Playing the zither under the moon to express my true feelings
Since that day, when the sun finally cleared after the rain, the last veil between Yiqing and I has quietly dissipated. He has become increasingly considerate towards me, and every glance we exchange is filled with indescribable tenderness.
It was the fifteenth day of the lunar month, and the moonlight was as bright as water, illuminating Zixu Temple as if it were daylight. After evening classes, I took my pipa to the courtyard, intending to play under the moonlight. But I saw Yiqing had already prepared tea under the ancient pine trees, and a dish of freshly made osmanthus cake was placed on the stone table.
"I knew you would come to play the piano tonight." He saw me coming, his lips curled up slightly, "so I prepared some refreshments."
My heart warmed, and I sat down on the stone bench opposite him: "You are always so thoughtful."
The moonlight was bright, casting a faint glow on his handsome face. He picked up the teapot and poured me a cup of tea with an elegant and calm gesture.
"Try this tea. It's Yunwu tea, freshly picked the day before yesterday." He pushed the teacup towards me. "It's brewed with mountain spring water. It's the most refreshing and sweet."
I took the teacup, the tea was fragrant and sweet in the mouth, it was indeed a good tea.
"Try this sweet-scented osmanthus cake too." I pushed the plate toward him. "Qingsong said it was made specifically for your order."
He picked up a piece and tasted it slowly: "Does it taste good?"
"Very good." I nodded. "Sweeter than usual."
A hint of smile flashed across his eyes: "That's good."
The moonlight was like water, and a gentle breeze brought gusts of pine fragrance. We sat opposite each other, sipping tea and chatting, the atmosphere warm and peaceful.
"Would you like to play a song?" He put down his teacup and looked at me gently.
"That's exactly what I meant." I picked up the pipa and gently stroked the strings with my fingertips. "What song do you want to hear?"
"It's up to you." He smiled. "I like everything you play."
The doting in those words sweetened my heart. After a moment's thought, my fingertips played the tune "Drinking Alone Under the Moon." The clear, melodious sound of the zither flowed through the moonlight, harmonizing with the pine waves, adding a touch of ethereality.
He closed his eyes and listened intently. The moonlight shone on him, as if coating him with a layer of silver, making him look even more pure and ethereal.
When the song ended, he slowly opened his eyes, his gaze filled with admiration: "You played this piece beautifully. It's chill yet a bit free and unrestrained, perfectly suited to the moonlight tonight."
"It's the moonlight that's so beautiful." I put down my pipa. "It makes me want to play a piece like this."
He looked at me quietly, and suddenly said, "How about I play a song for you?"
I was slightly startled: "You can also play the piano?"
"I know a little bit." He stood up and walked over to the zither table. "I learned a little bit when I was traveling with my master in my early years."
He sat down at the zither table, his fingertips gently stroking the strings. Under the moonlight, his expression was focused, his black hair like a waterfall, adding a touch of elegance.
The sound of a zither began, the song "Phoenix Seeking the Phoenix." Unlike the cold, aloof sound I had just heard, his zither sound was as gentle as jade, laden with unspoken affection. Every note seemed to speak a lingering, poignant melody, stirring the heartstrings.
I listened quietly, completely mesmerized. I had never imagined that such a cool and aloof person like him could have such fiery emotions hidden in his piano music.
The song ended, the lingering sound lingering. He looked up at me with a deep gaze: "Is this song still pleasant to the ears?"
I nodded gently, my heart throbbing with an indescribable emotion. The meaning of "The Phoenix Seeks the Phoenix" was clear to me.
"Yiqing..." I called him softly, but I didn't know what to say.
He stood up and walked over to me, the moonlight bringing our figures very close. "Luanyin, I'll play this piece just for you."
I raised my eyes and met his affectionate gaze, and my heart beat faster.
He slowly reached out and gently took my hand. The moment our palms touched, it felt like an electric current ran through me, making me tremble slightly.
"Do you understand my feelings during these days together?" His voice was low and contained an indescribable tenderness.
"I understand." I replied softly, holding his hand tighter.
His eyes instantly gleamed with a radiant light, a joy so genuine. With a gentle pull, he drew me into his arms. This embrace was tighter than ever, carrying an unmistakable sense of possession and cherishment.
"Let's report to Master tomorrow and then we can have the ceremony of union, okay?" He whispered in my ear, his warm breath brushing against my ear.
I leaned into his arms and nodded gently: "Okay."
At this moment, all words seem superfluous. The moonlight flows quietly, freezing our embrace into eternity.
I don't know how long it took before he slowly let me go, but he still held my hand: "The night is getting cold, I'll take you back to your room."
We walked hand in hand under the corridor, the moonlight illuminating the bluestone pavement. He never let go of my hand, holding it so naturally, as if it was meant to be.
When he came to my door, he stopped and looked at me gently: "Rest early."
"You too." I responded softly, but couldn't bear to let go of his hand.
He seemed to see my reluctance to leave, so he smiled softly and leaned over to place a soft kiss on my forehead. It was like a feather brushing past, and it separated in an instant, but it left me completely stunned.
"Good night, Luanyin." He said softly, his ears slightly red.
I looked at his rare embarrassment, and a sweet feeling welled up in my heart: "Good night, Yiqing."
He gave me a deep look before turning and leaving. I stood in front of the door, watching his back disappear into the moonlight. My fingertips gently stroked the spot on my forehead where he had kissed me, my heart filled with an indescribable throbbing.
That night, I tossed and turned, unable to sleep. His focused piano playing, the warmth of his embrace, and that kiss as light as a butterfly's wing kept popping up in my mind.
The moonlight shone through the window lattice, casting a clear light on the room. I stood up and walked to the window, looking at the bright moon in the sky, and my heart was filled with unspeakable happiness.
Suddenly, a subtle noise came from outside the window. I looked up and saw Yiqing standing in the yard, seemingly still awake. Seeing me standing by the window, he was startled for a moment, then smiled gently.
"Why aren't you asleep yet?" he asked softly.
"I can't sleep." I whispered, "How about you?"
"I can't sleep either." He looked at me, his eyes particularly deep in the moonlight. "Thinking about meeting Master tomorrow, I feel... a little nervous."
I'd never seen him like this before, and I couldn't help but smile: "So you get nervous too."
"This is a matter of life and death, how can I not be nervous?" His tone was a little helpless, but more of it was gentle.
We looked at each other through the window lattice, the moonlight flowing quietly, making this moment particularly beautiful.
"Go to bed now," he said softly, "you have to get up early tomorrow."
"Okay." I replied softly, but couldn't bear to look away.
He looked at me quietly for a moment, then suddenly raised his hand, his fingertips lightly touching the window frame, as if caressing my cheek: "Good night, my Luanyin."
The intimacy in these words made my cheeks warm slightly: "Good night, Yiqing."
He gave me a deep look before turning and leaving. I watched his back disappear into the moonlight, my heart filled with peace and happiness.
Back on the couch, I hugged the quilt and recalled every detail of this night. His piano music, his embrace, his kiss, all made my heart warm.
After traveling through thousands of years in this life, I am so lucky to have met him and received his true heart. The moonlight is like water, witnessing the lovers finally get married.
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