Chapter 513: Where The Lights Are Dim! (1/2)

Elk small Building.

Inside a quaint and warm pavilion sat two young women.

One was graceful and beautiful, and one was pretty and delicate.

The graceful girl was Cui Xiaoxin and the delicate girl was Song Chenxi.

The meet up between the two bright moons of Tiandu should have been a matter widely talked about by the whole capital city. Unfortunately, it was a critical period now. The late Emperor had pa.s.sed away, and the city was still in the state funeral period. The squares were shut, the wine shops were temporarily closed down, and even storytellers in teahouses were forbid to sing and tell stories during this period.

“Little sister Chenxi, is your health a little better lately?” With her hands clasped around a cup of steaming tea, Cui Xiaoxin looked at Song Chenxi opposite her and asked in a concerned tone of voice.

Cui Xiaoxin thought that amongst the three bright moons of Tiandu, Lu Qiji showed off her ability to the full extent and kept her distance from other people, while she was too cautious and careful and avoided arguments with others as much as possible. But this little Princess of the Song family was pure as ice, thoughtful and very likeable.

“Thank you for your concern Sister Xiaoxin. This winter is a little colder than in the previous years, but my body is much better than it used to be. Maybe it's because I often go out for activities.” Song Chenxi replied earnestly, holding a small golden heating furnace.

“Yes, you're right.” Cui Xiaoxin said, nodding. “It's good for your health to go outside more. I had always wanted to be closer to little sister, but was afraid of disturbing your rest. Because of this hesitation, the visit was delayed till today.”

A smile spread across Song Chenxi's face. “Okay, I'll listen to Sister Xiaoxin. When I have nothing to do I will go out to enjoy the beautiful scenery, which will help me to find source material for painting. When Li Muyang taught me the way of painting he had also once said that as long as there is a bamboo in one's mind, one can draw the bamboo. I am always in this small building and don't go out, what I see and hear are just things on this side of the world. How can I create a good prece of art?”

“Li Muyang, he taught you the way of painting too?” Cui Xiaoxin asked, suppressing the strange undulation of emotions.

Song Chenxi glanced at her and said, “wait a moment Sister Xiaoxin.”

She then turned to the little servant girl beside her, “Little Star, bring the painting over.”

“Yes, Miss.” The little girl ran in at once, and soon came out carrying a painting scroll.

Song Chenxi took the scroll and carefully spread it out on the table.

Then, the extremely vivid and evocative 'Maiden pushes open the door' painting was displayed in front of Cui Xiaoxin.

Cui Xiaoxin looked entranced by the painting, stretched out her hand to gently stroke the ink marks, muttering: “I have known him for so many years, but have not had the chance to ask him to draw a picture for me.”

Song Chenxi noticed Cui Xiaoxin's distracted expression and said rea.s.suringly: “Sister Xiaoxin, there will be a chance in the future.”

“In the future?” Cui Xiaoxin replied with a bleak smile. “How will there be a future?”

The Lu family had collapsed, and the news that Li Muyang had unexpectedly become an evil black dragon was now frantically spreading across the capital. Even the servants in the mansion were talking about it.

It was unknown whether Li Muyang was alive or dead, while her fate was most likely already decided?

The late Emperor had died, the Lu family was destroyed, and now the Song family can be said to have absolute control of the imperial court, even her Grandfather has to rely on them for the air he breathes.

Under this urgent situation, the Cui family was even less likely to change her marriage with the Song family that had been decided long ago.

Cui Xiaoxin was now in a semi-imprisoned state. It was only because she said she wants to visit this little Princess of the Song family that Mother Cui was willing to release her. Worried that Cui Xiaoxin would go to a place that she should not go, which would enrage the Song family, she deliberately arranged a few more servants to follow Cui Xiaoxin. If there were any strange movements, they were going to promptly report back to the Cui family.

Fortunately, Cui Xiaoxin did not have any other ideas, but really intended to visit the young lady of the Song family.

“Sister Xiaoxin, don't be too sad.” Song Chenxi felt that Cui Xiaoxin was very pitiful. As pitiful as herself.

If she was a domestic canary, but then what is Sister Xiaoxin?

She's a short-legged cat held in captivity.

She was allowed to go out and play once in a while and feel infinite freedom. But when the master shouts, she had to obediently come back and crouch in front of him and listen to his orders.

“I'm fine.” Cui Xiaoxin smiled. She was worried that Song Chenxi would sense her feelings and then mention it to her older brother, which could become troublesome.

“Sister Xiaoxin, don't you like older brother Tinyun?” Song Chenxi asked all of a sudden.

Cui Xiaoxin's eyes instantly grew sharp, a natural defense and guardedness produced by the body.

Then her face softened, as she thoughtfully gazed at Song Chenxi, not knowing what the real intention of her question was.

The two rarely contacted each other, and were not even considered as close friends.

What kind of reaction would she make if she knew of her answer?

“Sister Xiaoxin, don't misunderstand.” Song Chenxi was exceptionally intelligent and instantly understood Cui Xiaoxin's concern. “You can tell me, our conversation today is just between older sister and I. Only you and I will know, I won't tell anyone else.”

“Yes.” Cui Xiaoxin nodded, as though she had made a certain decision.

When she uttered this word, the repressed gloom suddenly vanished, and her mood was a lot better at once.

She was finally able to say this, say out the sentence that had been suffocating her heart and cannot be known to outsiders.

“Then don't marry him.” Song Chenxi's eyes crinkled in a smile.

Cui Xiaoxin looked Song Chenxi with a pensive gaze, pondering how much sincerity was in that smile.

After a while, a smile also spread across her face.