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墨書 Inktalez
In the chilly spring air, the incense wafted gently through Xiangguo Temple.
In the peach blossom grove at the southeast corner of the temple, a young man in a blue robe stood with his long, soft black hair cascading down to his waist. His face was as pure and delicate as a newly bloomed lotus flower. With red lips and white teeth, his pair of sparkling phoenix eyes glimmered as they scanned the surroundings, exuding an endless charm amidst the peach blossoms.
It was only when he reached the front of the grove and spotted a girl standing under a tree that his steps became leisurely. He approached her with light, graceful strides.
The girl in the yellow dress was earnestly rolling up her sleeves, taking deep breaths as if gathering courage. Suddenly, she dashed towards the tree, wrapping her arms tightly around its trunk and trying to climb up. Her movements were somewhat clumsy, clearly indicating that she was not very skilled at climbing trees.
Pan An leaned against the tree behind him, watching her awkward yet determined efforts, and couldn’t help but let out a suppressed chuckle.
Startled by the laughter, the girl turned around abruptly. Upon seeing Pan An standing tall and elegant, she huffed softly in defiance, sticking out her tongue at him before turning away to focus on her climbing again. She muttered under her breath, “What’s so funny? Just wait until I get up there; you won’t be laughing then.”
“Rongji!” Pan An looked at the girl who was just over ten years old with a mix of helplessness and affection in his eyes. “Your father sent you to Xiangguo Temple for reflection on your misdeeds. It’s one thing not to sit quietly in the meditation room copying scriptures or listening to teachings; now you want to go looking for bird eggs…”
“Who said I’m looking for bird eggs?” Xue Rongji wrinkled her nose and whispered back at him, her cheeks flushed from effort and embarrassment. “I just noticed how beautifully the peach blossoms are blooming here. I know you love drinking Peach Blossom Wine, so… so I thought I’d pick some flowers for you to brew wine…” Her voice trailed off until it was barely audible, and she sneaked a glance at Pan An to gauge his reaction.
Pan An was momentarily taken aback as he watched her face slowly turn crimson with shyness. Overcome by emotion, he gently leaned down and softly lifted her chin with his fingers, a faint smile playing on his lips. “Isn’t my little sister Rongji afraid that my appearance is too repulsive? Are you worried that your reputation might be tarnished because of our late-night escapades?”
“Pah!” Xue Rongji interrupted him without hesitation, hands on her hips in a defiant stance. “Even though the person I made plans for a late-night escapade with isn’t you, it was still you who ended up wandering outside with me all night! We already have an engagement; you can’t back out now!”
Hearing this, Pan An’s lips curled into a perfect arc as amusement danced in his eyes. “What if we have an engagement? You think I’m repulsive and find me overly pedantic…”
“That’s true!” Xue Rongji nodded seriously, her expression earnest enough to elicit laughter. “But considering that you got injured saving me that day and later got beaten up by my family’s steward and guards almost ruining your looks, I suppose I should take some responsibility! So I’ve decided—out of compensation—I’ll reluctantly marry you!”
Pan An raised one of his elegantly arched eyebrows, his eyes filled with affectionate amusement as he gently brushed his fingers against her nose. "In this world, the number of women who admire my handsome appearance is as numerous as the fish crossing the river, yet only you, Xue Rongji, almost turned me down for a fat conman. How dare you brazenly claim you would reluctantly marry me?"
"Then at most, every time the peach blossoms bloom, I will personally brew a few jars of Peach Blossom Wine for you!" Xue Rongji waved her hand dismissively, as if shooing away a fly, and turned to climb the tree to pick flowers, muttering to herself, "I refuse to believe I can't get up there today."
"The sages say: A petty person uses strength, while a gentleman uses cunning! It's just picking some peach blossoms; why go through such trouble?" Pan An chuckled as he took out his beloved slingshot, casually picked up a small stone, squinted one eye, and aimed at the branch laden with the most blossoms.
In an instant, delicate pink petals trembled in the air and fell like a gentle pink rain.
Amidst the lingering fragrance of peaches, as the soft pink petals fluttered down, Pan An glanced back to find Xue Rongji gazing at him with deep admiration. Their eyes met, and she quickly turned her face away as if scalded, too shy to hold his gaze. Her cheeks flushed a bright red, more vibrant than the blossoms themselves.
"Rongji, when we marry in the future, shall we plant peach trees in our courtyard?" He suddenly spoke with a profound expression that concealed warmth and anticipation.
"Plant peach trees? Why?" Xue Rongji tilted her head in thought before her eyes lit up with realization. "I know! It's because you love Peach Blossom Wine!"
"You silly girl!" Pan An playfully turned her body towards him, placing his hands gently on her shoulders while gazing deeply into her eyes. "What I love is you—more beautiful than these blossoms beneath this peach tree!" As he spoke, he slowly leaned down, his movements as gentle as a spring breeze, and pressed his soft lips against the corner of her mouth.
Xue Rongji froze for a moment; a wave of dizziness washed over her as the sweet scent of peach blossoms melted on her lips. Unconsciously, her hands found their way onto Pan An's shoulders. But in the next second, with a sudden push from her knee and Pan An's startled cry, a flurry of birds took flight from the peach blossom grove.
"My mother said that before marriage, no one is allowed to casually hold my hand or touch my face—let alone kiss me!" Xue Rongji exclaimed with a flushed face as she dashed away like a flash of lightning, glancing back at the stunned Pan An.
"Hey..." Pan An felt both amused and exasperated as he rubbed the spot where he had been kicked. He watched her retreating figure and shook his head helplessly.
This girl finally understands boundaries. Though it was still a playful kick, he was absolutely certain that this one was far lighter than that night’s encounter with that fat little boy.
He instinctively reached out to grab her, but saw that she had already run far away, her skirt fluttering in the breeze. Just then, a gentle wind blew, and two pink petals landed in the palm of his outstretched hand, their sweet fragrance filling the air, mirroring the complex yet sweet emotions swirling within him at that moment.
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