Zhou Yingkui walked alone to Leng Yaoda, though for some reason Su Luo’an did not follow him.
“Noble Lady Daji pays respects to the Regent. May the Regent be at peace.” The young lady bowed with her maidservants.
The man waved his hand. “No need for formalities. Coming here is for relaxation and enjoyment.”
Leng Yaoda replied, “Yes, thank you, Regent.”
He noticed the young lady’s attire was no different from usual—a bright green Shu brocade skirt with vine patterns and trim, light and convenient. Her hair was tied up in a neat slanted cloud bun, adorned with two jade hairpins, and small pearls dangled from her ears as accents.
Zhou Yingkui remarked, “Why is today’s attire even plainer than usual? I recall in previous years when you came here, you loved wearing pinks and reds.”
Leng Yaoda had seen the dresses in the original body’s wardrobe—indeed, pinks and reds dominated, but she herself preferred cooler tones.
Moreover, wearing simpler and more elegant attire was more suitable for outings here. In truth, pink gauze skirts and light red long skirts were less convenient and too eye-catching.
The young lady replied gently, “Noble Lady Daji is now just a month away from marriage. As a bride-to-be, it is already inconvenient to appear in public. If I were to dress as before, it would only be even more inappropriate.”
Soon, Leng Yaoda looked up and added, “This was also something my mother reminded me of earlier. Otherwise, I would have actually wanted to wear a smoky pink gauze skirt today.”
Zhou Yingkui’s fox-like eyes curved slightly, carrying a somewhat captivating charm. Leng Yaoda couldn’t help but think that even the male fox spirits in books were probably no more than this.
“That is true. I didn’t expect Noble Lady Daji to have become much more composed now.”
The young lady smiled. “Soon to be Brother Zhiyou’s bride, it’s only right to understand some principles.”
Zhou Yingkui was tall and imposing, just enough to envelop Leng Yaoda within his presence.
The hypocritical smile on the man’s lips faded slightly, as an inexplicable sense of sourness and swelling surged in his heart once again.
Frowning, a hint of displeasure flashed across his excessively handsome face. Zhou Yingkui suddenly said, “Alright, Noble Lady Daji, go rest in the tent for now. I will go find Luo’an.”
Leng Yaoda nodded. “Noble Lady Daji takes her leave.”
The young lady left with her attendants. Zhou Yingkui stared at her slender, straight back for a few seconds before turning to search for Su Luo’an.
Once inside the tent, Leng Yaoda instantly felt the soreness throughout her body wash over her, too tired to speak much.
Yingzhu and Baoyu efficiently arranged the interior. Seeing this, Leng Yaoda said, “You two go rest for a while as well. We’ll go out when His Majesty sends someone to announce the start of the banquet.”
The two maidservants acknowledged and withdrew. Leng Yaoda lay comfortably on the couch, her movements could be described as… unrestrained.
Yingzhu was more composed, but Baoyu was somewhat restless. Even though tired, she still wanted to see the beautiful scenery and wander around.
Seeing her eager expression, Yingzhu said helplessly, “Even if you go, you must stay nearby. This is the temporary residence area for noble ladies. If you go farther, that’s the territory of other distinguished guests. Be careful not to offend them and cause trouble for our lady.”
Baoyu laughed. “Sister Yingzhu, don’t you trust me? I still understand what’s important. I’ll just look around the tent area and be back in at most a quarter of an hour.”
Yingzhu nodded. “Alright, then go ahead.”
Seeing Baoyu leave, she indeed did not stay only around the tent. Yingzhu quickly left the area as well.
Noticing the nearby rustling sounds of conversation disappear, Leng Yaoda knew Yingzhu had likely gone to handle matters.The girl sat up, stretched lazily, and lowered her gaze in silence.
As Leng Yaoda’s personal maid, Yingzhu had accompanied her to the Tingyun Mountain Hunting Grounds six times. The girl knew the locations of every family’s tents by heart.
She tried to avoid others’ sight as she headed toward a certain spot, then hid behind a tree to watch that particular tent.
Lu Zhiyou emerged from the tent, his face wearing the usual spring-like smile, dressed in a cyan Shu brocade robe with a jade pendant hanging at his waist.
Other officials from the Ministry of Justice came to chat and enjoy the scenery with him. Lu Zhiyou left the tent and headed in another direction. Yingzhu glanced around and, taking advantage of the momentary absence of people, quickly approached the tent.
“Second Young Master Lu.”
Yingzhu’s voice was quite distinctive. Following Leng Yaoda’s instructions, she did not announce her family name, as the girl believed Lu Shixiu would recognize her voice.
Only Lu Shixiu and his attendant remained in the Lu family tent. Hearing the hushed voice, the young man was momentarily stunned but soon recognized Yingzhu’s voice.
The attendant Qingshu noticed his master’s distraction and asked, “Young Master, what’s wrong?”
Lu Shixiu quickly realized that Yingzhu must have been sent by Leng Yaoda—the girl wanted him to come out!
But being so cautious surely meant she didn’t want others to know.
This was somewhat improper behavior. Even if nothing happened between them, rumors would bring shame to their families and damage his reputation.
Yet, for some reason, Lu Shixiu felt a warmth spreading through his body, and his palms grew damp.
He should have felt guilty and ashamed for sneaking out behind his elder brother’s back to meet Yaoyao.
But the young man trembled with excitement, the faint sense of guilt vanishing in an instant, replaced only by anticipation and joy.
Lu Shixiu left a message for Qingshu: “Wait here for me. If anyone asks, say I went out for a stroll and will return soon.”
Qingshu was somewhat confused but replied, “Yes, Young Master.”
Lu Shixiu stepped out, scanning the surroundings until he spotted Yingzhu nearby. His heart pounded wildly as he walked toward her.
However, Yingzhu merely led the young man to a secluded spot. From start to finish, it was only the two of them—there was no sign of Leng Yaoda, whom he had been longing to see.
Seeing this, Lu Shixiu took a step back, his gaze turning cold. “What is it?”
Yingzhu carefully observed their surroundings and whispered, “Second Young Master Lu, our young lady wishes to meet you in the bamboo grove to the east after tonight’s banquet. She has urgent matters to discuss with you in person.”
Without waiting for Lu Shixiu’s reaction, Yingzhu lowered her head and hurried away.
Just as she was about to leave the woods, she added, “Please be sure to keep the appointment, Second Young Master Lu. Our young lady will be waiting for you.”
After saying this, Yingzhu was drenched in cold sweat.
Their young lady was the betrothed of the eldest Lu son, yet she had sent Yingzhu to request a nighttime meeting with the second young master. When Yingzhu first heard her mistress’s instructions, she was so shocked she nearly couldn’t close her mouth.
But it seemed the young lady truly had urgent matters—her eyes were clear and bright, with no other intentions. Biting her lip, Yingzhu nodded in agreement.
Lu Shixiu remained standing there in a daze. A breeze swept by, gently lifting his black hair, a strand brushing past the tip of his nose, causing a slight itch.
He raised his hand to tuck away the stray strand, his expression still blank.
Yaoyao wanted to see him?
The young man couldn’t help but smile, his heart pounding like a drum.
Indeed… she still favored him! Even under such inconvenient circumstances, she wanted to have a proper conversation with him.Perhaps for Lu Shixiu, who had always been disciplined and restrained, doing such things was too agonizing and thrilling, to the point that even his fingertips occasionally trembled now.
Then, the young man murmured in his sleep, “My Yaoyao…”