With the laurel boat and the orchid paddle, we row against the clear sky and follow the flowing light.
My heart is filled with longing, gazing at the beauty in the sky.
While Loran Hill and Princess Xiao Yubing were boating in the clouds and water, the talented people who were attending the Burning Tail Banquet gradually took their seats.
First, a congratulatory speech was recited under the leadership of the current Chief of Spring, and then the heads of the four seasons officials came out one by one and said a few words. Then everyone sat down and took a short rest waiting for the arrival of the Emperor.
At this time, some scholars and swordsmen also leaned on the railings and looked out into the distance, overlooking the thousands of miles of mountains and rivers, the beautiful scenery, and the lights of thousands of homes, expressing their own feelings and aspirations.
As the eyes of these talented people moved, the small boat in the sea of clouds and water in the distance could be vaguely seen.
“That’s…?”
"Could it be Princess Linbing?" One of them recognized Xiao Yubing.
"But who is that woman beside her? She's so ethereal, like a fairy from outer space."
Some people saw the silver-haired figure and immediately started discussing it, but at this time they were too far away and the scene was a little blurry, so they were not particularly surprised.
At a table in the center, Su Denglou, dressed in white, looked at the pair of figures from afar, then looked back.
"This woman's beauty is truly unparalleled in the world."
"Hehe, Senior Brother Denglou, you are saying that I am not as good as the other person." A young girl in a gorgeous dress with light pink and white stripes was sitting at the table, covering her mouth with her hands and giggling. Judging from her appearance, she seemed to be only about 18 years old, at the prime of her life.
"If I hadn't been unlucky when I drew the lots and met Sister Zhu Yan, you wouldn't be sitting at the top now." The woman spoke with a sweet smile and a soft and pleasant voice. Her every frown and smile made people's heart beat faster.
"How about Sister Miao Xin have another competition with Brother Denglou before the Emperor arrives, and then decide the seating, hahaha." Gu Lie laughed heartily.
"Don't stir up trouble, Brother Gu Lie. I know you're still brooding over losing to me in the first game." Su Denglou shook his head. In fact, Gu Lie's strength was indeed not bad. Apart from Su Denglou and Yi Miaoxin, only Huai Chang could fight with him in the field.
"But it's strange, I remember that you, Gu Lie, have a junior sister." Su Denglou looked at Gu Lie again.
"Fairy Jinhua, you, and Fairy Luolan are all known as this generation's Xiangyu representatives. Why isn't Junior Sister Luolan participating?"
"Well, my junior sister is a quiet person and doesn't like fighting with others. She said that it's enough for the faction to have me participate in the competition." Gu Lie pressed his hands on his legs and shook his head in response.
"It seems that this junior sister is also a wonderful person." Ling Shanjun on the side finally spoke. Today he was wearing a nice moon-white bamboo embroidered brocade robe, no longer the straw raincoat he wore before.
"By the way, how are Brother Zhuo and the princess doing now? I've heard a lot of rumors recently, each one more bizarre than the last." Someone else asked.
"This... is actually a misunderstanding. The princess and I are just ordinary friends." Zhuo Fengtong wore a silver-locked general's light armor today, looking quite handsome.
"Actually, if you think about it carefully, marrying that princess is a good match for you."
Zhuo Fengtong's father was a general guarding the border, and marrying into the royal family could indeed consolidate the trust between the two sides, which was somewhat reasonable.
"In the eyes of outsiders, my family background may be good, but in this prosperous Luojing, it may not be the case. There are so many wealthy and aristocratic families, and my status is only enough to be shortlisted." He shook his head and drank a small glass of fine wine.
Among the eight people, except Xiao Yubing who had not arrived, Xie Zhuyan and Huai Chang sat on the side, enjoying the scenery and drinking without saying a word.
"Sister Zhuyan, come and try this." Yi Miaoxin picked up a small piece of round moon dessert on the table and placed it in front of Jie Zhuyan.
Although it was Jie Zhuyan who eliminated and defeated her, Yi Miaoxin didn't seem to care. Instead, she was very enthusiastic and appreciative of this ordinary-looking woman.
"Thank you, Sister Miaoxin." Jie Zhuyan's voice was flat. She nodded briefly, then picked up the snack and started eating it in small bites.
Yi Miaoxin leaned her graceful figure on the table with her head resting on her arm, watching Jie Zhuyan eat.
"I wish Sister Zhu Yan could smile someday. I think it would be really beautiful."
"Thank you for the compliment, Sister Miaoxin. Actually, I'm not good-looking, just very ordinary." Xie Zhuyan's skin color is dark, as if he has been tanned outdoors for many years. There are many scars on his fingers and the back of his hands. It seems that he has been living a very hard life.
Yi Miaoxin shook her head slightly, "No, it's very beautiful. At least I like it, but you just haven't noticed it."
“There are many kinds of beauty, and there is a kind of beauty that makes people feel uplifted and hopeful.”
People in the venue were talking in groups of three or four, exchanging and getting to know each other. Those who could attend the banquet tonight were the future pillars of the dynasty. Maybe they would need to help each other in the future, so it was always good to know more friends.
On a sea of clouds and water, Loran Hill leaned over the side of a ship, the clear water sliding through her fingers, creating a few ripples. Through this clear water, she gazed at the bustling city below. The bustling streets, ablaze with orange and yellow lights, divided the vast city into square sections. Pedestrians moved through the streets like invisible grains of sand.
It was a long time before she lifted herself up from the side of the boat.
"I looked at it for a while longer and kept you waiting." Loran Hill gradually woke up from the magnificent night scene.
"It's okay. In fact, the scenery here is truly rare in the world. It's only because of my special status that I often come to Yunshui for fun that I'm not obsessed with it."
"Let's go back now, the party is about to begin."
Afterwards, Xiao Yubing and Luo Lanxier rowed the jade oars back towards Yuzhang Mountain.
When they reached the shore again, the two men went up to the terrace again. The guards who had been waiting for a long time came forward and helped them tie up and secure the boat.
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