Chapter 005: The Elegy
Anke Luo turned her head and saw Fan Qin Qin resting her chin on her hand, smiling at her.
Fan Qinqin curled her lips and said, "Sister An has been gone for so long, Aunt Chu couldn't wait any longer, fearing I would cause trouble, so she found an excuse to have someone replace me." She frowned and added, "In any case, General Weichi is not present, so this family banquet is truly not worth seeing."
She smiled faintly, remaining silent, her hand brushing against the inner layer of the brocade box's lid. With a flick of her fingernail at the edge, the velvet fabric opened, and she reached in, pulling out a sheet of stationery.
Ankelo could not help but wonder: "How did you get here?"
Upon arriving at Tianyin Tower, An Keluo went straight back to his room
Before Shuyun returned, a copper brazier had already been lit in the room, making it warm and cozy inside. She loosened the buttons of her collar and leaned back into the thick embroidered cushion, allowing herself to relax from the earlier tension and anxiety.
The dim yellow light of the lantern flickered slightly, and she clearly saw that the person was wearing a scarlet robe embroidered with patterns, the hem swaying due to the hurried turn. Her gaze moved slightly upward, and she caught a glimpse of the purple goldfish pouch at the person's waist
Who would have thought that such a person could commit such a reckless act
She smiled and said, "Manager Zhang has never sent me anything for no reason." As she spoke, she unfolded the letter.
Her fingers pressed down on the crease of the far-right paper, revealing the final signature
Shu Yun watched from the side and said with a smile, "Manager Zhang is truly kind, knowing that the young lady loves osmanthus cake, he even specially sent an entire box over."
The man raised the lantern slightly, shining it on her face, and said: "Are you the courtesan invited by the residence? What are you doing here at this moment?"
Anke Luo allowed Shuyun to help her undress, and involuntarily, her mind drifted back to that pair of black eyes, that man... She closed her eyes, forcing herself not to recall, but those bottomless eyes became increasingly vivid in her mind
Chu Mu Lian sighed, "It's good that you are back; I was worried that something had happened to you."
Her throat suddenly tightened, the gift of the purple gold fish pouch is such a divine grace, this person...
The clear face from that day, the proud tone, and those slender eyes emerge in my mind...
The double butterfly embroidered skirt, the joyful fairy banquet, the first meeting. The vermilion is not too deep and even, the idle flowers are faintly spring.
Shu Yun followed her gaze and quickly spoke, "Miss, today the manager Zhang from Yuexian Building sent someone to deliver something to you, and I have placed it in your room." After saying this, he hurriedly went to fetch the brocade box and handed it to her
As soon as she opened her mouth, she saw the lantern sway, and the person who had been walking in front of her stopped in their tracks and turned around to look at her
Upon careful observation of the various beauties, everyone speaks of the willow's slender form. Yesterday, amidst the chaotic dusk, clouds adorned my attire as I arrived
A man was walking briskly ahead with a lantern. Anke Luo suspected that he was a servant from the Weichi residence on night patrol, and hurried a few steps forward, wanting to inquire about the way back to the Yan Hall.
She took the brocade box, opened it, and inside was a box full of osmanthus cakes
Shu Yun stood by and saw that she remained silent and expressionless. Even though she was curious inside, she did not dare to ask. She simply said, "Miss, you must be tired from a day out. I will go prepare some hot water for you to bathe."
Ankeluo hesitated for a moment, then immediately raised his hand to touch his collarbone, and indeed found it empty
The person spoke with displeasure: "Are you lost and still wandering around? What kind of rule is this at Tianyin Tower... Just follow this road straight, take a right at the first intersection, and after another intersection, turn left to reach Yandian"
Shu Yun twisted the scarf and came over, An Ke Luo wiped his hands and let out a comfortable sigh
Fan Qinqin nodded slightly and smiled, saying: "I never expected that the renowned general in everyone's mouth in the Heavenly Dynasty would be such a willful person. Perhaps Sister An was right earlier; this General Weichi is just a pretty-faced young master..." After saying this, she burst into a bright laugh
She nodded slightly, and Shuyun immediately went out to prepare. Before long, Shuyun filled the wooden bathtub with water at a moderate temperature, added a bit of yellow wine, and sprinkled a handful of geranium petals.
Ankelo's mind flashed with those dark eyes, and he couldn't help but bite his lower lip, softly saying: "I got lost and wandered around for quite a while before finding my way back"
She did not know how to explain, only vaguely answering: "I came out to get something, but somehow I got lost."
Zhu Yun was watching from the side and did not react at all.
Ankelo was slightly taken aback and said, "General Yuchi has yet to make an appearance?"
She nodded slightly, and the man glanced at her again before turning to leave, his footsteps quick as if there were an urgent matter waiting for him ahead
A cheerful voice came from beside, "Sister An, why is your face so red?"
Ankelo did not dare to delay any longer; he simply followed the instructions given by that person and soon returned to the Yan Hall.
She tilted her head and saw a black brocade box placed on the small table by the bed
Although it was expected, she was still taken aback when she saw "Zichidunshou"
In the side hall of the extended palace, Chu Mu Lian was already anxiously pacing back and forth. Upon seeing An Ke Luo return, she hurriedly said: "Why did you take so long?"
"Miss, why is the jade that you always wear around your neck gone?" This sudden question from Shuyun jolted her awake.
Ankelo listened to these words and wanted to laugh, but suddenly thought of the man in the black robe, and his face instantly froze, unable to muster even the slightest smile.
She lowered her head, folded the letter, walked to the desk, and placed it in the bottom drawer.