Chapter 54

Huo Xiaoru gazed at Hu Xiaotian, whose eyes had suddenly become profound, and her heart stirred slightly. It seemed that Hu Xiaotian's inner essence was far deeper than the frivolousness he displayed. Perhaps he was using his surface frivolity and restlessness to mask his true sharpness. Hu Xiaotian raised his wine glass and said, "Young Master Hu, I must apologize for this glass of wine. That day at Yan Shui Pavilion, I left without saying goodbye..."

Hu Xiaotian smiled and said, "It's just a trivial matter, why should you apologize?"

Huo Xiaoru's face turned slightly red as she said, "Are you angry with me?"

Hu Xiaotian countered, "Why should I be angry with you?" He originally wanted to say, "You are so beautiful, how could I bear to be angry with you?" But he stopped himself, thinking it sounded too frivolous.

"You stood up for me, but I fled at the last moment, leaving you behind."

Hu Xiaotian said, "At first, I was indeed a bit puzzled, but later I understood. You were worried that staying would cause me more trouble. Someone might have used it as an excuse to say I fought with them out of jealousy for you. If that were the case, it would have been even more complicated. So not only am I not angry, but I am also very grateful."

Huo Xiaoru didn't expect Hu Xiaotian to see through the situation so clearly, and to understand her true thoughts so accurately. She had never met a man who understood her so well. Her beautiful eyes quietly gazed at Hu Xiaotian, and she bit her cherry lips, saying, "It's rare for Young Master Hu to consider others so much."

Hu Xiaotian smiled and said, "I rarely consider others, but I feel differently about Miss Hu."

Huo Xiaoru's heart trembled. This man was clearly expressing something to her. She dared not meet Hu Xiaotian's suddenly intense gaze, and her long black lashes fell. She said softly, "Young Master Hu, your journey to the mountains and rivers is long, and it's unknown when you will return to the capital." As she spoke, she felt a hidden sense of reluctance.

Hu Xiaotian narrowed his eyes and said, "It could be one or two years, or even three to five years. I haven't left yet, so everything is uncertain."

Huo Xiaoru said, "After I help the Music Bureau arrange this dance, I will also leave the capital."

Hu Xiaotian said, "If Miss Hu is interested, you might consider visiting Qingyun County in Xichuan. I've heard that the scenery is beautiful and the people are simple. It shouldn't disappoint you." He was actively inviting her, and he had to admit that any normal man would be moved by a beautiful and intelligent woman like Hu Xiaoru.

Huo Xiaoru, of course, could hear the meaning behind his words. Her face flushed with two patches of red, her natural beauty and bashfulness even more captivating. Hu Xiaotian raised his wine glass and took a big gulp. In his two lifetimes combined, he had never seen such a charming woman. To have a wife like this, what more could a man ask for? Thinking of his paralyzed and ugly fiancée, Hu Xiaotian wished he could die. Life was truly hard for him.

Huo Xiaoru said softly, "After the Emperor's birthday celebration, I still have some matters to attend to in Nankun. I think I might have time to visit Xichuan next year." As she spoke, she was already overwhelmed with shyness.

Hu Xiaotian's heart was filled with joy. Hu Xiaoru's words were equivalent to agreeing to visit Xichuan, giving him a clear opportunity. A year was neither too long nor too short. He had the patience. If Hu Xiaoru came to Xichuan to find him, he would not miss this golden opportunity. If they were truly in love and willing, Hu Xiaotian wouldn't mind giving up everything he had to live a carefree life with Hu Xiaoru. He couldn't help but start daydreaming.

Huo Xiaoru saw his distant gaze and lightly coughed, "What are you thinking, Young Master Hu?"

Hu Xiaotian realized he had lost his composure and smiled awkwardly, "I'm thinking about leaving the capital. I really do feel some reluctance, missing everything here, my parents and family, and you... such a friend."

Huo Xiaoru smiled and said, "We have only met twice." She was reminding Hu Xiaotian that they weren't that close, and his words seemed insincere.

Hu Xiaotian said, "Some people can know each other for a lifetime and never become friends, while others can become close after just one meeting. I don't have many friends in Kang, but for some reason, I feel very close to Miss Hu."

Huo Xiaoru said, "Young Master Hu is too kind. I am just a dancer, and I have never thought of aspiring high or of being friends with you." Hu Xiaoru was speaking the truth. In their time, dancers had a very low status. Even with her reputation as a talented woman, she was still seen as lowly by others. People who associated with her were usually only interested in her appearance, not in treating her as an equal.

Hu Xiaotian said, "People are born equal, with no distinction of high or low, noble or humble. Why should you belittle yourself?"

Huo Xiaoru didn't want to delve into this issue further. She looked out the window and said, "The rain has stopped!" The sky had been washed clean by the light rain, with many clouds hanging low, enveloping the majestic imperial city in a white veil. A beautiful rainbow quietly appeared, stretching from the west to the south, spanning the entire moat, adding a layer of splendid color to the streets.

The scene was like a painting, and Hu Xiaoru felt an urge to step into it. Hu Xiaotian understood from her gaze and suggested they settle the bill and leave. At the counter, they found that Murong Feiyang had already paid the bill when she left. Although Murong Feiyang often argued with him, she was a good person.

Leaving Tianranju, Hu Xiaoru looked back at the unfinished couplet and said softly, "Guests come to Tianranju, and it turns out they are guests from heaven. I wonder who came up with this upper line?"

Hu Xiaotian said, "I heard this couplet when I was young. I don't know who came up with the upper line, but I heard a monk come up with the lower line."

Huo Xiaoru blinked her beautiful eyes, thinking it might be the line "Poor people have no meat to eat, and those who eat meat are not poor."

Hu Xiaotian said, "Monk visits Cloudy Temple, Temple in Clouds visits monk!"

Huo Xiaoru's eyes lit up, and she clapped her hands in admiration. This couplet was truly ingenious. She smiled and said, "If you had come up with this couplet just now, we wouldn't have had to pay for our meal."

Hu Xiaotian said, "Actually, your couplet was quite well-matched. I think the owner of Tianranju is not very generous. The upper line has been empty for so long, and I don't believe that no literati or scholars could come up with a lower line. Even if someone did, he wouldn't admit it. One, he wouldn't want to give up the free drinks and food, and two, he would use it as a gimmick to attract more customers. It's just a business tactic."

Huo Xiaoru nodded, impressed by Hu Xiaotian's sharp mind. She asked curiously, "You said you heard this couplet when you were young?"

Hu Xiaotian said, "This couplet is not particularly rare. I remember the monk came up with two lower lines at the time. The other one is: People visit Great Buddha Temple, Temple Buddha is greater than people." These famous couplets, which were familiar to Hu Xiaotian, were new to Hu Xiaoru. Hu Xiaotian had some integrity and only said that a monk had come up with the lower lines, not claiming them as his own.

Huo Xiaoru carefully considered the two lower lines and found them more well-matched and ingenious than her own. She admitted, "Young Master is highly talented, and I am far inferior."

Hu Xiaotian smiled and said, "These couplets were not my creation, but seeing Miss Hu, I suddenly thought of one. Before I leave, I will give it to you as a parting gift."

Huo Xiaoru smiled and nodded, her eyes full of anticipation.

Hu Xiaotian said, "Stay a while, the small building is warm, stay a while, how to be, if you love, do as you please!"

Huo Xiaoru's face turned bright red upon hearing this. This man was truly bold and daring, giving her such a couplet. The words were filled with a strong sense of harassment, but she had to admit that the couplet was ingeniously crafted and well-matched, a perfect absolute. He had cleverly embedded her name in the couplet, with the first character of both lines being "Xiao Ru," and a total of four "Xiao Ru" embedded in the couplet. This man was truly a genius, and regardless of his intentions, he was undoubtedly the most talented person Hu Xiaoru had ever met.

Huo Xiaoru said, "Young Master Hu, as you go to serve as an official, though the position of county magistrate is small, your every action affects the people's well-being. I also have a couplet to give you."

Hu Xiaotian smiled and said, "I'm all ears!"

Huo Xiaoru said, "County magistrate celebrates his birthday, gold is needed, silver is needed, banknotes are needed, everything is grabbed, regardless of north or south. Poor people are doomed, rice not harvested, wheat not harvested, beans not harvested, nothing to eat, what to give." After she finished, she gracefully bowed to Hu Xiaotian and turned to walk into the clear and bright scene after the rain. Hu Xiaotian watched Hu Xiaoru's graceful figure and was entranced. As he saw her figure gradually fade away, he suddenly said, "Miss Hu, when you dance, have you ever thought about supporting your body with your toes?"

Huo Xiaoru paused, slowly turned around, and her bright eyes sent a captivating gaze. For a moment, they were as bright and moving as stars.