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墨書 Inktalez
"Sister Beauty, what is this? It smells so good."
Dan Yi's expression changed slightly, but he still replied, "This is 'Dream Green.' I bought it from some passing Persian merchants while traveling through a few small countries to the west."
"Is it the rouge you like to use? I want to try some too."
"Don't play with it carelessly, Little Jin," he said with a helpless tone, clearly at a loss with this curious little one. "Dream Green is used by many courtesans to deceive men. When mixed with rouge and applied to the lips, it makes men intoxicated. After kissing, they fall into a dream, experiencing illusions that make them believe everything about Dream is real."
"Really? That's amazing! Give me a few boxes to play with."
"Give you?! Little Jin," he said again in a resigned tone. An Jin looked at Dan Yi with wide, innocent eyes, sighing as he gently rubbed his forehead. He couldn't stand Little Jin's pure gaze. "You can have it. But Little Jin, what do you need it for? I believe you don't really need it."
"How could it be useless?" An Jin grinned mischievously, feeling victorious in his scheme. "I'll give it to my old flame; she'll be mine alone from now on."
Dan Yi shook his head helplessly and said coldly, "Aren't you afraid she'll use it on you?"
An Jin froze for a moment, looking confused. "Oh right, I'll think about it some more."
Seeing his foolish expression, Dan Yi covered his mouth and chuckled lightly. But soon his expression turned sad as he gazed complexly at the naive young man standing there smiling.
"By the way," An Jin suddenly seemed to remember something and muttered to himself, "Why hasn't Big Brother come yet? Hmph—he's always acting busy and showing up late. Honestly, with Sister Beauty here every day, what else in the world can't be set aside?" He looked at Sister Beauty with a flirtatious gaze. She shot him a cold glare in return.
Oh my, Sister Beauty actually threw me a white ball! This is madness! My image! My image! How many times have I emphasized this—
"Little Jin," a man with a cold yet handsome face entered the room, his eyes filled with laughter. "Haven't seen you for a few days and you're talking bad about Big Brother behind his back again. Are you thinking—"
Hearing that familiar voice, I looked up joyfully and saw it was Brother Sima! But remembering that I had just been caught badmouthing him, I shrank back in fear and didn't dare approach.
"Sister Beauty—" I pitifully sought her help, but she completely ignored me. Really now, this trick never works on her when Big Brother is around.
Today, my elder brother wore a deep gray robe adorned with a subtle pattern, cinched at the waist with a turquoise jade belt. A jade ornament hung from the right corner, and a few strands of black hair casually fell over his forehead, occasionally brushing against the corners of his eyes, creating an extreme allure that was hard to resist.
However—cough, cough... I discreetly wiped away the drool at the corner of my mouth. Seeing him every day had made me accustomed to it, so I naturally didn't find it novel... (Just keep your eyes open and tell lies!)
He smiled and waved at me, but I stubbornly shook my head and remained in place. In the next moment, before I could react, he swept me into his embrace with surprising speed. As always, he gently stroked my dark hair, a smile playing on his lips. But I knew this was the beginning of my misfortune. Sure enough, moments later, his hands pinned me down onto his knee, and two crisp slaps echoed in the air. Oh, my poor backside.
I broke free from his grasp and jumped up, my face slightly flushed. Embarrassed, I shot a glance at Sister Beauty, who was covering her mouth and giggling softly. I called out to him in grievance, “My image! My image! Brother Sima, stop spanking Little Jin in front of so many people! I'm not a child!” I turned around and shot a fierce glare at Shen Qing, who hadn’t managed to leave in time; I saw him shaking with laughter!
Although I knew Brother Sima would never truly hurt me, being so close to someone of the opposite sex made me feel quite awkward.
He leaned closer again, lightly ruffling my hair as he chuckled, “I wish Little Jin would always remain a child.”
I huffed lightly and pointed at my Adam's apple before gesturing towards the fake fine velvet beard I had just crafted yesterday. Proudly, I declared, “See? I've already started to develop!”
Sima Langye's expression changed slightly but quickly returned to normal—so fast that only Dan Yi noticed.
“Sit down. I've brought your favorite Blossom Plum Wine.”
“Really?!” I exclaimed excitedly as I sat down and eagerly poured myself a cup to drink in one go. Then I smacked my lips in satisfaction. Ever since I first tasted it and got tipsy, I had developed an obsession with it—the fragrant aroma lingering in my throat, the subtle sourness and spiciness that left a lasting impression; those flavors were refreshing and unforgettable.
“Today,” fueled by the good wine, my spirits lifted significantly, “let me tell you a story—a love story between an unparalleled courtesan and a scholar.”
Sister Beauty walked over and sat down at the table, quietly pouring wine for us while both she and Brother Sima looked at me with smiles encouraging me to continue.
I cleared my throat and began: “During a certain dynasty, there was a woman named Du Shiniang who captivated everyone along the Qinhuai River. She was stunningly beautiful—just look at Sister Beauty to understand what she was like.” I added a touch of humor to lighten the mood. “She was talented in singing and dancing, embodying countless charms. She was indifferent to all; even the high-ranking officials who sought her affection could not win her heart. However, one day a scholar named Li Jia appeared. Mistakenly led by friends into Wangchun Tower, Li Jia had an elegant complexion with rosy cheeks and delicate features as he gazed innocently at this new world of flowers and beauty—right into Du Shiniang's sorrowful heart. From that moment on, he fell hopelessly in love. To love was to invite disaster. Li Jia originally came to the capital for the imperial examination but soon spent every day reveling with Shiniang. He quickly squandered all his money meant for travel to the capital while his mother mocked him repeatedly for wasting his studies.”
I paused slightly as Brother Sima took a sip of wine. “What a clever plan! Such intelligent women are rare in this world.”
I nodded in agreement and continued: “On their way back home together, Li Jia felt regret and fear; he thought of his strict father back home. Not only had he wasted his chance for fame but now he was marrying a renowned courtesan as his wife... So Li Jia sold Du Shiniang for five thousand taels of silver to a wealthy merchant traveling with them... Du Shiniang stood proudly at the bow of the boat wearing bright red wedding attire like a magnificent peony blooming alone in this world. In front of everyone, she revealed her treasured box—a gift from her sisters when she left Wangchun Tower. Layer after layer opened up to reveal rare treasures that were hard to find anywhere else; even a small South Sea pearl was worth thousands of taels of gold—not to mention other priceless items unseen by ordinary people. She looked at those greedy faces twisted by money and smiled beautifully; the wind tousled her hair but couldn't hide her enchanting beauty. With a calm yet hopeless glance over everyone, she deliberately tossed various priceless treasures into the river like a playful child.”
Li Jia regretted it; marrying this woman meant marrying a treasure trove! But Shiniang had lost hope in this world; that day not only did her box filled with bitterness sink into that river but also the lamentation of an unparalleled courtesan echoed through eternity...
By the time she finished speaking, Sister Beauty was already in tears, stammering, "All men in this world are heartless; in the end, it is the women who suffer. Why should she endure this?"
I curled my lips in disdain and mischievously said, "Guess what I would do if I were Du Shiniang."
Without waiting for a response, I continued fiercely, "If it were me, I would first give that cowardly, ungrateful bastard a good beating right in front of him. Then I would take my treasure box and disappear into the horizon, leaving him to regret it all. I would find a beautiful place, buy a manor, and live a comfortable and prosperous life. Why not? A woman's life should be chosen by herself; there’s no need to depend on a man. Especially after losing so-called protection and walking down a dead-end path—what foolishness that is!
Living is the most important thing."
Dan Yi looked up in shock at the slightly intoxicated youth. After years of traveling outside, his thoughts had subtly changed. She never expected him to casually express the hidden thoughts deep within his soul. Although such ideas were unacceptable in this era...
Sima Langye gazed deeply at An Jin with a complex expression and said, "If there truly were such an extraordinary woman in this world, I would cherish her for a lifetime."
He glanced meaningfully at someone, but that oblivious person was busy drinking and laughing foolishly at the two.
I stood up while shaking the wine jar and took another big gulp before reciting:
"Mayfly's wings, garments delicate.
Where does my heart's sorrow return to me?
Mayfly's wings, fluttering clothing.
Where does my heart's sorrow find rest?
Mayfly digging through, hemp garments like snow.
Where does my heart's sorrow speak?"
Hehe. I chuckled lightly, a silly grin spreading across my face as I began to enjoy a song called "Mayfly" by Cao Feng since arriving here.
A deep sadness filled my heart. Where is the place I can truly return to?
Where is the place where I can find peace?
Ultimately, where is the place An Jin should go back to...
With a thud, I collapsed again. Why is it always me who gets drunk first...
"Dad, you're here! Give me a cigarette," I burped and reached out to grasp the blurry figure in front of me. "Let me have a smoke to clear my head. When I wake up, I can see you again... we can be reunited... Hehe..."
"It's always him who wants to drink, and it's always him who gets drunk first," Sima Langye said with a soft smile.
Dan Yi smiled faintly, "Yeah."
As usual, Sima Langye picked up the drunken, naive youth and settled him in the back room. After quite some time, he finally came out.
Dan Yi gazed at him seriously, silence stretching between them.
"Big Brother, I'm leaving tomorrow," Dan Yi broke the silence.
Sima Langye seemed unfazed and replied knowingly, "No matter what, if you need my help, just ask..."
Dan Yi shook his head with a hint of melancholy in his expression. "Big Brother, promise me you'll take good care of Little Jin. Once I leave, I don't know when I'll be back..."
Sima Langye's expression remained unchanged. "Even if you don't say it, I will."
The two of them sat in silence until Sima Langye stood up to leave. Suddenly, Dan Yi murmured with an unusual expression, "Big Brother, why did we both fall in love at the same time..."
Then came a long sigh.
In the dark night, a shadow swiftly appeared in the brightly lit room.
"Princess. The Third Prince wants you to return."
"Is it Uncle Wang's rebellion? I didn't expect his actions to be so swift. We have been hiding our forces in Yanjing for so long; it’s time to eliminate those obstacles..."
"The Eldest Prince—" the messenger hesitated.
"What happened to the Eldest Prince? Speak plainly," the woman said, her brow slightly furrowed.
"The Eldest Prince has fled Yanjing and allied with the Yuwen Clan—"
"Big Brother?" The woman's expression grew weary, as if she had aged significantly overnight.
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