Chapter 115 (1/2)
Chapter 115 Cascades: Unexpected Gain
”Young miss, we have followed your orders and sunned the Asiatic apple flowers. The fresh tea is also in the making. However, Fei is not really clear about what to do. Would you like to go take a look?” Fei came into the courtyard and spoke softly.
”Alright, I'll go over to check on her.” Feng Luodi, who was having a catnap, opened her eyes, got up and followed Scarlet out. Before she left, she turned to Jet. ”Jet, go and bring over the zither. I will play the zither while you all have some tea later.”
”Sure!” Jet excitedly went into the room to get the zither.
Scarlet looked at Feng Luodi. ”Young miss, is it really alright to spend your Eighteenth birthday just like this? There is only a few of us celebrating for you. Would you like to invite more people over?”
”No need for that.” Feng Luodi shook her head. ”This is good enough.”
Their voices trailed off into the distance. Situ impatiently hid on the tree as he watched Jet happily placed the zither on the stone table in the courtyard. Thereafter, Fei carried some fresh tea over and Scarlet brought out a table of sweets and side dishes. Feng Luodi washed her hands, took the zither to one side, and set her hands to the strings. A few of the Covert Watch hiding within the shadows looked at Situ, not daring to speak a word.
”I going to play a song now! Those who can't guess the name of the piece will have to drink.” Looking at the people who were always bustling around her, Feng Luodi was filled with happiness.
First, a light-hearted piece was played. Scarlet reacted too slow and was punished with 3 goblets of wine. Then, a slow and sad tune echoed through the courtyard. This time, Jet blanked out and got punished. Everyone in the courtyard had smiles on their faces as the music continued resounding in their ears. On the tree, Situ sat quietly, observing and listening to all that happened in the courtyard.
”Why do I feel that our General is really…pitiful?” Duo twitched his nose.
”Who asked Miss Feng to reject our General?” Quattor shrugged, ”This is how love tortures someone: the one you love might not love you back. Rarely does our General put so much effort into a lady. Such a pity that the young miss doesn't reciprocate the love and effort.”
Two shook his head, ”The worst situation is when they both get hurt even when they are in love with each other, because of certain reasons,.”
”What are you saying?” Duo and Quattor turned around simultaneously and looked at Two, puzzled.
”Listen to the music.” Two pushed their heads away.
The courtyard was filled with laughter. Jet was a natural clown, her every word and action making everyone doubling over in laughter.
”It is time for your medicine, young miss.” Just as the party was gearing up, Scarlet suddenly stood up and hurriedly went to the kitchen.
”Right, young miss, you should get some rest after taking your medicine. Your recovery right now is of the utmost importance.” Jet took away the zither in front of Feng Luodi and placed it back in the room. Feng Luodi looked at Fei, stunned. Fei immediately cleared the plates swiftly and took them to the kitchen.
As the courtyard cleared, the smile on Feng Luodi's face slowly faded away. Sitting alone in this big courtyard, she felt lonely.
Situ looked at the lonely girl in the middle of the courtyard and it was all he could do to resist the temptation to go down to her. If he appeared now, it would cause even more sadness to the both of them. He would never want to experience the feeling of being glared at by the woman he loved ever again.
”Young miss, your medicine is here.” Scarlet pa.s.sed a bowl of black liquid to Feng Luodi. Feng Luodi took it from her and finished it without so much as a frown. Scarlet handed her a sweet, ”Young miss, would you like to have a sweet? I could smell the bitterness of the medicine from here.”
Feng Luodi raised her hand. ”No need for that; I can handle it.”
Situ frowned as he looked at the empty bowl. Is she drinking such medicines every day? Has her health worsened till this stage?
”Oh, what is that?” Jet suddenly exclaimed as she took an exquisite wooden box lying on the small table. ”Was this here before?”
”Let me see.” Feng Luodi looked over, frowning slightly.
”Here you go, young miss.” Jet tilted her head and handed over the box, full of curiosity.
Feng Luodi opened the box. On a layer of red silk was an exquisite hairpin made of fine white tallow jade carved with the designs of plum blossoms. The white jade was clear and flawless, one definitely of a high quality.
”Is this yours, young miss? But I don't remember having ever seen you wear it before.” Jet scratched her head confusingly. Scarlet, who returned from the kitchen, looked deep in thought.
Feng Luodi picked up the hairpin and looked around. Her gaze fell outside the courtyard and a faint smile appeared on her face.
”General, are you leaving already? Are you not planning to stay and talk to Miss Feng?” Quattor looked at Situ questioningly as he strode towards Whirlwind.
”Oh, just shut up, Quattor.” Two quickly dragged his colleague back into the shadows.
Situ kept a cold face as he spurred Whirlwind off into the distance, causing his Covert Guards to chase after him in dismay. As he pa.s.sed by a small forest outside of the city, Situ suddenly pulled to a halt, his eyes scanning the trees intently.
”There are movements inside. Go in and have a look.”
Two and Quattor went in immediately. Situ took his time and entered the forest on his horse.
When he entered the forest, Duo and Quattor had already settled everything. A fl.u.s.tered commoner was on the ground, shaking with fear. Three other bodies lay on the ground, dressed in the robes of an a.s.sa.s.sin.
”General, these three quickly committed suicide after we overpowered them. I couldn't stop them in time.” Duo lowered his head.