At the gate of the Linlu Academy, for some reason, the initially noisy voices began to gradually quiet down, maintaining a level of sound that was neither loud nor silent, but comfortably in between.
The atmosphere started to shift subtly, growing a bit strange.
The scholars and students of the academy, coming and going, began to walk with steadier steps, their movements lighter, and their behavior even more dignified and refined in Confucian grace.
Groups of people passing by the gatekeeper’s lodge outside the door also tacitly adopted a composed expression and whispered to each other, no longer speaking loudly or bursting into laughter.
It seemed as if they were wary of disrupting a certain view or leaving a poor impression on a beautiful person.
At this moment, this was exactly how Li Jinsu and his companions behaved; the casual chatter from moments before they exited the academy gates had disappeared, and even the air among the group held a momentary silence.
The scholar with the surname Cheng stared blankly at the woman "by the waterside."
She was dressed in an orchid-hued, moon-white pipa-collar blouse with a soft silver gauze lily skirt below. On her feet were pale pink embroidered shoes adorned with the pattern of courting butterflies, dainty and exquisite. It seemed to fend off the deep autumn chill; in addition to this ensemble, she wore a lotus-green silk cloak, delicately and elegantly draped over her.
The woman’s attire was devoid of excessive adornment, only her delicate hair, swept up high, was fixed with a simple emerald jade hairpin. Yet, to discerning, wealthy men like Cheng and others, the saying "beautiful hair matches well with a fine hairpin" seemed to fit. The jade hairpin in her raven black hair looked to be of ordinary style and material, a mere trinket of the mortal world, seemingly unworthy of her beautiful locks.
But what caught the furtive glances of the men was the purple tassel hanging from the end of the jade hairpin, which instantly transformed it into an elegant step-shaker, moving subtly with every step she took, vivid as life.
The tassel attached to the otherwise plain jade hairpin was also quite unusual, emitting a hazy, dreamlike purple glow, undulating effortlessly, conveying an ethereal aura.
The woman wearing the delicate jade hairpin with the purple tassel resembled a gentile lady stepping out from "The Book of Poetry," captivating people’s hearts. However, the coldness in her long autumn-water eyes made her seem like a graceful, pure lotus flower, discouraging closeness, and evoking a sense of being approachable only from a distance, not for trivial amusement.
If a strange man were swept by her cold eyes, it’s doubtful many would dare to maintain their gaze.
Cheng, the scholar, was so lost in the sight of her silhouette that he suddenly snapped back to reality. Hurriedly, he looked away, chiding himself to "cast no disgraceful looks" and tried not to gaze at her anymore.
After all, this woman of extraordinary beauty that causes forgetfulness had her hair pinned up, and now she was inquiring and waiting silently outside the academy, making it very clear to anyone but the self-deluding that she was claimed by marriage. However, which Confucian Scholar within the Academy was fortunate enough to have her as his wife remained a mystery...
Remembering how he couldn’t tear his gaze away upon their first encounter, Cheng felt a bit guilty. He glanced around and was relieved to find his companions seemed to be as distracted by the woman as he was, and with no one paying her direct attention, he breathed easier.
Even as their gaze lingered, the group of men was gradually moving away.
Reluctantly, the scholar surnamed Xu withdrew his gaze and touched his round face. Turning to Cheng, he said with envy:
"This fairy seems to have an indistinct sharpness of Sword Qi about her, she must be a Sword Cultivator with Spiritual Energy Cultivation. As such a young female Sword Cultivator, she’s undoubtedly a prodigy from Taiching’s Tranquility Mansion; I just wonder what her name is. Ah, never mind, never mind; the fair lady is already spoken for, surely another match of talented scholar and beautiful woman."
Xu spoke with regret, paused, and then said, "Hey, Brother Li, Brother Cheng, do you recognize this fairy? Among us scholars who are married, and have wives from Taiching Prefecture, I know all such elder and younger brothers, having seen most of them over the years. I don’t recall such a personage, could it be one of those elusive ’Reading Seeds’?"
Cheng shook his head, "I don’t know, we can ask later at the poetry event."
All of a sudden, Li Jinsu said, "Brother Cheng, Brother Xu, I just remembered an urgent matter that I must attend to immediately. I really must apologize and take my leave. Ahem, I’ll have to trouble you both to take the junior brothers I brought with me to the poetry event and look after them for a while. I shall visit to express my gratitude another day."
Cheng looked slightly troubled, "Brother Li, Teacher Yan has repeatedly reminded us to take you to the poetry event."
Li Jinsu coughed lightly, "It’s alright, my matter is truly urgent. I will explain to the teacher later, and he won’t blame you both. I must take my leave, brothers."
With these words, he bowed to the two men beside him and instructed his junior brothers with a few words, then turned and headed back into the Linlu Academy.
Behind him, Cheng and Xu exchanged looks.
Today Lingfei Zhao deliberately did not wear the chest-high blouse and skirt that Rong’er liked.
She knew he liked it, because Lingfei often caught Rong’er sneaking glances in that direction.
But she had decided to wear some of her other favorite clothes that hadn’t been worn in a long time to see him. Who knows, maybe Rong’er would like them even more, right?
Having not lived together for many years, Lingfei Zhao wanted to show her childhood beau all of her best sides; she couldn’t let him get bored of her.
Rong’er would surely like it; yes, he must like it.
Lingfei Zhao smiled faintly.