Lanting

Hua Chongyang held the teacup and shook his head:

"Chongyang has always been ignorant and uninformed. How could people from Lanying Palace be active in Hangzhou?"

"You know 'The Evil Doctor' Zu Xian, right?" Miao Yunshan lowered his voice. "He's always been on good terms with Lan Ying Palace. Apparently, someone saw him in Hangzhou recently. Even the Evil Doctor can command him, so Lan Wuxie must be quite powerful, at least the second-in-command of Lan Ying Palace—oh dear, I misspoke. Sect Leader Hua probably knows more about these things than I do! Hehe, hehehehe."

Hua Chongyang raised his teacup, slowly tilted his head back and drank the tea in it, then turned his head with a smile:

"Sect Leader Miao has indeed misspoke. I am the leader of the Hangzhou Flower Sect, and a mere junior in the martial world. How could I possibly know about the Orchid Shadow Palace?"

Miao Yunshan nodded awkwardly.

Hua Chongyang turned around, his smile vanishing.

The banquet ended close to midnight.

As night fell and the crowds gradually dispersed, she walked out of Lake Moon Villa, somewhat dejected. The wind had died down, but a faint scent of firecrackers lingered in the air. The azure sky stretched out in all directions, sparsely dotted with drifting starlight, like a beautiful painting. Turning the corner, she stepped onto the long stone bridge along the flowing water not far from West Lake. Looking at the bright red lanterns hanging in front of the shops, their glow reflected on the green water, Hua Chongyang suddenly remembered the drunkard she had seen under the Half-Curtain Drunken Snow Pavilion.

At this moment, she really wanted to have a good drink by herself, but when she checked her pockets, they were still empty.

Furthermore, it was past midnight, and the only tavern open on the street… She suddenly remembered Banlianzui and Ye Qinghua's warning:

"I advise you to stay as far away from him as possible."

The moment the thought crossed her mind, she stopped in her tracks. Anyang Street was still quite far away and not on her way, but this wasn't the first time she'd done something impulsive and foolish.

However, it was clear that she was unlucky; just as she was about to turn back, someone called softly from behind:

"Miss Chongyang."

Bathed in moonlight, the water shimmered beneath the stone bridge, the gentle flow carrying fragments of ice that occasionally clattered against the surface, producing a faint, almost imperceptible tinkling sound that vanished just as quickly. Yet, the voice calling her was even softer than the sound of the flowing water. Hua Chongyang turned around and saw Situ Qingliu standing in the moonlight, draped in a white fur cloak, his hands behind his back at the flat bridgehead, a faint smile playing on his delicate face.

She was momentarily taken aback:

"...Young Master Situ, what are you doing here?"

Throughout the banquet tonight, countless people took the opportunity of toasting to subtly inquire about her relationship with Lan Ying Palace. Only Rong Zaisheng and Situ Qingliu remained silent. During the banquet, Situ Qingliu merely raised his glass to her from a distance across the table and nodded in greeting.

Why is he chasing after me now?

"The weather in Jiangnan is warm, and we've only just arrived today, so we're still getting used to it." Situ Qingliu smiled as he approached, then pointed to the blue-clad guard behind him. "Pinlan seems a bit bored, and he's never been to Jiangnan before. I'm accompanying him for a walk to see the moonlight in Jiangnan."

Standing in the shadows, the guard Pinlan secretly rolled his eyes at the sky. But after twenty years as a guard, he had long since learned when to shut up—if his master wanted him to admire the moon, he would admire the moon; if his master wanted him to take a walk, he would take a walk. It might sound a little silly, but what did it matter?

"Really? Hehe." Hua Chongyang glanced curiously at Pin Lan, who was looking up from the shadows, rubbing his hands together and chuckling softly. "Northerners really aren't afraid of the cold. I actually feel a bit chilly today."

...What a silly excuse.

Not only is he not afraid of the cold, but he's also very free. He even ran out to look at the moonlight in the middle of the night. Do all good-looking men have some strange hobbies? For example, there's that guard Pin Lan, or Prince Jing, Situ Qingliu, and the one who was drunk at Banlian last night. He also likes to drink and enjoy the snow at night... But who would believe that a crown prince would be so free that he would go out for a stroll in the middle of the night?

Hua Chongyang sneered inwardly.

"Winter in the North is much harsher than in the South," Situ Qingliu said, having already taken off his fur cloak and walking slowly forward. "However, Miss Chongyang grew up in the South, so she must be a bit more sensitive to the cold."

He naturally draped the fur cloak over Hua Chongyang's shoulders.

A pure white fur cloak, as clean as the unmelted snow on the rooftops lining the street, lined with blue silk, carrying a faint scent of sandalwood, draped over Hua Chongyang, still bearing the warmth of Situ Qingliu's body. Hua Chongyang didn't even flinch, tilting his head back and smiling slightly:

"Thank you, Your Highness. You are so considerate."

Situ Qingliu smiled indifferently, glanced at her, and murmured a word of praise:

White suits you better.

Hua Chongyang smiled but remained silent.

Over the past ten or twenty years, though few men had tried to approach her, it wasn't impossible; Hua Chongyang wasn't stupid. But this young prince was acting far too ostentatiously. Situ Qingliu, however, seemed completely unfazed, spreading his sleeves in a gesture of invitation.

"Miss Chongyang, it's getting late. If you don't mind, let me take you home."

So the two of them slowly moved forward.

Hua Chongyang was quite tall, but Situ Qingliu was even taller. The fur cloak was a little long on her, and it would easily drag on the ground, so she had to hold it up with her hands, walking lightly behind Situ Qingliu. A guard named Pinlan followed them at a distance, silently, looking nothing like someone admiring the moon. After a few steps, Hua Chongyang saw Situ Qingliu stop ahead, turned to the side with a smile, and waited for her to catch up before continuing on her way.

The moonlight was soft and hazy, the water gurgled silently, the willow tips were tinged with pale yellow, and a faint spring breeze stirred.

The night in early spring is hazy and distant.

The streets were quiet and sparsely populated. Looking into the distance, on the seemingly unreachable river, a few dim fish lights flickered in the night breeze.

7. Zu Xian

As they neared the Flower Garden, Hua Chongyang guessed it was time for Situ Qingliu to ask her something. Sure enough, Situ Qingliu stopped at the entrance of Anyang Street, looked down at her, and smiled.

"It seems that Miss Chongyang's residence is just ahead."

"Yes," Hua Chongyang nodded, "It's in the alley ahead. Your Highness—uh, shall we go in and have a seat?"

Even if it was just for show, Hua Chongyang's invitation sounded too fake and insincere.

"...No need for that." Situ Qingliu smiled faintly, his face lowered. He lowered his hands, which had been behind his back, then clasped them together, and finally let them fall again. "It's getting late, Miss Chongyang, you should go back and rest early."

"Ah, that's true, it's getting late," Hua Chongyang laughed heartily, taking off his cloak and handing it back to Situ Qingliu. "Then, Young Master, you should go back first! Guests are guests, please go ahead."

"Miss Chongyang, you should go back first," Situ Qingliu said with a smile, "It's the middle of the night, after all, you're a young lady."

"Then I won't stand on ceremony, hehe."

After speaki

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