Chapter 66 Pei Da
Chao Yinzhen's eyes flickered between Luo Zhaohan and the chess room across the way. A hidden thought, like a pebble thrown into the water, quietly rippled through her heart. However, behind this thought, there were some unspeakable concerns that made her hesitate for a moment.
Xinyi Zhaoyang also came over immediately, took Luo Zhaohan's other arm, and said in a crisp voice: "Yes, yes, then I will go too! Wait for us!"
Luo Zhaohan was trapped between the two men, his feet pinned to the spot. In this moment of uncertainty, the lake-blue figure in the chess building across the street turned and walked down the stairs.
Luo Zhaohan took a silent breath, and while Chao Yinzhen and Xinyi Zhaoyang were looking out, he quietly took a small step back, skillfully hiding himself behind his two friends. The light purple quietly disappeared into the shadows of the red railing and the intertwined sleeves of his friends.
The sound of footsteps approached, steady and powerful. Chao Yinzhang soon appeared at the other end of the corridor. He walked calmly, with the reserved demeanor of a young man from an aristocratic family, and a warm, brotherly smile on his face as he approached them.
Chao Yinzhen immediately pulled Xinyi Zhaoyang over to greet him, his clear voice filled with obvious joy: "Brother!"
Chao Yinzhang's eyes swept across his sister and Xinyi Zhaoyang with a smile, and then, his gentle and slightly probing gaze passed over their shoulders and fell accurately on the light purple figure that quietly retreated.
"Brother," Chao Yinzhen grabbed Chao Yinzhang's sleeve, her voice clear and with a hint of imperceptible eagerness, and led him to Luo Zhaohan, "This is the Miss Luo Zhaohan Luo whom I often mentioned to you!" There was a sense of pride in her words.
Unable to evade them any longer, Luo Zhaohan could only step out from behind her two friends, her eyes slightly lowered, her long lashes casting a small, pale blue shadow beneath them. She bowed gracefully, her voice clear as a spring: "Greetings, Prince Chao."
Chao Yinzhang's gaze finally rested on her unobstructed. The woman before him was slender, even frail. Her plain, pale purple dress accentuated her complexion, which was as white as jade, and her aura was as tranquil as water.
This was a far cry from the girl he had imagined, someone who could turn the tide in a critical moment. However, this did not diminish the deep gratitude he felt. His expression straightened, his warm smile fading, and he became extremely serious.
He straightened his posture, folded his hands, and bowed deeply to Luo Zhaohan. The curve of his waist showed the most solemn respect of a young man from an aristocratic family. His voice was clear and sincere: "Miss Luo, my sister has told me everything about the flower viewing banquet. I was unable to meet you before, but my gratitude has never diminished for a moment."
He paused, the weight of his words almost palpable. "Miss Luo came to my aid in times of crisis and preserved the reputation of Prince Duan's Mansion. I will never forget this kindness. It is truly my great honor to meet you today."
He bowed deeply once more, his attitude extremely humble, "Miss Luo, I beg you to accept Yin Zhang's greetings."
Luo Zhaohan was so shocked by this sudden gift that her heart skipped a beat and she almost took a step back. She had never expected Chao Yinzhang to perform such a grand ceremony in the attic where so many people were coming and going.
The words "preserve the reputation of the palace" made her cheeks slightly hot, as if the chaotic and dangerous atmosphere of that day was approaching again.
"Prince Chao, you're too kind!" she blurted out, her voice rising slightly with urgency. Almost instinctively, without a second thought, she rushed forward two steps, reaching out her hands to support his bent arm. "This is Zhaohan's responsibility, and I truly don't deserve such a generous gift from the Prince!"
In Chao Yinzhang's lowered vision, the elegant light purple suddenly broke into his sight, carrying the owner's anxious mood, swaying and rippling violently like disturbed clouds.
The soft fabric brushed through the air, bringing with it a faint, frosty scent.
He slowly stood up as he was told.
His gaze suddenly met hers the moment he raised his head.
It bumped into a pair of eyes.
At this moment, those eyes were slightly wide open due to surprise and a little helplessness. The bottom of the eyes were as clear as the newly melted snow in the mountain stream, and there was a little moist light in them because of the urgency just now. Under the abundant sunlight in the afternoon, they reflected an unusually bright brilliance, like two stars that suddenly lit up, and reflected directly into the depths of Chao Yinzhang's eyes.
My heart suddenly trembled without warning. It was an extremely unfamiliar feeling, like a hot stone being dropped into a calm lake, causing scorching ripples to suddenly appear.
Chao Yinzhang could even clearly feel the sudden, powerful pulsation in his chest.
It was almost an instinct etched into their bones. In that thousandth of a second when their eyes met and they could clearly see the emotions in each other's eyes, the two of them were like being pulled by an invisible thread, or commanded by the same silent command, and they moved in perfect tacit understanding and in unison.
At the same time, he took a step back.
The air seemed to freeze at that moment.
The solemnity, gratitude and surprise just now were all silently swallowed up by the sudden silence.
…
Even in December, the sky darkens early. Yet, thousands of colorful lanterns illuminate the imperial gardens, illuminating the palaces and pavilions with a dazzling brilliance, creating a fairyland-like scene. The distant sounds of stringed instruments mingled with the bustling crowd, and the air was filled with the aroma of wine, cosmetics, and a blazing, flashy clamor.
A bright moon hangs high above Taihe Lake, surrounded by dazzling lights.
The crowds rushed to the Hall of Supreme Harmony, the brightest and largest palace in the center of the Imperial Garden.
"elder sister!"
A clear and familiar call pierced the clamor, and Luo Zhaohan looked in the direction of the sound. Across the throng of people, Luo Jince was standing on tiptoe, his eyes sparkling, waving his arms desperately in her direction.
Luo Zhaohan's lips curled up unconsciously, and he raised his hand and waved at him. Just then, the crowd ahead was attracted by something and rushed towards the Taihe Lake. The moment the crowd parted, the tall figure beside Luo Jince became clearly visible.
He wore a dark brocade robe, as serene as the abyss. He had changed into his usual attire without knowing when, and now he stood quietly at the edge of the clamor, his gaze passing over the chaotic figures and landing precisely on her.
In the middle of the You hour.
“Bang—bang—bang!”
At the edge of Taihe Lake, a massive fireworks display ignited, its muffled explosion ripping through the sounds of music and voices. Immediately afterwards, blinding streaks of light roared free, darting straight into the low night sky, exploding with a bang amid countless upward gazes!
Gold, silver, indigo... a dazzling brilliance, like paint splashed by a god, instantly ignited the inky black sky. Giant peonies, swaying weeping willows, a shower of scattered stars... a myriad of forms and shapes poured down. Deafening explosions, accompanied by the crowd's exclamations, admiration, and screams, merged into a boiling sea.
The light and shadow danced wildly on everyone's face, changing unpredictably.
Luo Zhaohan didn't move.
Pei Ji also did not move.
Across a brief "clearing" composed of astonished faces and brilliant light, the two people's sight penetrated the noisy voices and the roaring explosions, and silently intertwined.
Luo Zhaohan clearly saw the night sky behind him, illuminated by fireworks. Thousands of streams of light resembled falling stars, casting a shadow upon his deep eyes. His features, which had always seemed distant or cold, were now softened by the warm glow. There was even... a faint, yet incredibly clear, curve at the corner of his lips.
In that arc, there was a tenderness that Luo Zhaohan had never seen on his face before. Pure, focused, and even with an almost secret joy, revealed only for her.
Bang bang bang!
Was it the fireworks exploding wildly overhead? Or was it the heart within my chest, breaking free from all restraints of reason, beating wildly, trying to break free from the confines of flesh and blood?
The immense sound seemed to block out everything outside. She could only see his eyes and feel her own uncontrolled heartbeat. An invisible, scorching tide instantly overwhelmed her, causing her throat to tighten and her lips to part slightly. As if under some ancient and deadly bewitchment, she silently called out the name etched into her bones:
"Pei Da..."
She had screamed that name in despair amidst the mud and blood, and even on her deathbed, when she vaguely glimpsed the familiar hem of red clothing, she had used her last ounce of strength to leave it in the world. Those three words had long been woven into her very bones, a deepest scar, the only glimmer of light she could grasp as she fell countless times into the abyss.
Fireworks fell like rain, in chaos.
Pei Ji's mind was now completely focused on the person across from him. The surrounding clamor and dazzling lights were but a blurry backdrop to him. All his senses were focused on her eyes, which reflected the fireworks and his own figure, and on the slight movement of her lips.
She called him silently - Pei Da.
At that moment, the tip of my heart felt like it was being brushed by the softest feather, or enveloped by boiling lava. An indescribable soreness and warmth suddenly broke through my heart, instantly sweeping through every part of my body.
Ten years.
It has been ten years since I came to this ancient Western Wei Dynasty.
What darkness, struggle, and bone-chilling cold had filled these past ten years? It was his teacher's withered yet powerful hand, the Crown Prince's gentle yet steadfast support, that repeatedly pulled him from the mire, propelling him to his current position. He had long since grown accustomed to wrapping himself in a cold, hard shell, accustomed to walking alone in the cracks of power struggles, accustomed to sealing away all his longings.
But in the tenth year when he almost thought he had completely calmed down, she appeared.
Like a ray of sunlight that unexpectedly ripped through the clouds, it was dazzling, scorching, and filled with irresistible warmth. She left delicate, indelible marks on his dusty heart, stroke by stroke. He repeatedly warned himself to keep his distance, yet time and again he lost control and crossed the line he had drawn, unable to resist the urge to draw closer to the light.
He became greedy.
He was no longer satisfied with just watching her figure and listening to her voice from afar. He no longer wanted to be separated from her by the cold words "Miss Luo".
He also wanted to call her in the most intimate and deepest tone—
Pei Ji's lips opened slightly, and a name that had been brewing for a long time, filled with all his secret feelings, was about to flow out of his lips.
"Zhao Zhao..."
However, just as that inaudible syllable was about to take shape—
“Boom! Boom boom boom—!”
The deafening sound of drums exploded without warning! Like a horn of attack, it instantly drowned out the lingering sound of the fireworks!
"The banquet is about to begin—!"
"Quick! Enter the hall!"
The crowd, previously engrossed in the fireworks, was awakened by the drumbeats. Like a receding tide, they turned and rushed towards the brightly lit gates of the Hall of Supreme Harmony. The crowd closed in an instant, the surging current completely submerging Luo Zhaohan's slender figure.
Pei Ji's cherished "Zhao Zhao," uttered with boundless tenderness and privacy, ultimately became a silent breath, dissipating in the sudden cold wind and amid the clamor of voices and drums. No one heard it.
Luo Zhaohan felt her eyes blur, and the figure that had just been clear was completely obscured by countless moving robes and swaying hair buns. She subconsciously tiptoed, but only saw a crowd of moving heads.
"Zhao Zhao?"
A familiar, puzzled voice came from behind. Qin Wan and several familiar ladies approached. Seeing their daughter standing there in a daze, staring at the crowd, they immediately took a few steps forward and grasped her slightly cold hand.
The warmth from her palm and her mother's voice made Luo Zhaohan shudder suddenly, and she suddenly came back to her senses. She lowered her head in a panic, not daring to meet Qin Wan's probing gaze.
Crazy! She must have been possessed! Why was she mouthing words to Pei Da for no apparent reason? Fortunately… fortunately, it was just "Pei Da." While the name was a little more intimate, it made sense. After all, he was her savior… Even if he saw it, it shouldn't be a big deal, right?
Luo Zhaohan quickly comforted himself in his heart, forcibly suppressed the inexplicable throbbing and a sense of inexplicable loss in his heart, tried to force out a nonchalant smile, let Qin Wan hold his hand, and followed the crowd into the magnificent Hall of Supreme Harmony.
The hall had already been fully decorated, brightly lit and filled with the scent of incense. Beneath the carved beams and painted buildings, rosewood tables were neatly arranged, upon which exquisite cups, plates, and bowls were laid out.
Everyone quickly took their seats, following the pre-arranged seating arrangements, guided silently and efficiently by the palace attendants. The vast hall, previously bustling with the bustle of a market, was now filled only by the rustling of fabric and the gentle tinkling of jewelry.
Just as everyone was seated and their breaths were still catching, a long, shrill voice from the eunuch could be heard from outside the hall:
"The Emperor—has arrived—!"
"The Queen has arrived!"
"His Royal Highness the Crown Prince has arrived!"
As if pulled by an invisible thread, everyone stood up and left their seats in unison, kneeling in unison on the mirror-like golden brick floor, shouting "Long live the emperor!"
Bright yellow dragon and phoenix robes passed by, and steady footsteps accompanied by the tinkling of rings and pendants led them all the way to the high imperial throne at the top.
"Stand up." The emperor's voice, with its usual majesty, came through the empty hall.
Everyone thanked him, stood up, and sat down again. Luo Zhaohan took the opportunity to stand up and adjust her dress to quickly glance towards the throne.
The Emperor sat in the center, his demeanor solemn and composed. Beside him sat the lavishly dressed Concubine Li, delicately made up and smiling. At the lower left of the throne sat the Crown Princess, dignified and beautiful in her finery. However, her meticulously painted features couldn't conceal a deep sadness and loneliness, making her seem out of place amidst the festive atmosphere.
Next to her sat the young grandson, his eyes wide open in ignorance.
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