Chapter 34 On the Shangsi Festival, he also understood poetry and literature, and could discuss books and paintings with her...
After the song ended, the group headed towards Fantai Mountain.
At the top of Fantai Mountain stands a white pagoda, while the upper reaches of the Jinliu River meander around its base.
The Jinliu River draws water from mountain streams on both banks, forming winding, narrow waterways. Willows and bamboos sway along the banks, and spring grasses grow lush and green.
Having already intended to invite him to celebrate the festival, Fang Youxi had prepared everything well in advance. There were curtains and soft cushions, sake and sweet wine, fruits and vegetables, and even a zither, flute, chessboard, and writing implements.
They sat separately, and the maids also let the older Yuheng Yingxing play together, sitting around picking flowers and inserting willow branches.
Jiang Ce still loved to have fun. When he saw tourists scooping up eggs and dates from the water, he joined in the fun, bringing Zheng Shaoyu with him.
Fang Youxi dipped the willow branches into the water, the water covering the branches and leaves, and then, smiling, sprinkled it on the group.
"Purification wards off disasters, bringing peace and tranquility."
They each took a willow branch and scattered them among themselves.
Jiang Ce held the willow branch, looked at Xue Chan by the water, and hesitated whether to go over.
Suddenly, my face got wet.
Jiang Ce instinctively closed his eyes, tears streaming down his nose. He wiped them with his sleeve and looked up.
Zheng Shaoyu peeked out from behind Li Wu and said with a grin, "Second Brother, wishing you a peaceful and healthy Shangsi Festival."
He exhaled, the willow branch was instantly gripped tightly, and he suddenly smiled.
Jiang Ce suddenly plunged the willow branch into the water, grabbed Zheng Shaoyu by the collar with one hand, and used the other hand to wet the willow branch and shake the water off him.
He smiled brightly: "Zheng Shaoyu, may you have a peaceful and healthy Shangsi Festival."
Zheng Shaoyu howled and struggled to run away, while Li Wu stood still and laughed, "Jiang Erlang and Zheng Liulang have such a good relationship."
"Yes, after all, we grew up together."
Jiang Ce chuckled as he discreetly dipped a willow branch into the water behind him: "Just now, Brother Li didn't get any, did he?"
Li Wu shook his head somewhat blankly: "No, Jiang Erlang doesn't believe me?"
His face was gentle and innocent.
Jiang Ce tilted his head slightly, pretending to look at the water seriously, and smiled, "Yes, I believe you."
Seeing Li Wuwei lower his head, Jiang Ce seized the opportunity to pull out a willow branch and sprinkle water on him.
But the other party's hand was faster, as if it had been prepared in advance, and came straight at Jiang Ce.
In an attempt to avoid the water, Jiang Ce only splashed a section of Li Wu's sleeve, but all of Li Wu's water landed on his face.
Li Wu smiled and asked, "Are you alright?"
Jiang Ce wiped the water from his face, looked up to meet Li Wu's gentle smile, and gave a stiff laugh: "It's nothing."
Zheng Shaoyu suddenly appeared out of nowhere and said, "Erlang, you're so funny."
Fang Youxi waved to them: "The wine is good, come and have a few drinks."
Li Wu smiled and said, "Please, Jiang Erlang."
Jiang Ce flung the willow branch into the river, where it floated downstream along with the white eggs and crimson dates.
Xue Chan sat to one side, and even as she was engrossed in drinking, she could still feel a faint gaze upon her. When she looked up, the gaze vanished, leaving only half of Jiang Ce's face turned away.
She stared at him quietly for a while before lowering her eyes, lost in thought.
Fang Youxi glanced at the two of them, smiled slightly, and invited Xue Chan to fly a kite.
The remaining few people were invited by Li Wu to sit down and play a few games of chess.
Jiang Ce initially displayed a swift and resilient spirit, but as time went on, he became increasingly meticulous and thoughtful. Later, Li Wu effortlessly routed Jiang Ce, leaving him frustrated and forced to sit aside, drinking alone.
When it was Zheng Shaoyu's turn, he sat down with a grin and said, "I'm a terrible chess player, Brother Li, please be lenient with me."
Li Wu simply smiled and made his move seriously.
As the game progressed, Zheng Shaoyu would sigh and scratch his head in frustration.
His playing style was energetic and well-paced; his moves, though seemingly clumsy, were actually quite flexible and varied. Li Wu, having lost several pieces in a row, became more serious, but he remained as playful as ever.
"Thank you for your kind words, I have good luck today."
In the middle stages, the two engaged in a fierce battle. They traded blows, neither gaining the upper hand. Li Wu frowned in thought, while Zheng Shaoyu bit his hand, clearly troubled.
Jiang Ce turned his gaze away from their chess game. Xue Chan and Fang Youxi were by the water, waving spring banners and flying kites.
She jogged across the grass, and the kite soared high in her hand.
It turns out she was so playful, mischievous, and cheerful.
Xue Chan teased the people around her, making them blush and chase after her, wanting to hit her.
And she simply lifted her skirt, dodging the leaps with light, graceful movements. Her laughter drifted into my ears like shimmering, clear blue water.
Jiang Ce felt as if he were lying in the water, his body and mind floating. Once the filthy flesh and hard bones were washed away, he became very light, so light that he could float away.
And he really did float away.
Like a kite, it soared in the sky, so light and free. But below, a thin string was held, controlling its rise and fall, its distance and proximity.
Looking down, I saw that the person holding the kite string was Xue Chan.
With a smile, she released a long line, and he flew far away again. A moment later, the line tightened in her hand, and he was close again.
He thought to himself, "This is a master kite flyer."
The feeling of being led and controlled was... a novel yet unsettling experience for him. He was unwilling to accept this situation and wanted to turn her into a kite in his hands. So he leaped out, suddenly reached out, and grabbed her.
The laughter by the water abruptly stopped when Jiang Ce suddenly approached.
Everyone stopped what they were doing and looked at him standing in front of Xue Chan, somewhat at a loss.
Jiang Ce looked down and realized that what he had reached out to grab was not the kite string.
He caught her...
A piece of shawl.
Xue Chan gently tugged, signaling him to let go, but Jiang Ce stood there blankly, not knowing what to do. He walked over inexplicably and then inexplicably blocked her way.
Seeing that he didn't move, she simply yanked her shawl sharply.
"let go"
Jiang Ce seemed to wake up from a dream, and quickly let go of her hand, taking two steps back.
The frolicking stopped when he came, and resumed when he left.
He couldn't help but turn back.
Xue Chan wasn't playing around at this moment, but stood by the water, gazing at him quietly. Her long shawl, wrapped around her graceful and slender body, floated outwards, looking quite like a kite string.
Meeting her probing gaze, Jiang Ce ran towards Zheng Shaoyu.
The person in Xue Chan's eyes walked further and further away, but the way their robes fluttered in the wind did resemble...
She raised her hand, compared it to the figure's back, and nodded in confirmation.
"They really do look alike."
Like a kite.
When Jiang Ce returned, the chess game was still not over. He simply gulped down two glasses of wine to suppress his alarmingly fast heartbeat, and only breathed a sigh of relief when a blush crept onto his cheeks.
"This wine is really too intoxicating."
He drank himself into a stupor, then lowered his head and stopped looking at the water's edge. But there were so many kites in the sky; there was no way to avoid them.
After finishing the wine in his hand, he lowered his eyes in thought and picked up a pen on the paper.
"What are you two looking at so intently?"
Zheng Shaoyu suddenly spoke, still putting away the chess pieces in his hand.
Jiang Ce asked Li Wu, "You won again?"
He smiled and shook his head.
Zheng Shaoyu leaned in, hands on his hips: "Hehe, didn't expect that, did you? I won!"
Jiang Ce was startled by the suddenly enlarged face in front of him, and unconsciously knocked the pen off the table, which rolled onto the grass.
He quickly put the paper into his sleeve, and Li Wu, who was drinking tea, glanced at it and smiled faintly.
The music began, clear and melodious like flowing water.
Some household had placed small wine cups and plates filled with snacks and dishes on the water.
This time, Zheng Shaoyu ran into an acquaintance, and with one in each hand, he dragged the two away. The young men chatted happily, and on a whim, they decided to sit down by the water and drink together.
Xue Chan and Fang Youxi toasted each other, and just as they drank, they met Jiang Ce's gaze.
The water murmurs softly, and a gentle breeze blows.
Jiang Ce smiled, picked up his wine cup and toasted her from afar, saying something as he opened and closed his mouth.
Fang Youxi cast a glance at him, and Jiang Ce turned his face away as if he had been caught red-handed.
She couldn't help but look at Xue Chan, but Xue Chan still had a faint smile on her face.
"What did Brother Jiang and Miss Xue just say?"
Xue Chan smiled and reached out to pick up the wine cup that had flowed past her.
"Mountains, rivers, wind, and moon; all is well in springtime."
It was just a simple wish, nothing special.
She picked up her wine glass and clinked it with Fang Youxi's, saying with a light laugh, "I'll toast you."
He then drank from the cup of Xiti, covering his face with his sleeve.
Suddenly, someone, moved by the moment, began to sing a passage from the Book of Songs.
A clear, melodious voice carried on the spring breeze arrived, and someone began by saying, "The deer cry 'yoyo,' as they eat the wild apples. I have guests, so I play the zither and blow the flute."
Zheng Shaoyu sang along with him: "Playing the sheng and drum, carrying baskets and offerings. People are kind to me, showing me the right way."
Not only him, but the people by the water also joined in the singing.
"The deer cry out, feeding on the wild artemisia. I have a guest, whose virtuous reputation is widely known."
Jiang Ce tapped a melody on the porcelain cup with his long chopsticks, the jade chopsticks and porcelain cup colliding to produce a clear and crisp sound. Because no string or wind instruments were used, it sounded particularly fresh and simple.
The atmosphere suddenly became cheerful and pleasant, and he joined in the conversation.
“If you do not treat the people with deceit, then the virtuous man will follow your example. I have fine wine, and I invite my guests to feast and enjoy themselves.”
The music was fresh and simple, and the singing was cheerful and lively.
Xue Chan held her wine glass, watching Jiang Ce knocking on the water's surface.
Jiang Ce has been acting rather strange lately.
Last time, she had tricked him into the water, and she was prepared to face his usual fury. But Jiang Ce simply brushed it off lightly, remaining calm instead.
Today at Ningcui Tower, he explained to her.
If he wanted to explain, he would have done so long ago; why wait until today?
Why is that?
Jiang Ce happened to look up and saw Xue Chan's gaze fixed on him. When she saw that he was looking over, she immediately lowered her head.
The porcelain sound slowed down.
He was not just a rough and brute who only knew how to fight; he was also well-read, knowledgeable in poetry, literature, and music, and could discuss poetry and painting with her.
I am no less capable than these young men.
So, how did she view him?
As the song faded to its last note, Xue Chan was nowhere to be seen by the water, nor was Fang Youxi; only a few young girls were playing and joking around.
Jiang Ce immediately stood up and looked around.
There was nothing on the water's edge, nothing under the bridge, nothing at all.
Zheng Shaoyu pulled him aside, saying, "What are you looking at? Yang Sanlang wants us to go for a drink."
Seeing that Jiang Ce was still somewhat bewildered, he added another tug, his tone becoming increasingly reproachful.
"Brother Li is already waiting for us ahead, let's hurry."
Li Wu stood in front waiting, while Jiang Ce was pulled away by Zheng Shaoyu.
During the drinking party, Jiang Ce was somewhat distracted and even struggled with the drinking games. Disappointed, he left the party.
He simply stood by the bridge, letting the wind blow on him, watching the flowing river below, his eyes downcast and conflicted.
Take a deep breath, open your eyes, and head down the bridge.
Li Wu said to him, "It's your turn next round. Are you leaving?"
"I'm drunk and want to go for a drink. If it's my turn, I'd like to ask Brother Li to take my place."
He moved quickly and soon disappeared from sight.
Jiang Ce had only walked a short distance when he stopped again.
What am I doing now?
Why did he care so much about Xue Chan's opinion?
Perhaps I drank too much alcohol and got carried away, which led to my impulsive behavior. It must be because of the prolonged rains recently, which have caused me much melancholy.
Go left, go around a stream, and you'll be back.
Jiang Ce walked slowly, first hearing the sound of rushing water, then reaching out to push aside several branches that were obscuring the view, and suddenly he met two girls.
Isn't this girl Xue Chan's attendant?
But then Jiang Ce thought again, if they're here, then Xue Chan is here too.
Jiang Ce followed her gaze and saw a person lying on a blue stone under a tree a few steps away.
A turquoise green cross-collar shirt with scrolling foliage, an apricot-white silk skirt with floral patterns, and a peach-colored shawl with small floral patterns.
Who else could it be but Xue Chan?
Jiang Ce immediately became interested, since she had appeared on her own, not that he had come looking for her on purpose.
He walked towards Xue Chan, his sharp, displeased gaze piercing her back like needles.
Jiang Ce said helplessly, "Don't worry, there are so many people on Fantai Mountain, I won't do anything to her."
Yun Sheng remained silent, and Jiang Ce knew that she disliked him.
Jiang Ce stopped a few steps away.
Xue Chan lay on the bluestone, half-turned with her head on her arm, a shawl draped gracefully from her waist to the ground.
It was almost evening, and golden light was quietly spilling over her.
Jiang Ce lowered his eyes, lost in thought.
Xue Chan was just waking up when a familiar figure appeared before her. She closed her eyes, realizing she had gotten so drunk that she had dreamt of him.
rustling
Something crawled through the grass.
Jiang Ce looked over at the sound and saw a small patch of vibrant colors moving about.
Once he saw clearly, he immediately gasped, grabbed Xue Chan's arm with one hand and put his other arm around her waist, and jumped up into the tree.
"you......"
Xue Chan was now clear-headed and looked around.
Lush foliage in front of me, and a green stream behind me.
Yun Sheng and Chu Tao looked at them in the tree. One was angry, the other surprised.
Xue Chan looked up and saw Jiang Ce looking wary, his jaw clenched.
She looked down and saw a snake slither past the bluestone and disappear into the grass by the water. Jiang Ce was holding her arm tightly, almost painfully. She didn't like this sudden closeness, so she tried to move away from him.
But Jiang Ce sensed her movement and pulled her closer, almost half-embracing her.
"What are you doing? It's dangerous down there." He looked at Xue Chan and said seriously, "There are snakes, it's very dangerous."
Xue Chan seemed to have discovered something interesting, her tone carrying a hint of inquiry and teasing.
"Second Young Master, are you afraid of snakes?"
"How...how could that be? I'm protecting you. Look how frail you are, lying there sleeping. What if you get bitten by a snake?"
"Second Young Master, everyone has weaknesses, it's normal to be afraid."
Jiang Ce held her arm tightly, and his words became even more defiant.
"I'll say it again, I didn't!"
Xue Chan replied indifferently, "Oh."
Hearing such a perfunctory answer, Jiang Ce became more assertive and emphasized, "Really, I'm not lying to you."
Xue Chan suppressed a laugh, immediately lowered her head, and said weakly, "But I'm afraid..."
"Really?" Hearing her say that, Jiang Ce felt much better, but he couldn't help but have some doubts.
Jiang Ce remembered the last time he fell into the water and became somewhat wary.
He narrowed his eyes and said coldly, "You wouldn't be lying to me, would you?"
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Author's Note: This is a poem sung by the stream—from the *Book of Songs*, Minor Odes, "The Deer Cry."
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