In September, at the Lou residence in Yangzhou, Lou Xiyue introduced me to his father. (8 9 Literature Network)
Lou Yufeng slapped my shoulder with a bold gesture, making my collarbone tremble. She laughed loudly, "I've long heard of Doctor Xia's divine beauty and grace. Seeing it today, I can attest to it. I am so fortunate to be a disciple of Medicine King Valley! Doctor Xia once gave me a medicinal pill that saved my life. I will certainly treat you with the utmost hospitality this time."
I bowed with my hands clasped, "Master Lou, you flatter me. west Yue is exceptionally talented and quick to understand. Truly, like father, like son."
Lou Yufeng then slapped her hand again, "Hahahaha, well said."
I got internal injuries from being hit by Lou Xiyue's father.
Lou Xiyue expressionlessly lifted her father's hand, put it back down, and then leisurely waved her fan, saying, "Father, Master has been living in the valley for a long time. Xiyue will take him for a stroll around Yangzhou City."
Lou Yufeng narrowed her eyes and winked at Lou Xiyue, "Shen Feng is coming to catch up with me tomorrow, and he'll be bringing his beautiful young lady with him. You'll have a perfect opportunity to spar with her, talk about love, and fly side by side under the flowers."
Lou Xiyue nodded slightly and smiled knowingly.
The Lou family was a wealthy and powerful family. Looking up at their imposing plaque, I thought to myself, "Such a majestic family, Qi Xiao and I must have climbed over their walls back then."
Four years have passed, and Yangzhou has changed a lot. The thatched hut where Qi Xiao and I used to live is now a family home with red tiles and green bricks. Outside the window, there is a lush willow tree, and I still remember: An Chen, wearing only a white undergarment, with willow branches swaying behind him, his smile warm and gentle, like a spring breeze.
A courtesan in a tavern, holding a pipa, sang softly, reciting "Rainy Night Bells."
Things have changed, people are gone, everything is over, tears flow before words are spoken.
Amidst this poignant melody and the scene of flowing water and drifting blossoms, I stood by the lake, lost in deep melancholy. At that moment, the sun was setting, its lingering rays casting a warm glow, and fishing boats sang their evening songs.
Lou Xiyue smiled gently at me and said, "Enjoying chrysanthemums and eating crabs is the perfect time of year."
He led me onto a painted boat, lit it up, and we cruised on the lake.
A table of food and wine was laid out in the boat, featuring six large golden lake crabs and a set of carved silver "crab-eight-piece set". Lou Xiyue took a sip of wine, raised an eyebrow, picked up a small round-tipped pair of scissors and cut off two large claws and eight medium-sized crab legs one by one. Then she gently tapped around the crab shell with a crab hammer, split open the navel with a long-handled axe, and then used a pick, tweezers, or other tools to extract the golden and shiny crab roe. She dipped it in a little vinegar and began to eat it elegantly.
Witnessing Lou Xiyue's splendid, tender, and tantalizing way of eating, I decided to stop feeling melancholy. I immediately grabbed a crab, took a sip of wine, and started gnawing on it.
Lou Xiyue rested her chin on her hand and looked at me, asking, "Where is Master from?"
I hummed in agreement, "My ancestral home is probably in Jiangnan."
As I was struggling against the crab claws, Lou Xiyue picked a crab leg, used a skewer to pull out the meat, and held it to my mouth with a smile.
I rubbed my hands together and squinted at Lou Xiyue. "Xiyue, since you're so good at this, why don't you pick out all the crab meat and roe? My teeth haven't been working well lately, and I can't bite anything hard."
A sound came from outside the boat, and someone lifted the curtain and entered, laughing, "Brother Xiyue, you went back to Yangzhou without telling me."
I peered in the direction of the sound and saw a man in a light blue robe, holding a long-necked porcelain pot. His face was like jade, and his peach-blossom eyes sparkled. Behind him stood another young man in a black robe, his expression cold and aloof.
Lou Xiyue stood up. "Zilan, Brother Shangguan. I just returned to Yangzhou today and was planning to have a small gathering with you tomorrow, but I didn't expect to run into you here. Are you also enjoying the lake and the night view?"
The elegantly dressed young man gave me a meaningful look, then chuckled with amusement, “No wonder you haven’t visited Xiaodie at Yixiang Garden in so long. Tsk tsk, you’ve changed your tastes.” He walked over, lifted my chin, and said flippantly, “What a delicate-skinned young male prostitute. Give me a smile.”
I grinned and gave him a gentle smile. "You flatter me, sir. I am but Lou Xiyue's master."
The man was startled and looked blankly at Lou Xiyue.
Lou Xiyue coughed lightly, "This is Doctor Xia, the Valley Master of Medicine King Valley, and my master."
Afterwards, the three of them drank and chatted, talking about everything from the top courtesan in the brothel to the fourth concubine newly taken in by the governor of Yangzhou, from the flower fair in the capital to the poetry competition in Jiangnan, and from the two stone lions at the entrance of the mansion to a new delicacy added to the restaurant.
Before me, laughing and talking about current events, seemingly knowledgeable about the universe, are the three brilliant young masters of Yangzhou.
Throughout history, talented individuals with literary skills, ambition, and high moral character have often formed groups, such as the Four Great Poets of the Early Tang Dynasty, the Two Sages of the Late Tang Dynasty, the Four Lords of the Warring States Period, the Six Steeds of Zhaoling, and finally, the Eight Famous Courtesans of Qinhuai.
The Three Young Masters of Yangzhou also played an ineffable role among the romantic figures of the Li Kingdom, adding to the diversity of their forms.
Xu Zilan, the young heir of the Prince of Nanling, is arguably the most charming figure in Yangzhou and even in the entire country. Legend has it that not only can he remember the birth dates and times of the top courtesans in the brothels, but he is also known for his humility and talent in composing music and writing lyrics for them, thus leaving behind many fragrant and romantic poems that have been passed down through the ages.
The remaining one is Shangguan Yi, the third young master of the Shangguan Escort Agency. I speculate that there are two reasons why he was able to become one of the three young masters of Yangzhou: First, he is not good at speaking, and his every move exudes a sharp and fierce aura, which contrasts sharply with the other two and further enriches the diversity of styles; second, Yangzhou has run out of talent.
Xu Zilan shared a drink with Lou Xiyue. "Brother Xiyue, a new young lady has arrived at Yixiang Garden. She has a graceful figure and exquisite dance moves. You must go and see her on a certain day."
Then, he glanced at me, his eyes shining brightly, "Doctor Xia has also come along. The women of Jiangnan are both talented and beautiful, truly a sight to behold in Yangzhou. Brother Xiyue's former lover, Miss Xiaodie, has a melodious voice and amazed everyone at the poetry competition."
Lou Xiyue coughed lightly.
Xu Zilan poured a full glass of wine. "By the way, since you left, Xiaodie has been singing the song 'Fragrant Butterfly' that you gave her back then every day."
Upon hearing this, I glanced at Lou Xiyue, who was looking out at the scenery from the boat.
I laughed with Xu Zilan, "I usually live in Medicine King Valley and have never heard of the grandeur of the high-rise buildings and beautiful women in Jiangnan. Hearing you say that, Young Master Xu, makes me really itch to go."
I leaned closer and asked Lou Xiyue, "I've heard that your mother has a face that could shame the moon and flowers, a beauty that could make fish sink and geese fall from the sky. Is this legendary Xiaodie even more stunning?"
Xu Zilan smiled and said, "Although Xiaodie is as bright as the autumn moon, she is still slightly inferior to Madam Lou. But Brother Xiyue's junior sister is truly beautiful and refined, unlike any other woman."
I looked at Xu Zilan with great interest, "Oh—?"
He looked up in deep thought, as if reminiscing, "I remember that Brother Xiyue once gave that junior sister a jade lotus hairpin, which made her look as beautiful as jade and as lovely as the moon and as lovely as a flower."
I asked Xu Zilan, "Is there anything else? Today we've spoken frankly and without reservation. What else does Young Master Xu know? Please speak freely."
Xu Zilan was about to continue citing numerous sources.
Lou Xiyue said calmly, "Master, we have reached the shore."
Then, he smiled at Xu Zilan and said, "Zilan, Brother Shangguan, it's late today, let's chat another day."
The night market was bustling, with restaurants, karaoke bars, alleyways, and streets brightly lit by lanterns and candles, as clear as day.
Xu Zilan, still savoring the moment, said, "west Yue, it's still early. Why don't we go to Yixiang Garden to listen to some music?"