Longevity, starting from traveling and telling stories

Chapter 14 Peach Blossom Fan 2
The two walked into the hall side by side.

The red silk fluttered, the wedding candles burned brightly, the flames flickered, and the gold, jade and treasures in the room sparkled.

The carved railings and jade bricks were all covered in red and decorated with colorful patterns, and auspicious embroidered patterns of dragons and phoenixes meandered across the brocade, as if about to take off.

In the courtyard, musicians played joyful music. The sounds of stringed instruments were melodious and graceful, like birds frolicking in the woods or springs flowing over rocks. The drumbeats were like the sudden rumble of spring thunder, powerful and stirring, stirring the hearts of everyone.

"Congratulations, Lord Liang. Your young master is getting married today. It is truly a match made in heaven. I specially found this pair of agate jade as a token of my appreciation." A middle-aged man in a brocade robe, holding an exquisite gift box in his hand, congratulated Liang Mingshan with a smile on his face.

"Thank you for your courtesy, brother. I, Liang, am unworthy of such a generous gift. Please come to the table and have a drink of wedding wine." Liang Mingshan was in high spirits and stepped forward in person.

At this moment, Ye Beixuan also walked over slowly, holding a folding fan in his hand and said: "Congratulations, Sir Liang, I have specially found a little gift for you."

Liang Mingshan was flattered. To him, Ye Beixuan's attendance at his son's wedding was already a great honor, and now he brought a gift in person, so how could he dare to neglect him?

He hurried forward, his face filled with an even more attentive smile. He respectfully took the gift from Ye Beixuan with both hands, saying repeatedly, "Mr. Ye, your presence is a great honor to our humble home."

Ye Beixuan smiled faintly and nodded. He had instructed Liang Mingshan not to reveal himself, but his excitement still attracted the attention of many of the guests, who secretly wondered what this man's background was, and who could have so awed Lord Liang.

"I heard that the world-famous talented woman Li Xianglian from the Hongxiu Pavilion is also here to congratulate us today. We are in for a treat today." A young man smiled and whispered to the person next to him.

"Yes, I heard that Li Xianglian is not only as beautiful as a fairy, but also extremely talented, and her talent is not inferior to that of the new top scholar." Another person echoed in a rather obscene tone.

In the hall, guests sat around tables laden with fine wine and delicacies, chatting incessantly. Servants shuttled among them, holding wine trays and busily pouring wine for the guests.

"Today's bride is not only as beautiful as a fairy, but the talented lady Li is also here in person. Not only can we have a glimpse of her beauty, but we can also express our love for her." A young man said excitedly.

"Don't worry, you'll see it yourself." A more steady guest next to him advised with a smile.

At this moment, a woman attracted everyone's attention. She stepped into the wedding scene with light steps, like a pure lotus that emerged from the mud without being stained.

She was wearing a white long dress, with a graceful figure and an exquisitely beautiful face. Her gentle aura was like a spring breeze, yet she exuded a cold and aloof air that was otherworldly.

When the young men at the scene saw her, they felt their hearts instantly captivated, and a surge of emotions surged in their hearts: "How could there be such an otherworldly beauty in this world, like a fairy from a fairyland? The talented Li Xianglian is indeed worthy of her reputation."

The young men present followed her closely with admiration, but were ashamed of her elegant demeanor and did not dare to approach her.

Hou Fangting, who was sitting in the corner, was staring at her with eyes full of love.

Li Xianglian was already accustomed to these gazes, some of which were passionate and some of which were obscene. With a faint smile on her face, she presented the gift and offered her sincere blessings.

"Xianglian congratulates your son, and wishes you a happy wedding and a long and happy marriage."

"No, no, Miss Li's presence has already made this humble place glorious. Please take a seat."

"Thank you."

Li Xianglian was led by a servant to the table of women next to Ye Beixuan and his group of young masters.

It made a group of female relatives very jealous.

"Brother Ye, Brother Ye, Xianglian is closest to us, look! Take a look!" Hou Fangting shouted excitedly while pinching Ye Beixuan's arm.

Ye Beixuan frowned slightly and pulled his hand away. This guy is too obsessed with idols! This woman is indeed beautiful, but there is no need to be so crazy! Forget it! After eating, they will leave. The female ghost is still at home. If she causes trouble, it will be troublesome. This is the world of the living. If she really encounters some blind Taoist priest who catches ghosts and exorcise demons, she will be finished.

A burst of joyful music sounded, drawing everyone's thoughts back to the scene, and Liang Mingshan began to give a speech.

"Gentlemen, we gather here today to celebrate the wedding of Liang Mingjue and Zhu Jiayi. This is a match made in heaven, and they are blessed with great fortune. I hope you will enjoy the feast and pray for the newlyweds."

After Liang Mingshan finished his speech, he signaled for the meal to begin.

Unlike other young masters who would go to Li Xianglian from time to time to show their courtesy, Ye Beixuan started eating as if no one was around.

In the distance, the bride's sedan chair was slowly approaching. The sedan chair was decorated with gold and jade, and the golden bells hanging on the four corners made crisp and pleasant sounds with the steps of the sedan bearers.

The bride got off the sedan chair, stepped over the brazier that had been prepared long ago, and then entered the wedding hall surrounded by people, and performed the ceremony of bowing with the groom.

"After the ceremony, send her to the bridal chamber"

With a loud shout, the groom took the bride's hand and left amid everyone's blessings.

Just as the whole courtyard was filled with red silk fluttering and joy was everywhere, Hou Fangting took advantage of everyone's indulgence in the festivities and suddenly shouted loudly, his voice like a bell, instantly cutting off the laughter.

"Miss Xianglian, I have admired you for a long time. I have specially found a gift for you today. Please accept it."

Those words were like a stone dropped into a calm lake. Everyone was startled and their eyes all turned in the direction of the sound.

Hou Fangting took out a folding fan and handed it to Li Xianglian. She was about to refuse.

Waves of mocking voices rang out: "I thought it was something else, but it turned out to be some street vendor stuff worth a few dozen coins. You should at least buy a folding fan with the number one scholar's inscription! Hahahaha."

Ye Beixuan frowned. After all, it was his own painting. He finally found someone who appreciated it, but he was ridiculed by others.

Seeing Hou Fangting's face flushed and he was about to open his folding fan, Ye Beixuan changed his mind and thought, wouldn't it be a good opportunity to tell a story with so many people around?

Then he said in a voice as gentle as a spring breeze, "This folding fan is called the Peach Blossom Fan. There's a story behind it. Miss Li, would you like to hear it?"

"Oh?" Li Xianglian, a woman of great talent, was immediately intrigued when she heard of a story she hadn't heard of. "I'd love to hear more about it," she said.

Ye Beixuan cleared his throat and said, "Hou Fangyu, a scholar from the Fushe Society, happened to meet the courtesan Li Xiangjun." (From "Peach Blossom Fan" by Kong Shangren of the Qing Dynasty)
The name was only one character off? When everyone heard the name, they all thought it must have been made up on the spur of the moment.

Ye Beixuan has completely immersed himself in the role of a storyteller. He is becoming more and more adept at storytelling and knows at which plots to emphasize the tone or lower the voice.

Everyone was completely immersed in his story. When they heard that Li Xiangjun and Hou Fangyu were in love, a group of young masters turned pale, while Hou Fangting was full of joy. Only Li Xianglian remained calm.

"In the end, Li Xiangjun refused to obey and hit her head to show her determination. Her blood splattered on the folding fan given by Hou Fangyu. Her friend redecorated the bloodstains into peach blossoms, and named the folding fan - Peach Blossom Fan." Ye Beixuan said the last three words heavily, and winked when he was done.

Hou Fangting understood what he meant and immediately opened the folding fan and showed it with confidence. When the folding fan was displayed in front of everyone, there was a burst of exclamations. Although these people were snobbish, it did not mean that they had no appreciation.

Even Li Xianglian stood up suddenly and said excitedly: "Mr. Hou, this folding fan and this painting..."

(End of this chapter)