I said, "My own sister is a foreign princess, how come I didn't know?"
On second thought, "If she is the princess of the Eastern Land, then wouldn't I be the great princess of the Eastern Land?"
He rubbed his forehead, a slight smile playing on his lips. "Let's find a restaurant to eat and talk."
There are always many unbelievable things in the world. After witnessing Dafeng eat grass, I thought nothing could shake me anymore. But after living for nearly twenty years, I discovered that I am actually a foreigner, and a foreign leader at that. This feeling is as strange as Dafeng one day realizing that he is actually a raging beast, and a fighter jet among beasts.
I was speechless, staring blankly at the moon over the western tower.
He placed a dumpling in my bowl. "I don't know the whole story, I just suspect she is."
I was still unable to speak, so I lowered my head and started eating dumplings.
Lou Xiyue remained silent for a long time before whispering, "Xiao Xiang, Third Uncle is dead."
I looked up at him with a start.
Lou Xiyue picked up some food with her chopsticks and swallowed it, saying calmly, "The antidote doesn't work."
My heart skipped a beat. "How could this be?"
“I tried the medicine back then, and my master recovered after taking it. Could it be that this antidote didn’t work for my third uncle?”
Lou Xiyue paused for a moment, then asked, "Is Xia Jingnan better?"
As I looked at him, a thought flashed through my mind, making me feel vaguely uneasy.
Lou Xiyue tapped the rim of my bowl with her chopsticks. "What are you thinking about?"
I was taken aback for a moment, then asked, "What did you just ask?"
He smiled slightly. "It's nothing, let's eat."
I said, "I'm sorry, I couldn't cure your third uncle."
Lou Xiyue drank a glass of wine, propped her forehead up, and stared at me quietly for a long time without saying a word.
After dinner, he took me back to the He residence.
The Yangzhou night market was bustling, but it wasn't a good place for me to sort out my thoughts, so I turned back to a quieter alley.
The dim light made the brick path unclear, with the walls of ordinary people's houses on both sides, and a faint moon seemingly embedded in the sky.
It was late autumn and early winter, and a bit chilly.
I looked down and saw my shadow merge with Lou Xiyue's, stretching out in a long line that extended deep into the alley.
All was quiet except for the sound of leather shoes on the ground.
I glanced at Lou Xiyue; his gaze was fixed on the distance, his brows furrowed.
I recall the earliest time Lou Xiyue told me that Lou Zhao was his most respected master; I wanted to say something to make him feel better, but I couldn't bring myself to say it. At that time, I patted my chest and told him: If I can't cure Lou Zhao, I will change my surname to Lou.
In the end, I really couldn't cure him.
I said, "Well, it seems like your fifth brother and sister-in-law have some communication difficulties."
He responded with a soft "Mm".
I added, "Communication is very important. If you're feeling down, just say it. Don't keep it inside, or you might end up breaking up and getting a divorce."
Lou Xiyue hesitated slightly, raised an eyebrow, and turned to look at me.
I whispered, "Lou Xiyue, I'm really sorry."
He paused, then said in a low voice, "Are you trying to comfort me?"
I said, "I've said so much, and you're only realizing it now?"
He chuckled softly beside me, "We've arrived at the He residence."
Two lanterns in front of the mansion spun around, casting dappled shadows on the stone steps.
I said, "Then I'll go in first."
He nodded.
A moment later, Lou Xiyue asked me with a smile in her eyes, "Why aren't you going in yet?"
I scratched my head. "Why aren't you leaving yet?"
He looked at me without saying a word.
I said, "The moon is very round." I lowered my head and thought for a moment, sorting out my thoughts and organizing my words, "Originally, I wanted to wait until you left before going in, which would be more polite. But the moon is so big tonight, I think I'll go inside to admire it."
I knocked on the door knocker, waiting for someone to answer. I saw Lou Xiyue still standing beside me.
I said, “Well, if you’re feeling down, I can keep you company with drinks tomorrow. It’s already past 9 a.m., and many taverns are closed. You should go home early, or it won’t be good to wait until it’s dark and stormy.”
The door creaked open.
Lou Xiyue still showed no sign of leaving, so I said, "Could it be that you want to guard the gate for me?"
He chuckled and nodded to the person who answered the door, saying, "Uncle He, I've come to have a drink with Fifth Brother."
I said, "..."
[46] Flowers in the Mirror (Part 4)