TSFLIP Chapter 812

After that day, Tong County gradually returned to its former peace, which was a good thing.

That spring, a delicate-looking young girl came running excitedly into the garden pavilion, holding a flowerpot in her arms. “Miss, come look at this!”

The girl was Lianzi, now nineteen years old. Over the years, she’d grown taller and more graceful, her features becoming increasingly refined.

Sitting in the pavilion was Fengguang, now all grown up herself. Seeing the pot of brilliant red flowers in Lianzi’s hands, she perked up with interest. “What kind of flower is that?”

“This is the ‘Fire-Refined Peony’ you mentioned a few days ago — the one you said you wanted to see.”

“The Fire-Refined Peony!” Fengguang exclaimed, standing up in delight.

Lianzi grinned. “Master heard that you wanted to see such a rare flower, so he had someone specially find one for you.”

Over the years, no matter what Fengguang wanted — no matter how difficult or rare — it would always somehow appear before her within a few days.

Resting her face in her hands, she smiled sweetly. “Father really is the best.”

She had only seen the flower in a book and mentioned it in passing, never imagining that her father would actually have it brought to her.

“I’ll go show it to Shufeng!” she said, hugging the flowerpot before running off, just as fast and full of energy as Lianzi had been when she’d arrived.

Lianzi stamped her foot in frustration. “Shufeng again! What’s so great about him anyway?!”

For the past nine years, Fengguang’s affection for Shufeng hadn’t faded — it had only grown. Every time she mentioned his name, her smile would brighten, completely forgetting about poor Lianzi!

Though Lianzi was indignant, she knew she wasn’t a match for that man. So, after a moment of grumbling, she gave up the idea of confronting him.

Linglong Manor looked just the same as it had nine years ago. The only difference was that the faint medicinal scent around Shufeng had grown stronger.

Fengguang ran happily into the manor and spotted his familiar figure sitting under the loquat tree in the pavilion. She slowed her steps, fixed her hair, and approached with ladylike poise. “Shufeng.”

The man turned his head. His face hadn’t changed in the slightest from nine years ago — still as striking as a painting, his bearing otherworldly, like an exiled immortal. He smiled. “Fengguang, you’re here.”

Only his complexion had grown even paler.

Fengguang tried her best to ignore that. She set the flowerpot down on the stone table and said cheerfully, “Guess what kind of flower this is?”

“This…” He shook his head regretfully. “I can’t guess. Why don’t you tell me?”

“It’s the Fire-Refined Peony — my father gave it to me.”

“I see. Its petals are as red as fire — it really does look as if it was forged in flames.” His lips curved in a gentle smile. “So this is the flower I’ve only ever read about. I’ve learned something new today.”

That pure, beautiful smile — set against his pallid face — was breathtaking enough to make one’s heart ache.

Fengguang found herself staring for a moment before propping her chin on her hand and saying softly, “Shufeng, do you remember what I once said to you?”

“Fengguang has said many things to me,” he replied with a faint laugh. “Most often, I’m handsome.”

“But there’s one thing I only said once.” She blinked playfully and smiled. “I said, ‘To die beneath the peony is still a romantic death.’ Shufeng, I’ll be coming of age soon.”

“Yes,” he said quietly. “Fengguang has grown up.”

Afraid he might not catch her meaning, she added with a little more emphasis, “That means I can get married now.”

“Fengguang getting married is a good thing,” Shufeng said, his eyes lowering slightly. Then, as if in passing, he added, “Before you marry, I’ll be getting married too.”