Behind the red sandalwood screen in the private room next door, Zhao Qingshan was slowly stroking the Hetian jade ring on his hand. He was wearing a black satin gown with intricate cloud and thunder patterns embroidered in gold thread on the collar and cuffs. Suddenly, he knocked his pipe heavily on the wooden table, startling the waiter who was pouring tea so much that his knees went weak and he almost knocked over the teapot in his hand.
"Master Zhao, you want to drink Biluochun before the Qingming Festival..."
Zhao Qingshan's hands, with thick knuckles, tightly grasped a celadon teacup, with such force that he almost crushed it, his knuckles turning white from the strain. He stared at the stage with a gloomy look, full of impatience and disdain, and had no interest in the singing, reciting, acting and fighting on the stage. His eyes followed the female role of Du Liniang from beginning to end, and a predatory dark light flashed in his eyes from time to time, which made people shudder.
*
After the play was over, Zheng Wanqing was still immersed in the ups and downs of the plot, and she was still not satisfied. Her eyes were shining brightly, and she turned to look at Xie Yun, her tone full of admiration: "I haven't seen such a wonderful play for a long time, especially the female role, whose performance was simply amazing."
"This theater has become very famous recently. The plays they stage are all carefully crafted and of high quality. The female role is named Bai Mudan, and she is their mainstay. She has superb skills and is quite famous in Tianjin." Xie Yun explained patiently.
"No wonder." Zheng Wanqing suddenly understood and admired this top-notch actress even more.
"If you like this conversation, I'll bring you to see it often in the future." Xie Yun looked at her and said lovingly.
The dusk was like ink melting in an inkstone, gradually dyeing the entire sky. Lanterns on both sides of the street lit up one after another, casting a warm orange halo on the bluestone slabs.
Zheng Wanqing took light steps, and her embroidered shoes accidentally stepped on a loose stone slab, causing the accumulated water under the slab to splash small water drops. Xie Yun immediately reached out to hold her waist.
"I'm really happy today." Zheng Wanqing said after she stood firm. She looked down at the shadows of the two people who were sometimes separated and sometimes intertwined, and her voice mixed with the evening breeze, like a feather brushing past her ears.
"Your happiness is the most important thing." Xie Yun said, and suddenly raised his hand to signal, and the guard behind him brought a red sandalwood brocade box. The lid of the box slowly opened, and a jade ruyi buckle necklace lay quietly inside. It was the one that the shopkeeper strongly recommended during the day.
"The chef at the silver shop forced it on me." Xie Yun turned his head away, pretending to look at the candy painting stall on the street, but a suspicious blush appeared on the back of his neck.
Zheng Wanqing couldn't help but burst out laughing. She tilted her head, her eyes sly and playful, "Young Marshal is a liar, but his marksmanship is far worse than his. " After that, she turned her back to Xie Yun, and her slender fingers gently took off the jasmine silk cape around her neck, revealing her fair and slender neck under her short hair, "Put it on for me?"
Xie Yun picked up the necklace from the brocade box, slowly put it around her neck and fastened the clasp.
"Actually..." Zheng Wanqing stroked the delicate lotus pattern on the Ruyi buckle, "These jewels are usually locked in the dressing box..." She was interrupted by a hand pressing on her shoulder before she could finish her words.
The burning temperature of Xie Yun's palm could be felt through the fabric of his clothes: "It's my fault that the guards were negligent and put you in danger." These words seemed to be squeezed out from between his teeth, and every word was filled with a heavy sense of self-blame.
Zheng Wanqing gently held his palm and placed it on her warm cheek: "If you really want to apologize..." Her eyes flashed with a smart light, "Why not teach me how to shoot?"
Xie Yun's Adam's apple rolled violently. "Okay." He responded in a hoarse voice.
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