Floating Clouds

At this moment, Ye Yuandao sent the steward to fetch Ye An, saying there was an urgent matter to discuss. Ye An patted Liuyun on the shoulder and said, "You two go ahead and chat; I'll be back shortly." With that, he left with the steward, taking Juanbi along as well.

Juanbi was quite reluctant, dragged away by Ye An, turning back every few steps to gaze longingly at Zhuge Liuyun's figure, which grew ever more distant.

The air moved gently, and all around was tranquil—so quiet that the whisper of wind through the bamboo was clearly audible.

Ye Qianran's palms were damp with sweat, her mind swirling with countless thoughts, yet she couldn't find words to speak. When her brother was present, everything seemed natural, but alone with this man, she felt like a child—unsure what to say or do. She had always prided herself on her composure, but now, it was utterly useless.

He sighed softly and recited, "In the north, there is a beauty; one glance topples a city, another glance topples a nation. But do they not know that to topple a city or a nation, such beauty is rare to find again?"

Ye Qianran, searching for a way to ease the awkwardness, couldn't help but laugh at his words. With a teasing tone, she said, "So, Young Master, you are like the rest, always using this same verse to win favor?"

Zhuge Liuyun gazed at her smiling face and returned a gentle smile, though an unshakable aloofness lingered in his clear eyes. His voice was distant, as if descending from the clouds above, and he looked into the distance, saying, "Miss, you must have met many like me, and heard countless words far more moving than this verse. Surely you find me crude and unrefined." There was a faint sadness in his words.

Ye Qianran had only meant to jest, not expecting such a reply. For a moment, she was at a loss for words, simply staring at him—his expression unreadable, as if looking yet seeing nothing, ethereal and elusive.

Following his gaze, she saw in the northwest corner of the garden an ancient pine and cypress, standing firm and straight in the earth. Its deep green, hardy needles had begun to fade, giving way to soft new shoots. The wind passed but the tree remained immovable.

Suddenly, Ye Qianran remembered the solitary, proud, and stubborn figure in her dream—so like the pine and cypress. She turned to look at the refined man beside her, dressed in white as pure as snow, a gentle smile on his lips. So this was loneliness.

A flicker passed through Ye Qianran's brow as she gazed thoughtfully into the distance. "If you were truly crude, Young Master, I would never have given you the chance to say such words," she replied quietly.

He continued to look far away. "Miss, we have not known each other long. How can you be certain what sort of person I am?"

"I do not know your character," she answered, "but I trust my own feelings."

"Sometimes, feelings can deceive you."

"Things are as the heart perceives them; the world is shaped by the heart. If I cannot even trust my own heart, then truly there is nothing in this world I can trust."

Zhuge Liuyun turned slightly to look at her for the first time, truly seeing her. He had never denied her beauty—it could indeed attract him—but he had always regarded her as merely a lovely woman, never truly noticed her before. Now, for the first time, he looked at her with earnest intent.

She narrowed her eyes, gazing into the distance. "My grandmother often told me: what you believe, you will encounter. If you believe the world is beautiful, you will meet with beauty; if you believe the world is ugly, you will encounter only ugliness."

Zhuge Liuyun laughed softly, lowering his eyes to the flagstone path. "Your grandmother must have been a wise woman."

The wind suddenly stilled, and the sunlight grew brighter.

Ye Qianran smiled silently, turning to look at him. "Yes, I have always thought so too."

Zhuge Liuyun glanced at her.

A radiant young woman, a bright smile, spring sunlight—she was as dazzling as blossoming peach flowers.

A sudden ease filled his heart, like a gentle stream washing away all heaviness and restraint.

That day, Ye Qianran and Zhuge Liuyun spoke at length, their conversation drifting from topic to topic. Ye Qianran noticed his wariness—how, whether intentionally or not, he always kept a certain distance from others. He never made people feel unwelcome, but neither did he let them come close.

This guardedness protected him, but also shut out all sincere hearts.

When she saw the slight furrow between his brows, his gaze distant and detached, he seemed like one untouched by worldly affairs—someone outside the mundane world, refusing all goodwill and approach. His back was straight, lonely, and unyielding. Though he was right beside her, close enough to reach with a single hand, Ye Qianran still felt he was far beyond her grasp.

She lowered her gaze to the emerald lotus shoes on her feet, their embroidery barely visible beneath her pleated skirt of misty green. She sighed softly, so faint it left no trace.

Zhuge Liuyun did not look at her, but he heard the sigh, unnoticed even by Ye Qianran herself. Still gazing into the distance, he asked quietly, "What are you thinking?"

Ye Qianran was briefly startled, staring at him blankly before realizing he was speaking to her. Unsure how to answer, she spoke honestly: "I was wondering—are you always so indifferent to everyone, or is it just me?"

Zhuge Liuyun was taken aback, momentarily speechless. He had always kept his distance from others, never hurting anyone or letting anyone hurt him. He had thought himself perfect, never expecting to be seen through so easily.

Ye Qianran knew he would not reply, nor did she expect him to.

A broad smile spread across her face as she changed the subject in a playful tone: "Brother has been gone so long—could it be Father is scolding him?"

Zhuge Liuyun understood she was deflecting and smiled quietly in response. "Ye is probably being lectured by Uncle Ye and has gone to hide somewhere out of embarrassment."

Ye Qianran giggled.

Ye An suddenly appeared behind them, unnoticed and ghost-like. "What mischief are you two plotting behind my back?"

Ye Qianran and Zhuge Liuyun exchanged a knowing smile, pretending not to hear.

Seeing their silent camaraderie, Ye An immediately grasped the situation, his face breaking into a mischievous grin. Pointing at them, he joked, "I leave for but a moment, and you two have already teamed up. If I never returned, would you be off to the wedding hall by now?"

Ye Qianran lifted her foot to kick him, but Ye An was quick to dodge, hopping away.

She glared at him. "No wonder you can't find a wife, Brother—with a mouth like that, it's your own fault."

Ye An, stung by her words, lost his smugness, his face flushing and paling by turns. "Such a sharp-tongued girl, daring to tease your own brother—let's see how I deal with you!" He lunged to catch her, but Ye Qianran nimbly darted behind Zhuge Liuyun.

With Zhuge Liuyun as her shield, Ye An was helpless.

Without realizing it, Zhuge Liuyun had become Ye Qianran's ally against Ye An.

The three of them made quite a lively scene in the garden.

When their play finally subsided, they sat together in the pavilion at the center of the lake, drinking tea, playing chess, and chatting. Though he was born a warrior, Zhuge Liuyun was well-versed in these refined pursuits. Ye Qianran stole glances at him—his gentle smile never faded, and for some reason, seeing it filled her with a warm feeling, like the mildest sunlight of spring.

As dusk fell, Zhuge Liuyun finally rose to take his leave.

Before stepping into his carriage, he turned and looked deeply at Ye Qianran standing at the entrance. His lips parted as if to speak, but in the end, he said nothing.

She watched him board the carriage, watched as it disappeared into the twilight, and felt an indefinable sense of loss.

Ye An suddenly slapped his forehead, remembering something. "He came to retrieve the jade pendant he left in my room last time. Well, now we've both forgotten."

Ye Qianran paid the remark little attention at first, but then realized—if he had left something behind, he would have to return for it. That sense of loss vanished; she would surely see him again soon.

Her spirits lifted at once.

After supper, Ye Qianran sat on the railing of the Bamboo Snow Pavilion. Night gradually fell, cloaking everything. Inside, Juanbi and Lulan were tidying the bedding; the flickering candlelight danced on the window paper. A faint mist rose outside, the bamboo grove to the west swayed, whispering in the wind. Silvery moonlight filtered through the phoenix leaves, casting sparse shadows on her form, making her appear even more serene. She looked up at the sky—the North Star shone brightly, guiding travelers home. As night deepened and the air grew cooler, Lulan wrapped a cloak around her and sat beside her, speaking softly, "Miss, are you thinking of Young Master Liuyun?"

Ye Qianran ought to have denied it, but for some reason, though her lips moved, she said nothing.

Lulan chuckled. "Juanbi told me—Miss knows she can't keep a secret."

Ye Qianran smiled faintly. "Sometimes I envy her—a heart with nothing hidden, always speaking her mind, living so freely and unburdened."

Lulan laughed. "Since Miss's near-drowning, you've changed—steadier and more composed than ever. Juanbi practically reveres you as a bodhisattva. If she knew you envied her, she'd be insufferably smug."

"I enjoy the company of simple people; there's no need to second-guess their words. But I wouldn't want to be simple myself, so easily seen through."

"Young Master Liuyun doesn't seem like a simple person," Lulan said slyly.

Ye Qianran smiled. "Why were you circling around him all evening?"

Lulan laughed too. "I could tell Miss treats him differently from the others."

Ye Qianran frowned slightly but said nothing.

Lulan continued, "I can't claim to know Miss best, but after so many years by your side, I know a little. You've never shown such patience with any of those young gentlemen from Jiangnan."

Ye Qianran fell silent.