A bright moon lit the night.
A cool breeze stirred the unfallen dry grass, making it rustle and whisper.
"So this was what the Eight Beauties of Jianghuai were. Without realizing it, I've come into contact with more than half of them..."
Liang Qu and Red Mountain walked side by side along the path, laughing soundlessly.
"Woof!"
Oolong, having chased after them from Yi Xing Town, frolicked ahead. Its big fluffy tail wagged through the grass as it lowered its head to stomp, sniff, and paw at autumn insects. Once the man and horse caught up, Oolong excitedly raised its front legs and darted forward again, trampling circles in the grass as it waited.
To the left, carriages streamed like dragons; to the right, small boats shuttled back and forth.
They continued eastward.
Liang Qu clasped his hands behind his back and walked neither fast nor slow. Though he was clearly moving forward, he seemed instead to be walking backward.
"Lord Liang has a horse but does not ride it. Why are you walking home?" Du Gaocen's luxurious carriage slowed slightly, and he lifted the curtain.
"The moon is full tonight."
"A full moon..." Du Gaocen turned to look upward. "It truly is a fine hour and beautiful scene. Lord Liang has such a fine state of mind, such elegant taste. We spend our days bustling about in the mortal world; even when we imitate refined tastes, we are ultimately only vulgar men."
"What vulgarity is there..."
After exchanging a few idle remarks, Du Gaocen offered his praise. He dearly wished to get down and accompany Liang Qu on a walk, but feared seeming abrupt and causing displeasure. After wrestling with it for a while, he finally decided that doing less meant making fewer mistakes, and lowered the carriage curtain.