Chapter 50 Sincere "My biggest regret is my youthful ignorance, which led me to…"
Before Meng Lingyao even stepped into the wisteria trellis in the backyard of the Zhong residence, she heard a clear and melodious birdsong.
"My cousin is here!" Zhong Jingshu greeted her cheerfully, taking her hand and leading her to the birdcage by the window. "Come and see my new treasure."
The parrot in the cage was truly exceptional. Its feathers were emerald green, with a bright red patch on its chest. Its eyes were lively and intelligent. It wasn't shy around strangers; instead, it held its head high and puffed out its chest, displaying a rather arrogant demeanor.
"Clouds yearn for her garments, flowers for her face; the spring breeze caresses the balustrade, heavy with dew." Upon seeing Meng Lingyao, the parrot suddenly opened its mouth and began to recite, its voice clear and bright, its pronunciation perfect.
Meng Lingyao couldn't help but chuckle, "This little thing certainly knows how to pick the nice things to say."
“And another one!” Zhong Jingshu clapped her hands excitedly, and the parrot immediately added, “Even the lotus cannot compare to the beauty’s makeup, and the breeze from the water palace carries the fragrance of pearls and jade.”
The parrot recited several lines of poetry praising the beautiful woman, which made Meng Lingyao smile continuously. This parrot not only knew how to recite poetry, but it was also quite perceptive. Seeing that Meng Lingyao was smiling, it performed even more energetically.
“Cousin, how about I give you this parrot?” Zhong Jingshu suddenly spoke up, saying with great seriousness, “It will keep your thrush company. It won’t be all alone here with me. Look, the poems it recites are perfect for you!”
Meng Lingyao's smile faded, and she stared intently at her younger cousin. Zhong Jingshu felt guilty under her gaze, her smile gradually stiffening, and her hands unconsciously twisting her handkerchief.
After a long silence, Meng Lingyao finally spoke slowly, "Jing Shu, who instructed you?"
Zhong Jingshu's face flushed instantly. She stammered for a long time before finally giving in, "It was...it was my brother who told me to do it."
She deflated and blurted out everything in one breath, "...I don't know why he wanted me to give the parrot to my cousin, but I looked at it carefully and it was just a clever bird."
She tugged at Meng Lingyao's sleeve, her eyes pleading, "Cousin, please don't blame me, it was my two brothers who told me not to tell..."
Meng Lingyao wasn't angry. She gently stroked her head and said, "Silly girl, when have I ever blamed you? Where are your two brothers now?"
“They’re practicing martial arts at Zhenliu Pavilion,” Zhong Jingshu breathed a sigh of relief, then added, “It seems there are also guests visiting today.”
Meng Lingyao was not surprised at all. She got up and straightened her clothes. "I'll go find them."
"Then this parrot..." Zhong Jingshu pointed to the cage and asked hesitantly, "Does my cousin still want it?"
"Yes, of course I'll take it." Meng Lingyao's lips curled up slightly, gesturing for Songlan to accept the cage. "Since it's a kind offer, how can I refuse?"
Inside Zhenliu Pavilion, swords clashed. The two Zhong brothers were sparring, their moves sharp and their teamwork seamless. Outside the training ground, a tall figure sat quietly watching the fight on a stone bench, but he was clearly distracted, his gaze occasionally drifting towards the courtyard gate.
Just then, a figure in crimson appeared at the door. The instant their eyes met, Zhao Xu froze on the spot, almost forgetting to breathe.
"Cousin?" Zhong Dingyao stopped what he was doing. "What are you doing here?"
Ever since the brothers started practicing martial arts, my cousin has rarely stepped into Zhenliu Pavilion, always saying there's a sour smell...
Meng Lingyao walked calmly into the courtyard, smiling broadly. "My two cousins gave me such a generous gift, so of course I have to thank them in person."
The three men in the courtyard instantly looked somewhat awkward. After a moment, Zhong Dingming stammered, "It's just a bird, cousin, you don't need to be so polite."
Meng Lingyao took a few steps, then stopped some distance from the group, raising her hand to cover her mouth and nose, her brows furrowing undisguisedly. "My two cousins..."
Zhong Dingyao, used to this, pulled his younger brother aside and said, "We're all sweaty, let's go wash up first. Cousin, please do as you please." With that, the two hurriedly left.
Meng Lingyao often visited her maternal grandparents' home since she was a child, and her cousins never treated her as an outsider.
She gracefully sat down opposite Zhao Xu and spoke first, "General Zhao, what brings you here today?"
Zhao Xu tried to calm himself down, but his voice was still a little hoarse, like a zither that had not been plucked for a long time. "Brother Zhong and his brother have learned a new sword technique and invited me to come and observe and exchange skills with them."
"I see." Meng Lingyao nodded. "I wonder how skilled my two cousins are?"
"His martial arts skills are superb; he would rank among the best even in the Zhenbei Army," Zhao Xu answered honestly.
Meng Lingyao chatted for a few more sentences about topics he was familiar with, but seeing that Zhao Xu had relaxed a bit, she suddenly changed the subject and asked a question.
"Then why did General Zhao give me a parrot?"
Zhao Xu froze for a moment, then his cheeks gradually flushed red.
Meng Lingyao rested her chin on her hand, watching with great interest as his cheeks gradually turned red.
Years have passed since we last met, but General Zhao remains the same as before.
After a long silence, Zhao Xu finally spoke, "I happened to pass by the East Market the other day and saw it by chance. I thought Miss Meng might like it..."
That day, several playboys were bidding for the parrot. He had already walked away, but then he heard the bird sing a line, "Clouds think of clothes, flowers think of beauty." In a daze, a beautiful figure appeared in his mind, and so, as if possessed, he spent several months' salary to get the parrot.
Meng Lingyao's eyes crinkled into a smile. "It is indeed interesting."
"How did Miss Meng know that I was the one who gave her the parrot?" Zhao Xu couldn't help but ask.
Meng Lingyao blinked. "I guessed."
“Miss Meng is truly exceptionally intelligent.” Zhao Xu’s face turned even redder, and he didn’t know where to look. He glanced at the swords that the Zhong brothers had left on the weapon rack, secretly breathed a sigh of relief, and found a way to start the conversation, “Miss Meng has a very good relationship with the two Zhong brothers.”
“They are like siblings.” Meng Lingyao gently waved her fan. “However, in the end, they are not as close as General Zhao, who has a real brother and sister.”
Upon hearing her mention the siblings, Zhao Xu seemed to remember something, his expression changed, and he solemnly said, "A few days ago, Ru Xuan offended Miss with some disrespectful words. I have already instructed her, and she promised that she would never do it again."
Meng Lingyao nodded casually. "You siblings have such a close relationship; it's truly enviable. However—"
She looked directly at Zhao Xu and said, "General Zhao, you must have heard that when you were not in the capital, I was getting close to other men."
Zhao Xu hesitated slightly, but answered honestly, "I have heard about it."
"Do you have any questions?"
He shook his head, his eyes clear and honest. "I believe Miss Meng."
What if it were true?
The wind in the courtyard suddenly fell silent. Zhao Xu gazed at the hair ornament swaying gently in the hair of the person before him, and after a long silence, he finally spoke, his voice slightly hoarse, "On the battlefield, swords and spears have no eyes. I have almost lost my life several times. My biggest regret is that I was young and ignorant, and actually made... Miss wait for me. There are many good relationships in the world. If Miss can be safe and happy, then it doesn't matter who it is."
Meng Lingyao's heart stirred slightly. She raised her eyes and glanced at him with a light but not heavy expression. "You've seen it yourself, your sister doesn't like me. If a conflict arises in the future, what will you do?"
Zhao Xu answered without hesitation, "Of course I will protect Miss Meng and won't let you suffer the slightest grievance."
As if afraid that Meng Lingyao would not believe him, he added, "Ruxuan is at home, with the love and care of her parents and brothers, but if it is Miss Meng... then she only has me, and I will do my best to protect her."
A ripple appeared in Meng Lingyao's eyes. She slowly stood up, her hair ornaments scattering golden light on the ground. She simply left behind a light sentence, "I already know General Zhao's intentions."
To Zhao Xu, those words carried immense weight. He abruptly stood up, his eyes gleaming, "Miss Meng..."
"It's getting late, I should go back." Meng Lingyao smiled faintly, turned and left, leaving Zhao Xu alone in the courtyard, his face unable to hide his joy.
Zhong Dingming, still damp from his clothes, stepped into the courtyard. He looked around but didn't see his cousin. Instead, he saw Zhao Xu staring blankly at an empty stone bench, a smile playing on her lips. Her amber eyes, reflecting the sunlight, looked like two flickering flames.
"Ouch—" he exclaimed dramatically, covering his face. "Who plucked the sun from the sky? It's blinding me!"
"Stop talking nonsense." Zhong Dingyao, who had come out a step behind, shoved him and turned to ask Zhao Xu in a serious tone, "Mingyuan, did you come on horseback or by carriage today?"
Zhao Xu, puzzled, replied, "A carriage."
"That's good." Zhong Dingyao breathed a sigh of relief.
“That’s right.” Zhong Dingming winked. “Otherwise, I’m really afraid that you’ll fall headfirst into the Yongfeng River as soon as you step out the door, horse and all.”
"Brother Zhong is making fun of me." Zhao Xu was not annoyed at all and still had a smiling face.
The Zhong brothers exchanged a glance. Although they had been "bullied" by their cousin since childhood, they still felt very complicated seeing her about to be kidnapped.
"Alright, alright, you're annoying to look at. Go home!" Zhong Dingming waved him away.
Zhao Xu didn't mind at all. He cupped his hands in a respectful bow and left with even lighter steps than when the Zhenbei Army returned to the capital after their great victory.
"Tsk."
The Marquis of Wuxing's residence.
As soon as Zhao Xu entered the room, a maidservant from Madam Cui's side came forward to greet him, "Young Master, Madam is looking for you."
"I understand." He suppressed his smile, but his eyes still held a subtle, shimmering light.
The maidservant lowered her eyes and stepped forward to lead the way.
Madam Cui sat regally in the main seat of the flower hall, dressed in a lake-blue robe, her hair styled in a high bun, and her crown adorned with several round and full pearls.
He was slowly and deliberately holding a string of sandalwood prayer beads in one hand.
Hearing the noise, she looked up at her son and asked casually, "Did you go to Commander Zhong's residence today?"
"Yes, my son is on good terms with the Zhong brothers. They have learned a new sword technique and invited me to observe it," Zhao Xu replied respectfully.
Madam Cui hummed in agreement, then casually asked, "Why do you men need a parrot to entertain you while you practice martial arts?" She turned to the nanny beside her and asked, "Is this a popular pastime in the capital?"
The old woman smiled and shook her head, "This old servant doesn't know."
Zhao Xu blushed and quickly explained, "That's not it. My son just bought the parrot because he thought it was fun."
Madam Cui frowned slightly. "I've never seen you so curious about these things before. Buying them is one thing, but to compete with those纨绔 (playboys) for them is quite another. Have you picked up all those filthy habits of the capital in just a few months since you returned?"
Zhao Xu shook his head repeatedly, "It won't happen again, please don't take offense, Mother."
Madam Cui smiled faintly, "What do I blame you for? It's just that I'm getting old, and I can't keep an eye on you forever. I only hope that I can find a virtuous lady for you soon so that she can keep you in check for me."
Upon hearing this, Zhao Xu looked intently at his mother, then knelt down with a thud. "I already have someone I love, and I beg my mother to ask for his hand in marriage!"
Madam Cui paused, fiddling with her prayer beads. "Which family's young lady is this?"
"Miss Meng, Meng Lingyao."
Madam Cui quickly recalled Meng Lingyao's appearance, frowned slightly without showing any emotion, and asked with a smile, "When did you start having these thoughts? I had no idea."
Zhao Xu blushed, "I fell in love at first sight during the Shangsi Festival."
His mind raced, but he didn't reveal his long-held thoughts, fearing it would damage Meng Lingyao's reputation in front of his mother.
"No wonder you were competing with Pei Shaoqing for the painting back then. I thought you had picked up some refined tastes from following General Xie for so long." Madam Cui said slowly, "Since you like it, I will find a suitable opportunity to have a matchmaker come to our door."
Zhao Xu was overjoyed and repeatedly expressed his gratitude.
As soon as he left, the smile on Madam Cui's face vanished instantly, and the sound of the Buddhist prayer beads turning echoed in the flower hall for a long time before suddenly stopping.
"Find out where that parrot is now. Also, have Ruxuan come here; I have some questions for her."
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