Book 13 Chapter 9 - Life Without Regret
Feeling Shen Luoyan's soft, yet firm, silky breast pressing against his left arm, Kou Zhong's heart was slightly swept away. Looking back, he exchanged a glance with Ba Fenghan, but did not see Shen Luoyan bringing any attendant. Surprised, he asked, "Why did Shen Junshi come alone? Your boyfriend Shiji did not have time to accompany you?”
At first Shen Luoyan looked at him with solemn and respectful expression, as if she was completely aloof toward the intimacy shown to her. After a quick glance toward Xu Ziling, who had his gaze fixed that the back of Song Shidao, who was walking in front of him, she smiled like a blooming flower, overflowing with seductive appearance, and said, "Just like you, I was one step late! Why don't you go to Er Shaoye's [second young master] wing? Jiejie will come later to have a heart-to-heart chat with you. Ay! Just get rid of these three masks! Are you going to do something shady?”
Releasing her lily-white hands, she stopped just before Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling stepped into the main hall.
Ba Fenghan continued walking until he was side-by-side with her; laughing indifferently, he said, "If you want to kill us, you must not miss tonight's opportunity; otherwise you might not find another convenient time.”
A murderous intent flashed through Shen Luoyan's eyes, but it vanished as quickly, although she did not say anything.
Man Qing Yuan was worthy to be called Luoyang's most upscale pleasure house; the design was indeed unique and distinguished.
Wang Bo's banquet was held in ‘Tingliu' Pavilion [lit. listening to the remains], located behind the main hall.
On the east, west, north and south there were four three-story buildings forming a square, encircling a vast, about fifty-zhang wide, garden area in the middle.
Each floor on each building contained more than a dozen rooms, with the window of each room opened toward the garden, and in front of each window there was an individual balcony, so that the people in each room had full visibility of the garden below.
Compared to the buildings in the south, Man Qing Yuan was definitely more grand, more luxurious, and more beautiful. Especially compared to Jiangnan's architecture, which emphasis was in simplicity and elegance, so much so that it tended to be plain, this complex's exquisite architecture both in building and landscape was vastly different.
Tingliu Pavilion embodied the combined functionality of ‘partition' and ‘see through'. It utilized some kind of enormous closed screen to cleverly bring about a feeling of ‘it was there, but not really there'. Although it relied mainly on the building itself to define its space, yet virtually it had the spirit of a garden, combining the interior and exterior as one entity in perfect harmony, with an artistic concept of creating an unlimited space out of the confinement of the limited space.
The side of the multi-story buildings facing the garden were interlinked with semi-corridor; not only it enforced the impression of the empty space of the garden, it also enforced the idea that in essence the four buildings were actually one.
Right in the middle of the garden there was a large fishpond. This even-more-open space strengthened the admiration of the guests.
The ground all around the fishpond was verdant with green grass and artificial brook; there was also a gravel path wound around the pond. From higher elevation the winding path and the verdant grass formed a beautiful pattern that warmed the heart and delighted the eye.
When the path met the brook, it became the arch of a small bridge, so that the entire garden never fell into monotonous and dull scenery.
Whether it was a performance or a duel, the people on the surrounding rooms would be able to watch simultaneously. It was obvious that Wang Bo knew how to choose a good place for his banquet.
The three followed Song Shidao climbing the stairs to a room on the top floor of the building on the north side. They already felt that tonight would be interesting, but they were also groaning inwardly, because under such circumstances, how could they make their move against Shangguan Long?
This moment all rooms on all three floors of the four buildings around the garden were brightly lit, plus there were palace lanterns hanging every few steps along the semi-corridor around the garden, making the entire garden as bright as day. With the noise of people talking and laughing, the atmosphere was boiling hot.
Song Shidao stopped in front of a certain door; looking up, he took a deep breath to calm himself down.
Kou Zhong, Xu Ziling and Ba Fenghan, three people also stopped behind him, waiting for him to speak.
Along the corridor richly attired beautiful courtesans and good-looking maid servants were going back and forth in and out of the rooms, like a lovely scene of blossoming plants swaying in the breeze, dazzling those who watched them. Seeing the four men, the women repeatedly sent coquettish glances, but clearly they were most interested in the handsome Song Shidao, because after putting on their masks, the other three were concealing their extraordinary good looks.
Nevertheless, Song Shidao was turning a blind eye to them. With a soft sigh he said, "I have never accepted the fact that Junchuo had died. How could the Heaven be so heartless, the spring flower has fallen before it wilted? I will definitely put that traitor Yuwen Huajin under my blade.”
The three did not expect Song Shidao to be so deep in love that momentarily they did not know what to say.
Song Shidao sighed and said, "San Mei [third (younger) sister did not wish to see Xiao Zhong, I have arranged another room nearby for her. Come!”
Stunned, Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling exchanged glances. It was only then did they know Song Yuzhi was coming as well.
Song Shidao downed a cup of strong wine in one gulp. Kou Zhong narrated in details the events leading to Fu Junchuo's death.
In the other rooms, near and far, the sound of people talking and laughing, finger-guessing game and drinking contest, mixed with the sound of woodwind and string ensemble, so that Man Qing Yuan appeared to be burning with the fire of life.
Only in this room everybody's expression was solemn. The good-looking maids and beautiful courtesans did not dare to come in and disturb them.
Ba Fenghan was the most awkward, because until now Song Shidao did not even ask his name.
Song Shidao only stared blankly at Kou Zhong refilling his cup on the table for the fifth time; he remained silent as if he was a stone carving without any life in it.
Kou Zhong reached out to peel his mask off, breathed a sigh of relief and said, "Wearing this ghost thingy is really uncomfortable.”
Xu Ziling and Ba Fenghan also felt that wearing a mask to conceal their face was of no use anymore, thereupon they also took their mask off.
As if he was completely oblivious of what they were doing, Song Shidao asked in heavy voice, "Did Junchuo ever mention me?”
Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling looked at each other; they were unable to respond.
Song Shidao smiled sadly, picked up the wine cup from the table, and rose up. Facing the garden under the platform, which looked like a roll of big painting, he shook his head and said with a sigh, "I don't care how she treated me, but my love for her is just like a life without regret. Where is that small valley? After I kill Yuwen Huaji, I am going to build a cottage and live there, so she won't be lonely.”
Xu Ziling felt as if the pit of his stomach was pressed down by a thousand-catty rock; with labored breathing he said dejectedly, "When we have time later, we'll take Er Gongzi [second young master] there to visit Niang!”
Song Shidao shook his head, "No!” he said, "I want to go there alone. As long as you tell me the approximate location, I am sure I can find it.”
Clearing his throat, Kou Zhong said, "Telling Er Gongzi is not a problem. Hey! But can we talk about the condition first?”
Song Shidao was greatly surprised, "There is a condition on this?” he said, "No wonder San Mei did not like you.”
Kou Zhong was greatly embarrassed; he said, "I only wish that Er Gongzi would leave the matter of killing Yuwen Huaji to us, her two sons!”