Chapter 19: Gazing at the Peach Blossoms

  Fang Yi Ai is now very distressed, as Lu Shi kept nagging: "You stinky brat, have you become bold? You actually didn't even tell your mother when you went to the imperial palace, don't you know that your mother has been worried about you all along?"

  "Mother, it's not that I didn't tell you, but Father was in such a hurry, pulling me out the door. I wanted to tell you, but there wasn't even time for that. If you don't believe me, ask Big Brother." Lu Shi listened to this and let go of Fang Yu Ai's ear, looking straight at Fang Yu and asking: "Older brother, is what Jun Er said true?" Fang Yu nodded his head with a smile, and immediately Lu Shi blew up in anger, pointing at Fang Xuan Ling and scolding him: "You old fool, did you take the wrong medicine? Do you think the palace is somewhere you can just go to whenever you want? Why didn't you discuss it with me beforehand? This time Jun Er was detained by the Emperor for four days. Luckily nothing happened, but if something had happened, I would have made you cry!"

  Fang Xuanling did not expect that his two sons would be so disloyal, and they actually sold him out. He could only stroke his beard and pretend to be calm, saying: "Madam, why must you do this? I still know the Emperor, he absolutely won't do anything to Jun'er."

  "Fang Xuanling, stop speaking in an official tone with me. Outside, you may be the prime minister, but at home, you have to listen to me. What you said sounds good, but are you the emperor? How do you know the emperor won't do anything to Jun'er? Let me tell you, don't try to manipulate me again. If there's a next time, you'll go hungry! Lu Shi was very fierce and made Fang Xuanling unable to say a word. Fang Xuanling is now suffering in silence."

  Fang Yi Ai and Fang Yi Zhi exchanged a glance, then slipped out quietly. If they didn't leave, the old man would probably have vented his anger on these two young people. After running outside, Fang Yi Zhi chuckled and said: "Second brother, it's not that mother is being unreasonable this time, father was indeed in the wrong. Who can guarantee what the emperor will do to you? It's not about being afraid of ten thousand things, but rather one in ten thousand. Father was a bit thoughtless this time."

  Fang Yi also nodded, he too felt that Fang Xuanling was indeed somewhat inconsiderate this time. What if he couldn't come up with an effective countermeasure? Li Shimin might really get angry. It's not possible to kill himself, but a few slaps were unavoidable.

  After returning to his own courtyard, he saw Linglong rush into his arms and cry: "Second Master, the Emperor didn't do anything to you, did he?"

  Holding up Ling's delicate face, Fang Yi Ai smiled and said: "Ling, don't cry anymore, I'm back aren't I? Look at my body, it's twice as strong as before, where does it look like there's a problem? Besides, you have to believe in my father, he wouldn't harm me!"

  "Uh, I know Master Fang has his reasons for doing this, but Linglong can't help but worry." Linglong nestled in Fang Yu's chest, feeling his strong heartbeat and calming down. Fang Yu hugged Linglong and laughed: "You little servant girl, you're really not doing your job well, didn't you hear that my stomach is growling?"

  Linglong finally reacted, saying apologetically: "Second Master, please wait a moment, I'll go get you something to eat!" Seeing Linglong smile and run out, Fang Yiai nodded in satisfaction, it seemed that his Qiankun Dahuanyin was quite effective.

  After staying in the Fang Mansion for a day, Fang Yili and Linglong secretly slipped out of the mansion. On Zhuque Avenue, they saw two elegant young men riding high-headed horses, chatting happily.

  "Linglong, from now on you're not allowed to dress up as a man again. You've stolen all my spotlight, Second Master!" Fang Yiai looked at the handsome Linglong with envy, why did she have to be so beautiful? Luckily she wasn't a man, or else I'd be in big trouble.

  "Haha, Second Master, you can't stop me now. From now on, I'll do whatever I want, and this is what you said, I'm free." Linglong smiled, feeling more relaxed than ever before. As soon as they left Chang'an City, Linglong urged the horse to gallop, and House Yilove was amazed by her skilled riding posture. This little girl was even better at riding horses than he was! They quickly arrived at Meihua Valley, which wasn't actually filled with plum blossoms, but peach blossoms instead. After tying up their horses at a teahouse and giving the waiter some money, they walked into the peach blossom forest on foot. It was late March, the peak season for peach blossoms, and many people had come to admire them. The sight of the peach blossoms covering the entire mountain was truly breathtaking - one or two trees might not be impressive, but thousands upon thousands of them created a sea of flowers. The faint scent of the blossoms and the pink petals filled their hearts with a sense of elevation.

  Ling stood beside Fang Yu's body and smiled: "Second Young Master, why don't we each compose a poem about peach blossoms?"

  Fang Yilove hesitated not at all and agreed, this filling poetry is not his strong suit, but this plagiarism he is absolutely good at. Fang Yilove walked two steps with his hands behind his back and shamelessly recited: "Last year today in this doorway, human face and peach blossoms reflected red. Human face doesn't know where it went, peach blossoms still smile at the spring breeze!"

  Her bright eyes were infatuated, her face was filled with brilliant smiles, she plucked a peach branch and softly said: "The glory has fallen in the northern country, the legendary love is by the Spring River. Knowing you will not forget me, when the flowers bloom, to whom should I say?"

  Fang Yi Ai stroked her delicate nose and smiled gently: "Never forget!"

  "Hand in hand till old age!"

  "Hehe, I am the spring breeze and rain, you are the peach blossoms in the rain. The peach blossoms are blooming beautifully, only then can one appreciate the gentle spring rain." Fang Yi'ai smiled, knowing that Linglong could understand. Linglong nodded her head and smiled, not saying anything because it was precious to have someone who understood her. Just as the two were happily admiring the peach blossoms, they heard a refined voice behind them: "You two are truly enjoying yourselves, Lian'er is quite envious of you both, may I join you?"

  Fang Yi'ai turned around to look at the girl who was speaking behind him, about the same age as Linglong, probably 16 or 17 years old. She had casually tied up her hair in a bun, but still looked elegant. Her eyes were bright, her eyebrows were like willow leaves, and her small mouth was pursed. A white gauze wrapped around her snow-white skin, and a light yellow blouse covered her chest. The whole person had a special aura about her.

  Looking at this beauty who was even more beautiful than Linglong, Fang Yi'ai furrowed his brow. Why did this girl look so familiar? However, Fang Yi'ai still smiled and said: "Miss Lier, you're joking. With such a beauty like you, how could I refuse? My name is Fang Yi'ai, and the brother next to me is called Wang Ling."

  "Oh, so you're the second young master of the Fang family, and this person next to you is your personal maid Linglong, right? Why did you have to deceive me? Just by taking a closer look at Miss Linglong's appearance, one can tell that she's a woman dressed as a man." Lier smiled lightly, which made Fang Yuai even more curious. "Miss Lier, how did you know our identities?"

  "The second young master doesn't have to worry, it's just that my father and Lord Fang served in the same dynasty, so I understand you so well." Lier explained lightly, and Fang Yiai nodded without asking more questions. Seeing Fang Yiai being so carefree, Lier smiled and said: "Second Young Master can just call me Lier, no need to add 'Miss' to it, that sounds more natural."

  "Of course, let's go and take a look," Fang Yiai said, leading the way forward. Linglong and Lier followed behind, chatting with each other. Fang Yiai sometimes thought that women were really strange, two people who had never met before could chat so happily, as if they had known each other for many years.

  Sitting in a small pavilion, Lier leaned against the railing with her chin in her hands and smiled faintly: "Second Master, I really didn't know you were so talented. One spring breeze and one rain, one rain and one peach blossom... if the world was really that perfect, it would be great. But we're alive, and there are always things beyond our control."

  "Lier, actually I'm just like you, I also hope the world is a good place. My heart is filled with Second Master, but I understand that I can't marry him. It's not that Second Master doesn't want to, it's that Old Master won't agree, and even if he did, His Majesty wouldn't agree either, because marrying a servant as his official wife isn't suitable for this era." Linglong smiled wistfully, making people feel heartache when they saw her.

  "You're all wrong, the world was never perfect to begin with. All we can do is strive for perfection. Maybe that way, we'll live a little happier. This world has many shackles, and we have the choice to resist them, but most people choose to accept. Lier, Linglong, you might choose to silently endure, but I, Fang Yiai, won't. I don't dare say I'll challenge the shackles of this era, but at least I'll fight for the beauty in my heart, and no matter the outcome, I won't regret it!"

  The sound of Fang Yi's voice was not loud, but Lier felt that this voice was so sonorous and powerful. Lier smiled wryly, "Second Master, it's a pity that I didn't hear these words from you earlier, now everything is too late."

  "Why say that? You're still young, aren't there many opportunities left?" Fang Yiai was puzzled, looking at Li'er who wasn't much older, wondering why she was so melancholic and sentimental.

  "Second Master, sometimes things aren't as simple as you think they are. Not everyone can act without any concerns." Lier smiled lightly, just like Linglong's smile, with a mix of so much helplessness inside.

  "Lier, why talk about these unhappy things? With such a beautiful view, why not recite poetry instead?" Linglong gently shook her head, she didn't want to continue this topic anymore.

  "Hehe, Linglong, you're right. We came here to relax and it's not good that it turned out like this. In that case, I'll give a topic. Each of us will write a poem about peach blossoms, but the words 'peach blossoms' cannot appear in the poem. What do you two think?" Lier said happily. Linglong nodded with a smile, and now Fang Yili was a bit overwhelmed, looking unhappy as he said: "Ladies, can I not participate?"

  "No, you must attend!" Fang Yiai's resistance was futile. Linglong stood up first and said after a moment of thought: "In the plum rain, flowers bloom all over the mountain. A few good times, March is fleeting."

  "Good, Linglong is indeed quick-witted. It seems that in this city of Chang'an, the only one who can move your heart is probably Second Master." Lier clapped her hands and laughed, then stood up and looked at Fang Yu with a gentle smile: "In Plum Blossom Valley, plum blossoms do not bloom; solitary flowers guard the tears of those who are far away. When spring arrives in March, whose sake will it be when the branches burst into bloom?"

  Fang Yiai's heart felt a little bitter as she looked at Li'er and then at Linglong. She thought that these two girls were so alike, both deeply hurt by this era. They had talent, but nowhere to show it off; they had dreams, but chose to remain silent. Fang Yiai thought that Li'er was really beautiful at this moment, a beauty that could break one's heart. Perhaps even Fang Yiai herself didn't realize that Li'er's shadow had already deeply crawled into her heart, and she couldn't stop it even if she wanted to. The fleeting beauty of the moment had formed an eternal longing.

  Fang Yu Ai walked two steps and said softly: "In the sea of flowers, smiling spring breeze, a body of fragrance forever different. Plum blossoms do not bloom, in March, beautiful women's cheeks are red. How many sorrows, in the red dust, in the nameless pavilion, life is determined. Longing for the palace maid, in dreams, heart has a spiritual connection."

  "Second Master, you are a talented person. I think the entire Tang Dynasty may not be able to find another person who can write such poetic lines. Your beauty and talent will never fade, plus that last bit of spiritual connection. I think Lier understands what you mean, but unfortunately, she doesn't have the chance. You and Linglong still have a chance to laugh and enjoy life, but Lier doesn't. Still, thank you, Second Master." After saying this, Lier got up and left the pavilion. When she was far away, Linglong stood beside Fang Yuai and smiled: "Second Master, why didn't you ask about Lier's identity? Since her father is a government official, don't you have hope?"

  "Linglong, I understand what you mean, but didn't you see that Lier herself is avoiding it? So even if I have thoughts about it, what can be done?" To be honest, Fang Yilove also thought it was very suitable for Lier to become his wife. From the observation just now, he could tell that Lier was a elegant person with a kind of tolerance on her body. Fang Yilove really wanted to ask about Lier's identity, but unfortunately, he knew that even if he asked, Lier wouldn't say anything.

  "Second Master, I think Lier's character is very good. If she can be your legitimate wife, it would be very suitable. However, since Lier doesn't want to say anything, you can only go ask the Old Master about it." Linglong got along well with Lier and thought that if Second Master could marry Lier, then she wouldn't have to worry about future matters either, because Lier was a kind person.

  "Hehe, forget it, let's talk about it later, I don't know if the old man knows or not." After finishing speaking, Fang Yiai pulled Linglong away from Meihua Valley. As the sound of horse hooves faded away, Fang Yiai and Linglong also gradually disappeared into the distance. A white-clothed fairy emerged from the teahouse, who else could it be if not Lier? Lier whispered to herself: "In the sea of flowers, smiling at the spring breeze, a lifetime of fragrance will never be the same. Second Master, since we have no fate, why did you move my heart? Even if our hearts are connected by a thread, what choice do I have?"

  Lier left, like this peach blossom, filling the mountain with red, smiling at that poor spring breeze, not understanding subtle words, not understanding human emotions!