Summer arrived suddenly in Yingzhou; after a few light rains, the weather warmed up abruptly.
Overnight, the lotus pond inside the school was covered with lush green round leaves, and a few early lotus buds peeked out, swaying gently in the wind.
That afternoon, Qi Mingyue was practicing calligraphy in Tingxue Studio when she suddenly heard Xie Ansu's voice from outside the courtyard: "Is Miss Qi here?"
He hadn't said he would come, but Qi Mingyue wasn't surprised. She just glanced at Zhishu as usual.
Zhi Shu had gotten used to it these days, so he nodded and went out to greet Xie Ansu, and a moment later led him in.
The young gentleman was dressed in a moon-white summer shirt, carrying a bamboo food box in his hand, with fine beads of sweat on his forehead, clearly having rushed over.
"I apologize for disturbing your peace and quiet, Miss." Xie Ansu bowed with a smile. "My mother made some refreshing chilled mung bean soup today and asked me to bring some to you."
Qi Mingyue put down her pen and nodded slightly: "Thank you for your trouble, Young Master Xie. Please also convey my gratitude to Madam Mingyue."
Zhi Shu took the food box and removed the white porcelain bowls inside. The mung bean soup was clear and bright, with a few mint leaves floating on top, emitting a slight coolness.
Xie Ansu smiled and said, "Yingzhou is hot in the summer, and this mung bean soup is the best way to cool you down. My mother deliberately put less sugar in it, knowing that Miss doesn't like it too sweet."
Qi Mingyue took a sip and found it indeed refreshing and sweet, instantly dispelling the summer heat: "Madam, you've gone to so much trouble. I will definitely visit you another day to express my gratitude."
"My mother would be delighted if she knew that Miss likes it." Xie Ansu smiled as his gaze swept over the calligraphy scroll on the table. "Is Miss practicing the 'Preface to the Orchid Pavilion'?"
Qi Mingyue nodded: "I just practice my writing to pass the time when I have nothing else to do."
Xie Ansu examined the characters closely and saw that the strokes were vigorous and the composition was well-ordered. He couldn't help but praise, "Miss's calligraphy is exquisite, deeply capturing the spirit of Wang Xizhi. Especially this character '之', its graceful posture is quite reminiscent of Wang Xizhi's style."
Qi Mingyue was slightly surprised: "Young Master Xie has a good eye. What Mingyue copied is indeed Chu Suiliang's copy."
“Excuse my boldness,” Xie Ansu suddenly said, “the academy will be holding a summer poetry gathering in three days, by the lotus pond in the back garden. Would you like to join me, Miss?”
Qi Mingyue hesitated slightly, recalling the poetry gathering at the Debate Hall a few days ago. Xie Ansu seemed to sense her concerns and quickly said, "This poetry gathering is informal and focuses on relaxing and chatting in the summer heat. The air will be filled with the fragrance of lotus blossoms and a refreshing breeze, making it a truly pleasant occasion."
Seeing his earnest words, Qi Mingyue finally nodded: "Since you have invited me, I will certainly accept the invitation."
A smile immediately spread across Xie Ansu's eyes, like a spring breeze across a lake: "Then it's settled. I'll come to pick you up, Miss."
Three days later, at dusk, Xie Ansu arrived at Tingxuezhai as expected. Today he had changed into a light blue summer robe and was holding a gold-leafed folding fan, making him look even more dashing.
The two arrived at the back garden, where they saw several bamboo tables set up by the lotus pond, laden with seasonal fruits and a few delicate tea snacks. A dozen or so students sat in small groups among the pavilions and waterside terraces, chatting and laughing. A gentle evening breeze carried the fragrance of lotus blossoms, truly a refreshing and pleasant respite from the summer heat.
Bai Lian'er was also present. When she saw Xie Ansu and Qi Mingyue arrive together, a hint of gloom flashed in her eyes, but she quickly put on a gentle smile and stepped forward to greet them: "Young Master Xie, Sister Qi, you've arrived."
Xie Ansu politely returned the greeting, and Qi Mingyue nodded slightly in return. Bai Lian'er, however, seemed completely oblivious to what had happened before, and affectionately took Qi Mingyue's hand: "Sister, your clothes today are so beautiful, are they the latest styles from the capital?"
Qi Mingyue was wearing a light blue silk dress today, with sparse bamboo leaves embroidered on the hem, which was indeed elegant and unique. She withdrew her hand without making a sound and said lightly, "It's just ordinary clothing, thank you for your concern, Miss Bai."
At this moment, Zhou Shanzhang, who was hosting the poetry gathering, said with a smile, "Since today is for escaping the summer heat, there's no need to stick to the old customs. How about we take the scenery before us as our theme and have everyone compose poems and couplets freely?"
Everyone praised it. Several students took the lead in reciting, all using lotus flowers as their theme. Although their words were ornate, they inevitably fell into clichés.
Xie Ansu whispered to Qi Mingyue, "Does Miss have any good lines?"
Qi Mingyue gazed at the lotus leaves covering the pond and said softly, "Recently, I read the Chu Ci and was deeply moved by the line 'I made clothes from water chestnuts and lotus leaves, and gathered hibiscus flowers to make a skirt.'"
Xie Ansu's eyes lit up: "Miss, you have a brilliant insight. The elegance of the lotus lies not in its form, but in its essence." He pondered for a moment, then recited, "'Green leaves, bearing dew, are pure and dust-free; why should they adorn themselves for the world?'"
Qi Mingyue continued, "'The fragrance travels far with the passing breeze, it does not vie for spring's beauty or spring's favor."
The two exchanged a knowing smile, clearly finding common ground. Several students nearby overheard this and praised, "Young Master Xie and Miss Qi's couplet is wonderful, original and insightful."
Bai Lian'er stood not far away, gently waving a round fan in her hand, a smile on her lips, but her eyes gradually turned cold.
Halfway through the poetry gathering, the moon was high in the sky, and a thin mist rose from the lotus pond, adding to the coolness. Zhou Shanchang ordered people to bring lotus lanterns and distribute them to everyone, releasing them into the pond to pray for blessings.
Qi Mingyue also received a lantern and carefully placed it in the water. The lantern swayed gently with the waves, gradually drifting away and merging into the scattered lights. As she gazed at it in a daze, she suddenly heard Xie Ansu beside her whisper, "What wish did you make, Miss?"
Qi Mingyue smiled slightly: "I hope that things will remain the same year after year, and that the world will be at peace."
Xie Ansu gazed at her profile, softened by the lamplight, and was momentarily stunned. After a long while, he said, "Ansu's wish is the same as yours, Miss."
At this moment, Bai Lian'er gracefully walked over, also holding a lantern in her hands: "Young Master Xie, Sister Qi, would you like to release the lantern with me?"
Xie Ansu readily agreed. The three walked to the water's edge when Bai Lian'er seemed to lose her footing and suddenly stumbled, the lantern in her hand tilting straight towards Qi Mingyue. Xie Ansu reacted quickly and caught Bai Lian'er, but some candle wax from the lantern had already spilled onto Qi Mingyue's sleeve.
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