Meng Taizhi smiled and shook his head, "He is not a good person. Sixth Lady, you shouldn't seek him out."
As soon as Meng Taizhi finished speaking, a voice rang out, "You're badmouthing me again."
The newcomer wore a flowing grey robe with wide sleeves. As he walked, he exuded an ethereal aura, appearing like an immortal. It was Yuan Tianfeng.
"The world is changing for the worse, and one can't even speak the truth anymore," Meng Taizhi said, fanning himself leisurely with a graceful demeanor.
Yuan Tianfeng shook his head helplessly, "You only bully honest people like me. I brought you qingtuan, I've been thinking about it all the way."
Yuan Tianfeng flicked his sleeve, placing the paper-wrapped bundle in his hand on the table and opening it. The qingtuan inside were vibrantly colored, a lush green that looked incredibly appetizing.
Meng Taizhi accepted without ceremony, picked one up, and took a bite. He nodded, "It's still the same taste as back then. You have some conscience after all."
"Drink some tea, why don't you choke to death!"
"I'll disappoint you. I won't die even if you do!"
...
Xie Jiayan was accustomed to their way of speaking, but Yu Mingyue's expression was a little harder to control.
Xie Jiayan glanced at Yu Mingyue, who was staring with her round eyes, and couldn't help but curve his lips. He looked at her, then stepped out of the pavilion.
Yu Mingyue followed him out. Xie Jiayan deliberately slowed his pace, clearly waiting for her.
"Mr. Yuan hasn't divined for anyone in many years."
Mr. Meng's earlier words were a polite refusal. Fortunately, she didn't press the matter further.
"I was too presumptuous just now!"
In fact, she had understood Mr. Meng's meaning.
Since they had established a rule, it wasn't appropriate for her to break it.
Never mind, she would rely on herself.
Actually, everything was good as it was. Her mother was even pregnant.
"Five years ago, Mr. Yuan fell gravely ill, and after that, he stopped casting hexagrams."
"I see. Brother Jiayan, you and the two gentlemen seem to have known each other for a long time?"
"When I was traveling with my father, I accompanied the two gentlemen for several months." Xie Jiayan sat down by the stone table under the tree.
The sunlight was bright at this moment, filtering through the dappled tender leaves and falling on them. The Shu brocade on Yu Mingyue's body shone particularly brilliantly.
Nearby, peonies were in full bloom, attracting several colorful butterflies that danced around them. One landed on Yu Mingyue, and she didn't even notice.
"Brother Jiayan, have you been to many places?" Yu Mingyue loved reading travelogues the most. Hearing Xie Jiayan mention traveling with his father, she became instantly interested.
"Yes." Xie Jiayan's gaze shifted from the butterflies.
"Were there any dangerous adventures or encounters? My mother said Jiangnan is very beautiful. I've never left the capital in my life," Yu Mingyue said with a hint of regret.
"Jiangnan is indeed beautiful, but it's not the most beautiful. The land of Huaxia has countless scenic spots: the rain in Jiangnan, the mountains and waters of Guizhou, the majestic peaks of Shu, the grasslands and snow of Saibei..."
"Saibei? That's not part of Da Wei's territory. I heard the people there are fierce and eat raw meat, isn't it very dangerous?" Yu Mingyue was both curious and a little scared when he spoke of the frontier. She propped her chin on her hand, her expression exceptionally focused.
"In reality, people are the same everywhere. Plunder is not their nature; they only wish for a peaceful life," Xie Jiayan said with a slight smile.
"Is that so?"
Before Xie Jiayan could answer, Yu Mingyue asked and answered herself, "It seems so. It's like the Xianbei people. They learned Chinese culture, migrated to the Central Plains, and now their living habits are no different from ours."
"In fact, the royal family of our Da Wei has Xianbei blood. Look at the Seventh Prince, isn't he taller and more robust than us Han people, with a higher nose bridge and eyes... Does Brother Jiayan also have Xianbei blood? Your eyes are very similar to the Seventh Prince's, both amber-colored..."