly man beside him heard the young master's words clearly and looked at the white-robed young master with a strange expression. The white-robed young master said, "Let's go."
The burly man glanced again at the man who had pointed at his young master and said he looked like a madman, only to see that the man had already hidden behind the crowd. The others, seeing the burly man's imposing aura and fierce expression, instinctively shrank back. The crowd automatically made way for the two of them. The burly man snorted and followed the young master away.
The news quickly spread throughout the streets and alleys of Jiangling.
Hua Wuduo changed her clothes, wearing a green dress. The skirt swayed with her steps, and the lush greenery made her feel relaxed and comfortable, as if it brought some good mood to the host's gloomy day.
After committing that act, Hua Wuduo had already planned to return immediately to bid farewell to Gongzi Yi, take her disguise tools hidden on the top of her bed, and flee far away. She was only responsible for causing trouble, not for cleaning up the mess. She didn't care about the Phoenix Boat Race; as long as Song Zixing was still around, it was not advisable to stay in Jiangling for long.
Hua Wuduo walked towards the Prince of Jin's residence as if nothing had happened. At the gate, she encountered Li She, who had just dismounted. It was nearly dusk, and the sky was already dark. Seeing her returning alone, Li She's gaze darkened. It seemed rather strange that the Marquis's daughter was returning so late without anyone by her side. Although Li She was suspicious, he showed no sign of it. After exchanging a few pleasantries with Hua Wuduo, he led her inside.
As the setting sun cast its glow into the garden, the crape myrtle languidly clung to the wall, accompanied by a beautiful woman. A faint, sweet fragrance, seemingly not quite flowers, lingered in the air. Li She walked slowly, and the woman beside him seemed equally unhurried, absentmindedly following behind.
Li She asked, "What does Miss usually like to do?"
Without thinking, Hua Wuduo blurted out, "Fly kites!" He immediately regretted it. In truth, Hua Wuduo didn't usually like flying kites; he just hadn't gotten over what happened today.
Li She had naturally heard about "Song Zixing" flying a peony-colored bib kite in the street at the market today. Upon hearing about flying a kite, he couldn't help but smile.
Upon seeing this, Hua Wushao hurriedly asked, "Where is Young Master Li?"
Li She said, "What I like to do most is to steal half a day of leisure from my busy life."
Hua Wuduo smiled and said, "Young Master Li is indeed a very busy man."
Li She smiled slightly upon hearing this and said, "The Prince has invited us to a banquet tonight, I heard it's because a distinguished guest has come to the manor."
"Who is it?" Hua Wuduo asked casually.
Li She replied, "A young master from the Tang Clan in Sichuan."
Hua Wuduo was taken aback upon hearing this, and her already somewhat unsettled heart was now in turmoil. The young master of the Tang Clan in Sichuan!? Her first thought was Tang Ye!
Just as Hua Wuduo was stunned, he heard someone shout, "Brother Li, I've been waiting for you for a long time! Will you be coming to judge the Phoenix Boat Race tomorrow?"
Hua Wuduo and Li She looked up at the sound and saw Prince Liu Jin rushing towards them.
Hua Wuduo had originally planned to bid farewell to Gongzi Yi, but changed his mind because of the distinguished guest Li She mentioned, "the young master of the Tang Clan from Sichuan." The young master of the Tang Clan from Sichuan... if it was Tang Ye... just thinking of that name made Hua Wuduo exceptionally energetic...
Li She was invited away by Liu Jin. Hua Wuduo ignored Liu Jin's meaningful gaze as he left, smiling as she watched the two of them depart. Then, she walked alone towards the east wing, where she could hear arguing coming from within. Hua Wuduo frowned. She had gone out alone without informing Gongzi Yi or Gongzi Qi today and only returned in the evening. Although she wasn't afraid of their questions, she still found them tedious. Moreover, it seemed there were others in the courtyard besides the two of them. She needed to find an opportunity to sneak into the house and come up with an excuse. Seeing that no one was around, she took a deep breath, leaned against the wall, and used her toes to find a protrusion in the wall for footholds. Then, she cautiously peeked into the courtyard.
Hua Wuduo peered over the wall into the east courtyard. He saw six people inside, with two maids attending to them. Four sat in the center: Gongzi Yu, Gongzi Kuang, Gongzi Yi, and the ever-present Gongzi Qi. Gongzi Yu and Gongzi Yi were currently playing chess, seemingly locked in a fierce battle. Hua Wuduo knew their chess skills very well; they were truly evenly matched, one terrible player against another. The two gentlemen, who should have remained silent while watching, were instead pointing and gesturing, one suggesting a move here, the other there, arguing endlessly. Suddenly, a pleasant female voice chuckled, "Young master, look, look! There's a toad squatting on the wall!"
So that's how it can be done!
"A toad?" Hua Wuduo, perched on the wall, was stunned by the question. Turning her head in bewilderment towards the source of the voice, she was astonished to see three people staring intently at her from below! A dashing young man in dark green brocade robes, two beautiful women, and a slender finger pointing directly at her!
Hua Wuduo was secretly surprised and suspicious. Who were these three people? When did they arrive at her side? Why hadn't she noticed them at all?
Remembering the word "toad" he had just heard, he looked at the woman pointing at him...
this……
Hua Wuduo couldn't help but laugh and cry at the same time, and exclaimed with great admiration, "Young lady, you have such good eyesight."
Pfft... Another woman covered her mouth and chuckled.
A smile appeared in the green-clad young man's piercing gaze.
The girl who pointed at her and called her a toad stomped her foot and snorted defiantly.
Hua Wuduo inwardly groaned, realizing her whereabouts were now exposed. She paid no attention to the man and two women stealing glances into the courtyard, only to find everyone's eyes fixed on her atop the wall. The sight of Gongzi Yu's dislocated jaw, a truly shocking sight, made Hua Wuduo dizzy. Thinking of Gongzi Yu's "straightforwardness," it seemed that soon everyone would know she was clinging to the wall like that. Her initial good mood from wearing green was completely gone.