The Company

Chapter 56: Cang Yu Zao

The frugal Doctor had been experiencing incredibly good luck lately! When his phone screen cracked, he decided not to replace it to save money.

While chewing on his pen and calculating expenses, Doctor felt disheartened seeing the large sum of his annual rent. Strangely enough, Tang Yuan then produced the property deed! When had he bought this house?

With his extraordinarily good fortune, he impulsively bought a lottery ticket that unexpectedly matched the announced jackpot numbers...

Could all this be related to the green bead on the beckoning cat's paw on his bedside table?

※ Year 294 AD ※

Shi Xi tightened his sleeves, wiping the fine sweat from his palms caused by nervousness as he followed closely behind his father into the Wang family mansion.

Today, General Wang Kai was hosting a grand banquet. Shi Xi couldn't understand why his father had brought him, a mere six-year-old.

As the only son born when his father was over forty, Shi Xi had been deeply cherished since childhood. When he was younger, he had never even left their family courtyard. Perhaps realizing there was a problem raising a boy as delicately as a girl, Shi Chong had recently been taking Shi Xi everywhere he went, including today's banquet at the Wang residence.

Though young, Shi Xi performed all the proper etiquette when meeting other adults, albeit somewhat clumsily. His serious, miniature-adult demeanor made him even more endearing. From the moment he entered the Wang mansion, he received various gifts from guests of all ranks.

The Wang family's banquet was held in the largest pavilion within the compound, spacious enough to accommodate over a hundred people. The pavilion was decorated with rockeries and plants. During this beautiful spring season, flowers of all colors were blooming in vibrant competition. Among the floral shadows, dozens of lightly dressed, beautiful dancers with graceful figures moved to the distant, enchanting music. Though their forms were partially obscured by flowering branches, the fluttering sleeves and falling petals created an incomparably gorgeous scene.

Surrounding the pavilion was an artificially excavated emerald pool. After the host announced the seating arrangements, guests crossed the pool via a white jade bridge to reach the central pavilion.

Small boats drifted slowly across the rippling green waters, each carrying several musicians playing flutes, pipes, sheng, zhu, zithers, se, and pipas. The music, sometimes slow and sometimes urgent, enveloped the pavilion and echoed over the water. Since the boats maintained sufficient distance from the central pavilion, the music didn't disturb conversations while creating an ethereal atmosphere. As all boats drifted around the pool, their varying distances from the pavilion created changing harmonies from different instruments, demonstrating exquisite design.

Through the pavilion meandered a winding stream. Using natural terrain and mechanical devices, water from one side of the pool curved through the pavilion before flowing into the other side. Along this stream floated gilded lacquer trays laden with delicacies and carved jade cups filled with fine wines. Banquet guests sat casually along the stream's banks, able to watch the surrounding dancers by looking up and sample delicacies by simply reaching for the floating vessels - an utterly delightful experience.Shi Xi considered himself no stranger to fine things in his own household, but such an extravagantly luxurious scene was his first encounter. He now understood why his father had brought him out to broaden his horizons.

Twisting his little head around, Shi Xi’s eyes darted everywhere as if they couldn’t take in enough. Even after his father had pulled him down to sit for a while, he couldn’t stop looking left and right, particularly fascinated by the ornate vessels drifting along the winding stream before him.

“This is the ‘Winding Stream Banquet,’” Shi Chong explained with a soft chuckle, noticing his son’s interest. Without caring whether Shi Xi could read, he took the boy’s small hand and traced the four characters onto his palm with his finger. Shi Xi had no idea what was being written—it felt more like tickling—but he mumbled the words after his father in a muffled voice. His gaze followed the floating vessels until they reached the edge of the pavilion, where several servants busily retrieved the untouched ones to prevent them from drifting into the pond, at which point he finally looked away, satisfied.

He glanced down at his chubby hands, attempting to snag some food himself, but the attendant beside him was quicker. Whenever his eyes lingered on a particular lacquer tray, the servant would deftly retrieve it for him.

The delicacies on these vessels were exquisitely presented. The meats—game and fowl—were prepared in myriad ways: marinated, stewed, simmered, steamed, roasted, grilled, pan-fried, deep-fried, honey-glazed, fermented, or tossed raw. The fish, freshly caught from the pond, were cooked on boats, offering a taste of unparalleled freshness. These were interspersed with vibrant greens, assorted melons and fruits, and delicate pastries and noodles. With such an overwhelming variety, it was no wonder the Winding Stream Banquet was chosen for the feast.

Once his father gave him permission to eat, Shi Xi’s eyes lit up. Each portion was small, but the sheer variety meant his little belly soon bulged, leaving him to stare helplessly as tray after tray drifted by.

Yet, wouldn’t it be even more agonizing to watch without being able to eat? Rubbing his protruding stomach, Shi Xi sipped peach juice and let his eyes wander to either side. Shi Chong, having exchanged toasts and pleasantries with nearby guests, turned and saw his son’s curious expression. Whether the boy understood or not, he softly began introducing the guests seated along the stream’s banks.

Shi Xi had already seen many of them upon arrival, but there was no harm in reviewing. He carefully matched the greeting gifts tucked in his sleeves with each guest his father named.

“The seats in the mid-to-upper stream are the places of honor,” Shi Chong said, not expecting his son to remember everyone but hoping he’d retain impressions of the key figures. After repeating this quietly a few times, he sighed. “Xi’er, even this Winding Stream Banquet has its intricacies.”

Under his father’s guidance, Shi Xi noticed that the upstream guests hesitated to choose dishes freely, while those downstream enjoyed only what others had passed over. He and his father were seated in the mid-to-lower stream.

“Then, Father, why aren’t we sitting there?” Shi Xi blinked, asking innocently."The seating arrangements were predetermined." Shi Chong took a sip of lychee-green wine, his eyes narrowing in pleasure. This was a fine brew made according to an ancient recipe dating back to the Han Dynasty, using lychee as the main ingredient along with grains. The longer it aged, the deeper the color of the wine. The cup of lychee-green in Shi Chong's hand had already turned nearly jade-green, indicating it had been aged for quite some time—a testament to the profound wealth of the Wang family.

"Then what determines the seating?" Shi Xi couldn't resist leaning over to sniff the wine in his father's cup, only to wrinkle his small nose at the pungent aroma.

"It all boils down to fame and fortune," Shi Chong savored the rich fragrance lingering on his lips and continued with a smile. "Fame refers to reputation and renown, while fortune means wealth and benefits."

Shi Xi barely understood, his clear, bright eyes blinking in confusion.

"Essentially, you must either become wealthy, cultivate exceptional talent, or gain widespread recognition to secure the best seats." Shi Chong glanced toward the bustling upper-middle section, a flicker of longing in his eyes that he quickly concealed.

"Oh, that sounds so complicated... I'm perfectly fine sitting here." Shi Xi smacked his lips, thinking that even the dishes others had picked over offered plenty of variety—more than enough for him to enjoy!

Seeing his son's lack of ambition, Shi Chong sighed inwardly.

Well, if his son wasn't going to strive for greatness, then he would just have to strive harder himself.

Shi Xi shifted his gaze away from the winding stream with floating wine cups and looked around. To be precise, no one else was there just to bury himself in eating like him. Some were engaged in loud debates, others raised their cups to compose poetry, and a few, clearly drunk, had unabashedly wandered into the woods to seek entertainment with dancing girls.

As he stared fixedly toward the woods, a hand suddenly appeared before his eyes, blocking his view, and a finger pressed against his cheek, turning his head back.

"Father..." Shi Xi protested unhappily.

"Xi'er, do not look at what is improper."

Shi Xi wanted to argue further, but the unfolding events left him no time for melancholy.

Someone seemed to have said something, and a group of servants rushed out. A small boat drifting on the pond turned toward the pavilion, and the five musicians on board were escorted over by the servants, kneeling one by one along the winding stream.

What's going on? Shi Xi's eyes lit up, and he craned his neck to get a better look. Unfortunately, his small stature made it impossible to see much even when he stood up, so he pricked up his ears to catch the gossip around him.

"They say Chu Zhong has a keen ear for music—truly living up to his reputation. He actually detected a mistake in the flute melody."

"I heard one of the musicians played a gong note incorrectly as a shang note."

"Tsk, so what if it was wrong? Why point it out? Isn't that embarrassing the Dragon General?"

"This Wang Chu Zhong, after marrying Princess Xiangcheng, climbed the social ladder and now looks down on everyone."

"Not at all, not at all. Rumor has it the Dragon General is Wang Chu Zhong's maternal uncle. They're family—no need to stand on ceremony!"

"Hmph, just wait and see. It's not that simple."

"..."Earlier when Shi Chong made the introductions, he had particularly emphasized the two individuals—the Dragon-soaring General and Wang Chuzhong. Shi Xi easily identified his targets. The Dragon-soaring General was none other than the host of this banquet, Wang Kai, seated in the place of honor. He appeared slightly older than Shi Xi’s father, his face flushed with wine, his eyes narrowed to slits, yet one could still discern a hidden sharpness within them. Shi Xi reached into his sleeve, feeling the small white jade horse inside, matching both the gift and the person.

As for Wang Chuzhong, who had become a consort through marriage, his given name was likely Wang Dun, with the courtesy name Chuzhong. He was the young man seated beside the Dragon-soaring General, Wang Kai. Only in his twenties, he had clear, handsome features and an elegant demeanor, dressed in a long white robe with a tall hat and broad sash—the very picture of refined grace. Though he sat simply with his legs crossed, his back was ramrod straight, making him stand out conspicuously among the others like a crane among chickens.

Shi Xi rummaged through his sleeve but found no gift from this man. He pursed his lips in displeasure.

How stingy!

Moreover, this man clearly had issues. The banquet was bustling with noise, and the small boat was so far from the pavilion—what kind of ears would one need to detect a single wrong note in the music? Just then, the host Wang Kai raised his voice and said, "Chuzhong, you mentioned a wrong note in the flute music, but there are five musicians on that boat. Should we punish all of them? What would be the proper course of action?"

At his words, the idle onlookers on the opposite bank of the winding stream tactfully dispersed, revealing the five musicians kneeling on the ground. Perhaps to ensure the Dragon-soaring General’s voice carried clearly, the music from the boats on the pond ceased abruptly, and even the dancers among the trees stopped their movements, quietly kneeling as well.

In almost an instant, the once lively and noisy banquet fell into a deathly silence. The stark contrast was almost suffocating.

Shi Xi instinctively glanced across the winding stream. The five musicians were all young, dressed in distinctive narrow-sleeved short jackets, both men and women, each holding a flute. It seemed he hadn’t seen clearly from a distance earlier—likely, the musicians on each boat played the same instrument.

Listening to the hushed whispers of the nearby guests, Shi Xi realized that everyone assumed the matter would be dropped, since it’s hard to punish a crowd. After all, it was just a single wrong note—and it might not even be true—so why take it so seriously? Even if a mistake had occurred, questioning the five musicians would lead to one of two scenarios: either they would unanimously point out the one who played the wrong note, or they would start blaming each other. Either outcome would make the situation awkward.

Shi Xi watched with amusement, expecting a spectacle, but to his surprise, Wang Dun simply smiled faintly and pointed slowly toward the opposite bank, saying, "It’s the one in the middle."

All eyes instantly focused on the middle musician—a teenage girl. She hung her head, trembling, offering no defense, as if admitting guilt.

Shi Xi stared in astonishment. Could it be that Wang Dun, Wang Chuzhong, truly possessed extraordinarily sharp ears?

What happened next, however, left everyone present utterly shocked.The young female musician, once singled out, was immediately executed on the spot by a nearby attendant with a blade. The gushing blood instantly stained the bluestone beneath her. The guests all turned pale, but Wang Dun, the instigator of it all, remained unperturbed, calmly sipping his wine.

Shi Xi nearly cried out in horror, but fortunately, Shi Chong, who was beside him, had anticipated this and quickly covered his mouth.

The body of the young female musician was dragged away, the blood swiftly washed clean, and the remaining four musicians were also led away. The eerie atmosphere lasted only a few minutes before music resumed, and the dancers began to twirl gracefully once more. Though the guests appeared somewhat uneasy, they soon returned to clinking glasses and exchanging toasts.

Despite his youth, Shi Xi had witnessed the life and death of pets and understood the terror of mortality. It was precisely because he understood that he was all the more stunned, unable to regain his composure for a long while.

In his daze, Shi Xi overheard someone whispering to his father beside him: "Did that musician truly play a wrong note? But if she was wrongly accused, why didn't she speak up in her defense?"

"People are born into different classes. As a lowly servant, how could she resist authority? The nobles' word is law," Shi Chong remarked with a sigh, raising his wine cup and adding meaningfully, "Everyone, cherish your status."

Shi Xi lifted his head and stared intently at his father, sensing that he had something more to say.

Sure enough, Shi Chong reached out and patted his head, imparting calmly, "Xi'er, all of this might just be a performance. Don't take it too much to heart."

"A performance?"

"Do you remember what I said earlier? Today's guests are all esteemed scholars and refined individuals of our Great Jin Dynasty. With this spectacle, I'm afraid all of Luoyang will know the name Wang Dun, courtesy name Chuzhong, by tomorrow."

"...Is this... for fame?" Shi Xi asked, bewildered.

"Indeed."

Shi Chong was quite pleased with the experience of bringing his son out to broaden his horizons. Though the lesson had been harsh, it seemed to have been effective.

Shi Xi remained in a daze, his young mind tangled in confusion. No matter how exquisite the delicacies or how beautiful the scenery, everything seemed tinged with a thick layer of blood. Perhaps noticing his lack of enthusiasm, Shi Chong led him to take their leave midway through the banquet. They boarded the Shi family's ox-drawn carriage but had not traveled far before it came to a halt.

"Master, someone seeks an audience, offering a treasure in exchange for protection," the Shi family coachman reported in a low voice.

Shi Chong lifted the carriage curtain, and a servant below promptly presented an open Brocade Box. Inside lay a serene green pearl.

Shi Xi glanced at it briefly before looking outside the carriage. He saw a young man kneeling beside the wheel, likely one of the four musicians expelled from the Wang residence due to the incident. Dressed in the Wang family's musician attire, he still held a flute, his clothes stained with blood from the earlier event.

"Musicians of the Wang residence have undergone years of meticulous training. Xi'er, I recall your fondness for the flute. Shall we take him home?" the middle-aged man in purple robes asked casually. He did not bother to consult the musician's opinion, for given his status, he could easily take the pearl, draw his blade, and kill the man if he so displeased him—just like the young female musician who had died earlier. They were not of the same class.Shi Xi didn't know when he had developed a fondness for listening to flute music. For a moment, he didn't know how to respond and could only stare fixedly at the young musician kneeling there.

The latter, as if sensing his gaze, slowly raised his head...

※2※

The deafening "Turkish March" blared from the cellphone on the bedside table. The Doctor abruptly opened his eyes, staring blankly at the ceiling for a long while before fully emerging from the bizarre dream.

Yet unlike ordinary dreams that quickly fade into obscurity, the details of this one grew increasingly vivid as he recalled them.

The winding stream banquet... essentially just conveyor belt sushi! But its sophisticated ambiance was something conveyor belt sushi could never match!

However, the moment the young musician lifted his head, he had woken up, never catching a glimpse of the other's face.

Why... did it bother him so much...

From the dream's perspective, though he could only see the curve of the person's jaw, it felt inexplicably familiar, sending shivers down his spine.

The Doctor lay expressionless for another half-minute amidst the passionate "Turkish March" until Tang Yuan from the next room couldn't stand it anymore and rushed over to turn off his phone alarm.

"Get up! Didn't you say you have surgery this morning? Hurry up and go to work to earn money to support me!" the young Tang Yuan lectured righteously, only to pause in speechless astonishment upon turning around. "Where did this green bead come from? I haven't seen it before—why are you keeping it when it's already broken?"

The lamp base on the bedside table happened to be a Maneki-neko. Resting on the cat's raised paw was a shattered bead, gleaming with a deep, dark green hue in the morning sunlight.

"I don't know either..." The Doctor frowned. He had found the bead in his pocket after returning from Mingde University. For some reason, he hadn't thrown it away but casually placed it by the bed. Now that he thought about it, the bead he saw in the dream, lying in the Brocade Box, was quite similar in color and size to this one.

Was it true that dreams were projections of reality?

But why did he dream of being that child named Shi Xi? And why did he dream of Shi Xi's father...

The Doctor pressed his lips together. He thought that after passing his rebellious phase, he would no longer dream of imaginary parents. Yet deep down, was he still silently yearning for their existence?

His mood remained inexplicably heavy throughout the day at the hospital, burdened with trivial tasks, with no improvement in sight.

It wasn't until nearly the end of his shift that he finally had time to return to his office. Chun Ge, seeing his demeanor, teased him, "Why the long face? Did Junior Ye reject you? I heard the gossip about you two going on a midnight date!"

"Who's spreading such nonsense?" The Doctor was taken aback, then unusually seriously declared, "Don't spread that anymore—it's not good for the girl's reputation.""

Chun Ge raised an eyebrow in surprise, circled the Doctor, and patted his shoulder. "Then what's really bothering you? Staying grim like this isn't like you!"

With a pained expression, the Doctor pulled his phone from his white coat pocket and lamented, "The screen of my new phone is shattered..." The problem was, he had no idea how it had broken—he couldn't recall it at all.

"...My condolences." Chun Ge wiped his face and helplessly punched him lightly. "If the screen's broken, just go get it replaced!"“Replacing the screen with an original one costs nearly two thousand yuan! Although it’s cheaper on Taobao, I don’t dare to just replace it randomly!” The doctor said in frustration. “And I have to pay next year’s rent soon, so I need to be more frugal. Anyway, the phone still works, so I’ll just make do for now.” The doctor scratched his head, but didn’t mention that there was now another person to support at home. Although raising little Tang Yuan didn’t cost much, he still needed to save some emergency funds, just in case.

When it came to financial matters, even close friends couldn’t easily offer advice. Chun Ge could only invite him: “How about having dinner together tonight? But I have to finish my rounds before I can get off work. Bring your little kid along—I’ll treat you both to hot pot!”

“Who eats hot pot in such hot weather…” the doctor complained, but still agreed on a time and place. He called Tang Yuan to come to the hospital, and the two of them waited together for their kind long-legged uncle to finish work and treat them.

In fact, it wasn’t just Chun Ge who noticed the Doctor’s low spirits; Tang Yuan, who spent every day with him, was even more aware of it. After returning home from the hotpot dinner, Tang Yuan noticed the Doctor was unusually scribbling and calculating at his desk. Driven by intense curiosity, Tang Yuan took the opportunity to deliver a glass of water and sneak a glance, immediately realizing he was keeping accounts—apparently, that was the reason.

“What’s this big expense for?” Tang Yuan pointed at the largest number on the page, feeling a pang of distress. His unreliable, food-loving master had tossed him out without even providing an allowance. He began seriously considering whether he should go to his senior brother’s shop to get some antiques to sell, but it seemed his second senior brother wasn’t even around!

“It’s the rent. It’s time to pay next year’s rent. The contract I signed requires paying a full year’s rent upfront,” the Doctor mumbled around the pen in his mouth, his words slightly slurred. Although the rent had been exceptionally cheap when he first leased the place, it increased every year, and paying a whole year’s rent at once was still a significant sum.

The Doctor used his cracked-screen phone as a calculator, tapping away for a long time before realizing that young Tang Yuan hadn’t left but was standing there with a grave expression, head bowed. Surprisingly, even the not-so-sensitive Doctor understood instantly and quickly explained, “Don’t worry, this has nothing to do with you! Even if I hadn’t taken you in, I’d still have to pay the rent. Honestly, supporting you doesn’t cost much at all!”

Tang Yuan looked up, studying the Doctor’s expression intently. The latter promptly put on a sincere smile, completely unaware of how naive and simple-minded he appeared to others. After a moment of scrutiny, Tang Yuan let out a sigh that was far too mature for his age, patted the Doctor on the shoulder, and said with exasperation, “Uncle, you’re not even in menopause yet—how come you’re already getting senile? Have you forgotten what you’ve done?”

The Doctor’s eyes widened in surprise. Just as he was about to ask what was going on, he saw young Tang Yuan, in his little slippers, patter over to the bookcase, pull open a drawer, fish out a document folder, and then patter back to hand it to him.

Curiously flipping through it, the Doctor’s eyes widened even further.

It was a property deed! For the very apartment he was living in! And it bore his own signature!

When did he buy this place?! How could he have no memory of it at all?!

The Doctor felt like he’d entered some kind of fantasy, turning the property deed over and over in his hands. He examined the attached sales contract, name change copies, deed tax invoice, and land certificate repeatedly, and no matter how he looked at it, it all seemed genuine. But where would he have gotten the money to buy a house? He’d only been working for a few years, and the housing prices in this city were sky-high. Even if this place was relatively cheap, there was no way he could have afforded it…

※ Year 295 AD ※

The banquet hosted by General Wang Kai of the Dragon Xiang left a profound impact on Shi Xi. After returning home that day, he inexplicably fell seriously ill. Shi Chong, filled with guilt, never again suggested taking him out. Instead, he often shared stories of his daily experiences upon returning home.Wang Kai's household frequently hosted banquets, and on one occasion, the event surpassed all previous ones in sheer audacity. Wang Kai had devised a new form of entertainment: he ordered dancing girls to urge guests to drink. If a guest declined the wine, it was deemed the dancing girl's failure to perform her duty. His princely household had no use for incompetent dancers—they would be executed on the spot. Even if the guests cared nothing for the beauties' pleas, they had to consider the face of the Dragon Soaring General and drink. Yet when it was Wang Dun's turn, he stubbornly refused to drink. The pleading beauty turned pale with terror, tears streaming down her face, and several dancers were beheaded right in the banquet hall—but Wang Dun remained utterly unmoved.

Thus, at the cost of several lives, Wang Dun finally made his name known throughout Luoyang.

This was Shi Chong's disdainful assessment when he later recounted the event to his son Shi Xi.

Young Shi Xi was too immature to grasp the undertone of envy in his father's words.

The musician who had been expelled from the princely household took up residence with the Shi family. His flute melodies, serene and far-reaching, drifted through the courtyards daily. Though Shi Xi had never particularly cared for flute music, hearing it day after day gradually made it a familiar comfort.

His grandfather, Shi Bao, was a founding minister of the Jin dynasty. Upon his death, he distributed his wealth among his descendants—yet Shi Xi's father, Shi Chong, received not a single coin.

Shi Xi had always thought his family was wealthy, but after visiting the residence of Dragon Soaring General Wang Kai, he understood the difference between clouds and mud.

Soon enough, however, his father began rising through the ranks.

He was appointed General of the Southern Gentlemen, Inspector of Jing Province, concurrently holding the title of Commandant of the Southern Tribes, with the additional honor of Soaring Eagle General.

Shi Xi didn't comprehend the weight of responsibilities these lengthy titles entailed, but his father returned home later each day. Even when he did return, he would visit other concubines instead of coming to Shi Xi's courtyard. The boy scarcely saw his father once or twice a month.

Correspondingly, the Shi family grew prosperous. Their estate expanded and was renovated, new villas were built elsewhere, and priceless decorations and artifacts—gifts from others—filled the halls. Exquisite delicacies crowded their dining tables.

Yet without his father's company, Shi Xi found these delicacies less satisfying than the simple four-dish-and-soup meals of before.

"Young master, why are you unhappy?" The enchanting flute music ceased as a melodious male voice carried from the corridor.

Shi Xi set down his chopsticks, wiped his mouth with a silk handkerchief, and gazed at the empty hall. Like a miniature adult, he sighed softly. With the flute silent and the hall quiet, faint strains of reed pipes and flutes drifted from other courtyards, making his own space feel even more desolate and solemn.

Shi Xi turned toward the source of the music, his small face clouded. He knew that courtyard belonged to a dancer named Green Pearl, renowned throughout Luoyang for her "Dance of the Enlightened Ruler," and deeply favored by his father.

"Musician, was it you who recommended Green Pearl?" Shi Xi asked stiffly, enunciating each word. Others might not have noticed, but he remembered that emerald pearl—he had never actually received it. Not long after, a dancer named Green Pearl had mysteriously appeared in the Shi household.

"To answer the young master, it was a transaction between your father and me," the musician replied, his voice still calm and unhurried, showing no trace of irritation at being exposed. "He desired unparalleled wealth, so I presented him with Green Pearl.""...Then what did you trade?" Shi Xi didn't believe it at all - this musician was probably treating him like a child. Although he was indeed a child, he wasn't that naive. If this musician really had such extraordinary abilities, why would he remain a musician whose life and death were controlled by others?

Of course, it was for companionship in this lifetime.

The musician fell silent, likely knowing that whatever he said, this young master of the Shi family wouldn't take it seriously.

Shi Xi wasn't angered by this - he was naturally easygoing and treated these words as casual banter. Gazing melancholically at the star-filled night sky, he asked in confusion: "Musician, are fame and fortune really so intoxicating to people?" He couldn't understand it, nor could he see through it. But he wasn't actually seeking an answer, immediately following with a self-mocking smile: "Perhaps I'll understand when I grow up."

The response came as an extremely complex sigh from beneath the corridor.

He dreamed of that dynasty again.

Lying in bed, the Doctor recalled that in tonight's dream, the cute shota seemed to be in low spirits.

For several consecutive days, he had dreamed of the same dynasty, the same protagonist.

If it were anyone else, dreaming every night about another person's life would have driven them to mental collapse or made them question reality long ago. But for some reason, the Doctor adapted quite well, even looking forward to what he might dream each night. He had started going to bed over two hours earlier, maintaining an exceptionally healthy sleep schedule. He also discovered that for some unknown reason, he never had these dreams when sleeping in the hospital's duty room - only when sleeping at home.

This was actually quite nice - watching free ancient dramas every night.

The Doctor had been in excellent spirits lately. Not only had he saved a large amount on rent by unexpectedly acquiring a house, but he had also received a hospital bonus for consistently successful surgeries meeting targets, along with a substantial raise in his base salary.

At his core, he had a commoner's mentality - more money meant he could buy more delicious food!

The Doctor felt his recent luck was absolutely phenomenal! While walking on the street, he passed by a lottery shop and, as if possessed, went in and bought a lottery ticket.

But he regretted it immediately after purchasing. Placing hopes on such minuscule odds was completely unlike something his intelligent self would do!

He casually stuffed the ticket into his wallet and put the matter out of his mind, treating it as a contribution to welfare causes.

※ 298 AD ※

Shi Xi walked expressionlessly along the waterside pavilion of Golden Valley Garden.

Golden Valley Garden was the villa his father had built over recent years. Though called a villa, it was actually a massive private garden built by enclosing an entire valley against the slopes of Mang Mountain. It incorporated natural streams while adding newly dug canals that wound down from the mountains, meandering around various pavilions and towers. These buildings were all filled with beautiful women of every description. During mealtimes, lacquer boxes would be placed directly into the streams from the mountaintop, allowing the women to retrieve them at will. Any unclaimed boxes that drifted downstream reached the area where the Shi family's servants lived, providing them with meals.

If Wang Kai's household only played the "floating wine cups along winding streams" game in their central pavilion during banquets, then the Shi family played it every single day.Shi Chong frequently invited literati and scholars to the Golden Valley Garden for poetry recitals and banquets, day and night, immediately overshadowing the Wang family's gatherings, earning it the renowned title of the Golden Valley Assembly. It is said that a collection titled Golden Valley Poems was published as a result, for which Shi Chong personally wrote the preface. The Golden Valley Garden was also designated one of the Ten Scenic Spots of Luoyang, celebrated far and wide.

Shi Xi's life grew increasingly extravagant, yet he became even more unhappy. At ten years old, he had long been disillusioned by repeated disappointments in his father. His father once proudly declared that while he used to take Shi Xi out to broaden his horizons, now he could simply stay in the Golden Valley Garden to meet everyone worth meeting.

But Shi Xi wanted no part of such a life.

What would he do when he grew up? Inherit the vast fortune and indulge in a life of luxury like his father?

Lately, his father had been competing with Wang Kai in displays of wealth, vying to prove who was richer.

If the Wang family washed their pots with sugar water, the Shi family used white wax as firewood for cooking.

If the Wang family used purple silk fabric to create a forty-li screen, the Shi family would use even more expensive brocade for a fifty-li screen.

If Wang Kai coated his walls with red wax, the Shi family used pepper-infused mud for theirs.

...

This relentless one-upmanship of squandering fortunes was utterly staggering—truly a case of "wealthy and reckless!"

For Shi Xi, however, he detested these ostentatious contests, yet his father reveled in them, and the entire Shi household was united in their determination to outdo the Wang family. Today, Wang Kai had come to the Golden Valley Garden in person, reportedly leading a delegation straight from the palace.

"Young master, that General of the Rear even sought help from the emperor—what a sore loser," chattered the servant guiding Shi Xi, who was well-informed and had been gossiping for a while. General of the Rear was Wang Kai's current official title.

To think even the emperor had been drawn into this—Shi Xi's youthful face grew solemn.

The servant, mistaking his master's concern for worry over his father's chances, quickly added, "Don't fret, young master! Even if the emperor gets involved, it won't make a difference!"

Hearing this confident assertion, Shi Xi's expression darkened further.

What kind of arrogance was this? To disregard the ruler of the nation so blatantly?

Or perhaps, it was a lament for how far the country had declined—that instead of putting a stop to such wasteful and harmful competitions, the emperor would openly support them!

Within the Golden Valley Garden stood the Chongqi Tower, a hundred zhang high, built specifically for Green Pearl. This tower epitomized extravagance; every imaginable jewel could be found throughout, a testament to Green Pearl's favored status. Whenever guests arrived, banquets were typically held in the pavilion at the tower's base, and today was no exception.

As Shi Xi arrived, he happened to see Wang Kai showing off a two-foot-tall coral tree to the visiting guests.

A treasure like a coral tree was something most people had never even laid eyes on. It was said to be produced only in the deep waters of the South Sea, counted among the Seven Treasures of Buddhism, symbolizing auspiciousness and wealth—a rare gem indeed. Moreover, the coral tree Wang Kai had brought was lush with branches, deep red like blood, and two feet tall, making it an exceptionally scarce rarity in the world.

No wonder Wang Kai wore a triumphant expression, having summoned all the literati and scholars of Luoyang to the Golden Valley Garden to flaunt it before the crowd.Upon seeing the scene, Shi Xi frowned and instinctively wanted to stand by his father’s side. However, Wang Kai had invited far too many guests today, and everyone was eager to join the excitement. Being young and frail, Shi Xi couldn’t squeeze his way through the crowd. In fact, he was so short that he couldn’t even see what was happening inside.

Just as he was fretting, someone grabbed his wrist and pulled him toward the outskirts. Shi Xi struggled slightly at first, but once he recognized who it was, he obediently followed the person to the artificial hill outside the pavilion. From this vantage point, he could see the entire pavilion clearly. Still, Shi Xi pursed his lips and protested, "I need to go to my father before the situation gets out of hand..."

"It’s already too late..." the musician sighed softly.

Shi Xi was startled and immediately turned his gaze to the center of the pavilion, just in time to see his father casually raise his hand and shatter the priceless coral tree with the ruyi scepter he was holding.

The crowd erupted in an uproar.

Shi Xi staggered, dizzy, and nearly fell right off the artificial hill. Fortunately, the musician beside him had been prepared and swiftly caught his small frame.

Wang Kai flew into a rage, pointing at Shi Chong and hurling veiled accusations, insinuating that he couldn’t accept defeat and had resorted to destruction.

Shi Chong, however, seemed unperturbed. He handed the ruyi scepter to a servant and said calmly, "It’s not worth all this fuss. I’ll repay you with another one."

No sooner had he spoken than several servants filed out of Chongqi Tower, carrying multiple coral trees. Each one was taller and more luxuriant than the one Wang Kai had brought. Among them were seven coral trees standing three to four feet tall. The pots of coral trees were arranged in circles across the pavilion, gleaming magnificently under the sunlight, their radiance so dazzling it was hard to keep one’s eyes open.

In contrast, the fragments of the shattered coral tree lay scattered on the ground, trampled underfoot.

Wang Kai was left speechless, too ashamed to demand compensation, and retreated in embarrassment.

Shi Chong smiled triumphantly and invited the guests to stay for a banquet. However, since the crowd of onlookers was so large, Shi Chong decided to host the feast elsewhere. He ordered the servants to move all the coral trees to the new venue, creating an unprecedented coral banquet. No doubt, after today, many poems and songs celebrating coral would emerge.

After Shi Chong led the way, the guests hurried to follow, and in no time, the pavilion was empty, leaving only the pile of coral fragments lying in the dust.

Shi Xi did not join them. Leaning against the rocky hill for support, he struggled to steady himself, his mind drifting back to years ago when his father had taken him to a banquet at Wang Kai’s residence.

How was today’s spectacle any different from that day?

The difference was that Wang Dun had earned his fame by treating human life as worthless.

This time, his father Shi Chong would soon become famous throughout Luoyang for treating wealth as dirt.

Heh, perhaps he would even leave a notable mark in the history books because of it.

"Fame is the renown and reputation, profit is the gain and advantage..." Shi Xi murmured to himself. "Are these two words—fame and profit—so intoxicating to the world?"

This was a question the musician couldn’t answer years ago, and he still couldn’t answer it now.

Dejected, Shi Xi descended from the artificial hill and left unhappily. He had no desire to attend the so-called coral banquet, but he also lacked the strength to openly defy his father, whose authority loomed large in the household.After Shi Xi left, a graceful woman slowly emerged from Chongqi Tower. Her beauty was striking, clad in a cyan Long Robe with several embroidered ribbons adorning the hem, which swayed gently with her steps, creating an elegant and alluring rhythm. Every gesture she made seemed like a dance, imbued with a captivating cadence. The only adornment on her person was a hairpin adorned with a green pearl tucked into her hair, with no other jewelry in sight.

A true beauty needs no jewels to shine brilliantly.

Had she appeared in the pavilion earlier, even the numerous coral trees could not have overshadowed her radiance.

This woman was none other than Lü Zhu, renowned as the most beautiful in Luoyang. A date-red silk shawl draped casually over her shoulders, she strode quickly to the center of the pavilion. Her exquisite face, usually sweet and charming, now showed a mix of resentment and regret, burning with anger.

Lü Zhu bent down to pick up a fragment of the coral tree, gently wiping away the dust with her jade-like hand: "Even if it hasn't yet condensed a spirit, it's still a treasure formed over centuries by gathering the essence of heaven and earth. How dare he..."

"Things too easily obtained are never cherished by humans," the musician said calmly as he descended from the rockery. Perhaps such an outcome was within his expectations. Glancing at Lü Zhu, whose anger was hard to quell, he knew a warning would be of little use, but he still spoke gravely, "Be patient. Shi Chong still has ten years of life left. Do not harm yourself over mortals."

"He is the one I chose. I understand," Lü Zhu said with an air of nonchalance, yet in her sleeve, she secretly clenched the coral fragment tightly.

Doctor woke up groggily, running a hand through his bird's nest-like hair. The dazzling coral trees from his dream seemed to still be spinning before his eyes.

But how could that person just casually shatter the coral trees?

For some reason, Doctor felt an inexplicable anger rising within him, which was completely out of character for him.

No matter how beautiful the coral trees were, they were just inanimate objects. For someone as wealthy as that tycoon, breaking them was as trivial as smashing a cup.

Yet Doctor couldn't shake his irritation.

Those ancient people certainly knew how to entertain themselves—whether it was Wang Dun beheading a beauty to urge others to drink or Shi Chong flaunting his wealth, it was all just for show.

Yes, he had already looked up the dynasty in which this dream series was set. As for why he dreamed of another person's life every night, Doctor couldn't figure it out. But since it didn't affect his real life, he didn't dwell on it.

The passionate "Turkish March" rang out once more. Doctor picked up his phone and realized this was already the third alarm. Strange, why hadn't Tang Yuan come to his room to protest today?

After washing up, Doctor found young Tang Yuan sitting on the living room sofa, staring blankly at a newspaper. Curious, he walked over and noticed that, besides the newspaper, there was a welfare lottery ticket on the coffee table in front of Tang Yuan—one he had bought a few days ago.

Doctor felt a bit embarrassed. Buying lottery tickets didn't seem like something a rational surgeon like him would do. He was about to make up an excuse, like someone else had bought it and shoved it at him, when Tang Yuan suddenly sprang to his feet. His eyes lit up as he grabbed the lottery ticket and rushed over."Uncle! We won the lottery! The first prize!" Tang Yuan was practically incoherent. Although he had lived in seclusion with his master for the past few years, he still understood how important money was in this world. Moreover, this sudden windfall—the amount was so large it almost made him apprehensive.

The doctor's first reaction was to pinch his thigh.

Ouch... that hurt!

This actually wasn't a dream!

※Year 300 AD※

Standing atop the Chongqi Tower, Green Pearl gazed into the distance at the gradually setting sun, her stunningly beautiful face displaying a deathly calm. Hearing rhythmic footsteps approaching from the staircase behind her, she didn't turn around but instead asked softly, "Has he left already?"

The one who reached the rooftop was the musician. He had been with the Shi family for six years, yet his appearance remained as youthful as when he first arrived, completely unchanged.

Green Pearl was the same.

One often remained hidden from public view, while the other, though celebrated as the renowned courtesan of Luoyang, appeared radiant and vibrant whenever she met others, leading people to assume she merely adorned herself with cosmetics.

"He's gone."

The musician spoke calmly, yet his eyes held an unconcealable sorrow.

"Never living past the age of twelve—humans are truly too fragile," Green Pearl remarked with a sigh. Looking down from the Chongqi Tower, she could already see the white funeral banners raised over Shi Xi's Valley Residence, accompanied by faint sounds of weeping. She felt a twinge of regret, for that Shi Xi had been quite soft and endearing.

The musician fell silent for a long while, quietly watching the sunset dye the clouds at the horizon a brilliant crimson, gradually pulling himself away from his grief. He had ascended the Chongqi Tower for another matter entirely.

"Green Pearl, Shi Chong still has eight years of life left. Why are you doing this?" The musician was puzzled by her actions. Shi Chong's fate was not yet sealed, yet Green Pearl had deliberately spread word that his sudden wealth was due to her. As expected, someone came demanding her, and Shi Chong refused to surrender her, even at the cost of his life. To those unaware of the truth, it seemed the suitor was merely coveting Green Pearl's beauty, but that was far from the case.

Green Pearl's true form was, in fact, a piece of dark green jade pendants.

The Book of Rites: Jade Pendants states: "The Son of Heaven wears jade pendants, twelve strings of beads, extending deeply front and back." These so-called jade pendants were small jade ornaments strung into tassels, each tassel bearing twelve pieces of five-colored jade arranged in the order of vermilion, plain white, dark green, orange-yellow, and jet black. Twelve such tassels were woven together, hanging front and back from the emperor's crown.

The earliest crown in history belonged to the Yellow Emperor. He possessed five fragments of the five-colored stones left over from Nüwa's mending of the sky, which he polished into jade pendants and woven into his crown. Only these five jade pendants held true essence, but aside from the Yellow Emperor himself, no one knew which five among the 288 jade pendants on the crown were special.

These five jade pendants—vermilion, plain white, dark green, orange-yellow, and jet black—represented birth, death, wealth, provisions, and military forces, the five most critical elements for a ruler governing a nation. They were the true Son of Heaven's jade pendants.

The Yellow Emperor's crown was eventually destroyed in the turmoil of war, its 288 jade pendants scattered and divided. The five true essence-bearing Son of Heaven jade pendants were lost to history. No one knew why the crown was adorned with five-colored jade tassels, but they followed ancient rites, imitating the form without understanding the substance. Gradually, five-colored jade became exceedingly rare, and after the late Han Dynasty, the twelve tassels on the emperor's crown were strung only with white jade beads.

Green Pearl was one of the five Son of Heaven jade pendants—the dark green jade pendant. Over millennia, she passed through many hands until, a few years ago, she took human form. The musician had stumbled upon her identity by chance but harbored no desire to possess her.

The jade pendants choose their own masters, yet obtaining one does not necessarily bring good fortune. Acquisition and protection are two different concepts—bearing such treasure invites danger, and not everyone can see it through to a peaceful end.

"Why is human greed endless and insatiable?" Green Pearl lowered her head, stroking the railing before her. Every brick and tile of the Chongqi Tower was crafted from the finest materials, even the railings carved from rare white jade, shimmering with a hazy glow under the evening sky.The musician fell silent, for he too was human and naturally understood what greed meant. The very reason he still existed in this world was because of the persistence of greed.

"Previous masters I could not communicate with—they either wore me as an ornament or left me dusty in a box. Without exception, once they obtained unexpected wealth, they would harbor evil thoughts."

"Some slaughtered innocents indiscriminately, others wantonly destroyed things."

"Then what is the purpose of my existence..."

"Green Pearl..." The musician hesitated, unsure how to offer comfort. Spiritual beings of heaven and earth were not like humans, raised by parents and teachers. They were formed by gathering the essence of the universe, naturally developing their own code of conduct when their spirits took shape. But if they became trapped in obsessive thoughts, they could easily turn into evil entities.

Ironically, the distinction between spiritual beings and evil entities was simply based on whether they benefited humans or not.

The musician had no standing to persuade her. After standing silently for a long moment, he sighed deeply, turned, and slowly descended the stairs.

Green Pearl remained leaning against the railing. The setting sun was now half-hidden below the horizon, its fading light unable to illuminate her face, which had already fallen into madness.

Step by step, the musician moved away from Chongqi Tower. Just as the last rays of sunlight vanished, a heavy thud echoed from behind him.

Screams erupted as maids cried out, "Green Pearl has jumped from the tower!" But the musician didn't pause. A pale green bead, already cracked, rolled past his feet. He merely glanced at it indifferently before resolutely walking out of Golden Valley Garden.

"To transform from a spiritual being that enjoyed bestowing wealth upon others into an evil entity that delights in watching people descend into madness over riches... Tsk, so this is where the Sea Jade Algae ended up." A monotone voice spoke in the Doctor's room. Had Tang Yuan been present, he would have exclaimed that this was the senior apprentice who forced his master to throw him out.

Zhao Gao examined the Sea Jade Algae placed on the Maneki-neko's paw, uncertain whether the person who found it knew the bead's history. Otherwise, why would they position it so fittingly on the lucky cat's paw?

However, as he scanned the cramped room barely large enough to turn around in, he smiled self-deprecatingly.

He was being too suspicious—it was probably just a coincidence.

Without any hesitation, Zhao Gao pocketed the Sea Jade Algae, completely unbothered by taking someone else's property. After all, this was an evil entity—the owner should thank him for removing it!

As he turned to leave, he failed to notice a small white snake tightly coiled in a bamboo basket in the corner, trembling as it watched him.

Not long after Zhao Gao departed, the Doctor and young Tang Yuan returned.

Both hung their heads in dejection, each more disappointed than the other.

"What the hell? Is this some kind of joke? Uncle, the lottery numbers you bought were from the previous draw! How come they match exactly with this week's winning numbers?" The young boy wiped his face, convinced the Doctor was playing a prank on him. "If you had the same numbers, why didn't you buy them again for this draw?"

"How was I supposed to know..." The Doctor was equally frustrated—he had truly chosen those numbers randomly. If he'd bought them two days later, would he have become a billionaire?However, unexpected windfalls aren't necessarily blessings one can enjoy. The optimistic Doctor quickly adjusted his mood, patting Tang Yuan's head as he comforted him: "No prize means no prize, but your uncle can still afford to treat you to a buffet! Let's go!"

"Oh yeah! I want to eat at a five-star hotel buffet!" Tang Yuan immediately revived on the spot.

"...Let's go." The Doctor silently touched his wallet with tears in his eyes, thankful that he remembered children under 130cm get half-price at buffets...

Wait, has this kid Tang Yuan grown taller again?

Tears...

(End of Chapter)