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墨書 Inktalez
Hidden within a hazy glow was the “Heavenly Number Two.” Wu Kong leaned in closer and saw an ancient mirror intricately carved with blue flowers. In the mirror, purple cypress trees stood like strokes of dark ink, solemnly arranged between heaven and earth. Beneath the trees was a stone tablet inscribed with twelve seal characters: “The Ancient People's World is next to the Head Wind World.”
This “Ancient People's World” might hold some significance. “If it is indeed the Ancient People's World, then Qin Shi Huang must be among them. Not long ago, I heard that Palace Maid from the New Tang mention that he possesses a treasure called the ‘Mountain-Driving Bell.’ If I could get my hands on it and sweep through the thousands of mountains and valleys along this Western Road, there would be no place for demons to hide and no refuge for bandits. That would certainly be a delightful affair!”
With a thought, he transformed into an inconspicuous copper borer and nestled on the mirror's surface. With a few bites, that seemingly indestructible ancient mirror was gnawed into a hole. Wu Kong flipped over and leaped into the mirror.
The high platform towered majestically, piercing the clouds. Wu Kong felt a dizzying spin before regaining his senses, finding himself lying beneath a grand platform. Below, voices surged like waves, accompanied by the sounds of silk bamboo and the laughter of women, as if it were a banquet of some noble family. Wu Kong dared not reveal himself recklessly; instead, he maintained his guise as a copper borer, hiding among the flower seams of a green window while peeking inside.
On the high platform, adorned with carved beams and painted rafters in splendid gold and jade, sat a woman with cloud-like hair and flower-like beauty. Dressed in simple yet elegant attire, she could hardly conceal her stunning appearance—she was none other than the legendary beauty Lu Zhu. Flanking her were Madam Xi Shi and Miss Si Si; the three chatted merrily, creating an atmosphere of lively joy. Below them, a group of maids with fan-shaped hairdos bustled about—some pouring wine and serving dishes, others picking flowers or holding colorful bowls.
Wu Kong observed this scene filled with charming maidens, each more alluring than the last, their fragrant scents wafting up to the heavens. He chuckled inwardly: “This Lu Zhu is quite something; she spends her days feasting and dancing, living more joyfully than any celestial being. Well then, I, Old Sun, shall join in on the fun and taste what this gentle realm has to offer.”
With that thought, he transformed into a beautiful young woman with delicate features and blended into the crowd without anyone recognizing him. He appeared with:
Hair piled like clouds adorned with emeralds and brows enveloped in mist. His eyes sparkled with myriad emotions. Dressed in light gauzy robes that accentuated his graceful curves, his waist swayed as he walked.
The maids couldn’t help but cover their mouths and laugh at his appearance: “Our fragrance-holding platform truly lives up to its name; even such a beautiful woman is not hidden away but here showing herself off so we can share in her celestial aura!” One maid approached Wu Kong’s disguised beauty and asked, “Sister, are you here looking for Lu Niao?”
Wu Kong feigned ignorance, his eyes glimmering with shyness: “Sister, I’m new here; please take me to meet her.”
The maid giggled as she led Wu Kong to Lu Zhu. Upon seeing him, Lu Zhu’s face paled; tears streamed down her cheeks as she choked out: “Sister Yu Ji! It’s been so long since we last met; why do you look so sorrowful? Is it because of the Overlord...?”
Wu Kong thought to himself: How strange! Since I jumped out from that rock, I’ve spent my days among mountain spirits and wild beasts—when did I ever know any Lu Niao? When did I ever play this delicate beauty? Since she says so, there’s no need to argue; I’ll just go along with it for fun. However, since I’m Yu Ji now, there must be an Overlord to match; if she asks about him and I can’t answer correctly, wouldn’t that expose me? I should first probe her for information to find an excuse.
Lu Zhu took Wu Kong’s hand gently: “Sister, come quickly to take your seat! This wine may be light but can ease your sorrows.”
Upon hearing this, Wu Kong put on a sorrowful expression and said softly: “Sister doesn’t know; people say: ‘Wine brings joy but also heartbreak.’ My beloved is far away from me; we cannot meet. This drizzle has already broken my heart—how can I still swallow this wine?”
Lu Zhu was even more surprised upon hearing this: “What do you mean? Isn’t your husband that unparalleled hero Xiong Yu of Chu? You’re both together now; why can’t you meet?”
Hearing “Xiong Yu,” Wu Kong felt overjoyed inside and continued: “Sister doesn’t know; today’s King of Chu is no longer the same as before! He has a seductress named Chu Sao by his side who charms him in countless ways and sows discord between us.
“Back then, I was inseparable from the Overlord; we were like strings of a zither in harmony. But now he listens to that seductress while treating me coldly. Sometimes when we admire the moon together, I purposely avoid looking at the water weeds in the pond; he leans against the railing alone while lamenting how enchanted he is by that seductress—saying that I spoiled his mood. Sometimes when we admire flowers together and I don’t arrange for wine to be served, that seductress brings him a pot of purple flower dew calling him ‘Your Majesty,’ throwing flirtatious glances at him as she leaves—he returns her gaze too! With all my deep feelings hoping for us to grow old together, who knew he would treat me like dirt while cavorting with that fox spirit? How can I not be heartbroken?”
“Not long ago, feeling neglected by me for not lavishing attention on him anymore—and saying I wronged Chu Sao—he stormed off one day without taking any attendants or telling anyone where he was going. It’s been over twenty days now without any news… who knows if he is alive or dead…”
With that said, Wu Kong covered his face and began to cry—their pear blossoms drenched in rain look was truly pitiful. Seeing her so heartbroken made Lu Zhu unable to hold back her tears either; Xi Shi and Si Si sighed along with her while even those maids serving wine felt their eyes welling up with tears.
Indeed: one sorrowful person should not speak to another about sorrow; speaking of sorrow only deepens their grief.
As the sounds of silk bamboo gradually quieted down, the four beauties took their seats around the table. Xi Shi raised her wine cup; her peach blossom eyes sparkled with concern as she said: “Tonight our beauties seem troubled; we sisters should comfort each other well and not bring up those painful memories again.” After saying this she set down her cup and waved her delicate hand for a maid to bring forth a white jade plate filled with six crystal-clear dice. “Today let’s not discuss poetry or songs but play a game instead!”
Xi Shi lightly shook her wrist as the dice clinked melodiously in her palm: “The rules are simple: if there are no ones on the first roll, each person must recite a line of poetry; if there are no twos on the second roll, tell a love story; if there are no threes on the third roll then I will drink one cup myself and choose another sister to drink along with me—how does that sound?”
“Good! Let’s do as sister says.” Lu Zhu responded first while the other two ladies nodded in agreement. Xi Shi smiled charmingly as she flicked her wrist—the dice flew like stars onto the jade plate where they spun around before finally settling on three fours and fives.
“The first roll has no ones!” Xi Shi announced sweetly while casting a teasing glance at Lu Zhu.
Lu Zhu covered her mouth in laughter; after pondering briefly she began reciting in her delicate voice:
“My husband does not come; long is this cool night.”
The lingering tone was filled with a hint of melancholy and a touch of longing, causing everyone present to feel a flutter in their hearts.
"Wonderful, wonderful!" Si Si clapped her hands in admiration. "This line is a double entendre; it not only adheres to the game rules but also subtly reflects the beauty's inner feelings. Truly remarkable!" After saying this, she was not to be outdone. With a quick turn of her eyes, she recited another line:
"The jade maiden's ornaments chime in the autumn wind."
The two beauties' verses, one filled with sorrow and the other with a cool detachment, both carried a faint sadness, as if responding to the lingering grief in Yu Ji's heart. Wu Kong listened intently, secretly lamenting, "What am I to do? I can manage some other words, but poetry truly gives me a headache. I wonder if Yu Ji is well-versed in poetry; if she doesn't know it, that would be fine, but if she's full of talent, then I'm bound to expose myself today..."
While he was anxiously pondering this, Lu Zhu urged, "Why doesn't the beauty recite a poem? Is it because you think we sisters are dull?"
Wu Kong's face turned awkward as he stammered, "I... I can't compose poetry..."
"Haha, the beauty is being too modest!" Xi Shi covered her mouth and laughed. "Your poetry collection has long spread across the Central Plains. That line from 'Song in Response to King Xiang'—'The Han army has taken the land; the sounds of Chu songs echo from all sides. The king's spirit is exhausted; what hope does this humble servant have for survival?'—is known by all, even three-year-old children know that Lady Yu is a remarkably talented woman. How can you refuse today?"
Wu Kong found himself in a difficult position due to her words and had no choice but to look up at the ornate beams and painted rafters, pretending to ponder deeply. After a while, he hesitantly said, "Could I... could I not recite ancient verses?"
Wu Kong felt his head was about to explode; Xi Shi and Lu Zhu were taking turns speaking as if they were deliberately digging a pit for him. Poetry? How could he, Lao Sun, compose it? Yet he had to live up to Yu Ji's reputation. He stole a glance at Xi Shi and saw her covering her mouth with an air of mischief in her eyes. Wu Kong cursed inwardly: This woman is certainly no simple character; she’s here to watch me make a fool of myself!
Clearing his throat twice, he pretended to be inspired and began pacing back and forth, shaking his head thoughtfully. The surrounding ladies held their breath in anticipation of what this renowned Lady Yu would come up with. He looked up at the sky as if searching for inspiration and after a long pause finally blurted out:
"Repentance flies with the clouds and rain."
As soon as these words left his mouth, everyone was taken aback. This was hardly poetry; it was clearly nonsense! Yet somehow, this nonsense left them unable to find fault with it.
Lu Zhu covered her mouth and laughed, "This line from the beauty is truly original and profound!"
Si Si echoed, "Yes, this line of poetry seems to hide a story within it, making one unable to resist the urge to explore. However, I feel it carries a hint of emptiness, reminiscent of Buddhism."
Xi Shi smiled without speaking, but her eyes seemed to pierce through everything as they fixed intently on Wu Kong.
Wu Kong felt uneasy under her gaze and could only force himself to say, "The meaning of this line is..." He stammered for a long time without managing to articulate his thoughts.
Xi Shi did not expose him but simply smiled and said, "A beauty's poetry naturally holds profound meaning. Could it be that the beauty spent half a month as a nun in some Celestial Abode? If that were the case, we mere mortals would truly be unable to comprehend these verses."
Upon hearing this, Lu Zhu turned his gaze toward Xi Shi and gently asked, "Sister, can we consider the beauty's line as prophetic?"
Without hesitation, Xi Shi replied, "Why not? A poem crafted by a beauty naturally becomes a verse of the ancients."
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