Chapter Fifteen: A Gentleman’s Perfect Match
The monster stood up, casting a fearful glance at Chiyang, and stammered, “I… I was just drinking, why… why did you grab me?”
Yang Nan frowned and signaled the woman in white to bring a cup of tea, so the monster could sober up and speak more clearly. This creature was obviously a fish spirit; though its face was ugly, its nature was straightforward and honest. Seeing that Yang Nan was not as fierce as ordinary people, it grew bolder and began to recount its story in detail.
It was originally a blue fish spirit living at the bottom of the Hun River, always greedy. Whenever the fleet of the Wang family’s boat owner passed over the water, the aroma of the cook’s meals left it drooling. Unable to resist, it would crawl onto the boat, transform into a human shape, put on a sailor’s clothes, and mingle with the crowd to eat.
The sailors, seeing its ugly and unfamiliar face, gathered together to bully and mock it. Fortunately, it was good-natured and never harmed anyone, though when pressed, it would only gorge itself even more. Just as the sailors were making a ruckus, Chiyang passed by and immediately recognized it as a monster, bringing it up to the cabin.
Most monsters yearn for the human world; Yang Nan understood this. Seeing that the fish spirit had no evil nature and was, in fact, a good creature, he softened his tone: “Do you have a name? Why doesn’t the Water Lord in the Water Palace discipline you? All those on this boat are mortals—if you hurt someone, you’d only bring suffering upon yourself.”
Having helped the mountain god judge cases before, Yang Nan knew a bit about the rules of spirits. The fish spirit, seeing Yang Nan’s gentle, maidenly appearance, felt a bit more at ease. It clumsily counted on its five fingers and replied, “To let the immortal lady know, my name is Yu Fu. I’ve lived in the water for five hundred years and have never harmed anyone. It’s just that human food is so fragrant and sweet I can’t help but sneak up to eat. If you let me go, I, Yu Fu, will surely repay you.”
Watching the monster count its age on its fingers, Yang Nan secretly smiled—this fish spirit was honest, if a bit simple-minded.
As for repaying him, Yang Nan waved it off, instructing Lotus Butterfly and the other girl to bring some food and wine for Yu Fu, then sent it back to the water.
Since this fish spirit was not evil and had done nothing wrong, Yang Nan saw no reason to exorcise it. Cultivators value life, and though Yang Nan was not yet fully initiated into the Dao, he was a prospective Taoist, after all.
Yu Fu, moved by the kindness and the bounty of food and wine, knelt to thank Yang Nan, “Thank you, immortal lady. I will leave now, and Yu Fu will surely repay you one day.”
Yu Fu kept calling him “immortal lady,” leaving Yang Nan both amused and helpless. He had Lotus Butterfly and the other girl escort Yu Fu to a deserted spot. Carrying his gifts, Yu Fu performed a water-entry spell and leapt back into the river.
Chiyang watched Yang Nan’s handling of the matter and secretly approved. Cultivators avoid unnecessary killing—even monsters should not be slain indiscriminately. When monsters harm people, their auras turn blood-red, but Yu Fu showed no such signs. Yang Nan’s conduct was indeed that of a true Daoist.
The nature of the Great Dao could be seen in the smallest actions.
Yang Nan turned and smiled bitterly, “Big brother, I’d better change back to men’s clothes. Even this monster takes me for a woman—how am I supposed to face anyone in the future?”
Chiyang laughed heartily, “Alright, alright, whether you’re a man or a woman, it’s all the same. Even monsters can’t tell, and your uncles will have an even harder time. Since you’re in the cabin, what are you afraid of?”
Before Chiyang finished speaking, there came a knock at the door, and a man’s voice called, “Is Miss Li here? Yun Cang has come to pay his respects!”
The woman in white giggled mischievously, “Master’s troubles have arrived again!”
The visitor was, of course, that suave and romantic Young Master Yun Lun Yun. He had learned from the boat owner Wang that Miss Li was frail and sickly, so he came twice daily to pay his respects, sending piles of medicinal herbs, paintings, and gifts, though he had never met Yang Nan.
Yang Nan, focused on cultivation these days, paid no attention to any Young Master or troublemakers; the woman in white and Butterfly handled them.
Young Master Yun was relentless, not giving up until he reached the heart of the Hun River. Seeing Lotus Butterfly and the other girl, both as beautiful as flowers and gentle as spring, he grew ever more curious about the mysterious “Miss Li.” If even the maids were so lovely, surely the mistress herself was a fairy descended from heaven!
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As night fell, Young Master Yun returned once more…
Seeing the scholar arrive again, Yang Nan rolled his eyes and thought, “Is there no peace?”
Chiyang, seeing Yang Nan’s distress, found it amusing but maintained a serious face, “A-Nan, just see him once and let him give up. This pestering is becoming unbearable. But Young Master Yun is a mortal; you can’t just chase him away.”
“I’m not playing hide and seek!” Yang Nan shot a vicious glare at the woman in white—this was all her doing. If not for her, would Young Master Yun have come knocking?
The woman in white laughed even more, her face blooming like a flower. After a month together, she had come to understand Yang Nan’s character: though not especially soft-hearted, he fiercely protected his own. Despite Yang Nan’s angry face, she remained unafraid.
Yang Nan returned to the bed and waved weakly, “Aren’t you going to invite Young Master Yun in?”
The woman in white giggled and went to open the door. Sure enough, Yun Cang was peering nervously outside. Seeing her, he bowed respectfully, “Good evening, Miss White. I wonder…”
She interrupted with a mischievous smile, “You want to see my mistress, don’t you?”
Yun Cang, after days of being rebuffed, sensed from her tone that Miss Li might be interested, and he could not help but beam with joy, nodding repeatedly, “Yes, yes, yes! Miss Li is willing to see me? Thank you, truly, I am thrice blessed!”
The woman in white almost burst out laughing but maintained a serious face, “My mistress is frail, so you must be gentle—not frighten her.”
“Yes, yes, I wouldn’t dare offend the lady!” Yun Cang promised earnestly, as if calling on all the gods in heaven as his witnesses. The woman, seeing he’d been teased enough, finally led him in.
As Yun Cang entered, he saw a bearded retainer standing solemnly to the side, while a gentle, colorful maid supported a young woman of peerless beauty, helping her drink herbal medicine. Her radiance struck Yun Cang like thunder—the mistress was even more beautiful than her maids!
Her eyes shone like autumn water, her bones jade-like, her skin smooth as cream, eyebrows like a crescent moon. No matter how you looked, she seemed otherworldly, with a celestial air, like a fairy from the heavenly palace descended to earth, making one dare not profane her. Yun Cang dared not look too long, bowing deeply, “I greet you, Miss. How is your health today?”
His face was flushed, his heart racing: at last, he had met the beauty he sought, after so many days of effort. Truly, good things come with trials! This Miss Li was indeed the fairy of his dreams…
“This man can’t tell the difference between male and female?” Yang Nan sighed inwardly, losing his temper at the scholar, but still spoke softly, “Thank you, Young Master Yun, for your concern. A Daoist once predicted I would not live past this year, so I am returning to my family’s immortal estate to await my fate. Butterfly, serve the young master some tea.”
What was the ultimate way to fend off a persistent mortal? Pretend to be dying! Yang Nan and Chiyang had racked their brains and finally came up with this trick. Surely, Yun Cang, coming from a noble family, would never marry someone about to die—his father would break his legs!
Wouldn’t that solve everything?
Yun Cang was shocked, forgetting propriety, and anxiously asked, “What illness do you suffer from, Miss? What nonsense from that wandering Daoist! You are like a fairy—how could your life be short? I dare not boast, but if you need rare medicine, I will search the ends of the earth to find it!” Seeing this celestial lady so despairing, Yun Cang’s heart ached. If even a fairy could be so short-lived, the world was truly unjust!
The woman in white couldn’t help but laugh aloud; Yang Nan and Butterfly glared at her. Yang Nan, feigning weakness, replied, “No need for your trouble, young master. Life and death are fated—the Daoist was from Kunlun Immortal Mountain, so he wouldn’t lie. Besides, I know my own body—I can’t last through this year. You are a fine young man; best not to associate with someone soon to die.” Yang Nan grew weaker, his face pale, as if about to faint.
Seeing the beauty so frail, could it be true that fate is cruel to the lovely? Yun Cang’s heart tightened, his tone heavy, “Miss, do not despair. There are countless miraculous medicines; legends say immortality can be found in the mountains. Even if I risk my life, I will beg the gods to save you!”
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Yang Nan was startled: how did this fool become even more fervent? The “pretend-to-be-ill” trick seemed to make Young Master Yun even more obsessed…
Yang Nan looked helplessly at Chiyang, who was equally surprised—the scholar was truly a passionate soul! The two exchanged a glance, nearly coughing blood in frustration.
Butterfly and the woman in white trembled with laughter, faces flushed, while Yun Cang thought their concern was due to the tragic fate of their mistress.
“Young Master Yun, you mustn’t do this. You come from a noble family with elders at home—how can you risk your life for someone about to die? Without name or title, what am I to you?” Yang Nan, out of options, feigned an angry, humiliated expression.
Though the Yuan Dynasty did not forbid women from appearing in public, Confucian values still held sway—if a woman’s reputation was ruined, she’d be shamed for life. Without parental consent, a random marriage promise was extremely disrespectful. Yun Cang realized this, ashamed, and stood to bow, “I was reckless, please forgive me, Miss. If you are willing, I will return home and ask my father to propose! If I cannot marry you, I would rather die!”
“Rather… die… than live?” Yang Nan’s hair stood on end, cold sweat breaking out instantly. Did such fools truly exist—would he even marry the dead? How could Yang Nan escape now? Better to just admit he was a man and end it; if his disguise was exposed, he could always jump into the river with a water-avoidance spell!
Chiyang, seeing Yang Nan pushed so far, knew he was about to explode. He quickly stepped forward, “Young Master Yun, my mistress was betrothed before birth; there’s no need for proposals. The future in-laws would never agree to break the engagement. Thank you for your concern, but please leave—she is too frail to entertain you.”
Yang Nan’s eyes shone—why bother with feigning illness, when simply mentioning a childhood betrothal would solve everything? He wiped his cold sweat; Chiyang was clearly enjoying his discomfort…
Yun Cang, hearing Miss Li was already promised, grew despondent. Seeing Yang Nan’s cold sweat, he believed the retainer’s words and had no choice but to bow and take his leave, “Please take care, Miss. Though we are not fated, I will still do my best to find medicine.”
Everyone could still hear him muttering, “Beauty’s fate is tragic… Heaven is truly jealous of the lovely… such pain…”
Young Master Yun staggered away, looking utterly lost. Chiyang smiled, “Young Master Yun is a man of true feeling; though a bit foolish, he is sincere.”
“You’re still talking?” Yang Nan complained, “Why didn’t you remind me to mention the childhood betrothal earlier? I had to struggle for so long—you were clearly watching for a laugh!”
Chiyang looked innocent, “Was I? I only thought of it when you were pressed so hard.”
The two women laughed uproariously. Yang Nan, seeing everyone making fun of him, was deeply frustrated. He could blame it all on his Fourth Uncle, Yang Cheng! If Yang Cheng hadn’t forced him, would he need to pretend to be a woman? He wouldn’t have attracted Young Master Yun, or witnessed such passionate devotion…
Having lived twice, the first person to fall in love with him in this life turned out to be a man?
No matter how you looked at it, it was utterly vexing!