Happy Spring Every Year

The further north we went, the higher up a small slope we came.

Passing through layers of wintersweet trees, the view suddenly opens up.

There actually stands an octagonal pavilion here, with tables, chairs, chess tables, a dry well with vines around it, and a long rope swing beside it.

The most special thing is that the wintersweets here are the extremely rare green-calyx wintersweets!

"Master Cui, where is this?"

Shen Jiasui was surprised and couldn't help asking. His clear voice was particularly pleasant in the silent night.

Just this one sound made the person hiding under the dry well tremble all over and look up suddenly.

His cheeks were flushed and his eyes were full of spring. It was Jiang Xun who had arrived here earlier.

Cui Mingjue saw the surprise in Shen Jiasui's eyes, and his heart softened. He said softly:

"Ms. Shen, to be honest, I've only been here once."

"Back then... when Crown Prince Xianhuai was still alive, he specially planted green-calyx plum trees here and even ordered the construction of a viewing pavilion."

"I was fortunate enough to come here once with my cousin, Prince Rui. It was snowing heavily that night, and my cousin, Crown Prince Xianhuai, Prince Xiang, Jiang Xun, and others sat around the fire, toasting and chatting heartily."

"I was too young at the time and could only drink tea, but I poured wine for them all night."

"I was feeling tired at the time, secretly complaining to my cousin that he shouldn't have brought me along. But now when I think about it, that night turned out to be an unforgettable good time in my life..."

As Cui Mingjue spoke, he looked at the already deserted viewing pavilion, and a hint of melancholy appeared in his voice.

Shen Jiasui listened attentively, and his eyes turned to the pavilion.

As Cui Mingjue described it, she felt as if the lights in front of her eyes came back on, steam rose, and vaguely a very lively scene reappeared.

Those who gathered here that night were the most noble young men in the world.

Perhaps there were not so many calculations back then. Even if there were, they must have been forgotten amid the falling snowflakes, the mist of wine, and the subtle fragrance of wintersweet.

They raised their glasses and chatted and laughed, and when they were excited, they pointed out the Jiangshan Mountains and made bold statements. How high-spirited they must have been...

Jiang Xun stood quietly in the dry well.

At this moment, in front of him, layers of dead vines were pulled apart, revealing a dark hole half a person's height.

He was about to step in, but Miss Shen's voice suddenly rang out, causing his heart to flutter, and he stopped for some unknown reason.

Hearing what Cui Mingjue said at this moment, even though the heat in his body was surging, Jiang Xun couldn't help but be mesmerized.

That was a fireside gathering organized by His Royal Highness the Crown Prince.

Perhaps at that time, His Highness had already anticipated that his relationship would not last long, so he was so impatient and invited them all on a snowy night.

Brotherly love and respect for each other, and the closeness of family members—what His Royal Highness the Crown Prince longed to see throughout his life—is ultimately just a flower in the mirror, a moon in the water…

"Miss Shen, please come to the pavilion."

Cui Mingjue waved to Shen Jiasui, and his face now had a more youthful look.

Upon hearing this, Shen Jiasui followed forward and walked into the pavilion, where she saw Cui Mingjue pointing behind her.

She turned her head and saw wintersweets all over the mountains in the falling snowflakes, which complemented the lanterns dotted in the forest, like a galaxy falling into the world.

She opened her eyes slightly, her face unable to conceal the surprise.

Cui Mingjue and Shen Jiasui stood side by side. Shen Jiasui was looking at the scenery, while Cui Mingjue was looking at her with sparkling eyes.

It has been quiet outside for a long time.

Jiang Xun lowered his eyes slightly, his heart in turmoil at this moment.

He held back his heavy breathing, the heat rising from his body finding no outlet and spreading into every part of his body.

He had prepared the antidote at the other end of the secret passage, but because of his hesitation, he had lost the opportunity to enter the secret passage.

Any action at this moment would definitely make a noise, but the secret passage must not be discovered by Cui Mingjue.

This was a dilemma, but Jiang Xun was not panicked at all. Instead, he felt more ashamed.

Because he has realized that he actually wants to stay.

The hot air seemed to have seized his rationality, which he had always been proud of, and also blocked the gentlemanly way that he had been trying to practice.

Don't listen to anything inappropriate.

Just because the person standing outside was Miss Shen, he couldn't help but do the despicable act of eavesdropping.

"Miss Shen."

Cui Mingjue's voice finally rang out.

"Mr. Cui, please speak."

Shen Jiasui responded quickly.

Hearing Shen Jiasui's voice again, Jiang Xun couldn't move a step further.

The dark, dry well was damp from the falling snow. Jiang Xun leaned against the cold wall of the well, his face flushed and his long eyelashes trembling.

Every breath he exhaled turned into a cloud of white mist. He tilted his head back and let the snowflakes fall on his face, hoping that this insignificant coolness would bring him back to his senses.

But in the end, he could only shake his head in self-mockery.

In the end, he did become an eavesdropper and tried every possible means to find excuses for himself.

If Miss Shen knew this, she would find that he was not worthy of the "moon in the sky" she mentioned.

He is selfish, he is mean, he really...can't help himself.

"Miss Shen, I asked you to come here because I have something important to discuss."

Cui Mingjue spoke carefully, but he didn't dare to speak directly. At this moment, he covered his long eyelashes and was so nervous that he didn't dare to look directly into Shen Jiansui's eyes.

Shen Jiasui nodded immediately and said seriously, "Master Cui, I know everything. This is why I came here."

Cui Mingjue looked up suddenly when he heard this, his eyes full of disbelief, but then a strong joy surged out.

If Miss Shen knew his feelings and still came to the appointment, would it mean...

"Ms. Shen, I——"

"I know Master Cui is also in a difficult situation."

The two spoke at the same time, but Cui Mingjue was stunned.

"Difficult?" he repeated in a daze.

Shen Jiasui nodded and explained sincerely, "During the day, Concubine Shu summoned me to meet her. Although she didn't say it explicitly, her words seemed to indicate that she wanted to bring us together."

"I imagine Master Cui must be feeling the pressure. Since neither you nor I have such intentions, why don't we discuss this and persuade Her Majesty to give up this idea as soon as possible."

"Master Cui took the initiative to invite me here, but do you already have a plan in mind?"

The surroundings suddenly became quiet.

Cui Mingjue stared at Shen Jiasui, trying to see even the slightest insincerity on her face.

However, no.

Her eyes were so clear and bright that they couldn't lie.

Cui Mingjue opened his mouth, his face suddenly turned pale, and a hint of pain appeared in his eyes.

Shen Jiasui was not incapable of reading people's expressions. She was startled, "Mr. Cui, what's wrong with you?"

She frowned, vaguely sensing something was wrong.

Cui Mingjue lowered his head and remained silent for a long time. When he spoke again, the bitterness in his words could no longer be concealed.

"Miss Shen accepted my invitation because of the summons from Concubine Shu?"

Facing Cui Mingjue's gaze, Shen Jiasui nodded frankly.

Seeing this, Cui Mingjue couldn't help but let out a bitter laugh. He clenched and unclenched his hands at his sides, unwilling to give in. He suddenly took a step closer to Shen Jiasui.

Shen Jiasui took a step back suddenly, his face alert, "Master Cui, what are you doing?"

Down in the well, Jiang Xun could no longer hold back when he heard this, and immediately stood up against the wall.

Because of this sudden movement, the heat that had been suppressed for a long time suddenly exploded in the body.

He considered himself a person who could endure great pain, but at this moment, the accumulated desires could not be relieved. He frowned and bent down in pain.

The sleeves rubbed against the wall of the well, making a very light sound.

But in the silent night, it cannot escape the ears of those with great martial arts skills.

Shen Jiasui's heart moved, and he couldn't help but glance sideways in that direction, but there was no figure in sight.

She suspected it was the sound of snow falling from the branches, and immediately regained her composure, only to hear Cui Mingjue whisper:

"Miss Shen, what if I say I'm interested?"

Shen Jiasui was stunned when he heard this and didn't react for a moment.

Seeing this, Cui Mingjue took another step closer, his eyes filled with eagerness and anticipation, and he mustered up the courage to speak word by word:

"Miss Shen, I'm attracted to you and want to marry you."

"I, Cui Mingjue, am sincere and have absolutely no calculations or trade-offs with Miss Shen. As long as Miss Shen is willing, I will only be with you for the rest of my life. Is that okay?"

In the end, Cui Mingjue's voice gradually softened, and he looked straight into Shen Jiansui's eyes with deep earnestness.

When Shen Jiasui heard the voice, he looked confused and thought he had misheard.

She opened her mouth, wanting to say something to confirm, but all she got in response was Cui Mingjue's burning gaze.

Shen Jiasui could no longer conceal his shock and took a step back unconsciously.