Chapter 84 Barrier (First published on Jinjiang Literature City)
Zhou Xiaoyan gave Fu Mingzi a complicated look.
In his previous life, Fu Mingzi had a very good relationship with the Prince of Anle. At that time, attending such banquets was a piece of cake for him. He never expected that because of himself, the two of them would not recognize each other to this day.
“The Prince of Anle is the legitimate son of my father’s cousin. He is also very fond of having fun. Don’t you know him?” Zhou Xiaoyan asked tentatively.
Fu Mingzi looked at Zhou Xiaoyan with some surprise and shook his head: "I've heard of the Prince's name, but I don't know him." After saying that, he couldn't help but smile: "Does Your Highness think that just because I'm a playboy who likes to have fun, I should know all the playboys in the capital?"
"No," Zhou Xiaoyan hurriedly denied, "That's not what I meant, you..."
"Your Highness, please don't be in a hurry." Fu Mingzi interrupted Zhou Xiaoyan with a smile: "I was just joking with Your Highness."
Zhou Xiaoyan breathed a sigh of relief, but then looked at Fu Mingzi with some annoyance: "Don't make jokes like that again."
Fu Mingzi smiled and agreed, but couldn't help feeling a little doubtful. Zhou Xiaoyan always seemed overly sensitive and even cautious about matters concerning his reputation. This made him feel that although the two of them seemed close, there was always an invisible boundary between them. Even if they were close on the surface, they couldn't truly enter each other's hearts, and they couldn't even joke with each other without any restraint.
A deep look flashed in Fu Mingzi's eyes, but she ultimately suppressed the thought in her heart.
The two of them walked into the peach grove and saw a dozen or so scholars in Confucian robes sitting in small groups along the stream. Low tables were placed in front of them, and various fruits and wines were placed on the tables.
At the end of the stream, there was an even more luxurious long couch, where a dashing young man lay half-reclined, holding a cup of wine in one hand, his eyes fixed on the dancing girl before him.
Fu Mingzi's expression changed. This person was Prince Anle? He did indeed seem somewhat unrestrained.
Zhou Xiaoyan had been secretly observing Fu Mingzi's expression. When he saw a hint of appreciation in Fu Mingzi's eyes, he couldn't help but feel a pang of sadness for some reason.
"What do you think of Prince Anle?" Zhou Xiaoyan asked suddenly, not knowing what he was thinking.
Fu Mingzi was taken aback and looked at Zhou Xiaoyan: "Why would Your Highness ask such a question?" He was somewhat surprised, then smiled: "But it's only our first meeting, so what kind of feeling can one have? It's alright, I guess." Fu Mingzi's tone was indifferent.
Zhou Xiaoyan seemed to breathe a sigh of relief, but only he knew that he was still concerned.
Just then, Prince Anle seemed to have seen them as well. He got up from the couch, smiled, and cupped his hands in greeting: "I didn't expect to meet His Highness Prince Jin in this place."
Prince Anle's words startled the scholars who were engrossed in music and dance, and they all looked over.
Zhou Xiaoyan remained calm, seemingly accustomed to such scenes. He stepped aside to avoid the Prince of Anle's greeting and said gently, "Your Highness is too kind."
Prince Anle was unfazed by Zhou Xiaoyan's aloof tone and smiled, saying, "Since we've met, it must be fate. Your Highness, please sit down and have a glass of water."
Zhou Xiaoyan paused, glanced at Fu Mingzi who seemed quite interested, and finally swallowed his refusal, nodding: "Thank you for your trouble, Your Highness."
When Prince Anle saw that Zhou Xiaoyan had agreed, he waved his hand, and someone brought up the prepared couch and table, which were placed right next to Prince Anle.
Zhou Xiaoyan paused, but eventually led Fu Mingzi over and sat down beside Prince Anle.
As they got closer, Fu Mingzi finally got a clear look at Prince Anle's appearance. He was indeed a dashing and handsome man, bearing a slight resemblance to Zhou Xiaoyan, but he lacked Zhou Xiaoyan's cold and aloof demeanor, instead displaying a more unrestrained and wild side.
Fu Mingzi lowered his head after just one glance, but the perceptive Prince Anle noticed it. He smiled and looked at the head-down Fu Mingzi, saying gently, "This must be Young Master Fu. It's true that seeing is believing."
These words were somewhat ambiguous, and it was unclear whether they were a compliment or a joke, but Fu Mingzi, who was thick-skinned by nature, took them as a compliment and smiled as he cupped his hands in greeting: "Your Highness is too kind. I really don't deserve such praise."
Upon hearing this, Prince Anle couldn't help but burst into laughter: "Young Master Fu is indeed a remarkable man; this cup should be drunk to the brim." He picked up the wine on his table and toasted Fu Mingzi.
Fu Mingzi did not back down at all. He picked up the wine on his table, raised it to Prince Anle from afar, tilted his head back and drank the whole cup. After finishing it, he sighed and praised the fine wine.
Prince Anle's eyes showed appreciation, and he smiled as he finished his drink. He said with a smile, "Young Master Fu, you can visit my residence more often when you have time. I have many fine wines that are even better than this."
Fu Mingzi smiled and was about to agree when Zhou Xiaoyan, who had been sitting to the side with a sullen face, suddenly interjected: "He is usually very busy, so I won't disturb Your Highness."
Prince Anle was taken aback, a hint of surprise flashing across his face. He looked at Zhou Xiaoyan, only to see an awkward expression on his face. He then looked at Fu Mingzi, only to see that he also looked surprised. Prince Anle's mind raced, and he seemed to have thought of something. He subtly curled his lips and then said with a smile, "That's true. I'm just an idle person, so I wouldn't dare to disturb Young Master Fu when he's doing his business."
Fu Mingzi's expression had changed; she curled her lips slightly but remained silent.
But his eyes were still glancing at Zhou Xiaoyan. That last remark was truly rude, not something Zhou Xiaoyan would normally say, yet he had uttered it anyway. Could it be that he…
A dark glint flashed in Fu Mingzi's eyes.
After saying those words, Zhou Xiaoyan regretted it. How could he have said such a thing? He even thought he might have gone crazy. However, Zhou Xiaoyan had been through many storms, and no matter how annoyed he was inside, he quickly composed himself.
Afterwards, the atmosphere of the banquet returned to normal. They listened to music and watched dances, and chatted with Prince Anle for a long time. Seeing that it was getting late, Fu Mingzi and Zhou Xiaoyan got up to say goodbye.
Prince Anle didn't linger, and said with a smile, "Your Highness, please take care on your journey. I won't see you off any further."
Zhou Xiaoyan nodded in acknowledgment, and then, amidst the respectful farewell of the officials, led Fu Mingzi away from the peach blossom grove.
Once outside, Zhou Xiaoyan relaxed his composed demeanor. Fu Mingzi, watching from the side, couldn't help but smile and say, "Your Highness's performance today must have impressed many scholars. I imagine Your Highness's image among literati will be very good in the future."
Zhou Xiaoyan glanced at Fu Mingzi after hearing this: "I didn't come here for this reason."
Fu Mingzi was taken aback, somewhat surprised. Why would Zhou Xiaoyan think that way?
“Your Highness…” Fu Mingzi hesitated. He always felt that Zhou Xiaoyan thought too much. Sometimes he was just saying something casually, but Zhou Xiaoyan thought about it a lot and misunderstood his meaning.
“That’s not what I meant.” Fu Mingzi carefully chose her words: “I know that Your Highness wanted to see the scenery with me when you came out this time, and I didn’t mean to question Your Highness’s intentions.”
Zhou Xiaoyan knew he was overthinking things, but he couldn't help but think about it a lot, afraid that Fu Mingzi would misjudge his intentions. Their tragic end in the previous life had given him too many blows, which made him more cautious and careful in his treatment of Fu Mingzi.
Thinking of this, Zhou Xiaoyan lowered his head and after a long while said, "It's my fault."
Fu Mingzi looked at his furrowed brows and said after a long while, "What has Your Highness done wrong? I just don't want Your Highness to be so cautious all the time. There's no need for us to be so polite or cautious between us. Sometimes, a joke or a funny remark doesn't need to be taken too seriously."
Zhou Xiaoyan kept his eyes downcast, his heart heavy. Perhaps it was seeing Prince Anle today, or perhaps it was seeing how well he and Fu Mingzi got along on their first meeting, but it made him question himself. Was he really right for Fu Mingzi? Could he really change the tragic ending of his previous life?
He wasn't sure, and he lacked confidence in himself. He always felt that Fu Mingzi could find someone better, so why waste his time on him? Therefore, in order to keep him, he couldn't help but want to be good to him and let him know his feelings. However, the more he did this, the greater the distance between them seemed to grow.
Fu Mingzi is a free spirit, but Zhou Xiaoyan is the complete opposite. Will Fu Mingzi find him boring? And will he regret his decision after he gets bored? These thoughts are constantly consuming Zhou Xiaoyan's heart.
Thinking of this, Zhou Xiaoyan felt his breath catch for a moment, but he quickly regained his composure and raised his head.
"I understand what you mean." He looked at Fu Mingzi sincerely. "I was wrong before, and I will change in the future."
Fu Mingzi frowned even more deeply. This was not what he wanted to hear, but seeing Zhou Xiaoyan's humble expression, he didn't know what to say. In the end, he could only sigh and whisper, "Your Highness, let's go back."
Hearing this, Zhou Xiaoyan breathed a sigh of relief and quickly nodded: "Okay, let's go back. If we're any later, we'll miss the closing time of the city gates."
After saying this, Zhou Xiaoyan took the lead and walked towards Huguo Temple.
Fu Mingzi stood still for a moment, then finally followed.
Let's talk about this later; there are many other important things to consider right now.
Fu Mingzi and Zhou Xiaoyan, each with their own thoughts, rode their horses away from Huguo Temple. When they reached the city gate, they were just about to enter the capital before the gate closed.
Fu Mingzi escorted Zhou Xiaoyan back to the Prince of Jin's residence before turning back to the Fu family home. However, he was not as happy as he had been when he arrived. The shadow of his trip lingered in his mind and he couldn't shake it off.
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