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

Chapitre 21

Afu refused to take it, and instead pulled out a piece of paper from his sleeve, saying, "My master also instructed that if you refuse the pearl, here is a couplet for you to compose." He then handed the paper over.

I took the paper, and there it was, written in elegant and unrestrained handwriting: "Fragrant grasses have always been like old companions."

I frowned; this couplet clearly contained a hidden, lingering affection. Thinking of this, I smiled slightly, picked up the brush beside me, and casually wrote a few strokes below the first line:

The flowing water is as trustworthy as your affection.

After I finished writing, I looked at my crooked handwriting, which was quite "amusing" to Ye Zhi Qiu's handwriting, and I almost laughed out loud. I blew on the writing a few times to let the ink dry, then folded the paper and handed it to A Fu along with the satin box, saying, "Show this to your Pavilion Master Ye, and he will understand."

Afu still didn't answer, and replied in a deep voice, "My master made a promise beforehand that if I didn't leave the pearl behind, I wouldn't have to go to see him alive."

"What?!" I was quite surprised. Ye Zhi Qiu had actually given such a strange order, and A Fu seemed quite willing to obey it. I frowned and thought for a moment, then suddenly a brilliant idea struck me. I smiled and said, "Alright, if you don't take it back, then I'll leave it." I then casually pulled out a piece of white paper and wrote a few lines of poetry on it:

You know I have a husband, yet you still give me two bright pearls.

I feel your tender affection, which I tie to my red silk robe.

My family's mansion rises high above the gardens, while my husband holds a halberd in the Mingguang Palace.

I know your heart is as bright as the sun and moon; I vow to serve my husband to live and die with him.

Tears stream down my face as I return your pearl; why did we not meet before I was married?

After finishing the last stroke, I folded the couplet together with the one I had matched, and said with a smile, "This is Zhang Ji's 'Ode to a Virtuous Woman' from the Tang Dynasty, written for Li Shidao of Dongping. I dare not compare myself to Zhang Ji's talent, but I will use this poem to express my feelings. Master Ye, you are a man of refined taste and literary talent. After reading this poem, you will surely understand." I handed the paper to Afu and called out, "See the guest out."

Chapter Thirteen: The Killing Knife

Before my eyes, white curtains fluttered in the air.

The white curtains were as white as snow.

Ye Zhi Qiu's white clothes were as white as snow.

Ye Zhi Qiu's figure was hidden in the snow-white curtains. This renowned master of Qiu Ye Pavilion, at this moment, his back view suddenly evoked an indescribable loneliness and desolation in my eyes! His deep, gentle voice, too, carried a faint sorrow:

“My family's mansions rise high above the gardens, my husband holds a halberd in the Mingguang Palace… I know your heart shines like the sun and moon, I swear to live and die with you! Is this what you truly want to say?” He said, word by word, “You just stay in Guiyun Manor so devotedly, what’s so good about Guiyun Manor? What’s so good about Yun Yiyang? What they can give, I can give too!”

I shook my head, suddenly feeling that I had a thousand reasons, but now, facing the aloof and exceptionally talented Ye Zhi Qiu, I didn't know how to begin. "This is different... The poem 'Ode to a Virtuous Woman' by Zhang Ji of the Tang Dynasty was written to refuse Li Shidao's repeated invitations. People do not abandon each other, and poverty and hardship do not sway them. Qiu Ye Pavilion is indeed of extremely high status and wealth, but I, Bai Yi, have been taken in by Gui Yun Manor. How can I forget such kindness? I appreciate Pavilion Master Ye's good intentions, but I really cannot leave Gui Yun Manor!"

"I regret not meeting you before I was married, I regret not meeting you before I was married..." Ye Zhi Qiu murmured, his fingers tapping the curtains. "Where our sleeves part, the New Pavilion stands, rustling in the breeze; the spring breeze whispers in my ear, the deer cry out..." His voice, as gentle as the softest spring breeze, flowed slowly from within the white curtains. This voice was like the finest wine, possessing an intoxicating power. In this power, I felt my own voice, even my very being, being drawn in. Unconsciously, I even heard the sound of poetry emanating from my own lips:

I break off a willow branch for you, its purity lingers in my heart; the world flows on, leaving no trace like ink on water.

"Human life flows by, leaving no trace like ink on paper... Coming and going in a flash; petals fall and melt, time is gone..." Ye Zhi Qiu suddenly burst into laughter: "Life is short, love is long! Let's not waste this precious time!" Suddenly, he reached out from behind the white curtain with lightning speed, grabbed my wrist, and shouted: "You woman, you won't listen to reason, now you can't leave!" His grip was incredibly strong, and even with all my strength, I couldn't break free. In terror, I cried out: "Help! -- You...you let me go! Let me go!" Ye Zhi Qiu laughed even louder, saying: "This is Qiu Ye Pavilion, who can save you here!"

I frowned and glared at him angrily, saying, "Even if you use every trick in the book, you still can't make me stay in Qiuye Pavilion!" Suddenly, I saw the figure of Young Master Shang appear behind Ye Zhi Qiu. Overjoyed, I cried out, "Young Master Shang... quick! Get me out of this hellhole!"

Shang Shaochang slowly stepped out from behind Ye Zhiqiu and said, "You don't dislike me staying by your side, so why do you think of me first when there is danger?"

As I tried my best to break free from Ye Zhi Qiu's grasp, my heart was filled with turmoil! Yes, why was he the first person I thought of when I was in danger? Seeing that I was no longer speaking, Shang Shao Chang snorted, "So, you only think of me when you need me!" With that, he turned around and disappeared into the white mist behind him.

"You...Young Master Shang, you're talking nonsense!" I watched helplessly as Young Master Shang's figure gradually disappeared, and suddenly I noticed that Ye Zhi Qiu had changed into a face with blue fangs, and his voice had become pitiful:

"You indecisive woman, you must not be allowed to live!" Suddenly, a glint of light, like autumn water, flashed in his hand—

Autumn Water Blade!

How did the Autumn Water Blade, which Shang Shaochang never parted with, end up in his hands?

The moment that thought crossed my mind, I saw the autumn water slashing straight at me! My hands were held by Ye Zhi Qiu, and I couldn't break free at all. Even if I could break free, how could I possibly dodge this all-pervasive blade of light?

The bright, snow-white blade, carrying a hellish killing intent, was already approaching my chest—

"Ah—" I suddenly screamed! I sat up abruptly, almost kicking the blanket to the ground.

It's a dream...it's a dream...

I wrung the blankets tightly with both hands, feeling an unusual heaviness in my head, as if it were filled with a piece of iron, while my heart pounded wildly. I grabbed the teacup beside me, poured myself a glass of cold water, and gulped it down, only then realizing that I was soaked in cold sweat!

I kept telling myself, this is a dream! Dreams always happen in the dark.

I glanced out the window; sunlight was already streaming into the room through the panes. I let out a long sigh, wiped the sweat from my brow, and picked up the clothes from beside the bed to put them on. Just as I finished fastening my belt, Little Green's clear voice came from outside the door:

"White-clad sister! White-clad sister, wake up! Sleeping in late isn't good!" Then came a series of giggles. Little Green was still dressed in a green jacket and green skirt. Now that the weather was getting colder and colder, Little Green brought a spring-like feeling wherever she went.

Her smile was like the warmest sunshine in spring.

Little Green skipped and hopped to the bedside, looking at me with a smile: "Sister Bai, you're up now! Is your cough any better?"

I smiled slightly, slowly calming the palpitations brought on by the nightmare. "I'm feeling much better now. Maybe it's just that the weather is too cold, and I'm not used to it..."

Little Green's bright eyes darted around as she asked, "Sister, didn't you used to live here? Wouldn't you be unaccustomed to this cold weather?"

I looked up at Little Green's face and saw her sitting on the bed, smiling happily, her little feet swinging back and forth on the edge of the bed, with an innocent and naive expression. I slowly said, "That's right... I'm not from here. But, from now on... I can never go back to my hometown..."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Lü suddenly jumped off the bed, grabbed my sleeve, and exclaimed, "Sister Bai, don't miss home! Here, have some sweet candy!" She held out her palm, revealing several square-cut candies in her fair hand. A sweet citrus aroma wafted from the candies. I looked at Xiao Lü and saw a hopeful look in her eyes, so I couldn't bear to refuse her. I picked up a candy and put it in my mouth. To my surprise, the candy melted instantly in my mouth, incredibly cool, with a subtle medicinal fragrance wafting from my throat. I felt my chest immediately lighten. I couldn't help but smile and say, "Thank you, Xiao Lü!"

Little Green's innocent smile slowly faded, replaced by a serious and profound expression I had never seen before. She slowly said, "Sister Bai, I didn't expect you to be so naive."

"Me? Naïve?" I looked at Xiao Lü, whose smile had vanished and who now looked all mature for her age, and couldn't help but find it a little funny. "Why do you say I'm naïve?"

"Because you're too trusting!" Little Green grabbed my collar, her doe-like eyes staring straight at me. "Because you're too trusting, you believed me so easily! You don't know my background, you don't know my origins... you didn't even know what I gave you before you ate it!"

I gently hugged the little girl's trembling body and murmured, "Actually... I wasn't so trusting of people before... nor did I like taking people in... But when you are trusted and taken in by others, you'll find that people aren't so bad after all." I smiled gently at Xiao Lü, "Because I'm also a drifter, and I've also been taken in..."

"I don't care! You're just too kind-hearted, you'll get scammed sooner or later!" Little Green rubbed her eyes, gave me a childlike hug, and pulled out a small wooden box from somewhere with her right hand, placing it in my hand: "Eat the candy inside twice a day, preferably with honey water." She regained her childlike innocence, "Sister Bai, I'm leaving!" She pushed open the door and skipped out.

As soon as Xiao Lü left, Yun Yiyang pushed open the door and walked in.

Although he and Xiao Lü argued every time they met, they had at least one thing in common: they never knocked when entering other people's houses, and it was more natural for them than when entering their own.