Cry of the Midnight Jackdaw

Chapter Forty-one,
Moon Gazing

The bench was facing the window, one could see a small bamboo forest, jade-green bamboo leaves rustled with the slightest wind, while warm sunlight cast onto the floor, swaying with freckled spots of light. Xiao Zuo looked outside in a daze just like this, and only when he heard De Qing knock on the door did he come to, “Duke.”

“Have a seat.”

De Qing asked after sitting down, “Is the duke going to go to the Pine Wind tea party?”

“En.”

“Is the sir from Lord Fu’s family going too?”

Xiao Zuo nodded his head, “Probably, it is a rare chance.” Xiao Zuo gripped the teacup, the porcelain cup was a bit icy to the touch, he hung his eyes down, and stared at the tea leaf in the cup and went in a daze.

Once Xiao Zuo had lunch, He Xuan then came back, “Is lunch alright? Ig especially had them make it to suit Nan Liang’s tastes.”

“Mm, it’s just too mild.”

He Xuan smiled and coaxed him, “Ig was afraid you would feel bad, spice is not good for the body.”

Xiao Zuo subconsciously knitted his eyebrows, then immediately squeezed out a smile, “I understand your Highness’ intentions.”

“Then that’s good, eat less spicy things from now on.”

“En.”

❀

Today, Xiao Zuo wore a green long-sleeve, making him especially straight and handsome, He Xuan personally did his hair for him, pecked him on the forehead, then said, “Today, xiao’Zuo’s definitely going to rob all of the attention in the Pine Wind tea party.”

“Is your Highness jealous?”

“Yes, [I] really can’t bear it.” He Xuan smiled and stood up straight, “Let’s go.”

“Your Highness has arrived, it seems.” Fu Zhan Chuan was waving a fan, the pendant hanging on the fan swayed to and fro along with his moving figure, reflecting with bits of golden light.

He Xuan smiled and nodded, “Ig have brought a friend today, everyone must give me face.”

“Oh? Someone your Highness the Crown Prince brought?” Fu Zhan Chuan oddly lifted his eyebrow, and looked towards He Xuan’s back, “Your Highness has never brought anyone to the tea party, to break the rules this time around, looks like they must be an amazingly talented young man.”

“You’ve previously met as well.” He Xuan seemed to have words in between his words, he glanced at Fu Zhan Chuan with an intent to warn, and slightly made way to the side, revealing Xiao Zuo, “Greetings everyone, this lowly one is Xiao Zuo.”

“Xiao Zuo?” Fu Zhan Chuan observed him for a moment, and his tone bore a sliver of looseness, “So the young sir I saw that day was……”

When He Xuan heard him say this, he could not help but knit his eyebrows, and just as he wanted to interrupt him, he heard him continue on, “Such a gentleman, like grinding stone and polishing jade[1]. A good name, to meet today, I can see you are a much astounding person.”

“Sir has overpraised.” Xiao Zuo faintly smiled, Fu Zhan Chuan slightly narrowed his eyes, and introduced himself, “This lowly one is Fu Zhan Chuan, a member of the Pine Wine tea party, Sir Xiao, please come here.”

“Please.” Xiao Zuo nodded his head, and politely took one step back, then followed behind He Xuan.

This was a bamboo house located at the side of a small creek, hanging with jade-green door curtains, while bamboo leaves to the side swayed, falling with sparse shadows, and had a bit of a tranquility of an ink painting. After lifting the curtains and walking in, one would find vine chairs on the two sides, placed with steaming green tea- there were a few people playing chess with each other, with black and white pieces arranged at the two sides, but no murderous intent to be seen.

Seeing He Xuan come in, the young lords seated nonchalantly made a glance, but did not get into a fluster to come up to make a big welcome. He Xuan was not bothered either, and casually brought Xiao Zuo to a seat to the side and sat down, and poured tea for him.

“Since everyone is here, then follow me out.” Just as Xiao Zuo sat down and took a sip, before he could savour the taste, Fu Zhan Chuan loudly spoke a few words. The others placed down the chess pieces and teacups in their hands one by one, then stood up and followed him out.

“They are going out for the winding water ritual.” He Xuan explained from the side, “Let’s go.”

Outside of the bamboo house was a small creak, as it was not high-water season right now, it merely formed a clear spring, not even knee-deep, but the water was clear to the point one could see the bottom, and was able to see various rocks weaving in between.

Xiao Zuo sat by He Xuan, today, the subject was to create a poem praising the spring day, but if one could not, they would be punished with a cup of wine. The front already had two who got punished, and at this time, it was He Xuan’s turn. Xiao Zuo originally thought this crown prince was someone who mulled over public and private fighting all day, and could not do it, but he did not think after he hummed for a moment, he actually drafted one, and it was even particularly pure and lucid, making Xiao Zuo have a kind of feeling like he was watching Yang Guang’s Moonlit River in Spring[2].

“Sir Xiao.” Xiao Zuo came to, and heard Fu Zhan Chuan say, “It’s your turn.”

This spring day was certainly inebriating- the slightly intoxicating warm sun, the fluffy blanket of grass, bamboo leaves carrying a fresh fragrance and the carefree creek, nowhere could one find a sliver of sorrow. Yet when Xiao Zuo opened his mouth, it was that kind of phrase of how spring feelings would become the reminisced, a stomach full of listless feelings, it did not seem like it was praising the joys of this spring day, but much more like it was complaining how hateful this garden full of sights was, where spring winds could not scatter the bends in the brows.

“Good.” Who knew Fu Zhan Chuan only glanced at Xiao Zuo, and praised, “How unique, how unique, Sir Xiao is filled with feelings and talent as expected.”

“You’ve overpraised.” He Xuan pursed his lip and did not speak, Xiao Zuo had a feeling of regret, and hurriedly waved his hands, “Everyone else here are ones whose talents soar past the clouds, how would it be up to this lowly one to show off one’s talents before an expert.”

“Sir Xiao is modest.” Fu Zhan Chuan laughed, and the cup of wine flowed down again.