Volume 1 Chapter 5: Vast and Misty Waves Wash Away Mundane Dust

  "By the way, where's Uncle Cheng?"

  There was such a big commotion just now, but Uncle Cheng still hasn't appeared. It's quite strange, so I asked Ruyu about it.

  Jū Yíng said she didn't know either, but Xǐng Yuàn Niáng told them that Chéng Shū had gotten up very early and gone to greet the horse carriage at the foot of the mountain, bringing some dry rations for the coachman to eat. He also specifically instructed them not to wait for him, and after having breakfast at Xǐng Yuàn's house, they could go find him by the horse carriage.

  At breakfast time, to show her apology, Ju Ying insisted on not eating rice porridge and wanted to taste the flavor of pigweed. Xing Yan couldn't persuade her otherwise and had no choice but to tell her mother to make a pigweed porridge for breakfast.

  The girl who had no idea what pigweed porridge was, only realized that the saying "it's not easy to swallow" wasn't an exaggeration when she actually took a bite. This pigweed porridge really didn't taste good; even with the savory sauce and pickled pork dices, it was still hard for her to swallow. However, despite this, she persisted in finishing it without complaining. Xingyan saw this and thought to himself:

  "This girl is quite sensible."

  Arriving at the mountain front vacant lot where they had left their horse carriage, the coachman told them that Cheng Shu had already gone on his own to visit Mount Sanqing and see some friends, asking Xing Yan to temporarily take care of Ju Ying.

  Jū yíng heard the words, although she was a little surprised that Cheng Shu didn't say goodbye, but she wasn't angry at all, and instead felt even more joyful. Perhaps, only when people of the same age are together, playing is more enjoyable. Unlike her joy, Xǐng yán's heart felt a bit strange, and he muttered to himself:

  "Mount Sanqing... isn't it just on the other side of Poyang Lake? I've heard that there are many Taoist priests in Mount Sanqing. Does Uncle Cheng have friends there too?"

  "Poyang Lake? So famous! Really? You'll take me there for fun? Okay?"

  Unexpectedly, it was quite good for filling one's ears. Immediately catching the three words "Poyang Lake", he opened his mouth to plead with the young man.

  Just then, the driver handed over another letter, saying that it was left by Uncle Cheng for Xingyan to open and read whenever he wanted.

  After all, it's the nature of young people to be curious, and without needing to be persuaded, they would tear open the envelope and take out the letter. What important things could Cheng Shu have to say to this young man he had just met? It was nothing more than entrusting him to take good care of Ju Yin, that little girl.

  The letter read:

  "Last night's drinking session, your poem was quite elegant; after savoring it, I couldn't help but feel a itch to compose one too, so here's my attempt at matching you:"

  Oh, so you're talking about poetry with me! I wonder if that impromptu poem last night was actually not bad? Looking at Cheng Shu's calligraphy again, the font is really well-written, and amidst the solemnity, one can still see a rather free-spirited and elegant brushwork.

  He continued reading on, but saw Cheng Shu's brushwork suddenly change, turning into a bold and unrestrained grass script:

  "The foolish child lies on the back of Mount Xianshan,"

  Frosty dew all over the body, wearing moonlight.

  Orchid fragrance wafts afar, golden threads of brocade.

  "Originally a person in a Luofu dream."

  Only to see this full paper ink marks flying, those twenty-eight words seem to be filled with a certain kind of spirit that cannot be expressed, and they want to fly away from the paper. But after admiring... are these four sentences a poem? It seems not quite related to my own poem last night.

  Although inexplicable, the poem itself is not bad, with pleasant sounds and rhythms, and has some admirable parts. Especially this cursive script by Cheng Shu, it's bold but not chaotic, elegant and lively, and reveals a bit of an unconventional and transcendent spirit, showing that Cheng Shu has thoroughly researched calligraphy.

  As he was secretly praising him, the young man found more content below the letter:

  Yu Guan Li Shi Xiao Mei, and not your good match.

  Signature: Ling Chengzi.

  "...can't see that this is Uncle Cheng, still a bit disrespectful to the elderly! When did I mention Little Mei?"

  The young man's face couldn't help but flush slightly.

  "Hey! What's written in this letter?"

  Jū Yíng saw that the young man's face was slightly red, and he became very curious about the contents of the letter, so he stretched his neck to take a peek.

  "Nothing to see here, let's go."

  It's just that I'm too embarrassed to let her see that last sentence!

  "Who would have thought you're such a petty person!"

  Seeing Ju Ying's slightly dissatisfied look, this young man suddenly wanted to tease her:

  "Haha, Ling Chengzi, no, it's you, Uncle Cheng, he has already told me,"

  Pausing for a moment, looking at the girl who was leaning forward with her ears perked up waiting for what came next, he continued:

  "Cheng Shu said he wants to marry you off to me! Hahaha!"

  As soon as he finished speaking, the young man burst into a loud and exaggerated laugh, just like Old Man Qinghe.

  "Don't deceive people! Uncle Cheng would never say such a thing!"

  The girl's face suddenly flew up a crimson, and she said flusteredly.

  After a while, the clever girl finally reacted and counterattacked:

  "Hmph! Even if Cheng Shu really wanted to marry me off to you, would you dare to take me as your wife?!"

  Upon hearing this, the young man felt his courage was being questioned and took it as a great insult, so he loudly said:

  "Of course I dare!"

  "I, Zhang Xingyan, who else dares to marry except for that Princess of the State of Jing?!"

  Unexpectedly, this time the girl didn't laugh at his ignorant boasting. Instead, she lowered her head for a moment, silent and wordless, then lifted it up with a gentle smile:

  "Is Princess Qingcheng... a man-eating tigress?"

  The two of them this time headed to their destination, Poyang Lake. The misty waves were vast and the water and sky merged into one, it was at that time the third largest lake aside from Yunmeng Daze and Dongting Shuibo. Its shape was like a huge calabaza with its south side wide and north side narrow, hanging on the southern side of the long Yangtze River.

  This time, the two of them still took a horse-drawn carriage and arrived at the Poyang Lake in Poyang County, Raozhou Prefecture. Perhaps it was the first time she had seen such a majestic body of water, when Ji Yun saw the turbulent waves crashing against the shore and the endless expanse of the lake for the first time, she widened her eyes and couldn't say a word.

  After a long time, the girl finally woke up from this magnificent work of nature and said softly:

  "In the past, my father asked me to read books, and there were always sentences like 'water and sky are one color' and 'water light meets the sky'. I thought it was well-written and poetic. But until today, I truly understand how much real meaning is contained in these few words..."

  It's no wonder that Ju Ying sighed, looking south from the banks of Poyang Lake, only to see the vast expanse of water stretching out to the horizon, with no end in sight. At the farthest point where the eye can reach, the lake blends seamlessly into the sky, making it impossible to distinguish between the heavens and the lake's surface.

  Xing Yan has been to Poyang Lake several times, but he didn't feel as excited as when he was a young man. However, having been infected by Ju Ying's astonishment and admiration, he now thinks that today's Poyang Lake is exceptionally beautiful.

  The young man led the girl along the lakeshore, playing all the way, without noticing the horse-drawn carriage slowly following behind.

  The nearby Poyang Lake water, waves constantly washing the shore mud and stones, issuing bursts of "hōu, huā" sounds; suddenly, the two people only felt a refreshing water vapor hitting their faces, feeling exceptionally pleasant.

  Jū Yíng was in high spirits, not feeling tired at all. Xǐng Yuán took her on a stroll around the lake dike, visiting some famous scenic spots along the banks of Poyang Lake. Along the winding path, they passed by Pipa Pavilion, visited Lao Ye Temple, paid respects to Tai Jun Rock, and climbed up to Zhou Lang's Commanding Platform. As it was approaching noon, Jū Yíng finally felt a bit fatigued, so Xǐng Yuán suggested they go to Wang Hu Lou in Poyang County Town for lunch.

  This Wanghu Building is located on the southeast side of Boyang County, only a few steps away from the shore of Boyang Lake, which is an ideal place to enjoy the view.

  Ju Ying arrived at the foot of Wanghu Building, looked up and saw that the building had a flying eave and a heavy pavilion, it was an all-wood structure, with three floors, the upper two floors were octagonal, the lower floor was quadrangular, with dark green glazed tiles, white eaves ridge, elegant and subtle, revealing a delicate charm, as a wine house, it was already quite rare.

  Looking up, on the second floor of the building, a black wooden signboard is hung in front of the eaves, with three large characters "Wang Hu Lou" written in bright green ink. The calligraphy is powerful and majestic, and at first glance, it can be seen that it is the handwriting of a famous master. Under the signboard, on both sides, there is also a pair of couplets, which reads:

  The fragrance of tea has been lingering for thousands of years.

  Clouds and shadows dance on the first floor.

  This couplet is unknown who created it, but it's quite in line with the style of Wanghu Lou. The elegant and exquisite building shape makes Wanghu Ancient Building itself a scenic spot on Poyang Lake.

  After having a good time, Ruyu led Ju Ying upstairs to have dinner. It seemed that Ju Ying was very familiar with the coachman of his family, and they didn't need to exchange words; the coachman simply stopped the carriage downstairs and waited. Looking at Ju Ying's expression, he seemed to be used to it, but the coachman's robust physique stood out in comparison to the usual thin and sallow appearance of a coach owner.

  Seeing this, he couldn't help but feel a little strange and asked her about it. The girl told him that she was the daughter of a merchant from Luoyang, and the cart driver was someone her family had hired to accompany her on the journey to this place.

  Upstairs on the third floor, Ju Ying found a cozy window seat and sat down, waiting to order food. However, she saw Xing Yan standing beside her with his hands hanging down, and without feeling surprised, she spoke up to ask him something.

  She hesitated for a moment, and had no choice but to explain to her:

  "I don't have the spare money to eat at this Wanghu Lou. You go ahead and eat, I'll just go to the counter later and ask the owner for a bowl of soup, and I can just eat it with my own dry rations. I often come here to pick up fish for Liuxiang Lou, so I'm quite familiar with the owner, don't worry. Juying, you go ahead and eat first, I'll wait here and keep you company."

  Jū yíng heard the words, her heart felt an inexplicable pang of sadness. Then, she forced a smile and pulled the young man down to sit beside her, threatening that if he didn't eat, she wouldn't either. The young man, who had grown accustomed to such behavior, hadn't expected her reaction to be so intense, and could only comply with her wishes.

  Although he was used to being a shop assistant at the Liuxianglou in Raozhou, and was quite familiar with the work of a shop boy, but sitting down properly on this elegant seat for the first time, he still felt like a big girl getting into a sedan chair for the first time. For a moment, he couldn't help feeling a bit awkward, as if there were ants crawling all over his body. He felt a bit out of place and didn't know how to arrange his hands and feet properly.

  Jū yíng looked at him with an awkward expression, but in her heart, she had a different taste.

  "Hey, wake up! Call the waiter over and let's order."

  Jū yíng róu shēng shuō dào.

  English Translation:

  Gentle voice said.

  Who would have thought that upon hearing the two words "young master", all the young men had a conditioned reflex, and almost blurted out "What can I get for you, sir?" Fortunately, they reacted in time and, like the other male customers, called out to the waiter.

  Just as the young girl was asking Xiao Er about the special dishes of Wanghu Lou, she heard Xing Yan interrupt and say:

  "This Wanghu Building, although I haven't eaten here before, but its specialty dishes are still very familiar to me. Wanghu Building's signature dishes include Fan Yang Hu Lion Head, Steamed Lotus Leaf Red Carp, Sugar Vinegar Crucian Carp, and White Lotus Steamed Trout. However, this White Lotus Trout is not as authentic and flavorful as the one at Zhongnan Island Restaurant in Poyang Lake."

  The shop assistant was apparently familiar with Xing Yan and laughed at him for talking nonsense when he finished speaking.

  "That's all for now, and then bring three big bowls of white rice."

  Jū yìng wù xiǎo èr.

  Translation:

  The master ordered the young servant.

  "If you want all this, add three bowls of rice, it will cost two taels and four mace!"

  The girl promptly replied:

  "They've been walking for half a day and are starving! You still won't let them eat!"

  "Hahaha..."

  Hearing her say this, seeing these luxurious young men, although they all look pitiful, they can only smile foolishly.

  The little second turned his head and loudly recited the menu they had ordered to the downstairs, confirming that these dishes would soon appear in front of them, and they could even move their chopsticks to take a bite. The words were spoken, and he began to sit restlessly there, excited beyond measure! At this time, the 16-year-old boy's heart was churning with ridiculous thoughts:

  "Who would have thought that Zhang Xingyan would have a day like this! I can sit in the Wanghu Building and eat! And finish all the famous dishes of Wanghu Building at once! When I get back, I can brag to my colleagues at Daoxiang Building!"

  This sixteen-year-old boy suddenly seemed like a child! Looking at his excited appearance, he thought to himself:

  "Silly, I didn't eat that much actually. And ordering all this was just to thank you."

  Thinking so in her heart, she smiled and teased him:

  "Hey, if you can't pay the bill later, I'll have no choice but to keep you here!"

  The excited young man was shocked and uncertain upon hearing this, and began to ponder the possibility, becoming worried and hesitant.

  Looking at his silly appearance, Ju Ying pursed her lips and smiled, no longer paying attention to him, turning her head towards the window overlooking Poyang Lake.

  Only then did I realize that Wanghu Lou is indeed a great place to view the lake scenery. From these three floors, the beautiful scenery of Poyang Lake can be seen at a glance.

  The so-called "ten thousand hectares of lake flat and long like a mirror, the four seasons are good, the most suitable is autumn", at that time it was just September cool autumn, water and wood were clear and bright. From the high place of Wanghu Tower, Poyang Lake had another different scenery - far away in the distance, the sky and water merged into one color, the white sail was faintly visible at the extreme end; on the lake surface, there were seagulls flying up and down from time to time, the shadow of the bird's wings fluttering, extremely beautiful.

  Leisurely clouds and solitary wild geese fly together, autumn water shares with the sky a single color!

  Deeply attracted by this sunlight and water shadow, I forgot where I was for a moment.

  。