Jeune Premier ministre, un ermite

Chapitre 23

He wandered for a year, until one day he met Wei Zijun. Wei Zijun's words that day instantly melted Duan Xin's heart, which had been cold for a year. That warm voice, that warm inquiry, that warm advice—he longed to rush into that warm embrace, an embrace as warm as a mother's. He liked this person so much. When Wei Zijun slipped him some silver, an idea struck him.

When he looked up at Wei Zijun, he was certain of his thoughts. Although Duan Xin was young, he had been well-versed in the classics since childhood and was skilled in physiognomy. He could tell at a glance that Wei Zijun had the appearance of someone of great nobility, and not just ordinary nobility, but a noble appearance comparable to that of a dragon and phoenix. So he gave Wei Zijun his ancestral jade pendant.

This jade pendant in his family is something that a person with a weak fate cannot bear. He remembers that his mother once advised his father to sell the jade, but his father said that his family had been doing well for generations. Although they had suffered a few hardships, who said it was necessarily because of the jade pendant? His mother had no choice but to give up after hearing this.

However, this jade pendant is indeed of extraordinary benefit to the noble, strengthening the body, warding off all diseases, and truly bringing good fortune and avoiding misfortune. Therefore, seeing that Wei Zijun exuded nobility in every gesture, he thought that this jade would surely bring him good luck, so he gave it to her without hesitation.

Seeing his unwavering determination to give it to her, Wei Zijun no longer refused. After all, she didn't really believe in anything that could ward off evil or bring good fortune; she only believed in her own abilities. Therefore, she didn't care much about the jade.

Before she knew it, she had arrived at the city gate. The guard saw her and invited her into the prepared carriage. The carriage was simple and elegant, and through the bamboo-inlaid gauze curtains, one could see the scenery outside.

The carriage trotted along for a short while before stopping at a large mansion. It seemed the mansion was very close to the city gate.

After getting off the bus, the magnificent building that towered above the white walls came into view.

The roof is bluish-gray, with wide, sloping eaves. At each end of the main ridge is a chiwen (a mythical beast-like creature) with its mouth open and swallowing the ridge, resembling a bird's head raised high. The white windows in the dark red window frames under the eaves are painted with colorful pictures, and below are square window frames, giving it a solemn and simple appearance.

A moment later, the soldier who had gone in to summon her came out and led her into the courtyard, where she was immediately captivated by the grandeur of the mansion.

I've been here for almost two months now, spending most of my time in the valley. The only times I've ventured out were to stroll around the market, and I've never actually entered any grand mansions or courtyards. Now, the architecture here seems far more magnificent than that of the Ming and Qing dynasties. While it's clearly less luxurious, it exudes a greater sense of solemnity and grandeur.

Before Wei Zijun could appreciate the scene properly, she heard a commotion and was then surrounded by a group of women who suddenly appeared.

These women were all dressed in light, cool silk dresses, with a touch of makeup, their faces flushed and their clothes fluttering, exuding a subtle fragrance, making Wei Zijun feel as if she were in a Dunhuang mural.

Wei Zijun was staring blankly at the women when she heard their giggles. Several of the bolder ones came up and tugged at her sleeves.

"How come you, a man, are more handsome than us! Ah? Look at your delicate, fair skin, let me touch it... hehehe..."

"Giggle giggle..." A group of women giggled, their voices like silver bells. Of course, amidst the babbling of the silver bells, Wei Zijun's face inevitably suffered a slap from a lewd hand.

"It's so smooth—come and touch it—" the woman with the groping hands loudly invited her companions.

Suddenly, countless pig hooves, accompanied by giggles, attacked Wei Zijun's jade-like face.

Seeing this, Wei Zijun had no way to dodge and hurriedly covered her face with her arms. After a bit of rough treatment, she heard the women giggle and say, "I caught your ear."

"I touched the neck."

"Oh my, I touched her neck too, it's so smooth and tender."

Wei Zijun smiled bitterly to herself. When did she become such a fun object, being teased by a group of women?

It was unexpected that the customs of the Dayu Kingdom were so open. This must be the result of a large-scale ethnic integration; while many Xianbei and Xiongnu people were assimilated into Han culture, their customs also influenced the Han people. Xianbei men only took one wife, and Xianbei women held a relatively high status, so women were exceptionally open about sex, even having premarital sex was commonplace. Men, on the other hand, did not value female chastity and often married their brothers' wives. This openness about sex clearly influenced the Han people. Wei Zijun somewhat regretted that she didn't need to dress as a man at all; she was just like Dieyun.

"Hahahaha..." Just as Wei Zijun was burying her head in the sand like an ostrich, a burst of happy laughter came from behind her. She knew that her saviors had arrived.

[Volume 1, Deer City Chapter: Chapter 21 Birthday (Part 2)]

Sure enough, the women surrounded him, drawn by the laughter, and called out in a sweet, cloying voice, "Li Anfu, just wait here. Are you afraid we'll eat him up?"

Wei Zijun breathed a sigh of relief, tugged at her sleeves, and shook out her blue silk outer garment. It was a brand new garment she had just bought, and it was the first time she had worn such a gorgeous outfit since arriving here.

"Fourth brother, what do you think of these beautiful women?" Li Tianqi asked jokingly.

“It’s naturally beautiful!” Wei Zijun replied awkwardly.

"How about the fourth brother brings back a few?"

"No need, Second Brother, you should keep it for yourself." She neither needed it nor could afford it; just look at those silk skirts, they were quite an expense.

"Hahaha... I can't afford to enjoy this either. These are all wives of the courtesans. Today is Gongzhi's birthday, and I invited them to come and entertain us."

Jiaofang? That's right. During the late Sui Dynasty, when the rites and music were in great demand, many Jiaofang were established to teach women singing and dancing. It seems that these women should be considered high-class prostitutes.

"Gongzhi's birthday!? Why didn't you let me know beforehand? I could have prepared a small gift." How can you attend someone's birthday without bringing a gift?

"Why would I inform you? You're still using my money to buy it, aren't you? Just give up!" For some reason, Li Tianqi wanted to say something teasing to Wei Zijun whenever he saw him.

"You... how can you say that... I'll earn money and pay you back soon." Wei Zijun was extremely embarrassed, her face burning hot.

"Look, look, she even used my money to buy herself new clothes." Li Tianqi looked at her flushed cheeks and tugged at her sleeve with even more interest.

"Second Brother~~~~~" Wei Zijun pushed Li Tianqi in annoyance, so ashamed that she wanted to find a crack in the ground to crawl into. Indeed, taking other people's money to buy clothes for herself was such a shameful thing for someone as strong-willed as her.

"Hahahaha... Hahahaha..." It seemed like he had never been so happy in his life. Ever since he met this fourth brother, he always wanted to laugh happily.

"Boyuan, are you so happy as soon as your fourth brother arrives?" Chen Chang came out to greet him upon hearing the laughter.

"Third Brother, I didn't know it was your birthday today. Please forgive me for not bringing a gift. I'll have to make it up to you tomorrow." Wei Zijun bowed respectfully.

"Fourth brother, you're too kind. I didn't call you here for a small gift. Your arrival is the greatest gift I could give you." Chen Chang went up and took her hand. "Come, let me introduce you to some people." He then led Wei Zijun into the hall.

Turning past a curtain, you are greeted by a spacious and bright hall.

The hall was simple yet elegant, with layers of curtains and a large landscape mural on the wall. A zither table sat beneath the painting, upon which rested a guzheng (a traditional Chinese stringed instrument). This guzheng truly amazed her. It was a full two meters long, its lacquered rosewood shell gleaming, and its strings were half again as thick as those of a typical guzheng. She imagined that when played, its music would resonate for days. Looking at the guzheng, Wei Zijun couldn't help but feel an itch in her fingers. Anyone who saw such a rare instrument would want to try it out.

There were already more than a dozen guests in the hall, presumably all there to offer their congratulations. Two rows of small tables were set up on the floor, covered with tea sets, and the guests sat on the floor beside them.

Huh? Shouldn't folding chairs and benches have been widely used by this time? It seems to be a transitional period. Even in a dignified general's mansion, people sit on the floor. It must have been a matter of personal preference.

"Fourth brother, come here, let me introduce you."

"This is Prefect Zhang of Wu Commandery." Chen Chang led Wei Zijun to a man sitting at the head of the table. The man was about fifty years old, dressed in dark blue silk casual clothes, with a black gauze hat on his head. He stood up when he saw them coming.

"This humble one, Wei Zijun, greets Magistrate Zhang." Wei Zijun bowed deeply. "I will rely on your guidance in the future."

"Hahaha... Not at all! I heard Gongzhi boast about his fourth brother a few days ago, and seeing him today, I can see he is indeed quite handsome. Brother Gongzhi is my brother too, hahaha, Brother Wei, you should visit my home more often in the future."