Chapter 10: Infatuated Men and Resentful Women

In early summer, the Qiantang River is lush with greenery, and the melodious songs of birds fill the air

At this time, pure white water chestnut flowers and pink lotus flowers are blooming sporadically atop the green leaves, reflecting beautifully in the clear pond water, showcasing the unique soft and graceful charm of Jiangnan.

Dragonflies and kingfishers are flitting back and forth over the lotus pond, adding a lively rhythm to the verdant landscape of Jiangnan

Ah? Xianghe was both startled and delighted upon hearing the voice. "Could it be that I have just begun to have feelings, and the young master is already taking action? Is it really that effective?"

Certainly, those who are aware of the circumstances can surmise that Young Master Zhu's actions are, on one hand, to avoid the songstress Yun, and on the other hand, perhaps to keep a beloved hidden away in a golden chamber over there

It turns out that while exorcising demons is simple, rescuing the infatuated woman who has been abandoned and is on the verge of sacrificing herself is exceedingly difficult

She did not bother to investigate the exact origins of Zhang Kuangyun and eagerly asked: "Is it possible? Can it really be done? Master Zhang, what will you do? Will you use the divination stick, draw talismans, or perform the Five Thunder Rites? In any case, whatever you do, all expenses will be covered by me, Yun Miaomiao!"

Just as Yun Miaomiao turned around and Yun Gege hesitated, Zhang Kuangyun spoke again

Is that so... Upon hearing this, Yun Miaomiao felt somewhat skeptical, so she turned around to look at Zhang Kuangyun and the other person.

It is evident that a once prosperous and healthy family in the Jiangnan region is about to face ruin and devastation.

After all, as a disciple of the Daoist school, one believes that "Heaven and Earth are indifferent, treating all things as mere straw dogs"; aside from the matters of slaying demons and eliminating evil that are valued by Daoism, whether it be love, hatred, or enmity, in the eyes of Daoism, they are all natural occurrences akin to straw dogs, devoid of good or evil, and if they occur, let them follow their natural course

And that infatuated songstress has little time left. After several days of deep contemplation, he decided to save the person first and then eliminate the demon

Just as the little tune had not been hummed for two lines, a young master shouted from the courtyard, "Xianghe, Xianghe, come here!"

This little girl! Looking at her bouncing figure, the head maid Xianghe said to herself with a smile, "She really speaks without any restraint, just blabbering such blatant truths!"

"Hmm, I am Zhang Kuangyun, a disciple of the Xuanling Sect of Jiuyishan. I have long heard of the tumultuous affair between Wu and Yue, and I feel a sense of injustice. Today, I have come to assist the young lady in overcoming her difficulties and misfortunes," Zhang Kuangyun said with a smile, speaking in a calm and measured tone.

The villa named "Xiangxue Bieyuan" is located in the remote Xixi Village, crisscrossed by rivers and canals, presenting a picturesque landscape of the Jiangnan countryside with shimmering waters; however, it is indeed secluded, with daily life accompanied by the crowing of roosters and barking of dogs. Unless it is the elderly members of the clan, generally, the younger generation would not take the trouble to visit that place for the sake of elegance.

The prescription for the calming medicine given to the young master generally includes He Shou Wu vine, Rehmannia, Biota seed, sour jujube seed, and Salvia. It is specifically indicated for "Yin deficiency with insufficient blood, dizziness, blurred vision, tinnitus, irritability, and insomnia." If you see this prescription, then you are correct.

In the midst of the conversation, the clever little maid had already turned around and dashed off towards the front side hall

Upon confirming the inquiry, it is indeed very likely that these two individuals are disciples of the Xuanling Sect from Mount Jiuyi. Yun Miaomiao's smile grew even more radiant, almost blooming like a flower—Yun Miaomiao was already quite beautiful, and now with a hint of illness, her smile was like a flower in full bloom, inadvertently revealing an astonishing charm, causing Zhang Kuangyun to instinctively glance at her face a couple more times.

She saw that under the pear tree in front of the door stood only a young man in white and a beautiful woman

Although I have said it countless times, I, Yun Miaomiao, will say it once more today: I, Yun Miaomiao, am already a dying person, and in this lifetime, I will no longer sing a song or dance a dance

Indeed! Listening to Zhang Kuangyun, there is much to be interpreted in his words, and there is considerable depth to them. Yun Miaomiao has finally been moved.

Look, upon seeing someone beautiful, your eyes are wandering all over the young lady's face. It seems this princess has guessed correctly; you are clearly not here for the sake of righteousness or chivalry, but rather because of a lustful heart

"Alright, alright!" Yun Miaomiao quickly said, "Zhu Lang, good wishes to you, good wishes to you. You should really listen to what these two Daoist priests have to say; perhaps they can help you win that person back."

Seeing Yun Miaomiao finally stop and turn back, he hurriedly said: "It is not that I want you to help me perform a ritual. Asking you to dance has its own intention. Or rather, if my strategy is executed properly, Miss Yun will not need to dance to win back that suitor from the Zhu family."

He is currently pacing back and forth in the courtyard with water-ground blue bricks.

Initially, it was thought to be merely a simple task of capturing demons, but after Zhang Kuangyun inquired about the situation, another thought unexpectedly arose in his mind

After circling around seven or eight times, he suddenly came to a halt and shouted to the sky: "Who will take my hand and gather my half a lifetime of madness?"

Little girl! You know it is as you see! Xianghe said, both shy and angry, "You are not a young master, what use is it to say these things? If you keep babbling here and the young master hears it, it would be utterly embarrassing! If you say any more, I will tear your little mouth apart!"

Hearing the conversation between the two siblings, Zhang Kuangyun found it somewhat amusing yet exasperating

As he traveled along the winding path towards Qiantang, he thought clearly that even if he were to achieve success effortlessly, apart from that enchantress, it would not necessarily make the heartless man immediately change his mind.

From Xiaoxiang to Qiantang, Zhang Kuangyun has just made a journey, and this route is quite familiar to him

I understand, Sister Xianghe is indeed meticulous," said the maid Xue Mei, winking, "In my opinion, the young master has truly misjudged the person. Whether it was that singer with the surname Yun from before, or the one now... in my view, neither can compare to you, sister!

Otherwise, otherwise," Zhang Kuangyun waved his hand and said, "There is no need for divination, no need to draw talismans, and certainly no need to perform any thunderous rites. What I require is merely a song and dance from the young lady.

At this moment, her brother also came out, looking at the two visitors

"It is of no significance," said the beautiful maid Xianghe calmly. "The young master is having another episode of his mania. You should quickly go to the pear blossom cabinet in the west wing and prepare the calming medicine that was caught yesterday, following the prescription instructions, and then bring it to the young master for him to take."

Brother! Yun Miaomiao exclaimed angrily, "What a heartless fellow? It is Zhu Lang! Without Zhu Lang, what meaning is there in my life?"

At this moment, Zhang Kuangyun was still unaware that it was this trip to Qiantang that allowed Bai Binglan to see a completely different image of the Huaxia Daoist from what she had previously imagined about the demon clan

"What’s wrong with dancing?" said the eldest brother of the Yun family. "Haven't you heard of the matter of 'jumping the great deity'? How would we know about the affairs of immortals and Daoists? Perhaps the little Daoist wants you to perform a segment of the great deity dance!"

The young master, who is in his early twenties, originally possessed handsome features and a refined appearance. However, at this moment, he appears haggard and worn, with a hint of agitation in his eyes

The graceful songstress Yun Miaomiao resides at the foot of Guanshan, located south of the Qiantang River.

"Thank the Three Pure Ones!" she chuckled softly, "If you want to thank the deities, it would be better to thank the goddess Nuwa; these illusions are precisely the innate specialty of my Nuwa deity and the demon clan."

After speaking, Yun Miaomiao wore a serious expression and turned to leave.

However, Zhang Kuangyun is not a typical disciple of Taoism

For some reason, just thinking about the maid Xue Mei's "nonsense" made Xiang He feel delighted, to the point that she couldn't help but hum a little tune.

Lady Yun, do not look back; if you do look back, you will no longer be able to reclaim the bond you had with Zhu Lang!

Ah? Yun Miaomiao, who was originally leaning on the bed and feeling listless, immediately sat up and got out of bed upon hearing the sound. She hastily put on her pair of phoenix-headed shoes and rushed out of the room like a gust of wind. "Is that ungrateful person finally having a change of heart and coming to find me?"

In the brief distance of just over ten steps to enter the house, Yun Miaomiao had already praised the Xuanling Sect of Jiuyi Mountain extensively, and even indirectly inquired about the general situation of Zhang Kuangyun within the Xuanling Sect.

Hehe. Bai Binglan stood by, observing coldly, thinking to herself, "Zhang Kuangyun, oh Zhang Kuangyun, hearing you say you want to help this so-called Miss Yun first, I know you have no good intentions."

Feeling happy in her heart, to the point of being reckless, Zhang Kuangyun next pondered how to convey her strategy to Yun Miaomiao, while Bai Binglan hardly listened clearly.

As she spoke, she turned around and walked back

Sister! At this moment, her brother spoke up, "In my opinion, these two little deities from Jiuyushan have extraordinary appearances and will surely be able to help you! Even if they cannot bring back that heartless fellow, being able to recite some calming spells or prescribe a remedy to stimulate your appetite and help you return to normal would be quite good!"

Oh. The maid, Xue Mei, upon hearing this, turned around and was about to leave

On this day, at the fragrant snow villa with white walls and black tiles by the West Creek Village, Zhu Gusheng, the cloud singer who is both infatuated and tormented, finds himself absent-minded at home

Yun Miaomiao paused, hesitating and remaining silent

What a pair of beautiful and elegant individuals! Upon seeing Zhang Kuangyun and Bai Binglan for the first time, Yun Miaomiao couldn't help but exclaim in her heart.

Unfortunately, the unfortunate woman, full of hope, soon became disappointed

Upon hearing the tragic fate of the Qiantang songstress Yun Miaomiao, his chivalrous and benevolent heart compelled him to take action instead of remaining indifferent

Is that so? Seeing her like this, Zhang Kuangyun remained unhurried, "Miss Yun, you have misunderstood me. Even if I share the same intentions as those mediocre individuals, why not listen to me a little longer? If after hearing my arrangements you still find them unsatisfactory, it would not be too late to reject me then."

Oh... suddenly, Yun Miaomiao calmed down, her face filled with sorrow.

Hearing his voice, the maidservant Xue Mei, who was waiting by the courtyard gate, hurriedly asked the slightly older maidservant Xiang He: "Sister Xiang He, what does the young master mean by this?"

Speaking of which, Yun Miaomiao's heartless rival, Zhu Gusheng, originally resided by the Yongjin Gate on the eastern side of West Lake in Hangzhou

In the scattered ponds, there are either lotus plants or water chestnuts.

Upon thinking of this, Yun Miaomiao felt utterly dejected, lacking even the customary politeness typical of Jiangnan women. She merely bent slightly, treating it as a form of greeting, and then weakly said: "You two are looking for me, but you have the wrong person. Miaomiao no longer accepts singing and dancing. If you wish to ask for water, just speak to my brother."

Unlike his worldly-wise younger sister, this tall and strong older brother appeared somewhat timid in the presence of the imposing and arrogant Zhang Kuangyun, his lips quivering as he momentarily struggled to find the right words to say

Yes, indeed! Yun Miaomiao, as if grasping a lifeline, had a gaze that once lost its anger now shimmered like autumn waters, fluttering and gazing at the audacious Yun.

Zhu Gusheng was born into a prominent local family, possessing numerous enterprises, with villas located in various famous spots throughout Hangzhou. However, for some unknown reason, Zhu Gusheng chose such a remote and desolate area.

"Hey, if that's really the case, then it's a good thing," Bai Binglan thought happily. "Doesn't this just prove that these human beings are all hypocritical and pretentious? If the new forces of the human realm are all like him, speaking insincerely and not doing their proper duties, then isn't that a great thing for my Tushan Clan? Ha, just like that, it's wonderful!"

After the incident with Yun Miaomiao, Zhu Gusheng went to stay in a villa located in the northwest suburbs of Hangzhou.

"It was my indiscretion. It turns out that you, like those others, are trying in various ways to make me perform, to entertain you with song and dance."

Moreover, being a disciple of the Xuanmen, their footwork is swift, seamlessly combining land and water travel, and within five or six days, they have arrived in the region of Hangzhou and Wuyue.

Not far from the famous "Milk Spring" that never runs dry at the foot of Guanshan, there are three cottages with white walls and black tiles, which are the home of Yun Miaomiao

Never mind, I am a delicate young lady, how can I possibly compete with a vigorous young master? What is the point of wasting my energy

Due to the fame of her exceptional dancing, Yun Miaomiao's family in Hangzhou is also considered to be living a moderately prosperous life; originally, their days were filled with happiness and contentment. However, because of her misguided infatuation, Yun Miaomiao is now not only disinterested in singing and dancing, but she also lacks the desire to eat or drink, which has cast a shadow of gloom over the entire family

Then should I pretend to struggle a bit later

This move is particularly perplexing for young individuals like Zhu Gusheng, who are known for their lively and flirtatious nature

On this day, while Yun Miaomiao's family was still shrouded in gloom, her brother was earnestly persuading her to eat some food when they heard a loud voice calling from outside the door: "Excuse me, is this Miss Yun's home?"

The people of Qiantang are indeed very clever and astute; once all doubts are dispelled, Yun Miaomiao immediately beams with joy and respectfully invites Zhang Kuangyun and the other person into the house

Alas! Why? Why is it not Zhu Lang?

"He wants me to dance! Didn't you hear?" Yun Miaomiao exclaimed

What? Upon hearing these words, Yun Miao Miao felt as if struck by lightning. With a speed that was incongruous with her ailing body, she suddenly turned around, her eyes fixed intently on Zhang Kuang Yun.

However, she soon let out a soft sigh, thinking to herself: "This young man in white, although handsome and full of vigor, cannot compare to the charming appearance of Zhu Lang with his oiled hair and powdered face; every time I look at him, I feel a sense of satiety, is this not what is meant by 'a beauty that is a feast for the eyes'?"

He could have directly dealt with the demon, and whether that young master of the aristocratic family, Zhu Gusheng, can change his mind is their own matter, which does not fall within the responsibilities of a disciple of the Daoist sect

Alright, alright, I won't say anymore" Xue Mei, the maid, said with a smile, "It truly is 'the world is declining, and people's hearts are no longer as they used to be.' In this day and age, speaking out for others can lead to trouble, where can one seek justice? I won't say anymore, I won't say anymore!

"Wait a moment," Xiang He called out to her, "Xue Mei, you have been so absent-minded all day, I am worried you might make a mistake. Other mistakes can be managed, but taking the wrong medicine would be troublesome. Let me tell you, there is more than one dose of medicine in that pear blossom cabinet, but I have placed the corresponding prescription under each packet of medicine."