Thematchmakers were rowdy until nightfall before leaving with an excited vigour,in addition Xia Ling Mei had agreed to persist tomorrow.
w.a.n.gresidence side courtyard was brightly lit, a hubbub of voices, the maincourtyard however was a serene darkness, an indescribable stillness, the dinnerthe maids have delivered remained on the table, without being touched, on anormal day people would have still come to enquire about his well-being,tonight even mosquitos could not be seen.
Juan Shustepped into the main courtyard, he couldn’t help but utter: “There’s only thelaughter of the young, where do you hear the crying of the old.”
w.a.n.g YunFeng stood rigidly inside the house, he did not turn his head: “Is theresomeone suitable for her?”
“Oh dear,master relax, the requirements the mistress is looking for in a husband cannotbe achieved by ordinary people. In my opinion, it would take half a year topick one.”
w.a.n.g YunFeng coldly snorted, putting the book in his hand without thought into thebookcase: “How many officials are there in such a small place like Chenzhou whoare above fifth rank, the highest ranked fourth rank Lord Hua already has aproper wife, he also has two sons from his first wife, that temper of Ling Meiabsolutely will not consider a man with a wife.”
Juan Shuhappily laughed: “The mistress said if he’s not an official she will accepthim, as well as a hero of the Jianghu.”
w.a.n.g YunFeng had just picked up a book before smacking it down: “Those in the Jianghu
are impulsive and bossy, unable to distinguish right and wrong, not clear ofblack and white, even if he fulfils her requirements for a husband, he mightnot be able to protect her properly. Don’t think people of the Jianghu only hasone proper wife, a majority of men in the Jianghu would keep one or twoconcubines, if Xia Ling Mei finds out, she would tear
apart their skin.”
Juan Shushuddered: “That, what if the lady returned to Beiding city, to find a husbandamongst the influential families of the Imperial City?”
w.a.n.g YunFeng was drinking tea, the tea had been boiled in the afternoon, the maids onlyremembered to go where the crowds were, simply no one came to change it, hisheart was anxious, pouring cups after cups of tea from the cold teapot. Coldand bitter tea went down his throat, making him shudder a few times. Thinkingabout it for quite a while, before slowly saying: “If she really returns toBeiding City, I’m actually not afraid.”
Everyoneknew Xia Ling Mei is w.a.n.g Yun Feng’s first wife. Apart from those who heldpower in the Xia family, somewhat very few people knew the w.a.n.g residence’smistress had long ago deserted the place. That year, after Xia Ling Mei hadforced him to sign his name on the divorce doc.u.ments she had left by herself,he did not make it known to the public he had already divorced his wife, heonly said to the people of w.a.n.g and Xia she was seriously ill, unable to meet visitorsdeep inside the residence. Therefore, at the end of every year Xia Ling Meireturned to the Xia residence, outsiders would only think she was feeling a bitbetter, using the new year to return home to visit the family. The Xia familywouldn’t tell others their daughter had been divorced, w.a.n.g Yun Feng restrainedhis own family, no one could ask to see the mistress to disturb herrecuperation.
Over these years’people have obscurely suggested to present him with maids and concubines, theywere all scared away by him well-known as the grim imperial censor. Any man,after marrying for ten years without a son from his first wife would besufficient to make people raise their eyebrows, only w.a.n.g Yun Feng wasunconcerned, apparently he wasn’t to set on having son to succeed his t.i.tle.Those intelligent, did not dare to rashly offend the
Xia family, more than thatto dare provoke the shrewish wife of Beiding City; those not intelligent, whodirectly presented concubines and maids would be rejected by w.a.n.g Yun Feng,making plans to secretly sneak into the w.a.n.g residence, the next day if thatgirl wasn’t resold she was matched with another man. There were also ambitiouswomen, swearing they would bite this imperial officer’s hard bones, frail andcharming, or fresh and pure, or gentle and softly spoken, or straightforwardand optimistic, < p="">
Stratagems to attract a husband> wasplayed every day, the different situations were merely countered by w.a.n.g YunFeng in various ways, when he really couldn’t resist, Juan Shu would almostlose his chast.i.ty on his behalf, so scared he would shut himself in the smallcourtyard repeating to himself `women are tigers` for several days, before hegot better.
Juan Shuchast.i.ty was under threat, Bai Yan showed extreme anger. Bai Yan who had learnedthe master’s cold mood completely, took it upon himself in the days after, inthe battle to defend the chast.i.ty of the men in the w.a.n.g residence, a firmprotector, with a cold sword pushing all the women to dissolve in tears.
Xia LingMei did not know about this at all. The Xia family wouldn’t tell her suchthings to irritate her broken heart, the secret guards from the w.a.n.g family whoprotected her knew the doctrine of silence is golden, as for w.a.n.g Yun Feng,it’s not that he didn’t want to tell her, rather he didn’t dare to tell her (┬＿┬).
Juan Shumoaned and groaned in pain on behalf of his master: “Don’t tell me you’ll letthe mistress continue making a scene like this? Maybe one day she’ll realise,and she won’t mention those requirements, if she directly arranged an arena fora martial arts compet.i.tion
to invite a groom…”
w.a.n.g YunFeng paused: “No one without some genuine skill can beat her.”
“Maybe, themistress doesn’t want a man with greater martial arts than her.”
“Then whatis the point of her having a martial arts compet.i.tion to invite a groom?”
“To competebased on who can take the most beating.” w.a.n.g Yun Feng was surprised for amoment, Juan Shu continued: “a man who can still survive after a severe beating,good at enduring, and will live long. The important is, he would see, hear andobey the mistress docile and obedient, thus if they travel and there is murderand arson or disaster she could lend an essential Twenty-four Filial Exemplars of a husband!”
With a `ka`,the tea cup, cracked
Juan Shuhad originally come to attempt to convince w.a.n.g Yun Feng to have a lenientmind, he didn’t expect in the end his master would on the contrary become even moreanxious, not only did he shatter the tea cup, he also accidentally torn < p="">
Secrets of the Heart>, such books, from timeto time anger rolled on in waves from his expression, from time to time hisheart palpitated with worried, occasionally helplessly confused, a thousandmiles difference between his icy expression in court.By thesecond day, when the matchmakers once again beaming with happiness offeringnumerous portrait scrolls came to the door, w.a.n.g Yun Feng only had oneexpression ---- cold as ice.
On thethird day, the crow, Juan Shu kept on reporting on the battlefield situation,was. .h.i.t by w.a.n.g Yun Feng with a brush forcing him out.
On thefourth day, Bai Yan sat by the window in w.a.n.g Yun Feng’s study, cracking melonseeds with his teeth as he gave a live relay: “The mistress’ fame isunrivalled, now even officials from other areas have specially dispatchedpeople to deliver portraits, for mistress to inspect. `Clicking his tongue`,fifth rank official isn’t a dream, a third rank official sons are competingstrongly.” `Bang`, the ink stone broke through the window and went outside.
On thefifth day, Bai Zi with a face filled with worry sat on the rooftop grumbling toHei Zi:
“The newly-appointed martial arts leader is too repulsive, he actuallydared to ask the mistress to host a martial arts contest to invite grooms,whoever beats the mistress will marry her.”
Hei Zi:“What has a martial arts compet.i.tion to invite grooms got anything to do withyou?”
“I need totake the initiative for my master.”
“You are nomatch for him.”
“I know. I’mjust angry that you clearly saw the other person beat me, yet you looked on withoutlifting a finger.”
“You need totake the initiative for your master, I don’t need to support you on behalf ofmy mistress. Anyway, that martial arts leader is distinguished and elegant, anair of righteousness, and has professional success, he would be so good with mymistress.”
“You don’tunderstand anything, if the lady marries the martial arts leader I will beunable to be with you.”
Hei Zi withgreat alarm said: “Who said I wanted to be with you?”
Bai Ziangrily said: “You want to abandon your wife?”
Hei Zi fellback: “You are not my wife.”
Bai Zi pursued:“You can’t love them and leave them!”
On thesixth day, w.a.n.g Yun Feng looking thin floated out of the study, flinging hiscompletely empty sleeves, with a solemn expression he walked to the hall, justafter Xia Ling Mei had sat down, he sat his bottom down firmly on the otherseat next to her.
Knowing tolook at meanings in one’s eyes the maids had already offered up lightrefreshments and tea, lighting a calming incense, holding up a fan, moving inan orderly fashion they organised the matchmakers coming in one after anotherto their seats.
Matchmakerswere smooth and slick in establishing social relations, matchmakers wereincomparably braver than deities, matchmakers spoke sweet words but had a swordin their bellies, matchmakers were…
“Lady Xia,this man is certainly a perfect match for you. Jia family is also one of themost influential families in Beiding, he is the second child of the, he alsohas an older brother closely related by blood, right now he’s a fourth rankhigh official. Remarkable literary talent, quick and clever talking, know thehistory throughout the ages well, knows funny anecdotes, proficient in all fourarts…”
“The secondson of the Jia family, this officer has happened to have the chance to meet himonce before.”
The smileon the matchmaker’s face somewhat increased, pandering to w.a.n.g Yun Feng:
“To beable to obtain the Imperial Censor’s recognition, that Lord Jia must be anamazing
person, if him and the lady married…”
“It mustnot be allowed.” w.a.n.g Yun Feng interrupted, holding his tea cup, brushing asidethe tea leaves and taking a sip to moisten his throat: “The second son of theJia family has been known as a child prodigy since he was young, he was able tostudy history at the age of three, he could recite poetry at the age of four,at five he entered the Bailu academy of cla.s.sical learning to become TeacherZhan’s favourite pupil.”
Thematchmaker’s eyes shone, chest even more puffed out, with an ever more arrogantexpression.
Xia LingMei made the maids hold up the portrait, looking at it carefully, with a little
suspicion: “I think I’ve seen this second son of the Jia family before.”
“He studiedtogether with your fifth uncle’s daughter, he’s that well-known a figure, ofcourse you’ve seen him before.” w.a.n.g Yun Feng saw Xia Ling Mei nod, grimlysmiling as he continued: “While he was at Bailu academy, he had a childhoodsweetheart, the feelings between the two people were extremely good, originallyhe was prepared to arrange a marriage after that girl reached marriageable age,who knew there would be an unexpected event, the night before the girl reachedmarriageable age she was s.n.a.t.c.hed away, she was rescued but her reputation wasruined. That Jia family immediately withdrew the marriage, the second son senta poem to her that night, that girl took her own life.”
Xia LingMei frowned: “He sent her a poem?”
“Yes.”
“The shecommitted suicide?”
“Yes.”
Xia LingMei smiled yet it was not a smile watching w.a.n.g Yun Feng: “Do you know thedetails of that poem?”
w.a.n.g YunFeng drank his tea: “That sort of thing that can ruin someone’s reputation, wouldnot be the way of a n.o.bleman, I know that verse but I cannot say it, also Iwill not say it.”
Xia LingMei snorted, tearing that portrait of Lord Jia into two: “Since ancient times,childhood sweethearts are hard to reach an old age. Tell me, isn’t that true?”
w.a.n.g YunFeng pursed his lips, saying to the matchmakers: “Is the portrait of themartial arts leader here?”
Juan Shuimmediately like a dog offered up the portrait.
Differentfrom the culture and refinement of the men of official influential families,martial artists had their own heroic manner, with a manly demeanour, againhearing the matchmakers harping on about his chivalry, using one phrase tosummarise he had heroic bones and soft intestines.
“Themartial arts leader has said, he is a vulgar man, he cannot be with genteelpeople, compared to a scholar who cannot truss a chicken. If the lady isinterested, I can find a day for the two of you to test your skills…”
“Enough.”w.a.n.g Yun Feng again interrupted, “I only want to ask you, how did he get hisposition of martial arts leader?”
“Naturallythe righteous sect of martial artists selected him together.”
“From whatI know, if there are righteous people in martial arts, there are criminals.So-called nonconformity gets punished, this martial arts leader is a target. Ifthere’s something wrong with the sect they’ll make the leader stand out, thecriminals will also pick a fight with him if there’s something wrong. How manyfamilies in the righteous sect protect him, how many criminals would be itchingto kill him and be very happy afterwards. This sort of person, will only everbe able to hole up in the righteous sects’ domain, but do not dare to getcloser to the evil sect. Looking at it positively he has to protect the peaceof the Jianghu, but looking at it negatively he’s just a coward afraid ofgetting involved. Ling Mei,” he turned to her, “Xia family are people of theimperial court, everything is done with the importance of the country in mind,if you really married a martial arts leader, if there’s conflict between themartial artists and authorities, would you be on the side of the Jianghumartial artists or the common people of the court?”
Xia LingMei said indifferently: “The world is large, it does not all belong to theemperor.”
w.a.n.g YunFeng abruptly sneered: “Then if the Jianghu killed people, involving theinnocent common people, would you uphold justice for the common people askingthose in the
Jianghu to pay with their lives for the murders, or follow theunwritten rules of the Jianghu, if they’re of the righteous sect, a murderkills because of justice, ants lives are not worth mentioning, everyone shouldbe grateful for them for getting rid of evil for the people?”
Thematchmakers all took in a deep cold breath, Xia Ling Mei gritted her teeth: “Sucha fine sharp mouth, worthy to be called the clever and eloquent speaker Seniorimperial censor official, you don’t need a sword to kill someone.”
w.a.n.g YunFeng swept his cuffs: “You overpraise me, I’m only worried you’ll marry thewrong person, it’ll be a lifelong mistake.”
The twopeople looked at each other, regarding one another with wide eyes, watchingintently, viewing each other as enemies, blaze raging in their eyes, wishing tohack the other person into pieces.
Numerous matchmakerswere stunned by the indescribable measure for measure between the two people,not long after, someone suddenly realised: “Oh, that’s right, this Lord w.a.n.g isa third rank imperial censor!”
“Ah, ah,the w.a.n.g family is also one of the ten influential families in Beiding.”
“Listeningto do, Lord w.a.n.g and Lady Xia are childhood friends?”
“Aiyo,”someone waved their hands, “Lady Xia don’t squander the time of us group of oldwomen. In my opinion, don’t be picky, just immediately choose this Lord w.a.n.g.”
Someoneeven came to realise: “Lady Xia aren’t those requirements modelled on Lordw.a.n.g…”
Someoneregretted their past deeds: “I’ve said before this matchmaking was strange, asit turns out the two of them has already taking to each other’s liking, but stillneed to squander their time for no purpose like this, you tired out my oldbones.”
A livelydiscussion with everybody talking at once started, some beat their own chestand stamp their feet, some were grudgingly cursing, even more some weregrumbling in jealousy, after a burst of noise they were coaxed out by Xiu Yuand Ying Shi, before leaving they even closed the door firmly.
Xia LingMei was dizzy with anger: “w.a.n.g Yun Feng, are you looking for death!”
w.a.n.g YunFeng laughed, he was so proud of himself for the many baseless lies: “Theflowers on the peony trees have fallen, even if I become a ghost…”
Before hecould finish speaking, the foolish Xiao Bai appeared at the window hangingupside down, shouting: “Master, the son of Liu family, Liu Ling Mo is asking tosee you.”
w.a.n.g YunFeng held his breath: “I won’t see him.”
“Master, ZhaoPrincess Xia Zhi has also come to see you.”
ZhaoPrincess Xia Zhi, was the first daughter of the Xia family’s third concubine,Xia Ling Wo, also known as w.a.n.g Yun Feng’s true childhood sweetheart, is XiaLing Mei’s lifelong rival in love.