Chapter Six: Hissing Wind? Beyond the Dust!

"Pfft!" Finding Li Yi's words amusing, the two ladies couldn't help but stifle a laugh behind their hands, leaving Li Yi feeling rather embarrassed.

The gentleman beside them, noticing Li Yi’s discomfort, quickly changed the subject and instructed the innkeeper to hurry with the dishes. Seeing the issue resolved, the innkeeper scurried off to make arrangements.

After the innkeeper left, the four entered the private room and took their seats. The gentleman began introductions: "Brother Wenyong, I am Li Zhang, courtesy name Zihan." He then gestured to the unfamiliar beauty, "This is my younger sister, Li Zixuan," and then to the beauty from this afternoon, "And this is my cousin, Li Xueyan."

Li Yi greeted each in turn, though when he heard the name Li Xueyan, he frowned slightly, thinking it sounded familiar yet unable to place it.

Noticing Li Yi’s frown upon hearing her name, Li Xueyan looked puzzled. "Young Master Li, is there something wrong with my name? Why do you keep frowning?" Both Li Zihan and Li Zixuan also gazed at him in confusion.

Li Yi, realizing the misunderstanding, felt awkward once more. He had merely been trying to recall where he’d heard the name, not intending offense. He could only reply vaguely, "No, Miss Li, your name is beautiful and pleasant to the ear—how could there be a problem? I was just practicing the ‘eyebrow dance’—I hear it’s all the rage lately!"

"Eyebrow dance? Fashionable? What is that? You really are something, aren’t you? And don’t keep calling me ‘Miss Li’—I’m not used to it," Li Xueyan teased, her expression playful and lively, a stark contrast to her earlier shyness.

"Heh, I was just being cautious not to offend a lady. Since you insist, I won’t stand on ceremony! I’ll call you Sister Xueyan then, and you may call me Brother Yi!"

"Ugh! Who’s your ‘sister’! Just call me Xueyan, like all my friends do. I’ll call you Brother Li," she retorted, cheeks tinged red, though her tone was friendly enough. Clearly, she found Li Yi’s unique way of speaking intriguing and didn’t mind his jest.

"Alright then, Xueyan it is!" Li Yi laughed, deciding there was no need to push the joke further.

Soon the food and wine arrived, and the four ate and chatted. Through their conversation, Li Yi learned that none of them were ordinary people. Li Zihan and Li Zixuan were the second son and youngest daughter of Li Junqian, Prefect of Luo Prefecture, while Li Xueyan was the only daughter of Prince Daozong of Renzhou. She had set out from Renzhou on the first day of the new year, hoping to celebrate the Lantern Festival in Chang’an with her father, but a snowstorm had blocked the mountain passes, delaying her journey. She was forced to spend the festival in Luoyang instead. The prefect here was also a member of the Li clan, and by seniority, was Xueyan’s paternal uncle, so she and Li Zihan and Li Zixuan were considered close relatives.

Originally, the prefectural residence was to host a welcoming banquet for Li Xueyan, but as Li Junqian and his eldest son Li Zimo were away on official business, and the third son, Li Zicong, was nowhere to be found, the three youngsters decided to dine out instead. When mentioning Li Zicong, Li Zihan frowned slightly, hinting at some unspoken matter, but Li Yi paid it no mind—it was, after all, their family affair.

After a while, the evening drew to a close. Although this was their first meeting, the four found themselves in perfect accord. Li Yi, though glib-tongued, was a young man of responsibility and justice—a point he always made sure to mention when introducing himself. Li Zihan was the very model of a gentleman. Li Zixuan was shy but kindhearted, while Li Xueyan was lively, gracious, and as approachable as a girl next door—though with a hint of endearing stubbornness. She was merely bashful with strangers; once familiar, she was easy to get along with. Of the three, her bond with Li Yi had progressed the fastest, perhaps because like attracts like—a shared temperament leads to instant affinity.

"Brother Li, you promised! You must come to the Lantern Festival gathering here tomorrow! You can’t break your word!" Li Xueyan tugged at Li Yi’s sleeve, emphasizing her point. Tomorrow’s event was a grand gathering for Luoyang’s talented youth—a social party for the younger generation.

"I know, you’ve already said it several times. I promised, didn’t I? What good would it do me to deceive you?"

"Hmph! The Lantern Festival gathering is a poetry contest—maybe you’re just afraid your literary talents are lacking and you’re looking for an excuse not to come!"

"Who dares say I lack literary talent? I excel in both pen and sword!"

"Boasting again—and watch your language! Hmph, I’ll keep your treasured sword for you. I’ll return it to you at the poetry gathering tomorrow—just to make sure you don’t try to weasel out!" With that, Li Xueyan snatched away his ancient Ink Sword.

"You little rascal, you’ve been eyeing my sword all along! For a girl, you’ve quite the penchant for weaponry—be careful or you’ll never get married!"

Li Xueyan blushed and muttered, "None of your business," before turning away from him.

Li Yi chuckled awkwardly. After a bit more banter, the four left the private room together, still laughing. Li Yi had intended to settle the bill, but Li Zihan was unyielding on the matter, so Li Yi let him have his way.

Outside, Li Yi asked the attendant to bring out the Jade Lion. At the sight of such a fine horse, Li Zihan’s eyes lit up, and Li Xueyan’s gaze turned positively covetous, just as it had when she saw the Ink Sword. Li Yi felt a burst of anxiety, worried she might try to lay claim to this horse. Even though it’s said a steed recognizes only one master in its lifetime, Li Yi wasn’t at all confident when it came to the Lion.

"Wenyong, is this steed the Luminous Jade Lion?" Li Zihan circled the horse, examining it closely.

"Indeed, Brother Zihan, your eye is keen! This is the legendary Luminous Jade Lion." Truly, ancient scholars knew everything.

"Not at all! I’ve merely seen it mentioned in old texts. Wenyong, what name have you given this horse?"

Li Yi paused, then smacked his forehead. "I knew I was forgetting something! So that was it!"

Li Zihan could only shake his head. Most people would treasure such a horse above all, yet Li Yi had forgotten to name it. “Wenyong, you really are…”

"Wasting heaven’s gifts!" Li Xueyan interjected, her tone full of envy.

Even the Jade Lion glanced back as if to look down on its careless master.

"Alright, enough with those looks—I’m thinking of a name for you right now!"

The Jade Lion snorted, as if to say, "If you pick a bad one, I won’t be pleased."

"What a spirited horse you have. The two of you really are a pair," Li Zihan said, half envious, half amused, watching their “conversation.”

"Brother Zihan, don’t tease. A pair? I’m still single, you know!" Li Yi rolled his eyes and continued racking his brain for a name.

"Scoundrel!" Li Xueyan blushed for no obvious reason.

"Ah, I have it!" Li Yi suddenly exclaimed.

All eyes turned to him, even the Jade Lion seemed to prick up its ears expectantly.

Chest out, Li Yi strode around the horse and recited:

"Of blood from Wowa’s dragon, as pure as snow and frost,
Born with sinew and courage, a spirit proud and strong.
In golden stables, light spills across the ground,
From Mount Mao departed, neighing at the distant wind."

"Splendid! Truly splendid! Wenyong, your talent is remarkable. These lines capture both the noble heritage and the spirit of the Luminous Jade Lion—perfectly matched!" Li Zihan’s admiration was sincere.

"Hmph! At least you have some talent left," Li Xueyan said, though her eyes betrayed a glimmer of admiration.

Even the reticent Li Zixuan offered her praise.

Li Yi modestly demurred, "Not at all, not at all!" As a time traveler, such feats were mere trifles.

"Hmph! How smug!" Li Xueyan huffed, deliberately finding fault.

"I don’t recall offending you, young lady," Li Yi protested, feigning innocence.

"Who says you haven’t? You never let me play with any of your treasures! And don’t call me ‘young lady’—I’m already thirteen!"

"Then what should I call you? Thirteen? Is that supposed to be old? Besides, isn’t my Ink Sword already in your hands? How can you say I don’t share?"

"That doesn’t count—I took it myself!"

"Fine, fine! I’ll bring you a Lantern Festival gift tomorrow, alright?"

"Really? You promise? If you don’t, I’ll… hmph! Weren’t you naming the Lion? What’s the name then?"

"Cousin, didn’t Wenyong just say it? ‘From Mount Mao departed, neighing at the distant wind’—‘Distant Wind’ is the Jade Lion’s name!" Li Zihan answered with certainty.

But Li Yi replied, "‘Distant Wind’? No, that’s a name for the Red Hare! The Jade Lion deserves something even more impressive!"

Li Zihan laughed awkwardly, while the Jade Lion snorted as if understanding.

"Then what should it be? Are there any other names in your poem?" Xueyan asked, stroking the Lion affectionately.

"Yes! The Red Hare is called ‘Distant Wind’—ours must be grander. From now on, Lion, you shall be called ‘Dustless’!"

At last given a bold name, Dustless reared on its hind legs and let out a piercing neigh, drawing the attention of passersby.

With a hearty laugh, Li Yi vaulted onto Dustless, bid the three farewell, and rode off in a cloud of dust.

Returning to his inn, Li Yi found it quite late. After making sure his valuables were safe, he undressed and went to bed.

The next day, Li Yi did not leave his room. He spent the day reading, knowing that in ancient times, learning was the only ticket to advancement. Though he had memorized some poems and essays, they were not truly his own. Those lines might suffice to show off for a while, but true progress required genuine ability.

He remained in his room, occasionally practicing his calligraphy, until evening. Then, he took out two bottles of perfume from his bundle, carefully hid the rest, and left the inn. Mounting Dustless, he made his way slowly toward the Yibin Pavilion.