Yi Family Courtyard.

The entire courtyard is situated in the southwestern corner of the city's northern part, a secluded location, filled with peach blossom trees, where an exquisite pavilion stands.

The courtyard does not have rock gardens or pavilions over the water, but it boasts large expanses of flower beds. For a woman, this courtyard is like a beautiful dressing table, captivating and irresistible.

This is one of the dowries Yi Qianchi gifted to his daughter, valued at one thousand coins.

Ever since the entrance time was set, Yi Shiyin often visited this courtyard. She hoped that their wedding night would be spent in the pavilion here.

In the boudoir on the second floor of the pavilion, Yi Shiyin had already decorated the room in advance as a bridal chamber. Although the space is not large, it is fully equipped, adorned with a girlish touch. At this moment, she is standing in front of the dressing table, trying on bridal clothes.

That's right, the Yi family had already prepared the wedding clothes for Yi Shiyin, and there was more than one set for her to choose from.

"Xiaoling, Xiaoling, how about this one?" Yi Shiyin twirled around in a green dress in front of her maid Xiaoling.

"Miss looks good in anything." Xiaoling said.

"Don't flatter me, tell the truth." Yi Shiyin pouted.

"It's true, Miss. You have bright eyes and beautiful teeth, naturally beautiful. The young lord will definitely like it, and this green suits you very well too." Xiaoling said.

The red and green here, the green represents the softness and grace of a woman, without any improper connotation.

Yi Shiyin's face turned slightly red, and she whispered, "The husband also said I was naturally beautiful at that time..."

"No man wouldn't like a lady as beautiful as you, Miss."

Yi Shiyin held her warm face in her hands, her spirited big eyes full of anticipation, then said, "Then I'll choose this one."

Maid Xiaoling also smiled brilliantly, truly hoping her miss would marry the man she loved as her close maid.

"Miss, miss, the young lord sent someone with a delivery."

Outside the pavilion came the voices of other maids.

Xiaoling went out to check, and soon returned with a booklet, handing it to Yi Shiyin, "Miss, this is poetry written by the young lord for you, and it even has a composed tune."

"What, what..."

The young Xiaolu joyfully bounced over at the sound, her eyes twinkling, and began to open the booklet.

"Guan Guan JuJiu, in the river islet. Graceful and elegant lady, the gentleman seeks her..."

At first, when reading, Yi Shiyin didn't feel much, but upon the second reading, her cheeks visibly blushed, and that whimsical strand of hair on her head shyly drooped down.

At the end, she directly flung herself onto the bed holding the booklet, burying her head in the pillow, her fair little legs kicking around while muttering, "So embarrassing, so embarrassing..."

Yet in her heart, it felt like she'd tasted honey.

As a lady from a prominent family, she naturally knew the meaning of this poem.

Originally, these days she hadn't seen him, nor did he send anything, leaving Yi Shiyin to find him a bit dull.

But now, she no longer thought so, even feeling he was somewhat bold to propose in such a way.

For some reason, her two slender legs inexplicably pressed together.

Xiaoling was very curious about the booklet's content, wondering what could make the miss so... shy.

After a long while, Yi Shiyin's voice emerged from the pillow, "Xiaoling, quickly bring my guzheng."

"Certainly."

...

Government Office.

After taking a comfortable bath, Chen Mo changed into a plain gauze robe.

This type of clothing was worn in the summer by the common people of the Great Song Dynasty, and only noble families could afford it. Not only did it give the wearer an ethereal aura, but it was also much more breathable.

Ordinary people wore common linen clothes, some didn't even have those. Most of the lower-class people wore leggings, and leggings weren't a type of clothing but rather pants, missing the middle part, much like modern children's open-crotch pants, left open for coolness and convenience.

Of course, they also knew to cover up such important parts, so they'd wear a skirt over their clothing which would conceal these parts, this skirt was basically a type of skirt.

And these leggings weren't limited to men; women wore them too.

It was only late May, who knew how hot it would be once July came.

With wet hair draped over his shoulders, Chen Mo exuded a slightly wild aura.

Carrying a basket, he made his way to the side room in the backyard.

Chen Mo did not knock and directly pushed the door open to enter, both sisters were inside.

Xia Zhiqing was in a pure white long dress, her usually gentle and water-like brows and eyes had a bit more liveliness, at this moment she was kneeling behind a long table, upon which rested a guzheng.

Seeing Chen Mo leave, the hand that had been hidden behind the long table tightly gripped the handkerchief, gradually a slightly unnatural expression appeared on the gentle face of Wen Ning.

Xia Zhining, in a black long dress, her hair tied up, looked heroic and valiant, was playing with a long sword. At the moment Chen Mo entered, her shapely brows twitched, her glance carried a bit of chill, secretly gritting her teeth, this bastard finally came.

But when her gaze turned to Chen Mo, the chill vanished.

Chen Mo put down the basket, noticing something unusual in the room, especially in the way the two women dressed, which was clearly intentional.

"What's this, took the wrong medicine today?" Chen Mo boldly sat down on the soft couch.

Xia Zhining furrowed her elegant eyebrows, remaining silent.

Xia Zhiqing took a deep breath and said, "Sir, my sister realizes her mistake, but she's too shy to admit it, so I'll speak on her behalf. I hope that after you finish the hundred lashes, you'll let my sister and I leave."

Upon hearing this, Chen Mo raised an eyebrow and glanced at Xia Zhining, saying, "Is that so?"

Xia Zhining pressed her rosy lips together and nodded slightly.

Chen Mo seemed to believe her and smiled, "If you had done this earlier, it would have saved so much trouble. I'm not an unreasonable person; there's no need to suffer so much."

Xia Zhining desperately wished to bite Chen Mo to death in her heart, but she managed to squeeze a smile onto her face.

Xia Zhiqing seized the opportunity to say, "To express her apology, Zhining has decided to perform a sword dance for you, and I'll play the music."

"Oh, interesting. Then I'll listen attentively," Chen Mo lay on his side, propping up his head and gesturing as if he was ready.

Xia Zhiqing's gaze, as gentle as water, fell on the opposite bed where the young man's handsome face lay. She raised her hands to the zither strings, lightly plucking them with her left index finger.

Ching-lang——

As the zither's notes began, Xia Zhining's long sword was also unsheathed. She wasn't wearing shoes, her jade feet stepping onto the wooden floor. Suddenly, she raised her right leg high, performing a split on the ground, then thrust the sword outwards.

Xia Zhiqing's red lips parted slightly, and she began to sing: "Guan Guan Ju Jiu, on the islet in the river..."

Xia Zhiqing's voice was as clear and melodious as an oriole, while the zither music flowed on seamlessly.

After performing the split, Xia Zhining didn't stand up immediately; instead, she moved her upper body to the rhythm of the zither.

Her figure was graceful, the tight black gown delineating her full curves completely, exuding feminine beauty in every movement. Her head tilted back, wrist flicked, and the thrusting sword was suddenly drawn back on her side, the blade brushing past her face.

Chen Mo's eyes were fervently watching, admitting that despite Xia Zhining's poor character, she was a temptress in every other aspect.

At the moment she rose, she was like a drifting waterweed, stirring the heart.

Suddenly, the long sword was flung fiercely, aimed at Chen Mo.

But Chen Mo's gaze remained calm, showing no intention of dodging.

When the long sword was about a meter away from him, it suddenly stopped; the sword's hilt was tied with a red silk ribbon.

Xia Zhining's hand twirled the red silk, the end of which was tied to the sword, its dance displayed supreme elegance.

"Leisurely and at ease, turning and rising," Xia Zhiqing sang softly.

For a moment, Chen Mo became somewhat immersed, his eyes softly narrowing.

Xia Zhining's dancing sword exquisitely showcased the beauty of her body. Seeing the young man lying on the bed with closed eyes, her heart was bursting with the urge to thrust the sword, but she kept it suppressed.

The zither music had no urgencies, all was gentle and melodious, expressing the man's yearning for love.

Xia Zhiqing indeed lived up to being Qingzhou's foremost talented woman, composing the piece excellently.

Finally, the song ended.

The zither music ceased.

Xia Zhiqing's slender fingers lingered on the zither strings, unable to calm down for a long time.

Obviously, as the "protagonist" of the "Book of Songs," having composed and now played her own piece made it easy to immerse herself; at this moment, she clearly felt the affection of the man for the woman in the poem.

As her gaze turned back to Chen Mo, a fleeting look of peculiarity appeared.

"Bravo, bravo," Chen Mo applauded for the two of them.

Xia Zhining had danced so vigorously that her dress was soaked with sweat, exuding a hazy beauty. Sweat beads dotted her cheeks, some strands stuck to her face, neck, even clavicle. Her rising and falling heartbeat made what was wrapped in her clothes seem like buds awaiting bloom.

Chen Mo got to his feet, saying, "I can see your sincerity."

Walking towards Xia Zhining, he said, "For this, I decide to reduce your lashes by ten."

Seeing that the bastard had been drawn in, Xia Zhining pretended to be shy, nodding her head. Her rosy lips slightly parted, revealing a faint sound of breathing.

Chen Mo reached to embrace Xia Zhining, but she dodged him.

"Hmm?"

"I... I'm tired," Xia Zhining said.

"Tonight, I'll stand in for Zhining," Xia Zhiqing suddenly stood up, taking a deep breath.

Chen Mo: "..."

"Didn't you say earlier that... I could also stand in for Zhining?" Xia Zhiqing glanced at her sister, then walked towards Chen Mo.

Xia Zhining looked at her sister walking towards that bastard, her hand hidden behind clenched suddenly. Her lips parted slightly, one hand raising then lowering, really wanting to call her sister back, but ultimately, she remained silent.

"Are you serious?" Chen Mo looked at Xia Zhiqing's gentle face, searching for something in her expression.

Xia Zhiqing's face flushed slightly, suppressing her internal restlessness, nodding firmly.

"Did your sister force you?" Chen Mo said this way.

Both sisters felt a sudden jolt in their hearts, fearing he had seen through something.

Xia Zhiqing, quick-witted, gathered her courage: "I really love this poem..."

After speaking, Xia Zhiqing's embroidered shoes slightly lifted, pecking Chen Mo's lips gently.

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