Chapter 1 Autumn Sound (Part 1)

  Autumn in Chang'an is the most beautiful moment of its four seasons throughout the year.

  Along the two sides of Zhuque Avenue, the leaves of the maple trees gradually turned from green to yellow and then from yellow to red. Finally, that dazzling red suddenly jumped up, adding a thin layer of gold at the edges. The entire city instantly became golden and resplendent, as if shrouded in clouds and mist, like a dream.

  Every year at this moment, it is also the most lively time in Chang'an City. After experiencing the hardships of spring and the labor of summer, people have finally looked forward to the harvest season. Seeing the crops in the fields, the trees, and the shops, all the goods are turned into heavy copper, white silver, shining gold, and warm silk, and the tense nerves that had been tightened for half a year quickly relaxed. Taking a deep breath, putting on the most dignified clothes, wearing the most beautiful hairpins, those who should go out to climb mountains went to climb mountains, those who should visit friends went to visit friends. Those who should fulfill their promises in the spring asked matchmakers, carrying ice sugar and honey from Lingnan, thin silk and light gauze from Wu and Yue, and a pair of white jade from the fragmented leaf city in the Western Regions, to go to the door of the old man's house on Mount Tai, to ask for his daughter's hand in marriage.

  There are families with daughters who have just come of age, yet they can't help but want to buy a magnifying glass used by sailors to examine the appearance, character, prospects, and education of the suitor, as well as their family's three generations. If there is anything slightly displeasing, they will pick up a broom and sweep away both the matchmaker and the gifts. As for their own daughter's tears and pleas, her attempts to seek death, they pretend not to hear at all. After all, daughters from Chang'an are not worried about marrying, in the new town's inn, every year there are many scholars coming from afar to take the imperial exam, and they can be chosen like lotus root. If they are lucky enough to pick a future jinshi official, their humble home will become illustrious, and their black door will suddenly turn into a red one.

  The man who was rejected in his pursuit of a romantic relationship also doesn't have to be disheartened. Turning back to the eastern market, he can walk around for a while, fight some chickens, and race some dogs. In the blink of an eye, he can forget all his troubles. If one day luck turns in his favor, because of his skills in fighting chickens and racing dogs, he might be noticed by imperial relatives and suddenly soar to great heights. This is a shortcut that's even more convenient than studying for the imperial examination. As long as he serves his master comfortably, he can be released at will, and it would be an easy and lucrative job. When walking past the place where he was once heartbroken, he can hold his head high and not even pause for a moment.

  Every autumn, a similar melody of sorrow and joy is sung. The people in the song cannot choose their own fate, leaving only a lingering regret. Those outside the song, however, listen with relish, sipping wine and getting drunk. From one autumn to another, from Zhenguan to Tianbao, the singers and listeners come and go like a revolving lantern, old tunes get stale and new ones are written, old lyrics get tired and new ones are filled in, but the story within the song remains largely unchanged.

  Young Master Wang Xun was in a street-facing room on the second floor of Jin Hua Lou in Sheng Ye Fang's Gu Temple Lane, with his eyes closed listening to this year's new tunes. The lead singer Bai Wei's voice was soft and gentle, while the pianist Xiao Ping'er's fingerwork was light and nimble, but Young Master Wang's thoughts were focused on a strand of softness between his right hand fingers.

  Lightly grasping, fully twisting, still as a young girl, moving like a rabbit escaping. The new finger technique learned from good friend Yuwen was performed flawlessly by him. Soon, Bai Hua's throat could no longer sing out complete melodies. Silently glancing at Wang Xuan, she lowered her slender neck, and her tongue suddenly darted out of her mouth to quickly lick the back of his hand that had already entered her cleavage. Wang Xuan, who was still closing his eyes in enjoyment, suddenly withdrew his hand as if scalded. His body instantly straightened, knocking over the low table in front of him, and various fruit preserves spilled all over the floor.

  "Hahaha......" Xiang Shang's Xiao Ping'er couldn't help but stand up, using her hands to continuously slap the wall. "Young Master Hou, you're really interesting, clearly having a courage as small as a needle tip, yet insisting on learning how to steal jade and sniff fragrance like others!"

  "Go, you understand!" Wang Xuan's face turned red with laughter, picked up a plum and threw it at Xiao Ping'er. "I'm afraid that I, as a martial artist, might not be able to control my strength and accidentally hurt your family..."

  Just as he was halfway through, the smile in Bai Wei's eyes made him feel embarrassed. He turned his head away and added stiffly, "A martial artist, you understand? Sometimes even if I don't use much force, accidentally, a stone can be crushed into powder..."

  Before the words had fallen, Bai Wei immediately lowered her head, glanced down at her own chest, and then let out a low cry of surprise, clutching at her chest as she squatted down.

  "Oh no, you've really scared me!" Wang Xuan was startled and didn't bother to continue arguing with Qin Shuangping. He turned around and swept Bai Huiqi into his arms. Before he could even look down at her exposed chest, Bai Huiqi had already smiled sweetly and lifted her head up, offering him two red lips.

  "You little scoundrel..." Wang Xuan immediately realized he had been deceived by Bai Huiji again, lowered his head and opened his mouth wide in anger. The room was suddenly filled with the gentle hum of spring, and Qin Shuang'er, who was already accustomed to such scenes, shook her head and walked back to her seat, knelt down and began to play the zither with a flourish.

  Lightly scoop, fill, twist, wipe and repeat.

  Wang Mingyun is a noble guest of the Jin Hua Building, and nearly half of the sisters in this building rely on Wang Mingyun and his friends to make a living. Since Bai Jie and herself will eventually give their bodies to others, they might as well take advantage of Wang Mingyun's kindness. At least his family background, appearance, and status among the guests at Jin Hua Building are top-notch, and he is also very responsible. Although he is a bit timid and occasionally shows some youthful inexperience.

  The song had not yet ended, but the two people who were embracing each other had already separated their bodies. Their eyes were clearly filled with longing for each other, but their gazes gradually returned to clarity.

  "White sister, white sister..." Wang Xuan scratched his head, his face a bit awkward, not knowing what to say. He had tasted Bai Hui's lips before, and each time he could taste different flavors. But at the critical moment, he couldn't go further. Either being pushed away by Bai Hui or because of the presence of Qin Shuang, his interest would dwindle.

  Bai Wei Zhi was either going to be used by himself or given to someone else, and Wang Xuan was very clear about this. Xiaoping's fate was to serve as a maid for the young lady and gentleman, warming their bed and attending to their needs at night, and Wang Xuan was also very aware of this. However, with one more person by his side, he felt like he was being monitored, and his interest quickly dissipated.

  Today is another result of just tasting and stopping.

  There was a hint of resentment in Bai Wei's eyes, but she stretched out her slender white fingers and slowly pressed his lips shut. "Don't say it, I know..."

  "If sister is willing, after the Double Ninth Festival, I can ransom you." Wang Xuan's heart suddenly ached, he sat up straight and guaranteed it solemnly.

  Bai Wei's eyes lit up instantly, and the whole person looked like a summer lotus that had just bloomed after the rain. But it only lasted for a short moment, she quickly lowered her head again, letting out a low sigh.

  "Sister, aren't you reluctant to part with the other sisters in the building?" Wang Xuan was dazed by the sighs and scratched his head, continuing to ask.

  Bai Wei Qie gently shook her head, wanting to say something, but hesitated, as if unable to muster up the courage.

  It was actually the zither player, Xiao Ping'er, who was watching anxiously by the side. "Hmph!" she said, striking a chord on her zither that sounded like tearing silk. "In this place of wind and moon, what's there to be nostalgic about? White Sister is probably worried that you won't treat her well in the future. Are you going to take her directly back to your mansion in Chongren Alley, or make other arrangements?"

  "Of course, of course..." Wang Xun's forehead gradually broke out in a few beads of sweat as he repeated the words, and with a rather guilty conscience, added: "You two are also clear about what kind of temper my aunt Yun has. I've had someone buy a new house for me in Wu Ke Xiang, it's not much smaller than the one on Chong Ren Fang..."

  "Second Brother, don't listen to that girl's nonsense!" Bai Jixi laughed and interrupted, picking up a plum seed with her hand and stuffing it into Wang Cong's mouth. "The water caltrop is grown in the pond, whether picked early or late, isn't it all up to Second Brother's decision? I'm just a woman, how can I have so many demands? It's just that the new sisters who came to the building can't even sing a complete sentence. Second Brother, please let me be carefree for another year and I'll take good care of them, then you can rest assured and let go, from then on, songs will only be sung for Second Brother alone!"

  "Sister, this is......" Wang Xuan's scorching heart was suddenly doused with a ladle of cold water, and he froze for a moment, his smile looking somewhat stiff.

  Bai Wei knew he was a clever man and didn't say much more. With a soft, long sigh, she slowly walked to the window. The maple leaves outside were red like fire, and after the autumn wind passed through, they fluttered and danced, but it was unknown whose courtyard they would finally fall into.

  "Sister also knows, I have a true heart for sister. It's just that my family's Yun aunt... " Wang Xuan sighed softly and stood up, following to hold Bai Huizhi's shoulder. "Give me a little more time, not too long, after all she is my elder..."

  "But it's just a magpie perched on a high branch after all. What right does it have to not tolerate us sisters?" Little Ping'er slammed down the jasper zither, her eyes wide with anger as she shouted.

  "What do you know?" Wang Xuan suddenly changed his tone, turned around and glared at Xiaoping fiercely. "Don't talk nonsense! Since I was a kid, she's been taking care of me! Although she's old and has many things on her mind now, and her temper is also getting worse, but I can't be heartless!"

  Never had Wang Xuan's anger been so great, not only was the musician Xiao Ping frightened, but also Bai Huiji's body in his arms shrank back. The three of them did not make a sound for a long time, and after a while, Bai Huiji was the first to come back to her senses, smiled, and lightly poked Wang Xuan's chest with her finger, "In all these years, it's the first time I've seen Second Brother lose his temper! Second Brother shouldn't be compared to Xiao Ping, that girl has been spoiled by her sister!"

  "I'm too lazy to bother with him!" Wang Xuan smiled and shook his head lightly. "Anyway, since sister believes me, I won't let you down in the end!"

  "Do you think, Second Brother said something that Sister would not believe?" Bai Xiangxi's eyes twinkled with a smile, her fingers gently drawing circles on Wang Cui's chest. "Second Brother can respect your aunt, and he won't let us sisters down either. Little Ping'er hasn't seen the world, she just doesn't understand Second Brother's goodness!"

  "It's just that my sister understands me!" Wang Xuan hugged the beauty in his arms even tighter, saying with satisfaction. Bai Huaqi's skin was very smooth, and hugging her felt cool and soft. His chest had been hardened like a stone since he was forced to practice martial arts as a child. But beneath the stony exterior, his heart was now "thumping thumping" away, as if there was a flame burning deep within.

  Feeling the heartbeat behind her, Bai Wei sighed softly. Being held in someone's arms felt wonderful, especially in such a sturdy embrace, which made her almost unable to extricate herself once she was immersed in it. However, no matter how intoxicating the strong masculine scent coming from behind her was, she had to try her best to remain clear-headed.

  A woman of humble origins is like the red leaves outside the window, no matter how beautiful they are, it's just a short autumn. If she can't seize the opportunity to settle in a good house, she might be blown into the mud by the autumn wind and become manure. She dare not accept such an ending.

  "Hmph!" The wronged Xiaoping stomped her feet heavily, making a loud noise.

  Considering the face of the beautiful woman in his arms, Wang Xuan was too lazy to pay attention to her. Bai Huiyi, who was lost in thought, had no time to pay attention to her either. Xiaoping's efforts were all in vain, and she felt even more that her good intentions had not been rewarded, turned around and "thud thud thud" ran downstairs.

  "This time it's finally quiet!" Wang Xun smiled without anger, gently turning the beauty's body with his hand.

  "Did Erlang want to drive her away long ago?" Bai Jie smiled and stretched out her hand, tapping Wang Xun's forehead with force. "You, you've used all your ghostly thoughts on this matter, no wonder Yun Niang nags at you every day!"

  "What does she know? It's already this era, and she still clings to those outdated things?! " Wang Xuan smiled and shook his head. Wanting to relive the intoxication from earlier, but for a moment couldn't find a suitable entry point, his eyes darted around, his eyebrows furrowed and relaxed in turns.

  Looking at his impatient and awkward appearance, Bai Huaqian gently shook her head. After smiling, she took Wang Xun's large hand over and slowly covered her own chest. A warm feeling immediately spread from the palm of her hand to her heart, and Wang Xun lowered his head, closing his eyes contentedly.

  Just as the two people's lips were about to touch, a sudden burst of noisy drumming and cymbal sounds came from outside the window. Immediately following was another wave of mountain flood-like clamor. The romantic atmosphere that had been painstakingly created in the room was instantly destroyed by the external commotion. Wang Xuan raised his head, angrily going to close the window, only to see a large procession proudly marching past below, with countless handkerchiefs and sachets being thrown from both sides of the road.

  Bai Weizi's attention was also drawn to the commotion outside, and she turned her body around again, poking half of her head out from behind the curtains to look down. Among the crowd watching the excitement outside, a few ruffian youths soon spotted her, tiptoed, and whistled loudly at the window. However, the noise was completely inaudible to Bai Weizi's ears, as an even louder drumbeat came, drowning out all the commotion.

  In the midst of the deafening gongs and drums, the person on horseback stood up straight as a spear. In front of the team, in the center, and to the side and rear, several different flags were waving one after another. Among them, the largest and most eye-catching one had a huge character embroidered on it: HIGH!

  "It's General Gao Xianzhi returning triumphantly from the Western Regions, bringing his troops to present captives to the Emperor!" Wang Xun said disinterestedly after a moment's glance.

  "Those few walking ahead seem to be all fourth-rank generals! They look really young!" Bai Huiqi's face turned red, and her eyes were almost full of stars at this moment.

  "What's so special? That year, on the first day of the lunar new year, a fire broke out in the lantern market in Chang'an City and at least twenty fourth-rank generals were burned to death!" Wang Xun suddenly felt a surge of annoyance in his heart, curled up the corner of his mouth, and responded with a sour tone.

  "You, this mouth is really poisonous!" Bai Wei pointed her finger and poked it over, "Others are all fierce warriors who opened up the western frontier, how can they be compared to those silver-haired officials in the capital?"

  "What's going on in the capital, why are they all silver-tipped guns?!" Wang Xun himself was a native of Chang'an and could ruthlessly mock those noble-born officials who relied solely on their parents' influence to gain office, but he couldn't tolerate others mocking his own kind to his face. He scowled, his face cold with laughter as he pressed for an answer.

  "Wronged person, not referring to you. What's wrong with your mind!" Bai Wei hastily realized she had misspoken and tried to make amends. "Second Brother isn't a silver-tongued devil, if Second Brother were..."

  Wang Xuan smiled and bit down on the outstretched finger. "Ah!" Bai Hui Ci's finger hurt, she couldn't help but frown and let out a sharp cry. Immediately, her cries were muffled in her mouth, turning into indistinct "heh heh" sounds.

  "Today, let you see the power of the silver wax gun head! Hmph...” Wang Xun chuckled and teased, picking up Bai Wei Ci and holding her around the waist, using his arm to close the window tightly, blocking out the commotion outside.

  Note 1: Vermilion gate. In the Tang Dynasty, the color of the front door of ordinary people's homes was strictly divided by rank. Only officials who reached a certain level could paint their front doors red. Ordinary families, no matter how rich they were, were not allowed to paint their gates vermilion.

  Note 2: Shengye Fang, ancient Chang'an gathering place for fireworks women. Chongren Fang, central-western part of Chang'an, was one of the gathering places for nobles. Xinchang Li was a gathering place for scholars taking exams. The following text's Mingke Xiang is a famous Golden House Cang Jiao location. The above four addresses have been mentioned in Tang Dynasty legendary stories.