Chapter 1 Autumn Sound (Part 2)

  "Lao Lei, what are you still standing there for? Don't hurry up and open the carriage to see if Madame is injured?" At this critical moment, a calm and unhurried voice came from behind the knife-wielding crowd. Wang Xuan turned his head upon hearing the sound, and saw Qin Guomiao and Qin Guanzhen, two brothers, walking side by side towards him, with more than twenty robust family guards following closely behind them.

  That being called Old Lei, was the burly man who had just joined forces with Wang Xuan to subdue the startled horse. After listening to the reminders of the two Qin brothers, he immediately walked quickly to the side of the carriage, bowed and said very politely: "Inside, I don't know which madam is sitting, have you been injured? Lei Mou was in a hurry to hold the startled horse just now, so he was a bit rude, please forgive me!"

  "Ah, no, just now, thank you for your help, Mr. Zhuang!" The carriage first transmitted a soft sigh, followed by the lazy voice of the female owner. Although still carrying a few points of fear, it was gentle and charming, causing Old Lei's scalp to suddenly tighten, his hands and feet suddenly having nowhere to place themselves.

  "Madam?" Wang Xuan was startled again. He stared with wide eyes, and saw that this was not a white copper decorated carriage! The carriage and the shaft were clearly wrapped in silver. Eight carriages, all with two horses pulling, with silver-plated bodies. In the entire city of Chang'an, there wouldn't be more than three people who would dare to show off like this on the streets, and be referred to as "Madam". And among these three, if any one of them were to be touched even lightly, everyone would probably have to spend half their lives in prison!

  Thinking of this, he didn't dare to delay any further and quickly stepped forward a few steps, personally pulling open the deformed car door. "Madam, be careful, the car door is broken, I'll help you pull it open. Why don't you switch to one of the horse-drawn carriages in the back? This carriage probably can't be used anymore. I'll definitely compensate you with a new one within three days!"

  "Hmm!" A soft hum came from the woman's nostrils in the carriage, clearly very dissatisfied with Wang Xuan's proposed conditions.

  "Is it the lady of Guo State? Qin Shi, the national model, and his brothers, along with a few friends, were frolicking here, not expecting to disturb your carriage. As the sky has already darkened, I dare not let you linger on the road. Another day, we will definitely come to your door to apologize!" The two Qin brothers, being worldly-wise, cleared their throats and stepped forward to pay their respects loudly.

  Although it was already the Tianbao era, Hu Guogong Qin Shubao's courtesy name could still be used. The woman in the carriage smiled softly and responded in a gentle voice: "So it's Gu Mo and Gu Zhen ah. No wonder I heard the voice so familiar. What's the talk about coming to apologize? Whose child hasn't had a few fights on the street? Hmm, what's wrong with this carriage, is it really dented? Those two strong men outside, please use a bit more force!"

  "Obeying the lady's orders!" Wang Xun was overjoyed, and with a slight increase in force, he pulled down the deformed car door. Afraid of startling the ladies inside, he hastily retreated half a step and turned his face sideways.

  This polite movement made Madame Guo laugh. After laughing enough, a green-clad young girl jumped out of the carriage and bent down to slowly lay down a crimson rug at the entrance of the carriage. The girl was about 13 or 14 years old, with a slender yet well-proportioned figure. As she knelt down, two rounded curves protruded from her front and back. Her movements were slow and extremely elegant, with her pale arm lifting and putting down, her five fingers like spring onions contrasting with the crimson rug in an interesting way. The tips of her fingers had a touch of unusual red color, which, under the sunset, instantly drew away countless gazes.

  Wang Jun's biological parents died early, and his stepmother, Yun Niang, arranged for him to have a concubine according to the customs of large families. However, their relationship was still distant, and she couldn't inquire about his private life like a biological mother would. As a result, although he was a young master, he was more awkward than his peers when it came to relationships between men and women. At this moment, seeing a woman with clothes that were almost transparent, he felt his lips dry, his throat tight, and a surge of desire rising up from his belly. Looking at Yuwen Zhi again, there wasn't a hint of fear in his eyes; instead, he stared intently at the girl's every move, as if she would turn into a butterfly and fly away if he blinked.

  "Snap!" A crisp sound rang out in front of the carriage. Everyone was stunned, and Ling Tai instantly regained her clarity. As far as the eye could see, a pair of leather shoes with countless pearls and jade inlays had fallen onto the red carpet at the entrance of the carriage, followed by another pair. The curtain fluttered, and another lovely young girl jumped down, bent down to arrange the shoes neatly at the entrance of the carriage, and said softly: "Madam, the carpet is laid out. Please step this way!"

  "Is the sunlight outside still that poisonous?" Under the foil of two beautiful young maids, the voice inside the carriage became more and more seductive. Although he felt a bit rude, Yuwen Zhi and those foreign guests couldn't help but sneak a peek. All they saw was a five-pointed red bean slowly emerging from the carriage entrance, igniting the flames in the air. The white jade-like feet, smooth and round ankles, straight and smooth calves... Good heavens, she wasn't even wearing stockings! The small legs as delicate as jade were only covered by a layer of sky-blue gauze! Good heavens, Yuwen Zhi's head buzzed for a moment, and in an instant, everything outside lost its color.

  Others didn't perform much better than him. Including Wang Xuan, although he claimed to have seen countless beauties, the songstresses and dancers who usually entertained him were used to receiving prominent guests in Chang'an City, emphasizing sensuality without being lewd or seductive. No one would dress like Madame Guo and her two maids, wearing their bedroom clothes as formal attire, tempting others with abandon and without pretence. Yet, the same clothes looked vastly different on Madame Guo compared to the two young maids. Initially, the two young maids gave off an impression of being charming, seductive, and impulsive, making one want to get close, touch, and hold them in their arms. However, when Madame Guo's figure fully emerged from the carriage, she seemed like a colorful flying Apsara from a Buddhist temple, with temptation still present but subtly revealing a hint of nobility.

  Yuwen was completely stunned, confused and unaware of where he was. In the darkness, he only felt that the rain in the sky turned into flowers, and the eight hundred arhats were chanting together. Amidst the sound of their recitation, a barefooted, bare-waisted flying deva slowly walked towards him, offering a pair of red lips.

  "Long time no see, madam!" The dream was suddenly interrupted, Yuwen Zhi turned back in shock, and saw the two Qin brothers leading the way, with everyone else following suit, bowing and paying their respects to the carriage.

  "Alright, alright!" Madame Guo smiled and shook her head gently, her face full of kindness. "You two little rascals, really don't let adults have a peaceful life. Next time you fight, remember to stay far away from the official road. Otherwise, if your mother hears about it, she'll definitely use family law to discipline you again."

  After finishing speaking, she was supported by two maids and walked towards a carriage in the back row. As she walked, she scolded her family guards in a low voice: "What are you doing with your swords drawn? What if you scare people to death? Quickly put them away! Drag the broken carriage back into the courtyard, don't block the way here. A bunch of useless people, if it weren't for someone risking their life to save me, I would have been dragged into the water by the startled horse!"

  In the blink of an eye, three different faces appeared. One was charming, one was kind, and one was cold as frost. Different people saw it in their eyes, and a different aftertaste surged up in their hearts. The stunning Lady Yuanguo, who had turned everyone's soul upside down, walked into the spare carriage with the support of her maid, and slowly poked her head out again, smiling at the Qin brothers like an elder, "When you're tired from playing later, remember to come to my other mansion for a visit. I just got a new batch of Lingnan sugar frost, take a few jars back, your mother likes it very much. It's specially sent by someone who came all the way, much better than what you buy outside."

  "Thank you, madam!" The two Qin brothers bowed their hands in gratitude.

  Madam Guo, slowly lowered the carriage curtains. The guards glared at Yuwen Zhi and Cen Qi with a fierce gaze, tied the two horses that had already calmed down to the back of the carriage team, and dragged them away together with the carriages. It wasn't until the entire procession disappeared from view on the official road that everyone finally breathed a sigh of relief. Yuwen Zhi patted his chest and let out a long sigh, "I'm dead, I'm really dead! Heaven, I'm dead, is my soul flying everywhere?"

  "It's as if the light cloud covers the moon, and it's as if the gentle breeze blows back the snow!" The outsider who had almost tied with Wang Xun shook his head and loudly recited.

  These two sentences of the Luoshen Fu are quite fitting, and everyone couldn't help but shake their heads and laugh. Only Gao Fuzi, who had been hit on the head by Yuwen Zhi and was still dazed, missed out on the visual feast, and stumbled up from the ground in a daze, shouting inexplicably, "What are you all doing standing over there? Is the fight over? Or have you made peace with each other? Ah, who's so cruel, I've got a whole head full of blood!"

  "Hahaha!" Seeing his dazed appearance, everyone burst out laughing. After they stopped laughing, they looked at each other and lost the motivation to continue the fight.

  That Lei surname strong man who knocked down the two startled horses had some old ties with Wang Zhong, and didn't know the cause of today's conflict. Seeing that everyone's face looked a bit awkward, he proactively struck up a conversation with the outsider who had fought to a draw with Wang Zhong: "Has this gentleman ever been to Luoyang? Those few capture techniques look very familiar to me, I wonder what relationship does this gentleman have with Old Man Danqiu?"

  "Lei Ge, reason with him. It's this guy, today he brought people to demolish Chang Le Fang!" Without waiting for the other party to respond, Yuwen Zhi rushed forward and punched him.

  "You didn't intentionally set up a trap to cheat Li. Would Li still take the initiative to come and provoke you?!" The outsider lightly waved his hand, pushing Yuwen to the side like a spinning top, then adjusted his clothes and responded to Lei's robust man with a dignified bow, "Danqiu Sheng is an acquaintance of Li. In those years at the foot of Mount Song, he once instructed me in a few moves."

  Yuwen Zhi wanted to step forward and provoke, but was stopped by Wang Xuan's single-handed shoulder press. The burly man surnamed Lei heard that the outsider had learned from his old friend Dan Qiu Sheng and became more determined to mediate between the two parties. He clasped his fists together and asked with a smile: "Old Dan Qiu has always been stingy with his skills, I didn't expect him to be willing to teach them all! My name is Lei Wanchun, may I ask your honorable surname and given name?"

  "But isn't that the great hero Lei Wanchun, who years ago rescued an orphan girl and pursued her murderers for 3,000 miles for a reward of just one egg?" The robust man's self-introduction was met with reverence by the out-of-town visitor, whose every gesture seemed to convey an air of refinement. "I am Li Bai, honored to make your acquaintance, Brother Lei."

  "Are you Li Bai? The Li Bai who wrote a hundred poems after wrestling with wine?" Lei Wanchun's face showed as much astonishment as the other person, and he took a light step back, his eyes wide with surprise.

  "It's just below. What they call a hundred poems of wine, is merely the mistaken praise of friends. Compared to Brother Lei's heroic actions in those years, Li can only be considered a drunkard who knows how to write!" Li Bai smiled and shook his head in self-deprecation.

  "Haha, haha, this fight has brought joy! With your great name, Li Taibai, I'm sure you won't bother with those who come to stir up trouble and ruin the scene!" Lei Wanchun laughed loudly, first making a bow to Li Bai and the few outsiders around him, then turning his head towards Wang Xuan, "Brother, today just buy me a thin face, let bygones be bygones between your two families, what do you say?"

  After finishing speaking, he didn't look at anyone else, but instead stared intently at Wang Xuan.

  Long before Yuwen Zhishang started the fight again, Wang Xun had already sensed that something was not quite right today. Later, after hearing that the middle-aged man who had fought a draw with him was the famous poet Li Bai, he felt even more that this battle was suspicious. At this moment, since Lei Wanchun had stepped forward to do what, he took advantage of the situation and asked: "Since Brother Lei has spoken, how could I not respond? But when did you arrive in the capital, why didn't you give us brothers a heads up in advance?"

  "My business, wait a bit and I'll tell you in detail later, brother!" Lei Wanchun nodded apologetically towards him, then immediately turned his gaze to Li Bai and others, "The famous Li Qinglian, would you be willing to give old Lei a thin face?"

  "It wasn't a big deal to begin with. They're no longer after our lives, and I couldn't ask for more!" Li Bai smiled slightly and nodded lightly.

  "Alright, let's just forget about today's incident. It was just a misunderstanding, no one should hold any grudges. Another day, I, Lao Lei, will be the host and invite everyone to Linfeng Tower in the city for drinks!" Lei Wanchun laughed and concluded, "Haha, look at my memory, Linfeng Tower is also under Wang brother's name, so when we go there, you can all rest assured that I won't have to worry about paying the bill!"

  Lei Wanchun was a famous Jianghu hero, and his influence in the city's martial arts circles was no less than Li Bai's among scholars. Although he had already sheathed his sharp edges for some time, his face still commanded respect, and everyone couldn't help but give it to him. He smiled and agreed on the spot. Qin Guomou and Qin Guanzhen were not petty-minded people either. Although they had lost some face in the cockfighting arena that afternoon, seeing both sides make peace, they didn't plan to hold a grudge anymore. Instead, Qin Guanzhen, whose head was still throbbing from being hit with a brick, bowed his hands and asked with concern: "That outsider, are you badly hurt? Do you want me to call a doctor for you?"

  "The old man just... " Gao Fu's brow furrowed as he recalled, still not fully recovered. Suddenly, he clutched his head and let out a loud cry, "Ah, I was actually knocked unconscious by a mischievous kid with a brick! How shameful, how shameful, half a lifetime of reputation gone down the drain! Where is my face to ask people for money for medicine?"

  "Haha, haha, haha!" The crowd laughed even more heartily. After laughing enough, Li Bai made a bow to the Qin brothers and said in a low voice: "Just now, thanks to your quick thinking, everyone managed to escape disaster. We have no way to thank you, so let's just pay for this medicine ourselves!"

  "If in the future you find anything amiss, you can come to Yongjia Lane Qin's residence to look for us brothers. As long as you mention today's matter, we brothers will not shirk responsibility." Qin Guoying smiled and returned the courtesy with equal politeness.

  Several outsiders heard him say the three words "Yongjia Fang" and saw his two brothers dare to be bold, again linking the scene of their conversation with Madame Guo earlier. Knowing that these two were not some unreasonable villains, they also gave up their thoughts of revenge. Laughing, they said: "We don't dare, we don't dare. A small injury is not worth making such a big fuss!"

  At the moment, both parties exchanged names. The middle-aged man who was hit on the head with a brick by Yuwen Zhiyi was surnamed Gao, named Shi, originally the county magistrate of Fengqiu County, because he couldn't bear his superior's oppression of the people and resigned in anger, now visiting friends in the capital. The one chasing and killing Yuwen Zhiyi with a sword was called Cen Shen, a jinshi (a successful candidate in the imperial examination) in the third year of Tianbao, who had not yet been granted an official position and was temporarily living idly in the capital. The remaining few outsiders, one surnamed Cui, one surnamed Wang, were also minor celebrities.

  "Heavens! Fortunately, today's battle was fought by the side of Qujiang Pond, not many people saw it. If it gets spread out, we'll really be 'famous in history'!" Upon hearing the names and surnames of several outsiders, Wang Xun was secretly shocked in his heart. He coldly looked at Yuwen Zhi, only to see that the other's eyes were dodging back and forth, never daring to meet his own.

  The crowd chatted for a few more sentences, confirmed the specific time to drink wine at Linfeng Tower three days later, and bid farewell with joined hands. Before Li Bai and others had walked far, Qin brothers and Wang Xun had already surrounded Lei Wanchun together, asking in unison: "Brother Lei, when did you arrive in the capital? Why didn't you go home to stay?"

  "Lei Da Ge, you're really ungrateful! If it weren't for this messy fight today, Big Brother might still be hiding from us!"

  Surrounded by everyone, unable to escape, Lei Wanchun had no choice but to surrender, "I don't dare, I don't dare. You brothers are saying this, aren't you trying to deceive old Lei? I'm not some big shot, how could I do something like that in the capital and then pass by my own home three times without entering? It's just that I didn't have time. My family's superior returned from the Ministry of Justice today at noon and just settled into the post station. I was ordered to go to Qujiang Fang to deliver a letter entrusted to my family's superior, but the task wasn't completed yet... who would have thought that on the way, I encountered someone fighting. You all know, old Lei isn't someone who can stay out of trouble, seeing people fight, it's hard not to take a closer look..."

  "Alright. Seeing us fight with others, you didn't even come forward to help. Brother Lei is really a sly one!" Yuwen Zhi curled his lips and pretended to be angry, blaming him.

  "Wang brothers fighting alone, which round can I help with? On the contrary, you little kid, getting more and more promising, even knowing how to throw bricks! Next time, remember to hit the temple. One brick can knock the opponent dead, we can also take the opportunity to visit you and see what the Beijing prison looks like!" Lei Wanchun gave him a sideways glance, responding with a cold smile.

  "This guy is probably also in a hurry!" Wang Xun pulled Yuwen Zhi to his side, preventing him from scanning the crowd again. "Little Zhang Tianhua has also returned to the capital? It's really rare. Three days later, why not invite him too, Brother Lei?"

  "He'll definitely come!" Lei Wanchun nodded with a big smile, "Don't look at how my family's elders are cold to everyone else, but they're quite close to you brothers. I still have a few letters to deliver for him today, so I won't disturb you brothers anymore. Let's meet at the Wind and Cloud Pavilion in three days!"

  "Lei, big brother, slow down!" As the sun had already set below the western city wall, Wang You and others could only nod and let Lei Wanchun go. The Qin brothers were ordered by Madame Guo to return to their residence early and didn't dare to be late. Only Yuwen Zhi, without waiting for the Qin brothers' figures to disappear into the distance, immediately turned around and jumped onto his horseback, "Second Brother, you attend to your business first, I'll go take a look at the cockfighting arena, those little ones..."

  "Get down for me!" Wang Xun took three steps and caught up with Yuwen Zhi before he could swing his reins, pulling him off the horseback like an eagle snatching a chick. "Now you still don't want to tell the truth, how long do you want to deceive me?!"