Below the high platform, a faint noise erupted, and from time to time, young ladies would sneak out of the cabin to take a look outside. After a while, they would return with excitement on their faces, nodding at their companions, then taking their hands and umbrellas to go out and join the bustle.
It seemed something had happened outside, but at this moment, Zhu Pingniang was no longer in the mood to pay attention to such details.
Because she was also holding her companionâs hand.
Miss Yunâs hand...
Previously, she liked it so much but lacked the courage to touch Yun Qianâs hand. However, Zhu Pingniang herself didnât even realize that while she was "teaching" Yun Qian the Art of Taming a Husband, comforting her, she instinctively grasped Yun Qianâs hand...
Just like she would comfort her own maids on usual days.
And when she recovered from the embarrassment of showing off her inadequate skills, Zhu Pingniang came to her senses and realized... the soft fragrance and tender jade fingers she had longed for were already within her grasp.
Even Zhu Pingniang was stunned for a moment.
Indeed, it is always better when things happen unintentionally.
Realizing she was holding Yun Qianâs hand, Zhu Pingniang tried very hard not to laugh out loud.
As a lady, giggling is quite unbecoming; if one were to laugh, it should be without showing teeth and with eyes filled with warmth...
But she didnât know that by holding Yun Qianâs hand so dearly with a restrained smile, she appeared even more improper and indecent...
A shameless woman, indeed so.
"..."
Thus, the atmosphere on the banquet stage became rather awkward.
Zhu Pingniang originally had a pair of hands as white as jade, yet she used them for such indecent things. Her fingers, as slender as green scallions, gently slid across the back of Yun Qianâs hand, leaving a delicate nail mark as well as a faint blue Spiritual Qi seeped into Yun Qianâs hand.
It served no other purpose but to relieve fatigue.
While taking advantage of others, she still remembered to give Yun Qian some benefits.
As if she had paid for it, Zhu Pingniang became more eager to explore higher.
Her index finger smoothly glided over Yun Qianâs knuckles, feeling the details of Yun Qianâs fingers as if tracing along bamboo nodes.
Very...
Very soon, a Seven-Stringed Zither, befitting Yun Qianâs temperament and hand shape, gradually formed in Zhu Pingniangâs mind.
She made her decision.
Since she claimed to be an elder sister, how could she meet her younger sister without bringing a gift?
Given their relationship, giving jewelry, silver coins, or Spirit Stone would be too mundane.
She decided to gift a zither.
In a certain sense, itâs befriending through music.
Zhu Pingniang gently caressed Miss Yunâs hand in her palm while the Seven-Stringed Zither in her mind became more beautiful and radiant...
"..."
However, Zhu Pingniangâs movements gradually became restrained.
She also knew she couldnât go too far, understanding that what she was doing was probably very disgraceful, especially as there were many examples of same-gender companionship around her; Zhu Pingniang feared being misunderstood.
Her orientation was normal, and when she encountered handsome young men in her youth, she would take a good look.
And her current affection for Li Zhibai was not because she liked women, but merely because it happened that Li Zhibai was a woman.
Therefore, her appreciation for Yun Qianâs fingers was solely due to her upbringing in the Hehuan Sect, focusing on "aesthetic appreciation," simply admiring beauty without any extra desire.
In any case, Zhu Tongjun wouldnât get... infatuated with a young ladyâs hand... right?
As Zhu Pingniang thought of this, she suddenly felt a bit uncertain.
For her memory flashed by Li Zhibai sitting on the doorstep of the Daoist Temple, delicately sorting herbs with her slender fingers from a bamboo basket.
And back then... The Zhu Tongjun who wanted to rush up and kiss Li Zhibaiâs fingers was obviously not a normal woman.
"..."
Oh well, fortunately, she only had special feelings for Ah Bai, though Yun Qianâs hand... was much more beautiful than Li Zhibaiâs.
Gently pinching Yun Qianâs fingernail, Zhu Pingniang thought that the difference between touching Li Zhibai and Yun Qian was probably like holding a beloved personâs hand versus fondling jade stone.
The jade stone feels better, but itâs just simple admiration, without any desire.
Such was Zhu Pingniang now, so even if this "indecent" scene was witnessed by someone, her conscience was clear.
She sneaked a glance at Yun Qian, who looked serene and was watching the excitement below, apparently not minding being taken advantage of by a shameless woman...
Zhu Pingniang let out a sigh of relief, then the corners of her eyes and brows carried a hint of a smile.
This Miss Yun... truly had a gentle and mild temperament.
Just now, she didnât mock her thoughts, nor did she mind the inappropriate actions currently.
Ah.
Miss Yunâs hand... its touch was cool, yet soft when poked, just like the contrast in her personality.
Zhu Pingniangâs beautiful eyes were full of gentle smiles; now, the more she looked at Yun Qian, the more satisfied she felt.
She knew that a large part of her satisfaction didnât actually come from Yun Qianâs personal charm but rather from the favoritism of her being "Xu Changâanâs wife" ... but it didnât matter, as long as she liked her, the origin wasnât that important.
Indeed.
The reason Zhu Pingniang liked Yun Qian so much had a lot to do with Xu Changâan.
Because Zhu Pingniang was very fond of Xu Changâan, she found Yun Qian quite lovable no matter how she looked at her...