Vallée Sauvage de Green Mountain (Transmigrée à la dynastie Song)

Chapitre 6

I silently added a comment for him in my mind: What a spendthrift.

The veiled woman bowed slightly and said softly, "I am a woman of elegance from Jiangnan. It is an honor to meet you gentlemen." Her voice was gentle and melodious, and it was a pleasure to hear.

Qian Da Kuan, overcome with lust, shouted in his raspy voice, "Hey! Little lady, quickly lift your veil and let us men see you. You're not some respectable woman, why are you being so secretive and ashamed?" You Hua trembled slightly, as if she had never heard such vulgar language before, and lowered her head slightly, saying, "Yes, You Hua obeys." She stretched out her slender hand and slowly lifted the veil—

A sudden gasp filled the room. Those drinking put down their glasses, those talking stopped, and everyone stared in disbelief. In the instant the veil was lifted, they witnessed the unparalleled beauty of the most beautiful courtesan in Jiangnan.

I also slightly raised my head and looked towards the center of the field—

Upon seeing this, I was stunned, my lips moving but I couldn't utter a single word.

The woman before me had fair skin, beautiful features, a mouth like red cinnabar, and eyes that sparkled. She was indescribably charming and beautiful. But even if Youhua were ten times more beautiful, she wouldn't be enough to leave me speechless!

Youhua's features are so similar to someone I used to know very well, my best friend and roommate in modern times—Xiao Zhenzhen.

Seeing the beautiful Youhua, the charming Youhua, I almost called out Xiao Zhenzhen's name. I came to ancient times through a great upheaval, and I almost thought I would never see Xiao Zhenzhen again, but who would have thought that in this place, in this setting, I would see such a familiar figure.

But after taking another look, I couldn't help but sigh: the woman before me, though incomparably beautiful, was not Xiao Zhenzhen.

—She was younger than Xiao Zhenzhen, but the charming and graceful air about her made the innocent and lovely Xiao Zhenzhen seem like a child who didn't know the ways of the world.

The tea merchant, Gu Zhiwen, was a failed scholar who spoke with a touch of refinement. He cupped his hands in greeting and said with a smile, "I've long heard that Young Master Bai has seen countless men but is not interested in women. I never expected that you would be so captivated by the most famous courtesan in Jiangnan."

I returned the bow with a smile, saying, "Manager Gu said that Miss Youhua is so talented and her musical skills are superb; even a blind man would want to take a second look at her." Before I could finish, Gu Zhiwen's eyes were already fixed on Youhua. Most of the merchants present had their eyes darting back and forth over Youhua, hoping that this peerless beauty would glance at them and say a few words to them—that would be the greatest reward.

I observed Youhua, who appeared to be only in her early twenties, yet she moved with effortless grace and poise among the assembled merchants. Her movements were fluid and graceful, sometimes a charming smile, sometimes a gentle frown, sometimes a broad grin. She captivated most of the crowd, drawing their attention and leaving them feeling utterly bewildered and disoriented. I silently thought to myself, "This Youhua is so shrewd and clever; she must have spent years in the world of courtesans." Looking back at Yun Yiyang beside me, I saw he didn't even raise his head, engrossed in drinking and devouring food. Youhua's beauty seemed utterly insignificant compared to the food before him. A smile of approval crept into my eyes.

This is the person I will assist! At only twenty years old, he can remain unmoved and indifferent to handsome men in front of him. This Yun Yiyang is destined for greatness!

Then, Youhua's soft, sweet voice rang out again: "If you gentlemen don't mind my rough voice, I will sing a song for you gentlemen to liven up the banquet." As soon as she finished speaking, the banquet became even noisier.

Youhua seemed accustomed to such scenes, offering only a gentle smile. She placed the zither she held in her bosom on the table, and with a flick of her wrist, a melodious tune filled the air, like a gentle spring breeze. It was late autumn, approaching the Double Ninth Festival, yet the flower hall was a scene of enchanting beauty, the room brimming with the spirit of spring. Youhua parted her lips, revealing her pearly white teeth, her voice like the cascading of pearls, and sang Bai Juyi's "Chang Xiang Si" (Longing for Each Other):

"In September, the west wind rises, and the moon grows cold as frost congeals."

The autumn nights are long with longing for you; my soul rises nine times in a single night.

When the east wind blows in February, the grass sprouts and the flowers bloom.

Thinking of you, the spring day lingers; my heart aches nine times a day. ..."

Bai Juyi's poem, originally an imitation of an ancient folk song title, expresses the deep and sincere longing between lovers separated by distance. It is both simple and profound, emphasizing both emotion and sentiment, and uses a woman's voice to convey the anguish of unrequited love. Its poignant and lingering tone has made it a classic piece passed down through generations. Now, sung by Youhua in a woman's voice, it takes on a whole new flavor. Halfway through the song, a flute melody suddenly emerges from behind the white silk curtains, harmonizing with Youhua's zither playing, as if lovers are exchanging parting words, expressing profound sorrow. Youhua's voice becomes even more melodious and tender.

"………

We met when I was fifteen, and I am twenty-three this year.

It is like a female ivy growing beside a pine tree.

The vines are short and the branches are tall, unable to climb upwards.

It is said that if a person has a wish, Heaven will surely grant it.

I wish to be a beast in the distance, walking side by side with you every step of the way.

I wish to be a tree deep in the mountains, with branches intertwined and interdependent.

As she sang the word "life," Youhua's voice suddenly changed, becoming low and gentle, slowly fading down. The zither tinkled, and the song ended. The audience erupted in cheers. Gu Zhiwen stroked his beard, shaking his head and saying, "Today, I not only got to hear Miss Youhua's song, but also Young Master Ye's jade flute playing. I am truly fortunate, extremely fortunate."

Yun Yiyang gently nudged me and whispered in my ear, "Sister Bai... Baiyi, what do you think of her singing? Was it good?" I pondered for a moment and whispered back, "I don't understand music, but judging from the poem, it seems to be set in late autumn in September, but the melody played on the zither is more like early spring in March. It's too sentimental, and the steadfastness of the woman in the poem isn't conveyed. That seems inappropriate..." Just as I was whispering with Yun Yiyang, a soft, melodious voice rang out beside me: "This humble woman's talent is lacking. I wish to ask Young Master Yun of Guiyun Manor and Minister Baiyi for a gift." With that, she presented a red lacquered wooden tray filled with gold, silver, pearls, and jade, and gracefully bowed. It was Youhua.

Qian Dakuan grinned and said, "I didn't expect that you, a woman from Jiangnan, would know the name of the White-Robed Minister of Jiangzhou?"

Youhua covered her mouth and chuckled, "In just half a year, the White-Robed Minister has made Guiyun Manor one of the most prestigious textile workshops in Shanxi. It's already widely known in Jiangnan that people would give up a thousand pieces of gold and jewels just to have the White-Robed Minister. I've long heard of his name, and to meet him today is truly my good fortune..." While Youhua spoke with a smile, one hand secretly slipped under my veil—

I held her delicate hand, which seemed eager to peek into my secrets, and smiled, "Sorry, I never lift my veil."

Youhua, however, paid no attention and suddenly exclaimed in surprise, "Oh my, how come Young Master Bai's hands are even whiter and more delicate than mine? I am so envious!"

I smiled slightly, releasing my grip on Youhua's hand, but inwardly I was startled. This woman was incredibly perceptive. I had been in Jiangzhou for over half a year, and no one had ever noticed whether my hands were black or white, big or small, yet this woman of the night had noticed it at a glance. Yun Yiyang then laughed, "Miss Youhua is exceptional in both beauty and talent. My Guiyun Manor is merely a small weaving workshop; how can we compare to you esteemed elders? Besides, a single song from you is worth a fortune. My Guiyun Manor can only offer this small token; I hope it is not too much of a courtesy." With that, he took out a small bundle and placed it on a wooden tray.

Qian Dakuan laughed, "Young Master Yun is too stingy. In recent years, Guiyun Manor's business has been booming, making a fortune every day. The Yun brocade and satin business alone accounts for 60% of the business in the five northern prefectures. What kind of treasure could this little bundle possibly contain?" At this moment, Youhua had already opened the bundle. Upon seeing what was inside, she exclaimed, "Ah—!"

This bundle contains something as delicate as smoke and snow, unlike silk or brocade, woven with the image of autumn geese beyond the clouds and the color of spring water in Jiangnan. It is the exquisite fabric that Yun Yiyang and I, along with a group of people, painstakingly wove together—Liaoling!

Yun Yiyang pointed at the liaoling and laughed, "This is the liaoling that the most favored dancers of the Zhaoyang Palace during the Tang Dynasty could wear. The weaving technique was lost long ago since the end of the Tang Dynasty. Guiyun Manor was fortunate enough to obtain the method and weave it, and made it into a dance costume. Only a beauty like Miss Youhua can wear such a dance costume!"

Beside me stood a man with a pointed mouth and monkey-like face, his appearance lewd. He was also a silk merchant and said, "Such a dance costume is probably not worth more than a hundred taels of silver." I smiled coldly and said, "A hundred taels of silver? This silk is not only made of the finest silk, but the patterns and designs on it are also exceptional. In addition, there are the autumn geese in the clouds embroidered by Su Sanshou, the spring water dyed by Yuan Wuse, and the flowers woven by Granny Yang. All of these, plus the exquisite tailoring, make up this one dance costume. You should calculate how much it is worth in total." There was silence in the room for a moment. At this moment, Ye Zhi Qiu's voice slowly came from inside the curtain: "A hundred taels..." He coughed a few times and slowly said, "A hundred taels of gold."

I smiled slightly and said to Youhua, "Miss Youhua, is this enough as a gift?" Youhua's face turned ashen, and she murmured, "This, this..." She took a few deep breaths and forced a smile, "What virtue or ability do I possess to receive such a precious gift..." I slowly shook my head and said, "For you to accept this dance costume, and for Young Master Ye to offer a hundred taels of gold, this is Guiyun Manor's greatest gain!" Youhua nodded, her face regaining its gentle smile, the panic gone, and she smiled, "Finally, it's Young Master Ye's gift." She smiled charmingly, and with light, graceful steps, walked towards Ye Zhiqiu's white silk curtains. Reaching them, she reached out to lift the exquisite white silk curtains—

Chapter Five: Retreat Three Steps

A knife flew out like lightning, resting against Youhua's beautiful, smooth neck.

The knife, held by an ordinary servant pouring wine for the guests, was thirteen inches long and gleaming like snow. No one present noticed how he had suddenly appeared beside Youhua from the front of the banquet, nor where he had drawn the knife or how it had become resting against Youhua's neck. This sudden turn of events caused an upheaval! The noisy and bustling banquet fell silent instantly, and everyone's face turned deathly pale—

Youhua's slender hand froze in mid-air; her carefully applied rouge had turned her face deathly pale. Before her hand even touched the curtains, the knife, flashing a dazzling yet terrifying light, flew right before her eyes!

"Cough, cough!" A weak voice broke the deathly silence, but to everyone's ears, it was almost more majestic and terrifying than a lion's roar! Ye Zhi Qiu said softly, "You Hua, it's rare that you are a famous courtesan of Bi Yun Lou, yet you don't even know my rules?"

The knife tightened its grip, and a trickle of blood flowed down Youhua's snow-white neck. The crimson blood against her pale skin created a strange, eerie beauty. Youhua's body went limp, and she knelt on the ground. The charming and witty demeanor she had displayed just moments before was completely gone, replaced by a constant stream of tears and snot mingling with the blood. The merchants present watched, but none dared to stop her.

"Our dynasty's penal code clearly states: anyone who kills or injures an official prostitute shall be exiled two thousand li. Pavilion Master Ye is so shrewd that he would never stoop to the level of an official prostitute. I humbly request Pavilion Master Ye to show mercy!" I slowly rose from my seat, walked to the white silk curtains, and bowed deeply.

I didn't want to get involved, but Youhua looks so much like Xiao Zhenzhen! I can't bear to see Xiao Zhenzhen lying in front of me with a knife across her neck, filled with fear. More importantly, Youhua is only in her early twenties. No one has the right to decide someone's life or death at will, not even Ye Zhi Qiu!

"Good! What a fine white-robed prime minister!" Ye Zhi Qiu clapped his hands lightly, as if speaking to me, and said softly, "I knew it would be you who stepped forward..." He chuckled and said, "I didn't expect... the world-renowned white-robed prime minister would plead for a courtesan. It seems the rumors that the white-robed prime minister is not interested in women are false."

I smiled gently and said, "As the ancients said, food and sex are human nature. Even sages are like this, let alone a mere mortal like me. Pavilion Master Ye would not want to cause trouble for himself by killing a mere courtesan. Why not let her go and spare her this time?"