Twins (Part 2)
Thinking this way, Jie Xiangsi suddenly understood. He put the book "Records of Customs of the Northern Barbarians" aside, took a sheet of Xuan paper from the side, and began to draw.
The soft sheep's hair brush falls onto the thin Xuan paper, moving slowly and leaving behind ink marks that contain countless thoughts.
Jie Xiangsi drew very carefully. Although He Yun was her confidant and she had spent a lot of time with him, when she really thought about his face, it was always like a fog. It seemed very clear, but in fact it was not. The more she thought about it, the more distorted the face in her memory became.
So much so that when she puts pen to paper, there is always a sense of uncertainty in her writing.
A gentle breeze begins to stir, and the branches and leaves of the chinaberry tree outside the window sway slightly, swaying and swaying, until the tightly closed buds gradually open...
A gentle breeze carried the sweet fragrance of chinaberry blossoms into the library, brushing past the wisps of hair at the woman's temples by the window and across her furrowed brow. The delicate scent helped to dispel the somber look in her eyes, a mixture of longing and worry.
With a "thud".
She put down her pen.
Looking at the completed portrait on the table, Jie Xiangsi let out a long sigh, a hint of relief and joy in her eyes.
After two days and one night, it's finally finished.
I held up the portrait, letting the pale gold light streaming in from the window make the thin sheet of Xuan paper slightly translucent.
The sunlight cast dappled shadows, a gentle breeze stirred, and the figure on the rice paper, with its strong features, was quietly closing its eyes, appearing extremely calm. No one would think that this person could betray their master.
Thinking of this, Jie Xiangsi paused slightly, her fingers unconsciously clenching at the edge of the Xuan paper, making the corner slightly wrinkled.
But ironically, he betrayed his master, leaving her a wandering ghost...
The chinaberry flowers outside the window suddenly swayed violently, and the sudden increase in wind dispersed their fragrance, rushing straight towards the open carved window.
The thin Xuan paper couldn't withstand such a strong wind; it was tossed up and down in Jie Xiangsi's hands, making a constant "whoosh whoosh" sound.
With a "snap".
The Xuan paper that had been tossed about in the air was put down, and a paperweight landed on the eyes of the person in the painting, covering their deceptive gaze. Then, the sound of the paper being tossed about stopped.
After glancing silently at the pressed Xuan paper on the table, Jie Xiangsi paused for a moment, then called out without turning her head, "Ji Feng."
"Miss Cousin."
A dark shadow appeared silently in front of Jie Xiangsi.
Jie Xiangsi looked up and saw Ji Feng in front of her dressed in black, his face extremely serious, as if he were waiting for her orders at any time.
Suddenly, Jie Xiangsi smiled and said to Ji Feng, "Brother Ji, could you please arrange a meeting with Lord Su Yunyun for me? I need to speak with him." After a pause, she added, "Also, could you please make a few more copies of this portrait for me? Also, please give one to my cousin."
Although he didn't understand why Jie Xiangsi had given such an order, Ji Feng still clasped his hands in a fist and replied, "Yes!"
...
The Su residence, Su Feng's courtyard.
"See me?"
When the monsoon arrived, Su Feng was wiping the jade-bone fan in his hand. Upon hearing the purpose of the visit, he was slightly surprised.
"Has she encountered some difficulties?"
Ji Feng shook his head. "I don't know." After a pause, he added, "Miss Biao asked me to tell you that this matter may involve the fate of the Great Zhao Dynasty, and she hopes that you, Young Master Su, will definitely meet with her."
"That's strange." After wiping the last fan handle clean, Su Feng tried fanning himself a couple of times, his peach blossom eyes curving into crescents. "Alright, go back and tell Cousan that tomorrow at 3:45 AM, in the private room on the second floor of Jinyu Tower, don't be late."
"yes."
...
The next day at dawn.
The morning mist was very thin, and the air was still damp and chilly with the moisture from the night before.
A soft golden light slanted across the pedestrians, gradually evaporating the morning dew on their bodies. Through the flowing golden light, tiny specks of dust could be faintly seen floating among them.
Chang'an Avenue was exceptionally lively in the morning, with vendors on both sides of the street already setting up their stalls and enthusiastically hawking their wares to passersby.
"Come and see! Come and see! Freshly baked hot buns, each one with a thin skin and plenty of filling, so delicious!"
"Hey! A car is coming! Make way! Make way!"
"Pat-pat-pat—"
"Ding—Ding—"
Shouts, the sound of horses' hooves, the clattering of drums, and the rumbling of wheels mingled together, heralding the arrival of a new day.
When Jie Xiangsi arrived at Jin Yu Lou, Su Feng was already waiting in the private room, leaning against the window looking at the scenery.
Compared to his usual cold and hard armor, Su Feng was dressed in a particularly scholarly manner today, wearing a flowing white robe, his black hair half-tied up with a light white ribbon, and adorned with a lustrous white jade hairpin. He looked exceptionally handsome, and the golden light falling on him made his features appear even softer.
Anyone who sees him will exclaim, "What a handsome young man!"
The sound of Jie Xiangsi pushing open the door wasn't quiet, but it wasn't loud either; it was enough for the person by the window to sense her arrival.
Hearing the noise, Su Feng put down the hot tea he was about to offer to his lips. His peach blossom eyes lifted slightly at just the right moment, and his naturally upturned lips made it seem as if he was always smiling. He was born with a smiling face that made people feel like they were bathed in a spring breeze.
Except... that mouth that ruins the mood.
Lord Su raised an eyebrow and smiled, saying casually, "What brings my cousin to meet me? Does Ce'an know? I'm afraid he'll misunderstand. After all, I, Su Feng, am a handsome and talented young man, one of the most elegant young noblemen in the capital."
His very first words were spoken in the tone of a libertine, instantly shattering the good impression of a charming young man.
Jie Xiangsi: "..." As expected of the number one male enchantress in the capital, his words are so suggestive.
Ji Feng, acting as a shadow guard in the shadows: "..." Young Master Su is really... too narcissistic. Sigh...
Fearing that Su Feng might say something inappropriate, Ji Feng jumped down from the roof beam, stood still, clasped his hands in a fist salute to Su Feng, and said earnestly, "Young Master Su, rest assured, my master knows about this matter, so you don't need to worry."
"Pfft—"
Amused by their reactions, Su Feng couldn't help but smile. He finally regained a sense of accomplishment from his repeated defeats at Zhou Yuyi's hands, that of the number one male enchantress in the capital.
In just a few moments, Su Feng stopped laughing, straightened his expression, straightened his robes, and then stood up. His tone became normal: "Alright, I won't tease you anymore. Ce'an told me to take good care of my cousin. I've been a bit bored lately. Just kidding. Sorry."
After saying that, he gave Xie Xiangsi an exaggerated bow and said with a smile, "I, Su Yunyun, am here to greet my cousin."
Xie Xiangsi smiled and returned the greeting: "Xiangsi also sends her regards to Lord Su."
...
The windows were closed, shutting out the golden sunlight and the cacophony of sounds from the private room.
The two sat facing each other on a bench. Su Feng picked up the teapot beside him and poured Xie Xiangsi a cup of tea in a very gentlemanly manner. The steam, like white mist, swirled and spread in the air, blurring their vision.
The room is elegant and filled with the aroma of tea.
Pushing the teacup forward, Su Feng stepped back slightly to create some distance between them and asked, "It's still the same question. What brings you here, cousin? Have you run into some trouble?"
After all, minor matters don't need Su Feng's help; Xie Xiangsi can handle them herself. Major matters are handled by Ce An. So why did Xie Xiangsi seek him out?
“Indeed, there is a matter that I need Lord Su to enlighten me about.” As he spoke, Xie Xiangsi took out a folded piece of Xuan paper from his sleeve, unfolded it, and pushed it over, saying, “I have heard that Lord Su once went to the Northern Barbarians as an envoy. I would like to ask if Lord Su has ever seen such a face?”
"Oh? Let me see."
Su Feng took the Xuan paper, lowered his long eyelashes, and looked down at the face of the person in the painting. Gradually, the relaxed expression on his face disappeared, the corners of his mouth that were slightly upturned became straight, and a solemn look appeared on his face.
Seeing him like this, Jie Xiangsi and Ji Feng on the opposite side also unconsciously lowered their breathing.
For a moment, an eerie silence filled the private room. As the steam in the air gradually dissipated, Su Feng's tightly furrowed brows were reflected directly in Jie Xiangsi's eyes.
After a long while, Su Feng put down the Xuan paper, a gloomy look spreading between his brows.
"how?"
Seeing this, Jie Xiangsi couldn't help but lean forward, her voice tinged with anxiety.
"Has Lord Su seen him before?"
"I've seen you before." Su Feng raised his eyelids.
Who is it?
"King of the Northern Barbarians, He Yunlin."
"..."
Unexpectedly, He Yun was indeed a member of the Northern Barbarian royal family, and even the Northern Barbarian King's twin son. Jie Xiangsi was momentarily stunned. Her suspicions had been confirmed, but she felt no joy at all.
If He Yun is the Northern Barbarian King's younger brother, how could the Northern Barbarian King trust him? After all, twins are always one strong and one weak, one dead and one alive; they can be said to have an irreconcilable relationship.
The Record of Customs of the Northern Barbarians also states: "Whenever one encounters twin abandoned infants who have not yet died, the gods will surely be enraged, fearing divine punishment. Therefore, if one encounters them, one must kill them!"
Would He Yun really dare to appear in the Northern Barbarian tribe with the same face as the Northern Barbarian King?
Having followed her for so many years, Jie Xiangsi felt he didn't have the guts. So, what was the reason? How did He Yun end up being accepted by Zhou Yu'an?
"cousin?"
Suddenly, Su Feng's voice came from in front of her. Jie Xiangsi was brought back to her senses. Her blurry vision gradually cleared and she met a pair of deep eyes filled with worry.
Su Feng faced her, his brows still slightly furrowed. Seeing that she was focused, he finally spoke, "Cousin, were you just..." lost in thought?
However, Su Feng didn't say everything, after all, he wanted to save face for the girl.
Upon hearing this, Xie Xiangsi blinked, a fleeting hint of embarrassment crossing her face, and said, "I'm sorry, I was just thinking about something and got a little distracted." After a pause, she said, "Does Lord Su have a question for me?"
"Yes." Seeing that she was really alright, Su Feng nodded and continued, "I'd like to ask, if I may be so bold, has my cousin ever met the King of the Northern Barbarians?"
Otherwise, how would she have a portrait of He Yunlin?
Hearing his question, Xie Xiangsi honestly shook her head: "Never."
A hint of doubt flashed in Su Feng's eyes. Never seen it before? Then how do you explain this portrait?
Just then, Jie Xiangsi's voice came again.
"This portrait does not depict King He Yunlin of the Northern Barbarians, but rather someone I once met in Danzhou named He Yun."
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