Chapter 20: The Daoist Master… is Very Sweet
He averted his gaze, unable to look any longer, but as if possessed, he said, “A chance encounter is better than an invitation. Since that is the case, let us admire the Lantern Festival lights together. It should be quite nice.”
After he spoke, he turned his face away with reserve, clasped his hands behind his back, and walked a few steps, then glanced back.
Although the Daoist Master was wearing a mask, and his expression could not be seen, Fu Tangli could discern his meaning from his posture and his eyes.
He was telling her to follow.
Fu Tangli had not expected him to have such a refined interest. She was slightly taken aback, then smiled, told Yanzhi to go to the teahouse and rest, and quickened her steps to follow Xuanyan.
“This festival has passed so quickly. It seems like only yesterday was New Year’s Eve, and in the blink of an eye, it’s the Lantern Festival.” When she spoke, her tone was composed and elegant, unhurried, but with a slight, melodious lilt at the end that was very pleasant to hear. “The pastries I had sent over on New Year’s Eve, were they to your liking?”
Not really. Xuanyan thought this but still replied calmly, “They were acceptable.”
Fu Tangli’s expression was natural. She nodded and said, “The Daoist Master’s peace talisman was also acceptably drawn. I have pasted it on my door. Good fortune for the new spring. Thanks to you, I pray for peace and success in all matters this year.”
Xuanyan glanced at her nonchalantly. His expression could not be seen, but in the reflection of the countless lanterns on the street, his gaze was gentle.
The two of them walked slowly, one in front of the other, not too close and not too far, observing propriety, yet with a subtle harmony.
Fu Tangli looked at the beautiful lanterns by the roadside, occasionally making a casual remark. Xuanyan would at most reply with a word or two, or just a “Mm.” The market was lively and cheerful, the clamor incessant. This was enough; there was no need for many words.
After walking a little further, Fu Tangli saw a small stall by the street where a white-haired old man was selling sugar paintings. Two young children had just gotten a fresh tiger and an eagle and were very happy, skipping past Fu Tangli with a trail of crisp laughter, which made her heart itch.
Ever since returning to Chang’an, she had not played around. Now, her interest was piqued, and she went over to the sugar painting stall and looked around.
The old man looked very old, but his craftsmanship was excellent. On the rack were finished phoenixes, flying dragons, roosters, and various other designs, all exquisite and lifelike.
“Old sir, what else can you paint?” Fu Tangli asked with a smile.
“As long as the young lady likes it, this old man can paint anything,” the old man replied eagerly.
“Anything?” A thought suddenly came to Fu Tangli, perhaps with a hint of mischief. She beckoned to the person behind her. “Daoist Master, may I trouble you to come over for a moment?”
Xuanyan walked over.
His figure was like a green pine, his presence like a mountain, tall and broad. As he stood there, his shadow fell, almost completely covering the small stall.
The old man was a little intimidated, and his voice immediately became smaller. “You two, would you like to buy my sugar paintings? Which one do you like?”
Fu Tangli politely discussed it with Xuanyan. “I’ve grown tired of the usual designs. Today, I’d like to have the old sir paint me an immortal. As it happens, you have the air of an immortal. Would it be alright to paint one based on you?”
Xuanyan made a sound from his nose, something between a snort and a faint laugh. He stood there without moving.
That was probably an agreement.
Fu Tangli then turned to the old man. “In that case, I’ll trouble you, old sir, to paint me an immortal based on this Daoist Master’s appearance.”
Xuanyan stood as still as a mountain, silent. During the Lantern Festival, many people on the street wore masks of various designs for fun. But his mask was bronze, the carved features cold and stiff, like a clay statue in a mountain temple, grim and grotesque.
The old man swallowed and said tremblingly, “Does… does an immortal look like this?”
Fu Tangli also felt that something was not right and smiled. “Why don’t you take off your mask, Daoist Master? Wearing it like this, you really don’t look like an immortal.”
The moonlight was fine, the lanterns a splendid sight. It should have been a night of celebration and peace. Let her be mischievous this once. Xuanyan was silent for a moment, then took off his mask.
His brows were like sword blades, slanting upward. His eyes were like bright stars in a vast sea. The lanterns were brilliant, the light and shadows intertwining, as if outlining his features with rich ink and heavy colors, a beauty that was almost celestial.
The old man was stunned by Xuanyan’s bearing and appearance. He was dazed for a moment, then didn’t dare to be negligent. He summoned all his concentration, boiled the sugar syrup, and quickly drew an immortal with a small spoon.
The immortal was only the size of a palm, wearing a flowing Daoist robe, his feet on auspicious clouds. Although his features were not very clear, his form was slender, his posture proud, a perfect representation of Xuanyan’s current state. It was quite a good likeness.
Fu Tangli was very satisfied. She picked it up and looked at it in her hand, then said to Xuanyan, “This little sugar person is very beautiful. It’s mine. Would you like one, Daoist Master? I can have the old sir make another one for you, alright?”
Xuanyan did not speak. He took a piece of silver from his sleeve, casually tossed it on the old man’s stall, and turned to leave.
Fu Tangli chased after him, taking small, mincing steps, and asked sincerely, “You really don’t want one?”
Even when Xuanyan was young, he had never been interested in such fancy things. He didn’t quite understand why this young lady was so delighted, but he felt no impatience or displeasure. Instead, his tone was calm, almost as if he were coaxing her.
“No. You can play with it yourself.”
“Oh.” Fu Tangli pursed her lips and gently shook the sugar person in her hand. “Then I’ll eat it.”
She brought the little sugar person to her lips but hesitated for a moment, then laughed for no reason, her eyes curving into crescents. She looked at the little sugar person, then at Xuanyan.
The mischievous glint in her eyes was too obvious.
Xuanyan’s face was expressionless. “Don’t look. That is not me.”
The corners of Fu Tangli’s mouth curled up even higher, revealing two small dimples. She looked down at the little sugar person, feeling a little troubled. Where should she take a bite?
The Daoist Master’s head? May the Celestial Worthy grant immeasurable blessings. I dare not, I dare not, I truly dare not.
She stole another glance at Xuanyan.
Xuanyan’s expression was already turning sour, his gaze as sharp as a sword, staring at her sternly.
Fu Tangli thought for a long time, then gently nibbled on the little sugar person’s shoulder. She couldn’t help but laugh. “Daoist Master… is very sweet.”
Perhaps some of the sugar syrup had gotten on her lips, making them wet and glistening, like cherries. Yes, like bright red, plump cherries, just ripened on the branch in the fourth month.
Very sweet?
“What nonsense are you spouting? That is not me.” Xuanyan’s expression grew even more serious, and he immediately averted his gaze.
He had a strange illusion that his shoulder was beginning to itch, as if a small insect were crawling on it, leaving no trace but making him feel an unbearable sensation. The east wind of the evening blew gently, and his body felt a little hot. Even his palms were sweating slightly.
What was she saying? Was it intentional or unintentional? At this thought, he suddenly felt a little unsettled. He let out a deep breath and quickened his pace.
The street was crowded with pedestrians, walking in groups, talking and laughing. Hawkers loudly peddled all sorts of goods. It was a scene of bustling activity. Above, the bright moon was like a platter; below, the lights were like stars. Heaven and earth were one.
Fu Tangli, holding the little sugar person, said in a light tone, “I want to go to Chongye Square. There will be fireworks there later. I heard there were some last year too. At that time, Father took my sister, and it was not proper for me to follow them, which was a great regret. This year, I must have a good look. Chang’an is prosperous, and these displays seem to be better than the ones in Weizhou.”
She was, after all, still young. Though usually composed, she couldn’t hide her lively curiosity at this moment.
Xuanyan said nothing, and there was no extra expression on his face. He clasped his hands behind his back, still with a reserved and cool demeanor, and changed direction, heading toward Chongye Square.
Fu Tangli followed behind with a smile. “Does the Daoist Master know the way? I’m not very familiar with the streets of Chang’an yet.”
Most of the people on the street were also heading to Chongye Square to watch the fireworks. Families, old and young, men and women, were all out. The crowd grew larger, and many wealthy and official families came in carriages, making the road more and more congested.
Xuanyan’s pace gradually slowed. He had always preferred peace and quiet and usually stayed in the deep mountains when in Chang’an. The current clamor made his brows furrow involuntarily.
Fu Tangli suddenly spoke again. “Forget it, let’s not go.”
Xuanyan looked back at her.
“It’s too crowded and chaotic. The Daoist Master doesn’t like it.” She paused, thought for a moment, and added, “I don’t like it either.”
Xuanyan said coolly, “It’s alright.”
Just then, with a loud bang, a firework shot up into the distant sky, blooming like a giant flower against the night, brilliant and dazzling.
Fu Tangli couldn’t help but look up.
The people cheered.
But then, a faint commotion came from that direction. Someone was shouting in terror, “The firework went off course! Fire, fire up ahead…”
Xuanyan stopped and looked up alertly. He was exceptionally tall, and his field of vision was wide. He saw that there seemed to be some unusual movement in the direction of Chongye Square.
He immediately reached out, grabbed Fu Tangli’s arm, and said in a low voice, “Go back.”
It was too late. After that one firework, the night sky was quiet again, but the cries of “fire” grew louder. One person shouted, and many followed. The street was full of lanterns, their lights swaying, making it impossible to tell what was real and what was not.
In an instant, chaos erupted. The crowd tried to retreat, but they were surrounded by a sea of people and had no way to escape. In their panic, they began to push and shove each other desperately.
Soon, someone was pushed to the ground, wailing loudly, which only made the situation more chaotic. For a time, the cries for children, the shouts for mothers, the curses, the wails of children, all were incessant. Everyone was fleeing, in a panic, crowding together. More and more people fell, and then others trampled over them.