Chapter 97 No Longer Wanting to Hide My Thoughts
On the day the top scholar paraded through the streets, the happiest people were undoubtedly the young women of marriageable age. They flocked to pharmacies to buy auspicious Chinese herbs such as mugwort and lotus leaves.
She planned to put the sachet she had embroidered into her own sachet and throw it to her sweetheart when the top scholar paraded through the streets, thus actively seeking a good marriage.
Every year on the day the top scholar parades through the streets, countless daughters of wealthy families rent several high platforms in the street, hoping to hold a contest to choose a husband by throwing an embroidered ball. If the newly appointed scholar catches the ball, the marriage can be arranged immediately.
Yunxi didn't want to join in the fun, but Zisu insisted on going and dragged her along. Yunxi had no choice but to agree, thinking it would be like taking half a day off for herself.
Upon hearing that Zisu wanted to watch other men parade through the streets, Qianyu immediately lost her composure and appeared before Yunxi, stammering as she tried to dissuade her:
“Girl, the streets are crowded and chaotic, it’s too unsafe. Perhaps you should avoid going out today.”
Yunxi looked at Qianyu strangely, wondering why this usually taciturn person was talking so much today. Only when she noticed his bright red ears did she understand.
She had noticed that Qianyu had been appearing more often lately. Moreover, the way he looked at Zisu wasn't as clear anymore. The boy had grown up after all; he knew how to find himself a wife.
But Qianyu wasn't just infatuated; Yunxi noticed that Zisu wasn't averse to Qianyu's affection, and she didn't reject it either. So, it seemed these two little ones were getting along well. Fortunately, she had a good impression of Qianyu and was willing to help them get together.
But today, something seems wrong with the two little ones. They seem to have had a little tiff. Ever since Qianyu appeared, Zisu has been turning her head to the side, refusing to look at the nervous boy.
Based on Yunxi's understanding of Qianyu, he shouldn't have made any serious mistakes; he's probably just clumsy with words and has upset the young lady.
Originally, she really didn't want to go on the parade, but because she wanted to reconcile the two who were having a minor disagreement, she decided to bring a few more guards to protect her. This would also give Qianyu more space, and she considered it helping that silly boy out.
When the group arrived on the street, they realized what a bustling crowd truly meant. If it weren't for the guards clearing the way, Yunxi, squeezed into the crowd, would have been unable to move an inch.
They visited several restaurants but couldn't get a private room. The good seats were already booked, and the earliest available time was three days in advance.
Yunxi hadn't expected this situation, so she figured it didn't matter whether she looked or not. She was just about to have Qianyu take Zisu out for a stroll on her own, while she would return to the manor with the guards.
At this moment, a member of the Yun family's secret guard suddenly appeared, saying that Manager Qi had already reserved a private room for Yunxi, and thus successfully led the three of them there.
When Gu Nanxiao learned that Yunxi had left the mansion to watch the new top scholar parade, he immediately rushed over, because he already knew who this year's top scholar was.
He didn't want Yunxi to see him showing off, but he didn't expect that the man had already prepared a private room. How could he not be anxious?
Thinking back to today, when Qi Jinxiu answered the Emperor's questions in the main hall with such confidence and eloquence, even he couldn't help but praise him as having unparalleled elegance and talent.
Even when the emperor appointed him as the Grand Tutor to the princes, all the officials in the court felt it was only right and proper. Even those who were prejudiced against Qi Jinxiu had to admit that his talent was indeed unparalleled.
Previously, Gu Nanxiao hadn't paid much attention to this man. She only knew that he was very talented in running a shop.
Furthermore, there seemed to be another hidden identity. But those were merely the rough and tumble tactics of the martial world. They were utterly insignificant in the eyes of these imperial nobles.
But now, Qi Jinxiu has entered officialdom in one fell swoop, and has already gained the emperor's favor upon entering the court. This has significantly narrowed the gap between him and Qi Jinxiu.
When Gu Nanxiao thought of his secret feelings for Yunxi again, he felt he could no longer remain indifferent. He rushed to the private room and saw Yunxi leaning against the window, looking out with a smile.
He followed Yunxi's gaze and looked downstairs. He saw Qi Jinxiu standing in the middle of the street, looking back up.
Qi Jinxiu rode a tall horse, dressed in a magnificent scholar's robe, the large red flower on his chest particularly dazzling. His face was as handsome as jade, his eyes as bright as stars, and the sunlight bathed him, gilding him with a golden glow. Compared to him, Feng Xun, the martial arts champion walking beside him, completely paled in comparison.
The streets were bustling with people, cheers and shouts of encouragement rising and falling. Women along the way kept throwing flowers and handkerchiefs at Qi Jinxiu.
He simply let the tokens of love fall on him and then slide to the ground. He was like a pure and handsome young man, his gentle gaze fixed on Yunxi without any attempt to conceal it.
To be fair, Gu Nanxiao probably thought few women could resist Qi Jinxiu's elegant demeanor. He immediately turned to see Yunxi's reaction.
At this moment, in Qi Jinxiu's eyes, there was truly no one else. He could only see the beauty he longed for, standing by the window, the one he wanted to protect with everything he had.
Yunxi wore a light blue dress, her hair loosely tied up, her eyes sparkling with admiration. Sunlight filtered through the clouds, dappling her face and adding to her gentle and elegant appearance.
Qi Jinxiu's lips unconsciously maintained that smile, a smile that had never faded since he met Yunxi. He had never wanted to be involved in court affairs, but to provide the woman he loved with a solid support, he was willing to step forward.
Moreover, from this moment on, he no longer intended to conceal his thoughts. Feng Xun had long been aware of his feelings, and at this moment, he simply shifted his gaze back and forth between his master and him.
Yunxi had never seen Qi Jinxiu look at her with such an expression before. In those eyes, it seemed as if there was some emotion he wanted to express.
A hint of surprise flashed in her eyes, then she nodded slightly, trying to avoid this uncertain feeling.
Just then, Qi Jinxiu downstairs suddenly called out her name, then took out a jade pendant from his bosom and tossed it to Yunxi.
Just as the jade pendant was about to fall into Yunxi's arms, it was suddenly intercepted by a large hand reaching out from the side, and then neatly tossed back.
Gu Nanxiao glared angrily at the man with ulterior motives. At the same time, Qi Jinxiu also looked back at him with anger in his eyes, showing no sign of backing down.
Yunxi and the onlookers all felt the two flames meet in the air, their silent, crackling confrontation silencing the entire street.
Seeing this, Yunxi rubbed her forehead in exasperation, reached out and grasped Gu Nanxiao's large hand to comfort him. She then spoke to Qi Jinxiu downstairs:
"Scholar, let's go parade through the streets first. We can meet again in the evening at the Ruyi Tower's private room."
When Qi Jinxiu turned his gaze to Yunxi, he immediately softened his expression and nodded obediently, saying, "It's a deal, see you there."
When Gu Nanxiao saw the way he looked at Yunxi, he couldn't suppress his anger. He pulled Yunxi into his arms and slammed the window of the second-floor private room shut with all his might.
Then he looked down at Yunxi in his arms and asked in a cold voice, "Are you going to meet him tonight?"
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