Chapter 27 Rain on Banana Leaves "In a few days, it will be Miss Xue's birthday..."
Zheng Shaoyu almost coughed up blood after being hit by Jiang Ce.
He coughed twice, grabbed Jiang Ce's sleeve, and pulled his hand down from his shoulder.
It satisfied my curiosity, albeit in this way.
"Ugh, disgusting."
He rubbed his aching shoulder and complained, "Could you please be a little gentler? My bones feel like they're about to fall apart."
Jiang Ce: "You're too weak. I've told you to move around more often."
"Jiang Erlang!" Zheng Shaoyu raised his voice a few notches, hands on his hips, "Who can compare to you? I get up before dawn every day to practice the Five Animal Frolics. Even my old man isn't as diligent as me."
Jiang Ce said, "Also, from now on, you are not allowed to call her by her maiden name anymore."
Zheng Shaoyu asked in confusion, "Why? Aren't we all friends who grew up together?"
“Precisely because we’re friends!” Jiang Ce glanced at him and said calmly, “That’s why we should avoid suspicion even more. We’re going to talk about marriage, and if word gets out, there will be gossip.”
"But……"
Jiang Ce ignored him and continued, "Even Xiao Huaiting, her own brother, has to avoid suspicion, let alone you and me. If you really consider her a friend, you should think more about her feelings."
Zheng Shaoyu gave an "Oh" that seemed to understand, but since Jiang Ce said so, it must make some sense.
But he kept remembering that kick and kept nagging.
Jiang Ce let it go in one ear and out the other, his mind wandering as he stared at the chirping birds on the branches.
Suddenly, I was kicked in the leg.
Jiang Ce snapped out of his daze and looked at him: "You said it, but what do you mean by hitting me?"
Zheng Shaoyu blinked as if he hadn't done anything, and gestured towards Xue Chan with his chin.
“Look, Miss Xue, over there.”
Jiang Ce turned sideways, scanned the crowd, and spotted Xue Chan at a glance.
Across the crowd, Xue Chan, who had just seen Li Wu off, was still standing there.
Chu Tao nudged Yun Sheng and pointed to two people in the crowd.
She pointed to one of the slightly taller ones and whispered, "Isn't that Young Master Jiang the Second?"
The voice wasn't loud, but Xue Chan still heard it.
Xue Chan turned her head to look and saw Jiang Ce dressed in a light gold cross-collar robe and a crimson half-sleeved brocade robe with floral patterns. Today, he was not wearing a crown, but a dark blue soft-brimmed hat, which added a touch of scholarly air to his appearance.
But even standing in a crowd, he still stands out.
He crossed his arms and looked at her; the two gazed at each other from a distance through the crowd.
Xue Chan frowned slightly, looked away, and still nodded to him across the crowd.
Jiang Ce suddenly laughed, feeling that the weather was exceptionally nice today, and even the chirping of birds on the willows sounded more pleasant.
But he always felt that something was off, though he couldn't quite put his finger on it.
"Huh?" Zheng Shaoyu asked in confusion, "Doesn't Miss Xue have no brothers or sisters? Cheng's eldest son was transferred to Tongzhou last year, what is she doing here?"
Jiang Ce's smile froze for a moment, then he realized something was amiss.
Yes, Xue Chan has no brothers or sisters, and apart from the Imperial Concubine and the Cheng family, the Xue family has no relatives or friends in the capital.
He didn't participate in the imperial examination, so who was she visiting, and who was she accompanying him to the exam?
Jiang Ce turned his head to look at Zheng Shaoyu, who was looking around, and his gaze gradually became serious.
Could it be...?
However, she wasn't familiar with Zheng Shaoyu, and even if it was because of Zheng Tan, there was no need for her to come herself.
She's not one to meddle in other people's business.
Why is that?
In just a few moments, his thoughts, which had been wavering slightly, suddenly cracked open and meandered away.
In an instant, the mountain collapsed and the earth split open, shattering into a pile of sharp stones that flew out and pierced the heart.
Jiang Ce's smile faded, and his long eyelashes trembled slightly.
Who is it that would make Xue Chan go out so willingly?
He cares about it a lot, very much.
Why are you staring at me?
Zheng Shaoyu felt a chill run down his spine, a creepy feeling creeped out. He turned around and saw Jiang Ce looking at him.
His dark eyes were silent, sometimes beaming with laughter, sometimes turning as black as the bottom of a pot.
Zheng Shaoyu thought to himself, "Is this person possessed by an evil spirit?"
Jiang Ce frowned, clicked his tongue, and muttered to himself, "Strange, very strange."
Zheng Shaoyu rubbed his arms: "What are you talking about?"
Jiang Ce looked at him seriously and said, "I'm going to go find her and ask her clearly."
"What?"
He turned and left, leaving Zheng Shaoyu completely bewildered, standing there blankly.
"ah?"
How did this perfectly healthy person go crazy?
Jiang Ce wanted to walk towards Xue Chan, so he strode through the crowd, but Xue Chan had already been separated from him by the crowd and was getting further and further away from him.
Without looking back, Xue Chan boarded the carriage through the crowd.
Jiang Ce became increasingly agitated.
Damn it, I care so much.
He flicked his sleeve, turned back, and mounted his horse.
Zheng Shaoyu: "Where to?"
"go home"
Zheng Shaoyu quickly mounted his horse and chased after him. Seeing that Jiang Ce's expression was not good, he rode his horse beside him and said softly, "Maybe it's a misunderstanding? Miss Xue is a young lady from a respectable family, well-educated and polite. You two are also engaged, so she wouldn't do anything out of line."
"That's not what I'm worried about."
"So what exactly do you care about?"
What does he care about?
Jiang Ce suppressed his anger and carefully avoided the people on the street while holding the reins.
With so many people in the examination hall, she didn't even consider whether there might be rumors that could be used by malicious people.
"No way?"
Although what he said seemed to make sense, Zheng Shaoyu still felt that he was talking nonsense.
After crossing Changping Street, the two parted ways and went home separately.
Jiang Ce pondered the matter he had been asked about as he walked...
February 20th is her birthday, should I give her something?
As he was thinking this, he passed by the road outside Zheng Tan's house and saw them drying their calligraphy and paintings.
Upon arriving at Yi'an Hall and finishing speaking with Old Madam Qi, Fang Youxi led Jiang Yao to play shuttlecock under the covered walkway.
Jiang Ce hesitated for a moment before walking down to the covered walkway.
"Sister Fang."
The shuttlecock was kicked high into the air. Just as it was about to fall, Fang Youxi twirled her long skirt, and with a crisp "snap" as the copper pieces collided, the shuttlecock landed steadily in her palm.
"You're going to the palace on February 20th, aren't you?"
She smiled at him and said, "I do have to go to the palace to accompany the princess on the 20th of February."
In fact, Fang Youxi had already seen him and spoke first: "Second Brother Jiang, do you want me to go to the palace to deliver gifts on your behalf?"
Jiang Ce said directly, "Who said I was going to give her a gift?"
Fang Youxi's smile deepened, but she didn't expose him. She simply said, "If Second Brother Jiang doesn't decide soon, I'll go to the palace. If you want to send it then, it can only be delivered to the Imperial Concubine in the name of the Marquis's Mansion."
Her voice was as gentle as ever, with a slight hint of irritation.
"Are you really not going to deliver it?"
Jiang Ce felt a little uncomfortable when she asked that question.
"I... I didn't say that..."
Fang Youxi didn't urge him, but just looked up at the blooming magnolias under the eaves, quietly waiting for his answer.
With a gentle breeze and warm sunshine, the entire corridor is covered in blooming magnolia flowers.
On a spring day, the air under the eaves is filled with the fragrance of flowers carried on the breeze.
Jiang Ce looked up at the flowers, unconsciously stroking the brocade ribbon tied around his waist.
Clusters of milky-white flowers adorn the slender branches, drooping down and swaying gently in the spring sunshine.
Swaying, swaying...
The sun slowly sank through the leaves, scattering golden light across the ground, only to be shattered by the young man's steady footsteps.
Zheng Tan was in the courtyard, arranging the paintings and calligraphy that had been dried in the sun.
Jiang Ji walked to her side, bent down, and joked with her.
Zheng Tan ignored him and turned around: "Take a look and see if anything is missing."
Jiang Ji lowered his head and flipped through the pages absentmindedly. In just a moment, he had figured it out.
Everything else is there, except for one thing.
Jiang Ji: "Have all the paintings and calligraphy in this study been taken back? Aren't any of them still outside?"
Zheng Tan shook his head: "No, they're all here."
He then asked, "Has anyone come by in the last two days?"
Zheng Tan thought for a moment: "It seems that Erlang has been here before."
Jiang Ji's gaze darkened slightly; he knew it.
Seeing that he seemed lost in thought, Zheng Tan said, "Let's get ready and eat."
Jiang Ji lowered his head and smiled at Zheng Tan, "I have to go out for a bit, I'll be back in a little while."
Jiang Ce usually stayed at the Palace Guard's residence, returning every few days.
He lowered his eyes and calculated. Perfect timing, he should be back today.
Jiang Ji walked across the stone bridge, around the small pond, and saw Jiang Ce's courtyard.
The fragrance of flowers could be smelled from afar, and as you walked a little further, you could see the pink and white wall covered with roses.
Large, intertwined banana leaves peek over the wall, their lush green color making the flowers covering the wall look like brocade or rosy clouds.
The surrounding area was not as lively as Yi'an Hall and Chengfang Hall; there were very few people, only a few servants responsible for daily life.
Jiang Ji walked up the stone steps and heard the sound of swords whistling as soon as he reached the door.
He stepped quietly inside.
It was Youyu practicing her sword in the courtyard.
He seemed to have grown taller again, sprouting rapidly like a willow in spring. With a flick of his wrist, he created a neat and beautiful sword flourish.
Jiang Ji's gaze fell on the long knife on the stone table. With a thought, he lightly kicked his toes and swiftly swung the knife forward.
Yu felt the chill behind her and instinctively turned around to raise her sword and block the incoming blade.
The long sword flew and sank into the ground, embedding itself several inches deep, its tip pointing directly at Jiang Ji's throat.
Jiang Ji simply smiled gently and said, "Sanlang."
Upon seeing who it was, Youyu quickly kicked her longsword, flipped backward, and landed steadily.
"Big brother?"
Jiang Ji stood with his hands clasped behind his back and joked with him, "Your swordsmanship has improved. Have you sparred with Erlang?"
Yu sheathed her sword and said sullenly, "I can't beat him."
Jiang Ji raised an eyebrow and laughed, "There's plenty of time. I'll wait until the day you beat him."
Yu asked shyly and somewhat awkwardly, "Brother Jiang, are you here to see Erlang?"
"Yes, I'm going to settle accounts with him."
Jiang Ji stood up and looked around the courtyard.
As soon as Jiang Ji entered, he saw a wooden frame under the banana tree, with many odds and ends hanging on it.
Five-colored pom-poms, peacock feathers tied with thin threads to the side of the stand, and green and red carp-shaped banners, and a hollow rattan ball on the stone table, all of which were covered with snow-white fur.
Xituan was lazily lying on the shelf, basking in the twilight. When it saw someone coming, it got up, stretched, and jumped onto the stone table, its fluffy tail swaying gently.
Jiang Ji picked up Xi Tuan, who had walked to his side, and stroked its chin. Xi Tuan squinted its eyes and jumped onto his shoulder.
He carried Xi Tuan slowly as they walked.
Flowers bloomed sporadically under the south wall.
It was early spring when Jiang Ce somehow obtained a handful of flower seeds and scattered them at the base of the south wall. Now, a lush green patch has grown, blooming with small white and purple flowers.
To the left is a square, white-gray stone jar, covered with a light layer of moss after several spring rains. The water inside is clear, and a few small red fish swim gently among the green aquatic plants.
"He probably made all of these himself."
"Um."
Jiang Ji pinched a handful of fish food and scattered it on the water's surface. The red fish among the water plants and lake rocks all approached the water's surface.
The little dumpling on my shoulder got excited and its tail swished happily.
Jiang Ji reached out and gently stroked Xi Tuan's tail: "He's still the same as always, always tinkering with these things."
Jiang Ce, who had just finished training and was about to finish his duty with his spear, suddenly sneezed.
Jiang Ce whispered, "It's probably some blind fool talking about me behind my back."
He packed up and handed over the items, then rode his horse home.
As the last rays of the setting sun lingered on the clatter of the horse's hooves, Jiang Ce had already reached the courtyard gate.
He first carefully examined the roses on the easel, plucked a few recently faded blossoms, and then entered the room with satisfaction.
Youyu sat on the veranda weaving a flower basket for Jiang Yao to play with, but he was having some trouble weaving it and was scratching his head.
Jiang Ce reached out and took it, straightened the mis-woven willow branches, and tossed it to him: "It looks better when woven like this."
Yu gently caught it, and when she looked up, he had already stepped onto the stone steps of the study: "Um, Brother Jiang..."
"I know"
The voice was casual and light, as if the speaker didn't care at all.
Jiang Ce lit the lamp, and the room became bright, the swords, spears, bows and arrows on the walls gleaming with a silvery light.
On the rocking chair behind him, the young man was holding a cat, and Xi Tuan was already snoring comfortably.
Aren't you going to explain this to me?
Jiang Ce leaned back in his chair, opened a book of poems, and said casually, "What's there to explain? It's just what you think."
Xi Tuan jumped down and rolled over at Jiang Ce's feet.
Jiang Ji walked behind him and took out a short knife. It was exquisitely crafted with a smooth, flowing design, a jade hilt, and a lacquered scabbard inlaid with turquoise and crystal.
"Tell me, where is my painting?"
"It was given away."
Jiang Ce picked up Xi Tuan, took the poetry collection, and lay down on the rocking chair.
Jiang Ji drew his silver knife from its sheath, turned his head, and his face flickered in the candlelight: "That's the real thing. I've been looking for it for two years."
“I know,” Jiang Ce smiled brightly, making his face even more radiant. “That’s why I specifically chose that painting.”
Jiang Ji: "......."
"So you just took it without any qualms or remorse?"
Jiang Ce thought for a moment, then shook his head, his expression serious.
"No, I did hesitate for a moment."
Yes, just once.
They took it very decisively.
Jiang Ji took a deep breath, his smile gentle: "Am I your storeroom? You think you can just take it away whenever you want?"
"I should be the one saying that," Jiang Ce said, resting his chin on his hand with a half-smile. "How many good things have you taken from me over the years? Do you want me to break them down for you one by one?"
Jiang Ji coughed, as if nothing had happened, "Really? I don't remember. Stop talking nonsense."
"......"
Jiang Ce rolled his eyes at him and covered his face with the book.
"Alright, hurry up and go. Sister Tan is waiting for you to come back for dinner."
"Oh, I'm leaving." Jiang Ji tucked his hand into his wide sleeve, and a few shimmering lights disappeared beneath his sleeve as he moved.
Jiang Ce stretched, untied his sleeves, and casually tossed them onto the empty sword rack behind him.
The room fell silent for a moment, with only the lamps burning quietly.
Xi Tuan circled around and stepped on Jiang Ce.
"While I was away, did Youyu take good care of you? Did you eat and drink enough?"
Did you miss me?
Xi Tuan was lifted up by his arms and let out a few dissatisfied cries.
Jiang Ce ignored it, simply reached out his long arm and scooped it up, stuffing it into his robes.
Xi Tuan rolled over, found a comfortable position, snuggled up, and fell asleep, snoring loudly.
It meowed a few times, as if it were having a dream.
A soft rumble of thunder sounded under the eaves, followed by the patter of rain. Several red fish swam nimbly, and fallen petals dotted the wet stone steps.
A light rain fell on the banana leaves outside the small window all night, gently breaking a sweet dream.
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