Chapter Seven, When shall we drink alone on the solitary bridge

The thrilling history of royal conflicts, recounted in a calm manner from his lips, is described in simple strokes, yet it seems to instantly unfold a scene of blood and carnage. Feng Zhiwei suddenly felt a chill and tightened her cloak.

This is likely a whim of some patron, who brought a nightingale to the riverbank in search of wild amusement

A cloak was handed over

On this exceptionally lofty first bridge, the footprints of the emperors and empresses of the previous dynasty have been left behind, and the sorrowful wails of the new dynasty's princes have echoed here. I wonder if, in the midnight winds that swirl around, the undying souls of the wronged still tread softly.

However, this ultimately has nothing to do with her. The fact that she can spend the night drinking and conversing with this stranger is already an anomaly in her life—yet it is merely a result of fearing loneliness in moments of solitude, and then coincidentally encountering another lonely person.

Yet a sound suddenly shattered the desolate silence of this moment

There are indeed such people in the world, one who pushes others into the water without reason, and another who does not offer help when someone falls into the water

On a silent snowy night, the cold wind sweeps through the vastness, the river flows silently, and the silhouette of a young girl stands alone on the青石, her fingers, covered over her eyes, glimmering with the light of water in the darkness

Yin Er still felt timid, and Feng Zhiwei smiled: "Come up, no one intends to put you in danger"

The first light of dawn filters through the snow, illuminating her shoulders; the slender girl stands with a straight back.

In the corner, a small figure sat against the wall. On the table were several bottles of cheap thin wine. Hearing the attendant's apology, he gently murmured "mm" and slowly stood up, leaving a corner of broken silver, and casually took away the two unfinished bottles of leftover wine from the table.

Young Master

Faintly, someone let out a soft "hmm," a sound that carried a hint of coolness, and the tone was somewhat familiar

The man suddenly turned his head, and for a moment, his gaze was like a blade. Feng Zhiwei met his gaze calmly, her smile gentle amidst the piercing look.

A guard of unremarkable appearance emerged from beneath the bridge, intently observing Feng Zhiwei's silhouette, and said: "There are two possibilities: one is to burn the boats and return to the residence to resist; the other is to submit to the will of the Qiu family, seeking to preserve oneself through compromise"

Do you need a turtle servant here

The sound of jingling bells echoed as the vibrant colored skirt turned around, facing away from the river. Approaching the man in the brocade robe, she raised her hand to embrace his neck and playfully laughed, "Well... Yin'er is waiting."

She thought about the picture book, wiped the spout with her cuff, and carefully took a sip.

Feng Zhiwei, who was sipping wine, suddenly coughed

Feng Zhiwei smiled and said, "Very beautiful"

Change your wine

Thinking that the person would be angry, she did not expect him to ignore her, merely gazing up at the sky. Feng Zhiwei looked up and discovered that this bridge was exceptionally high and spacious. From the bridge, not only could one see the long sky and the cold moon with remarkable clarity, but one could also see a large part of the imperial capital, with the majestic imperial palace prominently in view at the end of the intersecting paths.

Feng Zhiwei remained silent, gazing at the reflection of this person in the river. This individual was ever-changing and elusive, with both appearance and demeanor transforming three times a day. Upon first meeting him, he appeared as a refined and elegant scholar from the mountains; yet, when he pushed someone into the river, his expression resembled that of a flamboyant and unrestrained pale golden mandala. At this moment, however, his smile was as enchanting as blooming peach and plum blossoms, almost beguiling.

She carried a jug of wine, aimlessly making her way against the crowd, gradually passing through the impoverished East District and heading into the city.

The warm sun of winter gradually sinks down, while the wind carries the chill of the night, rising layer by layer

Feng Zhiwei was somewhat taken aback; firstly, she was unaccustomed to sharing a pot of wine with a man, and secondly, she did not expect that this person, who clearly appeared to be a noble young master, would actually be willing to drink such coarse wine. Moreover, despite clearly disliking being entangled with others, he was still willing to share wine with her

Such a person can only be described with the word "dangerous"

The man leaned down, offering a faint smile

Feng Zhiwei did not express her opinion, following him forward. Ahead, there was a turn, and suddenly a stone arch bridge appeared. The bridge was quite grand, but the surface was mottled, indicating that it had been abandoned.

The waiter gazed at the frail figure wrapped in a thin cotton jacket, silently shaking his head—those who linger outside at this late hour must all be homeless, right

In an instant, Yin Er felt as if she was on the verge of collapse

The woman turned her face slightly, smiled, and said something to the person at the door. The person inside seemed to be taken aback, while Ning Cheng, who could read lips, stumbled suddenly on the bridge from a distance

Feng Zhiwei sat down on the snow-covered bluestone, facing the river.

The voice was soft and delicate, trailing off with a long, charming intonation, followed by the sound of hurried footsteps as someone approached

Go to the riverside

Yin Er never imagined that she would be pushed into the water with the books. Startled, she forgot to struggle. Fortunately, the river was not deep; it was merely a scenic river. In an instant, her face and lips turned pale, though it was unclear whether it was from fear or from the cold of the water

He stood at the bridgehead under the blazing red sun, with pale golden mandala flowers fluttering on his black cloak in the wind. The fierce cold wind carried distant voices, and he seemed to hear in the wind the frail young girl calmly yet frantically questioning the old matron of the Orchid Fragrance Courtyard as she opened the door

She smiled and brought the conversation back: "This bridge is so picturesque, why was it ultimately abandoned"

She absentmindedly wiped, her fingertip damp with a mixture of alcohol and some other liquid. She stared at her finger for a long time, and after a while, gently raised her hand to cover her eyes

And why does this sharp and mysterious person have an extraordinary affection for this bridge

The man looked at her fingers, slowly tucked his hands into his sleeves, and smiled, saying: "No, your hands are dirty"

The outstretched fingers are frozen to a pale blue, trembling pitifully like a flower about to be plucked

He is so familiar with this bridge; does he often linger and wander on this bridge during sleepless nights?

She struggled in the water for quite a while before slowly making her way to the shore, reaching out her hand to the man in a plea for help, "Young master... young master..."

Feng Zhiwei smiled and patted her shoulder, and that woman dared not look at the man again, slowly walking away wrapped in her thin cotton coat

Young Master ... ... Yin'er knows her mistake ... ... Yin'er will never again cling to you ... ... '' The woman cried in the water, her tears resembling blooming pear flowers, `` Yin'er understands now ... ... she should not have feelings for you ... ... ''

She stared blankly at a couple by the riverbank; the man stood with his hands behind his back, smiling as he gazed into the distance, not casting a glance in her direction. The woman held a jug, elegantly yet resolutely focused on drinking her own wine.

She was immersed in the river water on a winter night, shivering uncontrollably, yet she did not dare to seek help any further, nor did she even dare to pull herself out of the water

The man sat cross-legged, motionless, watching her resolutely leave the bridge. A flicker of light shone in his eyes, and after a long pause, he said: "Ning Cheng, where do you think she will go?"

In my heart, I do not believe that such a man would be moved by the legends of the previous dynasty.

After walking for a while, I suddenly saw a river ahead, reflecting the shimmering lights. The untouched snowflakes dotted the green stones by the riverbank, resembling crystal ice and jade.

The man gently extended his hand and gave a light push

Just as he does not ask her why she is here, she will not inquire about the loneliness and chill in his gaze

Feng Zhiwei slowly swallowed the spicy liquor, her eyes brightening slightly, and suddenly asked, "You seem to be quite familiar with this place"

Is that so? The man smiled, elongating his tone

Ning Cheng's face turned pale

She fumbled and took out the wine from her bosom, drinking slowly from the bottle's mouth. Soon, there was not much wine left, and she tilted her head back to pour it into her mouth

Walk all the way to the riverbank

The man remained noncommittal as the two stood on the bridge, watching the woman walk straight ahead with apparent determination, as if she had a goal. She soon stopped in front of a door adorned with an orchid lantern, gathered her hair into a bun, and then decisively knocked on the door

Feng Zhiwei sat still—did the clients not fear being seen, yet she was afraid of watching others engage in such activities

"No problem," the man smiled, the corners of his eyes slightly raised, instantly charming like a peach blossom. "I learned a trick from you today, so this is a gift for you."

The cold wind blew, and Feng Zhiwei, wearing only a thin garment, shivered and hugged her shoulders tightly against the river water

Stepping out the door, a brisk wind met her face. Feng Zhiwei tightened her thin cotton jacket a little more, resting her fingers against her lips, exhaling like frost

Feng Zhiwei put down her hand, furrowing her brow, and only then noticed the reflections of the lights and flowers in the river. If she remembered correctly, this seemed to be the Yanzhi River in the city, famous for its ten-mile stretch of brothels, with both banks lined with establishments offering entertainment.

His obsidian-like eyes sparkled with a novel and sharp light, resembling a long-silent abyss stirred by the snow-laden winds from beyond the vast sky, creating ripples and waves.

Pulling the drenched woman out, Feng Zhiwei noticed that her already thin dress clung to her body, revealing her curves, and she was even without undergarments. After a moment's thought, she took off her own thin cotton jacket and wrapped it around her.

Tears wash away the vibrant makeup, revealing youthful brows and eyes. This woman is still very young, and precisely because of her youth, she is unaware of the limits. Now, after a cold soak in the winter night, she suddenly recalls the person from legend, who is ruthless and unfeeling, and dislikes being tied down

She stood up, not looking at the man, and walked to the riverbank, extending her hand towards Yin Er

As the remnants of the wine were nearly finished, the sky began to brighten slightly. In the first light of dawn, Feng Zhiwei poured out the last drop from the pot and said with a smile: "This last drop of wine is dedicated to this solitary bridge. The affairs of the world are tumultuous and ever-changing, yet this bridge remains eternal."

"Betting." Ning Cheng leaned in with great interest

Two people ascended the bridge, where the stone railing was made of a single block of raw stone, providing an excellent windbreak. They sat down on the ground, and the man held Feng Zhiwei's wine flask, took a sip, and then handed it to Feng Zhiwei

Nair was captivated by the man's extraordinary demeanor, completely unaware that she was turning her back to the river, retreating step by step

This bridge, originally known as the First Bridge of Dacheng Wangdu, is said to have been built by the founding emperor of the Dacheng Dynasty for his empress. The man half-closed his eyes, speaking in a leisurely tone, "The empress favored grand and magnificent things, hence this bridge is exceptionally high and wide, overlooking the vast expanse, earning the title of the First Bridge of Dacheng. Six hundred years ago, the emperor and empress often traveled incognito on this bridge, which has become a cherished tale."

With the world settled, Your Majesty welcomed the imperial family into the capital. When the most favored Princess Shaoning was carried onto the bridge, she suddenly burst into tears. An official from the Bureau of Astronomy privately remarked that this event was inauspicious

The coarse pottery wine jug is poorly crafted, with uneven edges, and clear wine is leaking out, spilling onto her face and trickling down the corner of her eye

With a creak, the waiter at the small tavern on Tianshui Street lowered the bamboo frame of the window and smiled towards a dimmer corner of the already dim establishment, saying: "Dear guest... the shop is closing..."

He smiled and pointed to the ten miles of fireworks behind him, saying: "In any case, she will return immediately and will never linger too long in this place of fireworks. The longer she stays, the more she tarnishes her reputation. She cannot afford to make a joke of her own life."

Feng Zhiwei caressed the wine jug and caught a glimpse of a corner where an elegant silver-patterned brocade robe was displayed. On the deep black cloak, pale golden mandala flowers danced almost flamboyantly in her peripheral vision.

The man, seemingly unaware of her thoughts, suddenly laughed and said: "The wind by the river is strong; be careful not to catch a chill. Let's change to another place"

The man's tone was calm, yet carried a sense of proud disdain. Feng Zhiwei wiped the wine from the corner of her lips, suddenly feeling a bit agitated. She couldn't help but smile coldly and said, "What I worship is merely blood-stained weapons."

Feng Zhiwei felt a stir in her heart and turned her head away

That person seemed unmoved, yet there was a hint of amusement in their tone as they said: "Today I witnessed a splendid performance, truly remarkable. I simply cannot resist sharing it with others, even if just in a book."

"Three years later, right on this bridge," the man paused, took the wine jug from her hand, took a sip, and then said, "The Third Prince instigated a coup, intending to force the palace. In that battle, three members of the royal family died, four were injured, and one was left crippled... From then on, this bridge was abandoned"

Feng Zhiwei suddenly set down the wine jug

The fingers holding the pot are slender and clean, the posture steady, so steady that it approaches an ancient indifference.

Then she stood up, flicked her wrist, and let her cloak fall, walking off the bridge without looking back

Yin'er looked at her gratefully and said softly: "I am at the Lanxiang Courtyard over there... If you need anything, sister, you can come find me"

After the fall of the Great Achievement, Emperor Tiansheng marched into the capital, capturing Wangdu and renaming it the Imperial Capital. With the world pacified, His Majesty held his first audience with the former ministers in the capital, right on this bridge. On that day, the former ministers of the Great Achievement lay prostrate like grass, all beneath the feet of our Emperor

Even if this woman who sells laughter does not mind parading her naked body in public, as a woman, she is still unwilling to walk past that man in such a manner

In the distance, the fragrance of rouge wafts gently, accompanied by faint, delicate laughter that skims across the waves. By the time it reaches this quiet riverbank, only a sparse echo remains

The footsteps drew closer, and the woman let out a delicate cry, "Oh dear, someone..." Yet her tone did not convey much concern as she turned to the man beside her and continued to act coy, saying, "Young master... you said you would show Yin'er something novel..."

Feng Zhiwei lowered her head, looking at the wine, and frowned, saying: "This is my wine"

Thud

The woman let out a soft moan and leaned in closer with her lips

A pot of wine was suddenly handed over

After a while, the man's gaze gradually softened, and he even began to smile, saying: "Yes, but it is merely a matter of success or failure. These old ministers, after all, are fortunate; whether they serve a new emperor or remain as ministers, what they fear most is not even having the chance to be a bandit."

The sky was dim, and the streets were sparsely populated. The night watchman began to strike the wooden clapper, a sound that resonated with desolation

On the bridge, a man suddenly chuckled lightly

Feng Zhiwei remained silent, and with no chance to even engage in a struggle, naturally, only death remained

It really is like this after all

Feng Zhiwei cradled her head and let out a soft sigh

Feng Zhiwei took it without hesitation, saying, "Then you have suffered a loss"

Suddenly, she saw the elegantly dressed man in a brocade robe, smiling coolly like frost and snow on a snowy night. He cast a faint glance at her, then, with a gentle smile, he embraced the woman and took a step forward, then another.