Lotus color
Inside the ship, exquisite carvings and fine craftsmanship were on full display. Light, hazy gauze curtains danced in the wind, concealing much of the opulent color and adding a touch of poetry. In addition to the people from Zhiqiong Hall, several graceful and beautiful maids stood around them, while numerous armed guards stood solemnly outside the cabin, all of which indicated the noble status of those on board.
However, Lin Xu noticed that the Fifth Prince, who always accompanied the Third Prince, was not here today. Also missing was Duan Jinru, the nephew of Prince Mao, who had excellent handwriting.
The Third Prince held a white jade cup, casually watching the musician playing the zhongruan (a type of Chinese plucked string instrument) inside the cabin. Zhao Fujiang and Cao Yuan chatted about recent events in Mujing. The zhongruan music floated ethereally like light feathers, its melody long and melodious, adding a touch of tranquility and leisure to the lush green scenery outside the window.
"Are there any drills at the training ground today?"
Zhao Fujiang asked. As a descendant of civil officials, he rarely cared about matters concerning military generals, but he only remembered what he had heard recently when chatting with Cao Yuan.
Cao Yuan nodded. "A few days ago, a martial arts professor came to the school's martial arts field. He said that the rules are very strict. Even though it is a festival today, he has gathered all the students together. I heard that he will test their martial arts skills and formations to assess their strength."
Cao Yuan's old back injury flared up recently, forcing him to drop out of the martial arts school, leaving a thorn in his side. Even now, when discussing martial arts, he still can't help but feel regret, sighing as he says:
"It's a pity that I've practiced martial arts since I was a child, but now I can no longer train on the field. Although I am saddened, I can only try to accept it. Moreover, this year's martial arts students are full of talents. The Fifth Prince goes without saying; he is a once-in-a-century genius of Dayu, with the ability to shoot stones and drink feathers. Even the students who enrolled half a year ago are all highly talented. Among them, Brother Liang is also a master."
Zhao Fujiang also sighed with emotion, "Since ancient times, chaotic times have produced heroes, and prosperous times have produced extraordinary talents. Now, martial arts seem to be gaining popularity." He picked up two peanuts to go with his wine, and as if suddenly remembering something, he asked in a gentle voice, "Brother Cao, is the Brother Liang you mentioned earlier named Liang Yingzhi?"
His gaze fell upon Lin Xu, who sat in the corner, with a hint of inquiry. Not long ago, he had heard that there was a young man from afar in Mujing, who was handsome and dashing, and whose horsemanship and archery skills were superb. Moreover, he had heard that he was related to Lin Youcheng in the court, so he became curious.
Before Cao Yuan could nod, the Third Prince set down his cup, the tea in the white jade cup swaying slightly, and said in a calm voice:
"The martial arts arena has always produced many talented people, which is a great fortune for our Dayu."
Upon hearing this, Zhao and Cao, who had been chatting casually, naturally nodded in agreement.
Just then, a beautiful maidservant stepped forward to serve tea to each of them. The fresh Imperial Tribute Dragon and Phoenix Tea cakes were intact, and the tea powder ground into a rich color gradually turned pure white as boiling water was poured in and stirred. Taking a sip, one could feel the rich and mellow aroma of the tea, with a long-lasting sweet aftertaste.
Yao Suran's eyes lit up with amazement, and she praised in a sweet voice:
"The Dalongtuan tea is indeed of the highest quality. Such tea-making skills are only found around the Third Prince. We are fortunate enough to enjoy it today."
She leaned forward as she spoke, which made her delicate features appear even more radiant, like a peony under the moonlight.
The Third Prince smiled faintly, "Old Master Yao loves tea, so how could the Duke's mansion be short of your Dragon Ball tea?"
Yao Sha, who had been sitting beside the prince with a smile on his face, hurriedly cupped his hands and said with a smile, "Your Highness's appreciation of tea is truly admirable. In the future, when we get good tea, we still need you to appreciate it so that we don't lose our refined taste."
Yao Sha of the Duke's mansion had always presented himself with an arrogant demeanor, never taking others seriously. This was the first time Lin Xu had seen him so obsequious, and he couldn't help but sneer.
Princess Kunrou, who had been sitting quietly to the side, seemed to have heard her laughter and turned her head to look at her.
She then met Liao Yan's gaze.
Those eyes seemed to hold a deep, dark depth, yet bathed in the warm light of the bright sunlight streaming through the window, softening their previously aloof demeanor. They resembled a solitary orchid blooming serenely in a secluded valley.
Lin Xu responded with a cool smile.
"Liang Zhengyuan is your cousin?"
She had never heard Liao Yan speak to anyone before, and the sudden question surprised her.
It turned out that this princess only seemed indifferent to everything, but in reality, she heard everything everyone was saying. This was the first time Liao Yan had spoken to her, but her face remained pale, as if someone else had spoken just now.
Lin Xu smiled slightly and quickly said softly, "That's right. My cousin grew up in Hecheng and only came to Mujing half a year ago. He's currently staying at home for a while."
A hint of approval slowly surfaced in Liao Yan's calm eyes. "I once happened to see this person practicing riding a horse; he does have some skill."
Lin Xu recalled the rumors that Princess Kunrou was both scholarly and martial, and also had an extremely aloof and proud personality. It would be extremely difficult to get a word of praise from her.
Liang Zhengyuan had only been here for half a year, yet he had already gained quite a reputation in Mujing. Thinking of her cousin who used to tease her, she smiled wryly, but at the same time, she was also extremely happy that Liang Zhengyuan's talent was being appreciated.
It seemed the usually aloof princess was quite interested in martial arts. Lin Xu pondered this. This was also the first time the two had formally begun to speak, and she thought about how to find more information about Liang Zhengyuan to continue the conversation with the princess.
But then they saw Yao Suran in the distance get up and walk towards them, smiling brightly as she said:
"Xu'er, let's go for a walk. The sun is shining brightly outside."
Perhaps she was used to Lin Xu never refusing, and since she never allowed others to refuse, she grabbed Lin Xu's arm before Lin Xu could even respond.
Seeing the two of them walking out hand in hand, a maid standing by lifted the beaded curtain and bowed to escort them to the outside of the boat.
This year's weather is unusually hot, and although it's late spring, lotus flowers are already in full bloom. A vast expanse of green stretches as far as the eye can see, and lotus leaves sway gently in the warm breeze. Red carp swim and float on the water amidst the fragrant lotus blossoms, creating ripples. The lakeshore is also bustling with people, young men and women playing together and exchanging peony blossoms.
Yao Su'an was already standing outside the cabin, leaning gracefully against the carved railing. She smiled softly when she saw the two of them approaching. Looking in the direction she was standing, there was a beautifully decorated pleasure boat floating on the lake not far away. The boat was made of exquisitely carved fragrant nanmu wood, and even a quick glance was enough to tell that the people inside were of noble status.
As the lake rippled, she inexplicably felt that the boat looked somewhat familiar.
She secretly took note and then looked closely at Yao Su'an. She saw that Yao Su'an's face still had the paleness that was typical of someone who had been ill, but the rosy blush on her cheeks seemed even more vibrant than before.
A gentle breeze rippled across the lake, causing the boat moored not far away to sway slightly. A very faint fragrance drifted through the air. It was a delicate scent of cedar mixed with the cool aroma of fir, a fragrance she knew all too well from her past life.
A sudden, overwhelming fear swept over her, and as the boat rocked slightly, she felt her legs suddenly lose all strength.
Before she could think further, she saw the beaded curtain of the boat gently parted by a cold, white hand with distinct knuckles. Immediately afterward, a figure dressed in moon-white brocade woven with silver and gold, trimmed with silver thread cloud patterns, and with several short and long black jade pendants hanging from her waist.
Everything is as it was before.
The man's face remained as fair as jade, and despite his luxurious clothes, he always exuded an aura of tranquility and elegance, like that of a pine tree.
In the past, whenever she saw his perpetually serene expression, she could quickly calm down, no matter how angry she was. Because he was always the gentlest and safest presence behind her.
Now, however, I don't even have the courage to look into those clear eyes anymore.
Yao Su'an's voice was as soft as a lotus flower in water, "Young Master Zhou is late."
Zhou Weikan stood at the bow of the boat, a gentle smile on his face: "Greetings, Miss Yao."
He then looked at Yao Suran and Lin Xu beside Yao Su'an, his face still as clear and gentle as ever, and nodded slightly to them.
Lin Xu, however, could not stand steadily, and felt as if all his strength was about to be exhausted. Was their encounter in their past life merely a coincidence, a preordained meeting between Yao Su'an and him, arranged for this very day?
He had already made an appointment with others to come to Jiuqiao Lake to play in the water during the Shangsi Festival, which is why he met her.
Because Zhou Weikan never mentioned Yao Su'an before, she always assumed the two had never met. Now she realized that they had known each other and were quite familiar with each other even before she did…
It turns out that all these feelings had been quietly lying beneath the calm surface of the lake, and at that time, she was so happy that she was completely blind to them.
The only fool is yourself.
Her heart was in turmoil, and she felt her body trembling slightly. She could no longer stand there with a normal expression. In a panic, she had no choice but to turn around and leave, but suddenly fell into a strong embrace.
Yao Sha looked worried, placed his hand on her slender, trembling shoulders, and asked in a low voice:
"Miss Lin, are you feeling unwell anywhere?"
She suddenly came to her senses and tried to break free from the hand covering her. But Yao Sha's grip was strong, holding her firmly and making it difficult for her to escape.
Yao Su'an and Zhou Weikan, who were talking expectantly to the side, were completely unaware of what was happening here. Yao Suran also stood beside the two of them, a smile on her lips. Her loose and gorgeous dress completely concealed the movements of Lin Xu and Yao Sha. Even the people inside their ship probably couldn't see what was going on outside.
Lin Xu kept declining, but Yao Sha suddenly lowered his head, his hot breath washing over her, and his carefree voice rang in her ears:
"Miss Lin possesses an exceptionally refined air, yet she is always quite cold towards me..."
.
Inside the cabin, the crowd continued their lively conversation. The musician, plucking the zhongruan, finished a piece, her soft hair falling gently from her ears. The melodious tune, set against the backdrop of the lake and mountains, seemed to have swept away the last vestiges of the oppressive heat.
Just as she was about to pick up the zhongruan and get up to leave, a slow, leisurely voice sounded from inside the boat:
"This poem about picking lotus flowers is quite beautiful. It matches the color of the lotus flowers all over the sky to some extent."
The Third Prince casually toyed with the cup in his hand. The red-clad courtesan holding the zhongruan paused, and as the slightly solemn voice spoke, she slowly raised her head. Her eyes were bright and lively, in no way inferior to the beautiful Lianse outside the boat. "Thank you for your praise, Your Highness."
The others exchanged glances, all knowing the situation. Since the Third Prince had shown interest, they naturally had to give way.
Princess Kunrou's expression grew even colder, but she said nothing. She simply strode out of the ship without looking to the side, and the others quickly followed her.
As soon as they stepped out of the cabin, they saw a lotus pond with lotus leaves stretching to the sky, a vibrant scene of early summer. Before they could even appreciate the serene beauty of the summer scenery, a loud splash came from the stern, followed by Yao Suran's voice, tinged with panic:
"Oh no! Someone has fallen into the water!"
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