(The second watch has arrived, begging for Little Pink ~)
Yu Shu and Xia Jiangmin sat on the carriage and headed to the shore of the Lion Lake to meet up with Xue Rui and Liu Tan.
On the way, Yu Shu pinched Xia Jiangmin's small hand and teased: "You are about to see your future husband. Tell me, what kind of person do you think he is?"
Xia Jiangmin was so nervous that her lips were dry. How could she have the mood to think so much? She glared at her and said: "I hope that Prince Jing is not as fond of fooling people as you are."
Yu Shu smiled: "You are also narrow-minded. Even now, you still hate me for pretending to be a man to trick you. But you can be at ease. I guarantee that Prince Jing is not a woman in disguise."
Xia Jiangmin didn't know whether to laugh or cry. She pinched her and this time she relaxed.
Yu Shu was chatting and laughing with Xia Jiangmin. But, she was faintly worried about her in her heart. Liu Tan didn't seem like a man who could understand amorous feelings. Moreover, he was quite ambitious. So, she didn't know whether a woman like Xia Jiangmin would suit his taste or not.
.....
At dusk, there was still heat on the Lion Lake. The light from the lake swept past and there were many tourists. Most of them were young ladies and there were also groups of scholars.
Xue Rui and Liu Tan had arrived a step earlier. They stood under a willow tree by the Lion Lake and waited. Because the two of them were handsome and had an extraordinary temperament, they attracted the attention of passersby. But because of the tall guards on both sides of them, no one dared to come close.
The two of them were chatting in private but it had nothing to do with their relationship.
"Yesterday, Seventh Imperial Brother was invited to the Judicial Office for interrogation in the middle of the night and only returned to the wang fu in the morning. Has biao xiong heard of any developments in the case?"
"I have not been on duty these past two days and did not ask about the matter. If wang ye wants to know anything, I will go and inquire tomorrow."
Liu Tan's face revealed a trace of disappointment. He shook his head and said: "There is no need to deliberately ask about it. When the case comes to light, it will naturally be made known to the public."
Xue Rui looked at him and turned his head to look into the distance. He saw a familiar carriage coming from afar and smiled. He pointed to it for Liu Tan to see: "It's here."
Liu Tan then shifted his attention. Following his finger, he looked into the distance. The youth's determined heart, at this moment, had a trace of strangeness.
That extravagant two-wheeled carriage quickly arrived. When the driver stopped, the maid sitting at the side opened the door. She lifted the curtain and stood at the door to help the people.
Yu Shu was the first one to jump out of the car. Liu Tan only swept a glance at her. Then, he was attracted by the graceful silhouette of a person who stooped down and stretched out her body. Then, a little light burst out from his eyes.
She was at the age of green jade, with the posture of a lush mulberry, and a delicate face like a lotus. When she raised her eyes, there was a tinge of tenderness and timidity. Her shimmering beauty made Lian Su, who was watching from the shore, feel ashamed.
"My name is Xia Jiangshi. Greetings, Ninth Young Lord."
Xia Jiangmin bowed gracefully and her voice was like jade beads falling on a plate. Liu Tan's eyes flashed, and then he took half a step forward unhurriedly and raised his hand to support her. "Miss, you may rise."
Xia Jiangmin straightened her body and slowly raised her eyes to look at the young man in front of her who was about the same age as her. He had a handsome face, and when she saw him staring at her, she couldn't help but purse her lips into a smile and lower her head.
Seeing this scene, Yu Shu's heart calmed down. She turned her head and gave Xue Rui a look.
Xue Rui smiled at her. He could also see that Liu Tan was very satisfied with the appearance of this future princess.
The wind on the lake was cool and refreshing, and the sun was setting. The four of them walked together in pairs, but at this moment, they didn't know how fate would play tricks on them in the near future.
.....
At that time, Qixi was the day when the Cowherd and the Weaving Maid met, and it was also the day when women begged for cleverness.
Whoever had a girl of marriageable age would make colorful needles and thread in advance to worship the Moon Goddess on this day.
The four of them didn't stay at the Lion Lake for long. After meeting each other, they sat in two horse carriages and went sightseeing on the Chunlan River not far from here according to Liu Tan's plan.
.....
When they reached the riverside, night fell.
There were people in twos and threes on the riverside. It wasn't crowded, but this long stretch of riverside didn't seem empty. There were already rich families by the riverside who set up lanterns and occupied a good spot. They enjoyed the cool breeze of the river, ate fruits, drank wine, admired the stars, and talked about legendary love stories.
There were also girls who would dress up beautifully on this day and show their faces outside, so that people would know that some family had a daughter who had just grown up, was virtuous, and loved beauty.
It had become the custom of An Ling to honor the Chunlan River on the Qixi Festival. There was a story behind this.
At this time, the scholarly Great Scholar Xue came in handy, "When Emperor Anwu first took over the capital, there was a year when the northern border was invaded by barbarians. He personally led the army, but there was no news of him. Empress Ning Zhen stayed in the capital, worried and hopeful. She would often pray on this Chunlan River that leads to the north. There was a banyan tree by the riverside, and every time Empress Ning Zhen went there, she would hang a handmade talisman under the tree. One day in July, the banyan tree actually bore fruit, and then, news of Emperor Anwu's triumphant return came from the capital."
"Therefore, people say that the banyan tree has a spirit and respectfully calls it the 'Goddess Tree'. Every year on the seventh day of the seventh lunar month, there would be men and women with worries on their minds who would go to this three-hundred-year-old banyan tree and tie a sachet containing their worries to the tree deity to bless them. After three days, it is said that their wishes would be fulfilled."
Xia Jiangmin and Yu Shu were not locals, and this was the first time they heard of this story. The former's eyes shone with excitement, while the latter looked around and pointed to a place far away where the shadows of people were moving, and the place was unusually bright, "Are you talking about that tree?"
It was rare to see a banyan tree growing in the north, let alone on the riverside. Such a lush forest, from afar, could not be mistaken.
Liu Tan said, "That's the tree."
Looking at the towering crown of the tree, Xia Jiangmin had an idea, and asked delicately, "Ninth Young Master, have you also made a wish on the Tree of Goddess?"
Liu Tan turned to look at her, and smiled, "Not really. This is the first time I came to this river on the Qixi Festival."
After a pause, he asked, "Why don't we go take a look later?"
Xia Jiangmin's eyes sparkled as she nodded. Her slightly curious look was somewhat childish, but it did not lose its beauty.
Xue Rui said, "There's no hurry. Ninth Brother has prepared a banquet, let's eat first before heading there."
"That's settled then. Let's eat first, and fill our stomachs so that we can go for a night trip." Yu Shu clapped her hands and laughed.
The four of them then climbed up to a restaurant on the riverside under the illumination of the lanterns.
.....
After the banquet, the four of them walked on the river with only two guards. They were dressed lightly and walked along the river.
Not far from the green fog of the banyan tree, there was a small stall selling incense pouches, flowery ropes, and colorful threads. The craftsmanship was considered good.
Seeing that there were many people buying, Xia Jiangmin also pulled Yu Shu to choose a few colorful ropes. As for the pouches and pouches that were used as fortune pouches, she was not interested in them.
There were scholars who specialized in lending ink and paper around the banyan tree, decorating it with lanterns and streamers. The starlight shone down, illuminating the old banyan tree that was lush and green during the day, making it glow, as if the tree itself was glowing.
This Niangniang tree was thick enough for five people to encircle it. The layers of branches were bent, and the lower branches were already densely packed with colourful pouches. The higher the branches, the fewer the fortune pouches. Standing at the foot of the banyan tree and looking up, it was as if there were countless fruits, a very spectacular sight.
Liu Tan accompanied Xia Jiangmin to write the fortune pouches. Yu Shu quietly pulled on Xue Rui's sleeve. The two of them stopped at the back, giving them some time to be alone.
"Eldest brother, look, isn't it clearly a good match for Prince Jing?" Yu Shu tilted her head to ask.
Xue Rui raised his head to look at the boundless blue banyan tree, his tone unhurried, "If they can be compatible, that would be the best."
Saying that, he lowered his head to look at her, his eyes dark, "Just like you and me."
Yu Shu silently raised her finger, using the cover of his wide sleeves to hook his palm. In the next moment, she was forcefully held by him.
Yu Shu was shocked. There were so many people here and she was afraid of being noticed. She turned her head to glare at him and wanted to pull her hand back, but he held it so tightly that she couldn't break free.
When he saw her panic, Xue Rui laughed in a low voice, and he was just about to say something when he suddenly noticed a figure in the corner of his eyes, and he hurriedly turned around to look at the other side of the banyan tree.
"What is it?" Yu Shu sensed that his mind was wandering and asked.
Xue Rui released her and raised his hand to point in front, "That's Kong Qi."
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