That hand was slender, fair-skinned, the dark sleeve gently swaying.
The wine cup was raised, then brought back to his lips. His head tilted back, and a fair chin appeared in their view.
The three gripped their hands tightly, nearly crying out in delight.
They saw it, they saw it, they saw it!
……
……
Another sudden commotion arose in the wine house. Chu Zhao was startled—the staircase seemed to be shaking, as if many people were stamping their feet together.
She looked around somewhat puzzled. Nothing was happening—there were no strange people or objects, no storytellers or musicians, no acrobats either—
She looked toward the third floor. There were especially many people here, men and women sitting on the left and right respectively, all seats full, with many people wandering about, talking and laughing, raising cups. It looked like someone was holding a great feast.
Deng Yi paid no attention to this commotion and led Chu Zhao to a seat by the railing on the second floor. He even proactively asked the shop assistant leading the way: “Do you know where Young Master Chu Ke is sitting? He also came today. Where is he? I’ll—”
Before he could explain what he wanted to do with Chu Ke, the shop assistant was already smiling and answering: “I know, I know. Young Master Chu Ke—the disciple of Minister Ouyang, learned and talented, accomplished at a young age. He’s already passed all the tests and obtained an invitation to the Third Prince’s Wangchun Garden. Today he’s treating guests—”
Listening to the shop assistant’s words, Deng Yi looked at Chu Zhao sitting across from him and saw her raise her hand to her forehead, looking like she couldn’t bear to listen anymore—
She really should come beat him up.
Deng Yi smiled and nodded: “I also heard this news and came specially to pay my respects to Young Master Chu Ke, hoping to toast him.”
The shop assistant pointed across the way: “There, your seat is perfect. Young Master Chu Ke is right across from you.”
Both Deng Yi and Chu Zhao looked over. Sure enough, they saw seven or eight young men seated at a table across the way, and one speaking with great animation was indeed Chu Ke.
Deng Yi thanked the shop assistant, then joked: “No wonder the wine house is so lively today.”
The shop assistant laughed heartily, his expression somewhat excited: “Yes, yes, but, also not quite. It’s so lively today because there’s—ahem, recently with the literary gathering, there are just more people in the capital.”
He seemed about to mention someone else, but then remembering that Deng Yi had said he came for Chu Ke, mentioning others wouldn’t be quite appropriate. The shop assistant said no more and took his leave.
Deng Yi didn’t mind. He looked at Chu Zhao: “Miss Chu can sit here first. It’s more convenient for watching Young Master Chu.”
Chu Zhao thanked him: “Thank you, Lord Deng.” Then thinking of something, she asked, “Lord Deng has an appointment with someone, right?”
So her sitting here would be intrusive, wouldn’t it?
Though she also very much wanted to see who Deng Yi had an appointment with. Was it Xiao Xun? Someone from Prince Zhongshan?
The girl’s expression seemed somewhat anxious. Deng Yi poured tea: “I came to give a gift. When the others finish eating, I’ll rush over to grab the bill and settle the account.”
Ah? Chu Zhao looked at Deng Yi.
Deng Yi pushed a cup of tea toward her and smiled: “So, Miss Chu, sit as you please. I have no one here.”