Chapter 51: Catching Up

“People always say the West Lake’s scenery is like a painting, and the ancient tales of immortals are endless. But today, I will only tell you about a handsome young man, who, while wandering by the West Lake, encountered two women and stirred up quite a commotion in several towns and cities, causing the bustling flower streets and willow alleys to be thrown into turmoil…”

Zhou Qiqiao was initially dumbfounded. No matter how he thought about it, he could never have imagined that Lady Zhan had mobilized dozens of servants to secretly bring twenty people from surrounding areas into Mingyu Mountain overnight. They had assumed it was to do something grand, but it turned out to be just to record this man’s uncanny tales.

By the Wei and Jin dynasties, tales of the supernatural had already become popular novels, eagerly passed from person to person among the common folk. They were fascinated by all sorts of incredible stories, almost without exception. So to create something fresh and remarkable required a certain skill.

Zhou Qiqiao was deeply disappointed. Just looking at Xu You, a mere youth, how much experience and insight could he possibly have? What kind of stories could he possibly weave? Yet, his pen did not dare to pause even for a moment. With swift strokes—spinning, pausing, lifting, and lowering—with a wrist seemingly guided by spirits, he recorded every word without omission.

But as he wrote, his pen gradually slowed—not out of laziness, but because he found himself ever more engrossed. Many times, as the tip of his brush dipped in ink neared the paper, he would stop, entranced, listening to Xu You recount how the White Snake cultivated for a thousand years to take human form, how she remained unchanged through three lifetimes, painfully searching for Xu Xian, how they met at the Broken Bridge by West Lake and finally married, living in harmony and love, respecting each other like honored guests, envied by all. Tales of stealing official silver, slaying the toad demon, curing the poison of the crane’s topknot were even more intricate and twisting, leaving listeners entranced, unable to find pleasure in food for three months.

When Xu You reached the Dragon Boat Festival, recounting how Bai Suzhen drank the realgar wine and revealed her serpent form, frightening Xu Xian to death, his mouth was dry and parched. Glancing outside at the noon hour, he smiled and asked, “Did everyone remember the story?”

There was no response. One by one, they sat motionless as if bewitched. Xu You furrowed his brow and looked at Zhou Qiqiao. “Qiao, let me see what you’ve recorded.”

Zhou Qiqiao shuddered, hurriedly stood, and picked up the papers on the table to hand over, only to see that the top page was covered in blotches of ink, without a single word.

“Ah, I… I was so absorbed in listening, I forgot to write. Please forgive me, sir!” Zhou Qiqiao knelt down, hands flat on the ground, trembling with fear.

Xu You took the papers and, luckily, except for the first page, the rest were densely filled with clear, legible characters, with neat lines and logical flow. Zhou Qiqiao had even corrected a few colloquial phrases to make the story smoother.

This person indeed had talent!

“Not bad. I’ll reward you a thousand coins. Go find Bai Hua later to claim it!”

Xu You casually promised a reward—it was Lady Zhan’s money anyway, and he didn’t mind parting with it. Then he looked at the others who had come back to their senses. “Anyone who recorded seventy to eighty percent of the story will be rewarded. Those who didn’t finish, find your team leaders and compare notes. Anyone who completes it before the afternoon hour will also be rewarded.”

The meal was prepared by the estate’s staff, lavish as expected. If it had only been Xu You and Qiufen, she would have sat and dined with him. But in front of others, she refused to break etiquette, kneeling beside him and serving him attentively.

Xu You could do nothing about it. In this society, equality was but a wishful thought. He just let her have her way.

He Ru snorted coldly, picking up a piece of bamboo vegetable pickle and chewing it, then sneered at Xu You: “The Analects say, ‘The noble person seeks within himself; the petty person seeks from others.’ Seventh Young Master, you have hands and feet. Is it really necessary to have others serve you at meals?”

Qiufen’s cheeks flushed, her silver chopsticks trembling slightly, almost dropping the bitter bamboo shoot on herself. She hurriedly said, “He Ru, it’s not like that… Young Master, he…”

Xu You paid no mind and laughed. “Her Wing, you’re quite right. I agree! Eating and dressing are ordinary matters. Doing it yourself saves a lot of time. But Qiufen is always by my side all day and has little else to do besides these trivial tasks. Since Her Wing mentioned it, how about this: while you teach Feng Hu, can Qiufen sit in and listen? It’ll pass the time and broaden her knowledge.”

For scholars used to studying the sages’ writings, teaching a woman to read and write was a personal insult. Luckily, He Ru was naturally rebellious and paid no heed to such rules. He promptly agreed, “Fine! Learning some principles from me is far better than being bossed around by you.”

Xu You chuckled. “Qiufen, aren’t you going to kneel and pay respects to your teacher?”

Before she could react, Xu You pulled her down to kneel, and she, dazed, tried to perform the customary bow, but He Ru dodged aside.

“It’s fine for you to teach her, but spare me the empty title of ‘teacher,’” He Ru said, pointing at Zuo Yun. “If Qiufen must kneel, then Feng Hu must kneel and kowtow as well? Don’t you think that shortens life? I can’t afford that.”

Xu You sneered, “I never thought a worldly and spiritual monk like you would fear such trivial earthly matters. Life is short. What’s a year or two less?”

As they joked, Bai Hua burst in, breathless, grabbing Xu You’s arm. “Young Master, quick, come with me. Someone’s about to die!”

Xu You steadied himself. With this mischievous Bai Hua, he only took her words with a grain of salt. “Don’t rush. Tell me slowly, what happened?”

Bai Hua spoke so fast it was almost impossible to catch every word from afar. “It’s Wan Qi. She’s injured…”

Xu You’s expression darkened. He had seen Wan Qi’s skills firsthand. Who could have infiltrated the estate and wounded her silently?

“Feng Hu, come with me. Her Wing, stay here. Qiufen, protect everyone!”

Xu You rose to leave, but Bai Hua blocked Zuo Yun. “Zuo Young Master, you don’t need to come. It’s not dangerous now. Only Xu Young Master needs to go.”

Xu You stopped and turned, gazing at Bai Hua suspiciously.

His position was special. Even within Mingyu Mountain, he had never let his guard down. Doubt immediately arose.

Zuo Yun also became wary. He stepped forward naturally, positioning himself between Xu You and Bai Hua, ready to restrain her at a moment’s notice if anything went wrong.

Bai Hua realized she had overplayed her hand and quickly stepped back, signaling no ill intent, sticking out her tongue playfully. “Alright, alright, come on, all of you!”

They passed through several winding corridors and arrived before a simple courtyard. Pushing open a door, they saw a quiet side room. Bai Hua pointed at the half-open door. “Young Master, Wan Qi is lying inside. Go see how she is.”

Xu You did not move. “I don’t see any signs of a struggle here. Where exactly was Wan Qi injured?”

Bai Hua’s eyes widened. “When did I say she was injured?”

Xu You frowned. “Didn’t you say someone was about to die?”

Bai Hua burst out laughing, covering her mouth. “It’s not only injuries that cause death… If I had to say what’s wrong, let me think,” she leaned close to Xu You’s ear and teased, “I think what’s hurt is right here…”

She touched her slender finger to his chest, her dark eyes sparkling with endless mischief.

Xu You shook his head and turned to leave. He had no interest in entertaining this little troublemaker.

“Hey, Young Master, I’m not lying,” Bai Hua called after him, seeing he was really leaving. “Wan Qi watched the story you told this morning about how Xu Xian died frightened by the White Snake. She didn’t know what happened afterward… She was so worried she didn’t even eat lunch. You don’t know—she’s usually very strict, never missing a meal or rest. For her to lose appetite and be so anxious is a first.”

Xu You couldn’t help but laugh and cry at the same time. So after all that fuss, it turned out to be a case of chasing the next episode too eagerly.

This ailment was easy to cure!