Half in the river wind, half in the clouds

Princess Anle's smile made Jiang Feng feel a chill.

She forced herself to calm down. It was important to keep her tongue! Thinking clearly, she touched the ground with her head: "This poem was written by my brother's friend who was living in a foreign land and missed his family on the night of the Mid-Autumn Festival. The original poem did not have the two lines 'Dancing with the clear shadow, it seems like I am not in the human world' and 'May we live long and share the beauty of the moon'. Not long after the poem was written, Your Majesty ascended the throne and implemented benevolent policies to benefit the people. The friend was blessed by the grace of heaven and reunited with his family, so he added the last two lines. The original meaning is: Instead of flying to the high and cold Moon Palace, it is better to dance with the moon in this prosperous world; the world is full of joys and sorrows, separations and reunions, and life is not satisfactory for eight out of ten times, but lovers can watch the same moon for a long time."

Jiang Feng lowered his head and could not see Princess Anle's expression, so he said with a stiff face, "This poem is broad-minded and detached. When you think about the situation of the lyricist, there is no sadness at all, but a heart full of gratitude for the kindness of heaven. Please understand, Princess!"

In order to save his life, Jiang Feng could only make up stories, which made him feel sorry for Su Shi and his Chinese teacher.

Princess Anle remained silent, and everyone else kept silent as well.

It was very quiet all around, with only the sound of raindrops hitting the boat frame. Jiang Feng continued to argue, "We came to Chang'an from Liangzhou. After entering the territory of Guannei, a kingfisher suddenly flew over one day. It had a melodious voice, bright feathers, and was not afraid of people. Everyone was surprised. Later, we met the female official of the princess's mansion. Only then did we know why the kingfisher flew to our hands on its own initiative. How could we, who are mediocre people, let the kingfisher stay? All animals have spirits, and they must be doing this for the princess! At that time, because of our ignorance, we bumped into the female official. Fortunately, we finally returned the jade intact. Otherwise, not only would my tongue be cut off, but my hands would also be chopped off to feed the fish."

Everyone was confused, and then they realized that she and the princess had another dispute. The Princess of Zhongshan County knew the whole story. She thought Jiang Feng couldn't justify himself. With Princess Anle's temperament, she would not let him go easily. She would always suffer! But after all, the Prince of Zhongshan's Mansion was also involved. She didn't want to bring trouble to herself, so she could only remain silent.

"Haha...you are quite interesting." Princess Anle finally spoke.

Jiang Feng's back was soaked with cold sweat, and he couldn't tell whether Princess Anle was angry or happy.

"I heard that Anle ordered Shangfang to weave two skirts with kingfishers. Looking straight ahead and looking sideways, the shadows in the sun are all different colors, and the shapes of hundreds of birds can be seen in the skirts. Are kingfishers used to weave the hundred-bird skirt?" Princess Taiping asked.

"That's right. I originally had two. One was prepared to wear at my birthday party. The other one was given to my mother, who loved it very much." Princess Anle was very proud.

"I think Jiang Feng is wrong. She said 'eight out of ten things in life are not satisfactory'. If she had met Anle earlier, she would have understood that you should stay away from the nine percent that are not satisfactory." Princess Taiping's words were meant to please her.

Seeing that Princess Taiping was willing to help him, Jiang Feng quickly agreed, "I am sorry that my knowledge is shallow and crude, and I have made you laugh. Princess, you are a gifted girl of heaven with dragon blood and phoenix marrow. You can succeed in everything in life!"

Princess Anle was used to Jiang Feng's flattery, which was considered a way to please her. But the flattering tone in Princess Taiping's words was what really made her ecstatic and full of a sense of accomplishment. This once arrogant and most dazzling princess in the Tang Dynasty actually flattered her!

She was in a great mood! It felt great to be at the pinnacle of power! When she realized that she could look down on everyone, she felt that it was boring to be embarrassed with this timid girl.

She smiled sweetly: "It's rare that your aunt is willing to speak for you. Keep your tongue for now."

It seemed as if the tongue was just kept in Jiang Feng's mouth, and one day someone might come with a knife to take it out.

Jiang Feng didn't care about all this and kowtowed to express his gratitude.

Princess Cheng'an pulled Princess Anle's sleeve in dissatisfaction: "She committed a crime of insubordination, how could you let her go just like that, sister!"

Princess Anle smiled without saying anything and let Princess Cheng'an shake her.

Jiang Feng looked up and saw Princess Taiping nodding to her. It was a look of approval, and Jiang Feng felt an inexplicable sense of closeness in his heart.

……

When Jiang Feng and Zhang Yuyue were escorted by palace servants from the pleasure boat to Jiang Shen's small sampan, the rain had stopped and the sky was clear. Only a ray of setting sun turned the girl's face into a rosy glow.

Shen Guxing widened his eyes as he looked at the small mountain of gifts held by a young eunuch behind him, as if it were a reward. Jiang Zuo took it and thanked him repeatedly.

Zhang Yuyue finished talking about Jiang Feng's glorious deeds in a few words. Jiang Feng said to Shen Guxing pitifully: "Can we still go to Fengxi Tower to eat fish?"

Jiang Zuo scolded lightly: "We have been out for a day, I am afraid mother will be worried, let's go back now."

Jiang Feng ignored him and only looked at Shen Guxing. Shen Guxing's eyes were full of stars: "Feng Xi Lou has hired a new chef from Jiangnan. It is said that he is the best at making water shield and fish soup. If I don't go, I will let him down."

Shen Jiang and his two friends had no taste for lunch, and Zhang Jiang and his two daughters had nothing to eat. They were so hungry that their eyes were gleaming with hunger. The four of them started the "Clean Plate" campaign at Fengxilou. Jiang Feng chewed the fish bones until they sparked, and even the cat cried when he saw it. The waiter was surprised that such a pretty girl ate in such an ugly way. He immediately suspected that the four of them were here to eat a free meal and might try to escape the bill, so he could not help but be extra careful.

Fengxi Tower was on the north side of Qujiang River, and the carriages of the three families were parked on the west side. After dinner, the four of them walked around the bank of Qujiang River. Zhang Yuyue and Jiang Zuo were in front, and Shen Guxing and Jiang Feng were behind, holding hands.

Shen Guxing looked at the girl's profile under the starlight and murmured, "I'm sorry!"

Jiang Feng asked in confusion: "What?"

Shen Guxing's fingers were slender and full of affection: "I'm sorry for making you suffer. If it weren't for me, they wouldn't target you like that!"

Jiang Feng looked at Shen Guxing and said in a low voice: "I am not a fragile flower, I don't feel wronged." After thinking for a while, he added: "I gave them a handle, and it implicated you."

"You and I are one, sharing honor and disgrace. I will not allow you to say such alien words again." Shen Guxing said softly.

Jiang Feng smiled and nodded.

"I have good news and bad news, Afeng, which one do you want to hear first?" Shen Guxing's eyes were full of stars, and he didn't want to mention those passers-by A, B, C, and D anymore.

"Bad news." Jiang Feng said nervously.

"My mother is ill and is going to recuperate in the villa in Zhongnan Mountain. My second brother is preparing for the imperial examination next year and cannot go with her. I am a commoner now, so naturally I have to serve my mother." Shen Guxing said.

"As a child, this is what you should do." Jiang Feng murmured. Wasn't it because of him that Mrs. Shen got sick? Thinking of the uncertain future, a trace of sadness appeared between his brows.

"There's another good news!" Shen Guxing held the girl's cheeks with both hands and said with a smile.

Jiang Feng looked sad: "I haven't heard good news for a long time."

Shen Guxing felt as if someone was pulling at his heart. He couldn't wait to share this joy with her. "My mother is worried that it will be lonely in the mountains. Since she and my aunt are getting along well, she wants to ask my aunt to go with her. The scenery in the mountains is pleasant. I wonder if my aunt can appreciate it?"

Jiang Feng's eyes widened in surprise. She said in disbelief, "The aunt... mother you're talking about is... my mother?"

Shen Guxing gently scratched Jiang Feng's nose with his index finger and said with a smile, "Maybe not. Maybe she is the mother of the apricot blossom demon in Liangzhou."

Jiang Feng's heart leaped with joy. She wanted to hug Shen Guxing and give him a bite. She squinted her eyes, put her hands behind her back and said with a smile, "I also have two pieces of news. Which one do you want to hear first, Brother Yiye?"

"Good news." Shen Guxing said firmly.

Jiang Feng was stunned: "What if the bad news is left behind?"

Shen Guxing took her hand and said, "Tell me the good news first, to make me happy. Then we can turn the bad news into good news together."

Jiang Feng felt sweet in his heart, so he said, "The good news is that if mother doesn't go to Mount Zhongnan, the Apricot Blossom Demon will perform a magic trick to confuse her mind and then take her there."

Shen Guxing said: "What a bold flower demon, you dare to do such a rebellious thing! Be careful or your mother will beat you with a stick."

Jiang Feng rolled up his sleeves and said generously: "For the handsome young master, I don't care about many things!"

Shen Guxing laughed loudly, his eyes seemed to be stained with starlight and river water, he lowered his head and thought: "What is the bad news!"

Jiang Feng said: "There is no bad news! There will never be any bad news again."

After Shen Guxing heard this, he stared into the girl's eyes, as if asking her or talking to himself: "Why do you feel like you're dreaming?"

The boy's eyes were affectionate and clear, and Jiang Fengqing couldn't help herself: "I have never had such a beautiful dream."

The girl's breath was as sweet as orchid, her voice was like the sound of nature, and the stars in the sky were not as bright as her eyes.

The first meeting between the two seemed very far away, yet it seemed like it was only yesterday. Those unspeakable thoughts were thousands of miles apart, those unspeakable sufferings were immersed in thousands of days and nights, that momentary heartbeat at the first glance, those infatuations in the passing years, those hesitations and determinations, those retreats and courage, finally turned into tenderness and love, and were fulfilled in a tight embrace.

Shen Guxing whispered in the girl's ear the sweet words that he could only say in his dreams over and over again.

Qujiang River is bustling in the daytime, but only a few lonely lights can be seen in the moonlit night. The breeze suddenly rises and the river water ripples, and the faint light scatters on the water like stars in the sky. On such a seductive night, Jiang Feng finally let go of his guard, no longer obsessed with the future and fate of those characters in history books, and for the first time gave his dusty heart to others.

This beautiful feeling is like a dream - after getting drunk, I didn't know the sky was above the water, and the boat was full of sweet dreams that overwhelmed the stars!