Chapter 38: You Are Zen

Xu Weixiong was not only a formidable presence for Jiang Ni, the fallen princess of Western Chu, but even Hong Shu, a normally agreeable head maid who avoided contention, felt a surge of irritation upon hearing the Young Master mention his second sister, Xu Weixiong, returning to the manor. Hong Shu, however, concealed her displeasure masterfully. In terms of acting prowess, she, who used fresh human blood for rouge, seemed even more accomplished than Xu Fengnian. The Young Master, having inherited the cultivation of the Grand Yellow Court, possessed an innate keen perception of the flow of spiritual energy in both Buddhist and Taoist practices. He also had a mysterious sensitivity to ordinary masters, akin to what the young Martial Ancestor once described as "not adding a single feather, nor letting a fly or worm fall." Yet, he remained unaware that Hong Shu, by his side, was not merely a decorative carp needing to be fed to be plump. The inner workings of the Prince's manor were vast and full of peculiar secrets; even the Young Master, who had resided on Qingliang Mountain since his youth, dared not claim to have seen them all. For instance, in Tingchao Pavilion, he and his second sister had climbed and searched, knocking on walls and chiseling, but never managed to find an entrance to the two underground floors. Xu Xiao was happy to have his children busy at home, saving him the trouble of their mischief outside. His second daughter, Xu Weixiong, excelled at overt strategies, while his eldest son, Xu Fengnian, was full of schemes. Whenever these two stayed together, muttering to each other, even the Grand Chancellor himself felt a shiver of apprehension.

Xu Fengnian planned to have dinner with the little girl Dongxi and the little monk Nanbei. On the way there, he continuously drew circles with his hands. The servants and maids of the manor found it amusing, though they couldn't discern any particular technique. Nevertheless, they all praised the Young Master's martial arts as peerless. If Xu Fengnian encountered a maid of above-average beauty and graceful figure, he would flirt a bit. Hong Shu, following behind, paid it no mind. A mere maid who dared to be jealous could easily be beaten to death if she accidentally encountered a hot-tempered master in a noble household.

Hong Shu was not so foolish as to become arrogant from favor; she neither wanted to nor dared to. To speak a damning truth that few dared to utter: the seemingly affectionate Young Master was, in fact, truly heartless. This was something even Lü Yi and the other personal maids in Wutong Garden had likely never discovered. Yet, this did not mean Hong Shu didn't genuinely adore the Young Master. On the contrary, only such a master could earn the loyalty and devotion of Hong Shu, who was proud and spirited, no less so than Qing Niao.

Unaware of Hong Shu's complex thoughts, Xu Fengnian simply chuckled, "This nameless set of one hundred and eight forms is a good thing the man who rides the ox found somewhere. The more you practice it, the more interesting it becomes. It requires a stable waist like Tai Chi, steps following the Nine Palaces, the harmony of Xingyi Yin-Yang, and gestures and internal energy that flow purely and naturally. These circles are profound; they form endless loops, cycling back and forth, presenting a myriad of phenomena. It's excellent for cultivating inner strength, though unfortunately, it can't be directly applied to battle. Hong Shu, if you like it, I'll teach you."

Hong Shu quickened her pace, her remarkably ample chest, renowned in Wutong Garden, brushing against the Young Master's arm. Her autumn eyes, misty like rain, said, "Then Your Highness must teach your servant hand in hand." Xu Fengnian didn't turn his head, merely nudging the "snow-white dove" beneath her clothes with his elbow. As her chest trembled, a wave of charm rippled forth. The Young Master, clearly sensing her ample curves, chuckled playfully, "Indeed, I could draw one hundred and eight circles on you." Hong Shu's allure was natural, yet her tone was resentful: "Your servant knows Your Highness is just talking."

Xu Fengnian didn't refute her, casually asking, "What do you think Lantuo Mountain truly signifies?" Hong Shu pondered seriously for a moment, then whispered, "Your servant thinks the dual cultivation is a pretense; the real aim is to turn the White and Yellow sects against the Beiliang Iron Cavalry." Xu Fengnian nodded, smiling, "Spot on. The capital has long been wary of the unruly Esoteric Buddhism of the Western Regions but couldn't find a suitable reason to act. If the Red Sect could serve as an inside informant, it's not impossible for our Beiliang Iron Cavalry to become pawns once again. As for dual cultivation for enlightenment, I've checked secret records; it's just a rumor that has circulated in recent years and shouldn't be taken seriously, especially since it intensified after my coming-of-age ceremony. This shows I'm a hot commodity, even the female Dharma King of Esoteric Buddhism is covetous. As for that grand strategist in the capital who plays on the largest chessboard under heaven, among sixty-seven temple names and posthumous titles, he only truly values two words: one is 'Gao' (High), meaning 'covering and sheltering like the sky, with vast virtue and merit covering all things.' The other is 'Wu' (Martial), meaning 'glorious military achievements, carving out the largest territory for the current dynasty.' He's so obsessed with being called Emperor Gaowu for a thousand generations after his death that he's almost gone mad." Hong Shu's face paled slightly. "Your Highness, please speak more quietly." Xu Fengnian laughed, "It's fine. I dare to say it, but besides you, no one else dares to listen. Let's not talk about that. Hong Shu, how is the little girl doing with her eyebrow drawing?"

Hong Shu visibly relaxed. "For now, I've only taught her two styles: 'Little Mountain Eyebrows' and 'Luozi Dai.' The little girl learns quite fast." Xu Fengnian chuckled heartily. "As long as she wants to learn, she learns everything quickly. Old Huang taught her to roast fish, roast meat, and roast sweet potatoes; she picked it up faster than I did. But if she doesn't want to learn, like weaving straw sandals or patiently fishing, she wouldn't learn it in a hundred years." Hong Shu gazed, lost in thought, at the Young Master, whose brows were clear and whose demeanor was unusually refreshed compared to his usual self. Even with their daily proximity, she rarely saw him like this. Originally named Hong She, she bit her slender lip, then smiled along, a naturally enchanting and seductive beauty. Grand Chancellor Xu Xiao once jokingly remarked that this young woman, even if she entered the palace as a concubine, could win any favor battle.

After the little girl wiped off half a catty of makeup and learned to apply a suitable light makeup from Hong Shu, she indeed looked much more vibrant than when she wore no makeup. However, in Xu Fengnian's eyes, the little girl with her bare face was still more appealing. The little monk, meanwhile, was chanting scriptures while peeking and foolishly grinning. Xu Fengnian felt worried about the incense offerings at the little monk's temple.

Hong Shu was not permitted to dine at the table. Xu Fengnian was not the type of master who would deviate from norms just to dote on maids. As he ate the simple but delicious vegetarian meal with the little girl and little monk, he asked, "Miss Li, when are you going home? The New Year is approaching." The little girl widened her eyes, hurt. "Xu Fengnian, are you kicking me out?!" Xu Fengnian was speechless. "Not at all, I was just worried about your parents." The little girl retorted righteously, "When I met you, you said you'd rather starve to death than go home this lifetime!" Xu Fengnian chuckled, "Just angry words, angry words." The little monk, who had been eating with his head down, looked up and interjected, "Dongxi, we really do have to go back to the temple." The little girl snapped, "Shut up!" This catchphrase she had learned from the Young Master. The little monk vigorously shoveled two mouthfuls of rice, his cheeks puffed out.

The little girl, blushing, said, "Xu Fengnian, Sister Hong Shu taught me how to draw my eyebrows this afternoon. It sounds even more precious than that tribute green rouge! I'll pay you back when I go home." Xu Fengnian feigned a serious nod, suppressing a smile. "Alright, indeed, I've never heard of a female knight-errant in the martial world who doesn't repay her debts." The little girl liked such remarks and said proudly, "Of course." The little monk, being forthright, leaned his small bald head closer to the little girl he had secretly admired for years, his childhood sweetheart, and said worriedly, "Li Zi, I think I heard my master's wife say that this 'Luozi Dai' on your face is incredibly expensive. A poet even wrote about 'a hundred gold otter marrow for half an ounce of moth-green.' If you really have to pay it back, Master's begging bowl might be empty." The little girl gasped in surprise, instantly looking downcast. Her food no longer tasted as delicious. Xu Fengnian observed this but offered no comfort.

The little girl had a personality that could go from gloomy to sunny in the blink of an eye. After eating, the worry about money owed was cast aside. She pulled Sister Hong Shu to continue her apprenticeship in the room. At home, her parents were stingy and wouldn't buy her rouge. Though the clumsy Nanbei was very willing, he had no money. He had even made a bold promise that once he attained enlightenment and became a Buddha, producing some relics, she could use them to exchange for countless rouges—a promise that had earned him a good beating with her fists. Xu Fengnian didn't quite understand a young girl's sentiments, so he didn't join them in the room. He saw the little monk take off his kasaya, squatting in the courtyard with a bucket and wooden board, washing it. Clearly, he was accustomed to doing manual labor at the little girl's family temple, his movements skilled. Xu Fengnian squatted beside him, looking at the white, smooth ivory hook on the green kasaya, smiling but saying nothing.

The little monk said nervously, "Your Highness, I can't give you this kasaya as Dongxi's makeup money. My master would beat me to death!" Xu Fengnian laughed, "Don't worry, I don't want your kasaya. It suits you well." The little monk remained somewhat wary. Xu Fengnian asked, "I recall that 'Fangzhang' (abbot) was once a Taoist term, referring to 'the square inch of the human heart' and 'the square foot of heavenly mind,' a title for the leader of the Ten Directions Taoist Monasteries. How did it become a term for your Buddhist sect?" The little monk scrubbed his kasaya. He was a simple, earnest soul who didn't catch the Young Master's teasing. He answered earnestly, "Regarding the origin of the word 'Fangzhang,' the Indian scripture Vimalakirti Sutra predates the Taoist 'Benming Pian' by a hundred years. Furthermore, Master told me that our temple's Grand Abbot, though he lives in a small, ten-foot-square bedroom, can contain three thousand minor worlds and three thousand lion groves. Listen to that, it's far more profound than any Taoist talk of 'human heart' or 'heavenly mind.' My master has never lost a debate with anyone. Oh, except for my master's wife." Xu Fengnian was speechless. "Your Buddhist sect is impressive, and your master is even more so."

Xu Fengnian saw Qing Niao standing at the courtyard gate, rose, and walked over. Qing Niao stated solemnly, "Reportedly, the Second Princess has detached from the main group and is approaching alone on horseback. Those two groups of martial artists are stirring, preparing to head outside the city." Xu Fengnian removed the jade pendant from his waist, tossed it to Qing Niao, and squinted. "Are these people in such a hurry to be reborn? Go, take two hundred cavalry from the Fengzi Battalion. Don't forget your crossbows. Shoot them all down." Qing Niao turned and departed.

Xu Fengnian stood at the gate. Outside the gate, danger lurked on all sides; inside, there was only peace.

The little monk hung up the washed kasaya to dry, then looked towards the room. "It's another beautiful, clear day. Li Zi, Master says I have no spiritual insight, and you say I'm clumsy. I don't cultivate either of the two Zen practices in our temple. You are my Zen; your beauty is my study."