Chapter 6: Ah Jiu’s Sharp Tongue Teases the Talented Scholar

Why are some of the most beautiful rhythms in life never lasting? (Gu Long)
……
“Searching far and wide, in cold solitude, filled with sorrow and grief. In the fleeting warmth between cold spells, it’s hardest to rest. A few cups of weak wine—how can they withstand the fierce evening wind? Geese fly by, stirring my heartache; they’re old acquaintances.” After reciting the poem, Liu Yi gently sat down and poured himself a drink.
“Yellow flowers cover the ground in piles. Withered and worn, who could pick them now? Sitting by the window, how can I endure until nightfall? With the sycamores and drizzling rain, drop by drop at dusk—how can such sorrow be described in just one word?” Her voice, both mournful and melodious, continued the poem.
Needless to say, Liu Yi knew it was Ah Jiu…
Indeed, it was Ah Jiu, accompanied by her bodyguard, Shi Jieyi. Without invitation, Ah Jiu sat down and said softly, “I didn’t expect Lord Liu to also like this poem, ‘Slow Sounds’!”
Liu Yi took a sip of his wine and replied, “It’s not that I like it; I just read it occasionally.”
Ah Jiu stared at Liu Yi as if viewing a painting. She had visited him several times but had never really looked closely at him, so in her mind, he existed only as a talented scholar, without a face to match his reputation.
Under the dim candlelight in the garden, Liu Yi’s arched eyebrows gave him a heroic appearance, his piercing eyes were like the sea or mist, and his straight nose made his face almost perfect. He exuded a scholarly aura mixed with something indescribable. Dressed in a loose gray robe, he appeared carefree and unbound.
As if admiring a work of art, Ah Jiu stood frozen. After Liu Yi called out to her several times, she finally reacted. Using Ah Jiu’s own words, Liu Yi asked, “Miss Ah Jiu, is there any flower on my face?”
Realizing her rudeness, Ah Jiu’s face turned slightly red. Thankfully, the dim light hid it well; otherwise, she would have been mortified.
Ah Jiu quickly shook her head and replied, “No, no flowers.”
Liu Yi waved his folding fan, casually picked up the wine glass from the table, took a sip, and said, “Let’s talk about that painting… I was initially completely opposed to it, but… Shi Jieyi insisted I find out more.”
Ah Jiu finally reacted and hurriedly explained, “Actually… it’s like this. I have a close friend far away—our bond is as close as life and death. He loves paintings and calligraphy extremely; calling him an art enthusiast wouldn’t be an exaggeration. But fate is unpredictable. My friend has contracted some strange illness and seems to have little time left. He asked me to do something—he respects Lord Liu the most and hopes to see Lord Liu’s ‘Dragon and Phoenix Auspicious Painting’ before he dies. That’s why I’ve come to disturb you so often.”
Shi Jieyi, a straightforward man, was moved to tears and said sadly, “Boss, let me tell you—Miss Ah Jiu must have her reasons; otherwise, she wouldn’t keep coming to see you.”
But Liu Yi remained unmoved. Looking at Shi Jieyi’s ridiculous expression and Ah Jiu’s dazed eyes, he said, “Oh? Is that so? Then does Miss Ah Jiu know the significance of that ‘Dragon and Phoenix Auspicious Painting’?”

Ajiu seemed afraid to look into Liu Yi’s eyes and quickly turned her face away, saying, “Well… Of course Ajiu knows. But even if it means destruction, Ajiu will do it. Young Master Liu surely understands the value of a true friend, right?”
Shi Jieyi, whether to please Ajiu or truly moved by her words, exclaimed excitedly, “Great! That’s truly heroic. I didn’t expect Miss Ajiu to be such a person who values loyalty.”
Ajiu bowed and said, “Brother Shi Jieyi, you’re too kind.”
Hearing Ajiu’s reply, Shi Jieyi was overjoyed.
Yet Liu Yi remained expressionless. Since this painting was of great significance, he wouldn’t paint it for this stranger just because of a few words. Liu Yi drank the wine in his cup in one gulp and continued, “This painting belongs to the emperor. If I paint it for you, I would be committing the crime of deceiving the emperor, which could cost thousands of lives under Liu’s rule. Have you thought about those people?”
Ajiu seemed to be thinking. Finally, she replied, “Of course. Young Master Liu, there’s no need to worry. My friend only wants to see your painting; she has no intention of keeping it. After seeing it, we’ll destroy it. Then, won’t there still be only one copy of the ‘Dragon and Phoenix Soaring’ painting?”
Hearing this, Shi Jieyi laughed and said, “That’s a good idea. Boss, if you help Miss Ajiu, you won’t have to worry about deceiving the emperor.”
Liu Yi glared at the foolish Shi Jieyi, feeling like kicking him. Suppressing his anger, he looked at Ajiu and said, “Miss Ajiu, such one-sided words—how can I believe them? I can’t risk thousands of lives just because of your words.”
Ajiu also fell into deep thought, unable to respond for a long time, only murmuring, “Um… this…”
Liu Yi took a sip of wine and said, “If Miss Ajiu can’t come up with a reason that convinces me, then I’m truly at a loss.”
Suddenly, Ajiu said, “This way, Young Master Liu. I can leave those jewels and beauties here. I only need seven days. As soon as my friend sees the painting, I’ll return and give it back, and then it can be destroyed here.”
Liu Yi thought for a moment. This woman was willing to offer such a large sum just for seven days. It might be true, or it might not. It was only seven days—destroying the painting after that shouldn’t cause any problems.
Shi Jieyi, seemingly without hesitation, said, “Boss, see? Miss Ajiu is willing to give so much wealth just for seven days. You should believe her now.”
Liu Yi glanced at Shi Jieyi and then at Ajiu, saying, “Hmm, this reason is believable. Then, Miss Ajiu, come back tomorrow with the collateral to get the painting. The time limit is seven days.”
Ajiu quickly nodded and said, “Thank you, Young Master Liu.” Then she put on a pitiful expression and said, “Heaven truly has eyes. My true friend can rest in peace now.”
But who knew what this cunning Ajiu was thinking? A scene appeared in the depths of her mind: “Hmph! Haha! Those collaterals are meant to exchange for the painting. Once I get it, not to mention seven days, even seven years won’t you be able to find me. Calling yourself a great talent like Liu—still defeated by my sharp tongue. Hmph, hahaha!”

As for Liu Yi, though clever his whole life, he was foolish for a moment—forgetting that those treasures were originally meant to exchange for this painting, so there was no collateral at all. But Ah Jiu really had a sharp tongue, managing to deceive Liu Yi. As for one of the Top Ten Outstanding Youth, he could be settled with just a bucket of rice.

Liu Yi glanced at the poor Ah Jiu and said, “There’s no need to thank me. My attitude was firmly negative from the start. If you want to thank someone, thank Brother Eleven beside you—he spoke many kind words on your behalf.”

Finally, Ah Jiu turned to look at Brother Eleven properly. Why did this man resemble the big fool who fed pigs in her family? How could such a person be one of the Top Ten Outstanding Youth? Yet the experienced Ah Jiu still bowed in gratitude and said, “Brother Eleven, Ah Jiu thanks you here for your help. I will definitely repay you when I get the chance.”

Brother Eleven seemed to receive the most beautiful compliment in the world and quickly replied, “Miss Ah Jiu, you, you’re overpraising me. It was just a trivial effort.”

This remark made both Ah Jiu and Liu Yi laugh. Brother Eleven usually followed Liu Yi, and influenced by him, he had learned some literary expressions. But his knowledge didn’t seem very thorough, so when he didn’t know a word, he would just add a few random ones. In his haste, he forgot the character for “hand” and quickly changed it to “mouth.” Still, he was quite proud of his quick thinking.

Liu Yi finished the wine in his cup and said, “It’s getting late. Let’s go back and sleep.”

Miss Ah Jiu stood up, enduring the pain in her shoulder, and said, “Then Ah Jiu will take her leave. See you tomorrow morning.” With that, she turned and walked outside.

Brother Eleven wanted to say something but couldn’t find the words. Liu Yi grabbed him and said, “Enough, Brother Eleven. Go back and sleep. As for Ah Jiu, I’ll make her your wife sooner or later.”

Hearing this, Brother Eleven excitedly grabbed Liu Yi and shouted, “Elder brother, you’re so kind! Brother Eleven will stay with you for life!” His eyes showed admiration akin to that for a Buddha.

Struggling to free himself from Brother Eleven’s strong arms, Liu Yi walked ahead, thinking to himself, “Damn, even my brother can be bribed by a beauty.”

But jokes aside, after all, Brother Eleven had protected him for so many years. Without him, he might have long turned to dust. It seems even famous people have their troubles.

Watching the two figures disappear, a voice sighed in the darkness, “Wei Lingfeng, Wei Lingfeng, I will surely make you pick up your sword again!”

Following the direction of the voice, on a hundred-year-old willow tree in the garden, perched among the branches, stood a middle-aged man in white, appearing around thirty years old. He held a blue long sword that swayed in the wind. This man was the greatest swordsman of the three realms a hundred years ago—Leng Jian. His death at the hands of Wei Lingfeng caused him to vanish without a trace. From then on, the greatest swordsman of the three realms and the pride of the human realm became nothing but a myth…