First meeting
Having missed Mr. Wen's lecture, Xuanji returned to the brothel with Qingxing, listless, and three days passed as usual.
Early on the fourth day, she heard the madam of the music academy calling her at the top of her lungs. You see, the music academy usually only had people coming in the afternoon, and the girls had just gotten up, all peeking out to look.
Xuanji found it strange. Who would be looking for a mere maid like herself? Usually, it was the nanny who sent a maid, so why was she calling for someone personally this time? Seeing that Xuanji hadn't finished dressing, Nanny Fang hurriedly sent someone to help. "My little darling, you've really burned incense in gratitude! Mr. Wen has specifically asked to see you." The nanny helped Xuanji put on a large, heavy gold hairpin.
Xuanji's eyes widened suddenly. Who, who, Mr. Wen, which Mr. Wen is looking for me? Xuanji's heart pounded again. "Yes, yes, it's Wen Tingyun, Mr. Wen, and he's with a group of talented young men from Jing County. Xuanji, you must bring honor to our music academy!" The nanny then directed the maid to apply makeup to Xuanji, turning her originally fair face into a rosy mess.
Surrounded by the Zong sisters, Xuanji arrived at Tingyu Pavilion. The old woman pulled her in front of a tall man and said, "Mr. Wen, this is Xuanji, the one you've been looking for."
Xuanji stared intently at the man before her. He was probably in his forties, wearing a dark blue robe of superior quality, tailored to fit perfectly, with wide, flowing sleeves. His face was slightly thin, but with well-defined features, high cheekbones, and a straight nose, giving him an air of fortitude. The blurry face in Xuanji's dream seemed to suddenly take on a concrete form, making her heart pound wildly.
In April of the fourth year of the Tianqi reign (1624), Wen Tingyun and Yu Xuanji met for the first time. Wen Tingyun was 38 years old, and Yu Xuanji was 14 years old.
"Miss Xuanji, did you write that seven-character poem at Chongzhen Temple that says 'I can only envy those names on the list'?" Wen Tingyun asked, his voice deep and mellow.
Xuanji nodded.
"Then compose another poem on the theme of 'Willows by the River'," Wen Tingyun said.
During the Tang Dynasty, courtesans were referred to as "willows of Zhangtai," meaning they could be freely plucked and broken. For Yu Xuanji, who grew up in a brothel, the willows by the river held an unspoken meaning.
The figure in the dream was instantly blown away by this ironic title.
She glanced around defiantly, then replied, "Why should I?"
The old woman quickly tugged at her sleeve and said to Wen Tingyun, "Mr. Wen, Xuanji is still young and doesn't know proper etiquette. Please forgive her."
Xuanji ignored him, saying, "When a gentleman invites a lady to play the zither and sing, he has to pay a dowry. How can he ask someone to write poetry for no reason?" Everyone was shocked. Writing poetry was an elegant affair, how could it be confused with asking a lady in a brothel to play the zither and sing?
Wen Tingyun glanced at Xuanji; the young girl was arrogant and clearly wanted to embarrass him. He smiled and said, "Alright, if you write well, I'll pay you ten taels of silver and grant you one more wish, okay?"
The young girl held her brush, bowed her head, and pondered for the time it takes for an incense stick to burn. Then, she presented a poem to Wen Tingyun. Everyone eagerly looked at it. The poem, written in small regular script on the Xuan paper, was titled "Ode to the Willows by the River," and the handwriting was somewhat immature.
Emerald green stretches along the desolate shore, misty silhouettes drift into distant towers. Shadows spread across the autumn waters, blossoms fall upon the fisherman's head. Old roots hide fish dens, low branches moor the traveler's boat. A night of howling wind and rain, a startled dream adds to the sorrow.
Xuanji thought to herself: You self-righteous men always look down on the willows by the river, you are so wrong. Look how lush and green they are, they could set the whole riverbank ablaze; fishermen come and go in their shade, and when willow catkins occasionally fall and stick to their straw hats, you laugh at them for being weak and helpless.
Little do you know, beneath the unseen soil, the old tree roots grip the bank like dragons; and the soft branches that droop low to the water's surface can hold back the passing passenger boats.
You wandering travelers, every rainy night, you are awakened from your dreams by the sound of willow branches tapping against the boat windows, lamenting the passing of time. But you don't realize that the willows by the riverbank stand year-round in the wind and waves, enduring the erosion of the water and the battering of the wind, growing ever more resilient. It is the travelers on the boats, not the willows on the shore, that truly drift with the current and age with time!
For a moment, the entire hall was stunned, and no one spoke. Wen Tingyun handed the poem to another man, "Ziyuan, what do you think?" The man replied, "This poem has profound meaning and sincere emotion; it is truly moving."
The girl smiled brightly and opened her palm. "Ten taels of silver. You can't go back on your word." Everyone burst into laughter.
Wen Tingyun smiled and asked, "And what's your wish?" Xuanji blinked and rubbed her nose. She replied, "I haven't decided yet." Wen Tingyun replied, "I'll be staying in Jing County for two months. You can come find me at Wenshan Academy once you've decided."
Xuanji leaned against the window, her fingertips unconsciously tracing the Xuan paper inscribed with the poem "Ode to the Willows by the River." The ink on the paper had long since dried, but her heart seemed to be stirred by something, unable to calm down for a long time.
“Xuanji—” Liu Qianqian pushed open the door and entered, holding a round fan embroidered with peonies in her hand. She smiled and came over, “What are you daydreaming about? Are you still thinking about that Mr. Wen?”
Xuanji snapped out of her daze and gently shook her head: "No."
"Who are you trying to fool?" Liu Qianqian tapped her forehead with her fan. "These past few days, the whole brothel has been saying that our little prodigy is favored by Mr. Wen, and even the nanny is looking at you differently."
Xuanji pursed her lips but didn't reply.
Seeing her gloomy expression, Liu Qianqian stopped teasing her and said in a low voice, "Xuanji, listen to your sister's advice. Since Mr. Wen has granted you a wish, hurry up and ask him to remove you from the status of a courtesan."
Xuanji was startled and looked up at her.
Liu Qianqian sighed, her tone unusually serious: "People like us are trapped in the brothel for life. No matter how glamorous we are, we are nothing more than playthings. But if we can get rid of our status, even if we are just ordinary women, it would be better than being chosen by others here."
Xuanji was silent for a moment, then said in a low voice, "But getting rid of the social status isn't that easy..."
“Mr. Wen is different.” Liu Qianqian leaned closer to her, lowering her voice even further. “He has connections in Jing County, and I’ve heard he’s on good terms with several officials in the county government. If he’s willing to help, he can definitely get you released.”
Xuanji's fingertips curled slightly, and his heart suddenly beat faster.
free.
This word was too distant for her. Having grown up in a brothel, she was used to being judged and ordered around. But if she truly had the chance to leave...
"Sister Xuanji!" Qingxing suddenly burst through the door, carrying a plate of osmanthus cakes. "Granny asked me to bring you some snacks!"
Liu Qianqian rolled her eyes and tapped Qingxing's head with her fan: "No manners, don't you know to knock before entering?"
Qingxing covered her forehead, looking at Xuanji with a wronged expression: "Sister Xuanji, Sister Qianqian hit me again..."
Xuanji smiled helplessly and took the pastry: "Thank you."
Qingxing leaned closer to her, her eyes sparkling: "Sister Xuanji, did Mr. Wen grant your wish? Have you decided what you want?"
Liu Qianqian scoffed, "Little brat, why are you asking so many questions?"
Qingxing muttered defiantly, "I was just curious..."
Xuanji lowered her eyes to look at the osmanthus cake in her hand, and suddenly said softly, "Sister Qianqian said that I should ask Mr. Wen to help me get rid of my citizenship."
Qingxing was stunned for a moment, then her eyes widened: "Removal from the register? Then, doesn't that mean Sister Xuanji is leaving the music academy?"
Liu Qianqian glanced at her sideways: "What, you can't bear to part with it?"
Qingxing's eyes instantly reddened, and she grabbed Xuanji's wrist: "Sister Xuanji, what will I do if you leave?"
Liu Qianqian clicked her tongue and used her fan to lift Qingxing's chin: "Silly girl, why don't you come with me? Although I'm not as talented as Xuanji, I can still support you more than enough."
Qingxing glanced at Xuanji, then at Liu Qianqian, hesitated for a moment, and finally nodded: "Then, that's fine too..."
Liu Qianqian and Xuanji exchanged a glance, both speechless.
Early in the morning, the nanny came to Xuanji's room.
"Xuanji," the old woman said with a smile as she sat down, holding a cup of hot tea in her hands. "Have you decided what wish you want to ask Mr. Wen for these past few days?"
Xuanji stood with his head bowed and said softly, "I haven't decided yet."
The old woman took a sip of tea and said casually, "Mr. Wen is a famous scholar in our Jing County, proficient in all the arts, including music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. If you could get some guidance from him, your achievements in poetry would surely reach new heights in the future."
Xuanji glanced at the old woman and understood.
The nanny wanted her to use Wen Tingyun's fame to promote the music academy.
Sure enough, the old woman smiled again and said, "If Mr. Wen were willing to come to our Listening to the Rain Pavilion and hold a poetry gathering here, then the reputation of our music academy would be greatly enhanced..."
Xuanji interrupted her: "Granny, this is Mr. Wen's promise to me, not a business deal with the music hall."
The old woman's face stiffened for a moment, then she forced a smile: "Oh dear, my child, I'm only doing this for your own good. Think about it, even if you're removed from the social class, where can you go if you're a woman with no one to rely on? It's better to stay here, with me looking after you, and you can continue to study poetry..."
Xuanji remained silent.
Seeing this, the old woman sighed and softened her tone: "Xuanji, I know you are talented and have high aspirations. But in this world, once a woman enters the music academy, it is difficult for her to leave."
Xuanji raised her eyes and looked directly into the old woman's eyes: "Are you afraid that if I leave, the music academy will lose its name?"
The old woman's expression changed, and she slammed her teacup down on the table: "You little brat, how dare you speak like that?!"
Xuanji said no more, curtsied, and turned to leave.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
