Work Text:
Mu Qingfang huffed as he examined Wei Qingwei’s new wound. The man had a small burn mark on his right forearm and even though his spiritual powers would soon take care of it, the healer insisted to check on it.
“This is the third time you come to my Qian Cao Peak this month, Wei-shixiong. I really wished you were more careful.”
As always, Wei Qingwei responded to Mu Qingfang’s lecture by nervously rubbing the back of his neck.
“You know how things are back at the forge, shidi,” he said with a bashful smile. “Accidents are bound to happen.”
“Only if you are neglectful and avoid correcting previous mistakes, shixiong,” Mu Qingfang gently spread ointment over the wound. “I worry about you, you know?”
For a moment, Wei Qingwei’s eyes opened wide, but he quickly hid them under his bangs to avoid his shixiong’s glare. “Forgive me. I never intended to give you any trouble.”
Wei Qingwei was a man that spent most of his time next to the fire. Because of that, it was no surprise that his face was covered with tiny freckles and a bronze tint that made him look harsher than he really was. Yet, at that moment, Mu Qingfang saw a different kind of hue over his tanned skin.
Was his shixiong blushing?
Shen Qingqiu hummed as he read the final paragraph in the notebook. That morning he attended to one of those terribly fastidious Peak Lord meetings and before he could scurry back to his peak, he was held back by Zhangmen-shixiong. As usual, the man had nothing of importance to say, but he was still adamant waste Shen Qingqiu’s time. He had to endure the useless conversation for over two shichen before he could return to the meeting room.
As he crossed the room to finally reach for the exit, though, he found something on the floor. It was a small notebook, ragged and worn by use. Shen Qingqiu picked it up and opened it on the first page hoping to find the name of the owner. However, he only found the pseudonym Liu Su Mian Hua. Curious, he skimmed through the notebook. It was mostly filled with love poems and a few stories written in prose. The calligraphy was a mess, but since it was clearly a draft, Shen Qingqiu could ignore the smudges and hastily written characters. Yet, what really drew his attention were the names of his shidis on the last pages of the notebook.
He wasn’t particularly surprised to know someone was invested in the love life of his shidis (he knew strong cultivators were nothing short of celebrities), but he never expected that someone to go as far as to write a story about it. It was odd but intriguing.
He turned back to the first page, where the pseudonym was written with much more care than the rest of the characters. There was no mistake. The Liu character was the same he had read many times in reports and meeting minutes.
The sudden sound of harried steps over the wooden floor took Shen Qingqiu back to reality. It didn’t take long before Qi Qingqi’s favorite disciple appeared in front of him. She had brought her into the meeting and she supposedly helped her to take notes. Shen Qingqiu smirked as he realized the girl probably thought those meetings were boring as hell. So boring in fact, that she preferred to fantasize about his martial uncles’ love life instead of paying attention.
Liu Mingyan was only fourteen years old, but she was already becoming as beautiful as her brother. To avoid unwanted attention, she wisely covered her face with a veil. Still, the thin fabric did little to hide her panicked expression. She seemed so scared, Shen Qingqiu felt guilty for prying on her personal belongings.
Maybe he could help her save face?
“I was wondering who had left this behind, Liu-shizhi,” he handed her the notebook, which she grasped as if her life depended on it. “This master recommends you to be more careful with your belongings.”
He prepared his leave, but the girl seemed eager to get herself into trouble.
“You read it,” it was no question. Shen Qingqiu wondered what gave him away. He thought he had closed the notebook before the girl came into the room.
“I skimmed through it, yes, but I found nothing of importance,” Liu Mingyan hunched her shoulders from the insult.
Shen Qingqiu sighed. He was usually much better at dealing with women, but Liu Mingyan made him nervous. Not only was she the little sister of his abhorred shidi, but also the favorite disciple of Qi Qingqi, who abhorred Shen Qingqiu in turn. He tried to clear out the misunderstanding.
“I meant I found no clue to whom this belonged to,” then again, that was a lie; a very bad one. “Although, in hindsight, I think Liu-shizhi should use another pseudonym. One that doesn’t give away her family name.”
The pseudonym was also very tacky, but Shen Qingqiu chose not to mention it because he already had said more than enough. The girl was about to burst with shame, anger and frustration. If Shen Qingqiu hadn’t been a Peak Lord, he would’ve been scared.
Alright. Maybe he should just be honest with her.
“Aside from that, I can say your style is decent,” there, that was a compliment, wasn’t it? “The characterizations work well and the pacing is good. However, I think you should make better use of the motivations of your characters.”
Liu Mingyan blinked very, very slowly. Twice.
“Wei Qingwei is the best blacksmith of the entire cultivation world. I bet he hasn’t had an accident on the forge for over ten years. It isn’t believable that he would end up at Qian Cao regularly,” Liu Mingyan tried to say something, but Shen Qingqiu continued. “Unless, of course, he did it on purpose. A small wound would be a good excuse for him to change his Wan Jian Peak for his shidi’s office, don’t you think?”
After muffling a surprised gasp, the girl nodded enthusiastically.
“I agree! That would work so much better!”
Shen Qingqiu nodded, relieved that he finally found the right words to say. It was nice to find someone so willing to accept his constructive criticism.
“For your age, your vocabulary is better than average,” he continued. “Still, I’m certain you could improve. Are you familiar with Sima Xiangru?”
“I’ve heard of his work, but I’ve never read it.”
Of course she hadn’t. Xian Shu Peak wasn’t famous for its literary capabilities.
“I would advise you to read his rhapsodies. Only some of his pieces are romantic, but his overall style would suit your themes. We have several copies of his works in Qing Jing. I would send you one, but I don’t want to overstep,” if he sent a book to Xian Shu, Qi Qingqi would surely manage to distort the truth and make it seem like Shen Qingqiu wanted to seduce her disciple. “Still, you’re free to ask for one at our library.”
The girl quietly nodded, and just as Shen Qingqiu thought he avoided calamity and that he could finally go home, he was shot with an unexpected question.
“Doesn’t Shen-shibo mind what I wrote about?”
In all honesty, Shen Qingqiu didn’t care if anyone paired up his martial siblings. Some would claim that the stories on the notebook weren’t appropriate for someone Liu Mingyan’s age, but Shen Qingqiu knew better. He understood that women were exposed to sexuality at a younger age than men and it was healthy for them to explore such themes in a safe environment. Certainly, it was much better than society’s self-implemented taboos, whose only goal was to control and depreciate women. Liu Mingyan surely understood the situation better than other girls her age. Despite being so young, she was forced to cover her face to protect herself from men. She already had to hide her body. It would be even crueler for her to hide her thoughts. If she wanted to write love stories, she had the right to do so. Shen Qingqiu was surprised that she would be interested in his martial brother’s love life, but who was he to judge her?
“As long as shizhi is aware that fiction is only fiction, I don’t care what she writes about to entertain herself.”
Liu Mingyan’s eyes shone with excitement. Shen Qingqiu thought he probably was the first adult to acknowledge her personal writing. He did well to encourage her.
“Thank you, Shen-shibo! I’ll work hard to get better every day!”
“Make sure you do.”
The girl twirled around and left the meeting room with giddy little hops.
Shen Qingqiu couldn’t help but smile.
Three weeks later, Shen Qingqiu had almost forgotten about his unexpected conversation with Liu Mingyan. He was therefore surprised when she asked to meet him. Shen Qingqiu had no heart to dismiss her, but he knew it could raise suspicion if he met her in private. Hoping that it would be enough to avert any misunderstandings, he led her to Qing Jing’s library, where there would be several disciples and a couple of librarians to assert Liu Mingyan’s safety.
“Well,” he said once they found a nice warm spot to sit on, “what brings Liu-shizhi here?”
“This one wanted to show her gratitude towards Shen-shibo. Thanks to his guidance, Healing Fire was a sweeping success.”
Shen Qingqiu didn’t quite understand what the girl had said.
“Excuse this master,” he cleared his throat. “Healing Fire?”
“That’s the name of the story you helped me with,” she said as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.
“I see. And… it was a sweeping success among who?”
“My shijies and shimeis, of course.”
That was Shen Qingqiu’s turn to blink very, very slowly. Twice.
“You mean… you shared your story with your martial sisters?”
“Of course! They enjoy my work and I enjoy sharing it with them.”
“Your sisters enjoy reading about those two?”
“Well, not only those two,” she admitted. “They are a popular couple, but not the favorite.”
“I see…” said Shen Qingqiu without really understanding what was going on.
“I also read the author you suggested. You were right, Sima Xiangru used beautiful language to describe his environment. It was a wonderful reference to describe people and feelings too.”
That Shen Qingqiu could understand. He knew it had been sound advice. He always gave the best advice. It was a pity so few people followed them.
“This master’s job is to guide young disciples. You need not thank me for that.”
The girl lowered her head and her shoulders made short, jerky movements. She was nervous.
“To be honest, this one wanted to ask Shen-shibo for a favor.”
“What would it be?”
The girl placed a heavy manuscript over the table.
“Would Shen-shibo please review my ongoing series?”
Shen Qingqiu hesitated before reaching for the manuscript. It was written in verse and it was titled The Last Remaining Light. He read through the first page, which was filled with a flowery description of the main love interest. Shen Qingqiu thought the character was oddly familiar, but he couldn’t put his finger on it until he reached the second page.
“You wrote about the previous Qing Jing Lord,” the girl nodded as she pushed the manuscript closer to Shen Qingqiu to encourage him to continue. He did. “The previous Qing Jing Lord and his lover.”
Back when Shen Qingqiu was a disciple, there were rumors that his shizun was Qian Zhong Peak Lord’s lover. Being last in rank, Qian Zhong was not a well-known peak and it usually worked in the shadows unbeknownst to most of the sect. The reason most of their activities were kept secret was that they were Cang Qiong’s spies. They collected information all over the empire and they would later share it with Qing Jing and Qiong Ding. Moreover, if the situation called for it, they would kill whoever was on Cang Qiong’s way.
The previous Qing Jing and Qian Zhong lords had worked closely together, which led to many speculations. As succeeding disciple, Shen Qingqiu saw things that convinced him that they were indeed a couple, but it surprised him that the rumors had transcended generations.
Then again, he had to admit that the cold and frightening Qing Jing Lord falling for the passionate and meticulous assassin was a good story. There were many possible conflicts! Liu Mingyan chose wisely.
“This master isn’t sure it would be appropriate-”
“I beg you, Shen-shibo! You got to know both Mo-shigong and Jie-shigong! No one but you could give me pointers for their characterization!”
“The issue here isn’t that this master is unwilling to help, Liu-shizhi. The truth is that it would take us several days and meetings to revise a poem this long. I’m sure my shimei has warned you about… interacting with me.”
Liu Mingyan nodded.
“She has, but now I know she is mistaken when it comes to Shen-shibo. If the things she said of you were true, you wouldn’t be this kind to me.”
“Liu-shizhi is young and inexperienced. She hasn’t understood that sometimes people with bad intentions use kindness to lure their victims.”
Liu Mingyan had the nerve to snicker. She actually snickered after hearing Shen Qingqiu’s stern warning!
“If you were trying to do that, you would be doing a terrible job, Shen-shibo,” the audacity of this girl! She really was Qi Qingqi’s disciple! “I know you would get into trouble if we met frequently, but I think I found a solution. We could start a literary workshop. I could invite my martial sisters; not only those from Xian Shu, but also from other peaks. We could also write non-romantic stories, in case someone wanted proof of our work. The more we are, the more difficult it would be for others to accuse you of taking advantage of female disciples.”
“I think you underestimate my shidis and shimeis, Liu-shizhi,” yet, Shen Qingqiu admitted it wasn’t a bad idea. After all, he was the leader of the scholarly peak! Who could lead a literary workshop but him? “Are you certain several people would be interested?”
“Right now I could name at least ten people that would be more than willing.”
If that was the case, perhaps Shen Qingqiu could give it a try. Though it would be much better if a couple of men were involved. As much as he wanted to, he couldn’t make the workshop just for women. But who would be interested in the love life of their masters? Knowing that there were girls invested in the subject was a surprise. He could never dare to ask one of his disciples about it!
Just as Shen Qingqiu was trying to find a solution to his problem, the sudden sound of scrolls falling to the wooden floor echoed through the library. Already feeling the murderous intent, Shen Qingqiu turned his head towards the sound.
Luo Binghe.
He should’ve known.
The little beast was clumsy and idiotic. Of course, he would be stupid enough to try to grab dozens of scrolls at the same time. Shen Qingqiu swore that if even one of those scrolls got damaged he would…
Wait. Scratch that.
As clumsy and idiotic he was, he was also pitifully loyal. Shen Qingqiu could bet he wouldn’t say a word about what they really did in the workshop. Moreover, the boy used to draw the attention of the girls. That would certainly raise the number of people interested in the workshop and they would keep the secret as long as they could be with the beast.
“Little beast,” he called and Luo Binghe answered to the nickname as he usually did. He was terrified and he kowtowed the moment he reached Shen Qingqiu.
“This disciple is stupid! Begging shizun for discipline!”
“This master believes the little beast is in dire need to learn to respect the literary arts. We will be having a literary workshop here in Qing Jing from now on. Help Liu Mingyan to organize it and have everything ready for our first meeting.”
Instead of hating the idea of extracurricular activities, his eyes shone with enthusiasm and his face drew a blinding smile. Shen Qingqiu thought that Luo Binghe was a very odd brat.
(Shen Qingqiu thought that if someone should wear a veil to cover their face, it should be Luo Binghe).
“Yes, shizun! This disciple will take care of it!”
“Thank you, Shen-shibo!” said Liu Mingyan. “You won’t regret it!”
Shen Qingqiu wasn’t sure about that, but at that point in his life, he had stopped caring about it. As long as the girls were kept out of it, people could say whatever they wanted of him.
Shen Qingqiu stood up and took Liu Mingyan’s manuscript with him. It would be better to read it before their first workshop.
The literary workshop was a bigger success than Shen Qingqiu could ever imagine. In the end, seven girls from Xian Shu, three girls from Qiong Ding, two girls from Qian Cao and even Ning Yingying joined them.
(He was particularly surprised by Ning Yingying’s enthusiasm.)
There even was a male disciple from Zui Xian and another one from Qing Jing.
(Yet another surprise.)
Luo Binghe had been very diligent with the preparation. He chose the perfect, private spot for their meetings and he even prepared the best snacks and beverages Shen Qingqiu had ever tasted. He was so impressed by his culinary skills, Shen Qingqiu ordered him to move into an abandoned room back at the kitchens. There it would be easier for him to prepare the snacks for the workshop and the eventual breakfast and dinner for Shen Qingqiu. The little beast was not a good writer, but most of his opinions were judicious. At least those that didn’t involve first date ideas…
(Shen Qingqiu should really take his time to explain to him that sequestering someone for himself wasn’t a date more than it was kidnapping.)
The workshop had been running for over three months already and even Qi Qingqi seemed to have made terms with the idea of her girls hanging around Qing Jing. At first, she had been adamantly against it, of course, but after a couple of her disciple’s landscape poems became extremely popular in the capital, she changed her mind. Good thing she was unaware that the girls’ love songs were far much more popular.
Shen Qingqiu was particularly excited about Liu Mingyan’s The Last Remaining Light, which was set to be published in a couple of weeks. It was a good story: exciting, dramatic and very emotional. He was certain it would become popular both in the noble houses and the brothels. He advised her to remove the inappropriate parts, though. Just because he thought the girls could write whatever they wanted to, that didn’t mean he had to know anything about it. She chose not to, but at least she made sure to only read and share the ‘decent’ parts on his Qing Jing. The rest of the disciples did the same with their own works.
The whole experience had proved very satisfying to Shen Qingqiu and he was grateful that Liu Mingyan had talked him into it. He had been nervous at the beginning, but now there was only one concern on his mind.
A concern that burst into his bamboo hut one autumn night.
“Shen Qingqiu!” the Qing Jing Lord sighed. Liu Qingge had finally returned from his mission. “You’ll pay for taking advantage of my sister!”
Shen Qingqiu, who had been relaxing with a good book and a nice cup of tea, stood up from his daybed, took out his fan and smacked the trespasser on the head.
“How dare you barge into my house at this hour of the night and accuse me of such a thing, Liu Qingge?!”
Usually, Liu Qingge would respond to Shen Qingqiu’s question with a righteous declaration of honor before challenging him to a duel. Unfortunately, this time he was absolutely furious, and he instead grasped Shen Qingqiu’s wrist and closed the distance between them. Trying to escape from him, Shen Qingqiu took a step back, but his legs bumped into the daybed. This made him lose his balance and fall into the soft surface. Still, Liu Qingge didn’t let him go and he pretty much ended on top of him.
Shen Qingqiu was about to kick the man on the crotch when he was mercifully saved by the arrival of Liu Mingyan.
“Gege!” now, if only the girl stopped staring, it would be great! “Gege, let Shen-shibo go!” she said after quite a few seconds. “He did nothing wrong!”
Those words weren’t enough to dispel Liu Qingge’s ire, but at least they forced him to let Shen Qingqiu go. He probably didn’t want to kill someone in front of his meimei.
“As I was saying before you rushed out, Shen-shibo is simply leading a literary workshop! We only read and write stories! It’s completely innocent! You can ask any of the sixteen people that participate in it!”
“Nonsense!” declared Liu Qingge. “Shen Qingqiu is anything but innocent! I’m certain you’re being fooled by his fake scholarly persona!”
“I’m sure you would change your mind if you gave him a chance,” by that time, Liu Mingyan had regained the imposing figure she showed to her opponents. For a second Shen Qingqiu thought he saw a trace of fear on Bai Zhan’s War God. “If you’re so adamant to get involved with my personal life, perhaps you should come to one of our workshops.”
“Are you certain about this, Liu-shizhi?” asked Shen Qingqiu not quite understanding what she had in mind.
“Of course, Shen-shibo! I’m sure my gege will be at ease once he sees how harmless the workshop is.”
“Fine!” blurted Liu Qingge, “but I’ll be watching you very closely, Shen Qingqiu.”
“I’m sure you will,” muttered Liu Mingyan, but only Shen Qingqiu heard it.
Luckily, Liu Mingyan was able to remove her brother from Shen Qingqiu’s house and he could finally go back to his book (after sending notice to An Ding Peak that he needed yet another door). Shen Qingqiu was still unaware of what Liu Mingyan’s plan was, but he wasn’t too concerned. The girl was smart and he knew that whatever she did, it would be for the benefit of the workshop.
If only his brother had been blessed with half of the girl’s brains…
“No, please! Stop!”
The scholar’s trembling voice only stirred the warrior’s lust. He had waited far too long to have him like this, vulnerable and at his mercy. The scholar was covered only by a thin layer of under robes and even then his long black hair smelled like the salts and flowers he used to prepare his bath with.
“You’re asking me to stop,” muttered the warrior, “but you’ve seduced me for years. Today I’ll finally claim what is rightfully mine.”
“N-no! It wasn’t like that!”
The warrior’s big, calloused hands traced the diaphanous fabric of the scholar’s robe and-
“Liu Mingyan!”
Liu Qingge’s face had turned the reddest Shen Qingqiu had ever seen before. Shen Qingqiu could bet he could even cook an egg on his forehead!
“Now, now, gege. I’m reading my piece. Any criticism will have to wait until I’m finished.”
“Y-you!” he stuttered as he pointed an accusatory finger at Shen Qingqiu.
“Don’t you dare accuse Shen-shibo of taking part in this. This is 100% my idea! I’m very creative.”
Liu Qingge couldn’t take it any longer. He closed his eyes and huffed three times before turning around and storming out of the pavilion where the workshop took place.
“Well, we won’t be seeing him again in our workshop.”
“Are you sure you don’t mind this, Liu-shizhi? If word came out that-”
“My gege would never say something that could stain my reputation. Besides, he’ll be too flustered to even think about it.”
“That makes sense. Well done, Liu-shizhi.”
At that moment Luo Binghe appeared next to Shen Qingqiu offering him a tray with pumpkin pancakes.
“Liu-shishu really is a fool,” said Luo Binghe. “A brutish man like him would never understand the beauty of literary arts, let alone the beauty of romance.”
Shen Qingqiu nodded with agreement. With his left hand, he took one of the pancakes and with his right, he patted Luo Binghe’s head.
“Well said, little beast. Your shishu really is an ignorant fool.”
Shen Qingqiu didn’t notice how Luo Binghe almost squealed underneath his touch, nor the multiple stares he received from the other members of the workshop.
The only thing he noticed was how soft and delicious the pancakes were.
May the gods bless Liu Mingyan for her literary workshop idea!