Canción nocturna

Capítulo 67

I wonder if Master remembers that Jinling is his hometown.

I asked casually, "Master, have you ever been to Jinling?"

The master looked up at me and said, "I've been here before."

My heart skipped a beat. "Then, who did you come with?"

“I’m here to treat patients.” His voice was as cool and gentle as silk.

I breathed a sigh of relief. "Oh."

After adjusting my mindset, I said, "Jinling is a wonderful place. It's a place of pleasure and decadence, filled with singing and dancing, where beauties are as beautiful as jade and swords as sharp as rainbows. It's also called Stone Mountain. Why is it called Stone Mountain? Because there's a mountain in Jinling with many stones. So later, writers and poets used Jinling as a backdrop, combining the beauties mentioned earlier with Stone Mountain in the background, to write a masterpiece called 'The Story of the Stone,' also known as 'Dream of the Red Chamber.' Master, how much do you remember about your past? Zi Mo, how much do you remember about her?"

After finishing my sentence in one breath, I quickly picked up my teacup and took a sip of water.

The master remained silent for a long time before saying, "I vaguely remember her name."

I was overjoyed, "That's good."

The master looked at me and asked, "Hmm?"

I said, "What I just said was that 'Journey to the West' is so well written, a masterpiece of its time. It has butterflies and mandarin ducks, realistic criticism, illustrations, and fantasy romance. It's so good, so good."

The master's lips curled up slightly, and after a while, he said, "...Were you referring to 'The Story of the Stone' just now?"

At the next table, a scholar was drinking wine and discussing state affairs, occasionally mentioning the words "Eastern Land," "Emperor," and "Great Li." I thought to myself that although I am not talented, I once flew over eaves and walked across walls with great flair in the grand hall of the Eastern Land, so I pricked up my ears and leaned over to listen.

Someone said, "They have already found Yazhou."

Another person said, "What kind of situation is this? The two countries haven't intermarried for decades. Back then, the Eastern Lands intended to send a princess from the Xue Kingdom to marry into the country, but that plan never came to fruition."

"This person right now isn't someone of high status. Yet they've made such a big fuss."

These two scholars were indeed very learned, possessing vast knowledge and being able to discuss national affairs, family matters, and world affairs with ease.

This conversation was so profound and insightful that even after listening intently for half an hour, I still couldn't understand what they were saying, as they kept switching between phrases.

I want to give up.

A clear voice rang out, "The Princess of Xue did not agree to the marriage alliance at that time." Looking towards the source of the voice, I saw a young man in a blue robe with his black hair piled high. I could only see his back; he held a paper fan in his hand, sitting alone at a nearby table, pouring himself a drink, yet he exuded a refined and elegant air.

I had a vague sense of familiarity, but couldn't quite put my finger on it. My master was standing nearby, and I felt too embarrassed to get up and go over to him, asking, "Young master, have we met somewhere before?" That would have seemed far too forward as to be flirting.

The scholar wearing a turban at the next table asked, "How do you know she didn't agree?"

The young master said in a clear voice, "This is a secret story. It is said that the Emperor of the Eastern Land secretly admired his sister and once shot down a snow leopard for her to please her. He strongly opposed the marriage alliance, so it was abandoned."

I suddenly understood why I felt a sense of familiarity with him; this young man's every move was somewhat effeminate, just like I used to have dressed as a man and flaunted myself in the same way. Looking at him now, I finally understood how easily a woman disguised as a man could be discovered. I also deeply understood the feeling of everyone knowing you're a woman, yet you think you're a real man—that feeling of being the only one unaware while everyone else is awake. I will never do such a foolish thing again.

Someone asked again, "I heard that the princess died in the battle of Yanmen County. Is this true?"

The young master turned around, raised his eyebrows, and said, "It's fake."

When I saw his face, I was stunned for a long time before calling out, "Qi Xiao?"

[34] Night in Jinling

I haven't seen Qi Xiao for almost five years, but this young master's features do resemble mine somewhat. Even though my own sister has gained a touch of allure, I can still tell the difference clearly.

She glanced at me, a hint of surprise in her eyes. After a moment, she said, "Sister?"

I was overjoyed to finally find my long-lost sister. I pulled her close and looked her up and down. She had rosy lips and white teeth, and looked radiant. I asked her, "Where have you been all this time? Have you been doing well?"

Qi Xiao pulled up a bench and sat down next to me, about to explain in detail. Then her gaze swept over the master, her brows furrowing slightly. She looked at the master with interest, then glanced back at me. After a moment, Qi Xiao said, "Brother-in-law?"

My heart skipped a beat: No wonder she's my sister; her words are so profound and insightful.

Qi Xiao and I silently watched our master.

The master's face was gentle and serene, his features unchanged. He took a sip of tea and said nothing.

For a moment, the atmosphere became somewhat quiet.

I figured I couldn't let the conversation fall flat, so I coughed lightly, "Um... this..."

Qi Xiao smiled broadly, "Brother-in-law is handsome. How long have you two been married? What does your brother-in-law do?"

I glanced at my master again. A slight ripple crossed his brow as he looked at me, as if he were about to deny it.

I said reluctantly, "Ahem, he is my master."

Qi Xiao stared intently, and after a moment, she said with disappointment, "No way..."

I said, "It's just..."

She leaned close to my ear and asked, "Then what were you so nervous about just now?"

I whispered to her, "How can you tell I'm nervous?"

She whispered, "You keep twisting your clothes."

I said, "No, I'm very calm about it."

Qi laughed and said, "You have them, you're tangling my clothes."

That night, we stayed in Jinling.

Qi Xiao and I sat cross-legged under the Red Rail Bridge, with two jugs of wine beside us, gazing at the misty pavilions and towers on both banks of the Qinhuai River, the sound of oars and the shadows of lanterns.