Chapter 71 The setting sun shines on the courtyard, and fate arrives quietly
The evening glow streamed over the eaves of the Fang Mansion, tinting the blue brick floor of the Begonia Courtyard a warm golden hue. Little Swallow lay on the carved windowsill, her fingertips unconsciously fiddling with the wisteria blossoms entwined on the window lattice. As she gazed at the familiar figure in the courtyard, her heart felt like it had been scratched by a cat's claws, a mess.
"Miss, you've been lying here for half an hour. Isn't your neck sore?" Chun Tao came in with a bowl of iced sour plum soup. Seeing her still in the same position, she couldn't help but laugh. "The two young masters of the Fu family and the eldest young master are having a great chat. I just passed by the Moon Gate and heard the eldest young master talking about interesting things about the docks in Jiangnan. The second young master was laughing so hard that he slapped his hands on the table."
Xiaoyanzi hummed, but her gaze remained fixed on the courtyard. Xiao Jian stood beneath the old locust tree, demonstrating some sword techniques with his hands, the hem of his stone-blue robe lifted in the evening breeze. Across from him stood Fuerkang, listening intently and nodding in response. The moonlight jade shone warmly in the setting sun. Fuertai squatted beside the stone table, toying with Xiao Jian's bamboo flute and humming a tuneless tune, occasionally interjecting and making Xiao Jian laugh.
The shadows of the three people were stretched out by the setting sun and fell on the bluestone slabs, like a lively and harmonious painting.
Xiaoyanzi scooped a spoonful of sour plum soup into her mouth. The cool sweetness slid down her throat, but it couldn't suppress the inexplicable throbbing in her heart. She remembered that in her previous life, when Xiao Jian had just recognized her, she and Erkang had hit it off immediately, chatting endlessly about the martial arts world, even Ertai getting in a conversation. Back then, she'd laughed at them for having "birds of a feather flock together." Now, it seemed like this was destined from the start.
"Chun Tao," she suddenly spoke, her voice as gentle as the wind brushing against petals, "You say... is there really such a thing as fate in this world that cannot be avoided?"
Chun Tao was stunned for a moment, then put down the tray and walked to the window, following her gaze. "The eldest young master and the young masters of the Fu family really do get along well. They've been chatting since noon and haven't even had time to eat. But isn't that what fate is? People who are destined to meet will eventually meet, no matter how many twists and turns they take."
Xiaoyanzi remained silent, her fingertips twisting a falling wisteria petal, the lines of the petal gently caressing her fingertips. Yes, you can't avoid what is bound to happen. In her previous life, she was Xiaoyanzi, a street thug, Xiao Jian was a wanderer looking for his relatives, and Erkang and Ertai were imperial guards. They were originally unrelated people, but because of an accidental recognition of their relationship, they became the closest of people. In this life, she became Fang Ci, and Xiao Jian was Fang Yan. They hid in the south of the Yangtze River, and then moved to the capital, thinking they could stay away from those people and things, but what was bound to come still came.
In the courtyard, Xiao Jian said something, and Erkang suddenly laughed out loud. He raised his hand and patted Xiao Jian on the shoulder, "Brother Fang Yan, what you said makes sense! A true friend doesn't care about social status, but about mutual understanding. Although I am in the court, I also admire the openness of the people of Jianghu. If I have the chance, I really want to go to Jiangnan Wharf with you and try the bowl of hot soup noodles you mentioned."
"That's easy!" Xiao Jian smiled and patted his arm back, neither too hard nor too soft, with the cheerfulness of a man from the Jianghu. "When I'm not busy for a while, I'll treat you and Ertai to Liu Qing and Liu Hong's restaurant. Their noodles are even better than the ones at Jiangnan Wharf!"
"Great, great!" Ertai jumped up immediately, almost dropping the bamboo flute in his hand. "I haven't met Liu Qing and Liu Hong yet. Brother Fang Yan said they are heroes of the Jianghu. They must be very interesting!"
Xiaoyanzi leaned against the window, watching the light in Xiao Jian's eyes when he mentioned Liu Qing and Liu Hong, Erkang's gentle smile, and Ertai's joyful expression. Suddenly, she felt a little warm in her eyes. The scenes of her past life overlapped with the present scene, and the laughter, arguments, support, and protection came flooding back like a tide.
It turns out that no matter how many times she was reborn, no matter what identities they changed into, those who were meant to be together would eventually be together. Xiao Jian's chivalrous spirit, Erkang's integrity, Ertai's cheerfulness, and Liu Qing and Liu Hong's loyalty, these warmth she cherished, had never left her.
"Miss, what are you looking at? Your eyes are wide open." Chun Tao handed over a handkerchief. "Is it the sun that's glaring?"
Xiaoyanzi shook her head, took the handkerchief, wiped her eyes, and smiled. The confusion and fear in her eyes had mostly dissipated, leaving only relief and a hint of inexplicable anticipation. She turned and ran out of the room, her skirt sweeping past the flower pots in the corridor, bringing with it a gust of floral fragrance.
"Brother! Big Brother Fu! Second Brother Fu!" Her clear voice rang like wind chimes. "What are you guys talking about? Why don't you include me?"
Xiao Jian turned around and saw her running towards him. He shook his head helplessly and lovingly: "Girl, aren't you resting in the house?"
Falcon smiled and bowed, "Miss Fang is here. We were just discussing interesting things about Jiangnan and were just about to invite you and your brother to try the cooking of Liu Qing and Liu Hong."
Xiaoyanzi ran to the stone table, snatched the bamboo flute from Ertai's hand, put it to her lips and blew a random note, tilting her head and smiling: "Okay! But you have to go early, otherwise their braised beef will be sold out!" She looked at the familiar smiling faces in front of her and sighed softly in her heart -
Whatever, fate cannot be stopped. In my previous life, I had a bumpy road. With so many people around me in this life, maybe I can take a different path?
The golden light of the setting sun shone on her face, making the smile in her eyes sparkle like stars. The leaves of the locust trees in the courtyard rustled, as if responding to this quietly approaching fate, and as if anticipating the new chapter that was about to unfold.
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