Spring's Radiance

Wang Chongwen drove Fu Guan out and bolted the door securely, his face beaming with a smile as he strode into the house.

"You frightened me," Wu Suniang said upon seeing Wang Chongwen enter.

"Miss Wu, do not worry. I have closed all the garden gates; no one will be able to come in," Wang Chongwen reassured her.

"Thank you for your trouble, Young Master Wang," Wu Suniang replied, bowing politely.

"Not at all," Wang Chongwen continued, "Miss Wu, you have traveled all night and must be hungry. Please, have something to eat."

Wu Suniang, graceful and reserved, walked to the table and took a seat, placing her bundle on the chair beside her. Wang Chongwen poured some tea and filled a cup of wine for Wu Suniang, then poured one for himself.

The two drank together, smiling, their eyes meeting.

"Having fallen on hard times, I am deeply indebted to Young Master Wang for such kindness. I truly do not know how I can ever repay you," Wu Suniang said, cheeks flushed from the wine, her beauty enhanced, stirring Wang Chongwen's heart.

"Miss Wu, we help each other in adversity, and moreover..." Wang Chongwen sighed, "I must confess, I too am an unfortunate soul."

"Young Master Wang, you as well?" Wu Suniang poured him more wine, asking gently.

"To be honest, Miss Wu, my life has been fraught with hardship. Though I am well versed in literature, my pursuit of honors has been fruitless; I have failed the examinations time and again," Wang Chongwen sighed, taking a cup of wine from the table and draining it in one swallow.

"So Young Master Wang is a talent yet to be recognized," Wu Suniang said with a smile, "You need not be anxious. Throughout history, many men of wisdom achieved greatness later in life. Surely, your day of prosperity will come." She filled his cup again.

"If that day ever comes, it will be thanks to you, Miss Wu," Wang Chongwen said respectfully, clasping his hands.

"How could I possibly help you achieve your ambitions?" Wu Suniang replied, covering her face with a shy smile.

Her gesture stirred Wang Chongwen's heart.

"If you are willing to help, it would be as easy as turning your hand," Wang Chongwen said quickly, his face flushed.

"Young Master Wang, please speak," Wu Suniang prompted.

"Your esteemed father is the chief examiner in our provincial capital, responsible for selecting talented scholars, wielding great authority." As he spoke of great authority, Wang Chongwen gestured with his right hand and continued, "If you would but speak a few kind words to your father, success in the provincial examination would be assured. I wonder if you..."

He paused, looking at Wu Suniang.

Wu Suniang smiled alluringly, "To repay your kindness, I will surely do my utmost."

---

Upon hearing this, Wang Chongwen rose, clasped his hands and bowed, "Thank you, Miss Wu." He grabbed his robe, about to kneel, but Wu Suniang quickly stood and helped him up.

Their eyes met again, hands resting on their elbows, before they swiftly parted. Wu Suniang's cheeks flushed, further stirring Wang Chongwen's heart.

She noticed the zither beside the writing desk, walked over, and sat at its side, beginning to play. In these times, even ghosts must be versatile.

Wang Chongwen approached, watching Wu Suniang play, listening to the beautiful melody.

"Miss Wu, your skill with the zither is profound," Wang Chongwen praised after she finished.

"I am merely showing off before a master," Wu Suniang replied, lowering her gaze, unable to meet his eyes.

"You are too modest. Your music is a rare delight seldom heard in this world," Wang Chongwen smiled, continuing his praise.

"So, Young Master Wang is a true connoisseur?" Wu Suniang asked, then suddenly pressed her hand to her forehead, "Oh!"

"Miss Wu, what is wrong?" Wang Chongwen hurried forward to support her, feeling a burning heat in his abdomen, his heart stirred as he asked. With only the two of them alone in the garden, he was tempted but restrained himself for the sake of Wu Suniang's father.

"I feel dizzy, probably from exhaustion after days of travel," Wu Suniang replied, noticing Wang Chongwen's inner turmoil and secretly amused.

Knowing that Wang Chongwen was her benefactor, she quickly said, "Should I lie down for a while?"

"That would be best," Wu Suniang nodded.

Wang Chongwen helped Wu Suniang, her hand resting on his shoulder, the other pressed to her forehead as they walked to the bed. Wu Suniang lay down herself, and Wang Chongwen took a quilt and covered her.

Having finished, Wang Chongwen noticed Wu Suniang smiling at him, rekindling the desire he had just suppressed. Remembering her status, he turned to leave.

"Young Master Wang, where are you going?" Wu Suniang sat up immediately, no longer showing any signs of dizziness.

"I am going to sleep in the main house," Wang Chongwen replied.

"Don't go, Young Master Wang, I am afraid to be alone," Wu Suniang said, appearing pitiful, though inwardly she thought, How could I let my prey slip away?

"What are you afraid of?" Wang Chongwen asked, not thinking much of it.

"I... I fear ghosts," Wu Suniang said, feigning terror, acting coquettishly. "Young Master Wang, please stay and keep me company."

---

"This..." Wang Chongwen hesitated, his heart conflicted, then said, "Miss Wu, you sleep in the bed, I will sleep on the chair."

Wu Suniang finally smiled, lying comfortably in bed, while Wang Chongwen drew the bed curtains closed.

In the middle of the night, Wang Chongwen, asleep on the chair, was awakened by sudden thunder and lightning. Rain poured outside, the wind rattling the windows and doors. He got up to close them when a shrill scream pierced the night.

"Oh no, my stepmother is coming to take me away," Wu Suniang cried out in terror.

"Miss Wu, it was just a nightmare. Go back to sleep," Wang Chongwen comforted her at the bedside, about to leave when Wu Suniang pulled him onto the bed.

Wu Suniang leaned her back against Wang Chongwen's chest, saying, "Young Master Wang, don't leave, you must protect me."

Wang Chongwen pushed her away, saying, "Miss Wu, it was only a bad dream."

Wu Suniang turned to face him, her hand resting on his shoulder, drawing closer and acting coquettishly, "Young Master Wang, stay and keep me company." Her seductive charms bewitched Wang Chongwen, and his soul seemed to fly away.

The two lay together on the bed as thunder and lightning roared outside. Rain fell only within the garden, while in the main house and even throughout Shuiwen County, there was not a drop.

After a night, five days passed.

Five days earlier, Wang Chongwen had ordered Fu Guan to install two door rings on the garden gate, then locked it himself, leaving Fu Guan puzzled.

During these days, Wang Chongwen and Wu Suniang were inseparable, reveling together night after night.

"Husband, you must not be too diligent," Madam Chen said as Wang Chongwen appeared in the main hall. The old Madam Wang nodded in agreement.

"Wife, I know. But this time, I am determined to succeed," Wang Chongwen replied with a smile. In truth, he had not seriously studied these past days, and continued, "So I have resolved to heed your advice, shut myself away to study hard. From now on, no one is to disturb me in the garden. Meals and tea should be left at the gate."

"Wife, is that acceptable?" Wang Chongwen was eager to return to the garden.

"Of course, as long as you ask, nothing is impossible," Madam Chen readily agreed.

PS: New book, please add to your collection and vote for recommendations. Thank you.