Chapter Thirty-Seven: Entering Chang’an, Deep as the Sea

Lu Lulul’s return home was as insignificant to the city of Chang’an as a drop of water falling into the sea, failing to stir even the faintest ripple. Yet, for a lonely and disheartened old man, life was rekindled with hope.

His son had met a tragic and untimely death, his grandson had disappeared without a trace. Unwittingly entangled in the intrigues of the imperial harem, he had been dismissed from the Imperial Medical Academy and sent back home, where he opened a clinic in the old family residence with a few disciples. These hopeless days had turned his hair and beard completely white, and he grew feeble and frail.

After instructing Uncle Zheng to settle matters, he sat with his grandson in the middle hall of the back courtyard and, upon hearing the account of his ordeal, could not help but shed tears. Lu Manman wiped his eyes with his sleeve.

"Your father had extraordinary talent in the medical arts, but his temper was impatient and stubborn. I often advised him, ‘Life is bitter and brief; do not stride too swiftly. It’s better to take it slow.’ But he never listened. In the end, he went astray, inventing those potent, lustful elixirs, and met a violent death. You must learn from his mistakes. This capital is no place for the innocent—one careless step, and disaster will befall you. Our Lu family, humble as we are, cannot bear such calamity."

"Your lesson is well received, Grandfather. I shall keep to myself and study diligently at home, preparing for next year’s imperial examination. I certainly won’t stir up trouble for the family," Lu Lulul replied obediently.

Lu Manman stroked his beard, always sorrowful at heart, and asked, "You said you apprenticed under Master Taibin in Shu, as well as the Poet Immortal Taibai. Taibai’s fame is known throughout the land, but who is this Taibin, I wonder?"

Lu Lulul smiled gently and replied, "Master Taibin is learned and capable of governing a state. In previous years, he thrice declined the Emperor’s summons, remaining in seclusion, and was thus known as Zhao Jun. When Taibai was young, he studied under Master Taibin for three years as well. That I could become his disciple is truly a blessing from our ancestors’ virtue."

Seeing his grandson’s extraordinary fortune, Lu Manman was delighted, believing that next year’s imperial examination would surely bring honor to the family.

Lu Lulul then took out a prescription found among his father’s belongings in their home in Jinshui Town, handing it carefully to Lu Manman. "This is a formula my father devoted years to perfecting. I still remember how thrilled he was when he finally succeeded. Our Lu family possesses unique expertise in replenishing qi and nourishing blood; I wonder how effective this formula truly is. Grandfather, please examine it."

Lu Manman’s expression grew solemn as he studied the prescription intently, weighing its merits for a long while without speaking.

Uneasy, Lu Lulul said, "When my master Taibai tried this elixir, he praised it highly."

Lu Manman’s brow slowly relaxed, and he murmured, holding the prescription, "Xiuyuan, oh Xiuyuan, I never imagined you would actually create such a miraculous golden pill."

At that moment, Tang Xiaoqi, freshly groomed, came to serve tea.

Lu Manman put away the prescription, accepted the tea from his granddaughter-in-law, and drank with pleasure.

"Lulul, your father has been gone for years. Observing three years of mourning is not so appropriate anymore. You’re no longer a child. If you truly wish to honor him, half a year or so is enough. I, this old man, would like to hold a great-grandchild soon."

Lu Lulul nodded ceaselessly in agreement, while Tang Xiaoqi blushed and lowered her gaze, saying nothing.

Lu Manman, as the former Imperial Physician, had seen countless beauties in the palace, but rarely one as radiant as Tang Xiaoqi. The old man silently calculated and schemed.

So in the days that followed, with Lu Lulul and Tang Xiaoqi living together so openly, it was not long before a new wall rose in the back courtyard, dividing it into two separate yards. The more spacious one housed Tang Xiaoqi and a newly purchased servant girl from the market, while grandfather and grandson squeezed into the smaller side.

Lu Manman had his own reasons; a beauty like Tang Xiaoqi could easily attract trouble if noticed, and besides, living together with Lu Lulul would distract his grandson from his studies.

Under the old man’s watchful eye, the pair behaved themselves for several days. During meals, Tang Xiaoqi would cast longing glances at Lu Lulul, her gaze as deep and plaintive as autumn waters in a jade pool.

One night, guessing the old man had fallen asleep, Lu Lulul leapt lightly over the man-high wall. With just two copper coins, he bribed the eleven-year-old servant girl Ping’er, and slipped into Tang Xiaoqi’s bed.

At dawn, Tang Xiaoqi awoke with a start and nudged the sleeping Lu Lulul, who, still half-asleep, lingered on her, inhaling her scent and muttering, "Xiaoqi, I’ve come to miss that faint fox musk of yours. Isn’t that strange?"

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Kicked out of bed, Lu Lulul quietly returned to his own room, tidied up, and told his grandfather he was visiting a senior from his master’s circle. The old man, hearing it was Supreme True Master Chi Ying from Jade Zhen Temple, did not object—in fact, he practically pushed Lu Lulul out the door.

In the central courtyard, aside from the pill room and pharmacy, lived several of Lu Manman’s disciples, now joined by Hu Laoda and Zhou Liuzi.

Zhou Liuzi’s right hand was severed at the wrist, yet he practiced swordplay with his left in the courtyard. Hu Laoda lay idly on a wooden chair, smiling foolishly, lost in thought.

Lu Lulul considered that a place like Jade Zhen Temple would not tolerate someone as lewd as Hu Laoda, so he beckoned to Zhou Liuzi, who was practicing with his sword, and sternly warned Hu Laoda, "If you keep loafing around instead of learning your letters, I’ll have you join Uncle Zheng as a gatekeeper!"

Jade Zhen Temple occupied dozens of acres, surrounded by ancient trees, lush greenery, red walls, yellow tiles, and dazzling splendor. Lu Lulul and Zhou Liuzi, driving the carriage, involuntarily swallowed at the sight.

Lu Lulul alighted and approached the temple gate, only to be stopped by two sword-bearing female Daoists. They were older, their faces gaunt, yet they wore expressions of haughty arrogance, as though even a glance was an offense.

Lu Lulul dared not speak carelessly, so he removed the Chengying Sword and handed it over. One elder Daoist recognized the blade and glared at Lu Lulul, "Where did you get this Absolute Shadow Sword? What is your connection to the Master of the Green Lotus?"

"I am Lu Lulul, a disciple of the Master of the Green Lotus and Supreme True Master Dong Yanzi. My teacher sent me to pay respects to Supreme True Master Chi Ying, the temple’s abbot," Lu Lulul replied, his face adorned with a polite smile.

"Come with me," the elder Daoist said, turning without expression and leaving Lu Lulul no room to refuse.

Stepping onto the fine white jade pavement, with rare flowers and exotic plants lining the path, the colors were dazzling. Countless spirit bamboos and unusual trees stood tall and graceful. In the distance, palaces shrouded in mist, flying eaves, and pavilions appeared and vanished—this was no earthly temple, but a palace among the clouds.

Inside the great hall, crystal bead curtains cascaded like waterfalls. Behind the curtain, a graceful figure played a zither, her fingers producing music as clear as a mountain stream. When the melody faded, she emerged: a woman of stunning beauty, nobility, and commanding presence—a middle-aged Daoist.

The elder Daoist handed over the Chengying Sword, and the middle-aged Daoist accepted it, dismissing her with a wave of her hand.

Before the Daoist could speak, Lu Lulul knelt on both knees. "Unworthy disciple Lu Lulul greets Master’s wife."

Such a formidable patron, such a powerful connection, he must hold fast—this was Lu Lulul’s plan all along.

Chi Ying was startled. She had been addressed by every noble title in her life, but never as Master’s wife. Yet, for some reason, she felt a peculiar satisfaction, and her fondness for the young man grew.

"You are Dong Yanzi’s disciple, Lu Lulul? Dong Yanzi has written to me, asking me to look after you in Chang’an. Did you come straight to Jade Zhen Temple to pay your respects upon arriving?"

Chi Ying ignored the ‘Master’s wife’ title, as if she hadn’t heard, and questioned Lu Lulul.

"Upon arriving in Chang’an and settling my family, I went nowhere else—came directly to Jade Zhen Temple to pay my respects to Master’s wife," Lu Lulul replied resolutely.

Chi Ying finally smiled. "How is your master Taibai these days?"

"Master Taibai and Master Taibin have guided me with care these past four years, nurturing my character. They are both well." While answering, Lu Lulul surreptitiously studied the Princess of the Great Tang before him. Despite her nearly sixty years, time seemed to have left no trace on her. She appeared a vibrant woman of thirty, full of allure.

"Hmph! With his temperament, how could he endure the solitude of the mountains? It would be strange if he didn’t descend to indulge in the pleasure houses," Chi Ying sneered, sounding like a resentful woman.

"That’s really not the case! But Master often sighs deeply at night, drinks alone beneath the moon, as if troubled by some unresolved sorrow. Oh, and here is something Master asked me to deliver to you." Lu Lulul produced a brocade pouch and handed it over.

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Chi Ying took the pouch, drew out a piece of white silk covered in writing, and read silently. In a short while, her emotions surged, her eyes reddened, and her lovely face flushed.

"You haven’t peeked at this poem, have you?" Chi Ying fixed her gaze on Lu Lulul.

"I swear, I absolutely have not. Master entrusted it to me for you; even if I had the courage of Heaven, I would not dare look," Lu Lulul vowed, secretly pursing his lips.

Not just a poem called ‘Chang’an Chang’—I, Lu Lulul, have memorized it thoroughly long ago; why would I need to peek?

Longing in Chang’an

Longing, in Chang’an.

The cicada’s autumn cry rings through the golden well rails,
A fine frost chills the mat, colors cold.
A solitary lamp dims, thoughts verge on despair,
Rolling up the curtain, I gaze at the moon with a deep sigh,
Beauty as a flower, veiled beyond the clouds.
Above, the endless blue heavens,
Below, the rippling waves of green water.
The road is long, the distance vast, the soul suffers,
Dreams cannot cross the frontier’s barrier.
Longing, tears the heart.

Sunset dims, flowers shrouded in mist,
The moon glows pale, sleepless with sorrow.
The Zhao zither ceases on Phoenix pillars,
The Shu harp prepares to play the strings of love.
This melody holds meaning, but none can pass it on,
May it ride the spring breeze to distant Yanran.

I remember you, separated by endless sky,
Once your eyes were full of dazzling waves,
Now they have become springs of tears.
If you doubt my heart is broken,
Return and look before the bright mirror.

When beauty was here, the hall was filled with flowers;
When beauty departed, only flowers remain by the bed.
In bed, embroidered quilts lie untouched,
Even after three years, the lingering scent remains.
The fragrance has not faded, but you have not returned.
Longing as yellow leaves fall, white dew wets the green moss.

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