After that murmur, Zheng Zhuxi fell silent again and said nothing more.
She braced both hands on the eaves, leaned forward slightly, and gazed dreamily at the nearly full moon.
Ding Songyan did not ask any questions either. He merely looked toward the distant sky, the clear moonlight reflected in his eyes.
The night deepened, all was quiet, and only the bright moon kept them company.
After an unknown length of time, Zheng Zhuxi suddenly withdrew her gaze.
She glanced at Ding Songyan, her eyes gradually clearing.
"Ahem." Zheng Zhuxi cleared her throat. "Junior brother, it's late. I should return to my room."
As she spoke, she pushed off with her right hand, floated lightly through the air, and landed in the courtyard.
Without so much as looking at Ding Songyan, who had jumped down after her, she headed straight toward the East Wing Room.
"Senior sister," Ding Songyan said with deliberately earnest concern, "drink a little less in the future."
In a flash, Zheng Zhuxi turned back, raised her chin slightly, and said:
"I only drank a little more because you were here, junior brother. That means I trust you!"
The bright moon cast its clear radiance over her face, revealing light and shadow, and a faint blush.
"What if I'm not an honorable gentleman?" Ding Songyan asked with a smile.
Zheng Zhuxi stiffened her neck.
"You're no match for me anyway!"
"What if I could beat you?" Ding Songyan teased with a grin.
"Then I wouldn't drink so much!" Zheng Zhuxi snorted, turned with her back straight, and walked toward the East Wing Room at a leisurely pace.
As the East Wing Room drew near, her steps unconsciously quickened, faster and faster.
She darted into the room, shut the wooden door, and dropped the bolt with a clack.