ARTTEDSBGT Chapter 106
Today’s temple fair was bustling and lively, with pedestrians coming and going on the streets, bustling and bustling. Apart from the vendors shouting and selling their goods, there were various folk performances and entertainments, all novel and fascinating, leaving one’s eyes dazzled and unable to take everything in. Even Li Zhizhi found it a bit difficult to navigate the streets, let alone Xiao Rulei, who was so excited that she had forgotten about her brother.
After another fifteen minutes, Su Tangyu and his sister arrived. Li Zhizhi carefully observed her and saw that her mood was still good, which slightly relieved her. She smiled and handed over a pack of snowflake pastries, saying, “I tried these just now. They are your favorite. Would you like to try some?”
Upon hearing this, Su Tangyu indeed smiled and accepted them, saying, “You know me well, Zhizhi.”
The group strolled along Baihu Street for nearly half an hour. As the sun gradually rose and the weather started to heat up, Su Tangyu suggested going to the Shenbao Pavilion to watch a play. Everyone readily agreed. In front of the main hall of the temple, there was a stage set up for the play, and many music pavilions were also erected nearby, crowded with people of all ages and genders, creating a lively atmosphere. If one didn’t want to squeeze with others, they could pay a hundred coins to rent a separate room.
These were things Li Zhizhi learned later. Pei Yanchuan often frequented this place and was familiar with the surroundings. Soon, everything was arranged properly. The group entered one of the music pavilions. Although it was not large, it had tables and chairs. Xiao Rulei sat closely next to Li Zhizhi, with Su Tangyu beside her, followed by Su Qingshang and Pei Yanchuan.
Xu Tingfeng glanced around and remembered the Grand Princess Yong Ning’s previous instructions, feeling somewhat hesitant. Even if he managed to send Seventh Princess away now, Young Master Pei wouldn’t have many chances to talk to the Princess with Su Tangyu. Oh well, since things had come to this point, let’s watch the play first.
Li Zhizhi had never seen a play before, but now she found it quite interesting. The actors on stage sang with melodious voices, which sounded very pleasant. She asked, “What kind of play is this?”
Pei Yanchuan didn’t know, although he often visited temple fairs, he only came for the lively atmosphere each time. Sitting down to watch a play in earnest was a first for him. Nearby, Su Qingshang replied, “This is ‘The Lute Song.'”
Li Zhizhi curiously asked, “Does Second Young Master also watch plays?”
Su Qingshang smiled slightly and replied, “I prefer to drink tea.”
Although he didn’t answer the question directly, Li Zhizhi understood his meaning and remembered their previous encounter at the teahouse. They exchanged a knowing smile, sharing a tacit understanding.
Su Tangyu, curious, looked around and couldn’t help but ask, “What tea are you drinking?”
“Nothing special.”
Su Qingshang replied like this, his slender fingers holding the cup. His complexion seemed a bit sickly pale, his features handsome and refined, reminiscent of frost gathering on tree branches in autumn, chilly yet with a hint of warmth in his eyes, which made people feel a sense of comfort just by looking at him.
He started explaining the play on stage to Li Zhizhi, speaking in a calm and unhurried manner. Even Xiao Rulei was captivated by his storytelling, forgetting about the snacks. After the play ended, the stage began bustling with acrobatics, drawing cheers from the audience.
At that moment, Xiao Rulei tugged at Li Zhizhi’s sleeve and whispered, “Sister, I want to go outside.”
Li Zhizhi was surprised and said, “Aren’t you going to watch anymore?”
“I want to watch,” Xiao Rule quickly nodded, then shook her head again. She twisted her fingers, looking a bit anxious, and for a moment, everyone looked at her. Xiao Rule’s face even blushed slightly.
Li Zhizhi suddenly understood something, stood up, and said, “I’ll take you outside.”
She took Xiao Rulei’s hand. Seeing this, Pei Yanchuan immediately stood up and said, “Where is Miss Li going? I’ll go with you.”
“No need,” Li Zhizhi smiled and said, “We’ll be back soon.”
Unexpectedly being rejected, Pei Yanchuan was stunned for a moment, a hint of disappointment flashing across his face. He responded, “Alright.”
Su Qingshang suddenly said to Su Tangyu, “A’yu, accompany Miss Li and the princess.”
Su Tangyu naturally agreed. After leaving the studio, she realized that Xiao Rulei had eaten too many snacks earlier and had a stomachache, feeling a bit helpless.
After sorting out Xiao Rulei’s situation, the three of them walked back together. Su Tangyu suddenly stopped, her gaze fixed on a spot. Li Zhizhi followed her gaze and raised her eyebrows lightly. It was such a coincidence; it was Song Lingyun.
He stood under a willow tree at the bridgehead, holding a folding fan in his hand, chatting and laughing with others. From afar, he looked like a charming and elegant scholar, full of grace and charm.
Su Tangyu used to really like this temperament, but now she only feels that the other party is putting on an act, which is disgusting. A look of disgust appeared on her face, and she quickly turned her head and said to Li Zhizhi, “Let’s go.”
Su Tangyu pulled Li Zhizhi along and walked for about a hundred steps before stopping. Li Zhizhi looked at her face with concern and asked, “Are you okay?”
Su Tangyu shook her head, smiled self-deprecatingly, and said, “You probably won’t believe it, but I don’t really miss him in my heart. I just feel unwilling, like when you grow a flower, water and fertilize it every day, take care of it carefully, and just as it’s about to bloom, you find that the flower is rotting in the middle. Years of hard work, all gone to waste.”
At this point, her eyes slightly reddened, she looked at Li Zhizhi, and said in a very soft voice, “These days I’ve been thinking about a question: What is it that we like? It’s something that we can’t see or touch, we don’t know where it comes from, and we don’t know when it disappears. What is it, exactly?”
Li Zhizhi was stunned for a moment, then shook her head and said, “I don’t know either, I…”
She had never liked anyone before, so how could she answer Su Tangyu? But seeing her friend looking upset, Li Zhizhi racked her brains and tried to comfort her, “Maybe liking someone means having a deep connection and treating each other with sincerity?”
In any case, it was completely different from that Song Lingyun.
Just then, Xiao Rulei suddenly spoke up from the side, “Liking someone is just being very happy!”
When this was said, both Su Tangyu and Li Zhizhi couldn’t help but look at her. Xiaoru Le was still holding the bamboo windmill she had just bought, smiling happily, and said, “I like Sister Zhizhi, so I feel happy when I see her, and also Auntie, and Brother!”
She puffed her cheeks and blew it, and the bamboo windmill spun rapidly with a whooshing sound. Xiao Rulei laughed, “So happy, just like a windmill!”
Hearing this, Su Tangyu and Li Zhizhi couldn’t help but smile. Li Zhizhi reached out and pinched her cheek, smiling, “Yes, yes, A’yang is absolutely right.”
Su Tangyu also smiled, “Princess’s words are very reasonable, I’ve learned something.”
Xiao Rulei waved her hand modestly, “You’re too kind, hehe.”
It’s unclear who she learned it from, but Li Zhizhi and Su Tangyu couldn’t hold back their laughter anymore.
With this laughter, Su Tangyu’s confusion and frustration dissipated, and her expression became relaxed. Li Zhizhi finally felt relieved, and the three were about to walk towards the stage when a hand blocked their way, accompanied by a slick and oily voice, “This young lady is so beautifully fragrant and elegant, with a face like a flower and a moon, may I have the honor of getting to know you?”
Li Zhizhi was stunned for a moment before she looked towards the voice, only to see a man dressed in a moon-white silk robe, portraying the appearance of a wealthy young man. His features were somewhat handsome, but his eyes were squinted as if he couldn’t open them fully, giving off a creepy vibe. He also held a folding fan in his hand, smiling as he looked over.
Su Tangyu was also taken aback but quickly realized that this person was trying to flirt. She couldn’t help but feel offended and gave him a cold stare, saying, “We don’t know you, sorry.”
“It’s alright, just introduce myself and we’ll know each other,” the man said with a smile, “My surname is Song, and my name is Liu…”
As soon as she heard the surname Song, Su Tangyu became even more impatient, quietly rolled her eyes, took Li Zhizhi and Xiao Rulei to avoid him. The man wouldn’t give up and kept trying to catch up with them, attempting to stop the two girls. Calling them “miss” made both Li Zhizhi and Su Tangyu disgusted and goosebumps appeared all over their bodies.
Just then, a voice came from afar, loudly shouting, “Where did this rascal come from? How dare you harass decent young ladies on the street!”
Immediately, several people rushed over and grabbed the man surnamed Song. In the blink of an eye, he was pinned down on the ground, crying out in pain, astonishing everyone with the speed of his defeat.
After a while, a young nobleman approached Li Zhizhi and Su Tangyu with a smile, bowing politely and saying, “Ladies, weren’t frightened by this man, I hope?”
Li Zhizhi regained her composure, met his gaze, and instinctively took a step back. She felt something was off, though the young nobleman was handsome with rosy lips and white teeth, smiling with a hint of mischief in his eyes. It reminded her inexplicably of Xiao Yan, but Xiao Yan had a more heroic appearance, unlike this man who exuded femininity from his eyebrows and eyes.
Nevertheless, he had helped them, so Li Zhizhi smiled politely and thanked him, “Thank you, sir, for your assistance.”
The man stared at Li Zhizhi for a moment, blinked, and smiled, “It was just a small effort, nothing worth mentioning. My surname is Yang, and my given name is Du, with the courtesy name Pingchuan. May I ask for the young lady’s name?”
His gaze was direct, making Li Zhizhi feel uneasy all over. She furrowed her brows slightly, hesitating to give her surname. Just then, she heard the voice of Pei Yanchuan calling out, “Miss Li!”
Li Zhizhi breathed a sigh of relief, looked towards the familiar figure rushing towards them, and in no time, Pei Yanchuan arrived. He noticed Yang Du, who had blocked Li Zhizhi’s way, immediately stepped in front of him, shielding Li Zhizhi behind him. With a frown, he asked somewhat impolitely, “What are you doing?”
“Lady Li…” Yang Du’s expression was somewhat puzzled and dazed, muttering to himself, “Huh? Isn’t her surname Su?”
The servant by his side looked embarrassed and whispered, “Young… master, the person next to her is the one you’re looking for. You’ve mistaken her.”
Yang Du was momentarily stunned and hurriedly asked, “Why didn’t you remind me?”
“We’ve been signaling to you all along, but you didn’t notice,” the servant replied in a low voice.
Yang Du became frustrated and raised his voice, scolding, “Nonsense! You have naturally slanted eyes, how could I tell?”
The conversation seemed quite suspicious, causing Li Zhizhi to look skeptical as she stared at Yang Du and asked, “Who are you exactly?”
Yang Du forced a smile and replied, “Just a passerby, nothing more.”
This raised further suspicion, and Li Zhizhi glanced at the young man surnamed Song who was still being held down by them. She pondered for a moment before saying, “Are you all just putting on a show?”
Yang Du burst into laughter. “How could that be?”
Seeing that he wouldn’t admit it, Li Zhizhi nodded slightly, smiled faintly, and said, “In that case, thank you, Young Master Yang, for helping to capture this fugitive. Perfect timing, Young Master Pei is coming. Let’s take him to the yamen.”
At this remark, the Yang surnamed individual’s face immediately changed, wanting to say something, but a voice nearby sounded helpless, “Alright, don’t make a scene.”
Everyone turned towards the sound, only to see a young man coming out of the shop. He appeared to be in his early twenties, with a fairly handsome appearance, slightly dark skin, and a resemblance to Yang Du in his facial features; it was evident that they were brothers.
Su Tang exclaimed softly in surprise, “Is it you?”