He had likely been unable to procure these two items in the middle of the night, so she was merely teasing him.
However, this man had a way of producing things as if by magic. With a flash of his figure, an item appeared in his hand – a vermillion gilded food box, which he placed on the table.
As he gently opened it, the delicate fragrance of lotus root wafted out. It was indeed authentic Jiangnan lotus root, her favorite food.
Yun Xiao did not stand on ceremony with Murong Chong. She immediately leaned towards the gilded box. Inside, two white jade porcelain containers held the lotus root and fresh fruits, specifically longans.
Since he had gone to rescue Shangguan Lin, he must have traveled to Lingnan. Lingnan was so far from Yan Jing that even traveling at top speed would take over ten days. She wondered how the lotus root had retained its fresh aroma.
“It smells so good, but why can it be preserved for so long?”
“By sealing the lotus root and longans and bringing them back in ice, they can be kept perfectly fresh.”
Yun Xiao nodded, a warmth spreading in her heart. She knew this was no easy feat, as ice melts easily. To transport it to the capital, they would have to constantly replace the ice along the way to maintain such freshness.
“Eat quickly, you little glutton.”
Murong Chong’s tone was completely doting. He had always wanted to dote on someone, and now that he had found someone, he would cherish her, procuring whatever she desired.
“If you want to eat something in the future, just tell me, and I’ll have them bring it to you.”
“No, it’s too much trouble. But I won’t be polite about this.”
Yun Xiao said, reaching out to take a piece of lotus root. Jiangnan lotus root was different from elsewhere. It grew in river water and beneath clean mud. When harvested, it was as white as jade, smooth, and refreshing to the palate.
Whether eaten raw or cooked, it was incomparable to any other. Moreover, Jiangnan people had their unique recipes, stuffing the lotus root with brown sugar and date paste. It was sweet and crisp, and a bite would slide down the throat, tasting incredibly delicious.
Yun Xiao quickly finished one piece. Seeing that Murong Chong hadn’t touched any, she kindly said, “You have a piece too.” Her large eyes then glanced at the box, noting there were still a few pieces left.
Murong Chong smiled. Seeing a trace of red date paste on the corner of her lips, he took out a white silk handkerchief from his sleeve and carefully wiped it for her. “You eat. I can’t stand such sweet and cloying food.”
However, watching her eat was a pleasure in itself, bringing him immense satisfaction.
Yun Xiao didn’t hesitate and ate another piece, leaving two pieces to share with Wanwan and Yanmei.
“I’m full.”
She patted her belly. The man opposite her reached out and poured her a cup of tea, handing it over. “Here, drink some water.”
His magnetic voice was gentle and deep, his gaze profound, fixed on her.
Yun Xiao’s chest tightened. Looking at such an outstanding man, so thoughtful, it felt like a dream. She, a transmigrator, what merit did she possess to have met him and received such deep affection?
How should she, Yun Xiao, repay this love that spanned a thousand lifetimes?
Only by offering her genuine heart could she be worthy of his deep devotion.
Now that she knew his origins, his everything, her heart felt calm and steady.
Although there was some apprehension about the future, it stemmed from his identity. He would be the Emperor of the Eastern Qin Kingdom, and obtaining the throne was only a matter of time. She believed that with his abilities, it would be effortless, perhaps just around the corner.
And would she truly become the only empress in history to walk alongside an emperor?
However, those things were not important. What mattered was that she felt his heart, and therefore, she would face those who needed to be faced together with him.
“Murong, I’m tired. I want to sleep.”
Eating until full and then sleeping was her principle; any matters could wait until tomorrow.
“Come, I want to show you something.”
Murong Chong ignored her drooping eyelids. Instead, he took her hand and led her towards the window. Beside the window stood a zither stand, which had been placed there long ago.
At this moment, the stand was covered with a flowing white silk gauze, obscuring any secrets within. But since he wanted her to see, there must be a reason. Yun Xiao reached out and pulled off the gauze.
On the zither stand, the original zither was gone. What lay there now was a vibrant, ancient famous zither. Its body was a masterpiece crafted from a combination of rare phoenix tree and camphor wood.
Both types of wood were exceedingly rare, and to find them together was astonishing. It was exquisitely carved, the surface polished to a brilliant sheen, and it clearly bore the marks of great age – a true ancient masterpiece.
Yun Xiao had learned to play the zither and had some knowledge of them, which was why she could appreciate this famous instrument. This zither was likely priceless.
She had no idea where he had procured it, but forgetting to ask, she sat down. Her slender fingers lightly pressed down, tuning a string. The resulting note, a resonant ‘dong,’ was like a water droplet’s bounce, exceptionally pleasing to the ear and moving in its timbre. Yun Xiao’s spirits were instantly lifted, her fatigue completely forgotten.
The night breeze rustled, and the zither’s melody began to drift.
Under the moonlit night, it flowed like water, and wherever it passed, flowers bloomed, filling the night with fragrant splendor.
It was truly a magical evening. Everyone who heard it suspected that celestial music was swirling around them, even questioning if it was a dream.
Yun Xiao slightly closed her eyes, immersing her entire being in the zither’s music. Suddenly, a beautiful flute melody joined in, rising and winding, slowly harmonizing with hers.
A perfect match, ethereal and dreamlike.
Those in the medical clinic were stirred. Wanwan and Yanmei stood in the open space of the small building, gazing up at the figures on the windowsill, seemingly about to take flight. Their ink-black hair melted into the moonlight, light veils fluttered, and the two figures overlapped, their entwined, captivating music soaring to the heavens.
It was like flowers blooming, like the moon in its intoxication.
The people of the clinic, including the helpers and doctors, were all drawn by the music. Residents living around the small building also began lighting their lamps.
They walked to their windows, quietly savoring the soul-stirring music, like a clear heart-cleansing mantra that could purify one’s spirit. At this moment, everyone felt as if Buddha had illuminated their hearts.
In the distance, from an unknown corner, a solitary figure stood in silence, then retreated noiselessly, vanishing into the dark night, cloaked in desolation and chill.
No one noticed his arrival, and no one noticed his departure.
Everyone was lost in a daze, preferring to remain immersed in this tranquil and harmonious world, far removed from all worldly disputes.
Desire, greed, fame, profit, wealth – nothing seemed important anymore. Only this melody of heaven and earth remained.
As the music concluded, a long silence followed. Yun Xiao opened her eyes, her gaze as clear as flowing water. With a smile as radiant as summer flowers, she marveled at how perfect their first duet was, as if divinely ordained, their instruments in perfect harmony.
Applause, seemingly from nowhere, then fell silent in the dark night.
The people in the open space outside the building finally reacted, clapping vigorously. After their applause, they quickly retreated back to sleep.
However, the beautiful melody they had just heard echoed in their minds for a long time, truly lingering, as if it would remain for three days without end.