Une jeunesse errante

Chapitre 28

"We don't know the details either. We only heard that the lord of the fortress met her at the banquet where Zou Dafu was taking a concubine. At that time, Jian Yue was just a dancer."

"A dancer? How could that be? That kind of look in his eyes, not just anyone would have it." Qingfeng's heart skipped a beat, and she said with great interest, "I want to get to know him."

Cai Zhonghe smiled suavely and said, "Let me help you downstairs, young lady."

Chapter Fourteen: Man Dressed as Woman

The playful little white fox leaped and bounded among the willows and swaying branches, searching for toys to amuse it. But it would never stray far, occasionally jumping onto an ancient stone and mischievously meowing a few times to alert its owner. When its owner's gaze fell upon it, it would vanish in a flash.

"Seeing the moon."

Cai Zhonghe helped Qingfeng out of the small building.

Suddenly, the little white fox's head popped out from behind a large rock, and its golden eyes immediately shone brightly. Wow! It was an absolutely stunning beauty.

Standing alone on the small bridge, Kiyomizuki's gaze drifted from the falling flowers and flowing water to the swaying wind.

Two strings of pearl-like marble lotus lamps are neatly arranged, their hazy light enveloping the flowing white dress, creating a breathtaking and indescribable beauty.

Kiyomi gazed at him silently, his clear, sparkling eyes revealing unreserved praise and appreciation. Suddenly, he smiled again, like a refreshing breeze caressing his cheek, a feeling of exhilaration akin to drinking a glass of fine wine.

Qingfeng was shocked again, thinking to herself: The cuter you are, the more I want to play with you.

Cai Zhonghe smiled and said, "Jianyue, come here quickly, this is Miss Qingfeng."

Kiyoshi stepped forward a few paces and said with a smile, "Hello, Miss Kiyoshi, I am Kiyoshi."

Qingfeng thought to himself: This kid has no doubt that he sees me as a woman. Excellent, this is how it'll be fun. He returned the greeting with an elegant smile, his voice becoming soft and charming like a woman's, "Young Master Jianyue, I apologize for keeping you waiting."

A white light, like an electric current, flashed from afar and approached. Qingfeng looked closely and saw it was the little silver-white fox with golden eyes, proudly raising its head and letting out a cry.

Kiyotsuki said, "Its name is Little Fox, you can also call it Fox."

Qingfeng laughed and said, "What a beautiful fox."

The little white fox immediately grinned and laughed heartily.

Kiyoshi Tsuki inserted the hairpin into his piled-up hair bun and smiled brightly like sunshine, "Finally, it's back to its rightful owner."

Qingfeng stroked the hairpin and said tenderly, "The meeting and acquaintance between people all depend on fate. It takes a hundred years of cultivation to share a boat ride and a thousand years to share a pillow. It is fate that has led you to accept my hairpin. From this day forward, I belong to you, Young Master Jianyue."

Qing Jianyue said seriously, "Miss Qingfeng, you don't know this, but I am just a lowly guard in Lu Family Fort. Don't be fooled by my dazzling armor, it's all just for show. I might be kicked out of Lu Family Fort one day and end up singing on the streets again, still a poor boy."

Qingfeng thought to herself: This kid is quite honest; he hasn't been blinded by beauty. Hmph, I don't believe you won't be tempted at all.

She nestled against Qing Jianyue tenderly, gazing at him with her captivating eyes, and said affectionately, "Young Master Jianyue is truly an honest gentleman. Of all the men I've met, some are filled with evil and possessive desires, while others want to toy with my body and soul. Only Young Master Jianyue is different. Young Master Jianyue is utterly sincere and true to me, and I will follow you for the rest of my life."

Qingjian Yue's eyes shone like cold stars as she gently pushed him away, still speaking with a gentle tone: "I will never forget Miss Qingfeng's kindness to me. But I am neither a wealthy and noble person who can buy you with money, nor a playboy who can leave without a second thought after a night of passion. Why don't you patiently wait for your destined one?"

Qingfeng was astonished, thinking to herself: What man isn't lustful? Yet he remained completely unmoved. This is the first time I've ever met someone like this.

Cai Zhonghe shared the same sentiment, "Jianyue, don't you like a stunning beauty like Miss Qingfeng?"

Qingjian Yue laughed and said, "Of course, a beautiful woman like Qingfeng is pleasing to the eye, but I am just a poor boy and am really not worthy of her."

Upon hearing this, Qingfeng deliberately sighed and said plaintively, "Does Young Master Jianyue despise me for being a courtesan? Although I come from a humble background, I have remained chaste and pure. I only sing and never sell my body. No matter how many rich young men are willing to offer ten thousand taels of gold, they cannot make me lose my integrity."

Kiyoshi explained, "Miss, you misunderstand. I am just a poor young man, and I'm afraid I would ruin your youth."

Qingfeng reached out and grabbed Qingjianyue's clothes, saying sincerely, "I have only one wish. No matter if that person is poor or rich, ugly or handsome, as long as he is kind-hearted and willing to cherish me, I am willing to be with him for life."

Cai Zhonghe couldn't help but turn away and chuckle to himself, thinking: Qingfeng, you're such a good actress! You can fool anyone to death.

Sure enough, Kiyoshi Tsuki was at his wit's end and desperately declined, saying, "Miss, don't be silly. I'm just a poor boy who sings for a living. I'm really not good enough for you. A beautiful and well-educated girl like you has no trouble finding a suitable husband. Why do you insist on having me?"

Cai Zhonghe chimed in, "Jianyue, that's where you're wrong. Miss Qingfeng is interested in you as a person and in your character, not in your family background or social status. If marriage were based on family background and social status, why would Miss Qingfeng have waited until today?"

Qingjian Yue said urgently, "Handsome brother, you don't know this. I once swore that I would never get married in this lifetime?"

Cai Zhonghe asked in surprise, "Why is that? Did you have a sad story that made you never marry for the rest of your life?"

Kiyoshi Tsuki smiled and said, "No, not at all. I've had a wish since I was little: to be an eagle, soaring freely between heaven and earth, wandering everywhere, traveling all over the world. But if I have the burden of family background, I can no longer wander. So, I absolutely cannot get married."

Qingfeng asked incredulously, "Have you never thought about loving someone? The love between the sexes, the intense collision of souls, and the union of bodies are the most passionate and genuine expressions of human nature. From birth to death, everyone must experience love to make their life's journey worthwhile."

Kiyomi Tsuki smiled and said, "Life encompasses a vast range of meanings, not just love, but much more. Everyone has pursuits in life, and what I pursue is the freedom to fly, until death. Whenever I run freely, I feel my whole body filled with power, my body becomes light, as if wings have sprouted on my back, and I fly faster and higher. Facing the wind, thunder, rain, and lightning, I fly happily until I am exhausted, my wings break, my body dies, and is buried by the wind and sand. Then, my soul becomes the wind, and once again runs freely between heaven and earth."

A gentle yet resolute light shone in his clear eyes, making his smiling face appear exceptionally beautiful. He laughed joyfully in the wind, his long, dark blue hair flowing freely. His entire body radiated light, a gift from nature. He and the white fox at his feet were both spirits of nature.

This deeply shook both Qingfeng and Cai Zhonghe.

Cai Zhonghe probed, "Jianyue, you made a one-year agreement with the fortress lord. Could it be to save up some money? You're greedy, not really greedy, but you want to wander more freely. But freedom comes at a price, and this year in prison is that price. Is that right?"

Kiyomi Tsuki's clear eyes sparkled. "You could say that, but it's not entirely true."

What was the purpose of that?

These words almost slipped out, but Cai Zhonghe ultimately swallowed them back.

A glint flashed in Qingfeng's eyes, and she said sadly, "So, it seems I can no longer keep your heart."

Kiyoshi said apologetically, "I have failed to live up to your kindness and affection, and I am deeply sorry."

Qingfeng wept and said, "What good is an apology? Heartlessness is not as good as deep affection; even a single inch can become a thousand threads. The ends of the earth may be reached, but longing has no end. Rather than suffer the endless torment of lovesickness in the future, it is better to die now."

His delicate body swayed as if he were about to throw himself into the stream where the sand and stones were clearly visible, which frightened Qing Jianyue so much that she grabbed him and said, "Miss Qingfeng, don't be willful."

The little white fox also nibbled at Qingfeng's skirt, wagging its tail as if to help its master persuade her.