The spring breeze no longer bit with a chill; instead, the sunlight was mild and warm. Against the backdrop of a cerulean sky, various flying spirit beasts darted to and fro. Familiar acquaintances rode side-by-side, chatting and laughing, while others gathered in groups to race or even play polo mid-air. I watched the young masters of the Wen family play polo with great interest for a long while, but Wei Qingming was nowhere to be seen. I supposed that on such an occasion, she would naturally be traveling with the Wei family.
Wen Xiang said with restless longing, "I could have gone riding too! But Mother insisted that since I’m getting married this autumn, I should behave like a proper lady and forbade me from riding."
"Sister Xiang, why don't you teach me how to ride sometime?"
"No problem!" Wen Xiang patted her chest. "There’s a paddock at the manor. I can teach you this afternoon."
Wen Shu smiled and said, "I won't be joining you. The carriage ride has left me exhausted; I’ll take a nap this afternoon instead."
Wen Xiang patted my shoulder and said with a grin, "A-Qi, you have no idea—Shu’s riding skills are the best among us sisters! Why don't you pester her a bit and see if she’ll come?"
Before I could speak, Wen Shu pushed her away with a laugh, pleading, "I really don't feel well today. We’re staying at the manor for several days, so what’s the rush?"
As we spoke, we heard the Wen family's young masters calling out, "Members of the Wei family, come play with us!"
A small group of three or four people, accompanied by their valets, flew toward us. They were all mounted on black-and-white immortal cranes, looking exceptionally elegant amidst the more rugged spirit beasts. Wei Qingming wore a white robe with smoke-gray gauze bordering her crossed collar, cuffs, and hem. As she moved, the fabric fluttered and billowed; it was hard to tell whether it was the crane or she herself who was about to vanish into the wind.
A beautiful blush crept onto Wen Shu’s face. Even Wen Xiang leaned against the carriage window and laughed. "Wei the Third, you look so handsome in those clothes. How about I break off my engagement with the Hua family and marry you instead?"
The young men burst into laughter. Wen Sili clapped his hands and chuckled, "I’ve truly never seen a woman so eager for a husband."
"It’s a good thing the Hua family isn't here today, or else Wei the Third would end up with a few holes poked in her, and that fine outfit would go to waste!"
Wei Qingming flew close to our carriage and gave a slight, respectful nod. "I am honored by your affection, Sister, but I fear I lack the fortune to enjoy it."
Wen Xiang laughed loudly and reached out to swat at her, but Wei Qingming had anticipated it and nimbly guided her crane away. Wen Shu brushed her reddened cheek with her fingertips. Seeing me leaning over the window sill with a grin, she looked slightly surprised.
Due to the frequent funerals and sacrificial rites, several commercial districts had sprung up around Lengquan Mountain, reaching the scale of small towns. Ordinary families could book rooms at the inns for a few days, and the streets were lined with restaurants and teahouses, making it quite convenient.
Prominent families mostly owned their own estates in the northern hills. Honglu Villa was a property of the Wen family. Because of its beautiful scenery, younger members of the family would come here for leisure even outside of the Qingming period. Even in Wen Qi’s childhood memories, this place was familiar.
Wen Xiang and the others entered their courtyard with practiced ease. I stayed by Wen Fourth Master’s side and asked him, "Father, why don't I stay with Tenth Sister and the others?" Naturally, he agreed without hesitation.
While Muyu was busy directing the room's arrangement, Wen Xiang hooked her arm through mine. "Come, come, let’s go eat in town. We’ll head to the paddock in the afternoon."
Since this was a mountain villa, it was intended for leisure and recreation. The rules for the younger generation were not as strict here; the elders turned a blind eye, tacitly allowing the children to move about freely before dark. After leaving the villa gates, we passed several high-end restaurants. I was so hungry I felt faint from the aromas, but Wen Xiang didn't stop. She kept her eyes straight ahead and pulled me toward a certain alley. "Don't look at those bustling places; the people who go there aren't the decent sort."
Just as we reached the mouth of the alley, I smelled a rich aroma of noodles. Pure white steam rose around dark wooden pillars stained with soot, and roasted geese hung by their heads from the eaves. Though there weren't many diners, the small shop’s hall was nearly full. Everyone was slurping noodles and washing them down with spicy old wine. Wen Xiang strode in and shouted, "Two bowls of noodles, one serving of Clear Water Cabbage... A-Qi, do you want goose brisket or a goose leg?"
I wiped my drool. "The brisket has plenty of sauce, but the leg meat is firm... Can I have both?"
Wen Xiang burst out laughing. "Sure! Since this is my first time hosting you, I have to make sure my guest is satisfied."
The owner had already blanched the noodles. He deftly removed two left goose legs, sliced the brisket, and brought them to the table. Wen Xiang said, "The Clear Water Cabbage here isn't simmered in chicken broth, but in goose broth. It’s rare to find it so crystal clear, and it’s perfect with the meat. I look forward to this every year at Qingming!" The two of us finished the meal like a whirlwind. Then, Wen Xiang took me to a nearby tea stall to buy a string of pear syrup before we happily made our way to the paddock.
The paddock of Honglu Villa was located in the eastern part of Lengquan Mountain. Further east was the royal estate of Prince Xuan. Because the grassland was so vast, it would have been a pity to divide it, so the two families set no boundaries and shared a small hillside by default. Wen Xiang picked a horse for me and told me to feed it some apples to build a rapport, then taught me how to mount. Perhaps because we were both animals, the horse—named Feihe—showed me some respect. When I clumsily climbed up and sat down heavily, it merely tossed its front hooves and let out a snort of derision but didn't try to throw me off.
Wen Xiang held the reins for me at first, leading the horse slowly. Once I adjusted, she let me hold the reins myself and taught me the commands for walking, galloping, flying, and stopping. I laughed as soon as I heard them: it was actually the common language of the Demon Race. My pronunciation was so perfect that Wen Xiang was utterly shocked.
I confidently patted the horse's head, about to boast, when Feihe suddenly reared up. Its large wings flapped with a great *whoosh*, and it soared into the sky. I was jolted so hard I nearly vomited. Thinking of how delicious the goose legs had been at lunch, I felt it would be a waste to throw them up, so I angrily cursed the horse in the Demon tongue. Feihe could likely understand but not speak; since I was on its back, it couldn't kick me, so it resorted to bucking up and down in the air. If I hadn't clung to its neck for dear life, I probably would have ended up upside down...
Wen Xiang laughed hysterically on the ground. Eventually, the paddock servants, fearing I might get hurt, mounted their own horses and flew up to escort me. I played until it was nearly dark before reluctantly dismounting. Feihe tried desperately to avoid me, but I still gave it a big kiss. The First Madam must have heard that Wen Xiang had run off to play wild again and sent Nanny Shui to bring her back. I insisted on visiting the stables and promised Nanny Shui I would return before dinner, so I was allowed to stay.
As I left the stables, I saw someone in the distance riding a horse at a low altitude, heading straight for the royal estate. My intuition told me it looked like Wen Shu. After dismissing the stable hands, I quietly used my movement technique to follow her.
Wen Shu’s riding skills were indeed superb. Her graceful figure paired with the white celestial horse, her long hair and dress fluttering together in the sunset glow—it was a feast for the eyes. Moreover, her expression seemed tinged with worry, adding a unique charm to her demeanor. The celestial horse flapped its wings and landed slowly on a hillside where fragrant grass swayed. Wen Shu leaped lightly from the horse and walked toward a person sitting on a rock, waiting.
I was delighted when I saw who it was: it was actually Wei Qingming. Could it be that they were the ones on a date, and Wen Qi was just a smokescreen?
Wei Qingming sat leisurely, but her hands were busy wiping a small sword. From time to time, she would squint and hold the blade up against the setting sun or flick the spine of the sword with her finger, making it emit a reserved, low hum. Seeing Wen Shu arrive, she nodded and put the small sword away.
*Hah, what a gentleman,* I thought. *Can't be brandishing weapons in front of a beauty...*
Wen Shu’s face caught the light of the setting sun, adding a glow of unspoken words. She said softly, "Brother Qingming, I am truly sorry... I, I cannot let my father and brother know..."
"It’s fine," Wei Qingming said indifferently. "Your uncle serves under Prince Xuan; naturally, he wouldn't dare offend him."
Wen Shu lowered her eyes, her voice dropping a few notches. "It’s not that I fear my father being annoyed by Prince Xuan’s second son, but rather that he might just go along with it..."
Wei Qingming didn't respond. She calmly brushed some grass off her clothes and sat upright. For a moment, the only sound was the wind blowing through the swaying wildflowers on the hillside and the rustling of the celestial horse's wings as it grazed with its head down.
Wen Shu forced herself to sit on a rock, biting her lip and twisting the handkerchief in her hands. When several people appeared in her field of vision, riding from the direction of the royal estate, she stood up abruptly and said nervously, "Several people are coming..."
Wei Qingming acted as if she hadn't heard or seen anything. She didn't stand up leisurely until the newcomers stopped a few yards away.
The leader was presumably Prince Xuan’s son. He flipped off his horse and stared at Wen Shu’s face with a grin. "Beauty, you agreed to meet me alone. Why is there an eyesore here?"
Wen Shu was both angry and afraid, her teeth clenched so hard she couldn't speak. Wei Qingming said, "Brother Chengshuo, I believe there is a misunderstanding. Miss Wen Shu is here today to reclaim her belongings."
"Oh? Those who work for the Palace are indeed different, calling me 'brother' now." Cao Chengshuo said disdainfully, "Is she your mistress? To tell you the truth, I’ve already done everything I should with her last time. This thing is what I—" Before he could finish, a small sword was pressed against his lips. His teeth slammed into the tip of the blade, and the pain made Cao Chengshuo clutch his mouth and take a large step back.
Somehow, Wei Qingming was sitting down again, her hand resting on her knee as she smiled faintly. Her expression was even somewhat pleasant. "Little Prince, you know me. This many people won't be enough for a fight." As she spoke, her figure blurred. Cao Chengshuo fell flat on his back, the back of his head hitting the ground hard. The small sword was relentless, snapping up to point right at the tip of his nose.
She smiled and crouched down in front of Cao Chengshuo. Ignoring his resistance, she pulled open his lapel and fished out several items. I craned my neck to look; it seemed to be a short jacket and a pair of women's shoes.
She tucked the items away and turned to ask Wen Shu, "Are these the ones? Is anything missing?" Wen Shu’s face was pale, and she nodded while trembling slightly, staring at Cao Chengshuo with hatred.
Only then did Wei Qingming pull Cao Chengshuo up into a sitting position. She slapped his face casually, as if patting a dog. The slaps rang out sharply, making Cao Chengshuo’s head wobble from side to side, yet he didn't make a sound. Cao Chengshuo’s lackeys seemed to know her well; they were likely used to being beaten and stayed huddled where they were, not moving an inch. A fight didn't even break out. I felt it was quite dull.
However, on second thought, I found Wei Qingming’s current appearance a bit terrifying. Despite her refined movements, her smile radiated a genuine pleasure from the bottom of her heart, as if she found tormenting people particularly delightful...
Only after Wei Qingming walked away did the two lackeys rush forward, one helping him up and the other dusting him off. Cao Chengshuo panted, his mouth bleeding, and pointed at her. "Don't think the Yingzhao Bureau can protect you forever. Sooner or later, you and that old rogue Feng Zhen will go down together!"
***
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