Where did it come from? ...

Overwhelmed with joy, Jiang Yuanfu stepped forward and grasped Luo Zhaoxing's hand, saying, "We parted ways ten years ago, and I never imagined we'd meet again. I never thought I'd see an old friend again in my lifetime." She carefully examined Luo Zhaoxing, noticing her bright eyes and fair complexion, and felt a warmth in her heart. She then asked, "Is your health now alright?"

As a child, Luo Zhaoxing was frail and sickly, and often missed the occasional gatherings of the group.

Luo Zhaoxing's eyelashes fluttered, and when she looked up again, her face was full of smiles: "Sixth Sister." Then she grasped the coldness in her hand, her eyes meeting the pale face that even the makeup couldn't cover.

Under the magnolia blossoms of Penglai Xiaoding in those days, they imitated the late emperor and the three great families of Qin, Chu and Luo, offering sacrifices to heaven and earth to swear brotherhood, and then burned incense and bowed again in the peach blossom grove where the flowers were in full bloom.

Luo Ling was the eldest, Qin Shuoguang the second, Tao Qingyun the third, the young man from the Chu family the fourth, and Jiang Yuanjun the fifth. As for the three of them, Jiang Yuanfu was the sixth, Qin Weixi the seventh, and Luo Zhaoxing the youngest, all of whom were called Eighth Sister.

Among these people, Luo Ling and Qin Shuoguang were the same age, born in the same month of the same year but on different days. Qin Shuoguang, the eldest son of the Duke of Dingguo, and Zhu Ruo, the daughter of Zhu Juyuan, the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, were in love and married early, becoming a loving couple.

In the winter of the third year of Kang Le's reign, things did not go as planned.

Luo Zhaoxing smiled and said, "After I went to Jiangnan, my father and mother invited many famous doctors to treat me. Now, I am seven-tenths better than before." She lowered her eyelids, her expression dim, and her smile was somewhat forced: "I just miss my brother too much."

She then peered into the crowd but couldn't find her elder brother, Luo Ling.

Jiang Yuanjun understood, and the faint sadness between her brows disappeared abruptly. She said gently, "We had just entered the manor when Chen Guiyi called him away. It must be that Father Emperor had something to tell him."

On New Year's Eve of the fourth year of the Kang Le reign, Sun Shaopu, the current emperor's chief attendant, was so frightened at the Duke of Dingguo's mansion that he fled here and disappeared. The current emperor sent people to search for him for more than a month without success. Eventually, Chen Guiyi quickly rose from a palace servant eunuch to the position of Grand Eunuch of the Directorate of Ceremonial and Director of the Eastern Depot, succeeding Sun Shaopu.

Luo Ling is now the Grand Master of the Palace, a subordinate official of the Crown Prince. The youngest son of the Liang Chancellor is having his coming-of-age ceremony. All the aristocratic families have received invitations, and Jiang Yuanjun, as the Crown Prince, is ordered by the Emperor to attend. Why, then, has Luo Ling been singled out at this crucial moment?

Luo Zhaoxing and Tao Qingyun exchanged a knowing glance and smiled knowingly.

Liang Lang pursed his lips and remained silent. Liang Xi, dressed in a pale yellow silk robe, stood gracefully in the back garden, her presence a striking contrast to the springtime landscape.

"So that's why it's so lively, Ah Fu is back." She raised her chin slightly, with a hint of arrogance.

Tao Qingyun snorted coldly upon seeing this, muttering, "A poor imitation."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Yuanjun frowned and slightly lifted her eyelids, but her expression suddenly darkened.

You must know that the crown prince is gentle and refined, renowned throughout the capital for his good temper and compassion. His smile is like the warm sun in early winter. Every gesture he makes is elegant and graceful, a testament to his superior upbringing.

Ten years ago, however, he blushed and flew into a rage for the Qin siblings, and built a temple on a grand scale. He confronted Liang Xutai, the eldest son of Liang Shuwen, with a tense standoff in front of the temple, causing an uproar in the Golden Palace.

Now, following his gaze, Tao Qingyun's eyes sparkled, as if they could see through everything. Suddenly, she raised the corners of her mouth and pursed her lips.

He gently patted Jiang Yuanjun's left shoulder, intentionally reminding her.

Jiang Yuanjun snapped out of her daze, regaining her usual composure. She smiled calmly, but her gaze remained distant as she asked Liang Xi, "I ask you, where did you get these earrings?"

Liang Xi was momentarily confused. She raised her head slightly and met his gaze, only to find it icy coldness she had never seen before.

She quickly lowered her eyelids, stepped forward, and curtsied, saying, "This was a gift from Her Majesty the Empress Dowager on my birthday this year."

She pursed her lips, a subtle atmosphere settling in the pavilion. Several palace maids had quietly retreated to a distance. She continued, “That day, the princess and I went to Xiaguang Peak to visit the Empress Dowager. When Her Majesty heard that it was my birthday, she allowed me to choose a gift from the Hundred Treasures Pavilion. I saw a dusty, moon-white brocade box in the corner, and inside was a pair of tourmaline earrings. They were truly beautiful, a real waste of their beauty. The Empress Dowager gave them to me, but forbade me to tell anyone. Today, at my brother's coming-of-age ceremony, I remembered them and wore them.”

Willows sway gently on the bank, and several fish swim and play in the pond.

Her slender, fair fingers gradually clenched into a fist, and then relaxed.

Jiang Yuanfu remained silent.

Jiang Yuanjun lowered her eyelashes, put her hands behind her back, and looked away from everyone, gazing into the distance as if she could see Penglai Xiaoding on the outskirts of Beijing in this direction, the place where they often played in their childhood.

"That was a gift given by the Empress Dowager to the daughter of the Duke of Dingguo when she was Empress. It was also a gift of gratitude from the Empress Dowager to the Qin family after the Qin family ancestor followed the Emperor to conquer the country and the Qin family grandfather died of illness caused by his early military career."

When she looked up again, Jiang Yuanfu was already in tears.

Luo Zhaoxing stood by the bridge, looking down at the fish swimming in the water. A crystal-clear tear rolled silently down her cheek, causing a slight ripple to spread across the clear pond.

Liang Xi swallowed hard, her arrogance completely gone. She knelt down abruptly and whispered, "This humble woman truly does not know."

Jiang Yuanjun chuckled lightly: "Really? When the Ministry of Rites presented it back then, it caused quite a stir in the capital."

Liang Xi continued, "When I was young, my family was very strict with me, and gatherings among women from aristocratic families were not common. I really didn't know that."

"Very well, one thing cannot belong to two masters. The pearl has been covered in dust and can no longer see the light. Take it!"

"She won't want it anymore."

Liang Xi lowered her head, gritted her teeth, her face flushed, and her whole body trembled slightly.

Is she the thing covered in dust?

Seeing this, Liang Lang's face showed a mixture of embarrassment, shame, and anger. He glanced at Luo Zhaoxing, who had turned his back, stepped forward, and bowed, saying, "Your Highness, please forgive me. I will have someone clean it and return it to Your Highness immediately."

Tao Qingyun, who had been silent for a long time, leaned against the bridge wall with his elbow, waved his folding fan, and laughed: "Liang Gou'er, don't you understand? That's something he doesn't want. What doesn't the Eastern Palace have? Why would he want a used item? Are you trying to slap the Eastern Palace in the face?" He closed the folding fan, crossed his hands, and raised it to the sky, "Or is it the face of the Emperor?"

Intermittent footsteps could be heard at the Treasure Bottle Gate.

"I beg Your Highness's forgiveness. My younger sister is dull-witted and simple-minded. When she was young, she often envied Qin Shuoguang's younger sister, wondering what color dress she wore today and what makeup she wore tomorrow. She always wanted to befriend you and play together, but gradually she lost her true self." He approached the group, smiled and bowed, glancing at Luo Zhaoxing out of the corner of his eye, and then smiled at the group, saying, "Is this Lord Luo's younger sister?"

Luo Zhaoxing suddenly looked up.

Liang Xi said angrily, "Brother..."

A flash of cold light appeared in Liang Xu's eyes as he looked at Liang Xi and Liang Lang.

He laughed heartily, "Indeed, as Young Master Tao said, what doesn't Your Highness's palace have? It's a small matter, don't hurt my sister's feelings for the princess." He then changed the subject, "Today is my younger brother's coming-of-age ceremony and Your Highness's old friend is returning to the capital. I didn't expect to spoil your mood. I'll host another day or so. I hope Your Highness will give me the honor of accompanying me to Shuiyun Tower for a chat, so as to make up for my sister's mistake today."

"No need," Jiang Yuanjun said humbly and politely. "The affairs of the Crown Prince's Palace are very busy, so I won't trouble you, Lord Liang. Today is your younger brother's coming-of-age ceremony, and since the gifts have already been delivered to me, I won't linger any longer."

Liang Xu gave a bitter laugh: "Your Highness, why should the grudges of our parents' generation affect us younger generations? Back then, I was ordered by His Majesty to escort Qin Shuoguang back to the palace, and you saw it all. Your Highness, in the past, you and I also looked up at the moon and drank wine together. So why not look forward?"

He tucked his hands into his sleeves and talked to Jiang Yuanjun as if no one else was around.

Luo Zhaoxing felt a pain in his heart, like being cut by a knife, which gradually spread to his limbs and bones.

The sky seemed to gradually darken, with thick clouds gathering, plunging everything into gloom. It felt as if I had returned to many sleepless nights, as if I were adrift on a vast river, stained with blood, when hailstones the size of beans suddenly began to fall from the sky, leaving only a lone boat on the river, with no one else around.

Luo Zhaoxing's eyes were extremely cold, and his sharp, razor-sharp gaze swept over Liang Xu.

Suddenly, a patch of lush green, like bamboo, appeared in front of her.

With a smile on his handsome face, Tao Qingyun said, "Shuiyunlou has some new dishes today, shall we go and try them? It just so happens that Zhenhui is back too. Speaking of which, we haven't really had a proper welcome dinner for you yet. Why don't we go there for a get-together?"

In their childhood springtimes, they often rode white horses across the countryside, galloping with the wind. When they were tired from playing in the evening, they would return to the city and enjoy a delicious roast meat at a restaurant. The restaurant overlooked a long, shimmering river, a beautiful sight.

At that time, both the Qin siblings were present. The young man from the Chu family and the triumphant Tao Qingyun were a bickering couple who got along very well. Zhu Ruo, who had not yet married into the Duke of Dingguo's family as the wife of the heir Qin Shuoguang, had not yet reached the top of Penglai Mountain. Instead, she entered a nunnery, betrayed her parents' kindness, and cut her hair to become a nun. Luo Xiaoxing also did not leave the capital with the Luo family.

——

As dusk settles, the streets of Fengyaowang Temple are bustling with people. Many wear novel and wonderful masks, while small vendors are enthusiastically baking golden and crispy fried dough sticks at their stalls. Peddlers carry their wares, selling novelties rarely seen in Beijing, and several children surround them, laughing happily.

The group weaved through the bustling crowd. Because there were women in the group, they went through the back gate of Shuiyunlou and were led into the restaurant by the innkeeper through a secluded path.

They sat in a private room near the river, and could see most of the city from the small window inside.

Luo Zhaoxing sat by the window, a ray of moonlight shining in and illuminating her. Today she was wearing a light blue silk dress, and a white jade lotus hairpin was inserted in her hair.

This dress was the knee pads she gave to Jiang Yuanfu when she first returned to the capital; it was Jiang Yuanfu's way of returning the favor.

When they were young, they also exchanged gifts.

Jiang Yuanfu said, "I should have gone down the mountain earlier, but it has been raining a lot this spring. Aunt Baozhu was worried that I would be in danger, so she has delayed until now." She seemed a little tired.

The restaurant quickly served lychee wine, roasted mutton, and spicy sake.

Tao Qingyun raised an eyebrow upon hearing this, then poured himself a glass of lychee wine and pushed it in front of Luo Zhaoxing: "Your sixth sister specially prepared this for you. Try it. Luo Ling isn't here today, so let's drink to our hearts' content!"

He clicked his tongue and said, "He has now been promoted from Junior Chamberlain to Chamberlain, and he also works in the Eastern Palace. He is the Crown Prince's sworn brother, and everyone flatters him."

"Today, it's either someone inviting us to a banquet or someone inviting us to a play. We've been apart from each other for far too long."

The first sip is filled with the rich aroma of lychee, and the wine is sweet but not spicy. As children, they secretly learned to drink wine from the adults, and that taste is unforgettable.

Jiang Yuanfu said, "Xiaoxing, shall we go to Xiaguang Peak to visit the Empress Dowager another day?"

Upon hearing this, Luo Zhaoxing's heart tightened, but he quickly smiled and said, "Great! I've been wanting to visit her for a long time."

Jiang Yuanfu nodded and said, "The Empress Dowager has been feeling unwell these past few days and is worried about catching it from you. She's thinking of summoning you to the palace for a visit in a few days."

Tao Qingyun picked up a large piece of roasted mutton and stuffed it into her mouth. She looked at Jiang Yuanfu and muttered, "Leaving aside A-Ling, there's still one person missing from this feast. That person in the Northwest, I heard you sent a bunch of padded jackets over there? Grandmother Zhao's birthday is coming up soon, she should be back by now, right?"

Jiang Yuanfu's eyelashes trembled slightly, then she shook her head: "I don't know. Sending him a winter coat in summer and a summer shirt in winter is a way to let him know that there are still people in the capital who care about him, right? Over the years, he has become estranged from us."

Upon hearing this, each of them had their own thoughts, but they all recalled the past ten years.

Back then, in the Golden Palace, the orphaned boy who had returned from the border was honored to enter the palace with a sword and shoes. He asked, "What has my father done wrong!" He spoke up for the Qin family, including the father and son and all the women in the household, saying that although the Duke of Dingguo held a large army, he was a loyal man.

The emperor and his high-ranking minister died from severe injuries in the imperial palace. Even though the emperor, who was above all others, protected the young man because of the death of his father, General Chu Lanzhe, in a foreign land, he could not withstand the public opinion.

For this, he also paid the price of being exiled to the border for many years.

"Last year, right after New Year's Eve, Father Emperor wanted to have the Qin residence renovated, but both civil and military officials in the court objected. This storm has been brewing for so many years, shouldn't it have passed by now?"

Tao Qingyun smiled faintly: "Just look at us, do you think any of us can get through these ten years without any problems?"

A cool evening breeze rustled through the air. Luo Zhaoxing rested one arm on the window frame, tilted her head, and a slight blush rose to her cheeks.

The sky was filled with stars, and fireworks lit up the city. She looked out at the star-gazing tower that stood several meters high in the distance.

When they were young, while they admired the starry sky at the Star-Gazing Pavilion in Penglai, there was also a similar Star-Gazing Pavilion, several meters high, on Gulou Street in the city. When the current emperor first ascended the throne, he granted a general amnesty and ordered the Ministry of Works to build this small building, which resembled the Star-Gazing Pavilion in Penglai, and named it the Star-Gazing Pavilion.

On the day of its completion, he proclaimed to the world: "Since the royal family has an observatory for their children to ascend, why can't ordinary people also observe it? The people of Great Xia live under the same sky as me, and I will treat them equally."

Thus, at the beginning of the Kang Le era, the Star Gazing Tower was built. Except for the nineteenth of each month when prominent families, officials, and nobles could ascend the Star Gazing Tower, and on the day of the Autumn Equinox each year, craftsmen would regularly repair it, while on other days it was open to the common people for entertainment and sightseeing.

Jiang Yuanjun remained silent for a moment, then slightly lifted her eyelids, about to speak, when she suddenly saw the scene opposite her and was startled.

That expression...

I feel like I've seen him somewhere before.

Luo Zhaoxing turned around and met his probing gaze, a smile playing on her lips and her cheeks flushed. She said to them, "I've spent ten years in Jiangnan, and my drinking capacity is really nothing to brag about. I'm a little drunk. The fireworks outside are so beautiful, I'll go take a look and get some fresh air."

After a few rounds of drinks, they were all a little drunk.

Jiang Yuanfu nodded, intending to send a palace maid to accompany her.

Luo Zhaoxing politely declined: "I'll just take a walk by myself and be right back. I'm a grown woman, how could I possibly get lost?"

The group shook their heads and chuckled.

Luo Zhaoxing left the private room. Feng Hua, who was outside, heard the commotion and was about to come and help her up, but she smiled and shook her head. She then took the purse off her waist, a slightly tipsy smile on her lips, and said, "Today, merchants from all over the city have gathered together. There must be many new and interesting things. You don't need to watch over me anymore. Go and have some fun!"

Feng Hua wanted to follow, but Luo Zhaoxing had already turned his back, waved to her, and walked away leisurely.

She was indeed a little drunk, having consumed a lot of lychee wine mixed with a little sake. Her fair cheeks were slightly flushed, and her hair was falling loosely.

Fireworks outside burst into dazzling light in the night.

As she walked, she found herself walking to the side of a small bridge and a stream.

Under the bridge, an old man on a boat gently rowed and hummed a lullaby. He looked up and met her clear, bright eyes, and chuckled, "Young lady, you seem to have come from a painting. Would you like to come aboard my boat for a boat ride on the river? To recite poems and play the zither?"

The light and shadow under the bridge were somewhat dim. When she saw the old man clearly, she couldn't help but smile and ask, "Uncle, do you have any of your homemade osmanthus wine on the boat today?"

The old man grinned from ear to ear: "Young lady, how did you know I have wine on my boat? Are you a regular passenger? But you're a complete stranger to me."

Luo Zhaoxing nodded and asked softly, "Didn't your little granddaughter come with you today?"

The old man laughed heartily, "My little granddaughter has grown into a big granddaughter now. Young lady, you're a guest from years ago." He moored the boat to the shore, turned around, and took two fresh grass carp from the cabin. He said, "Young lady, I'm in a good mood today, take these and eat them. They're very fresh!"

She smiled and her eyes shone brightly as she reached for the purse at her waist, only to find her hands empty.

She then remembered that she had given the money to Feng Hua, and couldn't help but feel a little embarrassed.

Seeing her embarrassed look, the old man thought of his little granddaughter and couldn't help but laugh: "Girl, these two fish are what I caught today, they're not worth much. There are some things that money can't buy."

Seeing this, Luo Zhaoxing stopped insisting and said with a smile, "Then thank you, sir. I'll treat you to wine another day."

Just as she was about to take it, someone behind her chuckled and said, "What doesn't the Luo family have? They've never shortchanged you. Why are you eating this filthy stuff?"

Li Chuirong, dressed in a brocade dress, frowned slightly and covered her nose with one finger. Several maids surrounded her, staring at her.

They were clearly there to visit the temple fair, but somehow we bumped into each other here.

Luo Zhaoxing turned to the old man and said, "Uncle, it's a pity we ran into an acquaintance today. Take this fish back for your little granddaughter to eat! Another day, I'll come to your boat with some friends for a boat trip, and we can eat fish and drink your osmanthus wine together."

The old man repeatedly said "good".

She then turned to look at Li Chuirong, tilting her head slightly with a puzzled look in her eyes, which were somewhat unfocused.

Li Chuirong felt a little uncomfortable under her gaze, his eyes darting around as he asked, "What are you looking at?"

Luo Zhaoxing stomped her foot and laughed, "Oops! My foot's gone numb!" But she stomped a little too hard, and ended up covered in mud and water, which smelled slightly fishy.

Li Chuirong looked down at her embroidered shoes, which were now covered in stains. She let out a soft cry, her eyes filled with a hint of anger as she looked at her.

Luo Zhaoxing said, "What you eat isn't grown by farmers? Do you think that if you want to eat fish, you can just say the word and the fish will jump out of the river by itself? Isn't it fishermen who catch it, clean it, cook it, fry it, and then put it in front of you?" She sneered and turned to leave, but suddenly stopped, raising her eyebrows slightly: "Miss Li, do you know about using manure to irrigate the land?"

Jiang Yuanjun, who was standing under the eaves, was somewhat surprised when she heard this, but then a smile appeared in her eyes.

He saw her come out for some fresh air after getting drunk, and seeing the dazzling fireworks outside the window, he felt a strong urge to make a wish upon them, so he inexplicably went outside.

Seeing her chatting and laughing with the old man rowing the boat, I didn't go up to disturb her, but I unexpectedly overheard these words.

Is this still the Luo family's Xiaoxing from his memory? He had a strange feeling, as if he had returned to ten years ago, and a girl was talking eloquently in front of him.

Li Chuirong's face turned pale and then flushed, and he looked like he was about to vomit. He then called out to her, his brows furrowing even deeper.

She said, "Luo Zhaoxing, I once intended to befriend you, after all, there would be many opportunities to meet in the future. How could you be so ungrateful? You're full of thorns!"

Luo Zhaoxing glanced at her sideways and said, "No! We have different paths, so we can't work together! As for your saying there will be many more opportunities in the future?" She pondered for a moment, recalling what she had heard in her youth: "What? You want to marry into the Tao family?"

Li Chuirong said, "What right do I have to say no?" She chuckled lightly, "Or do you think my Marquis's mansion is not worthy of the Tao family's current status? What does the Tao family have now? The family is desolate. If we go back more than ten years, before the eldest son of the old Earl of Chengyi died with his sick wife, the Tao family was prestigious and renowned. I know I would not dare to aspire to such a position."

Luo Zhaoxing's eyes suddenly turned to her like sharp swords, his gaze chillingly cold.

Li Chuirong was taken aback and stammered, "Why are you looking at me like that?"

Luo Zhaoxing gritted her teeth, and suddenly a burst of fireworks exploded above her head, illuminating the city brightly.

She chuckled, slightly raised her chin, then raised an eyebrow and said, "I've heard that your mother's health isn't very good either, and she's been on medication for years. If it were your father in her place, could he manage?"

Li Chuirong pointed angrily at Luo Zhaoxing, his face flushed red, "You!"

Luo Zhaoxing's eyes flashed with sarcasm as he strode away, loudly proclaiming, "True love is precious, but how many men and women in this world truly possess it? Alas—I envy not the immortals, but only the loving couples."

A note from the author:

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