Chapter 112: Returning to Fang Mansion at night, feeling warm and reminiscent of the past through the poem under the lamp
The carriage wheels rolled over the bluestone pavement, making a gentle, rhythmic sound like a lullaby. A small, glass-covered lamp lit the carriage, its warm yellow glow spreading across the manuscript of poetry held by Ziwei, illuminating her downcast brows with a particularly gentle glow.
Xiaoyanzi sat cross-legged on a cushion, holding a piece of freshly baked plum blossom pastry. Seeing Ziwei staring at the manuscript intently, she leaned over and nudged her gently with her elbow. "What are you thinking about? Do you think my handwriting is very similar to yours?"
Ziwei was brought back to her senses by her touch. Her fingertips gently stroked the annotation "Lotus breeze sends fragrance" on the manuscript, and her eyes sparkled. "Well, the headmaster said that when my mother was young, she loved to write poetry when the lotus flowers bloomed, and her words were filled with the fresh fragrance of lotus leaves." She turned to look at Xiaoyanzi, her lips curved into a gentle arc. "Thank you so much for today. If it weren't for your arrangements, I don't know how I would have gotten into the academy."
"Why are you thanking me?" Xiaoyanzi handed the plum blossom pastry to her mouth, smiling proudly, "Besides, this is... it was also arranged by me with great difficulty. You are my best sister, your business is my business!" She almost let out the mention of Qianlong, and quickly stopped herself with a snack.
Ziwei took a bite of the plum blossom pastry, the sweet fragrance spreading on the tip of her tongue, and her heart was warmed. "With you here, I always feel that I am not afraid of anything." She paused, her voice softer, "It's just... the road to finding my father is still very long, I'm afraid..."
"What are you afraid of?" Xiaoyanzi interrupted her, her eyes sparkling. "I'm here, my brother is here, and... there are so many people helping us!" She patted her chest and promised, "We'll take it step by step. We'll eventually get you to meet the Emperor and recognize your roots!"
Xiao Jian, who had been sitting opposite her, had been listening with a smile on his face. He finally spoke, "Don't worry, Ziwei. Xiaoyanzi has already asked someone to find out. There's a flower viewing banquet in the palace in a few days, and the Fang family will receive an invitation. We can find a way to have you go then." His tone was steady, with a reassuring power. "Before then, make good preparations and collect Mother's keepsake and her poems."
Ziwei's eyes lit up, and she tightened her grip on the manuscript: "Can we really go to the flower viewing banquet?"
"Of course it's true!" Xiaoyanzi rushed to say, swinging her legs triumphantly. "Are you still not confident in my brother's work? I'll let you wear that aquamarine dress, and with the silver hairpin in your hair, it'll definitely be dazzling!" She counted on her fingers, "When the time comes, I'll lead the Emperor to the lotus pond, and you can pretend to be writing poetry there. I'm sure he'll notice you!"
Ziwei's cheeks flushed slightly at her detailed arrangement, and she nodded gently: "I'll do as you say."
Xiao Jian looked at his sister's worried look and shook his head helplessly: "You, you have planned everything out, just like a little military advisor."
"That's right!" Xiaoyanzi raised her chin, and suddenly leaned close to Xiao Jian and lowered her voice, "Brother, the emperor...that person said that Eunuch Su will take care of the flower viewing banquet and will not let the E family cause trouble."
Xiao Jian's eyes darkened when he heard this, and he nodded slightly: "I understand. I will ask Liu Qing and Liu Hong to keep an eye on it outside the palace, just in case."
As they were talking, the carriage gradually slowed down, and the driver announced outside: "Sir, Miss, we have arrived at the gate of the mansion."
Xiaoyanzi's eyes lit up, and she was the first to pull aside the carriage curtain and jump out. In the night, two large red lanterns hung on the gate of the Fang Mansion, their warm light illuminating the "Fang Mansion" plaque on the lintel, exuding a warm and inviting atmosphere. Fang's mother, gazing out from the doorway, draped in a moon-white cloak, immediately came forward when she saw the carriage stop. "You're finally back! Are you freezing?"
"Mother!" Little Swallow rushed over and took her arm, saying coquettishly, "It's not cold at all. We had some snacks in the carriage!"
Ziwei also got out of the car and bowed politely to Fang's mother: "Auntie."
"Come in, come in," Fang's mother pulled Ziwei's hand over. Noticing her fingertips were slightly cold, she quickly covered them with her own. "Look at how cold your hands are! The kitchen made ginger and jujube tea, and it's just warmed up." She noticed the manuscript in Ziwei's hand and asked softly, "What is this..."
"It's my mother's manuscript of poetry, which the headmaster gave to me." Ziwei explained softly, with cherishment in her eyes.
Fang's mother nodded in understanding and patted the back of her hand: "Good girl, come into the house quickly. We can talk slowly under the lamp."
Xiao Jian ordered the driver to drive the carriage to the backyard, while he himself held a lantern to light the way ahead. Xiaoyanzi walked in the middle, holding Ziwei's hand, chattering to Fang's mother about the academy. Fang's mother smiled and responded from time to time, occasionally turning her head to give Ziwei a gentle look.
Entering the inner courtyard, the living room was already lit by a fireplace, and the air was filled with the faint fragrance of jujubes. A maid quickly brought her ginger and jujube tea. Ziwei sipped from the teacup amid the steaming heat, watching the laughter and joy of the family before her. The loneliness she had felt while adrift in her heart gradually dissipated.
Xiaoyanzi came close to her and secretly took out a small brocade box from her sleeve pocket: "This is for you."
Ziwei curiously opened it. Inside was a jade pendant tied with a red string. It was carved into the shape of a small lotus leaf and was translucent and lustrous. "This is..."
"A peace locket," Xiaoyanzi whispered, "I asked my brother to get it at the temple to keep you safe." She blinked, "When you recognize your father, we'll go and fulfill the wish!"
Ziwei held the jade pendant, feeling the warmth of the jade on her fingertips. Her eyes welled up and she nodded vigorously: "Thank you, Xiaoyanzi."
Mother Fang looked at the affection between the two sisters and smiled with satisfaction. She turned to Xiao Jian and said, "Since the flower viewing banquet is set, have the tailor come tomorrow to make a new dress for Ziwei. I have prepared the material."
"Mom, this is so thoughtful!" Little Swallow clapped her hands in approval.
The charcoal fire crackled softly in the stove, and the glow of the glass lamps filled the room, stretching the family's figures into a long shadow. Ziwei looked down at the manuscript and jade pendant in her hands, her heart suddenly filled with hope. Perhaps this journey to find her father wasn't lonely. With such a group of people by her side, even the most difficult path could be taken forward step by step. The night deepened outside the window, but the lights of the Fang Mansion remained warm, like the eternal light of stars.
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