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墨書 Inktalez
All night, I played the game of "I call, you come" with Dong Dong, tiring him out like a grandson. The next day, San Chun woke up very late, only getting out of bed when the sun was high in the sky.
After asking the maid, I learned that Great-Uncle had already moved into the estate, residing in a courtyard not far from her. That courtyard was clearly much more spacious than hers, and even the entrance was significantly larger. This showed that Madam Ju treated this fake brother much better than she did.
However, if she wanted to go out, she would inevitably have to pass through his courtyard and his door.
I wondered if Zhong Xue had already gone out or was still waiting in the courtyard. Qing often educated her about minding her own business and avoiding trouble when seeing injustice. She had always taken his words to heart, so upon seeing his door from a distance, she immediately took a detour and went out through the back entrance.
Yesterday, she had asked the estate's Steward to open the back door for her convenience. At that time, she hadn't thought that this method could help her avoid the demon god; looking back now, it seemed a bit prescient.
Reaching for the door, just as her hand touched the edge, she suddenly felt a sharp pain. A pebble had struck her hand, and the person who threw it was standing in front of a Poplar tree, leaning against it with arms crossed and looking at her sideways.
"Where do you think you're going?" Under the sunlight, Dong Dong's smile was particularly dazzling.
San Chun snorted lightly. "What are you going to do about it?"
She cursed inwardly; this person called her sister in front of Zhong Xue but couldn't even muster a polite word when he wasn't around.
Today she wanted to go see Quail Orchid. Yesterday she had asked for her help but couldn't think of a good idea at the time; today she needed to discuss it with her again.
Dong Dong slightly curled his lips. "The master has ordered that you cannot go anywhere."
"Why not?"
"For no reason; you must listen to the master's words."
Genius listened to him. San Chun reached out to continue opening the door, but it wouldn't budge no matter how hard she pulled. She was a bit surprised; wasn't it unlocked?
Looking down, she realized that while the top was indeed unlocked, there was a thick bronze chain extending from the lock hole on the ground.
Such a thick chain was quite rare and difficult to forge; even for tying up a dog, it would be too heavy. Only someone with an abundance of free time, nearly to the point of moldiness, could create something like this.
Fuming, she turned back to Dong Dong and extended her hand. "Give it to me."
"What?"
"The key."
Dong Dong flashed a grin showing his white teeth. "The key is not in my possession. If the master wants the key, he must go to his courtyard and throw himself into the net."
What a ridiculous suggestion! San Chun was nearly driven mad; this was her home—when did it become his place as a person from Wei Kingdom to call the shots?
Knowing she couldn't get out today, she still had to maintain her dignity as a Noble Lady. She couldn't just climb over the wall in her own house, could she? Reluctantly, she turned back into her room.
Did he think she would just throw herself into his net? She would rather rot here than ask him for help.
Stubbornly, she stayed cooped up in her room all day without stepping outside. Oddly enough, Qi didn't come looking for her today; he usually visited her more frequently than attending court.
Annoyed with Dong Dong, she didn't prepare any food for him today either. Let him figure out where to eat; whether he starved or not was none of her concern.
In the evening, Ju Rong returned, and both the Qin State and Zhao State envoys had come to negotiate a treaty with Yan State.
This was indeed good news. Over the years, the wars among the states had been relentless, making it difficult for the common people to enjoy a few peaceful days. If a treaty could be established to end the fighting, it would be a great relief.
Ju Rong was also very pleased, enthusiastically discussing how the envoys from these two states were behaving, seemingly quite satisfied with them.
Ji Xun had been traveling between various states for the past few years, and this time the envoy from Zhao State was certainly him. San Chun's heart stirred, and she asked, "Who is the envoy from Qin State?"
"It is said to be Gongzi Qiulan. It seems that Qin Wang does not think highly of this young master, but in my opinion, he is stronger than the Crown Prince of Qin."
Such words should not be spoken lightly; fortunately, they were at home, and San Chun was quite pleased with his remarks. In her eyes, there were hardly any who could compare to Qing.
Since Qing was in Yan State, she certainly wanted to meet him and catch up on their feelings since their last parting. However, if Zhong Xue found out that she secretly met Qing, it would definitely lead to trouble. Plus, with Dong Dong always watching her closely, how could she manage to escape?
Just as she was pondering this, Ju Rong suddenly said, "There will be a banquet in the palace tomorrow. Your mother is unwell and does not wish to attend; would you like to go instead?"
"Yes," she replied quickly, as if afraid he might change his mind.
Seeing her so delighted, Ju Rong couldn't help but sigh; truly, a daughter grows up too fast. He thought that San Chun was going to the palace to see Yan Wang. While he said nothing outwardly, he was already planning for his daughter's marriage in his heart.
If his daughter could marry Qi, it would be a good match; however, he had always been disfavored by Empress Dowager Hua. It wouldn't be easy to facilitate this matter. Moreover, there was Chengyang Jun; he had harbored feelings for Dan'er for a long time. If he found out about this situation, it would surely cause trouble.
Naturally, things would unfold; it just depended on how they would do so. At this moment, Ju Rong did not anticipate that his daughter's marriage would create such a stir that it would become known throughout the world.
The banquet, of course, takes place in the evening; the morning gathering is called a breakfast feast. However, if any king were to hold a grand feast for his ministers in the morning, it would likely indicate that he is unwell.
Walking inside Yan Palace, under the glow of palace lanterns, the finely paved jade floor shimmers with a warm light. In the distance stands a magnificent palace, with walls made of carved blue tiles and stacked jade stones. At the end of a straight path lies a high platform with hundreds of jade stone steps. Having visited Qin Wang Palace and Wei Wang Palace, it seems that only the steps of Yan Palace are the highest, as if they fear that walking on them might hurt people's feet.
San Chun is dressed in a white Peony Smoke Veil soft gauze and a flowing white Plum Blossom Pleated Skirt. Wrapped in soft smoke-like fabric, she indeed has a somewhat delicate and alluring appearance. Dragging her long skirt as she ascends the steps, she feels like a fairy descending to the mortal realm.
She wishes to show Qing how she looks now, so he won't think she is not feminine when evening arrives. In the past, whenever she quarreled with Zhu, he always sided with Zhu. Frustrated, she would argue with him and ask why. Zhu's heart was made of cream cheese, while hers was at best made of tofu dregs.
For this tofu dreg reputation, she had been annoyed for many days and had secretly vowed to replace it with tender tofu. Today is just the right opportunity to showcase her tender tofu charm.
The moon is beautiful, people are beautiful, and the atmosphere is beautiful; if only Madam Ju were not accompanying her, she would feel even more beautiful.
Madam Ju originally did not plan to come along but suddenly appeared at departure time for some unknown reason and sat in the same carriage as San Chun.
From the moment she got into the carriage, Madam Ju has been watching her with eyes that resemble those of someone guarding against thieves. Remembering how Madam Ju had abandoned her last time, leaving her to run wildly through the streets, San Chun feels displeased. It is rare for common folk in the city to witness such an event; even now, there are still discussions about which noble lady it was that ran madly that night.
Curious in her heart, San Chun disregards Madam Ju's sidelong glances and asks, "Mother, weren't you feeling unwell? Why not stay home and rest properly?"
Madam Ju snorts, "If it weren't for Great-Uncle, I wouldn't bother coming to this banquet."
Thinking about this being Zhong Xue's arrangement makes San Chun's scalp tingle; she wonders what tricks this uncle might be up to. Is arranging one Dong Dong not enough? Does he also want Madam Ju to act as his spy?
Curious about what Zhong Xue wanted to do, she kept trying to get close to her, asking, "What happened with Great-Uncle?"
"Have you met Great-Uncle before?"
"What is Great-Uncle doing in Daliang?"
...
She fired off a series of questions, leaving no chance for a response. Madam Ju let out a light huff, "Why are you so interested in Great-Uncle? If you really want to know, you might as well ask Great-Uncle yourself."
Upon hearing this, San Chun dared not say another word; how could she possibly ask Zhong Xue?
Today's palace banquet was quite different from the last Flower Banquet hosted by Empress Dowager Hua. The previous banquet had been attended entirely by women, with not a single man present. This time, however, most of the attendees were men, with only a few women sprinkled among them. As a result, their appearance immediately attracted the attention of many men.
As they entered the main hall, San Chun looked around and noticed that only a handful of high-ranking officials had brought their families, mostly young women. She guessed this was likely because the young masters from both countries would be attending and had brought their female companions to be seen.
She looked up and spotted Ji Xun. He was wearing a fine ice-blue silk robe adorned with elegant white embroidered bamboo leaves and a jade hairpin that complemented his appearance perfectly, highlighting the extraordinary figure of a handsome nobleman. He was tall and graceful; as he walked into the hall, he instantly became the center of attention.
With his chin slightly raised and his eyes sparkling like stars in the galaxy, he exuded an air reminiscent of the Zhao Country Prince.
Ji Xun also noticed San Chun and gave her a slight nod, a gentle smile playing at the corners of his lips.
San Chun returned the gesture, feeling her heart race. For some reason, every time she saw him, her heartbeat quickened and her breath became shallow. It felt as if she had dreamed of him many times before and recited his name repeatedly in her mind. But once awake, those dreams seemed unreal, and she could remember nothing at all. This feeling was strange and completely different from the warmth she felt when seeing Qi or the aversion she felt towards Zhong Xue.
She was thinking when the Ritual Official called out, "Prince Qin Qiu Lan has arrived."
Qing Jin was wearing a dark satin robe, with silver lace trim of Hibiscus peeking out from inside. He had a jade belt around his waist, exuding an air of noble elegance. With his tall and slender figure, he was not at all overshadowed even when standing next to Ji Xun. One couldn't help but sigh; these two truly deserved their reputation as the Four Great Young Masters.
Since he entered the main hall, San Chun had quietly started signaling him. Her signal was to knock on the quilt, gently tapping three times with the tip of a chopstick.
Back in Niushan Village, whenever she felt hungry, she would knock on the bowl three times. If Qing refused to cook, she would knock three more times. After knocking seventy or eighty times, he would be so annoyed that he would finally go to the kitchen to stop her.
Qing acted as if he hadn't seen her, simply passing by with his fingers behind his back gently shaking three times. She understood the meaning well; he was telling her that he hadn't eaten.
San Chun's face fell; who asked him for food? However, seeing him still made her very happy, like a person in Daxia enjoying a piece of ice, feeling extremely refreshed inside.
All the guests had arrived, and everyone knew that the king was coming, so they looked toward the dragon throne in the main hall, waiting for Prince Yan Qi to appear.
After a moment, the Ritual Official shouted, "The king has arrived."
Everyone knelt and paid their respects.
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