Chapter 297 He was standing there, lost in thought, in the dim light.
Listening to the poem the woman was reciting and looking into her eyes, Xiao Mo was slightly taken aback.
The woman's clear eyes stirred Xiao Mo's heart. A strange sense of guilt and remorse quietly grew in Xiao Mo's heart, along with an indescribable emotion that left Xiao Mo at a loss for words.
"What's wrong, young master? Haven't you heard this poem before?" Yan Ruxue covered her cherry lips with her sleeve and smiled gently.
"I've heard of it before, but I never expected it to be like this."
Xiao Mo snapped out of his daze, smiled, and shook his head.
This poem not only appeared in the Celestial Empire of his previous life, but also exists here.
However, this poem, "Longing," was written by the prime minister of the Yun Kingdom, one of the human dynasties, and it has been widely circulated.
“That’s why this poem is indeed difficult to decipher,” Yan Ruxue said.
Xiao Mo just smiled and didn't say anything. He knew that the other party was actually trying to save face.
"Let's do it two more times, otherwise people will laugh at us," Xiao Mo suggested.
"Okay," Yan Ruxue agreed. "How about I guess this time?"
"Of course."
Afterwards, Xiao Mo and Yan Ruxue took turns guessing a few more poems, and both of them answered correctly. In the end, they received two boxes of pastries as prizes.
Not long after, the famous lady from Zhen Tea House, Miss Sisi, arrived.
Xiao Mo and Yan Ruxue sat down near the window, drinking tea and eating pastries while listening to Sisi playing the zither.
Listening to the music and watching the people coming and going downstairs, Xiao Mo's thoughts drifted.
The gloom of being confined to the deep palace seemed to have dissipated considerably.
"Speaking of which, if the person in the palace were to choose someone to participate in the Poetry and Lantern Festival tonight, do you think it would be Princess Qinyang, or that talented woman from our Zhou Kingdom?"
"I guess it's Princess Qinyang. We still have to give face to the King of Qin."
"I guess it's a daughter of the Yan family. In any case, it's still Empress Dowager Yan and Yan Shan'ao who control the government."
"You are all too short-sighted."
Another man said with a smile.
"Can't it be the two of them together? Recently, some people in the capital have been speculating about whose palace His Majesty goes to first. If I were to say, His Majesty has a solution that satisfies both sides: summon the daughter of the Yan family and Princess Qinyang together. Wouldn't that be the fairest?"
"Cough cough cough"
Xiao Mo was picking up his teacup and taking a sip when he heard the conversation at the next table and choked.
"Is the young master alright?" Yan Ruxue quickly handed over a handkerchief, asking with concern.
"It's nothing." Xiao Mo subconsciously took the handkerchief and wiped his mouth, only realizing it was someone else's handkerchief afterward. "I'll buy a new handkerchief for you later, Miss."
"How much is a handkerchief worth? You're too kind, young master." Yan Ruxue smiled.
“They actually dared to discuss matters of the imperial family, young master, this old servant dares to teach them a lesson!” Wei Xun said to Xiao Mo.
"Never mind, it's a small matter. I don't think the emperor in the palace cares. Let's not spoil the mood." Xiao Mo waved his hand.
"Yes," Wei Xun could only give up.
Xiao Chun, standing to the side, was also taken aback by Xiao Mo's reaction.
She never expected His Majesty to be so generous; she thought he would be angry.
However, Xiaochun also wanted to ask His Majesty who he would choose to serve him in bed first.
But just as Xiaochun was about to speak, her young mistress secretly patted her thigh, forcing her to shut her mouth.
Half an hour later, the zither music ended, and the young lady Sisi stood up and bowed.
Everyone applauded, and Xiao Mo had Wei Xun give him some reward money.
When Xiao Mo and Yan Ruxue left Zhen Tea House, it was already past midnight.
But the liveliness of the streets did not dissipate, as if it would continue until dawn.
"Miss, we should go back now."
Xiaochun looked at the moonlight and whispered to her young mistress.
Although Xiaochun didn't want to disturb her young lady's time with His Majesty, the Yan residence had a curfew, and if the young lady didn't return, the madam would be angry.
"Yes, I know." Yan Ruxue nodded and looked at the man in front of her. "Young master, it's getting late. I'm afraid I'll have to take my leave. Please forgive me."
"You flatter me, miss. It is indeed late. You should rest early. We should also head back now." Xiao Mo bowed. "With you by my side today, this Poetry and Lantern Festival has become even more vibrant."
"With you by my side, young master, I am very happy tonight." Yan Ruxue nodded and smiled. "Then I will take my leave."
Xiao Mo nodded: "Take care, young lady."
Yan Ruxue and Xiaochun bowed slightly before turning and leaving.
Xiao Mo glanced at the west side of the city and wondered why Fairy Jiang hadn't returned yet.
"Your Majesty, shall we go and find the Imperial Advisor?" Wei Xun asked Xiao Mo.
"No need. The Imperial Advisor will return on his own once he has dealt with his affairs." Xiao Mo closed his fan. "Let's go, we'll go back too."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Wei Xun said nothing more and followed behind Xiao Mo, heading towards the palace.
"By the way, Wei Xun, go and find out which family in the capital makes the best candied hawthorns," Xiao Mo instructed Wei Xun.
"What is Your Majesty doing?" Wei Xun vaguely guessed Xiao Mo's meaning.
"From now on, have a palace maid deliver a string of candied hawthorns to the Imperial Preceptor's residence every day," Xiao Mo said.
"Yes," Wei Xun replied quickly.
"Selling jewelry, the last few pieces left."
Just as Xiao Mo passed by a small vendor, an old woman was shouting energetically.
Xiao Mo stopped and turned around to look.
"Would you like to buy a string of them, young master? They would be perfect for your wife or father," the old woman asked Xiao Mo.
Xiao Mo did not answer, but just looked at the necklace on the table.
"Young Master, what's wrong?" Wei Xun stepped forward and asked softly.
"It's nothing." Xiao Mo shook his head, reached out, and picked up the necklace.
This necklace is tied to a die, and inside the die is a red bean.
Xiao Mo pulled out a woman's handkerchief from his sleeve; the pattern on it was the same.
"A delicate die inlaid with red beans, does it know the depth of my longing for you?"
Looking at the handkerchief, the proprietress smiled and said.
"This handkerchief must have been given to you by your sweetheart, young master. How thoughtful of you."
Under the red light, Yan Ruxue and Xiaochun walked towards the Yan residence.
Every few steps, Yan Ruxue would look back.
“Miss, you’re doing the same thing as last time. You’ve only walked a hundred steps and you’ve already looked back four or five times.” Xiaochun pouted and said, “Looking back won’t do any good. His Majesty has already gone far away. You can’t even see him anymore.”
“Who said I can’t see him?” Yan Ruxue smiled and gently tapped Xiaochun’s forehead. “I can see him clearly.”
"Then, Miss, what do you think His Majesty is doing?" Xiaochun asked incredulously; His Majesty had disappeared into the crowd.
"Him."
Yan Ruxue placed her hands on her chest and looked back again.
"He's standing there in the dim light, lost in thought."
(End of this chapter)
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