The ancient literati once wrote a poem: “How vast and tranquil is Dream Lake, where duckweed dyes the currents green. If beauty could be counted, seven-tenths of it would belong to Lotus Isle.” Jinyu County, located twenty miles southeast of Jiaocheng, is a place nestled against the mountains and beside water, brimming with divine charm. According to the ancient book Heavenly Chronicles , this was once the earthly retreat of Aolü, the Dragon King of the Illusory Sea. One day, Aolü transformed into his dragon form and spiraled over Biluo Mountain when he accidentally spotted a beautiful maiden. His dragon spirit stirred, and at first sight, he fell in love. Transforming into human form, he vowed eternal unity with her. To make his beloved wife smile, the Dragon King turned the Pearl That Calms the Sea into an expanse of crystal-clear lake. His wife, Nan Zhi, washed silk daily in the lake, tingeing its pristine waters with a verdant hue. Little did they know that humans and gods must part ways. After twenty years had passed, as Nan Zhi gazed into the mirror and saw her youth fade, she wept silently. One day, as the Dragon King returned to the Celestial Palace for duty, he found his wife sleeping soundly upon departure and left quietly without disturbing her. Awakening to find him gone, Nan Zhi believed Aolü had abandoned her due to her aged appearance and threw herself into the lake, her soul vanishing like jade shattering. Upon the Dragon King’s return, overwhelmed with sorrow, he let out a mournful cry, splitting the lake’s surface to bury his beloved wife beneath its depths. Later generations renamed the Crystal Lake as Dream Lake, for it was here Aolü’s dream began and where it ended tragically.

Walking along the willow-lined embankment towards the vast expanse of Dream Lake, I suddenly recalled this legend and couldn’t help but sigh: “A fair maiden laughs while washing silk, ripples resembling swallows flutter by. Autumn winds bring hidden tears, red cheeks age too swiftly. The wandering sea dragon cries, waves surge with sorrowful roars. Your heart remains unchanged, yet my knowledge fails.”

“Fail? Nan Zhi?” Sister Rumeng turns around, looking at the distant Tang family estate with a cold laugh, “Your heart unchanged, but I remain unaware—words delayed under the lotus canopy.”

Elder Sister pulls out her long whip, flicks it forcefully, creating a sharp sound: “Sister, allow me to pluck all of Liu Xunhe’s peacock feathers and drag him here to apologize!”

“No need.” Elder Sister Rumeng holds onto her hand, worry clouding her brow. “Liu Xiaoxia is a flirtatious and amorous man; I realized this three years ago. In brothels and pleasure quarters, there’s no shortage of affection, yet true emotion is scarce.” She lets out a gentle sigh. “Three years ago, I fell in love with his tenderness, but now having escaped that pit, reborn, watching him tenderly care for those refined maidens of illustrious families makes me resent his fickleness. At midnight, memories often leave me lost in thought.” The clear light in Sister’s eyes dances with confusion. “Did I fall in love with his tenderness or his indifference?” She mockingly chuckles, slowly rising. The shimmering lake reflects on her elegant face, accentuating a cool allure: “Since coming here, Rumeng has seen the ladies’ tactics, reminiscent of Lüguan Pavilion. In that devouring place, such struggles were everyday sights. Competing with them would mean remaining trapped. Rather than that, it’s better to withdraw early and regain clarity.”

“Well said! Ambitious!” Elder Sister claps loudly, “Sister, what a pity there’s no strong liquor here, otherwise I’d surely toast you thrice!”

Sister Rumeng smiles gently, her expression softening, though her fingers tightly twist the hem of her garment, betraying reluctance. Turning slightly, she gazes at her indifferently: “Sister, sometimes we fall in love with love itself.” Suddenly pausing, her brows lightly furrowed, seeing this, I continue: “In the thirst for love, a fleeting figure flashes across the eyes, creating a dreamlike enchantment that stirs emotions uncontrollably. Yet, upon waking, one realizes that person was merely a lingering illusion. It’s all self-deception, indulging in self-pity.” Slowly approaching, I smile at her: “Like a foreign phrase goes, ‘I love you, but it’s none of your concern.’ Though seemingly domineering and unreasonable, it holds truth. For what I’ve fallen in love with is merely my own feelings, just your reflection.”

“I love you, but it’s none of your concern?” Sister repeats this sentence. Indeed, “I love you, but it’s none of your concern,” a famous line from Goethe. Love is but a brush in the heart, sometimes replicating reality, other times distorting it recklessly, abstracting beauty through self-deception. Only when infatuated men and sorrowful women step out of their illusory worlds do they realize there exists another realm beyond.

“Hehe~” Elder Sister bursts into a crisp laugh, shaking her head and smiling at me, “Who would have thought the clearest insight would come from Qingqing.”

Elder Sister frowns, looks at Sister, then at me, pouts, blinks, appearing quite comical. “What are you talking about?” She tugs at Sister Rumeng’s sleeve, “Why don’t I understand?”

Sister gently taps her forehead, laughing, “Of course you wouldn’t understand, silly girl who hasn’t even recognized those close to her.”

Elder Sister’s brows furrow deeper: “Close people? What don’t I understand?”

Seeing her perplexed expression, I laugh until I’m doubled over: Poor Master’s sincere heart, everywhere concerned. This guy is utterly clueless, still unfocused and careless.

“Hmph!” Elder Sister crosses her arms, eyeing me mischievously, “Speaking of close people, I’ve made an unexpected discovery recently.”

“Oh?”

Little Bird blinks mysteriously, opening her mouth: “Big Sister, haven’t you noticed Ye Jinglan treats our little sister specially?”

Special? I stare at her, dumbfounded. Where is this special treatment?

Elder Sister clasps her hands behind her back, swaying her head proudly: “Tsk tsk, I knew you all were too negligent.” Grasping Sister’s hand, she beams at me: “Big Sister, after nearly ten days together, has Ye Jinglan spoken to you?”

“Not at all.” Sister Rumeng answers decisively.

“That’s right!” Elder Sister claps her hands, intensely staring at me. “From my observations, Mr. Ye has only spoken to women besides our little sister. This proves he has ulterior motives toward her!”

Staring blankly, unable to comprehend. After a while, I sigh: “Elder Sister, if single words count as speech, your conclusion might hold some merit.” The longest thing Ye Jinglan ever said to me was during the morning market, a barely audible “No need.”

“Hehe“

“Stayed outside the city?” Big Sister looks at her in astonishment, then at me in shock.

“Elder Sister!” Closing my eyes briefly, clenching my fists, I explain the truth to Sister Rumeng.

“Yan’er, you!” Big Sister covers her mouth, gaping at Little Bird, “You…you actually spied on Young Master Ye bathing?!”

Elder Sister casually touches her hair, looking disgruntled: “Young Master Ye’s hearing is too acute. He heard a slight noise and stopped undressing, such a pity~”

Between Elder Sister and Liu Xunhe, who corrupted whom? One is flirtatious, the other vulgar…

“Unlike that fellow Xie Sichen, hehe~” Elder Sister grins slyly, eyes wide. “He finished taking off his upper garments before realizing he was being watched.” She points to her right shoulder: “There’s a birthmark here, a small circle. I really saw it, truly!”

Exchanging a glance with Big Sister, we both silently walk forward side by side.

“Dream Lake is beautiful, Dream Lake’s waters, mandarin ducks playfully swim in pairs. Biluo is graceful, Biluo perilous, peaks pierce the skies, challenging heaven.” From a pavilion near the lake comes a coquettish song: “Flowers on Long Hill, maidens on Long Hill, fairy-like grace captured in paintings. Reeds by the water, lads by the water, love at first sight determines fate.”

Our trio slowly approaches the waterside pavilion from which the singing emanates. Several beauties frolic and tease, the woman playing the zither and singing at the center is none other than Tang Miaomiao, beloved daughter of Tang Kuangsong, leader of the martial world.

As we approach, she abruptly stops singing, narrowing her eyes and glaring at Elder Sister unkindly: “What wind brought the unparalleled, bewitching Feng Lianyan here~” She emphasizes the surname “Feng” pointedly, causing the beauties in the pavilion to giggle behind their sleeves.

“Hmph! Sour plum soup, spare me your nastiness.” Elder Sister raises her eyebrows, placing her hands on her hips, enunciating each word: “Say it again—I, Miss Feng, have no interest in your Xie Sichen!” She rubs her nose, disdainfully eyeing Tang Miaomiao: “He and I are just brothers. If you’re jealous, don’t come to me.”

“Brothers?” Miss Tang stands up, scrutinizing Elder Sister carefully: “Just look at your rude, uncouth behavior. Would Brother Xie associate with you? Hmph, stop making us laugh!”

Her face darkens, coldly eyeing the beautiful yet venomous Miss Tang. Just as I open my mouth to reply, Big Sister calmly interjects: “Family upbringing?” Her clear eyes scan Miss Tang, “Hehe, indeed, I see no trace of proper upbringing.”

“You!” Miss Tang puffs up her cheeks, glaring fiercely at Big Sister.

“What ‘you’?!” Elder Sister steps in front of Sister Rumeng, pointing at Tang Miaomiao and shouting, “Don’t croak like a toad and think you’re a swan.”

“What nonsense, how offensive!” “Miaomiao, don’t get upset, don’t stoop to her level.” “Miaomiao, she’s just jealous of you.” A group of women dressed in vibrant colors chatter and scold, creating quite a commotion.

Smiling faintly, I shake my head and turn to gaze at the rippling lake. The setting sun casts golden hues across Dream Lake, reflecting a shimmer akin to carp scales. Far away, a row of golden banners flutters in the breeze, dividing the lake into two parts. It’s said that on the fifth day of the fifth month, Prince Qing Lingzhun will visit the Jinyu Palace to celebrate the Duanwu Festival with the princes. Thus, the once-unified expanse of water is now divided inward and outward, and the full view of Dream Lake can no longer be seen.

Sighing regretfully, I hear Elder Sister angrily declare: “Jealous? Let me tell you, with that broken basket voice, Little Bird couldn’t care less.” Throwing her head back, she smugly raises her brows: “Today, let me show you what celestial music sounds like. Qingqing!”

“Hmm?” I turn naturally, responding casually.

“I fear if they hear Big Sister’s performance, they’ll feel so ashamed they’ll jump into the lake.” Elder Sister glances at the women, feigning compassion. “So, Qingqing, sing something simple. Don’t exert yourself fully, okay~”

“Her?” Tang Miaomiao sneers at me, “An unknown nobody, let’s humor her.” She plucks the strings of the zither teasingly, slowly moving aside. “Here, borrow this zither. Sing well and let’s hear what celestial music sounds like!”

I quietly observe Elder Sister, who clasps her hands, her face pleading. Smiling faintly, I sit down gracefully, gazing into the distance. The gentle breeze stirs, the lake water sways, wavering between calm and ripple.

My fingertips dance lightly, producing a clear, melodious sound akin to nightingales and phoenixes singing—a fine instrument indeed. My lips curve slightly as I harmonize and press the strings rhythmically. The music rings out like pine trees standing tall amidst gusts of wind. As the melody reaches its middle section, it resembles vast clouds and surging waves. Overcome with joy, I close my eyes, raise my arms, and pour the sounds of pines and bamboos into the tune, blending the image of heavenly peaks and oceanic waves into the string vibrations. Emotions soar, my heart expands, my soul ascends to the ninth heaven, and in a trance, I wander through the skies, feeling as if I’ve arrived at the mythical Kunlun Fairyland.

Slowly opening my eyes, I gaze at the earthly beauty before me, inspired momentarily. My lips curl upward as I softly recite: “Willows by the White Dyke sway greenly, Jade mirrors reflect the vast Chu sky. The red sun sets westward, leaving lonely twilight; within a crimson jade plate lies a single emerald snail.”

Amidst the evening mist, a three-masted painted boat slowly drifts into view. On the mast, a brocade flag flutters in the wind, embroidered with a large “Ning” character. The red boat halts at the boundary marked by the fluttering flags, no longer advancing, swaying gently with the waves.

“Qingqing, Qingqing.” Turning my head, I see everyone stunned. Elder Sister gathers her hands, urgently reminding me: “Song~ Song~”

With a shift in the melody, I plucked the strings as if murmuring, the vibrato akin to weeping. Opening my lips, I began to sing softly:

“Mountains clear, waters bright, tranquil and serene, A breeze drifts over the lake, stirring the air. Ah, heart of mine, heart of mine, be still, be still. At twilight, when few people linger, The moon’s reflection sways on the water’s surface, Ah, heart of mine, heart of mine, be still, be still. Reeds vast and endless, love dreams upon the lake, Wafts of reed flowers bring their fragrance near, Ah, heart of mine, heart of mine, be pure, be pure. Silver threads of light dance across the water, And little sails dot the shimmering expanse, Ah, heart of mine, heart of mine, be pure, be pure.”

Finishing with delicate flicks of my fingers, I let my arms fall gently, the music fading into silence. Around me, there was no sound. The women in the pavilion sat motionless, their expressions still dazed. Smiling faintly, I rose and turned around, only to see a figure clad in violet standing outside the pavilion—Ye Jinglan, under the willow tree, holding a bamboo flute, his phoenix-like eyes glistening with admiration. His expression softened slightly, carrying an unusual charm.

“Clap, clap, clap,” came a series of loud applause. My senior brother approached with his friends, smiling warmly. “Your heart holds great depth, and your strings produce extraordinary sounds. That piece you played earlier, Qingqing, was boundless in its scope, swallowing heaven and earth—it truly makes me feel humbled.”

Sister Rumeng walked gracefully towards me, taking my hand and praising, “That final song of yours was exquisite, gentle, and melodious, making even us women envious.”

Embarrassed by their teasing, my cheeks flushed slightly. Turning my head to gaze at the water, I noticed that the large boat had raised its iron anchor and was slowly setting sail toward the inner lake.

“Ning?” my senior brother murmured softly. “Lord Ning of the Qing Kingdom?”

“Hehe~” Xie Sichen behind him responded promptly, “The Ninth Prince, Ling Yiran. Who would have thought that Little Sister Feng’s simple song could make the noble young master pause and listen quietly.”

Ling Yiran? Staring blankly at the rippling surface of the lake, I recalled the striking beauty of that enigmatic blue-eyed man. Allowing this, after ten years, being able to watch the sunset together—isn’t this also a kind of fate?

Seeing several handsome young heroes standing outside the pavilion, the girls batted their eyelashes and exited the pavilion. Tang Miaomiao welcomed them with her zither, unhesitatingly pulling on Xie Sichen’s sleeve and coquettishly saying, “Si Chen Ge, if only you had come earlier. I sang several songs, and everyone said they were on par with Miss Feng.” She then looked inquiringly at a maiden dressed in spring attire of xuan color, who hurriedly nodded: “Yes, yes, Sister Miaomiao sings better than that sister. Master, it’s such a pity you didn’t hear it.”

As the girl spoke, her eyes occasionally drifted towards the willows. Seeing several women blushing shyly, trying to approach Ye Jinglan, who stood icily, she bit her lip and hastened her steps. Suddenly, her foot slipped, and with a small cry, she fell towards him. But Ye Jinglan, eyes fixed afar, lightly shifted his feet, instantly dodging.

Stunned, I watched the struggling woman in the water, then turned my head to look at Ye Jinglan, whose face remained expressionless. He withdrew his distant gaze and met my eyes directly, his features relaxing, as if the ice had melted.

Blinking, I glanced casually to the side where Liu Xunhe had already pulled the fallen girl onto the embankment. “Miss Zhong, you must have been frightened,” he tenderly handed her a cotton handkerchief. The girl, disheveled, looked miserable, on the verge of tears. Liu Xunhe sighed, looking reproachfully at Ye Jinglan: “Brother Ye, why did you dodge and let Miss Zhong fall into the water?”

Ye Jinglan gave him a cold glance, brushing past elegantly, leaving only two icy words: “Not acquainted.”

Though he had left, the chill remained, thickly shrouding the girl’s brows. She stood there dumbfounded, droplets falling from her hair, tears covering her face, pitifully so. Xie Sichen furrowed his thick brows, took off his coat, and draped it over her shoulders, softly comforting, “Yu Qing, don’t be sad, go back and change into dry clothes.” She wriggled, wiped her tears, and wore a look of discontent.

“Qing’er~” a crisp female voice called out from afar.

The girl paused, glared angrily at the crowd watching the spectacle, whimpered, and ran towards the long embankment lined with willows: “Wu~ Aunt Shi Jiu!”

An older woman with a coiled bun opened her arms, embracing the soaked girl, her fingertips lightly touching the girl’s cheek. Her round face showed concern: “Qing’er~ what happened?”

This scene overlapped with a memory of the Wupeng boats on the Lei River, causing a sudden thunderous roar in my mind, leaving me rooted to the spot. Holding my breath, I stood frozen: the movements, the voice—they were so similar!

From the embankment, a man approached. In the remnants of the sunset’s glow, I saw his deep-set eyes, distinct and striking. “Master,” he bowed slightly to Xie Sichen. Then, glaring fiercely at the girl, he scared her into hiding in the woman’s arms.

The woman chided, “Enough, Third Brother. Qing’er has had a fright; don’t be harsh on her.”

I squinted, carefully observing the pair. Was it just my overthinking, or was some divine force giving me a subtle hint?

“Why are you still standing there, Qingqing?” Elder Sister pulled me along, jogging to catch up with our departing senior brother.

With a stern face and a chilled heart, I passed by them, my eyes flickering with lingering doubts.

The red sun sank behind Biluo Mountain, leaving only a deep purple glow. The crescent moon, cradled by drifting clouds, quietly ascended the dark blue sky, casting a gentle light over the night. The wind caressed the reeds, sending white fluff flying, swaying and dancing; among the reeds lurked shadows.

Gazing far into the distance, I strained to discern: Hidden among the reeds, Are they docile water birds? Or soul-devouring evil spirits?