After the celebratory banquet ended, Pei Huai’an smoothly entered officialdom. He was assigned to observe politics at the Hanlin Academy, keeping busy for more than half a month.
In the blink of an eye, April arrived. The peach and willow trees cast thick shade, the air was clear and mild, and it was the time of the Bathing the Buddha Festival. A vegetarian banquet was being held at Daxiang Temple for the festival. According to what he and Liang Qingluo had previously discussed, Pei Huai’an told Shen Youran about his feelings for Liang Qingluo, asking her to help arrange for them to go to the banquet together.
Shen Youran suddenly understood. “No wonder, at the banquet that day, I saw the way you were holding me was a bit off. I thought maybe I was seeing things, but it turns out you like Qingluo, little sister?”
“Yes. But as you know, you used to like Qingjian, so I hope sister-in-law can help me out.”
“If you two really get together, then I’ll have someone in the house to confide in.” Shen Youran agreed readily. “Alright, I’ll help you with this.”
Although Pei Huai’an didn’t mention anything about bringing Qingjian, just as he expected, on the day of the Bathing the Buddha Festival, Qingjian indeed came along when they set out.
There were many eyes at the vegetarian banquet; eldest brother would never feel at ease with Shen Youran going out with just a maid, so naturally, he would assign the highly skilled Qingjian to accompany them.
They went to the general’s residence to pick up Liang Qingluo and set off for Daxiang Temple.
The banquet was bustling with people. The temple brewed Bathing Buddha Water using incense ingredients like chrysanthemums, jasmine, licorice, and cinnamon twigs—meant to be drunk by the worshippers attending the banquet, said to cleanse the mind and purify the self.
After lining up to drink the Bathing Buddha Water, it was nearly noon. Shen Youran, using the excuse that it was hot, suggested they go to the temple’s back mountain to cool off and enjoy the scenery.
The back mountain of Daxiang Temple was densely forested, the trees towering and lush, the wind combing through the woods, bringing a refreshing and cool breeze.
There was also a flower garden for visitors to enjoy the view.
Pei Huai’an knew well that Shen Youran would soon create an opportunity for him and Liang Qingluo to be alone together.
Sure enough, after viewing the flowers, when they were about to head into the woods to cool off, Shen Youran suddenly touched her ear and said she had lost an earring, asking Danruo and Qingjian to go back with her to look for it.
Liang Qingluo, thinking she had really lost an earring, wanted to help look for it too, but Shen Youran quickly declined. “With Danruo and Qingjian with me, that’s enough. It’s hot—why don’t you and Seventh Brother go ahead and cool off in the woods? We’ll come find you later.”
In the woods, there were a few visitors seeking shade and enjoying the greenery. There were people everywhere, so Shen Youran wasn’t worried that Pei Huai’an would take advantage of being alone with Liang Qingluo. Besides, she believed her former second brother was a self-restrained and courteous gentleman. He would certainly act within the bounds of propriety toward the girl he liked.
Liang Qingluo didn’t immediately realize Shen Youran’s intentions and insisted on helping find the earring, but saw Pei Huai’an give her a look. “Let’s go, Miss Liang. Let’s cool off in the woods for a while…”
“Ah… Oh.” Although her mind didn’t quite catch up at first, she trusted Pei Huai’an. Whatever he said, she would listen.
The two walked side by side into the woods. Liang Qingluo glanced back at Qingjian, who had gone in the opposite direction, and asked quietly, “Qingjian isn’t coming with us. Why do we still need to put on a show in front of him?”
“There are still distinctions between men and women. Youran won’t let the two of us be alone for too long. They’ll come over soon.”
“Then what should we do when they get here?”
“You don’t need to be nervous. Since I’m the one who likes you, naturally I’ll take the initiative. When the time comes, I’ll show you a little affection—you just need to play along.”
“What kind of affection?” Hearing this, she became even more nervous. “Will you hold me again?”
Pei Huai’an smiled. “I haven’t been drinking today. Naturally, I won’t overdo it.”
Knowing nothing of romance between men and women, Liang Qingluo asked, “Then what will you do?”
“Like this…” Pei Huai’an suddenly moved closer to her.
Liang Qingluo hurriedly stopped, just barely avoiding bumping right into his chest.
Being so close, she caught the faint fragrance on his body—the kind one had to inhale deeply to notice—a clean, subtle scent, both cool as plum blossoms and warm as the first signs of spring, suddenly invading her senses.
He reached up and brushed the top of her hair, then opened his palm to show her a delicate pear blossom petal resting there.
So he was just picking a petal from her hair?
Liang Qingluo instinctively touched her hair bun. How could such a small act make her heart nearly stop?
“Is there another one on my head?”
“No, that was all.”
“Then put the petal back. Later, pick it out again in front of Qingjian.”
But Pei Huai’an let the wind blow the petal from his palm. “That was just an example. If we repeat it, it’ll look contrived.”
“Alright then.”
The two continued deeper into the woods.
Though the path wasn’t wide, it was more than enough for them to walk side by side. Yet Liang Qingluo felt it grow narrower and narrower.
She was squeezed to the very edge of the path, with barely half a foot between her shoulder and his.
“You—”
“I like you, so naturally I want to be closer to you. You’ll need to get used to this.” With his gentle jade-like face, he appeared every inch the gentleman.
Even knowing it wasn’t real, every time she heard it, her heart couldn’t help but skip a beat.
“Oh, okay.”
Liang Qingluo stopped avoiding him, breathing in his subtle fragrance as their sleeves brushed together, and walked into the depths of the woods.
The moment they entered the forest, the natural coolness welcomed them. Liang Qingluo’s restless heart was soothed by the refreshing air.
At this moment, Qingjian and Sister Youran hadn’t arrived yet, so there was no rush to put on a show. She spotted someone with a bunch of mulberries still on the branch and, feeling a bit thirsty, asked where they were picked.
The person pointed the way, and she invited Pei Huai’an to pick mulberries together.
It was an old mulberry tree, lush with leaves, though most of the fruit had already been picked.
She looked up at the dark purple mulberries high on the tree, rolled up her sleeves, and prepared to climb.
Pei Huai’an stopped her. “It’s dangerous.”
“It’s fine. I used to climb trees all the time when I was little.”
“Still, it’s best not to. If you want some, I’ll go buy them for you.”
“Don’t worry, I won’t fall.”
Liang Qingluo knew some martial arts and quickly climbed up the tree, stepping on the trunk to pick the higher fruits.
A few children arrived under the tree, chirping “Sister” and begging for mulberries.
Liang Qingluo was generous and picked some for each child. She was kept busy for a while, and after the children left, she sat on a branch, both tired and thirsty, picking and eating mulberries.
Sitting up high, she could see far. Through a gap in the trees, she saw Sister Youran, Qingjian, and Danruo entering the woods.
She stood up and waved, calling out, “Sister Youran, I’m here!”
They saw her and walked over.
Liang Qingluo picked another branch of mulberries, planning to share them later. Holding the mulberries in one hand and gripping a branch with the other, she started to climb down. But her embroidered shoe slipped, and she nearly fell.
Pei Huai’an, watching from below, was startled. “Be careful.”
But she suddenly had a good idea and squatted down, whispering to him, “Seventh Young Master, could you step aside? When Qingjian comes, I’ll pretend to slip and fall. He’s skilled in martial arts, so he’ll definitely catch me…”
Pei Huai’an’s brows furrowed. “Don’t risk your body.”
“Don’t worry, it’s not that high. Even if he misses, I won’t get hurt…”
Liang Qingluo found a good spot, and when Qingjian approached, she pretended to slip and screamed as she fell.
Just as she predicted, the skilled Qingjian reacted instantly, leaping up to catch her securely.
Liang Qingluo wished she could have stayed in his arms, but it lasted only a moment. Before she could even savor his embrace, he set her down.
He immediately retreated behind Shen Youran, lowering his eyes in silence.
“Are you alright?” Shen Youran came over in concern. “Did you hurt yourself?”
“I’m fine. Luckily, Qingjian caught me.” Liang Qingluo glanced at Qingjian before quickly looking away. Even though it was only a brief moment, it was enough to make her happy for a long time.
She smiled shyly, not forgetting to hand the mulberries over. “Sister Youran, would you like some mulberries?”
The purple-red fruit looked juicy and tempting.
Shen Youran plucked one and, still a bit shaken, admonished, “Don’t climb so high again. If you want some, have Qingjian pick them for you.”
“Yes, I know.” Liang Qingluo then offered the branch to Danruo, who took two.
As for Qingjian, of course, he was the one she most wanted to give mulberries to. “Qingjian, thank you for saving me. These are for you.”
“It was nothing,” Qingjian’s attitude toward her remained distant as always. “I don’t like fruit.”
Liang Qingluo specially picked the largest, ripest one and held it out to him. “Just try one, it’s really good—not sour at all.”
“No, thank you.”
After being refused twice, Liang Qingluo didn’t insist, and withdrew her hand in disappointment.
Shen Youran noticed and, seeing how cold Qingjian was to Liang Qingluo, worried the young lady might feel embarrassed, so she directed, “These mulberries are quite sweet. Qingjian, go up and pick some more.”
“Yes.” Qingjian nimbly leapt up the tree.
Liang Qingluo walked back to Pei Huai’an, head hung low. “Seventh Young Master, would you like some mulberries?”
“Alright.” His voice was as gentle as ever, though it carried a trace of heaviness.
Liang Qingluo didn’t notice, handing him the mulberry that Qingjian refused, since it was the biggest and sweetest.
Yet he didn’t take it.
“Here.” She raised her hand again.
Just as she wondered why he still wasn’t taking it, she felt a warmth on the back of her hand. She saw him lift his hand to cradle hers, his five fingers gently closing, holding her hand firmly, then he lowered his head.
A moist, warm breath brushed her hand, then his nose brushed against her palm, and then his warm lips parted, lightly touching the skin of her palm. The glossy purple fruit was taken by his lips.