It is the end of summer and the remaining lotus leaves have been harvested.
Zhao Pei's interest was not affected, and she said excitedly that she wanted to go mountain climbing to watch the sunrise. That night, He Hui said that he would take them to climb Qiujin Mountain. Ruhua thought he was joking and went to bed early, leaving Zhao Pei to go with him.
It was not even three o'clock in the morning, and the two had already arrived at the foot of the mountain.
Zhao Pei looked up and saw the dark mountain in the moonlight, which seemed to stand before her like a giant. She was slightly stunned and swallowed silently.
He Hui came closer and asked with a smile: "Why? Brother Xu, are you a little regretful?"
"What's the matter?" Zhao Pei answered loudly: "That's no problem, let's go. Let's start now." He Hui nodded and smiled, and took the lead.
The mountains were dark and misty at night, and it was hard to tell the east from the west. Zhao Pei was panicking, and she just let He Hui lead her forward step by step. Feeling the warmth of his palm, she felt a little relieved.
After walking for an unknown amount of time, both of his feet were already a little numb, but He Hui still refused to stop. "Brother He, let's take a break. I, I can't do it anymore."
He turned around to look at her and asked with a smile, "Are you tired?"
Zhao Pei stopped to catch her breath, just nodded and said nothing.
He Hui raised his head, looked at the moon, and murmured, "Let's walk a little longer. We'll be there soon."
Zhao Pei had no choice but to follow him for a few steps, but then stopped moving. He shook his head: "Come on, you will be late in a while."
"No, I really can't walk anymore." Zhao Pei waved her hands quickly.
He Hui thought for a moment, patted her shoulder and said with a smile: "Look up at the mountains."
Zhao Pei panted and looked around as he was told. Now they had reached the mountainside. She looked up and saw the deep sky full of twinkling stars and the Milky Way shining brightly, like a luxurious jewel chain. The valley was silent, and the moonlight sprinkled on the mountains and forests, coating them with a layer of soft silver. Suddenly, her heart was at peace. In such a night, it seemed that a breeze would carry her up and melt into the moonlight.
I felt relieved. Zhao Pei was silent for a long time, then suddenly smiled and said, "Let's go. I want to watch the sunrise."
He Hui looked at her and started laughing too.
When they reached the sun-watching platform on the top of the mountain, Zhao Pei's legs began to tremble uncontrollably, and she fell to the ground. He Hui smiled and pulled her up: "Don't sit down, your legs will cramp soon."
Zhao Pei muttered, "I can't do it anymore."
He shook his head and said, "You can tell at first glance that you are a nobleman who is kept in the mansion every day. Fortunately, your delicate wife didn't come with you, otherwise she would be even more exhausted." As he spoke, he bent down and rubbed her tense calves.
The moment he touched her, Zhao Pei jumped up and pushed him away. He Hui stumbled a few steps and almost fell. Zhao Pei went to help him up and said awkwardly, "I'm sorry, I... I'm not used to people touching me."
He Hui shrugged nonchalantly, then suddenly raised his hand and pointed behind her: "Look!"
Zhao Pei turned around as she was told and couldn't help laughing.
In the dark night sky, the sun had already shown a small corner, reflecting the morning glow, shining so brightly that she dared not open her eyes to look directly. After a while, the red sun rose slowly, shining on the sea of clouds, colorful and brilliant. At this time, a strong mountain breeze happened to blow, and the clouds and mist scattered, and the peaks, valleys, pines and rocks appeared and disappeared in the colorful sea of clouds, changing rapidly, like the decorative patterns on a brocade, each picture changed a different style.
That was the first time Zhao Pei saw such a magnificent scene.
She felt her whole body begin to warm up, and all the coldness disappeared. Facing the sunshine, Zhao Pei suddenly felt full of joy, and all the hard work was worth it. She suddenly felt that she was no longer ordinary. So happy, that inexplicable happiness made her unable to hold back her tears, and the cold tears slid down, but they had become warm when they reached her lips.
Someone beside her sighed, and her shoulders felt heavy. She turned around and saw that she had an extra piece of clothing on her body. Zhao Pei smiled gratefully and tightened her collar.
"You are the first man I have ever seen who cried while watching the sunrise." He Hui said without knowing the meaning.
Zhao Pei stared at him shyly. After a while, she turned her head to look at the sun that was already hanging high in the sky, and remained silent. He Hui was stunned for a long time. With that expression, he was even more beautiful than a woman under the shining golden sunlight. Some strange impulse arose in his heart, and he wanted to hold him in his arms. Then he shook off his terrible thoughts.
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At dusk, Zhao Pei and He Hui finally came down the mountain.
She was already starving, hungry and tired. He Hui apologized, "I'm so sorry, I forgot to bring some dry food up the mountain last night. Now let's just find a place to feed our stomachs."
Zhao Pei nodded quickly. There happened to be a noodle shop not far away. Zhao Pei, who had just walked step by step, actually ran there quickly, not looking tired at all. He smiled and shook his head, then slowly followed.
"Two bowls of noodles with gravy!" Zhao Pei shouted. She found a seat and sat down. She took out a pair of chopsticks from the chopstick bucket and paused. She reached into her bosom and fumbled for a while, then found a white handkerchief and carefully wiped the chopsticks clean.
He Hui looked at him and smiled faintly: "After all, he is a rich man's son, so he is so particular."
Zhao Pei didn't say anything, but continued to wipe the chopsticks. After thinking for a moment, he took the one in his hand to wipe it. He Hui looked at Zhao Pei and suddenly asked, "You are a man, why do you carry a woman's handkerchief with you?"
Zhao Pei was slightly stunned, her eyes rolled, and she smiled and replied, "It's my wife's." Seeing the disbelief in He Hui's eyes, she was thinking about how to explain, and just then the noodles with gravy were served. Looking through the steaming noodles, she smiled and said, "I'm really starving. Eat quickly." After that, she lowered her head and started eating.
Looking sideways at him, he seemed to be very hungry as well, and started eating with big mouthfuls.
Zhao Pei looked at his smooth forehead and suddenly thought of someone. The man standing tall like a jade mushroom under the moonlight seemed to be looking at her with a smile, calling her softly: "Peipei." She wanted to agree, but he immediately followed with: "Sixth brother likes you."
Her chest felt stuffy, so she lowered her head to eat noodles again, and ripples appeared on the surface of the soup.
When they were almost done eating, a few more diners came and sat at the table next to them, ordered some side dishes and started chatting. It wasn't that Zhao Pei wanted to eavesdrop, it was just that their voices were too loud. It didn't matter that she heard it, but the string in her heart suddenly tightened.
"That's really strange. What do you think those people were doing just now? Running from one inn to another."
"I don't know. Judging from his attire, he must be an official from the capital. He seems to be looking for someone."
"Who are you looking for?"
"It seems he is looking for a woman. She is quite famous, maybe a princess."
"Really? They wouldn't come to our remote place. Young ladies are so delicate these days."
It was just some casual remarks, and others would have thought it was a joke. But Zhao Pei suddenly became nervous. Could it be... someone was looking for her? After all, she was the emperor's arranged marriage, and she couldn't just run away and leave it alone. No matter what, she still couldn't take it lightly. Zhao Pei thought of this and didn't dare to stay any longer. It seemed that everywhere was full of trouble.
She suddenly put down her bowl and chopsticks, and said to He Hui in panic, "Brother He, I remembered something and I have to go home. In a while... No, I have to leave now." Then she stood up and left.
It happened so suddenly that before He Hui could react, he saw her running out and couldn't stop her even if he called her. He quickly put the money on the table and chased her. The two of them arrived at the door of the inn panting all the way. Zhao Pei poked her head inside and looked around. She didn't see anything special, so she felt relieved.
He Hui finally had the chance to ask her, "What happened? Why are you so anxious to leave?"
Zhao Pei smiled apologetically: "Indeed, I have some personal matters to attend to. It seems that I will have to leave soon. Brother He..."
He Hui looked at him helplessly, knowing that he also had his own things to do, but... he felt a little lost for no reason. "Since I'm here, how about I sit with you for a while? Let's have a drink together as a farewell."
"Okay." Zhao Pei thought about it and agreed readily. He Hui was the only person she had made friends with outside, and he took such good care of her. She was so grateful that she didn't know how to repay him. How could she refuse such a small request? Zhao Pei led him upstairs, and when they were about to reach the room, she shouted, "Madam, Brother He and I are here together. You should get ready." The implication was that you should pack up quickly and don't reveal yourself.
There was no sound in the room. Zhao Pei felt a little strange, and after speaking a few words to He Hui, she pushed the door open and walked in.
"Mother..." He swallowed the words back halfway. There were people in the room, and more than one person. A man in black clothes was sitting by the table, seemingly studying the teacup in his hand. He looked up when he heard the sound. When Zhao Pei saw his appearance clearly, he was shocked and opened his mouth in disbelief. He couldn't say a word. . . . . (To be continued)