Amor bajo las estrellas lejanas

Capítulo 21

Unexpectedly, Minglu said from the side, "I'm not going to wash either. I'm going hiking with Yu-di. You can wash yourself, but be careful of water snakes."

Upon hearing the word "water snake," Nalan's expression changed, and he slowed down his undressing. After hesitating for a while, he finally gave up and said, "Forget it, I won't wash anymore."

Phew... I finally let her go.

Sigh... Why didn't she think of using the snake in the water to scare Nalan? She glanced at Minglu, and he glanced at her thoughtfully, perhaps even more suspicious of her because she hadn't gone into the water, but she just smiled calmly.

It was a very hot day, perhaps the hottest day of the summer, and they were actually hiking! Sigh, it would have been much better for swimming or taking a bath. Nalan's suggestion was really good, but it wasn't quite right for their group.

In the evening, a banquet was held at Xuezhu Pavilion.

The five of them got together again, indulging in eating, drinking, and whoring—the only thing missing was gambling, which they figured would be in the near future, since Nalan had said he'd take her to a casino someday. Now, she'd had it all—eating, drinking, whoring, gambling—truly a model and exemplar among women of her time.

Ugh, I have a bit of a headache.

After a few rounds of drinks, Fu Jin teased every single one of the singers. Ming Lu, who was already slightly drunk, suddenly stared at her and said, "I saw Tian Xiri today."

This sentence was like a bombshell, piquing everyone's interest. Like the others, Xi Ri was first surprised and then curious. Fu Jin was the first to ask, "So, is she really as beautiful as the rumors say?"

Minglu was clearly taken aback by this question.

Xi Ri asked from the side, "Is she even more beautiful than Yingying?"

“Yes, is she really even more beautiful than Yingying?” Nalan chimed in.

"What's wrong? You don't look quite right. Don't you love beautiful women the most?" Xi En said.

Minglu frowned even more deeply, took a couple of sips of wine, and remained lost in thought, only occasionally glancing at Xiri. Seeing Xiri's expectant expression, his eyes darkened slightly.

Nalan asked, "Answer us! Why are you just staring blankly at Yu-di? Are you drunk?"

He had drunk a bit too much tonight, perhaps because he was provoked by that crazy woman, Tian Xiri, at noon. After a long while, just as Fu Jin couldn't help but try to pry his mouth open with chopsticks, he finally spoke up: "She and Yu Di look... very alike."

"What? She looks just like me? Oh, I'm so curious! I really want to meet her, but Miss Tian lives in a secluded mansion. I wonder when I'll have the chance to meet her." Xi Ri sighed, his expression shifting between curiosity and regret.

This statement also piqued the curiosity of the other three, especially Fu Jin, who couldn't wait any longer and wanted to see Miss Tian immediately. Although Nalan suggested that they go tomorrow, and it didn't matter whether Xi En went or not, with Tian Xi Ri also wanting to strike while the iron was hot and fanning the flames from the side, it became a done deal.

Now that things had come to this, the three of them, emboldened by their alcohol, disregarded everything else. Minglu, presumably also wanting to confirm something, coldly observed the four of them discussing how to see Tian Xiri, their discussion becoming increasingly heated, seemingly unconcerned. Instead, he silently observed Li Yu, who resembled Tian Xiri. Everything seemed normal. He thought to himself: either Li Yu was acting exceptionally well, or perhaps he had truly misunderstood? Why not take this opportunity to find out for sure? So Minglu also agreed and actively cooperated! Just as the four of them finally decided to climb the wall to spy on Tian Xiri one day, Minglu suddenly said, "There's no time like the present, let's go now."

Xi En, being somewhat sensible, said, "It's so late. What if Tian Xiri is already asleep? It would be a waste of our time to go!"

Minglu, however, remained unconvinced and said, "Don't worry, as long as I go, she will get up even if she's lying in a coffin."

He glanced at Xiri, seemingly casually, but saw that Xiri was still smiling indifferently.

Although it was getting late, Lord Tian was still not resting. Minglu naturally couldn't bring so many people into Lord Tian's mansion to see the young lady openly. So, the four of them were ultimately arranged to climb over the young lady's wall.

I don't know what excuse Minglu used, but he actually got into the Tian family mansion so late at night.

Following Minglu's instructions, the four of them summoned several subordinates to hold the fort below. They all lay down on the wall and looked inside. Sure enough, the candles in Tian Xiri's courtyard pavilion had been extinguished, indicating that she had already gone to bed. At this time, Minglu had not yet arrived, and they could only wait for him to wake up Miss Tian in the coffin.

The four looked around anxiously. Xi Ri had secretly observed the other three, noticing their voyeuristic excitement, their unease at doing something wrong, and mostly their smug self-satisfaction. Xi Ri couldn't help but grit her teeth. After all, they were spying on her, even if it was fake, it still made her uncomfortable.

I wonder what excuse Minglu will use to see a young lady who is already asleep. I'll have to ask her about it when she gets home.

Tian Yong, who had been secretly following her, should have already informed Tian Shuang of the preparations, right?

I wonder how Tian Shuang will portray her this time. Sigh, this afternoon she was only Ming Lu, but now there are three famous young masters from Beijing clinging to her. Her reputation is doomed!

She couldn't help but sigh inwardly: she had really sacrificed so much to break off the engagement!

At that moment, a maid ran into the small building. A moment later, the lights in the building came on, and a scream came from the second floor, nearly scaring the people on the wall so much that they fell off.

In the darkness, Tian Shuang's excited scream could be clearly heard from afar: "What? My Lulu is coming to see me?"

Fu Jin, who was lying next to Xi Ri, was immediately stunned by these words.

Nalan and Xi'en looked at each other, sighing deeply.

Xi Ri suppressed a loud laugh, her face twitching as she stood to the side.

The small building was clearly in a state of chaos...

Several large red lanterns were lit in the courtyard. The light made the young masters from the capital on the wall even more surprised. Xi Ri clearly heard Fu Jin sigh, "They actually used chrysanthemums to form a character on the ground. How creative! Ming Lu is really lucky."

Nalan also said, "It seems to be the word 'love.' This Tian Xiri is truly passionate and unrestrained."

Xi En also said, "What a bold woman! She already considers the path to be her own." She exchanged a knowing smile with the others beside her and said in unison, "My path."

*Pfft…* Xi Ri couldn't help but laugh out loud. The others immediately hissed, signaling her to be quiet. Xi Ri quickly quieted down and whispered, "I wonder just how much this Miss Tian resembles me?"

Fu Jin winked at Xi Ri and said, "Just wait and see."

A few lights in the distance are leading someone there; without a doubt, it's the right path.

A short while later, Minglu was led into the courtyard by the steward and two servants.

And at this moment, the protagonist finally makes a grand entrance.

When Tian Shuang made another exaggerated and flamboyant appearance, not only was Ming Lu once again subjected to a great psychological and visual shock, but even the people on the wall almost fell over.

Because the other two were too far away and blocked by Fu Jin, Xi Ri couldn't see their expressions clearly. The one she could see most clearly was Fu Jin beside her. Fu Jin looked like he had seen a ghost, didn't believe it, was going to die, was being tortured, was panicked, was at a loss, and was about to be driven crazy. His fingers were tightly gripping the wall, and his knuckles and teeth were grinding.

Xi Ri gasped. Although these people were famous young masters in the capital, their expressions were surprisingly rich. Unlike Ming Lu, who was too calm. Although he was frightened in the afternoon, he didn't show any special expression. Tonight, he was obviously prepared. Apart from surprise, he didn't have any other expression. He even subconsciously looked in their direction. Their hiding place would be exposed. Had he forgotten?

But it was obvious that Minglu was looking at her on the wall!

Perhaps Fu Jin's heart was too fragile. When a flamboyant butterfly, adorned with colorful flowers, half-concealing her face with a flowered fan, and bathed in the glow of red lanterns, appeared barefoot at the top of the stairs, her slender waist swaying gracefully, her eyes suddenly lit up like lamps when she saw Ming Lu in the courtyard. She abruptly threw down her fan, opened her arms, and ran towards Ming Lu, calling out, "Lulu..." At that moment, Fu Jin suddenly lost her balance and fell off the wall. You could say you were just falling, but why did you have to grab the person next to you?