Chapter 4, Garden Wine Talk

Fang Yiai noticed that Dong Xue appeared somewhat unhappy: "Dong Xue, what is wrong? Why do you look a bit down?"

However, young master, the lady does not allow you to drink alcohol

Although Fang Yiai had a general impression of this residence in his memory for a long time, the shock of seeing it in person was still immense. Fang Xuanling lived a life of integrity and could naturally not afford a large house. This residence was bestowed by His Majesty Li Shimin, and the courtyard was the former residence of an official from the previous dynasty's Ministry of Personnel. However, it has three courtyards, which is quite good.

Dongmei beside him quickly protested: "Young Master, you should not speak of yourself in such a manner. In the past, you were still young; as long as you can change in the future, that is sufficient"

Poor Fang Yiai, yet he knows nothing

Fang Yiai seems to strongly agree with this viewpoint: "Of course, a father is like this."

The first realm, where friends gather, fine wine and exquisite dishes abound, and as the wine flows, they depart, leaving cups and plates in disarray. What do you think of such a realm

Fang Xuanling also smiled, stroking his beard: "Jun'er, you bear quite a resemblance to your father."

When I heard Fang Yiai say that there are three realms of drinking, I thought this rascal was going to spout nonsense again. However, after listening to the first realm, I stopped in my tracks, ready to see what this child could come up with.

Winter snow, as you observe this snow, this scene, how can one be without wine? This young master wishes to enjoy this scene with wine, and shall raise a toast.

The maid used to think that drinking was merely about enjoying the lively atmosphere, but now, after hearing the young master speak, she feels that such drinking is rather inferior.

Fang Yiai also nodded and said, "Yes, one must always look forward in everything."

This third realm is one of solitude, where one's mood dictates that all of heaven and earth can serve as companions for wine. On a moonlit night, one can toast to the moonlight, raising a glass to invite the bright moon, creating a trio with one's shadow. In the absence of the moon, I shall use this snow plum to accompany my wine. A few branches of plum blossom in the corner, blooming alone in the cold, I know from afar that it is not snow, for it carries a subtle fragrance.

Fang Yiai continued to gaze at the snowy scene outside the pavilion, not turning his head, and said: "Do you know that there are three realms of drinking?"

Fang Yiai turned around and discovered that not only was there wine, but also a small stove. He then praised, "Winter Snow is truly thoughtful"

The two could not match Fang Yiai, so they had no choice but to sit down

The winter snow is also a moment of curiosity: "Young master, please quickly tell me what the third realm is."

Once again, the little girl braved her own reprimands to fetch wine for Fang Yiai, and could not help but chuckle inwardly, saying: "This child is truly a little rascal." However, she was very fond of her. Her eldest son, Yizhi, was steady and composed, while this younger son was lively and always causing trouble, yet she simply adored him

Fang Yiai ignored the two young girls and continued to speak to himself: "This is a kind of sentiment that you do not understand. One should be carefree and unrestrained in life, following the heart wherever it leads. If I wish to howl like a wolf, then I shall howl like a wolf; what others think is of no concern to me"

During the Tang Dynasty, due to the clearly defined boundaries of the markets, all land was meticulously planned. Each individual's residence could not be too large, and ordinary citizens and merchants were only permitted to live in single-entry homes. Although the political environment during the Tang Dynasty was relatively relaxed, the status of merchants did not significantly improve; their political standing remained low, and their descendants were even barred from participating in the imperial examination, effectively closing off the path to becoming a person of high status for a lifetime

The two maids were suddenly tense: "Young Master, how could that be? You must have seen it wrong."

After listening to Fang Yiai's explanation, Dong Xue was once again beaming with joy. The master worries for the common people, while the young master embodies the elegance of the world. It is truly wonderful

The Lu family of Fanyang, originating from the five surnames and seven noble families, is a lineage that has been passed down for over a hundred years, traditionally valuing poetry and scholarship. Growing up in such an environment, their knowledge is naturally commendable. However, they have never heard of this poem. Therefore, there is only one possibility: this poem was written by Fang Yi'ai. Looking again at the two lines: "Raise a cup to invite the bright moon, with my shadow we become three. The moon waxes and wanes, this matter has been difficult to achieve since ancient times." Such beautiful verses make it unsurprising that this poem was composed.

Young master, why do you say that this situation is suitable for drinking? Can this really be paired with alcohol?

Dongmei also nodded slightly, seemingly afraid that the young master would not understand her thoughts

Dongmei gazed at the rushing winter snow, then looked at Fang Yiai, whose face, though youthful, seemed to radiate brilliance in his eyes, causing her heart to involuntarily flutter.

After all, poetry can be plagiarized, but words cannot. The more Lu thought about it, the more anxious he became; who does not wish for their son to be successful? Thus, Lu hurried back, for there is a learned scholar in the Fang family. Fang Xuanling was one of the eighteen scholars of the Qin Wang's residence in those days.

The winter snow could not help but speak first: "Young Master, it is excellent. Although this servant does not understand, in this servant's heart, it indeed feels extremely good"

Fang Yiao nodded slightly, indicating that he had heard, and continued to speak: "The second realm is to have two or three friends, enjoying fine wine and simple dishes. One can drink by the mountains or by the lakes, solely to engage in discussions about the past and present"

The winter snow and winter plum behind looked at Fang Yiai with a tense expression, could it be that the young master has lost his mind? Fang Yiai caught a glimpse of the two maidservants' gazes and felt a pang in his heart: a group of uncultured people, lacking any sense of aesthetic appreciation

Fang Yiai strolled leisurely in the small garden, closely followed by two young maidservants. He walked to a pavilion in the center of a pond. Gazing at the snowy landscape, although only a few plum blossoms were in bloom, Fang Yiai felt quite cheerful. Unable to contain his joy, he began to skip and sing happily: "La la la la la"

In the winter snow, is there any wine? This young master wishes to drink wine

Lu Shi listened with a smile on his face

Winter snow, winter plum. Why do you look at this young master with such strange eyes

Dongmei shook her head, and Fang Yiai seemed to know that Dongmei was unaware, so he continued speaking.

Upon entering the residence, one is greeted by a shadow wall directly ahead. On either side of the shadow wall are two rows of houses, which serve as the quarters for the servants. Continuing straight, one passes another row of buildings, leading to the inner gate. Further ahead lies the main hall, which serves as the reception area for guests and the dining space for the family. Adjacent to the main hall is the study of Fang Xuanling. Behind this area is where Fang Xuanling and his wife, Lu, reside. Behind the servants' quarters, there are two additional rows of houses, which are the left and right wings, designated for guest accommodations. Fang Yiai and Fang Yizhi reside behind the wings. Additionally, there is a small garden located behind the master bedroom.

"Young Master, your wine has arrived." Dong Xue ran over quickly, her little face flushed red from the cold

Fang Yiai had a stern expression: "Today we celebrate, everyone must drink. If you don't, I will be angry"

The two young maidservants looked at Fang Yi'ai with admiration, not expecting their young master to be so tall. Although the two maidservants did not understand the Wei-Jin style or the Seven Sages of the Bamboo Grove, they knew that being able to articulate words they had never heard before was quite remarkable. After all, Fang Yi'ai was still very young.

Just now, the young master said that the master is at the second level, so is the master at the third level

Fang Yiai finally revealed a smile: "In ancient times, Cao He brewed wine to discuss heroes with *Tu* and *Shu*, today the three of us brew wine to talk about it, which is also a refined affair."

In the evening, Fang Xuanling returned home. Lu Shi eagerly recounted everything to Fang Xuanling. After listening to Lu Shi, Fang Xuanling closed his eyes and pondered for a moment: "The style of this poem is different from that of many poets who write about plums, and this poem has never been passed down through the ages. It is undoubtedly written by Jun'er."

Winter Snow felt somewhat embarrassed, but still asked: "What did the young master just say to Winter Plum? She looks so happy." Before Fang Yiai could respond, Winter Plum had already revealed everything.

However, none of these were particularly striking. What shocked Lu the most was the poem recited by Fang Yiai, along with those two lines of verse. Such exquisite sentences are indeed masterpieces. Although the poem is merely a simple expression of silence, its word choice is concise and its meaning profound. It is also a fine work.

After listening to Fang Yiai's words, I felt a wave of comfort in my heart. The realm of drinking can at most be considered a form of elegance, but I never expected that my usually carefree son would understand his husband so well. He holds genuine love and respect for his father. Lu has always worried about the relationship between this father and son; Fang Xuanling has always been serious, and this younger son often makes mistakes and is frequently punished. Yet, I never anticipated that Fang Yiai would be so understanding.

Since Fang Yiao arrived in the Tang Dynasty, he had not properly familiarized himself with his surroundings, not even his own home, which was rather unacceptable. Just then, the snow had stopped. Fang Yiao eagerly took Dongxue and Dongmei to tour his house.

"Why is the master not in the third realm? The master is universally recognized as a gentleman." At this point, Dongxue blushed slightly, "The young master is a little gentleman."

Fang Yiai felt indifferent; his modern disposition was such that he only wished to live happily. Returning to ancient times, he experienced a period of confusion. However, he soon realized that he did not wish to hold an official position, but rather wanted to live well within his family, accompanying his father and mother, and enjoying the warmth of home. After all, with Fang Xuanling as his support, he would never have to worry about food and clothing for the rest of his life. Upon reaching this conclusion, Fang Yiai felt a sense of clarity and refreshment in his heart. He quickly reaffirmed that he did not wish to be an official, but only wanted to live well in this family, accompanying his father and mother, and enjoying the warmth of home. After all, with Fang Xuanling as his support, he would never have to worry about food and clothing for the rest of his life. Upon reaching this conclusion, Fang Yiai felt a sense of clarity and refreshment in his heart

Unbeknownst to the three, Lu stood behind a pine tree outside the pavilion for quite some time. The room was too stuffy, and Lu had originally intended to step out for some fresh air. Just then, Fang Yi'ai arrived at the pavilion, prompting her to go out and meet him. Hearing her son singing wildly, she couldn't help but laugh. Her son was indeed quite mischievous.

After listening, Dongmei was filled with excitement: "Young Master, this is excellent. Elegant yet unpretentious, this is exactly how the Master is."

Fang Yiai did not pay attention to Dong Xue's words: "It is not that my father cannot become a person of the third realm, but that he is unwilling. As the Left Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, my father needs to handle important state affairs outside. At home, he must also toil for this family. With so many concerns, how could he be carefree? It is I, this unfilial son, who does not know how much worry I have caused my father in the past."

Fang Yiai pondered for a moment: "Father is not in the third realm."

Dong Xue looked at the grand and imposing Fang Yiai, having long since cast aside Lu's orders in her mind. She hurried off to fetch wine for Fang Yiai.

Fang Yiai laughed heartily after hearing this: "Winter Snow, do you know that this third realm is one in a million? Such greed! The moon waxes and wanes, and this matter has been difficult to achieve since ancient times. It cannot be forced. Moreover, how could a father possibly let go of the court and the people of this world?"

Winter Snow pouted: "If the master were also at the third level of existence, then our residence would have two individuals at the third level of existence."

Fang Yiai leisurely poured a glass of wine for each of the three, while the two maidservants hurriedly declined.