Chapter 6, Such a Reunion

Feng Xun, fearing that he would become flushed with embarrassment, no longer met her gaze. He feigned calmness as he turned to walk outside, deliberately adopting a tone of authority, "We will wait for you in the hall"

She had long been deeply concerned that Feng Lin, far from Kyoto, would become a resentful and discontented man, always full of complaints. She also feared that he would turn into a frail and sickly little prince, consumed by melancholy. Just now, even though she was so far away from him, she could still clearly see his tightly pressed lips, which gave him an exceptionally resolute expression. The winds and sands of the northern frontier had completely stripped away the somewhat delicate demeanor he had in his youth due to his nobility and beauty. She admired his carefree galloping on horseback, liked the sight of his straightened back, and did not believe a single rumor about him. Just this fleeting glance filled her heart with joy! ... He did not disappoint her, and she ...! ... would not disappoint him either!

As she hurried along, nearing the city gate, she suddenly felt the urge to delay for a moment, perhaps due to a sense of trepidation upon approaching her hometown. She wondered if Feng Lin had visited her original residence after returning to the capital, if he had sought out Du Siyu... or perhaps... had he truly forgotten all of them, treating them as mere childhood playmates.

A commotion arose on the road, and the diners in the restaurant stood up one after another to gaze outside. Yue Zheng suddenly felt that the surroundings had darkened significantly as she was caught in the crowd, and she was quite displeased

Yue Zheng keenly noticed his awkwardness and couldn't help but smile. Shouldn't she be so embarrassed that she wants to burrow into the ground? Why does he look like someone who has been teased and is enjoying the view, yet is trying to appear indifferent? His feigned solemnity made her feel both warm and amused; this was the Feng Xun she knew.

"By the way, is this time for you to choose a consort or for Feng Lin?" Yue Que asked curiously

The siblings ate their meal in silence, with less than half an hour's journey remaining to the capital. Remarkable figures occasionally appeared, while Yue Que busied himself with admiring the beautiful women on the road, and Yue Zheng slowly ate his meal, rarely uttering any sarcastic remarks.

The original residence was left with only three servants to guard the estate. Although the cleaning was timely, it still appeared desolate due to a lack of vitality. The sudden return of the two young masters kept the three servants quite busy for a while. Observing their clumsy and awkward manner, Yueque felt despair about the dinner they had prepared. He missed the delicacies of the capital very much. Since Yuezheng was tired and did not want to go out again, he took it upon himself to go to Longxiang Garden to pack the dishes he had been longing for.

Oh? Feng Xun's eyes sparkled, and her heart was filled with joy because of Yue Que's words "to take the lead".

Feng Xun smiled slightly and said, "Forget it, let's eat."

Yue Que, holding a long sword, walked along the post road to the capital with great elegance and charm, attracting the attention of many young ladies who even leaned out of their carriages to catch a glimpse of him. While Yue Que maintained a calm exterior, his heart was bursting with joy, a fact that was greatly despised by Yue Zheng, who was disguised as a servant following him. This young man had learned two things from his master: martial arts and how to appear profound.

The young master Yuan, who had lived in the mountains for six years, spoke quite disrespectfully of the current crown prince, yet Feng Xun found it immensely enjoyable. Ever since the Yuan siblings left, no one had dared to call him by his name or regard him as a friend. He smiled and walked over to the table to sit down first, saying, "I specially ordered you some egg yolk pastries." He clearly remembered her preferences and nodded at her in greeting. Thinking about their future relationship, Feng Xun felt a greater affection for Yue Zheng.

The moon zither brings joy to her brow, and she also misses the egg yolk pastry quite a bit; the ones from Guangling Prefecture cannot be compared to those from the capital.

Yue Zheng could naturally discern his amusement, secretly feeling resentful, and couldn't help but glare at her unscrupulous brother. Yue Que felt extremely wronged, "It wasn't me who brought him here; I happened to run into Feng Xun at Longxiang Garden, and he came on his own!"

The early summer weather has become quite sweltering, and the journey has left her with an extreme longing for the clear and cool spring water. She has instructed her servants to carefully guard the entrance, believing that no one would come to her place. Yuezheng removed her outer garments and jumped into the spring pool. Having loved playing in the water since childhood, she has lived a carefree life in Duhua Mountain for the past few years. Xie Hanbai, being inherently unconventional, has never stopped her from any of her bold and reckless actions, and has even offered guidance from the side. As a result, Yuezheng has developed good swimming skills in the mountain pool.

Whenever hunger is mentioned, it resonates with Yuan Yueque, who immediately turns gracefully, raising his handsome chin towards a nearby eatery, "That one ahead, I can tell just by the smell that their food is the most delicious."

Yue Zheng did not respond, and solemnly took out a small box containing the emotional threads from her bundle. Ignoring Yue Que's repeated urgings, she began to weave the emotional threads together. The first bead was perfectly and exquisitely completed. Yue Zheng gently stroked it with her hand, and suddenly let out a chuckle, causing Yue Que to break out in goosebumps, unsure of what foul idea she was concocting this time.

Having successfully obtained the moon zither, I initially intended to laugh heartily, but I was momentarily taken aback by the man's eyes, which were both smiling and not smiling, and were drenched through. To my surprise, it was not Yue Que.

By the way, the sound of the moon zheng feels somewhat harsh. Back then, they drove Feng Lin away from a distance, and now when it comes to choosing a marriage, it is still 'by the way'! Unable to suppress a cold laugh, she said, 'Of course, you chose the best; how about the second best as the Liang Wangfei?'

Drenched from head to toe, with water dripping from her hair, Feng Xun gazed somewhat dazedly at the moon zither in the water. Her white undergarment floated and spread beneath the surface, resembling a lotus flower. Her long, wet hair appeared even darker, gently drifting on the water's surface, exuding a lively beauty. The extreme darkness accentuated her delicate face, which resembled exquisite white porcelain, with a faint blush on her cheeks that was characteristic of youthful charm. Beneath her alluring, water-laden long eyelashes, her starry eyes sparkled brighter than the shimmering waves. Upon hearing her soft call, he involuntarily shivered slightly; when her delicate cherry lips uttered his name, his heartbeat suddenly became erratic. For six years, he had not dared to visit Guangling to see her, never expecting that she would grow to be so captivating. Almost at the first sight of her, he had already made up his mind.

The young man standing directly in front of her exaggeratedly lifted his companion's hand and stood on tiptoe, completely blocking the view of the moon zither towards the path. "Liang Wang! Liang Wang!" the young man craned his neck and kept repeating.

"He has gone to Huachuan Prefecture, as Father Emperor asked him to handle a matter." Feng Xun said with a low mood, clinking cups with Yue Que. "How about I send a few maidservants from my residence to you? The court selection will begin in ten days, and you all... won't be able to manage it alone." He couldn't help but glance at Yue Zheng; the position of Crown Princess was something he could not go against the Empress Dowager's arrangements. Fortunately, there were still two consorts that he could choose himself.

After weighing the tightly wrapped painting scroll on her back, this was specially crafted by Xie Hanbai overnight upon hearing that the Yuan family had not received the decree for selecting a girl. The seal inscribed with the name "Xie Hanbai" is now worth a fortune. Yuezheng decided to overlook her master's sacrifices and not involve him in her grievances. "Young Master!" she called out to the proud and spirited Yueque walking ahead, "I'm hungry, I'm hungry!" Last time they went out, she disguised herself as a young master while Yueque played the role of a guard, so she felt quite disadvantaged. Throughout their journey to the capital, it was her turn to act as a servant. She was slender and short, and dressed as a scholar's boy, she looked quite pleasing. Wearing a short jacket and carrying a small bag, she resembled a tender twelve or thirteen-year-old child.

Feng Xun stood by the window, lost in thought, as the dampness in his hair and clothes gradually dried, and his heart grew warmer. The moment Yue Zheng stepped through the moon gate, he immediately caught sight of her. Her attire was quite casual, yet her unadorned beauty was so striking that he could not look away! She had been beautiful since childhood, and as an adult, she possessed a captivating charm that stirred the heart. The more indifferent she appeared, the more languid her expression, the more her innocent and delicate demeanor evoked a sense of affection.

Yuezheng strolled through the home she had not returned to in a long time, and her small courtyard appeared somewhat unfamiliar. This ordinary residence of her family had only one remarkable feature: in front of her boudoir, there was a spring. The unremarkable stones had been smoothed and rounded by the water, and the small spring pool had brought her countless joys during her childhood

The Moon Pavilion, which also stood up to watch the commotion, curled its lips slightly, feeling a bit disappointed. "It's been a few years, and this kid has become so arrogant." In the past, Feng Lin was taciturn and did not pay much attention to appearances.

Feng Xun was taken aback by her mocking tone, "No, it is not like that. The Empress Dowager intends to first select a princess for Feng Lin from a suitable family!"

The moon zither was not put away, but rather wrapped around her wrist. She stood up to beckon her brother to set off, and as she slung her bundle over her back, she couldn't help but cast a satisfied glance at the soft strings on her wrist. "Master, it is not that I am being careless or perfunctory," she murmured softly. The fact that Feng Lin had grown into such a handsome young man was the first thing that deeply moved her!

Yue Zheng was disdainfully rolling her eyes while nibbling on the egg yolk pastry. Although the reason Yue Que thought of was somewhat disgusting, it was still somewhat justifiable. ... However, when Feng Xun asked this question ... it seemed to have been misunderstood.

With this joy, she walked proudly alongside her brother into the city gate of Kyoto

Ah! The man by the pool was startled and suddenly drenched by the water, causing him to take half a step back

Feng Xun glanced at the seemingly calm Yue Zheng and said, "Of course, I will choose the Crown Princess. However, both Father and Mother also intend to find a suitable marriage for Feng Lin."

"By the way, where did Feng Lin go? We saw him outside the city." Yue Que took a sip of wine

Yue Zheng saw him and solemnly performed a graceful bow. Feng Xun watched and secretly laughed, noting that the former lady had taught her well over the years; at least she could put on the appearance of a proper young lady. Had it not been for the earlier incident, he might have truly been deceived by her. She even respectfully greeted him, saying, "Your Highness, may you live for a thousand years and a thousand thousand years."

"Have you returned to Beijing so early?" Feng Xun asked seemingly absentmindedly after taking a few bites.

The man, unsteady on his feet due to standing on tiptoe, was suddenly knocked aside by an unexpected force from behind. He barely managed to grab hold of a nearby table to avoid falling. A small figure swiftly darted to the front, plunging into the crowd of onlookers. Just as he was about to curse loudly, a magnificent group of young men, each riding a fine steed, galloped past with great momentum, their tall and handsome figures paired with the imposing horses creating a striking sight. Despite the clouds of dust they kicked up, the people by the roadside remained in a daze, watching intently. The man who had been pushed aside widened his eyes, staring at the leading Prince Liang, momentarily forgetting his earlier anger, as he gaped and watched the fleeting figure of His Highness Prince Liang disappear into the distance. Truly, he was a handsome man who had caused a stir upon returning to the capital. Although the man's face was not clearly visible, even just his silhouette was pleasing to the eye.

The Empress often deliberately arranged for him to meet Du Siyu. Undeniably, Du Siyu is a rare beauty, truly deserving of the title of the most stunning woman in the capital. He also felt that it was impossible for any woman to be more beautiful than Du Siyu. Yuezheng may not have more delicate features than Du Siyu, and both are delicate beauties with slender figures that seem fragile. Logically, they should be hard to distinguish. Yet, Yuezheng possesses an indescribable feeling, whether it is the mischievous playfulness she tries to conceal in her eyes, or the innate charm and liveliness she exudes.

Busy?" Yueque looked puzzled, "Yuezheng is not participating in the selection of consorts, so we are not busy.

The moon zither, which had burrowed to the front row, only returned thoughtfully after the crowd dispersed, sitting down silently

Patiently waiting for them to walk away, Yue Zheng resentfully splashed the water, no matter what, she had to hold a grudge against that damned Yue Que for bringing Feng Xun openly into her boudoir! ... It wasn't entirely unfortunate, she gritted her teeth to comfort herself, if it had been Feng Lin who came today, this first meeting ... . ... She estimated that she would have directly been in his heart as "peerless".

Feng Xun's face turned pale, "Not participating?"

Feng Xun lowered his eyes and tightly grasped the wine cup. He naturally understood why his mother had acted this way. In order to win over the Du family, his mother had truly been scheming for many years

The Crown Prince... Feng Xun?! It is truly astonishing. Yuezheng stood in the chest-deep spring water, looking up in a daze at His Highness the Crown Prince on the shore, and after a long while, she managed to utter this sentence. The mischievous, dark-skinned boy from her childhood had grown into a fair and handsome young man, with a tall and upright figure and a composed expression, all of which displayed the excellent upbringing he had received over the past six years. He was no longer that reckless boy who obeyed her every command; she suddenly worried that he might assume the dignity of a Crown Prince and loudly reprimand her for her disrespect.

Yue Zheng was momentarily taken aback, but soon understood. The Empress is still as calculating as ever! She curled her lips slightly; everyone in the country knows that the Empress has treated the former Emperor's son unfairly. Now, in selecting a consort, the Empress is putting on a show, allowing the Prince of Liang to choose first, to avoid being accused of favoritism and insensitivity. However, the key point is that the selection is to be made 'from suitable families,' which likely means all the candidates are insignificant figures. It sounds good in theory, letting the Prince of Liang choose first, but in the end, all the good options will be left for her own son, allowing both mother and son to benefit from all the advantages.

Hearing footsteps from afar, Yue Zheng suddenly realized that she had been playing in the water for too long, having spent such a considerable amount of time that Yue Que had already returned from buying food. The footsteps approached quickly, and in an instant, they were at the entrance of her small courtyard. She climbed ashore and ran back to her room, but there was no time to spare; the best strategy was to remain calm in the water and let Yue Que leave. Having made up her mind, she felt a mischievous impulse. She took a deep breath and submerged herself underwater, faintly seeing the figure of a man walking to the edge of the pond, scooping up water with the hem of his inner garment. The pond was not deep; she could stand on the bottom. With a strong push, she suddenly emerged from the water, using the momentum to splash the person at the pond's edge, drenching him completely.

Oh dear, sister, the gift you presented to His Highness the Crown Prince is truly a delightful surprise. Yueque, who narrowly escaped by being half a step late, leisurely crossed her arms, clearly reveling in the misfortune of others, her smile becoming even more handsome.

Yuezheng couldn't even be bothered to offer him a cold sneer, and followed him over. When it comes to eating, trusting him is truly not a mistake

Yuezheng did not raise her head to look at him, yet could not help but express a hint of sarcasm, "The Empress has not issued a decree to the Yuan family, has she"

"Let's go." Yueque placed the meal money on the table, tugged at her sister's clothes, but to her surprise, her sister shook her head vigorously. "What are you doing? You can't be thinking of chasing after..." Yueque glanced in the direction where Fenglin had disappeared, already out of sight, "You won't catch up!"

As she returned to her room to change clothes, she couldn't help but recall the way Feng Xun had been staring at her earlier. Now that her goals were clear, it was better to avoid unnecessary trouble. She deliberately chose a very ordinary outfit and simply gathered her hair in a rough manner before slowly making her way to the front hall

Yuezheng felt comforted for the first time because he had become her brother. After so many years, he finally said something useful to her

Yueque was in high spirits while eating, and spoke particularly briskly, "I heard that beauties from all over are coming to the capital for selection; we shouldn't miss the chance to come and see the excitement first."