The smoke and murderous intent of Xuanji Ridge were gradually left behind. By the time Rover, Changli, Cartethyia, and the others returned to the Jinzhou Grand Library, the evening lights were already lit.
Jinhsi had been waiting anxiously outside the council chamber for a long time. Seeing the group arrive, and especially seeing that Changli and Rover were completely unharmed, her tense shoulders finally relaxed, and she let out a long sigh of relief.
She hurried forward to greet them, her silver-gray eyes filled with sincere gratitude and a profound sense of relief.
"You are finally back! I am so glad everyone is safe!" Her gaze swept over the crowd and finally rested on Rover, her tone exceptionally solemn. "We survived this crisis thanks to everyone's full support. Especially you, Rover... Jinzhou owes you yet another debt of gratitude that will be difficult to repay."
Rover shook his head slightly. "It was the right thing to do. Lady Magistrate, you do not need to take it to heart."
Jinhsi insisted, shaking her head before revealing a faint yet warm smile. "I have ordered a modest banquet to be prepared. Although it isn't a grand feast, it features Jinzhou's local specialties to express my gratitude. Please, none of you refuse."
The banquet was set up in an elegant floral hall within the Grand Library. Rather than an overly lavish official reception, it felt much more like a private gathering.
The attendees were all familiar faces: Rover, Cartethyia, Changli, Sanhua, and the specially invited Yangyang, Chixia, and Baizhi.
At the start of the banquet, Jinhsi raised her glass, specifically acknowledging the original trio. "I also want to thank the three of you—Yangyang, Chixia, and Baizhi—for your timely rescue and valiant combat. Although this is a small private banquet, your contributions must not be overlooked. Please, enjoy yourselves to the fullest tonight."
Her words were incredibly sincere, completely devoid of any Magistrate's haughtiness.
Chixia was the most straightforward. Hearing this, she immediately let out a hearty laugh and scratched her head. "Lady Magistrate, you're too polite! I'm just glad we could help! Besides, this is Rover's celebration banquet. We three were his very first old friends in Jinzhou, so of course we had to come!"
Yangyang smiled slightly shyly and replied softly, "I am just glad we could be of assistance."
Her gaze inadvertently swept past Rover, carrying a trace of imperceptible concern.
Baizhi remained her usual calm self. Using her consistently flat tone, she stated, "Healing our companions on the battlefield and providing necessary support is our duty. Thank you for your hospitality, Lady Magistrate."
However, it was clear that being invited to a private banquet of this level was, in itself, a form of recognition that she appreciated.
Driven by Chixia's lively energy, the atmosphere of the banquet quickly warmed up.
She described the battle scenes with vivid emotion, particularly emphasizing Rover's effortless, casual demeanor as he repelled the enemies, successfully drawing everyone's attention.
Cartethyia sat quietly beside Rover, strictly adhering to the etiquette of a knight, but the heavy thoughts in her eyes never dissipated.
She watched Jinhsi look at Rover with undisguised gratitude and reliance, and she observed the unspoken, profound understanding between Changli and Rover. The cutlery in her hands remained untouched for a long time.
Changli's demeanor was elegant and appropriate. She gracefully navigated the conversations at the table, occasionally whispering a few words to Jinhsi, and at other times catching Chixia's conversational threads, remaining humorous without ever losing her sense of propriety.
She didn't communicate much with Rover verbally, but every brief intersection of their gazes felt as though they were connected by invisible silk threads, concealing a subtle electric current that only the two of them understood.
After a few rounds of drinks, the atmosphere was at its peak.
Changli suddenly gave a slight smile. Setting down her wine glass, she addressed the group. "Although the hall is lovely, it is ultimately a bit too formal. For today's celebration, how can we let this beautiful night and the scenery of Jinzhou's most stunning Taoyuan Vale go to waste? Why don't we move there to take a look? The peach blossoms are blooming at their absolute peak right now."
This proposal was immediately met with enthusiastic agreement from Chixia. "Yes, yes! I heard the night view of Taoyuan Vale is absolutely top-notch!"
Naturally, no one else objected.
Thus, the banquet was temporarily paused, and the group took vehicles to Taoyuan Vale near Jinzhou City under the moonlight.
The moonlight flowed like water, spilling over the peach trees that covered the mountains and plains.
The peach trees here seemed to be a special breed. Under the regulation of the Huaxu Academy's advanced technology, they bloomed with a dreamy, pale pink luminescence at night, shining in harmony with the stars in the sky.
In particular, the massive, millennium-old peach tree at the highest point of Taoyuan Vale shimmered with iridescent light like a deployed canopy, possessing a beauty that didn't seem to belong to the mortal realm.
Upon arriving beneath the tree, everyone was captivated by the beautiful scenery, scattering to admire the view and chat.
Changli, however, quietly walked over to Rover's side. With a gentle, mysterious smile playing at the corners of her lips, she whispered, "Rover, please wait here for a moment. Jinhsi... has prepared a special gift of gratitude for you."
Rover was slightly surprised but nodded.
Changli clapped her hands lightly. A soft, melodious sound of strings and bamboo flutes quietly arose from an unknown source, overflowing and spreading like flowing water.
Under Rover's astonished gaze, a graceful silhouette slowly walked out from the depths of the peach grove.
It was Jinhsi.
But she was no longer the young girl wearing her everyday Magistrate attire from the banquet just moments ago.
She had changed into an exquisitely crafted, pink-and-white flowing dress with wide sleeves. The cascading skirt was embroidered with complex, intricate patterns of peach blossoms and flowing clouds. The fabric flowed with a soft luster under the brilliance of the moonlight and the glowing peach trees.
This garment was magnificent and grand, carrying a faint resemblance to the elegant style and charm of a traditional bridal gown. It was clearly something Changli had meticulously custom-ordered and prepared for her in secret.
Her silver-white hair was carefully pinned up, styled into an even more delicate and intricate bun. An exquisite jade hairpin shaped like a peach blossom was inserted diagonally into it, its tassels trembling lightly—an incredibly eye-catching detail.
An even more captivating change was that, perhaps due to emotional excitement, or perhaps influenced by this special environment and her state of mind, a pair of small, delicate pink dragon horns had sprouted from the top of her head.
Faint, crystal-clear dragon scales also vaguely surfaced on the delicate skin of her neck and the backs of her hands, swirling with a soft luster under the light, adding a touch of inhuman holiness and shy endearment to her appearance.
Jinhsi's cheeks were flushed crimson, as if she were intoxicated. Her eyelids drooped slightly, almost too afraid to look in Rover's direction, as she walked step by step to the center of the clearing beneath the giant peach tree.
The music became ethereal.
She moved her feet lightly, her long flowing sleeves fluttering upward, dancing gracefully to the melody.
Her dance was elegant and reserved. Every turn, every glance back, seemed to softly whisper the indescribable affections and silent prayers of a young girl.
The silk ribbons danced in the wind, weaving together with the glowing, falling peach petals around her, creating an absolutely breathtaking tableau.
She sang softly, her voice crisp and sweet, yet carrying a trace of divine ethereality. Like an ancient prayer, it clearly reached everyone's ears:
"Years halted, time frozen, Mt. Loong's cold so deep,
The divine maiden's journey is far, the blizzard absolute.
Fortunate to have the Lord cross the reed-filled river,
One stroke of heavenly light awakens the spring.
Flowing light melts the snow, Mt. Firmament clears,
The spring breeze gently brushes the Jade Gate Pass.
Amidst the peach paths and willow bends of Jinzhou,
It is also said the spring breeze comes just for me."
Rover stood quietly. The dancing young girl under the moonlight was reflected in his golden eyes, revealing pure admiration and an indescribable softness.
He naturally understood the myriad of feelings contained within this dance and song.
As the dance concluded, Jinhsi slowly halted her movements from her final spin. She was slightly out of breath, her chest rising and falling gently.
She seemed to gather a lifetime's worth of courage. Raising her misty eyes, she paced over to Rover.
Before he could speak, she extended a finger holding a sprig of peach blossom, gently stopping his words.
"Taking advantage of this beautiful scenery and fine moment..." Her voice was as soft as the breeze brushing past the peach branches, yet it carried an undeniable plea,
"There are some things I wish to say to you in private..."
Rover understood in his heart and nodded.
He followed her, and under Changli's watchful gaze, they walked behind the massive peach tree, away from everyone else's sight.
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