Chapter 10

Alo did not hesitate to grasp his hand, feeling a great force as her body was effortlessly lifted onto the horse. Zili smiled and said, "Sit tight!" and then rode off.

Alo looked at the man, whose sword-like eyebrows slanted into his temples, his gaze deep and profound, and a hint of a smile lingering at the corners of his mouth. Another fine specimen. He was not a lewd person, and having accompanied her for so long, she felt a sense of fondness. She replied, "I was admiring the scenery by the river when I heard the melodious sound of the flute, so I followed the sound and intruded upon you, young master."

On this day, Qingluo rose early, wearing a fitted inner garment and a loose silver-white robe over it. She tied her hair neatly and fastened a jade belt. When she looked in the mirror, she saw a graceful young man with a face like a crown of jade.

The two individuals walked east along the riverbank, ascended the river embankment, and soon encountered a tea stall. This was the first time A Luo had walked on the streets of Wind City, and she looked around greedily, finding everything novel. She turned her head left and right, glancing back, realizing they had already distanced themselves from the upscale residential area. Suddenly, Zi Li called out to her: "Shan Di, if we continue like this, we might not reach Qianfeng Tower even by sunset."

Then the horse suddenly dashed out with a flick of its four hooves. A Luo tightly shut her mouth to stifle a scream, gripping the reins firmly, and nestled herself into Zi Li's embrace. She could hear Zi Li's warm breath right above her, emitting a soothing voice: "Do not be afraid, I am here. You won't fall off."

Alo was at a loss whether to laugh or cry, saying that she was not afraid, yet she was indeed terrified. She remained stiff, cold sweat breaking out, and with every jolt of the horse, her heart raced in fear. The scenery around her seemed to fly backward, and she finally shouted, "Elder brother, could you please go a bit slower"

Alo affectionately called out "big brother," and as they walked and chatted, she happily discovered that her newly recognized big brother was very knowledgeable about Wind City, making her feel as if she had a guide with her, possessing a living map. She secretly rejoiced at her fortunate turn of events

As the Arol River approached, I slowed my pace, pretending to stroll leisurely to enjoy the scenery. I saw a young man sitting beneath the weeping willows by the riverbank. Dressed in a purple robe, he held a jade flute in his hand. It turned out that the one playing the flute was him. Why does he come here every day to play the flute? Is it merely to harmonize with his own melody?

Alo pondered for a moment and said: "Elder brother, could you take me to try other renowned restaurants next time? Tasting delicious food is one of my greatest hobbies."

A look of surprise flashed in that person's eyes: "Little brother can play the flute? Good!"

A Luo's face flushed, and she looked up at Zi Li: "Elder brother, how far is Qianfeng Tower?"

Having identified her direction, A Luo lifted her foot and was about to head towards the commercial district. However, after glancing at the nearby small river, she changed her mind. She walked to a secluded corner on the other side of the courtyard wall, took out her flute, and played a tune that she often harmonized with the flute player. As the flute sound began, A Luo paid attention to her surroundings, and after a while, the sound of the xiao (a type of Chinese flute) came drifting over. Upon hearing it, A Luo realized it was coming from the riverbank. She put away her flute and walked in that direction.

The man smiled and said: "Alright, alright, today not only have I gained a confidant, but I have also met a brother. My surname is Chen, you may call me Zili or Big Brother."

Zili listened to her trembling voice and thought to herself that Luo Shan must be the pampered young master from a wealthy family, timid and inexperienced in riding. Upon seeing that they had entered the east gate, she slowed down and said: "Shan Di, it's fine now, you can ride the horse leisurely and enjoy the market from your seat."

Zi Li rode south into a street that was slightly narrower than East Avenue. Here, it became a secluded courtyard, surrounded by lush green trees enclosing independent small buildings

Alo quickly tried the vegetarian greens and the vegetarian eggplant again, and all she could hear was Zili's continuous praise about how refreshing and flavorful they were. Unable to contain herself, she asked Zili, "Elder brother, is this dish really that delicious?"

Alo was taken aback and stammered, "W-why do these three vegetarian dishes cost so much money?"

Zi Li saw A Luo's pair of clear eyes staring at him without blinking, and he admired in his heart, what a beautiful pair of eyes. He nimbly turned over and mounted the horse, extending a hand to A Luo: "Come, ride together with your elder brother."

A Luo's face flushed, and she lowered her eyes. Zi Li smiled and said, "I have such a younger brother, who gives me everything I want. Shan Di, I really like it when you call me big brother"

A smile once again appeared on Zi Li's lips as she listened to A Luo's comments. Seeing her shake her head and pout, her sparkling eyes were truly captivating. If it weren't for the inappropriate nature of the situation, he would have certainly taken her back with him

Alo stepped out of the Qianfeng Building and looked back once more. She finally understood why there were no seats in the lobby on the first floor, and why it didn't matter that there were few people on the second floor. A single meal consumed the equivalent of a year's worth of food expenses for four people at Tangyuan. Wasn't that considered expensive? She found it hard to comprehend, and then thought, if she were to open a restaurant like this herself, wouldn't she be making a fortune?

Upon waking, Zi Li smiled and said: "With such disdain for the three exquisite dishes of Qianfeng Tower, you have become the foremost person in Wind City"

At present, the two are performing a duet with the flute and the xiao. After finishing a piece, the two feel even closer. The man looks at A Luo and says: "It is truly delightful to meet a kindred spirit. I find the young brother quite amiable. Would you like to join me at Qianfeng Tower for a gathering?"

Alo then asked him: "Does being led on a horse while riding count as being able to ride?"

Alo sat up straight, observing that East Street was at least 20 to 30 meters wide, with horse-drawn carriages and sedan chairs passing by without the need to yield. The large blue stone slabs were laid out neatly, with well-aligned seams underfoot. From here, one could imagine the grandeur of Wind City.

Zi Li then told her: "Qianfeng Tower specializes in vegetarian dishes and is considered one of the renowned restaurants in Feng City. It is likely that the chef in Shan Di's family possesses exceptional culinary skills"

Alo saw that there was not a single table downstairs, so she set up a blackwood tea table. Surrounding it were several landscape paintings and calligraphy, exuding a rich cultural atmosphere

Zi Li looked at her with a smile and said, "It's not expensive, Shan Di." He took out a banknote to give to the waiter

Upon ascending the stairs, the hollowed-out screen partitions created seating arrangements, and there were also private rooms for individual gatherings. Zili requested a private room and, after A Luo took her seat, remarked: "This place is quieter for conversation with Shandi."

The man let out a hearty laugh: "It's no trouble at all, no trouble at all, just for this moment today."

Two individuals entered the Qianfeng Building. The waiter’s eyes lit up; he had his own set of skills for recognizing people, having welcomed and sent off guests every day. Most patrons of the Qianfeng Building held some status or background. The taller of the two exuded an air of nobility in his every gesture, while the shorter one was likely the young master of a wealthy family. Thus, he courteously said: "Please, gentlemen, upstairs."

Zi Li was lost in thought and had unknowingly consumed several cups of Sanjue wine. At this moment, looking at Luoshan again, he suddenly recalled the leopard he had once hunted, whose eyes were just as clear and bright. He secretly mused that if the skin were fair and flawless, it would be hard to say that a woman could compare.

Alo could tell from his somewhat melancholic demeanor that it was due to the absence of the flute's accompaniment, so she smiled and said: "I enjoy playing the flute; may I perform a piece together with you, my lord"

Feeling someone behind him, the man turned around and saw a handsome young gentleman gazing intently at the flute in his hands. He couldn't help but smile and said, "Young brother, do you also like the flute?"

In a short while, the dishes were served. A Luo looked at them and saw vegetarian tofu, vegetarian greens, and vegetarian eggplant. Then he glanced at Zi Li, who smiled and shook his head, indicating that he had never eaten them before. A Luo knew that the more vegetarian dishes there were, the harder they were to prepare. He picked up a piece of tofu with his chopsticks to taste it. Before he could say anything, he heard Zi Li also picking up a piece and praising, "Good, the tofu is tender and smooth, retaining its original flavor, and swallowing it brings a refreshing aroma."

Alo nodded, sitting by the window and looking out at the scenery. Hearing Zili speak to the waiter, he said: "I have heard that Qianfeng Tower is famous for its three exquisite dishes and three exceptional wines. Today, having returned here for the first time, I hope it does not disappoint me."

It takes three and a half quarters of an hour by horseback, but walking takes a full hour.

Madam Qi helped her paint her exposed skin brown and thicken her eyebrows. A Luo spoke in a lowered voice, recalling how she used to walk with great strides, her demeanor showing not a trace of feminine shyness. A Luo was very pleased, and Madam Qi felt reassured, laughing: "If it weren't for someone familiar, one would definitely not recognize you as a young lady."

The young attendant nodded with a smile and said, "Young master, you have returned? You must certainly try the skill of our master chef"

Having safely landed, A Luo winked at Xiao Yu on the wall, then buried the soft ladder in a hole she dug at the base of the wall. She prepared two sets of the soft ladder, in case Xiao Yu heard the flute but could not make it in time, she would return by herself

After A Luo finished talking about the aftertaste of the food, he noticed Zi Li lost in thought and said: "Elder brother, if there is a chance, I will cook a few dishes for you, ensuring that your taste buds will be so delighted that you will want to swallow them whole"

After finishing the meal, the waiter smiled and said: "One hundred thirty-six taels of silver"

Alo said generously, "I forgive you, who told me I couldn't ride a horse anyway." She had only ridden horses led by someone in tourist areas before, so naturally, she couldn't gallop. Suddenly remembering, she laughed and said, "How about you teach me to ride a horse another day, big brother?" Zili nodded in agreement.

Zili Dao: "I have instructed my attendant to hold the horse here and wait. Shandi, can you ride a horse?"

Zi Li once again saw her bright eyes looking at him pleadingly, and without a second thought, he replied: "Shan Di, do you know that when you look at others with such an expression, I can never bring myself to refuse you"

The tone is indifferent: "Not very familiar, just seen a few times. Does Shan Di recognize?"

As the sound of the flute ceased, the sound of the xiao paused for a moment, as if wondering why it was so brief today. Then it resumed once more.

Upon arriving in front of a building, A Luo saw the three bold characters "Qianfeng Tower" and knew they had arrived. Zi Li dismounted and helped A Luo down. After taking a few steps, A Luo began to feel pain in her backside. Unable to resist, she rubbed it and noticed Zi Li looking at her with a half-smile, which made her feel somewhat aggrieved: "Elder brother's horse was a bit too fast."

Zi asked A Luo strangely: "Aren't you from Wind City?"

Zi Li Dao: "Is it possible that the taste of the mountain brother is unique? The tofu in the residence usually does not taste like tofu at all; one cannot discern the flavor of tofu. No wonder the young prince of the Anqing Wangfu recommended that to taste tofu, one must come to Qianfeng Tower."

Alo exclaimed: "Is that possible? I have seen the prosperity of Wind City, could the food be that poor?"

A Luo said: "This is my second time leaving the residence, and my first time dining at a restaurant. Usually, the dishes at home suit my taste just fine." A Luo typically dines at Tangyuan, where the meals are either prepared by Aunt Zhang or by Madam Qi. When the entire Li family gathers for a meal once a month, everyone is cautious and hesitant to reach for the food. They feel that the flavors from the large kitchen are far inferior to those enjoyed at Tangyuan, believing it to be merely a result of Li Xiang neglecting Tangyuan and not providing enough good food. However, upon arriving at Qianfeng Tower today and trying the so-called three exquisite dishes, they discovered that it was truly an original ecological experience!

Alo, upon hearing the words "Little Prince," coughed and, after drinking some tea to calm down, asked: "Are you familiar with Liu Jue, elder brother?"

Alo thought, is it a two-hour walk? This Wind City is truly vast, it seems having a horse would be best. Just as she thought of that, a neigh sounded, and Alo looked up to see a large horse's head stretching out in front of her

He recalled the flute sound that had only played for a short while this morning, which he had coincidentally heard by the river and harmonized with. The flute sound gradually became clearer, and his skills improved rapidly, eventually encompassing countless thoughts. Several times he wanted to leap over the courtyard wall to see who was in the Right Prime Minister's residence, and he enjoyed responding with the sound of the xiao, sensing the changes in the flutist's state of mind. Thus, every morning he waited by the river. Unexpectedly, today, feeling dejected that the flute sound had disappeared too quickly, he encountered such a clever, compassionate, and handsome young brother. Several times he wanted to leap over the courtyard wall to see who was in the Right Prime Minister's residence, and he enjoyed responding with the sound of the xiao, sensing the changes in the flutist's state of mind. Thus, every morning he waited by the river. Unexpectedly, today, feeling dejected that the flute sound had disappeared too quickly, he encountered such a clever, compassionate, and handsome young brother. When he played the flute, it was quite similar to the person behind the courtyard wall. He felt a strong desire to get close to him.

Alo nodded. Zili led the horse, and the two of them headed south along the path of Qianfeng Tower, just as they turned into a small alley. Suddenly, several masked individuals wielding knives jumped out, attacking the two without a word.

Zi Li laughed out loud: "It is my elder brother's fault, I apologize to you."

A Luo Dao: "I have seen it at the Peach Blossom Banquet." Looking at the three delicacies of Qianfeng Tower in front of him, he changed the subject: "I think Qianfeng Tower is probably catering to wealthy families who are used to eating lavish meals, so they prepared some boiled dishes for you to try. The taste is really not that great."

Alo thought that this Qianfeng Tower was likely a place similar to a restaurant or tea house, and she was just about to go there, feeling that having a companion would be nice. She smiled and said, "My name is Luoshan, may I ask your esteemed surname?" Naturally, Alo had further narrowed the distance in their relationship.

The surroundings are bustling with activity, featuring buildings that are two to three stories high, stretching endlessly along the main street. The shops are located on the ground floor, while the upper levels appear to house restaurants and tea houses, with groups of men in red and women in green strolling along the road in pairs or small clusters

Seeing that it was still early, Zi Li said to A Luo: "The Three Absolute Wines have a lingering strength. I have drunk a couple more cups than I should have, and I feel a bit dizzy. Would it be good to take a walk to sober up?"

On her first mission, filled with nervous excitement, A Luo effortlessly climbed over the wall, took out a soft ladder made of coarse hemp, and thought to herself that this was much easier than climbing by hand. If only she could master lightness skills, how free it would be to fly around. Remembering Liu Jue's lightness skills, she couldn't help but feel envious; if it weren't for their enmity, it would be wonderful to have him as a master.