Chapter 1147 - 303: Jade Hairpin Leaning on Spring Ripples, Gentle Hands Stirring Sweet Affection (Part 5)

Qi Meizhen put down her sleeping child and gracefully stepped to Shi Feiyang’s side, "Brothers, Feiyang has been worried day and night these days, even planning in his dreams."

Her delicate hand gently stroked her husband’s hand, eyes full of tenderness, "By defending Jiangnan well, we provide the greatest support to quell the rebellion in Bozhou."

At this moment, a sudden wind arose by the Sword Pool, knocking down icicles from the eaves, the clear sound startling everyone into silence, while only the sound of the cold spring continued to murmur, as if responding to these words.

As the drinks went around three times, everyone grew increasingly intoxicated.

Shi Feiyang took Qi Meizhen to Taihu Lake, where the distant sound of firecrackers rose and fell.

Shi Huai’en ran through the snow holding a lotus lamp, leaving winding footprints on the thin snow; Shi Xiong was pestering Lu Dechu to teach him boxing, the snow mist stirred by the boxing wind glistening under the moonlight.

Yang Feng wielded the Ghost Ring Saber with fierce winds, the snow particles swept up by the saber wind shimmered like shattered jade under the moonlight, while the ice surface of the Sword Pool behind reflected the silhouettes of the people, intertwining with the fireworks in the sky to form a magnificent Jianghu scroll.

Shi Feiyang looked at this lively scene, feeling deeply – it was these brothers who stood shoulder to shoulder that were his strongest backing, just like this Huqiu Sword Pool, standing firm through the millennia of frost and wind.

The new spring at Taihu Lake was shrouded in a hazy mist, the distant Yuantouzhu appearing and disappearing like an ink painting slowly unfolding between heaven and earth. Shi Feiyang, in a moon-white robe, stood at the bow, his hand slowly paddling through the lake surface, creating ripples.

At the stern, Qi Meizhen wore a lotus-colored gauze dress, with a white jade hairpin slanted in her hair, strands of plum fragrance still lingering.

She leaned on Shi Feiyang’s shoulder, her autumn-water-like eyes full of tenderness, as if able to reflect all of Jiangnan’s spring scenery.

"Feiyang, look at the sunset, doesn’t it resemble the brocade you brought back last time from the Capital?" Qi Meizhen’s voice was soft as spring willow, her fingertip lightly pointing to the horizon.

In the distance, the sunset dyed the lake surface a magnificent crimson, among the sparkling waves, the scattered fishing fires looked like stars falling.

Shi Feiyang turned to look at the person in his arms, her eyelashes casting fine shadows under the sunset, making her lips appear even more beautiful and vivid. "Even the finest brocade is not a tenth as beautiful as you." Shi Feiyang put down the paddle, holding Qi Meizhen even tighter.

His voice was deep and gentle, with an alluring power.

Qi Meizhen blushed, lightly punching him in jest, "You just know how to coax me happy. These days, you’ve been working hard day and night for the Heroic Sakura Association headquarters affairs, I’ve watched... and felt sorry." As she spoke, her eyes brimmed with tears, she reached out to gently soothe the fatigue between Shi Feiyang’s brows.

Shi Feiyang held her hand, placed it by his lips for a gentle kiss, "With you by my side, it’s worth all the exhaustion. Remember when we first met, you held a Miao Saber, so spirited and bold, I knew then, you were the only one for me in this life."

His words carried a touch of reminiscence, a bit of deep affection.

Qi Meizhen snuggled closer, strands of her hair brushing Shi Feiyang’s cheek, carrying a faint fragrance. She softly sang a Jiangnan tune, her voice melodious and flowing across the lake, "The crescent moon shines over the vast land, some houses joyful, some sad..."

In her song, was filled with longing and affection for the person before her.

Shi Feiyang listened quietly, feeling that the most beautiful melody in the world was no more than his beloved’s gentle singings.

Suddenly, a gentle breeze swept by, causing fine waves on the lake, shattering the sunset reflection into golden scales.

Qi Meizhen’s song abruptly stopped, she nervously grabbed Shi Feiyang’s sleeve, "Feiyang, I...I’m scared."

Shi Feiyang held her tightly, his chin resting on the top of her head, "Don’t be afraid, I am here."

Saying this, he exercised his Inner Strength, gently stabilizing the boat, and no matter how great the storm outside, inside it remained tranquil and steady as before.

"You’re always like this, no matter what danger arises, you protect me behind you." Qi Meizhen raised her head, eyes full of admiration and reliance, "If it weren’t for you, I... I honestly don’t know how I would manage in this life."

In truth, this heroine was merely being coy.

Her voice grew softer and finally nearly a whisper. Shi Feiyang looked at the glinting tears in her eyes, couldn’t resist lowering his head to kiss them away, "Silly girl, I promised you I’d protect you forever and ever, I’ll never break that promise."

The sunset gradually sinking in the west, the shimmering waves on the lake grew softer.

Shi Feiyang picked up the paddle again, rowing gently. The small boat advanced in the dusk, as if traveling into a dream.

Qi Meizhen began humming once more, this time the melody even gentler, as if expressing endless sentiments.

Shi Feiyang rowed while listening, occasionally glancing down at the person in his arms, the corners of his mouth unconsciously lifting into a blissful smile.

The night deepened, the lights around Taihu Lake lit successively, stars dotting, as if the Milky Way descended to the earth.

Shi Feiyang docked the boat in a quiet harbor, took out a jar of fine wine from the cabin.

They sat facing each other on the boat’s bow, sharing this New Year wine. Qi Meizhen’s cheeks became increasingly rosy and captivating under the wine’s aroma, she raised her cup and softly said, "May we share the splendor of Taihu Lake’s spring, year after year."

Shi Feiyang smiled and clinked his cup, "I shall not disappoint you!" In this tranquil night on Taihu Lake, the two nestled together, watching stars twinkle overhead, listening to the lake water gently lap at the shore, as if the whole world contained only the sound of their hearts and breaths.

After the Lantern Festival, the Capital still enveloped in the lingering cold of unmelted snow, Shi Feiyang carried Shi Xiong, stepping on the thin frost on the glazed tiles, the vortex driven by the Bright Jade Technique wrapped around them like an eagle, gliding over the palace walls.