Chapter 157: Beauty on the Screen, Rippling in the Heart

Qin Ruohan led the group up to the second-floor terrace and came to a halt. True to expectation, this space was far fresher and more refined in its layout than the other private rooms. The walls, white-plastered and smooth as jade, were inlaid with what appeared to be simple yet deeply meaningful superior sandalwood frames. Merely drawing close to them brought a faint, drifting woody fragrance that flowed through the nostrils and settled into the heart, filling the entire body with a subtle aroma. The luster of these sandalwood frames was also quite peculiar, taking on a purplish-black hue, with winding and turning patterns that seemed to draw the observer deep into a sea of blossoms. Yet upon closer inspection, those patterns were not deliberately carved, but rather naturally formed—a unique beauty bestowed by the heavens.

Arranged upon the sandalwood frames were various rare and exotic treasures, each possessing its own distinct peculiarity and beauty, leaving one unable to choose a favorite. Some were glowing pearls carved from fine crystal, scattered across translucent silver plates to dazzling effect. Others appeared to be ordinary porcelain vases of no particular distinction, yet when one drew close to them, a powerful gravitational pull could be felt emanating from within, so that a moment of carelessness would result in being swallowed and vanishing without a trace into those unassuming vessels.

The most eye-catching of all, however, was a solitary branch of cinnabar plum, tucked away in the corner of the frame and entirely neglected by all. Although its petals were on the verge of withering, nothing could conceal the unyielding, proud backbone and the understated, luxurious elegance that radiated from this spray of plum blossoms. Its upright branches set off the bewitching, blood-red petals with striking allure, especially the fine, golden-thread-like stamens of a serene, pale yellow. It was somewhat regrettable, however, that this branch of cinnabar plum possessed only visual beauty, lacking the captivating and lingering fragrance of other flowers that made one reluctant to part from them. It was devoid of any scent whatsoever, much like tasteless clear water. Its color was matchless, defying even description, yet it contained no profound inner depth.

By this time, the group had seated themselves upon the terrace, holding porcelain cups filled with tea as they gazed down at the bustling pedestrians on the street below and listened to the rising and falling cries of the hawkers. All of this appeared so tranquil and comfortable that one could not help but be intoxicated by it. Suddenly, a gentle breeze swept by, causing the blue-glowing lanterns suspended on either side of the terrace to sway slightly, sparkling brilliantly like distant stars in the night sky. Only then did everyone realize that the Serene Jade Pavilion truly possessed a kind of magic—it could make all rebels linger and forget to return, unwilling to leave, wholly intent on immersing themselves in this carefree atmosphere for the remainder of their days.

"This Serene Jade Pavilion is truly well-deserved of its reputation, just as the rumors say. It allows those who come here to enjoy profound peace, as if their hearts were purified of all desires and worldly distractions. Moreover, its interior arrangement is unique, untainted by vulgarity. It can truly be called a rare sanctuary amidst this bustling and clamorous world," Yu Xiaoran said with a slight smile as he looked at the lithe and charming Qin Ruohan. For some reason, this woman always seemed capable of evoking entirely different impressions. Just a moment ago, she had been an immortal untainted by mortal food; yet in this instant, she had transformed into an enchanting beauty capable of capturing one's very soul.

"You flatter me too much, esteemed guest. How could our Serene Jade Pavilion be compared to a sanctuary amidst the dusty world? I merely strive to create a place as comfortable as home. Furthermore, the world is so vast that there must be places far fresher and more unique than mine. Therefore, what you said just now is far too generous; I truly cannot agree," Qin Ruohan replied with a radiant smile. If anyone else had spoken such words, people would assume they were merely feigning modesty through deliberate evasion. Yet for some reason, when these words issued from this woman's lips, everyone simply felt she was genuinely humble rather than falsely affected.

"If you ask me, your Serene Jade Pavilion is entirely worthy of the name. It truly deserves to be called the last vestige of tranquility in a chaotic world. To be honest, before I stepped inside just now, my heart was heavy with melancholy, but the moment I crossed this threshold, all those gloomy feelings were swept completely away. This place of yours is truly wondrous, as if it can drive away all that is ill and cause all that is beautiful to linger within the heart, lingering long until it melts into one's very being," Yan Xuesu chimed in quickly, speaking softly. She truly wished to understand this extraordinary woman before her more deeply.

For her intuition told her that someone capable of creating such a wondrous atmosphere must harbor a scar deep within her heart—one she dared not touch easily herself. Without having experienced the tumultuous ups and downs of life, how could anyone cherish such hard-won peaceful days? Perhaps because they were both women, Yan Xuesu always felt a trace of sorrow hidden in the depths of this woman's eyes. Although she tried her utmost to conceal that sorrow, it still slipped out inadvertently. In short, there must be a stirring and tragic past behind this woman, entangled within her heart for so long that even now she could neither sever nor cast it aside.

"You flatter me, young lady. If you truly love this place so much, you are welcome to come often; the gates of the Serene Jade Pavilion are always open to you. To tell the truth, I am exceedingly happy. One must know that kindred spirits in this world are rare indeed, yet today I have met so many. Truly, after this brief conversation, I have the distinct feeling of having met too late. Since we are so deeply fated, I shall treat everyone to this table," Qin Ruohan said to the group with great magnanimity. She did not know what was happening; countless people praised the Serene Jade Pavilion on any given day.

Their words were pleasant enough, yet none had ever pleased her quite like this. Today, however, these individuals had not engaged in excessive flattery, yet Qin Ruohan felt immense joy, as if she were hearing words she had long awaited. Furthermore, facing these people felt more like being reunited with old acquaintances, as though she had known and understood them well since many years ago. Even toward those among them with whom she had not yet spoken, the feeling was the same—as if they had already known each other for years, rendering superfluous any conventional pleasantries. True concern had long since flowed into their hearts, allowing them to perceive each other's thoughts without the need for words.

"May I ask, Lady Qin, who is the woman upon this folding screen?" Yu Shang asked softly, his gaze fixed unblinkingly upon the beauty depicted on the screen. The sense of familiarity she gave him had truly reached an indescribable degree. Yet no matter how hard Yu Shang racked his brain, he still could not figure out who this seemingly familiar woman might be, nor when they could possibly have met. Although he could not guess the woman's true identity, Yu Shang was certain that since he harbored such a subtle sensation, she and he must share an unbreakable bond. As for whether that bond would prove good or ill, however, he truly could not tell.

"Actually, this folding screen was originally a painting personally rendered by an old friend of mine. It was simply that the two of us conversed so congenially that he bestowed it upon me to be placed in the Serene Jade Pavilion for other kindred souls to admire. However, I can affirm from his words that this woman truly exists; she was not merely fabricated out of sudden inspiration. Therefore, if you are truly interested in her, perhaps in the near future you really will meet her after all. It is only that all of this depends on the will of heaven—whether the two of you are truly fated can only be left for you to explore in the days to come," Qin Ruohan said to Yu Shang with a mysterious smile.

Yet these words left Xun Mishuang, standing behind them, utterly bewildered. Why was Qin Ruohan lying to Yu Shang? That artwork on the folding screen had clearly been painted by her own hands; Xun Mishuang remembered coming over to help her at the time, though Qin Ruohan had stubbornly refused to let anyone else touch the screen. Back then, Xun Mishuang had assumed she merely cherished her own meticulous creation; now it seemed that when Qin Ruohan painted this woman onto the screen, she had harbored an ulterior motive!

Yet why did she lie solely to Yu Shang? Whenever others had inquired in the past, Qin Ruohan had always answered truthfully. Could it be that this screen had been painted entirely for Yu Shang's benefit, and that the scar she had carried in her heart for years was likewise connected to him? Yet judging by Yu Shang's expression, he did not recognize Qin Ruohan at all. What on earth was going on here, and what was she trying to achieve? In truth, Xun Mishuang harbored a bold conjecture at that moment, but she refused to acknowledge the reality of it in her heart.

She only remembered that one year, a woman of peerless beauty had suddenly arrived in the Ancient City of Biluo and opened the Serene Jade Pavilion there, though no one knew her true origins. Even her name was simply whatever the woman herself claimed it to be. At the time, Xun Mishuang had not probed too deeply into the matter, but looking back now, Qin Ruohan's background was indeed somewhat suspicious! Yet regardless of who Qin Ruohan might be, she remained her dear friend—a witness to the rise and fall of the romance between herself and Leng Huaiyi. Whatever her purpose might be, she could pretend to be entirely ignorant; after all, how one walked one's path was one's own affair, and she had no right to interfere or meddle.

Fortunately, Leng Huaiyi knew nothing about this folding screen; otherwise, given his temperament, he would surely have informed Yu Shang, and then everything would become terribly complicated. Regardless of what Qin Ruohan intended to achieve, the mere fact that she told this lie would inevitably arouse the suspicions of the others, and when that happened, wouldn't the two of them be caught in an awkward dilemma? Therefore, as long as Qin Ruohan did not cause major trouble, Xun Mishuang would not easily intervene. But if she attempted to harm anyone present, she would not stand idly by either. After all, these were all her friends; she did not want any of them to come to harm, and she hoped even more that they could understand one another—not necessarily forging passionate attachments, but simply being able to sit down amicably and share a good conversation.

"What a pity, then. Just a moment ago, I was going to say that if Lady Qin knew this woman, you might introduce us. It now appears the two of us do not have much fate together after all," Yu Shang said with a helpless shake of his head and a faint smile. It was evident that he felt somewhat lost at that moment, though the others could not quite understand. The woman was merely a beauty upon a folding screen; why did Yu Shang feel she was a genuine existence? Moreover, after Qin Ruohan's explanation, they now knew this woman was indeed someone living in this world, rather than merely an illusory figure displaying her beauty solely upon silk.

Furthermore, this woman was not someone of breath-taking, otherworldly beauty. Why did Yu Shang, who had always been cold toward beauties, suddenly take an interest in her? One had to realize that among the young women present, not one was inferior to her, to say nothing of Qin Ruohan, the manager of the Serene Jade Pavilion who stood right beside him. Why did such a beauty stand at Yu Shang's side without eliciting much of a reaction from him, yet he remained utterly focused on that distant, untouchable woman upon the screen? All of this was simply too abnormal. Had anyone else asked, the others would not have felt so perplexed, but the fact that it was Yu Shang made his behavior distinctly out of the ordinary.

"Romance is always determined by heaven; until a certain time arrives, you cannot know whether you and that person will ever reach that point. Perhaps there will be a sudden turn of events later on, or perhaps things will remain calm and plain—none of can say for sure. You would do best to treat all of this with detachment and not force things. Perhaps when you cease pursuing it, she will quietly arrive of her own accord!" Qin Ruohan said with meaningful undertones. She knew full well that Yu Shang was not taken with the woman's looks nor intended to develop any relationship with her, yet she deliberately chose to lead Yu Shang down that path from which there was no turning back. One could only wonder what her true intentions were and what goal she hoped to achieve.