Chen Jingxi and Shi Qianmo stepped into a small courtyard. Everything in the courtyard seemed so quiet and elegant, as if isolated from the hustle and bustle of the outside world.
The moonlight shines through the sparse clouds and falls on the bluestone slabs, adding a touch of tenderness to the night.
Ji Zhongxin walked out of the house slowly. He glanced at Shi Qianmo and noticed Chen Jingxi standing beside him. He couldn't help but ask curiously, "Why is it so late? Who is this?"
Shi Qianmo responded briefly: "Something happened."
Then, he introduced Chen Jingxi to Ji Zhongxin: "This is someone I met when I was in Beijing. His name is Chen Er."
Ji Zhongxin's gaze lingered on Chen Jingxi for a moment, his brows slightly furrowed, as if he was trying hard to recall something.
Chen Jingxi felt a little nervous when he looked at her, and was secretly annoyed in her heart, wondering why she forgot that Ji Zhongxin might be here too.
Ji Zhongxin asked, "You look familiar, girl. Have I seen you before?"
Chen Jingxi responded with a smile: "Master Ji is the famous son of the Marquis of Chengyang. I have met him several times."
Ji Zhongxin nodded after hearing what he said, and did not ask any more questions. He turned to look at Shi Qianmo and asked, "Did you get the zither back?"
Shi Qianmo responded and indicated that he had retrieved it.
Ji Zhongxin smiled and said, "Then I'll go make some tea. I haven't heard you play for a few days, and I miss you so much."
After a while, the three of them sat together in the yard.
Shi Qianmo's fingers gently brushed across the strings, his movements smooth and rhythmic, as natural as flowing clouds and running water.
As his fingertips danced, the sound of the piano was like the gurgling of a clear mountain spring, making people intoxicated and as if they were in a mountain stream.
After the song, Chen Jingxi sipped another cup of tea and applauded: "Good tea, good piano. The tea is delicious, and the piano is played beautifully. It's really the ultimate enjoyment!"
Shi Qianmo smiled and said, "Miss Chen, you are too kind."
Chen Jingxi shook his head. "The only thing I know about zither is Lushui, and the most familiar thing about tea is Mengshan."
Ji Zhongxin repeated these two lines of poetry over and over again, "What a good poem! What a good poem! I didn't expect Miss Chen to have such talent."
Chen Jingxi hurriedly explained, "This wasn't written by me. I saw it in a collection of ancient poetry."
Ji Zhongxin's eyes flashed with admiration as he listened to her words. He continued, "Miss Chen not only appreciates things, but is also so humble. This is truly rare. Although this poem was not written by her, the fact that she was able to come up with it so effortlessly demonstrates her profound knowledge and outstanding talent."
Chen Jingxi felt a little embarrassed by Ji Zhongxin's praise, her cheeks slightly flushed. She said softly, "Mr. Ji, you are too kind. I just remember a few good poems occasionally. It's Mr. Ji and Mr. Shi who are truly knowledgeable. They are a perfect match for each other, playing the zither and drinking tea."
Ji Zhongxin smiled and did not continue the topic. Instead, he said, "Miss Chen is quite knowledgeable about zither music and tea ceremony."
"What life is all about is a few good friends sitting around a fire, brewing tea, enjoying the music of the zither, and sipping the fragrant tea together."
This made Ji Zhongxin and Shi Qianmo nod frequently.
As the night deepened, the laughter and joy in the courtyard continued for a long time.
When His Royal Highness Prince Su, who had just arrived, heard these words and laughter, his face turned pale.
Complex emotions flashed in those deep eyes, including fatigue and anger, and his steps staggered.
Seeing this, Ling Ying hurried forward to support him and looked at Chu Jinghuai with some concern.
"Your Highness, please be careful." Ling Ying reminded softly, sighing inwardly.
In order to find the princess, the prince rushed from Pingliang regardless of everything. He changed several groups of people along the way and did not sleep for several days and nights, just to see that the princess was safe and sound as soon as possible.
But now it seems that the princess is not in any danger, but is leisurely drinking tea and listening to the piano with others. How can this scene not make people feel emotional.
Chu Jinghuai gently raised his hand, indicating that Ling Ying didn't need to support him anymore. He stood firmly and looked into the courtyard with deep eyes, as if he wanted to take in every detail behind the laughter.
At this moment, Shi Qianmo's voice was heard again in the courtyard. He asked in a gentle voice, "Miss Chen, what are your plans for the future?"
Chen Jingxi smiled and said, "As for me, I've always preferred those unfettered and free days, just like now, where I can do whatever I want. As for the future..."
Her words stopped abruptly. As for the future, she still had to return to Prince Su's Mansion. She was not Chen Er, she was Chen Jingxi, and there were people in the mansion that she was reluctant to leave.
Suddenly, in this silence, the door burst open, and an atmosphere that could not be ignored instantly filled the entire courtyard.
The three of them were stunned and turned their heads involuntarily, only to see Chu Jinghuai standing by the door at some point, with a serious expression on his face, as if he could freeze the air around him.
"Your Highness Prince Su?" Ji Zhongxin was the first to come back to his senses and bowed respectfully.
Chen Jingxi's eyes were fixed on Chu Jinghuai, and an indescribable emotion surged in her heart - surprise, but more of heartache.
I haven't seen him for more than a month. He has lost a lot of weight and looks haggard and unkempt.
He rushed from Pingliang to Wuzhou in just a few days. You can imagine how he got there.
Just as she was about to speak, Chu Jinghuai strode up to her with a gloomy face. He grabbed her hand and said with irresistible force, "Come back with me."
Chen Jingxi was just about to say goodbye.
"Chen Jingxi, if you dare to say another word to them, I will kill them." Chu Jinghuai's voice was extremely cold, and his eyes were full of murderous intent.
Chen Jingxi swallowed back the words she was about to say. Chu Jinghuai looked so scary now that she was a little frightened.
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