Chapter Nine, The Meeting at the Embroidery Pavilion, Fragrance of Orchids (Part Two)

Jinxie did not pursue further; she walked to the window and saw a pot of orchids placed on the windowsill. The pot was made of white jade, with long, slender green leaves gracefully extending. A single flower spike elegantly emitted its fragrance, the flowers resembling lotus petals, jade green in color, with a single red thread-like strand resembling a hook in the center. This was indeed the rare and exquisite Su Cui Hong Lun lotus petal orchid. Jinxie observed closely and discovered that this pot of orchids must have had two flower spikes, with one branch having been broken off, leaving traces that were still visible after pruning.

As a foreign surname duke, Xu Da and Chang Yuchun, their own father has evidently reached a high position among the ministers. The expedition to the desert years ago completely extinguished the Yuan Dynasty's fortunes, and the Ming Dynasty's territory is now unassailable. The Emperor, in a fit of anger, conferred titles on ten princes; once they come of age, they will go to their respective fiefs. He intends to distribute military power to his sons, consolidating authority within the Zhu family. It is indeed difficult for us foreign surname dukes not to feel anxious.

Not long after waiting, the door of the embroidery building opened, and Jinxi stepped out.

Xu Da, with his long beard resting on his hand, pondered for a moment before gladly agreeing: "Then after the birthday banquet of King Yan, let your elder brother escort you to the mountain to stay for a while"

Her bright eyes and white teeth, her graceful figure, and a faint smile on her face. That smile seemed like crushed orchids, exuding a beauty that was both exquisite and fragrant. Li Jinglong's breath caught in his throat, rendering him as still as wood

Father, Jinxi may have gotten used to living on the mountain for too long and is not quite accustomed to it. In crowded places, I always feel dizzy. It has been over a year since I came down the mountain, and I want to go back and see the masters at the temple. I also wish to rest for a while. Jinxi recalled that her elder brother had mentioned the birthday banquet of the Prince of Yan, which she was eager to avoid. Following her father's words, she lied in order to leave.

Li Jinglong walked past Yindie and suddenly said: "Do you feel danger from me?"

Lost in the overgrown grass

Jinxu ran to the front hall, stopped, took a moment to catch her breath, waited for Zhenbei to catch up, and then slowly walked into the hall, smiling as she bowed and said: "Jinxu pays her respects to Father"

A mysterious smile appeared on Li Jinglong's face, and he shook his head, seemingly in disagreement with his father's conservative viewpoint. The warm sunlight poured down as he walked out of the Orchid Garden

Li Jinglong stayed in the tree for a while before leaping away from the Wei State Duke's residence

Li Jinglong lay on the grass, his broad chest rising and falling powerfully as he gasped for breath. If someone were to look at him from the side, they would notice his handsome face that could captivate any woman. A full forehead, a straight nose, and a well-defined jawline.

How could he not understand his father's painstaking efforts? The father sighed and said: "As a father, I do not know if I can escape this fate. If the ruler demands the death of his subjects, they have no choice but to die. Liu Bowen resigned from his official position and returned to the fields. If he could do this, how much more so for a father? Jinglong, as long as you are safe and sound, that is enough to fulfill your filial duty"

In the moment when Jinxi awakened, Li Jinglong hurriedly set down the orchid basin and left, a hint of blush involuntarily crossing his handsome face. After leaping out of the residence of the Duke of Wei, he stood by the wall for a long time before slowly turning back and walking into the mansion.

He couldn't help but smile foolishly all the way. "Jinxu, Jinxu!" Li Jinglong murmured to himself, his mind filled with Jinxu's beautiful face and her captivating smile

Li Jinglong laughed heartily: "The silver butterfly in the orchid knows my heart best"

That night, he stood for a long time at Lanyuan Station

However, a few days later, orchids began to appear in Jinxi's embroidery building, sometimes placed in the garden pavilion and at other times appearing on the dressing table

Thank you, young master

Jinxi was unsure whether to feel joy or sorrow. Carefully, she tucked the spring orchid between the pages of the book, lost in a daze.

Jin Die's body was stiff, and her head was lowered in silence. Li Jinglong chuckled lightly, patted Yin Die's shoulder, and leisurely strolled out of the Orchid Garden

However, his secret protection, his elimination of Yutangchun for her, the orchids he sent... Jinxi could not help but become infatuated

Moving like a startled rabbit, combining strength and gentleness, the figure exudes an imposing aura that stirs the surrounding grass and trees without a breeze. Standing tall and dignified, there is not the slightest hint of frivolity in his demeanor.

Xu Da looked at his son and shook his hand: "Jinxi is different from ordinary girls; she has grown up in the mountains since childhood. If it continues like this, wouldn't it bore her to death? Let's do it this way." He personally took his daughter's hand and walked towards the back hall, "Jinxi, your father rarely stays at home. I heard that you enjoy reading; tell me, what books have you read..."

Yin Die promptly presented a light robe with a scarlet border embroidered with silver flowers. Li Jinglong glanced at the garden, pondered for a moment, and said: "Change it to a deep green with dark patterns, and do not use any incense"

Indeed, our Jinxi has grown into a young lady in the blink of an eye" Madam Xu responded gently with a smile

Jinxi picked up the spring orchid, confirming that her feelings from last night were not mistaken; someone was indeed standing outside the window watching her. Could this orchid have been sent by Li Jinglong? Does he know her identity? Why would he send an orchid in such a mysterious manner? Jinxi was perplexed.

Xu Huizu looked at the father and daughter, sighed, and turned to Mrs. Xu, saying: "Mother, Jinxi has grown up and can no longer run around outside with Shouqian. She is about to come of age; how will it be if this gets out?"

He contemplated her flawless face and her playful, charming expression. Li Jinglong took a deep breath, closed his eyes tightly, and a smile had unknowingly appeared at the corners of his mouth

A blush of red clouds flew to Jinxi's face, as Li Jinglong, dressed in a moon-white long robe, quietly knocked on her heart with his ethereal demeanor. His eyes were bright and spirited, and his handsome posture when he raised his hand was striking. Jinxi secretly thought of the wandering heroes her master had spoken of. ... If only she could travel the world with him. ... "Ah!" Jinxi exclaimed inadvertently, chiding herself for her fanciful thoughts.

Xie Feilan's impressive posture on horseback, along with her captivating face, once again appeared before Li Jinglong's eyes. His initial interest in Xie Feilan was entirely due to her remarkable archery skills and meticulous mind. He was curious how a fourteen-year-old child could possess such martial prowess and cunning. However, at this moment, he was filled with deep confusion

Yes. The silver butterfly showed no signs of surprise; the young master had his own plans for everything he did, leaving no room for doubt.

On the second night, Jinxi felt it again. She did not move, quietly opened her eyes, and saw a figure in black standing outside the window. Wrapped in a black night outfit, the person had a pair of bright, piercing eyes. It was undoubtedly Li Jinglong; why had he come? Jinxi flipped over and jumped up.

He did not know how many times he had come, yet each time he secretly observed Jinxi, his heart would still flutter and sway. He gazed at her as she walked slowly into the garden. Her light purple dress, with its long trailing ribbons, fluttered in the wind, her steps delicate, each step like a blossoming lotus.

A plain note folded into the shape of a flower was inserted into the basin. Jinxi gently took it down and unfolded it, revealing a line of slender golden cursive with silver outlines under the moonlight: "Orchid gifted to a beautiful person, fragrance follows my heart"

Under the moonlit night, this orchid on the windowsill quietly exudes its fragrance, displaying a hue of deep purple, still a spring orchid. The orchid is accompanied by a single orchid leaf, with emerald green foliage adorned with golden veins, appearing exceedingly beautiful. It seems to embody the legendary national beauty and fragrant elegance.

"She is like a butterfly," Li Jinglong murmured to himself. He crouched in the tree, gazing intently. From this angle, her beautiful face was fully visible. Those brows and eyes, those red lips, that jade-like skin, she was as beautiful as a painting

The two people gazed at each other quietly through the flower window, with countless questions swirling in Jinxi's heart, yet she could not bring herself to ask, her eyes filled with confusion.

His gaze followed her as she walked to the corner of the corridor, watching her lean gracefully against the beauty's couch, her long hair cascading down like a dark, glossy waterfall. The sunlight scattered glimmers of gold on the surface of the pond, reflecting on her face, radiant and striking.

Miss! The master has returned!" Zhenbei exclaimed excitedly while running to deliver the news

Jinxi! Li Jinglong inhaled the fragrance of orchids, quietly smiling, with passion surging through his veins

He could tell that Jinxi chose this moment to propose going up the mountain because she did not want to attend the birthday banquet of Prince Yan. Xu Da felt pity for this daughter of his, having stayed on the mountain for a decade, and it had only been a short while since she returned to the residence. He smiled and said: "Jinxi, it must be boring to stay in the residence, right? From now on, you can go wherever you want, just be mindful of your safety"

Eighteen-year-old Li Jinglong suddenly realized that he was in love

"Miss, please slow down, I will help you get across!" Zhenbei could hardly believe it; when did the young lady start running so fast? She quickly followed after her.

After unexpectedly saving her on the flower boat, he realized that she was a woman. To his surprise, the investigation revealed even more astonishing results: Xie Feilan was actually the daughter of Xu Da, the Duke of Wei. Li Jinglong struggled to control his thoughts from drifting to that beautiful face, yet it would occasionally appear before him. This compelled him to secretly visit the embroidery building at night, sending a branch of orchid every day.

In the back garden of the Wei State Duke's residence, Li Jinglong comfortably leaned against a large tree, his deep green robe, as the silver butterfly described, concealed among the branches without revealing a trace.

Hmm, my Jinxi has grown into a young lady. Yet she seems too frail; how is it that she has lost weight after returning home?

As he smiled, a layer of sorrow emerged in his eyes. How could he possibly wish to present himself with a facade of restlessness and indulgence, solely focused on eating, drinking, and revelry? His father had long warned him that the Yuan Dynasty had retreated beyond the desert and was no longer a force to be reckoned with. After the emperor established the nation, his suspicions began to rise. If he wished to live a stable life, inheriting the title of Duke of Cao, he must not reveal his brilliance.

That night, Jinxi suddenly felt as if someone outside the window was watching her. Her heart raced; could it really be Li Jinglong? She quietly opened her eyes, and with a rush of wind, the person outside vanished.

Madam Xu nodded repeatedly, her greatest concern being that her daughter would fall in love with her nephew. After Zhu Shouqian's wedding in August, he would be going to his fief, and the emotional ties between the two places would harm Jinxi.

Xu Da chuckled and personally helped Jin Xi up: "Jin Xi has grown a lot, my lady, she truly resembles you!"

The bamboo grove is serene and lush, with the stream flowing gently. Li Jinglong carefully wipes the orchid leaves, as he is accustomed to pondering issues while attentively caring for the orchids

The master is about to leave the residence, Li Jinglong said briefly

A heart that cannot help but race, causing a gentle pain in the chest. She picked up the orchid, captivated by its beauty. Although there are no words spoken, the daily presence of the orchid subtly conveys affection.

He stood upright facing the orchid, lost in thought, and suddenly developed a set of boxing techniques

Dressed and ready, Li Jinglong strolled back into the garden, raised his hand to glance at his attire, and turned to look at the silver butterfly.

On the seventeenth birthday of Prince Yan, the Empress personally crafted an invitation to summon all officials and eligible young ladies from their households to a banquet, intending to select a suitable consort for Prince Yan. Upon the issuance of the Empress's decree, all officials with eligible daughters flocked to the event. Even if he did not wish for Jinxi to be chosen as the consort for Prince Yan, he could not defy the imperial order.

Father! Xu Huizu raised his eyebrows slightly, his eyes revealing intense dissatisfaction. "Jinxu fell into the water a few days ago; it would be better for her to rest quietly at home. After the birthday banquet of Prince Yan, I will personally escort her up the mountain"

Gazing at Jinxi for a moment, Li Jinglong took out an orchid from his bosom and placed it on the windowsill, revealing an extremely gentle smile towards Jinxi, before silently leaping down from the embroidered building.

"It's alright, your elder brother is here. Our parents have also gone." Xu Da gently interrupted Jinxi's words.

The man in black slowly lifted his veil, revealing the handsome face of Li Jinglong. Jinxi stood dazed in the room, unsure of what to say.

A surge of excitement welled up in Jinxi's heart as she lifted her face. Li Jinglong clearly saw the sunlight lose its color all around him. She laughed lightly and ran out of the corridor, lifting her gauzy skirt as she headed towards the front yard

That night, she felt even more that someone was peering at her from outside the window. She opened her eyes to take a look, but saw nothing. The next morning, when she got up, she found a spring orchid resting on the windowsill, its subtle fragrance wafting through the air

"I will keep an eye on her," Xu Huizu said softly, gazing in the direction where Jinxi had left, his eyes filled with unspoken concern

Are we still going to the banquet for Prince Yan's birthday? Jinxi's disappointment was evident in her expression: "But there will be many people at the banquet, and Jinxi's health..."