Chapter 107: The New Drunken Eight Immortals (Part Six)

Page (1/3)

At Qujiang Pond, in search of the Eight Immortals, five days later, two grand horse-drawn carriages painted in vermilion arrived slowly, one following the other. The first belonged to the Right Chancellor, the second to the Left Chancellor. Although the Left Chancellor held a higher rank, his political influence was no match for the Right Chancellor, and even in travel, he was overshadowed.

The blood-sweating chestnut horses halted by the lakeside. The bamboo curtain at the entrance was drawn aside, and a man wearing a purple turban with salt-and-pepper sideburns stepped down. This was none other than the Right Chancellor, Li Linfu. As he alighted, he smiled warmly toward the pavilion, greeting with hands respectfully clasped, and from a saddlebag he produced a red box containing a gift for the intoxicated Eight Immortals: eight exquisite glass wine cups.

Wu Yueling, the event organizer, exchanged pleasantries and accepted the gift. Then she noticed an unassuming old man with a ruddy nose and rough features—someone she had seen at court before. She recalled his name was Li Shizhi, also a chancellor.

“Welcome!” she greeted.

“No need for formalities, Princess. I have heard you bravely drank three bowls of strong wine and crossed the Eight Immortals Bridge in one step, a true heroine among women,” Li Shizhi said with a hearty smile, his face open and sincere, free of any pretense.

Wu Yueling invited him to join the gathering. She herself knelt beside them, aware that this pavilion was now filled with dignitaries: the venerable He Lao, the two chancellors, Li Bai, and the Prince of Ruyang—all figures of stature and influence.

Watching them laugh and discuss the intoxicated Eight Immortals, Wu Yueling knew her plan had succeeded. She had not only cleared her name but also attracted the elite of Chang’an.

“Princess, I would like to try that strong wine and join you in forming the Eight Immortals to tour beyond Qujiang Pond and forge friendships!” Li Linfu, whose black-and-white hair and eyebrows suggested frailty, yet whose genuine smile was disarmingly kind, said.

“Very well. Since the Right Chancellor desires to try the strong wine, let us proceed. The rule stands: drink three bowls of strong wine, cross the Eight Immortals Bridge, and you shall ascend as a drunken immortal!” Wu Yueling consented, explaining the tradition.

“Hahaha, I have heard there is a Penglai Island in the Eastern Sea, where once a Taoist master found a celestial bridge. Drunk, he crossed it, arriving at Penglai, ate the immortal fruit, and became a true immortal. Though we cannot all become Penglai immortals, becoming a drunken immortal is not without charm!” Li Linfu’s eyes gleamed with longing. Achieving immortality was the dream of all, and Qujiang Pond’s ethereal beauty inspired such hopes. Crossing the Eight Immortals Bridge in search of immortality was a cherished fancy—what if it came true?

“Right Linfu speaks wisely. Were we to achieve immortality, it would be a legend among mortals. I once roamed Kunlun and lay shrouded in mist, but found no trace of immortals. Decades have passed since. Now, with the Princess building the Eight Immortals Bridge and arranging their seats, seeking the Eight Immortals, naturally we must come and see if today we might ascend!”

Faced with the old man with the ruddy nose’s bold words, Wu Yueling felt a touch of embarrassment. She knew well there were no spirits or gods in this world—if anything, they were but magnetic fields. Yet it was inappropriate to shatter this delicate fantasy. Sometimes, living required a hope; eternal life was a myth. Some were born dead, others lived past a hundred years, but no one lived for a thousand.

Page (2/3)

“Well then, if either of you should ascend, do not forget the common people left behind!”

“Certainly, certainly!” the two spoke in unexpected unison.

Wu Yueling led them beneath the willow tree to a square table and personally poured the wine for the two chancellors. She did not notice the subtle shift in He Lao’s gaze, nor Li Bai’s silent concern. Both worried that this delicate flower—the Princess—might be trampled underfoot by the wily old fox Li Linfu.

At court, Li Linfu’s dominance was unmistakable. Since the demotion of Doctor Yan, no one had maintained balance; the lever of power had fully tipped.

After pouring the wine, Wu Yueling stood beside them, overhearing their banter.

“Hmph, Right Chancellor, I may not match you in everything, but this wine is my specialty!” Li Shizhi lifted a bowl of white wine to his nose, instantly wearing an intoxicated expression.

“Hahaha, the Left Chancellor speaks truly. I have never been good at drinking. Princess, how about a compromise? I shall drink just one bowl,” Li Linfu said with gentle, kind eyes, addressing Wu Yueling.

“That wouldn’t be appropriate! If the Right Chancellor truly cannot drink well, then reduce it to two bowls?” she responded quickly, thinking on her feet.

“Princess, I know his capacity well; that one bowl can be mine. What harm if he drinks only one?”

Li Shizhi took up the bowl before Li Linfu and placed it in front of himself—apparently preparing to drink four bowls!

Wu Yueling sought to dissuade him, but Li Linfu laughed heartily and spoke first.

“Left Chancellor has great tolerance; I admire that. Princess, I shall drink just one bowl of white wine. Once across the celestial bridge, I shall be one of the Eight Immortals!” Li Linfu smiled, his black-and-white eyebrows relaxing. Despite the Right Chancellor’s sarcastic sneers, he showed no sign of irritation.

Page (3/3)

“Very... well!”

Reluctantly agreeing, they began drinking. Li Shizhi downed bowl after bowl, lively and vigorous, crossing the bridge before Li Linfu. The Right Chancellor finished his drink with a drawn face but staggered drunkenly after only a few steps on the bridge. Had a servant not caught him in time, he might have collapsed.

Wu Yueling stepped forward, greeting as usual, but noticed the man supporting Li Linfu had a fierce gaze, a killing aura that struck to the heart, as if a man accustomed to living on the edge of a blade. Yet that feeling vanished instantly when the man lowered his head.

Startled, Wu Yueling paused, her attention no longer on the drunken Right Chancellor but on his bodyguard. Something was amiss, but bound by respect for the Right Chancellor’s authority, she dared not act rashly.

Physician Sun Yimin approached, and after Wu Yueling’s signal, tried to give Li Linfu some sobering tea.

The man in blue official robes rudely snatched the cup, tasted it himself, then administered it to the Chancellor.

He lifted the Right Chancellor, bowed slightly to the Princess, and carried him back to the carriage.

Wu Yueling then saw the man stand quietly nearby. From the far end of the bridge came the Left Chancellor’s exuberant cheers. Smiling wryly, Wu Yueling watched the Left Chancellor shout like a child, then stumble over a stone, flying through the air toward the smooth pebbled lakeshore. Fortunately, Hua Chuer was quick, reaching the spot before Axian and pulling the drunken old man to his feet.

She saw Chuer also slyly slip her hand into the ruddy-nosed old man’s clothing but found nothing. A closer look at Chuer’s face revealed some disappointment.

Well, it was as it was. Returning to the pavilion, Wu Yueling noticed a familiar scene in the distance by the lake. She recalled seeing such a sight once before in a small grove in Xiang County.