Heaven is the shore of mortal dust - Chapter 57
Wei Zijun was taken aback. She had just scolded him, and now he was going to give her a gift?
Then Nangong Que casually took out an exquisite bracelet from his sleeve. It was a light rouge color with a faint pinkish luster, like jade and steel, and its brilliance was dazzling.
When Li Tianqi saw the bracelet, his expression was slightly surprised, and he looked at Nangong Que with a probing gaze.
Just as Wei Zijun was wondering about this, Nangong Que had already grabbed her left hand and was about to put the bracelet on her wrist.
"Brother Nangong—" Wei Zijun exclaimed, pulling his arm away and saying with slight annoyance, "Brother Nangong, please don't humiliate me. With such womanly items, how can I possibly leave the house?"
Nangong Que smiled slightly, flicked his wrist, and a white light shot out from the bracelet like lightning, striking through the air. The light, pale pink color was dazzling and mesmerizing. With a slight tremor in his hand, the light spread, revealing a soft sword more than three feet long.
Seeing the surprise in Wei Zijun's eyes turn to delight, Nangong Que smiled and said, "It's called Flowing Colors, Fourth Brother, don't you like it?"
Wei Zijun chuckled and said, "I like it, thank you, Brother Nangong."
"How will you thank me?"
"Whatever Brother Nangong likes, as long as I have it, I will give it to you."
"Then kiss me." Nangong Que looked at her red lips and pointed to his own face.
Wei Zijun was stunned for a moment, not expecting him to make such a condition. She glanced at him sideways, took the longsword, and ignored him, instead excitedly examining the longsword and stroking it again and again.
Nangong Que also moved closer, lowering his head and leaning against Wei Zijun's head, pointing at the sword. The two of them were so close together that they completely ignored the presence of someone else.
Li Tianqi stepped forward and subtly separated the two, "Nangong, how can you bear to give away this treasure like this?"
"This flowing jewel was also a serendipitous find. It's not quite suitable for either of us. Don't you think it suits Fourth Brother's elegance perfectly? I also felt an instant connection with Fourth Brother and thought it would suit her well. My treasures are only given to those destined to receive them." Nangong Que's eyes flickered as he lightly swept his gaze over Wei Zijun's profile.
"Although I know your room is full of treasures, it is rare to see you so generous, you fox. I should thank you for your love and respect for my fourth brother."
Nan Gongque remained noncommittal, his eyes filled with amusement, and gave a leisurely smile.
Wei Zijun didn't understand why she hadn't eaten there, so Li Tianqi pulled her out.
It was midday when they emerged from the restaurant. The streets were bustling with people, and the two walked among them, soaking in the lively atmosphere.
Looking at the bustling marketplace before him, and thinking of the impending separation, Li Tianqi felt a pang of sadness. He turned and silently gazed at the spirited Wei Zijun, sighing softly as he considered that this parting might not be followed by another.
"Fourth brother, after I leave, you must take good care of yourself. If that Prefect Zhang invites you, do not pay him any attention."
Wei Zijun was puzzled upon hearing this, "Why? That Lord Zhang doesn't seem like a bad person."
"Well... that Lord Zhang has some quirks, but in any case, it's best to listen to Second Brother."
Wei Zijun hummed in response and walked on in silence. This seemingly parting instruction stirred a faint melancholy in Li Tianqi's heart. After walking silently for a while, he seemed to remember something, grabbed Wei Zijun's arm, and said, "Zijun, come back to the capital with me!"
Let Ziju go back with us. With Ziju's talent, if she enters the court as an official, she will surely become the head of three provinces. If she does not want to be an official, she can be allowed to do some business. In this way, we can see her every day. As long as we don't leave her, that's fine.
"Second brother, I'm also reluctant to leave you, but how can I leave Master? He's getting old!" Wei Zijun was also stirred up by Li Tianqi's words, feeling a pang of sadness at parting.
She truly couldn't bear to part with him. The days they'd spent together had forged a deep bond of trust and affection within them. In their leisure time, they'd recite poetry, drink wine, write calligraphy, paint, sip fragrant tea, play chess, laugh and joke freely, discuss national affairs without reservation, and even often share a bed. They were inseparable, accustomed to each other's presence, and had clearly become rare and cherished companions. Li Tianqi's talent was also remarkable; conversing with him, reciting poetry, and composing prose were always delightful experiences. Such a soulmate, if he were to leave, would surely leave her feeling empty for a long time.
Li Tianqi remained silent for a long time after hearing Wei Zijun's words. He knew her filial piety and righteousness; she would never abandon her master to follow him. Moreover, her reclusive master could not possibly follow them either. This was clearly an unrealistic idea.
He walked forward in silence, his elegant steps becoming slightly unsteady. A thought flashed through his mind, and he suddenly stopped.
“Zijun, I wonder how things will turn out for me here. It won’t be difficult to ask Father for the title of Prince of Wu. I think Lucheng is a good place to build a royal palace.” Li Tianqi’s deep black eyes shone like stars, and his long eyelashes trembled slightly, casting two rows of shadows on his face.
"Second Brother, your eyelashes are so long." Wei Zijun reached out and touched them.
Li Tianqi let her haphazardly wipe his eyelashes, a faint smile playing on his lips.
The melancholy of parting vanished, and the two walked with much lighter steps, soon becoming hungry.
Walking along the bustling street, looking around, trying to find a tavern to fill their stomachs, the two were stopped by a group of heavily made-up women when they came to a vermilion building.
[Volume 1, Deer City Chapter: Chapter 51 Poisoning (Part 1)]
"Gentlemen, please come in and rest." Several men in front pulled the two men aside without explanation. A group of people behind them swarmed around them, forcibly pushing Wei Zijun and Li Tianqi through a vermilion gate.
Wei Zijun was slightly annoyed; this was clearly kidnapping! Who dared to be so bold? Li Tianqi was even more furious, because he already knew what kind of people they were from their attire. If it weren't for his pity for them being a group of weak women, he would have already struck them down.
Amidst the commotion, Wei Zijun glanced around. It was a two-story pavilion, with staircases on all four sides leading to a central stage. The stage was uniquely designed and brightly decorated, with women in colorful costumes dancing to music. Upstairs, men and women watched from the railings. Seeing this, she realized where she had been pulled into. She looked at Li Tianqi and gave him a look, signaling him to leave together.
Li Tianqi knew her intentions and nodded. The two turned to leave, but the women who had pushed them in blocked their way and refused to give way.
No wonder, they only see one person of such extraordinary bearing every few years.
I've seen one or two other tall and handsome men like this before, but none of them possessed the noble and extraordinary aura of the one before me.
The other man, handsome and dashing, was someone he had never seen before in his life. Though slender, he exuded an aura of elegance that shone brightly on the walls of the hall. The moment the two of them stood there, the entire hall seemed to brighten considerably, and even those watching the dance upstairs turned their attention to them.
These courtesans, though dissolute, were also captivated by such a man; some of the more unruly ones nestled into Wei Zijun's arms.
As a woman herself, Wei Zijun felt sorry for their plight and couldn't bear to push them away. She could only support the woman with her hand, enduring the vulgar and pungent fragrance, and step back.
Upon seeing this, Li Tianqi flew into a rage. How could such a pure and innocent person as his fourth brother be allowed to get close to these unclean women?
Just as a surge of anger rose within him, a woman inappropriately leaned into his arms. Li Tianqi used his strength to push the woman aside, then grabbed the woman who was still clinging to Wei Zijun and tossed her aside as well.
Wei Zijun glanced reproachfully at Li Tianqi. How could he be so inconsiderate, using such force on a woman?
"Oh dear—sir, who has angered you?" A glamorous middle-aged woman swayed her hips as she walked over.