Thousand Dusts Ferry Me - Chapter 15

Despite Steward Sun’s persuasion and almost kneeling, Yun Qing and the other three reluctantly moved to the flower hall to attend the banquet.

On the way, Cheng Suiyan curiously asked, “What exactly is your conflict with those two Huayang Sect disciples?”

Fu Xue explained with a smile, naturally omitting the specific details of her senior sister’s “small tricks.” Cheng Suiyan laughed heartily, startling several pigeons in the trees, causing them to flap away.

Jiang Baiyu also shook his head with a smile, thinking this was exactly the kind of mischief she would create.

Steward Sun wasn’t in a hurry to take them to the flower hall.

First, Master Fan hadn’t returned yet, and second, he wanted to show off the Fan family residence, so he took them on a small tour through the front two gardens.

He explained everything in detail—where this tree was transplanted from, where that fake mountain rock was transported from, which distinguished guest that pavilion had once entertained, which talented scholar had written that plaque… he knew every detail.

Fu Xue asked, “How much did it cost to build such a residence?”

“Our late master paid six thousand five hundred taels for this residence, then spent another three thousand or more on additions and renovations, so this residence is worth over ten thousand taels in total.”

Fu Xue clicked her tongue in amazement.

……

Before long, the renowned Master Fan returned home and came to meet them without even changing his clothes. Then all the guests took their seats.

Yun Qing had imagined Master Fan as an elderly man with a beard, about the same age as Steward Sun, but was surprised to find he was a young man.

He was only in his early twenties, with fair skin, delicate features, and spoke with a gentle tone that made people feel favorably toward him.

“Please call me Erlang,” said Fan Erlang with the warm smile typical of businessmen. His eyes only briefly glanced at Yun Qing and Fu Xue, not lingering long.

He said, “Today I was at a farewell gathering for a scholar friend, and I regret neglecting such distinguished guests.”

Then he called a servant, “Bring the locust leaf wine I received a few days ago.”

He smiled at Yun Qing and the others, saying, “This wine is from the imperial palace. I know you Daoists are above such worldly pleasures, but please try it as a novelty.”

Steward Sun had prepared not just a feast but also invited four flower-like girls, about fifteen or sixteen years old, to play instruments and sing.

Yun Qing drank wine, ate delicacies, and listened to the music, thinking this was exactly why people say wealth and luxury are captivating. If she stayed here a few more days, her Daoist heart might melt away.

A little later, hearing that the young master of Huayang Sect had arrived, the old Madam Fan sent over a jar of rose wine and several dishes.

Yun Qing noticed Jiang Baiyu only drank wine without touching the food and curiously asked, “None of this suits your taste? Do you eat dragon liver and phoenix marrow on Huayang Mountain?”

Jiang Baiyu put down his cup, and a maid promptly stepped forward to refill it.

Jiang Baiyu smiled, “For a cultivator, you should know these impure things are best avoided when possible, yet you seem to enjoy them.”

Yun Qing clinked her cup against his and smiled, “And this isn’t an impure thing?”

Jiang Baiyu saw her face flushed like peach blossoms, her cheeks like maple leaves intoxicated by autumn winds, smiling with crescent-moon eyes and a dreamy gaze. He turned his face away, cleared his throat, and said softly, “You should drink less.”

Seeing him turn away, Yun Qing knocked on the table in front of him, confused. “Hey, Jiang Baiyu.”

Jiang Baiyu, thinking of something unknown, turned back to look at her and said, “You can just call me Baiyu.”

“Fine, fine, Baiyu. Call Zhou Shitan and Luo Shuilan over here and ask them what’s really in Mingyue Tower. I’m dying of curiosity.”

“Alright.”

Zhou Shitan and Luo Shuilan soon came over. Jiang Baiyu gave each a cup of bamboo leaf wine. After they drank, he said, “I hear you’re planning to catch a demon tonight.”

The two exchanged glances, Luo Shuilan looking hesitant. Zhou Shitan answered, “Yes, young master, we are indeed planning to act tonight.”

“What kind of demon lurks in Mingyue Tower? Tell me about it.”

“It’s a nightmare demon. Nightmare demons excel at creating bad dreams, so people passing by Mingyue Tower are troubled by nightmares.”

Jiang Baiyu nodded without saying more.

But Yun Qing felt something was off. She was naturally suspicious, and seeing the flickering gazes of these two, she suspected they were hiding something.

Besides, she didn’t quite believe there was a nightmare demon in Mingyue Tower—Peddler Sun’s son had nightmares because he was cursed, but nightmare demons create bad dreams without needing to cast curses.

After Zhou Shitan and Luo Shuilan left, Yun Qing whispered to Jiang Baiyu, “Let’s go watch the excitement tonight.”

****

After leaving the flower hall, Zhou Shitan and Luo Shuilan walked very hurriedly, soon returning to the courtyard the Fan family had prepared for them. They entered their room and closed the doors and windows tightly.

Luo Shuilan frowned and asked, “Are we still doing it tonight?”

Zhou Shitan responded irritably, “The arrow is already on the bowstring, what do you think? That Fan Erlang is too meddlesome, why did he have to tell the young master about our demon-catching tonight?”

“Perhaps it wasn’t Fan Erlang who told him, maybe it was Steward Sun.”

“…Is that the point?”

Luo Shuilan paced back and forth, confused and deflated. “Why would the young master come here?”

“How would I know?”

“And when will he leave?”

“How would I know?”

“Should we wait until the young master leaves?”

Zhou Shitan, irritated by Luo Shuilan’s dithering, snapped:

“What if he never leaves? We’re supposed to just stay here? I can’t wait anymore. Let’s finish this business quickly so we can be free for a while.”

“He won’t stay in Guangling City forever, will he?”

“Why are you so long-winded? Is your head stuffed with cotton? Don’t worry, our young master has always been casual and uninvolved in affairs. He won’t interfere with us.

Even if he tries, we have Elder Xingge above us, so we don’t have to obey him. We just need to keep up appearances. Besides, if he wants to inquire, fine, let him bring evidence. Without evidence, he can’t do anything even if he wants to.”

“But—”

“Enough already, shut your dog mouth!”

“You’re going to die! You’ve even kissed this dog mouth of mine.”

“…Damn it.”

****

The meal ended with everyone satisfied. Seeing it was still midday, Fan Erlang invited them to visit his garden outside the city, but Jiang Baiyu declined with a shake of his head.

The others had all drunk quite a bit—was he supposed to take three drunkards to tour a garden? Ridiculous.

Fan Erlang instructed people to arrange comfortable accommodations for them, then returned to the inner courtyard.

As soon as he entered the inner courtyard, he saw his wife, Madam Yun, sitting by the window doing needlework.

Fan Erlang didn’t enter the room but stood outside the window, reaching in to take her hand, smiling, “Aren’t you stuffy staying indoors? Come out for a walk.”

Seeing her husband, Madam Yun blushed and withdrew her hand with a smile, saying, “Where have you been drinking again? Chunxiang, go tell the kitchen to make a hangover soup.”

The maid named Chunxiang said from inside, “Master, please come in. This public display of affection in broad daylight—if the old madam finds out, it’s our lady who will be scolded.”

Fan Erlang entered the room and asked, “Did Mother give you trouble again today?”

Madam Yun shook her head, about to speak when Chunxiang interrupted:

“Today she copied ‘The True Scripture of Huayang’ for the old madam all day, and now she’s finally taking a break but still making shoes for her. Her eyes are red from exhaustion, and no matter how I advise her, she won’t rest.”

Fan Erlang took Madam Yun’s hand and gently massaged her wrist.

Madam Yun said helplessly, “It’s not as exaggerated as that. Chunxiang, go to the kitchen now.”

Chunxiang, looking exasperated, stamped her foot and left.

With no one else in the bedchamber, Fan Erlang pulled Madam Yun into his arms and held her, saying, “You should rest too. These tasks can be left to the maids.”

“The maids do their duties, and I do mine. It’s just my filial devotion.”

Fan Erlang knew his mother disliked this daughter-in-law, and Madam Yun had suffered much because of him. Caught in the middle, he felt helpless.

Madam Yun was pure-hearted and extremely filial to his mother, which both moved and pained him. Sighing, he said, “Being with me has caused you hardship.”

Madam Yun’s eyes reddened, and she pressed her face against his chest, saying softly, “As long as I’m with you, I can endure any hardship.”

A wave of warmth surged in Fan Erlang’s heart, and he lowered his head to kiss her. Madam Yun, blushing, pushed him away. “It’s still daytime.”

Fan Erlang had to suppress those thoughts and sat down to chat with her about household matters.

“Have you taken the medicine?” he asked her.

Hearing this, Madam Yun blushed deeper, nodded, and made a soft “mm” sound like a mosquito.

The medicine he mentioned was a conception aid purchased recently at great expense. After taking it, they only needed to be intimate on the night of the full moon to conceive.

Madam Yun thought of something and asked hesitantly, “But I heard those two Daoists are going to Mingyue Tower tonight to catch demons.”

“Yes.”

“Should we still… still…”

“What does that matter? They do their business, and we do ours.” Fan Erlang looked at her with a somewhat frivolous gaze.

Madam Yun asked, “Weren’t you seeing off Scholar Xie today? Why were you gone so long?”

Fan Erlang told her about the young master of Huayang Sect.

Madam Yun wasn’t particularly interested in the Huayang Sect’s young master but, hearing there were two female Daoists in the group, asked curiously, “Are those two female Daoists beautiful?”

Fan Erlang didn’t directly answer the question, only saying, “Two women roaming the jianghu, weathering wind and rain like men, how beautiful could they be?”

Roaming the jianghu, weathering wind and rain? Madam Yun couldn’t imagine such women or such a life.

Fan Erlang noticed something about a foot tall on the table, covered with red silk, and wondered what it was. Curious, he asked, “What is this?” and lifted the cloth.

Madam Yun answered with a smile, “Mother recently requested it and sent one to our room too. We’re to worship it morning and evening with three incense sticks.”

It was a statue of Huayang Zi. The statue was so lifelike, with every detail perfect, and the eyes seemed alive, staring at him, making Fan Erlang very uncomfortable.

He asked, “What about the Sacred Goddess Xi?”

Madam Yun lowered her head. “Mother said I’ve been married for so many years without bearing children, so the Sacred Goddess Xi must not be effective and should be replaced.”

Fan Erlang comforted her, “Tonight we will surely have a child.”

Madam Yun looked up, her peripheral vision catching the statue on the table.

The immortal-looking Huayang Zi slowly turned his head toward her and grinned.

If Fan Erlang had seen this, he would probably have fainted in fright.

Madam Yun, however, acted as if she hadn’t seen anything and calmly pulled the red silk back over the statue.