Beyond the mountains lay ten thousand fathoms of mortal bustle; on Luopo Mountain, the cool offered refuge from the summer heat.
In the corridor, Zhu Lian reclined in a wicker chair, gently waving a palm fan with one hand. On two fingers of his other hand rested a fluttering butterfly.
For a beloved or a Taoist Companion, for the human world or its mountains and waters, deep and lingering unrequited love was water flowing beneath ice, an oriole hidden under leaves, a blossom opening and falling unseen in mountain cloud and mist.
Pei Xiang, the Lord of Fox Kingdom, arrived. The moment she stepped into the courtyard and saw this scene, she stood entranced.
She shook her head hard and asked softly, "Young Master Zhu, what are you thinking about?"
The old cook said calmly, "Keep the body whole, and let the heart go free."
He lifted his fingers slightly, and the butterfly fluttered away.
Pei Xiang said, "I have something to tell you."
The old cook waved his fan. "If it spoils the mood, spare me."
Pei Xiang hesitated. Perhaps she had better leave it unsaid. It really was rather vulgar.
"Let's hear it," Zhu Lian said. Pei Xiang ventured, "Fox Kingdom has amassed quite a few... of those scrolls and illustrated books. What if we brought them out and sold them cheap?"
Zhu Lian sprang from the wicker chair in a Carp Tumble, rubbing his hands with shining eyes. "Such a refined undertaking! Why didn't you say so sooner?!"
Pei Xiang stared blankly. She had worried that those lowbrow mountain paintings would sully Young Master Zhu's eyes.
After all, they were sharing a private meal with the National Teacher. Wang Yifu was at ease, but Hong Piao and Liang Hui remained somewhat restrained.
Chen Ping'an told Wang Yifu