resentment willow
Four years have passed, flowers have bloomed and faded, and a pear tree has become the cradle of memories, carrying all things in the world. I practice, dance with swords, catch falling petals, and listen to the rain under an umbrella.
The childishness between the boy's brows faded away, and one month later, Yin Heng would have the ceremony of coming of age.
"Xiao Yuan!" The coming-of-age ceremony had been decided, and after discussing the process, Yin Heng couldn't wait to find Xiao Yuan.
"Xiao Yuan, I will be coming of age in a month. Have you thought of something to get me?" Although Yin Heng did not want Xiao Yuan to give him something expensive, after all, they had known each other for so long and he had to express his gratitude at such an important moment.
"No, I haven't prepared it yet. What do you want?" Xiao Yuan said calmly.
"Is that so... I prefer surprises. When you are ready, let me know on the day I come of age, okay?" Yin Heng smiled slightly, as warm as the sun, stirring people's heartstrings.
Xiao Yuan truly didn't know what to give Yin Heng. Someone like him had everything he needed, yet he was so greedy asking for gifts. After a moment's contemplation, Xiao Yuan nodded, saying he had something to do, and left.
"He left so soon... What else could he do all day long except practicing? Well, let him go." Yin Heng muttered to himself.
Although Xiao Yuan claimed to have something to offer, he was actually considering what gift to give him. He doubted whether he could even obtain something valuable, and even if he did, the man wouldn't need it. Ultimately, he decided to make something for him himself. Yin Heng specialized in wind cultivation, but Xiao Yuan had previously spotted a few tattered books on music cultivation sitting in an unassuming corner of his study. Xiao Yuan understood then: Yin Heng had always been fond of music cultivation, but as a young master, he could only serve under the head of the elders, and cultivating wind cultivation was a necessary evil. So, he decided to make him a flute. The purple bamboo from Jiangnan was perfect for flutes, and since it was autumn, the bamboo was ripe, Xiao Yuan secretly went to find a piece of high-quality bamboo.
After hearing what the other person said last time, Xiao Yuan followed Yin Heng's wishes and did not tell him. However, Yin Heng noticed that something was wrong with someone recently. He locked himself in the house every day and never came out. He was not seen except at mealtimes. Even if he met him, he would just say a few words to him and leave in a hurry.
Yin Heng already knew what the man had been doing recently, and he was happy, but he didn't want to bother anyone. That day, he hung a handkerchief on the branch of a tree that was the only way to get to Xiaoyuan. On the handkerchief was written, "Don't force yourself. I like everything you give me."
Xiao Yuan came out of the room and saw the handkerchief that Yin Heng had hung on a tree branch as he passed through the yard. He took it down and saw the familiar and beautiful handwriting, and the corners of his mouth unconsciously rose.
"idiot."
…
A month later, when Yin Heng was about to have his coming-of-age ceremony, he got up early, changed his clothes, and familiarized himself with the ceremony again to ensure that everything went well.
The auspicious time had arrived. Yin Heng, dressed in a plain shirt, with a feathered robe at his waist and his hair tied up but not yet crowned, performed the ritual of three kneelings and nine bows before the ancestral hall. A sympathizer sang a congratulatory message, and Yin Jingyi crowned him and bestowed the name "Zhao Yu." The disciples bowed in congratulations. Xiao Yuan, standing to one side, joined the others in the salute, and he solemnly returned the greeting.
"Heng'er, today's ceremony is over. You will have to shoulder important responsibilities in the future. All young masters and queens of previous generations have to go down the mountain to gain some experience. Let's set the date for going down the mountain for five days."
"Yes, father."
Yin Heng looked more composed after wearing the crown. His deep eyes were slightly lowered. He had a tall figure, more than half a head taller than Yin Jingyi. His hair ends were slightly curled, and his long black hair was gently blown by the wind at his waist.
Yin Heng was so tired after going through the whole process that he wanted to lie on the bed and sleep until noon the next day. However, he suddenly remembered that someone had not given him a gift yet, so he ran to find Xiao Yuan again.
The sun had already set. Yin Heng was walking in the yard when he saw Xiao Yuan standing in front of the stone table. He then silently walked behind him and suddenly said, "Xiao Yuan, what are you doing?" The sudden sound startled him so much that he almost dropped the thing in his hand.
When Xiao Yuan saw Yin Heng coming, he forgot the rest of his words and frowned, "Why did you suddenly walk behind him without saying a word?"
"Let me see what you are doing. What is in your hand...?"
Hearing this, Xiao Yuan handed the flute in his hand to him.
"It's the coming-of-age ceremony. We're short on time so we're using Hsinchu. It needs to be kept for a few months before it can be used. If you don't like it, then..." Xiao Yuan was interrupted before he could finish his words.
"Didn't you see that?"
"What?" Xiao Yuan didn't react and was stunned by his sudden question. His eyes widened slightly and stared into his eyes, as if waiting for an explanation.
"I said, as long as it's a gift from you, I like it. What's more, we are cultivators, so we can just transfer spiritual power."
Xiao Yuan's cheeks turned light pink and she turned her face away from him.
"As long as you like it... I named this flute 'Yuan Liu'."
Yin Heng gently stroked the flute and saw that he had also carved a picture of mandarin ducks playing in the water on the flute, with his name next to it. You know, it is not so easy to carve these.
Yin Heng subconsciously glanced at Xiao Yuan's hand. Though it wasn't obvious, his sharp eyes still spotted it. Several wounds, some new and some old, were faintly visible on the sides of Xiao Yuan's slender fingers. Perhaps the cuts were too deep, so the new and old wounds blended together. Yin Heng carefully set the flute aside and took Xiao Yuan's hand. The Spiritual Current condensed on his fingertips and gently stroked the wounds. The few wounds that hadn't healed disappeared without a trace.
Yin Heng was somewhat helpless and said, "Stupid Xiao Yuan, why did you still carve with your bare hands when you have spiritual power, and end up hurting yourself?"
Xiao Yuan pulled his hand out of Yin Heng's grasp and retorted, "Spiritual power comes quickly, but carving it with one's own hands shows more thoughtfulness. Don't you like it?"
"No...thank you, I...like it very much." He paused and said, "I will go down the mountain in five days."
Xiao Yuan's eyes darkened, and it was impossible to tell the emotion in his eyes.
"I know."
Yin Heng's Adam's apple rolled. "In two years, you will be coming of age. Then I will ask my father to perform the coming-of-age ceremony for you."
Xiao Yuan suddenly raised his head and looked into his eyes, showing a trace of panic, and hurriedly declined: "There is no need to trouble my lord, and the ceremony of coming of age does not need to be held. As for my name... you can choose it yourself." Since Xiao Yuan said so, Yin Heng no longer forced it and called his name.
"I promise you, I will come back before you come of age. I will choose your name for you."
Sparks gradually ignited in Xiao Yuan's eyes, and the figure of that person was reflected in his originally dark eyes.
"Okay, I'll wait for you."
The evening breeze lifted the hem of his clothes, gradually blurring the scene before their eyes. They returned to the house together, their sleeves rubbing against each other on the way, like a light feather teasing the softness in their hearts.
Thousands of lights are on, and tonight, it is not just the lights in thousands of homes that are bright.
Small Theater
Yin Heng: Xiao Xiaoyuan! Wait for me to come back!
Xiao Yuan: Got it. I’ll wait for you.
Yin Heng: I can’t bear to leave you, hmm.
Xiao Yuan: Get lost...
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