The Villainous Classmate is My Lucky Star Chapter 261
Double release~
Translated by Pure
Chapter 261 Chi Jingxi's Moonlighting as the Male Lead
After forcing all the girls to introduce themselves one by one, Wen Yantong stifled a yawn and remarked, "Quite tedious, isn't it?" She rose gracefully from her seat and continued, "Ladies, why don't you join me for a leisurely stroll? It's rather dull just sitting here with Third Young Lady alone."
Fu Tanghuan chimed in, "Commandery Princess, I've heard that all the young masters of Chaoge are gathered at the Plum Blossom Garden just ahead, across the bridge. How about we go and have a look?"
Wen Yantong nodded in agreement. "An excellent suggestion. On such a bright and sunny day, it's fitting to witness tales of talented scholars and elegant maidens."
Despite the somewhat awkward and forced introductions orchestrated by Wen Yantong, the prospect of encountering handsome young masters noticeably softened the expressions of the girls. After all, meeting the handsome young masters was likely the primary reason why they had dressed up so meticulously for the banquet.
As Wen Yantong made her way out, she passed by Fu Shi, who, overcome with emotion, uttered in a breathy voice, "Wen Yantong..."
Upon hearing this, Wen Yantong turned around, offering a warm smile. With a gentle touch, she adjusted the slightly loose hairpin in her hair. However, Fu Shi was so startled that she involuntarily stepped back.
Wen Yantong withdrew her gaze, lifted the curtain, and exited the pavilion.
The girls followed Wen Yantong one by one, some using the excuse of feeling unwell to leave early. Wen Yantong didn't object and allowed them to depart.
As they approached the bridge mentioned by Fu Tanghuan, it became apparent why this pavilion was so populated—the bridge was just ahead, offering access to the Plum Blossom Garden where the young masters were rumored to gather.
The arch bridge stretched ahead, below it was a limestone path flanked by withered grass and remnants of unmelted snow above, casting a pristine white blanket from afar.
As Wen Yantong strolled to the center of the arch bridge, a young man's voice resonated from below, prompting her and the other girls to halt simultaneously. While the others remained reserved, Wen Yantong leaned over the railing, craning her neck to catch a glimpse of Chi Jingxi below.
But as her gaze descended to the limestone ground, the hairpin adorning her hair, now loose, succumbed to gravity and slipped away, tumbling down.
As the hairpin descended, its impact against the ground produced a crisp sound, causing the stones adorning it to scatter in all directions.
Wen Yantong clicked her tongue and was about to summon her servants to retrieve it when a flash of color caught her eye, halting her in her tracks.
Bathed in sunlight, the pure almond yellow garment was accented by delicate ruyi patterns embroidered with golden threads along its edges. A vermilion wooden hairpin nestled in the hair gleamed warmly, reflecting the sunlight.
Immediately afterward, the young masters emerged one by one from under the bridge pier, congregating around the fallen hairpin.
Gathering around the railing, the girls peered down, while the young men below glanced up, their gazes meeting those above.
It was a heartfelt moment shared by both genders.
However, Wen Yantong's focus remained solely on the individual who initially paused beside her hairpin. She observed as he squatted down to collect the shattered hairpin, then rose slowly, lifting his head.
Though they had only encountered each other a few days prior, to Wen Yantong, it felt as though an eternity had elapsed.
As Chi Jingxi raised his gaze, it met with Wen Yantong's. Her radiant eyes, akin to the gleaming hairpin in his hand, mirrored the warmth of the sun in the clear sky, their brilliance resplendent and bright.
In an instant, a subtle curve graced the corner of his lips, a hidden smile glimmering in his cold, ink-black eyes.
Before the watchful eyes of the crowd, Wen Yantong endeavored not to betray too overt a smile, yet she couldn't stifle the gentle upturn at the corners of her mouth.
Chi Jingxi lifted the hairpin in his hand slightly, a silent gesture directed towards her.
Wen Yantong gathered her skirts and made her way beneath the bridge.
Cheng Xin glanced up at the group of girls standing there and jested with a smile, "Looks like she's fitting in quite well already."
The young master beside him murmured to Chi Jingxi, "Perhaps it's best to hand this to the servants to avoid any unnecessary trouble for yourself, Little Marquis."
Chi Jingxi's dark eyes shifted to the hairpin in his hand. As he raised his gaze once more, he caught sight of Wen Yantong approaching him with a smile.
As Wen Yantong approached, everyone noticed that both she and Chi Jingxi were wearing almond-colored attire, which appeared strikingly similar. The hue softened Chi Jingxi's demeanor while adding a liveliness to Wen Yantong's presence. Together, they added a touch of brightness to the scenery.
Upon reaching them, Wen Yantong bowed politely and greeted, "Salutations, Fifth Highness and Little Marquis."
Fu Tanghuan also joined in the ceremony before teasing with a smile, "Little Marquis, what a coincidence. The hairpin on Commandery Princess’s hair was quite firmly in place and didn't fall off even after walking for a long time. Why did it suddenly fall as soon as it saw the Little Marquis?"
Wen Yantong chuckled along, "Perhaps the hairpin just couldn't resist wanting to see the Little Marquis."
The young men accompanying Chi Jingxi, upon learning that she was the Commandery Princess, saluted her respectfully one after another.
One even remarked, "I was curious about the identity of the lone Commandery Princess in Shao Jing. I didn't expect to be fortunate enough to meet her today, and in such a fairy-like appearance."
Wen Yantong responded with a forced smile, thinking to herself: Isn’t the flattery a bit overdone?
Others continued to heap praise upon her, but Chi Jingxi remained silent. After observing Wen Yantong for a moment, he handed the hairpin to a servant.
Wen Yantong instructed her maids to gather the scattered beads from the fallen hairpin. Wanting to engage in conversation with Chi Jingxi, she struggled to find the right words. Eventually, she settled on a casual remark, "Little Marquis, your attire is truly striking. The color is vibrant and catches the eye instantly."
Though she spoke casually, everyone around turned to look at her simultaneously, their expressions varied.
Chi Jingxi flashed a meaningful smile and responded leisurely, "Likewise."
At that moment, Wen Yantong suddenly became aware of the similarity in their clothing. Glancing down at herself, she noticed the striking resemblance in color between her attire and his. She couldn't help but chuckle, "Ah, it seems I inadvertently praised the Little Marquis. I didn't mean to boast about myself."
Chi Jingxi responded with a knowing smile, "I understand."
The fact that the usually renowned and aloof Little Marquis was displaying such gentleness surprised everyone in secret. Chi Jingxi seldom frequented such gatherings, and even when he did, he typically engaged in conversation with Cheng Xin and Mu Yang, rarely interacting with unfamiliar faces, especially not with such a soft expression — not even with girls.
Yet here they were, watching Wen Yantong resorting to empty conversation. "I heard that you returned from Yibei recently and made significant contributions to restoring order. After receiving your rewards and being occupied for several days, I wonder if your injuries have healed?"
Chi Jingxi responded with patience, "They were merely superficial wounds; I am fine now."
"Winter is at its peak now. Little Marquis, you must take care of those minor wounds to avoid them from getting worse in the cold."
Chi Jingxi nodded in acknowledgment.
His patient responses to every word she uttered left everyone astonished.
No one had ever witnessed the Little Marquis being so well-behaved. Even Cheng Xin was surprised. He couldn't help but laugh and said, "Mu Xingyi and Fu Zixian also came back from quelling the chaos in Yibei. Why is it that the Commandery Princess seems only interested in Danli’s well-being?"
Wen Yantong chuckled and replied, "Isn’t it because I have yet to meet them? If Fifth Highness encounters them, please convey my inquiries to them."
Cheng Xin rebutted, "It would be better for the Commandery Princess to personally ask them. I've already asked them too many times; Yang'er still thinks I'm verbose."
Wen Yantong could immediately imagine Mu Yang's impatient look and laughed in response.
When she looked towards Chi Jingxi again, she met his eyes. She could sense that Chi Jingxi had something to say, but with so many people around, it was inconvenient to speak openly. Wen Yantong realized that she couldn't keep the group of young ladies and gentlemen waiting while she and Chi Jingxi chatted, so she interjected, "Thank you, Little Marquis, for retrieving my hairpin. I have many companions here eager to see the plum blossoms, so I won't detain you any longer."
With a polite curtsy, Wen Yantong bid Chi Jingxi farewell and departed, with Fu Tanghuan quickly following her.
As Wen Yantong took a few steps forward, Chi Jingxi's voice unexpectedly reached her from behind, "Commandery Princess of Ningguang."
Wen Yantong halted and pivoted, her gaze settled on Chi Jingxi, who stood out among the group behind her. The sunlight cast a radiant glow upon the golden ruyi patterns adorning his cloak.
With a slight raise of her eyebrows, she inquired, "What is it?"
There was a brief pause, and the surrounding area hushed. Then, Chi Jingxi's clear voice cut through the silence, "Shall we go together?"
.
.
.
The author has something to say:
Chi Jingxi: I am finally relieved of my hectic schedule.