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At the Fengling Duke's Residence, the samurai were highly respected. On the day of their entry into the mansion, the guards from the Dance Troupe came to congratulate them, creating a lively atmosphere.
The guards were impressed by how quickly they had risen in status; some had simply been lucky, while others had earned their place through genuine skill.
The news of Feng Lingjun's assassination attempt had spread widely, yet the mastermind behind it remained elusive, leaving the residents of Fengling Duke's Residence in a state of anxiety. Lord Jun intended to recruit more samurai into the mansion, prompting some guards to request recommendations for their entry into Junhou Mansion, but they were declined by Qing Wan. This left everyone feeling somewhat disappointed.
Among them, Sword Thirteen was particularly upset; he was very dissatisfied with recent events.
"Lord Chun and Lord Qing are one thing, but Zhong Yi has also caught the eye of Zhao Country Prince. That's quite unusual."
San Chun was surprised. "Zhong Yi has been valued by Zhao Country Prince?"
"Yes, yesterday the young master sent someone to inquire and offered a substantial sum as a bride price. The Shang Family has already agreed, and he will be returning to his homeland in a few days."
San Chun suddenly recalled that day when she had referred to Zhong Yi in front of Young Master Ji Xun. She thought he was just asking casually and didn't expect him to take it so seriously.
However, since Zhong Yi was not someone she was closely connected with, she didn't dwell on it too much and instead focused on what she would do once they arrived at Fengling Duke's Residence.
In fact, with Qing around, she didn't need to worry too much; whatever he asked her to do when they arrived would be fine.
Yawning, she suddenly felt drowsy and fell asleep in the carriage that was taking them to the mansion. Seeing her peacefully asleep, Qing couldn't help but sigh softly; her carelessness made him uncertain whether bringing her into the mansion was right or wrong.
Due to his life-saving favor towards Lord Jun, Qing was highly regarded upon entering the mansion. The other samurai dared not look at him and showed him great enthusiasm. A banquet was held at Qinghe Restaurant to welcome them.
San Chun was not accustomed to such occasions but thought it would be inappropriate not to show respect since they would be working together in the future. Encouraged by Qing, she decided to join them.
It seemed that she had a natural affinity for alcohol; during her time in Niushan Village, she hadn't been able to explore this aspect of herself. However, upon arriving at the restaurant and seeing barrels of fine wine and smelling its enticing aroma, her long-suppressed love for drinking resurfaced.
After exchanging pleasantries with everyone, she didn’t wait for others to persuade her and began drinking cup after cup. Eventually, feeling that it wasn't enough, she started pouring directly from the barrel into her mouth as if a dam had burst open. After all, since the wine was free, she felt liberated.
The other samurai initially teased her for her beauty but soon lost their condescension as they began clinking glasses with her.
For the first time in two years, San Chun drank so freely that it seemed the wine bug that had been pent up for two years was finally released. She couldn't remember if she could drink, but she just wanted to drink, and in no time, she had finished an entire jar by herself.
Qing tried to persuade her a few times, but she didn't listen. Later, seeing that her capacity for alcohol seemed quite good, Qing gave up trying to reason with her.
Everyone was feeling a bit tipsy and began shouting for something fun to do to enhance the drinking atmosphere.
Amidst the cheers, a warrior named Cheng Ming stood up: "Without song, the wine lacks some fun. I will sing a tune to entertain everyone, how about that?"
Everyone agreed, "Very good."
Cheng Ming picked up a wine jug and loudly began to sing: "Zhen and Wei, how they flow gently. The man and woman, how they hold hands. The woman asks, 'Shall we see?' The man replies, 'Let’s go see.' Let’s go see beyond Wei; indeed, it is joyful. The man and woman tease each other, gifting each other with spoonfuls of medicine..."
The warriors laughed heartily and said, "Cheng Ming is missing a woman."
Cheng Ming sighed softly; he was originally from Zheng and had been wandering outside for many years. What he longed for in his heart was still that woman by the water.
In Zheng State, the early days of the lunar month of March were a time for gatherings of men and women.
In the sunny spring of March, as the earth warmed and flowers bloomed everywhere, he and she gathered by the banks of Qinshui and Yue Water for purification rituals, praying for a happy marriage. They held fragrant herbs while walking through the bustling crowd, feeling the breath of spring and enjoying the sweetness of love. As they walked, they teased each other and exchanged peonies to signify their affection. But then a great calamity struck; they were separated, she married another, and he wandered elsewhere.
Drunk, Cheng Ming softly sang about past loves. San Chun felt an inexplicable pang in her heart as a scene floated before her eyes:
It was also a beautiful season with bright sunshine and blooming flowers when she walked hand in hand with a White-Clad Man by the riverbank. A gentle breeze brushed against her cheeks; it was quite pleasant. He smiled at her and asked what she wanted to do most. She pointed at the river water and said, "Catch fish."
Later on, whether they caught any fish was forgotten; she vaguely remembered that the water was vast and that someone jumping into the river looked quite funny.
But this memory was too vague; even the appearance of that man in white was indistinct.
Perhaps sensing something in her heart, she borrowed some courage from the wine and swayed as she stood up. "Without dance, there is no fun either; I will dance to enhance our spirits." Without waiting for others' consent, she jumped into the middle of the tavern and began to dance.
At that moment, it was as if she had found her soul; her dance was graceful, with curved arms swirling as her garments fluttered in the wind. She lightly tapped her toes on the floorboards, producing crisp rhythms that resonated clearly—sometimes rapid, sometimes slow—like raindrops falling into bronze vessels.
Her body appeared as if it were made of soft, boneless flesh, yet within it was a fierce strength. She possessed the gentle charm of a woman and the carefree demeanor of a man, spinning, leaping, soaring, and descending, her grace dazzling and her movements reaching their peak.
This was not the first time Qing had seen her dance, but unlike her usual clumsy steps that resembled a mouse celebrating a festival, it was as if she had transformed into another person entirely.
With her long eyebrows, enchanting eyes, fingers, and waist, she danced with delicate steps and resonant tapping sounds, moving slowly like light clouds and spinning rapidly like a whirlwind. She embodied the tender emotions of young lovers in poetry—their joys and sorrows, their separations and reunions.
Accompanying her dance was Cheng Ming's singing: "With the Qian and Wei rivers flowing gently. The gentleman and lady hold their bamboo slips. The lady asks, 'Shall we watch?' The gentleman replies, 'Let us go watch.' Beyond the Wei river, indeed it is joyful. The gentleman and lady tease each other, gifting each other with spoonfuls of medicine..."
San Chun danced faster and faster, as if a gentle whirlwind had formed before her. Suddenly, she slipped on her foot; her hand followed suit, her shoulder moved, her waist twisted. Her body swayed like a soft willow in the wind. As her arms lifted above her head, she removed her hairpin, letting her long black hair cascade down...
In an instant, the entire hall was astonished; nearly all the guests were fixated on the figure at the center of the tavern.
Her fair skin looked as delicate as an eggshell under the candlelight, appearing even more enchanting. Her long and thick eyelashes brushed lightly against her skin with each breath like two gentle brushes. Her jet-black eyes radiated warmth, while her lips bloomed like cherry blossoms in full bloom, curving into a crescent shape—gentle as flowing water and breathtakingly beautiful.
As people became entranced, it felt as if they were gazing upon Chang'e in the moon or a goddess among flowers...
Qing instinctively rushed over and took off his outer garment to cover her completely. He silently cursed; did this girl not know her own gender? How could she dare to dance so seductively in public? And with her hair let down too—wasn't this inviting trouble?
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