บท 27: Reflections of the Jiang River
In the early hours of the morning, at the Jiangying Pavilion in Yanjing, colorful silk ribbons fluttered in the breeze like a vibrant rainbow. The small, exquisite crystal chandeliers sparkled brilliantly, overshadowing the stars and the universe itself. The arched stone bridge bustled with a constant flow of pedestrians, and from a distance, one could hear the cheerful calls of the vendors on either side.
Standing by the window, the river was filled with luxurious pleasure boats, and the elegantly adorned young women on board waved their fragrant handkerchiefs, attracting the attention of the men on the shore, who craned their necks to catch a glimpse of the beauties.
The sounds of prosperity echoed in the air, and the sights were equally mesmerizing. Yanjing's finest pavilion truly lived up to its reputation. However, today, it was reserved entirely by the Third Prince of Yan, Yan Yulou. The lavishly decorated hall, coupled with the magnificent view outside, was enjoyed by only a handful of guests.
"Master Bai, Master Lan, a toast from Yulou to you both," Yan Yulou, the most favored Third Prince of Yan, raised his glass. Though his status was lofty, in the realm of martial arts, he was far inferior to the likes of Bai Zhanfeng and Lan Ruyun. Given that the health of the Yan monarch was deteriorating, and Yan Mingxu, the crown prince, was petty and narrow-minded, if he were to inherit the throne, it would mean trouble for the likes of Yan Yulou.
Bai Zhanfeng and Lan Ruyun raised their glasses, each displaying starkly contrasting personalities. Bai Zhanfeng, embodying the spirit of a rugged warrior, lifted his cup with a swift and vigorous motion, downing it in one go.
In contrast, Lan Ruyun bore a gentle and regal smile. His graceful movements exuded elegance as he nodded slightly to Yan Yulou while raising his glass. He held his cup with his left hand, using the long sleeve of his robe to conceal any hint of untidiness, displaying poise and composure. Even the arrogant Yan Yulou felt a twinge of inferiority in his presence.
"Ah."
At the sound, everyone turned to see a figure blissfully holding a wine jug in one hand and its lid in the other, her nose near the jug as she closed her eyes and smiled contentedly—Xian Yue.
"It really is the 'Snow on the Lips' that has been frozen for a hundred years! It smells so good!" She licked her lips like a playful kitten, revealing her pink tongue, adorably mischievous.
Lifting her cup and tilting her head back, she drank heartily. The wine poured from the jug into her mouth, and like a fine stream, it flowed in an endless stream, collecting on her crescent-shaped lips, not a drop spilling. The onlookers were puzzled; her mouth was small, and she had her eyes shut the entire time.
Yet, the continuous stream seemed endless, like droplets from the Milky Way. As the flow diminished, Xian Yue fluttered her eyelashes and waved her jug forcefully, revealing her dissatisfaction: "What? It's all gone?"
Her voice was sweet and petulant, like that of a spoiled girl. Her clear eyes sparkled as they focused on Yan Yulou.
What a charming face and such bright eyes—Yan Yulou's heart stirred.
"What does a woman need to drink so much for?" Bai Zhanfeng, seated to Yan Yulou's right, leaned over and snatched the jug from her grasp, slamming it heavily onto the table.
Although he appeared intimidating, none of the attendees were blind; they could see his concern beneath his demeanor. If that young lady named Nian saw this, who knows how she would react?
"A cup to get drunk, but I can handle a thousand cups without getting tipsy!" Xian Yue chuckled, unfazed, her eyes shining like the brightest stars, enjoying her wine.
"You can't just drink so much. What if you get drunk?" Bai Zhanfeng's expression was serious; he wasn't backing down and seized the jug once more.
"Such a busybody."
Xian Yue looked at her now empty hand, feeling a bit annoyed. She had to shake this guy off. A woman camping out with a man for three years must be difficult; if she attracted someone like him, life would be a constant battle.
Turning her head, she focused on the exquisite dishes laid out before her. Overjoyed, she grabbed a roasted leg of lamb and almost swallowed it whole. The onlookers gaped in disbelief, watching the petite figure devour such a massive portion of food.
Others looked on in disgust, furrowing their brows, wishing they could poke a hole in Xian Yue's face.
"Eat slowly; no one's competing with you."
Xian Yue, undeterred, sped up her pace.
"Bai Zhanfeng, I think I'm developing goosebumps!" She felt uneasy with his unnecessary concern.
"Unappreciative." Bai Zhanfeng scoffed and turned away, downing several more cups of wine.
After finishing off most of the food, the table was littered with leftover bones, which was quite the eyesore. The others focused on her gluttonous demeanor, but once they regained their senses and saw the pile of bones, their faces turned pale, and they lost their appetite.
With a round belly, Xian Yue stood up, arms stretched wide, oil smeared across her mouth, and yawned: "Waiter!"
As her voice rang out, the door swung open, revealing a young boy in a blue outfit with a clean, gentle face and a standard smile as he bowed before Xian Yue.
"Bring me some golden tofu!"
The boy looked up at her, unsure how to respond. Surrounded by disdain, Xian Yue offered him an earnest nod, insisting, "Didn't you hear? My dessert is golden tofu!"
Even the well-mannered attendees, having felt a growing dissatisfaction towards her, exchanged whispers filled with contempt upon hearing her request.
Golden tofu was famous for being stinky tofu, made from moldy tofu soaked in chili water and then deep-fried. It was delicious yet regarded as a lower-class food, only eaten by the poorest of people. Those of even slightly higher status would scorn it, especially the young heirs raised in luxury.
The young boy glanced at Yan Yulou, seeking his approval.
Yan Yulou found himself in a dilemma; that golden tofu smelled foul and repulsive, yet this woman was Bai Zhanfeng's favorite and Lan Ruyun's friend—he couldn't afford to offend her.
"Is Xian Yue dissatisfied with the food?"
After a table full of delicacies, how could she even think of eating that golden tofu?
"This time, catching those flower-picking bandits was no small feat, and Xian Yue played a significant role," Yan Yulou shifted his gaze towards Bai Zhanfeng.
Seeing Lan Ruyun had already spoken, Bai Zhanfeng couldn't lag behind. He slammed his glass down heavily on the table, raising an eyebrow, and snorted, "It's just golden tofu. Do I need to fetch it myself?"
With both great masters speaking, Yan Yulou felt compelled to concede, unable to refuse.
The golden tofu was brought forth, presented on a jade-like transparent plate, fresh and steaming. It looked delicious, but even with all the windows open, the stench permeated the air. The young gentlemen and ladies wrinkled their noses, swirling their long sleeves to fend off the odor, looking like they were about to retch.
In stark contrast, Xian Yue relished the scent and the accompanying reactions of those around her. Propping her chin in her hands, she playfully watched Lan Ruyun, who, despite his usual fastidiousness, showed no sign of disgust. He certainly knew how to put on an act.
"Master Lan, would you like to try some? The food of the lower-class tastes better when enjoyed here," Xian Yue exclaimed, enjoying their reactions more and more.
"A gentleman doesn't take away others' pleasures."
In such a setting, anyone else who uttered such a phrase would seem insincere, but from Lan Ruyun's mouth, it came across as if he was a gentleman, not wanting to steal anyone's joy.
"What about the heroic Bai?"
At the hour of the rabbit, the Jiangying Tower in Yanjing was adorned with seven-colored ribbons fluttering in the wind. Crystal chandeliers, the size of a fist, were small and exquisite, sparkling like stars in the heavens, dimming the light of the universe. The arched stone bridge was bustling with people, and despite the distance, one could hear the excited calls of the vendors on either side.
Standing by the window, on the river, luxurious flower boats glided by. Beautiful and enchanting young women waved silk handkerchiefs, enticing the men on both banks, who craned their necks to catch a glimpse of the beauties.
The sounds of prosperity filled the ears, and the sights of glamour graced the eyes. Yanjing's top tower lived up to its reputation; it was not something that could be compared to the famed Sheng'an Tower.
At this hour, Jiangying Tower should have been the liveliest, yet today it had been booked by the Yanyu Tower. The opulent room, paired with the scenic view outside, had only a few guests in attendance.
"Master Bai, Master Lan, the Yanyu Tower raises a toast to both of you."
The third prince of the Yan Kingdom, the most favored, held a prestigious position. However, in terms of influence in the Jianghu, he was far inferior to Bai Zhanfeng and Lan Yixuan. With the health of the Yan king declining daily, the narrow-minded Crown Prince Yan Mingxu would surely make their lives difficult if he were to inherit the throne.
Bai Zhanfeng and Lan Yixuan raised their cups. The two, differing in appearance and personality, also held their cups distinctly.
Bai Zhanfeng swiftly raised his cup, downing it in one go, exuding the carefree spirit of a Jianghu hero.
Lan Yixuan smiled with an air of noble grace, elegantly lifting his cup and slightly nodding to Yanyu Tower. Holding the cup in his left hand, he drank while using the long sleeve of his robe to discreetly shield his face from revealing any hint of losing composure. Though raised in royalty, even the proud Yanyu Tower felt a twinge of inferiority.
"Ahem."
The crowd turned at the sound, spotting a figure with one hand on a wine jug and the other on the lid, her nose near the jug, eyes closed, a blissful smile gracing her lips—Xian Yue.
"It truly is the snow top lip, frozen for a hundred years. So fragrant!"
She, like a mischievous kitten, greedily licked her lips, her pink tongue gliding over her mouth, playful and adorable.
She lifted her cup, tilting her head back for a hearty drink. The wine flowed from the jug into her mouth, and in mid-air, her snow-white lips glimmered like fine jade, creating a delicate stream that collected at her lips without spilling a single drop. The onlookers couldn't help but wonder how her mouth, seemingly small, could contain so much, and she drank with her eyes closed.
The continuous stream of wine trickled like a fine current, gradually diminishing. Xian Yue's lashes fluttered, and she waved the empty jug, a frown forming. "Why is it all gone?"
Her soft voice resembled a girl's petulant whine, and her bright eyes blinked playfully at Yanyu Tower.
What a lovely face, what bright eyes—Yanyu Tower felt a stir in his heart.
"What's a woman drinking so much for?"
Bai Zhanfeng, sitting to his right, leaned over and snatched the jug from her grasp, slamming it onto the table.
Though his demeanor held a hint of menace, none of the guests were blind to the underlying concern. If this scene were witnessed by that young lady, one could only imagine her reaction.
"One cup of intoxication, yet I can drink a thousand without getting drunk."
Xian Yue chuckled, unfazed, her expression steady, showing no sign of inebriation. Her eyes, perhaps tinted with wine, sparkled brighter than the stars in the night sky, enchanting everyone around. She casually glanced at the delicious dishes on the table and suddenly felt delighted, reaching for a roasted leg of lamb and nearly swallowing half of it whole. The crowd gaped in disbelief, while the other women looked on in disdain, furrowing their brows as if they wished to poke a hole in Xian Yue's face.
"Eat slowly; no one's competing with you."
Upon hearing this, Xian Yue didn't slow down but rather ate even faster.
"Bai Zhanfeng, you're making me lose my appetite."
She felt unsettled by his gentleness; couldn't he pick another target for his concern?
"Ungrateful."
Bai Zhanfeng grumbled, turning away and downing several cups of wine in quick succession.
Xian Yue had already devoured a significant portion of the food, and the table was littered with bones, making for a ghastly sight. The other guests were too shocked to continue eating, their appetites completely vanished.
Suddenly, with a round belly, Xian Yue stood, arms stretched wide, her mouth still greasy, and yawned. "Waiter!"
As soon as her words fell, the door swung open to reveal a young boy in a blue shirt, his features delicate, with a standard smile plastered on his face as he approached Xian Yue.
"Bring me a portion of golden tofu."
The boy gazed up at Xian Yue, unsure of how to respond. In a sea of disdain and scorn, Xian Yue nodded solemnly at the boy, insisting, "Didn't you hear? My dessert is golden tofu."
Even those well-mannered could hardly restrain themselves after hearing her request. Whispers filled the air, directed entirely at Xian Yue.
Golden tofu, notorious for its stench, was actually rotten tofu soaked in spicy water and deep-fried. It was considered quite delectable, yet it was also a very lowly dish, consumed only by the common folk. Those with even a hint of status looked down upon it, let alone these well-to-do second-generation officials.
The boy glanced at Yanyu Tower, seeking his guidance.
Yanyu Tower was caught in a dilemma; the golden tofu was repulsive, and just the thought of it made him sick, yet this woman was someone Bai Zhanfeng favored and a friend of Lan Yixuan. He couldn't afford to offend her.
"Is Miss Xian Yue dissatisfied with her meal?"
With a table full of dishes, she had practically eaten everything, so why would she desire the golden tofu?
"Thanks to Miss Xian Yue, we were able to catch those flower-thieving rogues."
Yanyu Tower's gaze shifted to Bai Zhanfeng.
Seeing that Lan Yixuan had already spoken, Bai Zhanfeng could hardly lag behind, slamming his cup down onto the table, raising an eyebrow. "Isn't it just golden tofu? Do I need to fetch it myself?"
With both prominent young masters speaking up, Yanyu Tower found himself unwilling to refuse any longer.
The golden tofu was soon served. The translucent dish paired with freshly fried golden tofu looked exceptionally appetizing, yet the stench permeated the room. The young masters and ladies present all frowned, their elegant sleeves waving as if trying to waft away the smell, their faces contorted in disgust.
In contrast, Xian Yue seemed to thoroughly enjoy the dish, resting her chin in her hand as she glanced at Lan Yixuan beside her. To her surprise, he showed no sign of disgust at all, which spoke volumes about his acting skills.
"Lan Gongzi, would you like a serving too? This lowly dish tastes even better here."
Xian Yue savored every bite, watching the changing expressions of the crowd and enjoying their discomfort as she relished the golden tofu, a taste from long ago.
"A gentleman doesn't take away what others enjoy."
While others might have found the comment insincere coming from someone else, it felt genuine from Lan Yixuan, as if he were a true gentleman, not wishing to rob anyone of their cherished indulgences.
"What about the great hero Bai?"
Bai Zhanfeng raised his chin, his gaze challenging Xian Yue, who suddenly stood up, squatting down to take a bite of the stinky tofu she held in her hand.
Everyone was stunned, and one could even hear faint gasps, while Lan Yixuan raised an eyebrow in surprise.
After swallowing, Bai Zhanfeng licked his lips as if savoring the flavor, his night-black eyes fixed on Xian Yue. He nodded, "Not bad."
"Then you can finish it all."
Xian Yue retracted her hand, presenting the entire plate of golden tofu before Bai Zhanfeng.
Facing a woman who had pursued him for three years with unwavering devotion, he remained unmoved, showcasing just how resolute he was. The more she pondered, the more despondent she felt; how could she be so unlucky?
"Spicy."
Having soaked for years in spicy water, the golden tofu was packed with flavor. She hadn't noticed while eating, but now that she paused, her face felt hot, and her throat was nearly on fire.
"Spicy."
Xian Yue stuck out her tongue, her skin fair as jade yet tinted with a rosy hue, her pink tongue and ruby lips shining under the lights, especially her eyes, now sparkling with a hint of drunkenness, captivating everyone's attention. Her playful actions made everyone forget her earlier crude behavior, deeming her adorable to the core; human beauty was nothing less.
Xian Yue downed several pots of wine, sat for a moment, and suddenly stood up. "I'm going out for a walk," she announced. She pointed at the full moon outside the window and looked at Yan Yulou, the host. Her eyes seemed to hold the essence of spring water, gently swaying as her body moved lightly like willow catkins, giggling softly, captivating everyone around her.
Yan Yulou's body trembled slightly, and he suddenly thought of four words: "stunning beauty." He glanced at Lan Rixuan and Bai Zhanfeng, and a strange smile flickered across his face.
"Let's go together," Bai Zhanfeng said, raising his hand to finish the wine in the pot. With her in this state, how could she go out alone?
"Are you going to follow me to the restroom?" Xian Yue's voice wasn't loud, but it was certainly audible, and everyone present could hear it clearly, causing the previous good impression to vanish.
Bai Zhanfeng's face turned slightly red as he looked at Xian Yue and sat back down.
"Come back early and be safe," Lan Rixuan reminded, watching Xian Yue's lively figure as she left.
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