Book 17 Chapter 6 – Peerless Courtesan
By the time Shang Xiu Fang, like an immortal from the dreamland’s deep hidden valley coming to the secular world, appeared in front of everybody’s eyes, the entire hall, both men and women, could not tear their eyes off of this turning-all-living-things-upside-down famous courtesan.
She made Kou Zhong think about Shi Feixuan and Wanwan.
Shang Xiufang reminded him of the former natural beauty with her immortal elegance; but at the same time she also possessed the latter’s dreamy and enchanting mysterious beauty. The end result was another kind of exceptional charm, which was not inferior in any respect to the two women.
The most stunning thing about her, other than her slim, shapely figure, was her multifarious bearing and expression; even more touching was her pair of lucid, rippling eyes, which could hook people’s soul and absorb people’s spirit, full of tender feelings, combined with the somewhat bashful sparkling smile, which appeared on the corner of her mouth; certainly no man could withstand.
Looking at her, Kou Zhong almost could not remember the purpose of his visit.
This moment, the music suddenly changed. Contrary to everybody’s expectation, Shang Xiufang, wearing plain yellow gauzed dress with light green cape, started to sing and dance.
It was only this moment that Kou Zhong were able to see clearly that her jade countenance was devoid of any cosmetics, but her facial appearance was as bright as day; she looked a thousand times better than any women who applied makeup conspicuously. It was not clear whether she had just emerged from a public bath, but there was no hairpin or any other jewelry hanging on her beautiful hair, yet there seemed to be traces of glistening water, pure, beautiful and clean, which charmed everybody.
She sang, “Beads of tears streaming down beautiful silk dress, young Gongzi bears much favor. At that time elder and younger sisters were traveling distinct roads, none treated him with sincerity. After careful consideration, there’s a faint feeling of good resolution.”
Her singing carried some kind of aloof and laid-back, but also penetratingly dark, dismal, and grim feeling. Yet there was also a beautiful and elegant flavor that no one can match. Her voice and vocal skill did not leave any flaw for the critics to criticize. Combined with her touching expression, nobody was not emotionally moved.
“The deep bridal room was empty and quiet, the void embraced the body and mind, producing solitude. Waiting for the arrival, waiting with a prayer, cease the longing for wild flower youth. Mild and even adornment, less socializing, just for the sake of five hills in distant and indistinct places. The snowfall in the breast, from the gentleman’s bite, afraid to offend the laughter bought with thousand catty of gold.”
Her singing seemed to absorb the listeners into a fantastic realm of music, her mellow seductive voice, through variety of vocal tones, displaying some kind of rich and varied stances, with a deeply growing enigmatic flavor, going down and circled back to wound the emotion and feel the sentiments, irresolute like the surging tide covering the listeners’ spirit, flooding their earth so that no peak was left uncovered.
But the one thing that made Kou Zhong lose himself was her ‘lazily painted crescent brows [fig. beautiful woman], delaying the self-adornment and making herself presentable’, yet inadvertently revealing her natural beauty.
The song ended.
The music faded.
It was half a day later that the hall erupted in thunderous applause, followed by the clamor of the sound of praise and accolades.
Exclaiming in admiration, Wang Shichong said, “This song ought to be coming from the heaven, which circled back to the earth to be heard. Miss, I wonder who wrote this song?”
Shang Xiufang gently hung her small cicada head down, revealing her swan-like elegant and slender milky the back of her neck; she replied in soft voice, “Shangshu Daren, please do not mock; this tune was created by qie [I, your servant] herself.”
Delighted, Wang Shichong said, “I have already guessed so, it’s just that I wanted Miss to confirm it with your own mouth! Indeed your name is not in vain. Miss Shang, please take a seat.”
Except Linglong Jiao and Ouyang Xiyi, all men slightly left their banquet seat, waiting for this natural beauty with peerless talent, the stunning young lady to be seated, before they dared to take their seat again to show their respect.
With her sitting within his hand-reach, Kou Zhong could not stop his heart from beating faster.
At this point all eyes were focused on her, but no one dared to show any leering look. On one hand, they were intimidated by her noble personality traits, but they were even more afraid she would look down upon them, and then they would forever lose the chance to please her.
Wang Shichong introduced her to everybody first, but when it was Kou Zhong’s turn, Shang Xiufang’s beautiful eyes swept his face across several times, and then she spoke with tender laughter, “Shangshu Daren need not introduce him! That evening Xiufang was worried for Kou Gongzi for a long time. Luckily in the end he displayed his divine prowess by capturing the treacherous villain alive and took him away.”
Not only was she an eloquent and fluent speaker, she had deep understanding of the way to make people happy, by wrapping the praise around cordial words so that it was unobtrusive; she was worthy to be called the famous courtesan who traveled everywhere north and south sides of the Yangtze River.
Looking at her from such a close proximity, Kou Zhong felt even more that she was like a blooming flower, whose delicate fragrance assaulted others’ nostrils. And the most touching was her graceful bearing. Whether it was her sweet voice, her tone modulation, to delicate expression from the tip of her brows and the corners of her eyes, everything carried some kind of intoxicating charm, which confused people’s mind and enchanted their spirit.
Ouyang Xiyi, who was sitting on the other side, suddenly let out a sigh so soft that only Kou Zhong was able to hear.
Immediately Kou Zhong came to his senses and remembered the purpose of his visit. He replied without thinking, “If I had known that Miss’ singing voice is better than the sounds of nature, that night I would have waited until Miss’ immortal song was finished before making my move. Ha!”
Noticing the pensive look in Kou Zhong’s eyes, inwardly Shang Xiufang was greatly astounded.
Although she only turned twenty-one this year, but since she finished her apprenticeship and came out to sell her art at the age of thirteen, what kind of men she had never seen? Especially men of Kou Zhong’s age, rarely have they seen her without having their spirit and soul turned upside down.
This moment, in order to show off his knowledge and experience, Wang Xuanying was trying to engage Shang Xiufang in a discussion about the Swallow Song, which was very popular at that time.
Kou Zhong took this opportunity to lean over toward Ouyang Xiyi and asked quietly, “What matter made Qianbei sigh?”
An emotional expression flashed across Ouyang Xiyi’s eyes; he replied in low voice, “Too much alike! Too much alike!”
※ ※ ※
By the time Xu Ziling reached his destination – he was rushing on foot instead of on the horseback, a big burly man happened to push the door and walk out of the house where Song Jingang stayed. The two men looked at each other, and both exclaimed in delight.
This gentleman was, surprisingly, Yun Yuzhen’s lieutenant Bu Tianzhi.
Xu Ziling hastily greeted, “Turns out it is Bu Fu Bangzhu [vice gang leader]. Is Kou Zhong inside?”
Frowning, Bu Tianzhi replied, “Kou Ye did not come at the appointed time, I was going out to look for him.”
Xu Ziling’s heart sank, he wondered inwardly whether something bad happened to Kou Zhong?
Bu Tianzhi continued in low voice, “Xu Ye, could we go someplace quiet to talk?”
Noticing his serious expression, although he was anxious of Kou Zhong’s safety, Xu Ziling had no choice but to nod his head and said, “Bu Xiong, just call me Ziling, you must not call me Xu Ye or whatever.”
Bu Tianzhi cheerfully said, “Although Ziling is already world famous, but your emotion, character and attitude are completely the same as before. Merely this point, not many people can match.”
Xu Ziling temporarily cast his concern over Kou Zhong aside, thinking that he had the ability to deal with danger. Together with Bu Tianzhi they walked side by side toward the end of the lane. He spoke indifferently, “Fame is just false reputation, nothing to rely on. Isn’t Bu Xiong with Yun Bangzhu?”
Bu Tianzhi was silent for half a day. In the end he shook his head and said, “Bangzhu is with her lover, how could she spare time for other things? She only ordered me to wait for Kou Ye at Song Jingang’s place, to see what the outcome is.”
Stunned, Xu Ziling cast him a sidelong glance, and said, “Listening to the tone of Bu Xiong’s voice, it appears that you are dissatisfied with Yun Bangzhu.”
Bu Tianzhi replied heavily, “Ziling and Kou Ye are men whom I, Bu Tianzhi, admire and trust from the bottom of my heart, hence I do not wish to conceal anything from you. My dissatisfaction toward Yun Yuzhen did not start just today. And within our Gang, I am by no means the only one with this thought.”
Xu Ziling was stunned speechless.
Bu Tianzhi pointed to a small wine shop across the street and said, “We’d better go inside and sit down before continuing this talk.”
※ ※ ※
Shang Xiufang casually responded to Wang Yingxuan, “The so-called ‘trend’ is using ‘new’ in place of ‘beauty’, using ‘marvel’ in place of ‘finery’. Hu music[1] in itself not necessarily excels over our Central Earth’s ‘source is distant and the flow is long’ [fig. something that goes back to the dim and distant past] music, but we could always use it as a reference. All India, Qiuci, Shule, Anguo, Gaoli, Gaochang and Kangguo’s[2] music, each one has its own unique characteristic and different flavor, particularly Qiuci music, which has reached the highest realm. Imported during the Northern Dynasties’ Qi and Zhou, there appeared not a few masterpieces adapted and changed from Hu music with strong foreign flavor.”
With her status as a wanderer she spoke an expert remark, immediately it provoked a burst of heartfelt praise.
Linglong Jiao was a Qiuci; hearing Shang Xiufang’s very high evaluation of her country’s music, her good impression rose up tremendously.
[1] Hu music: central Asian music as appreciated by Tang literati. Hu is basically any non-Han tribe in China.
[2] India, orig. Tianzhu, Indian subcontinent in Tang or Buddhist context. Qiuci, ancient Central Asia city-state, flourished during first millennium AD, in modern Aksu, Xinjiang. Shule, ancient name for modern Kashgar, west Xinjiang. Gaoli, Korea (esp. in context of art and culture), Anguo [lit. An State], Gaochang, Kangguo [Kang State], I have no idea. But I am sure very soon one of you, knowledgeable people, will enlighten the rest of us.
But Shang Xiufang’s mind was secretly tied to Kou Zhong; he and Ouyang Xiyi were the only two around the banquet table who did not look at her with heart and soul.
Ouyang Xiyi was a man who has passed through great changes, an old man who was approaching a hundred years old; that he was not moved by her at all, she was not surprised. But Kou Zhong, who looked like a romantic guy, turned a blind eye to her, even if she did not want to admit it, her interest in him was piqued.
This moment Kou Zhong was sensing Ouyang Xiyi’s strong unresolvable sorrow, and was pondering over this venerable senior martial art master, who was filled with sad memories of the past, induced by Shang Xiufang’s striking resemblance to an old affection’s characteristic and appearance. At the same time, he was also remembering Shi Qingxuan’s touching flute song, which was taught by her own mother Bi Xiuxin, which was not inferior in any respect to Shang Xiufang’s musical talent.
Right this moment, he heard Shang Xiufang’s sweet-sounding voice asking him, “What does Kou Gongzi think of Hu music?”
If this question were directed to Xu Ziling, he would honestly confess his ignorance.
But Kou Zhong was used to invent crazy nonsense, hence he blurted out his answer, “Of course it is very good!”
Seeing Shang Xiufang took the initiative to cajole Kou Zhong to talk, Wang Xuanying was very jealous; he pressed on, “Which aspect do you think it is good?”
Kou Zhong was immediately at a loss for words; from the corner of his eyes he saw Shang Xiufang was looking at him expectantly, he groaned inwardly. He had no choice but to continue his crap; he said, “Music and dancing are both the outward expression of the feeling inside the heart. Just think about the vast grassland outside the borderland, the desert and the snowy mountain, where cattle and sheep, deer and horses roam around everywhere, the bold atmosphere where the tribes beyond the Great Wall gallop their horses, we know that the music and the dance grew out from this kind of different environment, naturally it would be extremely exquisite and refined.”
And then, afraid that Wang Xuanying would continue to badger him, he hastily turned toward Linglong Jiao, whose lovely charming almond eyes, with extraordinary splendor, was looking at him. He giggled and said, “Miss Jiao is from there; in my opinion, Miss Jiao must be a first-class master in music and dancing.”
With his earlier remark, he was thinking about the ‘supporting self with naked blade, killing people in the world of mortals’, the wandering knight, promoter of martial spirit, Ba Fenghan, and his description of the life beyond the Great Wall; inadvertently his voice was slightly imbued with the emotion of parting.
But listening to him, Shang Xiufang’s fragrant heart slightly trembled; she nodded and said, “Kou Gongzi’s comment is very insightful, this is the first time that Xiufang hear someone appraising the Hu Music from such a broad perspective.”
Wang Xuanying was nearly angered to death; he could not stop hate and envy toward Kou Zhong from growing in his heart.
Wang Shichong laughed and said, “Mr. Kou is always able to amaze people. Let me ask everybody here: who would have thought that his understanding of Hu music is this deep?”
While Kou Zhong groaned inwardly for the shame, Linglong Jiao softly said, “Nujia is a Qiuci, but in music and dancing, I am just an ordinary novice [orig. low hand of nine schools of thought]. Hereafter you must not talk nonsense!”
Although on the surface she appeared to chide him, the fact was that her attitude toward Kou Zhong had changed in a big way; at least she was willing to admit that she was from that certain nation.
Shang Xiufang laughed tenderly and said, “Turns out Miss Jiao is from Qiuci; I would never have thought! Fortunately Xiufang has not displayed my slight skill before an expert, otherwise I would only incite Jiejie’s loud laughter.”
Ouyang Xiyi struggled out of the deeply painful memory; he joined in by addressing Linglong Jiao, “I hear your esteemed country has a wind instrument called Bili[3], made of wood or bamboo, with nine holes, which to be covered with the fingers, and reed inserted on the mouth of the pipe, the timbre loud and clear, but mournful and mellow. Played on the prairie, it sounded as if it was weeping and complaining, the tones rising and falling, round and round unceasingly. I wonder if Miss Jiao know how to play it?”
Kou Zhong mused inwardly that this man really knew the Hu music.
Linglong Jiao appeared to recall something that burdened her heart; she was about to answer, but then shook her head and said, “Wanbei [junior] can’t.”
Yang Gongqing was an old veteran of the Jianghu; just by looking at Linglong Jiao’s expression, he knew that there must be different reason, and not that she did not know how to play at all. He changed the subject by asking Shang Xiufang, “For the last approximately a hundred years, there have been many musical instruments being imported from outside the Wall, one cannot tell how many; other than the one Old Yi mentioned just now, the widely spread instruments include Pipa[4], Wuxian[5], Sheng Hou[6], Di [transverse flute], Hujia [no idea what it is], Jue [lit. horn], Jiegu [double ended skin drum with narrow waist], and so on. According to Xiufang and everybody, what’s the difference between those instruments with our Qin [guqin/zither], Se [standing harp], Sheng [same character as above], Zhong [bell], Fangxiang [no idea], Paiban [clapper-board, percussion instrument]?”
Kou Zhong thought that luckily the question was directed to Shang Xiufang; if he were to answer that, he would be humiliated on the spot.
Shang Xiufang modestly replied, “How could Xiufang accept everybody’s accolades? Great General Yang is too polite. Generally speaking, certain musical instrument came into being, to a certain degree it is a reflection of the people’s livelihood and custom, as well as their characteristic. Most of the ethnic groups in the Western Region live nomadic life in pursuit of, and live by, a habitat with water source and grass. As a result, it affects the design of the musical instrument. First of all, it has to be portable, hence the form and structure are comparably small. Second, because it is often played in the open space of the wilderness, it has to be loud and clear, as well as melodious, so that the sound can be transmitted far. Compared to our country’s big and inconvenient to carry, as well as changing less, musical instruments, they appeared to be especially novel and lively, as well as coarse and wild.”
Everybody, including Kou Zhong, were amazed and emotionally moved.
This woman’s excellent knowledge and experience was not something that ordinary courtesan would be able to match.
This moment Kou Zhong was racking his brains trying to find a brilliant scheme so that he could leave with Xu Xingzhi without arousing Wang Shichong’s suspicions. Noticing that everybody was giving their own view on the musical instruments, Shang Xiufang tried to find an opening in the midst of the disorderly discussion to lean over to Kou Zhong and whispered, “I was wondering if Kou Gongzi’s heart belongs to someone and that your mind is constantly on this woman?”
This remark, which could be considered a bit of flirting, was nothing strange to Shang Xiufang, a famous courtesan who was accustomed to dealing with all kinds of men in various social interaction; but in Kou Zhong’s ears, it was highly provocative.
Truth be told, Kou Zhong had never encountered anything like Shang Xiufang’s ten-thousand kinds of flirtatious expressions, it actually had a very strong attractive force to him. But because this moment his mind was focused on how to leave Luoyang as soon as possible, plus she was stirring up memories of Li Xiuning in his mind – the two women happened to share the same middle name, ‘Xiu’ [refined/graceful/elegant/pretty … you get the idea] – his heart, which was set aflame earlier, was cooling down again. He replied, “I am actually thinking of you, Miss!”
Greatly interested, Shang Xiufang said, “What’s so good in qie [I, your servant] to think about?” While in her fragrant heart, she was sniggering, thinking that turned out you are no different from other lustful men.
Kou Zhong giggled and said, “Aren’t people really strange? Before Miss arrived here, we did not know each other, but now we have become friends who can talk to each other, and can get to know each other. Ha! I really don’t know what to say.”
Shang Xiufang was silent; evidently his words have stirred up her thoughts and feeling.
Suddenly, under thousands of staring eyes, Kou Zhong leaned over and whispered in her ear, “I am leaving! But Miss’ musical talent, voice and appearance, I, Kou Zhong, will never forget for the rest of my life.”
And then he rose up to his full height and saluted to take his leave.
Astounded, Wang Shichong asked, “What gargantuan important urgent matter does Mr. Kou have?”
Shang Xiufang hung her head low; she was vaguely able to grasp the reason Kou Zhong leaving the banquet was not a simple one. Unexpectedly a melancholy feeling, which rarely caused by a man, floated up in her heart.
Kou Zhong sent out an ambiguous signal with his eyes toward Wang Shichong; he said, “Wangzi, have you forgotten? I have appointment with someone!”
Wang Shichong had no choice but to pretend to understand.
Kou Zhong perfunctorily took his leave from everybody. When he moved to the other banquet table, he seized the opportunity to slip behind Xu Xingzhi, and in friendly manner put his hand on his shoulder, while secretly crooked his finger to write a ‘go’ character on his back.
Xu Xingzhi understood immediately; he stood up and said, “Let Zaixia sends Mr. Kou off on behalf of my master!”
※ ※ ※
After some chitchat, Bu Tianzhi put down his cup of wine and spoke in low voice, “For the past few years, most of the Xiongdi in our Gang have a lot of resentment toward Yun Bangzhu, one of those being our Gang becomes the hunting dog of Baling Bang.”
Xu Ziling did not understand, “Isn’t your esteemed Gang always relying on selling intelligence to make a profit? But Baling Bang itself has the most extensive intelligence network in the world; why would they need you?” he asked.
Bu Tianzhi said, “They look up on our fleet, which is growing day by day, plus we have operation base in all coastal cities and towns along the Great River. While Haisha Bang is declining, Dajiang Hui [great river society] and Shuilong Bang’s [water dragon gang] fame and power is falling, our sphere of influence is expanding quietly; how could Xiao Xian dare to look down on us?”
Xu Ziling still did not understand; he asked further, “Right now all gangs and societies in the world, big and small, none does not attach itself to a local power. Currently, Xiao Xian’s Liang Guo [kingdom of Liang] has become the number one major power in the south, his prestige is even above the Song Clan’s; why does Bu Xiong dislike them so much?”
Bu Tianzhi laughed coldly and said, “I don’t believe Xiao Xian can become a very capable person. If we are speaking about resorting to conspiracy, not many people can match this hypocrite. I don’t need to say anything, just look at him, because he is afraid of Du Fuwei, he does not dare to go up north. From this, I know that it will be difficult for his great undertaking to succeed.”
And then he sighed and said, “And that is not main reason.”
Xu Ziling promptly inquired in details. His main concern was, naturally, Susu.
Bu Tianzhi dejectedly said, “Who would want to wallow in the mire with those human traffickers?”
Xu Ziling’s countenance changed, “They ate still doing shady business in trafficking women?” he asked.
Letting out a cold humph, Bu Tianzhi said, “Certainly not out in the open right now, but since this business has brought them countless benefit, with Xiao Xian being a really snobbish person, why would he want to give up easily?”
After a short pause, he went on, “At the beginning, Yun Yuzhen guaranteed to us that the cooperation with Baling Bang is just a plan of convenience; who would have thought that after she and Xiang Yuzhan are having an affair …”
“What?” Xu Ziling blurted out.
Bu Tianzhi hastily explained, “That was before Xiang Yushan married Miss Susu! Afterwards, whether they are still in contact with each other, I am not really clear.”
Xu Ziling’s unsightly countenance turned even uglier. He really wished he could grow a pair of wings, with which he would fly back to the south to see Susu.
With gloomy countenance Bu Tianzhi sighed and said, “I don’t know why Bangzhu resigned herself to that kid Dugu Ce, and she is getting worse since. If we did not consider her great merit to our Gang, we would have deposed her early on. And now she is hanging around all kinds of men all day long, her martial art skill is declining, she is even too lazy to mind our Gang’s affairs. If this continued, we can’t survive.”
This is called ‘every family goes through its problem’ [Chinese idiom]; since Xu Ziling’s ‘heart distracted, his thoughts in turmoil’ [another idiom] due to Susu, he was out of his wits and was unable to offer any help. Smiling wryly, he said, “So what’s your plan?”
Bu Tianzhi said, “In chaotic time like this, everybody wants to charge forward to do great things. Our Xiongdi have discussed this matter over and over again, and we all believe that Kou Ye and Ziling, are the people we are willing to submit cheerfully the most. Therefore, we want to ask you to lead us.”
Xu Ziling jumped in fright; he said, “If that’s the case, wouldn’t Yun Bangzhu hate us to the bones? Has Bu Xiong discussed this matter with Kou Zhong?”
Bu Tianzhi solemnly said, “This is all Xiongdi’s intention, she has no influence whatsoever. I have already asked for an appointment to see Kou Ye, but am afraid he, the Senior, forget due to his busy schedule, hence the reason I specifically waited for him at Song Jingang’s place. This Song Jingang is both wise and brave, his name shook northern Xinjiang. But even he holds Kou Ye and you, Ziling, in very high regard, which boosted our confidence even more. Two gentlemen, must not decline.”
With a bitter laugh Xu Ziling said, “I think Bu Xiong had better have a long discussion with Kou Zhong over this matter. We have always had friendship with your esteemed Gang, and I have always been disinterested in the struggle for fame and profit. Kou Zhong is the person of choice you want to ask.”
Bu Tianzhi laughed and said, “How could we not know Ziling’s temperament? But in any case, you are going to stand by Kou Ye, am I right?”
Xu Ziling smiled ruefully, but did not answer.
Bu Tianzhi spoke in heavy voice, “You don’t need to worry about Yun Yuzhen. Were it not for her and Xiao Huan, the two of them inciting Xiang Yushan, he might not necessarily woo your esteemed sister.”
“What?” Xu Ziling suddenly roared.
The only waiter around, who was nodding in the corner, woke up in a start. Fortunately at this moment the shop did not have any other patrons, otherwise they would have raised their eyebrows.
Bu Tianzhi sighed and said, “At that time we really could not stand idly and watch. Even if we wanted to win over two gentlemen, we must not use this kind of method, in which we are harming other family’s young lady’s lifetime happiness!”
Xu Ziling’s eyes flashed with unprecedented, deep and cold, murderous aura. He spoke slowly, word-by-word, “If Xiang Yushan treated Su Jie with slightest bit of unkindness, I am going to make him die without a burial site.”
[3] Bili or Guan, Chinese double reed wind instrument. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guan_(instrument)
[4] Pipa, Chinese lute. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pipa
[5] Wuxian, Five Strings Lute. http://baike.baidu.com/view/185794.htm (this one in Chinese, can’t find the English version)
[6] Sheng (instrument), Chinese mouth-blown free reed instrument. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sheng_(instrument)