Chapter 12
The wheelchair was pushed again, heading towards the area where the applause and gasps were loudest. It was the stage of a Hu (Central Asian) illusionist, where a tall performer was tilting his head back and taking a sip of "wine," then suddenly spitting fire at the torch in his hand! A blazing fire dragon instantly soared into the air, and a wave of scorching heat rushed towards them, drawing thunderous cheers and gasps from the crowd.
Su Zhelan froze, startled by the sudden rise in temperature and the gasps of the crowd, and instinctively gripped the handrail. He could clearly feel the hot air from the flames brushing against his cheeks, and could even "hear" the unique crackling sound of the flames burning.
"Don't be afraid!" Sheng Xuan immediately noticed and whispered in his ear, "We're far away! It's perfectly safe! The fire looks scary, but it's all an illusion! Look at that artist, his beard is perfectly fine!" He tried his best to reassure him in a relaxed tone.
Just then, Xiao Qiyun's deep voice rang out from the other side of Su Zhelan, carrying a strange sense of calm: "Shengxuan, ten feet of fireworks."
His sharp gaze swept over a few teenagers eager to squeeze forward at the edge of the area, while his body leaned slightly forward, creating an invisible but more solid barrier between the wheelchairs and the crowd.
Sheng Xuan paused for a moment, looked at the surging fire dragon, and then at the distance between the wheelchair and the fire source. Although she felt that Xiao Qiyun was making a mountain out of a molehill, she still pursed her lips and pushed the wheelchair back a few steps as instructed to ensure absolute safety.
“Alright, alright, ten zhang it is! Su Zhelan, look, is this okay? Can you see clearly... uh, can you hear clearly?” He quickly changed his mind.
Su Zhelan's tense body slowly relaxed. He listened intently to the roar of the flames, the gasps of the crowd, and the powerful exhale of the performer before he breathed fire.
Although unseen, the thrill and excitement were conveyed to the heart through sound and warmth.
He gave a soft "hmm," and a focused expression returned to his face.
Leaving behind the hustle and bustle of the fire-breathing performance, Sheng Xuan enthusiastically pushed Su Zhelan to a relatively spacious area.
Here stands a brightly colored tent, reminiscent of the Hu people, and in front of it, several graceful Kucha dancers are dancing to the music of musicians.
They were barefoot, with strings of silver bells tied to their ankles. As they spun, jumped, twisted their waists, and swayed their hips, the bells made a clear, melodious, and rhythmic tinkling sound.
The musicians beat the jie drum, played the konghou, and blew the bili, creating a lively and unrestrained music with a strong exotic flavor.
Sheng Xuan's eyes lit up as he leaned close to Su Zhelan's ear, lowering his voice but unable to hide his excitement as he described, "Zhelan! Listen to the sound of those bells! How crisp! That dancer is wearing a golden-red gauze dress, covered in sequins. When she turns, she's as dazzling as the sun! Her waist twists... tsk tsk, so supple! The strings of bells on her ankles ring with every jump! And the drumbeats, boom boom boom! Doesn't it sound like warhorses galloping across the grasslands?"
Su Zhelan was deeply captivated by his description and the vibrant music. He tilted his head slightly, intently capturing every note and the crisp sound of the bells. The drumbeats were powerful and resonant, striking his heart as if evoking a throbbing in his chest; the strings of the konghou were clear and melodious, like a mountain stream; the bili (a type of reed instrument) carried a touch of desolate wildness. The sound of the wind created by the dancers' twirling and the chorus of the bells formed a wondrous rhythm.
Her fingers unconsciously tapped lightly on the armrests of her wheelchair, a serene and contented smile playing on her lips, her whole being immersed in the pure joy brought by the music.
Xiao Qiyun stood slightly to the outside, his gaze sweeping over the dancers' flowing skirts and graceful figures, but more often it fell on Su Zhelan's profile, which was filled with pure appreciation and joy as she immersed herself in the performance.
The boy's face, veiled in light gauze, appeared exceptionally gentle and serene amidst the music; the slight upturn of his lips was a more captivating sight than any clamor.
A faint, yet genuine smile flickered in Xiao Qiyun's eyes, like a ray of sunlight quietly melting on a frozen lake.
Just then, Xiao Qiyun keenly noticed a drunken man on the outskirts of the crowd, staggering and swaying towards the wheelchair, muttering something incoherently. Xiao Qiyun subtly moved half a step, using his upright frame to firmly block the wheelchair from entering.
At the same time, he turned his head slightly and whispered to Sheng Xuan, who was watching intently, "Sheng Xuan, move Su Zhelan a little to the left. The view and sound are better here." His voice was calm and even, as if he were just making a very ordinary suggestion.
Sheng Xuan was engrossed in watching when she heard this and subconsciously said "Oh." She then moved her wheelchair to the left as instructed, excitedly discussing the rhythm of the drumbeats with Su Zhelan.
Su Zhelan obediently moved with the wheelchair, her fingertips continuing to tap. The drunkard staggered past where Xiao Qiyun had just stood and quickly disappeared into the crowd without causing a ripple.
Xiao Qiyun's gaze lingered for a moment on Su Zhelan's still serene smile, confirming that he had not been disturbed by the little incident just now, before he slowly withdrew his gaze and returned to his usual calm, as if the silent protection just now was as natural as breathing.
The lingering charm of the Kucha music and dance still hung in the air, and Su Zhelan's light tapping had just stopped, her face still bearing a serene smile of immersion. Xiao Qiyun withdrew his gaze from Su Zhelan and looked at the sun, which had risen high in the sky, radiating intense heat. The hustle and bustle of the temple fair reached its peak at noon, with a cacophony of voices and a more intense concentration of various smells.
“It’s getting late,” Xiao Qiyun’s calm voice rang out, interrupting Sheng Xuan’s lingering thoughts as he was about to pull Su Zhelan to watch a falconry performance nearby. “It’s time for lunch.”
He turned to Sheng Xuan, who was pushing the wheelchair, and glanced at Su Zhelan's slightly pale face and the fine beads of sweat on her forehead in the sunlight. He added, "Find a quiet restaurant, preferably with a private booth under the sun. Zhelan is still taking medication and has to avoid many things, so the food needs to be light."
Sheng Xuan was captivated by the eagle poised to take flight when he heard this. He exclaimed "Ah!" and then slapped his forehead. "Right, right, right! Eating is the priority! Look at my memory, I've been too busy playing!" He immediately looked around, his eyes scanning the rows of food stalls and restaurants, muttering rapidly, "Sunshade... light... avoid certain foods... Got it!" His eyes lit up as he pointed to a relatively quiet side street not far away, where a simple blue cloth wine flag hung at the entrance, with three elegant characters written in ink on it—"Cuihua Zhai".
“That’s the place!” Sheng Xuan said confidently. “His backyard is next to a flowing stream, with a bamboo pavilion built over it. It’s cool and quiet! The owner is from Jiangnan, and his dishes are all about ‘lightness, freshness, and elegance,’ with less oil and salt, making them very healthy! And…” He winked at Xiao Qiyun smugly, “His manager is a good friend of mine. We often book banquets there, and he’ll make sure we have all the dietary restrictions!”
Xiao Qiyun nodded slightly, indicating his approval of the choice: "Lead the way."
Sheng Xuan immediately perked up and pushed the wheelchair, heading towards Cuihuazhai with practiced ease.
Just as he had said, passing through the slightly noisy seating area in the front hall, there was a hidden world behind it. A clear stream flowed gently by, and several exquisite bamboo and wood pavilions were built along the stream, their roofs covered with thick thatch and lush green vines, filtering the midday sun into dappled and cool light and shadow.
A gentle breeze swept across the water, bringing a damp coolness that instantly dispelled the heat of the temple fair.
"Manager! Same spot as always!" Sheng Xuan greeted him familiarly as soon as he entered. A middle-aged manager dressed in a clean blue long gown and with a kind face immediately came forward. When he saw Sheng Xuan and Xiao Qiyun and Su Zhelan behind him, a look of understanding and respect flashed in his eyes. He did not say much, but simply bowed and smiled.
"Young Master Shengxuan has arrived! Please come in! The 'Listening to Bamboo' pavilion by the water has been reserved for you. We'll take you there now."
The "Listening to Bamboo" pavilion boasts the best location, surrounded by water on three sides and a lush bamboo grove on the other. With the bamboo curtains half-rolled up, it offers both ventilation and privacy. The babbling water and rustling bamboo leaves intertwine, creating a natural symphony that completely isolates you from the noise of the outside world.
The three sat down. Xiao Qiyun naturally sat to Su Zhelan's left, making it convenient to look after her. Sheng Xuan sat opposite Su Zhelan, picked up the bamboo cup on the table, and poured Su Zhelan a cup of warm tea: "Zhelan, have some water to quench your thirst. You've been walking for a long time, are you thirsty?"
"Thank you." Su Zhelan took the cup and sipped it slowly. The cool, slightly sweet tea slid down his throat, indeed relieving his thirst and the heat. He tilted his head slightly, feeling the gentle breeze and moist air in the pavilion, and his tense nerves completely relaxed.
The innkeeper personally brought over the menu and respectfully handed it to Xiao Qiyun. Xiao Qiyun didn't look at it, but directly said to the innkeeper, "Please trouble you to prepare a few light and refreshing seasonal dishes, with less oil and salt, and avoid spicy, pungent, and raw or cold foods. River fish and poultry must be fresh, and steaming or blanching are the best cooking methods."
He spoke at a steady pace, but the list of dietary restrictions he gave was exceptionally detailed and clear, clearly indicating that he had already memorized Su Yan's medical advice.
The shopkeeper nodded repeatedly: "Yes, yes, young master, rest assured, our shop is very frugal. Today we have freshly delivered goji leaves, very tender, perfect for stir-frying or making egg drop soup; freshly caught silver threadfin fish from the stream, with few bones and sweet, tender flesh, best steamed; and young chickens raised in our own backyard, simmered in a clear broth for half a day, skimmed clean, with only a few slices of ginger and mushrooms for flavor; also served with a stir-fried three delicacies dish, a cold lotus root salad, and for the main course, chicken and bean sprout cold noodles, refreshing and appetizing. Does this seem acceptable?"
Xiao Qiyun hesitated for a moment, then looked at Su Zhelan: "Zhelan, is there anything you'd like to eat?"
Su Zhelan gently shook her head: "The shopkeeper's arrangements are very thorough, and they all sound very good."
Sheng Xuan chimed in from the side, "Okay, we'll do it your way! Oh, right, add something else... uh..." He originally wanted to order his favorite braised pork hock, but remembering Xiao Qiyun's instructions, he changed his mind, "...add stir-fried shrimp! River shrimp, the fresh and bouncy kind!" He remembered that Su Zhelan seemed to really like the light and sweet flavor of shrimp.
The shopkeeper acknowledged and withdrew. Soon, several exquisite dishes were served one after another. Just as the shopkeeper had said, the dishes were refreshing, with elegant colors and a natural, fresh aroma, unlike the heavy, oily dishes served at temple fairs.
Xiao Qiyun first ladled out a small bowl of clear soup with only a few golden mushrooms and a shred of chicken floating on top, and placed it in front of Su Zhelan: "Drink some soup first to warm your stomach."
Using clean silver chopsticks, he picked up a few slices of the tenderest meat from the belly of the steamed silver threadfin fish, carefully removing any small bones that might be present, before placing them into the bone dish beside Su Zhelan. "The fish is very fresh, be careful it's hot."
Su Zhelan fumbled for the spoon and took small sips of the soup. The soup was very light in flavor, yet exceptionally delicious, with the fragrance of mushrooms and the richness of chicken, soothing his stomach gently. He then carefully picked up a piece of snow-white fish, which melted in his mouth, incredibly sweet and fresh.
Sheng Xuan was also starving, and devoured the cold noodles and shrimp in a whirlwind. He didn't forget to put food on Su Zhelan's plate: "Zhelan, try this wolfberry leaf, it's so tender! And these lotus root slices, they're so crisp!" His actions of putting food on the plate were much more rough than Xiao Qiyun's.
Su Zhelan ate in small bites. Although he couldn't see, his tongue could clearly distinguish the flavor of each ingredient: the slightly bitter yet sweet aftertaste of the goji leaves, the crisp and sweet lotus root slices, the springy and fresh shrimp, the tender bamboo shoots... Each flavor was clean and pure, gently soothing his senses, which were somewhat weary from the hustle and bustle of the temple fair. He didn't eat much, but he ate each bite with great care, his face radiating a satisfied tranquility.
During the meal, Sheng Xuan couldn't help but begin to recount his morning's experiences with great enthusiasm, from the majesty of the sugar-painted unicorn to the thrill of the fire-breathing performer, and how beautiful the bells of the Kucha dancers were. Su Zhelan listened quietly, occasionally offering a few soft words of agreement.
When the last dessert—chilled rock sugar lotus seed soup—was served, Sheng Xuan's eyes lit up: "This is great! Zhelan, you'll definitely like it! It's sweet and cool!" He couldn't wait to serve Su Zhelan a bowl.
In the crystal-clear soup, plump lotus seeds float and sink, exuding a sweet osmanthus fragrance and a touch of coolness.
Just as Su Zhelan picked up the spoon, Xiao Qiyun slightly raised his hand, signaling him to wait a moment. Xiao Qiyun gently touched the side of the bowl with his fingertip to feel the temperature, then scooped up a small spoonful, tasted it himself, and said, "The ice has dissipated, it's just the right temperature, you can use it now."
He was worried that the soup, which had just been taken out of the ice chest, was too cold and would be bad for Su Zhelan's stomach.
Su Zhelan then carefully scooped up a spoonful and put it in her mouth. The lotus seeds were stewed until they were soft and powdery, melting in her mouth. The sweetness of the rock sugar and the fragrance of the osmanthus blended perfectly. The cool soup slid down her throat, bringing a refreshing sensation.
He couldn't help but smile and say, "Mmm, it's sweet and delicious."
Seeing Su Zhelan's satisfied expression, Sheng Xuan was even happier than if he had eaten himself. He filled himself another big bowl and slurped it down.
The meal was enjoyed in quiet comfort. The only sounds in the waterside pavilion were the soft clinking of bowls and chopsticks, the occasional chatter of Shengxuan, and the gentle murmur of water and rustling of bamboo leaves outside the window. The hustle and bustle of the temple fair was completely shut out, as if in another world.
When it came time to pay, the shopkeeper quoted a hefty sum. Sheng Xuan was about to reach for his purse when Xiao Qiyun calmly placed a pure silver ingot on the table and nodded slightly to the shopkeeper, saying, "Thank you for your trouble." The shopkeeper accepted it respectfully without saying anything more.
Sheng Xuan scratched his head, not arguing, but just chuckled: "Then I'll treat next time! I know a place in the West Market that serves roasted whole lamb, it's absolutely amazing! Let's go together when Zhelan is fully recovered!"
Xiao Qiyun remained noncommittal, his gaze fixed on Su Zhelan. Su Zhelan was gently stroking the smooth rim of the porcelain bowl with her fingertips, seemingly still savoring the taste of the lotus seed soup. Her profile, framed by a simple veil, appeared exceptionally serene and gentle amidst the bamboo shadows and shimmering water.
"Shall we rest for a while before continuing our stroll?" Xiao Qiyun asked Su Zhelan gently for her opinion.
Su Zhelan nodded gently, her voice carrying a hint of post-meal languor and satisfaction: "Mm, okay."
The afternoon sun filtered through the gaps in the bamboo shed, casting dappled light on the wooden floor of the waterside pavilion. The babbling brook and gentle breeze softly kept out the hustle and bustle of the temple fair and the midday heat.
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