Chapter 10: The Double Ninth Festival, Returning to Pingkang

After a quarter of an hour, both of them were drenched in sweat and finally stopped.

Su Liang took the towel handed over by Ruyan, wiped his sweat, and asked, "Ruyan, have the living arrangements for Uncle Fu and the others been settled?"

Ruyan giggled and said, "I had the maids prepare them several days ago. Not only that, I specifically prepared several rooms so that Uncle Fu and the others could choose for themselves."

"Hehe..." Su Liang chuckled, pinched Ruyan's small, delicate nose, and said, "Leaving things to you is always worry-free."

Uncle Fu watched their intimate interaction and said with a smile, "It seems it won't be long before I can drink the Young Master's wedding wine."

Su Liang laughed, "Soon, by next spring. When the time comes, I will invite all the familiar elders and fellow villagers from Jiangning."

He then turned his gaze to Erhu and said, "Erhu, have you set your eyes on any girl? Your Young Master will go and propose for you."

Erhu scratched his head in embarrassment and giggled foolishly, "Not yet. I've grown up following the Young Master since I was a child, so my standards have become high. The daughters of wealthy families don't look at me, and I haven't met a suitable girl yet."

Su Liang looked at the blushing Erhu and chuckled, "No matter, no matter. Now that we have arrived in Changan City, there are plenty of daughters from wealthy families here. If you take a fancy to any young lady, just tell your Young Master, and if it's suitable, I will go and propose for you."

At this moment, Su Liang also noticed Ruyan lowering her head, her expression clearly looking unwell, and he immediately understood her thoughts. Although Ruyan was a woman of the red-dust world, she had remained pure before Su Liang. Now that Su Liang had Princess Changle, she didn't ask to be his legal wife, but she hoped to be a concubine by his side.

Su Liang saw through Ruyan's mind, then reached out his right hand, pinched her cheek, and said, "Alright, Princess Changle is a marriage bestowed by the Emperor, so she can only be the primary wife. I'll marry you into the house next year as well; you'll just have to settle for being a concubine. To me, you are all the same."

Hearing her Young Master finally speak, Ruyan immediately wept with joy, smiling as she threw herself into Su Liang's arms. Su Liang hugged her slender waist with one hand and stroked her hair, comforting her continuously.

"Alright, alright, why are you so fond of crying? If you cry until your face is ruined, I won't want you anymore."

Hearing this, Ruyan hurriedly wiped away her tears, then pounded Su Liang's solid chest with her chubby little fists, feeling incredibly shy.

Uncle Fu and Erhu on the side were stunned for a long time before they reacted—their Young Master was... was going to marry a princess!

And the eldest legitimate daughter most beloved by the current Great Tang Emperor!

Not only that, he was going to marry two at the same time!

Su Liang turned his head and saw Uncle Fu and Erhu stunned in place, feeling quite speechless. It was just marrying a princess, was it really that big of a deal?

I even want to marry a few more princesses. As a heaven-favored child who traveled to the Great Tang, if I don't marry a few princesses, wouldn't people laugh their heads off?

He then stared at Erhu and teased, "How about I ask the Emperor to bestow a princess upon you one day?"

Erhu instantly came back to his senses, hurriedly shook his head, and waved his hands, "No, no, I don't have the great ability of the Young Master to have the Emperor bestow a princess. I'd rather not be a son-in-law who marries into the royal family."

"Hahaha..." Su Liang couldn't help but laugh out loud upon hearing this.

"Alright, we will go to Lantian County tomorrow." He then turned to Uncle Fu and Erhu and said, "Uncle Fu, Erhu, you two come along tomorrow to see the Young Master's fief."

Today, Su Liang met old friends in a foreign land and was rarely happy, so everyone drank until they were dead drunk that night.

Only Ruyan drank a little less, and that night, she used all her skills and eighteen martial arts to make Su Liang completely submissive.

The next morning.

Lantian County, Su Liang's fief.

Su Liang pointed to a place near the mountains and water in front of him and turned to Erhu, "Erhu, how about we build a villa under this mountain?"

"Good, good, good..." Erhu giggled, "The Young Master wants to build a paradise on earth."

"Hehe..."

Su Liang smiled gently like a spring breeze and continued, "As expected of someone who grew up with me, Erhu knows me best."

"Alright, tomorrow is the Double Ninth Festival. Let me think it over carefully and draw up the blueprints for the villa first. After the festival, you will be responsible for this matter, and just go to Sister Ruyan for the money."

"The Young Master gives you two months. By then, we will move over together to spend the winter. The villa will be called Taoyuan Villa!"

Erhu scratched his head and giggled, "Understood, I'll also arrange for a heated brick bed for the Young Master by then."

After many days of thinking, Su Liang had already decided how to proceed. Salt workshops, sugar workshops, clothing workshops, pig farms, cement workshops, glass workshops, coal workshops, porcelain workshops, and so on—a series of workshops already had detailed plans in Su Liang's mind.

The group stayed in the fief for a whole day, inspected the terrain of the fief, and only returned to Furong Garden in the evening.

The ninth year of Wude, the ninth day of the ninth month.

This year's Double Ninth Festival seemed exceptionally lively. During the Mid-Autumn Festival, facing the Turkic army stationed at the Wei River, they couldn't even have a peaceful holiday. Now that the enemy army had been wiped out, Li Shimin had canceled the curfew in Changan City today and set up a banquet in the palace to entertain officials, admire chrysanthemums, and compose poems.

During this time, Li Shimin sent people to invite Su Liang to the banquet many times, but was ruthlessly rejected by Su Liang. Honestly, this kind of gathering was meaningless; it was nothing more than a group of sycophants flattering Li Shimin. With this time, it would be better to go to Pingkang Ward to listen to music.

Unable to withstand Li Shimin's repeated invitations, Su Liang finally sent out a hundred dou of Drunken Tang to satisfy Li Shimin's vanity, and only then did Li Shimin stop.

At this time, the winery had not yet opened, nor had the restaurant; only Su Liang had the Drunken Tang.

In another ten days, the newly brewed Drunken Tang would be ready, and the restaurant could open then; the cooks had also been trained well enough.

Today's dinner at Furong Garden was very rich: hot pot, grilled fish, whole roasted lamb, steamed crab, stir-fried dishes, fruits... everything was available.

After eating dinner early, Su Liang took Ruyan and Yu'er into Pingkang Ward.

Inside Pingkang Ward.

Su Liang was sitting on the floor, leaning against the table drinking wine.

The former top courtesan of Pingkang Ward, Liu Ruyan, was serving him on the side.

A moment later, the news of Su Liang being in Pingkang Ward swept through Changan City.

Young masters of noble families and daughters of prominent families came one after another, just to catch a glimpse of Su Liang's style. Many of them had only recently returned to Changan and admired Su Liang very much. Having missed Su Liang's "hundred poems over wine" some time ago, they were determined to see Su Liang compose poems in person today.

Not long after, Pingkang Ward was overcrowded, and many people without prominent family backgrounds were squeezed out of Pingkang Ward.

Incredibly, in Pingkang Ward, which was meant for men's entertainment, the number of noble daughters who came today was several times that of the men.

It was as if the place had been booked by the noble daughters...

All of this was because of Su Liang!

Before Su Liang came to Pingkang Ward, this place was still a paradise for many men.

After Su Liang came, being peerlessly handsome and hailed as an immortal descended to the world, especially on a special day like today, it naturally caused a sensation in Changan City.

The guests who came to play tonight and the noble ladies who came for his reputation all focused their eyes on Su Liang, even the procuress and the attendants of Pingkang Ward were no exception.

Facing those burning gazes, Su Liang naturally understood their meaning and felt quite helpless, so he borrowed a poem by Wang Wei, "Thinking of My Brothers on the Double Ninth Festival," to dismiss them.

Alone in a foreign land as a stranger, I miss my family all the more on every festive day.

From afar, I know my brothers are climbing the heights, and one person is missing from the group wearing dogwood.

However, everyone was unwilling to give up, and the girls of Pingkang Ward crowded around, forcing Su Liang to compose a few more.

Su Liang was quite helpless, and then recited more than a dozen poems in succession, only then did everyone stop disturbing Su Liang's drinking.

The east wind blows open a thousand trees of flowers. It blows down stars like rain. Precious horses and carved carriages fill the road. The phoenix flute sounds, the jade pot light turns, and the fish and dragon dance all night. Moths, snow willows, and golden threads. Laughter and chatter pass by with a faint fragrance. Searching for her thousands of times in the crowd. Suddenly looking back, that person is in the dim light.

Thin clouds weave skills, flying stars transmit hatred, and the silver galaxy is secretly crossed. When the golden wind and jade dew meet, it surpasses countless people in the world. Tenderness is like water, the beautiful date is like a dream, how can one bear to look at the way back on the magpie bridge. If the two feelings last for a long time, why should they be together day and night.

After many days, everyone finally heard Su Liang recite poems again, and it was still a deep shock.

In an instant, the girls went crazy, their eyes sparkling with stars, staring at Su Liang with affection.

Su Liang had long been accustomed to such a scene.

Since the day he was born, the system had been transforming Su Liang's body, and his appearance and temperament had already reached the limit. Even sitting still could make women obsessed and intoxicated, and men would feel inferior when they saw him.

Today, he had plagiarized many poems again, so it was normal to have such a reaction.

It is no exaggeration to say that all the women here tonight, as long as Su Liang was willing, anyone could accompany him to sleep, not only willingly but also overjoyed. This damn charm was indeed nowhere to be placed, and he would become a heartthrob wherever he went.

"The person on the street is like jade, the Young Master is peerless... Young Master Su is truly an immortal descended to the world..."

"Young Master Su's smile makes me obsessed..."

"No matter what, I must climb onto Young Master Su's bed..."

"Bah, you are daydreaming... are you as beautiful as Miss Ruyan..."

"Floating and dusty, looking like an immortal, and even more talented, Young Master Su is truly perfect..."

"If I could become Young Master Su's pillow companion, I would die without regrets..."

"Bah, you are dreaming..."

"How can there be such a peerless and dusty man in the world? I have fallen in love with Young Master Su, and no one else can enter my eyes..."

"Bah, Young Master Su won't take a fancy to you..."

"Searching for him thousands of times in the crowd, that person is in the dim light, is Young Master Su looking for me..."

"If the two feelings last for a long time, why should they be together day and night... Young Master Su will understand my heart one day..."

Hearing everyone's words, Ruyan, who had drunk a little wine, had even redder cheeks. At this moment, her heart couldn't help but ripple, and she couldn't help but move and lean against Su Liang, her face full of obsession.

More than a month ago, the two of them met just like this.

Half an hour later.

In the private room on the second floor, Su Liang was drinking wine while listening to Ruyan playing music on the side.

Yu'er was outside, preventing anyone from disturbing them. After the previous poem recitation, it was too noisy, so they had to move to the private room.

Suddenly, there was a noise outside, and Yu'er pushed the door and entered, then said.

"Young Master, many people have come downstairs again. They all said they didn't hear the poems the Young Master just recited and want to ask the Young Master to recite a few more. Yu'er... Yu'er really couldn't stop them, so..."

Su Liang said depressedly, "Alright... alright, I know. Go tell them to wait a while. The Young Master doesn't want to recite poems today. In a while, I will play a piece of music for them to listen to. Also, have someone bring the Young Master's new musical instrument."

Yu'er teased, "Which new musical instrument is the Young Master talking about? Is it the Phoenix Cry Zither the Young Master just made, or that big pot the Young Master spent several days figuring out?"

Su Liang said speechlessly, "The Young Master has told you many times, that is not a pot. If you say it's a pot again, one day the Young Master will turn you into a pot."

"Great, great! Yu'er is waiting for that day, Yu'er wants to be ahead of Sister Ruyan." Yu'er giggled, becoming more and more naughty.

A moment later.

Yu'er went out of the private room, looked at everyone and said, "Young masters, young ladies, my Young Master said he doesn't want to recite poems today. In a while, the Young Master will play a piece of music for everyone to enjoy. Please make way, so I can let the coachman go back to get the instrument."

A little fairy stopped Yu'er and said, "Miss Yu'er, there is no need for such trouble. There are many musical instruments in Pingkang Ward. I have a top-quality Phoenix Cry Zither here. If Young Master Su doesn't mind, he can borrow it."

Everyone on the side also shouted, "That's right, there are plenty of musical instruments here, why go back to get one."

Yu'er was also very helpless. Her Young Master wanted to use that broken pot to play music, and she couldn't help it. She patiently explained to everyone that it was a new musical instrument invented by her Young Master and wanted everyone to have a taste, only then did everyone let Yu'er leave.

More than half an hour later.

Su Liang also got his new musical instrument, which he had spent several days of misery to build.

The music of this Great Tang was really tiring to listen to, so he had to come up with some new tricks to be interesting.

It must be said that the Qin and Han smelting methods were indeed awesome. The handpan made with this method had a sound quality far better than modern handpans.

When Su Liang walked to the high platform on the second floor, everyone saw the so-called "new musical instrument" in Su Liang's hand, which looked like a pot, and were all quite puzzled. Could this thing really play beautiful music?

Everyone didn't dare to disturb him. The immortal wouldn't shoot without a target, so they all waited quietly, though there was some noisy questioning.

Su Liang looked at everyone and smiled slightly. What Su Liang didn't know was that this smile captured the hearts of many young girls again.

Following Su Liang's signal, everyone became completely quiet.

Su Liang sat down, and the pot-like instrument was placed on his crossed legs.

Accompanied by Su Liang tapping the handpan.

That ethereal and soft melody instantly rippled out...

In an instant.

Everyone present was stunned. They had never heard such an ethereal and beautiful piece of music.

Every tap of Su Liang's fingers seemed to be tapping on everyone's heart.

Sometimes empty and ethereal, sometimes delicate and warm, sometimes like a harp, sometimes like a great bell...

It was as if they had been pulled into a dream.

It was as if in different time and space, their hearts were connected, as if they could hear each other's heartbeats and breathing, and even talk with their souls, to the point of feeling each other.

It was also as if they had left their hometown, and it was also like revisiting an old place.

The melody was like flowing water, continuous, sad and beautiful, yet bright and warm. It gave people a distant yearning and purified and emptied the soul.

What Su Liang was playing was exactly "Longing Across Time and Space."

Only this piece played with a handpan could match the current Su Liang.

He played for a full half hour.

Throughout the whole process, Su Liang kept his eyes closed.

Following that ethereal and soft melody back to that distant hometown, following the tapping of his fingers time and time again, tidal memories also surged in Su Liang's mind...

Unknowingly, there were some tears in the corners of Su Liang's eyes.

After the song ended, everyone couldn't recover for a long time, and many people had already burst into tears.

A full quarter of an hour later, everyone woke up from the immersive dream.

At the same time.

Inside the Liangyi Hall of the Taiji Palace.

Li Shimin was drinking and having fun with the dukes and ministers, enjoying the flattery that Su Liang called sycophancy, his face glowing. ===== CHAPTER 11 =====