Rêve de fleurs urbaines

Chapitre 1

Bookish Abode - Ye Mi - Bo Qinghuan

Bo Qinghuan returned

Ye Mi

She came to this city following her master's orders—a debauched and tyrannical new city lord, a mysterious and profound masked man, an elegant and composed chief steward, and the enigmatic Wu You Weng. Everyone in this city has a secret!

After many twists and turns, the trap of power and lust led to his downfall. He used seven hairpins to try and win her favor, only to discover that the man he despised most was actually a sincere person...

Chapter 1

Bi Feixian led her horse into Hantian City.

White lanterns and black gauze were hung on the city gate, which was more than ten feet high. The guards at the city gate were lax, and people could come and go freely without even routine checks.

Once inside the city, most pedestrians appeared relaxed and dressed in exquisite clothing—perhaps too exquisite.

She witnessed all of this and was quite surprised.

Logically, when the city lord dies, Hantian City should be under martial law, and the people should be dressed in mourning clothes and weeping in grief. Why is what she sees completely different? If it weren't for the white lanterns and black veils still hanging on the city gate, one would never know that the city lord, Dai Maozi, had just passed away.

Dai Maozi was a hero of his generation, a man of extraordinary talent and brilliance, but his only son, Dai Kejian, was a complete fool, addicted to drinking, womanizing, and engaging in absurd and dissolute behavior—in short, the kind of spendthrift who caused nothing but trouble. How could such a person inherit Hantian City?

Master said, “Chief Steward Huai Su is indeed a talented man. It’s a pity that with Brother Dai dead, there is no one in Hantian City who can keep him in check. I’m afraid he might harbor some dissent.”

The master's wife scoffed from the side, "The so-called 'the capable should rule' means that he is better off as the city lord than Dai Kejian. Mao Zi is good in every way, but he is too selfish. He still passed the position to his son. Alas, a tiger father and a dog son. Hantian City is doomed."

The master said, "No matter what, I have known Brother Dai for half my life. He wrote to me on his deathbed asking for my help, and I cannot refuse. Feiqian, you should go to Hantian City now and help Ke Jian secure his position as city lord."

And so, Bi Feixian, the chief disciple of the Divine Mechanism Pavilion, came to Hantian City alone.

A straight bluestone avenue led ahead, lined with stalls on both sides, all neatly arranged. As she walked by, an old man called out, "Young lady, would you like a bowl of noodles? Knife-cut noodles, hand-pulled noodles, rolled noodles, shaved noodles, fish-shaped noodles, oat noodles... I have everything!"

Bi Feixian was indeed hungry, so she sat down at the table and said, "Then let's have a bowl of your best dish."

"Alright, please wait a moment, young lady." The old man lifted the lid of the pot and chatted casually, "Young lady, you're from out of town, aren't you? Are you here for sightseeing or to visit relatives? The ten scenic spots of Hantian are enchanting, especially 'Autumn Cuts in the West Huai River' and 'Sunset Glow and Hanging Mist', which are the most beautiful. You must go and see them!"

Bi Feixian said, "I heard that your city lord has just passed away. Is it really appropriate to travel at this time?"

The old man sighed, "Alas, our city lord has been ill for so long, and now that he's gone, it's a relief. Before he died, the city lord instructed that there should be no extravagant funeral, and everything in the city should remain the same. So although there are many people coming from all directions to pay their respects, there are also many people who come here to visit. You can rest assured, young lady."

"Lord Dai is truly compassionate towards his people..." Bi Feixian echoed, then changed the subject, "I wonder what your new city lord is like?"

A hint of embarrassment flashed across the old man's face as he whispered, "Speaking of this new city lord... sigh! Do you think fate is playing tricks on us? A good man like Lord Dai had to give birth to such a good-for-nothing son, skilled in drinking, gambling, and whoring, but a complete bum when it comes to horseback riding and archery. Luckily, we still have the Grand Steward! After the old city lord passed away, the Grand Steward took charge of all the city's affairs; otherwise, how could we have such peace and prosperity now?"

Bi Feixian smiled and said, "I have long heard of the name of Grand Steward Huai Su."

Before the old man could speak, a rapid sound of horses' hooves suddenly came from the other end of the street.

Bi Feixian turned her head and saw seven or eight cavalrymen chasing a young girl. The girl, dressed in red with long, loose hair, was running towards them frantically, while the cavalrymen behind her shouted, "Stop her! Miss, don't run! Quick! Stop her..."

The old man stamped his feet in disbelief, exclaiming, "Good heavens, how did Miss Li manage to run out again!"

"Miss Li?" Upon seeing the girl's exceptionally beautiful face, Bi Feixian immediately recalled a name, "Li Youyou, the most beautiful woman in Hantian City?"

As they were talking, the girl stumbled and fell to the ground. She was immediately caught up by the cavalry. The girl screamed and struggled incessantly, so the leader had no choice but to use acupressure on her pressure points, put her on the horse, and ride away. They came quickly and left quickly.

The old man sighed, "Alas, knowing she was sick, why didn't you take better care of her?"

"Illness? What illness does she have?"

"It's a tragedy..." the old man said in a low voice, "It's all because the young city lord wanted to take advantage of her, but she refused, and then somehow she went mad."

Bi Feixian felt a chill run down her spine. That Dai Kejian was actually capable of such a thing, and she was supposed to be assisting him? It was truly...

She gazed thoughtfully in the direction the cavalry had departed, and after a while, she turned her head and asked, "Old man, may I ask which is the most famous inn around here?"

The night was cool and still, and I rode the wind. At a glance, I saw rows of glazed houses, brightly lit.

Bi Feiqian landed lightly and disappeared behind a pillar. The two servants carrying lanterns walked by, but none of them noticed her. Spring flowers were in full bloom all around, their fragrance filling the air. No one had expected that the Dai family's back garden would be planted with so many flowers, stretching out like a brocade under the moonlight.

She leaped toward the brightest building, and while still in mid-air, she suddenly thrust her sword into the flower bushes.

"Spare me! Heroine!" Two hands were immediately raised from the flower bushes, and a person sat up in a very disheveled state, with petals covering their hair and clothes.

Bi Feixian's sword tip stopped just short of his throat. She coldly examined him and saw that he was very, very young, and also very, very—slovenly.

His hair was like a tangled mess, and his eyes were half-open, as if he hadn't woken up yet. Holding a bottle of wine, he chuckled and said, "Heroine, spare my life! I'm very obedient. I'll tell you whatever you want, without holding back. Whether you're stealing, spying, assassinating, or seeking revenge, I'll pretend I didn't see anything."

Bi Feixian raised her eyebrows, not expecting to encounter such a spineless person. "Where is Li Youyou being locked up?"

The boy's eyes lit up. "So you came for her. She lives in the Forget-Worry Pavilion, the one in the northwest corner with seven pink lanterns hanging under the eaves. To prevent her from escaping again, the number of guards around there has doubled, and the four envoys of 'blowing, pulling, playing, and singing' are the most skilled in martial arts. But don't be afraid. Speaking of 'blowing, pulling, playing, and singing,' as long as you strike first and prevent them from drawing their weapons, the heroine's skills should be more than enough to take them down in one move..."

Seeing Bi Feixian's surprised expression, the young man continued, "After you enter the Forget-Worry Pavilion, you will see a beautiful screen. If you rotate the orchid on the small table on the left side of the screen three times to the left, a hidden door will be revealed. You can take Li Youyou and escape through this door. They will definitely not be able to catch you."

Bi Feixian blinked and asked, "What if we run into Huai Su?"

The boy chuckled and said, "It's too easy. If you run into him, just yell, 'I'm going to take my clothes off!' I guarantee that gentleman will turn around immediately and won't even dare to look at you."

"You even know that? I'm so lucky."

"Not at all, not at all. I don't have many merits, except that I am honest, frank, sincere, and enthusiastic..." Before he could finish speaking, he heard faint footsteps in the distance. Bi Feixian quickly pushed him down and hid him in the flower bushes.

Two maids walked by, chatting and laughing.

Bi Feixian breathed a sigh of relief only after confirming that they had gone far away. Then she found herself lying on top of the boy. What was worse, the boy's eyes, which had been sleepy, were now wide open, bright as stars, looking at her with a half-smile.

"why are you laughing?"

"I'm wondering if I'm dreaming. Look at this beautiful scene under the moon and flowers, a perfect moment, and there's such a pretty girl lying on top of me, so soft and fragrant..."

Before he could finish speaking, Bi Feixian slapped him on the chest and jumped up angrily, saying, "How dare you! You dare to take advantage of me?"

The boy, after taking the slap, didn't cry out. He just rubbed his chest and groaned, "Heroine, you're the one who tackled me. How did I take advantage of you? Can't you be reasonable? Ouch, that hurts... my sternum is definitely broken..."

Bi Feixian said coldly, "My slap was just a slight punishment and could not have damaged any bones. If you insist that your sternum is broken, I don't mind giving you another slap to fulfill your wish."

The boy immediately did a somersault and jumped up, "Wow, I suddenly feel no pain! Not only is there no pain, but my whole body feels comfortable, it's like I've taken a super tonic!"

"Is that so?" Bi Feiqian slashed her sword forward, pressing it against the boy's throat once more.

The young man smiled wryly and said, "Miss, we're already so familiar with each other, is there any need for this formality?"

"Take me to Dai Kejian's room."

The boy asked in surprise, "Didn't you come to see Li Youyou?"

"Stop talking nonsense, are you taking it or not?"

Bi Feisian tightened her grip, and the young man quickly said, "Take me, take me! Wherever the heroine wants to go, I will lead you there. I will definitely be an excellent guide bee!"

So he led her to a courtyard at the northernmost point. Three or five bamboo houses were built by the water, with green grass like a carpet in front of the door and unknown wildflowers blooming. Behind the houses was a large bamboo forest. He never expected that Dai Kejian's residence would be so elegant.

A plaque hangs above the door, clearly visible under the lamplight, bearing the four characters "Seize the day" in bold and elegant calligraphy, which is inherently quite charming, but it seems somewhat out of place here.

The young man said, "This is it. Is there anything else you need, heroine?"

"Is this Dai Kejian's room?"

"Absolutely true."

"Don't lie to me!" A flash of white light, and Bi Feixian slowly extended her sword in front of the boy. A button was clearly visible on the tip of the sword. The boy looked down and found that the button on his chest was missing.

He shook his head and sighed, "Heroine, I know your sword is fast; it can cut off my buttons and pierce my heart. But I'm not lying to you; this is Dai Kejian's residence. Why don't you go in and take a look?"

Bi Feixian glanced at him a few times, then led him forward. All was quiet. No lamps were lit in the bamboo hut; only moonlight streamed through the windows. There was no one inside. At this hour, that纨绔子弟 (a spoiled, dissolute young man) was surely out in the main hall, indulging in pleasure.

Pushing open the door, a delicate fragrance wafted into the air. Bi Feixian frowned and said, "The scent of geranium and bitter orange blossom... does your city lord often suffer from insomnia?"

"Wow, heroine, your nose is amazing! You knew it just by smelling it!"

Bi Feixian remained noncommittal and continued walking inside. The simple yet exquisite furnishings everywhere showcased the homeowner's refined taste. The more she looked, the more strange she felt, yet she couldn't quite put her finger on what was strange.

She turned her head and stared at the young man, saying, "You know so much about Li Youyou's residence, it seems you've been living in the Dai residence for a long time?"

The young man chuckled and said, "If you're asking me about any secret passages or mechanisms in this room, feel free to ask. As I've said before, I'll tell you everything I know."

“Actually, what I want to ask is—” Bi Feixian mimicked his smile, her voice suddenly turning cold: “Who exactly are you? Why do you know everything about this place?”

A playful glint flashed in the boy's eyes, making him appear even more frivolous. "So, the heroine has finally remembered to ask my name? Actually, my name is..."

Before he could finish speaking, Bi Feixian exclaimed in surprise, "No! There's also jade lilac and..."

A pleasant fragrance filled the air, subtly numbing one's senses. Unfortunately, she realized it too late.

Bi Fei swayed and fainted. The young man caught her waist to prevent her from falling, shaking his head and laughing, "And there's Jade Lilac and Drunken East Wind. Heroine, you're really slow..."

Something suddenly fell out of her clothes. The young man reached out and caught it. He was stunned when he saw the object, and when he looked at Bi Feixian again, his eyes held a complex mix of surprise and amusement. He murmured, "So it was you! Hmm, let me think, what kind of big gift should I give you..."

Thus, Bi Feixian, the chief disciple of Shenji Pavilion, suffered a setback in her first solo journey in the martial world. She fell into someone's trap, and what was most infuriating was that she didn't even know who had tricked her!

Bi Feixian opened her eyes and the first thing she saw was a flickering torch, its dim yellow flame dancing. She felt her head was still spinning and she couldn't muster any energy.

Where is this place? Oh right, she was drugged by the strange fragrance in Dai Kejian's room, what happened after that?

Bi Feixian struggled to her feet and saw the fence in front of her, the lock on the fence, and the straw on the ground...

"Is anyone there? Is anyone there? Hello—"

As she called out for the third time, a burly man lazily walked over, munching on a chicken leg. "What? Want some water or something else?"

"Where is this place?"

The burly man gave her a strange look and looked her up and down. "Don't you know what you've done? You're even asking where this place is. Let me tell you, this is the prison of Hantian City. You were caught red-handed breaking into an official's residence at night with malicious intent. Wait for the trial tomorrow."

No way!

Bi Feixian nearly fainted from anger, shouting, "I want to see Dai Kejian!"

The burly man sneered, "You? Our city lord is too busy to see you."

“Then Huaisu will do.”

"Alright, girl, you won't see any of them. Just behave yourself and wait for your court session tomorrow." The burly man said as he walked away, ignoring her calls.

Bi Feixian stared at the thick iron bars, realizing how much they had underestimated her. Could these mere scraps of iron possibly hold her? She reached into her clothes; her sword was gone, as expected. But she still had a magical treasure hidden in her inner pocket. To her surprise, the pocket was empty!

Completely stunned, cold sweat poured down his face. No way!

Her first thought was, "Who dared to search my body, not even sparing such a private place?" Her second thought was, "I'm doomed, I'm not going to escape now." Her third thought was, "No problem, let them hold court. As long as I reveal my identity, what's there to be afraid of?" Her fourth thought was, "I'll avenge this! That bastard, it must have been that slovenly boy's doing. If I see him again, I'll teach him a lesson..."

With all sorts of thoughts swirling in her mind, Bi Feixian fell asleep again. In her hazy state, she even thought that the prison in Hantian City wasn't actually that bad; it was quite clean...

The next morning, two constables unlocked the fence and shouted, "It's your turn, come out."