Jiang Songyi clutched the tassel of the sachet tightly, memories of his past life flooding back. That year at the Lishan hunting grounds, Jiang Jinzhao had personally handed the poisoned arrow to Jiang Yuyao, smiling as she slipped the poison into her teacup. At this moment, the golden knife adorning his belt at his waist gleamed coldly, a memory gradually reminiscent of the dagger that had slashed her knee.
[Has he come specifically to ask for that Jade Lion of the Night?] She stared at the fresh mud on the toes of Jiang Jinzhao's boots. [Unfortunately, the horse has already recognized the prince as its master.]
Xinyi Daoyi suddenly took a half step forward, the corner of his moon-white robe covering her trembling fingertips. "I have an appointment with the county lady to hunt a pair of white foxes." He untied the jade pendant with dragon pattern from his waist. "How about this as a contract?"
Just as Su Sheng was about to speak, Yu Huanshen's jade bone fan was already between him and the prince: "Everyone in the poetry club is willing to hold the reins for the county lady." The scholars' swords clashed with each other like metal and stone, startling the horses outside the tent so much that they neighed and raised their front hooves.
Jiang Yihuan suddenly stood up, his black iron scabbard knocking against the low table. Amidst Bai Linxi's exclamation, he strode towards Jiang Jinzhao. Their similar features reflected in the morning light like a mirror image. "When will it be the Jiang family's daughter's turn for an outsider to care for her?"
A mountain breeze blew dead leaves into the tent, causing dozens of sachets to sway in unison. Jiang Songyi chuckled softly in the interplay of light and shadow. The agate bracelet on her wrist clashed against the lacquer box, startling the green-feathered parrot napping in the corner.
"Hit! Hit!" The flat-haired beast flapped its wings and screamed, mixing with the dragon's roar of Su Sheng drawing his sword, startling the titmouse from the sycamore tree outside the tent. Xin Yidao raised his hand to catch the falling bird feather and tuck it into the sachet embroidered with pear blossoms—where he kept the amulet he had written last night, its cinnabar handwriting still carrying the unique sandalwood scent of Xuanmen.
The mountain breeze outside the tent blew pine needles against the felt cloth. Jiang Jinzhao looked at his sister's profile, the outline of which was reflected in the candlelight, and his throat felt like it was choked by a piece of coptis wrapped in honey.
In his previous life, when Jiang Songyi first returned to the Marquis's residence, he had waited outside the academy, holding a handmade osmanthus cake. At that time, he was teaching Jiang Yuyao to copy the "Kuaixue Shiqing Tie" (Quick Snowy Day Calligraphy), and he hadn't even glanced at her. At this moment, the crisp sound of the agate bracelet on her wrist hitting the lacquer box was surprisingly similar to the sound of a porcelain plate shattering on the ground in his memory.
(End of this chapter)
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
