Chapter 79 contains 17,000 units of nutrient solution...
Lu Xiaoqi didn't even bother to draw the other cards right then and there. She excitedly told Su Jun, who was waiting beside her, "It's Wang Wei!"
Su Jun was taken aback: "Could it be Wang Wei, the Poet-Buddha?"
"Yes!" Lu Xiaoqi was very excited. This was the first great poet she had ever drawn in her gacha history. However, didn't the system say that literary figures like poets and literary giants were not within its summoning range?
The system spoke softly: "Player, if you study history properly, you will know that besides his talent in poetry and painting, Wang Wei had another very important talent."
Lu Xiaoqi could ignore the sarcasm at the beginning and was listening attentively when she heard Su Jun say, "I know, Wangchuan Villa!"
His eyes held a hint of longing: "In the past, Wang Wei lived in seclusion in Wangchuan, Lantian, where he built a villa, painted the 'Wangchuan Map,' and published the 'Wangchuan Collection,' expressing his feelings through nature and inspiring countless literati and scholars to yearn for it. Wangchuan almost became a paradise in the hearts of scholars. In my time, the 'Wangchuan Map' has been lost, but many great calligraphers and painters have made imitations, trying to restore the true appearance of the Wangchuan villa."
When he was young and studying, he also fantasized about his own Wangchuan.
“The entire Wangchuan Villa was built by Wang Wei. Perhaps the system has taken a liking to this ability of the Poet-Buddha?” Su Jun guessed.
The system nodded in satisfaction in Lu Xiaoqi's mind: "Su Jun is right. In addition to being a master of both poetry and painting, Wang Wei pioneered the way literati created gardens, marking a significant turning point in the history of Chinese gardens. The emphasis on aesthetic beauty in modern Chinese gardens is actually a legacy from him."
Therefore, what it really values is Wang Wei's garden design skills.
Lu Xiaoqi was both envious of how such geniuses could have such brilliant minds, seemingly able to excel at anything they did. On the other hand, she was speechless after hearing the system's words: "...I wonder what Wang Wei would think if he knew that he had been summoned here not because of poetry or painting, but simply because of his garden landscaping?"
She dragged a great writer into building her garden... She was sorry to him.
System: "...Player, you'd better hurry up and draw other cards. The characters are about to be released."
Lu Xiaoqi immediately snapped out of her excitement at drawing the great writer card and quickly drew the other two cards.
The second card she drew was green, an R card.
[When a beautiful woman is dressing, her hair is adorned with pearls and jade.]
Lu Xiaoqi was a little confused. Judging from the introduction, this should be a jewelry craftsman? But the name Zhucui clearly belonged to a woman. According to her stereotype, goldsmiths and silversmiths in ancient times were usually men and master craftsmen.
System: "Indeed, he is not a goldsmith or silversmith; the emphasis here is on grooming."
After the explanation, Lu Xiaoqi learned that Zhucui was a hairdresser who lived in the late Ming and early Qing dynasties and was very popular at the time because of her excellent hairdressing skills.
Lu Xiaoqi's eyes lit up: "This is indeed a very practical skill."
In modern times, he would definitely be a style icon, the kind who gains both fame and fortune.
Having already drawn an SSR card and a very useful R card, Lu Xiaoqi thought her good luck for the day was about to run out, and she was fine with whatever came next. But when she opened the third card, it was another purple-gold one.
[Clothing the World—Huang Daopo.]
Lu Xiaoqi was stunned: ...Mom said the fewer the words, the bigger the matter, I didn't expect it to be true!
Oh, Huang Daopo!
What kind of status does a woman who has no political connections yet deserves her own page in history books have? A great woman among women!
In fact, Lu Xiaoqi felt that such praise was a bit of an underestimation of her.
When I was a child, I didn't understand much history. I thought it was just an improvement to the spinning machine, nothing too significant. Now that I'm more mature and have entered the workforce, I realize what it meant. It meant an upgrade in the industrial model, directly changing the economic landscape of China, leading to the rise of the Jiangnan region, and further influencing the cultural and political ecology of China.
In the West, the spinning jenny sparked the Industrial Revolution, which marked the beginning of the modern era.
At that moment, Lu Xiaoqi felt her face was filled with reverence.
Seeing her expression suddenly turn serious, yet tinged with a hint of joy, Su Jun looked at her curiously and asked, "What's wrong?"
Lu Xiaoqi immediately told him the result, her eyes practically sparkling with dreams: "I wonder what these two people's wishes are, and what abilities they can bring... Oh right, call Li Guinian and tell him to come and greet Wang Wei."
This is his best buddy!
Speaking of the group of people from the Tang Dynasty, we all know them. As expected of the Tang Dynasty, its culture was brilliant and its geniuses were abundant, like grains of sand in a river, which you could easily scoop up.
The two split up; Su Jun went to find Wang Wei and Zhu Cui, who was nearby, while Lu Xiaoqi went straight to Huang Daopo.
When she arrived at the designated location, she found that the person was gone.
Lu Xiaoqi looked left and right: "Strange, where did it go?"
System: "Player, let me remind you, you can use the NPC location function in the system space to check."
Lu Xiaoqi snorted: "Actually, you didn't need to remind me, I already thought of that."
The system didn't want to talk. If it could talk to Lu Xiaoqi face-to-face, it would probably spit in her face.
Xiao Luo is diligently washing the floor of Zone 5.
He works for a cleaning company and enters the ancient town every night at 10:15 PM to clean the grounds in Zone 5. Thanks to the help of cleaning robots and the fact that Zone 5 doesn't have many restaurants or snack shops, the work isn't as strenuous as one might imagine and can be completed within two hours.
The only thing to be careful about is not letting sewage enter the waterways of Qinghe Ancient Town. The water here is so beautiful, and Xiao Luo himself will be very careful.
Just as he was humming a song, concentrating and happily washing the floor, a faint voice suddenly sounded in his ear: "Young man, may I ask what this is?"
It was a woman's voice, and it sounded strange. The questions she asked were also strange.
When Xiao Luo turned around, he saw a middle-aged woman, about forty or fifty years old, dressed in an ancient Taoist robe and with graying temples, standing under the eaves of a roadside house. She was standing in the shadows, but her eyes were very bright, which made her look even more eerie.
Oh my god!
Xiao Luo's pupils constricted in that instant, and he was so frightened that he almost dropped the water pipe in his hand.
When did this female Taoist priest appear? Wasn't the entire ancient town supposed to have been cleared out? And why is there a female Taoist priest in the ancient town?!
A series of questions flashed through his mind, followed by various terrifying scenarios: an ancient town, the dead of night, a Taoist priest... This was a classic combination of elements from ghost stories! Xiao Luo even felt like he was hearing a familiar background music.
He swallowed hard. "You, you, you're talking to me?"
The female Taoist priest looked around and said, "Yes, it's just the two of us here."
Xiao Luo was on the verge of tears. Because he worked quickly, he rushed into the ancient town as soon as it closed, while his colleagues were probably still on their way. He should have known better than to be so eager!
His voice trembled: "Then what are you asking me about, what is it?"
Stay calm, your colleagues will be here in just a few more minutes!
The female Taoist priest looked curiously at the cleaning machine that was sweeping the ground not far away: "Hey, I just want to ask, what is that?"
Xiao Luo: Huh? Ghosts are interested in this too?
Before he could answer, he heard someone running up breathlessly: "That, that's a sweeper that can sweep the floor automatically."
After finding Huang Daopo's location in the system space, Lu Xiaoqi ran several hundred meters to get there. In the dead of winter, she almost broke out in a sweat. But when she saw Xiao Luo's terrified eyes, she felt that she had run incredibly fast. If she had been a few seconds later, Qinghe Ancient Town would have been the site of some kind of ghost story.
After explaining a few words to Xiao Luo, she left with the curious Huang Daopo.
Xiao Luo breathed a deep sigh of relief—thank goodness, it wasn't a horror story, otherwise he would have had to say goodbye to this job with a heavy heart.
On the road.
Huang Daopo belatedly realized that her entrance seemed a bit inappropriate, and she was filled with apology: "Has this humble Taoist priest caused any trouble for the believers?"
Lu Xiaoqi smiled broadly and quickly shook her head: "It's nothing, just a misunderstanding."
Moreover, she was bold and full of curiosity about everything. No wonder she was a woman who escaped from her child bride's home in ancient times, made her way to Hainan, and eventually returned to Jiangnan. She was also an inventive and innovative woman!
Huang Daopo was surprised that people a thousand years later still knew so much about her life. After the two talked, she realized that she had such great glory in later generations. She was both happy and sad.
She was already respected by the people of Songjiang when she was alive, and a shrine was built in her honor. But it was truly unexpected that she would be recorded in history books, officially recognized after her death, and passed down by scholars for generations.
Huang Daopo made no attempt to hide her joy at gaining posthumous fame, and whispered to Lu Xiaoqi, "Back then, I was thinking, those scholars, who are good at playing the zither and reading books, can have their works written about and become high-ranking officials. What am I any less than them? Why can't I be an official? There were even female officials in the previous dynasty."
She sighed again, "What a pity. If it could have been like this while I was still alive, I could have earned more money."
Lu Xiaoqi blinked. Hmm? This Granny Huang seemed a little different from what she had imagined.
Seeing her lost in thought, Granny Huang smiled and said, "Young lady, remember this: money isn't what those detached scholars say it is, full of the stench of money. Don't be fooled by them; it's a good thing! Especially for us women, even if we don't have a fortune, we absolutely need some money to protect ourselves."
Lu Xiaoqi couldn't help but chuckle. She took Huang Daopo's hand, feeling a deep sense of sympathy: "Grandma Huang, what you said is just what I like to hear!"
Come to think of it, Huang Daopo was born into poverty and was a child bride from a young age. After being abused, she escaped and followed the female Taoists through hardships, witnessing the vicissitudes of life. She had to make a living in the world on her own. How could she possibly be the kind of saintly white lotus character who is detached from worldly affairs and only kind and indifferent?
It's all about competing and grabbing; it's all about loving money and fame!
Huang Daopo smiled and said, "I thought you young ladies wouldn't like to hear me say this."
As she spoke, she was clearly somewhat melancholy, as if she were recalling something from the past.
"How could that be?" Lu Xiaoqi pointed around with her finger, full of pride. "Look, this place, this is all my property! I understand all too well the importance of making money!"
Huang Daopo praised her, "Then you are more capable than me."
Lu Xiaoqi shook her head frantically: "That's incomparable."
She remembered something and asked, "Grandma Huang, what is your wish?"
Without a second thought, Huang Daopo replied, "Of course, I want to make money and live a good life!"
Almost simultaneously, Lu Xiaoqi heard the system's voice in her mind:
Having lived a life of poverty since childhood, Huang Daopo's greatest wish in life is to earn enough money to live a comfortable life free from the hardships of poverty. Players are invited to help Huang Daopo fulfill her wish.
[After fulfilling her wish, Huang Daopo's life will solidify, granting her special abilities from the system. Players will also receive a fragment of the 'Controllable Constant Temperature Weather System,' 1/2.]
A controllable constant temperature weather system sounds like a great thing!
Although Lu Xiaoqi has only helped Li Bing fulfill his wish so far, and the wishes of others are still far off, it doesn't stop her from imagining how she will use these good things after she gets them.
Huang Daopo also received the notification and murmured beside her, "After fulfilling my wish, I will gain the ability to 'clothe the world.' Within a designated area, any actions or movements related to weaving will be accelerated and my skills will improve..."
She can read and speak, but she doesn't quite understand what it means.
Lu Xiaoqi explained to her that this was also a very good ability. If she could open a textile factory and a garment factory, this ability would be an absolute godsend.
She asked, "Grandma Huang, how much money do you need to earn to feel satisfied?"
Huang Daopo was also somewhat bewildered: "It's hard for me to explain... In short, one must have enough to eat and wear, and not have to worry about food, clothing, or shelter?"
Lu Xiaoqi sighed, "I understand."
This is another ambiguous wish, which can be big or small. On the one hand, if Huang Daopo's requirements are high, such as becoming the world's richest person, she will never achieve it before she dies; on the other hand, if Huang Daopo's requirements are low, then if she transfers one million, perhaps this wish will be fulfilled.
She was very dissatisfied with the system: "Next time, can you please not be so unfair? Can't you give me a clear wish like Li Bing, the Prefect Li?"
How simple and practical!
System T felt wronged: "This wasn't determined by me, it was generated by the character itself..."
Lu Xiaoqi ignored it, took Huang Daopo's hand, and said affectionately, "Grandma Huang, in a couple of days I'll introduce you to a sister-in-law named Song Wu Sao. You two should get along very well..."
One person's wish is to open a restaurant, and the other's wish is to make a lot of money. How can they not be like-minded?
The two talked as they walked and finally arrived at Zone 4.
Then Lu Xiaoqi was very glad that she hadn't procrastinated, otherwise she wouldn't have seen the famous scene of Li Guinian crying while holding Wang Wei!
As soon as Li Guinian heard that Wang Wei was coming, he rushed over without even dressing properly, and his shoes were on the wrong feet. Before Wang Wei arrived, he paced back and forth in the room, looking extremely anxious and bewildered.
Li Pengnian and Li Henian advised him, "Wang Wei has not yet arrived. Brother, you should sit down and rest for a while and tidy your clothes."
Li Guinian then realized, "Right, right, how could I let Mojie see me in such a disheveled state?"
After tidying himself up, he became the dashing and debonair Li Guinian. Then they saw Su Jun lead a man and a woman in. The man, though weathered by time, possessed an otherworldly and refined air, a true gentleman, with serene and peaceful eyes.
It was none other than Wang Wei, the renowned and gentle genius who was famous throughout Chang'an back then.
"Mojie—!" Li Guinian rushed over, hugged him, and cried.
He has the typical personality of an artist; he laughs and cries as he pleases, which can be described as unrestrained or simple.
Li Pengnian and Li Henian were also extremely excited.
Even with his usually composed nature, Wang Wei couldn't help but have tears welling up in his eyes at this moment: "When we parted ways years ago, we were all young and vibrant. Who would have thought that the world would change so drastically, and that we would meet again today? You are still full of vigor, while I am weathered and worn."
Li Guinian sighed, "Who can remain spirited after such a tragedy? It is you, Wang Wei, who dared to face reality. We are nothing but cowards and weaklings."
Therefore, I choose to preserve my appearance at a time when everything was perfect.
Wang Wei, however, already appeared to be over forty years old.
"Courage to face reality?" Wang Wei burst into tears, then laughed loudly, his voice filled with unspeakable sorrow and irony. "If I were as good as you say, I wouldn't have submitted to An Lushan and become his censor!"
I live on in this world, filled with remorse.
When that period of history was mentioned, everyone present burst into tears.
Watching from the side, Su Jun couldn't help but think of his own family's equally humiliating history. He could only sigh deeply and lament. Turning his head, he saw Lu Xiaoqi propping her head up and watching with great interest, a look of sympathy and wonder on her face.
Su Jun: ......
"I feel like...you seem to be thinking about something a little off?"
Lu Xiaoqi categorically denied it: "I didn't, you're mistaken."
In reality, she was screaming in her heart, "Ah, it's Li Guinian and Wang Wei, those two best friends! It's Wang Wei who wrote the poem 'Presented to Li Guinian on the River' for Li Guinian!"
Yes, yes, yes, it's that poem that countless lovesick men and women regard as their love enlightenment poem: "Red beans grow in the south, how many branches will sprout in spring? I wish you would pick more, for this is the most cherished token of longing." It was actually written by Wang Wei for Li Guinian.
She admitted that her history knowledge was only so-so, something she only realized when she was researching Li Guinian's life. Of course, the poet used the imagery to express his feelings; what he was actually writing about was the longing between friends.
However, now that she sees her friends reunited, it's normal for someone whose thoughts aren't exactly pure to have slightly impure ideas, right?
She looked at Su Jun with innocent eyes: "It's really normal." Then she immediately changed the subject, "By the way, how exactly did Wang Wei and Li Guinian become friends?"
Wang Wei came from a prominent family, the Wang clan of Taiyuan, and his mother was from the Cui clan of Boling, while Li Guinian was merely a musician.
Su Jun: "In the ninth year of the Kaiyuan era, Wang Wei served as the Taile Cheng, which was in charge of the Jiaofang and Liyuan."
Lu Xiaoqi suddenly realized: "I see."
She was about to say something when she turned her head and saw Zhu Cui looking somewhat lost and uneasy beside her.
The hairdresser she summoned by drawing cards.
She was a woman who looked to be in her thirties, with a face that was naturally beautiful but clearly ravaged by life. She had been sitting to the side when Su Jun brought her over, and she was talking to Granny Huang.
As a Taoist priestess who traveled all over the country, Huang Daopo was clearly no less adept at social interaction than Song Wu Sao.
Lu Xiaoqi also went over and heard Zhu Cui saying, "...I don't know why I was chosen by the gods. The gods said it was because I comb hair well, but does the heavens lack hair-combing ladies? The gods also said it wasn't the heavens, but the future."
The future is a word that is too difficult for Zhu Cui to understand.
“Yes, if I can live again, I’ll brave any danger, no matter what,” Zhu Cui said, with a hint of trepidation. “I just don’t know if my hair-combing skills will really come in handy here.”
Lu Xiaoqi said sincerely, "Yes! Absolutely!"
Zhu Cui looked at her and smiled shyly.
Lu Xiaoqi introduced herself, then expertly helped Zhucui, who was about to kneel down to perform a grand salute, to her feet. As she did so, her eyes were involuntarily drawn to Zhucui's feet, and her heart skipped a beat.
Her feet were bound with pearls and jade.
This was the first time Lu Xiaoqi had ever seen someone actually with bound feet. Due to the different dynasties, it was naturally uncommon in the Han and Tang dynasties, and also rare in the Song dynasty. In the Ming dynasty, even common people like Zhang Ying and Xiang San Niang, who were from the lower classes, wouldn't bind their feet because they had to work. Of all the people she had seen, only Lin Baosheng's wife had bound feet, but according to her, because she resisted so fiercely, her family eventually relented and chose to unbind her feet.
But Zhu Cui had truly bound feet.
When the people of Xiangjia Village encountered the Tartars, Zhucui had just been born, which coincided with the peak of foot binding. But Zhucui was a hairdresser; why would she also have bound feet?
Zhu Cui seemed to sense Lu Xiaoqi's confusion and said softly, "Before becoming a hairdresser, I was a courtesan on the Qinhuai River."
The men all loved these three-inch golden lotuses. Every girl in their courtyard had to have them bound.
Later, because she became ill, the madam threw her into a shack in the backyard to fend for herself, and her lower body was infested with maggots. Just when she thought she was about to die, turmoil broke out in the city. She managed to sneak out of the shack little by little, then stole the money from the madam who had been killed by the marauding soldiers, and escaped. From then on, she changed her name and went to a small town in Jiangnan to survive.
Zhu Cui no longer wanted to be a courtesan, so after much thought, she decided to make a living by using her old skills in hairdressing, which earned her a little money. However, her bound feet prevented her from standing for long periods, and if the hairstyle was too complicated, she had to endure excruciating pain while combing hair.
After hearing this, Huang Daopo was filled with respect and patted her hand, saying, "With such perseverance, you will succeed in whatever you do."
“This kind of side binding is considered good; I can still walk around and stand for a while,” Zhu Cui smiled and said softly. “Later, a type called bone-breaking binding became popular. It breaks the foot bones to make the instep arch like a crescent moon. That’s real pain.”
She spoke calmly, but Lu Xiaoqi was horrified.
Su Jun's attention, which was originally focused on Wang Wei and Li Guinian, is now gradually shifting to this side.
After listening, he frowned deeply, his expression one of disbelief. In his time, many scholars had already written poems praising the beauty of women's bound feet, comparing them to a crescent moon. Back then, he had simply smiled and dismissed it as mere frivolous sentimentality. Little did he know that such aesthetics would later evolve into something so morbid, causing so much suffering.
It's absolutely terrifying!
How could anyone let their daughter endure such pain?
Lu Xiaoqi couldn't help but stomp her feet twice, and only after feeling the normal force from the soles of her feet did she gradually relax. But she immediately realized that such a movement might have been offensive to Zhu Cui, and quickly apologized.
"I'm sorry... How about this, I'll take you to see a doctor later, maybe surgery can restore your foot to normal."
Zhu Cui was taken aback, then gave a genuine smile: "Thank you, Miss Lu."
At this moment, Li Guinian and the others finally calmed down with Wang Wei. Li Guinian pulled him over and bowed to Lu Xiaoqi: "Miss Lu, Mojie will stay at my residence today. There is no need to arrange new accommodations for him."
Upon seeing that it was the host, Wang Wei felt extremely ashamed and bowed deeply, saying, "I should have presented my name card and paid my respects before coming here. I am truly ashamed that I have caused such a disturbance to your esteemed residence."
Seeing that he was still dignified despite his advanced age, Lu Xiaoqi thought to herself that the Poet Buddha truly lived up to his name and quickly said, "You're too kind. It's getting late, and since you already have plans, I won't disturb you any longer. If you need anything later, you can come directly to me or Director Su to make arrangements."
Su Jun nodded hurriedly: "I am willing to serve Layman Mojie."
Who isn't a fan of Wang Wei?
After making sure all three of them were settled, he and Lu Xiaoqi parted ways.
Su Jun is still living with Liu Chan outside the town. Lu Xiaoqi now lives with her parents in District 4. She moved out of the small building she shared with Sister-in-law Song Wu and Zhao Feiyan a few days ago, and the empty room was just right for Huang Ting and Zhu Cui to move in first.
When she got home, Xiao Meiyun was still awake. She came out wearing a thick nightgown and asked, "Why did you get off work so late?"
After arriving, I realized that although my daughter had suddenly become rich, she had also worked incredibly hard.
"It only happens occasionally," Lu Xiaoqi said hurriedly. "Go to sleep, don't worry about me."
Xiao Meiyun nodded: "Your dad heated up some milk for you and put it in the kitchen. If you don't want to drink it so late, then don't, okay? It'll make you indigestion tonight. Also, don't stay up late, it's a big no-no for women. You don't even have a boyfriend yet..."
Lu Xiaoqi rolled her eyes: "Alright, Mom, stop nagging and go to sleep."
Xiao Meiyun scoffed. She had originally wanted to banter with her daughter, but she was feeling a bit cold, so she wrapped herself in her thick pajamas and quickly went back inside.
The Jiangnan region is inherently damp and cold, and Zone 4 is located near water. In winter, if there's no sun and it rains, it's truly chilling to the bone. Even air conditioning and electric heaters are of little use, and you have to be constantly on guard against fire. Moreover, the outdoor units of the air conditioners greatly affect the antique appearance of the ancient town. The currently operating zones have spent a lot of money and effort to hide modern facilities.
Therefore, Lu Xiaoqi was very envious of the "constant temperature weather control system" that had just been updated today.
She absolutely must get it!
The thought had barely crossed her mind when, before she had even finished washing up, the system's voice rang in her head again:
At the height of his career, he was sidelined and sidelined, leaving Wang Wei with a calm and accepting heart. Having experienced many hardships, he has now tempered his sharp edges and made peace with himself. His greatest wish now is to return to Wangchuan and spend the rest of his life in peace.
[Please fulfill Wang Wei's wish.]
[Upon completion, Wang Wei's life form will solidify, gaining the innate ability 'Mental Resonance'. Players will receive 1/2 fragment of the 'Constant Temperature Weather Control System'.]
The broadcast isn't over yet; the system is still continuing.
[Having risen from a musician to become a top figure in the Tang Dynasty, Li Guinian witnessed the most dazzling aspects of the era and also experienced its decline. Now, his greatest wish is to recreate the "Rainbow Feather Dress Dance," restoring the glory and splendor of the Tang Dynasty.]
[Please fulfill Li Guinian's wish.]
[Upon completion, Li Guinian's life form will solidify, gaining the innate ability 'Feast of Bliss'. Players will receive one blueprint for the 'Floral Splendor Pavilion'.]
Lu Xiaoqi: !!!
No, how did the two of them suddenly become so certain of their wishes? She hadn't even asked Wang Wei yet! And before, Li Guinian, like Zhang Zhongjing, also said that he hadn't decided on his wishes yet, so how did they suddenly become certain?
She was momentarily dazed, wondering what those two best buddies were talking about? And then she had a sudden realization?
Never mind, never mind, as long as it's confirmed, that's a good thing.
Having a best friend is definitely a good thing!
Lu Xiaoqi was so happy that she rolled onto the bed, buried her head in the blanket, and chuckled.
......
In a house in Zone 4.
"Everything else here is fine, except the house is a bit small. Please don't mind, Mojie." Li Guinian led Wang Wei inside and enthusiastically introduced this and that.
He lived with Li Pengnian and Li Henian in a riverside house.
No matter how composed Wang Wei was, he was dazzled by the modern facilities before him, such as electric lights and running water. Upon hearing this, he quickly shook his head and said, "What does it matter if the house is a little small, that I have come to a world a thousand years in the future? It is already a blessing from heaven."
Li Pengnian and Li Henian tactfully invited the brothers and Wang Wei to have a late-night chat on the small terrace on the second floor. By opening the window and rolling up the bamboo curtain, they could see the blue waves below, the continuous rooftops in the distance, and the towering Qinghe Tower.
The night was deep and the wind and dew were heavy. Li Henian brought over a small electric stove for making tea and a small heater for warmth, making their nighttime conversation more comfortable.
Li Guinian smiled and led Wang Wei to sit down, the copper kettle humming on the small electric stove: "Back then by the Agarwood Pavilion, never did you and I ever imagine such a blessing?"
Wang Wei watched the white mist rising from the spout of the bronze kettle, feeling as if it were all unreal. He smiled wryly and said, "Even the most imaginative mind couldn't have conceived of such an opportunity." He then looked at the small sun that had already lit up, its warmth already wafting towards him. "No matter how brilliant the imagination, it can't describe even a fraction of this place. In the dead of winter, this thing can actually trap warm air within such a small space..."
By this time, the water had boiled. Li Guinian picked up the small copper kettle and poured the boiling water into the teacup in front of Wang Wei, and said with a smile, "Back then, if we wanted to drink tea, we had to call a servant to fetch water from Mount Li. But now, as long as you want, you can just turn on the tap and there will be clean water. Even if you want water from snow-capped mountains thousands of miles away, you can just place an order on your phone and it will be delivered to you immediately."
He leaned forward, sighing with deep emotion: "Wang Wei, look at these peddlers and laborers a thousand years later, living more comfortably than the princes and princesses of yesteryear!"
Wang Wei was startled. He watched the tea leaves unfurl in his cup and asked in a low voice, "Is the Tang Dynasty no longer here?"
“The Tang Dynasty…” Li Guinian looked up at the sky, feeling extremely melancholy. “The Tang Dynasty has become a glorious old dream in people’s hearts, and it will never come back.”
He took a small sip of tea, frowned, and realized he still couldn't get used to the tea of this era. The memory of the past brought up his frustration, so he went back to his room and grabbed a bottle of wine: "Come on, let's drink!"
"Alright! Let's drink! We won't leave until we're drunk."
The two cups clinked together.
"Not only is the Tang Dynasty gone here, but there are no emperors either!" Taking a sip of wine, Li Guinian wore an expression that was neither a smile nor a cry: "They yearn for the glorious Tang Dynasty, but they absolutely do not want it to return. Wang Wei, yet, yet..."
Li Guinian seemed to find it difficult to say, so he took another sip of wine before finally managing to say with difficulty, "That's exactly what I think too!"
Wang Wei was deeply shocked and looked up at his old friend.
"You also think I shouldn't think like that, right?" Li Guinian's breathing became heavier. He seemed to be using the alcohol and the joy of reuniting with his old friend to vent the emotions that had been building up in his heart for a while.
“How could I think like that? His Majesty has shown me immense kindness, a kindness as heavy as a mountain. Without him, there would be no Li Guinian today… He is my father!” he murmured. “But how can I not think like that? After An Lushan captured Chang'an, the people of the Pear Garden were either dead or scattered. The three hundred disciples of the Pear Garden were nothing more than larks kept by the royal family. In prosperous times, their feathers were adorned with gold and jade…”
Li Guinian suddenly ripped open his shirt, revealing a hideous arrow scar below his collarbone. "When chaos comes, once the cage door is open, who cares which snowdrift you freeze to death in? I escaped from the palace and went to the common people. Later, I went to Luoyang. Wherever the rebels went, nothing grew. They burned, killed, and raped... The whole city was left with only a tiny number of people!"
Li Guinian's eyes were almost bleeding with tears, and he slammed his fist on the table.
Wang Wei closed his eyes, unable to bear watching or listening any longer, and tears streamed down his face.
Li Guinian's hand holding the wine cup trembled: "Mojie, I have never seen Chang'an and Luoyang like that..."
They should have been magnificent, grand, standing high in the clouds, but at that time they were like dying phoenixes, crying out in blood.
At that time, he so vehemently hated the rebels and sympathized with His Majesty, who had fled with the Imperial Concubine and lost his own city. But here, seeing the historians' and the public's interpretation of that period of history, he suddenly became less certain—was His Majesty truly so innocent? Was this rebellion really, as later generations have said, caused by His Majesty's indulgence in pleasure and his allowing treacherous officials to seize power?
Thus, Li Guinian was torn between loyalty and gratitude to his sovereign and father, and between his memories and the truth of history, leaving him in pain and confusion.
Wang Wei opened his eyes and suddenly said, "I was there when Lei Haiqing died for his country."
He didn't have time to escape, so An Lushan placed him in Luoyang, imprisoned him in Pushi Temple, and forced him to accept an official position.
Wang Wei was unwilling until he witnessed Lei Haiqing's death.
Li Guinian paused.
Lei Haiqing was a musician in the Peking Opera world and also his friend.
Wang Wei recalled that scene calmly: "That day, An Lushan held a banquet at Ningbi Palace and had Lei Haiqing and musicians accompany him. At first, the musicians wept, and the music was out of tune. An Lushan threatened the musicians, saying that anyone who shed tears would be beheaded!"
Upon hearing this, Lei Haiqing threw down his pipa, prostrated himself on the ground, and knelt in the direction the Emperor had left, weeping bitterly. An Lushan was furious and had Lei Haiqing dismembered and displayed to the public. Even in death, Haiqing continued to curse!
His voice choked with emotion: "Hai Qing died a heroic death."
Li Guinian silently poured a cup of water and wine on the ground as a tribute to his colleague. He knew of Lei Haiqing's death, but he did not know that the scene at the time was so tragic.
Wang Wei raised his head, tears glistening in his eyes, and gave a mocking smile. "Hai Qing died a martyr. And I, I became An Lushan's censor. How will you view me? How will the world view me?"
Li Guinian fell silent, then suddenly tapped the table with his hand and softly recited: "Ten thousand households grieve as wild smoke rises, when will the officials again face the emperor? Autumn locust leaves fall in the empty palace, music plays by the Azure Pool..."
The song was desolate and melancholic.
This poem was written by Wang Wei after witnessing Lei Haiqing's death. It was because of this poem that the Tang emperor, who was later restored to the throne, believed that Wang Wei had only been forced by An Lushan and spared his life. However, having experienced such a life-changing event, Wang Wei was no longer willing to serve in office and resigned.
After resigning from his official post, he couldn't get over this emotional knot in his heart for several years and died in depression.
"...This is my final story." Wang Wei poured wine for Li Guinian and chuckled again, "However, I'll live a little longer than you."
By then, Li Guinian had already died in Jiangnan, filled with melancholy.
The two each drank a cup, their ears filled only with the gentle, soothing sound of the waves lapping against the river's stone walls in the breeze.
“What’s past is past,” Li Guinian comforted him. He didn’t need an answer; just venting his emotions made him feel much better. He smiled self-deprecatingly, “There’s no point in thinking about it anymore. Now, I’ve gotten used to it here. It’s peaceful and prosperous, everyone lives in peace and contentment, and people are well-fed and know proper etiquette. Although life is simpler and more frugal, I feel at peace, which is good.”
Wang Wei sighed leisurely: "Perhaps you are right. Now that we have come to a new era, we should let go of the old things."
As he gradually calmed down, Li Guinian suddenly became curious: "Mojie, did Miss Lu ask you about your wishes?"
Wang Wei shook his head: "Not yet. However, my current wish is nothing more than to return to Wangchuan and live a life free from worldly strife."
Li Guinian nodded: "That's excellent."
Wang Wei asked, "And you?"
Li Guinian pondered for a moment: "I hadn't figured it out before. Now that I think about it, what I want to do most is to restore the 'Rainbow Skirt Dance' of that time, so that future generations can witness its splendor and comfort the three hundred souls of the fallen Peking Opera performers!"
Wang Wei praised him, saying, "Excellent! This piece can be considered a legacy of a prosperous era..."
Before they could finish speaking, both of them received a notification from the system regarding their wishes.
......
Lu Xiaoqi lay on the bed, carefully studying the system notification.
Li Guinian's wish is to restore the "Rainbow Feather Dress Dance," which shouldn't be too difficult; he can simply let himself work on it. Moreover, in addition to his own reward, the reward for success includes a special architectural blueprint, "The Flower Calyx Radiant Pavilion."
The return on investment is absolutely fantastic. Lu Xiaoqi is even considering giving Li Guinian a raise.
As for Wang Wei's wish... to return to Wangchuan.
Lu Xiaoqi had just been given a lesson by the system and Su Jun about Wang Wei's Wangchuan Villa, which was probably related to this.
She took out her phone and searched for information about Wangchuan Villa. As she looked at the information, her hands began to tremble involuntarily, and her pupils dilated.
He wouldn't want her to rebuild Wangchuan, would he?!
"I could never do that, even if you killed me!!!"
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