Chapter 2: Gratitude and Repayment

Beside the bed, there is a piece of clothing that is being mended

This elegy, with the allusion of "Jade Becomes Smoke," sets the emotional tone for the entire poem. In ancient times, Ziyu fell in love with a poor man named Han Chong. Han Chong sought to propose to Fu Chai but was unsuccessful, and he went away to study. Ziyu, consumed by longing, fell ill and passed away. When Han Chong returned, he visited her grave to pay his respects. Moved by his devotion, Ziyu emerged from the grave, and they became husband and wife in the tomb. Before parting, Ziyu gifted a pearl to Han Chong. Han Chong presented the pearl to Fu Chai, who believed Han Chong to be a grave robber and ordered his execution. Ziyu then appeared before King Fu Chai to explain the truth, but when Ziyu's mother attempted to embrace her, she transformed into smoke and vanished.

He hurriedly took a few steps forward, then turned his head sideways. Chu Youcai quickly noticed a figure stealthily following him not far behind. Judging by the attire and the python-patterned shoes, it seemed to be someone from the Chu County Prince's residence. Chu Youcai couldn't help but frown.

Chu Youcai vaguely felt that this scene was familiar

Chu Youcai shook his head to stop and said: "No need, it is just a superficial injury, and it has already healed."

Upon entering the courtyard of his own home, there was a sense of withered flowers and fallen leaves. This was the courtyard rented by Chu Youcai, extremely simple and crude. The maid, Hongju, trembled as she held the door bolt beside her, whispering, "The young master has returned." She glanced at the distant figure of Wang Hai leaving, still filled with trepidation, likely due to Wang Hai and that thug having knocked on the door for a while, uttering some threatening words that frightened her.

Later, when Wen Ruoxu returned, he arrived at an island and discovered a gigantic turtle shell, about the size of two beds. He was astonished by its size and considered it a rare treasure. To avoid being mocked for not bringing back any goods, he decided to take the turtle shell with him. Unexpectedly, a Persian recognized the value of the turtle shell and offered to purchase it for 50,000 silver coins, along with a shop. As a result, Wen Ruoxu established his business and his family became prosperous and affluent thereafter

Chu Youcai understood that this moment was extraordinary. He took the golden hairpin and followed the geese in the sky out of the door

Recently, Chu Youcai slammed the table, threw chopsticks, and scolded the maid, while Yun Cuixian always endured it, feeling ashamed for being unable to share his burdens; Chu Youcai indulged in a life of revelry outside, drinking with the brothel madam and contemplating selling her, and even spent a night away from home, yet Yun Cuixian still completely considered his situation, planning to transfer the maid to someone else to alleviate the burden

Chu Youcai noticed that the cabin of the giant ship was filled with bright red flames, appearing from a distance like countless points of fire, resembling a starry night, while many people were purchasing these fiery fruits

Indeed, it is this wild goose, is it now showing gratitude and repaying kindness? Chu Youcai felt a stir in his heart

At that moment, suddenly the window moved, and a goose spread its wings, landing by the window

She recalled her mother, who was in poor health and worried about her marriage. Although the family was well-off, her mother was more concerned about ensuring that she had a happy marriage. If she were to know about her current situation, she would likely be filled with worry and resentment.

"No," said the red chrysanthemum, shaking its head

At this moment, Chu Youcai walked to the window and softly said to the wild goose still by the window: "Goose, are you going to take me outside?"

She forced a smile and said, "I haven't suffered, really"

The tear-like glimmer on the pearl in the sea is her appearance now

Upon hearing this, Chu Youcai clenched his fists

Yet what moved her the most was the final line, "This feeling can be cherished in memory? It is just that at that time, it was already a state of bewilderment"

Chu Youcai cast a glance and instantly noticed that the wild goose seemed familiar, with what appeared to be some bloodstains on its legs

At this moment, a fruit priced at one qian of silver has already been sold eight or nine out of ten, yet the owner of the red fruit, a frail scholar, begins to claim that he will no longer sell it, stating that he intends to keep it for personal use. Many people cannot help but exclaim: "What bad luck, we arrived too late!"

The text describes a man of little substance who was once surrounded by immense wealth. He, believing in his own talents, did not engage in productive endeavors. After squandering his ancestral estate, he finally considered engaging in business. He first commissioned renowned artists to write and paint on fans, intending to sell them in the capital. However, continuous rainy weather caused the fans to become damp, resulting in the complete destruction of the artwork. Consequently, he became the subject of ridicule, wandering aimlessly and associating with merchants for maritime ventures. Lacking capital, he casually purchased some fruits for sustenance along the way. Upon reaching a certain city, fearing the fruits would spoil, he placed them in the cabin to dry, which led to a buying frenzy among the locals, allowing him to sell them at a high price.

Is it possible that

Yun Cui Xian resolutely said: "No, you must not be overconfident. What if you injure yourself and leave a lasting ailment?" Ju Xue agreed and hurriedly left the courtyard

The doctor took Chu Youcai's pulse and examined the wound on his back, then remarked that it was not serious, merely a superficial injury. He advised Chu Youcai to rest and provided a prescription for a tonic to replenish his energy. Meanwhile, Yun Cuixian handed a silver hairpin to the doctor as payment. The doctor glanced at Yun Cuixian with regret, accepted the hairpin, and stated that it was sufficient to cover the consultation fee and three prescriptions, instructing Hong Ju to accompany him to the pharmacy to fetch the medicine

Seeing Chu Youcai's resolute demeanor, Yun Cuixian was serious. At this moment, her mind was still filled with Chu Youcai's "Jinse." She gently adjusted Chu Youcai's clothing and said softly: "My lord, there is no need to worry about home; Cuixian will be waiting for you at home."

Chu Youcai felt a pang in his heart as he noticed the patched clothes by the bedside and the several wounds on Yun Cuixian's hands, which were evidently the result of her sewing these days. It should be noted that when she first got married, her family had sent many clothes, bedding, utensils, and jewelry, enough for her to live a comfortable life. She was well-educated and clearly had studied the Four Books and Five Classics, and she was also skilled in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. However, upon arriving at his home, she had to endure a hard life and took the initiative to mend clothes to contribute to the household expenses.

Yun Cui Xian is indeed a person with a profound foundation in literature. Upon first seeing the first two lines of this poem, one feels a wave of grand literary spirit rushing towards them. Subsequently, the poem employs allusions throughout, yet expresses various intricate emotions in a remarkably peak manner, making one feel that emotions are omnipresent and beauty is everywhere.

Is this to sell the last trace of warmth before oneself, or is it the habitual falsehood of Chu Youcai

Such a woman, who could bear to be unkind to her

Chu Youcai felt a slight sense of relief, and then entered the door, only to see a young girl standing at the side of the entrance. She was petite and delicate, dressed in a coarse blue cloth garment, which still accentuated her extraordinary beauty, like a magnolia flower blooming alone. However, there was a lingering expression of sorrow and fatigue between her brows, an emotion that could not be dispelled no matter what.

Is there something unusual about this fruit? Or is there some treasure hidden in this ship?

There are still three days left, and he must resolve the current crisis!

He could not bear to see such a young girl suffer any longer; he must change the current situation

She hesitated for a moment, and finally took out a golden hairpin from her bosom and handed it to Chu Youcai, saying: "Sir, you have many expenses outside, and Cui Xian only regrets that she cannot do more to assist you"

She had long suspected that Chu Youcai intended to sell her

The owner of the red fruits, with keen insight, recognized that this was a good customer, and thus poured out all the red fruits from the basket, leaving more than fifty remaining. At that moment, upon seeing the fruits, Chu Youcai felt a sudden roar in his mind.

Yun Cui Xian went outside to draw water from the well, intending to wipe Chu Youcai's body

The flower demon and the fox spirit are the masters of this world. This wild goose possesses such spirituality that Chu Youcai naturally believes that the other party is not speaking without reason

Chu Youcai found it difficult to resist Yun Cuixian, so he let it be. At that moment, Yun Cuixian gazed at him earnestly and said: "You are my husband, and I am naturally devoted to spending my life with you. These days, you have been troubled by debts, and I am unable to share your worries, how can I not feel ashamed? However, there is little left in the house, and only that girl remains, which could be transferred to someone else to slightly alleviate our expenses."

Is he reminiscing about the scene of their first meeting? At that time, Chu Youcai was lively and unruly, could it be due to the genuine feelings and the bewilderment he experienced? It is a pity that this sentiment has now become a memory

At this moment, the goose let out a "chirp chirp" sound, bowed respectfully to Chu Youcai, then flew to his side, and with its beak grasped the corner of Chu Youcai's garment, as if urging him to go out.

The once happy girl, Yun Cuixian, who grew up in a wealthy family, was a jade-like woman with a sweet smile reminiscent of a dreamy fairy. Unfortunately, that smile has vanished like smoke and is no longer seen

"It's nothing. Has anyone else come by from last night to today?" Chu Youcai was worried that the old matron had already come.

Following the geese in the sky, Chu Youcai arrived at the edge of the dock. To the east of Yanzhou Prefecture lies the seaport, and at this moment, it is afternoon, with the blazing sun shining down. The sea surface resembles silver waves rolling like snow, with snowy waves crashing against the silver, vast and magnificent. At the dock, there are many large vessels that have dropped anchor, resting by the shore

It turns out that he regarded the world as one that values reading. In this era, it is common to express emotions through poetry, which led him to write: "The brocade zither has no reason for its fifty strings, each string and each pillar evokes thoughts of youth. Zhuangzi's morning dream confuses the butterfly, while the heart of the Emperor Wang is entrusted to the cuckoo in spring. The moon over the vast sea shines, and the pearl has tears; the sun warms the blue fields, and jade emits smoke. Can this feeling wait to become a memory? Yet at that time, it was already bewildering."

Upon hearing these words, the crowd displayed expressions of respect and then walked away at a distance

Seeing Yun Cui Xian standing silently in place, Chu Youcai's mind was racing with thoughts. The crisis looming three days ahead was imminent, and he absolutely could not sit idly by; he had to take extraordinary measures

He possesses such great talent, yet why does he always appear impatient whenever he studies himself

In this moment, Chu Youcai was filled with countless thoughts. Finally, he straightened his expression and seriously gazed at Yun Cuixian, saying: "Cuixian, I am sorry for the suffering I have caused you"

Such a woman evokes a profound sense of shame and deep emotion

This fruit is as red as fire, enormous like a hanging star, almost resembling the red dragon fruit from a past life, yet it is more than twice the size of the fire dragon fruit. However, what astonished Chu Youcai was that he had read "Three Words and Two Claps," in which there is a story in the first collection that is almost identical to the current situation

Just at the moment of stepping out, Chu Youcai vaguely felt that something was amiss

I wonder if Wen Ruoxu has already obtained the turtle shell? The goose possesses a certain spirit, and in order to repay its kindness, it naturally would not deceive me. It is possible that Wen Ruoxu has indeed acquired the turtle shell! But how can I enter the cabin and investigate the matter of the turtle shell?

The wild goose nodded gently, emitting a soft call

She is a woman worth cherishing for a lifetime

Chu Youcai said without a moment's hesitation: "Alright, you go out first, I will come shortly after."

Many people were gathered around a large ship, seemingly bustling as if they were competing to purchase something

When the young girl saw Chu Youcai return, although there was still no smile on her face, she approached him with great enthusiasm, helping him to unfasten his outer garment and placing it aside: "You have returned, my lord." She noticed that there was a lot of mud on Chu Youcai's clothes, and there were also bloodstains on his forehead from a bruise. Filled with both worry and compassion, she said: "Are you injured? Did those people just now lay hands on you? Juxue, hurry and fetch a doctor."

While writing these verses, Chu Youcai gazed at the young girl before him

In his previous life, he came from a poor family and had a younger sister to care for. If he had relied solely on rote studying, he would have likely starved to death long ago. The medical university he attended is one of the top three in the country, and many descendants of officials are keenly vying for the opportunity to pursue graduate and doctoral studies. His eventual success was fraught with twists and turns; had it not been for his extraordinary measures, how could he have achieved such a smooth outcome

Yun Cui Xian was stunned, gazing in astonishment at Chu Youcai before her. His appearance remained unchanged, yet the sincerity in his tone brought her waves of warmth. After a year of marriage, she had always lived in a state of being insulted and oppressed, never having received Chu Youcai's genuine treatment.

This poem, this poem ... ...

Chu Youcai did not originally expect to dispel Yun Cuixian's concerns. The ice does not freeze three feet in a day; he could only strive hard, as long-term subtle influence was necessary. However, at this moment, seeing Yun Cuixian's sorrowful smile, he felt a surge of compassion in his heart, deeply moved. He turned to the table by the window, dipped his brush in ink, and wrote a piece of poetry.

Just then, there was a sudden noise outside the door, and Chu Youcai was startled, thinking that the old matron had arrived. He hurriedly walked outside, only to see the maid Hongju bringing a doctor, which made him breathe a sigh of relief

This young girl is indeed Yun Cuixian

Chu Youcai suddenly turned his head and discovered that the wild goose had flown directly onto the boat, where it circled for a long time before finally departing into the distance

At this moment, a chestnut horse suddenly galloped over, shouting: "Do not sell it separately, do not sell it separately! This fruit is to be given to Lord Gu Zhuyue by my master"

He hurriedly ran several times, but found that he could not shake off the other party no matter what, and could only temporarily give up.

He put on his outer garment and walked out of the room, saying to Yun Cuixian, who was still drawing water, "Cuixian, I have something to attend to and will step out for a while. Remember, if anyone else knocks on the door today, you must not let them in under any circumstances"