The poetry club incident was like a gust of wind, whistling by, but it left no scars on Su Jinli and Jiang Yan's relationship. Instead, it nourished their emotional soil like a spring breeze, allowing their relationship to enter a new and deeper stage. Since then, Jiang Yan has often found opportunities to enter the vermilion gate of the Prime Minister's Mansion, just to be with Su Jinli.
Whenever Jiang Yan visited the Prime Minister's residence, they would sit opposite each other in the quiet study, the table covered with a dazzling array of poetry and prose. Sometimes they would recite in low voices, savoring the exquisite charm of ancient poetry; sometimes they would engage in passionate discussions, expressing their own opinions and deeply analyzing the poetic conception, rhythm, and emotional expression. The sunlight filtered through the carved lattice windows, casting a light on them, adding a touch of warmth and romance to the quiet scene.
Or perhaps they strolled hand in hand through the picturesque gardens of the Xiangfu. Within the garden, winding paths led to secluded spaces, blossoms bloomed in profusion, rockery was arranged in an orderly pattern, and the water gurgled. They slowly walked along the winding paths, savoring this sweet moment that belonged only to them. A gentle breeze rustled through, bringing with it the fragrance of flowers, and it felt as if the entire world had become gentler.
On this day, the sun was shining brightly, casting a golden glow. Jiang Yan and Su Jinli were strolling through the garden again. Jiang Yan suddenly stopped and pointed to a peony not far away. The peony was in full bloom, its large, delicate flowers overflowing with beauty. The petals were layered, red as fire, pink as clouds, and against the backdrop of green leaves, it was even more graceful. Jiang Yan turned his head, looked at Su Jinli with a gentle gaze, and said softly, "Jinli, look, how beautiful this flower is."
Su Jinli looked in the direction of Jiang Yan's finger, a sweet smile appearing on her face. She nodded gently and said, "Yes, it's really beautiful. This peony is worthy of being the king of flowers, blooming so gorgeously and dazzlingly." She tilted her head slightly, her eyes meeting Jiang Yan's, her eyes full of affection, and continued, "However, no matter how beautiful the flower is, in my heart, it can't compare to you. The place you hold in my heart is irreplaceable by anything else."
Jiang Yan stared at Su Jinli, the deep affection in his eyes like the deep water of a lake, as if it could embrace her whole being. He held Su Jinli's hand tightly, his voice low and gentle: "Jinli, your words remind me of a poem."
"Oh? What poem?" Su Jinli asked with a hint of curiosity in her eyes, tilting her head, looking like an innocent girl.
Jiang Yan gently placed Su Jinli's hand on his heart and said affectionately, "Once you have seen the sea, all other waters are but puddles; and except for the Wushan Mountains, all other clouds are but mounds." His voice was like a gentle breeze caressing the strings of a zither, tinged with deep affection. This line of poetry seemed to capture the truest reflection of his heart. Ever since he and Su Jinli met and knew each other, no one else could ever replace her in his heart.
When Su Jinli heard this, her cheeks instantly flushed, like the sunset glow in the sky, delicate and moving. She gently scolded him, "You only know how to say these nice things to make me feel sweet." Although she was scolding him, she couldn't hide the smile in her eyes.
The two were immersed in this sweet atmosphere when suddenly, a burst of hurried footsteps came from afar. Then, they saw Young Marquis Su carrying his beloved sword, trotting towards them, shouting, "Sister, Brother Jiang, you are here."
Su Jinli and Jiang Yan turned to look, only to see Young Marquis Su, a look of excitement on his face. Beads of sweat covered his forehead, and strands of hair, soaked with sweat, stuck to his cheeks. He ran up to them, panting slightly, and said impatiently, "I just practiced a set of sword techniques. They're amazing. Come and see them."
With that, Young Marquis Su took up his stance and began brandishing his broadsword. He gripped the hilt tightly with both hands, the sword whirring in his hands like the wind. Though his movements were a bit immature and his power a bit lacking in stability, each move was precise and exuded a sense of seriousness. He would sometimes slash forward, sometimes twirl rapidly, his broadsword slicing gleaming arcs through the air.
Su Jinli looked at her brother's serious expression, a gratified smile on her face, and she nodded and praised him repeatedly, "Not bad, not bad, brother, you have improved. Your knife skills are much more proficient than before, and your movements are more smooth."
Jiang Yan also nodded in praise: "Young Marquis is gifted and seems to have a unique understanding of swordsmanship. If he continues like this, he will become a great man in time. In the future, he will fight on the battlefield and perhaps achieve great military exploits."
Young Marquis Su was so delighted by the two's praise that his eyes narrowed into slits, his mouth stretched from ear to ear, and he smiled from ear to ear. "Hey, thank you, sister and Brother Jiang, for the compliments." He scratched his head, as if remembering something, and asked quickly, "By the way, sister, I heard you've written a new storybook. When will it be finished? I can't wait to read it. Your stories are so interesting. Every time I finish reading them, I feel like I've experienced those wonderful stories myself."
Su Jinli smiled and patted Young Marquis Su's head, saying, "It's almost done. It will be finished in a while. You're so looking forward to it, so I'll show it to you first when it's finished. But you have to give me some suggestions to see if there are any areas that need improvement."
Young Marquis Su nodded vigorously, patting his chest and assuring, "Okay, okay, sister, don't worry, I will definitely take a good look. If there is anything wrong, I will definitely tell you the first time."
Jiang Yan watched the intimate interaction between the siblings from the side, his face filled with a warm smile. He knew that Su Jinli had a deep affection for her family, and now that he could also integrate into this loving family atmosphere, his heart was filled with joy and satisfaction.
Afterward, the three of them engaged in a conversation about Su Jinli's new storybook. Young Marquis Su enthusiastically shared his expectations and thoughts about the story, his playful insights often making Su Jinli and Jiang Yan laugh. Jiang Yan also offered some suggestions on plotting and character development from a literary perspective. Su Jinli listened attentively, nodding in agreement and offering her own perspectives. The three of them engaged in a lively discussion.
This chapter is not over yet, please click on the next page to continue reading!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
