When Ye Cong'an came over with an admiring look on her face while Yi Zhici was removing her makeup in the room, she said, "My lady, you have such high artistic attainments. Why didn't you perform at the Chrysanthemum Appreciation Banquet? With your talent, how could your sweetheart not like you?"
Yi Zhici looked up at her, truly looking blank. "Can dancing well really make one's sweetheart like them?" She really didn't understand. She only regarded talents as something external. Although she had learned them all seriously before, she never liked to perform or seek applause.
Ye Cong'an nodded so vigorously that she felt dizzy. "You didn't see today. In the hall, how many young masters from noble families were staring at you! Could it be that your sweetheart isn't among those noble young men?"
"He is," Yi Zhici paused for a moment. "But he already has someone he loves."
"How do you know he has someone he loves?"
"Because he bought the 'Life - Death Bond'."
"Oh, do you mean the time when Jin Yumantang auctioned off the 'Life - Death Bond'?" Ye Cong'an said with a mischievous smile. "My lady, Wei Yuansi told me that the first person to be auctioned off was you, right?"
Yi Zhici nodded.
After a while, she reacted. "Oh, I bought the 'Life - Death Bond' not because I have a sweetheart either!"
Ye Cong'an looked as if she understood everything.
Yi Zhici suddenly jumped up. "So, it's possible that Lin Yuan doesn't have a sweetheart. I've been wrong all this time?!"
If so, Lin Yuan's abnormal behaviors in Tianbo Village before could all be explained. That was clearly not the reaction of someone with someone in their heart!
If Lin Yuan had a sweetheart, he definitely wouldn't have hugged her...
Back at the banquet, there were more and more gazes directed at Yi Zhici. Although there were quite a few before, Yi Zhici had never shown much in front of everyone. After her amazing performance today, there must be many more people admiring her.
Lin Yuan's expression turned even colder. He even started to drink in sullen silence.
Zhong Qing came beside her and said, "I have something to tell you."
Yi Zhici nodded. "Go ahead."
"Your sixteenth birthday is coming soon," Zhong Qing said with a pout. "It just so happens that the heir of the Northwest is coming to Guyue. The emperor may use your marriage as a bargaining chip."
"No way!"
"Don't be anxious. It's not certain yet. The Marquis has decided to go and discuss with General Lin in the next few days to settle your marriage first. Then the emperor won't have other ideas."
Yi Zhici nodded and felt a bit more relieved. Then she thought, there was really nothing for her to be relieved about.
After all, she only knew that Lin Yuan didn't have a sweetheart. She didn't know if he would like her!
Just as she was thinking, Ye Cong'an quietly came around from behind the crowd, holding two jars of Qiulu Bai. She said furtively, "My lady, this will give you courage."
Yi Zhici was puzzled. Then she glanced at Wei Xing not far away, who was looking at them excitedly. When Wei Xing saw Yi Zhici looking over, he even waved his arms as if to cheer her on.
Then she understood. Wei Xing and Ye Cong'an had joined hands and were just waiting to watch the show between her and Lin Yuan.
But since she had already decided to confess her feelings tonight, the Qiulu Bai that Ye Cong'an brought could just give her some courage. So she smiled and took it. "Thanks. I'll do my best."
After a cup of Qiulu Bai, Yi Zhici felt a bit dizzy. A familiar melody floated into her ears.
"By the side of Gusu City, among the deep clouds, the elegant and handsome young master of the Lan family has just grown up. He is so handsome that even the most beautiful women on the street stare blankly. He remains calm and graceful even in the face of danger, until he meets Wei Wuxian..."
Hearing the name Wei Wuxian, Yi Zhici was startled and sobered up.
This was in front of the tyrant Gu Weifeng! How could they sing anything they wanted?
Just then, Gu Weifeng said, "Yuyang, come here."
Yi Zhici was startled again and quickly walked over respectfully.
Gu Weifeng raised his eyebrows. "Why are you standing so far away?"
Yi Zhici took a step forward.
Gu Weifeng nodded his chin and glanced at the people in the middle of the hall who were singing what was equivalent to a banned song. "What's the story behind that song?"
Yi Zhici was in a dilemma. Why did he ask her?
"Hmm?"
"Your Majesty..."
"Speak."
Yi Zhici sighed. "It's a tragic story. The protagonist has no choice but to practice evil arts, but he always has the heart to follow the right path and finally helps to uphold justice." She was not wrong at all. She just avoided the love line.
"Who is Wei Wuxian?"
"He is the protagonist of this story."
Coincidentally, the song just sang, "It's a pity that the ice - cold god turned out to be in love. I'm Lan Wangji, nice to meet you." Yi Zhici was sweating nervously.
Gu Weifeng pondered for a moment. "Then who is Lan Wangji?"
"He is... Wei Wuxian's partner."
"Both of them are men?"
"...Yes."
Unexpectedly, Gu Weifeng didn't show any sign of anger. Instead, he seemed quite interested. "Is this from a playbook?"
Yi Zhici replied, "Yes, but it's not from this era. It's just passed down among the common people..."
"Okay, find this playbook for me. I want to read it."
Yi Zhici was at a loss. "…Ah?"
Gu Weifeng raised his lips wickedly. "What, do you want to tell me the story in person?"
"No, no, no," Yi Zhici waved her hands quickly. "I'll go and find it right away. I'll definitely find it for Your Majesty as soon as possible."