Chapter 62 Green Shade Fragrance "Do you believe I can slap you three more times?..."

The light and shadow fell on the ground, peaceful and undisturbed, until the wheels of a car arrived and shattered.

A hand lifted the carriage curtain, revealing half of a fair, jade-like face.

"Look how lively it is!"

Cheng Huaizhu moved closer to the carriage curtain from beside Xue Chan, pointed at Guanyin Lake, and laughed.

Xue Chan followed her hand and saw that from Mingyue Bridge, along the lake shore to Ningcui Tower, the area was bustling with activity.

The carriage stopped, and the two got off.

People were already waiting in front of Ningcui Tower, leading them to the other side of Guanyin Lake, where many families had set up tents and curtains and gathered together to chat and laugh.

"We've been waiting for you all," Zheng Tan said, fanning himself as he greeted them.

She led the two to the shaded area, where Old Madam Qi was sitting, with Madam Qin and Madam Yu sitting beside her.

After the children bowed, Old Madam Qi smiled and said, "These children should go play elsewhere. It's rare for them to come out, so don't linger in front of us."

Zheng Tan stayed with them, so she did not leave. Lü Ying, who was by Old Madam Qi's side, led Xue Chan and Cheng Huaizhu out.

"ha!"

Suddenly, a person jumped out from the side of the shed and laughed at the two of them under the sun, saying, "You two are really hard to invite!"

Xiao Yangjun tapped the two of them lightly on the shoulder with his fan, his tone resentful.

Cheng Huaizhu playfully teased her.

Fang Youxi asked Xue Chan softly, "I heard you were sick again, and I was thinking of visiting you, but you even declined the banquet at the Marquis of Mingyi's mansion. I was afraid of bothering you while you were recuperating. Are you feeling better now?"

Xue Chan smiled and said, "If it weren't good, why would we come to watch the dragon boat races?"

Xiao Yangjun said, "This year's dragon boat race was spearheaded by the Prince of Shouchun. He also opened a garden near Guanyin Lake for tourists to enjoy."

A group of people stood chatting and laughing, looking at Guanyin Lake, while several large boats on the lake began to pick up passengers.

Those boats belonged to different families, and they would arrange to race each other every year. Sometimes, a young man from one of the families would stand at the bow of his boat and beat a drum.

Xue Chan looked at the several boats on the lake. Drums were placed at the bows of the boats, and drummers were standing at the dragon heads of each boat.

In the very center of the boat, a young man stands with his hands on his hips, holding a drumstick tied with a red ribbon, looking around.

Upon seeing them, he waved towards them while holding up his drumsticks.

Zheng Tan stood up, looked, and laughed, "It's Liu Lang."

Zheng Shaoyu, hands on his hips, called out to Youyu, who was separated by two boats, "Is Erlang coming or not?"

In previous years, he was too young, and later Jiang Ce was no longer in the capital. Either his own brother beat the drum, or someone else was hired to do it.

Yu said, "He's gone to the palace, and I don't know when he'll be back. What, are you afraid you can't beat me with your words?"

"cut"

Zheng Shaoyu raised his chin: "Who's afraid of losing to you! Just wait and see."

When the gongs and drums sounded, everyone raced to cross, and a cacophony of sounds erupted.

The dragon boat race began, but Jiang Ce had not yet arrived.

The drumbeats were intense and exciting. As Zheng Shaoyu's dragon boat took the lead, Youyu beat the drumsticks even harder.

As Zheng Shaoyu beat the drum, he laughed loudly, his booming laughter echoing across the water: "Your Wu'an Marquis's mansion is going to lose to my Zheng family this year!"

Someone on the shore exclaimed in surprise.

"Look! Who's that!"

Someone leaped from the willow branches into the lake, riding the waves away. The sunlight was so dazzling that it was almost impossible to see who it was, leaving only a fleeting red shadow.

A young man in an embroidered robe and tall hat landed at the bow of the boat, the reeds fluttering in the wind, and the white waves breaking through the light.

"Isn't it too early to say that!"

"Zheng Shaoyu, look at this!" Jiang Ce raised the drumstick in his hand and laughed loudly, "This is the drumstick of the military drum that my Great Liang once used to conquer the Southern Kingdom and subdue the six cities in the Western Regions!"

It was also the boat his father used when he returned to Beijing in triumph at the age of seventeen, when they competed to be the first to cross the river on Guanyin Lake.

Yu jumped to the stern, and Jiang Ce raised his mallet and struck the drum. The drumbeats were dense, exciting, and intense, and the dragon boat under their feet gradually broke through the waves and broke through the encirclement.

He bowed his head and beat the drum, only slowly raising his head amidst cheers when victory was imminent.

Tall willows, slender and graceful, their figures alluring.

It's her, that's wonderful.

The dragon boat race gradually came to a conclusion, and Jiang Ce and his companions accepted the invitation of the Prince of Shouchun to attend a banquet at Ningcui Tower.

Prince Shouchun was the emperor's uncle who, along with Princess Huayang and Prince Ning, worked hard to protect the emperor's ascension to the throne.

He was a person who loved music, calligraphy and painting. He loved composing music, listening to music, and enjoying banquets and entertainment.

Jiang Ce circled the banquet twice before sneaking away.

I think I just saw them strolling into the garden.

Descending from Ningcui Tower, entering the garden, upstream to the West Pavilion, and through the Lingxiao Corridor. Along the way, passing through flowers and waiting for the scenery, stopping and starting, but unable to find Xue Chan at all.

However, they did run into Fang Youxi and Xiao Yangjun.

Seeing him sweating and panting, the two men laughed and asked, "What's wrong with you?"

"You two—" Jiang Ce was overjoyed to see the two of them, but swallowed the question he was about to ask them. "It's nothing."

He took a few steps back, stepping out of the Lingxiao Flower Corridor and creating distance between himself and the two of them.

Why don't you go see the water show?

Xiao Yangjun said, "His Highness invited me, Yangjun, Miss Cheng, and Miss Xue to Ningcui Tower to watch the water show, but Miss Xue needs to change her clothes, so we will wait here."

Jiang Ce nodded: "I see."

Seeing that although he was standing at a distance talking to the two of them, Fang Youxi covered his face with his fan and laughed, "Second Brother, you are in great style today. I wonder how many hearts you have won over in the dragon boat race."

Her heart...

Jiang Ce smiled, slightly disappointed, and said, "Don't tease me."

Fang Youxi and Xiao Yangjun looked at each other and saw the same smile in each other's eyes.

She spoke softly and slowly: "We're not joking, but those words 'full of youthful vigor' were actually said by Miss Xue herself when she watched the dragon boat race."

Jiang Ce was surprised, but then he thought about it again and realized that this was indeed Xue Chan's way of doing things.

Be generous with praise and unafraid to criticize.

He bowed to the two of them and said, "In that case, I shall take my leave."

Jiang Ce continued walking down the small bridge. After crossing the bridge, there was a pond with several maple trees planted around it. It was the height of summer, and the maples had not yet turned red, presenting a lush and verdant landscape.

The search was ultimately fruitless.

Jiang Ce sat down on a rock in the shade under the bridge, lowered his head, covered his face, and sighed.

A patch of calamus grew by the water's edge, its green hue mingling with the yellow blossoms, and at this moment, the water reflected the flowers, causing red carp to sway.

Nine out of ten visits are fruitless, worse than the calamus flower.

He leaned over to pluck a flower, and held it in his hand. The calamus stem and leaves broke off, releasing a delicate fragrance.

The red fish on the water suddenly scattered in fright.

It seemed someone had arrived; the dense green branches and leaves at the bridgehead were parted, rustling against each other.

Jiang Ce raised his head.

Xue Chan reached out and brushed aside the branches, then hurried down the small bridge.

The early summer sunlight was shattered into patches by the branches and leaves, becoming alluring and dazzling dappled shadows. A hot midday breeze suddenly blew up, causing the greenery and light and shadow to tremble, break apart, and sway endlessly.

She emerged from the lush, unripe greenery and gradually came into focus before Jiang Ce's eyes.

He hadn't seen Xue Chan for a long time.

Twenty days felt like an eternity.

The things in this world are often laughable; you can't find what you want, and you encounter what you don't want.

Xue Chan had just gone to change her clothes when she got lost and bumped into a couple. She didn't know them well, but she was acquainted with them.

One is the wife of the Prince of Ning's heir, and the other seems to be the Second Young Master Su.

She quickly dodged away and walked away, so she probably wasn't seen. She just didn't expect to run into someone she didn't want to see either.

Xue Chan gave a slight cold laugh, turned around and walked back quickly.

Jiang Ce was still overjoyed when he saw Xue Chan turn around, so he immediately got up and ran after her.

"Xue Chan, Xue Chan!"

He walked quickly and caught up with Xue Chan in a few steps, grabbing her sleeve.

Xue Chan turned around, glanced down at Jiang Ce's hand pulling her sleeve, and then glared at him.

"let go!"

Jiang Ce knew he had been rude and offensive, so he obediently let go.

Xue Chan continued walking forward, but Jiang Ce caught up with her and blocked her way. She immediately tried to go down the bridge, but Jiang Ce continued to block her path.

He instinctively wanted to pull Xue Chan away, but seeing her cold expression, he withdrew his hand and simply blocked her way.

No matter which way she went, Jiang Ce would block her way within two steps.

The two remained entangled and pulled at each other on the small stone bridge.

The sweltering heat made Xue Chan restless and irritable, and her face flushed slightly.

She snapped at Jiang Ce, "What exactly do you want? Get out of my way!"

To everyone's surprise, Jiang Ce spread his arms and said, "No, no, I'm leaving as soon as I let you go."

His words made Xue Chan dizzy for a moment, unsure whether it was from the heat or from anger.

Xue Chan stood on the bridge, her face turned to the side, her lips curved and her eyebrows arched, but it was a cold and indifferent smile.

"What, was I not clear enough the other day, or is it that the Second Young Master is so young yet born deaf?"

Jiang Ce ignored her words and asked her softly, "Xue Chan, may I say something?"

Xue Chan gave him a strange look, completely ignoring him. She walked straight out, but Jiang Ce stretched out his arms to block her way.

They neither stepped forward nor yielded.

The two were locked in a stalemate on the bridge, getting quite worked up.

Xue Chan could only wave her hand dismissively, turning to the side and saying in a deep voice, "Speak."

Jiang Ce wanted to get closer to talk to her, but Xue Chan glanced at him and he retreated.

"What happened that day was my fault. I was deeply ashamed that I disregarded your wishes and exerted pressure on you."

Xue Chan wanted to retort, but Jiang Ce spoke even faster: "I know some things can't be resolved or made up for with an apology, but the apology that should be given must be given, and the remedy that should be made must be made as much as possible. I'm not saying this to ask for your forgiveness. You can be angry or resentful, that's fine too. I've thought things through, and I won't repeat the same mistakes."

"But you...can you..." He cautiously looked up at Xue Chan's unwavering face, his voice weakening further, "Can you give me a chance to make amends?"

She did not answer; the cicadas continued to sing.

Jiang Ce sighed inwardly in disappointment. He knew that Xue Chan was too determined and had long anticipated that she would not soften or ease up because of a few words.

However, many things are not done with the intention of forgiveness, because they are how they should be. Even if Xue Chan doesn't listen or accept it, he still has to say and do it.

Xue Chan pressed down on the shawl that was blowing in the wind on her arm and said calmly, "Are you done?"

Jiang Ce nodded: "Yes, I'm done."

Xue Chan turned around, walked up to him, and sighed.

Jiang Ce looked up at her, and Xue Chan was also looking down at him. Her expression was less cold and more gentle, even with a faint smile.

It must have been because his heartfelt words sounded so sincere that she was ultimately kind and willing to make amends.

Jiang Ce subconsciously breathed a sigh of relief.

"Now that you've finished speaking..."

Xue Chan raised her hand and shoved him aside, then walked straight past him.

"Then get out of the way!"

She walked very fast, almost running. But Jiang Ce flipped off the bridge and, as soon as he landed, grabbed her shawl.

He asked, "Why are you leaving?"

Xue Chan found it amusing and, suppressing her anger, asked him, "You wanted to speak, and I let you. What else do you want?"

"I----"

Jiang Ce didn't know what to say anymore; Xue Chan was completely unmoved by either soft or hard approaches.

He bit his lip and frowned, holding back for a while before finally managing to speak.

Can you listen to me for a couple more minutes?

"..." Xue Chan coldly replied, "No."

She wanted to leave, but the shawl was still tightly gripped in Jiang Ce's hand, and she couldn't pull it out no matter how hard she tried.

Xue Chan angrily rebuked, "Do you believe I can slap you three more times?"

To everyone's surprise, Jiang Ce said, "I believe you, but you can scold me or hit me if you want. You can let me go, but you can't leave."

That's pushing their luck too far.

He gently pulled at the shawl, and Xue Chan staggered to Jiang Ce's side, where he reached out to support her.

Her eyes widened in anger, and she raised her hand: "You!"

Jiang Ce grabbed his wrist, bent over, and looked serious.

"You can hit me if you want, as many times as you want. But when you're tired and weary of hitting me, you'll be able to listen to me."

After saying that, Jiang Ce let go of her hand, bent down, lowered his eyes, and brought his face to her side.

Xue Chan gritted her teeth; this was too shameless.

"Smack!"

Xue Chan raised her hand and actually slapped him across the face.

"Smack!"

She flipped her hand and slapped him again.

Jiang Ce closed his eyes and endured the two slaps, each one filled with resentment and anger. His face felt the familiar pain and burning sensation.

He turned his face to face, looked down at Xue Chan, and said nothing.

Xue Chan stared directly at Jiang Ce, her lips pressed together, saying nothing. A long tear welled up in her eye and fell silently to the ground.

Jiang Ce dropped the calamus flower, tremblingly raised his fragrant hand, and gently wiped away her tears.

He could no longer utter a single word; his words, though seemingly simple, were merely a series of utterances.

"Feel sorry"

Xue Chan turned around, went up the bridge, down the bridge, and disappeared into the lush greenery.

This time, Jiang Ce did not pursue them.

He scooped up water from the small pond and dipped his face in it.

Fortunately, she hit him much lighter this time, and after a short while, the heat on his face dissipated after washing with water.

However, he did not return to his seat. After informing Zheng Shaoyu and the others, he went to enjoy the breeze on the other side of the railing.

"Da da"

Out of the corner of his eye, he saw someone walking over and standing behind him.

"Why aren't you drinking and watching the water show with Zheng Shaoyu and the others? What are you doing here?"