Cherry Blossoms Upon a Wintry Sword

Chapter 28: The Meng Family

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When Gu Xuandu saw Lin Rufei’s shocked expression, he realized that he misunderstood his words. He hurriedly said, “It’s not what you think—What I mean is that I planted it, so there’s no harm for you to eat it.”

Lin Rufei looked carefully and realized that the little doll that was screaming was actually a small ginseng[1] with a red rope. However, it had arms and legs and was pouting and crying on the table. No matter how one looked at it, it looked a lot like a human child.

Gu Xuandu was agitated by the doll’s crying. He slapped the table and said angrily: “What are you crying about!” The little doll sobbed and choked as it quieted down. It fell onto the table and turned into a hard ginseng. 

Lin Rufei’s voice was still very weak: “My body is weak and can’t take tonics, so even if I eat this tonic medicine, it won’t be of much use.”

Gu Xuandu said, “This ginseng is different.”

Lin Rufei said, “How is it different?”

Gu Xuandu thought about it before saying: “It’s especially supplementary!”

Lin Rufei could not help but laugh. He said that the Lin family, for the sake of his body, looked for, if not a thousand, at least eight hundred tonics. However, after taking them for so many years there wasn’t any effect. Rather, it made him tired of those tonic pills. He didn’t know where Gu Xuandu found this ginseng doll, but it was still alive and kicking and he threw it onto the table wanting him to feast on it.  

It was a good thing that Gu Xuandu was not obsessed with giving Lin Rufei the tonic. After seeing Lin Rufei’s firm attitude in refusing, he sighed out a pity. He grabbed the hair of the ginseng doll and threw it onto the ground. The ginseng doll disappeared in a blink of an eye.

Lin Rufei had a fever for a whole day and night. His bones were almost burnt to crisp from the fever and he was leaning limply on the bed. 

Fu Hua and Yu Rui, who had been waiting outside, heard him wake up and entered the room. They brought the freshly boiled porridge to Lin Rufei’s lips.

Lin Rufei did not have much appetite and said he was full after two sips.

After Fu Hua persuaded softly for a long time, Lin Rufei reluctantly drank half a bowl, however, he was unwilling to finish the rest no matter how much she persuaded. 

Helpless, Fu Hua had to put down the bowl in her hand. She softly said: “Young master, the Meng family knows that we came to Xinzhou. This morning, they wanted to send someone to escort us to the Meng residence…… but you were still asleep, so we excused them.”

“They know I’m here?” Lin Rufei coughed lowly a few times, “How did they know so quickly?”

“It seems to be due to the news about the river……” Fu Hu said, “The jiao is gone so several forces will naturally poke around. It’s just that the Meng family was faster. This inn near the pier is crude, young master you are also still sick. Why don’t we go to the Meng family first, deliver the invitation for the sword competition, and then find a better inn in town to recover?” 

The Meng family was a big clan in Xinzhou and was one of the families invited to the Kunlun sword competition. Lin Rufei had an invitation belonging to their clan in his dimensional ring.

Fu Hua’s words made sense. No one knew when Lin Rufei’s sickness would heal, if he wanted to wait until he was fully recovered before delivering the invitation, he’d probably make the Meng family wait for about ten days to half a month.

So Lin Rufei agreed to Fu Hua’s proposal and decided to go to the Meng family today to deliver the invitation.

He rested for another half hour and was able to barely regain the strength to stand. Fu Hua found a cloak and wrapped it tightly around Lin Rufei. She also carefully tied Lin Rufei’s cascading black hair into a crown[2].

Lin Rufei sat in front of the mirror and propped his chin up as the two maids fiddled away. He nearly fell asleep again.

After finally finishing, the three of them left. 

The sun had already set and the city of Xinzhou was still very lively.

It was a pity that Lin Rufei was dizzy and had little desire to enjoy the scenery. Fu Hua bought a horse from a nearby post station and he rode on it. Led by Fu Hua, they slowly entered the city.

In this area, Meng was a big surname. Out of ten people, they could pick out seven that were surnamed Meng. 

When they arrived at the Meng residence, Fu Hua went to call open the door. The door opened, however, before they could introduce themselves, they were warmly welcomed in by the doorkeeper who had long been prepared.

“This must be Lin Rufei, Lin gongzi! The head of the family has long heard of your arrival in Xinzhou and gave me an early heads up.” The doorkeeper was very enthusiastic and helped Lin Rufei get off the horse. He then summoned a maid to lead him into the main hall.

The maid was named Zhu Yin. She was very pretty and dressed even more flamboyantly than Fu Hua and Yu Rui. She smiled coquettishly on the way and introduced the scenery of the Meng residence to Lin Rufei. She seemed to be one of the oldies in the Meng residence.

The style of the Meng residence and the Xie residence were very different. Probably because it was located on the plains and also near a big lake. The residence had a lot of pagodas and pavilions, which added to beauty of the scenery. There was even a small stream running through the garden. The garden had a little bit of a Jiangnan charm to it. When Lin Rufei asked about it, he learned that the lady of the Meng family was from Jiangnan. Because she missed her home, she decorated the Meng family like this.

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Zhu Yin probably noticed that Lin Rufei was not in good health so she thoughtfully slowed down her walking speed. She said that the family head had a banquet in the back garden and they could see it when they crossed the corridor in front.

As she was talking to Lin Rufei, a small wind blew through the corridor. It was accompanied by the sound of fierce footsteps. Lin Rufei turned around and saw a short-haired young man in strong clothes running fastly in front of him. He was also carrying a longbow. This young man had handsome eyebrows with eyes like stars that contained a lot of life. His hair was not completely long, but he had a thin pigtail at the back.

“Young master, run slowly, don’t scare the guests!” Zhu Yin chastised. Although it was chastising, her tone was filled with pampering.

“Oh, who is this gongzi, when did he enter the residence?” The young man, whom Zhu Yin called young master, came up to Lin Rufei in a blink of an eye. His bright black eyes stared like a curious puppy, and he said, “He’s so handsome! I wonder if he’s been promised to a lady yet?”

Lin Rufei laughed, “Not yet, is the young master going to introduce me to one?”

“Hey, I have an unmarried sister, she is very beautiful.” The young master smiled cheekily, “I think you are suitable for her. She likes the more civilized and weak and is uninterested in those martial madmen—”

“Young master, young master!” When Zhu Yin heard her young master spouting nonsense, she was immediately anxious. This Lin family was a valuable guest that their family could not afford to offend. If it was someone who was bad-tempered and the young master angered him, there wouldn’t be a good outcome. She anxiously said: “This Lin gongzi is a valuable guest. If you continue to shoot your mouth off, the madam will beat you!!” 

“Tsk, tsk, tsk.” When the young master heard these words, he tsked a few times and ran away like a gust of wind. Before he left, he didn’t forget to settled Lin Rufei’s engagement matter. He said that the matter with his sister was settled and that he would immediately tell his parents. This made Zhu Yin angry to the point of stomping.  

“Lin gongzi, you must not take it to heart. Young master is the youngest child of the madam, he is usually the most loved. He is naive and straightforward, if there is any offense in his words.” Zhu Yin said, “Please don’t take it to heart.”

Lin Rufei shook his head, indicating that there was no harm. He had a good impression of the young master. His elder brother and second brother probably also wanted to spoil him into this kind but did not succeed. In the end, this matter has become a knot in their hearts.

The two sides of the corridor were lush with wisteria flowers. Under them, there was a clear stream passing through. Carps and shrimps could be vaguely seen playing in the stream and it added a unique flavor to the scene. 

The atmosphere of the Meng residence and Xie residence were very different. One was cold and silent and the other was warm and lively. The Meng residence felt more like a home.

Zhu Yin lifted the bamboo curtain that was hanging at the end of the corridor and introduced Lin Rufei to another world.

In the garden, hundreds of flowers were in bloom. There were flowers from all seasons. Lin Rufei saw a lotus flower in full bloom on the lake, and the tree next to the lake was a brilliant red plum tree. Two different seasons’ blossoms complemented each other, it was such a surprising scene.

A few steps ahead, they saw the family banquet set up by the Meng family. By the side of the banquet, the Meng family head and his family had been waiting for Lin Rufei for a long time. When they saw him following Zhu Yin, they all got up to welcome him.

The Meng family head was named Meng Xiangxing. Although he was already a hundred years old, his face was no different than that of a young man. It was probably because he broke through the fifth level around the age of twenty. Those that have broken through the fifth level, their appearance would stop changing, instead, they would maintain their youthful appearance.

Meng Xiangxing stood beside four people; two men, and two women. One of them should be his wife, and the others, his children. One of them was the handsome young man he met in the corridor just now.

Lin Rufei was looking at them and they also observed Lin Rufei. Although they had long heard about the Lin family’s fourth son, seeing was better than hearing. The fourth son of the Lin family was really handsome. When ordinary people were sick, people would certainly feel the sickness in the air. However, when this pale face was on Lin Rufei, it only gave him a beautiful, sickly charm. And those eyes that were slightly lighter than normal black eyes, curved slightly into a slight smile. His thick eyelashes were like black butterflies with wings ready to fly. His sick appearance was even more beautiful than Xi Zi[3]. 

Lin Rufei’s black hair was tied into a crown. He was wearing white clothes made of dragon brocade and was draped with the same color cloak. A soft jade patterned with flowing clouds was tied to his waist and although the decoration was little, the noble aura was present. Those who understood could tell at first glance that his identity was not ordinary.

“Gongzi, gongzi this way please!” The young master of the Meng family grinned as soon as he saw Lin Rufei. He enthusiastically greeted him to sit by his side while being glared at by his mother several times. However, he still refused to retrain himself until his ears were grabbed. Madam Meng gritted her teeth and chided in her own son’s ear, “Lin gongzi is an honored guest, who asked you to open your mouth. You fool around daily, when it comes to a critical time, you are not allowed to be capricious—”

The young master Meng, who was seized by his mother, grimaced. He was not willing to give up. Although he did not talk, he still made eye movements with Lin Rufei. Lin Rufei also had some good feelings for him, so he smiled, and actually sat next to him.

“Lin gongzi, my son is naughty—” Meng Xiangxing was about to persuade him, but he saw Lin Rufei waving his hand, indicating that there was no harm. He said with a smile, “Uncle and my father are family friends, so there is no need to be so polite. Your son is very interesting, I appreciate him very much”

“This ……” Meng Xiangxing hesitated a little and his son took advantage. Smiling, he picked up a wine cup and filled it with wine. He looked at Lin Rufei and down the cup, saying that he was toasting a cup first. 

Lin Rufei said he was physically ill, so he returned the toast with tea instead of wine.

With such a clown around, the atmosphere at the dinner table was both lively and cordial. During the conversation, Lin Rufei learned that the Meng family had three children in total, two boys and one girl. The eldest brother Meng Lanchao, the second sister Meng Youyue, and the youngest son Meng Lanruo, who was the lively and active young master in front of him.

Knowing that Lin Rufei’s health was not good, the food at this table was very light and suitable for the sick.

Although Lin Rufei did not have a good appetite, he still tried to eat some of the food to give the Meng family face.

When he was full, Lin Rufei took out the invitation for the sword competition from his dimensional ring and gave it to Meng Xiangxing.

Meng Xiangxing took the invitation, bowed to Lin Rufei, and asked him where he was going next.

Lin Rufei coughed lowly and said that he planned to find an inn in Xinzhou city to recover from his illness before making any plans.

When Meng Lanruo heard this, he immediately put his face in front of Lin Rufei and said excitedly, “Since that’s the case, Lin gongzi, why don’t you stay at the Meng residence first? I can guarantee that there is no inn in this Xinzhou city that has a better environment than the Meng residence—”

Lin Rufei froze for a moment. Before he could say anything, Meng Lanruo crackled on about the advantages of the Meng residence; such as the soft beds, delicious food, and even the flowers in the courtyard that were more beautiful than those elsewhere. He spoke so fast that Lin Rufei didn’t even have the time to interrupt. Finally, Madam Meng knocked him on the head and said angrily, “You’re so busy talking that you don’t even look at the reaction of the guests—” Then she looked at Lin Rufei with a smile and said. “Lin gongzi, he has always been like this, please don’t take it to heart.”

Lin Rufei smiled and waved his hand to indicate that it was fine.

However, Meng Lanruo was still undeterred. He reached out and tug at Lin Rufei’s clothes, saying, “Lin gongzi, you are leaving after a meal and going to stay at an inn. If other people knew about this, wouldn’t they blame us for not treating our guests well?” As he said this, he muttered that he was really bored by himself. After finally meeting an interesting playmate, letting him leave like this was such a pity….

For a moment, Lin Rufei cried and laughed.

Meng Xiangxing smiled and said, “Lin gongzi, why don’t you stay at my house for a few days?”

Lin Rufei was worried that he would trouble the Meng family and wanted to refuse. However, that Meng Lanruo simply moved his face really close, enough to almost touch his nose. A pair of black eyes looked at him pitifully. Lin Rufei really couldn’t resist and finally accepted. This Meng Lanruo was born with a strong spirit, when he started acting spoil, he was really powerful. 

The Meng family could not help but smile when they saw Lin Rufei’s wretched appearance in front of Meng Lanruo. Meng Xiangxing instructed Zhu Yin, who was standing by, to prepare the best rooms for Lin Rufei and his maids.

So it was settled that they would stay at the Meng residence.

When they finished eating, the day was getting late. Originally, Meng Lanruo wanted to drag Lin Rufei to have a chat, but his ears were grabbed by Madam Meng, and he was taken away. Madam Meng smiled apologetically at Lin Rufei and said Lin gongzi has had a long journey, so rest well and they can talk about other things tomorrow. If he needs anything, he can instruct Zhu Yin. 

Meng Lanruo strained his voice and called out to Lin Rufei, saying that he would come find him tomorrow to play.

Lin Rufei smiled and nodded.

Zhu Yin then led the three of them to the rooms that had been prepared. The Meng residence was very big and walking through it was like walking through a maze. They turned left and right in the garden for a while before finally seeing a neat row of buildings.

The building was in the midst of lush flowers and plants. It was next to a small bridge and a shallow stream. The environment was very good.

Zhu Yin said that this was where her young master usually lives. Everything was very well prepared. Though they cleared it out today so that Lin gongzi would not be uncomfortable and for him to make himself at home. 

Lin Rufei nodded his head and thanked her. He took out some broken gold from his sleeve to reward Zhu Yin. However, Zhu Yin refused with a smile, saying that she was Meng Lanruo’s first maid and that there were four or five other maids like her. She doesn’t dare accept things from guests.

When Lin Rufei saw this, he didn’t try to force it. 

After sending Lin Rufei into the room, Zhu Yin left, saying that she would be waiting outside. If he needed anything, just call out for her. Fu Hua and Yu Rui also went to their rooms and Lin Rufei was left alone in the room.  

Gu Xuandu, who had been missing ever since Lin Rufei entered the Meng family, finally appeared again at Lin Rufei’s side. He picked up a cup of tea and took a sip: “That Meng family’s little young master is a bit interesting.”

Lin Rufei raised his eyebrows: “Interesting?”

Gu Xuandu nodded his head.

“How is he interesting?” Lin Rufei asked.

“Your brothers at home, they probably wanted to spoil you into someone like him.” Gu Xuandu’s slender fingers hooked the rim of his cup, “But ……”

Lin Rufei raised his eyebrows, “But what.”

Gu Xuandu smiled: “But I also like you like this.”

Lin Rufei faintly smiled. He was already accustomed to this senior’s flowery mouth.

Because he was still sick, Lin Rufei soon got tired and went to bed after drinking another dose of medicine. But before he went to sleep, he vaguely smelled a strange flower fragrance, which he had never smelled before. He didn’t know what kind of flower it was, but the smell was fresh and elegant and it wasn’t too overbearing.

“What’s that smell?” Lin Rufei asked sleepily.

“It’s Qilin grass[5].” Gu Xuandu vaguely answered back.

Qilin grass? He remembered that this grass seemed to have a calming effect …… Lin Rufei muddlely let out an “oh,” and fell into a naive and sweet dreamland.

That night, Lin Rufei slept extremely well and not a single strange dream occurred. The next morning, his fever had receded a lot and he also felt more energetic. 

After breakfast, Lin Rufei was still torn about whether to drink another dose of medicine when Meng Lanruo’s voice came from outside the door. He disregarded Zhu Yin’s obstruction and rushed in with great enthusiasm. Seeing Lin Rufei sitting at the table looking at the medicine with a worried expression, he couldn’t help but smile, “Lin gongzi, the weather is so nice today, do you want to go out with me? My family’s horse farm just had some top-quality new horses, they are very beautiful!” 

Lin Rufei looked outside the room. Today was indeed a good day. Although it was still early morning, the brilliant sunlight had already emerged, sprinkling the lush garden, and gilding the flower blossoms with new golden clothes.

“Meng gongzi……” Lin Rufei just opened his mouth, when he was interrupted by Meng Lanruo. He grinned and said, “Lin gongzi, you don’t have to be so polite, just call me Lanruo! Let me tell you, on the horse farm, it’s not only the horses that are beautiful, there are other things too ……”

“What else is there?” Lin Rufei asked.

“Just go and see! Guarantee you won’t be disappointed!” Meng Lanruo patted his chest and said.

Lin Rufei thought about it and agreed, after all, Meng Lanruo was so enthusiastic, it was a pity to spoil his fun. Besides, the weather outside was good, it was not a bad thing to go out for a walk.

So he agreed and then Meng Lanruo pulled him out of the room by his shoulders. 

The scenery of the Meng residence during the day and at night have their own distinct flavors. When the day came, there were a lot of flowers everywhere making it very lively.

The horse farm that Meng Lanruo mentioned was also in the Meng residence. However, it seemed to be a separate area that looked to be very wide.

When Lin Rufei arrived at the horse farm, he understood what the “beautiful things” that Meng Lanruo said were. Besides the horse farm, several young girls dressed in strong clothes were fiercely playing polo. The sight of their skirts fluttering was really a wonderful scene.

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The most eye-catching one was Meng Lanruo’s sister, Meng Youyue, who was seen at the family banquet yesterday. She was holding a long pole and easily drove the horse under her. She galloped on the horse field with her heroic posture, attracting everyone’s attention.

Meng Lanruo waved at the field and shouted, “Sister—”

Meng Youyue turned her horse’s head and galloped towards them. Only when she reached them did she let out a long “phew” and laughed: “Lanruo, why did you drag Lin gongzi to a place like this?”

“I just so happen to see Lin gongzi sitting idle in the room, so I asked him out to take a look around.” Meng Lanruo said, “Some top-quality horses just arrived at the horse farm so I thought I’d let Lin gongzi come over to take a look.” 

“Is that so.” Meng Youyue faintly smiled.

As the brother and sister talked, a less harmonious voice interjected from the side: “Meng Lanruo, I haven’t seen you for a few days, when did your family get such a handsome noble gongzi?”

Lin Rufei twisted his head and saw the owner of the voice. The man was dressed in fancy clothes. Even though he was handsome, he had an arrogant taste. Although he was looking at Lin Rufei with a smile, the hidden hostility in his eyes was still caught by Lin Rufei.

“It’s none of your business.” Meng Lanruo yelled indignantly, “Qi Yansheng, go away quickly, don’t spoil my fun.”

Qi Yansheng smiled: “Oh, is that so? I also said that the day before I had begged for a longbow made of 10,000-year-old ebony from Qiu[6] Mountain. I had just wanted to show it to you, but since you don’t want to, then forget it.”

“Wah—a longbow made of 10,000-year-old ebony?” Meng Lanruo was immediately interested and his eyes glowed, “Quickly, give my eyes a feast!”

Qi Yansheng said, “It’s not here, it’s at the firing range.”

“Then let’s go to the range to see?” Meng Lanruo’s hands were itching. But then he remembered that he was accompanying Lin Rufei, who didn’t seem to know how to shoot arrows, so he immediately shook his head and said, “No, I’m not going, I’m still accompanying Lin gongzi. In a few days, I’ll go look for you to see it.” 

“I wonder who this Lin Gongzi is ……?” Qi Yansheng asked.

“Lin Gongzi is the son of the Kunlun Lin family, these days he just so happened to come to my residence to deliver the sword competition invitation. He’s different from you, he is a valuable guest!” Meng Lanruo said, “Don’t you dare say anything obnoxious. Lin gongzi, this is a friend that I don’t know very well, he is called Qi Yansheng. He is very obnoxious and his words are unpleasant, you don’t have to pay attention.” 

Qi Yansheng was not angry at Meng Lanruo’s comment, rather he laughed loudly and bowed to Lin Rufei: “I have heard a lot about the Kunlun Lin family. Seeing you today, gongzi is indeed really charming.”

Lin Rufei returned the salute and said, “I am undeserving of your praise.”

“I wonder if gongzi is interested in seeing that longbow?” Qi Yansheng smiled and said, “Lin gongzi, perhaps you don’t know, but the Meng family’s bowplay is really beautiful. Since you guys have nothing to do, why don’t you let Meng Lanruo show you his skills?”

He was obviously smiling and there was nothing wrong with what he said, but Lin Rufei heard a provocative meaning in Qi Yansheng’s tone. He curbed his smile, looked over expressionlessly, and said indifferently, “I wonder how Qi gongzi’s shooting skills are?”

Qi Yansheng proudly said, “There is no rival within Xinzhou.”

Lin Rufei calmly said, “Then it doesn’t hurt to take a look.”

He would like to know exactly what this Qi Yansheng wants.

********

The author has something to say:  

Gu Xuandu shamelessly: I know of something particularly supplementary.

Lin Rufei: What?

Gu Xuandu continues to be shameless: After you eat it, I can ensure you’ll be cured. 

Lin Rufei: If you’re going to talk, then talk, why are you untying your belt—