Chapter 13 Watching the Monkeys Clownish Wang Yan shook his head, looking pitiful, and said: "...
Ever since Wang Yan burned his face, a constant stream of "concern" has been sent to his residence.
Is it done?
Wang Yan tilted his head back and fiddled with it for three-quarters of an hour until his neck ached.
"Almost there, almost there." Li Changling was applying a scar plaster to her wound.
Mission accomplished.
Juan Tao brought over the bronze mirror, and Wang Yan looked at it from the left and right, and it really didn't work.
Li Changling reminded her again, "Avoid exaggerated expressions."
Wang Yan's pockmarked face and large mole, a feature often associated with roaming the martial world, were also the work of Li Changling. He certainly had a talent for altering appearances.
Wang Yan agreed, took his veil and went out. It was still early in the night, but the theater was already full of people who had come to watch the puppet show.
Wang Yan arrived a little late; the area in front was packed with people, but thankfully she wasn't there to watch the show. She craned her neck and searched on tiptoe for a while, then whispered, "Sang Xing, are you sure you haven't made a mistake? Where is everyone?"
Juan Tao whispered in her ear, "Sister Sang Xing has never made a mistake in her work, so you can rest assured, my lady."
After the crowd moved for a moment, Wang Yan searched carefully for a while longer before finally spotting that familiar figure. The woman, wearing an eggplant-colored jacket and a light blue pleated skirt, was talking to a man in a blue lotus-patterned brocade robe with dragon and phoenix cloud designs.
Perhaps due to the excessive noise around him, the man turned slightly to the side; it turned out to be Prince Wei, Qian Xu.
"So, young master also enjoys watching drug-powered puppets?" Shang Nianyao asked, leaning closer.
Qian Xu nodded. "After a day of official business, it's so relaxing to come here."
"Does the young master come here often?"
Qian Xu sighed, "I only managed to steal half a day of free time to come and take a look today."
“No wonder, Nianyao has never seen you before. It was during the Lantern Festival this year that Nianyao accompanied my younger brother to see you, and I fell in love with you at first sight. After that, Nianyao kept talking about you, and my younger brother got tired of hearing it.” Shang Nianyao’s face softened when she mentioned her younger brother.
Qian Xu smiled and said, "Children's preferences always come and go quickly; they just crave novelty."
As night fell, the puppet show began. Today's performance was about a well-matched couple, separated by a local tyrant, but ultimately overcoming difficulties and achieving a happy ending. A bamboo pole, tens of meters high, stood on the ground, sparks flying upwards as it unveiled one gripping scene after another.
Even though Wang Yan was standing at the back, she could see everything clearly. The puppet show was truly spectacular, and she was completely captivated, unknowingly drawn into the entanglement of her husband and wife.
Amidst the hushed whispers of the onlookers, Juan Tao's loud scream drew attention. Someone suddenly grabbed her foot, thinking it was a ghost, but upon looking down, realized it was a little girl.
The people in front turned around at once. The sparks were reaching their peak, and the sudden burst of light, aided by the timely wind, illuminated Wang Yan's entire face clearly. The two people in front of her also turned to look at her, both showing expressions of surprise.
Wang Yan quickly closed her veil, and those around her who had seen her face began to whisper among themselves. Qian Xu called out to her as she turned to leave, then pushed through the crowd and walked out, with Shang Nianyao following closely behind.
After standing several feet away from the crowd, Wang Yan stopped, bowed awkwardly to Qian Xu, and said, "Greetings, Your Highness."
Qian Xu was about to help her up when Wang Yan had already stood up straight again.
"There is no prince here, only a young master and his wife."
Shang Nianyao slowed her hurried pace and walked up from behind, suggesting, "Why don't we go to the teahouse for a while?"
So the three of them found a teahouse nearby and sat down in a private room.
After the two of them were seated, Wang Yan spoke: "I'm afraid removing the veil will frighten Your Highness and my sister. Please forgive my rudeness, Your Highness."
Qian Xu greeted him, "I've already said there's nothing here, Your Highness. Please sit down, no need for formalities."
Shang Nianyao and Qian Xu sat facing each other. "Wenxuan, please sit down."
"Thank you, Your Highness...Young Master."
“I was kicked out of your house that day, and I was worried that you might do something rash because of it,” Shang Nianyao pulled her to sit down. “It’s good to get out and relax.”
Wang Yan lowered her head and said, "Sister, you are too kind. I had just injured my face that day, and my mood was unpredictable, so I neglected you. Please don't take offense."
Shang Nianyao took her hand. "How could I blame you? Does Wenxuan also like this puppet show?"
Wang Yan remained seated, saying, "Sister knows I haven't left the manor for a long time. Someone told me that the medicine-activated puppets in the capital are exceptional, so I came to take a look. I didn't expect you and the young master to be here as well."
Before Qian Xu could speak, Shang Nianyao immediately teased, "Could it be Young Master Shen? On the Shangsi Festival, I saw you two getting along quite well, so you must have a good relationship."
Wang Yan brought the teacup under the silk gauze and took a small sip. Even though nothing could be seen through the white gauze, Qian Xu felt that she was definitely smiling.
"how?"
Wang Yan couldn't actually see their expressions clearly. "You're used to drinking Beiyuan tea, young master, you probably won't be used to this."
Qian Xu picked up the teacup and then put it down again. "I'll give you some next time."
Shang Nianyao then inquired about her face, "Did you use the ointment I sent? Why isn't it getting better?"
"Even the best burn ointment, Danruan, is useless?"
Qian Xu remained as languid as ever, his hands hanging limply on his knees, the jade pendant at his waist swaying. Yet, his rising tone carried a hint of imperial authority, whether intentionally or unintentionally.
The medicine that was delivered was naturally all put into the storeroom. Wang Yan shook her head and said pitifully, "This injury has not improved at all, which has disappointed you and my sister."
Shang Nianyao comforted her, "What's the harm in the medicine? Your injury is the more important thing."
Qian Xu then asked, "Aren't there any doctors in the capital who can cure this?"
Wang Yan lowered his eyes sadly, "My father has searched all the famous doctors in the city, but none of them could cure me. My cousin once heard of a miraculous itinerant doctor in Jiangnan who could cure people's faces full of pustules, and he was going to take me there to try my luck."
Qian Xu asked in an unhappy tone, "You're leaving the capital?"
Wang Yan nodded and said, "Let's try anything, even if it's a dead horse."
“You have never left the capital, and you have just recovered from a serious illness. How can you endure the long journey?”
So that's what "there is no Your Highness" meant. Using the name of a young master to do things that are beyond the bounds of propriety. Wang Yan put down his teacup, becoming even more polite, "Thank you for your concern, young master, but I am much better now."
As if sensing her distance, Qian Xu immediately changed his attitude, reverting to his approachable gentlemanly demeanor. "I was overthinking it. I heard the other day that you visited the night market, my lady. I haven't been there yet. Shall we go and take a look?"
Shen Minghuai even told Prince Wei about this? Wang Yan smiled slightly, "I've only been there once, so I don't know much about it. Sister Nianyao goes more often, so she must be more familiar with it than I am. Sister, could you take on this important task for me?"
The last sentence has a slightly coquettish tone.
Shang Nianyao smiled and said, "Of course. With our relationship, what can't I help you with? If you don't mind, young master, you can come with me."
Qian Xu had already anticipated Wang Yan's refusal. "If my wife isn't going, is it because she doesn't want to come with the two of us?"
"How could that be? My elder brother just told me not to be playful before I left. It's been a while now, and I should go back."
Before the two people opposite could react, Wang Yan was already preparing to leave. As he stood up, the jade pendant at his waist accidentally bumped against the edge of the table, so he casually smoothed the tassel.
"White jade." Qian Xu suddenly said.
"Young master has discerning eyes."
Just as she was about to take a step, Wang Yan suddenly remembered something and said, "Sister, you only took one maid with you today, didn't you? It's getting late, be careful on your way back to the manor."
After Wang Yan left, Shang Nianyao waited for Qian Xu to suggest they leave, knowing he wasn't really interested in the night market. Unexpectedly, Qian Xu actually wanted to go with her, and she was unsure how to respond.
"Any later and there will be nothing left."
They bought some food and jewelry in a proper manner. Rather than Shang Nianyao leading Qian Xu out shopping, it would be more accurate to say that Shang Nianyao accompanied him on a brisk walk through the night market. Although Qian Xu didn't know the exact locations of the shops, he knew their names like the back of his hand.
Half an hour later, Shang Nianyao suggested, "Why don't we stop here for today and come back another day? It's late, and Nianyao should go back to her residence." She wanted to subtly plant a seed in his heart, knowing when to stop at the right time for each encounter.
Qian Xu stopped her, saying, "I will see Lady Shang off."
There was no ambiguity whatsoever; the atmosphere was thick with official decorum. Inside the carriage, Shang Nianyao dared not speak easily again. The boundaries were drawn once more, suppressing the casualness of a young master and displaying the unassailable dignity of a prince.
Qian Xu had been resting with his eyes closed since getting into the carriage. Only after the carriage entered a quiet period did he ask, "Is this Minister Shang's intention?"
Shang Nianyao sat upright on the other side, replying neither humbly nor arrogantly, "This is Nianyao's choice."
"What if I, too, only reserve the position of a concubine?"
Shang Nianyao made no attempt to hide her feelings, saying, "If it were Sister Yan, I would gladly give up this position."
Qian Xu immediately opened his eyes, what a fine word "let".
Shang Nianyao did not avoid his gaze, but instead remained poised and generous, "If Your Highness trusts me, Nianyao will persuade my father to stand on my side."
How confident are you?
Shang Nianyao's gaze was firm. "Ten percent."
Two days later, Li Changling and Wang Yan set off for Yangzhou. Wang Yan lifted her veil and stood in front of the mansion gate to bid farewell to her parents. She had never liked the sentimentality of parting with willow branches, and it wasn't like they were never going back. The bond of family connected the two sides, and they would eventually reunite.
Li was uneasy and repeatedly instructed him: He must stay by Li Changling's side at all times and must not act alone.
Wang Yan abandoned his laziness and earnestly promised that he would prioritize his life. As the saying goes, if you can't win, run.
"Also, brother, you must prepare well. I will definitely come back to see the results in person on the day they are announced." He hugged Li Shi for a long time with reluctance before setting off.
They brought nothing else, but their travel expenses were more than enough. The two first traveled by carriage to Suzhou, and stayed overnight outside the city seven days later.
Li Changling walked in with a letter in his hand, then sat down, lifting his robe. It was a reply from Ying Juntang.
"While the possibility of a book with the same title cannot be ruled out, the phrase 'Reflecting on the flowing water, all things cease to cease' is the interpretation of this mental cultivation method given by the master's wife."
Years ago, Ying Juntang acquired a Taoist book written in Japanese by chance, which she translated into Vietnamese, but never shared it with anyone. Therefore, the copy of the Heart Sutra she possessed was indeed unique, though it had long since been destroyed. The copy in Jingxin's possession was this translation, but it had been copied by someone and ended up in the hands of this monk.
"Our master's wife told us to find this person as soon as possible to prevent any further complications."
Wang Yan pondered, "Yangzhou administers three counties: Jiangdu, Gaoyou, and Tianchang. Where should we look for someone whose cause of death is unknown?"
Li Changling had a plan and pointed out a friend. Wang Yan, however, had forgotten that he still had some connections in Yangzhou after all these years.
"That's right! Tomorrow we'll switch to waterway and go to Jiangdu."
The two abandoned their carriage, changed into ordinary sibling clothes, and went to the dock early in the morning to inquire about ships heading to Yangzhou. Coincidentally, a merchant ship belonging to the Zhu family of Mingzhou was sailing to Yangzhou. Hiking was free, but one had to present a treasure to the ship owner to be allowed to board. The treasure was not limited to physical objects; it could also be a poem, a short performance, or a skill.
Upon hearing this, Wang Yan slammed his teacup down on the table. "Isn't this just watching monkeys perform? It's bullying!"
"Do you two possess any extraordinary abilities?"
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