Hearing the familiar address, Yuan Yao was stunned for a moment.
She really didn't know what to say, so she asked, seemingly out of the blue, "How...how did you recognize me?"
She's dressed up like this!
Xie Zhi pursed his lips and asked, "Is that alright?"
The two were not on the same wavelength at all.
Beside her, Yun Chan glanced at Xie Zhi, then patted Yuan Yao's head: "Go on, I'll wait for you here."
Yuan Yao nodded.
She said to Xie Zhi, "Let's go."
After saying that, he took the lead and walked away.
Xie Zhi glanced at Yun Chan, then followed Yuan Yao while carrying Lan Cao.
As they passed by, many people stared at the two with curiosity and surprise.
Xie Zhi was open and honest, and not afraid of being watched at all.
Yuan Yao, having changed her appearance, was not worried about being exposed.
The two remained silent the entire way.
After walking for a while, the number of tourists gradually decreased.
Looking up, I saw a familiar schoolhouse right in front of me.
In the school, the words "The sea of learning has no bounds" are neatly written on a plaque.
In the courtyard, there are several tall and lush mimosa trees.
The evening breeze carries the fragrance of flowers.
Xie Zhi held the orchid and looked at the school: "When you were first brought back to the capital by the Prince, I was with my father and saw you from afar at the palace banquet."
Back then, you had fair skin, a small body, a round face, and big, dark, bright eyes...
I thought to myself, if I ever get the chance, I'll definitely give your face a good pinch.
However, I never had the chance.
I am almost seven years older than you, so it would have been impossible for us to go to the same school.
But my father kept delaying, and it wasn't until I was ten years old that I was admitted to the Imperial Academy, and I was even assigned to the same school as you.
My father always told me to get along well with you and Chengyan.
Moreover, since you were brought back to the capital, I have been able to freely enter and leave the palace.
Before you came of age, I always thought that the reason my father instructed me to be close to you, and that he granted me free access to the palace, was because... you would be betrothed to me when you grew up..."
“Thank you, Master…” Yuan Yao murmured.
Xie Zhi lowered his head, his eyes slightly red, and looked at her with a smile.
That glance made Yuan Yao even more upset.
She opened her mouth.
Xie Zhi raised his hand: "Xiao Yao'er, don't speak yet."
Yuan Yao had no choice but to shut up.
Xie Zhi looked up at the school again: "Many things in this world are probably destined to end from the very beginning."
But I always want to struggle a little.
In the end, it hurt both himself and others…
Yuan Yao gently tugged at the hem of her clothes with her hands hanging down.
Suddenly, Xie Zhi nimbly leaped onto the stone platform piled up under the mimosa tree to protect its roots.
He reached out and plucked a mimosa flower that was in full bloom.
He handed the mimosa flower to Yuan Yao: "Here."
He gestured for her to answer.
The mimosa flowers bloom in delicate pink, resembling feather fans or fluffy little pink balls.
The petals are like fine threads, and on each delicate petal, pollen grains are clearly visible.
Yuan Yao didn't go to pick her up for a long time.
At this moment, Xie Zhi spoke up again: "I've heard that the mimosa flower symbolizes reconciliation and making up. Xiao Yao'er, let's make up."
After saying that, the mimosa flower moved even closer to Yuan Yao.
Yuan Yao's eyes suddenly reddened.
She took the mimosa flower from Xie Zhi's hand, her voice trembling slightly: "I thought I would never hear you say we should make up..."
God knows how much pain she has felt over the past year or so when she thinks of Xie Zhi!
Xie Zhi held the orchid in his arms, his fingers gripping the edge of the flowerpot, his knuckles protruding and his fingertips turning white, as he tried his best to restrain himself.
He smiled and said, "Sorry, I was just being stubborn for too long."
That smile, however, could never compare to how dazzling it once was.
Yuan Yao raised her hand, wiped the corner of her eye, and revealed a bright smile: "Xie Zhi, I have so much to say to you!"
Xie Zhi looked at her intently and smiled gently, "I also have a lot to say to you."
Yuan Yao paused for a moment: "Then you go first."
Xie Zhi looked at her and said, "I heard that you often write letters to Cheng Yan and Huai Yao? So, if you want to tell me something, write me a letter every month from now on."
"Huh?" Yuan Yao was stunned.
"What? You don't want to?" Xie Zhi asked.
“Of course I’m willing!” Yuan Yao replied, “In the future, when I write to Cheng Yan, Huai Rou, and Huai Yao, I will also send you a letter.”
"Okay." Xie Zhi nodded.
Yuan Yao smiled, her eyes sparkling.
Xie Zhi's hand, gripping the edge of the flowerpot, grew increasingly pale at the fingertips.
He looked at Yuan Yao: "You've been out with me for quite a while now. If we get back late, Yun Chan will be worried."
Yuan Yao looked up and glanced at the sky.
Unfortunately, it's impossible to tell the time.
I calculated that she had been out for about the time it takes to brew a cup of tea.
Xie Zhi hasn't done anything important tonight!
She raised her hand and pointed to the orchid in Xie Zhi's arms: "You..."
What to do when choosing a concubine?
Xie Zhi lowered his head and glanced at the lush and verdant orchids in his arms.
Suddenly, he smiled.
He handed the flowers to Yuan Yao: "Little Yao, come and hold them for me for a while."
Should I carry the flowers for him?
Yuan Yao didn't think much of it.
So she took the orchid from Xie Zhi's arms.
Xie Zhi bent down and pulled a short knife from a scabbard hidden beside his leg.
He chose a suitable spot under the mimosa tree and began to bend down and dig a hole.
His tall figure appeared exceptionally devout and solemn.
They were digging a hole, but they acted as if they were doing something sacred.
Whether it was because the dagger was too small or the clay under the tree was too compacted, Xie Zhi seemed to be having some difficulty digging...
He dug for quite a while before he finally dug a hole.
Xie Zhi turned around and beckoned, "Xiao Yao'er, give me the orchid."
Yuan Yao did as she was told and went over.
Xie Zhi gestured for a moment, then dug around in the pit a few more times. Then, in front of Yuan Yao, he smashed the flowerpot, took out the orchid, and buried it in the pit he had dug.
After planting the orchids, he spread the broken pieces of the flowerpot around them.
Only after doing all this did he stand up.
Yuan Yao stood beside him and asked, "Master Xie, orchids are delicate. Will they survive if planted here like this?"
"Yes," Xie Zhi replied.
Yuan Yao felt it was a bit risky.
Xie Zhi's orchid is valuable just by looking at its appearance.
It's obvious that it was carefully cared for and raised.
It cannot be exposed to direct sunlight, nor can it be exposed to freezing temperatures.
Can a plant grown under a mimosa tree, competing with the dense, large tree for sunlight, water, and nutrients, really survive?
That's enough.
It's good that Xie Zhi is willing.
Xie Zhi scooped a ladle of water from the water vat where water lilies were grown under the eaves of the school and watered the orchids. After washing his hands, he said to Yuan Yao, "Let's go back."
“Mm.” Yuan Yao nodded.
On the way back, she held a mimosa flower in her arms, and her mood finally relaxed.
Xie Zhi, standing beside him, seemed to be in a much better mood as well.
Just as they were about to return to their original spot, Xie Zhi suddenly stopped: "Xiao Yao'er."
"Hmm?" Yuan Yao looked up.
Xie Zhi looked down at her and said, "I have decided that I will spend my life guarding the battlefield and maintaining peace in the world."
Therefore, he will never marry or have children.
If you hear this news from someone else, don't be surprised or overthink it.
My decision is none of your business.
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