Love of Nirvana (Liu Shui Tiao Tiao)

Chapter 34 Knowing the Joy of Fish

Pei Yan, dressed in a light cyan gauze robe, approached with a smile on his handsome face, leading a large group of followers. He said, "I'm returning to Changfeng Mountain Villa tomorrow. Having no plans today and hearing from An Chen that Zi Ming came out fishing, I thought I'd join the fun."

He glanced at Jiang Ci without further comment. His attendants brought over rattan chairs, laid soft cushions, served fragrant tea, and baited Pei Yan's hook. Pei Yan waved his hand, dismissing the followers into the forest. He then sat down casually in the chair and cast his line into the water.

Noticing how close Pei Yan was sitting, Jiang Ci picked up her fishing rod and moved to sit on the other side of Cui Liang. She cast her line into the water, focusing intently on the lake's surface.

Soon, small bubbles appeared on the water's surface, and Cui Liang's line sank. Jiang Ci saw it clearly and patted Cui Liang's shoulder excitedly, "There's one, there's one!" Cui Liang smiled slightly, waited for the line to sink a bit more, then suddenly pulled up, hooking a small crucian carp about three inches long.

Jiang Ci beamed with joy as she removed the small fish from the hook and placed it in the bamboo basket. As she turned back, she glanced at Pei Yan. He appeared relaxed, leaning back in the rattan chair with his fishing rod tilted to one side and his eyes half-closed. He looked less like he was fishing and more like he was sunbathing in the countryside. She let out a small huff and sat back down.

As noon approached, Jiang Ci and Cui Liang had caught quite a few fish. Seeing the bamboo basket almost full, Jiang Ci smiled and said, "Brother Cui, shall we grill some fish for lunch here on the mountain?"

"That sounds good. It's past lunchtime to return to the city anyway, and I haven't had grilled fish in a long time. I'm quite hungry for it," Cui Liang replied. He then turned and said, "Lord Pei, if you're not busy, why don't you join us?"

Pei Yan slowly reeled in his fishing rod and removed a small fish. "That depends on Miss Jiang's cooking skills," he said.

Slightly annoyed, Jiang Ci said to Cui Liang, "I'll go gather some firewood." She put down her fishing rod and ran towards the forest.

Watching her figure disappear into the woods, Cui Liang finally turned his gaze away. He noticed Pei Yan looking in the same direction and said softly, "Lord Pei, why don't you let Xiao Ci go? I will—"

Pei Yan withdrew his gaze and smiled, "It's not that I don't want to release her now. The truth is, as long as the Star Moon Sect Master is not eliminated, her life remains in danger. I can cure the poison for her and won't make her serve you anymore, but I can't let her go."

Cui Liang sighed lightly and said no more. Pei Yan cast his line back into the lake and said, "I should thank you, Zi Ming. The 'Sinking Pulse Grass' you mentioned indeed works wonders. It can make my Yuan Power recede for an hour, allowing the Emperor to believe I've suffered severe internal injuries."

"Has the Emperor approved your resignation, Lord Pei?"

"He wanted to, but he was afraid there would be no one to keep Prince Zhuang in check. So he gave me a half-year leave instead. It's fine, I'm quite tired and want to recuperate at Changfeng Mountain Villa for a while. However, I'll have to trouble you with many matters, Zi Ming."

Cui Liang was silent for a moment, then said softly, "Rest assured, Lord Pei. I'll keep an eye on the various memorials."

As they were talking, a song drifted over from the forest on the opposite side of the lake. They looked up and saw Jiang Ci climbing a large tree, reaching out to pick fruits. Her clear, melodious voice carried across the lake, echoing in the wilderness: