Chapter 112: Night Cherry Blossoms (Part 1)

  The so-called outer seven families refer to the seven families belonging to the Hua ethnic group outside of the imperial family. The Tian Gong clan is a prominent one among the outer seven families, and most of its members are engaged in politics, with only a small number scattered in the business and academic circles.

  Tiangong Lian is the most important heir of the Tiangong family, raised and taught by his grandfather, Tiangong Chunyilang, the head of the Tiangong family, since childhood. It is said that Tiangong Lian could speak at eight months old, write at one year old, and was extremely talented, with Tiangong Chunyilang praising him as a reincarnation of a god. He cherished him like a treasure. Tiangong Lian did not disappoint, passing the entrance exams for Yale University Law School at a young age, returning to his country after graduation, and entering politics.

  Gu Huanli looked at the report in her hand, let out a bored sigh. Another elite. Lately, she had been extremely disgusted with elites. Why not find his weakness and threaten him instead?

  Although she didn't have a wicked heart, being an evil person was her innate nature.

  It's just...

  The faintly sweet scent of incense made Gu Huanli drowsy, but as she was attending the night cherry blossom viewing as Jiu Feng Yuan's Zi Ji, even if she was bored, she could only cover her mouth with the paper fan in her hand and stare blankly behind the curtain. The Outer Seven Families valued the lifestyle and etiquette of ancient Japan's Heian period, so this night cherry blossom viewing was more like a matchmaking banquet arranged for "Peerless Young Master" Tian Gonglian than a gathering of the Huaxia people.

  The question is, what can be seen through the curtain? According to her "cheap" grandmother, Kurenai-in no Ue, it should be a noble girl from one of the outer seven houses who has already been decided as Tenkyo Rin's northern partner. As the most declining house among the outer seven houses, the Kurenai-in family has always had women as its head, after all, the predecessor of the Kurenai-in family was the chief priestess of the shrine. However, the decline of religion and the poor management of the previous generation have left the current head of the Kurenai-in family, Kurenai-in no Ue, exhausted.

  With great difficulty, she finally gained the support of external forces and regained her reputation. However, the tragic death of her own granddaughter in the United States by gunshot nearly sent Kurenai Ibuki into a state of despair once again. Just then, Sono Chie found and returned to her the long-lost granddaughter "Kurenai Shiki" - Kōgen Ruri.

  When Jiufengyuan Yiyi first saw Gu Huanli, she was shocked because her appearance was too similar... too similar to the woman in the ancestral portrait hidden in the Jiufengyuan family. Such a coincidence made Jiufengyuan Yiyi ecstatic, and even the elders of the clan were amazed. Although some people raised doubts, the DNA test results proved that Zijun was indeed the daughter of the Jiufengyuan family, and she was the most perfect return to her ancestors.

  As for how Ye managed to do such a thing, Gu Huan Lian was too lazy to guess, anyway it must have something to do with the two major departments of Shang Xing Tian and Shi Xing Tian. At the same time, as "Jiufengyuan Zigui", "Liumei" and Gu Huan Lian existing at the same time, if not for Kassadi's help from the side, she would have been on the verge of a split personality. Moreover, this matter, Gu Huan Lian never told her brother about it, let's just say it was a little secret between her and Ye.

  Isn't that "respected" and "cheap" grandmother going to intervene and ruin this marriage?

  Sitting behind the curtain, Gu Huanli gazed listlessly at the two noble young masters dancing to the slow music and drumbeats. Under the tall cherry blossom tree, forty musicians formed a circular array. The clear flute sounds pierced through the clouds, indescribably beautiful. Accompanied by the sound of the wind, it was as if the roar of a storm in the deep mountains. Cherry blossoms fell profusely, dancing in the wind.

  The man who danced with a flutter, had black short hair that was neatly tucked under his black hat, and under his charming phoenix eyes, a pair of shiny black pupils seemed to be mocking the world's vulgarity, while subtly revealing nobility and pride, as if he had the demeanor of looking down on the world. The other person, with facial features carved to perfection, had a mysterious, deep, yet gentle and beautiful smile hanging at the corner of his mouth, with a slender and majestic figure that exuded the unique elegance of a secluded valley.

  "Seigaiha" was originally a elegant music of the Tang Dynasty, later introduced to Japan and flourished during the Heian period. At grand banquets, especially during the spring Cherry Blossom Viewing Festival, it was indispensable. The dancers were all high-ranking nobles of the time. With hat pins and fresh flowers, their eyebrows and eyes were like paintings, their dance movements fluttering and carefree, with boundless charm.

  The girls beside Gu Huan stood excitedly, pointing and whispering to each other about the two young men dancing outside the curtain. It's no wonder they were so excited. Having grown accustomed to idol stars, now two exceptionally handsome men were dancing before them, their extraordinary appearance combined with their illustrious family backgrounds, how could it not make their hearts flutter?

  She was thinking, when she suddenly felt someone watching her, and couldn't help but turn her head around, only to return a faint smile. It seemed that not being bewildered wasn't unique to her alone.

  A Qinghai wave dance finished, two men respectfully bowed to the master of the outer seven families. Tian Gong Chunyi praised, "Good! Today we really saw a style as elegant as morning flowers with dew. Even in those years when I and Purple Tiao brother performed a dance in front of the Emperor, it was not as wonderful as this."

  "Grandfather's excessive praise." The man with the charming phoenix eyes replied while bowing.

  It turned out that he was Tian Gong Lian.

  The other man also bowed respectfully and returned the courtesy, "I am far inferior to Grandfather's greatness, I dare not accept the praise of Heavenly Palace."

  An old man stroked his beard and laughed loudly, "Haha, Tian Gong brother, if you really like my grandson, then let the children's marriage be completed early. Otherwise, when he goes abroad alone, there will be no one to take care of him."

  "Yes, they're not young anymore." Tian Gong Chunyilang nodded and gave his old friend some face before saying, "Today, the most outstanding young man from the Outer Seven Families performed 'Qinghai Wave', but I wonder what performances our girls from the Outer Seven Families have in store for us?"

  As a result, it was naturally according to the drawing results, blowing and pulling singing, one after another, just like a talent show. Gu Huanli thought, this is not choosing a wife, but rather choosing a star.

  It was enough to make Gu Huanli gasp in admiration, that the woman who smiled and danced with her played a wonderful tune on the pipa, like raindrops falling, like pearls hitting a plate, the cypress trees swaying in the wind, the white waterfall flowing down, the sound changing from slow to fast, then slowly becoming calm again. When everyone came back to their senses from the wonderful music, there was thunderous applause.

  Gu Huanli nodded to herself, guessing that this noble girl should be Tian Gonglian's fiancée. However, when she took out the instrument from the last wooden box, she looked at it in confusion for a long time and said vaguely, "Am I dizzy?"

  "Huh?" The woman playing the zither suddenly called out softly, but immediately covered her mouth and stopped speaking. Meanwhile, everyone else had an expression of waiting for Gu Huanli to make a fool of himself.

  Gu Huanli calmed down and examined the carvings and patterns on the piano, muttering to herself, "Wooden core with gold lacquer... this thing is actually quite interesting."

  She raised her hand, her fingers lightly stroking the strings, turning the pegs to tune them, trying out two or three notes. For some reason, she sighed and said, "What a pity... such a beautiful mother-of-pearl inlaid purple sandalwood five-stringed pipa, I don't know how to play it at all..."

  Her fingers lightly swept, the strings slightly trembled, as if a clear spring flowed slowly and quietly. The courtyard echoed with the wonderful sound flowing out from the guqin strings. She gently lowered her head, her eyes lightly closed, and plucked the strings slowly, singing softly, "The fallen flowers will surely be destroyed, the bitter love will eventually part. This cherry blossom can only be picked today." The music flowed like a clear breeze, bright moonlight, or morning mist on the mountains, faintly and vaguely.

  Before her eyes, the jade-colored curtains seemed to sway more and more, dancing with the gentle breeze. In Gu Huan's mind, a mess of thoughts emerged, and his hands, which were plucking the strings, became stiff. "Wanting to break off cherry blossoms, fearing to break the branch. How about lodging beside the flowers, seeing them fall when they do." The music stopped, the crowd was silent, as if immersed in the beautiful aftertaste, unable to wake up for a long time.

  Gu Huan Lian's heart was a bit disturbed, she couldn't just treat this matter as if music had no boundaries and then magnanimously pretend that nothing had happened. However, the phoenix eyes outside the curtain burst out with dazzling brilliance, almost burning through the hanging curtain in front of Gu Huan Lian, scorching her body directly.

  He couldn't see himself at all, and Gu Huanli calmly put the purple sandalwood five-string pipa back in its wooden box, then picked up the paper fan again, covering her face, listlessly listening to the complacent laughter of that "cheap" grandmother of hers, which was as pleasant as Bai Nüzi's.

  The night cherry blossom appreciation is still ongoing, only it has changed from a banquet to a casual gathering where people can walk around freely. However, Gu Huan Lian cannot follow the "cheap" grandmother and that group of elderly people, nor can she join those noble ladies who are excluding her. But she's happy to be alone in peace. So, facing the evening breeze sitting on the railing, listening to the rustling sound of the night wind passing by.

  Under the dark blue night sky, the flowers, grass and trees in the courtyard are faintly visible, but she has no idea that her brother is in Kyoto... In fact, without even guessing, with just a few attendants by her side, she can think of it - her brother is still busy with his work. When will she be able to share some of the burden for her brother?

  There is still...

  The day after tomorrow's martial arts competition, what method can she use to make Ye willingly lose the bet?

  As she was lost in thought, a faint rustling sound of snapping twigs reached her ears.

  Gu Huanli raised her head and looked at the tall figure vaguely visible under the cherry blossom tree. If it weren't for the moon-white straight dress on him, she would have found it difficult to notice him in the first time in such a deep night color.

  In the dead of night, this gentleman was bewildered and didn't know that if cherry blossoms want to bloom beautifully, the best way is to bury the corpse under the roots of the tree?

  That person saw Gu Huan Lian sitting there calmly, without a hint of panic in her demeanor. He seemed to hesitate for a moment before slowly walking towards her. When he stopped under the corridor in front of her, a wisp of incense wafted over. His hair was still perfectly groomed under his black hat, setting off his handsome face and making his lips seem even more crimson.

  It's just...

  Gu Huanli looked at his serious expression, and really felt that it didn't match the demonic charm that seemed to have emerged from the darkness of a dense night. Obviously, he should be a dangerous and evil demon, so why did he give off the feeling of being an overly strict and ascetic cultivator?

  He doesn't talk, why should she?

  So the two of them stared at each other for half a day. After a long time, Tian Gonglian slowly said, "Although this is a separate courtyard, there will still be some wild beasts coming and going. You are a girl, why do you want to leave the crowd and live alone? This is very dangerous, don't you know?"