Chapter 21: Springtime Yearnings
An unspoken silence stretched between the two, even infecting Ji Li with a sense of unease.
This person... why was he staring at her so intently?
Strange.
A moment later, as if under the heat of that gaze, she subconsciously averted her eyes.
When she looked up again after a few breaths, Xi Che had already returned to his usual demeanor, lowering his head and gently stroking the bamboo shadow pattern on his exposed robe, one stroke at a time.
Silent, as if programmed with a fixed routine, methodical and precise.
Both of them were trained in martial arts, and they were not far apart.
In the same room, the boy's disordered breathing still betrayed his current thoughts.
Though it was only for a moment, it was enough to prove that he was not as calm and composed as he appeared.
No one in the mansion would dare to say anything out of line, simply assuming that Xi Che was just lucky and had risen through the ranks quickly.
He was not unaware of these speculations.
Whenever he wanted to defend himself, the thoughts in his heart would always pull his sanity back.
This was fine.
Xi Che took a deep breath, looked up again, and said, "So, for the lantern festival... how does this outfit look?" He knew Ji Li was a bit embarrassed, so he decided to change the subject.
The boy stood up, slowly turned a half circle to the left and right, showcasing the patterns on his clothes.
With his movements, the robe swayed slightly.
When he stood up so straight, Ji Li only then realized.
The contours of the young man's gradually disappeared, replaced by the aura of an adult man.
In these two months, he had grown much taller.
She had to tilt her head up slightly to have a better conversation with him.
But maybe she didn't need to tilt her head up.
Every time, he would lower his head and listen quietly as she spoke.
"Hmm," Ji Li responded, then added somewhat conspicuously after a pause, "It's beautiful."
She felt a bit awkward, "In a couple of days, you can wear this outfit." Then, veering off track, she abruptly said, "You've asked your question, so why are you still here?"
Xi Che casually raised his eyebrows, "Just wanted to inform you." His tone carried a hint of amusement.
He seemed to excel at this kind of smooth-talking, "Your judgment has always been sharp, sister." Otherwise, he wouldn't have been chosen.
When someone falls in love, there are often little thoughts that are hard to conceal.
For example, Xi Che, the next day when he went to class, was already dressed in a new outfit.
The crimson garments accentuated his handsome features, like a painting.
Xi Che was in a good mood, and his learning came naturally and faster than usual.
His learning ability was already remarkable, but now it seemed to have accelerated even more, causing Xu Zexu to glance sideways after teaching most of the class.
Curiously, he asked, "You seem... in high spirits today?"
Unexpectedly, Xi Che ignored the question and asked in return, "Brother, is the Lantern Festival beautiful?"
Xu Zexu was taken aback by the question but didn't dwell on it.
Their interaction was harmonious; although they were teacher and student, they also had other intricate connections.
With a clever student, it was inevitable for the teacher to feel a sense of accomplishment.
"The Lantern Festival lasts for three days and nights, it is considered a special festival for the border people." He patiently explained, "Every time this festival arrives, it signifies the coming of winter."
Thinking that tomorrow was a rest day as agreed upon, Xu Zexu asked, "Are you going to visit tomorrow?"
Xi Che had been setting the stage for this, anticipating this very question.
He casually propped his chin on his hand, hesitating for a moment.
Gently tapping his finger on the desk, he finally said, "If the lady invites me, then I will definitely go tomorrow." After speaking, he quickly glanced at the expressions of those nearby.
To his surprise, Xu Zexu nodded without a hint of surprise, and with even more joy on his face, he said, "That's great, it so happens that the three of us can go together."
"?"
Xi Che didn't quite understand this turn of events and looked back in confusion.
In the next moment, he saw his good teacher smile and slowly say, "Did sister not tell you? Tomorrow, at the hour of the dog, we will go to the Lantern Festival together."
Xi Che: "...She did." He now understood.
A smile formed on his lips, he put his hand down and sat up straight, "That sounds good, quite a coincidence."
Xu Zexu nodded in agreement, "Indeed." Concerned, he added, "When I was young, I happened to play at the General's Mansion in winter and coincidentally experienced the festivities, now it's your first time attending such a festival, so make the most of it tomorrow."
Xi Che's smile faded.
He nodded, gently saying, "Thank you, brother, I hope you have a great time tomorrow."
Xu Zexu was taken aback by his words for a moment, then brushed off the faint hint of pleasantries and replied in kind.
...
The moon rose above the branches, casting a crimson hue over the night.
Inside the house, the lamps were still lit, casting a long-lasting glow.
On the table, a stack of letters formed a thin layer, as Ji Li sat quietly, sifting through them one by one.
Yun Yi was grinding ink nearby, the black ink rippling in concentric circles.
After a while, Ji Li finally spoke after handling her business, "Do you think he knows?"
Seeing her maid nod, she thought for a moment but decided not to worry about it.
To her surprise, the next day unfolded just as she had expected.
Xi Che and his cousin were already waiting at the mansion gates for her.
He was dressed in the same outfit he had worn when Ji Li had admired him, under the moonlight, he looked like a naive young gentleman who was unaware of the ways of the world.
His overly bright eyes and eyebrows exuded a compelling beauty.
As he stood there, he could see Ji Li's figure from afar and gave her a distant smile.
This sight made him appear even more vibrant and alive.
Having spent some time in the mansion, Ji Li had heard many compliments about how he looked like a woman and was exceptionally handsome.
On the contrary, she had never thought of him in that way.
The young man towered over her by much, and he no longer looked as frail as when he first arrived.
Both he and his cousin had their own unique styles.
As they drew closer, he leaned in, "You're here~" his words carrying a hint of a playful tone.
Guarding her like a sentinel by her side, standing tall and straight.
Ji Li nodded and set off with the two of them.
The night was deep and silent.
Before the trio reached the central area, they only made it to the edge of the lake, where many people were releasing sky lanterns.
The flames inside the lanterns were wrapped in white shades, slowly rising like shimmering stars, forming a radiant Milky Way connecting the sky and the lake.
Ji Li rarely showed a hint of interest, contemplating making a wish by releasing a lantern.
She had come every year in her childhood but had been less frequent in recent years.
After walking for a while, the area ahead grew brighter, illuminating the darkness as if igniting the silent night.
The lantern market shone like a pearl in the night, amidst the glow of the lanterns; the bustling sounds of people suddenly broke through, accompanied by the festive atmosphere, dispersing the long night and filling it with a lingering joy.
The lantern vendors had been doing this for decades, and when they saw Ji Li, they enthusiastically called out to her, "Miss Ji, come and solve a riddle with the lanterns!"
Ji Yunshan and Song Ying were having their own private time in the mansion, but today she had arranged to meet up with these two.
Perhaps it was the festive atmosphere that stirred her heart, she suddenly felt a vague sense of time and space overlapping.
Walking a few steps under the lantern-adorned frames, a revolving egret lantern caught her eye.
The candle inside the lantern was lit, causing the paper-cut patterns on the revolving axis to come to life.
Under the flickering candlelight, the shadows danced and shifted, creating a mesmerizing spectacle.
Bordering many neighboring countries, the region was no stranger to skirmishes and conflicts, both large and small.
The common folk too found their own ways to express themselves.
This particular lantern narrated the story of a man's journey from conscription to the battlefield, culminating in his rise to prominence.
Intrigued, she spoke, "I'll take this one then." With that, she turned to find her companions.
With the intention of immersing Xi Che in the festive atmosphere, Ji Li discreetly tugged at his sleeve.
As she turned, however, she was suddenly jostled by someone.
The unexpected push caused her to stumble, taking a few steps to the side.
Regaining her balance, she saw that everything was as it was before and dismissed the incident.
It was probably just the crowded, lively atmosphere.
Turning to the person beside her, she engaged in casual conversation, "How about you guess some lantern riddles later?"
The girl's voice pierced his ears. Lanterns illuminated the ten-mile stretch, while distant stars adorned the night sky.
The honey-colored cloak of the person beside him overlapped with his long robe.
A gentle breeze swept past, bringing them closer.
Xi Che couldn't quite understand what he was feeling nervous about.
He could only hear his own heartbeat, pounding against the backdrop of the cold, windy night.
It was quite distracting.
In that small moment, the cacophony of voices around him amplified, and he instinctively wanted to say something.
His fingers beneath his robe fidgeted restlessly, mirroring his inner turmoil.
The girl's bright, cheerful smile filled his vision.
From his angle, she appeared petite and delicate.
Just as he was about to speak, Xu Zexu's louder voice interrupted him with another question--