Chapter 1024 Where Can We Not Meet You?
“Junior brother, that’s not fair of you. You didn’t even bring out the pig’s ears for us to drink with.” Lord Zhao took the plate from us. “Bring us another pair of chopsticks and your wine.”
Before he could finish speaking, he had already taken the plate of food and gone to the north room.
Master Han followed closely behind and said to Xie Zheng, "Come over here, bring some wine."
Actually, the three of them had been chatting in the dark for quite a while, and just as they were about to rest, Master Han said he smelled the aroma of wine.
Before long, they heard a noise coming from the door of the south room. Afraid of hearing something they shouldn't, they didn't pay much attention at first, but soon they heard the kitchen door open.
They've been staying here for quite a few days now, and they've become quite adept at distinguishing which door is which and what's happening.
It was the middle of the night, and the more we talked, the more awake I became. I could smell the aroma of alcohol and hear someone preparing a late-night snack in the kitchen... I was wide awake.
Zhang Chengxuan moved the kang table onto the kang and raised his hand to set up a protective barrier.
Otherwise, those brats would have used the night as if it were daytime once they heard the commotion.
However, these adults are now even harder to manage than children.
It's a good thing they can't gather together every day, otherwise what would be the point of their practice? They would all become unruly and arrogant old monks who mislead others.
Song Chunxue looked at the obvious minced garlic in the plate and said, "Didn't you guys stop eating meat lately? Aren't you afraid of damaging your Dao heart so late at night?"
“If the Dao heart is so easily corrupted, would we still dare to cultivate?” Lord Zhao picked up his chopsticks and took a bite. “As the Buddhists say, ‘Wine and meat pass through the intestines, but Buddha remains in the heart.’ It’s the same principle. Let’s seal our Dao hearts for now and cultivate again tomorrow.”
The others laughed, but their actions betrayed their true feelings; they picked up their chopsticks and took a couple of bites.
Xie Zheng poured everyone's wine, and Song Chunxue stood up, saying, "I'll go add another dish; it'll be ready soon."
For five people, this amount of snacks is far too little.
"Don't go. It's not good to eat too much at night. We've already had enough," Lord Zhao stopped them. "A couple of sips are enough. Eating so late is already unfair to their stomachs. Not letting them rest so late is punishable."
As he spoke, he solemnly picked up the glass of wine, "I'll punish myself with a glass first."
This remark made everyone both laugh and cry.
"Senior Brother, there's a reason you look so young. I've learned a lot today. Let me offer you a toast." He paused slightly, then looked at Master Han, "Uncle-Master..."
"Just do as you please. Don't learn bad habits from those glib-tongued officials. Toast whoever you want. Although I am an elder, at this time of day, there is no distinction between elders and juniors when drinking."
Lord Han turned to the side, rolled up the quilt, and leaned against it. "Thank you, Lord... oh no, I'm just in a good mood. The finest pear blossom white wine."
He gently swirled his wine glass, his expression mild. "Tonight, we were blind to our own faults and disturbed your late-night flirting..."
“Master,” Xie Zheng hurriedly corrected, his face flushed, “it’s not flirting, it’s just that we want to drink and chat, to get to the bottom of things, and talk until dawn. A few more people won’t hurt. It’s a rare treat, and it’s a wonderful thing.”
Seeing that he was afraid of saying anything too blunt, Master Han tilted his head back and drank the wine in his cup, nodding in agreement, "Hmm, not bad, it's good wine."
He suddenly raised his hand and conjured up an ancient zither.
"Master Han can play the zither?"
Lord Zhao took out a long flute, "May we play a duet?"
Master Han raised his hand, "Please."
Lord Zhao smiled and changed to a kneeling position to gather strength in his dantian.
Otherwise, you won't be able to get any air up while you're blowing on it.
Song Chunxue suddenly produced an erhu (a two-stringed bowed instrument), "I'll give it a try too."
Everyone was surprised, "You can play a musical instrument?"
"Of course." She just never mentioned that Jiang Shuming used to like the erhu. She liked it back then, so she asked him to teach her a little, and she would play it whenever she had free time.
A few years ago when I was staying in Zhuanglang County, I would often find a place where no one would bother me and play a tune.
Master Zhang also raised his hand and conjured up a guzheng (a traditional Chinese zither).
This was the first time they had ever done something like this; before even drinking any wine, they wanted to play the zither and sing a song.
Perhaps it was because the stars were shining brightly tonight, the breeze was gentle, and the earth's energy after the spring equinox was just right, but none of them felt sleepy.
Perhaps because their separation was imminent, they were reluctant to part and found it difficult to sleep.
Xie Zheng laughed and said, "Just having a tune isn't enough. What would you like to play, Master? How about I sing a song instead?"
Master Han was in high spirits and raised his hand to pluck the strings of his zither. "Then let me play a piece called 'Laughter in the Human World.' Have you ever heard it before?"
Xie Zheng's eyes lit up. "I've heard it before. I used to hum it to myself a lot for a while."
Song Chunxue had never heard of it before, so she looked at her two senior brothers.
"It's alright, let's join in the music." Lord Zhao suddenly burst into laughter as he spoke. "Master Han, you're a snake, why are you suddenly in such high spirits so late at night? It makes me really want to bring my group of courtesans over to entertain us."
Master Han raised his hand and tapped the back of his head. "Vulgar. If you spoil the mood again, I'll kick you out and send you to sleep with the Cheng family's donkey. All you do at night is disturb people's sleep."
After saying that, he said seriously, "Let me start with a piece, which you may have heard before."
Xie Zheng grabbed Song Chunxue's arm from under his sleeve. "I can play the drum. I'll sing with you next time."
Song Chunxue smiled and nudged him, signaling him to sing a song properly.
"The sun shines on the mountains and rivers, the moon shines on the world, the south and north of the Yangtze River, the yellow sands of the borderlands are charming, and the world is full of beautiful colors..."
Xie Zheng's voice was clear and ethereal, and Song Chunxue couldn't help but stare at him, never expecting him to have such a talent.
For some reason, a strong emotion swept over her, bringing tears to her eyes.
But he saw that Xie Zheng's eyes were also wet, and he stared at her intently as he sang softly.
Song Chunxue tried to memorize the rhythm and follow along in the ensemble.
The erhu's tone was poignant, the guqin's was majestic, the guzheng's was gentle, and the xiao's was deeply moving. At first, everyone tried to harmonize, but later they improvised and sang, their voices becoming incredibly expressive. They were all immersed in their own emotions, creating a rare and harmonious scene.
For over a thousand years, Han Qingfeng has rarely let his spirit flow freely like this, allowing himself to savor this once-in-a-millennium, unrepeatable moment.
Unbeknownst to anyone, inside the tightly closed north room, several people were drinking and singing by candlelight, reciting poems and composing verses as the mood struck them, speaking freely and without restraint.
The barrier enveloped all the sounds inside the small house. Although it was the most inconspicuous house, they felt that this day would be unforgettable in their lives.
This wine, this music, this song, this poetry—these are the best accompaniments to wine.
After several rounds of drinks, Master Han, holding his wine jug, watched as the young man stood up and sang a tune he had never heard before. Song Chunxue's Qinqiang opera, with its strong local accent, made him feel melancholy and almost brought him to tears.
He must have been bewitched by alcohol tonight.
After playing the zither, he leaned against the quilt like a proper elder, lost in thought, his mind wandering freely.
Tonight.
Parting after a thoroughly enjoyable time is the best way to conclude this encounter.
After Zhao Jin and Zhang Chengxuan collapsed drunk on the kang (a heated brick bed), Han Qingfeng looked at Xie Zheng.
"Junior brother, it's time to go. I'll wait for you outside." Master Han helped Zhao Jin, who stepped out the door with bleary eyes. "Little Song, don't be too sad. He will come back."
Song Chunxue felt a warmth in her heart. "Don't worry, Uncle-Master, I'm not sad. I am Master Song, not some little woman."
P.S.: I'm home now. I'll update as usual tomorrow.
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