Chapter Ninety-Four: A Threat from Lord Deng Eight

Chapter Ninety-Four: A Threat from Master Deng

Seeing Tie Xinyuan’s radiant smile, Yang Huaiyu instinctively recoiled slightly, but Su Mei stepped forward to block Tie Xinyuan and said, “Speak plainly.”

Tie Xinyuan asked in confusion, “I just wanted to congratulate both of you…”

Su Mei sneered, “Don’t you think I would stand in the way of Dalang’s progress?”

Tie Xinyuan laughed heartily, “That was in the past. You always hid away in your chambers, and we never truly understood your character. Naturally, I lumped you together with Wu Po’s daughter.

They’re the same—never stepping beyond their family gates, pampered girls with good family backgrounds, naturally harboring a disdain for poverty and a preference for wealth, along with lofty but unrealistic ambitions.

Lady Su, tell me, can a man marry someone like Wu Po’s daughter?”

Su Mei frowned and said, “You didn’t know my true nature before, so I let bygones be bygones. Now that you know, why do you still ignore me? Whenever I speak, you run away.”

Tie Xinyuan’s face flushed red with embarrassment before sheepishly replying, “I can’t help it. When I see a beautiful young lady, I blush and stammer. If I don’t run, I’ll just make a fool of myself.”

Su Mei chuckled twice, then her smiling face instantly turned icy cold. She glared at Yang Huaiyu and commanded, “Whatever demands he makes later, do not agree to them.”

Yang Huaiyu nodded repeatedly with a smile, then shrugged helplessly at Tie Xinyuan, looking utterly ineffectual.

Sighing, Tie Xinyuan said, “I heard that at the well platform, there are always people singing willow-themed songs. I envy that so much, I even composed a short poem myself to ask for your critique. But you won’t even grant me this small courtesy—how frustrating!”

Yang Huaiyu, being honest and somewhat sympathetic, was about to speak when Su Mei stopped her, curling her lips mockingly, “Recite it for us.”

Tie Xinyuan suddenly became furious, “What do you mean, recite it? Those courtesans listen to willow poems…”

Su Mei shouted angrily, “How dare you talk nonsense?”

After yelling, she completely disregarded her refined upbringing and grabbed Tie Xinyuan, beating him mercilessly. Her cruel nature was fully exposed.

Tie Xinyuan was small-statured and couldn’t fight back, so he crouched on the ground, protecting his head. After Su Mei vented her anger, she stopped and stood back, “What are you thinking? I just meant that courtesans often treat guests with fine wine. You didn’t even let me finish before you started beating me.”

Su Mei, like a mountain queen, gave a thumbs-up, “Don’t think I can’t hit people. I was raised as a boy by my father since childhood. Even my cousins can’t beat me. A mere kid like you is nothing but a snack!”

Yang Huaiyu felt a little guilty seeing Tie Xinyuan’s disheveled hair and said, “Alright then, Su Mei likes to hear those poems. How exactly do you want him to recite it for us?”

Su Mei smiled slyly, “I know what he wants to say. Listen carefully: A green frog sits in the pond, unbothered by people, hopping at a touch!”

Tie Xinyuan sadly waved at Yang Huaiyu while tidying his messy hair and began to recite in a mournful voice:

“Seeking and searching, cold and desolate… When warmth suddenly returns and chills linger, the hardest to endure. Three cups and two sips of light wine, how can they withstand the sudden evening wind… The parasol tree and fine rain, at dusk, drop by drop. At this moment, how…”

As Tie Xinyuan recited Li Qingzhao’s verses with a tragic tone, he counted his steps carefully. For a woman like Su Mei, wealth and power were a joke. What she truly cared about were strong, heroic men and sensitive, melancholic scholars. It sounded contradictory but was very true.

Yang Huaiyu was not her dream husband, only someone who had stirred her heart at a particular moment. If Yang Huaiyu’s head were replaced with that of Liu Sanbian’s, this woman would probably go mad with joy.

If even Li Qingzhao’s poetry couldn't drive her wild, Tie Xinyuan felt that this peerless talent had wasted her time in this world.

“Ah—”

At the ninth step, Su Mei finally reacted. Tie Xinyuan turned around proudly but was suddenly grabbed by the neck by two small hands, shaking him vigorously…

“Tell me, how did you write this? Ah, ah, tell me, or I’ll keep beating you.”

Tie Xinyuan believed that if Yang Huaiyu hadn’t helped, he’d have been strangled to death by this foul woman. After hearing Li Qingzhao’s poem, she truly had gone mad…

Only now did Tie Xinyuan understand a truth: never get too familiar with women, especially beautiful ones.

If you can spend a night with them while still strangers, never miss the chance. When they are strangers, every gesture is gentle and charming, every glance and movement filled with the world’s finest delights, as if in a heavenly realm.

But once familiarity sets in, their flaws lay bare like a beach stripped bare by the tide, exposed openly in broad daylight.

Su Mei, famed as a noble lady, was not only talented but also a master calligrapher. Tie Xinyuan, seeing stars from the choking, suddenly understood why people praised her as a talented woman and calligrapher but never mentioned her personality.

A woman whose calligraphy is said to rival Liu Gongquan’s steel-like strokes cannot be considered a mere woman. Liu Gongquan’s calligraphy is famously strong and unyielding. A woman like that is hardly just a woman.

In this world, only those who look gentle and feel soft can truly be called women. Su Mei did not qualify.

Awakening from her drunken frenzy, Su Mei was embarrassed and hid her face behind her sleeve, cowering behind a stunned Yang Huaiyu.

“Sun Yangzheng’s shop, three bottles of Pear Blossom White!”

Boisterous Yang Huaiyu laughed heartily, “Great, great! I’ve long wanted to drink Pear Blossom White. But when you and I went, they ignored us. Now Mei’er has to intervene. I hear the Su family’s old master still has some stored wine there.”

Su Mei reluctantly said, “Grandpa’s stock is running low. Last time I helped him fetch some, there were only four jars left.

Let me be clear: today I nearly lost control and almost hurt Brother Yuan. I’ll give him three bottles as compensation. Dalang can only have two. Any more, and Grandpa won’t be able to explain.”

Tie Xinyuan rubbed his throat and nodded, “Good, good, I’m satisfied.”

Watching Yang Huaiyu, Su Mei, and the little maid return to the carriage, Tie Xinyuan sighed and returned to Xiao Qiao’s bedside, saying, “I’ll tidy things up. You rest at home. If you want Pear Blossom White, we have three bottles.”

After Tie Xinyuan left, Xiao Qiao remained unconscious from intoxication, tears streaming down her cheeks like a small creek, soon soaking her pillow.

The colorful gate of Sun Yangzheng’s shop appeared even grander than last time, with an added railing to aid those ascending the high platform.

This change came after Wang Huaili’s fall.

Even during the New Year, Sun Yangzheng’s shop was still crowded. Yet the busiest area remained by the colorful building’s edge, while the high platform echoed with soft music, giving the interior a serene atmosphere.

Only the wealthy or noble could ascend the high platform. Tie Xinyuan watched a stout old man, supported by two blue-clad maids, panting as he climbed up.

Once on the platform, the old man pointed at the shopkeeper at the entrance and said, “Old Deng, it’s not easy for me to drink here. You’re working me to death.”

Sun Yangzheng’s shopkeeper, Master Deng, known far and wide, cupped his hands and replied with a smile, “Old Qiu, you flatter me. I know setting up this high platform wasn’t easy. Not long ago, someone even fell from here and nearly lost his life.

But it was Master Dong’s idea, and I had no choice but to comply. Next time you come, just let me know in advance. I, Master Deng, will personally carry you up.”

Old Qiu laughed, “Is my stored wine safe?”

Master Deng’s eyes gleamed coldly as he smiled, “Of course. Please come inside. Today, the shop has Khitan delicacies—roasted whole lamb. You must try it.”

Tie Xinyuan followed Yang Huaiyu and Su Mei onto the platform, keeping his eyes fixed on Master Deng.

He recalled Deng’s awkward earlier behavior and sighed inwardly. Xiao Qiao and the others had narrowly avoided detection twice while entering the wine cellar—truly fortunate.

After escorting Old Qiu inside, Master Deng cheerfully approached Su Mei, “Young lady, are you here today to collect wine for Master Su?”

Even facing a merchant, Su Mei bowed gracefully, “Su Mei is here today to steal wine.”

Master Deng was momentarily stunned, then laughed, “I see the gentleman beside you is extraordinary—surely the famed fiancé of Little Mei. Good, good, truly a handsome fellow.

But I don’t understand how you plan to steal the wine. Tell me first, so I can distract the cellar keeper and make things easier for you.”

Su Mei giggled, “Your wine, I dare not lay a hand on.”

Master Deng chuckled, “Looks like your plan involves your grandfather. Ah, girls these days, the old sayings do ring true.”

Tie Xinyuan listened to Master Deng’s witty remarks but grew increasingly worried. A smiling tiger like him was the hardest to deal with. He even suspected Deng of doubting Su Mei, let alone others.

He could imagine that the sewer line connecting to the cellar was probably riddled with hidden guards and traps by now. If Xiao Qiao and the others didn’t exercise restraint, the consequences would be unimaginable.

He had underestimated the situation earlier. If they fell into these people’s hands, death would likely be the kindest outcome.

He wondered if Xiao Qiao and the others had revealed any other slips…

Tie Xinyuan’s mind was in turmoil. He had to resolve this matter completely and quickly, but where to begin?

Lost in thought, he failed to watch his steps and collided headlong with a man in blue.

Yang Huaiyu was furious, grabbing the man’s collar, “How do you walk? You even bump into children?”

The blue-clad man bowed repeatedly, “I was in a hurry and didn’t see you. Please forgive me, sir.”

Since he apologized, Yang Huaiyu reluctantly let go and helped Tie Xinyuan up, then hurried after Su Mei, who was already far ahead.

Tie Xinyuan kept glancing back, frowning deeply at the blue-clad man.

(To be continued.)