Tang Dynasty Bandits

Chapter 54: Fairy of Mount Tai
The back hall of Baiyun Temple is called Moon Hall. Behind the hall is a high cliff. On moonlit nights, fairies from the Taishan Sect would gaze at the moon and dance with swords on the cliff, as if they were in the Moon Palace.

To enter the Moon Palace, in addition to the high entrance fee, one not only needs a specially made rosewood letter card as proof, but also has to compose a poem on the spot.

Judge Wu had already prepared letter cards for them, but when it came to composing poems, neither Zhu Wen nor Tian Jun had the ability to do so.

Fortunately, Lan Suting was quick-witted and wrote a five-character poem on the theme of white clouds in small calligraphy on plain paper in the style of hairpin flowers.

Separation and reunion follow the sun and the moon, and gathering and dispersing change from ancient times to the present.

Stay high and keep yourself clean, and you will always be in the hearts of the people.

After reading this poem, the gatekeeper Taoist nun clapped her hands and exclaimed, "This poem is elegant and innocent, its simplicity imbued with the charm of Taoism. Water vapor rises with sunlight to form clouds, and their gathering and dispersal are just like life and the affairs of the world. And the word 'moon' in 'Moon Palace' is so cleverly incorporated into it."

"This impromptu poem is so talented. This young man has such literary talent at such a young age. His future is promising."

Lan Suting was a little embarrassed: "Fairy, you are too kind."

Zhu Wen whispered in Tian Jun's ear, "This poem is good, but it's just like 'clouds follow dragons, winds follow tigers.' You're not mentioned in it. It seems I'm not some Little Dragon Girl at all, I'm really a tigress."

"The name 'Blue Dragon' was given to me by Commander Kou himself! 'White Tiger' is that fellow An Renyi. I don't even know if he has any sisters, or if they're tigresses."

"You were born in the twelfth year of Dazhong, which is the year of the tiger. And you still say you're not a tigress?"

As the two of them were talking quietly, Zhu Wen suddenly realized that Tian Jun was actually not that old, only nineteen years old. He wondered if he would become smarter in a few years.

Tian Jun was furious and regretted telling Zhu Wen his year of birth.

Entering the Moon Hall through the entrance hall, one can smell the melodious sound of stringed instruments and the faint fragrance of orchids. The hall is decorated in a simple style, reflecting the unique Taoist style.

The Moon Hall is illuminated by seven-star lanterns, and its walls are decorated with calligraphy and paintings by famous artists, as well as images of fairies. Facing the front is a statue of Bixia Yuanjun, accompanied by offerings of incense, fruits, and vegetables.

The distinguished guests who entered the hall all assumed a meditative posture on the incense-scented straw mats. There were no high tables in the hall, only low tables, perfect for the guests to enjoy wine and food on the mats.

The hall was warm as spring, and everyone who entered took off their cloaks and coats. Because it was a Taoist place of tranquility, everyone was required to wash their feet and change shoes. Tian Jun changed into a pair of wooden clogs, and at Zhu Wen's suggestion, removed the front teeth of the clogs.

As this is a Taoist cave, only light wine is served. Several guests also savored small bowls of icy treats on the tables. This treat, called Sushan, is a frozen dessert made from the dairy product "su." A poet has described it as "slippery and easy to swallow with jade chopsticks, neither firm nor stingy; melts as soon as it touches white teeth, both refreshing and moist." Sushan melts in your mouth, its cool, smooth texture makes it a unique treat enjoyed indoors during the autumn and winter months.

"What a shabby place! There's not even a chair..." Before Tian Jun could finish her words, Zhu Wen covered her mouth.

Lan Suting said lightly, "Sister Jun, actually, chairs only became common in this dynasty. When the country was founded, even the princes and nobles sat on the floor."

"Like this?" Tian Jun pushed away Zhu Wen's hand that was covering her mouth.

She had gained some experience: "But it's been two hundred years, and this place still doesn't give people a chair..."

"Otherwise, how is it different from other places?" Zhu Wen asked, "Why do so many famous people not go to Yangzhou, but instead come to such a remote place like Mount Tai to spend huge sums of money..."

However, many male guests in the hall had already looked at her with envy, their eyes wide open.

They were whispering on the futon.

"Why are there still people bringing women to the Moon Palace?"

"That's it. After seeing these big feet, I will never like three-inch golden lotus again in my life."

When Zhu Wen heard this, he couldn't help but glance at Tian Jun's feet.

Tian Jun is not shorter than him at all, so her feet are naturally not that small either.

However, the shape of these feet is impeccable, with ball-shaped ankles, crescent-shaped arches, and texture as shiny as satin.

The toenails are plain without any paint, but the natural jade color can surpass the most beautiful nail polish.

The clogs, with the front teeth removed, gently raise the feet, like swans about to take flight on the wind. The leather straps of the clogs, tightly bound around the insteps of the feet, reveal the subtle blue veins on the skin.

Zhu Wen suddenly discovered that Tian Jun's feet were not black at all, but much whiter than her face and hands.

This naturally handsome face, paired with tanned skin, certainly looks incredibly fit. However, Tian Jun's skin tone is probably not dark, it's just that it doesn't withstand the sun very well.

Another piece of evidence is that after taking off her blouse, leaving only her chest-length skirt on her upper body, she revealed a pair of jade-like shoulders that were much whiter than her face and neck.

The beautiful woman's smooth shoulders and collarbone that are so deep that you can fill it with water and raise fish are just as alluring as her swan-like feet.

Some distinguished guests already had female nuns from the Taishan School accompanying them for drinking, but when they saw the beautiful woman beside Zhu Wen, they felt that neither the wine nor the "fairy" was attractive anymore.

"With legs like these, and a figure like this, and with that arrogant look of disdain, I'd rather live ten years less if I married her."

"Ten years? I'd gladly accept it even if it meant I'd live twenty years less!"

"Such a beauty, I wish I could hold her feet day and night and kiss them for the rest of my life."

"Even if she steps on my face, I can feel ecstasy."

"How could that boy be so lucky to have such a beautiful bride?"

"A pretty boy! It's a pity that all the beautiful women in the world judge people by appearance and can't appreciate our talents and inner qualities..."

Zhu Wen whispered into Tian Jun's ear, "It seems that what I said before wasn't entirely true. In the eyes of some men, you might be prettier than my junior sister."

When the pair of big feet walked, each step was graceful, as if they were walking on clouds and stepping on flowers, which was really unexpected.

What's more, the pair of long legs connected to the big feet are so strong and well-proportioned, and impeccable.

Tian Jun was speechless. As a heroic woman who had fought on the battlefield, it would have been fine if others admired her beautiful face, but looking at her figure with such malicious eyes and commenting on her made her angry.

Zhu Wen took Tian Jun's hand and sat next to the others. "Brothers, I'm afraid it's not a good idea to discuss other people's families in private, right?"

"Family?" A young man dressed as a scholar asked, "Is this woman your wife?"

Zhu Wen comfortably grasped Tian Jun's slender hand and said, "My fiancée should be no different from my wife."

Before coming, he complained that the calluses on Tian Jun's hands were not good, so he used a pedicure knife to carefully grind off the calluses on his hands left by shooting practice. Now his hands feel particularly soft and smooth.

Since he was paid for the job, Tian Jun could only nod unhappily as a sign of agreement.

There was booing all around.

"Why are you here if you don't want to stay in your own sweet place?" a man with a whisker in his thirties asked. "By the way, don't look at me. I don't have a wife like you at home."

"Accompany my younger brother to see the world." Zhu Wen cast a faint glance at Lan Suting standing aside.

Everyone looked over, only to see Lan Suting bowing his head in silence. They all had a look of sudden enlightenment on their faces: "This young man is so young and shy. How could he dare to come to such an elegant place without a brother to accompany him?"

"Your Madam is truly understanding. She didn't stop me, but simply followed me." "Marry a virtuous woman," Zhu Wen said calmly, "I fell in love with her because of her virtue. Her appearance and figure had nothing to do with her."

These words were so sour that everyone wanted to throw the wine glass at Zhu Wen's face.

Someone asked, "Excuse me, sir, what is your name?"

"My surname is Qin, and my given name is Yan. As for my younger brother, you can call him Qin Xiaolang."

"Qin Yan?" Another person asked in surprise, "I heard that under the command of the Grass Army leader Wang Xianzhi, there is also a General Qin Yan..."

"There are many people with the same name and surname." Zhu Wen wondered if Qin Yan would suddenly sneeze at this time.

At this moment, the sound of bells and chimes suddenly rang out. Zhu Wen hurriedly said, "Silence! The fairy is about to go on stage to perform a dance."

There is a high platform in the center of the Moon Palace, where the most beautiful and talented fairies of Mount Tai perform their skills.

The main hall was divided into two levels. The second level was accessible by stairs and only circled the edge of the hall. The most distinguished and wealthy guests could ascend to the second level and overlook the performance from a small booth. Whatever was going on inside, no one outside could see.

A group of female nuns, as graceful as startled swans, walked up along the plain carpet. Some of them carried swords, some held zithers, and they were all beautiful. However, the leader had her face covered with a veil, so her appearance could not be seen clearly.

The maids of Mount Tai Sect were all dressed in gorgeous clothes, but the nuns all had a simple and plain style. They had waist-length hair with jade hairpins inserted in it, and wore a smoke-like silk cape over their light gauze Taoist robes. They wore light makeup and plain shoes, and looked like fairies coming from the mountain on the wind and mist.

Many men's eyes were still on Tian Jun, but as the music started, everyone's attention gradually shifted to the platform.

The woman in the lead was wearing a pair of bright red satin and white gauze high-soled shoes, which made her figure look even taller.

The girls who followed were some playing the piano, some playing the pipa, some playing the flute, and some dancing with swords, all to serve as a foil for the leading fairy.

The music plays leisurely, and the fairy stretches out her arms slowly. Suddenly, a light silk like smoke is swung open, and her sleeves dance. It seems that countless flying flowers are floating and falling from the sky, and each petal brings out an endless fragrance.

The sound of the flute became increasingly urgent, and her body danced faster and faster, like jade-like hands lingering gracefully, her skirt fluttering, and her figure indescribably curvaceous.

There seemed to be flowing lights dancing in the field, and against the backdrop of a light veil, she looked like a flower in the mist, hazy and ethereal.

The willow tree seems powerless after its arms droop, and clouds seem to spring to life as it drags its skirts sideways.

The music and dance are graceful, with both Lingchen's ethereal elegance and captivating charm.

The leading woman has not yet taken off her veil, but her ethereal dancing posture and the cherry lips revealed by the slightly lifted veil have already made the spectators intoxicated.

Suddenly someone whispered, "It's Fairy Chuoying!"

"Fairy Chaoying, the leader of the Five Wonders of the Taishan Sect? Isn't her music and dance always the centerpiece? Why did she come today and..."

"There's no such rule. There's never a fixed time for Fairy Chaoying to appear. Sometimes she doesn't appear for months. Some people are lucky enough to see her the first time they enter the Moon Palace."

Zhu Wen said to Tian Jun, who was standing by, "Aren't you annoyed by those random stares? This woman, without even taking off her veil, has already stolen your limelight."

Tian Jun didn't know what to say for a moment, and then she said, "I've never heard of the Fairy Chaoying."

"Some say she is the most beautiful woman in the world," Zhu Wen said, then suddenly lowered his voice and said to Tian Jun, "I don't believe it."

"Why don't you believe it?" Tian Jun asked doubtfully, "Because you haven't seen it with your own eyes?"

"No need to look. Even Xi Shi and Yang Guifei of this dynasty are just that in my eyes, beauties trained to please men. Wang Zhaojun was a heroine for the country. I heard that Daji was also a heroine of her generation, but she was discredited by the Zhou Dynasty."

Tian Jun was stunned for a long time before she understood what Zhu Wen meant. "Your unorthodox words have gone in circles. Are you trying to praise me?"

"You are my wife now. If I don't praise you, who else should I praise, you silly girl?" Zhu Wen rolled his eyes and continued to say only half of the good things to Tian Jun.

Tian Jun gritted her teeth and restrained the urge to beat Zhu Wen on the spot.

After the dance, the veil on the fairy's face fluttered down, and the whole place seemed to be filled with hazy moonlight.

After a suffocating silence, frantic shouts filled the entire hall, and countless red gauze and silks fell onto the platform, forming an extremely magnificent rain of brocade.

Lan Suting sighed softly, "This is exactly what Bai Juyi, a hermit from Xiangshan, said in his poem, 'Young men from Wuling compete to tie their hair, and they know how many red silks they have for a song.'"

Zhu Wen just nodded slightly.

This fairy with graceful figure is truly the most beautiful woman in the world just in terms of appearance.

She has both elegant and impeccable facial features and a mysterious temperament that is as misty as smoke.

Her demeanor is dignified yet gentle, noble and elegant, yet also pitiful.

But Zhu Wen always felt that she lacked the cold and noble elegance of a true fairy, and even more so the inner meaning of "even after the frost, she has the spirit to soar to the sky, so don't be a flower that depends on others for its beauty."

It is beautiful, but in my eyes it is like an exquisite and flawless vase.

Of course, it would be too difficult to ask a "fairy" in the world of romance to meet the above standards.

"Why, brother, you don't seem to care much about that Fairy Chaoying?" Lan Suting tugged at Zhu Wen's sleeve and whispered, "I'm actually a little moved."

Chaoying indeed has a face that would make even women's hearts flutter at the sight of it. He is simply a creature blessed by the kiss of the goddess Nuwa.

"If I just want to see a face that is so beautiful that it doesn't need makeup, I can look in the mirror." Zhu Wen was not ashamed at all.

After hearing this, Lan Suting carefully examined Zhu Wen's face and said, "That's right."

"How can you be so shameless?" Tian Jun grabbed Zhu Wen's hand hard.

She was a little more shrewd and knew that if she pulled the waist, Zhu Wen would grab her tightly halfway.

"What are you guys talking about? Can you tell Chaoying too?"

A very elegant and melodious voice suddenly sounded.

Tian Jun widened his eyes, looking incredulous.

Zhu Wen grabbed Tian Jun's hand and quickly wrote the words "secret passage" on it. Whether Tian Jun could understand it or not was none of his business.

Chaoying wasn't Wang Xianzhi, the leader of the Zhenyi Alliance, so she certainly didn't have the agility to shrink the ground into an inch. Her sudden disappearance from the platform and subsequent reappearance beside them was simply due to a hidden passageway on the platform.

This was the knowledge Zhu Wen gained as a child by hiding behind the scenes of a theater troupe in order to understand the principles of magic. Of course, he was eventually caught and given a beating.

"It means that the fairy is unparalleled in the world." Zhu Wen answered calmly.

(End of this chapter)