Spring in Jiangnan always arrives with a light, silent step. When Shen Mingyue pushed open the carved wooden window, the first rays of morning light, like golden silk threads, gently pierced through the delicate cloud carvings on the lattice and spilled onto the newly sprouted green buds in the courtyard. Topped with crystalline dew, the buds shimmered under the sun like emeralds inlaid with crushed diamonds. The wisteria vines had, at some point, snaked their way across the entire corridor eaves, heavy with rice-grain-sized flower buds that swayed gently in the breeze like strands of translucent jade beads. Each bud, wrapped in a thin layer of fine down, brushed against its neighbor in the wind, creating a soft, rustling sound. The air was filled with a faint, sweet, and refreshing fragrance that wove its way into one's senses, soothing the heart and mind.
Resting her hands on the windowsill, she watched the young man practicing swordplay in the yard. His posture was as upright as a pine tree, his white practice robes billowing in the wind, his sword tassel dancing in the sunlight, reflecting specks of silver. In a daze, she saw the A Man of her childhood again—the child who always loved to tie his sword tassel into a butterfly knot, now grown into the "Young Hero of the Blue Blade," renowned throughout the martial arts world. At this moment, A Man was patiently guiding the younger children in their sword strokes. He crouched down, hand-in-hand correcting their grips. The s…
Chapter 148