Xu Xian smiled confidently and said, "I have my own plan."
Yin Hongxiu was baffled by Xu Xian's sudden burst of confidence. However, she thought that with his knowledge, he should be able to handle the exam easily. Thus, she did not think much about it.
As usual, he chatted with Xu Xian for a while.
She, who had always been particular about elegance, rarely talked about poetry or military affairs when talking to him.
The topics that often appeared at literary conferences rarely appeared on their lips.
This was also the result of Xu Xian's own hard work.
Any serious topic would be easily diverted away by him. In his previous life, when he was in various forums, he had a talent for "straying from the topic".
Since they were friends, there was no need for either of them to accommodate each other, even if the other party was a beauty.
Perhaps Yin Hongxiu noticed that Xu Xian was not interested in these things, so she gradually reduced the topic.
Therefore, Princess Yin, who was dignified and elegant in the eyes of others, was drinking tea on this warm afternoon and gossiping about all kinds of trivial topics. Xu Xian listened with interest. It was undoubtedly interesting to hear Yin Hongxiu ramble like an ordinary woman.
"Hongxiu, you are becoming more and more like a normal woman."
Yin Hongxiu subconsciously retorted, "Was I not normal in the past?" She could not help but look at herself.
She was wearing an unfamiliar pink dress, and she was surprised to find that she was indeed like what he said. This sudden discovery surprised and even frightened her. She found that the things that she had spent a lot of effort to create over the years had disappeared without a trace unknowingly, and it only took a few days.
The joy of being praised by him just now disappeared without a trace. Wearing that dress also seemed to become uncomfortable.
There was a moment of silence in the room.
Xu Xian said, "What's wrong?"
Yin Hongxiu shook her head and said, "Nothing, I just suddenly feel a little uncomfortable. Go and accompany Rou Jia first!"
Xu Xian seemed to see through her thoughts and sighed. "What's wrong with being myself?" He did not wait for her answer and walked out the door.
Yin Hongxiu came to the front of the tall bronze mirror and looked at herself in it. There was a faint confusion on her beautiful face. Who was the beautiful woman in red in the mirror?
Was it herself?
She was actually like an ordinary woman, wearing such gorgeous clothes, and would be extremely happy for a man's praise.
All along, she had been wearing men's clothes and mingling with men. Although it was to fight for the status that she deserved, it was a tiring thing after all!
Once she had the chance to let down her guard, she would immediately reveal her true colors. The ice cubes did not react under the sun and turned into warm water in the warm sunlight.
What kind of feelings were hidden behind the mask of independence, pride, and nobility?
Perhaps even she herself was about to give up on that unrealistic wish!
Yin Hongxiu always reminded Xu Xian of the woman who had the same pursuit as her in the history of his previous life — Dugu Jialuo. She made Sui Wen Emperor Yang Jian swear not to marry a second woman and then married him, becoming the famous Empress Dugu in history. She did not hesitate to use cruel means to maintain this oath, but in the end, she died of depression and responded to the word "Dugu".
After her death, Sui Wen Emperor immediately took in concubines and was not happy.
Their requirements were too simple and basic in modern times, but in the feudal era, it was too excessive, too complicated, and too difficult to satisfy.
Under the evening sun, Princess Rou Jia sat on the swing and gently swayed. For the first time, she did not notice the arrival of Xu Xian. Instead, she lowered her head and threaded the needle, sewing something. She pursed her lips and looked serious.
The gentle silhouette that was cut by the setting sun was plated with a layer of red light by the evening glow.
The old tree, the setting sun, the young girl, and the swing were like a gorgeous picture in an oil painting.
When Xu Xian walked in front of her, she did not notice his arrival. She quickly hid the thing in her hand behind her.
Xu Xian asked with a smile, "What is it?"
She was in much better spirits, but her big eyes, small nose and lips, and naturally curly hair still made her look like a delicate doll.
These days, under the bombardment of Xu Xian's merciless praise, such as, "Little Rou Jia is the cutest," "Little Rou Jia is the kindest."
Although she was still very shy, she seemed to be less timid and more confident and courageous.
Facing Xu Xian's eyes, although she still did not dare to look directly at him, she was not afraid to even raise her head.
Princess Rou Jia insisted, "You can only see it when it is done."
She jumped off the swing and hid the thing firmly behind her. Looking at Xu Xian, she took a few steps back and turned to run back into the house.
After a while, she came out again and asked coquettishly, "Are you going to have an exam tomorrow?"
Xu Xian replied, "Yes!" but he was somewhat surprised that she would care about such a thing.
Princess Rou Jia smiled shyly and took out the hand that had been behind her back. In her palm was an exquisite paper crane!
"For you." This was what Xu Xian had taught her to fold.
Xu Xian took the paper crane and said, "This is not enough. I need a thousand to fulfill a wish."
Although he had only said it casually to trick a child, it had now become an excuse to bully Rou Jia. He was already waiting to see her disappointed expression.
However, the toy that he had specially bought for her today would definitely make her happy immediately.
Princess Rou Jia bit her lip with her pearly white teeth, but she revealed a slightly pleased smile. She pulled on Xu Xian's sleeve and walked into the house.
When they arrived in the house, she had Xu Xian stand to the side. She struggled to carry a sandalwood box. The box was not big, so she did not need his help.
Her panting appearance was extremely adorable. She only heaved a sigh of relief when she finally placed it on the table.
She took out a small golden key to open the lock and eagerly opened the box.
When she opened the lid, she saw that the small box was filled with colorful paper cranes.
She looked at Xu Xian like she was presenting a treasure. Her eyes narrowed, and her face was just short of saying, "Come and praise me!"
Although Xu Xian had already expected this, he was still somewhat moved when he saw it with his own eyes. He casually grabbed a handful. Each paper crane was extremely exquisite, showing how much effort their owner had put into it. It was not a simple gathering of numbers.
So many paper cranes had probably consumed all of her leisure time over the past few days!
He touched his chest. Compared to her gift, his was somewhat unable to take it out.
When Princess Rou Jia saw that Xu Xian did not speak, she felt somewhat disappointed. However, she quickly said, "It's not just a thousand!" She counted with her fingers.
However, her voice gradually lowered. "Don't you like it?"
Xu Xian rubbed her head and said, "Thank you.
I like it very much. "
Princess Rou Jia raised her head and clasped her hands in front of her chest. "Really?" Her eyes shone like stars.
Xu Xian said, "Yes, really."
"In that case, your wish will come true, right?"
Xu Xian smiled and nodded. "Yes, definitely!" His heart stirred as he said, "Do you know?
If the wish can be fulfilled, all the paper cranes will fly up into the sky, just like birds. "
Princess Rou Jia said in puzzlement, "Paper cranes … fly?"
Although she believed in Xu Xian, she found it a little inconceivable for paper cranes to fly like birds.
Xu Xian scratched her nose and said, "You don't believe me?"
Princess Rou Jia said with a red face, "I do!"
Xu Xian picked up the sandalwood box with one hand and wrapped his arm around her slender waist with the other as he walked out with large strides.
"Ah!"
Princess Rou Jia cried out in surprise. She was a little flustered. He would not, would not, want to do something. Although she did not know what it was, she felt an indescribable shyness in her heart, like a startled deer.
Suddenly, she heard Xu Xian say, "Close your eyes." She hurriedly closed her eyes tightly as the wind whistled past her ears.
Xu Xian leaped onto the roof ridge and placed Princess Rou Jia beside him. He said, "You can open your eyes now."
Princess Rou Jia slowly opened her eyes and suddenly realized that she was high up. This made her lean towards Xu Xian in panic, her hands tightly grabbing onto his lapels.
Xu Xian was also afraid that she would fall, so he held onto her waist.
The afterglow overlapped their figures, and the sky was filled with a magnificent sunset. It dyed Princess Rou Jia's face as well. She leaned her head against Xu Xian's chest, feeling an indescribable sweetness and peace in her heart.
Xu Xian held up the wooden box with one hand and said with a smile, "My wish is about to be fulfilled!"
Before he finished speaking, the paper cranes in the wooden box trembled as though they had come to life.
Under Princess Rou Jia's astonished gaze, the paper cranes flapped their wings and flew up one by one. The colors gathered together, forming a rainbow-colored torrent that flew up into the deep blue sky.
Princess Rou Jia clapped her hands happily and said, "They're really flying!" She cheered and waved her arms. "Fly, fly. This way, my wish will be fulfilled." Her eyes stared intently at the paper cranes as a moving expression flashed across her face.
As she laughed, the paper cranes flew higher and higher. When the last paper crane disappeared into the horizon, the blue-black curtain of night had completely fallen, and the stars filled the sky.
The joy on Princess Rou Jia's face still lingered as she raised her head to look at the stars.
Xu Xian said with a smile, "How is it? I didn't lie to you, right?"
"Yes!" Her eyes were filled with reverence for Xu Xian.
Xu Xian rubbed her head and said, "I won't be able to come tomorrow." The examination would take nine days, so he naturally could not appear during this period.
Princess Rou Jia gently responded. Although she was reluctant, she naturally would not say anything willful.
Xu Xian said, "Let's go down!
It's a little cold here. "
However, Princess Rou Jia hurriedly said, "Can you stay a little longer?
Just for a while. "
It was rare for her to take the initiative to make a request, so Xu Xian naturally would not refuse. Instead, he hugged her thin shoulders, and she took the opportunity to shrink into Xu Xian's embrace.