The night breeze blew gently.
The atmosphere was a bit awkward.
Zhao Shuning was dressed in a blue gown with a blue veil covering her face.
Under an ancient tree stood a young man. It was none other than Prince Xia Qingyan whom she had met a few days ago.
The winter moon was cold yet bright. Xia Qingyan had been standing under the ancient tree for many days. Tonight, he had a lot on his mind, so he stayed a bit longer.
Just as he was about to leave and turned around, he saw the young girl in the blue veil.
Was it her? Those eyes didn't lie.
Xia Qingyan gave Zhao Shuning a gentle smile. Zhao Shuning knew that he had recognized her. There was no one around at the moment. If she left now, it would be even more awkward when they met in the future.
"Miss, you're here," Xia Qingyan said.
Zhao Shuning didn't say a word but just nodded, holding the roasted fish in her arms tightly.
"Miss, what did you bring? It smells so good," Xia Qingyan asked.
Zhao Shuning gave an awkward smile and had no choice but to take out the roasted fish.
"Miss, did you know I was hungry and brought this roasted fish just for me to satisfy my craving?" Xia Qingyan asked.
Zhao Shuning thought to herself, If I had known you were here, I'd rather throw this fish away than come here to make myself uncomfortable.
"What? Miss, are you reluctant to share it with me?" Xia Qingyan asked.
"No, it's not that," Zhao Shuning replied. She placed the roasted fish down and then said, "It's just that without wine, the roasted fish might taste a bit bland."
Her master didn't like drinking, so when Zhao Shuning went out, she didn't think of bringing any wine.
"Coincidentally, today when I went out, I thought I'd come to this mountain to enjoy the sunset glow, so I brought two flasks of Zhuyeqing wine," Xia Qingyan said.
Zhao Shuning swallowed hard. Good - brewed Zhuyeqing was mellow and delicious.
"Miss, if you don't mind, would you like to share it with me?" Xia Qingyan asked.
"Er, well, that would be great," Zhao Shuning replied. Compared with the two flasks of Zhuyeqing, her two roasted fish seemed rather shabby.
Xia Qingyan moved aside, and Zhao Shuning placed the roasted fish on the table.
When he was far away before, Xia Qingyan didn't notice the girl's expression clearly. Now that they were closer, he noticed a red lotus between Zhao Shuning's eyebrows.
"Miss Luo?" Xia Qingyan said.
"Ah?" Zhao Shuning looked at Xia Qingyan in surprise. Only then did she remember that in order to play the role of Luo Feiyan more realistically a few days ago, she had painted a red lotus between her eyebrows. The red lotus was painted by Luo Feiyan herself, exactly the same as the one on her forehead.
"I recognize this red lotus. Miss Luo, so it was you who gave me the parrot a few days ago," Xia Qingyan said.
Zhao Shuning gave an awkward smile. "Yes, it was me. Your Highness has good eyesight."
Xia Qingyan smiled happily. His whole person seemed more handsome with that smile.
Most of his classmates in the academy knew that Xia Qingyan liked Luo Feiyan. Maybe he admired her gentle talents, or perhaps he liked her eyes which were very similar to his mother's. In any case, before he met the girl in the red veil, Xia Qingyan always thought he really liked Luo Feiyan.
Later, the girl in the red veil gave him a green parrot. During the conversation with her, Xia Qingyan felt extremely comfortable. The girl's eyes were even more beautiful.
Since then, he had thought of the girl in the red veil far more often than Luo Feiyan.
Tonight, when Xia Qingyan came to this place, he originally wanted to sort out those inexplicable feelings in his heart. He didn't expect to meet the girl again. Now he knew that the girl in the red veil was Miss Luo, and the problem that had been bothering him was solved.
Zhao Shuning thought Xia Qingyan's sudden enthusiasm was rather strange. The last time she saw him, he looked dejected. In just a few days, he was so energetic.
"Miss Luo, please sit down," Xia Qingyan said.
"Er - okay," Zhao Shuning replied and sat down. Then she poured herself a cup of Zhuyeqing. It was really good. No wonder it was from the Wang family. This Zhuyeqing was even purer than the Nu'erhong she drank when she was the empress.
"Your Highness?" Zhao Shuning said.
"Miss Luo, please speak," Xia Qingyan replied.
"Could you please stop looking at me with such a big smile? I'm not used to it," Zhao Shuning said. Was it necessary to stare at her so intently just because she drank two cups of his Zhuyeqing?
"Ah - sorry, Miss Luo," Xia Qingyan said.
Zhao Shuning nodded awkwardly. Then, to show her generosity, she unwrapped the roasted fish and said to Xia Qingyan, "I roasted this fish. Try it. It tastes really good."
Xia Qingyan was overjoyed at Zhao Shuning's invitation. He carefully picked up a piece of fish and put it in his mouth. The fish was tender and the spiciness was just right.
"I didn't expect Miss Luo to be so good at roasting fish," Xia Qingyan said.
Zhao Shuning said with a smile, "If you like it, eat more."
Xia Qingyan put down his folding fan. At first, both of them were very reserved. Later, as Zhao Shuning enlivened the atmosphere, the stiffness between them gradually disappeared. The modest prince started to talk more.
After a burst of laughter, Xia Qingyan said, "I heard that you're being bullied in Wangyueyuan. How about I ask Elder Ling Ruo to transfer you to Yilanyuan? That's the courtyard I'm in. Each courtyard has four rooms. Just like Luo Feiyan has her own room in Wangyueyuan."
"No, I'm quite comfortable in Wangyueyuan," Zhao Shuning replied.
"I heard that someone heard crying from your courtyard yesterday," Xia Qingyan said.
Zhao Shuning looked a bit embarrassed. Didn't Wu Xuan cry until midnight?
Seeing her like this, Xia Qingyan thought she was hiding all her troubles in her heart. So he said, "Miss Luo, you don't have to think too much about them. I know exactly what kind of person Wu Xuan is and what her character is like. If you've been wronged, just tell me. I'll get justice for you."
Get justice? There was no need for that. In the academy, as long as others didn't provoke her, she would never offend them. Of course, Zhao Shuning didn't need others to seek justice for her.
"No, thank you for your kindness, Your Highness," Zhao Shuning said.
Xia Qingyan looked at Zhao Shuning with extremely gentle eyes. "Miss Luo, you're always so kind."
"No, no, no. I'm not kind at all. I'm no better than Princess Wu Xuan. In fact, if it comes to a fight, I might be even more ruthless," Zhao Shuning said seriously.
Xia Qingyan just smiled faintly after hearing this.
"You don't believe me?" Zhao Shuning frowned and asked.
Xia Qingyan didn't answer Zhao Shuning's question. Instead, he said, "Miss Luo is not only kind but also very modest. You always think about others and take the blame on yourself. In this regard, Miss Luo and Wu Xuan are like the sky and the mud, a world apart."
Was there something wrong with his understanding?