Zhu Zhuqing: Didn't You Say Purple Had Charm? Li Zhixian

After procuring everything needed for the house.

Li Zhixian invited Xue Qinghe, Dugu Yan, Ye Lingling, and the other four from Imperial Dou Academy over for another meal.

It served as a little housewarming celebration.

No wonder Li Zhixian was willing to be friends with them.

These young masters and ladies, who normally never so much as touched water with their fingers, actually cleaned up the battlefield of dirty cups and plates for him before leaving.

Li Zhixian saw each of them out.

Once everyone had left.

He lazily sank into a rosewood armchair.

Winter Plum Blossom bloomed overhead. He took an occasional sip of wine, so content that it seemed life could offer no greater bliss.

Just as he was chewing on a plum.

With the alcohol making him drowsy enough to drift off—

His eyes suddenly snapped open!

Two tangible flashes of sharpness burst from his gaze, startling the plum blossoms overhead into fluttering down.

"Again?!"

"Did I offend some damn jinx?!"

Having experienced one assassination attempt already.

Li Zhixian reacted with lightning speed this time.

He immediately sprang to his feet, ready to dart over the courtyard wall.

However, just as he was about to move, a faintly familiar aura approached from behind.

His body paused as he turned to look.

Whoosh—!

A black shadow shot through the air like an arrow loosed from a bow.

Li Zhixian instinctively raised his hand, and the Azure Lotus Sword was already poised to emerge.

Yet as the attacker drew closer, that aura became increasingly clear.

Li Zhixian withdrew all his defenses. He neither dodged nor evaded, simply waiting for the shadow to reach him.

The black shadow arrived in the blink of an eye.

The newcomer wore black fitted clothing, her face concealed behind a black veil. A gleaming sharp claw rested against Li Zhixian's chest, yet it advanced no farther.

A smile spread across Li Zhixian's face.

He said nothing.

He merely gazed quietly into the eyes revealed before him.

Slowly...

Slowly...

Those ink-black eyes gradually filled with glistening tears.

She withdrew her claw, abruptly spread her arms, and threw herself into Li Zhixian's embrace. A choked voice, tangled with grievance and joy, rang out:

"Li Zhixian, I finally... finally get to see you again!"

At that moment.

If the other six Shrek monsters had been there.

Their jaws would likely have dropped at the sight of Zhu Zhuqing like this.

The Zhu Zhuqing who was always cold-faced and sparing with words actually had such a passionate side?

Soft warmth filled his arms.

Yet Li Zhixian caught the scent of dust.

Lowering his head, he noticed tiny bits of grass caught in the hair of the girl in his arms, and he could guess just how much hardship Zhu Zhuqing had endured on her journey alone to Heaven Dou City.

Li Zhixian raised a hand.

He gently stroked the girl's slender, trembling shoulders.

"Sister Zhuqing, it's been a long time."

After a moment.

With a shy flush on her pretty face, Zhu Zhuqing gently pulled herself free from Li Zhixian's embrace.

She carefully studied Li Zhixian, and at last, a smile rose to her lips.

"I actually arrived in Heaven Dou City this morning."

"But I saw you enjoying yourself with your friends, so I didn't disturb you."

"Mm, seeing how carefree you are, I... I'm happy for you."

Li Zhixian took her beneath the plum tree, retrieved his Clear Spring Wine Gourd, and poured her a full cup.

"I already drank the wine Sister Zhuqing asked Dugu Yan to bring me last time. It tasted quite good."

"This is wine I brewed recently. Give it a try."

Blue mist, like flickering flames, curled from the rim of the cup.

The rich, mellow fragrance of wine filled the little courtyard in an instant.

Zhu Zhuqing unconsciously licked her slightly dry lips.

Li Zhixian's wine could not possibly be bad.

"Then I won't stand on ceremony."

As she spoke.

She eagerly lifted the cup and took a sip.

"Mmh..."

The wine slid down her throat.

A rosy flush spread over her fair, lovely face at a visible speed.

Even her dark eyes became shrouded in a hazy sheen of mist.

"S-such delicious wine..."

Watching Zhu Zhuqing's adorably tipsy appearance.

Li Zhixian shook his head with a smile and lifted his own cup for a light sip.

At that moment.

The conversation he had once had with Dugu Yan suddenly flashed through his mind:

—"What else did Zhu Zhuqing say to you?"

—"She said she likes you, and that when you meet next time, she wants you to kiss her."

Li Zhixian set down the wine gourd.

Usually so free and unrestrained, he now showed a rare hint of awkwardness.

"Sister Zhuqing..."

"Mm?"

Zhu Zhuqing raised her unfocused eyes.

"I'm afraid that wouldn't be appropriate."

"What wouldn't be appropriate?"

She exhaled the scent of wine, her voice slurred.

Li Zhixian frowned slightly and decided not to beat around the bush anymore.

He repeated, word for word, what Dugu Yan had relayed.

Zhu Zhuqing froze at first.

Then her already flushed cheeks turned as red as if they were about to bleed, a crimson hue spreading all the way to her ears and neck.

"I... I never said such a thing!"

"I... I only asked her to bring you wine... I really never said anything like that!"

Li Zhixian gave a helpless, wry smile.

How could he still not understand?

Dugu Yan had played a prank on him.

Seeing Zhu Zhuqing so embarrassed that she could barely sit still, Li Zhixian, who ought to have been awkward himself, instead smiled in relief.

"It's all right, Sister Zhuqing. Dugu Yan was just being mischievous."

"You don't need to take it to heart."

"Mm... mm."

Zhu Zhuqing answered softly.

Yet Li Zhixian's complete lack of concern left an unpleasant feeling in her heart.

Clutching the bundle in her arms, she bit her lower lip lightly and said in a small voice:

"Li Zhixian..."

"Is there somewhere I can bathe here?"

Li Zhixian pointed toward the elegant side room beside the main house.

"There's a water reservoir over there, along with hot spring stones that draw up geothermal heat."

"I haven't been here long and have only used it twice. If Sister Zhuqing doesn't mind, make yourself at home."

"Mm."

Zhu Zhuqing answered so softly it was almost inaudible. Hugging her small bundle, she quickly slipped into the little room.

Li Zhixian harbored no improper thoughts. With his back to the little room, he leaned against the plum tree, sipping wine and eating plums in leisurely contentment.

About half an hour passed.

Li Zhixian's eyes had already grown somewhat hazy with drink.

Suddenly.

A delicate floral fragrance drifted quietly toward him from behind.

Zhu Zhuqing's voice, carrying a touch of hesitation and shyness, softly sounded behind Li Zhixian:

"Li Zhixian..."

"Y-you... turn around and look at me..."

Hearing her, Li Zhixian instinctively turned his head.

The sight that met his eyes was one that, even as the years passed, would remain etched in his memory.

Zhu Zhuqing, who had always worn only black fitted clothing, had changed into a long purple dress like misty sunset clouds.

Her usually sharp phoenix eyes were slightly lowered, her thick lashes casting scattered shadows in the setting sun, lending her a rare gentleness.

She was clearly extremely unaccustomed to this attire.

Out of habit, she reached for the hidden weapon pouch at her waist, only to touch soft tassels and jade ornaments.

Feeling Li Zhixian's gaze upon her, as though it carried tangible warmth, Zhu Zhuqing's heart fluttered from the heat of it.

She turned her head away and said in a trembling voice:

"Li Zhixian..."

"D-didn't you say purple had charm..."

"If... if it looks bad... I'll go change right away..."

"Don't."

Li Zhixian stopped her, then gave her his answer.

"It looks beautiful. Sister Zhuqing looks absolutely beautiful."

Zhu Zhuqing turned back. The hair ribbon that had once bound her hair had been replaced by two purple jade hairpins.

As she moved, the tiny jade pendants hanging from the hairpins chimed softly.

Her gaze.

Met Li Zhixian's smiling eyes directly.

The faint blush on the tips of her ears resembled the plum blossoms that had fallen earlier.

Li Zhixian lightly patted the Treasure Pouch at his waist and took out two Immortal Herbs.

"Sister Zhuqing remembered what I said so well."

"Then I'll give you a gift in return..."

I didn't realize there were so many students reading. From now on, the third chapter will be posted before 9:30.

Study hard, everyone. Don't put too much pressure on yourselves~~