Chapter Sixty-Five: A Gentleman of Modesty
After Zhu Zixing left, Zhu Ziyue continued her hot dance, her steps light and graceful, her figure dazzling Shi Jiquan and making his heart flutter.
At this moment, Chongsheng said, "Chief, now that we've finished discussing things, we should head back."
Shi Jiquan said, "Brother Chongsheng, it's a rare treat to see Miss Ayue dance. We should at least wait until she finishes dancing before leaving, otherwise it would seem like we're being impolite." As he spoke, his gaze never left Zhu Ziyue.
Reborn said, "Very well, then I will wait outside."
Shi Jiquan ignored the rebirth and continued to watch Zhu Ziyue dance. He looked at the wine and snacks on the table and really wanted to eat them, but he was afraid that they were poisoned.
Zhu Ziyue was worried that Shi Jiquan would leave, and the plan would fall apart, so she ended her dance, stepped forward, bowed and said, "Chief Shi, my dancing skills are too poor, I have ruined your appetite."
Shi Jiquan laughed and said, "Not at all! Miss Yue's figure is graceful and her dance is excellent! Very good!"
Zhu Ziyue asked softly, "Just now I heard that the Yongle Gang and the Zhu Family Manor have agreed to cease hostilities and make peace. Is that true?"
Shi Jiquan immediately said, "Of course it's true! What are your thoughts, Miss Yue?"
Zhu Ziyue said happily, "That's wonderful! The chaos has brought misfortune to so many people. If Baiyun City is peaceful, it will be thanks to Chief Shi! On behalf of the villagers who have suffered from the war, I thank Chief Shi! I don't drink alcohol, so I will offer tea instead to thank Chief Shi!" As she spoke, she poured two cups of tea and picked up her wine cup.
Seeing this, Shi Jiquan really couldn't refuse. And seeing that the tea came from the same pot, he put aside his doubts, picked up the teacup, and drank it all in one gulp.
Shi Jiquan laughed and said, "Miss Yue is truly kind-hearted. As long as Shi Mou is here, he will surely quell the war in Baiyun City and protect the people." Shi Jiquan spoke with great enthusiasm.
Zhu Ziyue smiled sweetly, "It's not that I'm kind-hearted, but that I've suffered greatly because of it. My family members all perished in the war. If it weren't for my young master's rescue, I would have been dead long ago." After saying this, her face was full of sorrow, and she pretended to wipe away tears with her hand.
Shi Jiquan said, "Miss Yue, everything is in the past. Now that you are in this secluded place of cultivation, you should let go of your past worries. I would also like to offer you a toast." He then poured two cups of tea, which the two drank in turn.
Zhu Ziyue put down her cup and said in a clear voice, "I thank Chief Shi. Now, let me dance for you again!"
Shi Jiquan laughed and said, "Miss Yue, I won't have the good fortune to see this dance anymore. There are still many urgent matters to attend to in the gang, so I must take my leave!"
Zhu Ziyue: "Since that's the case, I won't keep you any longer. But if Chief Shi has time in the future, please come to Yuehu Pavilion as a guest. I will certainly treat you well!"
Shi Jiquan laughed and said, "Certainly! Certainly! Miss Yue, I'll take my leave now!"
Zhu Ziyue: "Chief Shi, please!"
...
After traveling for most of the day, Xiaoyao Lang and his companions finally arrived at the border of Shanshui City and came to a place with a green bamboo forest.
Xiaoyao Lang laughed and said, "This place is covered with bamboo groves; it's truly a beautiful place!"
Chunxiang: "I also like places like this, quiet and secluded, where the wind rustles through the bamboo."
Xie Yunfeng smiled and said, "Then let's rest here for a while!"
Yin Xiaosheng walked ahead and saw a bamboo house not far away. He called out, "There's a family living there. Let's rest there and ask them how far we can go."
Xie Yunfeng glanced at it and immediately said, "Alright!"
The group arrived at the bamboo house, where many roses were planted in front of it. The roses were red and fragrant, filling the air with their aroma. Not far from the house, a man sat quietly playing the zither. The melodious music drifted into their ears, conveying a deep sense of sorrow.
Yin Xiaosheng pushed open the bamboo door and called out twice, but no one answered. Presumably, the person playing the zither was the owner of this house.
Upon seeing this, Murong Hanchan stepped forward and said, "Young master, may I ask what the name of this song is? It sounds like a song of longing and tender feelings."
The man stopped playing the zither and looked at Murong Hanchan, his eyes immediately lighting up. He saw that Murong Hanchan had a graceful figure and a beautiful, ethereal appearance, wearing an orange cross-collar ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress) that exuded a youthful aura, and at that moment, thoughts began to form in his mind.
He stood up gracefully and said, "If you can understand the profound meaning of this piece, you must be a person who is proficient in music. This piece was composed by me in my spare time and is called 'A Lifetime of Love.' Please give me your guidance on any shortcomings."
Murong Hanchan looked at the man before her. He was about twenty-three or twenty-four years old, eight feet tall, with a strong and handsome physique, and a gentle and refined demeanor, like a true gentleman.
Upon seeing him, Murong Hanchan couldn't help but compare them. She had considered countless men, but only three possessed truly outstanding looks. Shangguan Qinghuan was a dashing, carefree gentleman, while the man before her seemed to be deeply moved by the music and possessed refined manners, appearing to be a gentleman, but in reality, he was not. Judging from his eyes, he was likely another Yin Qianqiu.
Thinking of this, Murong Hanchan couldn't help but glance back at Xiaoyao Lang. These three men were rare beauties in the world, all exceptionally handsome and outstanding. Among the three, Xiaoyao Lang's temperament was far inferior, but he was the most to her liking. He was only twenty years old, and she believed that Xiaoyao Lang three years later would definitely amaze her.
Murong Hanchan smiled and said, "Since you are able to compose your own music, I dare not offer you any guidance. We are thirsty from our journey and would like to ask for a bowl of water at your esteemed home. Would you be so kind as to do us that?"
The man stepped forward and said with a smile, "A few sips of water are nothing to trouble you. My name is Liu Changjun. May I ask your name, young lady?"
Upon hearing this, Murong Hanchan initially considered giving a false name, but upon closer inspection, it seemed unnecessary. She smiled and said, "My name is Murong Hanchan. I apologize for disturbing Young Master Liu!"
At this moment, Yu Linglong lifted the curtain, preparing to alight from the carriage. Upon seeing Yu Linglong, Liu Changjun instantly lost his composure, staring at her intently for a moment, clearly captivated.
Upon seeing this, Murong Hanchan was even more certain that Liu Changjun, though outwardly a gentleman, was not truly pure at heart and was likely a playboy like Shangguan Qinghuan.
Yu Linglong looked at Liu Changjun and saw him staring blankly at her, which immediately displeased her. She then turned to Xiaoyao Lang with a smile and said softly, "Yu Lang, come and help me out!"
Upon hearing this, Xiaoyao Lang hurriedly stepped forward and helped Yu Linglong out of the carriage.
Yu Linglong, using the ground as a step, took Xiaoyao Lang's right arm with her left hand, and with her right hand, she gently wiped Xiaoyao Lang's forehead, saying softly, "Yu Lang, look at you, your face is all sweaty!"
Xiaoyao Lang rubbed his forehead with his left hand and replied softly, "Really? I don't feel hot!"
Yu Linglong smiled sweetly at her without saying a word. But that smile made Xiaoyao Lang's heart flutter and his mind wander, and it also made Liu Changjun, who was standing to the side, confused and infatuated.
Seeing this, Murong Hanchan turned away in anger, but couldn't lash out. Upon reflection, she realized that Yu Linglong's actions seemed to be deliberately meant for Liu Changjun's benefit, so she stopped being angry.
Liu Changjun replied, "Miss Murong, may I ask who these people are to you?" As he spoke, he looked at Chunxiang standing to the side.
Upon seeing this, Chunxiang immediately turned away.
Murong Hanchan said calmly, "They are all my fellow disciples."
Liu Changjun smiled and said, "So you are fellow disciples. Please come to our lodgings to rest!"
Xie Yunfeng smiled and said, "Young Master Liu, then we will be taking our time to bother you!"
Liu Changjun: "Brother, you flatter me. I have lived here for a long time and have always enjoyed a peaceful life. Now that friends have come from afar, is it not a joy?!"
Chunxiang exclaimed, "Young Master Liu is truly carefree and unrestrained. Living in seclusion in this place of clear breeze and jade bamboo, playing the zither and appreciating flowers, he is enjoying a truly blissful life."
Liu Changjun smiled and said, "This young lady is quite eloquent. I have long seen through the affairs of the world. A life of quiet cultivation and simplicity is what I truly desire."
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