Chapter 384: Eternal Flower
The moment he saw the wooden box, the light in Jiang Mingyuan's eyes dimmed.
Gu Xixi smiled slightly, but was extremely serious. "This apricot blossom is so precious. Thank you, Brother Zichu, for letting me see its true appearance. Now it's time to return it to its original owner."
Even though Jiang Mingyuan had a premonition when Gu Xixi walked in just now, he still couldn't help feeling disappointed when he heard her rejection.
But he remained calm and polite, took the wooden box, and didn't even ask why he was rejected.
Gu Xixi was not fond of him, and she could not blame anyone else.
But he did not regret giving her apricot blossoms before.
Joy is joy. It comes from emotion but ends with courtesy, and he has a clear conscience.
Jiang Mingyuan tried to cheer himself up and said to Gu Xixi, "The candidates who passed the imperial examinations in previous years usually had to be assigned to local positions for training. I have already expressed to Your Majesty that I want to return to my hometown."
"If in the future... I mean, if there is still a possibility..."
Halfway through his words, he remembered that Gu Xixi was interested in cooperating with the local government to develop a tea garden.
Suddenly, I became worried that saying this would add burden to her.
Just when he was in a dilemma, he saw Gu Xixi smiling and saying, "Brother Zichu, why don't you open the box and take a look at your number one hairpin?"
Jiang Mingyuan looked at the wooden box in his hand in confusion.
Apricot flowers wither easily, so he carefully kept them in a vase on the night of the parade, and they barely survived until the next day.
After so much time has passed, the flowers must have withered and the branches must have become wilted, right?
Although he didn't know what Gu Xixi wanted him to see, Jiang Mingyuan still opened the box.
When he saw the apricot blossoms in the box, his eyes widened and he looked up at Gu Xixi in disbelief.
"This is……"
"How come?"
The apricot blossoms were surprisingly intact, and even more upright and three-dimensional than the last time he saw them before sealing the box.
Gu Xixi said, "I tried to make it into an everlasting flower, and luckily it worked."
"Brother Zichu, take a look. Do you like it?"
"I like it." Jiang Mingyuan was pleasantly surprised. He gently stroked the flower branches with his fingertips. The dried petals trembled slightly, as if they were still alive on the branches.
“Dried goods can be preserved for a long time, but they will shrink and wrinkle, turn gray and brown, and lose their original bright colors and vitality.”
"You were able to preserve it so vividly, no wonder it's called the everlasting flower."
Seeing that he couldn't let it go, Gu Xixi smiled and said, "As long as Brother Zichu likes it."
She glanced at Jiang Mingyuan meaningfully, "Such a precious thing should be preserved for as long as possible."
"It will definitely be delivered to the person who is truly suitable for it in the future."
Jiang Mingyuan paused, raised his head and looked back at Gu Xixi deeply.
At this moment he already understood what she really wanted to say.
It is an unconditional rejection.
It is also a sincere wish for friends.
With a long sigh in his heart, Jiang Mingyuan smiled with relief, "Thank you, sister Xixi, I will definitely cherish it."
When the two pushed the door open, He Jinglan and Dou Rongsan were already standing there.
Gu Xixi said to Jiang Mingyuan, "The everlasting flowers must be stored in a cool and dry place."
“If you can find the best pine resin, you can use it to cast the flowers, solidify them in it, and then polish the surface of the resin to make it shiny.”
“You can hold it in your hands and play with it, and the original appearance of the flower can be preserved for a longer time.”
Jiang Mingyuan suddenly realized and said with a smile, "That's a good idea. I'll try it later."
Gu Xixi nodded, "Then we won't disturb your rest."
The three girls and Jiang Mingyuan bowed to each other, said goodbye and went to the inner courtyard.
As soon as I walked outside Yuzhu Courtyard, I saw Guangzhu standing there looking around.
When she saw the three people coming back, her almond-shaped eyes lit up as if she had seen a savior.
He Jinglan approached hurriedly and said casually, "What's the matter? Why are you standing here and not going in? Does anyone in the family want to eat you?"
As he was speaking, he saw Guangzhu shaking his head and covering his mouth.
He Jinglan turned sideways and looked towards the yard, the corners of her mouth slowly rising.
"Why did the uninvited guest come again?"
She swiftly took Dou Rongshan, who was still peeking out, and walked away, "I suddenly remembered that the guests are still drinking tea. Come with me to greet them."
"Hey!" Dou Rongsan was forced to follow without any resistance.
Even as they walked away, he was still mumbling, "This is a good show that we'll discuss next time. Why don't we continue watching it?"
He Jinglan said, "Do you think the top scholar didn't know you were eavesdropping just now?"
"How can your cousin, the living devil, have the good temper of the top scholar?"
"It's all for your own good if you don't listen to his affairs."
…
The two of them walked away pulling each other.
Guangzhu glanced at Gu Xixi and ran into the yard to clear the area.
The girl has already said that for the sake of her life, she should listen less to the Regent's private affairs.
There are maids, both big and small, in Yuzhu Courtyard. They must be asked to get out of the way as soon as possible.
Gu Xixi walked slowly towards the figure in the bamboo forest.
Mu Nanzhao had his hands behind his back, looking up at a tall bamboo pole.
Gu Xixi stood beside him and looked in the direction he was looking, only to see a kingfisher perched among the bamboo leaves.
Because of the kingfisher feather inlay technique, this bird with beautiful feathers is rarely seen in later generations.
The kingfisher chirped sweetly, hopped a few steps on the thin branches, spread its wings and flew away.
Gu Xixi said, "I hope it won't fall into the hands of bird catchers."
Mu Nanzhao retracted his gaze and said, "I'm back."
Gu Xixi hummed, still looking upward, and said, "I'll return the apricot blossom to Brother Zichu."
Mu Nanzhao was stunned.
He was not surprised by her choice.
He was surprised that she would mention it to him on her own initiative.
Mu Nanzhao glanced to the side, put his hands behind his back again, and looked up at the sky with her, where bamboo branches were slanting across.
Although he looked calm, flowers were quietly blooming in his heart.
It's like a large bunch of vines growing with the wind, and the flowers growing in the spring breeze.
After a moment, Mu Nanzhao said, "I talked to Jiang Mingyuan by the lotus pond."
"I said I used to hate the name Chen Fang, but later I gradually came to like it."
"I said, whatever Gu Xixi wants to do, she doesn't need to rely on a man. But the person who wants to stand by her side must be able to accompany her to realize her long-cherished wish."
Gu Xixi smiled and glanced sideways, "What else did you say?"
Mu Nanzhao raised his chin and turned his head away, refusing to let Gu Xixi see his expression.
"I told him that Gu Xixi has a responsibility to me, and I also have a responsibility to her."
"Let him not let his cousins' platitudes get in his head."
Gu Xixi laughed, "Hey, aren't you a little too childish, Lord Regent?"
Mu Nanzhao pursed his lips tightly, but he looked cute and arrogant.
At this moment, he recalled the sighs that He Jinghui had said before arriving at Yuzhuyuan.
"You are just too reserved and don't even want to show your feelings."
"You're not being so obvious, how can the girl be sure of your feelings?"
"Not to mention your two love rivals, one is enthusiastic and lively, the other is a modest gentleman, both of them are much more likable than you..."
Mu Nanzhao frowned. Is he so bad?
Feeling nervous all of a sudden, he turned to Gu Xixi and said, "Tomorrow is a day off, why don't we go to the East Market for a stroll?"
"I'll pick you up in the morning."
If it were any other girl, she would at least be pleasantly surprised to receive a private invitation from the Regent.
Gu Xixi also reacted, but she was just surprised. "Do you want me to buy something with you?"
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