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

Chapitre 8

"Sister Bai, the courtesan from Biyun Tower has arrived. She says you are her master and asks you to take her in."

I glanced up and saw Yun Yiyang had run into my room, his eyes full of hesitation and questioning. I smiled and said, "Is that Youhua? Let her in."

“But you…your face…” Yun Yiyang pointed at my face but didn’t finish his sentence. I was slightly taken aback, and gently touched my cheek. I immediately understood what he meant and smiled leisurely: “Of course you have to wash off all that face powder and grease, otherwise it will damage your skin. It’s okay, you can let Youhua in. I have my own ideas.”

Before long, Yun Yiyang led Youhua into the courtyard. This beautiful and charming courtesan had changed out of her priceless dance costume and jewelry, and was now only wearing a blue cloth dress. Her hair was held up with an ordinary silver hairpin. She kept her head down and remained silent, completely different from the charming and graceful dancer she was at Heyue Manor. Only when she got closer did she bow slightly and say softly, "This servant Youhua greets the young master."

I shook my head, stepped forward and pulled Youhua up, and said softly with a smile, "Didn't you want to see what I looked like at the banquet? Why are you keeping your head down now?"

Sure enough, Youhua slowly raised her head and let out a scream loud enough to shake the roof tiles. I never imagined that such a delicate little girl would make such a loud noise.

"You...you're a woman!!"

Chapter Six: A Fleeting Spring Dream

Wildflowers fall softly onto white clothes, sparse bamboo leans gently over the fresh green water.

A gentle breeze and a moonlit stream on the first floor—I wonder who this night belongs to.

Holding a red ivory clapper, Youhua carefully read the red note on the table and softly chanted, so engrossed that she didn't even notice me walk in. I tiptoed behind her and tapped her on the shoulder, which elicited another scream from her!

"White clothes! No, Miss, you really scared me to death just now." Youhua patted her chest vigorously while looking at me innocently with her bright, watery eyes.

"Didn't I tell you not to call me 'Miss'? Just call me Sister in White or White." I pulled up a bamboo stool and sat down, then gently pinched her smooth cheek. "Are you getting used to living here... Oh, by the way, what song were you singing just now? It was really nice."

Youhua smiled and said, "This is a poem written by Miss... Sister Bai. Youhua thinks it is very fresh and elegant, and it would definitely sound good if it were set to music, so I wanted to try singing it." After thinking for a moment, she quickly added, "The brocade that Granny Yang asked me to weave today is finished. I came here after I finished weaving it." As she said this, she stuck out her tongue and made a face.

I tapped her nose and couldn't help but laugh out loud: "You're quick to revise. This poem was written casually a long time ago and then left aside. How could it be as good as you say?"

Youhua stared at me in surprise with her clear, large eyes, speechless for a long time. Finally, she stammered, "Sister Bai...so, so your voice is so beautiful!"

I instinctively covered my mouth, then chuckled, "So you were in such a good mood that you forgot to switch back to a male voice." My voice returned to a clear and gentle female voice. "I'm so used to speaking in a male voice that I momentarily forgot what my original voice is."

“But your voice is really nice, why do you want to change it, sister? Why are you wearing men’s clothes?” Youhua looked at me and asked curiously.

I smiled leisurely and said, "Let's not talk about that for now. You've been at Guiyun Manor for a while now, but I only managed to find time to see you today. I also have some things to ask you." When Youhua saw my gaze sharpen, she nodded unconsciously.

“Okay…” My smile gradually faded, and I said in a deep voice, “Why did Ye Zhi Qiu let you see my true face?”

Upon hearing this, Youhua was shocked and exclaimed, "Sister Bai... Sister Bai... how could you...?" She uttered "how could you" several times and couldn't continue.

"You mean, how do you know it was Ye Zhi Qiu who showed you my face?" I shook my head and said slowly, "Without his authorization, even if you were very curious, you wouldn't want to lift my veil. Can you tell me how he bought you?"

Seeing my expression soften, Youhua sighed softly, gazing into the distance, and said softly, "Youhua's life was saved by Sister Bai, so what can't I say... Three months ago, Pavilion Master Ye sent someone to buy me from the Biyun Tower in Jiangnan, stripping me of my status as a courtesan, so I no longer had to sing for money. Youhua was overjoyed at that time... So many sisters envied me, envied that I had suddenly escaped my misery and become a phoenix on a branch..." As she spoke, a look of joy and satisfaction spread across Youhua's face, and she continued, "Sister Bai, please don't laugh at me... Once I became a prostitute, I could never wash away the stain for the rest of my life. Although the nanny didn't teach me to buy myself, I know she wanted to find a wealthy family to sell me for a good price, but... but Pavilion Master Ye bought me but never touched my body. He only said he would take me to a banquet, and if I could just manage to see Bai Yi's face, he would release me..."

I interjected, "But you want to see Ye Zhi Qiu's true face?"

Youhua's eyes were glazed over, as if she were recalling that terrible scene from that day. Suddenly, she burst into tears and threw herself into my arms. "I...I didn't know...I didn't know he was so scary! He always spoke to me gently and never raised his voice. I never expected...I never expected..." Tears streamed down Youhua's face as she sobbed in my arms.

I gently patted her heaving back and said softly, "Be good and don't cry. If you cry and your face is all messed up, Youhua won't look pretty anymore..." I sighed and said slowly, "Actually... I think that Ye Zhi Qiu didn't want to kill you at all. He did this... just to lure me out."

But why did Ye Zhi Qiu go to such lengths just to see my true face?

This Ye Zhi Qiu is not only incredibly shrewd, but also utterly mysterious. Few people could possibly fathom his thoughts.

I looked down and saw Youhua still sobbing, and couldn't help but laugh, "Alright, alright, if you keep crying, my clothes will be covered in your snot and tears, that wouldn't be good." Just then, Yun Yiyang ran in, shouting, "Sister Bai, I almost forgot today is the Double Ninth Festival! Su Sanshou invited us to his Tingzhu Xiaozhu for a gathering, saying we should try the 'Three Friends of Winter' that they finally managed to get their hands on." After saying all that, he took a breath, turned around and saw Youhua wiping away her tears, and exclaimed in surprise, "Youhua, why are you crying? Oh right, it must be Sister Bai who scared you!"

"Nonsense!" I deliberately put on a stern face. "I'm not some kind of monster. Besides, don't always come in like this. It's not like there's a fire." With that, I turned around, grabbed Youhua with one hand, picked up the bamboo hat covering my face with the other, and laughed, "Let's go together. You must also want to see the legendary Su Sanshou!"

Su Sanshou's Tingzhu Xiaozhu is still the same as before.

Su Sanshou is still the same as always.

We sat with the three Su brothers outside the pavilion, sipping tea and listening to Youhua lightly tapping the clappers. A few taps followed the melody of "Partridge Sky," and then Youhua began to sing softly.

"I often recall the drunken revelry at Changmen Palace, and write new lyrics in short songs at the short pavilion."

I idly pluck the strings of my zither, singing of parting in solitude; I gently part the moonlight to send my longing thoughts.

Wine in the cup, poetry in the wine, let's meet to admire the peonies together.

The delicate peaches and plums do not understand drinking; only fallen petals drift like snowflakes…

The moon was high in the sky, bamboo branches swayed gently, and the occasional bird song drifted by, melodious against the night sky. Youhua's beautiful singing voice lingered in the courtyard, even clearer and more pleasant than the birdsong. At the end of the song, the rosewood clappers were tapped lightly a few times, silencing the music. A long silence followed in the courtyard. Su Sanfang clapped his hands and laughed, "Excellent! Truly, this music should only exist in heaven! The singer is excellent, and this 'Partridge Sky' is excellent!"

Youhua put away the clappers, gave a slight curtsy, and covered her mouth with a smile, saying, "The music was composed by me, but I don't have the skill to write lyrics. These lyrics were written by Young Master Bai." I nodded slightly, showing great approval. After all, Youhua was very clever. In front of Su Sanshou, she always referred to me as "Young Master Bai" without revealing any flaws.

Su Da laughed heartily: "What a fine wine and poem! Just by hearing the fresh and elegant lyrics, I know it's Brother Bai's new work. With such a new song, there must be poetry; with such a new poem, there must be wine. Come on, second brother and third brother, let Brother Bai, Brother Yun, and Miss Hua have a taste of the 'Three Friends of Winter' that we prepared!"

Su Er and Su San seemed to have been prepared. With a grin, they reached under the table and pulled out three small wine jars. They then pulled out six small jade cups from somewhere and placed them on the table. Su San casually broke the clay seal, and everyone couldn't help but let out a soft "Eek!" The wine jars were not large, each holding at most a pound. But as soon as the clay seal was broken, a fragrance filled the air. It wasn't all the smell of wine, but also a faint fragrance of flowers and bamboo. Before long, the small courtyard was filled with this fragrance, which was refreshing and invigorating.

Seeing us all sniffing the aroma, Su Da became even more smug: "Even if Brother Bai is knowledgeable, he certainly wouldn't know the origin of these three jars of wine. This jar with the green seal is sixty years old Zhuyeqing, this jar with the brown seal is forty years old pine cone wine, and this red seal is the rarest—" Su Er continued, "Although the Three Wonders of Plum Valley would still feel they'd lost out if they exchanged five pieces of embroidery for this white plum wine."

Yun Yiyang couldn't help but exclaim in surprise: "Five pieces of embroidery! Who are the Three Masters of Plum Valley? How can this wine be so precious?"

Su San, the youngest of the three Su brothers and the most mild-mannered, said slowly, "The wine is already opened; it would be a shame not to drink it." He reached for the red-sealed wine jar, filled his cup, and found the wine to be exceptional. Its color was crystal clear, with a faint mist rising from the surface. Even before tasting it, a sweet plum blossom fragrance filled the air. Su San took a small sip, exhaled slowly, and exclaimed, "Good wine!"

Seeing that he had already gotten there first, the others rushed to pour this rare and exquisite wine. I don't usually like ordinary wines, but this "Three Friends of Winter" wine had a truly unique aroma, so I poured myself a cup and drank it all in one gulp. This was a specially made pine cone wine; the initial taste was spicy, but soon a warm sensation rose in my stomach, a very pleasant and comforting feeling. I couldn't help but pour myself a cup of bamboo leaf green wine, its emerald green color making the jade cup look beautiful. This cup was smooth and mellow, with a warm sensation flowing through my entire body. The last cup, plum blossom wine, was icy cold and refreshing, with a floral fragrance in my mouth and a cool sensation in my stomach, perfectly balancing the mild spiciness of the previous two cups. After three cups, I truly felt like I was on a cloud.

Su Da laughed heartily, "Brother Bai is a dashing man, but he is truly a generous drinker. Although the Three Friends of Winter wine is mild on the palate, the three kinds of wine have a very strong aftereffect. Brother Bai, you remain unfazed. Your drinking capacity is top-notch."

"Ah—" I exclaimed in surprise, feeling dizzy and unsteady on my feet. I quickly said, "Why didn't you say so sooner…" My legs gave way, and I collapsed back onto the bamboo chair. Su Da laughed loudly, "What's wrong with a man getting drunk? Today, we must all drink until we're completely drunk and have a good time!" He opened his mouth and poured another mouthful of wine.

After some time, the three jars of wine were almost empty. Taking advantage of his drunken state, Su Da turned to me and said, "Brother Bai... we've been friends for half a year now, so why... why are you still wearing this stuffy straw hat? People outside are saying... you... your appearance is ruined... just take it off... take it off in front of us brothers! A man should value his appearance... what future is there in that!"

I had drunk at least a dozen cups of wine, and now the effects were rising. I instinctively felt that the black veil was indeed suffocating, so, emboldened by the alcohol, I said, "What's wrong with it! It's just that when you see...when you see...I hope you won't be frightened!" With that, I flipped my hand and removed the black veil, revealing a clean face, free of any makeup. Su Er and Su San were taken aback, but remained silent.

Su Da opened his drunken eyes halfway and stared at me for a long time before suddenly saying, "No wonder Brother Bai always wears a straw hat..." He patted my shoulder hard with his broken arm and said to me in a pitying tone, "It's not your fault that you look like a woman, Brother Bai!"

"Pfft—" I spat out the glass of wine I had just taken a sip of.