Chapter 7: The Daoist Master Disrobes, Packages, and Throws a Person Out…
“Ten taels of silver,” Fu Tangli repeated, her face a mask of innocence.
Xuanyan’s expression was blank. He slowly put down his brush. The color of his eyes, like amber, was usually somewhat light, but now it had deepened, like a dark, foreboding night.
Presumably, this Daoist Master Xuanyan considered himself to be of no small worth, and ten taels of silver were far beneath his notice.
Fu Tangli clicked her tongue inwardly and said unhurriedly, “If not, Daoist Master, you could perhaps be a little more diligent, and I could add another tael or two.”
Xuanyan’s gaze was fixed on Fu Tangli. He said, word by word, “That scoundrel Qingxuzi actually deceived me. He said you were introduced by my Senior Uncle, a favor that could not be refused. So it was all for ten taels of silver. You have some nerve. For a mere ten taels, you would have me copy the Supreme Scripture for Salvation from Suffering forty-nine times. Who gave you such audacious courage?”
It was unclear what discipline this Daoist Master cultivated, for though his expression was calm and steady, his fury was like a mountain pressing down, overwhelming.
Fortunately, Fu Tangli had been through this a few times before and could now withstand it quite well. Her expression did not change, and her voice was calm and gentle. “It was indeed my fault to have been so presumptuous. Daoist Master, please calm your anger. I will leave now.”
With that, she rose gracefully, clasped her hands in a bow, and withdrew. Her movements were elegant, as ethereal as an immortal’s. As she reached the door, she glanced back, her eyes shimmering, as if the light of spring and the moon of autumn were gathered within them, bright and clear.
After she left, the surroundings suddenly fell silent.
The fragrance of the Nine Harmony Incense grew stronger. The smoke rising from the small lotus censer was like wisps of silk, tangling into a ball.
Xuanyan let out a long breath, calming himself. He looked at the half-copied scripture before him and remained silent for a long time. Then, as if possessed, he picked up his brush again.
Before the tip of the brush could touch the paper, a soft voice came from the doorway. “Daoist Master…”
Xuanyan looked up.
Fu Tangli had returned at some point and was standing at the door, her hands tucked into her sleeves. The half-open door partially obscured her face, but it could not hide the curve of her smiling eyes. “The Abbot has already agreed. The Supreme Scripture for Salvation from Suffering, forty-nine times, not a single one less. It’s alright if you can’t finish today. Take your time. It will be enough to keep you busy for several days. I will come every day from now on. Thank you for your trouble.”
The tip of Xuanyan’s brush paused, then, like a sudden thrust of a halberd, it ripped through the paper.
***
The next day, when she woke up in the morning, Fu Tangli covered her mouth and coughed twice.
Dailuo was extremely nervous and complained, “It’s all that girl Yanzhi’s fault for not being diligent. She accompanied My Lady out twice, and both times My Lady fell in the snow. Look, now you’ve caught a chill.”
Yanzhi said sheepishly, “My Lady should rest well at home today. We’ll keep the braziers burning warmly. Keep yourself warm, and don’t go out into the wind again.”
But Fu Tangli would not listen. “Daoist Master Xuanyan hasn’t finished copying the scripture. I must go to Yunlu Temple today to check on him. It’s nothing. Seeing him so angry yet unable to vent is truly refreshing. It cures all ailments.”
As Dailuo helped Fu Tangli dress, she asked in confusion, “I don’t understand what My Lady is planning. One should stay far away from such a vile Daoist. Why do you keep going to him?”
Fu Tangli gave a casual “Oh,” and said nonchalantly, “Didn’t he ask me what my scheme was? I was thinking, I’ll do as he says. I’ll use some tricks to lure him into my trap, make him bow his head to me. When that time comes, I will return the humiliation of that day a hundredfold, and make that ‘filth’ so ashamed he won’t know where to hide.”
Dailuo trembled in fear, dropping the pendant in her hand. “My Lady, you mustn’t say such things.”
She quickly glanced around. Fortunately, only she and Yanzhi were attending to her. She said urgently, “My Lady is already betrothed to the Crown Prince. How can you have any involvement with another man? Besides, he is a man of the cloth… Ai, a man from the mountains, of humble status. How is he worthy of My Lady’s efforts? You absolutely must not.”
“What’s the hurry?” Fu Tangli let out a soft laugh and leisurely straightened her hair. “It’s just for a bit of fun, to pass the time. I’m not taking it seriously. If it succeeds, it will relieve the hatred in my heart. If it fails, so be it. That Daoist is extremely handsome. Teasing him when I have the time is, if nothing else, at least pleasing to the eye. It’s no loss.”
Since Fu Tangli’s mind was made up, Dailuo could not dissuade her. She could only mutter to herself, grumbling about the Daoist some more.
Afterward, the mistress and her two maids went out, once again to Yunlu Temple.
Fu Tangli offered the Three Treasures Incense, observing all the proper etiquette, and also offered some small silver pieces for the incense fund.
Qingxuzi came out, said nothing, but made a hushing gesture, winked, and pointed his horsetail whisk toward the side hall on the left.
This abbot was a good-natured old man, kind and amiable, always smiling. It was a mystery how he had raised a disciple as cold and hard as Xuanyan.
Fu Tangli understood Qingxuzi’s hint. She ordered Dailuo and Yanzhi to add incense in the main hall, while she gracefully walked over.
Xuanyan was at the same desk as yesterday, copying the scripture, silent and aloof. He did not look up, nor did he spare her a glance. He had likely grown numb to her intrusions and did not wish to speak.
The brush moved across the Xuan paper, making an occasional soft rustling sound, like snow falling outside the window.
Fu Tangli, just like yesterday, sat by the desk and watched him.
The daylight shone through the old gauze window, so transparent it was almost pale. His face was shrouded in a mixture of light and shadow, his eyes lowered, his lips pressed together, his profile like a fine-line drawing, possessing the charm of an ink wash painting.
A censer was lit on the desk, the smoke barely visible, like a fleeting shadow of light, dissipating in an instant.
Fu Tangli gently lifted the lid of the censer, picked up the silver chopsticks, and cleared the residual ash from the holes. The fragrance instantly grew deep and rich again.
“The Xinling Incense today has a clearer scent. I think it’s better than yesterday’s Nine Harmony Incense.” Her voice was soft and melodious, mingling with the wisps of smoke among the scent of ink and pine. “The Jade Register of Supreme Purity says that Xinling is burned to reach the celestial emperor’s numinous abode. In the dead of winter, this place seems to be lacking a touch of spikenard. If it were added, it would bring warmth even to the nine heavens, which would be even more wonderful.”
Xuanyan finally looked up at her. His gaze was calm, showing no displeasure. He said coolly, “Spikenard has a pungent taste. I do not like it, so I ordered it not to be added.”
Fu Tangli casually tapped the silver chopsticks on the rim of the censer and smiled with her eyes lowered. “If the Daoist Master does not like spikenard, perhaps you could try simmering borneol with white plum blossoms. It has the flavor of frost and snow…”
As she was speaking, she suddenly felt a tickle in her throat. Not good, she thought. She tried to raise her hand, but with one hand holding the censer lid and the other the silver chopsticks, she couldn’t cover her mouth in time and began to cough violently.
The lid of the lotus censer was still open. The incense powder inside was carried by her breath and scattered, a gray cloud spreading everywhere.
Xuanyan’s brush stopped.
The incense powder, mixed with ash, flew onto his face—a smudge on his forehead, a dot on the tip of his nose, and a few scattered marks in his hair. Expressionless, he stared straight at Fu Tangli and slowly took out his handkerchief to wipe his face.
That terrifying gaze made the hair on Fu Tangli’s head stand on end.
This was truly unexpected. She hastily dropped the objects in her hands, covered her mouth with her sleeve, stood up, and backed away, squeezing out words between coughs. “My apologies… I, I…”
She had only managed a few words before another fit of coughing seized her, leaving her breathless.
Xuanyan’s face was grim. Without a word, he suddenly stood up and took off his outer robe.
Uh… why is he taking off his clothes?
Fu Tangli’s eyes widened. Before she could react, Xuanyan strode forward, and with a flick of his hand, his outer robe came down over her head, wrapping her up completely, even covering her head.
In the dead of winter, white plum blossoms fell, and ebony was soaked in accumulated snow—bitter and cold. That was his scent, like the Xinling Incense burned by a worshipper in a secluded mountain forest, a scent meant only for the gods.
This scent instantly enveloped Fu Tangli, touching her cheeks, her temples, like rustling snow that melted in an instant, making her feel short of breath and unable to stop coughing.
Her shoulder was seized by Xuanyan. He was so tall, and his strength was so astonishing. He lifted her up as if grabbing a rabbit, dragged her straight out the door, and then, with a release of his hand, plop, threw her away.
Fu Tangli’s head was covered by the robe, and she couldn’t see a thing. She nearly fell, stumbling around in a couple of circles, making her head even dizzier.
She heard Xuanyan’s voice, stern, laced with suppressed anger.
“Xuan’an! Xundu!”
Someone immediately answered respectfully and came running. “Senior Brother, what are your orders?”
“Have someone come and wash this room, inside and out, from top to bottom. Fumigate it with Dalbergia incense for a few days to restore the pure qi.”
Fu Tangli fumbled for a long time, finally managing to poke her head out from the robe. She looked around and got her bearings.
After saying the above, Xuanyan pointed a finger at Fu Tangli. “As for this one…”
As for this one, what? Fu Tangli glared at him angrily. But she didn’t realize that her fit of coughing had squeezed tears from her eyes. The corners of her eyes were slightly red, her eyes shimmering like a spring pool, and her eyelashes were still beaded with dew. At this moment, she looked as if she were on the verge of tears.
Xuanyan’s words paused.