Chapter 6
The delicate and soft fingers pointed to the one referred to as "he," who was, surprisingly, the almost overlooked silent boy beneath the tree
In the puzzled gaze of Lord Ning, Rong Xiaoxiao pressed her lips together, her eyes seeming to be poisoned, and coldly said: "If the prince cannot officiate the wedding for Xiaoxiao, it would be better to bestow this maid to Xiaoxiao, as she appears to be very pleasing to Xiaoxiao's eyes"
The heart of a young girl in the throes of first love is like a gracefully blooming hibiscus flower, shyly unfurling its soft and delicate petals, trembling slightly with anticipation, shyness, joy, and excitement, resiliently declaring her feelings to everyone.
No matter how many matters there are, they can all be resolved in ten days! Hu Tu has already turned around
She would never heed the words of that insignificant Young Master Hu! Her father, being a high-ranking prime minister, and she, the daughter of a noble family, had no reason to listen to the advice of an unknown person! When her father spoke of Young Master Hu, his demeanor was humble, and his tone revealed respect and admiration, which made Rong Xiaoxiao feel utterly disdainful
The young lady in exquisite attire, with her captivating demeanor and notably pointed ears, immediately broke into a radiant smile and greeted in a clear voice: "Xiao Xiao pays her respects to the prince"
Liu Ying does not like to regret, nor does she want her little disciple to do things that he would regret. Therefore, she can completely sever the ties of affection, smiling lightly and gently patting his arm to offer comfort
At the Lotus Feast, Hu Tu had solved all the flower riddles, only to attract such a troublesome situation
In the midst of the crowded space, the nobles gathered, forcing Liu Ying to shrink back behind Prince Ning like a turtle
Since he is waiting for someone, why does he not even greet them?
On that evening, Liu Ying accompanied the young lady of the Rong residence to the Ning Wang Manor
Yu Wei does not understand what is so good about Liu Ying. The second young master actually resorted to corporal punishment for the sake of that note, and even now, his backside still burns with pain.
Suppressing the hostility radiating from his entire being, the boy dressed in black did not look at the crowd. His shallow gaze swept over the clusters of fresh, dripping green that bloomed among the scattered branches. His pink lips parted slightly, "The Lord has been feeling quite fiery lately." The voice was clear yet cold, quickly fading into the delicate fragrance of the flowers in the soft light.
Reasonable and justifiable reasons
This brooding youth is clearly five years younger than herself, yet his assertiveness surpasses that of anyone she has ever encountered
Thus, the next day, the carriage rumbled as Liu Ying set off once again
She can so freely and openly display her emotions on her face, laying her thoughts bare under the sunlight; liking is liking, and hating is hating, yet she herself cannot do the same
She clearly expressed her dislike for Liu Ying and did not accept Liu Ying's gratitude
The carriage hardly made any stops, returning along the original route to Ruyin, and then from Ruyin it took approximately half a month to reach Tianfeng
However, Liu Ying could see it very clearly; the strikingly handsome young man before her—his infatuation was merely a case of "longing for what cannot be obtained, yet loving it constantly." From the moment Hu Tu, at the age of nine, expressed his wish, "May the master assist my aspirations and teach me clearly," it was destined that they could only be teacher and student for a lifetime
By the time he realized it, the young man had swiftly retreated, a teasing smile playing at the corners of his lips, "Sir, this thing still hurts when it pierces the body."
Aunt
She said: "I have heard Young Master Hu say that you are a clever person. Since you are a clever person, you should know that this young lady does not lack maidservants." Coldly dropping this remark, the sedan chair rose like a cloud and smoothly moved forward.
Upon their first meeting, Hu Tu's unabashed display of pressure was indeed intended for Rong Xiaoxiao's observation
Disregarding Rong Xiaoxiao's hopeful gaze, he said in a gentle voice: "A young lady's marriage is not a trivial matter; it should involve the words of a matchmaker and the consent of her parents." With just a few words, he tossed the hot potato back.
The mere thought of that possibility sent an indescribable chill through the little one's heart
In this world, there is nothing that this king cannot achieve, only what you cannot imagine
Liu Ying envies her
The voice is somewhat hoarse, but more than that, it is filled with sadness
However, Ning Wang recalled her picking up the fallen petals of the magnolia flower while she was guessing the flower riddle in Shuning.
Liu Ying was behind, unable to suppress a twitch at the corners of her mouth as she smiled
Like a sealed sword, blowing away a corner of dust, it refracts a sharp, biting cold light
It was as if a dull growl emanated from the throat of a fierce tiger, startling the young beast into fear, before it bent down and closed its eyes.
Those dark blue lotus seeds, under the brilliant glow of the sunset, refract a faint silver light
The wish of the noble Yuan is to have this maid, and I shall certainly grant it..." Only then did the Ning Wang's low, melodious laughter rise freely, startling the small birds that had been perched among the blossoms of the tree.
The boy's straight back, with lines as fluid as a painting, exudes an aura of forbidding aloofness even from a side profile
Entrusted by others, one must be loyal to the task at hand
Hu Tu gazed at the setting sun, his voice ethereal as if it were light smoke, quietly saying: "From Ruyin to Xinyang, over these ten days, you could have clearly discarded it, yet you did not. Up until the Prince of Ning's residence, if I had not appeared, would you have truly believed that the Prince of Ning had killed you?"
She made a lotus with magnolia, using the fallen petals as the heart, giving Shuning the greatest hint
In recent days, Liu Ying rises with the crowing of the rooster and only returns at sunset. When she becomes engrossed in her tasks, she even forgets about Hu Tu's existence. However, no matter how late she returns, Young Master Hu is always seated in a corner of the inn, holding a scroll and reading it attentively. That spot is quiet and secluded, with an excellent view, allowing him to see people coming and going as soon as the door is opened.
Rong Xiaoxiao asked: "Can any wish be granted?"
Unfortunately, the group of servants raised by the young lord are exceedingly unprofessional, as they mistakenly sent Liu Ying, thinking she was a beauty, to the residence of Prince Ning. Fortunately, the young lady did not encounter any major issues; otherwise, Yu Wei has no doubt that the second young master would disregard the law and order, ordering someone to kill himself first, and then assassinate the young lord.
Do not recognize
The mistake lies in the fact that he had once saved her effortlessly, yet he happened to forget this person
At this moment, his gaze was so sharp that it could almost pierce through the thickest darkness, coldly fixated on the fingers of Prince Ning; as long as he made another move, the feigning lion-tiger would reveal its sharp killing strike
In the abandoned old city of Tianfeng, she is like a fish diving into water, a bird flying into the forest. Here, one can feel the breath of the previous dynasty everywhere, ancient and rich. The Xiqiu ruins have a beautiful name—Imperial Capital.
He suddenly stepped forward two paces, and Liu Ying felt a shadow of green enveloping her
The clouds gather in clusters, the hibiscus flowers bloom profusely, yet they cannot approach him.
A group of men and women surrounded a tall and graceful young girl in splendid attire, engaging in conversation.
Hu Tu clasped his hands within his sleeves, walking slowly behind Liu Ying, when he suddenly broke the silence
Liu Ying smiled faintly and said nothing
It must be said that Miss Xiao Xiao from the Rong family is indeed beautiful. Her red lips curve into a smile like a blooming flower, and as her eyes shimmer, they exude an enchanting charm that even Liu Ying, as a woman, cannot help but be captivated.
However, Prince Ning, maintaining his status, quickly withdrew his finger before it could touch Liu Ying's cheek
Few have noticed that lions and tigers lurk beneath the trees, almost ready to bite the necks of those in power. Apart from a spring maiden, who has been secretly exchanging glances and is in the throes of budding romance, her gaze seems to have never left Hu Tu
The voice is clear and resolute
Now, thinking about the numerous internal and external troubles faced by that young lord in Yin, it truly seems that the many beatings I have received on my backside are not unjust at all
The prince has overpraised me; I dare not call myself the champion...
After weighing the options, Ning Wang made a firm decision in his heart
Hmm?
The riddle with the single character "必" has the answer "Chuanxinlian" (a type of plant)
At that time, he would come to know that she was merely a master, just a master.
Hu Tu pressed her lips together and lowered her eyelids
Regardless of whether he is smiling, angry, silent, or furious, he repeatedly forces her to remember everything about him
They fluttered their wings, flying higher and farther.
He can also immediately change the plan to avoid the occurrence of a farce
At that time, although I agreed verbally, I felt somewhat disdainful in my heart
This is the first time that attention has been focused on Liu Ying
Today, I am the officiant of the wedding. If I can touch the heart of the esteemed official, it will naturally be considered a good deed. However, if this wedding causes the esteemed official to become irritable, it would certainly offend the difficult-to-please elder official
The surging waves gradually recede
Even though he could infer Rong Xiaoxiao's personality and habits based on her identity, he still underestimated her. If the two had never crossed paths, or if Hu Tu clearly remembered this girl from their brief encounter
She was caught off guard and fell forward
One day, Hu Tu will meet a woman who makes his heart flutter
From a distance, one can see a patch of rosy hues surrounding something
At first glance, there was only a sharply defined silhouette by the window. For some reason, upon seeing this silhouette, a sense of indescribable dread had already arisen in Rong Xiaoxiao's heart.
A soft sound
In the next moment, Hutu's kiss, as light as a feather, fell upon the corner of her lips, carrying a burning breath
At present, Hu Tu's complexion is not looking good
Without waiting to see clearly, everyone had already stepped forward to pay their respects to Prince Ning
Poor Liu Ying was enjoying the story when suddenly he was forcefully pushed from behind by a young servant in a blue robe
The unique aura of authority emanating from her made a chill run through her bones, causing her legs to weaken and nearly buckle beneath her
The term "Master" carries an exceptionally heavy tone
Upon hearing this, the expression of Prince Ning became frozen.
Even if he is skilled at memorization, if such a person is thrown into a crowd, even Ning Wang may not be able to recognize who is who
He is merely inquiring about one matter, fixated on what the answer is, clinging to his own convictions. Why is it that the outcome he receives is always rejection
According to Yu Wei's complaint, he has seen her pass by the young master several times, ignoring him completely and heading straight back to her room
Although Hu Tu could calculate everything, he made a fatal mistake
Liu Ying followed her gaze and then saw a silent boy in black standing beside the flowering tree
What would you like to eat tonight
Thus, when Young Master Xiao Hu suddenly turned around at the window, that delicate and coldly beautiful face vividly appeared before the girl's eyes
All the noise and chaos have settled into the original tranquility and peace
Liu Ying, without a second thought, was about to retaliate, only to realize that the dagger had been lost in Ruyin. At that moment of confusion, a dagger was pushed into her palm from Hu Tu's hand.
Hu Tu spoke with great seriousness, yet Liu Ying's stab landed on his pipa bone, while he pointed to his heart. This gesture was clearly quite frivolous, but coming from him, it conveyed an indescribable gravity
He smiled with distinct corners of his lips, yet everyone suddenly felt a bone-chilling coldness.
Seeing the reaction of the person she admired, a sharp pain struck Rong Xiaoxiao's mind as if someone had scraped it with a sharp knife. Young Master Hu... He, he really likes her—such an unremarkable woman, who seems to be far inferior to himself. She looks much older than Young Master Hu.
Your Highness the Young Lord of Yin, please do not disturb the Second Young Master, and prepare to borrow Liu Ying to "request once more".
Snap
Speaking of which, Liu Ying truly did not know how to face Hu Tu
Before the crisp voice of the beautiful youth could fully express itself, it was halted by a glance from Hu Tu. The shopkeeper and the young attendant then witnessed this handsome young man leisurely picking up books and leaving. Both of them revealed the same astonishment in their eyes
Hu Tu had long anticipated that the daughter of the noble family, accustomed to a life of luxury and privilege, with her lofty aspirations, would not cooperate with him unless she experienced some hardships
The riddle is a single-character puzzle, with the character "车" and the answer being "lotus heart"
Rong Xiaoxiao's gaze dimmed suddenly, "But, but the prince said..."
Liu Ying kept a close watch in secret
Upon the utterance of this statement, the crowd was greatly astonished
Master, why do you not trust me
"Do you not have urgent matters to attend to..." Liu Yingqi inquired
Rong Xiaoxiao glanced at her, the evening sunlight casting a gentle glow on the girl's delicate cheeks, radiating a faint golden light
The girl's heart, filled with confusion and fear, transformed into admiration and joy
On the glossy little carriage, plum blossoms and orchids were carved. When Miss Rong sat inside, Liu Ying sincerely whispered a thank you to her
Liu Ying lowered her head, a sharp pain throbbing at her temples, and she found it incredibly fascinating
The young attendant in a blue robe quietly explained to Prince Ning: "Kuiyuan is the daughter of Lord Rong's family."
This is a maid in a green dress, her complexion resembling the paper produced by Fu Chen Ji, pale yet exuding an indescribable chill. Even ink cannot spread beyond its edges on her skin, and within her bones lies a hint of coolness and detachment
Hu Tu pressed her lips tightly, and suddenly flicked her sleeve, causing a few dark green lotus seeds to fall from it. He caught the lotus seeds and placed them in front of Liu Ying, speaking softly, "No matter the time or place, as long as you encounter a difficult situation, leave these clues behind, and someone will come to rescue you. But why don't you trust me?"
This facial appearance indicates a frail disposition, yet possesses a resilient quality
Your talent is evident to all!
Regardless of whether Miss Rong likes this young man, the disparity in social status is evident. The current prime minister is cunning and shrewd, having ascended to the pinnacle of power, and is certainly not an easy character to deal with
If he were merely a detached and unambitious idle prince, then offending him would be of little consequence; after all, he is the uncle of the young emperor, and surely that old man would not be able to create any trouble that would come back to haunt himself. However, the issue lies in the fact that he is not someone without desires or ambitions. In the future, he will inevitably have to deal with the old fox, and perhaps he will even need to rely on the old fox's influence.
The matter of the Lotus Feast has come to a close with such nonchalance
Yet he repeatedly forced himself to remember him
I still remember before attending the banquet, my father repeatedly advised me that at the Furong banquet, I was to follow the instructions of Young Master Hu.
He will regret everything he has done today
That is the solitary swan soaring through the sky, shattering the cold silence of the nine layers of clouds
This trip went very smoothly
Bright red, light pink, pale yellow, light purple ... The glow of dawn is splendid, and the colors of the clouds are chaotic
Everyone was gathered around the young girl, yet her shy and timid gaze occasionally drifted elsewhere
For Liu Ying, after three years of absence, the appearance of this young man has become quite vague
Poor
Fish Wei, is your skin itching?
Without giving her a chance to retort, Prince Ning said with a smile, "Miss Rong, did you not say that I should bring the maidservant by my side? I have brought her, do you recognize her?"
The corners of his lips curled into a smile, and a hint of astonishment flickered in his eyes as he said, "I, the king, have arranged the Lotus Banquet and made a promise. The winner of the riddle contest may receive one wish from me. What wish does the winner have? Please share it with me."
Everything has changed
Rong Xiaoxiao turned her head and coldly said, "I do not know her"
Just like any master in the world would do for their apprentice, there is only the bond of master and disciple in their intimacy
Miss Rong was about to speak when she suddenly swallowed hard upon hearing this sentence
In a single day, I inadvertently caught the eyes of two noble young ladies, and strangely, they developed a strong animosity towards me. The almanac should have advised me to be cautious in my outings today and to avoid women.
The girl in the sedan chair does not appear attractive, but ultimately, it is a superficial unattractiveness.
To express it in such a gritted-teeth manner is hardly coherent
Open one's own thorns boldly
Although he does not remember, this beautiful girl, whose mind is filled with the phrase "talented scholars and beautiful women are united in harmony," clearly remembers the appearance of her benefactor, the benefactor's brows and eyes
The pressure he exerted that day could instill a psychological shadow in Rong Xiaoxiao, making her willingly become an unconscious puppet
Liu Ying felt a surge of warmth in her heart, and in the blink of an eye, a name suddenly flashed through her mind
This person carries a strong sense of gloom and severity
In the blink of an eye, Prince Ning's thoughts raced like lightning
Liu Ying amusingly wiped away the breath of the man at her lips. It must be said that because of Hu Tu's commotion, the feelings of hesitation and fear in her heart gradually dissipated without her noticing.
The little fellow accompanied the young master for an entire day, his anger boiling over.
Beneath a tree full of blossoms, a silent and aloof young man slightly furrowed his brow, almost imperceptibly.
She followed her father to the study, carrying the hidden hostility of a young girl, and encountered the sullen boy dressed in black
In fact, the wish she was originally supposed to express should have been to become the green-clad maid by Prince Ning's side
A faint smile appeared at the corner of Ning Wang's lips, and he couldn't help but extend his right hand, his fingertips touching the backlight, almost reaching the tender, snow-white cheek of the woman in the green dress
It is unclear what she was thinking, as a hint of blush akin to rouge adorned her delicate face, her expression revealing a mix of fear and anticipation. Her bright, sparkling eyes resembled the most exquisite jewels, and in an instant, she seemed to possess the courage to burn her boats. In a clear voice, she said: "Xiao Xiao wishes to ask the prince for assistance in officiating the wedding"
In recent days, Liu Ying has been very happy
She not only forgot her father's admonitions, forgot the things she was supposed to do, but also forgot that the man was not someone she could ever aspire to.
The young girl in her brocade attire has hair like a waterfall, a smile as radiant as a flower, and her flowing gaze is more captivating than the autumn waters. Indeed, she is as exquisite as fresh lychee, her every glance enchanting. Could it be that this is the champion of the riddle contest?
Before she could finish her sentence, she was interrupted by a handsome young man dressed in a stone blue robe, who said, "Miss Rong, with such words, I feel utterly ashamed. You possess a wealth of knowledge in literature and history; there is no need for you to be so modest."
This maid is very clever
He believed that a vague fondness was love
He quietly read a book, patiently waiting... Liu Ying noticed him
Such a beauty easily wins the favor of men
The noble girl's beautiful face turned pale as paper
Liu Ying understood that there were some matters he did not wish to elaborate on, and thus refrained from further inquiries
The fists at the sleeves of Hu Tu slowly clenched, and he said in a deep voice: "Is that so, believe? You speak of belief, yet disregard every word I say. I have said that I would protect you, but you still see me as that fragile nine-year-old child from years ago. Master, why not take a look at who I am now?"
With a surge of determination, Rong Xiaoxiao boldly expressed the hidden feelings of a young girl, saying, "You said that in this world, there is nothing that Xiaoxiao cannot think of, and nothing that you cannot accomplish. Xiaoxiao seeks nothing else but for you to officiate the wedding for Xiaoxiao and him"
Observing her feigned indifference, the little lion's gaze dimmed, "The carriage is ready, we depart tomorrow"
With slender, delicate fingers, she snapped a flower branch, instantly reducing it to ashes
Yu Wei followed behind, unable to help but mutter softly to herself, "These days, this young lady has become increasingly arrogant. If she is not properly disciplined, who knows how she will behave in the future?"
Liu Ying usually returns around midnight, looking disheveled and dusty, holding the treasures he has found, with a bright smile revealing a set of white teeth resembling glutinous rice, hurrying past without a care for others
Rong Xiaoxiao reacted that this woman in the green dress was likely the person Young Master Hu was looking for. Her cold and hostile gaze pierced through Liu Ying like needles, leaving Liu Ying feeling inexplicably scrutinized. She could only force a couple of dry laughs in response.
Hearing the promise of King Ning, she inexplicably forgot everything
The little fellow was speaking with great seriousness, but with a single cold remark from Hu Tu, he immediately lost his temper, his face turning red, and all the grievances he had were rendered futile.
Around him, people kept their distance, flowers did not approach; he stood alone in a corner, more tranquil and composed than the heart of the sky and the brilliance of the moon
The voice of Hu Tu was calm and unperturbed
Upon entering, I realized that it was not the color of the sunset; rather, in light robes and flowing sashes, they were a group of resplendent "sparrows". Dressed in red and green, chattering away, they were collectively referred to as the sons and daughters of noble families.
Even the eccentric Prince Ning has softened his attitude
The flower branch trembles, and not even a trace of its tail sound can be found
Liu Ying smiled and said, "Who says that I cannot trust my own disciples? If I cannot trust them, who else can I trust..."
Miss Na Rong
No one noticed that, in this moment, the silence of the black-clad youth not far away had all his disguises stripped away.
The original fee is waived
Liu Ying remained silent
He is not a fool; he immediately discerned the underlying meaning of the words
Master of Ceremonies
He does not want to offend Lord Rong
Although Rong Xiaoniu is impulsive and occasionally shows a bit of cleverness, she is generally a girl with a clear mind
Indeed, they are the young gentlemen who have roamed among the flowers, able to flatter with such warmth and gentleness, their faces full of sincerity and innocence