Joy of Life

Entering the back garden with Sang Wen, Fan Xian raised his head to see warblers and swallows, greens and reds, singing to each other harmoniously. The depths of spring was nearing the heat of summer. The cold wind carried a message, and the bright moon hung like a wheel in the sky. Everywhere were lanterns hanging among rock gardens and green trees. The moonlight mixed with the firelight and added a sense of haziness. Amidst this haziness, a dozen girls were chatting. Those beautiful girls did not wear much and either stood under trees or were curled up on the bed. Their poses were different, and their beauty occasionally shone through the muslin. Their bodies emitted a light aroma that directly assaulted the nose.

Fan Xian paused. He couldn’t help feeling a sense of confusion. Perhaps he had arrived at the Cave of the Silken Web? When did Hua Garden become Chen Garden?

The girls chattered without stopping and, for the moment, did not even notice Fan Xian standing with his back to the light. They continued to talk excitedly about the events at Baoyue Brothel that happened during the day: the might of that strike and the imperial envoy’s awe-inspiring rant on the street.

The main speaker was one of the two headliners. The ones listening were the girls with wide eyes filled with either curiosity or admiration.

Fan Xian lowered his voice and said, “Didn’t you say the girls from the brothel were all sent somewhere else?”

Sang Wen covered her lips as she smiled and explained, “Aren’t these the girls from the garden?”

Only now did Fan Xian realize. Unconsciously he took a closer look and sighed in his heart. Everyone said that girls changed greatly at 18. These were the refugee orphan girls that Sisi had picked up and brought back. How was it that a few days in Suzhou and they had bloomed so beautifully?

Although their sense of childishness remained abundantly between their brows and their inexperience was still present, how could it hold back the advancement of their youth? It made one joyful.

Since no one unrelated ever came into this back garden, the girls, who were excitedly listening to Liang Diandian’s story, did not behave in any formal way. There were some lying on the couch with their buttocks’ sticking up and pretending to pride, while some held fans pretending to be elegant. The long straight legs gave off a taut beauty through the thin cloth.

The Great Prince’s concubine, Ma Suosuo, was sitting on a chair listening. Although she had seen the events from a distance, the story told by Liang Diandian’s sandalwood mouth was more hair-raising. Except, Liang Diandain had not personally seen the events within the brothel, so her description of Fan Xian’s persistence in the face of death and courage could not help but be slightly exaggerated. She successfully created the image of a perfect young man that Qing Kingdom was not meant to have.

The gazes of girls were hot and embarrassed. They loved the imperial envoy but could not and dare not to say anything. Even Ma Suosuo with her head slightly tilted watching the pond had a strange light shining in her eyes.

Fan Xian swallowed and knew that if he kept watching he would make many life mistakes. Those girls were still developing, but the Great Prince’s concubine and Liang Diandian were both natural born beauties with brows black as umber and lips as red as vermilion. They had spirit in their eyes that made those who look lose their minds. How could he look more? He was just about to call out to remind everyone when he heard one of the girls in the Garden unintentionally say something, so he closed his mouth and quickly stood in the darkness.

Sang Wen glanced at him in suspicion, not knowing what had happened.

The little girl was no more than 12 or 13 years old. Her eyes were wide as she naively asked, “Sisters, why haven’t we seen the mistress yet?”

Because of timing, Fan Xian had lived alone in Hua Garden for several months and did not move to Hangzhou. During this time, the girls Sisi had brought back lived in the garden. They had long learned the identity of their savior. To be servants in the imperial envoy’s home made them feel very lucky, however, after all this time, they had yet to see the mistress. This seemed strange to them.

Liang Diandian listened to this question and was startled. She didn’t say anything, and the little girls had no idea that she was of Jingdou. She knew of the ruckus years ago around the Fan-Lin marriage. The Lin family daughter was the Eldest Princess’ illegitimate child. This secret, which had been known only to the noble and powerful members of the court, became a rumor in the public sphere. Although there was no evidence, most people believed it. Everyone knew that Sir Fan junior and Xinyang had long been like fire and water.

A girl spat and scolded, “This our master’s family business. What right do we have to discuss it? If Sisi hears you, you better be careful with your mouth?”

The girl earlier laughed naively and said, “Hehe, actually...I just wanted to see what kind of immortal beauty is the woman that is worthy of the young master.”

In their hearts, Fan Xian was one of the best people, so they were curious about what kind of person Lin Wan’er was.

“I heard that this mistress is the daughter of a virtuous and large family.” Liang Diandian’s mind suddenly turned and she laughed sweetly. “However, I heard that her appearance is nothing special, probably not even as good as Sisi.”

“That is true. How many people could be worthy of the young master...”

“Hehe, who knows if in the future...oh right, isn’t there another girl living in the garden? It’s just that we don’t see much of her usually, what arrogance.”

Liang Diandian gave a not-quite-there smile and said, “I heard...that she is also the master’s female confidant, only she is not like Sisi who has been with the family for a long time, she has no name or status here.”

“Shut up!” The girl who vaguely knew of Haitang’s identity could not scold Liang Diandian so she could only pick on the girl. “Are you really looking to die? The airs of such arrogant people are not for the likes of you to see.”

...

...

Fan Xian could not listen anymore. He coughed a few times and walked into the light.

The girls all jumped in fright and stood up. They reigned in their emotions and calmed their breaths. They bowed uniformly and gently said, “Greetings, young master.”

The titles in Hua Garden still followed the rules in the manor in Jingdou.

Fan Xian looked at this little girls and shook his head, thinking, If the discussion in his own household is like this, who knew what rumors were flying around outside. However, he was a person with an easy disposition and couldn’t be bothered to care about how other people were silently criticizing him. He warmly said, “It’s late, you should all go sleep.”

The girls muttered something and then saluted again. They quickly tidied their clothes and silently returned to their own rooms.

Only Liang Diandian and Mao Suosuo were called back by Fan Xian.

He stared at Liang Diandian, whose beautiful face revealed a natural charm, and did not say anything for a moment.

Liang Diandian felt a joy in her heart but nothing showed on her face, on the contrary, she purposely appeared delicate and weak. She shyly half lowered her head to put her most beautiful side on display.

The year of the Fan-Lin marriage, the rumors around the marketplace said that Fan Xian was truly very tender toward his sickly wife. From this, she knew that Sir Fan junior was a person who cared about his relationships.

Among the boudoirs, Fan Xian was the man of these girls’ dreams. Although Liang Diandian had grown up in a pleasure boat, she was not an exception, only she had a few more tricks and plans that other people did.

Liang Diandian was confident in her appearance, thinking, The mistress is nowhere near as pretty as herself and yet was still able to receive Sir Fan junior’s love. This man probably liked pitiful women, so she had purposely put on this appearance. Furthermore, after the Suzhou branch of the Baoyue Brothel had opened for business, Fan Xian had yet to let her take a client. He probably had some intentions toward her.

Feeling Fan Xian’s unwavering stare, Liang Diandian’s joy grew deeper. She kept her head lowered shyly and did not say anything.

Standing behind Fan Xian, Sang Wen saw this scene and a loathing smile rose to the corners of her mouth.

Fan Xian suddenly opened his mouth and said, “Everyone has the right to make a better life for themselves, so I do not have any feelings of ill will toward what you are thinking.”

Liang Diandian suddenly raised her head and met Fan Xian’s completely emotionless gaze. Only then did she know she had gotten it wrong and felt fear in her heart.

Fan Xian continued coldly, “However, I do not like it.”

Liang Diandian felt shame assault her and did not dare say anything.

“No one is born to serve another. If you do not wish to work at Baoyue Brothel, have shopkeeper Sang Wen clear your record. Once you have earned the silver back, we will let you go.” Fan Xian stared at her lovely face. “Sang Wen, help her pack and move her to another place to live.”

Sang Wen had not expected the commissioner to be so merciless toward the fairer sex, but she also did not dare say anything. She took Liang Diandian, who had tears glimmering in her eyes, into the manor to pack.

Only Fan Xian and Mao Suosuo remained in the garden.

Ma Suosuo suddenly opened her mouth and gently said, “Master, do I also have to leave the manor, in case I pollute the peace here?”

The corners of Fan Xian’s mouth twitched, and he laughed bitterly. Looking at this Hu Princess’ sea blue eyes, straight nose, and deep, beautiful face, he gently said, “Stay. Don’t speak too much, and don’t ask too many questions. I like you very much. If I have the opportunity in the future, I will help you.”

Ma Suosuo was slightly surprised. She raised her head to look at Fan Xian. It seemed that she had not expected for the other party to have seen everything so clearly, and her expression revealed so. She couldn’t help but gratefully said, “Thank you.”

Fan Xian calmly said, “No need for thanks, I’ve always liked standing on ice to watch the world.”

Returning to his room, Sisi had already prepared the hot water. After washing his face, he extended his feet into the hot water and gave a satisfied sigh. Shortly after, he closed his eyes and began to use the method Haitang had imparted to him. Using a trickle of zhenqi to repair the meridians that had been injured by Ye Liuyun’s sword qi today. Since he was young, his method of cultivation had been different from everyone else’s. The proper meditation technique was, for him, just as simple as falling asleep.

No one knew how long he napped with his eyelids slightly open and zhenqi flowing through his entire body. He found that he already felt much better. He also found that inside the room was strangely quiet.

Looking to the side, only then did he find that Sisi had already fallen asleep lying on the desk. Since she had probably been too worried during the day and waited far too late at night, the girl was probably completely exhausted.

Fan Xian smiled but did not wake her. He grabbed the towel himself and dried the water on his feet, then he gently walked behind her and laid his robe over her, worried that she would catch a cold.

He stood behind Sisi for a while looking at the fine hairs on the back of her pure white neck and couldn’t help letting out a sigh, remembering the time in Danzhou when he and Sisi copied out books. How relaxing and joyful was that? Completely without external matters to ensconce them, with only one oil lamp, one desk, one pen, and one tender server, the two of them sat side by side copying “Story of the Stone.” Although they had no literary criticisms, each delicate line of writing carried a true aroma.

He thought for a moment and then pressed his right hand gently on the back of Sisi’s head and rubbed it gently for her. On these acupuncture points, he applied a small amount of zhenqi to help harmonize her body. After he encouraged her into a deep sleep, he carefully picked her up and laid her on the bed and pulled up the thin blanket. He patted her cheek gently with reassurance and shuffled out of the room.

As he closed the door, he seemed to see the glimmer of a safe and satisfied smile appearing on Sisi’s deeply asleep face.

...

...

With his clothes over his shoulders, shuffling his feet, and his shoulders raised, Fan Xian wandered around Hua Garden without a care as to his appearance. It seemed like he wanted to use the wind around him to blow away the pent-up frustrations in the depths of his heart. Although Hua Garden was beautiful, it was a pity he could find no calm. There were too many things pressing down on his heart. Without Uncle Wu Zhu or Wan’er beside him, he had no one to talk to, no one to discuss with, and no way to express his frustrations.

No one knew why he was doing things in Jiangnan in such a rush, why he did not spare anything to push for a major turn. His friends, his subordinates, his enemies, and even his family...everyone seemed to have made an incorrect judgement about Fan Xian.

It was this judgement that made Fan Xian the angriest.

Everyone thought he could be completely emotionless when it came to the battle for power, everyone, whether intentionally or not, forgot the countless links between him and the Eldest Princess. They were just waiting to see how he would stomp Xinyang to the ground, but they didn’t think that not only was Fan Xian going to stomp, he was going to do it brilliantly.

Fan Xian had no feelings at all toward the Eldest Princess, but he did have deep feelings for Wan’er, who was, after all, the Eldest Princess’ trueborn daughter.

Everyone had forgotten this point. Everyone had purposely forgotten this point.

Fan Xian was angry and gloomy. Although he had already secretly made the arrangements, he was still very angry.

If, one day, the Eldest Princess actually died by his hands, what about Wan’er?

...

...

No one to talk to. No one to talk to.

Fan Xian could not stop his steps.

It was like this in the officialdom. It was like this on the jianghu. It was also like this in Hua Garden. He walked around the lonely pond, passed the neglected corridor, and completely unconsciously, he followed the familiar stone path and walked to the quiet study at the very back of Hua Garden.

He raised his head and looked that the door. He couldn’t stop a self-mocking smile from rising. Why did he walk to here again?

In the novel, “A New Account of the Tales of the World,” Wang Xian lived in the depths of the mountain. Since he missed Dai Andao, he braved the snow and traveled through the night by boat to visit. Just as the morning light was rising, Wang arrived before Dai’s home. He turned around and left without knocking. The servant was greatly surprised, and Wang said, “The urge came and left, why bother seeing Dai?”

Fan Xian did not have the strange attitude of the famous scholar. He also didn’t like to play games of tacit mutual understanding, furthermore, he would not do what the master and disciple did. Since he had come, he understood that he was used to coming to find her to discuss matters when he faced a truly difficult situation, to search for a solution or at least a solution that would ease his mind.

So, he walked up the stone steps and gently pushed opened the door.

The study door was not bolted. In the past half year, she had lived here quietly. A single person living far away in an isolated part of Hua Garden.

Haitang had woken up long before he had come to the door and was already sitting up on the bed. She had a floral jacket wrapped around her shoulders. Sitting on the bed, she gazed at him with almost a smile.

There were no lights lit in the room, only the faint moonlight shining through the window. Given their martial realms, they could see everything in the room and the expression on each other’s faces with perfect clarity.

The night was a bit cold, and Fan Xian rubbed his hands. He turned to close the door, then shuffled to stand beside Haitang’s bed. Without any show of politeness, he lifted one corner of the blanket and burrowed in. Sitting at the other end of the bed, he and Haitang looked at each other across the bed.

The bed was very warm and did not have a scent. There was only a clean and warm feeling.

Haitang looked at this scoundrel and said, without choice, “You must remember, I do plan on getting married in the future.”

Fan Xian’s feet kicked a few times on the cotton sheets on the bed and sighed in comfort. He was also a little unexpectedly disappointed to not have hit Haitang’s foot. It seemed like the girl across from him was sitting cross-legged.

He said, “I am the cheating male.” Then he smiled and said, “You are the cheating female.”

“Of course,” his said, “this is what is being said outside.”

Haitang gave him a glare.

Fan Xian said, “It is only one thing, but I will never be satisfied even if I die. Although I was born slightly better than some, I have tried to lure you into anything. How could they be so certain there is something illicit between us? Duoduo, I am very unhappy. Today, since I have already shouldered the false reputation, it is not that I am saying anything regretful since it is already so, it is not as if we have other reasons...”

These words were said with such hidden bitterness.

Haitang only sighed and said, “Although this part has not been set in print, Sisi has brought them to show me after she copied them. Seventy-seven times the things Qing Wen said, why do you bother to make such remarks to me again? I am not second young master Bao, and you are not the girl Xiao. Ye Liuyun has not injured you to the point of death, yet here you are acting so aggrieved. Who knew what you were resenting in your heart.”

Fan Xian smiled self-mockingly and shook his head. He did not speak for a while.

The study, converted into a bedroom, sunk into silence.

“I don’t like being ambiguous,” Fan Xian said gently. “You probably don’t understand what I mean, only, I really do like staying with you and talking.”

Haitang’s bright eyes shone in the dark night.

“But right now, we are indeed being very ambiguous,” Fan Xian smiled slightly and said. “I originally came to vent some of my bitterness. I didn’t expect to suddenly find another bitter matter.”

“Everyone has to marry.”

Fan Xian half leaned against the foot of the bed with his eyes closed he said, “But why is it that every time I think of you marrying someone else, I feel so unhappy in my heart?”

The smile in Haitang’s eyes gradually filled into a moon reflected in the water, then filled into a moon gradually running out with the water from a bamboo basket. Her hands gently pulled at the corner of the blanket, pulling it over her chest. She gazed at Fan Xian’s face and slowly said, “Then...what if I married you?”