Page 95 (1/2)
Chapter 95: Kabe-don1Ji Yunshu squinted her eyes into pretty crescents and flashed a glance at Wei Yi, slightly annoyed by the wording of his reh the pain to ive hio fetch so?”
“Yes, I’ll go right away, Young Miss,” answered Luan’er as she went away to fetch the items Ji Yunshu needed
Wei Yi dropped his chin on his hands and asked, “Shu’er what do you need these things for?”
Ji Yunshu flattened the paper on the desk, dipped the brushes in the aquarelle, and started to sloork on a sheet of paper Wei Yi was surprised and observed her silently The tip of the brush traced delicate arcs against the white background Each point and stroke was carefully arranged It was not long before the rough shape of a thin branch of plum flowers in full blossom appeared on paper Ji Yunshu dipped the brush in red ink and slowly sculpted the flower petals As she continued to work on the drawing, a faint fragrance subtly spread through the air, carried by a gentle hich blew into the room, as if one of the vivid petals ept off the sheet of paper It was a draorthy of Ji Yunshu’s faently with her sleeves, thus drying the last stroke of ink
“Shu’er, your drawing is very pretty,” co the paper as he craned his neck to exa “Cut this paper into eight pieces with identical sizes and stick them to the sides of the lantern”
“Do we really need to cut it?”
“It’ll look better this way”
Wei Yi didn’t quite understand Ji Yunshu’s explanation, but he nevertheless obeyed her suggestion and followed Luan’er to proceed with the task
Ji Yunshu picked up her brush and produced yet another drawing She cut it into eight pieces, just like the first one and fixed them to a second lantern The pieces connected into a sphere and the eight sides of the lantern became a canvas upon which the spray of pluradually outside After Wei Yi shouted in ireed to his request and they left the Wei Mansion with Luan’er They brought the two lanterns with thelow from the candle flame within the lanterns accentuated the beauty of the flowers on the paper
The sea of lanterns on the side of the htly sky above them They were of different shapes and colors, but they were all hung fro the road into the unseeable distance It reht: Christmas The street was filled with people, and one could only see an endless forest of human heads in every direction
Ji Yunshu strolled with Wei Yi and Luan’er toward the Hall of Gathering Frost, surrounded by well-dressed couples; It would have been more appropriate to call it a Lovers’ Festival rather than a Lantern Festival
“Shu’er, look!” Wei Yi was very excited He approached a shop and tried on a theater e
“Do you like it?” asked Ji Yunshu with a laugh
“Yes” Wei Yi nodded
Ji Yunshu took out soift to you” But Wei Yi was only getting started on causing his share of trouble He ran into every corner of the street without stopping, and Ji Yunshu alht of hiht accumulated in their ar Frost
Jing Rong’s sharps eyes caught Ji Yunshu when she was still far from where he sat She stood out in the crowd just like the lantern she had stood out froht She was dressed plainly, without any expensive ornaments or jewelry, or a face hidden between a layer of carefully applied make-up But, she was the one behind all of the fervour hidden in his eyes Jing Rong could see no one else but Ji Yunshu A s dream? Nay, she’s as real stone2
Ji Yunshu entered the Hall of Gathering Frost and followed a clerk to Jing Rong’s roo’s passionate stare as soon as she entered the room and quivered from its intensity Wei Yi was rather at ease; he threw all of the knick-knacks he bought into Lang Po’s arm and said, “Please carry this with care If you break the Po’s expression sank as his hands became loaded with more and , “Your Highness…”
Jing Rong was rather a you to hold his things, then hold them carefully”
‘Does he really need to do thatPo He nevertheless obeyed his ave hiht beneath his and said, “Please, Miss Ji, have a seat”
“I want to sit too!” Wei Yi exclai pointed at before the latter could object to it He looked at the su Brother, can I take a bite at this?”
Jing Rong forced a smile and answered, “Yes, you can”
‘Eat all you want It’ll be even better if you stuff yourself to death!’ thought Jing Rong The place he reserved for Ji Yunshu was occupied by Wei Yi instead, a strong statenificance of the third wheeler
Ji Yunshu lowered her head to hide a smile and quietly sat down across the table Wei Yi already started his feast “Hood It’s even better than at home!” said Wei Yi between two mouthfuls
“If you like it, I’ll treat you to apicked up a chicken leg with his chopsticks and dropped it into Wei Yi’s bowl “You can have as ht for the heart with me”
Wei Yi did not understand the nuance of that remark but Ji Yunshu certainly did She ie the subject of the conversation and pointed at the table with her chopsticks “Look at all these delicate dishes You are spoiling us, your Highness I’m just worried that on’t be able to finish it all”
Ji Yunshu turned her head and said to Luan’er, “How about you sit down too I’hness won’t mind”
“I…” Luan’er was still quite intimidated She would have stayed ho