Misty Rain of the Old Times

As darkness fell, surrounded by the women, Chen Xuan finally caught three fish: a small carp at first, followed by two tiny whitebait about the size of a finger…

This made him a little embarrassed. Although he couldn't possibly finish the soup made with the three big fish and tofu, he was still not satisfied. It wasn't that his skills were lacking, but rather that they had disturbed the fish's nest. As for where the fish's nest would come from when the ship was sailing on the river, that's none of your business.

"Master, the food is almost ready. Would you like to eat in the room upstairs or in the cabin restaurant?" the maidservant reminded him after being informed.

Chen Xuan, who was determined to prove himself right, said, "The river breeze is so refreshing, let's just stay on the deck, eat and fish at the same time. I refuse to believe it, what do you think, ladies?"

The little princess had accompanied Chen Xuan and the old emperor fishing many times before, and understood that fishermen felt as if they had lost money if they caught nothing. She covered her mouth and laughed, "Great! We can also enjoy the moonlight. The moon is very round tonight."

Once the couple made their decision, people quickly got to work, and soon chairs were placed on the deck, secured with clips so that the dishes wouldn't tip over when the ship rocked.

Just as they were about to sit down for a meal, Chen Xuan felt his fishing rod sink. Overjoyed, he pulled it up and pulled up a turtle the size of a washbasin, weighing a good ten or twenty pounds!
"Master is really amazing!" The little girl cheered immediately. Does this count as getting on a big truck?

Chen Xuan smiled and secretly clicked his tongue. Not bad. While it wasn't exactly a complete failure, two or three small fish were really embarrassing. With this turtle, his confidence immediately soared. This was much harder to obtain than fish. He immediately exclaimed, "Good stuff! Let's prepare it and add it to the dishes. Half of it will be stewed with an old hen for soup, and the other half will be braised. Very nourishing! We're in for a treat!"

"Master, let me do it. I've learned how to do it," the little maid said, rolling up her sleeves as she reached out to press down the struggling turtle.

Chen Xuan shook his head and said, "Be careful not to get bitten, it hurts a lot and it's hard to let go. Besides, you don't need to bother with the soft armor anymore. Sit down and eat. Let the cook clean up, otherwise by the time you finish cooking, there will only be leftovers. It should be served by the time we've almost finished eating."

They were accompanied by a cook, trained in the palace, whose culinary skills were superb, and she was extremely proficient in all kinds of cuisines from all over the country.

The young maid withdrew her hand and stopped insisting. A personal maid naturally had to stay with the master, and soon a eunuch came and took the turtle away to cook it.

It was already dark, and with this turtle, what was the point of fishing? He'd try again another day. Chen Xuan put his fishing gear aside and forgot about the embarrassment of almost coming home empty-handed.

A dozen or so thick candles were lit around the deck, illuminated by a marquee light.

On a moonlit night, the boat sailed on the river in quiet surroundings, with only the occasional sound of water. The little princess looked around with great interest and said, "I've never had the experience of boating on the river at night before. It's quite a unique pleasure. The moonlight reflected in the water is like scattered silver, and the misty water vapor rises, making it seem like a dream. In this scene... would you like to have a drink, my husband?"

She originally wanted to ask Chen Xuan if he had something to say, but considering that her husband always said he wasn't very knowledgeable, she immediately changed her mind so as not to embarrass him.

If a scholar were in such an environment, they would surely be exchanging poems and composing verses. But Chen Xuan is not cut out for that. He is just an ordinary person and there is no need for him to try so hard to appear as a refined person. Sooner or later, he will be exposed.

He nodded and said, "That's wonderful! Drinking and singing, with beautiful women by my side—life is short, what more could one ask for? Let's raise a big cup!"

“Let us drink and sing, for life is short… Husband, you still say you are ignorant,” the little princess said, her eyes lighting up.

Chen Xuan waved his hand and said, "Don't look at me like that. I just remembered what Xiao Gao and the others said at their gatherings. I don't have that kind of skill myself."

Anyway, Gao is the top scholar. Perhaps his poetic talent isn't outstanding, but he still has a great deal of knowledge. It's definitely right to attribute it to him.

Yunxin poured wine for Chen Xuan, eager to try, and said, "Master, we should sing while drinking. How can we have wine without singing? I dare to ask, I would like to play a tune on the zither for you, for your enjoyment. Is that alright?"

As the maids carefully selected by the little princess to accompany her in her dowry, Yunlan and Yunxin were naturally proficient in all kinds of arts, including music, chess, calligraphy, painting, poetry, and songs. If they didn't have some talents, how could they help the princess win the master's favor?

The little princess is of noble birth, so she naturally wouldn't learn singing and dancing to entertain people. But they are different. If they don't even have any talents and only have beauty, how can they be qualified to serve others?

Chen Xuan immediately clapped his hands and said, "That's excellent! I'll have to trouble Xiao Xin to show off her talent."

"Please wait a moment, sir, I'll go fetch the zither," Yunxin said happily. She hadn't had a chance to show off her skills until now, when she was away from home, all her knowledge finally had a chance to be put to use. However, she wondered when she would be able to use her best bedroom skills to serve her master.

At this moment, Yunlan also spoke up, "Master, since there is wine and music, and my sister and I are of one mind, let me offer a dance to add to the festivities; otherwise, it just feels a bit lacking."

"Wonderful, wonderful! Little Lan, please show us your dance skills so that Master may have a good look," Chen Xuan said with delight and anticipation.

So Yunlan apologized and quickly went to prepare.

The little girl and Du Juan exchanged a secret glance, their eyes filled with a hint of struggle and helplessness. They really couldn't compete in terms of talent. They were the ones who came first, and if this continued, the Yunlan and Yunxin sisters would catch up and surpass them.

Soon, palace maids and eunuchs brought over a screen to separate the area, and the surrounding area was lit with dim lanterns, creating an atmosphere resembling a small stage.

With the seven-stringed zither set out, Yun Xin bowed gracefully and then sat behind the zither. Without needing to communicate with Yun Lan, who was already prepared, she plucked the strings with her slender hands, and elegant and melodious music began to play. Yun Lan then danced gracefully under the moonlight in that small space, accompanied by the music.

Chen Xuan had no expertise in singing and dancing. He could only describe Yun Xin's zither playing as beautiful. If he were to add a touch of rhetoric, it would be that the lingering sound was mesmerizing. If he didn't mean to belittle her, to use an inappropriate analogy, her zither skills were even better than those so-called carefully cultivated courtesans in the capital who were known for their zither skills.

Chen Xuan had, after all, visited brothels and entertainment venues many times with talented men like Xiao Gao. In those places where "you sell your art but not your body," you couldn't survive without some skill. He was quite knowledgeable. Moreover, he had even sold Xiaoyao Pills near some of the best brothels in the capital and had personally tasted them. The musicians' skills were truly no match for Yun Xin's.

It can only be said that royal products are incomparable to those of ordinary people. Just in terms of temperament and playing music, they are not on the same level. True elegance is not about pandering to popular taste.

Furthermore, Yunlan's dance can be described as graceful and stunning. The two sisters have almost innate cultivation, and they can easily master any difficult movements, fully demonstrating the beauty of a girl's figure. It is not a seductive suggestion of showing arms and legs, but a delightful sight to behold.

Then came Yunxin's soft singing, like a babbling brook flowing through the heart.

Enjoying the sisters' singing and dancing, drinking and making merry under the moon, Chen Xuan was intoxicated by the music and the atmosphere. Although he had not set foot in the heavenly palace, the joys of the human world were certainly no less delightful. In this scene, as he said, what more could one ask for in life?

Looking back, I used to stand like a lackey in front of the Gao family's gate. Now, looking back, I feel like I'm in heaven and earth. Life is truly wonderful.

As a normal man, Chen Xuan never denied that he was lustful. At first, he was a little embarrassed about having a maidservant who would warm his bed as part of his dowry, but now he has gradually gotten used to it and is truly blessed.

Since her husband was in such a good mood, the little princess also had a few drinks to keep him company. She toasted him and leaned close to the intoxicated Chen Xuan, whispering smugly, "How about it, husband? The Yunlan and Yunxin sisters that I carefully chose for you didn't disappoint you, did they?"

She wasn't worried at all about her husband's heart being stolen by the two of them; otherwise, it wouldn't have been her turn. The truth was, Yunlan and Yunxin were merely supplements to what the little princess lacked. The little princess was the key, after all. Those who filled the gaps could be replaced at any time if they didn't understand their own roles. Gently embracing her waist, Chen Xuan smiled and said, "My wife is so thoughtful..."

"As long as my husband is happy, that's all that matters. We are husband and wife, so please don't say anything that might spoil the mood. I'm content as long as you're happy. Otherwise, it's because I'm not a good enough wife. Alright, let's continue to enjoy their talents and not waste this beautiful time," the little princess said gently, leaning on his shoulder.

Everyone here is one of our own. Couples need not hide anything from each other. Even now, Yunlan and the others are serving them when they bathe. This is nothing.

After the song and dance ended, the Yunlan and Yunxin sisters rose and gracefully bowed, saying, "We have made a fool of ourselves. If there are any shortcomings, we hope that you will forgive us and point them out. We will certainly improve in the future."

Chen Xuan clapped his hands and said, "Xiao Lan and Xiao Xin, there's no need to be modest. Your talents are the best I've ever seen in my life, and I'm very pleased."

They immediately replied happily, "It is our good fortune to have caught your eye, sir. If you do not mind, please allow us to perform another song."

The two sisters had always been uneasy. As maids who accompanied the bride, they had not been favored by Chen Xuan, which made them feel very uneasy and even insecure, as they were always in danger of being abandoned and replaced.

Given their status, the fate of those who are disliked and abandoned is predictable. Having followed Chen Xuan before, it is impossible for them to give him any chance to tarnish his reputation. Even if Chen Xuan shows leniency out of consideration for their past relationship, the little princess can only harden her heart and at most allow them to have some dignity.

Therefore, they are eager to show themselves off, fearing that if they are useless, they will be abandoned and end up in a gloomy state.

Waving his hand, Chen Xuan said, "How can one enjoy all the wonderful things at once? Let's save them for future anticipation. The performances you just put on were enough to savor. Come and take your seats, or they'll get cold and won't taste good."

Chen Xuan understood many things in his heart. No matter how much he said, it was not as good as them understanding and adapting little by little. In time, they would know what kind of people they were, just like the little girls.

At first, weren't the girls also nervous and trying their best to express themselves? Now they've gradually adapted and are letting go to be their true selves.

Take this little girl for example. In other families, would she dare to show her emotions or even affect the atmosphere of the whole family? Unless she's tired of living.

Chen Xuan truly treated them as human beings, not as the unspoken property of certain social strata in this era.

Of course, such treatment can only be given to Chen Xuan. Let's not talk about others, such as the Wu family back then. How did Wu Jinxun treat the people around him?

Given the current environment, Chen Xuan is powerless to change anything. He won't use his own standards to judge others; he'll just focus on being himself and being happy. Why create trouble for himself? Just like Xiao Gao, he has his own ideas, but he lives such a tiring life.

They all regarded Chen Xuan as their pillar of support, making him the center of their world, like vines clinging to a large tree. With him by their side, they wouldn't feel lost about the future. Most women in this era were like this; with such deeply ingrained ideas, where were there so many strong women? The fairy-tale mentality had no place in this era. No matter how strong a woman was, once she entrusted her heart and soul to a man, she would almost always become a 'weak woman'...

The atmosphere at the meal was harmonious and joyful. Towards the end, the turtle that Chen Xuan had luckily caught was also served. The girls had small appetites, and most of it ended up in Chen Xuan's stomach. They only took a small bite. If it hadn't been caught by him, they probably wouldn't have touched their chopsticks. They had to be given that much face.

With Chen Xuan's cultivation level and physique, eating a turtle would not cause him to feel overweight or even have a nosebleed.

A gentle breeze and a bright moon, a beautiful woman by your side—what worries could there be? Seize the day and enjoy life to the fullest; that's true romance…

The next morning, Chen Xuan kissed his sleeping wife's forehead, then quietly left the bed and went to the deck outside to practice his meditation and health-preserving exercises without fail.

A thin mist hung over the riverbank, and the rising sun dyed the river surface red.

On the distant riverbank, the Qing dynasty could already see a continuous stream of people carrying water, seemingly without stopping all night. They knew it was a drop in the ocean and meaningless, but if they didn't do it, they would lose hope for the future.

Even though it's not raining, the water level of the Qingping River, which is dozens of miles wide, has dropped. People living near the river can still fetch water from it now, but what if the Qingping River dries up?

Chen Xuan didn't want to worry about things he couldn't control. He had limited abilities and couldn't handle too many things at once. While moving around, he asked the dutiful Xia Mei beside him, "Aunt Mei, where are we now?"

Xia Mei, who was secretly cultivating her internal energy, said, "Reporting to Master, since yesterday we have traveled more than 300 li along the river and have already reached the territory of Xia Linping County. We will reach the county seat of Xia Linping in a few dozen li. Do we need to dock?"

They couldn't travel very far in a day; they were still within Shangyun Prefecture, but Xia Linping County was no longer within Jingting County.

Upon hearing this, Chen Xuan smiled and asked, "Aunt Mei, do you know any places worth visiting within the territory of Linping County?"

This trip only had a general direction in mind; no travel plan was made. We just went wherever we happened to be and did whatever we wanted.

Chen Xuan and his men don't need to worry about such things, but the people below them need to be more careful. What wealthy family would want such a fool who doesn't even have this much shrewdness?

Xia Mei had given instructions when arranging the trip, and knowing this, she immediately said, "Master, I've heard that there's a lotus lake in Linping County that's quite famous, but it's not lotus-picking season now, and it hasn't rained for a long time, so I'm afraid that lotus lake isn't worth visiting."

Nodding, Chen Xuan said, "Then let's not dock here, to avoid disappointment. We'll find a better place downstream."

"Yes, sir, if I may be so bold as to ask someone to inquire about any worthwhile places to visit ahead?" Xia Mei inquired.

Chen Xuan waved his hand and said, "No need. Let's talk about it when we get to each place. The unknown is what makes it so exciting, isn't it?"

As he spoke, Chen Xuan pointed to the distant shore and laughed, "Look, it seems quite lively over there, with gongs and drums beating loudly since early morning..."

However, before he could finish speaking, Chen Xuan frowned slightly and his smile faded.

Upon seeing this, Xia Mei's heart skipped a beat. Something must have happened that displeased the master. She quickly said, "Master, I'll send someone to inquire right away."

Chen Xuan waved his hand, a helpless smile playing on his lips, and said, "No need. Let's just go over and take a look. Hopefully, it's not what we're thinking. If it is, well, since we've already run into it, it's really hard to ignore it."

Xia Mei felt a sinking feeling in her heart. She had known Chen Xuan's personality for a long time. He wasn't very curious and wasn't interested in many things. But now he was taking the initiative to get close to her. Something bad must have happened!
...(End of chapter)