Chapter 001: Who is playing the jade flute by the stream
The old farmer, with his hands clasped and back bent, slowly walked along the distant ridge, dragging a thin, bony old cow with a piece of rope in his hand. On the cow's back sat a little child with a tall, upright braid, happily playing with his grandfather's straw hat. In the distance, the sun, as large as a wheel, was already half-set on the horizon
As dusk approaches, the oppressive heat gradually dissipates. The setting sun casts its glow to the west, and the afterglow resembles mist, painting the horizon in shades of smoky red. At this moment, the area around Yuhui Bay in Yunhe Town appears particularly cool, as it features a water bay formed by a tributary of the Mi River, covering an area of approximately five to six acres. The bay is adorned with lotus flowers, while willows and mulberry trees surround the area, making it an ideal place for respite from the summer heat.
The Yang family in Qingzhou was originally considered a moderately prosperous household. Four years ago, when the old master of the Yang family, Yang Bingkun, passed away, he entrusted the struggling family assets to his only son, Yang Xu, who was merely sixteen years old at the time. Others believed that the Yang family would inevitably decline from then on. In the first year after taking over the family business, Yang Xu indeed did not demonstrate any remarkable abilities; it could be said that he was not even sufficient in merely maintaining the status quo, let alone expanding it.
Hearing the sound of the xiao, the old man glanced towards the water bay. The lake was dotted with lush green lotus plants, and a small boat was completely hidden among the lotus flowers. One could only vaguely see a young gentleman dressed in a simple white robe, wearing a square cap, sitting at the bow of the boat, leisurely playing the xiao. Beside him stood a beauty holding an oiled paper umbrella, clad in a spring dress, her waist delicate and slender. Unfortunately, she faced the gentleman, making it impossible to see her face; one could only catch a glimpse of her dark hair, styled in a lazy bun, with a branch of hairpin inserted at an angle, accentuating her long neck and graceful figure, evoking endless imagination.
When the crescent moon tilted in the sky, the clinking of cups and the sounds of laughter and whispers in the small boat faded away, leaving only the faint sounds of "chirp chirp" in the air
Zhang Shisan's gaze flickered slightly as he said, "Wait a moment, I have just received news from the city that some business matters urgently require the young master to return and handle them. The young master is currently inebriated and unable to rise. You have arrived just in time; please bring the young master's carriage to the water's edge. Miss Tingxiang and I will assist the young master in returning to the city immediately"
It's nothing ... ...
The clear and melodious sound of the xiao has just ceased, and the graceful and charming song of the water chestnut begins anew. The round red sun in the sky gradually sinks below the horizon amidst the transition between the xiao and the song.
This scene is as poetic as it is picturesque
Since the young lady is already taken, this matter should naturally be put to rest. It is indeed strange that this young master of the Yang family, having reached the age of twenty and already achieved success and fame, should be at the right age to start a family. Now that the mourning period for the Sanhe Bookstore has passed, there are no longer any obstacles, yet he has never shown any intention of returning home to marry. He even seems to be quite secretive about any relatives he may have in his hometown of Tianfu. Aside from managing his own business, this young master Yang spends his time wandering around with a few close friends, indulging in pleasures, riding fast horses, drinking strong liquor, visiting the most upscale brothels, and seeking out the most beautiful women. After a year of such pursuits, he has earned a notorious reputation for his frivolous escapades.
Not far from the shore, there stood a house, its window panes reflecting the light. At the sound of Tingxiang's startled cry, the light quickly moved away. Then, with a creak, the door opened, and someone emerged holding a lantern, walking briskly. Standing on the embankment, they called out loudly: "Young master, young master? Miss Tingxiang, what has happened?"
Hmm... Yang Xu let out a muffled sound, yet had not screamed out loud. The person pushed with an arm and, with a spring of his legs, immediately fell backward into the water, moving with a speed as swift as lightning. From the moment he boarded the boat to the instant he entered the water, the entire action was seamless and rapid, so quick that no one could catch a glimpse of his appearance. The person vanished, leaving only the water rippling violently, shattering a bay of moonlight.
Zhang Shisan's hands trembled, his heart was in turmoil, and a surge of indignation welled up within him. He longed to throw his head back and howl at the sky to vent the pent-up anger in his heart. Suddenly, he turned to Tingxiang, fixed his fierce gaze upon her, and asked with a murderous intent: "Who is the murderer? How did they assassinate the young master? Speak quickly!"
Yang Xu's eyes were filled with terror and disbelief, and that light gradually faded away. His left hand, which had been tightly gripping the fishing rod, fell weakly over the side of the boat. As he relaxed his fingers, the plump fish that had taken the bait quickly dragged the rod away in its escape
"Yes, yes, yes, I will listen to you, I will do as you say." Tingxiang is a girl raised in a brothel, only familiar with the tricks of serving others. She has never witnessed such a bloody scene, and is so terrified that she loses her composure. After being frightened by Zhang Shisan, she immediately agrees.
Zhang Shisan bit his teeth and thought to himself: "If Yang Wenxuan dies, all our years of hard work will be in vain. I cannot bear this responsibility alone. I will temporarily conceal the news of his death, leave this place first, and then gather them to discuss countermeasures together."
The fragrant lips play the tune of the plum blossoms, I wish to be a jade flute ... ... Hehe ... ... Hehe ... ...
Zhang Shisan tightened his wrists, still undecided, when he noticed several lanterns swaying in the distance. It turned out that the servants from a nearby estate had vaguely heard the shouts and assumed that there were petty thieves in their own courtyard. They came over with lanterns in hand, wielding farming tools such as forks and manure shovels, shouting loudly along the way.
The fish had taken the bait, and the night was hazy, making it impossible to see the fishing float sink into the water. However, the fishing line was taut, and he could suddenly feel the force in his hand. At this moment, Yang Xu had reached a state of bliss, leaving no room to pay attention to the plump fish biting the hook. He let out a muffled groan and suddenly tossed aside the wine pouch, the liquid spilling onto the deck. His hand had already tightly grasped Tingxiang's hair, knocking off the hairpin atop her head, which fell with a "thud" into the water, her long hair cascading down like a waterfall. At this moment, Yang Xu had reached a state of bliss, leaving no room to pay attention to the plump fish biting the hook. He let out a muffled groan and suddenly tossed aside the wine pouch, the liquid spilling onto the deck. His hand had already tightly grasped Tingxiang's hair, knocking off the hairpin atop her head, which fell with a "thud" into the water, her long hair cascading down like a waterfall.
Startled by the call, the frogs swiftly leaped from the lotus leaves into the water, creating a series of splashes.
However, who would have thought that starting from the second year, Yang Xu seemed to be aided by divine intervention, whether in business, farming, horse breeding, or mining, he was remarkably successful in all endeavors. His family quickly acquired shops, workshops, fields, and horse farms... Wealth increased like a rolling snowball, and he has now ranked among the top ten wealthy families in Qingzhou.
The weather is too hot; apart from the lively children, everyone else is listless and lacks energy. Unless they need to go out to work, they are all resting in the cool shade in front of and behind their houses to escape the heat. There are hardly any pedestrians on the road. Even the large willow trees, with their dense shade, appear equally lethargic in this dreadful weather. The willow branches hang down lifelessly, and only the cicadas hidden in the foliage incessantly make a racket, lulling people into a drowsy state.
Although Yang Wenxuan is charming and dashing in public, he has never brought a woman home. Now, he has taken a woman to his villa for the summer, which is a first, indicating that this woman has truly captured his affection
However, the villagers do not dare to come here to escape the summer heat, as this place is the private property of the Yang family from Qingzhou. The lotus flowers in the bay are flourishing, with a sea of green lotus leaves. In the distance, a small boat is gliding through them; as the boat passes, the lotus leaves part to make way. A strand of flute music, pure as a chant, drifts outward with the parted lotus leaves.
The small boat stopped about one zhang from the shore, where an old willow tree leaned over the lake, its countless branches gently drooping onto the boat. As the evening breeze began to rise, the willow branches swayed gracefully. Young Master Yang sat cross-legged at the bow of the boat, barefoot, holding a fishing rod in his hand, appearing relaxed and at ease, while the beautiful lady busied herself in the cabin, lighting the charcoal stove and preparing dinner
Zhang Shisan said sternly: "Be quiet, what kind of person is the young master? This is a matter of life and death. The gentlemen are eager to provide an explanation to the scholars of the prefectural school and the gentry of Hecheng. Who would care whether you, a mere woman, are wronged or not? The people's hearts are as hard as iron, and the law is like a furnace. Once you enter the yamen, even if you are as innocent as water, the gentlemen have plenty of ways to make you confess obediently. If you do not wish to be embroiled in a lawsuit, then listen to my instructions and let me take charge. Do not make a fuss indiscriminately."
The tender lotus, sliced thin and fragrant, was freshly harvested from the bay, while the lively shrimp were dug out from the roots beneath the willow trees by the riverbank. As for the plump chicken, tender lamb, and aged wine, they were all raised and brewed on our own estate. Additionally, there was a plate of mulberries, washed to a sheen like black agate, which made one salivate at the sight. These fresh mulberries were picked from the mulberry trees growing by the bay. Counting it all, the only thing missing is for the young master to catch a plump fish to accompany the drinks, and then everything would be perfect. All the food is homegrown, rich in rustic charm and flavor.
The young master has committed murder
The girl with disheveled hair and a pale face appeared somewhat dazed. She trembled as she extended her hand to touch her wet lips, and a metallic, sweet taste gradually seeped into her mouth; it was the fresh blood that had just splattered onto her face. Hearing the sound, she suddenly shuddered, and a piercing, terrified scream escaped her lips: "Ah... Ah... Help..."
After the time it takes to burn a stick of incense, the gates of the Yang family's villa in Yunhe Town swung open, and Zhang Shisan drove out in a horse-drawn carriage, swiftly plunging into the vast night...
This beauty named Tingxiang is truly remarkable, possessing a stunning appearance akin to flowers and jade. She excels in preparing exquisite dishes that receive endless praise, and her skills in serving others are exceptional. If it were not for these qualities, Young Master Yang would not have spent two hundred guan of precious silver to purchase her during his recent visit to Taizhou. Even with Young Master Yang's well-known charm and experience in romantic pursuits, he finds himself unable to withstand the allure of Tingxiang's words and actions. His legs gradually stiffen, his toes curl, and his breathing becomes increasingly rapid.
Just as this was said, a gust of wind blew, causing the lotus leaves to sway, as if someone were gently shaking the lotus stems from below. Upon seeing this, Miss Tingxiang thought it was the assassin returning, and she was so frightened that she screamed again: "Ah! Help! He... he is coming again, help..."
At that moment, the tenants from several villages rushed to the shore and shouted to the boat: "Young master, what has happened? Is it that thieves have broken into our home?"
The fragrance fills the mouth, and the teeth clash in pairs; after much difficulty, a sentence is finally uttered, yet it comes out jumbled and unclear
The person who leaped onto the boat, dressed in a blue robe and a small hat, was none other than Zhang Shisan, Yang Xu's close attendant. He hurriedly bent down and, under the bright starlight and moonlight, took a careful look. His heart instantly turned cold. This was not the first time he had seen a dead person; just one glance was enough for him to know that Yang Xu was beyond any possibility of revival, utterly dead. His complexion immediately turned a shade of iron gray.
With the decision made and the lights drawing closer, Zhang Shisan quietly said to Tushu, "Young Master was mysteriously attacked, yet you were the only one on the ship. You cannot provide any explanation, merely stating that the young master was stabbed by someone. Who would believe you? If this case goes to the authorities, you can forget about escaping."
Dead? Yang Xu is actually dead! After three years of painstaking cultivation, just when the grand plan was beginning to show some hope, he actually died?
Today, the master of the Yang family has indeed come to the countryside villa for summer leisure. The master of the Yang family is surnamed Yang, named Xu, and is just now at the age of twenty.
What should I do? How can this be resolved
Do not say that the gentleman departs early, for there are those who depart even earlier. It is a pity that the steward of the Yang family, Xiao, told the matchmakers: "I am very sorry, but my young master has been betrothed since childhood by my lord to a marriage arranged in our ancestral home in Yingtian Prefecture. My young master will eventually return home to marry. As the saying goes, wealth does not easily allow for a wife, and nobility does not easily permit friendships. It is not the case that my young master will remarry easily. I appreciate your good intentions on behalf of my young master, and I thank you, but I must apologize, I must apologize..."
Zhang Shisan, filled with rage, struck back with a palm, delivering a crisp slap that left one side of Tingxiang's face numb. Tingxiang was Yang Xu's woman, but she had never imagined that his subordinate would dare to hit her. She was momentarily frozen in a mix of fear and astonishment, and her scream abruptly ceased.
In the height of summer, the sun scorches the land of Qingzhou Prefecture in Shandong like a furnace. Just a few days ago, a heavy rain had fallen, leaving many low-lying areas in Yunhe Town flooded. However, under the relentless assault of the blazing sun, the rainwater quickly evaporated. The ground, once soaked, became muddy, and after being baked by the sun, it cracked, lifting up pieces of soil the size of a palm. Barefoot children ran around in it, peeling off the soil pieces to stack them like tiles for their games of house.
As she tilted her body, she let out a cry of "Ah!" At that moment, the man raised his right hand, and a flash of cold light emerged from his hand, resembling the crescent moon in the sky. With a sharp "Puff," a chilling and ethereal beam of light pierced into Yang Xu's heart.
The beautiful woman's smooth and tender face was nestled between his thighs, her cloud-like hair and flower-like features frequently moving, her floral branches shimmering as she swayed. Her delicate lips and tongue flickered, captivating him to the point of losing his soul, yearning for immortality and feeling as if he might die. Beneath him, the small boat swayed under the pressure, creating ripples that stirred the imagination.
Upon seeing this scene, the old man immediately understood that the master of the Yang family had brought his family from Qingzhou Prefecture to the countryside to escape the summer heat. The old man was a simple and honest farmer. Noticing the presence of women on the boat, he felt it would be impolite to stare, as such wealthy families were not someone he could afford to provoke. The old man quickly lowered his head and quickened his pace. Not far away, wisps of smoke had already begun to rise into the sky above the town.
Three years after the period of filial piety had just concluded, Young Master Yang Wenxuan rejoined the provincial academy and successfully passed the examination to become a scholar. With a title to his name and a substantial family estate, Young Master Yang Xu quickly became the most sought-after unmarried young man in Qingzhou Prefecture. It is unknown how many gentry families were eagerly watching him, hoping to take this Young Master Yang as their son-in-law. Matchmakers flocked to his door, nearly wearing down the threshold of the Yang residence.
The tenants and servants on the shore were all aware of their young master's penchant for indulgence and drinking. Zhang Shisan, being a close associate of the young master, spoke words that naturally no one doubted. They immediately burst into laughter, chattering among themselves: "Since the young master has no business, we shall take our leave."
Zhang Shisan took a deep breath and said in a slow voice: "The young master got drunk and nearly fell into the water, which startled Miss Tingxiang, causing her to scream."
Be quiet
Listening to the fragrance cry out: "Thirteen Lang, it really has nothing to do with this servant. At that time, this servant was... was..."
The fragrance girl pointed at the water's surface and said in a trembling voice: "No... I... I don't know, that person... that person suddenly jumped out of the water, then... then killed the young master, and then... then jumped back into the water and disappeared. I... I didn't even see whether he was a man or a woman..."
Yang Xu, with his robe loosened and wide, lies on his back with his belly exposed. His left hand dangles a fishing rod over the lake, while his right hand holds a wine jug. He gazes at the starry sky, takes a sip of his homemade wine, and enjoys a tranquil pleasure.
Unfortunately, this is the private property of the Yang family, and outsiders do not dare to wander here. The household servants and young attendants have also wisely kept their distance. The only fortunate witnesses to this scene are a few frogs, wide-eyed and puffing up their bellies while lying on the lotus leaves
The person by the shore was taken aback by the words, hurriedly dropped the lantern, and leaped with a bound. Covering a distance of more than one zhang, he surprisingly soared onto the boat with a thud, landing precisely at the bow, causing the small boat to sway violently. Tingxiang quickly grasped the gunwale, forgetting even to scream.
At that moment, with a splash, the waves surged and split apart, and suddenly a figure shot up from the water beside the small boat. The person pressed against the side of the boat and swiftly leaped onto the bow, landing firmly and crouching on the edge, resembling a large frog. The small boat tilted sharply under the weight, sinking towards him, yet his feet clung tightly to the side of the boat, remaining completely still. The person pressed against the side of the boat and swiftly leaped onto the bow, landing firmly and crouching on the edge, resembling a large frog. The small boat tilted sharply under the weight, sinking towards him, yet his feet clung tightly to the side of the boat, remaining completely still.
As the starlight begins to twinkle, the cicadas that have been noisy all day grow weary, and the surface of the lake becomes tranquil. Young Master Yang and the beautiful lady exchange cups, reveling in their joy. Occasionally, the lady gently stretches her delicate arm, giggling sweetly as she wraps it around Young Master Yang's neck, playfully sharing a fragrant "skin cup" with him.