lcionline Chapter 191 Friendship
Chapter 191 Friendship
When Shilan and Songzhi arrived at the Xinghuachun Pavilion, darkness had already enveloped the entire land. All around was quiet, broken only by the occasional chirping of insects.
"Why are you so late?" Qi Yuebin stood at the door and asked with concern in his eyes.
Nian Shilan raised her head slightly and smiled softly, like a beautiful flower in full bloom. "I went out for a walk today."
Qi Yuebin also smiled and said, "You seem to be in good spirits."
"Yes, the scenery of the Old Summer Palace is very beautiful. I have never seen it carefully before."
In the past, her heart and eyes were filled with that person, and she ignored too many beautiful things.
Qi Yuebin thought for a while and said, "I'll find a way to clear up our relationship in a few days. Then I'll go shopping with you."
Nian Shilan smiled mischievously: "There's no need to wait a few days. The scenery here is quite elegant and interesting. I haven't seen it carefully yet. Why don't I accompany you for a walk?"
"it is good!"
After leaving the main hall, there is a vegetable garden to the east.
The moonlight penetrated the sparse clouds like a thin thread, sprinkling on the quiet field, giving every inch of land a soft glow.
The neat rows of vegetables seemed unusually quiet, growing quietly under the moonlight, their distinct outlines like a beautiful ink painting. The green leaves swayed gently in the breeze, making a rustling sound, a tranquil melody unique to the night.
Walking along the path into the vegetable garden, a fresh air hits you, mixed with the faint aroma of vegetables, which is refreshing. The soil under your feet is soft, and you can occasionally step on a few busy little insects.
"Sister, what's that dish?"
"That's cabbage, but it's still small now. It will be almost edible in August or September. I'll have someone make it for you then."
"Okay. What about over there?"
Qi Yuebin smiled and began to explain everything around him to Nian Shilan in detail. Nian Shilan stared at Qi Yuebin's beautiful face with her beautiful eyes, and the corners of her mouth turned up slightly, outlining a faint smile.
At this moment, the two women were dressed in simple, elegant clothing, without any fancy jewelry. Only their thick, black hair cascaded down their shoulders, gently swaying in the breeze. In this way, they had shed the dignity and sophistication of women in the deep palace, and looked like two innocent young girls who knew nothing of the world.
"Sister, do you like this place very much?"
"Yes!" Qi Yuebin nodded without hesitation. "This is a land full of hope. I can see the growth and changes of life, and feel the magic and beauty of this world. Every time I come here, my heart is particularly peaceful."
Hearing this, Nian Shilan couldn't help but murmur softly, "Hope..." Then, an extremely gentle smile bloomed on her face, and she lowered her voice and said slowly, "Sister, your future life will definitely be full of hope!"
However, these words were like a soft feather, quietly swept away by the breeze, so that Qi Yuebin, who was close by, could not hear them clearly.
After walking around for a while, seeing that Qi Yuebin was looking tired, the two of them walked hand in hand and slowly returned to the main hall along the path they had come from.
Songzhi and Jixiang have already set the table for food.
"Sister, I had dinner early, so I asked them to make some side dishes. Let's eat together. There's also wine."
Qi Yuebin naturally would not refuse.
Nian Shilan picked up the wine pot and poured two glasses of wine, then handed one to Qi Yuebin, "Sister, please!"
"it is good!"
The two cups clinked together gently, and then he drank it in one gulp. The whole action was graceful and neat.
"Well, we are both worthy of being daughters of generals."
The daughter of a general, what a strange name.
"Sister, do you know?" Nian Shilan put down her wine glass and looked at Qi Yuebin, "When I was young, I always wanted to marry a general, to wield swords and gallop on horseback with him."
Qi Yuebin listened quietly: "What happened next?"
"But my brother wouldn't allow it. He said the general's life wasn't his own, nor his wife and children's, but the country's, the emperor's. He also said I have a restless personality, and if the general were to go out to fight, I wouldn't be able to bear the loneliness of being alone in my boudoir."
At this point, Nian Shilan revealed a bleak smile: "But, haven't I endured the days now? I'm afraid there is no place in the world more lonely than this palace!"
Qi Yuebin touched her temples and called softly, "Lan'er..."
"It seems my brother still doesn't understand me. Alas, not only does he not understand me, but even... if he knew what would happen to me today, I wonder if he would regret it."
Nian Shilan stopped talking, the atmosphere in the hall fell into depression, and the two drank in silence.
After an unknown amount of time, she held Qi Yuebin's arm tightly.
"Sister, I really want to go horseback riding with you!" Nian Shilan raised her head, two tears streaming down her cheeks and into her neck. "I remember when we first came to stay at the Old Summer Palace, the emperor, who was still a prince at the time, took us horseback riding. We were the only two people in the entire palace who knew how to do it. I still remember the way you climbed onto the horse. At that time, I thought, if I had a sister, she would definitely look like you!"
Hearing these words, Qi Yuebin felt as if her originally strong heart was being mercilessly pierced by thousands of sharp needles. Waves of piercing pain surged up from the depths of her heart, making it almost impossible for her to breathe.
Nian Shilan continued, "Later, when I went horseback riding, I called you to come with me, but you always refused. Did you think I was too annoying then?"
"No, no, it's just..." Qi Yuebin's eyes were red and his voice was choked with sobs, "He doesn't want us to have a good relationship. He's afraid that the Qi family and the Nian family will unite."
She knew that Nian Shilan treated her sincerely, but she also knew that Prince Yong did not like them to be close. However, the suspicion had been planted, and even though she deliberately distanced herself from Nian Shilan, it still did not let him down.
Nian Shilan's eyes gleamed with hope, "Really? Aren't you annoying me?"
Qi Yuebin reached out and wiped the tears from her face. He looked into her eyes and said seriously, "No, no, I like you very much. It's just that I don't have any brothers or sisters, so I don't know how to get along with you. But now I know. Let's go horseback riding together in a few days, okay?"
"Sister Yue, it's a pity that given our current physical condition, I'm afraid we can't even climb onto the horse's back!" Nian Shilan laughed at herself.
This smile made Qi Yuebin's tears unable to be held back any longer, and they burst out like a flood that could not be stopped.
The two of them toasted each other and drank until the moon was at its highest point before they helped each other to bed.