flamboyant

Chapitre 35

While Lu Ziqi was engrossed in copying, Song Xiaohua quietly watched from the side, resting her chin on her hand.

His characters were square and upright, written slowly and steadily, with a sense of power penetrating the paper. Compared to Yuan Hao's, his characters lacked a certain elegance but possessed a greater sense of solemnity. To a novice like Song Xiaohua, both men's handwriting was very beautiful and upright; however, Lu Ziqi's seemed to have something extra—after much thought, a somewhat sour word came to mind—'integrity'. Of course, this could very well be entirely due to the saying "beauty is in the eye of the beholder"...

After copying the form, Lu Ziqi was asked to write over a dozen poems, which were then scattered haphazardly all over the room. Finally, Song Xiaohua strung together several oddly shaped rag dolls she had made while learning needlework and hung them from the rafters. With the window open and the wind blowing, they swayed back and forth, which was quite amusing. Immediately, she set her sights on her next goal: how to make a wind chime out of copper coins…

Song Xiaohua had always struggled to pass her handicraft classes, and she had never even touched the once-popular cross-stitch. Since coming here, with no entertainment options, her once wild and impulsive nature had gradually subsided. When she was extremely bored, she would learn needlework from the girls, aunties, and grandmas in the neighborhood, though she mostly learned by secretly observing them.

To put it simply, in ancient times, a woman who couldn't sew was practically like a modern woman who couldn't wear high heels—a horrifying sight, like Halley's Comet hitting Earth. So, to avoid causing too much shock to the people around her, she mostly observed others doing it during casual conversations, then tried to figure it out herself later. After wasting a whole bunch of cotton thread and fabric scraps, she finally managed to create a family portrait of Pleasant Goat and Big Big Wolf.

Unfortunately, the father and son had no appreciation for it at all.

Lu Ling was alright; she easily accepted the abstract design of a little lamb and a big bad wolf. However, Lu Ziqi was quite annoying, insisting that it looked like a monster that snatched away souls, and even tried to take it down from the roof beam, which resulted in strong opposition from Song Xiaohua, who glared angrily.

Out of desperation, he simply used the remaining wood to make several small and exquisite swords, forks, and halberds, which he hung in the room, claiming they would ward off evil spirits.

Seeing his smug yet slightly childlike smile, Song Xiaohua's wolfish nature surged again.

While Lu Ling grabbed a small wooden sword and chased Song Wuque outside, he grinned wickedly and hooked Song Wuque's chin with his finger: "So, are you ready?"

Lu Ziqi was stunned at first, then burst into laughter.

This girl is incredibly bold and reckless. If it weren't for her previous unusual behavior, I would have been truly frightened by her.

He suppressed his smile, habitually took her hand, leaned forward slightly, and locked his gaze into her bright eyes: "Yaoyao, you've forgotten again, some things require a man to take the initiative."

His breathing was steady and long, but she felt tightness in her chest and shortness of breath: "Then hurry up and take the initiative, lend me some oxygen!"

"ah?……"

"Stop! Hurry up!"

Two rosy lips pressed down from below, silencing Lu Ziqi's bewildered confusion, but leaving faint smile lines at the corners of his eyes, with a hint of helplessness in them.

You impatient little girl, didn't I tell you? These kinds of things require the man to take the initiative...

Author's Note: Knowledge dissemination... Our great and amazing ancestors... oh my god, I bow down in reverence!

The multiplication table was invented by the Chinese. According to Liu Hui's "Nine Chapters on the Mathematical Art", Fu Xi made changes to the nine-nine combination based on the eight trigrams, indicating that the origin of the multiplication table is quite early.

Furthermore, in pre-Qin classics such as Guanzi, Laozi, and the Strategies of the Warring States, there are phrases such as 2 x 7 = 4 and 6 x 7 = 42, which shows that the multiplication table was already quite popular in the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods, and there was even a "Nine-Nine Song".

P.S.: I'm the terrifying anomaly who can't wear high heels... *tears*

Chapter Thirty-Nine: A Game of Four

The weather cleared up, Song Xiaohua's face healed, Lu Ziqi's shoulder injury was cured, and the little dumpling couldn't wait to sleep in her own room. The grand undertaking was complete; everything was in place—the right time, the right place, and the right people—except for the final push.

Under the bright sunshine, a smile blossomed on a delicate, rosy, and radiant face.

Song Xiaohua swaggered out of the bath tub shop, followed by the shop assistant pushing a cart loaded with an oversized bath tub.

The one I bought last time was too small, only suitable for one person. This one is the right size for both of us to take a bath together. After we get back, we'll boil two big pots of water, and as soon as Lu Ziqi returns, we'll quickly finish dinner, then undress and splash around in the water, smelling fragrant and wet, before starting to roll around in bed… Oh ho ho ho!

Song Xiaohua was so excited by her own thoughts that she wanted to roar to the sky to express her joy. But when she looked up, she saw the teahouse window. It was open, empty, and there was no one standing there, carefree and relaxed. A faint sense of disappointment welled up inside her.

Lu Ziqi had mentioned that he only arrived promptly after receiving a report from someone in the yamen, so he must have misheard the voice...

He stared blankly for a moment, then looked away with a sigh, and quickly regained his cheerful spirits. He chatted idly with his companion, laughing heartily.

Once outside the city, one sees nearby farmland with remnants of crop stalks and distant, lush green forests interspersed with patches of golden yellow. There, too, a man and a horse stand by the roadside.

A blue shirt that blends seamlessly with the sea and sky; an exceptionally handsome face, almost devilishly so, with curved eyebrows and eyes.

He stroked the mane of the pure black horse beside him and said with a smile, "Long time no see."

"Yuan Hao!" Song Xiaohua was stunned for a moment, then rushed forward: "You're back? When did you get back?"

"It was the day the county magistrate's wife bravely fought the Liao princess in the street."

"...So I didn't hear wrong, that person really was you?"

"This is the finest steed in my household."

"Hmm...it's definitely a thousand times better than those inferior horses of the Liao people!"

He walked around the horse once, nodded seriously, and then the two smiled at each other.

After instructing the shop assistant to deliver the large bath tub directly to her home, Song Xiaohua and Yuan Hao walked slowly together along the ridge of the field.

An autumn breeze occasionally blows by, lifting the hem of clothes and the ends of hair, carrying a faint, pleasant scent that lingers after a bountiful harvest.

A brand-new light purple jacket, a matching skirt, a simple updo, and elegant hair accessories—she was beautiful and charming. This was the first time he had ever truly seen her dressed as a woman.

The first time, her face was covered in ink stains, and her hair was disheveled. The second time, she was covered in dust, and half of her face was swollen and red. Both times she looked so disheveled, although she herself always seemed to have a smug and happy expression.

That day, I had just entered the city when I saw a commotion. By nature, I would not have bothered to join in the fun, but for some reason, I walked over as if possessed.

His slender figure, facing a gorgeously dressed woman riding a tall horse, spoke eloquently in public with an air of imposing authority.

Those words were far-fetched and riddled with flaws; at best, they could be considered a display of cleverness, hardly worthy of serious consideration. Moreover, to prioritize momentary verbal advantage over the complete enrage of someone of her status and position, unknowingly placing herself in danger, was truly reckless and impulsive. However, her fearless demeanor and audacity were quite captivating.

Because of the identity of the person on horseback, he did not want to get involved, but seeing the impatience and ruthlessness gradually appearing in the man's expression, he could not really stand idly by.

Several groups of people had already been seen leaving in a hurry. Although they were dressed as ordinary citizens, it was not difficult to discern the traces of officials. They must have gone to inform Lu Ziqi, but it was unclear whether they had encountered some obstacles that prevented him from appearing. Helpless, they could only delay by speaking, hoping to buy some more time.

She was certain that Lu Ziqi wouldn't abandon her in such a dangerous situation. Yet, she also secretly hoped he wouldn't appear; perhaps then, there would be a chance…

Ultimately, Lu Ziqi did not disappoint his trust and arrived in time. Moreover, unlike many cowardly and timid Song Dynasty officials, he did not simply compromise and take all the blame, nor did he kneel and apologize. However, given Lu Ziqi's composure, he shouldn't have been so sharp and merciless. Yes, perhaps it was because he had hurt someone he cared about…

Lu Ziqi cared about this person, this woman. But what about him? Did he care?

Why are they all inextricably linked to Lu Ziqi? She is Princess Xingping.

One reason was that he couldn't help but want to enter the other person's life. The other was that he had no choice but to have some interaction with them.

He smiled bitterly to himself, his gaze fixed on the person beside him.

Compared to two months ago, she was a little fairer and plumper, her skin smooth with a subtle pink hue. Her features and figure seemed to have matured, and although her gestures were still as uninhibited and lacking in reserve, she was beginning to show signs of graceful charm. The biggest change was that the bewilderment and uncertainty in her expression had been replaced by an undisguised joy and a certain anticipation.

Such a rapid change—was it because of Lu Ziqi? Was it because of the life Lu Ziqi gave her? ...

"How's your reading of that book going?"

"I can practically recite it by heart! Especially those recipes... Oh, right, I really have to thank you for that! Dongqing has a sensitive stomach and needs to eat bland food, but the local cuisine is quite strong and spicy. Plus, he was injured recently, so he had to be even more careful about what he eats. If it weren't for the cooking methods for southern foods recorded in your book, I, a complete cooking idiot, would have been totally clueless. Also, the prescription you gave Dongqing, he drinks it every day, and it seems to be really effective!"

Her expression was full of gratitude towards him, but the light in her eyes was not for him.

He lowered his eyelids, concealing the inexplicable emotion in his eyes: "That pendant you're wearing around your waist is quite interesting, did you make it yourself?"

"I don't have that skill. Holly knitted it for me. What do you think? Not bad, right?"

I felt a slight tightness in my chest, and a sharp pain shot through my palm.

He paused briefly, falling half a step behind, and tossed something far into the open field. The seven-colored light shimmered under the blazing sun, then vanished in an instant.

During the Liao Dynasty, among all the rare treasures in the room, only this one was selected: a pendant made of seven deep-sea rocks of different colors, all polished to be round and the same size.

At that moment, what came to mind was a pair of clear, black and white, glass-like eyes, and a radiant smile that always graced a face that was neither flamboyant nor stunningly beautiful, yet possessed a unique charm.

He believed she would love it, she would love it so much she would jump for joy like a child.

However, he was wrong.

No matter how precious or rare, it can't compare to the simple woven item made from a few yellowed grass stalks. If that's the case, what use is it?

"Would you like to learn to ride a horse?"

"Yes, I do!"

"Come on, I'll teach you."

Facing Yuan Hao's outstretched hand, Song Xiaohua smiled and shook it without hesitation. Then, using the momentum, she leaped up and easily sat on the horse's back.

His hands were as long and strong as Lu Ziqi's, but they were a little colder and lacked the warmth that seemed to reach straight to the heart.

In Song Xiaohua's view, this action didn't signify anything; it was like a guy helping you up while climbing a mountain—purely normal. Besides, in her mind, she basically still categorized Yuan Hao as one of those buddies who would clasp their fists together and call each other brothers. Although it would be a bit of a waste to just use such a handsome and charming guy for a buddy-buddy relationship…

However, for Yuan Hao, it was not so simple.