Chapter 87 Moon Group
The next day, the steward waited for a long time outside Yunshui Courtyard before Yan Dibai opened the door with a dark expression.
The boy was still wearing yesterday's smoky blue wide-sleeved robe, which was now wrinkled and disheveled from sleeping in it. The twenty-four bundles of gifts in the courtyard were piled up as before, covered with a thin layer of cold dew.
“Your Majesty,” the steward bowed, “the governor has specially ordered the delivery of clothing for tonight’s Mid-Autumn Festival banquet. Please proceed with your carriage on time.”
The officials in the mansion still referred to themselves as "Imperial Attendants," but Wang Du refused to acknowledge this, so no one dared to change their address.
Yan Dibai slept cold and annoyed that night, slamming the door shut in frustration. Turning around, he saw that the side room that had kept him out all night was still tightly closed.
He paced around the yard with a grim face. The cold porridge on the stove had turned into dry biscuits. He grabbed a piece with his bare hands, took a bite, and the cold, fishy taste of the chicken shot straight into his throat. He spat it out with a "pfft."
If Yang Liuqing doesn't come out, he won't even get a hot meal.
He sat expressionless on the threshold from early morning until evening. The gate rang again. Yan Dibai jumped up—the steward was still at the gate, followed by maids holding various kinds of rouge and face powder.
"The carriage is ready. Your Majesty, please have your attendants change and apply makeup." The steward put down the things and added, "The master specifically instructed that Your Majesty must accompany him."
The young man's handsome face suddenly froze.
Just then, the door to the side room creaked open.
Qingqing came out. Her hair was neatly styled, her expression was calm, and she was wearing the same moon-colored ruqun from yesterday, except that there were still a few wrinkles in the hem.
She accepted the rouge and powder, and politely saw the guest off. Throughout the entire process, she didn't glance at Yan Dibai, nor did she say a single word to him.
With a bellyful of words stuck in his chest, Yan Dibai grabbed his robes and stormed off in a huff.
Inside the side room, Qingqing was perplexed by the magnificent persimmon-red dress she was wearing. Wang Du was clearly trying to make amends for yesterday; the fabric he sent this time was of the highest quality, but the color was too vibrant, requiring heavy makeup and a high-coiffed hairstyle to match. She didn't know how to style her hair.
The door was not bolted and was gently pushed open.
Qingqing turned around as if sensing something, and Yan Dibai, who had just been sulking with her, walked straight in, his wide crimson sleeves sweeping up from behind. He pressed down on her shoulder with one hand, preventing her from getting up.
Qingqing's heart tightened.
In the bronze mirror, his slender and beautiful hands deftly untied her ordinary hair bun, his ten fingers weaving through it, gradually forming a single-strand snake bun.
Qingqing lowered her eyes, letting him do as he pleased.
"Look up," he suddenly commanded in a deep voice.
She paused. Suddenly, another face appeared in the bronze mirror. Yan Dibai was already sitting cross-legged beside her, holding a brush dipped in powder, staring intently at her.
"Close your eyes."
The girl's eyelashes trembled slightly, but thinking of the banquet tonight, she finally closed them obediently. Her fair face, free of guard, was presented to him docilely.
Yan Dibai's brow twitched. It took him quite a while to pick up his brush. He applied white jade, swept on crimson, and finally took red agate and kingfisher feathers, using his breath to carefully assemble them into a precious flower ornament on her forehead.
He leaned in very close, his breath hot. Qingqing opened her eyes in surprise, “…Okay.” He quickly stepped back and lowered his head to fiddle with his lip rouge.
Qingqing stared blankly at her unfamiliar reflection in the mirror.
Her hair was styled in a flowing, elegant bun, her eyebrows were like curved willows, and her face was like a lotus blossom. A floral adornment on her forehead added a touch of brilliance, making her look delicate and pretty, like a splash of red flower blooming in the wind amidst a sea of green.
It's amazing that she's the kind of person who is like this.
As she stood there lost in thought, Yan Dibai, who had been silently watching her for a long time, suddenly took the remaining jade powder and casually applied it to her face. Turning his back, he coldly said:
"I'm afraid you'll embarrass me, but don't flatter yourself."
"..."
Qingqing wanted to take this opportunity to make things clear, but she swallowed her words back.
Let's wait until after the banquet.
On the carriage, the two resumed their cold war atmosphere. The old steward noticed Yan Dibai's startled expression, then Qingqing's, and kept stealing glances at them along the way, his expression subtle.
Inside the banquet hall, wine cups clinked and the air was filled with the warmth of incense. Local officials and noble families had gathered. Ostensibly, it was a Mid-Autumn Festival banquet, but in reality, it was a celebration of Wang Du's formal dominance over Jiangzuo.
The most important of them all was the young emperor who came to seek refuge with him.
As Yan Dibai and Qingqing stepped in one after the other, all eyes in the room immediately turned to them.
The crowd was first taken aback by Yan Dibai's overly flamboyant crimson robe, and then their attention was drawn to the girl beside him.
Her hair was styled in a graceful and elegant bun, adorned with a delicate and exquisite floral decoration on her forehead. Her long, flowing persimmon-red dress accentuated her fair skin, making her appear exceptionally beautiful.
Some people didn't recognize them, but they thought both of them were very beautiful, especially the young emperor, whose red robes were dazzling and truly deserved the title of the most beautiful man in the world. But those in the audience who knew them, such as Wang Shu, Cui Shenxiu, and Wang Ke, were all astonished.
This girl, who usually dressed simply, suddenly became dressed up, giving the impression of a pearl covered in dust.
She gazed calmly ahead, her eyes clear and bright, which diminished some of the glamorous elegance of her elaborate makeup, making her appear even more youthful and carefree.
Wang Shu glanced uneasily at Cui Shenxiu. Today, she too wore a persimmon-red floor-length skirt and plum blossom makeup. However, due to her overly composed and dignified demeanor, her hair was styled in a heavy, elaborate updo, and her makeup was applied thickly, making her less eye-catching than the maid.
Wang Shu felt guilty. This dress was something she had carefully chosen for Shenxiu, intending to… but it had backfired. Fortunately, Cui Shenxiu didn't seem to mind and even smiled in protest.
Wang Shu dared not look at her and silently drank her wine.
Wang Du sat in the main seat, his gaze lingering on Qingqing for a moment, a barely perceptible shadow passing through his eyes, before turning to chat with the other members of the gentry.
Looking at Yan Dibai, he had been intently enjoying the musicians' performances and songs since taking his seat, occasionally clapping his hands in celebration. Because of his fame gained from this gathering, none of the scions of prominent families dared to utter any offensive words this time.
After several rounds of drinks, the atmosphere seemed lively, but Yan Dibai and Qingqing remained out of the conversation.
The time was almost right, and Wang Du smiled, patting his knees.
"On this festive day, we cannot be without elegant music to enhance the festivities. I have heard that a musician once impressed the late Emperor with his rendition of 'The Pear Tree.' Your Majesty is also very fond of entertainers, and I imagine you are quite proficient in music as well. I wonder if we will have the privilege of hearing such heavenly music today?"
The entire hall fell silent.
The poem "Tangdi" expresses the deep affection between brothers. Wang Du's actions were intended to make the former emperor sing like an actor at his subject's banquet, which was a deliberate humiliation.
Wang Du settled yesterday's score in front of everyone.
Qingqing knelt beside him, her fingertips digging into her palm.
Yan Dibai paused for a moment, his fingers holding the wine glass. Surrounded by the crowd, he naturally smiled with a touch of sentimentality.
"When the governor mentioned the poem 'The Pear Tree,' it truly moved me deeply. The bond between brothers is indeed precious. However, I lost my father at a young age and wandered south. Whenever I think of my parents, who bore me with such toil, I feel my heart burning with grief."
His voice was clear and sincere, but then he abruptly changed the subject, looking intently at Wang Du with a face full of respect:
"Fortunately, the Prince did not abandon us and extended a helping hand in our time of crisis, protecting me and Qingniang. This kindness and virtue are comparable to being reborn! The music of 'Tangdi' is beautiful, but how can it fully express my reliance and respect for the Prince, which is as vast as rivers and mountains?"
His words elevated the bond between brothers to the level of gratitude between father and son.
Wang Du's smile remained unchanged, but his heart was filled with suspicion. Having learned from past mistakes, he knew this boy was exceptionally cunning. Asking him to sing "The Pear Tree" was a test to see how much resentment he harbored. Who would have thought this boy would so readily flatter him? Could it be… that yesterday's boast of "surpassing even his own father" was truly sincere?
Wang Du stroked the cup. Having bowed so low, he could no longer press the matter directly.
"Today, I wish to offer a humble suggestion, departing from old tunes, and instead compose a poem to express my gratitude for the great favor shown to you, Your Highness!"
He hesitated for a moment, then his gaze, after gratefully bowing to Wang Du, slowly settled on the girl beside him:
"A lone boat sailing south moored on the riverbank, fortunate to meet a great leader who stabilized the world."
Your kindness is like a second life, like sweet dew; the warmth of spring in the boudoir comforts my heart.
When the poem was finished, the entire room fell silent. No one dared to applaud; instead, there was a constant commotion.
"The Empress's chambers are warm in spring..." The Empress's chambers are the residence of the young emperor. Could it be that this young emperor is going to...?
The boy, facing a crowd of astonished gazes, wiped his face with his sleeve:
"...It's strange. The night I first met the prince, I dreamt that I was back to my father's deathbed. My father held my hand tightly and said that his regret in this life was that he could not see me establish a virtuous and beautiful woman to sit firmly in the empress's palace and prolong the dynasty."
"In my youth, I was captivated by beauty and committed many wrongdoings. Now, having gone through this ordeal, I am physically weak and crippled. Though I have the will, I know I am unworthy of the fine women of Jiangzuo. This Qingniang by my side is enough! Due to the haste, a formal ceremony could not be held. If it were not for the presence of the princes, how could I dare to undertake such a momentous event?"
"Your Highness! You have treated me like a son, and are therefore my father! Today, in the presence of my father and all the distinguished scholars, I will fulfill my father's instructions in his dream and establish an empress, to fulfill my filial duty and to stabilize the foundation of the nation! Please accept another cup from me, Father!"
With just a few words, they shifted all the blame onto Wang Du. Every sentence was filled with gratitude and flattery, leaving Wang Du no room for rebuttal.
Neither the expected open nor covert attacks materialized. Wang Du glanced at the young man, but strangely, he felt no anger.
Suddenly, he burst into laughter: "Good, good! With Your Majesty's words, Wang Du has no regrets in this life!"
"The late Emperor appeared to me in a dream, concerning the very foundation of the nation; it is naturally my duty as an old minister. Your Majesty is too kind! Your Majesty, Empress, I also respect you!"
Qingqing raised her glass. The smell of alcohol was overwhelming. She lowered her head, hiding her trembling hands in her sleeve.
Wang Du suddenly looked at the crowd: "Why did you stop? Keep the music playing and keep dancing!"
Those seated suddenly realized what was happening and resumed their laughter and chatter. Music resumed, sleeves fluttered, and the banquet seemed to return to its lively atmosphere. People frequently approached Yan Dibai and Qingqing, offering auspicious words like "His Majesty and Empress are a perfect match." Qingqing maintained her composed smile, her back ramrod straight as she had at the elegant gathering, quietly playing the role of the woman behind the emperor. Yan Dibai, on the other hand, seemed completely relaxed, frequently raising his glass and chatting with those who came to toast him; the gloom between his brows seemed to have dissipated considerably.
The matter of choosing an empress was settled in this seemingly harmonious atmosphere.
As the wine flowed freely and the conversation warmed, Wang Du stroked his beard, sizing up Yan Dibai, whose face was slightly flushed as if he were tipsy. His tone became somewhat casual, as if he were speaking to one of his own men.
"His Majesty."
Upon hearing this, Yan Dibai immediately straightened his posture: "What are your orders, Father?"
Wang Du was very satisfied with his reaction and said with a smile, "It is a blessing for the world that Your Majesty can be so filial. Since Your Majesty regards this old minister as your father, this old minister should also do more for Your Majesty and for the future of Jiangzuo." He lowered his voice, "I hope Your Majesty will always remember the deep affection between father and son today."
"After the banquet, if Your Majesty has nothing else to do, please come with this old minister to take a look at the treasury."
A sharp glint flashed in Yan Di's eyes, quickly replaced by overwhelming flattery. He immediately rose and bowed deeply.
"I will certainly live up to my father's high expectations!"
Wang Du laughed and patted Yan Dibai's arm.
Wang Shu glared at Yan Dibai, feeling annoyed. Her father had clearly hinted last night that he would choose an empress from among several noble ladies, and although Cui Shenxiu remained silent, her gesture was tacit approval. Now, with this outcome, she felt deeply indebted to her friend. She couldn't help but steal a glance at Zhao Xu across from her, seeing him drinking alone, his profile cold and hard, and her heart was filled with mixed emotions.
Cui Shenxiu, however, did not touch a single dish or piece of wine on the table. His knuckles, which held the wine cup, were slightly white, but his face still wore an impeccable smile as he chatted and laughed with the noble ladies.
The Mid-Autumn Festival banquet unexpectedly passed in harmony. After the banquet, Wang Du and Yan Dibai left first, the two of them close together, looking just like father and son. Wang Shu and Cui Shenxiu whispered to each other for a moment, and Wang Shu wanted to follow, but she didn't wait for her. Seeing Zhao Xu about to leave out of the corner of her eye, Wang Shu weighed her options and followed Zhao Xu, whose pace had obviously quickened.
The carriage that had brought them here was nowhere to be seen, so Qingqing asked for a crimson gauze lantern and walked. When she reached the corner, she saw Cui Shenxiu standing alone under the eaves, seemingly admiring the moon.
"Your Majesty the Empress." She turned around at the sound of her voice, and smiled faintly, "What a coincidence."
Under the moonlight, the two stood out conspicuously. Qingqing then noticed that Cui Shenxiu was also wearing a persimmon-red floor-length dress. However, the pattern was different, and the dress was longer, highlighting a more mature and feminine charm.
Qingqing stopped in her tracks: "Does the young lady also take this road?"
"Wake up." Cui Shenxiu's gaze lingered on her face for a moment, his tone gentle, "Your Majesty's floral headdress is quite unique, complementing the serpent bun perfectly."
Qingqing said awkwardly, "Just call me Qingniang, young lady."
Her sudden rise to the position of Empress was obvious to everyone; Yan Dibai had forced her into it. Few people would genuinely respect her.
"Your Majesty the Empress." Cui Shenxiu shook her head slightly, her hair adorned with jewels swaying. She gazed at Qingqing without admiration.
"Your Majesty looks absolutely stunning today."
"The girl is also very beautiful."
Cui Shenxiu smiled and said, "You are not as good as Your Highness, nor as good as His Majesty. Your Highness's serpent bun and lotus flower are far better than those made by my hairdresser. Why didn't you adorn yourself with such skill before? It's such a waste of Your Highness's beauty."
Qingqing didn't have any ill feelings towards Cui Shenxiu, and upon hearing this, her wariness lessened slightly, and she no longer tried to hide it:
"This...is not what I did."
Cui Shenxiu was slightly surprised: "Are there any other extraordinary people in the governor's mansion?"
Qingqing was in a dilemma, but Cui Shenxiu's eyes were sincere, so she had no choice but to tell the truth:
"His Majesty saw that I was not presentable, so he helped me out."
Cui Shenxiu's breath hitched for a moment, then he chuckled softly, "Your Majesty and Your Highness are deeply in love."
In reality, they're still locked in a cold war. Qingqing gave an awkward laugh, "No, it's just that His Majesty has always enjoyed dressing up. Shouldn't a young lady dress up alongside a refined lady?"
Choi Shin-soo gave a helpless look: "She's gone after someone else."
Qingqing nodded. The wind was a bit chilly. She glanced at Cui Shenxiu and, seeing that she seemed to have something else to say, asked:
"Is there anything else, young lady?"
Cui Shenxiu blinked and sighed softly, "To be honest, Your Majesty, I am here to apologize for what happened in the warm pavilion yesterday."
"Uh, it's nothing!" Qingqing said earnestly, sounding a little embarrassed.
“You never really did anything to me, so I didn’t take it to heart.”
Cui Shenxiu's eyes flickered almost imperceptibly. "It's Shenxiu's petty mind that's causing this."
"The Empress seemed somewhat forlorn at the banquet."
Qingqing choked, Choi Sin-soo's gentle eyes met with a soft sigh:
"Women always have it tough in this world. For their families, for their husbands' families, for their children and grandchildren, they also have to make things difficult for themselves. Shenxiu deeply understands this. If Your Majesty feels tired, you might as well look outside more often and find some things that make you happy."
Qingqing's breathing slowed, her lips moving slightly, "...Miss Cui, why are you telling me all this?"
"In the power struggles among aristocratic families, one can easily make a mistake if they're not careful. To gain a foothold, everyone does many things they don't want to do. By the time they realize it, everything is out of their control." Choi Shin-soo lowered his eyes, it was unclear whether he was talking about everyone else or himself.
Qingqing stammered: "Miss Cui..."
"It was just a spontaneous remark. Your Majesty need not take it to heart." Cui Shenxiu smiled faintly again, her beautiful eyes sparkling.
“I found Yuchuan and Yuheng at the ivory market. Yuchuan has suffered a lot and has a particularly strong personality. Your Majesty is kind-hearted, and I know Your Majesty won't hold it against her, but I still have to say something.”
She bowed again and nodded.
"Your Majesty is truly devoted to the Empress. Shenxiu has managed Xichun Hall for many years and has seen all kinds of women in the world. She knows how precious true love is. May the Empress always be like this. And may... Shenxiu find such a loving husband."
"Your Majesty may use any of the medicinal herbs from Xichun Hall. Shenxiu is also somewhat knowledgeable in traditional Chinese medicine and knows about women's ailments. If Your Majesty needs them, please send someone to inform you. It is late, so Shenxiu will not disturb Your Majesty any longer. Farewell." With that, he took out a small wooden plaque from his sleeve and handed it over.
Qingqing hesitated, and Cui Shenxiu said "excuse me" before taking her hand in his and walking steadily away.
Before Qingqing could say anything more, the old steward led the carriage over to apologize, "It rained halfway there, so the servants moved the carriage to the back. Please get on, don't get cold."
Qingqing paused for a moment, then asked, "May I ask, Steward, what about the Governor and His Majesty?"
"Your Majesty, rest assured, the Master and His Majesty are having a pleasant conversation." The old steward's tone was much warmer than in the morning, with a hint of a smile, as he took the time to tell her about interesting things happening in the mansion.
"This old servant has already sent people to Yunshui Courtyard with honey-preserved osmanthus, rice wine, dried fruit and other items to bring some joy to Your Majesty. Actually, the Mid-Autumn Festival banquet was supposed to include mooncakes, but Lady Shu said that it's more fun to make them herself. So we didn't serve those ready-made ones. Your Majesty is skillful, and I think His Majesty would prefer those made by Your Majesty yourself."
The moonlight shone brightly along the way.
Qingqing looked up and realized that the moon was indeed very round.
"..." In the blink of an eye, almost another year has passed.
She clutched the wooden plaque, silently rehearsing her plan in her mind.
Yan Dibai is back... We must make things clear.
-
"Your Majesty, this is the generous gift I have prepared for you. Are you satisfied?"
The warehouse was heavily guarded, and all the servants we saw along the way had their faces covered and wore name tags.
Zhao Xu rushed over and opened the treasury. Yan Dibai was led inside by Wang Du, and a pungent smell of iron mixed with the intense heat of charcoal wafted out.
The scene inside the warehouse was breathtaking. Dozens of sets of dark, refined armor were nearly complete, the armor standing in neat rows, gleaming with a chilling light and exuding a menacing aura. Behind them, bare-chested craftsmen continued to swing their arms, the deafening sound of hammers echoing in the air.
Yan Dibai seemed to be sobered up by this scene, and stared blankly for a long time without saying a word.
Wang Du stood past him with his hands behind his back, smug and self-satisfied.
"Your Majesty, this hundred-refined armor is made from the finest iron of the North, forged through countless hammerings. This is the weapon I have prepared for your northern expedition! Once the armor is complete and the mighty army is trained, we can march north and reclaim the capital!"
He stared intently at Yan Dibai, not missing a single subtle expression on his face.
Yan Dibai jolted awake, his eyes widening. He rushed forward, trembling as he stroked the cold armor plates, exclaiming with wild joy:
"Excellent! Excellent armor! Your Highness... Your Highness is truly my second father! With Your Highness here, how can I not destroy this false emperor!"
He turned around and grabbed Wang Du's sleeve tightly, his eyes even glistening with tears. "Uncle, you have worked so hard for Yan and Jin. When I succeed in my northern expedition, I will surely honor you as a king on equal footing, and the dragon throne will be divided in two, so that we may share the world!"
Wang Du was truly satisfied with his sincere performance:
"Your Majesty, this old minister will certainly do as Your Majesty wishes."
When Yan Dibai returned to Yunshui Courtyard, the moon was unusually full.
Upon stepping into the courtyard, his initial excitement at Huawei's collapse quickly turned into a profound coldness.
Wang Du was indeed the one who controlled the salt of the Lu family and used the Cui family's trade routes to exchange for iron from Ji Province.
The sheer scale of this undertaking speaks volumes about the amount accumulated over the years.
Yan Dibai pondered, "That old scoundrel has long harbored ambitions. He must have made thorough preparations to dare to bring me under his command this time."
Resistance was therefore pointless. Zhang San, Li Si, and Wang Wu, under his orders, had thoroughly investigated Xiangdong Garden in recent days, covering about 80% of it. They could now be fairly certain that Cui Xun and Cui Shenxiu had used Xichuntang's medicine to cover up Wang Du's iron ore hoarding.
Although the two families are allied, Wang Du's power is rising, and the Cui family knows so many of his secrets; sooner or later, he will be discarded after being used. Yan Dibai, however, is not in a hurry at all. If the Cui family had any sense, they would definitely be on guard first. Then, using someone else to do the dirty work would be just right.
All he had to do now was to cooperate wholeheartedly with Wang Du's every move, and dutifully play the role of a useless emperor who only knew how to eat, drink, be merry, and indulge in women.
Speaking of women, Yan Dibai stared at the girl sitting quietly in the courtyard admiring the moon, momentarily stunned.
Sensing footsteps, Qingqing turned around. She had removed her elaborate clothes and makeup, and sat under the moon with a bare face, her whole body seemingly shrouded in a radiant glow that seemed otherworldly.
"You're back."
She held the freshly made mooncake in her arms and smiled slightly at Yan Dibai.
It was as if there had never been any argument between the two of them.
"...Still not asleep?" He was silent for a while, then suddenly spoke in a low, indifferent tone.
"I'm waiting for you."
The words he had prepared all day vanished in those three simple sentences. Yan Dibai froze for a moment, then lowered his head as if in defeat.
He sat down beside her, the dark patterns on his crimson robe shifting and changing.
Qingqing pushed the plate in front of him. "I heard it's unlucky to go to sleep without eating mooncakes. But freshly baked ones are too hard, so I wrapped the filling in rice flour and steamed it on the stove. It won't soften."
"This is my first time making it too. The filling was prepared by the governor's office. It shouldn't taste bad."
"..."
Yan Dibai picked up a mooncake; the skin was still warm. The aroma of grains lingered in the air, and he slowly took a bite.
It's osmanthus wine lees.
Seeing that he was eating quietly, Qingqing picked one up as well. "In my hometown, this is called a mooncake. There are many more varieties and flavors."
She paused, then broke the mooncake in half. "I didn't like eating it before, but now that I've tried it, it seems pretty good."
She inexplicably started talking, her tone quite light and cheerful. Yan Dibai, who wasn't hungry at all, picked up a second one without realizing it.
He bit his lip, his gaze becoming distant—it was the same moonlight, in the dilapidated courtyard of the Yeting Palace.
A skinny girl sat under the moonlight, singing a strangely melodious song to the burly palace maids. He felt uncomfortable listening to it, yet strangely, he wanted to keep listening.
At that time, he seemed to find the women in the palace's tricks ridiculous and bizarre.
"It's better to eat the fermented rice filling directly. Steaming it doesn't give it the original aroma." She rambled on and on about incoherent things, and Yan Dibai frowned from time to time as she listened. "Actually... I didn't want to argue with you."
Qingqing spoke haltingly, but it seemed she had finally gotten to the point.
Yan Dibai slowly released the moon ball, listening intently to the girl's hesitant whispers, only to be plunged into an icy abyss by her next words.
"I... originally had no romantic feelings for you. I... I know you probably won't believe anything I say. And it's true that I didn't explain before, which caused you to misunderstand."
I think you're both good-looking and intelligent. You must be the chosen one. And you're the first person I'll follow, so you'll definitely bring peace to the world... and ensure that family, friends, and ordinary people have enough to eat. Of course, it's normal to have feelings for you..."
She pursed her lips awkwardly, unsure how to continue. She could only lower her head and silently await Yan Dibai's response.
But all around was deathly silent. Not even a breath could be heard.
Qingqing's bottom was numb from sitting so long, but he still hadn't said a word. The shoes were still in sight, unmoved.
She looked down, and her ankle, which she had twisted yesterday, suddenly ached. Slowly, Qingqing looked up.
Before she could finish calling out Yan's name, she suddenly fell silent.
The moonlight was enveloping. Yan Dibai remained seated in the same position as before, not even changing the curve of his fingertips resting on his knees.
He stared intently at her, his unfathomable black eyes swirling with a sinister, damp chill, like those of a snake.
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