Chapter 97 (1/2)

Chapter 97 Cloud Nine: Witty

“This restaurant looks pretty good.” Qi Jianqiu glanced at the restaurant in front of her, but her eyes slowly s.h.i.+fted their focus to Moonglade down the street.

“We can go to Moonglade if you want to!” Feng Luodi laughed. “I know you'd want to head in there to check out the pretty artistes.”

“But I'm dressed as a girl today!” Qi Jianqiu pouted.

“Oh come on.” Feng Luodi rolled her eyes. “Everyone knows that you love the zither parlours.”

“Luodi! How can you say that in public!” Qi Jianqiu hissed.

Feng Luodi shook her head and was just about to head into Moonglade with her friend when a familiar voice sounded off to the side.

“I see that we're heading to Moonglade today?”

“Of course. Miss Linglong is beautiful, while Miss Crystal is pure of heart. I say that it's best if we visit Miss Linglong today.” That was a voice Qi Jianqiu was familiar with. The two girls turned to their right and saw Situ and Gan Qingjia.

“Hey! Didn't see you there just now, Jianqiu.” Gan Qingjia stared at Qi Jianqiu intently, putting on his charismatic smile that's known to make girls swoon.

Unfortunately for him, Qi Jianqiu was unaffected by it. She glared at Gan Qingjia. “Who gave you the right to call me like that? Are we very close?”

“Are we not?” Gan Qingjia shrugged. “You're so adorable even when you're mad, Jianqiu.”

“Hmph! I am beautiful, not adorable! Please get that right!” Qi Jianqiu huffed.

Meanwhile, the atmosphere between Feng Luodi and Situ was much more awkward. Feng Luodi looked at the man in front of her, unsure of what to say. Despite not having met him at all since their return from the North, Situ had sent many gifts of zithers to her. Every day, the Feng residence will receive zithers of all shapes and sizes from Situ, to a point where there's not enough room in her courtyard to house the zithers anymore. She'd tried to stop the attendants from bringing the gifts, but they only took orders from Situ.

What should I say right now? Feng Luodi racked her brains for a solution, but nothing came to her mind. She looked to Qi Jianqiu for help, but saw the two of them still engaged in a heated banter. Qi Jianqiu's face was flushed, but Gan Qingjia was clearly enjoying it, fondness evident in his eyes.

Fondness? Feng Luodi shuddered and decided to turn her attention back to Situ. What is he even doing! Why is he just staring at me like that? It's making me uneasy…

“Luodi! I'll be heading into Moonglade with this fella' over here right now to see which one of us is more popular! Wait a while before you come in with Situ!” Before Feng Luodi could reply, she turned and stalked off towards Moonglade. Gan Qingjia smiled as he bowed at Feng Luodi, quickly catching up to Qi Jianqiu already ahead of him.

Ahhhhh Jianqiu! Feng Luodi took a deep breath and turned around to face Situ, forcing a smile onto her face. “It's been some time.”

Situ continued to stare at her, silent but intent. It was a while before he spoke up. “It has, indeed.”

Pedestrians stared as they walked by, wondering to themselves. Is that couple over there arguing?

“Can you stop staring at me like that?” Finally, Feng Luodi could not stand it any longer. Before Situ could answer, a commotion broke out right in front of them. A young woman dressed in extravagant clothes was standing in front of the restaurant, her cheek flushed red. Despite her good looks and expensive clothes, she came off as arrogant and rude.

“You lowly servant! How dare you feed my previous steed with such low-grade hay!” The woman raised the horsewhip in her hand and swung it through the air, hitting an attendant kneeling in front of her. The attendant flinched visibly but did not cry out. Beside them, the owner of the restaurant could only watch on in horror, too afraid to stop the young woman.

He was too afraid of the woman to act, but Feng Luodi was not. She stepped forward and gripped the woman's hand, stopping her from landing another whip on the attendant. She helped the attendant to his feet and turned to the woman again.

“It is normal for a restaurant to feed the horses with whatever hay they have. If you feel that it isn't of a good enough quality, you can bring your own hay! Who gave you the right to whip him like that?”

“Who do you think you are?” The woman jerked her whip out of Feng Luodi's grip. Bystanders started to gather around, whispering amongst themselves in hushed tones as they shot looks at the woman. The woman's face was flushed, embarra.s.sed from the judgement she was receiving from the crowd.

“Do you know who I am? How dare you talk to me like that!”

“It's my first time seeing you, young miss. How will I know who you are?” Feng Luodi was calm. “But your actions are atrocious, harming an attendant over such a small matter.”

“How is this a small matter?” The woman raised her chin arrogantly. “I am the daughter of the Huaiyang Commandery Prince, Chu Xiaoxiao. I am a Commandery Princess, a n.o.ble that the likes of you peasants should feel honoured to lay your eyes on. This hay is suitable for the horses of you peasants, but my horse requires the best hay.”