Chapter 303: Sophistry
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
Yun Yang sighed and said, "The vicissitudes of life are largely unpredictable… He had spent too long in his search for the medicine and perfection of the formula that when he came home, his wife, who had been waiting at home, no longer looked youthful. Her hair had turned gray and she became an old lady, wrinkles and all. No matter how magical the Ageless Crème was, it could not recover her beauty. All that was left to do was to sigh."
"Besides being shocked, he regretted wasting so much time in his futile pursuits. Angered, he actually threw away all of his arduously tested and formulated medicated cream, in favor of keeping his wife company until the end of her days. He did not speak of the medicine anymore. Before his wife died, she held his hand and said, ‘I’ve always stubbornly thought that eternal youth and beauty is a woman’s greatest happiness in her life. Now I know that being able to spend the rest of one’s life with one’s loved one is a woman's greatest happiness!’
‘Although I did not realize it, I already had the greatest happiness in a woman’s life – your company. The regret of aging is not a genuine remorse; it is nothing compared to this.'
After she said this, the wife passed away. The physician finally understood that even when there was the Ageless Crème or ageless beauty or even eternal youth, they pale in comparison to the constant company of spouses and being happy forever in the eyes of his wife…
After that, he took up the study of the Ageless Crème again. He and his wife had missed half a lifetime together for this crème; putting it aside was not an easy thing. However, the crème had been formulated after all. Instead of wasting it, if others were able to use it, then a woman could have it all – together with their loved one forever and possessed of ageless beauty. It would be a dream come true."
"Since this Ageless Crème was formulated after he had received nine separate death threats, he officially named the spiritual medicine as the Nine-Death Ageless Crème!"
Yun Yang said softly, "This Nine-Death Ageless Crème was already perfect, but the chemist purposely added Withered Rattan in his wife's memory. No matter who it is or how vain you are, once the Ageless Crème is applied, one would become wrinkly and dull like an old lady within the first three years of application. The beauty will only be restored after three years but those three years aren’t exactly wasted. Those who use the medicated cream will have more supple skin and a prettier complexion in addition to eternal youth and beauty!"
"What I’ve let you two use is that very same Nine-Death Ageless Crème."
Yun Yang said, "I should’ve first gotten your permission before using this cream but those who have been hunting you were already looking around Tiantang City… I believe that with their capabilities, they would definitely find out that Lingxi had stayed with me and we know each other..."
"Before long, they will come knocking on my door. With the disguise of this crème, no one will be able to recognize you both anymore. THink of it as a disguise and as a small gift to Sister Lan and Lingxi, a meeting gift. It’s only a small one, there's not much to it."
Ji Lingxi and Yue Rulan exchanged incredulous looks.
Was this the truth?
Hearing the tragic but romantic story, both girls were moved; they did not speak for a long time, feeling the weight of in their hearts.
The story was tragic, its aftertaste lingering on long after the telling.
The chemist had traveled the world in search of a spiritual medicine spurred only by his wife’s words and wishes. How devoted could a man be? The wife then found out that what she needed the most after her husband departed; it was not ageless beauty but a happy forever after.
She had waited for him to return and had stayed by each other’s side. Although her beauty was a thing of the past, she had found a greater happiness than any amount of beauty could bring.
Both girls sighed softly. They felt sympathetic to the story’s chemist and his wife but they were also rather envious of the lady in question.
How many men were there in this world who could make a woman care, not about her appearance, but only to ask for his company until the end of life? How many women then would truly understand such truths?
Yue Rulan was emphatic.
It was true – one could be forever young but what was the use of that if one could not find the person to appreciate, cherish and admire this eternally youthful face?
If the loved one could no longer see her finest beauty, then what was the use of it even when one was forever young and stunningly beautiful?
Ji Lingxi was, of course, of a different mindset from Yue Rulan. Other than sighing, Ji Lingxi was quite delighted. Would she be beautiful forever from now on? She only had to withstand three years of ugliness… Compared to a lifetime of beauty, three years was not long at all… To top it all of, she could throw her pursuers off her tracks easily.
This was absolutely great!
It was only a short while since the young master had come in, but Ji Ling felt, "What? Why don't I feel angry with Yun Yang now?"
"It’s a small gift," Yun Yang repeated while smiling, "I hope Sister Lan and Lingxi will like it."
Ji Lingxi scoffed and put up a defiant front as she spoke haughtily, "It doesn't matter if you had acted with good intentions. Why do you use that tone when speaking to me? It's so old and authoritative, it’s annoying! What was it? Be good, listen to Sister Lan? Do you really think I’m a three-year-old?"
It was mock anger when she started her tirade, but as the words tumbled out of her mouth, she grew genuinely enraged. She really could not withstand that tone of his.
Yun Yang rubbed his nose.
If he were to thoroughly explain everything, it would have to involve eighth brother and even the Nine Supremes. Yun Yang had not figured out how to word it yet in order to soften the blow. After all, this was a cruel truth to both the girls.
He paused for a bit before saying, "You’re younger than Sister Lan. Who are you going to listen to if not her? Or have you never wanted to listen to Sister Lan?"
Ji Lingxi had no comeback for that.
I didn't mean it like that! You’re twisting my words around and shifting the blame! Are you trying to say, "I like you, so you can’t speak to me like an elder."? I’d die from embarrassment.
Evening finally came and the handmaidens Yun Yang had hired finally arrived.
When Ji Lingxi and Yue Rulan saw the handmaidens, they were astonished once again.
The four handmaidens were between fourteen to fifteen years of age; each one of them was clever and astute, innocent and gentle, but they were sharp and spiritual. What was precious was that each of them still retained the heart of an innocent child, a trait that was increasingly harder to find these days.
"From Madame Liu San?" Ji Lingxi asked.
The four handmaidens kept silent, the only answer could be found on their mortified expressions, red with embarrassment.
Even Yue Rulan was taken aback by the callous question.