Peach Blossoms - Chapter 23
"Why not just brew it all into peach blossom wine?"
"The roads are filled with peach blossoms on the third day of the third month, better to drink peach blossom wine." The imagery is nice, but it's already the height of summer, so it seems out of place.
“How could it not be in season? Although it’s not March, there are still peach blossoms, and besides, I have all the beauties and fine wine I need.” Si Junxing chuckled.
"Peach blossom wine? You have peach blossom wine?" Lin Suyang asked in surprise.
"It was brought down from Guigan Mountain by Mu Qing. It contains many precious herbs from Master Guigan, which have the effect of replenishing qi and nourishing the body. It was originally intended for use on the road, but everyone was in a hurry and forgot about it." Si Junxing leaned against the wall and moved to the corner by the door to take out a small jar. Lin Suyang walked over and took it.
As soon as the sealed lid was opened, a strong aroma of wine wafted out. Taking a deep breath, it was sweet but not cloying, with a complex yet harmonious flavor. Lin Suyang filled two glasses and handed one to Si Junxing.
With a slight sip, a refreshing, sweet aroma fills the entire mouth, the tongue and teeth mingling with a subtle blend of peach and herbal fragrances. Passing down the throat, the cool sensation travels straight down, extinguishing the summer heat and leaving a lingering, invigorating coolness.
"Good wine," Si Junxing praised.
"Yes, it is indeed good wine." Lin Suyang sighed and put down his glass.
"The weather is nice today, let's go for a walk later," Lin Suyang said.
"OK."
The air was still a bit hazy in the evening, but compared to the heat earlier, now was a good time to go out.
Not far from where they lived, there was a small river. Lin Suyang held Si Junxing's hand and walked along the riverbank. The refreshing river breeze blew in their faces, blowing their long hair, which was intertwined together. Accompanied by the colorful clouds of the setting sun, it was like a beautiful painting, so beautiful that one would not want to disturb it.
"Tell me, what would you do if we were forced to separate for other reasons in the future?" Lin Suyang asked.
“I will keep searching for you, no matter where you are, until I find you. If you forget me, I will recite the poems you wrote over and over again until you remember me. If you still cannot come back to me, I will watch from afar, watching you live a happy life. Even so, I will be content,” Si Junxing said without hesitation.
Lin Suyang squeezed his hand tightly, "Okay, unless I die or lose my memory, I will never forget you."
"If you die, do you think I'll still be here?" Si Junxing laughed.
Lin Suyang trembled slightly, said nothing, fluttered her long eyelashes, and continued to hold his hand, walking forward along the river that reflected the crimson sky. Their shadows overlapped on the shimmering water, the swaying water plants disturbing them, yet quickly coming back together, like vines that could never be separated, tightly bound, unable to be let go.
This period was the happiest time of Lin Suyang and Si Junxing's lives. They would get up very early in the morning to cook, and although Lin Suyang had never cooked before, it was a miracle that what she made was even edible. Si Junxing always ate with great relish, even if the dishes occasionally contained too much salt. In the evenings, they would sit together in the courtyard outside, Lin Suyang looking at the stars, and Si Junxing listening to the sound of the wind.
Lying in bed, Si Junxing would always gently hold Lin Suyang and tell her his stories.
“I have no father or mother, but I have an Uncle Lian who loves me very much. I don’t know who Uncle Lian is, I only know that he has unfathomable martial arts skills. In the Demonic Sect, which eats people without spitting out the bones, many people are afraid of him and dare not be presumptuous in front of him. Although I hold the title of leader of the Demonic Sect, I have no real power and am often bullied by others. Whenever I come back from outside covered in wounds, Uncle Lian will silently apply medicine to heal my wounds. Uncle Lian has never taught me martial arts, he only gave me the key to the secret room and let me figure it out on my own. So I practice martial arts desperately, only in this way can I become strong and make no one dare to look down on me.”
"Uncle Lian often stares blankly at a portrait for hours on end. No matter how you call him, he's in a daze, as if his soul has been captured. When he wasn't around, I secretly looked at that portrait. It was of a very beautiful woman."
"I didn't know her, but I felt a strange sense of familiarity with her, like a primal connection in my blood that I couldn't let go of. So I wondered, who exactly is this woman?"
"I used to think that as long as I had Uncle Lian who loved me, that would be enough. Even if I was destined to be alone and lonely in that dark sky for the rest of my life, at least I would have someone to accompany me. But when I was fifteen, Uncle Lian passed away."
"That day, my martial arts skills reached a new level. When I excitedly ran to tell him, I found the room empty. I searched frantically, looking everywhere he usually stayed—the medicine stove, the study, the secret room—but I still couldn't find him. He was gone, leaving me alone without saying a word."
"That night, I locked myself in a dark room, hugged my knees and sobbed. I had never felt so vulnerable before. I always thought I was strong, but when the person I relied on most left me, I realized that I really couldn't bear it. My parents abandoned me, and even my only relative no longer wanted me. At that moment, my world seemed to collapse in an instant."
"Later, I gradually learned to be completely indifferent. I always liked to wear a mask. I hated others seeing my true self. I only felt safe when I kept my distance from others."
Lin Suyang turned to the side and rested her head against his chest.
"It wasn't until I met you that I felt like I was living a meaningful life." Si Junxing smiled slightly.
Years later, I stepped into Uncle Lian's room again, hoping to find some memories from the past. I flipped through many books and looked at the painting he used to like the most. It was still that woman, hazy and indistinct, which made me feel even closer and more familiar. I unconsciously took down the painting, but a letter fell out from behind it.
"The letter was written by Uncle Lian. To this day, I can still remember every single word it said."
Okay, by the time you read this letter, Uncle Lian will have already traveled the world. Uncle Lian made two mistakes in his life: one was giving away the person he loved most to someone else, and the other was taking you with him.
I'm sure you've looked at this painting carefully. Doesn't the person in the painting seem familiar? Actually, she is your mother. Okay, your parents didn't abandon you. It's all Uncle Lian's fault. Uncle Lian took you away when they weren't looking, when you were just a month old. Uncle Lian was jealous—jealous of your parents' happy life while he would have to grow old alone. So, his jealousy filled his mind, and he made a mistake he shouldn't have made.
Okay, Uncle Lian has spent these years in endless regret. I've seen your pain, and it pains me deeply. I don't ask for your forgiveness; I only hope you can take good care of yourself and find your own happiness when you've become strong. This world is only about the survival of the fittest. Remember, never take chances.
"Uncle Lian fell in love with my mother, but my mother loved my father. Uncle Lian couldn't take my mother away from my father, so he took me, who was just a month old, wanting to make them suffer for the rest of their lives. He succeeded, but he also fell into deep guilt and could not find peace every day. Uncle Lian said that he regretted it so much that he wanted to give me back to my mother, but when he went back to look for them, they were already gone. Uncle Lian said that my parents might not be alive anymore, or they might be living in seclusion somewhere. I also have an older brother, and if I wanted to, I could go find them. He didn't know my brother's name, but he knew that my father's name was Feng Xiao and my mother's name was Ning Qingyao."
"After learning the truth, my heart was filled with hatred. I hated him for taking me away, hated his selfishness for making me lose the love of my family when I was young, and for making me endure the humiliation of others in this lonely place. I hated him for making me resent my parents and misunderstand that they abandoned me."
"Now, I no longer hate him, only feel pity and sympathy. Loving someone is inherently painful and exhausting, but he only thinks of himself. So even if he loves you deeply, it will only make him suffer more in the end. Besides, he has already figured it out, so what's the use of me hating him anymore?"
"So, I won't be like Uncle Lian. If I really fall in love with someone, I will do anything to make her happy, even if the person she ends up with isn't me." Si Junxing hugged Lin Suyang tightly, as if making a vow, engraving each word into her heart.
Moonlight streamed in through the window, casting a soft, hazy glow that obscured Lin Suyang's closed eyes.
Volume Two, Fallen Dust, Chapter Fifty-Five: Swallows Flying in Pairs (Part Two)
Remain unmoved by favor or disgrace, watching the flowers bloom and fade in the courtyard; be indifferent to staying or leaving, gazing at the clouds drifting across the sky.
The summer sky was a clear, serene blue. Lin Suyang hadn't counted how many times she and Si Junxing had watched the sun rise and set together, only complaining about how short time was when the moon hung high in the sky.
Before we knew it, more than a month had passed, and soon it would be the most important festival in Yanliao, the Boat Song Festival.
Because Yanliao is located in the south with numerous waterways, many people there enjoy boat racing. Similar to the dragon boat races during the Chinese Dragon Boat Festival, on the day of the Boat Song Festival, many people gather on the banks of the Fengjiang River, the largest river in Yanliao, preparing their boats and bringing their relatives and friends to either participate in the races or cheer for others. In the evening, there are also night boats, decorated with lanterns and colorful streamers, that travel along the various waterways, offering views of the scenery on both banks and opportunities to listen to songs and dances. Those who prefer the latter usually gather on the widest section of the Fengjiang River, where many brothel boats offer free singing and dancing in the middle of the river, both for the festive atmosphere and to promote their reputation.
On this day, Lin Suyang also put on a veil and sat with Si Junxing on a high-rise building not far from Fengjiang, gazing out at the view.
Listening to the sounds of gongs and drums and the deafening shouts of celebration, Si Junxing laughed and said, "The scene must be spectacular."
Lin Suyang looked at him, feeling a pang of sadness. She wondered when she could help him regain his sight. She felt she owed him so much. Si Junxing seemed to know what she was thinking, and squeezed her hand, saying, "Don't worry about it. I still have you."
Below came another wave of cheers, each louder than the last. Lin Suyang glanced sideways; the race had already begun. He recalled that the Tang Dynasty poet Zhang Jianfeng had vividly described the magnificent scene of dragon boat racing in his poem "Dragon Boat Race Song," for example: "Three drumbeats and the red flag unfurls; two dragons leap out and float on the water. Oars flash like ten thousand swords, drumbeats cleave the waves like a thousand claps of thunder. The drumbeats quicken as the mark approaches, the two dragons gaze at the mark in an instant. Shouts from the bank are like thunder, colorful banners hang like rainbows on the poles. The leading boat snatches the mark, the trailing boat loses momentum and wails in vain."
The scene of the boat race at this moment can be described as a reenactment of the poem. Water splashes in the river as several boats compete, arousing the excitement of the crowds on both sides. The thunderous drums gradually push the competition to its climax.
Lin Suyang was engrossed in watching when her eyes involuntarily glanced around. Suddenly, the appearance of two men in white in the crowd made her freeze. Turning her head awkwardly, she said to Si Junxing, "It's too noisy here. Shall we... go home?"
Si Junxing, not understanding his meaning, put down his teacup and asked, "Are you leaving before the competition is over? There's still the night boat festival tonight, it should be very lively. It's a rare opportunity to catch the boat song festival, aren't you going to watch it?"
"I..." Lin Suyang started to say something, but then she thought again. With her current attire, she shouldn't be easily recognized. So she said, "Okay. But we're almost done here. Let's go somewhere else." She called the waiter to pay the bill, and then left the restaurant with Si Junxing in her hand.
Among the crowd below, Lin Ziyan looked around and couldn't help but sigh, "I never imagined the people of Yanliao loved this festival so much. I imagine the entire city has gathered here."
A man beside him smiled faintly and said, "It's the Lantern Festival in our Great Central Plains. It's not bad either. It's just that the people of Yan and Liao do like to have fun. Alright, if you've seen enough, let's go. I heard there are night boats tonight. We can come back to watch then."
Lin Ziyan replied respectfully, "Yes, young master."
The only person who could command such respect from the emperor of the capital, besides the Great Central Emperor, was none other than Qin Hao, the Hong Emperor who had come to return the visit to Yan and Liao.
Lin Suyang walked down the street, lost in thought. She didn't even realize when Si Junxing had pulled her to a stop.
"What are you thinking about?" Si Junxing asked softly.
Lin Suyang then came to her senses and said, "It's nothing."
"If you don't want to stay here, let's go back."
"No need, the scenery is even better at night, don't miss it." Lin Suyang shook his head. "Don't worry, I'm just a little hot."
"I see. Shall we find a cool place to rest?" Si Junxing asked.
"Hmm? Okay." Lin Suyang replied somewhat perfunctorily.
Si Junxing paused, then let her slowly lead him forward. Those who absorbed the Nine Lotus Ice would possess extraordinary constitutions, impervious to heat and cold. The words from the book still echoed in her mind, but she didn't know...
Lin Ziyan and Qin Hao found a relatively large restaurant on the street and went inside. There were very few people in the restaurant at this time; they had probably all gone to watch the boat races.
They chose a table by the window, ordered their food from the waiter, and then resumed their conversation.
"Guess what my Grand Tutor Lin is doing right now?" Qin Hao asked Lin Ziyan seemingly casually, his voice low but loud enough for those nearby to hear.
"This... Your Majesty does not know." Lin Ziyan's mind was filled with the image of Lin Suyang dressed as a woman. If the Emperor knew that his brother had been disguised as a man all along, the Lin family would be in great trouble. His brother must know the seriousness of this matter. I wonder how she is now?
"Ziyan seems to have thought a lot about this?" Qin Hao looked at him with a half-smile, his eyebrows raised.
"Your subject... dares not," Lin Ziyan said hastily. If they weren't outside, he might have knelt down to beg for forgiveness.
"I was just asking, you don't need to be so nervous." Qin Hao picked up his teacup and slowly took a sip.
At this moment, several young men walked in from outside and sat down at an empty table to one side. One of them, who looked like a wealthy young master, tapped the table with his folding fan and called out, "Waiter, come here."
The waiter immediately brought over a pot of iced tea to serve: "What would you gentlemen like?"
The man said, "Bring me a few of your restaurant's signature dishes, and a pot of fine wine, so that I can eat and drink my fill and then go see the beauties tonight."
"Yes, yes." The waiter nodded and bowed as he retreated.
One of the group spoke up: "It's going to be quite lively tonight. I heard that Yingru, the most popular courtesan at Yueyang Tower, will be performing. It's rare to see such a beauty before, but tonight we can finally feast our eyes on her. By the way, Qian Shao, didn't you go to Yingru's performance last time? How did it go? Did you manage to win her heart?"
"Hey, stop talking. I haven't even said much yet, and those brats are already babbling on and on, trying to catch a glimpse of my beauty with a few lousy poems. Bah!" the man called Young Master Qian said angrily.
"But I heard that a god-like person was chosen by Miss Yingru that night, is that right?" someone else asked.
"Yes. Speaking of that young master, he is as bright as the sun and as clear as the moon. I'm afraid no one in the entire Yanliao region can compare to his demeanor. He is like a celestial being descended to earth, and his music is like heavenly music." Young Master Qian spoke with nothing but admiration.
"Is she really that beautiful? Wouldn't everyone who goes there only see her and forget about Yingru?" another person laughed.
“You know what, it’s true,” Qian Shao said seriously. “That person’s voice was gentle; if you didn’t listen carefully, you would think he was a woman. There was also an extremely beautiful person sitting next to him, but her beauty was sinister. If he just glanced at you with his eyes, you would feel like you were being stared at by a fierce tiger or leopard and dare not do anything else.” Qian Shao still felt lingering fear.
"I didn't expect Qian Shao to be so observant," the man joked.
.
"That's right. Although I love beautiful things, I always know what I should and shouldn't touch. Otherwise, I wouldn't even know how I died," Young Master Qian said smugly.
"However, although Yan and Liao have many beauties, when have two men who are even more beautiful than women appeared?"
"You don't know this, do you? There's no war between Yanliao and Dayang right now. It's normal for a lot of people from there to come to Yanliao, and for people from here to go to Yanliao. So those two might have come from Dayang," Qian Shao said.
"If that's really the case, then wouldn't there be even more beauties in the Great Central Plains than here? Hehe, how about we brothers find some time to go and check it out?"
"Good suggestion, hahaha."
The whispers of the group echoed in the somewhat quiet lobby.
Qin Hao swirled the teacup in his hand and said meaningfully, "As far as I know, in the Great Yang Dynasty, perhaps only Grand Tutor Lin is as beautiful as an immortal. What do you think, Ziyan?"
"This... Your subject does not know," Lin Ziyan said, cold sweat beginning to bead on his forehead.
"Hmm, someone with an evil look, don't you think that Emperor Shenghan fits that description quite well?"
"Your Majesty...I do not know." Lin Ziyan was at a loss for words.
"Then tell me, could the two people they were talking about just now be Grand Tutor Lin and Emperor Shenghan?" His voice was devoid of emotion.
The Grand Tutor of the Great Yang Kingdom was actually visiting a brothel with the king of another country. If word got out, people with ulterior motives would surely think they had some ulterior motive. Anyone would be suspicious of this, let alone the emperor of the Great Yang Kingdom. Lin Ziyan's heart pounded wildly.
"Hehe, Ziyan, there's no need to worry. I'm just guessing. I believe in Grand Tutor Lin's loyalty. What do you say?"
"Yes, Your Majesty, I also trust the Grand Tutor." Lin Ziyan breathed a sigh of relief.
This Emperor Hong is no ordinary person.
Volume Two, Fallen Dust, Chapter Fifty-Six: Scenery Never Lasts (Part 1)
Tonight, the atmosphere in Ji'ao was much more festive than usual. Small groups of people crowded the streets and alleys, making the once spacious streets completely congested. The occasional passing of a horse-drawn carriage would cause a minor disturbance, followed by an even louder uproar.