Chapter 7, Reading Forbidden Books in Broad Daylight

Zhang Yuan shook his head; he did not wish to gamble with Zhang E any longer. They were both from the same clan, and there was no need for such rivalry, nor was it a fair contest. The last time he won against Zhang E was in the hope that someone would read to him, as he wanted to enjoy listening to books during his leisure time. However, just as the trees desire tranquility but the wind does not cease, Zhang E insisted on seeking trouble, and he could only oblige him.

In this era, young people become extremely impulsive upon encountering even slightly explicit depictions of the two sexes, which can be attributed to the lack of enlightenment from figures like Teacher Cang. This is understandable, this is understandable

Zhang Yuan remembered that Yuan Hongdao passed away in his forties, so he asked, "Is Mr. Yuan still alive?"

The beautiful maid dressed by the book boy immediately fell silent, not daring to make a sound, while Zhang E was exceedingly tyrannical. He would resort to violence against his attendants and servants at the slightest displeasure, beating them until they rolled on the ground, and no one dared to intervene.

The book boy with a fragrance of powder chuckled softly

Since it is authored by Yuan Zhonglang, Zhang E's temperament should lead him to appreciate Yuan Zhonglang's "Shang Zheng" or "Ping Shi". "Shang Zheng" discusses drinking, while "Ping Shi" examines flower arrangement. Zhang Yuan had casually browsed through these two books before; if he could hear Zhang E read them again, he would surely remember them. As he embarks on the path of scholarly examination and the imperial examination, it is essential to learn these refined interests of the literati and scholars. Otherwise, lacking a common language would create a sense of disconnection. To change, one must first integrate.

Zhang E chuckled mischievously and said: "This maid is only seventeen, fair-skinned and slender, possessing a certain beauty and literary talent, just like the two lines I recited earlier: 'Powdered face and oiled hair, vermilion lips and pearly teeth'—what do you think, dear friend, shall we make a wager? If you can name the book, I will gift her to you as your personal maid. You are also fifteen now, and you understand that I have my own afflictions and am fond of beauty, right? Hehe, the intricacies of this matter are hard to explain to you, but you will know if you try."

Zhang Edao said: "Two things: first, send me the chess secret manual you obtained; second, you are still not allowed to wear a blindfold in front of me in the future"

"Very well." Zhang E snapped the folding fan shut in the crook of her left hand and said, "You may take whatever you wish from all that I possess."

Zhang E read extremely quickly, uninterruptedly reciting twenty pages of the eleventh volume of the "Spring and Autumn Annals: Commentary and Annotations." With a "thud," she tossed the book onto the desk and gasped, "So tired, so hot"

Upon hearing the name "Ximen Qing," Zhang Yuan could not help but let out a soft "Oh".

Zhang Yuandao: "Not much, please continue, Third Brother."

"Shut up," Zhang E shouted, her tone fierce. "Are you asking for a beating?"

Zhang Yuandao: "Then I kindly ask the three brothers to read for me the great work of Yuan Zhonglang."

Zhang E took two sips of tea, waved her folding fan, and said: "Focusing solely on one book is too dull. I brought a book today that will surely captivate you completely."

Zhang Yuan smiled faintly and asked, "What book is it, and who wrote it?"

Two days later, it was the first day of June, and the weather was extremely hot. At noon, when the sun was high in the sky, there was not a single cloud to be seen, truly a time when stones could melt and gold could flow. There is a saying about this heat: "Zhurong comes from the south, wielding the fire dragon, the flames of fire clouds burn the sky. The sun hangs high at noon, unyielding, as if all nations are in a red furnace. The green peaks of the Five Mountains are shrouded in clouds, and the sun god beneath the sea is troubled by thirsty waves. When will a golden wind arise one evening to sweep away the heat of the world?" This saying about the heat repeats: "Zhurong comes from the south, wielding the fire dragon, the flames of fire clouds burn the sky. The sun hangs high at noon, unyielding, as if all nations are in a red furnace. The green peaks of the Five Mountains are shrouded in clouds, and the sun god beneath the sea is troubled by thirsty waves. When will a golden wind arise one evening to sweep away the heat of the world?" Recently, Ximen Qing has encountered the heat and has not ventured outside.

Zhang Yuan could not help but laugh, much like a middle school student showing off in front of him, saying: "If you want to bet with me, just tell me what you want me to do. As for what I want if I win, that should be for me to say"

Zhang Yuanxin said: "Unfortunately, Yuan Hongdao has passed away; I had originally hoped that he would lend me a hand."

Zhang E exclaimed, "Ah ha! You really remember, huh? Then let me tell you, this book was indeed authored by Yuan Zhonglang."

Zhang Yuandao: "What do you three brothers want from me if you win?" The feeling of having victory in hand is truly delightful

Ximen Qing saw that she was wearing a red gauze skirt with a large red gauze panty underneath, shimmering in the sunlight, revealing her exquisite figure and fair skin. Unconsciously, his lust arose. Noticing that no one was around, he did not bother to comb his hair and pressed Li Ping'er down onto a cool chair, lifting her skirt. As her red pants were slowly removed, he indulged for a while, yet his essence did not spill. The two of them were lost in their pleasures. Meanwhile, Jin Lian had not called Yu Lou to the back; she walked to the corner gate of the garden, thought for a moment, handed some flowers to Chun Mei, and quietly returned, tiptoeing outside the Emerald Pavilion to eavesdrop. After listening for a while, she heard the two inside were in the midst of their activities, and she only heard Ximen Qing say to Li Ping'er: 'My dear, you don't love anyone else, you only love your lovely white bottom.'

Zhang E then laughed heartily and said, "What is it? Are you feeling restless and overheated all over?"

Zhang E absolutely does not believe that Zhang Yuan would know the title of this book. There is no printed edition of this book available on the market. The copy in his hand is a manuscript by Yuan Zhonglang, which was lent to Xie Zaihang, the head of the Ministry of Works in Nanjing, by Yuan Zhonglang. Xie Zaihang then lent it to his uncle, Zhang Rulin, from whom he secretly took it to read by his uncle's bedside. Zhang Yuan is fully aware of what books he has read and could not possibly know of this particular book

Zhang Yuan smiled and said, "Fortunately, I can still restrain myself"

Zhang E was secretly pleased, thinking: "Zhang Jiezai will surely say this is 'The Water Margin of Loyalty and Righteousness', because 'The Water Margin of Loyalty and Righteousness' also features Ximen Qing and Pan Jinlian. Jiezai hasn't read the entire Water Margin, and this time he has definitely fallen into my trap, haha"

Zhang Yuan tapped his knuckles on the mahogany table and said, "Alright, no need to read anymore"

"By the way," Zhang E added, "there's one more thing, Jiezi, I do not appreciate the tone and demeanor with which you are currently speaking to me. You need to change this, or I will get angry."

Zhang Yuan readily agreed, saying: "I have lost; I will definitely hand over the secret manual of chess. From now on, I will no longer wear the eye mask when dealing with books. As for my demeanor and tone, if there is anything inappropriate, the three brothers may reprimand me at any time"

Ah! The maidservant of cosmetics exclaimed: "No, no, young master, please don't—"

At the age of sixteen, Zhang E made such an evaluation of Yuan Hongdao, yet he failed to consider that his own indulgence in young boys and beautiful maidens, as well as his wanton wastefulness, was even more absurd than the youthful Yuan Hongdao.

Zhang E continued: "Recently, Ximen Qing has not gone out due to the hot weather, staying at home to relax and avoid the heat. In the garden, within the Emerald Pavilion, he watched the young servant watering the flowers. He noticed a pot of sweet-scented osmanthus blooming splendidly right in front of the Emerald Pavilion. Ximen Qing instructed An'er to take a small watering can and water the plants. He saw Pan Jinlian and Li Ping'er, both dressed in white silk gauze shirts, with tightly fitted colored gauze skirts embroidered with gold threads. Li Ping'er wore a bright red coarse cloth jacket, while Jinlian wore a silver-red one. Only Jinlian did not wear a crown, instead letting down a cluster of Hangzhou green cloud netting, exposing her temples, with three green floral ornaments affixed to her forehead, which accentuated her rosy complexion, oiled hair, vermilion lips, and pearly teeth.

Zhang E did not answer, but instead asked: "Do you still remember Yuan Shigong, the second of the three Yuans in the Public Security Bureau? He visited my grandfather three years ago when he passed through Shanyin—you were young then, so you probably don't remember."

Zhang E said: "Not bad, not bad, this is the attitude we need—now it's your turn to speak. What do you want from me since you've won?" He thought to himself: "This fool, Jiezai, must think this book is 'Water Margin' and is so certain of himself, pretending to be so wise. Hehe, soon there will be a good show to watch, how delightful, how delightful.

Upon reading to this point, Zhang E raised her eyes to Zhang Yuan and said, "How about it, Jizi? Does this description seem as if it is right before your eyes?"

Zhang E was still brooding over the last chess match in which he lost to Zhang Yuan, convinced that Zhang Yuan had gained access to a certain secret chess manual that significantly improved his skills

Zhang Yuandao: "I remember, Yuan Zhonglang, a great scholar." Not knowing Yuan Hongdao during the late Ming is akin to not recognizing Chen Jinnan in "The Deer and the Cauldron".

Zhang Edao: "He died, he passed away two years ago, at the age of only forty-three. In his youth, he indulged in a life of excess, which ultimately led to his premature death"

Zhang E said mysteriously: "Jiezi, do you know what book this is? If you can name the book, I will give you a beautiful maid."

Zhang Edao said: "Let me pick another provocative passage to read to you, it is about Ximen Qing and that Li Ping'er—" and began to read in a lowered voice

This book contains an abundance of words. I will first select a passage to read to you, so perk up your ears and listen carefully. Such an extraordinary book is not something an ordinary person can easily access—" Zhang Eqing cleared his throat, turned the pages with a soft sound, and began to read:

Originally, Zhang Yuan followed closely behind him, speaking with a tone of flattery and envy. But now, wearing an eye mask and speaking at a leisurely pace, he shows him no respect. This cannot continue; it must change.

Zhang E then asked: "How?"

Zhang Yuandao: "Indeed, it is exquisite writing."

Zhang Yuandao: "The three brothers should take a break and have a cup of tea."