To Continue the Lost Teachings of the Sages and Bring Peace for All Ages

The next moment, the sound of the qin rang out abruptly, its clear notes drifting gently through the open space.

Gentle as water, it also held the passion of towering waves and crashing seas. It was truly filled with emotion.

Su Daji smiled gently, her long hair fluttering, while the veil that covered her gave her an air of mystery.

The veil covered just half of her devastatingly beautiful face.

It was much like a beauty half-hiding her face behind a pipa.

The qin's melody flowed, and the beauty was like jade-

Truly, one song could break the heart, but where beneath the heavens could one find a kindred spirit?

When the song ended, everyone present was so lost in its beautiful mood that they could not pull themselves free.

It was rare to hear Su Daji play.

Now, at last, their wish had been fulfilled. Truly, who knew how many times they might hear the beauty play again!

Even Bo Yikao, a master of music, was utterly amazed.

"Sister Daji, word has it that you dance as deftly as one with long sleeves, your movements as graceful as a spirit's and as ethereal as an immortal's."

"I never expected you to be so accomplished in music as well. I truly admire you."

Bo Yikao spoke the honest truth. He too was highly skilled at the qin, but compared with Su Daji, he fell short in many respects.

Other voices of admiration and praise likewise came in an unending stream!

At that moment, Su Daji slowly rose and gave a slight bow.

Then she said to Bo Yikao:

"You flatter me, young master. When it comes to talent, I doubt anyone of Great Shang's younger generation can surpass you."

Su Daji's words were exceedingly gracious, but her tone was somewhat indifferent.

For in her mind, Bo Yikao's talent was actually only average.

By comparison, she did not much like Bo Yikao.

She was, however, very interested in the rather mysterious Human Emperor.

Just a few days earlier, she too had seen the reigning Human Emperor's edict of self-reproach!

A few lines in particular had moved her deeply.

To establish a heart for heaven and earth.

To establish a destiny for the people.

To continue the lost teachings of the sages.

To bring peace for all ages.

Such soaring, heroic words were not something just anyone could have spoken!

But Bo Yikao was her father's honored guest, so she could only keep him company, however reluctantly.

"Sister Daji, you put me to shame!"

Hearing Su Daji's praise, Bo Yikao spoke modestly, but his face glowed with pride.

He thoroughly enjoyed being praised by Su Daji.

Just then, someone spoke up with a suggestion:

"Miss Daji, Young Master Bo Yikao, I have a suggestion."

"As everyone knows, Young Master Bo Yikao is also extremely accomplished in music, and Miss Daji's dancing is rarer still under heaven!"

"Why don't the two of you perform together?"

"The young master could play the qin while the young lady dances. It would be a match made in heaven!"

No sooner had he finished than everyone clapped their hands and applauded the idea!

It really was an excellent suggestion.

"This suggestion is simply brilliant! The young master and young lady are a match made in heaven. It would surely make a beautiful story!"

"If we can truly bring it about, it will surely be celebrated for ages to come-"

Many people began to join in the clamor. Bo Yikao had come all the way to Jizhou, and aside from cooperation in business matters,

he might well have come for Su Daji too.

They had no chance themselves anyway, so they might as well do Bo Yikao a favor.

If they could truly bring the happy match about, perhaps they too would reap considerable benefits.

As she listened to the clamor, Su Daji's face gradually grew cold.

She was truly disappointed in these people.

Every one of them looked solemn and respectable, yet behind the scenes they were all busy scheming like flies and dogs!

"I'm very sorry, but I am feeling unwell today. Let us forget about the dance."

As soon as Su Daji said this, everyone was stunned. None of them had expected her to refuse them so bluntly.

At once, an awkward silence fell.

Just then, the voices of several women could faintly be heard.

They were all Su Daji's close friends, and seeing her put on the spot, they naturally spoke up in support:

"I never expected a group of noble young masters raised amid bells and cauldrons to openly force someone like this. It really is an affront to decency."

"Exactly. You talk of beautiful stories, legends and matches made in heaven, yet you use words to pressure her. Truly, hooligans aren't frightening; it's educated hooligans you have to fear-"

When the women spoke, the faces of the many young masters present turned ugly.

They had not expected to be looked down upon by a group of mere women.

Seeing that things were getting somewhat out of hand, Bo Yikao hurriedly pulled himself together and invited everyone to drink.

But a trace of gloom flashed through his eyes.

Only after everyone had exchanged cups of wine did the atmosphere finally grow lively again.

As the spring outing went on, everyone present grew more and more excited.

There were people drinking, admiring flowers, swearing brotherhood across sexes, and composing poems and matching verses-everything one could imagine.

Many more gathered in groups of three or five to discuss the latest news.

Among them were several women sitting with Su Daji, discussing the Human Emperor.

Bo Yikao was naturally among them as well, though he rarely interrupted, listening quietly instead.

"I heard the reigning Human Emperor issued an edict of self-reproach, saying he would thoroughly mend his ways and govern our Yin Shang well. I wonder whether it's true!"

"I heard about it too. His Majesty is the Human Emperor, yet he issued an edict of self-reproach far and wide. It's the first time that's happened in all the ages."

"There's also the imperial uncle, Lord Bi Gan. He's opening granaries and distributing grain all across the land. They say the reigning Human Emperor made a great vow to ensure that all the people under heaven have grain to eat and houses to live in. I wonder whether it's true."

"There's another thing. I don't know if you've heard, but Great General Feihu is leading a mammoth cavalry unit all over Yin Shang, killing brigands and wiping out bandits. They say anything that stands before that cavalry is as easily destroyed as clay chickens and pottery dogs. I wonder whether it's true."

"Really? It sounds so full of killing intent."

"Of course it's true. They say my man's older cousin is a member of that cavalry unit. His Majesty granted Great General Feihu the authority to execute first and report later. He has the right to execute first and report later, and anyone who refuses to submit is killed on the spot. They say he even has the right to execute the feudal lords!"

"Is it that frightening?"

"He can even kill the feudal lords? That's truly terrifying."

The women chattered away, asking questions without pause.

A proud look appeared in the eyes of the slightly older woman.

She spoke again:

"Let me tell you something even more sensational. Do you know why the dark weather that used to hang over Yin Shang has changed to timely winds and rain lately?"

"They say the reigning Human Emperor led his ministers in angrily rebuking heaven, denouncing heaven and earth for their cruelty in leaving living beings to suffer."

"And guess what happened? Before long, auspicious rain really did fall from the heavens."

"The flooded lands of the southern barbarians cleared up, while auspicious rain fell from the heavens in the drought-stricken north."

"With one angry rebuke to the heavens, the Human Emperor actually reached the point of Words Followed by Law. Tell me, isn't that terrifying?"