Chapter 81 shows Liu Ye keeping him by raising her hand, not touching a strand of hair, only slightly…
In the stillness of the night, the crescent moon hangs like a hook.
Meng Lingyao tossed and turned in bed, the silk pillow wrinkled from her frequent movements. Tomorrow she would depart for Jinling, the first time in her life she had ever traveled alone.
The journey to Jinling is over two thousand li by water. We would first have to travel by horse-drawn carriage for most of the day to reach the ferry, and then transfer to a large boat to travel south along the Grand Canal.
Excitement and unease intertwined in my heart. I looked forward to the bustling and beautiful city of Nanjing, and to opening another sea of rouge and fragrance at Juxianglou on the banks of the Qinhuai River. Yet, beneath this anticipation lurked a hidden fear of the unfamiliar journey and the unknown storms ahead.
Her thin silk nightgown was soaked with sweat, and the bamboo mat against her back had lost its coolness. She finally got up, her bare feet stepping on the slightly cool floor tiles, and went to her dressing table.
He gently pulled open the bottom drawer and pulled out a warm, smooth wooden plaque from a pile of pearls and jade pendants. The plaque was about the length of a palm, and the character "序" (xu, meaning sequence) was engraved on it with vigorous strokes, a style he already knew well.
Her fingertips traced the indented characters again and again; the calm, cool scent of the wood seemed to carry some strange power, gradually smoothing out her turbulent emotions.
Meng Lingyao gripped the wooden plaque tightly, finally finding a moment of peace in the sweltering summer night.
The next morning, as dawn broke, the Xie family carriage was already waiting in front of the gate. Compared to Meng Lingyao's fluctuating emotions, Xie Chengyu, who was traveling with her, appeared remarkably calm and composed. She had traveled between the two places several times and was already very familiar with the route.
As soon as she boarded the carriage, she skillfully lifted a hidden compartment on the side of the carriage, revealing neatly arranged books of various kinds. She picked out a few and placed them beside her, smiling, "Life on the ship is so boring, these are all I need to pass the time. Do you have any favorites?"
Meng Lingyao's gaze swept over the book titles, some erotic and others chivalrous, and she gently shook her head. "I'd rather hear you talk about Jinling than about storybooks."
“Jinling…” Xie Chengyu’s eyes gleamed slightly. “It’s truly a wonderful place. Boating on the Qinhuai River, listening to the music on both banks, tasting the freshly cooked fish and shrimp by the boatwomen, the pleasure for the palate is unparalleled… As for pastries, the cheese pastries in Rouge Lane are absolutely amazing! The cream melts in your mouth, the crust is so crisp it crumbles, sweet but not cloying…”
Xie Chengyu was a man well-versed in food, drink, and entertainment, and his recollections were mostly of these kinds of amusing incidents: which place had the most delicious pastries, which family had the best silk, and which young master was the most handsome...
Meng Lingyao listened with great interest, and the heat in the carriage seemed to lessen somewhat due to the vivid description. Outside the window, the shadows of the trees grew thinner, the sky became more open, and in the distance, the faint mist rising from the canal could be seen.
"The scions of the two great families of Jinling, Wang and Xie, all reside in the Wuyi Lane area," Xie Chengyu said with a knowing smile. "Do you know why it's called Wuyi Lane?"
Meng Lingyao shook her head, "I would like to hear the details."
“The sons of the Wang and Xie families often wear black clothing,” Xie Chengyu said. “In summer, they wear light gauze, and in winter, they wear fur coats. Dressed in black, they move among the white walls and black tiles, which makes their faces look even more handsome and their steps steady. Over time, people outside have come to call the alley they frequent ‘Black Clothes Alley’.”
"This is different from the capital, where the young masters of noble families prefer to wear white."
Xie Chengyu paused, glancing at her sideways. "There are quite a few outstanding young men in Jinling who are fond of black attire. However..." she drawled, a sly smile on her face, "In my experience over the years, in terms of demeanor and character, none can compare to your man."
These words came suddenly. Meng Lingyao was slightly taken aback, then calmly curved her lips into a smile and raised her chin slightly, "Thank you for the compliment. My judgment has never been bad."
As soon as the words were spoken, a series of clear and melodious piano notes suddenly broke through the cicada chirping and the rumbling of the carriage wheels outside the carriage, flowing straight into the heart like a clear, sweet spring.
That piano sound...
Meng Lingyao's heartstrings trembled, almost leaping out of her chest!
She raised her hand and lifted the half of the carriage curtain in front of her, leaning out to look.
Ahead on the official road, in an ancient pavilion shaded by green willows on the riverbank, a person sat upright.
Under the blazing sun, cicadas chirped like a waterfall.
The man was dressed in a simple black robe, the fabric light and flowing, swaying slightly in the sweltering summer breeze. His wide sleeves slipped down halfway as he played the zither, revealing wrists as smooth as jade. His long, slender fingers plucked the strings, and wherever his fingertips touched, the music scattered like pearls.
It was the very piece they had worked on together, "Qing Shang Yin".
Sunlight filtered through the dense willow branches hanging from the pavilion roof, casting dappled, dancing golden hues that fell upon his fingertips and brows. A few strands of sweat-dampened black hair clung to his handsome profile.
The hot wind stirred the dark hem of his robe, and under the shimmering green willows and golden dappled sunlight, it resembled a delicate ink painting, a unique and refreshing commentary on the scorching summer day.
Meng Lingyao stared at him, momentarily lost in thought, even holding her breath.
"What are you standing there for?" Xie Chengyu slapped her hand mischievously and chuckled, "Aren't you going yet?"
Meng Lingyao then came to her senses, her cheeks slightly flushed. She straightened her clothes, slowly got out of the carriage, and walked towards the pavilion.
The music faded away the moment she stepped into the shadows of the pavilion, the lingering notes dissipating like smoke.
Pei Xu raised his eyes.
Those eyes, usually so cold and deep like a frozen pool, now reflected the green willow branches and her figure, as if countless tiny lights were dancing and shimmering in the deep pool, softening even the most serene depths.
He rose, the folds of his robes falling naturally. He stopped two steps away from her.
A breeze stirs the slender willow branches outside the pavilion, their supple, tender green twigs like the flowing hair of a beautiful woman, gently brushing against her temples and shoulders.
Pei Xu's gaze fell on a strand of dark hair near her temple, ruffled by a twig. He raised his hand, without touching the hair, but simply flicked his fingers and deftly broke off a willow branch that had brushed past her ear.
The slender willow branches between his fingers were lush and green, supple and long.
He handed the willow branch to Meng Lingyao, his voice low and clear, carrying a cool and calming quality amidst the scorching cicada chirping: "Have a safe journey."
Meng Lingyao reached out and took the branch that still carried the fragrance of willow leaves. She could clearly feel the warmth, softness, and vitality of the willow branch in her palm, and she could also feel the brief warmth of his fingertips brushing against her as he handed her the branch.
She slowly nodded, lowered her eyelashes, and her long eyelashes cast a faint arc on her fair cheeks.
Holding the willow branch, Xie Chengyu returned to the carriage, his gaze lingering between her face and the supple willow twig.
Meng Lingyao didn't say much, but simply turned her head slightly to avoid her friend's probing gaze, and looked down at the bright green in her palm.
The verdant willow leaves set off her fair and delicate skin, a tender yet resilient affection that seemed to be enveloped by the summer heat and the fresh scent of the willow leaves, silently entwining in her heart, circle after circle.
Xie Chengyu gazed at her for a long time, then sighed softly, "Whether she's a willow or a lily, she's still here. My beautiful, graceful woman..."
“Young Master Pei, you have quite the skill. Although you’ve left, you’ve left your soul in the capital.” She waved her fan and said with some regret, “Now that’s settled. No matter how outstanding those young men in Wuyi Lane are, they probably won’t catch your eye.”
Before she could finish speaking, Meng Lingyao suddenly raised her head. The alluring glint in her eyes had vanished, and her expression returned to its usual calm and composure. "I have never been interested in the Black-Clad Gentlemen."
She carefully inserted the willow branch into the bottle, a slight smirk playing on her lips. "What I want is—the heavy, gleaming gold and silver that those young masters are willing to hand over."
Xie Chengyu was taken aback, then burst into a loud, enthusiastic laugh, almost dropping his fan. The laughter echoed for a long time, dispelling some of the sorrow and restlessness of parting.
"Good, good, good, this is the Yaoyao I love!"
After a long day in the carriage, they finally boarded the ship. Meng Lingyao had harbored some doubts, thinking that Mr. Zhang from Pei Xu's residence must be a stern, pedantic scholar or a rigid person with strict rules. But when they met for the first time in the cabin, she was pleasantly surprised.
Mr. Zhang was around forty years old, slender, with a gentle and kind face. His manners were proper but not overly restrained when he bowed, and his words were witty and insightful.
“Miss Meng, Miss Xie, this humble citizen Zhang Shenyan is here on the orders of Lord Pei to await your command. This journey south will take at least a month and at most forty days. If there is anything I can do to help you, or if you are bored on the ship and want to hear some interesting stories to relieve your boredom, I, Zhang, can do my best to assist you.”
As the boat sailed down the river, Mr. Zhang truly became the most popular "storyteller" on the entire ship. Without needing a gavel, he could vividly recount the mountains, rivers, geography, waterways, people, customs, and local products of the Jiangnan region.
Not only Meng Lingyao, but Xie Chengyu also listened with great interest. After all, she came from a prominent family and her knowledge was limited to her own small circle. She knew very little about the trivial matters of the city.
She sighed inwardly, her gaze towards Meng Lingyao now carrying a deeper meaning. She had originally planned to introduce her family's steward to her friend, but now it seemed she had overdone it. Pei Shaoqing's arrangement was truly meticulous and flawless.
Outside the cabin, day and night turned. After flipping through the carefully selected storybooks by Xie Chengyu and listening to Mr. Zhang recount all the strange tales of Nanjing, the month-long voyage finally came to an end at the bustling dock.
As Meng Lingyao stepped onto the wooden planks of the pier, she swayed involuntarily. After being rocked on the boat for so long, the sudden solid footing on the wide, firm stone pier felt strange, as if she were walking on cotton wool, her feet feeling soft and unsteady.
She instinctively grabbed the mooring post beside her, and after a moment of composure, she slowly took a breath—wet, warm, and filled with the scent of water vapor and fresh green grass, completely different from the slightly dusty, dry air of the capital.
Manager Qian had already made arrangements, sending a capable assistant to Jinling ahead of time to arrange food and lodging. The group would have to split up for the time being. Meng Lingyao accepted her friend's invitation to stay at the Xie residence for a few days, so as to pay her respects to the elders of the Xie family.
The Xie family's carriage was already waiting at the ferry. As they traveled along, they heard unfamiliar soft voices, melodious like the warbling of orioles, which had a unique charm to them.
Meng Lingyao lifted a corner of the carriage curtain and looked out at the scenery of Jinling. Although she was a newcomer, there was no novelty or timidity in her eyes like that of an ordinary traveler. Instead, she narrowed her eyes slightly, her gaze sharp, as she surveyed the atmosphere and pulse of this unfamiliar ancient city.
On the banks of the Qinhuai River, an elegant window of a carved and painted building is open. Two figures sit by the window.
The man, dressed in a dark brocade robe with subtle patterns, calmly put down his half-cup of fragrant tea. His gaze swept over the receding carriages and horses, and he said in a low voice, "Jiu'er, that's the Xie family's carriage going to the ferry to pick up people."
The woman nodded, her slender hand gently stroking the white jade incense burner on the table. "The one sitting in the carriage must be Miss Xie, and..." she paused, "...and Miss Meng from the capital who has come all the way here."
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Author's Note: There are many theories about the origin of the name Wuyi Lane, and this is just one of them. Although there are some real-world elements involved, this story is primarily fictional. Please forgive any oversights. [pity]
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