Chapter 721: Chapter 721: Unwavering Love
At 1 a.m., the hour when the residents of the Capital City are still deep in slumber.
The representatives of scholars from Sheng Country, preparing to go out of the city to welcome the Beiman Envoy, have already gathered under the Beiding Gate.
There is still half an hour until the official rehearsal, and each team is checking whether all their members have arrived.
For the convenience of rehearsal, over twenty fire pits have been lit in the small square under the Beiding Gate, illuminating the space as bright as daylight, making every movement of the delegation members clearly visible.
Sikong Jian stands atop the inner city wall, watching every movement in the square below. His gaze rests on that purple troop, his sharp eyes scanning over those ordinary faces.
Eighteen, nineteen...still missing one person.
"Where is Liu Ji?" Sikong Jian asks the person beside him.
Sun Jiang leans over to scan the area and suddenly sees a purple figure riding in from the west on horseback, quickly pointing in excitement:
"There he is!"
Sikong Jian follows Sun Jiang’s direction and sees a man in purple clothing and a jade crown, riding on a red horse, breaking through the layers of black mist, rushing towards the crowd. Upon reaching the bright area, he pulls the reins and swiftly dismounts.
His purple attire accentuates his dignified appearance and tall stature. Even though everyone around him is dressed similarly, he stands out, like a crane among chickens.
A man, how can he be this handsome! Sun Jiang secretly marvels in his heart.
He wants to see who is more attractive between the Lord State Preceptor and the man, but when he turns his head, he realizes the person beside him is already gone.
As soon as Liu Ji appears, Sikong Jian descends the city tower, striding rapidly as his envoy black robe flaps menacingly in the night breeze.
When Liu Ji turns back, he sees this dense black figure thicker than the night, and his heart immediately sinks.
But then, he glances at the silver ring on his right hand, instantly calming down, and says quickly:
"There’s still a tea time until 1 a.m., I am not late."
After speaking, he bows to him and quickly dashes towards the representatives of scholars, standing in the empty spot, with a look of seriousness, ready for rehearsal.
The questioning words are already at the throat but there’s no opportunity to utter them. Sikong Jian almost gets choked by them.
On the city wall, the Ministry of Rites officials in charge of the rehearsal confirm all members are present, immediately raising the ceremonial flag to start the rehearsal.
Actually, there’s nothing fancy; just explaining the procedures, leading everyone through it once, and reminding everyone what to pay attention to, ensuring not to violate any taboos of the Beiman people, to ensure the meeting between the two countries goes smoothly.
During the rehearsal, Liu Ji is shocked to find that the representatives from his team of scholars have quite bizarre appearances. Looking around, none have regular features.
In comparison, his naturally superior appearance is astonishingly striking; trying not to attract attention is hard, unless one is blind.
In normal circumstances, Liu Ji would have secretly rejoiced; after all, who wouldn’t be happy to be first?
But he can hardly smile now.
What does the appearance of these bizarre-looking scholars signify?
It shows his suspicion is correct; Sikong Jian indeed wants the Beiman Princess to spot him immediately, aiming to send him to Beiman.
He only thought yesterday it was a fellow disciple wanting to promote a junior.
Thinking about how yesterday he had dropped his prejudice towards Sikong Jian and even felt a bit touched, seeing now these unusual scholars, Liu Ji wishes to smack himself twice.
Hey?
Wait!
There is someone else who looks proper!
"Big brother?!" Lu Xiaofeng calls hesitantly.
Liu Ji eagerly widens his eyes, "Little brother!"
The two sworn brothers unexpectedly meet here, almost forgetting they’re in rehearsal due to excitement.
Liu Ji hasn’t forgotten the ominous eyes staring at him from behind, quickly signaling Lu Xiaofeng with a wink to talk later.
During the break, they couldn’t contain their joy, crossing through the crowd to embrace each other fiercely.
Lu Xiaofeng: "Big brother, why are you here?"
Liu Ji: "Little brother, why are you here?"
The two laugh heartily at each other, needing no answers, just joy completes the moment.
Other scholars, recognizing Lu Xiaofeng, curiously gather, asking who Liu Ji is.
Lu Xiaofeng grabs Liu Ji’s shoulder to introduce him but stumbles upon his words.
He doesn’t know, only aware that big brother is Liu Ji, from the Northwest.
But to join in welcoming the delegation requires a background; commoners can’t participate.
So...
"Big brother, who are you really?" Lu Xiaofeng looks at Liu Ji and asks curiously.
Liu Ji coughs twice, "Looks like I can’t hide my true identity any longer."
Under the expectant eyes of the crowd, Liu Ji earnestly salutes them, modestly saying:
"I am Liu Ji, a disciple under Mr. Gongliang Liao, the Great Scholar. Please excuse any offense as this is our first meeting."
The crowd is stunned hearing this.
Unexpectedly, this handsome man is a disciple of Mr. Gongliang Liao.
Doesn’t this mean the State Preceptor is Liu Ji’s fellow disciple?
Including the child prodigy from the Prime Minister’s Mansion, Qi Xian, who between him and Liu Ji is the senior?
Curious, the crowd asks this, Liu Ji smiles, "I joined after Brother Qi, ranking last."
Suddenly, someone points at Liu Ji, saying in surprise, "Aren’t you the one who applied to the National Master Mansion as a house servant?"
Liu Ji laughs softly and turns to salute him, "Taking care of the teacher is the student’s duty."
Seeing him openly admit, the crowd stops doubting.
Lord State Preceptor is watching from the city wall, so no one would dare lie in front of him.
Liu Ji, with his carefree demeanor and outstanding appearance, though of common upbringing, stands unyielding among these noble-born, showing no servile flattery, resembling a disciple of Mr. Gongliang.
Lu Xiaofeng feels the happiest, pleasantly surprised to have casually chosen a sworn brother at the teahouse, who turns out to be a disciple of a Great Scholar, thinking it to be incredible fortune!
"Xiaofeng, look at my hand." Liu Ji suddenly raises his right hand, specifically shaking his ring finger before Lu Xiaofeng’s eyes, his expression proud, "Do you know what this is?"
Though Lu Xiaofeng finds this action strange, he cooperatively asks curiously, "A silver ring? What kind of accessory is this, seems novel to me."
"This is called a ring." Liu Ji looks tenderly at the silver loach-back open ring, seemingly gazing at the ring, yet actually looking at someone through it.
"My wife made this overnight herself, there are two in total. Across the distant ocean, it symbolizes everlasting love..."
Liu Ji repeats word for word the nonsense Qin Yao taught him, speaking with deep emotion.
The mysterious country, silver ring, loyal love—Lu Xiaofeng, unmarried and impulsive, listens blushingly, filled with longing.
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