Chapter 314: Xiaofan is in hand, the contest has been won, Li Xian is a little thief, a turtle in a jar

Wen Caishang said softly, "Xiao Tuan, please guide City Lord He into the pavilion and let him sit down. I will do my dressing up a little while you wait." She walked towards the bedroom, her clothes fluttering, leaving behind a lingering fragrance.

The pavilion boasts a delightful view, reminiscent of springtime, with misty air. A waterfall cascades down the second floor, intertwined with vines and vibrant flowers, creating an exquisitely arranged scene.

He Wentian smiled kindly, dressed in brocade robes, with a square face and a refined and handsome appearance. Looking around at the pavilion, he couldn't help but admire, "Madam Wang is truly an extraordinary person! The layout of this pavilion is quite ingenious."

Xiao Tuan said, "My wife has always loved beauty. She dared not be casual when meeting Master Fu, so she took the time to dress up. I hope Lord He will not be offended."

Lord He laughed and said, "The second greatest joy for men in the world is to wait for women to dress up. This is my honor, how could I dare to complain?"

Xiao Tuan asked curiously, "Since there is a second great blessing, then there must be a first great blessing. Lord He, what is the first great blessing?" She was still young, and her words were innocent and straightforward.

Lord He chuckled and said, "Of course, the woman dressed up especially for him." Xiao Tuan said, "Then Lord He, wouldn't you be overjoyed every day? You have so many wives and concubines, all beautiful and dignified. Each one awaits your favor."

Lord He said, "Haha, well, that's fine. You're quite knowledgeable for your age." He sat down in the stone pavilion beside the waterfall. Xiao Tuan poured tea and water, and replied, "Hehe, I learned it all from Madam."

Lord He took a sip of his drink, raised an eyebrow slightly, and casually asked, "Little Tuan, how long have you been following your mistress? Have you learned any skills?"

Xiao Tuan smiled but remained silent, never uttering a word about anything related to his wife. Lord He, understanding the situation, didn't press further. He sipped his tea, savoring its delicate aroma, and after about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, he suddenly caught a whiff of fragrance and heard a voice behind him: "Lord He, I've kept you waiting."

Wen Caishang was already behind him. Lord He smiled and said, "Not long, not long," rising to greet her respectfully. He saw that the lady had high-piled hair cascading down her back, adorned with three silver hairpins. Her face was lightly powdered, and with her simple attire, she was already breathtakingly beautiful. She possessed a cool elegance that was both alluring and ethereal. Her red lips were as red as blood, as delicate as flowers, yet perfectly proportioned, never overshadowing the lady.

He trembled slightly, his heart skipped a beat, and goosebumps rose on the back of his neck. Gazing at her exquisite face, flawless demeanor, and impeccable attire, she was like a painting, a dream, yet he felt only lingering fear. He hadn't even noticed when Wen Caishang had approached.

Lord He thought to himself, "This woman has a mysterious background, and her martial arts are unfathomable. In our several encounters, I have instructed Duan Ni to follow her orders and do her best to help her. Of course, I wanted to befriend her, but at the same time, I was secretly investigating her background. So far, I have not been able to figure out her background. It can be seen that this woman is deep in thought and acts without leaving any trace. Moreover, she wants to pay a visit to Master Fu. What exactly does she want?"

Wen Caishang smiled and said, "Lord He, please lead the way." Lord He said, "Alright, alright, please follow me."

The two carriages traveled side by side on the road and stopped at the side gate of Cuizhu Residence. Lord He alighted and tidied himself up. Wen Caishang lifted the curtain, raised an eyebrow, and said, "This is Cuizhu Residence? It doesn't seem to be far."

He Wentian said, “As the saying goes, this is a humble abode, but my virtue makes it fragrant. It is an honor to have someone like Master Fu living in the bustling city of Feilong City. Sometimes, just a wall separates two worlds. If I didn’t step into this house, who would know that Master Fu lives inside?”

Wen Caishang nodded and said, "Yes." The two walked into the residence. He Wentian was already familiar with the place. He turned through several long corridors and went straight ahead. The courtyard was quiet and elegant with green bamboo.

Wen Caishang moved with composure and elegance, her steps light and graceful. Her dress, made of exquisite material, was called the "Lotus Swing Skirt," its hem swaying gently with each step, exuding boundless beauty. He Wentian, walking beside her, thought to himself, "If this woman weren't extremely dangerous, she would truly be an exceptionally beautiful woman. Even with my many wives and concubines, I could not compare to her in the slightest."

He Wentian said, "Madam Wang, what brings you to this day, wishing to pay your respects to Master Fu?" Wen Caishang replied, "I have long admired Master Fu's reputation and respect him greatly. How could I not come to pay my respects upon hearing that he is here? However, I am but a humble woman with little talent, and Master Fu is likely unaware of me. I would be grateful if Lord He could kindly introduce me to him later. Thank you in advance."

He Wentian's heart skipped a beat, and he laughed, "Of course, of course."

Wen Caishang said, "Fu Haoran... was a high-ranking official in the Great Wu Dynasty, but was later demoted to the Poor Heavenly Palace. He was skilled in calligraphy, painting, poetry, music, history... and possessed seven strands of fortune. He was truly as righteous as the heavens, reflecting the past and present."

He Wentian exclaimed in surprise, "Madam Wang, who exactly are you? Your knowledge is truly astounding..."

Wen Caishang laughed and said, "I am just a weak woman, what is my status? It's nothing to mention. Lord He, Master Fu is right here, please come in."

The two walked to a circular archway. Inside, the grass was lush and green, with a table and cushions set out. An elderly man and two children sat there. It was Fu Haoran, Li Xiaofan, and Zhou Shijie. Each of them was busy with something.

Fu Haoran was painting, Li Xiaofan was reciting aloud, and Zhou Shijie was memorizing classical texts. It turned out that Zhou Shijie and Gu Nianjun had visited Fu Haoran and were temporarily staying at his residence. They then began their studies there, reading and practicing poetry and literature.

Gu Nianjun had something to do in the morning and left the courtyard early. Zhou Shijie and Li Xiaofan stayed in the hall to study and improve their knowledge. They were so engrossed in their studies that neither of them knew that the guests had arrived.

He Wentian adjusted his clothes and stepped through the archway. Zhou Shijie immediately noticed and rose to greet him with a cupped-hand salute. Li Xiaofan snapped out of his reverie and followed. Fu Haoran, engrossed in his painting, paid no attention.

Zhou Shijie said, "Lord He, you've arrived!"

He Wentian said, "Now that we have entered the academy, there is no distinction between high and low. We are all disciples of Teacher Fu. Please do not address me as City Lord, just call me Wentian."

Zhou Shijie was very proud: "Brother Wentian!" He Wentian said: "Where is Miss Nianjun? Why don't I see her today? Ah... look at my head, she must have gone hunting."

Zhou Shijie said, "Oh? I had no idea where Nianjun went so early this morning. How did Brother Wentian know?"

He Wentian said, "Last night she came to me privately, saying that she wanted to hunt a spirit fox and asked for my help. Such a small matter, of course I would help. I gave her a mountain map and told her about the habits of the spirit fox. I suppose she has already tried it."

Zhou Shijie said, "How could you not ask me for help with something like this?" He Wentian smiled meaningfully and said, "Miss Nianjun is quite formidable and has a lot of pride. If you want to win her favor, you'll need to improve yourself."

He Wentian asked, "Xiao Fan, what are you reading?" Li Xiao Fan replied, "I'm reading the Mingxin Sutra." He Wentian said with shame, "Even I would find it difficult to read the entire Mingxin Sutra. Xiao Fan may be young, but he has a bright future ahead of him."

Li Xiaofan laughed and said, "Brother Wentian is joking. I don't think about the future or anything like that."

He Wentian said, "Indeed, I have come here today to introduce you to a certain person."

Li Xiaofan and Zhou Shijie both thought that although He Wentian was easygoing, his status was certainly not low. This person must be extraordinary, and they were extremely curious. He Wentian said, "Morning Dew...have you all heard of it?"

Zhou Shijie said, "Of course I've heard about it."

He Wentian said, "This person is Madam Wang."

Zhou Shijie exclaimed with delight, "Ah, Madam Wang has arrived? I've seen her once before." He looked up and peered outside.

He Wentian laughed and said, "What a coincidence! You must treat Madam Wang with the utmost respect, unlike how you treat me with the same ease..."

A soft, clear voice came from outside the archway: "Lord He, you've made my daughter sound difficult to deal with. I've met this talented young man before; how could we possibly have any unpleasantness?"

Then, a woman came into view, her skirt swaying. Zhou Shijie had seen "Madam Wang" before and remembered her voice and appearance. But upon hearing her voice, he felt it was different, and vaguely recalled a certain figure.

Looking in the direction of the sound, he was utterly dumbfounded and completely lost his composure. Seeing the lady's graceful steps and swaying hair, he felt ashamed and dared not look at her. Wen Caishang approached and said, "Sorry for nagging!"

Zhou Shijie was momentarily stunned. Li Xiaofan cupped his hands and said, "No trouble at all, no trouble at all, but this Madam Wang seems different from the last one?"

Wen Caishang said softly, "Last time I didn't want to show myself, so I asked Lady He, the City Lord's wife, to appear in my place. This is my true self. Are you Li Xiaofan?"

Li Xiaofan nodded and said, "That's right. Good morning, Madam Wang!" Wen Caishang nodded and said, "You are very well-behaved."

Zhou Shijie thought to himself, "So...so that Madam Wang and Madam Wen are actually the same person. She...she is truly a rare and extraordinary woman, her ways of doing things are unlike any other woman. I must be careful with my words, lest I displease Madam Wang, that would be bad." He cupped his hands and said, "Madam Wang, good morning!"

Wen Caishang said, "Since we parted in the city, Young Master Zhou has become even more handsome and extraordinary, and he is pleasing to the eye."

Zhou Shijie's face flushed red, and he almost danced with joy. He casually asked, "Madam Wang, where is the young man beside you?" Wen Caishang replied, "He is dull-witted. I sent him away. There's no need to mention him again."

Zhou Shijie's expression remained unchanged as he shook his head and sighed, seemingly in regret. Inwardly, however, he was overjoyed, feeling as if the world had suddenly become radiant. Wen Caishang subtly glanced at Li Xiaofan before looking towards Fu Haoran.

He Wentian said, "Master Fu is engrossed in his painting. We'll go take a look, but please don't disturb him."

The group approached Fu Haoran and admired his paintings. Fu Haoran's brushstrokes, varying in speed and pressure, displayed the style of a master. With the tip of his brush, the bamboo forms appeared and disappeared, demonstrating his truly world-class painting skills.

He possesses an extraordinary aura. When he is fully focused on painting, the heavens and earth seem to resonate with him. When he paints bamboo leaves, he seems to truly feel the wind blowing through them, making a rustling sound. When he paints the bamboo stalks, the bamboo stands tall and straight, truly conveying an imposing presence that reaches straight to the sky.

It was truly magnificent; though it was just a painting of bamboo, it seemed to depict all things in the world. Everyone was captivated, and before they knew it, it was noon. The wind and snow stopped, and the midday sun shone obliquely, illuminating the painting.

The subtle beauty within is truly indescribable. Fu Haoran tossed aside his brush, picked up the painting, examined it closely, and was quite satisfied. He laughed loudly, "Hahaha, I haven't painted a work like this in a long time. Alas, what a pity, what a pity."

He Wentian said, "Congratulations, Teacher Fu, on creating a masterpiece!"

Zhou Shijie quickly echoed. Fu Haoran was taken aback when he heard this, then came to his senses and smiled, "Lord He, you've arrived. And this is..." He looked at Wen Caishang.

Wen Caishang smiled and said, "My name is Wang Yiyi. I have long admired Master Fu's reputation and have come here to pay my respects."

Fu Haoran said, “My apologies, my apologies. I vaguely heard about Madam Wang just now, so you must be that Madam Wang. Indeed, seeing is believing, your demeanor is extraordinary, rarely seen in ancient or modern times. I have heard a little about your actions, such as moving the log to establish trust, praying at the temple fair… You are a woman of great skill…” He stroked his beard and smiled.

The second half of the sentence is left unsaid, but it means: You came to find me for another purpose.

Wen Caishang smiled and said, "Master Fu, you flatter me. The world is becoming increasingly chaotic. My daughter is of weak constitution. If I didn't have some skills, how could I survive? I came here to pay my respects. I have no other intentions. Please don't think too much about it, Master Fu."

Fu Haoran said, "We've only met by chance, what could I possibly want from you?"

Li Xiaofan and Zhou Shijie both thought to themselves, "Teacher Fu doesn't seem to like Madam Wang very much."

Fu Haoran said, "This painting is fresh out of the oven, hahaha, let's all come and take a look."

Li Xiaofan, Zhou Shijie, He Wentian, and Wen Caishang all examined it closely. After a while, Fu Haoran asked, "Can you see anything? Xiaofan, Shijie, you two go first."

Zhou Shijie said, "There is snow and bamboo in the painting. The wind and snow howl, but the bamboo still stands tall. Teacher Fu is proud and unyielding!" Fu Haoran said, "Superficial. All you do is flatter."

Li Xiaofan scratched his head and said, "Teacher, I agree with Brother Zhou."

Fu Haoran said, “That’s right. If you don’t understand, then you don’t understand. That’s how you should learn. This painting is not something you can understand. Lord He… what about you? If you can see anything in it, I will give the painting to you without any problem.”

He Wentian said with delight, "Please allow me to examine it carefully." He took the painting, examined it repeatedly and pondered, and said, "I remember that you once wrote a poem about bamboo, praising its noble character. What Shijie just said has some truth to it, but it is not entirely correct. The bamboo in this painting is emerald green, with a rare vigorous strength. Although the wind and snow are howling, it is not aggressive."

"The students saw the teacher's perseverance, his determination to rise to the challenge, and his willingness to brave the wind and snow. He regarded the wind and snow as a whetstone, making the bamboo even more verdant and resilient. He was also overjoyed and proud to have found a successor to carry on his legacy."

"I wonder if what the student said is correct?"

Fu Haoran smiled without saying a word and rolled up the painting. Wen Caishang smiled and said, "Why don't you let my daughter take a look?"

Fu Haoran said, "Oh? Madam Wang can appreciate paintings?"

Wen Caishang smiled and said, "I know a little bit, but I dare not say more." Fu Haoran handed over the painting. Wen Caishang smiled after looking at it.

Fu Haoran asked, "What are you laughing at?" Wen Caishang replied, "I'm laughing because although this painting is beautiful, it's destined to be unappreciated."

Fu Haoran sighed softly. Wen Caishang, holding the painting, moved gracefully, leaving a fragrant breeze behind, and smiled, "Is Master Fu mourning someone?"

Fu Haoran was taken aback, his eyes flashed, and he followed after her, asking in a solemn voice, "What do you mean by that?"

Madam Wen, holding the painting, walked slowly, her gaze sweeping over it. The rhythm was already in her hands. Fu Haoran, He Wentian, Li Xiaofan, and Zhou Shijie, all curious, followed behind her, waiting for her explanation.

Wen Caishang said, "The person being mourned is quite taboo, and we dare not speak of him openly."

Fu Haoran shuddered and looked directly at Wen Caishang, saying, "Madam Wang is indeed remarkable. Please tell me more." Wen Caishang said, "Just now, Master Fu said that if anyone noticed anything amiss with this painting, he would give it away. Is that still true?"

Although Fu Haoran felt reluctant, he thought that if it were truly delivered to someone who knew art, it wouldn't be a disgrace, so he said, "It's fine."

Wen Caishang said, "I don't want to take what others like, so there's no need for the painting." Fu Haoran knew there must be another condition behind these words. He was witnessing this woman's methods for the first time and realized he had lost his rhythm, but he couldn't break free.

Wen Caishang walked gracefully and explained in a gentle voice: "Although this is about painting bamboo, the intention is not about bamboo. It is not difficult to see this. But everyone says that Master Fu likes bamboo. When they see him painting bamboo, how can they think of anything else? This is Master Fu deliberately setting up a trap to mislead people."

"If someone follows his preferences in painting, he will only see a few bamboos in his entire life."

Li Xiaofan asked, "Teacher, is that right?" Fu Haoran nodded. He Wentian felt extremely ashamed, and a cold sweat trickled down his face. Zhou Shijie touched his nose awkwardly.

Wen Caishang said, "With Lord He's strategic thinking, he can instinctively see the clues. However, his accumulation of knowledge is still somewhat insufficient. The brushstrokes in this painting are vigorous and bold. At the top of this bamboo, there is a bamboo leaf with a thick lower edge and a thin upper edge. This is the painting style of Ji Yuan, the painting master of the Great Yu Dynasty."

"It has been a long time since then, and Ji Yuan's paintings have been copied by later generations. If someone imitates them, it is not intentional. But the other bamboo leaves are not painted in this way. Presumably, when Fu was painting, he still held a glimmer of hope that someone could see the true meaning in the painting. He deliberately gave a hint."

Zhou Shijie said, "Ah. Is Professor Fu mourning Ji Yuan?"

Wen Caishang said, "I don't think so. If it were to mourn Ji Yuan, why would they hide their talents and not dare to show them? The details here deliberately use Ji Yuan's painting style, which actually indicates something else... The figure being mourned is from the Great Yu Dynasty."

Fu Haoran said admiringly, "Madam Wang is exceptionally talented and learned; I admire her greatly."

Wen Caishang said, "If I'm not mistaken, this bamboo is called 'Sword Bamboo,' and its growth is so great that it seems to reach for the sky. It grows in the Northern Heaven Region and is a rare type of bamboo that is afraid of the cold. The so-called 'unafraid of wind and snow' is the exact opposite of this bamboo. Once this bamboo grows, it will reach the sky within a year, but it will quickly wither and decay when it encounters wind and snow."

"Although the bamboo in the painting stands strong, its life is in imminent danger. It will decay in an instant."

"Considering the noble character of the Fu family, the one we should be mourning is 'Zhong Lianshan,' the prime minister of the Great Yu Dynasty who died for his country. He was the one who perished in the snow."

"How similar he is to this bamboo. As the saying goes, troubled times produce heroes. This Zhong Lianshan was a womanizer and his many evil deeds were criticized by people. But he devoted himself to saving the crumbling Great Yu Dynasty. He even died for his country in the end, which makes him a hero."

"What Master Fu is trying to say is... only in such chaotic times can a person like Zhong Lianshan, who is willing to sacrifice himself for his country, be born, and such a person will often die because of it. He thought that the Great Wu would fall into chaos, and if it were to completely collapse, Master Fu's choice to follow him would be no different."

"Therefore, I suddenly thought of mourning. However, Zhong Lianshan was the prime minister of the previous dynasty, and although Fu Dajia was demoted, he was once an official in the Ministry of Personnel. How could it be justified to mourn the prime minister of the previous dynasty? Therefore, I did my best to be discreet."

Fu Haoran said admiringly, "The one who truly understands me is... Madam Wang!"

turn out to be……

Fu Haoran took Li Xiaofan on a journey through the world, gaining a deeper understanding of people's lives. He witnessed the hardships of life in various places, with many people lacking proper clothing. The fragmentation of power among powerful clans and martial artists further fueled his belief that the Great Wu Kingdom was on the verge of collapse.

Local officials colluded with corrupt officials, leading to natural and man-made disasters. Filled with despair, he tried several times to find a way to salvage the situation, but felt powerless to reverse it. The tide had turned, and he kept the matter buried deep in his heart, never mentioning it to anyone.

That day, I settled in Cuizhu Residence.

In quiet moments, random thoughts arise. Occasionally, while gazing at the wind and snow outside the window, I suddenly recall the past of the Great Yu Dynasty, and my heart is filled with mixed emotions. In the blink of an eye, the Great Wu Dynasty has reached a similar state to the Great Yu Dynasty.

Then I thought... Back then, Zhong Lianshan of the Great Yu Dynasty, though he had many flaws, his intention to save the country was genuine. Now, the Great Wu Dynasty is ruled by treacherous officials, making it even worse. I couldn't help but feel sorrow.

He felt a deep connection to Zhong Lianshan's fate.

As time passed, his grief grew stronger, and his emotions became extremely complex. Unable to find any solace, he turned to painting to relieve his sorrow, hiding all his feelings in his artwork. This resulted in "Sword Bamboo Welcoming Snow".

Upon completing the painting, he laughed heartily, feeling quite satisfied. He then repeatedly exclaimed "What a pity!" and "What a pity!" believing that no one could discern the true meaning within the painting.

This is exactly the same as what Wen Caishang said.

He Wentian clapped his hands in amazement, utterly impressed. Appreciating this painting required meticulous analysis, not just quick wit, but also a wealth of knowledge. One needed a thorough understanding of history, painting styles, botany, and even the ability to discern the underlying meaning… and so on.

He Wentian knew he couldn't possibly match her. Fu Haoran said, "Madam Wang's learning is in no way inferior to mine."

Wen Caishang laughed and said, "You're far from it. My understanding is limited; I hope you won't laugh at my greatness." Fu Haoran said, "Madam Wang is too modest. You are so learned and talented; how many people in the world can match your level of expertise?"

Wen Caishang said, "My daughter loved reading when she was young and has indeed accumulated some knowledge. But I believe that knowledge is not just about 'accumulation'. My daughter is good at martial arts, but I dare not be presumptuous when it comes to academic knowledge."

Fu Haoran said, "Madam Wang, please come inside and have a seat. I have a private collection of paintings; please come and admire them."

Wen Caishang smiled and said, "Okay." They spent about half a day admiring and viewing the paintings. He Wentian was delighted to have his eyes feasted.

After they finished admiring the paintings, Wen Caishang asked, "Oh, right, Master Fu's beloved disciple looks quite handsome. May I ask where he's from?"

Zhou Shijie was unaware of the relationship between "Li Xian" and "Li Xiaofan," so he didn't think much of it. Fu Haoran said, "My disciple is from Qiongtianfu."

Wen Caishang said, "I see that he has an extraordinary temperament. Could he be from a prominent family?" Zhou Shijie hurriedly replied, "Little Fan is quite remarkable. Although he is not from a prominent family, he relied on his own efforts to pass the winter examination and become a disciple of Teacher Fu."

He feigned praise, but in reality pointed out Li Xiaofan's humble origins. Li Xiaofan remained calm and composed.

Wen Caishang feigned surprise: "That's not easy." She scrutinized Li Xiaofan and thought to herself, "This kid has quite the demeanor of his older brother. His composure is truly astounding."

They arrived at the stone pavilion. Wen Caishang patted her dress, sat down gracefully, and beckoned to Li Xiaofan, saying, "Little brother Xiaofan, come and let your older sister take a look."

Fu Haoran said, "Madam Wang, you..." Wen Caishang said, "You're allowed to mourn the deceased, but my daughter isn't allowed to?"

Fu Haoran asked in surprise, "Madam Wang is..." Wen Caishang said, "This child, Xiao Fan, looks quite like my deceased husband. I've been looking at him closely recently."

Li Xiaofan obediently walked away. Wen Caishang looked him up and down, thinking to herself, "His eyebrows are somewhat similar, so he must be that little thief's brother. This boy is fair-skinned and handsome, but he is far inferior to Li Lang. Everything matches up now. Good... With this kid in hand, no matter how many skills he has, or how cunning he is, he is now a turtle in my cage. I originally wanted to have another match with him, but I have already won this round."

With a smirk, he waved his hand and said, "Go."

Li Xiaofan retreated behind Fu Haoran. Wen Caishang said, "How much longer does Master Fu intend to stay here?"

Fu Haoran said, "I was preparing to leave recently." He Wentian burst into tears and said, "Teacher, I still want to learn from you. Please stay no matter what!"

Fu Haoran said, "Xiao Fan and I still need to travel and study. This matter is..."

Wen Caishang said, "Master Fu, my daughter has been studying since childhood and has many questions that no one has been able to answer. I really don't want to miss the opportunity to meet someone like Master Fu. Please stay a few more days so that I can learn from you properly."

"This..." Fu Haoran said, "Alright!"

Wen Caishang smiled and said, "Very well, then I'll take my leave for today. I'll come to learn from you every day starting tomorrow." She glanced at Li Xiaofan without leaving a trace, then turned and left.

...

...

(End of this chapter)