Chapter Thirteen: An Unexpected Encounter at the Yue Residence

Update time: May 14, 2013

On the morning of the twenty-fifth, the entire Yue residence was bustling. The Princess Consort of Nanping was hosting a banquet, and those seeking her reputation were sure to arrive in droves. Yet none of this concerned Yue Lianyue. She had risen early and gone to the Firefly Garden, where, after breakfast, she nestled beside Lianyu, watching her handle affairs one by one. At first, she was spirited and eager, but slowly her enthusiasm waned, and she grew restless.

Lianyu had just finished giving instructions for another matter. She glanced at Lianyue’s dispirited expression and sighed inwardly. There was so much to do today that she could not leave, no matter what. After thinking for a moment, she suggested, “If you find yourself bored, why not have Ziling accompany you to Meilan Garden to pick some plum blossoms?”

Lianyue, upon hearing this, thought to herself that although she didn’t particularly like plum blossoms, it was better than sitting idly. She quickly nodded and agreed.

No sooner had she left the Firefly Garden than she covered her mouth with a small hand and yawned, complaining drowsily, “It’s so dull inside—I don’t know how Big Sister can stand it.”

Ziling, walking behind her, couldn’t help but tease, “Miss, you’re already tired just from listening. If you ever have to manage the household, you’ll surely be overwhelmed!”

Lianyue furrowed her brow and replied carelessly, “We have my elder brother, and if not, Second Aunt and Third Aunt are always eager to take charge. I have no desire to join the commotion!”

Looking at her pure-hearted mistress, Ziling reminded her, “Miss, I wasn’t speaking of the Yue household, but of the Yuwen family you’ll marry into one day…”

Lianyue understood at once. She stumbled, nearly falling, and grabbed Ziling’s arm tightly, demanding fiercely, “What did you say?”

“N-n-nothing, Miss, please be gentle,” Ziling cried out in pain.

“Hmph! If you keep talking nonsense, your lady will show you no mercy.” With that, she flung Ziling’s arm aside and strode angrily toward Meilan Garden. Ziling hurried after her, rubbing her arm and scolding herself inwardly: “Why am I always so tactless lately? Saying the wrong thing again—my arm will surely turn purple this time. I’ve brought this upon myself!”

All the way, Lianyue walked ahead with her head down, feeling uneasy. Is it really so obvious? I’m only a little curious about him… No, I’m just curious about his flute playing, nothing else…

A hundred yards away, Qiao Zhi was silently confronting a man in white across from him. His narrow eyes twitched now and then, clearly agitated. By contrast, the man in white was calm and indifferent, as if Qiao Zhi’s anger had nothing to do with him. Their attendants watched their masters anxiously. No one noticed Yue Lianyue, who was approaching with her head down.

Ziling saw her mistress heading straight toward the two men, and with only a few yards between them, a collision was inevitable. She quietly warned, “Miss, there are people ahead.”

“Mm, I know.” Lianyue was preoccupied, barely responding, and didn’t even lift her head as she walked on.

Ziling had no choice but to follow closely, ready to pull her mistress back at any moment.

The two men, still confronting each other, heard the approaching footsteps and looked over. Both paused, clearly recognizing Lianyue. Qiao Zhi softened his angry expression and was about to greet her, but before he could speak, Lianyue shifted her steps toward the man on his right.

The man in white, whose face had been impassive, now flashed a hint of panic. He stepped aside to clear the path, but Lianyue’s delicate hand reached for the jade flute at his waist as he moved. He tried to dodge, but her hand pursued stubbornly, and seeing her determination, he could only let her take the flute, sighing inwardly: This girl is as bold as ever. The man was none other than Yuwen Lingxi, heir of the Yuwen family—Lianyue’s betrothed in name, the same young man whose jade pendant had been snatched at Lianyu’s full moon celebration.

Qiao Zhi stared at Yuwen Lingxi in disbelief, noting his usual composure, and then shifted his gaze to Lianyue, who was examining the flute intently, puzzled. Others might not know, but Qiao Zhi was well aware of how Yuwen Lingxi cherished this jade flute—his own requests to see it had been coldly refused. Could it be because of the engagement?

Yue Lianyue was oblivious to everything happening around her. Ever since she first glimpsed that shade of green, a mysterious force had drawn her to reach out for it, compelling her until her hand closed around it. Only then did the force gradually ebb, yet a voice within insisted it ought to be red, as red as blood. Unconsciously, she murmured, “It should be red…”

Qiao Zhi couldn’t help but correct her, “It’s clearly green, how could it be red?” He failed to notice the shock that flickered across Yuwen Lingxi’s face.

Lianyue snapped out of her reverie at his words, looked up at the source of the voice, and saw Qiao Zhi. Embarrassed, she glanced at the flute in her hand, then at its owner, intending to explain and return it. But when she met the eyes she had thought of so often that day, she was startled and stepped back several paces, only to tread on a patch of snow left by a careless servant sweeping the courtyard. Her body pitched backward, out of control.

“Finished… I’m finished…” Lianyue inwardly lamented, resigning herself as she closed her eyes, awaiting her imminent collision with the ground. One heartbeat, two… Waiting truly seemed to stretch time unbearably. Wait—was she already on the ground? But there was no pain as expected. She reached beneath her—heavens, she hadn’t landed yet!

Her actions were witnessed by those nearby. Ziling was exasperated—her mistress was truly remarkable. She was about to speak when Qiao Zhi, unable to restrain himself, beat her to it: “Lianyue, do you really think you haven’t landed yet, or are you especially fond of your fiancé’s embrace?”

Lianyue’s eyes flew open at his words, meeting a pair of pitch-black eyes. Her face flushed crimson to the tips of her ears.

“If you’re all right, I’ll let go now,” a slightly husky yet pleasant voice sounded. Lianyue realized she was suspended in Yuwen Lingxi’s arms. Sheepishly, she nodded.

Yuwen Lingxi frowned slightly at the little figure who nodded but didn’t move. With a sigh, he gently released one hand, and only then did she react and stand properly on the ground.

“My flute,” he said again.

Lianyue looked down at the jade flute still clutched in her hand, and awkwardly handed it back. She meant to say something, but Yuwen Lingxi took the flute, replaced it at his waist, and turned to Qiao Zhi, who was watching with great interest, saying, “Let’s go.”

But Qiao Zhi ignored him, grinning at Lianyue, “Lianyue, you always seem so flustered when I see you. Are you trying to attract my attention?”

Lianyue, now mostly recovered, silently cursed at his words and retorted bluntly, “What business is it of yours? Move aside!” Seeing that Qiao Zhi made no response, she led Ziling around him and strode forward without looking back.

Qiao Zhi was not offended by her reaction; he continued smiling and followed after them, “Lianyue, where are you going? I’ll come along—if you’re careless again, I can protect you…”

Yuwen Lingxi, still standing where he was, shook his head helplessly. Watching their retreating figures, his eyes flickered, and he quietly followed after them.