The day of entering the palace was getting closer and closer. Every day, Xie 'er played the zither and painted. It was very quiet. Rong Ruo was studying hard in the Flower Cottage, actively preparing for the provincial examination in August next year. The days seemed to be stable, but there were a few thorns that hurt at the touch. No one dared to touch them easily, afraid that they would hurt others and themselves.
As for Xiangsi, she scratched the tip of her nose like a green bristlegrass, but she couldn't help but choke on a mouthful of fresh air.
That day, the pear shade had just broken through, and the ice petals had sprinkled a courtyard of infatuation. The wheel of the burial flower was golden well, and it was thin, and the beauty was so tender. Xie 'er put on a honey-colored silk dress with the word " heart " written on it. She slowly walked through the courtyard in front of the Cold Fragrance Pavilion and chatted with her emotions. He looked up faintly and met Rong Ruo, who was leaning against the window in the flower cottage across the stream and pavilion.
When he saw it, he couldn't help but feel like a clear spring.
Xie 'er smiled shyly. She brushed away the flowers and continued to walk lazily in the same way as before. Her figure was thin and elegant like a chrysanthemum. Rong Ruo was stunned. She didn't know where the book had turned to, but she heard a few sounds of the zither. From afar, she could tell that it was the clear sound of the zither. The song was strange and cold, and it was unconventional. It had a different kind of magnanimity. He busied himself with his desk and walked straight through the Pavilion of Lushui. Following the sound of the zither, he hurried to the front of the Pavilion of Cold Fragrance.
The song became more and more high and difficult to tune. Rong Ruo felt a trace of coolness and sighed." Who has this? Who is right?"
Turning around, he saw Xie 'er sitting under the pear tree, playing the zither leisurely. The snow petals stained her lapel and the zither, just in line with her slender fingers. The falling flowers and drizzle were like the mess of kite feathers. The west wind flowed out from her wrist, the hibiscus wept, and the jade of Kunshan shattered, but the clouds did not flow.
Rong Ruo didn't know that she was listening to the music, but the sound of the zither was ancient, as if life and death had broken through the sky and sworn an oath. At that moment, he seemed to understand something from her music.
With a flick of her finger, she is lazy. Rong Ruofang went forward and sighed." Cousin, why do you have to…"
Xie 'er was startled. She pulled herself out of the deep pain. Fu Qin sighed." There is no sorrow or joy in the sound. Cousin is worrying too much."”
Rong Ruo smiled dismally. He was dressed in green, as if he was covered in smoke and jade. He said," I didn't expect to meet a wise master today." He had originally wanted to leave it in the Cold Fragrance Pavilion and be covered in ashes for the rest of his life.”
Xie 'er gently stroked the zither, and a dull sound rang out. She looked up and smiled." It's very suitable."”
"Ha, since you like it so much, Biao Younger Sister, how about giving this zither a name?”Rong Ruo gently plucked the zither strings and looked back with a smile.
"The music of this zither is like a cold mountain and an icy stream, quiet and clear. "Why don't we call it 'Aqua Mountain Freezing…'" Xie 'er's interest was piqued again, and they chatted for a while.
" Three Lines of Water and Skinny…What an elegant name…" Rong Ruo actually misheard it, and as if she was meditating, she lowered her eyebrows and chewed.
Xie 'er understood and did not correct him. She smiled and hid it in her heart. This elegant misheard was like a beautiful charm that could seal away precious memories of the past. In the future, as long as he thought about it, it would be like that soft dream, so intimate that he would not sink into it forever...
Rong Ruo carried the softest color of the clouds and looked at Xie 'er. She knew that she should not complain. Xie' er had already understood the meaning in his eyes and just quietly stayed close to him. The two of them combined their thoughts, their sleeves intertwined, and their four hands played together. A clear sound of heaven and earth resonated between their fingers, stopping the clouds.
The song gradually became smooth and slow. Xie 'er looked at his handsome face with a profound meaning. She looked back and lowered her head, but she muttered," When the flowers and waves are gone, I will accompany you alone…"
Inside Yangxin Hall, there were two blue-and-white three-legged furnaces with sea water patterns on their ears. Aquilaria curled up in the air. A pile of memorials was piled up in front of the imperial table. Kangxi leaned on the table and only read a few pages before he fell asleep.
"Cao Yin, I've been cooped up in the palace all day. It's really unbearable. Why don't we go out of the palace to play again?”The Emperor was still young and full of vitality. How could he be trapped? He said to Cao Yin.
"Emperor, the last time when the horse was startled, the Empress Dowager almost punished me. Fortunately, the emperor was fine and was spared the death penalty. Today, you must not leave the palace privately again. I really can't bear it.”Cao Yin cupped his hands.
"Cao Yin, you are such a good brother, how can you be so heartless as to watch zhen work day and night for the country? Not even giving me a chance to relax? "I've treated you well…" The Emperor saw that Cao Yin was unwilling and pretended to sigh.
" Your Majesty... I..." Cao Yin was a straightforward man and was speechless.
"Cao Yin, I won't go to the forest to race this time. I'll go play something elegant and I'll be fine. Besides, the Empress Dowager invited an old minister today, so she won't ask about us. How is it?" The Emperor moved in front of Cao Yin and encouraged.
" This..." Cao Yin was also struggling in his heart. In fact, today was the annual Lotus Appreciation Festival in the capital. At that time, the scholars of Jiangnan and Jiangbei would gather at the " Futing Waterside Pavilion " to sing poems. Cao Yin wanted to go very much, but he was on duty today and felt a little regretful. At this time, when he heard that the Emperor also wanted to go to the palace, he was very happy. However, he was worried that if something happened, he would lose his head, so he struggled for a long time.
"Cao Yin, we're only going out of the palace in plain clothes, so no one will recognize us. Besides, your martial arts are strong, so I believe you won't let me get hurt. Let's go, let's go." Seeing Cao Yin's expression change slightly, the Emperor also guessed a bit and quickly took the opportunity to pull him back to change into casual clothes.
Inside the Lu Mansion, there were lanterns and streamers, and the guests were all present to welcome Lord Lu back to the capital. Ming Zhu had heard that this person had wealth and means. When he was the Governor of Guangdong and Guangxi, she had heard that he was a figure. This time, he was promoted back to the capital by the Emperor, so she specially came early to pay a visit.
A short while later, a servant came to report that the Minister of Justice, Nalan Mingzhu, had come to congratulate him. Lu Xingzu was flattered and quickly stood up to welcome him.
"Lord Ming Zhu came personally. This little brother is flattered and flattered.”Lu Xingzu bowed politely.
"Eh, Lord Lu is happy to move to the capital. Congratulations. Come, present the congratulatory gift.”Lu Xingzu hurriedly led a group of small officials who had come to congratulate Ming Zhu into the residence. Ming Zhu then ordered the servant to carry the gift.
Two servant boys carried a red brocade box and placed it in the hall of the Lu Mansion. After removing the colored carrying pole, the servant boy gently opened the brocade box. Instantly, the Lu Mansion shone brightly. Everyone rubbed their eyes and finally understood that there was an extremely rare luminous pearl in the brocade box.
" I am not worthy to accept it. Such a rare item, Lord Ming Zhu, you should…" Lu Xingzu was pleasantly surprised and rejected it.
"I hope Lord Lu will accept this small gift. If she continued to shirk, she would not give Ming Zhu face.”Mingzhu pretended to be a little angry.
" This..." Lu Xingzu did not know Mingzhu's purpose for coming here. Although he did not want to make friends with the officials too early, he had to leave a way out. In the future, he might have to rely on this person to promote him. After thinking about it, he leaned over and bowed." Then I will obey."”
Seeing this, the servant of the Lu Residence hurriedly went forward to carry the brocade box down. Lu Xingzu carried the pearl and went to the back hall to eat wine and watch the show.
Rong Ruo went to Yi Lan Pavilion to greet Jue Luo Furen. She brought Xie 'er through the winding corridor and rockery and arrived at Lushui Pavilion. However, she heard a servant calling out from behind her as he chased after her. So it was Ting Ming.
"Young Master, Young Master Chen Weisong has come to visit. This servant has invited him to the Flowering Cottage to drink tea and wait.”Ting Ming panted.
"Brother Qinian, you're early!" Rong Ruo said happily.
When Xie 'er heard this, she was excited and blurted out," It's Chen Weisong?”
"What's wrong? You two know each other?" When Rong Ruo saw Xie 'er like this, he couldn't help but feel surprised.
" No, no, no, we don't know each other..." Xie 'er shook her hand quickly, but she thought to herself, Chen Weisong was once known as the " Phoenix of Jiangzuo " by Wu Weiye. He was a famous poet and master of parallel prose in the Qing Dynasty. He was almost twenty years older than Rong Ruo, but he actually had a relationship with her cousin. She had always heard that these Jiangnan scholars were all green-eyed, but he was only close to her cousin. Indeed, confidants valued each other. His admiration for Rong Ruo increased, and he had long wanted to meet this romantic poet as well.
"Biao Younger Sister, go and change into a male outfit first. Later, Biao Younger Brother will bring you to a place. Cousin will go and greet Young Master Chen first. You can come to Flowering Cottage after cleaning up.”Rong Ruo smiled.
"Men's clothing? Alright!" When Xie 'er heard that she was going to dress up as a man and go out to play, Rao felt that it was interesting. She disappeared like a wisp of smoke and flew away like a bird out of its cage.
Rong Ruo couldn't help but laugh as she went straight back to Flowering Cottage.
"Brother Rong Ruo. I haven't visited you for a long time. How have you been?”When Chen Weisong saw Rong Ruo enter the room, he quickly placed some tea and stood up to greet her.
"I'm fine. Brother Nian, today you can show your skills and let me experience it.”Rong Ruo cupped her hands and greeted him as they sat down. The servant quickly changed the hot tea.
"Rong Ruo is too polite. Who in the capital doesn't know that your words are brilliant?”Chen Weisong stroked his beard and laughed. The literati knew each other very well and met each other. From then on, they talked very happily and were very happy.
" Cousin..." Exquisite said in a roundabout manner. Chen Weisong was shocked. A young master floated in from outside the door.
Chen Weisong couldn't help but finish his tea and size her up. She was dressed in a white shirt with a silver belt and had an ancient folding fan in her arms. Although she was a little short, she had an extraordinary appearance. Her almond-shaped eyes were like a woman's, and she was graceful and elegant.
He said happily," Since when did Rong Ruo's family have such a suave cousin? Why don't you introduce him?"”
Xie 'er entered the door and saw the guest. He was tall and had a square face. He had a full beard and his eyes were like torches. People did not dare to look at him directly. She guessed that this was Chen Weisong. Xie 'er closed her mouth, knowing that she had almost exposed the trap. She quickly lowered her head and did not speak, only glancing at Rong Ruo.
"Brother Qinian, this is Rong Ruo's younger cousin who just came from Jiangnan.”Rong Ruo was instantly embarrassed and quickly tried to smooth things over. He then said to Xie 'er," This is Rong Ruo's old friend, Young Master Chen Weisong.”
Xie 'er and Chen Weisong bowed to each other and sat down.
Another servant came to report," Young Master, Gu Zhenguan, Young Master Gu, has come to pay a visit. He's waiting in the hall."
"Hah! It's Liang Fen. Please come to the thatched cottage quickly and say that my brother is also here.”Rong Ruo couldn't help but wave her hands.
A moment later, a loud laugh came from outside the door, and it entered his ears before the figure.
"Brother Rong Ruo and Brother Qi Nian are both here. It seems that this brother is really old and has fallen to the last place.”Gu Zhenguan lifted his robe and strode in. He bowed and bowed.
"No, no, it hasn't been long.”Chen Weisong stood up and smiled.
"Brother Liang Fen, we haven't seen each other for half a year.”Rong Ruo patted Gu Zhenguan's shoulder and smiled.
Xie 'er looked up. Could this gentleman who had just arrived be Rong Ruo's best friend, Gu Zhenguan? He was tall and thin, with wide eyes and a light black robe. He had a sage-like temperament. Just as Xie 'er was carefully observing Gu Zhenguan, he also noticed the stranger in the Cottage.
"Rong Ruo, who is this little brother?" Gu Zhenguan asked as he sized up this little brother. He felt that he had delicate features, white teeth, cherry lips, and a scholarly aura. He was smart and handsome.
"This is Rong Ruo's distant cousin, he just came from Jiangnan. Brother Liang Fen, who do you think he is?”Chen Weisong didn't wait for Rong Ruo to answer and said.
"There's no need to guess. This little brother is naturally quite flirtatious with his cousin, haha.”Gu Zhenguan clapped his hands and laughed.
"Xie 'er, come and greet Mr. Gu.”Rong Ruo smiled and waved at Xie 'er.
"Yes, cousin." Xie 'er bowed and cupped her hands." Mr. Gu.”
"Alright…no need to be so polite. Your cousin and I are best friends. Since we have met today, how about we call each other brothers from now on?”Gu Zhenguan was beaming.
"I'm most honored." Xie 'er is also very happy, this Gu Zhenguan, the word Liang Fen, good at poetry, poetry is particularly famous. Together with Chen Weisong and Zhu Yizun, they were known as the "Three Unique Ci Artists" in the late Ming and early Qing Dynasties. At the same time, they shared the reputation of "Three Unique Ci Artists in Beijing" with Nalan Xingde and Cao Zhenji.
"Rong Ruo, you've displayed your talents today!”Gu Zhenguan raised his head and finished his teacup with a smile.
"Brother Liang Fen must be joking. In front of Brother Gu, how would I dare to call myself talented?”Rong Ruo waved her hands and said humbly.
"Rong Ruo's Ci is famous in Beijing, everyone must be anxious. Seeing that the time is about to start, let's hurry up and go. There's no lack of good tea there.”Gu Zhenguan finished his tea and immediately stood up to leave.
"Brother Gu is still so impatient, haha.”Chen Weisong put down his teacup and left.
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