A deep murmur of a xuanzheng (dark zither) arose, and the hall immediately became a little quieter.
All eyes converged on the source of the sound. Xue Yao, dressed in a flowered gauze robe, held a dark zither and slowly entered the hall.
When she was seated, her ten fingers lightly brushed the strings, and a melodious and sweet song took flight, clear, pure, and moving.
"一枝幽芳,独伴影徘徊.藤绕青阁,香盈碧水怀,轻问翩蝶,可记旧时来.
朝露未晞,情尤浓.若有流风知,芳心重,愿随云影逐水东.
旧梦依稀,花名为吟.愿化花魂,点星辰,长伴君心,天际循...
A discrete and fragrant flower, alone, its shadow accompanies it. Wisteria entwines the azure pavilion, its fragrance fills the turquoise pond; she gently questions the fluttering butterfly, does it remember its coming of yore.
The morning dew is not yet dry, passion is still more intense. If the wandering wind could know, the fragrant heart is heavy, wishing to follow the cloud shadows eastward, upon the water.
The old dream is indistinct, the flower is named lament. May she transform into the soul of a flower, dotting the stars, forever accompanying the beloved's heart, roaming the horizon..."
The echo of the melody still floated when suddenly a crystalline and mischievous laugh, like the tinkling of a silver bell, resounded in the hall: "Bravo! Lady Xue's zither playing is absolutely marvelous!"
All eyes turned towards the source of the laughter. A "young man" dressed in an ample grey-blue robe, his hair tied up somewhat messily, strode forward confidently, with all the casual familiarity of an adolescent, yet also revealing an undisguised feminine playfulness.
Xue Yao, her zither in her arms, approached slowly. Arriving before the table of Zhang Huaiqian and the others, she first bowed respectfully and said in a graceful voice: "My talent is modest. I thank you for listening to me. If there was any awkwardness, I pray you will excuse me."
Zhang Huaiqian inclined his head slightly and was about to exchange some pleasantries when Bai Xingjian raised his cup with a smile: "This melody by Lady Xue touches me even more than this whole sea of flowers."
Xue Yao smiled gracefully and bowed slightly: "Sir Bai covers me with undeserved praise. Yao also has a request to make today."
As she spoke, she turned slightly, her gaze successively sweeping over all the guests, her voice soft but neither humble nor arrogant: "According to the custom of the Hundred Flowers Festival, the singer solicits verses. If gentlemen have some leisure, Xue is willing to offer wine as a gift, in the hope of obtaining a few words."
Bai Xingjian clapped his hands, laughing: "Perfect! Come, Lady Xue, drink my cup first!"
"Sir Bai is magnanimous." Xue Yao took the cup with both hands and drank it in one gulp. Her lips were stained a little red, but her gaze remained clear and limpid, without the slightest trace of coquetry.
Just as she was returning the cup to the servant, she heard the "young man" beside her clasp his hands in salute, his tone very casual, like that of people from the Jianghu: "This melody by Lady Xue is truly marvelous! The sound of the strings evokes the crystalline tinkling of dew falling from flowers into a pond." She suddenly leaned forward, the tassel of her silver silk waistband cord brushing against a celadon porcelain wine cup. "Would Lady Xue be willing to hear a stanza I might have composed?"
Bai Xingjian, nonchalantly leaning on the small table, a smile on his lips, seemed to be waiting for the spectacle with amusement: "Brother Zijing, who is this friend? How is it that I have never seen him?"
"My name is Zhang Wei, courtesy name Shengji. I am a distant cousin of Brother Zijing. Tonight, by a happy coincidence, I have the honor of joining your illustrious company. It is a chance that presents itself only once in a lifetime."
Her intonation was perfect, her phrasing impeccable, but the scent of perfumed powder emanating from her and the slenderness of her wrists could not be concealed. Several people at the table were momentarily taken aback. Bai Xingjian raised his sleeve to hide his face, nearly bursting out laughing. And this "young man" sat down straight away next to Zhang Huaiqian, unceremoniously picked up a teacup from the table, swirled it, and sniffed its aroma.
Bai Xingjian almost burst out laughing and had to cover his face with his sleeve. Then, regaining a serious expression, he said: "Brother Zijing, Brother Qingxuan, you have both brought 'relatives' today. I, who am alone, feel quite isolated."
Chu Jin, suddenly inspired, joined the conversation: "Delighted, Brother Shengji. My name is Nangong Jin, call me Qiongliang. I usually rely heavily on Brother Zijing's kindness."
Nangong Bo followed his example and inclined his head slightly: "My name is Nangong Bo, courtesy name Qingxuan, a new laureate of the imperial examinations, having had the humble honor of being received first."
"So it is Mister Nangong!" Wei's eyes lit up, a hint of surprise in her gaze. "I have heard of your great name for a long time! So it is you who surpassed my brother!"
Zhang Huaiqian's face had darkened, a nervous tic twitching the corner of his eye. A dull anger was rising in him, and he didn't know whom to reprimand first.
Wei, sensing the tide turning, immediately changed her tone: "Brother Zijing, tonight, at the Hundred Flowers Festival, the most important thing is to have fun. If this little brother has been impolite, he will punish himself with a cup to show his shame!"
Without waiting for Huaiqian's reply, she took the wine cup in front of him and drank it in one gulp. Her gesture was decisive and clean, her gaze shining with a certain smugness, leaving Huaiqian speechless and exasperated.
Bai Xingjian clapped his hands, laughing loudly, and took the opportunity to add: "What a Brother Shengji! Even when drinking, he is so frank! This trip today will truly not have been in vain! Brother Zhang, such a cousin, why didn't you introduce him to us sooner?"
Nangong Bo added: "That's correct. If I had such a lively cousin, I would undoubtedly have already taken him to all the poetry gatherings in the capital."
Zhang Huaiqian's face had become so dark it gleamed. His lips moved, as if he wanted to explain, but Wei beat him to it again: "Gentlemen, you see me flustered. My Brother Zijing is of an austere nature and raises me very strictly. That this little brother was able to sneak out tonight is a very rare occurrence."
Bai Xingjian immediately played along and feigned a bow: "Then tonight, we shall protect Brother Shengji, so that he may enjoy himself to the fullest."
"Enjoy himself to the fullest." Hearing these words, Zhang Huaiqian felt a vein throb on his temple; he felt as if this whole table deserved a scolding.
Wei thus settled herself more comfortably and smiled: "Since it is so, I shall dare to solicit another poem. Lady Xue has already opened the proceedings, but gentlemen, whose literary fame is so great, have not yet produced any memorable verses."
Xue Yao, sitting to the side, maintained her smile, but her gaze discreetly flickered towards Wei, her expression unreadable.
Bai Xingjian burst out laughing: "Now that awakens the spirit of competition! Brother Nangong, with your laureate title, your poem must be resounding."
"I obey." Nangong Bo stood up, unfurling his sleeves, and immediately declaimed in a loud voice:
"花下有佳人,衣袂染春尘. 偷来芳气坐,醉倒锦堂人.
Beneath the flowers stands a beauty, her garments stained with spring dust. She came to sit, stealing their fragrance, intoxicating the guests in the brocade hall."
Zhang Huaiqian, seeing Wei on the other side laughing and joking with some young gentlemen, felt a tightness in his chest.
He gripped his wine cup until his knuckles turned white and forced a smile: "Gentlemen, take your time. I am going for a stroll outside." He turned to Dugu Rong and said: "Rong, keep an eye on her. I am going to find someone to take you back to the residence."
Rong replied in a low voice.
The others, simply thinking he felt slightly unwell, nodded and bowed.
Bai Xingjian joked: "Brother Zhang also needs to cool his ardor," while Nangong Bo said in a conciliatory tone: "Brother Zhang, take your time. The atmosphere is still festive; why not resume our conversation a little later?"
Zhang Huaiqian said nothing. With a flick of his sleeve, he had already passed several tables and was heading towards the exit of the hall.
A light breeze brushed through the hall, lifting a few flower petals that floated discreetly between the tables and landed near Wei's cup. She reached out, took a petal between her fingers, and examined it attentively, an immaculate smile playing on her lips.
Chu Jin's gaze inadvertently brushed past the petal she held, a glint of curiosity shining in his usually cold eyes.
With his customary distance, he asked: "Brother Shengji takes such an interest in faded flowers; could there be some subtle use?"
Wei was surprised for a moment, then smiled until her eyes crinkled, affecting a magnanimous air: "Whether flowers bloom or fall, they always have a destination. This petal, fallen near my cup, seems to have come specially to have a drink with me!"
These words, half-sincere, half-playful, also revealed the quick wit of a young girl. At these words, all the guests burst out laughing.
Nangong Bo said gently: "These words from Brother Shengji have a certain flavor of contemplation. Whether the flower returns to dust, the moment just before it touches the ground strongly resembles those moments of fleeting brilliance in the world of men."
Wei was about to reply when her finger unfortunately slipped, and the petal she held floated lightly towards her wine cup.
She hastened to catch it, but her movement was so abrupt that the cup overturned. The clear wine spilled, wetting the sleeve of her wide grey-blue robe, leaving a damp patch.
Chu Jin frowned slightly, as if he couldn't bear to see her so clumsy. After a moment's hesitation, he nevertheless took a plain brocade handkerchief from his sleeve and handed it to her. His fingers were long and slender; in handing over the handkerchief, he took care to avoid any contact, his voice still as neutral as ever: "Brother Shengji, do not panic." He paused, as if to avoid embarrassing her, and added: "Presently, I will ask the servant to change your cup. Brother Shengji need not worry about it."
Wei took the handkerchief and lowered her head to wipe her sleeve. Her fingers brushed against the light scent of pine ink emanating from the fabric, and an inexplicable warmth filled her heart. She looked up, her smile even brighter, her eyes shining like stars: "Thank you so much, Brother Qiongliang! I shall borrow this handkerchief for now; I will return it to you washed another day!"
After finishing wiping, she stole a furtive glance at him. Seeing him lower his eyes to his wine cup, his features fine and elegant as a painting, his profile softened by the candlelight, her heart couldn't help but beat faster, and her cheeks flushed slightly.
Bai Xingjian, observing the scene, narrowed his eyes with a mischievous air. Leaning nonchalantly on the small table, he deliberately drawled: "Oh my, Brother Shengji, your way of spilling wine has a certain poetry. Brother Qiongliang, take care, do not let yourself be dazzled by this 'elegance'!" These words, half-sincere, half-playful, were tinged with a certain teasing, but his gaze went from one to the other, as if he were watching a good play.
Chu Jin, at these words, let out an extremely light smile, but his eyes betrayed no mockery.
He looked up: "Brother Bai worries for nothing. Brother Shengji is merely spontaneous."
His gaze brushed past Wei. Seeing her glare at Bai Xingjian feigning anger, yet her eyes full of laughter, his lips softened even more imperceptibly.
Nangong Bo smiled gently and spoke again: "Brother Shengji, when you commented on Lady Xue's zither playing, the four words '花露坠潭 dew of flower falling into the pond' testify to a sharp and penetrating mind. If you were to compose a stanza, it would certainly not be inferior to those of the other guests."
Wei, encouraged by these praises, grew bolder and slapped the table: "Good! Since Mister Nangong says so, this little brother will dare to try!" She thought for a moment, cleared her throat, and declaimed in a loud voice:
"借得徵风三分醉,笑问人间情何生.Borrowing from the south wind three parts of intoxication, I ask with a smile whence love is born in this world."
Having finished, she looked proudly at the assembly, but her gaze involuntarily lingered for a moment on Chu Jin's face, as if to gauge his reaction.
Chu Jin lightly tapped his wine cup with his fingertips, a glint of admiring surprise shining in his eyes. These verses, though simple, possessed a lightness that touched the heart directly.
He looked up at Wei. Seeing a certain expectation deep in her gaze, his heart was slightly moved, but his voice remained cold: "These verses by Brother Shengji are full of charm. Only, the three words '情何生 whence love is born', seem to leave an impression of incompleteness."
Wei, challenged by this remark, had her eyes light up and blurted out: "If Brother Qiongliang finds it incomplete, why not add a verse!"
Chu Jin had not expected her to invite him so directly.
Seeing her laugh with such carelessness, the coldness deep in his heart seemed discreetly touched. He said in a low voice: "Since it is so, I shall try."
He paused, his gaze softening somewhat, and said slowly: "流光转瞬情何依,愿将心事付花飞. The fleeting light departs in an instant, on what can love depend? I would entrust the sorrows of my heart to the flying flowers."
At these words, a silence fell upon the assembly for a moment.
Bai Xingjian was the first to recover his senses and clapped his hands, laughing: "Bravo! This verse by Brother Qiongliang is the finishing touch! Come, a penalty cup, to celebrate this magnificent work!"
Chu Jin was surprised for a moment but nevertheless took the cup and drank it in one gulp, choking and coughing slightly.
Wei, however, remained somewhat stunned. Chu Jin's verse, "愿将心事付花飞 I would entrust the sorrows of my heart to the flying flowers," resonated in her ears, as if it concealed a deep meaning she could not quite grasp. She collected herself and forced a smile: "Brother Qiongliang has admirable talent; this little brother bows very low!" She raised her cup and drank it in one gulp, using the movement to hide the strange glint deep in her eyes.
Xue Yao, seated with her zither, said softly upon hearing this: "The verses of Mister Shengji and Mister Qiongliang, Yao has noted them. If the occasion arises, I would wish to accompany them on the zither, so that this beautiful anecdote may endure."
Wei regained her composure and clapped her hands: "Perfect! If Lady Xue composes a melody, this little brother absolutely must hear it first!"
She turned to Chu Jin, a defiant glint in her eyes: "Brother Qiongliang, Lady Xue herself has said it; what if we joined forces again to compose another poem?"
Chu Jin raised an eyebrow, a glint of curiosity shining in his eyes. This audacious nature, yet tinged with a certain candor, somewhat shook the invisible wall deep in his heart. He nodded, his voice clear and gentle: "Since Brother Shengji has this noble desire, I must accompany him."
Bai Xingjian enthusiastically interjected: "Bravo! Brother Qiongliang, Brother Shengji, if you do not compose a masterpiece, this evening will not be complete!"
Nangong Bo also smiled: "Your two talents are not common. A work composed by four hands will assuredly be the pinnacle of this Hundred Flowers Festival."
Wei, full of spirit, turned to Chu Jin: "Brother Qiongliang, one verse each, what do you say?"
Chu Jin inclined his head, a greater gentleness in his gaze: "Brother Shengji, please."
Wei thought for a moment and began: "花间月色映清辉,Among the flowers, the moonlight casts a pure glow,"
Chu Jin continued: "弦动心波逐水归. The movement of strings, a heart's wave, follows the water returning."
Wei's eyes lit up, and she immediately continued: "春风拂面情愫生,The spring breeze caresses the face, feelings are born,"
Chu Jin's gaze deepened slightly; he said in a low voice: "愿借流云寄相思. I would borrow the floating clouds to entrust my loving thoughts to them."
The poem completed, applause erupted in the hall. Bai Xingjian slapped the table, exclaiming: "Marvelous!"
Xue Yao brushed the strings of her zither, and a sweet melody arose, perfectly matching the spirit of the poem.
She smiled slightly and inclined her head towards the two authors: "Gentlemen's verses have deeply impressed me. If one day I compose music for them, I will certainly invite you both to appreciate it."
Nangong Bo, seeing them laugh and joke together, sighed lightly: "Such camaraderie between Brother Shengji and Brother Qiongliang is quite enviable."
She stole a furtive glance at Chu Jin, seeing him lower his head to drink his wine, the shell of his ear slightly reddened.
Bai Xingjian, having noticed the maneuver, smiled mischievously: "Brother Shengji, do you not fear that Brother Zijing will punish you upon his return? Rest assured, with us, you risk nothing!"
Wei feigned anger and shot him a glare: "Brother Bai is merely teasing me!"
The crowd burst out laughing, the atmosphere becoming more and more animated. Chu Jin, however, remained silent, his gaze occasionally resting on Wei. Her laughter and frankness were like a breeze that discreetly pried open a crack deep in his heart.
The laughter in the hall had not yet ceased when Zhang Huaiqian was already striding in from the gallery.
With a single glance, he swept over the "young man" seated at the table, his pupils darkening slightly. Although he had not said a word, a coldness emanated from him, as if a wind had risen from nowhere.
Wei, who was joking with Bai Xingjian, was surprised by his appearance, her smile freezing for a moment on her lips.
Zhang Huaiqian approached, inclined his head slightly towards the guests, and said in an affable tone, yet tinged with an authority that brooked no argument: "Gentlemen, please excuse me. Brother Shengji's family has just sent word that he is urgently summoned for an important matter. It is quite rushed; I am sorry to disturb your kind company."
His words were respectful and complete, but they fell with the weight of lead. For a moment, no one spoke, then all sketched knowing smiles.
Zhang Huaiqian smiled with a hint of apology, then turned again to Wei, his tone gentle but imbued with a firmness that brooked no refusal: "Let's go. They've been waiting for you outside for quite some time."
Wei wanted to say something but swallowed her words. She stood up, still striving to maintain the casual air of a young man, and clasped her hands in salute to the assembly: "I thank gentlemen for their hospitality; I shall return to trouble you another day. The elegance of this evening will remain engraved in my heart."
With that, she turned on her heel with an assured gait, her figure still retaining a hint of feigned, casual mischief.
Zhang Huaiqian had already called for a carriage outside. The night wind was icy. Without even bothering to exchange pleasantries, he flung open the carriage curtain and pushed Wei inside.
Wei sat down and, before she could even open her mouth, heard him say in a low, furious voice: "What on earth did you think you were doing today? Running to this kind of place to make trouble, do you have any idea of propriety!"
"I..." She bit her lip, lowered her head, and pulled at her sleeve, her voice as faint as a mosquito's. "I only... composed a few verses; I caused no harm."
"Miss heard this morning that the young master would be attending the Hundred Flowers Festival at Pavillon Xingyi tonight. She found it novel and wanted to take a look. With no ill intent," Dugu Rong gently interjected in her defense.
Hearing this, the anger on Zhang Huaiqian's face subsided somewhat. He merely sniffed loudly and shot Wei a glare: "From now on, if you dare to sneak out again, I will ask Father to put a lock on your chamber door and lock you in. You won't be able to go anywhere!"
Wei bit her lip, daring not to say anything, but her eyes were beginning to redden.
Dugu Rong gently took her hand and comforted her in a soft voice: "The young master is also worried about Miss. The wind is brisk tonight; let's go home."
Zhang Huaiqian took a deep breath, as if to swallow his anger, turned, and ordered the coachman: "Take them back to the residence, and be careful on the way."
The carriage slowly moved off; the curtain fell back, concealing the lights of the hall.
Zhang Huaiqian remained where he was, watching the carriage disappear around the street corner. He remained silent for a long moment, then finally shook his head with an air of helplessness before turning and re-entering the Pavillon Xingyi.
The carriage was halfway there when Dugu Rong suddenly put her hand to her hairstyle, frowning slightly: "Oh no, my gold hairpin is gone."
Wei sat up at once and, grabbing the coachman's arm, exclaimed: "Stop! Let's go back and look for it!" Her expression was full of seriousness, leaving no room for argument.
The coachman looked at her with an embarrassed air but eventually slowed the carriage to a halt.
Wei pulled Dugu Rong along and jumped out of the carriage, running towards the Pavillon Xingyi. The night wind brushed past them, lifting the hems of their clothes. They disappeared into the interplay of moonlight and lantern glow.