Chapter 37 Jealous of a Soulmate:

Led by the steward, Rong Xie entered the renowned Lan Yuan Villa.

Entering through the side gate, you'll find a screen of piled-up rocks, with the words "Lanyuan" carved on them in a vigorous, dragon-like style.

That's not surprising.

After passing the artificial hill, the scenery becomes unexpected. On the other side is a row of stained glass windows. The midday sun shines on the stained glass windows, refracting dazzling colors. Beams of colorful light are cast onto the ground, making the entire enclosed space colorful and mysterious.

Indeed, between the latticed windows and the artificial hill is a roofed waterside pavilion. A dense forest surrounds the steps, making the interior of the pavilion dark while the outside of the latticed windows is bright, like a kaleidoscope. Only by looking through the darkness can one see the colorful and mysterious other side.

Rong Xie walked up the steps and toward the flower window. The shimmering lake gradually came into view. Along the winding shore of the lake, there were long bridges, corridors, docks, and embankments. The lush green willows swayed in the wind. In the distance, there were pagodas and high platforms among the mountains. The buildings that blended into nature came into view one after another. It was hard to believe that this was just a garden with limited space.

Rong Xie opened his eyes wide. Only after seeing Lan Yuan Villa with his own eyes did he realize that Huan Xue Manor was just a fully functional residence, while the garden in front of him was a masterpiece that would be passed down through generations.

Seeing Rong Xie's interest, the steward explained to him how the pool water was brought in, and how the layout of the garden was based on legendary palaces of immortals and famous paintings. He also mentioned how many skilled craftsmen Wang had sought out for this villa. Even so, the Lanyuan Villa was not built all at once. The core part was built first, followed by the East Garden and the West Garden. At one point, due to a shortage of funds, construction was halted for two whole years...

On the day the Lanyuan Villa was fully completed, the chief minister looked at himself in the mirror and sighed at how quickly time flies. When he was preparing for this garden, he was a highly sought-after young talent in the capital. Now, his temples were gray. Life is short, and it is not easy to accomplish something. He was only able to accomplish one thing because he was lucky.

Rong Xie listened intently to the steward's account, and the image of the chief minister gradually became clearer, quite different from the aloof chief minister he had initially imagined.

Unbeknownst to them, Rong Xie and Shen Bingsi had followed the steward into the heart of the garden. As they strolled among the towering ancient trees, a powerful and forceful long howl suddenly rang out, startling everyone who heard it.

Rong Xie stopped and looked in the direction from which the sound came.

Someone was playing a drum while singing.

The singing style is classical, which differs somewhat from everyday vernacular. The weathered vocals have a lingering charm and a simple, rustic beauty.

"What is that strange person singing?" Shen Bingsi turned her face closer to Rong Xie. "I can't understand it."

"Firewood, rice, oil, salt, soy sauce, vinegar, tea... The Bodhisattva sits compassionately on a lotus throne," Rong Xie replied.

"The Immortal Master is indeed learned. The Master said that the Bai Shui Shan Ren sings in an ancient style, which he deduced from an ancient score. Ordinary people cannot understand it," the steward praised.

Rong Xie was taken aback, his heart suddenly racing: "Is this singer Bai Shui Shan Ren?"

“Indeed, does the Immortal Master recognize him?” the steward said with a smile. “That’s quite a coincidence. He’s been staying here as a guest these days, feasting with the other guests. But he’s used to being alone, so after he’s had his fill of food and drink, he comes to the woods alone to sing.”

"I don't recognize him, but I've heard of his great reputation," Rong Xie said.

When the steward heard Rong Xie say this, he decided to introduce them.

An arm reached out from the side and blocked the steward.

“That won’t be necessary. We’re just here to visit the park,” Shen Bingsi said. “If we’re late and miss the closing time, we’ll have to stay here for another day.”

Rong Xie looked at Shen Bingsi in surprise. This person, who was always impulsive, was actually considering when to close the city gates.

However, he wasn't really prepared to get to know Bai Shuishan. He was never good at making friends and didn't know how to explain his purpose to people. Should he start by scaring your little girl to tears?

The steward led the two around the woods and continued onward.

All the way, Rong Xie kept his eyes on Bai Shuishan's back. The figure was as slender and thin as he had imagined. The wide white robe looked loose on him, but he was not weak. When he raised his arms to strike the pottery, he used a lot of force with each strike, making the pottery clang loudly.

After leaving the woods, the steward led the two into the reception hall, where lunch had been prepared and was brought up.

"These were all prepared at the last minute, please forgive us, esteemed immortals," the steward said with a smile, bowed, and left the guest hall, closing the door behind him.

Only Rong Xie and Shen Bingsi remained in the guest room.

Shen Bingsi ate in silence, unlike before when she would comment on the food. Rong Xie thought the food was really not very good, so he picked up a piece of food and put it in his mouth, nodding in agreement.

"As expected of the Grand Secretary's chef, this dish, though light in flavor, retains the original taste of the ingredients, and the seasonings are used skillfully," Rong Xie praised.

Generally speaking, Shen Bingsi should have made a comment at this point, but he didn't.

Shen Bingsi silently finished her meal quickly and then slammed her chopsticks onto the chopstick rest.

Rong Xie paused, then looked up at him.

“I think this garden is just so-so. The scenery is all the same. We’ve seen everything we wanted to see, so there’s no need to go around in circles,” Shen Bingsi said. “Let’s just go out through the nearest side gate later.”

Rong Xie noticed that he was in a bad mood, and wondered what she had done to upset him.

"We've finally made it to Blue Plains Villa, and we're already leaving?" Rong Xie said with some regret.

“I was wrong. I thought Wang Xuechuan was a person of high moral character, but I didn’t expect him to be no different from an ordinary person,” Shen Bingsi ignored Rong Xie’s words and continued talking to herself, “He gathered a bunch of ignorant idlers in the garden and made a mess of the garden, making it impossible to eat.”

Rong Xie glanced at the empty rice bowl he had left, and thought it didn't seem like he couldn't finish his food.

However, it's best not to provoke Shen Bingsi when he's throwing a tantrum.

Rong Xie didn't mention continuing the tour. After finishing their meal, Shen Bingsi asked the steward to lead the way out, saying that they were in a hurry to return to the city and wouldn't be going on any more sightseeing.

When the steward heard that the two were going back to the city, he sent a carriage to escort them to the hot spring villa to pack their belongings, and then sent them back to the capital.

The two stayed at Fanshige that night, and when they returned to Shanshui Residence, the sun had not yet set, much earlier than expected.

Shen Bingsi was still fuming. If he couldn't still talk and hadn't helped Rong Xie when getting off the carriage, Rong Xie would have thought he was having a petrification episode.

Shen Bingsi returned to the courtyard and went inside to lie down on the bed.

Although Rong Xie found it strange, he did not disturb him. He took the "Map of Lanyuan" given to him by the broker and looked at it, and then lay down on the bench under the corridor.

At first glance, the sky was still bright, but it got dark without him noticing. Rong Xie looked up to look for lamps and suddenly saw two lamps placed next to the orchid bath in front of him.

Strange, why put two lamps by the bathtub? There are only two lamps in the yard, isn't it a waste to leave them there?

Rong Xie thought for a moment, then got up from the bench and went to the bath to get a lamp.

He kept his eyes fixed on the light, but when he got closer, he was startled to find a person sitting in the dark bathtub.

"Ha!" Rong Xie suddenly stopped. "...Shen Bingsi? What are you doing here?"

Shen Bingsi was soaking in the water for an unknown amount of time, until the water was no longer hot. He was sitting at the bottom of the orchid-scented bath, with the water covering his body and only his head sticking out. No wonder Rong Xie hadn't seen him.

Shen Bingsi raised her eyelids, glanced at Rong Xie, and then closed them again: "Let's go for a soak in the hot spring."

Rong Xie lifted the hem of his shirt, squatted down, and touched the water; it was cold.

"It's so cold, how can I soak in it? I'll go ask the waiter to bring some hot water."

As he spoke, Rong Xie stood up, but his wrist was suddenly grabbed.

Shen Bingsi looked up at Rong Xie by following his wrist.

For a fleeting moment, Rong Xie thought Shen Bingsi would pull him down.

"It's hot." Shen Bingsi looked at him. "Touch it."

Rong Xie's hand was guided by Shen Bingsi and reached into the water. It was already dark, and only the orange-yellow light from the poolside lamps illuminated the rippling water, but the bottom could not be seen.

When he touched the warm water, Rong Xie had a strange feeling, as if he were touching warm skin. His fingertips twitched slightly, but Shen Bing Si held them even tighter.

Almost forgot, Shen Bingsi doesn't need to heat the water at all; he can make the water hot or cold as he wants.

Rong Xie regretted saying those two unnecessary words. He had originally planned to leave after taking the lamp, but now he was already looking at the last page of the "Blue Plains Map".

"I have something to tell you," Shen Bingsi said in a deep voice.

"Um?"

Rong Xie looked down at him, but he looked away and gazed at the water: "I was wrong today."

Rong Xie almost thought he had misheard, actually hearing Shen Bing Si admitting her mistake?

“I don’t know why, I just can’t control myself,” Shen Bingsi said, his eyes lowered. His eyelashes weren’t very long, but they were very thick. When his eyes were lowered, the lines of his eyelashes looked like the tail feathers of a phoenix, giving him a youthful and innocent feeling. “The thought that you will make other friends makes me… uncomfortable all over.”

"..." Rong Xie actually sensed it. "Is it because of the Bai Shui Shan people?"

“Yes,” Shen Bingsi admitted directly, “It’s him. Every time you mention him, your eyes light up, but your eyes don’t light up when you mention me.”

Rong Xie chuckled: "Just because of that?"

"And... you always say you're leaving." Shen Bingsi's eyelashes fluttered, and her dark, deep eyes looked at Rong Xie with a hint of grievance.

Rong Xie's heart stirred slightly. He sat down by the pool, one hand still being held by Shen Bingsi, the other hand removing his wooden clogs, lifting the hem of his clothes, and immersing his feet in the warm pool water.

"I won't leave as long as you don't kick me out," Rong Xie said.

Once the words were out, he wondered if he had been too blunt. What if Shen Bingsi noticed something? He averted his gaze.

"Really?" Shen Bingsi's voice rang out in ecstasy.

Rong Xie turned his gaze back to Shen Bingsi, who was looking at him with delight, though her eyes still held a hint of anxiety, as if she was waiting for his further confirmation.

Rong Xie nodded: "Really."

The next moment, he felt his shoulders drop downwards, and a strong pulling force dragged him into the water.

"thump"!

The orchid-scented bath wasn't deep; when you stood up, it only reached your thighs. But when Rong Xie was pulled in, he was completely unprepared and got soaked from head to toe. All his layers of clothes were soaked. When he climbed out of the water, his face probably didn't look very good.

"Shen Bingsi!" Rong Xie said helplessly, "Could you at least tell me beforehand next time...?"

However, as soon as he appeared, he was pulled into a warm embrace. Shen Bingsi lifted him onto her body and moved the hand that was on his waist to the outside of his thigh.