Untouchable Lovers

Chapter 109: Chapter 102: Better to Eat Without Meat

Wang Xiang was a member of the same Wang aristocratic family as Wang Yizhi, and by generation, he was Wang Yizhi’s cousin. Despite also belonging to the elite, there were clear distinctions in their status. Wang Xiang’s position in the Wang family was incomparable to Wang Yizhi’s; envy and jealousy tangled in his heart regarding this relative.

He had never met the young man named Yu Zichu; however, once rumors started to spread, and upon learning that his cousin had befriended such a person, curiosity rose within him, leading him to find someone who had an invitation and tag along to the event.

Driven by curiosity, many people arrived early, only to find that the door was closed to them. Some, prideful and impatient, sent servants to knock, but received no response from inside and left in annoyance.

Only then did someone recall the audacity of “Yu Zichu”, who dared to publicly scold the noble young man.

Waiting in the heat was uncomfortable, but fortunately, it wasn’t long before the appointed time arrived.

The black lacquered gates of Chu Garden creaked open, revealing four fair-looking young men dressed in white, who appeared to be around thirteen or fourteen years old. Their simple white garments were devoid of any superfluous decorations, and their neatly combed hair was tied into buns, their features delicate and spirited.

One of the young men bowed slightly to the guests and said, “Honored guests, please follow me.”

Once inside the garden, everyone felt a burst of cool freshness that immediately dispelled the heat of the brutal summer, opening up all their pores pleasantly as they took in the sights of the garden.

Green.

So much green.

Within the pink-white high walls, a rich sea of green greeted the eyes first, washing over their breaths as well.

It took a moment for someone to exclaim, “These are so many bamboo trees!”

In an ordinary household, trees and plants served merely as decorative enhancements to the architecture, lending more vitality to pavilions and buildings. But in Chu Garden, it was quite the opposite. The sight of the dense bamboo forest overwhelmed them, with greenery as far as the eye could see—where could there be any trace of houses?

Source: Webnovel.com, updated on ƝονǤ0.сօ

Seeing this, Wang Xiang couldn’t help but ask the white-clothed youth beside him, “What is the meaning of this?”

The four youths who opened the door left two standing by the entrance, and the other two accompanied the noble visitors and aristocratic families that had already arrived. One led the way, and another walked by Wang Xiang’s side.

The young man smiled slightly and said, “Our Family Head has a deep love for bamboo and once told us, ‘One would rather have no meat in a meal than live without bamboo. Without meat one may grow thin, without bamboo one becomes vulgar. Emaciation can be remedied, but vulgarity in an aristocrat is incurable.’ ” This serving boy spoke eloquently, despite his status. His demeanor was neither servile nor arrogant, which was admirable and endearing.

“Such a statement, ‘vulgarity in an aristocrat is incurable,'” echoed a voice from behind as the young man finished speaking. Wang Xiang turned to look. It was his exalted cousin, leaning against the doorframe with his folding fan lightly tapping his palm, his pose utterly carefree, “Brother Zichu truly is an extraordinary person. Inspired by his words, I shall plant some bamboo in my home too, lest I become vulgar.”

Upon seeing Wang Yizhi, the youth remained unflustered, treating him the same as the others, “Since the noble young man has arrived, please join us.”

Wang Yizhi gave a smile as he walked over, side by side with the white-clothed young man next to Wang Xiang. Thinking for a moment, Wang Xiang stepped aside, approached Wang Yizhi, bowed, and then said, “I pay my respects to my cousin.”

Wang Yizhi glanced at him absently and with a flicker in his eyes, said, “You’re Wang Xiang, aren’t you? How come you’re here as well? I remember you weren’t present when Brother Zichu sent out the invitations last time.”

Not expecting Wang Yizhi to actually recognize him, Wang Xiang suppressed the joy in his heart and cautiously replied, “I’ve heard the recent buzz and followed a friend here, lured by its fame.”

“I see,” Wang Yizhi responded indifferently, then fell silent. Wang Xiang didn’t dare to strike up further conversation and could only follow in silence.

The young man in white led everyone into the bamboo forest, where the greenery loosely arranged shielded the sunlight, eradicating the lingering heat from their bodies.

Inside the forest, the bamboo was not too dense, with occasionally three to five stalks grouped, and there were spaces between the clumps. White pebbles were scattered on the ground in the gaps to serve as a path. The surroundings were filled with moist and fragrant soil, and the gentle humidity and coolness of the forest washed one’s restless spirit inside and out. On such a scorching day, this place seemed to hold onto some enchanting traces of spring.

It was only after they walked out of the bamboo forest that they saw the buildings hidden behind it. As they left the forest, the heat started wrapping around them again, and several couldn’t help but want to turn back into the bamboo to continue basking in the through-and-through coolness. Fortunately, the young guide reminded them just in time, ensuring no one strayed from the group: “We’re almost there. Please follow me, honored guests.”

Wang Yizhi smiled, thinking that entering the courtyard through the forest first, instead of seeing the house right away, was quite at odds with the usual layout of residences and that even when he had found this place, he couldn’t imagine Chu Yu arranging it like this.

The house had been uninhabited for a long time, which allowed the bamboo forest to grow wild and lush. Wang Yizhi initially wanted to have the bamboo cleared, but Chu Yu ingeniously made use of it, and with slight alterations, transformed it into an exquisite space.

The houses behind the forest were not particularly remarkable, embodying extreme simplicity and elegance. Standing behind the bamboo, they appeared exceptionally exquisite and refined.

The group, accompanied by the two young men in white, hadn’t seen anyone else until they reached the area behind the bamboo grove and houses where they saw a young man in white, standing in front of a house, waiting for them.

The young man had handsome features and an imposing attire, with his wide sleeves fluttering elegantly. Seeing the guests arrive, he bowed slightly and calmly said, “Please, everyone.”

Those who had attended the poetry gathering on the mountain recognized the youth; he was the talented Yu Ziyuan, also known as Huan Yuan. He looked open and bright, a radiant contrast to the repressed demeanor he’d shown atop the mountain.

Those seeing Huan Yuan for the first time couldn’t help but inwardly admire him.

Huan Yuan smiled slightly and the two young men in white promptly stepped back to welcome other arriving guests, leaving him to attend to the current group.

Wang Yizhi couldn’t help but be slightly curious and stepped forward, half-opening his folding fan to shield his face as he spoke softly, “Where’s Brother Zichu?” What exactly were they playing at?

Huan Yuan’s expression remained unchanged, still smiling warmly, “Why the hurry, sir? In a little while, you will know everything.”

Wang Yizhi was taken aback, then he laughed out loud, “You are right.” He stopped asking and walked alongside Huan Yuan towards the house.

The group went through a winding corridor only to find that their meeting place was not inside a room but a courtyard surrounded by buildings, where more bamboo was planted haphazardly, and a circle of tables and brocade cushions were laid out on the ground.

There was already one person waiting at the tables, yet it wasn’t Chu Yu.