Chapter Forty-Five: The River Flows East for a Thousand Miles

“In truth, there are no better methods. Affection arises without reason and deepens without end; the feelings between men and women are the most irrational and unpredictable things in this world. The Book of Rites says, ‘Food and drink, men and women, these are man’s greatest desires,’ which shows that even the sages believed that emotions are indefinable and inexplicable, stemming from human nature and the heart itself.” Xu You’s voice was calm, as if speaking of something trivial, but each word gently brushed against the softest depths of the heart. “I only hope that one day, whether man or woman, both can freely associate without the constraints of social convention. A man can choose his wife freely, and naturally, a woman can choose her husband as she wishes. Parental orders and the matchmaker’s words would serve more as guidance than unbreakable rules. Before marriage, the two could spend time together, truly come to know each other’s character, interests, habits, and ways of life—only then, with mutual affection and understanding, could they take each other’s hand and grow old together…”

Through the blue silk curtain, one could not see Yuan Qingqi’s expression, but Shui Xi, who had been standing quietly to the side, suddenly lifted her gaze to study Xu You’s profile. After a moment, she lowered her head again, but at that fleeting moment, the corners of her lips curved with a gentle, barely perceptible smile.

“Your view, Seventh Gentleman, is truly shocking. The Book of Songs says, ‘When a boy is born, he is cradled with a jade tablet; when a girl is born, with a tile.’ From birth, men and women are assigned status and rank. Lady Cao wrote the Admonitions for Women to teach women to be respectful, focused, and yielding. If we were to follow your ideas, would that not upend the grand order of heaven and earth and unravel the fundamental bonds of humanity?”

Lady Cao was Ban Zhao, the sister of Ban Gu, renowned for her erudition. She completed the first biographical history, the Book of Han, after Ban Gu’s death. Xu You smiled. “So now you speak from the Confucian perspective… But this is hardly earth-shattering. When Sima Qian wrote The Records of the Grand Historian, he was sparing with words, yet devoted lengthy passages to the romance between Sima Xiangru and Zhuo Wenjun—wasn’t that, in essence, a defense of women’s unfair treatment in marriage?”

“Just a moment ago, you looked down on Zhuo Wenjun, and now you defend her. It seems your position is not so unwavering after all…”

Xu You burst out laughing. “You, on the other hand, are never willing to concede anything…” Of course, he could not explain that he was applying the historical dialectic of materialism to these matters. The ancients loved extremes, seeing things in black and white, simply because their view of history was flawed—they did not know how to consider things from multiple perspectives.

Yuan Qingqi also smiled and said softly, “I wonder if the world you envision will ever truly come to pass…”

“With time, it certainly will. But within our lifetimes, I fear we will not live to see it.” Xu You said apologetically, “It’s rather amusing—these are merely idle musings I’ve never shared with anyone. Today, I do not know why, but I could not help but speak. If I have been presumptuous, I beg your pardon, Third Lady.”

Behind the curtain, there was a long silence before Yuan Qingqi sighed, “Affection arises without reason and deepens without end… To have heard this today, my journey has not been in vain. As for Prince Hengyang, since you wish not to interfere, I will no longer press you. Before you leave, there is one matter I must entrust to you… Shui Yi!”

Xu You was taken aback as the maid who had plotted against him emerged from behind the curtain. Her eyes, usually lively and cunning, were now filled with fear and unease. She knelt trembling and said in a quavering voice, “This maid was young and foolish, and was misled by rumors, so I concealed matters from my lady and acted on my own in plotting what happened the night before. I know my crime is unforgivable and dare not hope for your pardon, but whatever punishment you see fit, I will accept willingly!”

Xu You had always believed in returning virtue for virtue, and directness for directness. Had he not been alert that night, the consequences could have been severe. At first, he suspected Yuan Qingqi’s involvement, which was why he had not mentioned it even to Yuan Jie. But after their conversation, he realized she could not have been the instigator—not because she was incapable, but because with her intelligence, had she truly set a trap, it would not have been so clumsy or full of holes.

However, sometimes even a dog is spared for its master’s sake. With his current status, even if he insisted on punishing a maid, and Yuan Qingqi agreed to mete out severe discipline, what would it accomplish? Other than venting his anger, it would bring no benefit, and might even backfire, leaving him with a reputation for pettiness.

Weighing the pros and cons, and choosing the lesser of evils, was his unchanging principle in the world of finance. Since the gain did not match the cost, it was better to let it go with magnanimity, as if nothing had happened.

“As for what happened the other night, I have already forgotten.”

Shui Yi trembled, unsure how to respond, when Yuan Qingqi said, “Rise. Since Seventh Gentleman will not pursue it, you are spared for now.”

“Yes, thank you, sir!”

Shui Yi rose and stood beside Shui Xi. Both wore azure silk, both were in the bloom of youth, as if twin lotuses blossoming side by side—graceful and naturally charming. Xu You gazed at them and mused aloud, “The unseen is called Yi, the unheard is called Xi, the intangible is called Wei. So their names come from here!”

These words are from the Dao De Jing. If not for the lack of any outward sign, Xu You would have suspected Yuan Qingqi’s connection to the Celestial Masters sect from the moment he first heard the girls’ names.

Yuan Qingqi only smiled and said, “Deng Tao is already waiting at the dock. May your journey to Qiantang be smooth and safe. Also, I have prepared a gift for you. When you depart, Shui Xi will bring it to your boat. For my sake, I hope you will not refuse.”

After bidding farewell, Xu You descended from the Windblown Pavilion, where Zuo Wen and Qiufen hurried to meet him by the riverbank. Qiufen anxiously studied his expression. “Young Master, is everything all right? You were gone so long…”

“It’s nothing, we just chatted for a while.”

Xu You turned his head, gazing at the blue curtain swaying in the breeze, though his thoughts were elsewhere:

Shui Yi, Shui Xi—Yi is unseen, Xi is unheard—then, under Yuan Qingqi’s tutelage, could there be another called Shui Wei?

Wei, the intangible!

Without warning, the image of a youth in white surfaced in Xu You’s mind—a boy who had passed by him, whose very breath never changed, whose every step was measured precisely, five feet each, no more, no less.

“Shui Yi, leave the Yuan residence today and remain in seclusion at the temple. Without my orders, you are not to step outside the gates.”

Shui Yi knelt before the curtain, tears welling in her eyes. “My lady…”

“You are naturally lively and bold. I never wished to restrain you, so I let you be. But last night, you dared use Lushuang to ensnare Xu You. Do you know my second brother has heard of this? He returns to Jinling tonight. When he comes to demand you, should I hand you over or not?”

Wiping her tears, Shui Yi raised her head stubbornly. “I was wrong to treat Xu You so, and I accept my punishment. But as for Lushuang… My lady, if you do not save her, she will die. I promised her I would beg you to help her…”

“The world is full of troubles, life is short. If you waste all your days on such matters, when will you ever reach spiritual clarity and discern the truth of nature? Enough, get up. Shui Xi, go and do as I instructed last night…”

Shui Xi answered respectfully, hesitated, and asked, “What if Xu You refuses?”

“This one is as steadfast as a thousand-foot pine, destined to be a pillar among men, shrewd and discerning beyond comparison. Deliver the person and say nothing more—he may have doubts, but he will not refuse.”

Shui Xi turned and left the pavilion. Shui Yi remained, looking up pitifully at the curtain without a word.

“This is your last chance. If you dare misbehave again, you will not be spared!”

Shui Yi stuck out her tongue, patted her chest in feigned fright, and said, “Understood!”

Suddenly, cries of alarm erupted from the dock. A massive figure leaped over the crowd, bellowing, “Xu You, today is the day you die!”

A long spear flashed from his hand, flying with deadly accuracy—so swift there was no time to react. With several loud thuds, the giant landed, caught his spear, and with a few leaps, vanished into the river.

“Murder! Murder!” The crowd scattered in panic, revealing a clear space where Xu You lay on the ground, blood blooming at his chest and abdomen, spreading quickly until his entire body was stained red.

Qiufen knelt beside him, wailing with grief. Zuo Wen, face contorted with rage and sorrow, gathered Xu You’s body and sprinted toward the city.

Shui Yi witnessed it all, then returned to the pavilion to report softly, “The escape plan worked. I don’t know where Xu You found the blood, but it looked perfectly real. My lady, do you think his scheme will succeed?”

“After he killed Fei Yao, he secretly ordered Zuo Wen to tell all his men to keep silent. Once back in Jinling, Zuo Wen kept the entire company confined, not letting anyone out. If not for Deng Tao, we would have been left in the dark as well. Now, with this public display, by the time the Shen family hears and sends someone to investigate, his boat will be long gone. Do you think his plan will work or not?”

By mid-afternoon, the weather grew gloomy. An ox cart left Jinling, taking a winding road for over ten miles until it reached a secluded spot on the riverbank before nightfall. A small boat was moored there. Xu You and his companions stepped off the cart and boarded the boat. As soon as they were aboard, Shui Xi emerged from the cabin, smiling. “Sir, I have been waiting for you.”

Remembering Yuan Qingqi’s talk of a gift, Xu You was not surprised that Shui Xi found them. If the Yuan family couldn’t track someone in Jinling, it would be a joke. He said, “Third Lady is too kind—what gift could trouble you to bring it yourself?”

Shui Xi clapped her hands softly. From behind her, a simply dressed young woman stepped forward and stood gracefully. Her beauty was like the moon, her eyes sparkled, and in the soft glow of dusk she was the very picture of serene elegance.

Xu You stood transfixed at the bow, utterly speechless.

(End of Volume One)