Chapter 90

**Update Time: August 25, 2012**

Xu Fengnian held a large sword scabbard made of thousand-year-old cinnabar purple sandalwood, crafted from a single piece of wood. The scabbard itself was invaluable. Purple sandalwood had always been transported by sea, and the grand eunuch Han Daosi had made several voyages, largely to procure the finest sandalwood for the imperial family. Even so, the imperial workshops still purchased sandalwood from private merchants in the southern regions. The Western Chu Dynasty was particularly enthusiastic about procuring purple sandalwood, with the saying that no official was without sandalwood. The former uncle of Princess Taiping, for example, was a standout, refined and unmatched, and had built a world-renowned sandalwood pavilion. Unfortunately, almost the entire sandalwood pavilion was eventually moved to Tai'an City.

Xu Fengnian wiped the scabbard with a piece of silk. Just as jade is nurtured like a person, fine purple sandalwood is like a delicate beauty, needing frequent dusting to keep it free from grime. Once wiped, the cinnabar sandalwood gleamed with a lustrous sheen, with a faint purple aura surrounding it.

Xu Fengnian was quietly listening to "Dunhuang Flying Sword" when he suddenly heard Jiang Ni burp. The little clay figure paused for a moment, seemingly embarrassed. Xu Fengnian teased, "Ten coins deducted."

Jiang Ni was furious and was about to speak when a embroidered bamboo ball was thrown high into the air. Qingniao flew to the wall to catch it, preventing it from falling into the courtyard. Xu Fengnian had heard laughter and shouts from a distance, guessing that the Wang family was playing cuju. The Liyang Dynasty was now at its peak, and naturally, it had a broad and inclusive mindset. Cuju, originally a game from the Northern Barbarians, was not banned when it was introduced to Liyang and quickly became popular among women. Women in the dynasty had few restrictions, enjoying outings, banquets, horseback riding, archery, and playing cuju and polo, often dressed in Northern Barbarian clothing. This environment allowed Wang Chudong to dress boldly today, something unimaginable twenty years ago. The trend was inevitable, and even the most conservative scholars were helpless. Moreover, these scholars and literati had their own families, so they simply turned a blind eye, finding it easier to lecture the world on grand principles than to explain small matters to their wives and daughters.

Xu Fengnian took the bamboo ball from Qingniao and asked her to put the scabbard back inside. As expected, someone soon knocked on the door. Xu Fengnian saw the expected young girl and returned the ball, smiling, "Who kicked that ball just now? What a powerful kick."

Wang Chudong pointed to her nose with her slender fingers, looking pleased with herself.

She was lively and not skilled in needlework or painting, but she was very good at playing cuju, polo, and swinging on swings. At the banquet, Wang Linquan seemed proud of his youngest daughter's poetry, but Xu Fengnian couldn't see how this familiar little girl could have much literary talent. With his second sister Xu Weixiong and the female scholar Yan Dongwu as role models, even the little clay figure had written the powerful "Great Gengjiao Vow to Kill," so Xu Fengnian didn't think any woman could impress him in poetry or calligraphy.

Wang Chudong had changed into a narrow-sleeved robe, black boots, and riding pants, with a belt around her waist. Xu Fengnian found her much more comfortable to look at. A young girl imitating a mature woman's half-exposed chest was out of place and lacked charm. The qipao would be better suited to Shuxiu.

Wang Chudong tentatively asked, "Want to play cuju?"

Xu Fengnian shook his head, "No, I need to go to the market."

Wang Chudong perked up, "I'll go with you, I can haggle!"

Xu Fengnian smiled and told Qingniao to call Yu Youwei and the others, giving Jiang Ni a look. She hesitated but decided to follow, unfamiliar with the place and having no concept of money, not knowing what a tael of silver could buy. The group, besides Xu Fengnian and Qingniao, who was like his shadow, included Jiang Ni and the old and young duo Li Chunjiang, the three bodyguards Lu Yang, Shu, and Ning Emei, who had taken off his heavy armor and put on civilian clothes, leaving his iron halberd on the boat. Wang Chudong kicked the bamboo ball all the way, her movements graceful and agile, like a swallow, looking very beautiful. When they reached the market, which was somewhat quiet, Xu Fengnian was surprised to find a qingfu silk shop on Laoshan Island. He decided to buy some clothes for Yu Youwei and some optional cosmetics. Xu Fengnian was generous, not giving Wang Chudong a chance to haggle, which left her somewhat disappointed. There was a lakeside teahouse with an excellent view, the mist rising from the Chunshen Lake, creating a perfect setting for good tea. Xu Fengnian and Wang Chudong went to the top floor, where Jiang Ni and the old man were still wandering around the market, and Yu Youwei and Shuxiu were shopping together. Only Xu Fengnian and Wang Chudong were seated, with Ning Emei, Lu Qiantang, and Yang Qingfeng forming a triangular guard. The teahouse owner, recognizing Wang Chudong, brought out the best Chunshen tea. Wang Chudong volunteered to brew the tea for Xu Fengnian, her movements graceful and refined, impressing Xu Fengnian.

The tea leaves, picked before Qingming, were curled like green snails, with a layer of fine white down on the edges. The green tea was gently poured into the water, dyeing the bottom of the cup like the lake.

Xu Fengnian waited patiently, finding the little girl's tea-making a delightful sight. After serving him a cup of tea, Wang Chudong said seriously, "Most teas are best for the first, second, and third brews, with the flavor gradually fading. However, Chunshen tea improves with each brew. The Chunshen tea from Laoshan is even better than that from the surrounding areas. The tea garden only grows bamboo, plum, orchid, osmanthus, and pine, avoiding any harmful trees, so the Laoshan Chunshen tea has a long-lasting fragrance without the earthy or green leaf scent."

Xu Fengnian took a sip, not really tasting anything, as he was not particularly interested in tea. However, he couldn't help but think of a poem that had made the once obscure Chunshen tea a tribute, much like how his second sister's "Brother Admiring Snow" had popularized the Green Ant wine, which was only known in Liang. He recited the poem: "This tea is known by few, but it is rich in spirit and essence. Picked by a fifteen-year-old girl, her snow-white chest steams the green jade."

Wang Chudong blinked, looking expectant, "Is this poem good?"

Xu Fengnian replied casually, "It's pretty good. I always admire those who can write poetry and essays. But it would be even better if I could see a young girl picking tea. 'Snow-white chest steaming the green jade,' listen to that, how poetic."

Wang Chudong's face turned slightly red.

Xu Fengnian, puzzled, asked, "What's wrong?"

Wang Chudong's ears turned red, and she said nothing, only focusing on drinking her tea.

A few young men and women, all dressed in fine silk, entered the teahouse, each more arrogant than the last. The leader, a young man with an official air, saw Wang Chudong and his expression changed. He walked over, but was blocked by Lu Qiantang. Wang Chudong whispered, "That's the son of General Zhao, a lazy, ignorant, and arrogant person. He's very annoying."

Xu Fengnian, not lowering his voice, smiled, "General? How high a rank, third grade?"

Wang Chudong couldn't help but laugh, her eyes sparkling, her earlier annoyance gone. She replied, "Not that high, just a fourth-grade official."

However, she, being from a wealthy family, was familiar with the dangers of the political world and quietly warned, "His sister is a concubine to the governor, and the others are from prominent families in Qingzhou. Let's just ignore them."

The fourth-grade official's son had always been infatuated with Wang Chudong. Her father, Wang Linquan, was the richest man in Qingzhou, known as "full of gold and jade," with half of Laoshan Island belonging to the Wang family. He was also involved in the lucrative salt and iron trade, with both powerful connections and abilities. Wang Linquan doted on this daughter, willing to give her the moon. Once, in a competition of wealth, Wang Linquan had covered the pond in his Laoshan residence with glass worth ten gold pieces each, inviting Qingzhou's elite to admire the moon. The young man and his father had been present, stunned. Moreover, Wang Chudong was not simple. As a child, several high-ranking monks and Taoists had predicted her great fortune. The famous "Chunshen Tea" poem was attributed to her, and it was said that even the empress praised it, personally telling the emperor, which led to Chunshen tea becoming a tribute.

The Zhao family's young man, relying on his sister's status, had been arrogant in Qingzhou. Seeing Lu Qiantang blocking his way, the young man, used to wearing fine clothes and carrying a sword for show, knew better than to draw his sword. If the young men of the wealthy families were to fight each other, the world would be in chaos. He forced a smile and asked, "Chudong, who is this friend?"

Wang Chudong replied coldly, "Chudong is not for you to call. I don't know you."

Xu Fengnian nodded, "Right, Chudong only knows me."

They smiled at each other, their默契 (mòqì) (understanding) too obvious, embarrassing the others.

The young men and women were outraged. The Zhao family's young man said darkly, "Wang Chudong, don't think I can't touch your father."

Wang Chudong gritted her teeth, ready to retort, but Xu Fengnian, frowning, spoke, "Are you Prince Jing'an's son?"

Everyone was stunned.

What did Prince Jing'an have to do with this? The young men and women of Qingzhou's elite exchanged puzzled looks.

The Zhao family's young man, who shared the same surname as the six princes but had no relation, said coldly, "You dare to call Prince Jing'an by his name?!"

Xu Fengnian, uninterested in tea, just wanted to enjoy the view. Encountering these spoilt brats ruined the mood. He glanced at Lu Qiantang, who kicked the Zhao family's young man into the wall without a word.

Chaos ensued, and the young men, who only bullied others and had never been bullied, quickly helped their friend and left the teahouse. What else could they do? Either call their servants to gang up, or bring in their parents and families. Xu Fengnian, known as the greatest villain of Liang, was not unfamiliar with such scenarios.

Wang Chudong's mouth opened slightly, revealing a tongue more delicate than the tea leaves.

Xu Fengnian smiled, "Let's drink tea."

Wang Chudong, in turn, comforted Xu Fengnian, her face beaming, "Don't worry, if the sky falls, my father will hold it up."

The little girl seemed to forget that her father had once knelt before the young man.

Xu Fengnian took a sip of tea, and Wang Chudong leaned in, whispering, "I'll take you to the lakeside, but you can't tell my father!"

Xu Fengnian agreed, and Wang Chudong pulled him down the stairs. They reached a secluded spot by the lake, and the little girl stood on a rock, whistling a series of tunes.

Xu Fengnian waited, but after half a cup of tea, nothing happened.

Wang Chudong, embarrassed, blushed, "It might still be napping. It's as lazy as I am."

{Piaotian Literature}