The night grew gradually deeper. He Bang slept soundly. Rong Chen Zi, taking advantage of the surrounding quiet, carried her back to the bedchamber. Ye Tian was sound asleep — remarkably so. Rong Chen Zi, fearing He Bang had done something mischievous, reached out to check, and finding nothing amiss, finally set his mind at ease.

He Bang rested in his arms, sleeping with a dead-to-the-world heaviness. Rong Chen Zi gently set her on the inner bed, and her snow-white, soft little fingers still clung tightly to the front of his robe even in the depths of sleep. He carefully pried that small hand open, pulled the blanket over her, and covered her up. As he was about to leave, he glanced at her sleeping face — and suddenly leaned down to press a light kiss to her forehead.

Seeing that she did not stir, he slipped out of the bedchamber without a sound, gently closed the door, and with one sweep of his robe sleeve, latched the bolt from the inside.

The sound of his footsteps gradually faded into the distance. The great He Bang opened her eyes. The moonlight seeped through the window paper, cool and languid, light and shadow swaying gently. She had just absorbed Rong Chen Zi’s primordial essence, and her lower abdomen was warm and cozy, her body free of any tiredness whatsoever. She let out a yawn and smacked her lips — she should have seized the opportunity just now to ask him for a bite of meat. These past two days he’s been particularly agreeable, and he probably would have given her one bite of meat…

The next day, Ye Tian was up extremely early. With guests of distinction present, Elder Liu naturally had to rise early as well to attend to them, and the entire Liu Mansion was busy and bustling long before daybreak. Only that great He Bang had no sense of occasion at all, sleeping all the way until the sun was three poles high — still not up by the end of the si hour!

In the end it was Rong Chen Zi, worried she would go hungry, who had Ye Tian shake her awake.

Elder Liu had come prepared. Today he had arranged a banquet in the rear garden. It was the early part of autumn, and yellow flowers filled the courtyard. Lotus colors were fading in the garden lake, and Elder Liu had set up the banquet in the courtyard, specially inviting Reverend Jiye and Rong Chen Zi to share a meal together.

The banquet followed strict protocols of seating order. Jiye, being of higher virtue and standing, went directly and sat in the seat of honor, and Elder Liu found it difficult to say otherwise. He showed Rong Chen Zi to the second seat. Female family members would ordinarily withdraw from such occasions, but Elder Liu had ulterior motives, so he arranged a separate row of seats beside the main table, gathering over ten concubines, six sons, three daughters, and various other relatives all together.

Ye Tian, along with Qingsu and Qing Ling, were all guests, and their status was naturally elevated accordingly. Qing Ling and Qingsu were arranged at a table with Elder Liu’s sons, while Ye Tian was seated alongside Lady Liu and Madam Liu. Everyone had already taken their seats when the great He Bang at last arrived, fashionably late.

Elder Liu had prepared a change of clothing for everyone, and today she wore a set of lotus-leaf green long robes. The collar was V-shaped, the opening quite wide, her shoulders nearly half-exposed. She had chosen not to wear a shoulder shawl, wearing only a string of white pearl necklace around her neck. Each pearl was perfectly round, their luster reflecting against her snow-white skin, making her even more radiant.

She came walking through a garden full of autumn blossoms — not gaudy, not stark, yet emanating a distinctly fresh and elegant quality, like that full pond of lotuses blooming quietly on this golden October day. Everyone’s gaze froze for just a moment. Even a seasoned veteran among flowers like Elder Liu could not help but feel his heart give a little lurch. But in front of others, no one dared steal more than a glance at her.

This river clam bounced over like a little deer and leaned against Rong Chen Zi, about to sit herself down. Rong Chen Zi was inherently strait-laced, and the women he had encountered were either cultivators of the Dao like Ye Tian, or else daughters of respectable households. How could he be expected to accept this kind of attire? That tender whiteness of jade-like bare shoulders and the valley partially glimpsed within the V-neckline sent a surge of blood straight to his head. He was immediately vexed and said quietly: “You — you — what kind of appearance is this? Go back quickly and change your clothes!”

He Bang paid him no heed and sat down directly beside him. Then suddenly her eyes went wide, fixed on Reverend Jiye.

One look at her gaze and Rong Chen Zi knew things were about to go wrong. Before he could stop her, this creature had already opened her mouth: “Where has this great monk come from, to be so ignorant of proper conduct! Our Zhiguan is present — how can you presume to sit in the seat of honor? Get up at once!!”

Though her reprimand was loud and clear, her expression was as guileless as a headstrong little beast’s. Reverend Jiye found himself momentarily unable to respond in anger — quarreling with a woman would diminish the solemn dignity of his sacred countenance. He showed a flicker of discomfiture, and by then Rong Chen Zi had already pulled He Bang firmly down to her seat and said sharply: “Mind your manners.”

Reverend Jiye in the seat of honor pressed his palms together and intoned Amitabha: “This poor monk and Zhiguan Rong are both those who have left the household world. In our eyes there are only seats — what is there of higher or lower precedence?”

Most people knew when to leave well enough alone, but this great He Bang was the sort who liked to take things to their logical conclusion. She blinked her eyes and immediately retorted: “Then stand up, and let our Zhiguan sit in your spot!”

Reverend Jiye was at a complete loss between amusement and exasperation. Rong Chen Zi picked up a piece of walnut crisp and placed it on He Bang’s plate, and her attention was immediately diverted. Only then did Rong Chen Zi return the courtesy: “Infinite Celestial Worthiness. The Buddha’s magnanimity encompasses all things. Reverend Jiye is a venerable monk of great virtue — how could he not bear the weight of a mere seat of honor? Great Reverend, please do not lower yourself to take offense at her.”

Reverend Jiye naturally exchanged politenesses for a while. That vegetarian banquet was thus consumed in an atmosphere of mild peculiarity.

That river clam was focused solely on stuffing things into her mouth. Elder Liu, observing her close relationship with Rong Chen Zi, naturally paid extra attention: “We do not know what the young lady likes to eat most — this old man will have the kitchen prepare more dishes according to the young lady’s taste…”

That river clam looked left and right, then pointed her fair hand directly at Rong Chen Zi, answering without the slightest hesitation: “Him!”

Everyone at the table went awkward at once, and Rong Chen Zi nearly spat out a mouthful of tea. He could not help but say quietly: “Don’t talk nonsense.”

Elder Liu had his own designs, and naturally seized the moment to ask: “Reverend Ye is the Zhiguan’s junior sister — this old man is acquainted with her. But may this old man ask who this young lady is and what she is called, and whether she is the Zhiguan’s…”

Rong Chen Zi was about to speak when He Bang jumped in first. The moment she began to answer, even Qingsu covered his eyes. She answered cleanly and decisively: “I am his cultivation vessel.”

The entire table fell into awkward silence. Even Reverend Jiye covered his face with his sleeve, using the pretense of drinking tea to hide his laughter. Rong Chen Zi found it impossible to confirm, yet equally impossible to deny, and could only clear his throat drily, steeling his face. That river clam swallowed the pastry in her mouth and turned to ask Qingsu: “By the way, what is a cultivation vessel anyway?”

Qingsu coughed vigorously: “A cultivation vessel, well… um…” He thought about it for half a moment, then adopted the same smooth evasiveness he had learned from his senior brother, and answered with righteous conviction: “In ancient times, the realm was divided into nine provinces, and nine bronze cauldrons were cast — one cauldron representing one province, and the nine cauldrons together representing all under heaven. A cultivation vessel… means something of extraordinary and immeasurable value, I suppose…”

This explanation left He Bang thoroughly satisfied: “Of course This Seat is of extraordinary value — surely you don’t think I’m just an ordinary river clam…”

While those two chatted away, Elder Liu had been quietly forming little thoughts of his own — so it was true that Zhiguan Rong did indeed use a cultivation vessel. The rumors from the outside world had seemed unbelievable at first, but now he had seen it with his own eyes. His heart held one part delight and one part worry. Delight, because a man capable of choosing such a cultivation vessel was clearly someone who appreciated beauty — convincing him to accept his daughter would thus not be too difficult. Worry, because this cultivation vessel of his was extraordinarily beautiful. Even his own aging bones could not help but feel restless at the sight of her — so if his daughter were truly to marry into this household, how would this obstacle be removed…

Of course, Rong Chen Zi knew nothing of his thoughts at that moment. Had he known, he would certainly have added one thing on Elder Liu’s behalf — Elder Liu, you’re thinking too much…

Before the banquet was halfway through, Elder Liu began steering toward his actual objective: “The Buddha seeks to deliver all living beings, and the way of the immortals also speaks of delivering oneself and delivering others. I wonder which of the two schools is the more profound.”

Jiye, having somewhat taken to avoiding He Bang, did not respond. But Rong Chen Zi was unhurried and unruffled, and replied with equanimity: “The Buddha has no east or west, the Dao has no north or south. All methods of antiquity are equal — how is there any talk of higher or lower?”

Elder Liu stroked his beard with a nod: “The Reverend speaks most wisely. However, having had the fortune to meet two such distinguished figures today, why not have them demonstrate a small technique or two to open this old man’s eyes — to let me witness the mysteries of the Buddhist and Daoist paths? What say the two Reverends to this?”

Rong Chen Zi could tell he was stirring up a desire to see a contest of techniques, and was immediately somewhat displeased, and did not take the bait. But Reverend Jiye, rarely encountering a worthy opponent, was in high spirits at this moment: “In that case, please have the host erect two ceremonial platforms three zhang and three chi in height, and we shall demonstrate some small techniques for entertainment. What does Zhiguan think?”

Before Rong Chen Zi could answer, He Bang leaned over: “A ceremonial platform three zhang and three chi high — what’s the fun in not being able to see anything?”

Rong Chen Zi once again placed food on He Bang’s plate for her, his tone gentle and composed: “As Reverend Jiye has extended the invitation, how could this poor Daoist decline? Only, since these are minor techniques shown for entertainment, the platforms may be dispensed with — there is no need to make a great production of it.”

Reverend Jiye fingered the Buddhist beads at his neck, his smile benevolent: “As Zhiguan says.”

The two of them left the table, drawing the gaze of everyone present.

The great He Bang held a cassia sugar steamed chestnut cake in her left hand and a rose drink in her right, her eyes bright and sparkling: “Zhiguan, do your best — you can’t lose to the big monk!”

Rong Chen Zi moved the pastries and fruits from in front of himself over to her side and said nothing in response. It was Ye Tian who showed some degree of worry, rising from her seat and coming forward: “Senior Brother, Reverend Jiye is also a greatly esteemed senior monk of considerable renown. Please take every care.”

Rong Chen Zi gave a slight nod and pressed his hands together in a single-handed salute: “In that case, Reverend, please begin.”

Jiye in his straw sandals and kasaya, leaning on his meditation staff, also pressed his palms together in return: “Zhiguan, please.”