The morning light, like a soft veil, trickled down the front yard of the Prime Minister's residence. The delicate light, with its unique tenderness and tranquility, draped the ancient mansion in a dreamy golden veil. The gentle breeze plucked the copper bells hanging from the eaves of the study, emitting a clear and melodious sound, like a melodious morning song. The chime of three quarters past the hour of Mao echoed slowly in the still air, as if heralding the beginning of a new day.
By this time, Young Marquis Su, bearing his pearwood sword, crouched silently beside the Taihu stone behind the moonlit gate, like a resolute little guard. Morning dew, like shimmering pearls, silently dampened his azure-colored arrow sleeves. However, the focused young man was oblivious to this, absorbed in meticulously wiping the scabbard with a soft deerskin towel. The slightly aged pearwood, under his meticulous polish, gradually took on a gleaming sheen, as if the dust of time had been brushed away, bringing it back to life. The newly wrapped red silk wrapped around the hilt swayed gently in the morning breeze, like a burning flame, adding a unique touch of vitality and enthusiasm to the tranquil morning.
"Young Marquis, what are you doing?" Nanny Zhou, sweeping the floor, carried a bamboo dustpan, walking slowly and lightly. She saw the young man crouching, carefully hiding behind the rockery. His concentration brought a kind smile to her face, and she asked softly. The morning light filtered through the gaps between the columns, like golden threads, gently falling on the soles of the young man's boots, which were covered with grass dust. Casting a patchwork of dappled shadows, it resembled a natural, freehand ink painting, full of poetry and beauty.
"Shh!" Young Marquis Su quickly raised his index finger and gently placed it against his lips, signaling Nanny Zhou to be quiet. His eyes were fixed on the corridor leading to the inner courtyard, his eyes revealing a high degree of concentration and vigilance, as if he was guarding the most precious treasure in the world. "My sister is studying in the front yard for the first time today. If anyone is so blind as to dare to say a word of gossip, I will..." Before he finished speaking, he suddenly raised the wooden sword in his hand, and the scabbard hit the rockery heavily with a loud "clang", like a thunder exploding in his ears. The sudden sound startled the swallows that were building a nest under the eaves. The swallows flapped their wings and fled in a hurry, as if they were also intimidated by the young man's intimidating momentum.
Just then, Zhang Heng, the son of the neighboring Censor Zhang family, approached with a leisurely gait, waving a gilded folding fan. Seeing Young Marquis Su's formidable expression, he raised an eyebrow, a playful smile playing on his lips. "Young Marquis, what's up with this? Are you trying to imitate Guan Yu, guarding Huarong Road and waiting for Cao Cao?" His voice, tinged with teasing, lingered in the morning air.
"Go to hell!" Young Marquis Su glared at Zhang Heng, then held his wooden sword horizontally. The blade, caught in the morning light, cut a brilliant arc, like a flash of silver lightning, dazzling and eye-catching. "My sister is studying in there. If you dare go in and cause trouble, I'll chop you down!" The young man stiffened his neck, his face flushed, and the tip of his nose was stained with grass from the martial arts arena. He looked serious, with a youthful innocence and a resolute sense of protection that made people laugh.
Zhang Heng burst into laughter at his appearance and was about to make a few more jokes when, at that moment, a group of people slowly emerged from the moon-shaped gate. The one walking in front was none other than Su Jinli. She was dressed in a lake-blue skirt with a lotus pattern. The delicate silk was like a calm lake, shimmering with light and a soft sheen. The lotus pattern embroidered on it was delicate and lifelike, as if telling an ancient and moving story. Her black hair was loosely tied into a bun, and a few strands of hair cascaded down her fair neck, adding a touch of gentleness and softness to her temperament. Behind her ear was a half-opened white lily flower, pure and flawless, like a snow lotus blooming on a snowy mountain, fresh and refined, contrasting with her skin and complementing each other. In her hands, she held a thread-bound copy of the Analects, its edges still etched with the marks of red ink she'd circled the previous night. These scarlet marks, like the mark of her voracious thirst for knowledge, revealed her dedication and devotion to learning. Behind her, the white-haired and beard-twirling Master Li followed, his goatee twirling as he whispered to her the essence of the book, his expression focused and kind.
"Sister!" As soon as Young Marquis Su saw Su Jinli, he immediately left Zhang Heng behind and ran to her with brisk steps like a happy little deer. He raised the wooden sword in his hand high up as if presenting a treasure, with a proud smile on his face, as if he was showing off an invaluable treasure. "Look, I'm guarding the door for you! Just now, that kid Zhang Heng tried to sneak in, but I stopped him!" Fine beads of sweat were oozing from the young man's forehead. It was obvious that he had just hurried here from the martial arts field. Even the hem of his brocade robe was stained with grass clippings from the horse farm. The grass clippings seemed to silently tell of his haste and anxiety, as well as his protective heart for his sister.
Su Jinli watched the beads of sweat on her brother's nose, and a warmth welled up in her heart, like the warm spring sun, gentle and soft. She couldn't help but reach out and gently brush the grass from his cheek, her movements gentle and doting, as if she were protecting a rare treasure. "I know, put the knife down now, this is disgraceful." Her fingertips touched the boy's burning skin, and the warmth seemed to convey endless family affection, filling her heart with emotion and comfort.
Master Li looked at the brother and sister in front of him with a smile in his eyes. He couldn't help but shook his head and sighed, "Miss Su, your brother is so... enthusiastic that he may disturb the peace of the study." The old man stroked his beard and his eyes fell on the hand of the young Marquis Su holding the wooden sword tightly. His eyes were full of helplessness towards the young man's enthusiasm, but also a hint of appreciation for this sincere emotion.
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