Chapter 8, Solitude and Reunion

They were engaged in a fierce and exhilarating battle of wits, while Bu Nuan could only marvel at the spectacle. The men were not outdone by the women in their verbal sparring; this general is truly remarkable! A glance at the two attendants standing behind revealed that the wet nurse and Xiang Nong were completely dumbfounded, watching the exchange of barbs with their mouths agape, as if turned to stone.

Lan Sheng said: "If he is not here, he will finish his drink over there before coming to your side. He returned last night, but you had already gone to rest, and he has been on your mind. Today, he is likely to be late again. Don't let it turn into a situation where you can't see each other for ten days or half a month; it would be a dereliction of duty for him as an uncle. He is a meticulous person and does not wish to be criticized. You should go visit him, so that he can feel at ease!"

Ye Zhixian smiled shyly and said: "There are many capable generals and talented individuals in the army, and quite a few of them are unmarried. He is a thoughtful person; you need not mention it, he will naturally pay attention to it for you"

Bu Nuan felt overwhelmed as she watched them seem ready to fight. She hurriedly went to pull Zhi Xian and Hua Bo aside, whispering, "Sister, don't be angry, let's talk things over calmly"

Bu Nuan discovered that Xiu was also skilled at embellishing the truth, but she had nothing to refute her claims. In life, one often has to be influenced by the external environment; the more vulnerable you appear, the more secure others feel. At times, showing weakness and playing the victim is also an important survival skill

Bu Nuan sighed, as if the words implied that the early death of the Ninth Young Master of the Xia family was somehow attributed to her previous lack of virtue. Her situation must have frightened Madam Ye, who was eager to do good deeds to ensure her own happiness and security

Ye Zhixian indeed became more gentle, holding Bu Nuan's hand and saying: "What a silly girl! Rongyu and the old lady are both good people. You are a close relative from your maternal family, how could they possibly find you a burden! The young master of the Xia family passed away before the wedding; it is likely that he was not destined to enjoy the blessings of a beautiful woman. The good match that is meant for you is not him, so there is no need to be sad. Try to see things more clearly!"

Bu Nuan noticed that Zhi Xian's mouth corner visibly sank, and said anxiously: "It is still better for me to follow my aunt in worshiping Buddha, as it is ultimately a way to atone for sins and accumulate virtue. My aunt is so sincere that she has secured a smooth career path for my brother. I will accompany my aunt and pray to the Buddha for blessings, hoping for everything to be complete for Rong Yu."

Ye Zhixian gritted her teeth, having already cursed him thoroughly in her heart. Although she also wanted to see Rong Yu, she was absolutely unwilling to compromise with Lan Sheng. Standing up with her neck held high, she sneered: "I won't go. Nuan'er, be careful. Some people appear virtuous on the surface, but are rotten to the core. If you go with him, be cautious, or he might sell you out."

Xiu Yingcheng said: "What Madam Zhi Xian said is most reasonable. Is there any need to worry about not finding a suitable match? With Uncle here, relying on Uncle and Aunt to make decisions, finding a young man from a good family background will surely not be a difficult task"

Lansheng immediately shot a sharp glance and said: "I came here by sedan chair, with two seats, there is no extra space."

Lan Sheng seemed to be infinitely delighted, revealing her snow-white teeth, and clapped her palms with a fan, saying: "A pack of wolves and a group of dogs? Your brother is also among them, so it seems that he is quite annoyed with you!"

"You need not trouble yourself; you may as well return to embroider your mandarin ducks and butterflies!" Lan Sheng smiled at Bu Nuan with a radiant expression, "I have already sent someone to inform the old lady. Are you going back to groom yourself and change your clothes? I can wait for that."

With her face half-tilted towards the sun, her skin, illuminated by the sunlight, was so tender it seemed one could squeeze water from it. She smiled and said, "I am a lazy person; applying it during the day and washing it off at night is too troublesome. This way is much better, saving me a lot of trouble"

Lin said with a smile, "Indeed, we who are getting older spend our days idly, and worshiping Buddha and practicing Zen serves as a form of solace. To the deities, having faith is essential to enter the Zen gate. Since there is no faith, it would be disrespectful to force it. Rather than being disrespectful, it is better not to worship at all." He then said to Zhi Xian, "Now that the warm weather has arrived, you have companionship. If you truly do not like it, then so be it; there is no need to force yourself. It is better to wait until your thoughts are settled before making a decision."

Zhi Xian gazed deeply at her; she was indeed born with exceptional beauty, so striking even without any embellishment. If she were to dress up meticulously, one might not be able to compete with her. Girls often have a tendency to compare themselves with others, and her lack of concern for her appearance seems to be a good thing. In fact, her natural look possesses a unique charm, subtle and understated, though seemingly indifferent, it is still impossible to overlook.

The wet nurse hurriedly crouched down to pay her respects to Zhi Xian: "This servant first expresses gratitude on behalf of my lady to Lady Zhi Xian. She is young and tender, so I kindly ask Lady Zhi Xian to take good care of her in front of the uncle."

Baffled, I thought: "Why did my uncle invite me over?"

"Warm child, you need not concern yourself with this." Lan Sheng, seeing Zhi Xian's jealousy, spoke to her with a stern expression, "So what if you go? Not to mention that you are not yet married to him, even if you were to hold a wedding, the princes still sneak off to seek pleasure. Your principles are even stricter than those of the Tang princesses!"

Lin was both heartbroken for his son and concerned about Zhi Xian's feelings, so he instructed the maid nearby, "Yu Niang, go to the door and find the steward. Send a young servant to the camp to relay a message to Tingzhou, asking him to report back to the master whether he can return home a bit earlier tonight. Since the lady has just arrived, it would be nice for the family to have a reunion dinner. He has been quite busy lately; even a body of iron can only take so much. It is better to rest and get a good night's sleep."

The wet nurse, who had been silent all along, exchanged a glance with Xiangnon and then said, "Madam Zhi Xian is truly a good person. Our lady feels troubled in her heart; whenever we arrive at her uncle's house, she is always afraid of causing trouble for others. Now that we have your words, we can finally feel at ease"

Ye Zhixian felt somewhat embarrassed, smiled and said no, while glancing sideways at Bu Nuan.

She turned around to appraise Bu Nuan, the petals of the peony atop her hair swaying in the wind, and with a smile at the corner of her lips said, "You are dressed too simply; at your age, you should apply some rouge and lip gloss"

Bu Nuan sat up straight and replied: "My mother is the most devout when it comes to worshiping Buddha, offering three sticks of incense every day, and she insists on doing it herself. I have followed her in striking the wooden fish, but there are many Sanskrit words in the scriptures that I do not recognize, and I cannot read them. Seeing me struggle with the reading, my mother did not press me further."

Ye Zhixian said: "I know you don't wear much jewelry, that is my intention, consider it a meeting gift, please accept it. " He also tucked her hair behind her ear and exclaimed, "Which girl doesn't love cosmetics? With such a good complexion, you don't even wear a flower, what a waste of your prime years.

Yuniang took her leave and went away, while Zhi Xian and the Lin family continued to chatter about matters in the temple. They were planning to copy the Buddhist scriptures, prepare money and rice for almsgiving, and also to replenish the incense, oil, and candles. Bu Nuan did not understand these matters; after a while, she found it tedious and turned her gaze to the four eaves of the window, the intricate dougong brackets, and the high-arched chihwens at both ends of the roof in the front courtyard. She pondered that the general's residence, with such regulations, might even rival the imperial garden.

Ye Zhixian is indeed unmarried, her face flushed as she said: "You are beyond redemption, stop sizing people up as if they are unaware. You and your pack of wolves and dogs sneak around seeking pleasure, do you need me to expose it?"

With a vexed flick of her sleeve, she said: "Why are you so idle? What brings you running to someone else's house? With Rongyu absent, we are a house full of women. Have you ever read about propriety, righteousness, integrity, and honor? Do you not know what it means to avoid suspicion? General Yunhui..." She curled her lip and added, "Leading the three armies, perhaps has muddled your brain."

Lan Sheng cupped his hands and said: "Well said! We are sitting upright, yet you insist on thinking in a crooked manner. I am being lenient and not holding it against you, yet you are becoming more aggressive!"

Bu Nuan asked Ye Zhi Xian: "Sister Ye, are you going as well?"

Ye Zhixian completely dropped her facade: "You are talking nonsense, Rong Yu would never go to such a place!"

Zhi Xian spat and said: "Who would care for your flowers? I wouldn't want them even if they were given to me for free. Who knows if they are poisonous? What if I end up with something as troublesome as flowers or willows?"

The maidservant below wanted to embroider a pair of cloud-patterned shoes, so she brought the designs to show to the Lin family. She compared them one by one and then said, "You young ladies can play for a while! It's still early; Zhi Xian can take Nuan Er for a stroll around. Come to the Wodan Garden when it's time for dinner."

"You have a lot of bad intentions; don't lead Nuan astray." A voice came from the other end of the corridor, where Lan Sheng stood at the steps, shaking a fan, with one eyebrow raised high. As she approached, she first offered a gentle smile to Bu Nuan, then looked at Zhi Xian with disdain, saying irritably, "Nuan likes it; don't even mention one flower a day. Even if the entire garden were cut down and placed in her room, I wouldn't even frown. But if it were you... don't even think about it!"

Zhi Xian glared at him in exasperation and said in a trembling voice: "How can there be such a thick-skinned person in the world! It's a shame that you are also a high-ranking official in the court, speaking such words with such confidence, utterly shameless!"

"Self-indulgent! This general is not here to look at you." Lan Sheng did not even glance at her, but kindly said to Bu Nuan, "Your uncle is hosting a banquet for several provincial governors at the Tao Ran Tavern. I have some free time now, would you like me to take you there to refresh yourself?"

Bu Nuan raised her eyes to look at her and declined, saying: "Thank you, sister, but you should keep it for your own makeup. I do not like those things!"

Bowing his head in silence, he has come to terms with the skill of the wet nurse in climbing the ladder of life.

Lan Sheng chuckled coldly: "You, a young lady, really know quite a lot! Huailiu? Who taught you that? You only know the name, but do you understand how this vice came about?"

"Sister Ye, have you and Uncle set a date for your good days?" She casually sat on the stone bench of the Baosong Pavilion, her big eyes shining brightly. "Is the wedding attire ready?"

Bu Nuan teased, "What color do I have? If I had such brilliance as yours, I wouldn't just be a flower; I could adorn my entire head with them."

Is Nuan'er at home following her mother in worshipping Buddha? Lin felt a bit guilty seeing her left alone, so she found a topic to strike up a conversation and smiled, "Actually, I know that sitting in front of the Buddha altar can take one or two hours. You young ladies find it hard to calm your minds. I can see that Zhi Xian is also feeling restless, and the reason she is enduring it is likely to keep me company and accommodate me"

Zhi Xian's cheeks flushed red as she shyly said: "The monitoring judge of the Astronomical Bureau has chosen the date, October 26 is suitable for marriage, and that day has already been set. My mother had someone make the wedding attire three years ago, so there is no need to rush to prepare it now." She sat down next to the warm cloth, her eyes filled with a hint of compassion, "Hearing about your situation makes me feel uneasy. We have a good rapport, so let me offer you some comfort. At this point, there's no need to dwell on those matters anymore. Just settle down here; if your own relatives won't help, who else will care for you?"

Zhi Xian smiled in response and looked at Bu Nuan, saying: "At the beginning of the month, I went to the jewelry shop to buy some accessories. Recently, the Hu people have been selling armlets, and all the ladies outside have them. I followed the trend and ordered two. I will have the maid bring one to you later. Pure gold items are auspicious; do not think of them as a burden. Once you get used to wearing them, it will be fine"

Bu Nuan bowed to the Lin family and followed Zhi Xian into the garden. Along the way, dense shade accompanied them, and a breeze blew by, dispersing the fragrance of powder from Zhi Xian's body. The wind stirred the restricted steps at her waist, causing the gold and jade to collide, producing a crisp and pleasant sound.

Zhi Xian rose to receive blessings and said: "Let us go sit in the pavilion in the garden."

Ye Zhixian covered her mouth and laughed: "What nonsense! Did you see that patch of red medicinal herbs in front of the Yanbo Tower? That was planted by Lan Sheng. Although Lan Sheng is quite annoying, he does grow flowers well. If I were you, I would go there every day to pick one flower until that patch is bare."