Chapter 55 Zhang Lihua

  Why is it so happy? Because of Zhang Lihua herself.

  Zhang Lihua, who is she? Many people may not know, but there is someone very close to her that you must know. Those who can leave a deep mark in history are only two kinds of people: one is to be remembered for centuries, and the other is to be infamous for eternity. The person I want to talk about is the latter, Chen Houzhu Chen Bao, this person you should have some impression.

  "Lovely beauty in the high pavilion, newly adorned with elegant charm, captivating the city; Reflected on the door, tender and hesitant to enter, emerging from the curtain with a gentle smile. The enchanting lady's face is like a flower with dew, the jade tree shines with soft light; Flowers bloom and fall, not lasting long, fallen red petals return to silence."

  This poem is the famous "Yu Shu Hua" (Jade Tree Flower), written by Chen Houzhu, Emperor of the Southern Chen Dynasty. In the Tang Dynasty, Du Mu wrote a poem called "Mooring on the Qin Huai River": "Smoke and mist shroud the cold water and moonlit sand, Moored at night near a wine shop on the Qin Huai River. The merchant girls are unaware of the sorrow of a fallen nation, Across the river they still sing Yu Shu Hua.

  Chen Shubao, also known as Chen Xu, was the son of Emperor Xuan of Chen and the last ruler of the Southern Chen dynasty during the Northern and Southern dynasties period. He was naturally talented and had a high level of skill in poetry and literature. However, during his reign, he built grand palaces, lived extravagantly, neglected state affairs, spent day and night frolicking with concubines and officials, composing lewd poems and songs, and was extremely dissolute and incompetent, causing the downfall of the Chen dynasty.

  Historically, because of Chen Baxian's affair with Xiao Mohe's concubine, the last pillar of the Chen state was also disheartened and took non-resistance measures against the Sui army, accelerating the downfall of the Chen state.

  It's worth mentioning an interesting thing here. In 589 AD, when the Sui army marched south to attack Chen, Yang Guang participated in it, and it's not clear whether he was trying to gain merit or not. At that time, Yang Guang was full of vigor and momentum, sweeping across the Yangtze River, capturing Jiankang, and taking Chen Shubao alive from a well where he was hiding with Zhang Lihua. Yang Guang listed ten major crimes committed by Chen Shubao, calling him an incompetent ruler for all eternity, and gave him the posthumous title of Emperor Yong.

  It is ironic that decades later, Yang Guang, who was once a brilliant and outspoken critic of Emperor Chen's mistakes, also became a notoriously incompetent ruler, with the same posthumous name of Emperor Yang. This cannot help but make one sigh in amazement at how history repeats itself, cycling through the same patterns over and over again.

  Next, let's talk about Zhang Lihua, also known as Zhang Guifei. She was a songstress born with exceptional beauty. Her most striking feature was her seven-foot-long hair that shone like a mirror and had eyebrows and eyes that were as beautiful as a painting. Moreover, she possessed sharp wit and an astonishing memory, such that "whenever something happened in the world, she would know about it first".

  This Zhang Lihua was originally a maid of a noblewoman with the surname Kong, who was a concubine of Chen Baxian. However, she had an affair with Chen Baxian and they fell deeply in love at first sight. The Emperor then made her a noblewoman and cherished her as a treasure. From then on, Zhang Lihua rose to prominence and became the leader of the harem of Emperor Chen.

  A momentary thought flashed through Gao Xing's mind about some historical records of Zhang Lihua, but he didn't know if this Zhang Lihua was the same as the historical Empress Zhang of Chen, so his expression changed only for a brief moment before quickly returning to normal.

  "It's nothing, just that the young lady and an old acquaintance I haven't seen in a long time share the same name, so I'm a bit flustered, and it's quite embarrassing for me to see you laugh."

  "Really?" The woman in black raised an eyebrow, gently removed the black cloth covering her face, revealing a delicate and lovely face.

  A delicate and lovely face, with a small nose and mouth, and skin as white as jade, with a hint of red, like the tender skin of an infant. Her chin is slightly pointed, and under the adornment of her beautiful and straight black hair, she looks even more lovely.

  When you really stand in front of her, you will understand how captivating her eyes are. Her big and round peach blossom eyes, black and bright, pure and deep, contain infinite tenderness, melting your heart, making you infatuated with them. She doesn't intentionally entice you, but her whole body exudes a kind of charm, causing your mind to unconsciously sink into it, losing all sense of self.

  The moment the handkerchief on Zhang Lihua's face fell, Wang Yan was as if struck by lightning, standing still in a daze, his mouth slightly open, seemingly in astonishment, staring foolishly at Zhang Lihua, motionless.

  Even in his excitement, he was momentarily stunned by the surprise. But after all, he was a person with extraordinary skills and special training, so he quickly suppressed the shock in his heart and carefully examined the beauty in front of him.

  Gao Xing was staring at Zhang Lihua, who was also staring back at him. When faced with his own appearance, he only briefly lost himself before snapping back to reality, a rare occurrence among young people full of vigor. At first glance, this young man seemed ethereal and calm, but upon closer inspection, he appeared as stable as a mountain. He possessed a face that even he himself would envy, yet Gao Xing had never heard his name before. Zhang Lihua's curiosity about Gao Xing grew stronger.

  "Lihua is indeed matchless in beauty, leaving one in endless admiration!" He gazed at Zhang Lihua with a delighted and admiring expression, his eyes warm and sincere.

  "Alas, even if I had the beauty of a fallen fish or a lotus flower that shames the moon, I would still be like a floating duckweed in the wind and rain, a plaything in the hands of the powerful. A hundred years from now, I will only be a withered skeleton!" Zhang Lihua did not show joy, but instead revealed a sorrowful expression on her face, tender and pitiful, evoking feelings of sympathy.

  Miss, you're being overly pessimistic. With your talent and beauty, countless high-ranking officials will fall at your feet, and wealth, honor, and glory will be within your grasp, making many others jealous. Why must you be so melancholic?

  Zhang Lihua smiled silently, shook her head, and a smile reappeared on her face. "Alright, I'm honored to be able to share drinks and conversation with you two gentlemen today. Why waste our time on these depressing things? Come, please sit down."

  "Please." With a happy smile, he made a fist and was about to take a step forward when he suddenly discovered that Wang Yun was still standing there with a foolish expression, like a wooden stake rooted to the ground, with a hint of crystal clear tears at the corner of his mouth.

  Kaixing pushed Wang Yun slightly, but the latter was still confused and unwilling to wake up. Helplessly, Kaixing had to lean in close to his ear and shout loudly, "The water is coming!"

  "Where? Where?" Wang Yan's soul suddenly returned to his body, and he jumped up abruptly, looking around in panic.

  Gao Xing had already flashed to one side, with his back facing Wang Yun, as if saying, "Who is this guy? I don't recognize him."

  "Hehe", seeing Wang Yan and Gao Xing's comical appearance, Zhang Lihua couldn't help but cover her mouth and giggle.

  When Wang Yan heard Zhang Lihua's laughter, he finally reacted and knew that he had made a fool of himself in front of the beauty. For a moment, his face turned red with shame, and he wished he could crawl into a crack in the ground. In his heart, Wang Yan was also "hating" Gao Xing to the point of gritting his teeth, casting all his resentful eyes on Gao Xing's body.

  "Please, this way, young masters." Zhang Lihua smiled for a moment, her eyes shining with tears, her skin flushing red, making her even more alluring.

  He couldn't help but look at her with excitement, thinking to himself: Could this woman be the reincarnation of a fox spirit? Wang Yan, however, had learned his lesson and didn't dare look at Zhang Lihua again. He hastily ran back to his seat, his face still slightly flushed.

  "Meeting is fate, I'll toast the two young masters with a cup." The three sat down, Zhang Lihua smiled and looked at the excited duo.

  Wang Yun was also too ashamed to speak, so he raised his wine cup and followed suit, draining it in one gulp.

  Although Qian Shang had received professional training and had some experience with flirting with the opposite sex, he was a man of great artistic talent but little courage. When executing his tasks, he rarely got to use these skills. Furthermore, due to the hatred and resentment in his heart, his actual experience interacting with women was extremely lacking.

  Wang Yun was an old hand at the brothel, but now he couldn't even lift his head in shame, feeling like a man sitting on pins and needles. This time it was all about Wang Yun, who was excited but had to hide himself, making what should have been a romantic and dreamy encounter somewhat dull and awkward.

  After exchanging a few simple pleasantries, Wang Yan pulled Gao Xing away in a hurry, walking out of the street before finally stopping to catch his breath. Gao Xing, however, was smiling and watching him, not feeling any regret for not having a romantic night with the beauty.