Chapter 8, Who Shares the Fragrant Alliance
On that day, she was as beautiful as a fairy that had fallen from the clouds of the ninth heaven into the mortal world
Is there a fate more tragic than this in the world?
I told her to bring back a bottle of high-quality osmanthus essential oil for her
Xu Bin held her jade hand that was pressed on his shoulder with his backhand and asked, "Did she take the item?"
He seems to be oblivious to it
He gently stroked the painting tube with his hand, as if struggling for a long time before finally placing the tube into the blue and white porcelain jar beside the writing desk, which contained many similar painting tubes
The maid Gui, who was serving nearby, noticed that the expression of Master Yuhua was not right. Following her gaze, she looked towards Ruowei and exclaimed, "Heavens!" Gui immediately walked over and picked up the object, saying, "My goodness, it is actually a little turtle!"
The green garment conceals the white bustier, resembling a lotus bud nestled in the water.
The Jade Flower Master was remarkably perceptive, her keen eyes sweeping downwards to observe Ruo Wei, whose delicate, powdery face was puffy and soundly asleep. Feeling pity for her, the Master was reluctant to wake her and intended to turn her face away to continue reciting scriptures. However, what was that? The Jade Flower Master furrowed her brows slightly and focused her gaze again, only to discover a dark object crawling on Ruo Wei's lap, instantly causing her to be greatly alarmed.
Xu Bin clearly remembers that she first sat by the edge of the boat, testing the water with her hand. The lake was clear and pristine, and her jade-like hand splashed up a flurry of water droplets. Her light spinning resembled dancing snowflakes, and her dangling hands were as delicate as willow strands. Her dance skirt fluttered at an angle, as if white clouds were rising. The sleeves of her dance attire billowed in the wind, exuding myriad charms
"Received!" Yu Niang gazed into his eyes. The man before her was already handsome, but under the soft candlelight, he appeared even more stunning, striking awe in the heart. This was a face that incited jealousy in men and madness in women. However, it was a pity that he often deliberately adorned his exquisite features with a mask of coldness and defiance, making him admirable yet difficult to approach.
Since you are so concerned about her, why not go see her directly, my lord? Yu Niang felt a pang of compassion in her heart, for the expression on his face was one of joy that he had not experienced in the past ten years. After a moment of hesitation, Yu Niang could not bear to see such an expression vanish completely.
In the painting, she holds a ceramic pot close to her chest, with relaxed knees, a twisted waist, and a tilted hip, capturing a graceful posture. She gazes with a smile, exuding elegance in her form.
However, Gui Mama was frowning with a face full of clouds, and before she could speak, Master Yuhua nodded and said: "It is rare for you to have this intention, so go early and return early"
At first, Wei felt that the melodious chanting of the women was quite pleasant, and thus she was very enthusiastic while reciting. However, after several days, she found it to be dull and uninteresting
The purple smoke and Xiangting sitting beside her immediately brushed against her gently with their legs
He no longer speaks
Yun Niang respectfully replied, "Then let Bai Zhu go tomorrow"
She is indeed somewhat strange; having been exiled from the palace, she practices in a remote mountain temple yet remains carefree and at ease, coming up with so many new ideas. I see that her complexion seems to be much better than when she was in the palace! Yu Niang's voice was filled with joy as she recounted how Ruo Wei was channeling water and setting up irrigation on Qixia Mountain, and how she opened a medicinal hut outside the San Yuan Temple to diagnose illnesses for others.
Yes, go see her directly
All the young Taoist nuns present were visibly pleased upon hearing this
He enjoys carefully unfolding the scroll bit by bit, watching her flowing hair, delicate face, and graceful figure gradually come into his view, taking his time to gently smooth the slightly curled paper over the course of an entire evening
He quietly withdrew and secured the door behind him
However, Yu Niang does not understand his thoughts
"One must read for at least one or two hours each day; why should we put it away?" Yu Niang gracefully entered the room, her hand lightly resting on Xu Bin's shoulder
On that day, she, with her unblemished skin, appeared innocent and pure, standing gracefully like jade in the Yao Pool at night. Her delicate features seemed both ethereal and enchanting
Everyone has weaknesses; some are adept at concealing them, making it difficult for outsiders to perceive, while others are overly transparent. Regardless, as long as one is aware of their weaknesses, one can gain control over that person. On the surface, Wei exhibits a maturity and calmness that is incongruous with her age, speaking while moving briskly.
He stood up and walked to the piano table under the west wall, gently plucking the strings. After just a few sounds, he hurriedly walked to the writing desk and, among a pile of painting tubes, quickly selected that scroll of painting.
Granny Gui held the little turtle and said: "What is the meaning of this? In the serene and solemn hall, you actually brought this thing to listen to the teachings. You are truly incorrigible..."
"Real person, if Ruo Wei knows she is wrong, she will not bring the little turtle to the hall next time!" Ruo Wei's face was filled with regret, but her mind was racing. She had originally thought about the lack of some medicinal materials in her pharmacy and wanted to go down the mountain to buy some more. However, the rules of the San Yuan Temple were very strict, and it was not allowed to go down the mountain privately. The daily supplies of rice, oil, and salt were regularly delivered from the palace, while seasonal vegetables and miscellaneous items were handled by the monks of Qixia Temple, who then delivered them to the temple gate, where Granny Gui would collect the money for settlement, making it quite inconvenient. With this in mind, Ruo Wei mustered her courage to kneel on the mat, lowering her head and softly pleading: "Yuhua Real Person, a few days ago, I diagnosed patients at the temple gate for passersby and received some consultation fees. I originally intended to offer this silver to buy some personal items for the sisters in the temple, but these items are for girls, and if I ask the monks of Qixia Temple to buy them on my behalf, it would likely be quite inconvenient. Moreover, the medicinal materials also need to be replenished, so I would like to request the Real Person to allow me to go down the mountain to gather the necessary items. Even if I am punished with remote duties, it would be fine."
She extended her hand, gently caressing his brow, his nose, and his lips with her fingertips, her eyes reflecting a hint of resentment: "She herself practices medicine and dispenses medicine outside the Sanyuan Temple, deeply versed in the art of Qi Huang, why would she need these two pills from you?"
Xu Bin's expression darkened slightly: "I cannot explain it clearly, I just feel restless, as if something is about to happen. Moreover, her departure from the palace this time is somewhat suspicious; I fear that the old man has some schemes again, so we must remain vigilant."
Yun Niang stood up, slowly walked to the door, and turned to gaze at his back: "Will you still go there tomorrow?"
Men only know this beauty that is originally opposing yet combined together, which makes them unable to resist, yet they will never know how it was formed
The expression on the face of Master Yuhua was one of utmost calmness, making it difficult to discern whether he was pleased or angry. His gaze lingered on Ruowei for a long time, as if he were somewhat lost in thought.
Yuniang's expression turned serious: "I have said long ago that we can first target the Crown Prince. Let us eliminate his heart and liver, and then take the lives of the Han King, the Zhao King, and the Crown Prince, ensuring that he is left without descendants. That old man will surely be so enraged that he will spit blood and die, so why wait any longer and miss the opportunity."
The pampered daughter of a noble family, in a single night, fell to the lowest rank of courtesans, subjected to the violation and defilement by countless ruffians, unable to seek life or death, and was subsequently thrown into a brothel, forced to learn the art of selling smiles
As everyone saw Master Yuhua stop reciting the scriptures, they all turned their gaze towards Ruowei
Perhaps I am ill, or perhaps I am bewitched. Yet even if my medical skills surpass those of Hua Tuo and Sun Simiao, I fear that in this lifetime, I will never be able to heal myself.
Miss, what did you just say to Granny Gui that made her so willing to let us leave the mountain so easily?" Ziyan curiously asked Ruowei.
Outside the door, in contrast, there is a softer, almost imperceptible sound of sighing
At this moment, she rested her chin on her hand, feeling drowsy.
The brush can only capture her final scene, while before that, the long string of dazzling dance moves and her delicate expressions, no matter how many sheets of paper he tears apart or how many brushes he breaks, cannot be perfectly and vividly presented.
Thus, if Wei returned to her small courtyard with Xiangting and Ziyan, she would change out of her Daoist robe and into a set of blue male attire, tie up her hair and insert a hairpin, and only then would she descend the mountain
Xu Bin was deeply immersed in the situation she depicted, remaining extremely quiet throughout. He listened attentively from beginning to end, never interrupting or interjecting, while a smile gradually spread across his lips
She did not hide from Xu Bin: "That day in the valley, when I bandaged her hand, I inadvertently touched her pulse and realized that she seemed to have taken some cooling medicine from the palace. Her medical skills are still rudimentary; she may be able to treat common ailments, but she might not know how to deal with such harmful methods. If she is not properly adjusted soon, I fear it will lead to delays over time."
At the Sanyuan Temple on Qixia Mountain, Ruo Wei sits above in the main hall, listening to Master Yuhua expound the scriptures along with the many Taoist nuns in the temple. The so-called scripture expounding is, in fact, her reciting a line, followed by the people below reciting a line in response.
Ah? Zi Yan clapped her hands in praise: "I never expected that Granny Gui, at her age, still loves beauty so much. Usually so fierce, who would have thought that her Achilles' heel is this head of misty hair"
Under the gaze of Xiangting and Ziyan, they no longer spoke, merely quickening their pace to follow Ruowei.
Little Turtle!" Ruo Wei immediately shouted, "I ask the nurse to return it to me!"
On the second day, the sun shone brightly
If Wei was a bit foolish and confused, she would bump into a solid shoulder upon turning around: "Aunt Gui!"
The feathered maiden smiled, her smile exuding elegance. Indeed, women like her are unlike ordinary courtesans; they possess the charming allure of a skilled courtesan, yet also embody the grace and demeanor of a refined lady from a prestigious family.
Yun Niang, who was perfectly fine, was suddenly startled, her body slightly trembling, as she lowered her eyelids and murmured: "Yun Niang has spoken too much!"
Xu Bin gazed at the painting on the table and let out a long sigh
If Ruo Wei lightly brushed her hair with her hand, whether intentionally or unintentionally, Gui Mama immediately felt short of breath. She thought to herself that this girl had too many tricks up her sleeve, and that her own hair loss had been cured by her. If she scolded her too harshly and offended her, who knows what tricks she might use to get back at her. Never mind. With this thought, Gui Mama tossed the small turtle in her hand to Ruo Wei, who immediately reached out to catch it and carefully cradled it in her hands. Gui Mama then turned and walked in front of Master Yu Hua: "Master, what do you think should be done to punish Ruo Wei for disrupting the morning class?"
"What are you laughing at?" Xu Bin pulled her down to sit.
From now on, who can bind the carefree smoke and waves
Yet if Wei is still in a dream, a foolish smile appears on her face
This proud man, who regards the beauty of the world as mere weeds, has also encountered his own romantic tribulation
"Alright, you are tired too, go down and rest!" It seemed like just a moment, and Xu Bin returned to his usual self.
Come in! Xu Bin rolled up the painting on the table and placed it into the tube.
Xu Bin shook his head: "Her current status is even more awkward than before in the palace, and there are secretly members of the Jinyiwei watching her. How can I, for my own selfish reasons, let her get into trouble? Moreover, now that you, Bai Zhuo, and Lu Yao often disguise yourselves as patients to visit her, I can rest assured!"
Who could have imagined that she would perform the stunning and remarkable Tang dynasty masterpiece "Tage" on the unsteady little boat
In the residence of Xu Bin, located in Baihua Alley by the Qinhuai River, within the tranquil Miaoyin Studio by the crescent moon pool, the moonlight gently spills into the room, soft and enchanting. In the study of the west small room, under the flickering candlelight, there stands a tall, handsome figure, solitary and desolate.
If Wei listened and was overwhelmed with joy, she immediately ran over to Granny Gui and whispered for a moment. The crowd did not know what she said, but Granny Gui's expression gradually brightened.
The young master can rest assured! But we have suffered, pretending to be an old woman and a sickly person, looking dirty and ugly, and we still have to come up with various ailments for ourselves!" Yu Niang remarked, "It has been several days since we went up the mountain, and everything is quite peaceful. What else is the young master worried about?"
As soon as she spoke, Xu Bin's sword-like eyebrows arched high, and a hint of wickedness emanated from his dark eyes. What kind of gaze was this? Just a fleeting glance, and that captivating and domineering aura shot out coldly, like a sharp arrow.
The dance of the colorful garments has ended, leaving only the flowing waters of a broken soul
Miss! Zi Yan kept giving her meaningful glances.
Ah, has the sermon ended?" Ruo Wei rubbed her eyes and jumped up from the mat, pulling up Zi Yan's hand: "Let's go, quickly go outside for some fresh air, I feel like I'm going to suffocate!
In the past, only then did I feel that she was right beside him, so vividly accompanying him.
"Returning it to you?" Granny Gui glared at her, just about to speak again to reprimand her
And she knew that he had agreed
Yun Niang quietly gazed at him, the two of them separated by mere inches, close enough to hear each other's heartbeat. When he mentioned 'her', a faint smile appeared on his lips, and his eyes held an indescribable tenderness. The past coldness and gloom had completely vanished. Yun Niang suddenly felt that if being with 'her' could make him so joyful, even if it meant exchanging her own life for it, it would still be worth it.
He recalled what Yu Niang had just said, that he should take it out to look at several times a day. Why roll it up? It would be better to simply hang it in the room so that he could see it whenever he looked up
In the flickering candlelight, he seemed to nod slightly.
Gently untie the silk string above, open it again, and lay it flat on the table
Xiang Ting understood that if Wei was not merely going down the mountain to procure necessary items, she must have other matters she wished to attend to. However, since she did not speak of it, one could not bring it to light; as a servant, one must adhere to the duties of a servant.
He is Xu Bin. Dressed in a white silk robe, he sat before the writing desk, staring blankly at the woman vividly depicted on the paper
The captivating smile of Yu Niang, which can enchant a nation, is attained in this manner