It was already dark when Shen Qingfeng returned to the Shen Mansion.
For some reason, the night sky was unusually deep. It was as black as ink, with the stars shyly hiding behind the clouds as if they were too timid to face the mortal world. Even the moon was veiled in a hazy mist, its outline barely discernible.
Normally, although the Shen Mansion was not completely deserted, the number of visitors was relatively small. However, today, guests had been coming and going in an endless stream. It was not until now that Uncle Zhong had finally seen off the last group of visitors. He wiped the fine sweat from his forehead and let out a long sigh of relief.
"Uncle Zhong!" Shen Qingfeng called out to him before he could lock the gate. He trotted over and said, "Uncle Zhong, wait a moment. Don't lock the gate yet."
Uncle Zhong was startled. He quickly put down the half - locked bolt and said, "Why have you come back today, Young Master? Aren't you staying in the palace tonight?"
Shen Qingfeng gave a wry smile and said, "Uncle Zhong, you're getting forgetful. How long has it been since I last stayed in the Eastern Palace?"
Uncle Zhong was stunned for a moment. Then he suddenly slapped his forehead and scolded himself, "Oh! I'm getting old! Look at my memory! After Lord Lu, you really don't stay in the palace anymore..."
When Uncle Zhong suddenly mentioned Lu Yan, Shen Qingfeng's face flushed slightly. He lowered his head and said with a hint of reproach, "Uncle Zhong! You must remember this clearly!"
Uncle Zhong was over fifty years old. He had guarded the Shen Mansion for most of his life and had watched Shen Qingfeng grow up. So, he could easily tell what was on Shen Qingfeng's mind. He smiled and replied, "Sure, sure, Young Master. This old servant has remembered. I won't make a mistake again."
Shen Qingfeng blushed deeply and didn't want to say more. Under Uncle Zhong's warm gaze of "the child has grown up", he trotted all the way back to his room and then slammed the door shut with a "bang".
Memories came flooding back. If Uncle Zhong hadn't mentioned Lu Yan, it would have been okay. But now that he did, Shen Qingfeng's longing for Lu Yan burned like a wildfire, rising from the bottom of his heart and instantly engulfing his whole being.
It was like the sea was pouring back in and a wild wind was raging through.
Shen Qingfeng collapsed on the bed fully clothed and curled up into a ball. He could clearly feel his heart screaming wildly. He couldn't control his thoughts of that person. It was a torment that also brought a strange kind of sweetness.
"Lu Yan..." Shen Qingfeng buried his face in the pillow, and his voice trembled slightly. "A Yan..."
At this moment, Shen Qingfeng finally understood what it meant to be consumed by longing and for lovesickness to turn into an illness.
He clearly knew that there was only one day left - tomorrow, and he would be able to see Lu Yan. But the closer the time got, the more intense his longing became. His emotions were like a bursting dam, and he couldn't hold himself back.
If he could somehow grit his teeth and endure the emotional pain in his heart, he had absolutely no way to deal with the other feelings.
That feeling came on fiercely and was irresistible.
"Damn it!" Shen Qingfeng gritted his teeth and cursed angrily. Then, as if in a fit of self - abandonment, he suddenly sat up from the bed, took a few steps to the cabinet, and rummaged through the drawer, pulling out a piece of clothing at random.
This was the change of clothes that Lu Yan had left behind the last time he stayed overnight. For some reason, he had forgotten to take it back, and finally, he had simply left it in Shen Qingfeng's room on purpose.
Shen Qingfeng brought it close to his nose and smelled the faint, wild fragrance.
"Really..." Shen Qingfeng sounded half - reproachful and half - helpless.
He slowly bent down...
I don't know how much time had passed. When Shen Qingfeng was lying on the bed pretending to be asleep, A Man's voice suddenly came from the door.
"Young Master."
Hearing the voice, Shen Qingfeng looked up and saw that A Man was already peeping in through the door. She showed a small head, and her big eyes were staring curiously into the room.
Shen Qingfeng looked down and saw that she seemed to be holding something. She had a blushing face and was smiling happily.
He gasped for breath and struggled to sit up, propping himself on the edge of the bed. He said in a hoarse voice, "A Man, why did you just come in? You should be punished."
A Man giggled a few times, twisted her body while holding the thing in her arms, and said, "Young Master won't punish A Man. Young Master will praise A Man."
Shen Qingfeng raised his eyebrows and smiled. "Oh? Really? What good thing have you brought?"
A Man let out a "hey" sound, jumped cheerfully at the door, and then walked towards Shen Qingfeng's bed with the thing in her arms.
Because the light in the room was very dim, it was only when A Man got closer that Shen Qingfeng noticed that she was holding a cloth - wrapped package. The package was not small, and at the top, a few strands of red cloth were sticking out from the knot.
Shen Qingfeng was stunned for a moment. Then, he suddenly became flustered.
"This... this is..." Shen Qingfeng was at a loss.
A Man knew that Shen Qingfeng was too excited to speak clearly. She was also extremely happy. Without saying a word, she handed the package to Shen Qingfeng and said, "Young Master, the task you assigned to A Man last time, A Man didn't delay at all! Young Master, take it quickly."
After saying that, A Man winked at Shen Qingfeng and made a funny face. Then, just as quickly as she had come, she trotted out of the room. Before leaving, she didn't forget to close Shen Qingfeng's door.
Now, Shen Qingfeng was left alone in the room.
He stared down at the package in his arms and didn't know what to do for a moment. After a while, he slowly reached out his hand and gently placed it on the package, starting to untie the buttons.
One button... two buttons...
Shen Qingfeng's hands trembled more and more. As he stroked the fabric of the package, his eyes unconsciously began to moisten.
The red clothes gradually came into view. Shen Qingfeng sniffed and, with trembling hands, grabbed the collar and lifted the red dress up.
It was a set of red wedding clothes.
It was something he had asked A Man to make not long ago.
It was the wedding clothes he wanted to dress that person in.
Shen Qingfeng slowly examined the wedding clothes.
The silk was the finest official silk, the thread was the well - known eight - strand silk from the south of the Yangtze River, the headdress was a red crown and a colorful shawl, and the veil was a bright red one.
"A Yan..."
Hot tears rolled down his face. Shen Qingfeng slowly pressed the wedding clothes against his cheek.
Filled with joy and happiness, he couldn't wait to tell Lu Yan. He couldn't wait to put on this dress and stand by Lu Yan's side.
"A Yan... come back quickly..."
"Really... really miss you..."
"Really... I can't wait for a single moment..."
-
The next day, Shen Qingfeng was woken up by Yu Shuang.
"Shopkeeper Liu from the Shifang Pavilion is here," Yu Shuang said. His eyes were a bit dull. Shen Qingfeng had a hunch that something bad might have happened last night.
"Shopkeeper Liu said that the young master owes her another favor. Last night, Sen Ya caught Qi Mengmeng because Qi Mengmeng was about to poison the Crown Prince."