Сун Синчжи жил во времена правления императора Хуэйцзуна

Глава 50

The ethereal sound of the zither suddenly gave me a good excuse, which is why I barged in.

When Minglu arrived, he did not find Fu Jin, but based on his understanding of Fu Jin, Minglu had a feeling that Fu Jin had not just arrived.

Could Fu Jin be in love with Li Yu? Nalan's words still echoed in his ears. Ming Lu was secretly alarmed, but upon closer observation of Fu Jin, he found that Fu Jin's expression was normal and there was nothing amiss.

Fu Jin was ashamed of homosexuality. He had known about this since he met Fu Jin. Over the years, Fu Jin had become increasingly disgusted with that kind of thing because of his father and elder brother. Perhaps he was just overthinking it.

Just then, a strong wind rose at the doorway, and a bolt of lightning streaked across the distant sky—it was about to rain.

Xi Ri subconsciously glanced at the roof; the hole was still there. Suddenly, she felt a little anxious and said, "It's late. I'm really tired today."

These words were clearly meant to shoo people away.

Minglu smiled and said, "Brother Yu, get some rest. We have to get up early tomorrow morning. We'll take our leave now."

Xi Ri said, "Thank you, Prince Ming, for allowing me to play the Green Jade today."

Minglu said, "Brother Yu's zither skills are superb, worthy of Green Jade. I believe there will be more opportunities in the future."

Minglu's words had a hidden meaning, but Xiri pretended not to understand and just smiled and nodded perfunctorily.

Fu Jin had no choice but to reluctantly leave with Ming Lu.

After confirming they had left, Xi Ri hurriedly closed the door and stood inside, looking up at the hole. She looked left and right, waiting and waiting, but there was no movement above her. Then, raindrops fell from the roof, and she suddenly felt a little disappointed. Wasn't that him? Didn't he come?

He subconsciously clenched his fists, stood on tiptoe, and looked up from different directions, as if that would allow him to see further, higher, and more. He whispered, "Long Ming, is that you? Are you there?"

But there was not a single echo from the rooftop.

Gradually, she lowered her head in disappointment.

Perhaps it wasn't him, perhaps it was him, but he's gone.

I walked to the bedside and collapsed onto it. Why, why do I feel so lost?

Just then, several clear laughs suddenly came from the rooftop.

Xi Ri suddenly looked up and saw a pair of bright, sparkling eyes staring intently at her through the rubble. It was none other than Long Ming, that scoundrel.

A few drops of rain dripped from his temples, and he smirked, still with that smug and annoying look.

Xi Ri suddenly sat up, pointed at the person above her head and scolded, "You thief! You womanizer! You lecher! Shameless, vulgar, shameless..." She continued to scold him, but in the end, she couldn't help but laugh.

**********

Well, the pace is a bit slow. I'm just writing as thoughts come to me. The beauty contest is coming up soon, so I might need to think carefully about how things should develop. If I have inspiration, I'll write faster later. If I don't, I'm afraid I'll have to wait a while.

Please give me some ideas or suggestions.

Pre-match game

A few soft laughs came from the roof at that moment. Long Ming covered the hole in the roof with a tile and appeared at the doorway the next moment.

His silhouette was faintly reflected on the door. Through the door, Long Ming said in a low voice, "It's raining. Miss, may I come inside to take shelter from the rain?" His voice carried a hint of teasing and frivolity.

Xi Ri walked to the door with a smile on her lips, but her voice was serious as she said, "It is really inconvenient for men and women to touch each other, so please bear with it for now, young master."

A soft laugh came from outside the door, and Long Ming said again, "The threshold of this Prince's mansion is indeed very high. Alas, it seems that I have no choice but to stay under its eaves for the time being."

Thinking back to how Fu Jin had stumbled and fallen on the threshold, Long Ming must have seen it too. He couldn't help but grin silently and said in a low voice, "Young Master, the eaves aren't very convenient either. People who know you might think you're taking shelter from the rain, but others might think you're a thief who broke into the manor without permission."

As soon as Xi Ri finished speaking, a bolt of lightning struck down overhead, deafeningly loud. From Xi Ri's perspective, the flash of lightning had just split Long Ming's reflection on the door in two. The thought of Long Ming being struck by lightning made him chuckle.

A flash of lightning was followed by a torrential downpour.

Long Ming glanced at the lightning tearing through the sky and suddenly exclaimed, "Someone's coming! Open the door quickly!"

Xi Ri was startled and quickly opened the door. Long Ming immediately slipped inside, and Xi Ri hurriedly closed the door. Turning around, she saw Long Ming's mocking smile and immediately realized she'd been tricked; no one had come at all. With the rain pouring down outside, who could it be? Only a ghost.

But at this moment, seeing that his hair and clothes were wet, I suddenly felt a pang of guilt and gratitude.

How could she not know that he had come here for her? This man, this young master, had indeed been quite kind to her. How could she not have sensed it over these past few days?

There are just too many things standing between them, whether it's their identities or her current situation.

Long Ming looked around and said, "It seems that climbing onto the roof requires good weather."

Pfft, a wry smile.

"Let me show you something." With that, he untied the bundle from his back, revealing an exquisite wooden box. Long Ming opened the box and took out a scroll, which he spread out on the table. It was a painting, and the person in the painting was none other than Tian Xiri, dressed as a man, who was none other than Li Yu.

In the scroll...

At night, by the water lily pond, the palace lanterns cast a dreamlike glow over the surroundings. A handsome man, his robes fluttering, played the zither by the pond.

This painting depicts the very night that Xi Ri played the "Parting Sorrow" melody in Ming Lu's mansion.

Long Ming asked, "Do you know who drew it?"

Xi Ri looked at Long Ming with a puzzled expression, waiting for his answer.

Long Ming smiled, but there was no real smile in his eyes. He said, "It is the right path."

Xi Ri was slightly taken aback, thinking to herself that it was indeed likely Ming Lu's work. On one hand, who else but those present could have so vividly depicted the scene from that night? On the other hand, Ming Lu was simply trying to use this painting to create hype for her.

Why is it in your hands?

"Ha, I spent a thousand taels of silver to buy it."