Heaven is the shore of mortal dust

Chapter 25

Those generals were resentful; they had only turned red in anger after seeing the general being trampled on. Really!

"Since prostitution is forbidden, why did Third Brother invite them here?" This is clearly encouragement and instigation.

"See those wealthy businessmen? With beautiful women in their arms, even the most lucid mind can become confused." Chen Chang's eyes narrowed, flashing a sharp light.

"Oh! So those people are..." grain merchants! But because there were other people present, she didn't continue.

"Lord Zhang! Fourth Brother! The flowers in the backyard are in full bloom, shall we go and admire them?" Chen Chang said with great interest.

"Excellent! The flowers in Gongzhi Mansion are famously beautiful; I have longed to see them for a long time." Prefect Zhang also took Wei Zijun's hand with great interest, and the group walked towards the backyard.

The remaining women from Yankunfang followed behind, giggling, except for the woman named Xinhe who remained motionless.

Seeing this, Wei Zijun turned to Xinhe and said, "Miss Xinhe, why are you still standing there? Hurry up and catch up."

Xinhe paused for a moment, then quickly followed. When she reached Wei Zijun's side, Wei Zijun gestured for her to enter. Xinhe gave her a grateful look.

The backyard of the general's mansion is truly enormous. In the center of the courtyard is an artificial lake, filled with lotus flowers, most of which are already in bloom, creating a stunning expanse of pink and white.

A winding bridge spans the lake, with a canopy on it, leading all the way to the backyard corridor. It was probably built for viewing lotus flowers in the rain.

Weeping willows line both sides of the lake, and a gentle breeze causes their branches to ripple across the water. The paths on either side are lined with a profusion of colorful flowers; unfortunately, the peonies have already finished blooming, but the large, pink peonies clearly make up for it.

Upon seeing the garden in full bloom, the women exclaimed in amazement and rushed towards the flowers with giggles. Even the solitary Xinhe joyfully ran over.

"Third Brother, I never imagined your garden was so beautiful. To spend one's life in such a house must be the dream of many people," Wei Zijun said with envy.

"Fourth brother, you may not know this, but this house doesn't belong to me. It's temporarily being used as a general's residence because the troops are stationed here," Chen Chang explained to Wei Zijun before turning to the crowd. "Everyone, flowers, beautiful women, a gentle breeze, clear water—how can we waste such a picturesque scene? How about we compose a poem on the spot?"

"Good!" Except for a few generals who seemed a little awkward, everyone else agreed.

"In that case, Magistrate Zhang, please go first." Everyone invited in unison.

“Hey—a few days ago someone kept nagging me about how quick-witted his fourth brother is. Today I must see for myself. Brother Wei, please.”

"Alright, then fourth brother will go first," Li Tianqi urged from the side. To be honest, he really wanted to see just how talented his fourth brother was.

Wei Zijun, feeling helpless, could only clasp his hands in a gesture of apology, "Then I'll have to make a fool of myself." He then looked at the women chasing and playing, but no good verses came to mind. Just as he was pondering, he saw Xinhe running alone into the lush green peony bushes, her arms outstretched as if playing with the wind. A flash of inspiration struck him, and he blurted out:

"It's hard to forget the cold beauty of youth."

Chasing the wind through the verdant ridges.

I wish to transform the common people into enlightened beings.

But laughter is not as good as the wind.

After a moment of silence, everyone cheered in unison.

"Well done, well done Ming Shu, well done Bu Ru Feng! Brother Wei is indeed exceptionally talented. In just twenty words, he has expressed all the longing and helplessness. I am ashamed to admit my inferiority! I am truly ashamed of my inferiority." Prefect Zhang praised while stroking his beard and nodding, his gaze towards Wei Zijun revealing his affection.

Li Tianqi nodded in admiration, but his probing gaze toward Wei Zijun deepened, making it impossible to guess his true feelings.

"Well, Lord Zhang, it wasn't Gongzhi who was boasting, was it?" Chen Chang shook his head smugly.

"Hahaha... No boasting! No boasting! I have also come up with a seven-character quatrain. Come, Brother Wei, let me recite it to you." After saying this, he took Wei Zijun's hand and walked onto the winding bridge, and the others followed.

Lord Zhang glanced at the lotus in the water, then his gaze settled on Wei Zijun, and he recited:

"The lotus heart and stamen are delicate and graceful."

Pink petals slightly open on her white jade cheeks.

Delicate lotus roots herald early spring.

"Only the 'Back Garden Flower' can truly enchant."

Li Tianqi and Chen Chang, listening from behind, were shocked. This...this old man had gone too far, humiliating their precious fourth brother in such a way. This quatrain, seemingly about lotus flowers, was actually...actually...

"The lotus heart and stamen are delicate and graceful," seemingly describing the slender lotus flower and its stamen, but actually referring to their fourth brother's elegant and slender figure. "Pink petals slightly parted on white jade cheeks," others would assume it's praising the slightly parted pink and white lotus petals, but it actually refers to the pink lips on their fourth brother's jade-white face, slightly parted in admiration. "Exquisite lotus root, early spring," seemingly describing the lotus root, but actually referring to their fourth brother's slender, lotus-like arms—it's disgusting that this old man would use lotus-like arms to describe a man. "Only the flower of the rear garden can bring ecstasy," this is the most outrageous line, actually… actually… this old man is going too far! You know, when two men do that kind of ecstasy, isn't it… isn't it the rear garden?!

That old man went too far. Others who didn't know the inside story wouldn't be able to tell, but they knew him too well. Even if he had that kind of taste, he shouldn't have extended his evil clutches to their fourth brother. Their clever fourth brother should be able to tell, right?

The two men were indignant when they saw their fourth brother grinning foolishly.

Wei Zijun indeed didn't notice anything amiss. Firstly, because she was unaware of the Prefect Zhang's particular taste, and secondly, because her mind was pure and she hadn't considered anything else. She simply assumed that the Prefect Zhang was praising the beauty of the lotus. Therefore, she praised him even more lavishly: "Your Excellency's talent is truly remarkable. Let me help you name this poem; how about 'Ode to the Lotus'?"

"Alright! Whatever Brother Wei says is fine." Prefect Zhang smiled broadly and gently squeezed Wei Zijun's hand.

Wei Zijun was startled. Why was he squeezing her hand? This seemed like a flirtatious gesture. Looking up at Prefect Zhang's smiling face, she wondered if she was just imagining things, or perhaps it was a hint of approval.

To her surprise, as she was pondering, Prefect Zhang gently pinched the back of her hand again. Oh no! Wei Zijun was startled. To escape this awkward situation, she immediately turned around and smiled, "Second Brother, Third Brother, Prefect Zhang's poem is incredibly elegant, every word a gem. I dare say I could never have written one like it." With that, she casually pulled away from his pinching hand and walked towards the two of them.

The two glared fiercely at Zhang, who pretended to look at them innocently.

You old fool! You still dare to pretend!

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Note: ①Girl. In the context of this text, it should be written as "xi niang" (a Wu dialect term referring to an unmarried young woman).

Since the term "girl" first appeared in the Yuan Dynasty, based on the context of this article, unmarried women should be referred to as Niangzi, Xiniang, Xiaoniang, Xiaoniang, Zhuniang, etc.

However, this article mostly uses the term "girl" to refer to unmarried women, as words like "wife" are not in line with modern spoken language and feel somewhat awkward.

However, during the Sui and Tang dynasties, she was indeed called "Niangzi". If you think "Niangzi" should be used, I can change it. Therefore, I am making a special note here.

Additionally: Here's an explanation. The term "媳妇" (xífù, daughter-in-law) first appeared in this article during the Song Dynasty, originally written as "息妇" (xīfù). However, given the context of this article, it should be written as "新妇" (xīfù, new wife), which is clearly inconsistent with modern colloquial speech. Therefore, this article has to use "媳妇" instead of "新妇".