Wei Ming’s soul body flew into the picture, and indeed found that there was another world within the stone bridge picture.
As the mist in front of him gradually dissipated, a new world appeared before him.
This world was not complete, it seemed like just a fragment captured in the long river of time.
And the plot of the fragment was clearly fifteen years ago, the day when Zhang Xuan traveled to Nan Zhou and painted the stone bridge picture for the Four Masters of Nan Zhou.
His landing point was behind Dou Cong. Seeing an extra person there, Ouyang Quan was not surprised in the least, instead he asked: “Brother, do you know where the Four Masters of Nan Zhou are? If you do, please point me in the right direction, I would be most grateful.”
Before Wei Ming could answer, Dou Cong suddenly turned around, confused and asked: “Who are you? And how did I get here?”
Then, she timidly asked: “You guys aren't villains, are you? Did you kidnap me here with ill intentions?”
Ouyang Quan waved his hands repeatedly: “Miss, you’ve misunderstood, my name is Ouyang Quan, I run a restaurant in Nan Zhou called Wang Bin Lou, I am not a villain, as for this gentleman?”
Ouyang Quan looked at Wei Ming, his eyes filled with vigilance.
Wei Ming’s expression tightened, Dou Cong had lost her memory? The world within the painting was truly bizarre, so he immediately replied: “Wife, you’ve forgotten, we came from Chang’an, we heard that the Four Masters of Nan Zhou are highly renowned scholars, today we happened to be in the area enjoying the scenery, we came to visit, what’s wrong? Has your illness flared up again?”
As soon as he finished speaking, Ouyang Quan was overjoyed: “Brother, you are also here to visit the Four Masters of Nan Zhou? Great, we can all go together.”
Dou Cong’s eyes were filled with confusion, as if she was struggling to recall something. It took a long time before she remembered: “Chang’an? I do seem to be from Chang’an… but I really can’t remember, why am I here, are you really my husband? Why don't I have the slightest impression of you?”
Ouyang Quan’s eyes became strange, and he regained his vigilant demeanor. Wei Ming quickly explained to Ouyang Quan: “My wife suffers from a rare disease, she often forgets things, the doctor said it was called something like Soul Separation Syndrome, I came to Nan Zhou this time, firstly to bring my wife to enjoy the mountains and rivers, to relax, secondly to visit famous doctors and treat this disease.”
“I heard that Ju County, which is under the jurisdiction of Nan Zhou, has a famous doctor named Meng Dong Lao, who is a disciple of the Medicine King Sun Simiao, with superb medical skills, there is no disease in the world that he cannot cure, so I came here to seek medical treatment.”
Upon hearing this, Ouyang Quan let down his guard. There was indeed a famous doctor named Meng Dong Lao in Ju County under Nan Zhou, it was rumored to be a disciple of the Medicine King, whether it was true or not, was unknown.
Wei Ming gently stroked a strand of Dou Cong’s hair, tucking it behind her ear, holding her in his arms, he smiled softly: “Wife, don’t be afraid, I am your husband, you’ve forgotten, we got married in Chang’an half a year ago, your brother, Dou Yu Lin, personally sent you off on the wedding carriage.”
“You and your brother, Dou Yu Lin, lost your parents early, he raised you with great care, he was like a brother and a father, even if you have Soul Separation Syndrome and forget your husband, you shouldn’t forget your brother, Dou Yu Lin!”
Dou Cong was taken aback, a dazed expression flashed across her eyes, as if she recalled some of the past, she nodded: “I seem to remember something, I have a relative who was like a brother and father, his name seems to be Dou Yu Lin.”
Wei Ming nodded solemnly: “Yes, that’s right, don’t forget your brother Yu Lin.”
As he said these words, a faint cold light flashed in Wei Ming’s deep eyes, but it was fleeting.
“Alright, wife, stop thinking about it, there are outsiders here.”
Then, Wei Ming bowed to Ouyang Quan, with an apologetic expression: “Sorry, Brother Ouyang, my wife’s illness has wasted your precious time, it really shouldn’t have happened.”
Ouyang Quan waved his hand, not minding at all: “The deep love between the two of you, Ouyang is envious, especially, Brother, you came all the way from Chang’an to Nan Zhou to seek medical treatment for your wife, this unwavering love is admirable.”
“If that’s the case, let’s go up the mountain together. I know roughly where the Four Masters of Nan Zhou are, I think they’re just under the stone bridge scenery.” Wei Ming said so.
Then he took Dou Cong’s small hand, interlocked their fingers, his face full of tender affection.
In Dou Cong’s confused eyes, a hint of imperceptible anger flashed, but she didn’t immediately act out.
The three of them reached the Stone Bridge Wonderland together, and indeed saw the Four Masters of Nan Zhou and others, besides the four, there were two boys playing chess, next to the boys, there was an old servant, not far away, on a big tree, there was a young woodcutter lying down.
As soon as Ouyang Quan saw the Four Masters of Nan Zhou, he was overjoyed: “I finally found you!”
Leng Ji, who was holding a book, glanced back, nonchalantly: “Look, Ouyang Quan is here again?”
Yan Yuan Fu, Leng Ji, Zhong Bo Qi and Lu Gong Fu, the four of them looked at Ouyang Quan with disdain and contempt.
However, Ouyang Quan didn’t mind at all, he still smiled happily and went to greet them: “Four elder brothers, good, elder brothers, it was so hard for your little brother to find you.”
Yan Yuan Fu put down his wolf hair brush and poured himself a cup of tea, his words were full of teasing and ridicule: “Scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants, you rank last, how come you, a businessman, always want to be on par with the four of us?”
Ouyang Quan begged bitterly: “Please accept me as the fifth son, a Wine Immortal, from now on, your four elder brothers’ wine, I will take care of it.”
“I am the one who can drink the most in Nan Zhou, and my Wang Bin Lou has the first wine in Nan Zhou, called Ming Shi Yin!”
“I think I must be a reincarnation of Liu Ling of the Seven Sages of the Bamboo Grove!”
Zhong Bo Qi played with a purple sand teacup, sneering disdainfully: “Liu Ling was a Wine Immortal, but you, at most, are just a drunkard, how dare you boast about being a Wine Immortal?”
As soon as Zhong Bo Qi said this, the Four Masters of Nan Zhou burst into laughter, their mockery and ridicule were unrestrained.
Not only were the four laughing, the two Xie family boys and the old servant were laughing too, even the woodcutter on the tree was shamelessly ridiculing and mocking.
Then Leng Ji took over: “Besides, isn’t the first wine in Nan Zhou Chang’an Zui? Wherever Chang’an Zui is, what other wine in the world dares to claim to be number one?!”
Upon hearing this, a cold light flashed in Wei Ming’s eyes again, but it disappeared in a flash. Then he pulled Dou Cong towards the crowd and spoke up to defend Ouyang Quan.
“Gentlemen, your words are wrong. Brother Ouyang is open-minded, he drinks happily, he is truly a noble scholar, the beauty of tasting wine lies in responding with songs, not in showing off one's literary skills.”
“On the other hand, gentlemen, your words are harsh, your words are rude, your ridicule and mockery are second-rate, your hearts are narrow, you look down on people, are you really worthy of being called scholars?”
As soon as Wei Ming finished speaking, the four of them glared at him, the two boys playing chess also glared at Wei Ming fiercely, the old servant went behind the boys, and the woodcutter on the tree jumped down, holding a firewood knife, seemingly wanting to give Wei Ming a lesson!
“You arrogant brat!”
“You audacious thief!”
“A mere merchant, delusional, you, a scholar, talk so much nonsense, you don’t know your place, I think you and Ouyang Quan are two of a kind, both are treacherous villains, shameless scum!”
“Who are you? How dare you insult us, the Four Masters of Nan Zhou?!”
Faced with the four’s angry rebukes and insults, Wei Ming remained calm and unhurried, he smiled faintly: “I am a scholar from Chang’an, although I am arrogant, I’m not as arrogant as some people who can't bear any criticism and become furious, to the point of barking like dogs!”
“You, you, what right do you have to lecture us, the four of us are scholars of Nan Zhou, the face of Nan Zhou people, you, a mere scholar, what right do you have?” Leng Ji was furious, he roared angrily.
Wei Ming glanced coldly at Leng Ji: “A poet?”
“What of it?” Leng Ji puffed out his chest and said proudly: “My poems are recited by all the children and adults of Nan Zhou!”
Wei Ming snorted: “Is that so? Then why don’t you let me judge my poem? Let you understand what it means to be undeservedly famous!”
Having said that, Wei Ming gently cupped Dou Cong’s little face, kissed her forehead lightly, and then recited softly.
Dou Cong struggled a little, her eyes were full of shame and anger, but after a moment, she froze in place.
“If life were only as it was in the first meeting, what would be the sorrow of autumn wind blowing a painted fan.”
“Casual changes are made to a person’s heart, yet it’s said that hearts easily change.”
“After the talk on Mount Li, the night is half over, the tearful rain falls and I don’t blame anyone.”
“How much better is a fickle lover in brocade clothes, than a wish made on the day of a joined-wings branch.”
After reciting softly, Wei Ming asked Dou Cong with a loving expression: “Wife, what do you think?”
Dou Cong responded blankly: “Hu, husband’s poem, it is naturally excellent!”
“Wife is satisfied, that’s good.” Wei Ming smiled, leaned down again, and kissed her!
Dou Cong was stunned, she realized suddenly and pushed Wei Ming away, angrily and shyly: “Wei Ming, you scoundrel!”
Wei Ming laughed: “What, you're not going to continue acting? I thought you could keep it up.”
“How did you know I was a fake?” Fake Dou Cong asked, confused.
“It’s simple, first, Dou Cong’s parents are still alive, and Dou Yu Lin is not your older brother, but your younger brother!”
Fake Dou Cong shook her head: “I’ve lost my memory, whatever you say, I believe it, is that wrong?”
“Don’t worry, there’s a second point, that is the first wine in Nan Zhou, Ming Shi Yin.” Wei Ming smiled faintly: “The Leng Ji in the painting was right, where there is Chang’an Zui, other wines are not worthy of being number one, but!”
“But what?” Fake Dou Cong quickly asked.
“But Chang’an Zui only appeared on the market ten years ago, and the story in the Stone Bridge Picture happened fifteen years ago. Miss, you’ve slipped up, the timeline doesn’t match!”
Although Wei Ming said this, Fake Dou Cong still refused to admit it: “Couldn’t it be that someone has been storing Chang’an Zui for fifteen years?”
“Impossible!”
“Why?”
“Because…” Wei Ming suddenly stepped forward, less than half a meter away from Fake Dou Cong, and said calmly: “Because Chang’an Zui is made by me, and I was eight years old that year!”
Fake Dou Cong’s pupils shrank, a look of shock appeared on her face, then she smiled bitterly: “This Immortal Lord truly didn’t expect that Chang’an Zui was brewed by you.”
Then she changed the subject: “Wei Ming, this Immortal Lord is unwilling to see your talent disappear and die here, so I’ll give you a chance to survive, join the Jade White Capital, become my disciple, this Immortal Lord can guarantee you a future as the Prime Minister of the Great Tang, what do you think?”
Wei Ming shook his head: “I don’t think so, what Wei has always wanted is not a position as Prime Minister, even if you give me the throne, I’m not interested.”
“Then what do you really want?” Fake Dou Cong was even more confused, she didn’t even want the throne that ruled the world? How could there be such a person in the world? Unbelievable!
Wei Ming suddenly chuckled: “Of course I want you!”
“What?” Fake Dou Cong was stunned, with a look of blankness, then her face turned red, her anger and shame showing.
“Alright, you’ve wasted enough of my time, if your Jade White Capital only has these tricks, next time, this Imperial Censor will personally go to destroy your lair!”
With that, Wei Ming raised his arm and waved his hand, the talismans emitted a radiant glow, and the stone bridge instantly collapsed, heavenly fire descended, burning everything.
The flames shot up to the sky, burning everything, the Four Masters of Nan Zhou, the Xie family boys and old servant, Ouyang Quan and the woodcutter, all turned to ashes.
Fake Dou Cong rose from the ground, flew into the air, her clothes fluttering, she looked down, glared and shouted: “Wei Ming, although your methods are very powerful, the Jade White Capital is not a pushover either, this Immortal Lord, Hua Yue Ying, swears that I will make you submit under my feet!”
Wei Ming stood with his hands behind his back, looked up and continued to tease: “Wife, your words are wrong, compared to conquering by force, your husband is more likely to fall for your hairpin and skirt.”
“Ahhhh! You scoundrel, this Immortal Lord will definitely kill you!!!”
After a shout of anger, the illusion shattered, and Wei Ming returned to reality.