Chapter 112: The Heart-Calming Mantra

"Clear as water is the heart, and the heart is as clear water. No breeze rises, and the waves remain calm. Sitting alone among the hidden bamboos, whistling long and playing the zither. Entering meditation in stillness, the poisonous dragon fades away. My heart has no apertures, and Heaven rewards the diligent. My righteousness is awe-inspiring, and ghosts and demons tremble. My passions overflow, and the world returns to the heart. My will is soaring, and winds rise from the water! The sky is high, the earth is vast, and the water flows like passing clouds. Purity serves as the foundation, and the straight path guides the self. With the highest nature and the highest goodness, the Great Way is achieved!"

In a private chamber of the Fengle Pavilion, a zither table stood at the center, adorned with an incense burner from which thin wisps of blue smoke curled, filling the room with fragrance. A massive, fine-gauze screen was placed in front of the table, separating Lin Jinzhi from Li Sanjian, Zhao Ji, and Gao Er.

Lin Jinzhi, dressed in a white gauze gown, sat poised before the zither. Her hands rested lightly upon the instrument, lending her an air of ethereal detachment. Moments later, a melodic tune flowed out like a joyful brook. It was as gentle as a spring breeze brushing over fields, as crisp as bamboo shoots breaking through their sheaths, and as refreshing as a clear spring pouring into the hearts of Li Sanjian and the others.

The music was so transcendent that it felt as if they were transported to a landscape of verdant peaks and cascading streams, where all worldly anxieties vanished without a trace.

"This is the 'Cleansing Heart Melody,'" Zhao Ji remarked, for he recognized the piece, even if Li Sanjian did not.

"Your Highness has keen insight," Li Sanjian praised softly and sincerely.

Although Zhao Ji, Gao Er, and Li Sanjian wished to behold the true face of Lin Jinzhi, she remained hidden, with only her blurred silhouette visible through the screen. There is a certain charm in being "like a pipa player hiding half her face," where the half-veiled mystery is often more intoxicating than seeing the person directly.

From what could be glimpsed, it was clear that Lin Jinzhi was a breathtaking beauty. Coupled with the evocative music, it was evident she possessed profound literary cultivation. Her reputation for talent, beauty, and grace was well-deserved.

Yet, within the elegant melody, there was a subtle undercurrent of annoyance and admonishment—perhaps directed at Gao Er and the others for forcing her to perform—as well as a hint of self-pity and sorrow.

Zhao Ji closed his eyes slightly, crossing his legs and tapping his knee with his index finger in time with the music, lost in thought. Gao Er glanced at Zhao Ji and then at Li Sanjian. He had wanted to force Lin Jinzhi to remove the screen to catch a glimpse of her beauty, but since his master, Zhao Ji, remained silent and appeared thoroughly content, Gao Er had no choice but to sit patiently and endure the music, which he personally found lackluster.

"Hardly as stirring as a few lewd ditties," Gao Er muttered to himself.

*The Cleansing Heart Melody?* Li Sanjian mused while listening. *Indeed, it is time to cleanse the heart, time to find stillness.*

Since his arrival at the Kaifeng Prefecture in the capital, the events of his life began to flash through his mind like a reel of film. He had come to the capital full of expectations to take the provincial examinations, only to fail. Without a livelihood, his luck had suddenly turned; he had befriended Prince Zhao Ji, become a protégé at the Prince's estate, met the exceptionally talented Li Qingzhao, and formed a fated connection with an Imperial Princess—only to now find himself loitering in brothels with Zhao Ji and Gao Er?

*My studies have been entirely neglected. It is a complete waste of time,* Li Sanjian thought, feeling a wave of bitter frustration. With the upcoming imperial examinations drawing near, he felt increasingly uncertain. *Is the fate of failing a second time truly to befall me? I cannot go on like this. I must settle my mind, review my lessons, and strive for success in the exams.*

*And Li Qingzhao... how is she? Why have there been no tidings of her?*

Thinking of Li Qingzhao caused a pang of distress in his heart. She was the daughter of an official family, a status far beyond the reach of a man from his impoverished background. Though they shared deep affections, the chasm of social status stood between them like a mountain. His heart ached, though the lingering strains of the "Cleansing Heart Melody" provided some small comfort.

The music was exquisite, like a hidden orchid in an empty valley, bringing solace to Zhao Ji and Li Sanjian. Alas, before the piece could reach its conclusion, it was rudely interrupted.

The room had two doors. The back door, a small entrance used only by Lin Jinzhi and those close to her, swung open as a man in his thirties stormed in, his face contorted with rage.

"You wretch! Did we not have an agreement? That you would no longer show your face in public? My wife is out there straining to scrape together the money for your redemption, and I have been running about everywhere to smooth things over—how dare you show your face to me?" The man pointed at Lin Jinzhi and shouted.

"Sir... please... please, calm your anger. I apologize. I had no choice," Lin Jinzhi stammered, turning deathly pale. She rose in a panic, inadvertently knocking over the incense burner. The scattering ash filled the air, shattering the elegant and tranquil atmosphere.

As the top courtesan, even as she prepared for her redemption, she remained a servant of the Fengle Pavilion, bound by the whims of others.

"No choice? You always have no choice! Why are you always so helpless? If you are helpless, does that mean I am satisfied? You wretch, do you have any idea how much money it takes to redeem you?" the man continued to lash out relentlessly.

"Sir, please do not be angry," Lin Jinzhi said in a soft, trembling voice. "I still have some savings; take them. I will forever remember what you have done for me. I was wrong, and I shall not do it again."

After bowing deeply, she reached out to support the man, intending to leave through the back door.

"Hmph, you think there will be a 'next time'?" the man sneered.

Lin Jinzhi had spent years in the pleasure quarters as a top courtesan, and she did indeed have private savings. But no matter how much she had, it was never enough to satisfy the insatiable greed of the Fengle Pavilion, which was why she had sought the man's help.

Behind the screen, the argument left Zhao Ji and Li Sanjian staring at each other. When Lin Jinzhi attempted to leave without a word, Zhao Ji became quite annoyed. After all, he had paid for her company; to leave without a word was a slight against them. More importantly, he hadn't even seen her face yet. Was it to end before it had even begun?

Zhao Ji was deeply unsatisfied, but out of pride, he hesitated to call her back, his expression turning sour.

Since Zhao Ji would not speak, the quick-witted Gao Er had no such reservations. Seeing the situation, he stood up and strode over, pointing at Lin Jinzhi with a smirk. "Leaving already? It’s not that simple. I spent a good deal of silver to have you here. To leave without a word? That won't do."

Gao Er kicked the screen aside. Lin Jinzhi’s figure was instantly revealed, and she scurried behind the man, but in that brief moment, Zhao Ji and Li Sanjian had seen her clearly.

She appeared to be about twenty years old. Her skin was like goose fat, her lips like cherry blossoms, her brows like ink paintings, and her eyes like autumn pools. Her waterfall of black hair fell over her left shoulder, and in the candlelight, her features were as exquisite as a painting.

She was truly the top courtesan of the Fengle Pavilion, a beauty capable of toppling cities. Even Zhao Ji was stunned, and Li Sanjian was secretly awestruck.

The Prince’s estate had no shortage of beauties, but they were all submissive and dull, unlike this woman, who possessed such a fresh and transcendent air. This was precisely why Zhao Ji, even on his wedding night, had sought refuge in the pleasure quarters.

His new Princess was indeed beautiful and dignified, but she was somewhat stoic and dull. More importantly, Zhao Ji resented the marriage forced upon him, a union arranged by others. He felt that only in these pleasure houses could he truly find release.

"Tsk, tsk, tsk. No wonder, no wonder," Gao Er said, though his shock lasted only a moment. "You can leave, but first, kneel and apologize to my master, return the silver, and then you may go. Otherwise, let’s see how you walk out of this door."

The request wasn't entirely unreasonable in terms of restitution, but the money had already been taken by the pavilion’s manager—how could Lin Jinzhi produce it? Furthermore, to kneel in front of her lover would be a humiliation too great to bear.

"Who are you?" the man demanded, glaring at Gao Er.

"What business is it of yours who I am?" Gao Er sneered. "And what does this have to do with you?" Ignoring the man, he turned to Lin Jinzhi. "Well? Will you do it or not?"

He spat the word "Miss" with heavy sarcasm.

"Please wait a moment, sir. I will go get the money," Lin Jinzhi said through gritted teeth, wanting only to end the ordeal.

"Wait!" the man interjected, unhappy at the thought of her parting with her savings. If he were to take her as his concubine, wouldn't her money be his? He had been trying to redeem her at the lowest possible cost so that he might gain both the woman and her wealth.

"No! Not a single copper more!" the man declared. "Spilled water cannot be gathered up. Since when is there a principle of returning money once spent?"

"You fool, who are you? I’m not talking to you. Where is the manager?" Gao Er roared.

"I'm here, I'm here!" The manager rushed over, pleading, "Oh, Master Hong, look, the guests are still here. Can we discuss this later?"

"Oh, so you're a 'Master'? From where? Falsely claiming to be a court official—do you know the penalty for that?" Gao Er did not believe the man was an official.

"I am an official of the Imperial Court! How dare you accuse me of lying? Why do you not bow before an official?" Master Hong retorted furiously.

*He really is an official?* Gao Er hesitated, naturally intimidated by the bureaucracy. He glanced back at Zhao Ji and Li Sanjian.

"Ha! An official of the Imperial Court? And one who dares to frequent brothels and keep courtesans? What is the penalty for that?" Li Sanjian laughed heartily, seeing Gao Er’s cowardice.