Qi Mingyue listened intently: "So there's such a story behind it."
“There are many more stories like this in Yingzhou.” Xie Ansu’s eyes gleamed. “The old locust tree in the east of the city has witnessed the rise and fall of three dynasties, a tragic love legend is buried under the stone bridge at the south gate, and even the bamboo grove behind our school was once the home of a hermit…”
He spoke eloquently, as if recounting a treasured story. Qi Mingyue listened quietly, suddenly realizing that this young man was quite different from the talented scholar of Yingzhou she had imagined. He wasn't like those spoiled brats in the capital, nor was he like some pedantic scholars, bound by etiquette. Instead, he truly loved this land and understood every aspect of it.
“Young Master Xie seems to love Yingzhou very much,” she said softly.
Xie Ansu smiled, his smile particularly bright in the spring sunshine: "Born and raised here, how can I not love it? The capital may be nice, but it is still a foreign land; Yingzhou may be small, but it is still my homeland."
These words, spoken so casually, stirred something within Qi Mingyue. She recalled her mother's sigh before leaving the capital and the princess's worries, and suddenly understood the weight of the word "hometown."
As they continued their ascent, the mountain path became increasingly rugged. Xie Ansu would sometimes lead the way quickly, and at other times slow down to wait for them, carefully pointing out which stone steps were unstable and where they could stop to admire the scenery. His thoughtfulness was subtle and made everyone feel comfortable and at ease.
Finally reaching the summit, a breathtaking view unfolded before me. A continuous range of mountains stretched out, shrouded in mist, with the Ying River winding eastward like a silver ribbon in the distance. A gentle spring breeze rustled my clothes, making it feel as if I could reach out and touch the drifting clouds.
"So beautiful." Qi Mingyue couldn't help but exclaim, as if the gloom she had felt for many days had vanished with the wind.
Xie Ansu stood beside her and said softly, "Every time I reach the summit, I think of Li Bai's line, 'Laughing loudly, I stride out the door; how can I, a man of such talent, be a mere commoner?' The world is so vast, why confine ourselves to such a small place?"
Qi Mingyue turned to look at him and saw his burning gaze, his expression carrying a carefree and unrestrained air she had never seen in any young master from the capital. At that moment, she suddenly understood why her mother always said that the capital could not confine her—it turned out that the world was vast, and there really was another way of living.
The two lingered on the mountaintop for a long time, with Xie Ansu pointing out scenic spots throughout Yingzhou and telling her about the local customs and culture. Qi Mingyue listened intently, occasionally asking questions that always hit the nail on the head, leaving Xie Ansu amazed by her keen insight.
As they descended the mountain, the sun was already setting. Xie Ansu suddenly said, "If Miss is free tomorrow, I can take you for a walk along the Ying River. In spring, the water rises, and the peach and plum blossoms on both banks are in full bloom, creating a unique scene."
Just as Qi Mingyue was about to reply, she suddenly saw several students walking around the bend in the mountain path, one of whom was Bai Lian'er. She was clearly taken aback when she saw the two of them, and then forced a smile and said, "Thank you, Young Master Xie, Sister Qi, what a coincidence."
Xie Ansu politely returned the greeting, and Qi Mingyue nodded slightly in return. Bai Lian'er's gaze shifted between the two of them, and she said softly, "Are you two... enjoying a mountain hike together?"
Xie Ansu replied frankly, "That's right. I apologize to Miss Qi for the misunderstanding the other day, and I would also like to invite you to visit Luoxia Mountain together."
A complex look flashed across Bai Lian'er's eyes, but she quickly regained her composure: "I see. Then I won't disturb you two any longer." With that, she led her companions down the mountain in a hurry.
On the way back to the academy, Qi Mingyue noticed that Xie Ansu was quieter. Only when the academy was in sight did he suddenly say, "Miss Qi, I have something to say, but I don't know if I should."
"Please speak freely, young master."
"There are many people and much gossip in the school. Today, as we travel together, I'm afraid rumors will arise again." Xie Ansu said earnestly, "If this causes any trouble for Miss, I am willing to step forward and explain."
Qi Mingyue smiled slightly: "The innocent will remain innocent, and the guilty will remain guilty. If we are afraid of rumors and become timid and hesitant, wouldn't we be wasting this beautiful spring?"
Upon hearing this, Xie Ansu's eyes lit up immediately: "Miss is magnanimous, I admire her."
As they parted, the setting sun cast long shadows of the two. Watching Xie Ansu's departing figure, Qi Mingyue suddenly realized that life in Yingzhou wasn't entirely stifling. At least, she had met a kindred spirit here—someone with whom she could appreciate scenery and discuss poetry, and who knew how to apologize.
Zhi Shu came forward and asked in a low voice, "Did you have a good time today, Miss?"
Qi Mingyue nodded, a smile unconsciously playing on her lips: "Very good. The scenery of Yingzhou... truly lives up to its reputation."
Back at Tingxue Studio, she opened the window, letting the evening breeze, carrying the scent of flowers, flow into the room. The portrait Xie Ansu had painted for her lay quietly on the table, the city of Yingzhou behind her shrouded in twilight, hazy and mysterious.
Qi Mingyue gently stroked the drawing paper, suddenly feeling a sense of anticipation for tomorrow's trip to the Ying River.
In another corner of the school, Bai Lian'er sat alone by the window, clutching a half-embroidered sachet tightly in her hand. The pattern of mandarin ducks with their necks intertwined on it looked particularly glaring in the candlelight.
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