The Consort's Game

[Self-reliant and imaginative_(:з"∠)_] In the past I went away... Now I come to congratulate Sister Ye Ye on the completion of her main storyline! Please consider this a congratulatory piece! Please forgive the inconsistent writing style. ——In the past I went away, the willows were swaying. Zhan Yulong remembered that when Su Shi entrusted himself to Lin Yinan, it was also a late spring scene with willow catkins filling the sky. "This is the Eighth Prince," Su Shi said, "You just need to remember the saying 'follow him and you'll have meat to eat,' look at your skinny arms and legs." Su Shi was always sarcastic, and Zhan Yulong was already used to it, so after observing Lin Yinan's expression and finding that he was only slightly displeased, he was relieved. "Eighth Prince, since you insist, we cannot force you," seeing that Su Shi still wanted to say something, Mu Ranchen could only put a hand on Su Shi's shoulder to signal him to shut up, and bowed to Lin Yinan to take his leave, "Farewell. Since you are the one we have chosen, we will send someone immediately if needed." Su Shi was the kind of person who couldn't keep anything to himself, and being forced to keep his mouth shut was obviously unpleasant, but since Mu Ranchen had told him to shut up, he could only take his leave listlessly. Zhan Yulong suddenly remembered a sentence Su Shi had complained to him before: "Responsibility really is a subtle thing. Those things I didn't take seriously when I was a child have become ingrained in me through the old folks' nagging day and night." The night was clear then, and Zhan Yulong had clearly seen the sarcasm on Su Shi's face. In his memory, Su Shi was the kind of person who was carefree and casual, and this was the first time he had seen him with such an expression. But it seemed that it was only once. The meaning of the previous dynasty varies from person to person: for the current emperor, it is the past, the dust of history; for the remnants of the previous dynasty, it may be a hopeless yet unavoidable longing; and for the descendants, it may simply be a symbol. "It's all fate, no one can escape it, we can only accept it." These were the words Su Shi spoke at his grandfather's grave after his death, and only then did Zhan Yulong finally dare to believe that Su Shi had truly "accepted his fate." Of course, only "at that time." After a moment of silence, Su Shi whistled a light and cheerful tune, hooked his arm around Zhan Yulong's shoulder, and began discussing their upcoming martial arts practice. Still "at that time," Zhan Yulong thought to himself, realizing he was overthinking things. In truth, Su Shi's idea was simple—live in the present, nothing more. "In the past... In the past I went away, the willows..." Zhan Yulong murmured, watching the two figures disappear into the distance. He couldn't help but recall the poems he had heard when he was Su Shi's study companion. However, the memories were long gone, and the poems he could recite fluently back then were now fragmented. "Willows swaying." Lin Yinan continued Zhan Yulong's chant, smiling, "The poem 'Gathering Ferns' from the Book of Songs is surprisingly fitting for this scene." Zhan Yulong shook his head with a wry smile, only then realizing his current status. He knelt on one knee and said, "Your subordinate Zhan Yulong thanks you, Master. I hope you will take good care of me in the future." —Today I come to think of you, the rain and snow are falling. This year's snow seems to have come much earlier than usual; the capital of Xia Lai Kingdom had already welcomed its first snow in mid-October. "When I left, the willows were swaying..." Zhan Yulong sang casually, his chin resting on his hand, tapping his small wine cup with chopsticks. "Now I..." Just as he was singing, Su Shi, who had returned from doing errands for Lin Yinan and was covered in snow, pushed open the door and interrupted him, "Is that all you know?" He tidied his hair, which was ruffled by the wind and snow, and then said sarcastically, "How about a couple of excerpts from 'The Peony Pavilion'?" It wasn't just Su Shi who pushed open the door; it also brought with it a room full of cold air and snow. Zhan Yulong sneezed, hurriedly stood up, and chuckled, "Young Master is back—I'm usually busy serving the Emperor, how could I have time to listen to 'The Peony Pavilion'... Haha..." Su Shi scoffed, "You don't know how to enjoy life! When I was keeping an eye on someone, I also checked on them three times." Zhan Yulong's feelings were complicated for a moment: "... Of course I don't have Young Master's abilities." Su Shi grumbled, "Now that it's a peaceful and prosperous era, not only has the Emperor's family reunited after so many years of turmoil, but even that bitch Chu is arranging her own marriage recently. I'm truly destined to be alone!" Heroes emerge in chaotic times, but in a prosperous era, whether you're a hero or not, you'll be bored out of your mind. Now that the Xia and Qing kingdoms are at peace, the development of agriculture, handicrafts, and commerce is a must. Su Shi had considered going home to farm or working at Feihe Tower, which would at least be something to do, but considering that everyone was in the capital and he would be lonely and isolated, and that there were few jobs in this peaceful era, he finally gave up. Su Shi continued whining, "That damned woman Su Mozi just mocked me again, saying 'You can't find a wife because of your mouth,' but she's just like me." Zhan Yulong felt he had to remain silent from now on. Young Master, you're just lonely! "Hmph, you keep singing, I'll listen to whatever you want." Su Shi looked like she was dying, squirming on the table. Zhan Yulong took a deep breath to calm himself, just about to continue singing, when Chu Ziqian suddenly burst in, enveloped in a flurry of snow. Su Shi glared at Chu Ziqian with displeasure, "Don't think I won't slap you just because you're getting married soon!" "The Emperor wants to see me, it's important." Unexpectedly, Chu Ziqian said seriously. Then there was a moment of awkward silence. Su Shi continued to squirm and play dead, Chu Ziqian kept a straight face, and Zhan Yulong was barely able to hold back his laughter. Finally, Chu Ziqian broke the silence himself: "Oh, I'm so scared! Come and hit me, Eunuch Su!" With that, he dashed off! But miraculously, upon hearing this provocation, Su Shi immediately perked up, as if injected with adrenaline, and chased after him. Zhan Yulong stood there dumbfounded, only realizing what had just happened after a moment. Ah, life, indeed, requires running and chasing after something. —Fine.

Come to learn and visit

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This describes the clansmen in such a... ...

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