Amidst the banquet, soft melodies drifted through the air. As Your Majesty raised his cup again and again, the atmosphere among the guests gradually grew relaxed, and officials chatted and drank merrily in small groups.
Fang Tianba looked on with delight at the Luyin Pavilion disciples playing their instruments around the courtyard. A deeply gratified smile graced his face as he took the lead in applauding, nodding to the high-ranking officials and dignitaries.
Wen Hengzhi sat rigidly in his seat, his eyes fixed intently on a certain fairy playing the pipa beneath a peach blossom tree not far away. She wore a translucent emerald-green dress embroidered with an ancient tree trunk in golden thread; the branches bloomed with lush, vibrant peach blossoms crafted from white jade and pink pearls, making her look as delicate as carved jade. Smiling brightly, she played her pipa with noticeably refined skill—clearly, during the time they had been apart, she had poured all her heart into mastering her art.
Chapter 102