Volued Pearl (1/2)

Volued Pearl

Froht of Jianye I was overwhelmed by emotions I had finally returned Thirty and all of the civil and military officials came forward to welcome us subjects who in triumph We all dis rejoiced, holding the Prince of De’s hand, proclaireat deed for our country We have prepared a banquet to celebrate Royal Uncle’s meritorious deeds” After I followed the ar at me intently from the upper floor of a nearby restaurant However, I could not ascertain any malicious intent

After the celebration banquet, I hurriedly brought along Chen Zhen and returned to my ho this cao decided to buy an estate on the outskirts of the city, especially as the Prince of De had agreed to help ulations and allow er restricted to living within the city walls Before I had returned, Xiaoshunzi had already arrived ang Hai He had already picked out and purchased an estate for ht, he had coavethe information provided, Chen Zhen and I quickly found the place The estate was a secluded and elegant se, and within included the pavilions and kiosks of a typical Chinese garden Xiaoshunzi had already hired a number of servants and had them clean the estate from top to bottom

After I had taken a bath, I entered ed my books I had just picked up a history book to read when Chen Zhen entered “ to meet you”

I froze ister this address with the Ministry of Personnel¹ How could there be so my puzzlement, Chen Zhen explained, “When e When the coachman went back, so”

I thought of a proverb: “they orked in those service positions should be killed regardless of guilt to seal their h, this was the case At the sa card?”

Chen Zhen presentedcard with both hands To speak frankly, originally, although he was obedient, I could sense that he looked down uponof Shu to co reverent and respectful I accepted the calling card and opened it Upon it ritten the three characters of Liu, Piao, and Xiang I hurriedly said, “Is that person still here?”

Chen Zhen replied, “This lowly one has allowed theatehouse”

I promptly uttered, “Quickly allow them to come in … wait … I will personally welco at the gatehouse, I saw a green-robed scholar with a heavy black cloak draped over her shoulders and covering her whole body She wore a banized her fro girls dressed as rasped her two hands, crying out, “You’ve co me from upstairs earlier today?”

One of the attendants frigidly spoke “Ever since yuan</e miss has been extre to the pleasure boat Ifmiss would probably still refuse to leave her horeat difficulty, I resisted the joy in ’s delicate hands I maintained, “I knew it, I knew it, you also lovere her pale and sallow features I was left speechless for sohtly to , “You treat me such, even if Suiyun were to sacrifice this life,⁴ it would be insufficient to repay your beauty’s heavy grace”

Liu Piaoxiang softly replied, “After you left for war, I was uneasy day and night, worried about your safety Seeing you return in triuinally did not want to come see you, but I wanted to personally coratefully responded, “In reality I wanted to coht that you may not necessarily want to seeso romantic,” said the attendant with a s to be worn to death”

Liu Piaoxiang and I looked at one another and s her by the hand, I led her inside The two attendants were naturally left for others to take care of

Late at night, I watched Liu Piaoxiang’s sleeping posture I rose and picked up paper and brush My brush an to write At this ed yuan</e another poem”

With deep love, I looked at her briefly before e her ontoup her hair, she picked up the draft It was poee</e stars convey the lovers’ coold wind and jade dew o back across the bridge built by ht⁵</blockquote>

“Ah!” she exclai at me with eyes filled with passion How could I resist such entice the whole night satiating our passion When I awoke the next day, the beautiful woone My heart ached painfully Don’t telltocustomers Did this not mean she wished to marry me? I saw a neritten short verse on my desk

<blockquote class="Quote">Blown apricot blossouished and accoh pitilessly I’rateful, I kneeled on the floor and prayed, “Heavens blessreally wishes to rity? For an exceptional woreat fortune She wasn’t someone tempted by fame, money, or power Nor was she interested in a stable houred out a way to leave Southern Chu, I would bring her to wander the world and her see all of the sights Acco the world … such a life was comparable to that of the is, ould settle down in so scenery and live out the rest of our days What a delightful future!

I hurriedly rushed to the Ministry of Personnel There, I learned that the king had pro In addition, the king had already agreed to allowall of the paperwork, I happily went to a jewelry store After browsing through its wares for half a day, I did not find anything hile Piaoxiang was used to seeing all kinds of jewelry and definitely would not be interested in such vulgar objects I olden hairpin and a golden bracelet Seeing n, the jewelers requested pern for their own use I rejected their offer I intended to give these pieces to Piaoxiang How could I allow theive thens In any case, it was to si as they did not spread the news that I was the designer Although n required the exquisite craftsmanshi+p of a master artisan, the time required would not miss my deadline