Chapter 2, A Creditor
His name is Shang Yu
She glanced at the silver in his hand and lowered her head shyly
He called out to the door: "Shang Yu!"
She felt somewhat embarrassed, as her reason for coming to Qishimen was indeed rather unrefined. However, it was her true thought. One or two taels of silver was merely the cost of a meal for her in the past, but now, it could sustain her for almost two to three months. Ten taels of silver was a significant amount of money for her
She hurriedly said, "I have heard that the disciples of the Seven Forces Gate can receive ten taels of silver each month"
Suddenly, her stomach let out a growl! Her face began to flush, and she felt so embarrassed that she almost wanted to burrow into the ground
He led her into the room on the right, pointing to it and saying: "This is your residence. Lin Xiyan arrived seven days earlier than you and is staying next door. If you have any questions, feel free to ask her." He hastily finished his instructions and turned to leave
He furrowed his brows slightly and said briefly, "Follow me." With a long stride, he stepped outside the house
He finally spoke up: "Stay here."
She awkwardly followed behind him, exiting the Zhuque Courtyard. He walked straight into the Qinglong Courtyard, and she followed him in.
The young man smiled faintly and said, "She is very suitable."
Shao Pei watched her slender and graceful figure as she turned away.
A black lacquered plaque with golden edges hung above the entrance of the main hall, inscribed with the cursive characters "Xiu Lu". He paused in front of a room on the east side, crossed his arms, and said: "Go in, the master of the door is inside"
He handed over three taels of silver and said very seriously: "If you were any thinner, you could slip through the eye of a coin"
She hurriedly knelt down and bowed three times, saying: "Thank you, Master, for taking me in"
The girl seemed momentarily taken aback, a fleeting hint of displeasure crossing her brow. In the past, Si Tian would have certainly failed to notice that slight discontent, but having experienced the vicissitudes of life, she had become well-acquainted with it. The ability to read between the lines only comes naturally to a person who has distanced themselves from a carefree existence.
Si Tian
What is your name
Shao Pei scrutinized her complexion and said to Shang Yu, "You lend her three or two taels of silver first."
In the center of the courtyard stands a tall Bodhi tree, resembling a giant umbrella that envelops the garden. The sunlight filters through the leaves, falling in patches like tiny golden leaves. Just thinking of this makes her feel a bit embarrassed; indeed, she has become so impoverished that even sunlight can be seen as golden leaves
She let out a long breath, and joy welled up within her
"Why do you want to enter the Seven Forces Gate?" His voice seemed to emanate from the valley, carrying an echo that was almost howling, possessing a captivating power that left one involuntarily in awe.
She did not have time to examine the room and hurriedly called out to him: "Senior Brother."
He seemed a bit displeased, furrowing his brows and letting out a low hum.
Lin Xiyan is indeed a person of great potential, but unfortunately, her appearance is ordinary. Having her by my side in the future would likely raise suspicions and lead people to speculate about her background. As for her, she is beautiful and graceful, which could easily lead others to mistakenly believe she is my concubine or something of the sort, making it easier to keep things under wraps.
Take her to Zhuque Courtyard. She will live together with Lin Xiyan
She looked at him in confusion, not understanding what he meant by suddenly bringing this up
In front of the exquisite and translucent eight-panel crystal screen stands a zitan armchair, where a man in his thirties holds a book, quietly reading, seemingly unaware of her entrance, showing no intention of shifting his gaze from the book to look at her.
Obedience to orders? Three years of time? A thousand taels of silver? These phrases lingered in her mind for a moment. She was no longer the young lady of the Si family, lacking any skills, a place to stay, or anyone to rely on, and truly had no more paths to choose from. Therefore, without hesitation, she immediately replied: "I am willing." In fact, having no choices and no way back can also be a good thing, as it makes one decisive and courageous in moving forward.
His voice was filled with regret, sincere and heartfelt. With a soft sigh, he emphasized his own sense of regret
He knocked a few times at the gate of the Zhuque Courtyard
He sized her up and said: "Once you enter the Seven Forces Sect, you will be required to serve the sect for three years after completing your training. On the day of your graduation, there will be a thousand taels of silver to buy your three years of time. During these three years, you must obey the Seven Forces Sect without question. However, rest assured, our Seven Forces Sect is not some unorthodox sect or evil cult, and we will not make you engage in any acts of murder or arson. After three years, whether you choose to stay or leave is entirely up to you. Do you agree?" His expression was calm, and when he spoke these words, there was not a hint of fluctuation in his gaze, as if he were discussing something as ordinary as eating or sleeping.
Shao Pei said coldly: "The Seven Forces Sect is different from other sects. Although you call me Master, in reality, our relationship is merely that of a client. I pay you, and you serve me. I hope that this transaction will be satisfactory for both of us."
She felt a sense of relief in her heart and quickly said: "Thank you, Master"
Si Tian let out a soft "en" to slightly soothe her uncontrollable anxiety, and gently walked inside
Shao Pei pondered for a moment and said, "This girl is very honest. However, money has no owner"
He stood in front of her, not in a hurry to hand over the silver, but instead squinting his eyes to scrutinize her, seemingly lost in thought, with a serious and solemn expression.
Shao Peilue frowned and said, "Are you interested in her?"
A tall and graceful young man emerged from behind the crystal screen, exuding an air of elegance and nobility. Dressed in a purple brocade robe adorned with auspicious clouds and dragons, he casually lifted the corner of his robe and seated himself on a rosewood chair, looking as refined as a painting, calm and composed.
The young man outside the door walked in, bowed his head, and clasped his fists, saying: "Master!"
As he continued walking deeper into the courtyard, layer upon layer of courtyards and threshold after threshold, the further he went, the more profound and secluded the courtyard became. Only the melodious sounds of birdsong and the rustling of pine trees adorned the vast silence.
Shang Yu glanced at her, but Si Tian did not move to follow him; she merely looked at Shao Pei with a sense of restraint and tension
She did not dare to speak out rashly, quietly standing three feet away from the door, anxiously waiting for his inquiry
The room is spacious, adorned with antique furnishings, seemingly imbued with the essence of time that has settled over the years. Each item exudes a subtle grandeur; had she not been born into a wealthy family, she might not have recognized the value and luxury present here, which is understated and reserved, akin to a reclusive master revealing the tumult of the past in an unintentional manner. Against the right wall stands an entire wall of books, neat and clean. In the hall, the faint fragrance of books and ink wafts gently, mingling with the refreshing mountain breeze and the crisp scent of bamboo leaves, creating an indescribable sense of comfort and tranquility.
Yes, Master. One thousand taels of silver is enough for her
Upon turning the shadow wall, there is a spacious courtyard. In the center of the courtyard, there are four independent courtyards. The door plaques are inscribed in order according to the cardinal directions: "Qinglong," "Baihu," "Xuanwu," and "Zhuque"
He turned to look at her, his expression seemingly one of impatience
He finally spoke up and said with great caution: "Si Tian, you are too overweight"
He pressed his lips together and gazed at her, his eyes sharp as a knife, effortlessly navigating through the space between them, as if all secrets were laid bare under his gaze, with nowhere to hide
Stepping through a large vermilion gate, the courtyard behind the screen wall is neat and elegant. On the eastern side, a grove of tall bamboo stands, beneath which several clusters of vibrant forsythia bloom, their slender green stems contrasting with the soft, delicate yellow, exuding an indescribable freshness and liveliness, refined and beautiful
Shao Pei nodded: "Indeed, given your status, it is only reasonable to have a beautiful person by your side"
The door opened, and a girl appeared, her face dignified. She was of a similar age to Si Tian, yet lacked the youthful innocence and vitality typical of a girl. Her serious and indifferent expression made her seem somewhat older than her years.
She said cautiously, "Master, may I advance my allowance for this month? I would like to advance three taels." By the time she reached this point, her fingers were already turning red from embarrassment. However, she truly had no other option.
Shang Yu entered another courtyard through the side gate on the west side of the repair pavilion. Passing through the moon gate, she encountered a massive horizontal shadow wall, imposing in its grandeur. The shadow wall featured seven flying dragons crafted from colorful glazed tiles, swirling in the sea of clouds, baring their fangs and claws, vividly lifelike
The hourglass in the corner of the room silently indicates the passage of time, as her legs begin to weaken. The dim sunlight filtering through the small window gradually brightens and rises, slowly moving from the first screen to the third. He continues to read his book with ease, as if he has forgotten her presence.
Indeed, they are wealthy individuals, and their attitude towards money is simply one of indifference
Shao Pei slightly nodded to Shang Yuwei: "You take her down to settle her first."
In this situation of silence and gaze, she felt as if she were being melted by his eyes, a subtle embarrassment rising within her
He pointed to the woman behind him and said: "Lin Xiyan, this is Si Tian. Master has instructed you to live together."
She raised her head in surprise, meeting his bright eyes. He was the first person to say she was fat in her entire life. How could that be? She had already lost so much weight that she felt the bed board pressing against her bones while sleeping, yet he still said she was too fat? However, his expression was serious, not like he was joking.
Shao Peidao: "When it comes to motivation, hatred is a stronger driving force than money; I have more confidence in Lin Xiyan."
She lowered her head, and her face began to flush. By saying this, he must think that she is a greedy person
Yes
"That, that, money." She stammered as she finished speaking, her face flushed, gripping the hem of her garment as if she wished to twist it into a coin. Borrowing money was something she had done several times, yet each time, she inevitably felt embarrassed and shy. Some things can be gotten used to, while others, no matter how many times one does them, can never be accustomed to, such as borrowing money
She lowered her head anxiously, not daring to meet his gaze, her heart filled with unease and anxiety, wondering whether he truly wished to keep her
He strolled towards her leisurely and effortlessly, with sunlight cascading over his broad shoulders, resembling a dandy prince stepping into spring, exuding a nonchalant elegance with each stride
He led her into the courtyard. The independent courtyard was well-organized, with a row of flowers and plants growing along the corridor. Spring was late on the mountain, with the first buds beginning to bloom, hinting at the fragrance to come in the future
The layout of the Qinglong Courtyard and the Zhuque Courtyard is identical. The only difference is that in the center of the courtyard stands not a tall Bodhi tree, but a rockery. The shape of the rockery is not the towering and peculiar style deliberately created by wealthy families, nor does it resemble the thin, strange, jagged, or transparent styles; it is simple and unadorned. However, a pool of clear water surrounds the rockery, with nimble little fish darting through the water, creating a sense of movement within stillness and a sense of spirit within simplicity
He is the leader of the Seven Forces Gate, Shao Pei? She thought it would be an elderly person, but she did not expect him to be so young
The seven treasures wind chime on the crystal screen rang softly twice
Shao Peilue raised an eyebrow, seemingly in question
He entered a room, and when he came out a moment later, he held silver in his hand, spinning it in his palm like marbles
He has long eyebrows and thin lips, exuding a clear and dignified demeanor. Dressed in a simple black robe, with only a wooden hairpin inserted in his hair, his attire is extremely plain yet emanates an air of solemn authority, quiet and still like a towering ancient cypress
He finally put down the book and raised his head
Indeed, money is ownerless and changes hands like flowing water; today it is in the east of the river, and tomorrow it will be in the west. However, her statement indicates that she is very honest. Furthermore, when she entered the room, she surveyed the furnishings inside, and her eyes clearly showed astonishment, yet she did not linger deliberately on any particular item. While you were reading, she kept her head down in silence, not once raising her eyes to look at the objects in the room, nor did she display any signs of covetousness. This shows that she is accustomed to the wealthy; if I am not mistaken, she is currently in a predicament and urgently in need of money, which does not necessarily mean she is greedy for wealth.
The anxious and restless waiting in silence makes the breath sound like the whispering of the mountain wind