Miss, Please Respect Yourself - Chapter 8

The officials of Great Qi received modest salaries, but local officials had their own ways of making extra money. Although Tang Shi wasn’t a particularly corrupt or greedy man, he had his fair share of additional income, so it wasn’t difficult for him to host a decent banquet for his father.

The garden was still lush with greenery, and the lotus leaves on the small lake had yet to wither. Their verdant clusters blended seamlessly into the tranquil water that met the sky, creating a sight both warming the heart and pleasing the eye.

At the end of the long corridor, a waterside pavilion had been set up with low tables, where tea, wine, and fruits were being served in succession. In a small pavilion extending from this main structure, a troupe of performers danced gracefully as melodious music wafted through the air. A small boat moored at the shore emitted the enchanting strains of the music.

The guests gradually took their seats, sipping wine, chatting leisurely, and enjoying the dance, all while relishing the pleasant atmosphere.

Among the guests, many had brought their families, but Wen Qian’s presence was particularly eye-catching, not only because of her own identity but also due to Yang Jin’s identity at the time. As a result, although she drank little, she received more than her share of glances.

While others around her continued to chat, Wen Qian casually observed the dancers nearby, clicking her tongue. “This dance isn’t nearly as captivating as mine.”

Catching a glimpse of Tang Shi not far away, she subtly reminded Yang Jin, “Lord Tang is looking our way.” As she spoke, she moved closer to him.

Her soft and warm waist brushed against his arm just as Yang Jin was about to frown. Wen Qian, however, poured him a cup of wine as if nothing had happened, lowering her voice, “Young Master Duan, try to be more natural.”

“You’re supposed to be playing the role of a charming scholar, not a stern-faced Guan Yu[1]. Could you be a bit more dissolute? If you keep this up, I can’t guarantee that we’ll get anything useful out of Tang Shi.”

Yang Jin was well aware that Tang Shi had been eyeing the two of them, and not just once.

He remained silent for a moment, and as Wen Qian handed him the wine cup, he suddenly smiled nonchalantly. Then, with two fingers, he pinched her chin, lifting it slightly and forcing her to lean towards him.

“This bamboo leaf green tea is truly aromatic, this young master gives it to you.”

As he spoke, he frivolously brought the cup of wine to her red lips.

The slight pressure in those fingers even seemed to make the wine become spicier than usual.

Wen Qian froze momentarily.

Those pair of starry eyes, full of teasing and frivolity, looked straight into hers. Beneath his excessively handsome brows, his expression became even more unrestrained, almost like a rebellious young master from a noble family.

She hadn’t expected him to play along so well, even going above and beyond, performing with a level of skill that was nearly flawless.

Wen Qian secretly admired his act. But soon, she noticed that the area below Yang Jin’s ears had started to turn red, the flush spreading quickly…

“…” It seemed she had overestimated him…

Despite her surprise, Wen Qian reacted swiftly, forcefully breaking free and turning her face away in feigned embarrassment. Yang Jin, meanwhile, curved his lips into a faint smile and poured himself another cup of wine.

This play of being forced, feeling sympathetic, filled with unspoken emotions, was a great success. Everyone present exchanged glances quietly, each with their own understanding.

—Who would have thought that this surnamed Duan was such a dissolute person?

—He’s simply a sex-hungry ghost!

—Poor Miss Wen…

Everyone had their own thoughts, but at that moment, the two people involved looked away from each other, feeling equally uncomfortable.

Just then, the music in the stone pavilion came to an end. The musicians bowed slightly and were about to begin another piece when someone in the crowd suddenly spoke up, “Speaking of singing and dancing, how could we miss out on Miss Wen from Tingyu Tower? Since it’s such a rare occasion for her to be here, why not grace us with a performance and let everyone enjoy it?”

The onlookers, all eager to see Wen Qian freed from Duan’s grasp, immediately echoed the suggestion.

Yang Jin had been planning on doing so anyway, but fretted over how to find an excuse. He put down his wine cup, smiling, “I was so engrossed in watching the dance that I almost forgot Miss Wen prepared several songs upon hearing that she will be coming to Tang Mansion to celebrate a birthday.”

Wen Qian cursed inwardly: He really knows how to dig a pit for me. When did he ever say that I’d play several songs?

Even so, she maintained a smile as she rose gracefully from her seat, bowing slightly to the crowd. “You flatter me, everyone. Given the sudden nature of the occasion, my preparations were hasty. If you don’t mind, Wen Qian shall do the best to entertain.”

The onlookers kept saying several rounds of “Of course not, of course not.”

She walked past Yang Jin and went straight to the stone pavilion.

A maid carrying a zither immediately followed her, while someone brought a long table. The girl bent over, clumsily setting up the zither with awkward movements.

Since this was a birthday banquet, everyone assumed she would play something joyful and festive to match the occasion. Although the birthday star had already gone back to his room for a nap, it wouldn’t hurt for the younger generation to honor him with a tune or two.

Yang Jin had the same thought, so he didn’t give it much thought.

In truth, when Wen Qian sat down, she hadn’t yet decided what song to play. But as she raised her eyes and caught sight of a certain ‘charming scholar’ absent-mindedly sipping his wine in the distance, she suddenly made up her mind.

A mischievous smile tugged at her lips as she raised her hand to the zither strings.

The moment she took a deep breath, Yang Jin noticed a subtle change in Wen Qian’s expression.

In the next instant, the rapid rhythm of the zither filled the air, the strings producing a tumultuous sound, like pounding drums.

Contrary to everyone’s expectations of a melodious tune, it was instead a fierce and tempestuous “Breaking the Formation Song”. Its powerful, resonant melody soaring to the clouds, resounding for thousands of miles.

Such a melody was far beyond Yang Jin’s previous knowledge of a woman playing the zither.

She sat behind the zither, her entire being focused on her fingertips. As the melody swelled, her body swayed lightly, her slender fingers constantly plucking the strings.

It was like a fierce battle in utter darkness, with rivers stretching for thousands of miles, golden halberds and iron horses[2] clashing amidst raging fires and billowing smoke. She seemed to be strategizing among thousands of troops, remaining as steadfast as a mountain despite the turbulent waves.

The lake behind her was rippling.

In the breeze, there were no birds taking flight, nor were there any fish or insects chirping. Everything was unfathomably quiet.

The musicians on the boat were stunned, and all eyes were fixed on her without blinking.

The tune continued to twist and turn, moving from the chaos of war to the calm after the storm, filled with the stirring emotions of a stray wild goose howling in the west wind.

When Wen Qian played the zither, she lost the carefree and nonchalant air she had usually. Her expression grew solemn, with brows knit in concentration. Much like when she danced, it was as if she were an entirely different person.

Yang Jin held his wine cup, lost in thought, his gaze fixed on those swiftly moving fingers. For some reason, he suddenly felt a strange heat on the fingertips that had pinched her chin earlier. He hurriedly drank several more cups to steady himself.

Once he had calmed down, he looked around and saw that everyone was still entranced by the music. Taking advantage of the moment, he quietly slipped away.

※

The autumn wind rustled through the air, and the faint echoes of the zither still lingered in the distance.

Yang Jin moved cautiously along the narrow path in the back garden.

The servants of the Tang Mansion were still busy preparing for the evening banquet. Since they were all ordinary people without any martial skills, he could easily avoid them and move freely within the mansion. Besides, today was the old master’s birthday. Even if he were accidentally discovered, he could easily come up with excuses.

Liu Wenyuan and Tang Shi were from the same hometown and had grown up together. Before entering officialdom, they studied under Director of Studies Peng at the Imperial Academy, making them as close as brothers.

So, when Yang Jin learned that he had fled to Guangling, his first suspicion fell on Tang Shi.

If there were no clues in the music workshop, then the person must still be hiding within the Tang Mansion.

Yang Jin walked deeper along the walls.

There were many servants in the Tang household. If Liu Wenyuan were hiding among them, it would be a daunting task to find him.

Yang Jin suddenly thought, could there be any problem with the old master?

After all, the old master was advanced in years and rarely left the house. Even during a birthday banquet, he could sit quietly without uttering a word, and no one would think it strange.

As he pondered this, voices came from a small courtyard ahead.

“Lift it, lift it carefully, don’t drop it… What a day for something like this to happen. Remember to take it through the side gate, and make sure no one sees.”

Inside the courtyard, two servants were carrying a long board covered with a white cloth, as if they were transporting a corpse.

This area was remote, the buildings simple, likely the servants’ quarters.

Yang Jin concealed himself behind some bushes. Just as he was about to move closer, a boy emerged from the room, sobbing.

A man dressed as a steward stood outside the door, hands clasped behind his back, sighing coldly. “Stop crying already. The dead can’t come back to life. Birth, old age, sickness, and death are the way of things. Besides, our master hasn’t treated you badly. Here, take this—”

He put a bag of money in the boy’s hand. “This silver taels should be enough to get you by for a while.”

Having offered the carrot, he didn’t forget the stick[3]. He patted the boy’s shoulder, “It’s the old master’s birthday today. The fact that your father died has already brought enough bad luck to this mansion. Leave quickly while it’s still early. If the master sees you, you won’t even get a single coin. Understand?”

The boy wiped his tears and said nothing. He just nodded through his sobs, then followed the two men carrying the corpse, stumbling along the way.

Ahead was the east gate of the Tang’s residence, also known as the side gate. It led to a narrow alley that was rarely used.

The servants were unfamiliar faces, and Liu Wenyuan wasn’t among them. As the steward began instructing others to clean the room, Yang Jin turned to leave, intending to search elsewhere. However, he stopped after taking two steps.

He had remembered there was one person he hadn’t checked—

The corpse.

The corpse covered in white cloth.

As soon as this thought came to mind, he used his lightness skill to swiftly pursue the group.

If Tang Shi had discovered that there were Embroidered Uniform Guard officers coming to his residence, no matter how closely he watched Shi Baichuan, there was no guarantee that someone wouldn’t slip through the cracks and take advantage of the situation.

At this moment, his priority would naturally be to send Liu Wenyuan away.

If  had devised a plan to fake a servant’s death, sneak him out in a coffin, and transport him outside the city, it would be a perfect opportunity to escape unnoticed.

The men carrying the corpse hadn’t gone far and were still in the alley when a figure suddenly descended from the sky.

The boy who had been crying was immediately stunned. “Who… who are you?”

Without a word, Yang Jin quickly approached. Before he could get closer, the boy sensed something amiss and quickly moved to block his path. “What are you going to do to my father?!”

Before he could finish, an unsheathed knife was pressed against his neck. The boy froze, instinctively wanting to cry out, but Yang Jin’s low threat cut him off, “Don’t make a sound.”

His sob instantly caught in his throat.

Seeing the man’s threatening approach, the servants carrying the corpse were stunned for a moment before dropping the wooden board and running away.

The corpse covered in white cloth fell to the ground with a thud. For a brief moment, his limbs seemed to twitch, but then he went still again.

Yang Jin, holding the boy captive, cautiously and hesitantly approached the board.

If the body were actually a living person, there was no telling what weapons might be hidden beneath the cloth.

After twirling the knife in front of him, he slowly bent down and pulled back the cloth with a swift motion—

Lying still on the ground was a middle-aged man. His eyes closed, lips pale, with faint signs of corpse spots around his neck.

He was well-built and muscular, clearly someone who had done hard physical labor for many years.

After a moment of surprise, he frowned deeply and muttered, “It’s not Liu Wenyuan?”

“Of course not! That’s my father!” Taking advantage of Yang Jin’s distraction, the boy broke free and rushed to the body, sobbing as he covered it again with the cloth, muttering things like, “Father, this child has failed you… I couldn’t stop the evil man before us…”

Yang Jin returned to his senses, realizing that perhaps he’d gone too far. He lifted his robes and squatted before the boy, then took out some silver ingots from within his lapels.

“I misunderstood earlier. Take this and give your father a proper burial.”

The boy initially refused, shouting defiantly, “I don’t want your money!”

But after a moment, seeing that he hadn’t withdrawn his hand, he took it without further protest.

Yang Jin asked calmly, “How did your father die?”

He sniffed, “He died of an illness.”

“What illness?”

At this question, the boy fell silent for a moment, nervously looking around before leaning in to whisper mysteriously, “My father was actually frightened to death.”

Yang Jin frowned suspiciously, “Frightened to death? By whom?”

“By our master!”

The boy then recounted a strange story.

“A little over ten days ago, my father went out at night to relieve himself. Afterward, he decided to sneak into the kitchen for some leftovers.

“But as he passed by the master’s courtyard, he suddenly saw him standing there alone, mumbling to someone, and for quite a while too.”

Yang Jin asked, puzzled, “Didn’t he see who it was?”

“No.” He shook his head, “My father didn’t say.”

The boy continued, “Then, something happened. The master seemed anxious and started pacing back and forth in the courtyard. After a while, my father saw him bend down like this—” He demonstrated, bending at the waist, his hands hanging down as if holding something, swinging them back and forth.

Yang Jin tried to imitate the movement but couldn’t make sense of it.

“My father wanted to see what the master was doing, so he stepped closer. But suddenly, the master raised his head. And guess what?”

The boy shivered. “He actually closed his eyes!”

Yang Jin’s brows twitch slightly.

Footnotes:

[1] Guan Yu, also known as Guan Gong, was a general during the late Han dynasty period. He is often depicted with a stern face in Chinese opera.

[2] 金戈铁马: Mighty and majestic army.

[3] 打一巴掌，给个甜枣: lit. Giving a slap after giving a jujube. Giving punishment/threat after giving rewards.