The river is vast and lonely, with rippling water reflecting the spring scenery.
The pleasure boat was very close. Qiuyan and Baizhi each held an ox-horn lantern and leaned on the railing to look down. Both of them had nervousness in their eyes.
My hands have lost their strength and I am exhausted.
Wei Ziyuan was floating on the river, soaking wet, with someone leaning on his shoulder.
The woman's lips were purple, and her whole body was as cold as ice. Her eyes, as bright as autumn water, were tightly closed, and water droplets hung from her crow-feather eyelashes.
Song Lingzhi had never looked so weak and frail before. Her slender neck was so weak that she could only lean on Wei Ziyuan's shoulder.
Wei Ziyuan wiped the water droplets from his face with one hand, his amber eyes were deep and thoughtful.
The pleasure boat was very close. If I just shouted, Qiuyan and Baizhi on the deck would definitely notice me.
Through the distant night, Wei Ziyuan could vaguely see the crowds of maids and old women on the deck, all of them anxious and standing on tiptoe to look around.
Old Madam Song loved this little granddaughter the most. If something really happened to Song Lingzhi, no one on the ship would have a good ending.
However, if they saw him and Song Lingzhi together, Song Lingzhi's reputation would be ruined in the future...
Wei Ziyuan lowered his eyes and frowned tightly, and Bai Ri Qiu Yan's laughter faintly sounded in his ears.
"Mr. He was chosen by the old lady early on. He is so talented. Although his family is in decline now, he will surely be the top scholar in the imperial examination in the future, which will not be a disgrace to our girl."
… the top three in the imperial examination.
Wei Ziyuan's eyes moved slightly, and the river water surged on all sides, with the sound of gurgling water flowing through his palms.
A few days ago, Song Lingzhi accidentally caught a glimpse of the chilblains on his hands, and immediately asked someone to bring Yuqing ointment to Wei Ziyuan's room.
The Yuqing ointment was very effective. Wei Ziyuan only used half a bottle and the chilblains on his hands were mostly healed. However, his hands were rough and full of calluses after years of suffering.
How can such a rough man be worthy of...
There was a "splash" of water in his ears, and He Ming's face, as pale as paper, suddenly entered Wei Ziyuan's sight.
He was not good at swimming, and if there had not been a rope tied around his waist, He Ming might have died.
He panted: "Wei Ziyuan, why are you here..."
Wei Ziyuan remained silent, with a cold face, and lowered his head to help Song Lingzhi onto He Ming's shoulders.
He Ming's eyes widened in shock: "You are..."
The night is as dark as water, and the river wind is bleak.
The pleasure boat was brightly lit, and the cloisonné enamel cloud and bat pattern hanging lamps under the eaves were shimmering with silver light.
Wei Ziyuan looked back, and met He Ming's surprised gaze.
You’ve never seen me.
With a "splash" sound and splashing water, Wei Ziyuan turned over and jumped into the bottom of the river. His stone-blue robe gradually melted into the night and disappeared.
He Ming was stunned, with surprise still in his eyes, when he suddenly heard Bai Zhi crying on the pleasure boat: "Master He, Master He is back! Quick, pull them up!"
The water and the sky met, and the coldness penetrated into the bones. Wei Ziyuan watched from afar as Song Lingzhi was escorted onto the pleasure boat. The corners of his lips twitched upwards slightly, and his amber eyes gradually became blurred.
…
"Girl, it's cold, please go back to your room."
Su Zhi leaned against the brocade mattress, her beautiful eyes slightly closed, a look of fatigue between her brows. She covered her lips and yawned quietly, but her mouth was still firm.