Murong Feiyan turned back and looked at him in mild surprise.
"Why else would people say a scene can stir the heart?"
His remark failed to move Murong Feiyan. Her gaze returned to the crescent moon, and she said softly, "This is the most beautiful moon I've ever seen."
Hu Xiaotian chuckled, then said something that sounded utterly shameless to Murong Feiyan. "That's because I'm here beside you."
Murong Feiyan said, "It was a wonderfully poetic scene, and I was in a perfect mood. Your presence has certainly taken a good deal of the shine off both."
Hu Xiaotian discovered that Murong Feiyan had actually learned to tease. For someone who had always been so stern and unsmiling, this was a tremendous change.
Murong Feiyan noticed the change in herself too, and understood that Hu Xiaotian was the reason. He truly had that ability. Throughout their journey, his optimism and humor had rubbed off on many people without their noticing, herself included.
Murong Feiyan sat down beside him, holding her sword against her chest. Even now, she had not lowered her guard. "We'll take turns keeping watch tonight," she said softly. "I'm worried that archer might come back."
Hu Xiaotian nodded and sighed. "Such beautiful moonlight ought to be the perfect occasion for composing poetry. Bringing those fellows up again really spoils the mood."
Murong Feiyan remembered how dazzling his impromptu verse on Heavenly Street had been, and suddenly suggested, "Since you're overflowing with poetic inspiration, why not compose another one right here?"
Hu Xiaotian smiled as he looked at Murong Feiyan's lovely face, its skin so delicate a breath or a touch might break it. "What? Testing me?" Inwardly, however, he thought, Poetic inspiration isn't the only thing overflowing. My animal urges are too.
Murong Feiyan said, "Don't tell