Mei Ruolan waved a hand gently, slowly pushed aside the wicker fence, walked through the flower garden, and entered the small pavilion.
The light gauze fluttered, illusory as a dream.
The zither music abruptly ceased. Mei Songwan took her hands from the instrument, turned, and smiled faintly, “Ruolan, you’ve arrived.”
“Aunt,” Mei Ruolan replied with a graceful bow, taking a seat opposite her.
The two women sat down and spoke in low voices. Li Muzhan restrained his internal power, choosing not to eavesdrop. His gaze passed through the white veil, carefully observing Mei Songwan.
She wore a gown of lake-green silk, her figure slender, her skin alabaster white, fine as congealed lard. Her features, while not strikingly beautiful—a slight degree less than Mei Ruolan’s—were like flawless jade, radiant and pure. Her eyes were like stars, her nose bridge finely sculpted. She possessed an air of gentle refinement that instantly inspired goodwill.
For any man, such a woman would inspire a profound desire to draw her close.
Li Muzhan turned slightly. “I truly didn't expect the Third Miss to be so young.”
“The Third Miss is four years older than the Young Miss,” Xiao Yuan chuckled, pursing her lips. She found the title "Third Miss" more pleasing and, following Li Muzhan’s lead, dropped the more formal address of "Third Aunt-Grandmother."
Gong Qingyun shot him a cold glance, pressing her lips tightly together, saying nothing.
Xiao Yuan whispered, “In our residence, the Young Miss admires only one person, and that is the Third Miss!”
“Why is that?” Li Muzhan asked with a smile.
“Although the Third Miss dislikes practicing martial arts, she is bright as ice and snow; anything she attempts to learn, she masters immediately. She excels in zither, chess, calligraphy, and painting!” Xiao Yuan exclaimed in admiration.
Li Muzhan smiled. “A true woman of talent, then!”
He respected talented women, yet he preferred to keep his distance. Arrogance stemming from superior talent was a common flaw among the gifted. While tolerable in a man, he found it irritating in a woman.
“Zhanran, though you are clever, in my opinion, you still can’t compare to the Third Miss!” Xiao Yuan said with a playful smile.
Li Muzhan smiled. “I am quite slow-witted; how could I be considered clever!”
“Hmph, hypocritical!” Gong Qingyun suddenly sneered coldly.
Li Muzhan gave her a slow, knowing look, shook his head, and smiled. Previously, he had wished to avoid entanglement with Gong Qingyun, lest he wound her too deeply. But now, he had changed his mind. Heaven’s will could not be defied; since fate had brought them together, harmony was the best path. If they could not be lovers, being friends would suffice; he firmly believed the two statuses could transition.
“Hee hee, exactly! Zhanran, you are so hypocritical!” Xiao Yuan covered her mouth, laughing and shaking her head. “If you aren’t clever, then there are no clever people in this world!” She had witnessed Li Muzhan’s ability to memorize at a glance.
Li Muzhan laughed. “This is just a touch of petty cunning, nothing commendable!”
Gong Qingyun shot him a sideways glance and smiled coldly. Xiao Yuan rolled her eyes at him as well.
As the three were chatting merrily, Mei Ruolan’s voice reached his ears: “Zhanran, come here for a moment.”
Li Muzhan smiled at the two, pushed open the wicker fence, and stepped into the flower garden.
The moment he entered, a dense, rich fragrance washed over him, creating a world entirely different from the area outside the fence. A hundred flowers bloomed in riotous color, competing in splendor. The various floral scents mingled to form a unique perfume that swirled under his nose, refreshing his very soul.
His pores instantly opened, and his body felt light, ready to float. He praised it inwardly: this fragrance was intoxicating, clearly arranged deliberately by Mei Songwan. Such meticulous attention to detail proved she was indeed a talented woman of extraordinary ingenuity.
Passing through the garden, he arrived before the pavilion. Looking up, he saw three large characters inscribed there: Deyue Ting (Pavilion Approaching the Moon).
The calligraphy was gentle, elegant, round, and soft.
A light breeze drifted by, carrying the scent of flowers, lifting the fine gauze curtains. The pavilion hung four panels of sheer fabric, intended perhaps to ward off insects, though it seemed they would fail in that task. It was daytime; at night, they would likely be tied back.
He stepped onto the flagstones, entered the pavilion, clasped his hands in greeting, and smiled faintly. “Zhanran greets the Third Miss.”
“You are Master Zhanran? I have long admired your reputation!” Mei Songwan rose and smiled faintly. Her voice was soft, carrying a trace of huskiness that was exceedingly pleasant to hear.
Li Muzhan looked up directly at her and smiled. “I am ashamed; it is merely an infamous name.”
Up close, her skin was like fine satin, smooth and delicate, and her aura of gentle cultivation enveloped him, stirring his heart.
Mei Songwan regarded him warmly, her eyes like jewels, glittering brightly, seemingly assessing him. She was calm and serene, smiling faintly. “Ruolan tells me that Master Zhanran has inherited the legacy of Master Faxing and is highly regarded by the Nun Xueyin.”
Li Muzhan smiled. “Master Faxing, yes. As for Nun Xueyin, she merely offered guidance to a junior; I am eternally grateful.” He was indeed grateful to Nun Xueyin; without her, his Second Sister would not be where she is today.
Mei Songwan continued, “I also believe in Buddhism. I frequently recite the Diamond Sutra, but its profound mysteries have remained inaccessible to me. Could Master Zhanran explain the scripture for me?”
“Please just call me Zhanran,” Li Muzhan replied, smiling. “I fear my shallow insights might offend the young lady’s ears.”
Mei Ruolan frowned. “Zhanran…”
Mei Songwan waved a hand, cutting her niece off, and smiled sweetly, “Master Zhanran, I must trouble you!”
Li Muzhan observed her genuine expression, utterly without pretense, and admired her inwardly. Regardless of her true motive, this bearing alone was beyond that of ordinary women.
He smiled and slowly sat down upon an embroidered stool. “To expound upon this scripture, a Dharma altar must be prepared. If not, one must at least burn incense and bathe!”
Mei Ruolan shot him a glare. Her aunt possessed noble refinement; men approached her with utmost caution. How dare he be so presumptuous?!
Li Muzhan gently manipulated his prayer beads with his left hand, watching Mei Songwan with a calm, steady gaze that also carried a profound solemnity—the very dignity of a Buddhist master.
Mei Songwan nodded. “Very well, we shall follow Master Zhanran’s instructions. Ruolan, come with me!”
“Aunt…” Mei Ruolan hurried to object.
“Let’s go!” Mei Songwan took her arm, and they gracefully departed the pavilion, walking through the flower garden toward the main building.
Xiao Yuan and Gong Qingyun, having received a signal from Mei Ruolan, followed them inside.
Watching the three delicate figures enter the building, Li Muzhan shook his head and smiled faintly. What exactly were the Third Miss’s intentions? Was her faith genuine, or was she trying to gauge the depth of his own abilities by asking him to interpret the Diamond Sutra? Her demeanor was gentle and her appearance modest; she did not seem like a deceitful person, but one could not judge by appearances alone.
He looked around. In the center of the pavilion was a stone table. Upon it lay a zither, dark brown in color, radiating an aura of ancient age—surely no ordinary instrument. In front of the zither sat a chess board and two boxes. Beneath a jade paperweight on the board lay a thin scroll of yellowed paper covered in strange characters that Li Muzhan could not recognize.
Li Muzhan lightly closed his eyes, circulating his internal energy, practicing all six volumes of the True Sutras once through. Half an hour later, the women returned slowly, each having changed into robes of moon-white silk, pure and elegant. All four women were beautiful, and standing together, their radiance surpassed that of the surrounding blooming flowers.
They drifted gracefully into the pavilion. Mei Ruolan asked, “Zhanran, is there anything else that needs to be done?”
Xiao Yuan carefully placed an incense burner on the south side.
A gentle breeze carried the faint, ethereal smoke from the burner, and immediately the pavilion was filled with sandalwood fragrance, calming the mind and soothing the spirit.
Li Muzhan smiled faintly. “We are still missing four meditation cushions.”
“I will fetch them!” Xiao Yuan declared, swiftly leaping out of the pavilion, past the white gauze screens, and disappearing into the main building in a few light bounds. She returned quickly.
Four yellow meditation cushions were placed before the stone table. Li Muzhan gestured with his sleeve, and the items on the table lifted, floating lightly to the north corner of the pavilion.
Watching the zither, chess board, and books land safely, Mei Ruolan let out a soft sigh and looked at him with a slight pout of annoyance. Xiao Yuan stuck out her tongue. “Zhanran, be careful! That zither is the Taigu Chunlei (Primordial Spring Thunder)!”
Li Muzhan did not know the Taigu Chunlei, but it was clearly a famous instrument. Seeing the young ladies react made him realize its value, yet Mei Songwan remained as calm as ever. He knew nothing of the zither, but he remembered the sound he had heard earlier—melodious and soul-stirring. The Third Miss was clearly a master musician and must cherish it deeply, yet she remained unruffled; her cultivation was profound.
Mei Songwan smiled. “Master Zhanran’s internal energy is refined; I am impressed!”
Applying internal energy swiftly is easy; achieving gentleness is difficult. True refinement of internal energy requires exquisite control. Among martial artists, few young practitioners possess truly refined internal power. In youth, internal energy grows rapidly, naturally lacking refinement. As one ages, progress slows, and the focus shifts to purity. Furthermore, extended use naturally refines the energy.
Li Muzhan floated up, settled cross-legged onto the stone table, and smiled. “Today, I will lecture on the Diamond Sutra.”
He suddenly formed a series of mudras with his hands, finally settling into the Earth Touching Seal, pressing it upon the stone table. He closed his eyes slightly and murmured to himself.
His voice was round and soft, each syllable like jade or pearl. The women heard him clearly but could not grasp the meaning. Yet, as the sound entered their ears, their volatile emotions instantly settled. Their minds became clear as a mirror, all distracting thoughts sinking away as if murky water had clarified.
When they looked up again, Li Muzhan at the table appeared solemn and majestic, a faint smile on his face, radiating benevolent authority—exactly like a gilded Buddha statue in a temple, commanding respect.
His voice was even, measured, carrying a unique, smooth, and pleasant rhythm that drilled directly into their hearts, requiring no conscious effort to remember.
Gong Qingyun did not believe in the Buddha. At first, she maintained a cold sneer, glancing sideways at him. As he spoke, her expression slowly changed, the cold disdain fading entirely, replaced by solemn reverence as her spirit became immersed in the discourse.
Unconsciously, an hour passed.
Li Muzhan ceased speaking, smiling faintly. “This is the Diamond Wisdom Perfection, the foremost treasure for reaching the farther shore. If one can comprehend it, the cosmos will respond, and enlightenment may be instantly attained.”
He had spoken at length, yet he had only elucidated these few concepts. The four women listened as if entranced, staring blankly at him.
Mei Songwan snapped back to awareness, clasped her hands in respect, and sighed. “Hearing a master speak one phrase is worth ten years of study. I have recited the Diamond Sutra for years, believing I had mastered it, yet today I realize my shallowness!” She felt every word was a pearl of wisdom, the insight infinitely deep; she could never have grasped such exquisite principles even if she strained her brain.
Li Muzhan returned the greeting with a smile. “Third Miss flatters me. I merely have the advantage of standing higher on the mountain to see farther; it is nothing worth mentioning!”
Mei Songwan turned to her niece. “Ruolan, I wish to invite Master Zhanran to stay with us for a while. What do you think?”
“Aunt…” Mei Ruolan hesitated. “Zhanran has his practice and is very busy.”
Mei Songwan gave her a gentle, chiding look. “Oh, little Ruolan, are you trying to scheme against your Aunt?”
Mei Ruolan smiled sheepishly. “Then we must ask if he is willing.”
Li Muzhan understood Mei Ruolan’s concern: she worried about propriety, the potential for gossip, as this building housed only Mei Songwan and no other maids.
Mei Songwan turned to him and smiled. “Master Zhanran, what is your decision?”
Li Muzhan pretended not to notice Mei Ruolan’s sidelong glance, nodding with a smile. “It is what I desire; I dare not refuse!”
Mei Songwan smiled. “If Master Zhanran has leisure, please come over to sit, sip tea, and rest… you do not need to make a special trip!”
“Yes,” Li Muzhan acknowledged with a nod.