Kiyomi Tsuki et son renard

Chapitre 30

For a time, this story was widely circulated and became a popular anecdote. The theater even made a play about it, attracting many people to watch. He had also been there, and since then, he had become even more curious about Tian Xiri.

There were many rumors about her, but they were all just hearsay. He had never seen her, only heard her music once, and that sparked his curiosity about her. This feeling grew stronger and more uncontrollable with time. He didn't know when, but he began to occasionally imagine what she looked like, and one afternoon he even drew her in his imagination. Eventually, she even appeared in his dreams…

But he had never seen her, not because he didn't want to, but because he dared not. He was afraid that if he saw her, this inexplicable feeling would disappear; he was afraid that if he saw her, he would lose control of himself; he was afraid that if he saw her, everything he had ever believed in would be changed. He carefully and meticulously kept this feeling hidden, never letting anyone know.

However, the sudden change happened two years ago.

I remember two years ago, after Suoge returned to the capital in victory, before the banquet that night, in the palace's back garden, he overheard Tian Guiren's personal eunuch saying that the Emperor intended to give Tian Guiren's sister to Suoge.

One of Consort Tian's sisters is none other than Tian Xiri! Who else could it be besides Tian Xiri for Suoge?!

Suddenly, he felt as if he had been struck by lightning, and was in great pain. Only then did he realize that, without his knowledge, he had fallen hopelessly in love with a woman he had never met, simply because he had heard her play the zither once.

It was on that very night, in the instant the beaded curtain was lifted by the maids who came in and out, that he saw the real Tian Xiri. She was gently waving a silk fan, smiling calmly, elegant and noble. He had imagined her face countless times, but the real her was even more beautiful than he had imagined. Everything exceeded his expectations. At that moment, he was certain that he would make her his for life.

So, that night, he did something, something he would never regret.

That night, as he expected, Soge rejected the marriage proposal. He felt relieved and calmly drank his wine, as if nothing had happened to him. But inside, his heart was in turmoil. He kept it to himself and wouldn't let anyone know about this obsessive and maddening desire that had accumulated to the point of madness...

**********

He snapped out of his reverie, only to find Li Yu staring at him with a puzzled expression.

The Li Yu before him bore a striking resemblance to Tian Xiri, and a startling question suddenly flashed through his mind: Could it be that everything back then was just a coincidence, a misunderstanding? Was the person he had been haunting his dreams actually him? Was he actually a man…?

He was secretly alarmed, but forced himself to smile calmly and said as usual, "Brother Yu, is this your first time in the capital?"

Xi Ri pondered why he would suddenly ask such a question, immediately wondering if it was related to her playing the zither. After all, everyone's zither playing is different. If he was certain he had heard her play and was certain she was Tian Xi Ri, he wouldn't have asked such a question. Clearly, he was still hesitant; what else did he want to test? Now, regardless, she was a man, and he should believe her. Since that was the case, she shouldn't lie anymore. Otherwise, telling a lie was easy, but covering it up was difficult. She had learned this lesson the hard way. Sigh… Thinking of this, she couldn't help but sigh.

He responded with a relaxed smile and said, "It's not the first time. It's just that I didn't spend much time in the capital before and didn't go to many places."

"Oh? Where have you been?" he asked, his expression casual and natural, yet there was a subtle sense of pressure that compelled him to answer.

Xi Ri secretly recalled where she had played the zither besides the Tian family mansion. After thinking it over, she could only think of two places: one was the Dafosi Temple where she had stayed many years ago, and the other was the bamboo house in the mountains to the east. She only mentioned these two places on those two occasions when she was in the mood.

Minglu smiled slightly and nodded. Xi Riben thought the interrogation was over, but unexpectedly, Minglu asked again: "There are so many interesting places in the capital, and you've only been to these two?"

Xi Ri carefully replied, "There are many places to go in the capital, but when I first arrived, I was unfamiliar with the place and didn't know where to go. Besides the main street, my cousin took me to these two places." Xi Ri thought to herself: Tian Yong, if he asks who my cousin is, you'll be forced to step forward and take the blame. Otherwise, these two places are not well-known and are remote. If someone doesn't take you there, it would be difficult for an outsider to find them, let alone play the piano in such places. It just seems strange. So she had to make up a cousin on the spot, just in case.

He smiled more calmly, as if he were asking trivial questions, like a casual chat between brothers. He then asked, "When was the last time Brother Yu came to the capital?"

This stumped her. When exactly did Minglu play the zither for her? Although she hadn't played outside the Tian residence many times, the time gaps were quite long. Which one could she possibly say?!

Just then, two men who looked like guards arrived. They stepped forward to greet Minglu, interrupting their seemingly casual conversation.

Minglu asked the two men to stand up. One of them said, "Your Highness, the old princess has sent me to ask where the banquet will be held tonight and when the masters will arrive."

Minglu said, "No rush, we're about to go back. What is the Princess doing?"

"The old princess is currently in the Buddhist hall praying. She has entrusted the tasks assigned by the prince to Lady Ru to handle."

A Buddhist temple? A fleeting inspiration struck me.

Minglu nodded and waved them away. He then looked at Xiri and asked with a smile, "Brother Yu, you didn't get to enjoy the capital properly last time. This time, you must stay longer so that I can do my best to be a good host."

"Your Highness is too kind. How could I, a lowly person, trouble Your Highness?"

Minglu laughed and said, "Brother Yu is too kind. Now that I am the elder brother and you are the younger brother, there is no need to trouble yourself. I have prepared a banquet at my residence tonight, and Brother Yu must come. Brother Yu has a good capacity for alcohol, so tonight you will definitely not leave until you are drunk."

"We won't leave until we're drunk..." Xi Ri was sweating profusely, but he still smiled and said, "What are you saying, Prince Ming? I was just about to come and bother you tonight." Xi Ri clasped his hands and bowed.

"Brother Yu, how long has it been since you last came to the capital?" He came full circle again.

“It’s been almost three years,” Xi Ri replied.

He smiled, seemingly unconcerned about the answer, and said, "So it's been three years since Brother Yu last visited the capital. This time, I'll definitely show you around the capital properly."

Xi Ri secretly gasped for breath, wondering if she was being too sensitive. She then bowed again and said, "How could I trouble Prince Ming..."

"You're so distant with me, unlike how you're so close to Nalan Fujin."

Xi Ri chuckled dryly and said, "What are you saying, Prince Ming? Li Yu has great respect for Prince Ming."

"Is that so?" He smiled, his phoenix eyes slightly narrowed, yet he exuded an inexplicable pressure.

I laughed dryly back then.

Minglu looked at Nalan and the others, who had shaken off the beauties surrounding them and were walking towards them, and asked, "Brother Yu, do you know how to play Cuju (ancient Chinese football)?"

Xi Ri shook her head: "No."

Just then, Nalan and the others arrived beside them. Hearing Xiri say that he didn't know how to play Cuju, Fu Jin shouted, "How can we, as members of the Five Young Masters of the Capital, not know how to play Cuju! In the winter, we will be forming a team to participate in the competition at Taiye Pond in the palace. Brother Yu, you should hurry up and learn from us. You will be playing with us then."

"I don't have much talent for sports, and I wouldn't want to hold everyone back," Xi Ri refused.

Nalan said, "Brother Yu, don't be afraid. Actually, Cuju is not difficult. Besides, Minglu and Xi'en are here. They are famous Cuju masters. With their teaching, you will become a Cuju master in no time."

Xi En also said, "It's settled then. Starting tomorrow, Ming Lu and I will take turns teaching you Cuju. We guarantee you'll learn Cuju before the Taiye Pond Tournament. With all five of us playing together, we'll ensure that Suoge and his team will definitely lose this year!"

Fu Jin chimed in, "Hmph, don't mention Suo Ge. I can't stand him. He always acts all high and mighty, but all he does is go to the battlefield..."

Minglu suddenly shouted, "Fu Jin!"

Fu Jin kept quiet, looking disdainful.

Minglu added, "If Yu-di doesn't like Cuju (ancient Chinese football), we shouldn't force him."

Everyone looked at Xiri at the same time, their expressions varied, but they all seemed certain that she would agree.