Chapter 36: A Fateful Encounter at the Lake

Due to the fact that it was the Half Year Festival[1] today, there were many people heading to the market and visiting their relatives . Hence, the streets were bustling with residents and carts; it was rather lively .

As they were not in a hurry, Yan Liqiang and Qian Su rode their rhinodrake steeds and engaged in casual conversation as though they were taking a leisurely stroll . It wasn’t convenient for them to traverse on the street either as people crowded it . It took them almost two hours to reach the Lu Residence after their departure from the Weaponsmiths Quarter .

As expected, the present Lu Residence was more lively in comparison to a month ago . On the way to the residence, the travelers on foot had increased multiple folds in the morning alone when compared to the past . It was as though residents from each town and village in a ten li radius were heading towards the Lu Residence .

Each of the clans or families heading towards the Lu Residence brought each member along; this was inclusive of the young and old who sat in horse carriages or bullock carts . Hence, they were in either a group of five to six people or in a large group with dozens of people . Every single one of them headed to the Lu Residence in high spirits .

A number of them drove carts with empty seats that were still able to fit a number of people . Many of these people invited those traveling on foot into the cart so that they could journey together .

There were a couple of young men who rode their horses while some traversed by foot . Each and every single one of them was enthusiastic .

Within a carriage decorated with fresh flowers were a couple of young girls who sat in groups of three or four . Each one of them donned brightly colored skirts with all kinds of beautiful flowers inserted in their hairs . They were gorgeously dressed as they accompanied the crowd along the road .

The girls chattered incessantly whilst the men laughed heartily . The young men and women would exchange glances and occasionally tease each other . They would ask each other about things like which town or village they came from, who they knew, and whether either one of them also knew them . In the case that they got along with each other, the men would then proceed to invite the women to accompany them . Should the women agree, they would then move together as a group, bustling even more with noise and excitement . However, if neither of them got along, they would then go on their separate paths, not bothering each other in the slightest .

Yan Liqiang was fascinated as he witnessed such a scene unfolding before him . In his previous life, taking a stroll down the street was an extremely common occurrence . The only difference was that the atmosphere when taking a stroll in his previous life couldn’t be compared to the ardent and festive atmosphere before his very eyes . Although the shopping malls on the streets would do their utmost to create a festive and lively atmosphere during Chinese New Year or other important festivities, the people still felt incredibly distant from each other, slightly cold and detached . It was unable to be compared to the festive and ardent atmosphere displayed before his eyes .

As a result, Yan Liqiang was also deeply moved by the smiles and the enthusiasm he witnessed on the crowd’s faces on his journey .

As he rode on the large rhinodrake steed, Yan Liqiang had frequently stolen the hearts of many young women during the journey due to his handsome and extraordinary appearance .

"Uncle Qian, why is the Lu Residence so lively today?"

Yan Liqiang asked . However, upon noticing that Qian Su did not reply, he turned around, only to discover that Qian Su’s gaze was fixated on a woman sitting on the bullock cart further ahead . The woman appeared to be older than thirty years of age . She was dressed in a red skirt and was at the prime age of her life . Her entire figure was as round as pearls and as smooth as jade . She possessed a full bosom and perky buttocks, seemingly rather pretty .

The woman had also noticed that Qian Su was eyeing her . The duo was currently exchanging flirty and amorous glances with one another .

Yan Liqiang softened his voice, "Ahem . . . ahem… Uncle Qian . . . "

"Ah? What? Liqiang, were you calling me…?" Qian Su abruptly awoke from his trance and turned to ask Yan Liqiang .

"Such a beautiful scene to behold . How about Uncle Qian go up and ask? If the bullock cart still has vacant seats, then Uncle Qian can squeeze together with the woman . I will lead this rhinodrake to Lu Residence instead!" commented Yan Liqiang mischievously with narrowed eyes .

Qian Su’s aged face flushed as he glared daggers at Yan Liqiang . "A youngster like you dares to tease his elder?!"

Yan Liqiang instantly began to laugh uproariously .

. . .

There was still some distance before they arrived at one of the outer gates of the Lu Residence . Yan Liqiang soon caught sight of an old friend Lu Wenbin, who was throwing a look in his direction . Both him and Qian Su looked very conspicuous riding their rhinodrake steeds . When they took notice of Lu Wenbin, Lu Wenbin also saw them . By the time they rode their rhinodrake steeds close enough, Lu Wenbin promptly moved towards them with an enthusiastic, splendid expression on his face .

Yan Liqiang and Qian Su dismounted from their rhinodrake steeds, handing over the reins of the steeds to the two servants from Lu Clan who had come over with Lu Wenbin .

"Lu Wenbin pays my respect to Quarter Master Qian and Young Master Yan!" Lu Wenbin bowed towards them . Even Lu Wenbin himself couldn’t resist the temptation to take a second glance at Yan Liqiang as he noticed how different his demeanor was after changing into a new set of clothes .

Yan Liqiang blinked at Lu Wenbin and smiled . "Steward Lu is being too nice!"

"Hahaha! Is Brother Peien here? I promised to have a bet with Brother Peien today . I can’t wait any longer! The sun has just risen so it’s a good time to go fishing now…" said Qian Su as he glanced around his surroundings .

"Sixth Brother is already waiting for Quarter Master by the lake!"

"That’s great . I’ll go now . I’ll go now…" As soon as Qian Su finished, he turned around to speak to Yan Liqiang, "The scenic view at Lotus Flower Lake is beautiful as it can be found in Huanglong County . You haven’t seen it yet so you can come along with me . If you want to go around the Lu Residence’s market, you can wait until the afternoon because that’s when it will be bustling with people . "

"That’s right! It’ll be lively when the theatrical trope we’ve invited begin their performances in the afternoon . If Young Master Yan is interested in watching the play, you can wait and head over there in the afternoon . Our master has already requested us to leave a seat empty for Young Master Yan on the viewing platform…" explained Steward Lu smilingly .

"Okay . Then let’s head over and admire the view of Lotus Flower Lake that Uncle Qian suggested . " Yan Liqiang nodded .

"Both of you, please follow me…"

The three of them did not enter the Lu Residence . Lu Wenbin immediately brought the two to the riverside outside of the Lu Residence’s walls, before eventually boarding a small boat . After Steward Lu informed the boatman, the boatman then rowed the small boat towards the far off distance .

The boat was completely packed with two people sitting in it and the boatman . The boat moved briskly on the river . Before they knew it, the boat eventually rowed into a beautiful scenic lake which couldn’t be noticed with a glance after taking a spin around the Lu Residence’s walls .

The water of the lake was so clear that the bottom could clearly be seen . One could catch a glimpse of the fish swimming in it . When surveying the surroundings from the boat, pieces of lotus leaves were everywhere . A lot of green frogs were crouching on the bundle of lotus leaves, their eyes widening largely as they stared at the men on the boat . They eventually leaped into the water after the boat neared them .

It was currently at the height of summer, the time when lotus flowers bloomed . Pink, white or red lotus flowers stood slender and elegant amidst the lotus leaves and could be reached easily with the stretch of an arm . Nothing more beautiful could be imagined as far as their eyes could see . The small boat rowed along, as though it was rowing through a lush green forest . The lotus leaves swayed prettily and gently as a gentle breeze swept past . All they could smell was the delicate fragrance of the simple and elegant lotus flower which simply ensorcelled them .

In just a short while, the boatman rowed the small boat to a small island in the center of the lake .

The small island was surrounded by water and there was even a pavilion and a loft situated on it with a variety of plants around them . It was precisely a good place to fish .

A solid and dumpy built thirty-year-old man stood at the edge of the stone step on the island . His facial feature bore some resemblance to Old Master Lu, having two little mustaches on the edge of his lips . He cast a gaze jovially at the approaching small boat .

"Hahaha! Brother Qian, you’re finally here! Let’s see who’s better today . It just so happens that we can have fish stew tonight…" The man grasped Qian Su’s shoulders as he burst into laughter . Then he turned to throw a glance at Yan Liqiang . He sized Yan Liqiang thoroughly from the top to the bottom, and the smiling expression on his countenance became more apparent . "This must be Young Master Yan . As expected, what a fine-looking man!"

"Yan Liqiang greets Master Sixth!" Yan Liqiang greeted the man .

This Sixth Master was known as Lu Peien, one of the sons of Old Master Lu . He was the sixth son of the clan . When Yan Liqiang listened to Lu Wenbin explain the affairs of the Lu Residence before, he had already heard of Lu Peien’s name . The many properties that the Lu Clan owned in Huanglong County Seat were handled by Lu Peien . This man could be considered to be smooth and slick in establishing networks and was one of the core members of the Lu Clan .

Yan Liqiang did not find it strange in the slightest upon knowing Qian Su was friends with Lu Peien . Qian Su tended to frequent Drunken Fragrance Inn, which was one of the properties that Sixth Master handled . What made him puzzled was that, as an extremely busy man, why did Sixth Master have the time to come here and bet with Qian Su to kill time? There was an off-chance that they perhaps had some important matters to discuss, similar to how big bosses loved to discuss business deals over playing golf in his previous life .

"Liqiang, I’m going to fish here with Brother Peien . You’re a young man . If you find this boring, why don’t you use the boat to go around Lotus Flower Lake? Let’s just meet up when it’s time for lunch!"

Yan Liqiang was more than happy when Qian Su said that . It was simply a torture for him to sit here and do nothing while staring at the two fishing rods .

After bidding his goodbyes to Qian Su and Lu Peien, Yan Liqiang once again boarded the small boat, requesting the boatman to go around the lake .

Upon seeing Yan Liqiang leaving, both Qian Su and Lu Peien exchanged smiles with each other . . .

. . .

The golden lake was a feast for the eyes, enough for Yan Liqiang to linger on with no thought of leaving . . .

"Ah, Young Master Yan! Crap! The boat is leaking…" the boatman screamed abruptly . Yan Liqiang lowered his head to look . Unbeknownst to him, there was suddenly a hole about the size of a wine cup at the base of the board of the boatman’s feet behind him . Water was gurgling up from the bottom .

Why was there suddenly a hole in the boat?

"I know how to swim so it’s alright . You just row the boat back!" said Yan Liqiang calmly .

"There are two people on this boat . The water is leaking at an alarming rate so I’m afraid I can’t row it back . . . "

"Then what do we do? Are you saying we should all swim back?" Yan Liqiang looked at the boatman ridiculously . If that were the case, then his outfit today would be completely destroyed . He wasn’t particularly worried about the clothes though, as he just found the whole incident to be slightly ludicrous . He never expected he would encounter a situation like this .

"There’s no need to go that far . Young Master Yan just needs to change boats . I can row back on my own first…"

"Switch boats? What boat?"

"Ah… . !" The boatman shouted exaggeratedly, no different than the surprised gasps from a couple of chefs in Stephen Chow’s ‘God of Cookery’ movie . "Look, Young Master Yan! What a coincidence! A boat has just arrived…" The boatman gestured into the distance . Turning his head, Yan Liqiang saw a small boat slide out amidst the lotus leaves .

On the boat were a boatman and a woman in a green dress . By the time he glanced at them, the woman on the boat also looked towards him, sizing up Yan Liqiang thoroughly . Her expression was extremely odd . . .

The boatman called out to the other and the other boat rowed over . The two small boats then met between the lotus leaves . After the boatmen stabilized the boats, Yan Liqiang made the switch and sat in the new boat .

The boatman who had brought Yan Liqiang here then rowed the ‘leaking’ boat away, instantly vanishing into the lotus leaves in the blink of an eye . . .