Zhao Pei called out, but Xiao Gang didn't respond. She nervously tugged at her clothes, thinking he didn't hear her clearly, and called out again: "Third brother... I'm Pei Pei."
Xiao Gang trembled slightly, and suddenly looked up. Xiao Gang, dressed in a silver and gold threaded costume, had a handsome and elegant face, but it looked a little dull and lonely after years of wear and tear. Zhao Pei stared at him for a long time. Those eyes were familiar to her. But the bottom of those dark eyes was full of calmness and hidden sorrow. Zhao Pei's heart tightened. These eyes... were actually 70% similar.
"Zhao Pei? Is it really you?" Xiao Gang looked at the woman in front of him, as if he was dreaming. She was wearing a smoky green gauze jacket, a floral emerald gauze skirt with dew lilies, and a cloud-patterned crepe gown. A silver phoenix hairpin inlaid with gems was inserted diagonally into her heart-shaped bun, and the long tassels hanging on her elegant neck made her look even more elegant. Xiao Gang looked at her and felt that he was really dreaming. She was just as beautiful as she was many years ago, without any change.
Zhao Pei moved her body awkwardly under his surprised gaze and laughed awkwardly: "Those palace maids insisted on dressing like this, saying that my outfit just now was disgraceful to His Majesty..."
He suddenly stood up, took a few steps forward, grabbed Zhao Pei's shoulders and looked at her intently: "Why are you here?" His words were full of surprise and anger. Zhao Pei laughed at herself: "I was not careful and was 'invited' by Hou Jing."
Xiao Gang's eyes suddenly flashed with a strange light, and he gritted his teeth and said, "This traitor. Peipei, are you okay?"
Zhao Pei suddenly smiled and shook her head: "I'm fine." The four looked at each other in silence. In such an environment, how could there be any warmth of reunion... Zhao Pei held his cold hand tightly, trying to warm it with her body temperature, just like she had warmed another person a long time ago.
"Where is Sister Xiuchun?" Zhao Pei couldn't help asking when she saw him alone. Xiao Gang's eyes darkened, and after a long silence, he sat back on the couch: "Chun'er is gone... I sent her away on the day the city was captured."
Zhao Pei was stunned for a moment, then nodded, it would be better to leave this place of trouble as soon as possible. But Xiao Gang's side... Zhao Pei sighed and then smiled: "Peipei can accompany the third brother if he comes."
Xiao Gang shook his head slightly and said, "No, I have to ask you to return to Jingzhou immediately. It's not safe here."
Zhao Pei smiled bitterly: "It's easy to come but hard to go. Hou Jing wanted to take me as a hostage, but he was wrong. Xiao Yi was willing to give up his son, so giving up a woman is even easier." Zhao Pei laughed to herself, playing with the tassels on her neck. Her fingertips were entangled with the emerald silk, and she felt an inexplicable loneliness.
Although Xiao Gang didn't know the specific reason, he probably understood it. He didn't know what to say, so he sighed and said with a little tiredness: "In this case, Pepe should take a good rest first."
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The lights are bright, the sky is full of rainbows, and the clouds are steaming. In the high hats and gorgeous clothes, the sleeves of the dancers are swirling slowly, the silk pipes are loud, and the Shao music is floating. The gilded and dazzling, the high-footed luminous cups are filled with fragrant wine, and the gold and silver plates and bowls are offering jade delicacies.
Zhao Pei was wearing a red ancient smoke pattern Bixia Luo white scattered flower Ruyi cloud dress, her hair was like mist, and she wore a white magnolia jade hairpin. With a little makeup, she was extremely charming, yet decent and noble. She sat in her seat with a smile watching such a prosperous scene, and couldn't help but feel as if she was in a prosperous era. The bloody storm and dangers under the thick fog were just an illusion.
She could no longer distinguish between dreams and reality.
The banquet was relatively small, with Xiao Gang and his two concubines at the table. Each of them was a stunning beauty, still young, with childish eyebrows and eyes hidden under their heavy makeup. Zhao Pei had never seen them before, and thought that they must have come to Xiao Yi's side later.
Suddenly, she could not help but think of the women around Xiao Yi, all of whom were heavily made up and racking their brains to win his favor. However, with Xia Shi, who had been imprisoned in Liufang Pavilion, none of those women dared to provoke Zhao Pei.
"Is the princess dissatisfied with the food and wine?" Hou Jing's sudden voice brought Zhao Pei back from her thoughts, "It seems that she didn't even pick up her chopsticks. How does the kitchen work? Take her out and chop her up."
Xiao Gang was sitting right there, how dare he be so arrogant and look down on everyone. Zhao Pei was furious but knew it was not the time to lose her temper, so she said coldly, "Don't worry, General. The food is great."
She saw that the woman sitting next to Hou Jing was only about fourteen or fifteen years old, wearing a light green long skirt, with her long hair tied up in a bun, and a crown with a begonia flower in the middle. On both sides of her head, long purple jade necklaces hung down to her shoulders. Her eyebrows were lightly drawn and her face was lightly powdered, making her face moist and beautiful. But her eyes, as clear as autumn water, were covered with a layer of deep sorrow. She sat next to Hou Jing hesitantly, and it was obvious that she felt wronged and helpless. Her eyes were red and seemed to have tears. From time to time, she stole a glance at Xiao Gang who was sitting high up, and she felt even more sad when she met his regretful and helpless eyes.
Zhao Pei suddenly realized that this was Li Yang, Xiao Gang's beloved youngest daughter. Hearing that Hou Jing was greedy for beauty, he wanted to marry Li Yang without saying anything. Although Xiao Gang and Xiao Yan disagreed, the current situation did not allow them to speak. Zhao Pei could not help but look at her with pity, such a beautiful and well-behaved girl... Li Yang seemed to feel Zhao Pei's gaze and forced a smile back.
These people all had their own concerns, and the atmosphere was particularly cold and strange. They were not affected by the peaceful and prosperous atmosphere at all.
Hou Jing was a little bored and laughed: "These singing girls are really not very pleasing. I have another program, maybe your majesty and the princess will like it." After saying that, he raised his hands and clapped. The dancers covered their sleeves and dispersed one after another. The sound of the silk pipes also stopped. The stage suddenly became much more desolate. Zhao Pei looked at Hou Jing with suspicion, wondering what tricks he had.
Suddenly, she heard the sound of a zither, which was extremely sad and accompanied by a low hum. She listened carefully and found that it was a song called "Xizhou". Her heart trembled inexplicably, and she was overwhelmed with uncontrollable waves. Zhao Pei looked in the direction of the sound and saw a man holding a zither sitting in the corner of the stage. His ten fingers were playing the zither, and the sound flowed out, plucking her heartstrings.
He wore the musician's loose black robe, but he had an indescribable charm. He had a pair of very beautiful eyes, which seemed to be affectionate and cold. Just a glance could capture the hearts of girls. His plump and moist lips were like the most beautiful peach blossoms. He played the piano quietly, occasionally looking sideways, and Zhao Pei could only hear the low gasps of the maid beside him. It seemed that he always had such lethality.
In fact, the song was not wonderful. Zhao Pei looked at Xiao Gang, who had no expression on his face. Then she looked at Hou Jingyou, who looked unfathomable, and felt that there was more to this play than that.
After the song was finished, the lingering sound of flowing clouds and water lingered in the air, and everyone applauded and cheered. The musician bowed respectfully and was about to leave, but he heard Hou Jing shout, "No hurry, come forward."
The musician was slightly stunned, then he stepped forward respectfully and knelt down to pay his respects. Hou Jing smiled again and said, "Raise your head so that the princess can have a good look." He was referring to "the princess." Zhao Pei's heart trembled, and she vaguely understood something. She frowned but couldn't say anything.
He raised his head and faced Zhao Pei with his chest puffed out. His modesty revealed a hint of pride that could not be ignored. Zhao Pei glanced at him and couldn't help but hesitate and take a closer look. He was indeed more handsome than he looked from a distance, and his peach blossom eyes were even more captivating. But... he looked familiar... as if I had seen him before. Zhao Pei frowned and tilted her head to think, but she had no clue.
Hou Jing laughed and said, "Why don't you introduce yourself? After all, you grew up in the palace, and you don't know this little bit of etiquette."
The musician said in a clear voice: "Your servant Ji Jiang pays homage to the Emperor, the Empress, and the Princess." The mellow voice was like a clear spring.
"Come on, Ji Jiang, play the song 'Drunken Mania'." Xiao Yuyao's voice came from afar, and Zhao Pei suddenly remembered the scene from an unknown time: a calm and cute little boy played the song 'Drunken Mania' in Xiao Yuyao's bedroom. And he danced with a sword at the banquet. Although he was young, his steps were precise and powerful. It was obvious that he was a talented person. The most impressive thing was that the boy stood at the end of the corridor and stared at her silently, pointing at the exit where she could escape, his face was calm and full of maturity.
Zhao Pei stared at him for a moment, and finally made eye contact. She was quite fond of him and couldn't help but smile: "I remember you."
Ji Jijiang looked at her with a complicated expression, as if he was happy but also worried. Hearing this, Hou Jing clapped his hands and smiled, "Does the princess like him?"
Zhao Pei was stunned. She didn't expect Hou Jing to speak so bluntly. Before she could answer, she heard Hou Jing say, "Since the princess likes him, let him stay with her. It's not good for the princess to have no one to serve her. Ji Jiang is very good at serving people." His last sentence was quite ambiguous. Zhao Pei was embarrassed and annoyed.
Hou Jing said with a smile: "Are you satisfied, Princess?" His words were irresistible, Zhao Pei could not refuse, and nodded: "Satisfied..." She turned her head to look at Xiao Gang who was sitting at the top, and the bright lights blurred his expression. (To be continued)