Just as she thought of this, Lü Qiao, leaning back on the chaise lounge, suddenly let out a cold laugh. Ever since the First Madam had demanded the release of her, Xie Linghui hadn't been as friendly to Lü Qiao as before, and had even deliberately distanced himself from her. Lü Qiao was quite resentful, and her sorrow and worry caused her to fall ill. Her once delicate and charming oval face was now covered with a sickly sallow complexion, giving her a kind of haggard beauty. She sat up, gritting her teeth and spitting, "Bah! Heaven is blind! Why wasn't it that old witch who died?"
Hearing Lü Qiao's words, Chu Tong shook her head, sighing inwardly, "Foolish fool! The First Madam absolutely cannot die. The Second Master's sword strike only injured her, preventing her from continuing to manage the Xie household, but he could never kill her. If the First Madam dies, the position of the principal wife will be vacant, and the Second Madam, having gone mad, will naturally be unable to assume the position. If he remarries, given the Xie family's past glory and prestige, the woman he marries will certainly not be of poor background. If a woman with powerful connections emerges to compete with the Second Master for power, wouldn't all his efforts be wasted? How could he possibly allow such a thing to happen?"
Chu Tong was lost in thought, while the other three maids chatted idly, none of them willing to go to sleep first, all eagerly waiting for Xie Linghui to return.
The north wind outside is getting stronger.
Meanwhile, Xie Linghui and Steward Hong, along with the Xie family's servants, searched the entire mansion thoroughly, but still couldn't find the thief who had escaped. Until dawn, Xie Linghui arranged for several groups of servants to intensify their patrols, and then he and Steward Hong returned to Tanwu Garden, master and servant alike. Upon entering the mansion, the two headed towards the small outbuilding in the back courtyard. Xie Linghui pushed open the door of the outbuilding, and just then, a dark figure leaped down from the beam, landing with a "thud" in front of Xie Linghui. The figure moved swiftly and lightly, kneeling on one knee with hands clasped in a fist, and softly said, "Greetings, Young Master."
It was very late, and neither of them could see each other's faces clearly, only vague shadows in the dim moonlight. Xie Linghui nodded and said, "You did very well today."
The figure in the shadows said, “Thank you for your praise, Young Master. It’s only right to take someone’s money and solve their problems. You’ve only asked me to call a few reckless scoundrels from the martial world to cause a ruckus in the mansion. I just need to use the Xie family’s illustrious wealth as bait, and greedy people will naturally flock to it. This is what they mean by ‘people die for wealth, birds die for food.’” The figure in the shadows spoke eloquently, his voice clear and melodious, suggesting he was a young man, and his language was extremely refined.
Xie Linghui nodded, flicked his wrist and produced a cloth bag, which the dark figure caught steadily. Xie Linghui said, "Take this. This is your reward, a thousand taels of silver more than I told you beforehand. From now on, you must keep your mouth shut. I don't want to hear any gossip."
The figure in black was clearly satisfied. He stood up, put the cloth bag in his pocket, and said, "Young master, rest assured. I, 'Jade Hawk' Ding Wuhen, am a well-known figure in the martial arts world. To ruin one's own reputation is to cut off one's own path to survival. Besides, Brother Hong and I are fellow disciples. I will not utter a single word about what happened today."
Xie Linghui nodded slightly and said, "That's very good."
At this moment, Chief Steward Hong, who was usually silent, suddenly said, "You should go. There are people tightening their defenses along the way, so be careful."
Ding Wuhen chuckled softly, "Brother Hong, you're overthinking it. With my lightness skill, I can come and go freely, not just in this Xie residence, but even in the imperial palace." After saying this, he suddenly leaped upwards, as fast as a ghost, and jumped out of the door, quickly disappearing into the night.
Celebrating birthdays and displaying elegance
After Ding Wuhen left, Xie Linghui immediately went to Changchun Hall to check on the First Madam's injuries. By the time he returned to Tanwu Garden, it was already broad daylight. Xie Linghui hadn't slept all night but felt no fatigue. With his hands behind his back, he paced back and forth, deep in thought. Just now at Changchun Hall, Xie Chunrong had ordered Xie Linghui to temporarily manage the Xie family's affairs, and the power of the Xie family had returned to the hands of the second branch. Xie Linghui was in a good mood. Out of the corner of his eye, he caught sight of a small figure standing behind the curtain, blinking a pair of big, dark eyes as she peeked at him. When their eyes met, she immediately lowered her head, feigning docility. Xie Linghui hesitated for a moment, then beckoned, "Chutong, come with me." With that, he stood up and walked out, and Chutong quickly followed Xie Linghui out the door.
The wind outside was like a sharp blade, and even though Chu Tong was wearing a thick cotton coat, she couldn't help but shiver several times. Xie Linghui led her straight to the Bilan Lake in the mansion. It was the dead of winter, and the lake was frozen over, like a smooth mirror, with only a few small holes dug for fishing remaining. Xie Linghui's face was solemn as he stepped onto the ice, standing with his hands behind his back, as ethereal as a deity. He looked up at the sky, then turned to Chu Tong and said, "Come here."
Chu Tong slowly crept over, her face timid. Xie Linghui couldn't help but laugh at her cautious manner, saying, "You don't need to be afraid of me. When no one's around, we can be as casual as when we sneaked drinks together."
Chu Tong nodded, wanting to smile, but the muscles in her face were frozen, so she could only force out a strange smile with snot dripping from her nose.
Xie Linghui couldn't help but laugh out loud after reading it, his phoenix eyes brimming with joy. Suddenly, he remembered something, reached into his robes and pulled out something, saying to Chu Tong, "Let me show you something." He then opened his palm, revealing a small silver hairpin shaped like an apricot blossom—the very hairpin Chu Tong had used to stab the maid last night!
Chu Tong was startled upon seeing this, immediately remembering that she had been so flustered that she had forgotten to remove the hairpin from the corpse. She was about to reach for the hairpin to say something when Xie Linghui clasped his hands together, smiled slightly at her, and then threw the hairpin away. With a "thud," the silver hairpin drew an arc and landed steadily in the small pit dug for fishing.
Chu Tong sighed with regret. Just as she was feeling heartbroken, a jade hairpin with flowing clouds appeared before her eyes. It was a delicate, lustrous green, the very one Xie Linghui often wore.
Xie Linghui laughed and said, "You don't need that hairpin anymore. It's bound to bring bad luck since it's been touched by a dead person. From now on, you can wear this one from me."
Exchanging hairpins and ornaments between a man and a woman is inherently an ambiguous matter, but Xie Linghui felt that no one in his life had ever made him feel as interesting and vibrant as Chu Tong, someone who could make him laugh freely and even drink to his heart's content. Therefore, he had a strong liking for Chu Tong. What he found even more remarkable was that when Chu Tong discovered his plot to stab the First Madam, the little girl was able to react quickly and cleverly resolve the crisis. Xie Linghui was not a benevolent person to begin with, so he didn't find anything wrong with Chu Tong's actions. On the contrary, he felt that she was a promising talent, and thus conceived the idea of grooming her into his right-hand woman. Therefore, he didn't think it was excessive to give Chu Tong anything at this moment.
Chu Tong was taken aback by Xie Linghui's words. Xie Linghui smiled and personally inserted the hairpin into Chu Tong's hair, then looked her over from side to side and said, "Not bad, it suits you perfectly."
Xie Linghui's captivating phoenix eyes made Chu Tong weak all over. She quickly lowered her head, becoming unusually shy, and stammered, "Thank...Thank you, Second Master..." But in her heart, she thought, "Oh my, Second Master is really so handsome, he's a beauty that could topple kingdoms. If he weren't so cruel, he would be a good husband."
Xie Linghui took a few steps forward against the biting wind, his back to Chu Tong, and said, "I've already disposed of the body. You should know what to do from now on, right?"
Chu Tong hurriedly replied, "I know. I understand. Some things, once done, should be forgotten immediately."
Xie Linghui nodded in satisfaction, pondered for a while, and said, "From now on, I will be in charge of the Xie family. Chutong, although you are still young, you should also learn from Steward Hong and the others. Among the people around me, Juancui is the most honest and loyal, but she is clumsy with words, stubborn, and inflexible; Ziyuan is intelligent, efficient, and loyal, but her personality is too straightforward; my mother used to have two trusted maids, Hanxiang and Yuping, who were trained by my mother and are both clever and capable. These people will definitely need to be used in the future."
Chu Tong asked, "Second Master, there's also Lü Qiao in the room, why didn't you include her?"
Xie Linghui turned around, chuckled, and said, "Lü Qiao, she is indeed beautiful, one of the best among the maids in the Xie household. I'm quite fond of her. While Lü Qiao is charming and adorable when she's obedient, she's spoiled and arrogant, only fit for needlework in her room; she's not cut out for anything important." Then he frowned slightly and said, "Besides, my elder brother also..."
Chu Tong immediately nodded in understanding, thinking to herself, "It seems that this Second Master is a sensible man and has not been blinded by beauty." However, when she thought of Xie Linghui praising Lü Qiao as the most beautiful maid in the mansion, she couldn't help but feel a little jealous and cursed him for his lack of taste.
Xie Linghui was unaware that Chu Tong was indignant. He casually chatted and joked with Chu Tong for a few more minutes before taking her back to Tanwu Garden.
From then on, Chu Tong lived in the Xie residence. She was clever, quick-witted, cunning, and adept at reading people, which earned her Xie Linghui's favor, and she quickly became one of his favorites. Xie Linghui held the nominal position of deputy commander in the Xiaoji Camp, managing the Xie residence very well. After the First Madam recovered from her injuries, she could no longer seize power.
Meanwhile, the second wife's madness remained incurable, and she spent her days muttering to herself while facing the wall. The Xie family consulted numerous renowned doctors, but to no avail. Seeing her mother's condition, the second young lady of the Xie family, Xie Xiuyan, decided to remain a nun for three years, visiting famous temples and Buddhist mountains to pray for her mother's recovery. This news once again caused a sensation in the capital, with everyone praising the second young lady for her knowledge, reason, filial piety, and virtue.
Three years later
In July, the heat was scorching, almost like being under a blazing fire, becoming unbearably hot at midday. At this time, Tanwu Garden was quiet, save for two old women carrying buckets. The one in blue was watering the trees in the courtyard, while the one in gray was cutting a few exceptionally beautiful peonies and orchids with scissors, placing them on a large lotus leaf tray beside her. After a while, the woman in blue said, “Today is Second Master’s birthday. There will be a banquet at Tanwu Garden tonight. He has invited some young masters from wealthy families to celebrate. The kitchen started preparing this morning. Second Master left early this morning with Chutong and Steward Hong. The other girls in the house are still taking a nap. Let’s rest first, and we can go in to deliver the flowers later when there’s some activity.”
The old woman in gray nodded and said, "Chu Tong is now a favorite of the Second Master. He can't do without her in any of his activities, and he beams with joy whenever he sees her. Even the servants who used to serve him, such as Lü Qiao, Juan Cui, and Zi Yuan, can't compare to her."
The old woman in blue said, "That little girl Chu Tong is so clever from head to toe. She knows how to please people, is pretty, and has a gentle temperament. She's been in the manor for three years and always has a smile on her face. How could she not be loved? Besides, she saved the Second Master's life, so naturally people look up to her even more. I heard that the Second Master even entrusted her with the task of checking the money in the manor."
The old woman in gray looked around and deliberately lowered her voice, saying, "I heard that Lü Qiao and Chu Tong don't get along, and they're fighting each other openly and secretly."
The old woman in blue whispered, "Who says otherwise? Everyone in the manor knows what Green Qiao is thinking. She was personally chosen by the Second Madam to be placed in the Second Master's room. Back then, the Second Master was getting older, and the Second Madam was afraid he would go out and get involved with dirty and smelly women, so she specially picked out the best among the maids. Green Qiao's looks are undeniable, and she knows she's destined to be a concubine, so she serves him wholeheartedly. Besides, our Second Master Hui is a dragon among men; which girl wouldn't be captivated by him?" The old woman in blue chuckled, "Who would have thought that a Cheng Yaojin would appear out of nowhere? Once Chu Tong arrived, she was out of the running. She's getting older; she's seventeen this year. According to the manor's rules, maids who turn twenty must leave the household, either betrothed to a servant or given a dowry to be sent away. The Second Master still hasn't… hehe, how can she not be anxious? Besides, the Second Madam is obsessed again; who can she turn to for advice?"
The old woman in gray clicked her tongue and said, "I heard that Master Xuan took a liking to her two years ago, but Lü Qiao was very stubborn and refused to leave. She stayed. It seems that Second Master was also reluctant to let her go at the time."
The old woman in blue curled her lip and said, "Times have changed. Lü Qiao was just pretty and alluring, but I think Chu Tong is much more beautiful now. What does Second Master have to begrudge Lü Qiao? Besides, how can Master Xuan compare to Second Master? Lü Qiao is a sensible woman, and Master Xuan is a womanizer. Nine out of ten famous prostitutes in the capital are his lovers. The First Madam can't control him, the Master is busy with state affairs, and the First Wife is a soft-hearted womanizer. Master Xuan..." He planted chrysanthemums in front of and behind his house, claiming to be a recluse like Tao Yuanming, and despised those who sought fame and fortune through studying and becoming officials, calling them traitors and parasites. He said he spent his days composing poems and composing couplets, neglecting his duties, unlike Second Master, who was originally the deputy commander of the cavalry, and now, by imperial favor, has been appointed to the Nine Cities Military Command. Just the other day, he accompanied the Emperor on his southern tour, and his future is bright. Wouldn't he become an official and bring glory to the family? I think the Xie family can only rely on Second Master from now on.”
The old woman in gray coughed twice and said, "Lü Qiao's ambitions are higher than the sky, and she's been with Second Master for several years. What ordinary man could possibly catch her eye? Actually..."
Just then, the woman in blue suddenly shoved the woman in gray and gestured towards the rose trellis. The woman in gray jumped in surprise and looked closely. Sure enough, she saw a shadowy figure behind the trellis, but it was the peak blooming season for roses, the trellis covered in small flowers of red, white, pink, yellow, and purple, the lush green leaves intertwined densely, making it impossible to see who was standing behind it. The two women exchanged a glance, gave each other a signal, and quietly slipped away along the wall to the backyard.
Behind the rose trellis, Green-Toothed Silver Teeth bit her red lips hard, the handkerchief in her hand nearly torn to shreds. She finally let out a "humph," plucked a rose, crushed it to pieces in her hand, threw it on the ground, and ran back into the house.
At this moment, a handsome and refined young man walked in through the main gate, exuding composure and extraordinary charm. Following him was a dashing servant boy of about fourteen or fifteen, with delicate features, bright eyes that darted about, revealing a clever and mischievous glint. The young man was Xie Linghui, and the servant boy was Chu Tong in disguise.
The two entered the house together. The room was quiet. Xie Linghui sat down at the table, and Chu Tong quickly poured tea. At this moment, Lü Qiao emerged from the inner room, wearing a duck-yellow dress embroidered with clivia, which accentuated her alluring figure. The kingfisher feather hairpin in her hair further enhanced her delicate beauty. Smiling, she carried a tray and approached Xie Linghui, saying, "Second Master is back? Come, have a bowl of chilled plum juice and a piece of glutinous rice cake." She placed the dishes on the tray on the table and then handed Xie Linghui a towel to wipe his face.
Xie Linghui's phoenix eyes sparkled as he smiled and nodded slightly at Lü Qiao. Lü Qiao's almond eyes were full of affection, and her glances subtly conveyed her desire. Chu Tong thought to herself, "Oh no! That vixen's eyes are making my mind a mess. Second Master must let her bewitch me!" Looking closer, she saw that Xie Linghui's expression towards Lü Qiao had indeed softened.
Chu Tong and Lü Qiao have always been locked in a power struggle. Lü Qiao resents her for stealing Xie Linghui's favor and makes things difficult for her at every turn. Chu Tong is no pushover either; she uses all sorts of flattering skills to coax Xie Linghui into not wanting to leave her side for even a moment. The angrier and more resentful Lü Qiao becomes, the more smug Chu Tong feels.
Chu Tong rolled her eyes, pointed at the pastries and said with a smile, "This glutinous rice cake looks so sweet. Second Master, please allow me to have a piece since I accompanied you on your business under the scorching sun today."
Xie Linghui knew that Chu Tong liked to eat cakes and pastries, so he smiled and said, "This whole plate is for you." He then pushed the plate of cakes and pastries over to her.
Lü Qiao hurriedly said, "I made this rice cake especially for..." Before she could finish speaking, Chu Tong had already picked up a piece and stuffed it into her mouth, chewing vigorously while praising indistinctly, "So delicious! Fragrant, sweet, and very chewy!"
Lü Qiao's expression immediately changed, and she twisted the handkerchief several times with her fingers. She had spent the whole morning making the sour plum soup and glutinous rice cake by hand, just waiting for Xie Linghui to come back so she could make a good impression. She had even changed into new clothes and dressed up a bit, hoping to win back some of the Second Master's favor. She never expected that Yao Chutong would openly jump out and ruin things.
Chu Tong was secretly delighted to see Lü Qiao's ashen face and thought to herself, "I'll make you so angry! I'll make you so angry!" as she chewed on a cold glutinous rice cake.
Xie Linghui smiled and said, "You must have had a hard journey." Then he turned to Lü Qiao and said, "Lü Qiao, bring another bowl of plum juice to Chu Tong, and bring her another serving of these snacks too."
Hearing this, Chu Tong became even more smug. Green Qiao's eyes welled up with tears, and she turned away in a huff. A short while later, she brought out a bowl of plum juice and some pastries.
Seeing this, Chu Tong quickly put on a smile and said, "Thank you, Sister Lü Qiao."
Green Qiao slammed the bowl down on the table and sneered at Chu Tong, "What are you calling me 'sister'? I can't accept that title. You're Second Master's favorite now, you have a powerful backer! Now we maids are serving you too, bringing you soup and dishes. Humph, you're just like us, yet you think you're some rich young lady?"
Upon hearing this, Chu Tong chuckled and said, "It's much better to think of yourself as a young lady than as a concubine. Concubine Lü Qiao, Chu Tong greets you." With that, she curtsied and gave Lü Qiao a proper curtsy.
These words struck a nerve with Lü Qiao, and she immediately flew into a rage. Her eyebrows furrowed, her almond-shaped eyes widened, and she gritted her teeth as she said, "What, what did you just say?"
Chu Tong immediately feigned grievance and tugged at Xie Linghui's sleeve, saying, "Second Master, I was just joking..."
Green Qiao was so angry that tears streamed down her face. She took out a handkerchief and wiped her face, scolding, "Stop pretending to be pitiful! You wild girl of unknown origin, Second Master only took pity on you and took you in, and now you're spouting nonsense and daring to cause trouble in the house!" Just then, she saw several maids peeking in through the window, and Green Qiao shouted, "Ying'er! Bring in a broom! Who swept the house today? Why is it so dirty?"
Just then, Xie Linghui frowned and shouted, "Enough! Stop fooling around! What kind of behavior is this in broad daylight?" Startled by the shout, Lü Qiao immediately fell silent. Xie Linghui's face darkened. "There's a banquet tonight at my Tanwu Garden, so everyone better watch yourselves. Anyone who disgraces the Xie family will have to go to the old matriarch for punishment!" With that, he got up and went back to his bedroom. Chu Tong stuck out her tongue, popped another piece of cake into her mouth, winked at Lü Qiao, and turned to leave. Lü Qiao was left standing there, biting her lower lip so hard it almost bled.
Swallows fly in to peek at the painted beams, and jade hooks hang low to hang the curtains.
As evening fell, Tanwu Garden suddenly came alive. A large banquet was laid out in the main hall, as the wealthy young men invited by Xie Linghui arrived one after another. Maids of all ranks bustled about, while several courtesans played instruments and sang, creating an exceptionally elegant atmosphere. Xie Linghui, dressed in a flowing, cloud-white silk robe with wide sleeves and orchid patterns, and two-tone gold butterflies adorning his crimson sleeves, exuded extraordinary nobility. A jade belt cinched his waist, and a sword hung from it. His flowing robes and striking appearance made him seem like a celestial being, as he sat at the banquet, chatting and laughing with ease.
Chu Tong was busy at the front, but remembering that Zi Yuan was ill and resting in bed, she took a break and went to Bao Xia's quarters on the west side. Lifting the curtain, she saw Zi Yuan leaning weakly against the headboard, with someone sitting beside her talking to her. Chu Tong looked closely and recognized the person as Yu Ping, who served the Second Madam. Yu Ping was seventeen or eighteen years old, with a slightly dark complexion, but with exquisite features and a beautiful face. Those who liked to gossip had given her the nickname "Black Beauty," indicating her extraordinary beauty. Yu Ping was literate and numerate, quite knowledgeable, and usually on good terms with Chu Tong and others. She was also Xie Linghui's trusted confidante. When she had free time, she often went to Tanwu Garden to chat with Zi Yuan and Juan Cui while they did needlework.
Yu Ping saw Chu Tong walk in and said with a smile, "Speak of the devil! I was just talking about you, and here you are."
Chu Tong smiled, then moved an embroidered stool to sit on the edge of the bed and asked Zi Yuan, "Are you feeling any better?"
Zi Yuan smiled and said, "I'm much better. Are you busy up ahead? Yu Ping is talking to me, so you go ahead and do your thing, don't worry about me."
Chu Tong said, "It's quite lively up ahead. Seven young masters have arrived, all of whom are close friends with Second Master. Including our eldest and second masters, there are nine people in total, but there is still one empty seat because the third young master of the Wang family has not arrived yet." After saying that, she smiled and said, "After Master Xuan arrived, his eyes have been fixed on Lü Qiao, as if his eyeballs are about to pop out."
Yu Ping scoffed, "Don't even mention Lü Qiao, I look down on our master. He spends all his time among women, whining about romance and love, he's nothing but a spendthrift good-for-nothing!"
Chu Tong chimed in, "Exactly! The most ridiculous thing is that he claims to despise the hypocrisy and backstabbing of officialdom, saying that all those who study to become officials are traitors and parasites. What right does he have to say that? Everything he eats, wears, uses, and plays with—none of it was earned by him. Wasn't it all built by his 'traitor' father? He relies on officialdom to enjoy wealth and luxury, yet he pretends to be high-minded and detached from worldly affairs. There's a saying in the streets that describes this: 'Wanting to be a prostitute and also wanting to erect a memorial archway!'"
Yu Ping clapped her hands and laughed, "Well said!" Then she and Chu Tong gave each other a high five and burst into laughter.
Zi Yuan couldn't help but chuckle, "You two really have sharp tongues!" Then, she suppressed her laughter and looked at Chu Tong with her beautiful eyes, saying solemnly, "Chu Tong, Yu Ping and I were just saying that the Second Master treats you exceptionally well these days. He even entrusts you and Steward Hong with the monthly money disbursement and accounting for the Xie family. I think he'll probably make you his concubine in the future. You'll be a concubine sooner or later."
Yu Ping added, "Yes, there's a saying, 'Better to be a hero's concubine than a mediocre man's wife.' Second Master is an outstanding man among men; marrying him would be a worthwhile life."
Chu Tong was taken aback for a moment, then sighed inwardly and said dismissively, "'Better to be a hero's concubine than a mediocre man's wife.' Given the chance, which hero's concubine wouldn't want to be a hero's wife! And which hero's wife would want her husband to take a concubine!"
Just then, a little maid called from the doorway, "Sister Chu Tong!" Chu Tong hurriedly got up and said, "I'm leaving now, I'll be back in a bit." With that, she lifted the curtain and went out.
Chu Tong had just stepped from the inner room into the hall when a handsome young man entered through the door, waving a folding fan and laughing heartily, "Brother Xie, Brother Xie! I'm late, but I'm willing to accept the punishment!" The young man was no more than sixteen or seventeen years old, with eyes like deep pools; eyebrows like distant mountains, shrouded in mist; lips like red water chestnuts, shimmering with light. He was slender, with refined features. He possessed a delicate, feminine beauty, yet his extraordinary bearing commanded respect. He wore a light blue silk summer robe with a large gold trim at the cuffs, the embroidery in a dark blue hue reminiscent of the Qin and Han dynasties. At this moment, he gently waved his fan, a faint smile playing on his lips, exuding an air of leisurely ease.
Chu Tong couldn't help but admire him: What a radiant and otherworldly figure! She looked at the young man and then at Xie Linghui, feeling that the two were equally outstanding, each with their own merits. Then she realized: This person must be Wang Lang, the third young master of the Wang family. The Wang and Xie families were both renowned official families, each with an outstanding son, known as "Wang the Third and Xie the Second." However, this third young master Wang had been a carefree wanderer since childhood, preferring to travel around with his vast wealth, associating with江湖人士 (jianghu figures, people of the martial arts world), and only spending a month or two in the capital each year, making him rarely seen.
Xie Linghui stood up, walked over, cupped his hands and said, "Brother Wang, it is an honor for my humble abode to have you here. How could I dare to mention any punishment?" The two of them held hands and sat down intimately in front of the banquet table.
Chu Tong chuckled to herself: The discord between the Wang and Xie families is common knowledge. That performance just now must have been a charade put on by Second Master and Wang Lang.
After a while, everyone ate, drank, and chatted, sharing various interesting stories. Chu Tong soon noticed that Wang Lang, sitting next to Xie Linghui, kept glancing at her, seemingly unintentionally. Curious, she looked over. Wang Lang, with his deep, unfathomable eyes, met Chu Tong's gaze without any awkwardness. Instead, he smiled slightly at her. Chu Tong was startled and quickly lowered her head.
Suddenly, a clear voice rang out from outside the door: "The Second Miss has specially written a piece of calligraphy to wish the Second Master a long and healthy life!"
Xie Linghui smiled and said, "Bring it here." Xie Xiuyan's personal maids, Caihua and Zuiqin, walked in from the doorway, with Zuiqin carrying a scroll. Xie Linghui smiled at everyone and said, "My sister is quite knowledgeable in the arts, let's see what she has written." Then he asked Caihua and Zuiqin to open the scroll.
Everyone craned their necks to look, and saw sixteen large characters written on it: "May the fragrance of osmanthus blossoms in pairs, and may the rivers and mountains live as long as the rising sun." The brushstrokes were vigorous and elegant. Everyone praised it endlessly. By this time, everyone was quite tipsy, and fueled by the alcohol, Chen Yiping, the son of the Minister of War, sitting opposite Xie Linghui, raised his wine cup and said with a smile: "Brother Xie, we have known each other for many years. I have always heard that your younger sister, Xie Xiuyan, is exceptionally beautiful and elegant, but I have never met her. Now, this is a rare opportunity. Brother Xie, could you please invite Miss Xie out, even if she only plays a tune on the zither for us through the gauze curtain? We would all be satisfied!"
The crowd cheered in approval. Xie Linghui looked troubled, but after thinking for a moment, he smiled and said, "My little sister is stubborn. If she is willing, everyone can enjoy the show; if she is not willing, I cannot force her."
Everyone nodded and said, "That's for sure."
Xie Linghui then said to Caihua, "Tell my sister that I thank her for her calligraphy. Also, all the distinguished guests here today would like to hear her play the zither. If it is convenient, we would like to invite her to play a piece for us."
Caihua Zuiqin bowed and took his leave.
Soon, everyone heard the tinkling of jade pendants coming from the inner room. Xie Linghui gave Chu Tong a wink, and Chu Tong immediately nodded, turned and went inside. Then she came back and whispered a few words in Xie Linghui's ear. Xie Linghui smiled and said, "My little sister just came into the inner room through the back door. She said she could play the zither for everyone through the beaded curtain."
As soon as he finished speaking, everyone applauded and cheered.
Juancui and Lüqiao hung a beaded curtain between the main hall and the inner room, while Zuiqin and Caihua arranged the zither. A short while later, a young woman slowly emerged from within, wearing a pipa-shaped top embroidered with large gold branches and green leaves, a matching phoenix skirt, and a set of bright gold hairpins in her hair. Her demeanor was graceful and elegant. Because of the beaded curtain, her face was obscured, but it was clear she was an exceptionally beautiful woman. Everyone strained to see through the curtain, trying to discern her true appearance. Only Wang Lang waved his fan, his eyes glancing at Chu Tong several times, though he faced the curtain.
A few tinkling sounds of a guzheng came from inside the beaded curtain, and then Xie Xiuyan slowly opened her mouth.
Everyone held their breath. Xie Xiuyan gracefully curtsied and said, "I am honored by your kindness and would like to offer you a song. I hope it will not disappoint you." Her voice was melodious and gentle, soothing to the heart.
Everyone said, "Miss Xie is too modest! We are fortunate to hear your voices."
Xie Xiuyan sat upright, her demeanor exuding elegance, and slowly said, "Today I will play a piece called 'Jianjia' for everyone." "Jianjia" is taken from the *Book of Songs*, specifically the *Airs of Qin* section, with the lines, "The reeds are green, the dew is white as frost. The one I long for is on the other side of the water." Chu Tong was secretly surprised; she had originally thought Xie Xiuyan would play a celebratory piece for a birthday celebration, but unexpectedly, she had chosen a poignant lament of unrequited love.
Xie Xiuyan concentrated for a long while, then raised her delicate hand to hold the strings. A clear, crisp sound, like tearing silk, rang out, instantly invigorating the listener. It was as if one were standing by a river in late autumn, surrounded by vast, misty waters, lush reeds, and glistening dew. The music, seemingly ethereal and elusive, whispered its lament, as if one could see a figure amidst the reeds gazing at their beloved far away on the water's edge, their longing growing stronger, their love more steadfast, yet alas, the journey was long and arduous, leaving them only to watch their beloved depart, lost on the other side of the water, their whereabouts unknown. Thus, the timeless theme of longing was conveyed through the melodious, meandering music, stirring the soul. The final note, like the sound of a broken string, was resounding and lingering, leaving the listener feeling as if still in a dream.
Everyone was captivated, clapping and marveling.
Wang Lang closed the paper fan and said with emotion, "Miss Xie's zither skills are superb, which is admirable." Then he opened the paper fan again and said slowly, "No wonder the ancients said, 'Among the ancient poems about longing, none surpasses 'The Reeds and Rushes.' Although it is unattainable, the feelings do not dissipate, so one suffers in the end."