Chapter 82: Moonlit Flower Shadows
Spring clouds drift by overnight, their beauty lush and vibrant, while the shadows of sparse willows linger softly.
Stop the moon and leave a pen and lamp in front of the guests. The night dew blows the flowers and you can see the fragrant wind.
The guest in the poem could only be Xie Huailing.
She sat at the table, wearing a plain white coat, as the night breeze gently blew. The letter lay on the table, her ink dots slowly filling one or two sheets. Perhaps because the night view enhanced her appearance, her scribbles finally seemed to have a touch of scholarly elegance, although this elegance was as scarce as snow left over from winter to spring.
After taking a sip of water, Xie Huailing picked up her pen again and continued writing. She wanted to explain everything to Su Mengzhen in great detail, including her speculations and every step of the process, not omitting a single word. She even included a lot of personal opinions, such as using Lu Xiaofeng and Hua Manlou to criticize him personally. In this way, the remaining pages were quickly filled. She rarely wrote so much at once, and when she finally stopped writing, she had a feeling of being back in the college entrance examination hall.
I wonder how many points Su Mengzhen, the examiner, will give her. She probably won't get any points for the presentation, but that's okay, participation is what matters.
Xie Huailing put the pen down on the desk, let out a long sigh, and stuffed the letter into the envelope. She didn't use any special means to seal it to prevent others from peeking. Firstly, writing was already tiring enough, so why bother making things difficult for herself? Secondly, if there was anyone else in the world besides Su Mengzhen who could understand her handwriting, she would be willing to immediately consider them a close friend.
A swift gust of wind whistled past her, but Xie Huailing didn't turn around. She pondered what to write on the envelope, wondering if it would be better to have Shaman write it. However, Shaman didn't know her handwriting skills, and if she did it, she would probably be laughed at. Only in this matter was Xie Huailing so vulnerable that she would break down at the slightest touch.
After thinking it over, Xie Huailing didn't turn around, but instead said to the person who came, "Come over and write a few words."
The young man, shrouded in the chill of the night, had just taken off his coat when he heard this and responded with a "okay." He then brought new flowers, replaced the withered crabapple blossoms, hung up his coat again, and walked behind Xie Huailing.
"What do you want me to write?" Gong Jiu leaned forward, casting his shadow, illuminated by the lamplight, onto Xie Huailing.
Then her vision darkened, and his chest was only a short distance from her shoulder. Because he had thoughtfully taken off his coat, she didn't feel much coldness; it was probably more because he had changed the scent. But why bother? It was none of her business if he changed the scent.
Xie Huailing stuffed the brush into his hand and left his half-closed embrace from the side: "Write a signature, just write 'To my dear cousin'."
Gong Jiu responded again.
His handwriting was quite incongruous with his personality, but it perfectly matched his face—spirited and free, flowing like clouds and water, befitting his lofty and unworldly demeanor. It was clear that Gong Jiu had put in considerable effort in his studies. With just a few strokes, four beautiful characters leaped onto the paper. Xie Huailing never nitpicked at handwriting, so she told him to put it under any book he wanted, and she would have someone send it back to Jin Feng Xi Yu Lou tomorrow.
Gong Jiu squeezed the thickness of the envelope and said, "It seems you've made quite a bit of progress these past few days."
"Then I still have to thank Nangong Ling." Xie Huailing leaned against the table and said, "I also want to thank the Nanwang Mansion for their tireless efforts in finding me so much to do."
Upon hearing Nangong Ling's name, Gong Jiu seemed to recall something and, in a casual tone as if saying, "The weather is nice today," said to her, "Speaking of Nangong Ling, I've also looked him up."
Xie Huailing's intuition told her that Gong Jiu wouldn't say anything nice.
As expected, Gong Jiu remained calm and gentle, as if he had randomly stumbled upon a delightful little discovery that had nothing to do with him and wanted to share it with her. He said, "Nangong Ling likes you."
"Those are awful words." Xie Huailing raised her eyes slightly, not replying.
Gong Jiu stood beside her, staring intently at her: "And you, why aren't you saying anything? Do you like him? Do you need him?"
"Who are you insulting?" Xie Huailing offered a sharp comment on Gong Jiu's question in the first half of the sentence.
As for the latter half, her dark eyes shifted slightly, her gaze sweeping across the room with utter indifference, like a pool of water under the moonlight: "Those I use also depend on whether they are worthy of it."
Gong Jiu nodded in deep agreement: "Indeed."
What are you fussing about again? This place really needs a吐槽员 (tu cao, meaning someone who likes to complain or criticize), it's a shame. Xie Huailing glanced at him indifferently: "You don't need to find a sense of agreement in this sentence."
“I’m not seeking validation.” Gong Jiu answered seemingly seriously, and he really was. “I just wanted to ask you if you would like my help if you said you did.”
Anyone present would find it hard not to be shocked by Gong Jiu's implied meaning. Chinese characters could actually be arranged and combined in such a way. For a moment, rather than being shocked, people would marvel at his unique way of thinking, his "magnanimous" personality, and his unconventional way of dealing with people (perhaps it would be better if he were more reserved). This would also arouse endless curiosity about what kind of family could raise such a brilliant and talented individual.
Fortunately, it was Xie Huailing who spoke up. She replied very carefully, with clear order and reasoning, although it was still a bit unusual: "No need. From any perspective, there is no possibility of that kind of development. I tend to judge people by their appearance. Besides, I don't have any bad habits of having multiple partners. Please be careful, I'll get scolded when I get back for saying such things."
It's unclear what exactly Gong Jiu understood, but after tapping his finger on the table and pondering for a moment, he said, "I understand."
That's how he was when he talked to Xie Huailing. Most of the time, he was gentle and refined, even aloof and noble. But once the topic turned to Xie Huailing, his thoughts would wander faster than anyone else's. Not only did he only listen to what he wanted to hear, but he also acted as if he wanted to have a casual chat with her, saying whatever came to mind: "So, in terms of appearance, who is more to your liking?"
Gong Jiu bent down slightly, placing his hands on either side of Xie Huailing. He asked sincerely, his face radiant, his eyes clear and bright, displaying a handsome and dashing appearance under the lamplight.
Unlike anyone else Xie Huailing had ever seen, Gong Jiu's exterior was far too fragmented. He possessed a chaotic and gloomy inner world, an ambition that was intolerable to the world, and the water deep within his soul was so dark that it could not reflect a person's image; even if gold, silver, jewels, power, and wealth were thrown into it, it would not make a sound. Outside of his soul, his appearance was as precious as gold and jade, like a high mountain branch, appearing proud and unattainable in the dust of the world, and in the lives of many, he could only be admired from afar.
This intense sense of rupture shapes Gong Jiu, a yearning beneath his cold eyes, much like the frozen lake in winter. But just as the fish beneath the ice keep swimming, once the spring sunlight shines down, and someone sends a signal across the ice, everything will be turned upside down. And the one who goes mad after the upheaval is the real Gong Jiu.
Xie Huailing didn't really want to answer his question, but she couldn't say she wasn't interested in considering it at all. As she was thinking, Gong Jiu moved a little closer, their shadows touching, as if one was about to kiss the other. Finally, a warm beam of light from the lamp fell between the two shadows, but that had already fulfilled their desires. How could it not be considered a tender and affectionate moment?
Gong Jiu pretended not to care, but in his heart he knew better than anyone else: "Di Feijing?"
The young man had a pair of beautiful, amorous eyes, completely opposite to his own. Although it was due to his temperament and was not obvious most of the time, Gong Jiu understood it.
He understood more than that, but there was no need to say it. Gong Jiu didn't compare himself to others much. After all, he was a member of the royal family, with no flaws, possessing both talent and good looks. Putting aside ideological issues, looking at Gong Jiu's generation, in terms of overall conditions, he seemed to have no real rivals. Therefore, he often only admired himself.
Unfortunately, his ideological flaws are very difficult to correct.
Xie Huailing wanted to hear Di Feijing's name, which reminded her of her lost cat. Su Mengzhen had tried to help her, but Di Feijing wouldn't even show his face, so there was nothing she could do. A faint resentment welled up inside her as she recalled Di Feijing's face. She had talked about Di Feijing's appearance with someone before, and she had even held his head and looked at him closely, but those were not important things: "Him?"
She touched her chin thoughtfully, and the young master placed his other hand beside her, his figure looming over her. She seemed unaware: "People's appearance is nothing more than a bewitching flower that enters one's own eyes. Everyone chooses the best in their heart. If I had to judge... she would probably be in the top three. Indeed, there is nothing to smear about her appearance."
Gong Jiu persisted, bending down to ask, "Then who are the top three?"
Xie Huailing glared at him: "You really love to humiliate yourself."
Her breath was so close it felt like it was blowing on him. The light and shadow flickered, and their figures overlapped, yet their feelings were deep and distant. He was unwilling to let her always remain so far away.
Gong Jiu lowered his head, hoping there was something else.
Xie Huailing didn't want that. She pressed her hand against Gong Jiu's face, and when she raised her hand, the fragrance mingled together. Gong Jiu stared at her blankly, saying, "Don't think about it. Without you, there would be no you."
Before she could finish speaking, he bit down on the web of her hand. He used the same trick again, and this time it wasn't too light. It was as if he was too curious about what she tasted like, his teeth pressing against her skin. If the first time it was an impulse, this time it was perhaps more like appetite.
He was deliberately rubbing and prodding, desperately trying to make the ice crack open; he might be going crazy again.
He wasn't just going crazy; he was also waiting. What would she do to him this time? How much pain would it hurt this time? He knew she didn't like doing things with him, but it didn't matter. He would offend her himself, and then he would misinterpret whatever she did.
But he didn't get what he had dreamed of.
It was different again. Xie Huailing looked at him from below, but with a condescending air; he was the one she was evaluating. She deliberately used the base of her thumb to press his lips against her teeth, then slightly narrowed her eyes. Gong Jiu couldn't help but feel hopeful as he landed in her palm. He only realized this after he was by her side. Aside from the pain, being occasionally controlled by her seemed not so bad. After all, she would never say anything nice to him; she was always like this.
Zuiyu Tuishan also became a drunken guest under the flowers. He was willing to seduce her and take her empty hand. He knew all his advantages and had been doing this all along.
He slipped his fingers between hers, then lingered on her hand where he had bitten her, tracing the bite marks and gently testing her tolerance. When she reacted, she released her fingertips and ran them across his face, stopping forcefully on his lips. He then kissed her fingertips, his kisses as fine and delicate as raindrops.
Under the beautiful moon and flowers, Gong Jiu was willing to do anything for her at this moment.
Unfortunately, it was all just a mirage. Xie Huailing would eventually back down. Her interest was only slight, and she was just playing along with him, with no intention of taking things any further.
She glanced at the pen she had left on the table, and then at the inkstone that hadn't been put away; the ink was still there, not yet completely dry.
Now that her interest was piqued, Xie Huailing grabbed Gong Jiu's collar and asked, "Do you like painting?"
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The rankings are changing in secret. Except for Di Feijing, everyone has changed once, but Di Feijing is no longer at the top.
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