Soon the carriage left the capital. Chu Tong lifted the curtain a crack and saw the majestic city gate getting further and further away from her.
At this moment, Wang Lang opened his eyes and said, "This afternoon we will arrive at Danzhou Ferry in the northern suburbs of the capital. At that time, we will abandon the carriage and travel by boat. It is estimated that it will take three or four months to reach the border between Beiliang and Dazhou. I know a miraculous doctor there who can cure your illness. Maybe he can help you detoxify."
Chu Tong forced a smile, but it was a bitter smile. She said sincerely, "Chu Tong has caused a terrible disaster. Young Master Wang did his best to protect me last night, and today he personally escorted me to Beiliang to get rid of the poison. I can never repay such a great kindness even if I die!"
Wang Lang shook his head, his delicate face appearing even more alluring in the shadows of the carriage: "Saving you was just a matter of a moment's thought. I might have gritted my teeth and truly let you die. To be honest, I wanted to back out several times that night, because your existence not only involves me, but might even implicate my family! But every time I looked at your face, my heart softened." Wang Lang slumped his shoulders dejectedly, saying helplessly, "No wonder my father said I'm too soft-hearted and won't amount to much. Compared to that person, I'm ultimately..." Wang Lang stopped there, and the carriage fell silent for a moment.
The group traveled slowly for a while, gradually picking up speed as they reached a sparsely populated area on the outskirts of the city, making the carriage increasingly bumpy. Chu Tong's wounds throbbed with pain from the jolting, and she huddled in a corner of the carriage, silently enduring the pain. At this moment, Wang Lang took a light pink cushion from beside him and handed it to her, saying, "This will make you more comfortable."
Chu Tong was taken aback. Wang Lang coughed lightly and said, "The carriage is moving so fast, and you're still injured. You must be feeling unwell. But things can change if we delay. We need to hurry. Please bear with it a little longer." He glanced at Chu Tong, hesitated slightly, and continued, "I know Xie Linghui's personality somewhat. If he's determined to kill you, he'll definitely lay a trap. The Xie family controls the Imperial Household Department and is the largest imperial merchant family in the dynasty. They have eyes and ears in both the canal and land transport. If I'm not mistaken, Xie Er will definitely use his connections to issue a hefty bounty for your capture in the martial arts world. If you're discovered, there will be bloodshed. So the sooner we leave, the better."
Upon hearing this, Chu Tong shrank back even further, and after a long while, she whispered, "Young Master Wang, I've dragged you into this."
Wang Lang was stunned. His lips moved, but he couldn't say a word. He just stared at the roof of the car and sighed deeply.
As evening fell, Wang Lang and his entourage arrived at Danzhou Ferry. They immediately abandoned their carriages, boarded the boat, and ordered the boatman to set sail. Although the wooden boat was not large, it was exquisitely constructed, with three cabins that could accommodate five or six people. Wang Lang had bought the boat for his daily travels, so it was fully equipped with all sorts of amenities.
After a long day of travel, everyone was exhausted, so they ate a little something and rested. Chu Tong tossed and turned in bed. As soon as she closed her eyes, she vaguely saw Xie Linghui's phoenix eyes filled with tenderness as he held her hand and said, "From now on, as long as I'm here, no one can bully you." Then, in a daze, she heard Xie Linghui's voice hoarse as he said, "Chu Tong, I'm sorry. I know you hate me... I'll repay you in my next life." As soon as he finished speaking, a gleaming sword shot towards her. Chu Tong jolted awake, sitting up abruptly in bed. She was covered in sweat, wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes, and felt so suffocated that she wanted to scream at the heavens.
Now wide awake, she decided to put on her shoes and go for a stroll on the deck. As she reached for her shoes, she touched a small jar under the bed. She picked it up, lifted the clay seal, and smelled a strong aroma of wine. Chu Tong shook her head and sighed, "Excellent, excellent! Nothing could be better than wine right now." She then gulped down several mouthfuls. The wine burned her throat, and she exclaimed, "What strong wine!" She then opened the door and staggered onto the deck, sitting down. The boat, sails full, moved slowly forward. A bright moon illuminated the shimmering river, and a few fishing lights flickered in the distance. Chu Tong drank while enjoying the river breeze, her heart filled with resentment. Before she knew it, she had finished more than half the jar.
Suddenly, she heard the sound of a door opening behind her. Chu Tong turned around and saw Wang Lang standing behind her, his eyes bright as charcoal. Chu Tong shook her dizzy head and nodded to Wang Lang, saying, "Young Master Wang."
Wang Lang frowned slightly, reached out to pull Chu Tong up, and said, "If you drink and get chilly here, you might accidentally fall into the river, which would be terrible."
Chu Tong was already slightly drunk. He pushed Wang Lang with one hand and said, "Young Master Wang, I'll just sit here by the boat. It's too stuffy inside... Li Bai exchanged his dappled horse and thousand-gold fur coat for wine to drown his sorrows. Didn't Cao Cao also say, 'What can dispel sorrow? Only Du Kang (wine)?' Drinking at this time is truly appropriate for the occasion." After saying that, he raised the wine jar and took another swig.
Wang Lang sighed and sat down next to Chu Tong. He was taken aback when he saw the wine jar in Chu Tong's hand and exclaimed, "What a great drinker! This is genuine baijiu, the first distillation of the brewing process, it's as strong as fire. A friend gave me two jars, and I couldn't handle even a little bit. I didn't expect you to drink so much!"
Chu Tong didn't answer, but silently drank a few sips of wine. Then, with her drunken eyes half-open, she stared at Wang Lang's beautiful profile. Wang Lang smiled and said, "If you're in a bad mood, I'll chat with you." Seeing that Chu Tong didn't speak, he continued, "I've always thought your name is beautiful. Yao Chu Tong sounds like 'shaking red candle,' which evokes the warmth of a flickering red candle."
Chu Tong chuckled, took a swig of wine, and slowly said that her original name wasn't Chu Tong. She had initially disliked the name Xie Linghui had given her. However, after hearing that among all the maids and servants in the Xie household, only her name had been personally chosen by the Second Master, she felt that the name was not only not unpleasant but also exceptionally pleasant to hear. She recounted how she escaped from the brothel and how she met Xie Linghui. She was Xie Linghui's confidante, accompanying him for years in reading, martial arts practice, drinking, and heart-to-heart talks. Later, Xie Linghui gave her a jade ruyi as a token of their love and said he wanted to marry her. But in the end, she stood up for the Xie household, and Xie Linghui wanted to kill her.
Wang Lang listened quietly to her finish speaking, and then sighed, "Yan Tongshu once wrote, 'The pain of being heartless is not as great as that of being affectionate; even an inch can become a thousand threads.' This shows that the place where one's heart is placed and the place where one's feelings depend cannot be severed so easily. Xie Er is ultimately not a person who is skilled in romance and love."
Upon hearing Wang Lang's words, Chu Tong realized she had spoken too much, and stammered, "Young Master Wang, I'm sorry to have troubled you. Please come inside. I... I've had too much to drink and it's understandable that I lost my composure..."
Wang Lang smiled and said solemnly, "There's no need to trouble yourself. I think the way you drink so heartily has a certain chivalrous spirit, quite pleasing to the eye." Then he paused, and began to speak eloquently: "Women in this world each have their own unique charm and allure. Some are as gentle as mountain spring water, some as mellow as clear tea, some as astringent as Chinese medicine, and some as strong as liquor. Regardless of their type, each has a unique beauty. Therefore, it is clear that most women in the world should be cherished and appreciated. What is wrong with your current demeanor?"
Chu Tong was stunned after hearing this reasoning. She was a little tipsy and chuckled dryly. The words in her mind came out: "Young Master Wang is really good at talking. No wonder the second young lady of the Xie family is so infatuated with you!" After she finished speaking, she felt a little bad. Wouldn't Wang Lang know that she had caught them having an affair in the carriage?
Unexpectedly, Wang Lang sighed and said, "What happened yesterday did hurt her deeply, and I had no choice but to do it. But a short pain is worse than a long one. Miss Xie is indeed a rare woman in this world, but my feelings for her are only those of a friend. I have truly let her down!"
After saying this, Wang Lang sighed deeply again. He looked up at the moon in the sky, then suddenly tapped the gunwale of the boat with his left hand and sang: "A river of misty waves accompanies the cold moon, drifting clouds scatter like frost. A boat sails on the river at night, a sorrowful traveler cannot sleep. The morning wind chills my jade fingers, I deeply recall the events of yesteryear. I lower my head and look at my tearful eyes, I will eventually have to betray my youthful beauty."
The voice was clear and pleasant, like a gentle breeze, yet it contained a hidden sorrow, each word tugging at the heartstrings. Upon hearing it, Chu Tong felt even more heartbroken. She picked up the jar and poured the remaining wine into her mouth with a "thump," instantly soaking her clothes.
Wang Lang raised an eyebrow and glanced at Chu Tong, then stopped singing, and the atmosphere immediately became quiet.
A gentle breeze blew, and the river stretched out before them. They sat quietly for a moment, then Wang Lang smiled faintly and asked softly, "Do you regret it?"
These words struck a nerve with Chu Tong, piercing her deepest wounds. Even the excruciating pain in her shoulders and legs paled in comparison to the heartbreak. Her body trembled slightly, and her expression changed again. She pondered for a long time, but remained somewhat bewildered. With half-open, drunken eyes, she gazed at Wang Lang's stunning face and murmured, "I...I don't know..."
Just then, with a "plop," the wine jar in Chu Tong's arms fell into the river. She suddenly lowered her head and said in a hoarse voice, "I feel terrible."
Wang Lang's expression was calm, but a hint of pity appeared in his eyes. He reached out and touched the back of Chu Tong's head, saying softly, "I understand."
The gesture was warm and gentle, instantly breaking down Chu Tong's dam of tears. Ever since being hunted down by Xie Linghui, no matter how much physical pain or despair she felt, she had always swallowed her tears. But now, however, tears streamed down her face. She cursed inwardly, "Damn it, I must have drunk too much today. Otherwise, why would I be shedding tears for my mortal enemy? I must have had too much to drink! I must have!" She lowered her head, bit her lip, and clenched the hem of her clothes so tightly that they creased.
A look of pity flashed in Wang Lang's eyes. He reached out and pulled her into his arms, whispering, "It's alright, cry it out."
Chu Tong leaned against Wang Lang's chest, clutching his clothes, and finally couldn't hold back her sobs, crying until she was delirious. In her hazy state, she felt a pair of arms around her, and when she was exhausted from crying, she fell asleep in a warm embrace.
Blue waters and yellow sands. Countless flowers bloom on both banks, but the flowers remain silent when questioned, their petals scattered as people walk away.
March arrived in the blink of an eye, and Wang Lang and his group continued their northward journey along the river. Thanks to favorable winds and currents, their boat traveled swiftly. Chu Tong's whip wounds had largely healed, but the poison in her body remained, requiring daily acupuncture and herbal medicine to control its effects. Initially, she remained secluded in her room, lying in bed lost in thought. Wang Lang, however, came to chat with her every day. When Chu Tong remained silent, he would talk to himself, finding a strange kind of amusement in it. As time passed, Chu Tong gradually cheered up, occasionally going to the deck to admire the scenery and exchanging a few words with Wang Lang. Wang Lang remained as carefree as ever, chatting idly with Chu Tong about all sorts of things.
That evening, Wang Lang sat fishing on the side of the boat when he suddenly heard the faint sounds of fighting in the distance. Chu Tong, who was in the cabin, also heard the commotion and opened the window, craning her neck to look into the distance. Wang Lang glanced at her and said, "The river bandits are rampant in this area. It's likely that some boats ahead have been robbed, but it could also be a feud between江湖 (jianghu, the martial arts world). You should disguise yourself and change into men's clothing, and make sure no one recognizes you."
Chu Tong nodded, immediately changed her clothes, blackened her face, and added pockmarks to disguise herself as an ugly servant. The boat slowly moved forward along the river, the shouts of battle growing closer, interspersed with occasional screams. Chu Tong grew tense, constantly reassuring herself, "Don't be afraid, don't be afraid. Young Master Wang, Bai Jia, and those two guards, You Wei and Zhang Maocai, all know martial arts. Even the two boatmen on the boat are strong and healthy. With them around, I'm naturally safe." Thinking this, she slightly opened the window and peeked out. A thick fog enveloped the area ahead, two large boats stood side-by-side on the river, and several figures wielding large swords were fighting each other in the shadows. Those struck cried out and fell into the water, staining the surface with blood. Several corpses floated to the surface beside the boats, while those who had fallen into the water continued to struggle desperately.
Wang Lang ordered the boatman to bring the boat closer. He focused his gaze and, recognizing the sign on the sailboat, was immediately alarmed. He exclaimed, "It's a Tonghua Society boat! We must go quickly to rescue them!" He then ordered the boatman to bring the boat closer, while instructing Bai Jia to protect Chu Tong on board. He himself lifted his robe, drew his long sword, and leaped onto a nearby boat. You Wei and Zhang Maocai, fearing for Wang Lang's safety, hurriedly followed.
Looking out, Chu Tong saw a cargo ship with a large sail, adorned with a huge five-petaled red flower, within which was written a full "昌" (Chang, meaning prosperous). Along the way, Chu Tong had seen many such cargo ships, all bearing the five-petaled red flower, but the characters written on the flower varied: some wrote "顺" (Shun, meaning smooth), some "宝" (Bao, meaning treasure), some "平" (Ping, meaning peace), some "宁" (Ning, meaning tranquility), and some "盛" (Sheng, meaning prosperity). These ships sailed north or south along the river. Chu Tong and her companions occasionally stopped at ferry crossings, where they could see these merchant ships busily unloading and loading cargo. Chu Tong thought to herself, "The five-petaled red flower on the sail indicates this cargo ship belongs to the Tonghua Society." Looking closer, she saw that the side fighting with the Tonghua Society consisted of about twenty men, each with a purple scarf wrapped around their arm, resembling notorious bandits from the outlaw world, extremely fierce.
At this moment, Wang Lang was already engaged in battle with the Purple Turban faction, and in an instant, swords flashed and blood flew everywhere. Chu Tong saw that Wang Lang was thin and had thought that his martial arts skills were just something that officials' sons did on a whim, but she did not expect that he was actually quite skilled in swordsmanship. He wielded his long sword with elegance and grace, like a raging river or a swallow flying in a light rain. In the blink of an eye, several people had been cut down by his sword.
The purple-clad men, their eyes bloodshot with rage, were also outmatched, their mere bravado resulting in over half their numbers being killed or wounded. The remaining men, seeing the unfavorable situation, seemed unwilling to linger, hastily exchanging a few blows before hoisting their sails to flee. You Wei drew his sword, ready to give chase, but Wang Lang stopped him, saying, "Forget it, saving lives is paramount. We don't know their origins, nor whether there are ambushes ahead; let's not act rashly." He then ordered everyone to search for survivors. The group found three survivors, treated their wounds on the large ship, and, following their directions, retrieved their fallen comrades' bodies, arranging them on the deck.
Among the three were two middle-aged men and an old man in his sixties. Upon seeing the corpses lined up on the deck, they burst into tears. After crying for a while, the old man managed to stop his tears, knelt down before Wang Lang with a "plop," and kowtowed, saying, "I am deeply grateful for your rescue, my benefactor. I could never repay you even if I were to die!" The two burly men behind him also knelt down and kowtowed.
Wang Lang hurriedly stopped him, saying, "Please rise. I have some connections with your guild's second manager. Now that you are in danger, I must help you no matter what." He paused and then said, "The Tonghua Guild has always been influential in both land and water transport, and has a great reputation in the martial arts world. I wonder why it has suffered such a misfortune this time?"
The old man wept and said, “Today’s events are indeed a misfortune. It’s a long story, but you may have heard of it, my benefactor. There used to be a great sect in the martial arts world called the Cloud Peak Sect. Legend has it that their sacred objects were a pair of jade boxes, one made of green jade and the other of white jade.”
As soon as he said this, Chu Tong immediately perked up her ears.
Wang Lang nodded and said, "I know that. After the imperial court wiped out the Yunding Sect, one of the two boxes was kept in the Great Zhou Imperial Palace, and the other was kept in Beiliang. They have been out of the martial arts world for a long time."
The old man said, “That’s right. Now there are rumors circulating in the martial world that these two boxes have reappeared. I just learned that everyone outside says our gang has obtained the jade box and is secretly taking it to headquarters. The box is on our ship, which is named Chang. That group just now were bandits who came to rob us. They planned to kill everyone on the ship and then slowly search for the jade box… Poor… poor brothers who died unjustly on my ship!” The old man wiped away his tears with his sleeve after he finished speaking.
Wang Lang nodded and said, "That group of bandits just now used purple scarves wrapped around their arms to distinguish friend from foe, which shows that they also hastily joined forces and can't even recognize their own people."
Chu Tong stuck out her tongue inwardly, a cold sweat breaking out on her back. She thought to herself, "Thank goodness, they don't know that the box is in my hands now, otherwise wouldn't I be a victim of their blades soon too?" She composed herself and said, "Nobody knows what's hidden in that box, so why are we fighting so fiercely over it, with heads bleeding and rivers of blood, crying and screaming? People's brains are practically turned into dog brains. I really don't think it's worth it."
The old man said, “What this young man says is absolutely right. But Yun Banhe, the leader of the Yunding Sect, once said that by obtaining these two boxes one can glimpse the secrets of heaven and become rich. Back then, the Yunding Sect was so rich that it could rival a country and even contend with the imperial court. I think there is no one in the world who doesn’t want to get rich, so everyone is eager to get these two boxes.”
Upon hearing this, Chu Tong's heart skipped a beat. She thought to herself, "Wow, that's incredibly wealthy! Sleeping on a pillow of silver and gold every day, I'm sure I'll have sweet dreams every night!" Thinking of this, she couldn't help but smile broadly, and even her heartbreak was instantly forgotten.
Wang Lang glanced at Chu Tong, puzzled as to why she suddenly had such a sly smile on her face. But seeing the radiance in her eyes that she once had, he felt a little relieved.
The group then sailed to a sheltered spot and rested for the night. The next day, Wang Lang and his companions escorted the Tonghua Society's merchant ship to the nearest port, and then continued northward. More than a month later, the group finally disembarked and arrived at a remote border town.
Although the town was small, its market was bustling and vibrant, carrying a strong exotic flavor and a lively atmosphere. Chu Tong had long been impatient with the monotonous days on the ship, and seeing the Hu and Yi people dressed in their colorful ethnic costumes at the market filled her with an indescribable sense of novelty. Many of the things they sold were novelties she had never seen before.
As they approached a stable where horses were being sold, a beautiful and alluring Di girl stood beside a horse, holding a red veil in her hand, her cleavage and snow-white thighs exposed. Seeing Wang Lang approach, she reached out and touched his chest a few times, her palm gently caressing him, her eyes full of provocative and ambiguous desire. Wang Lang remained perfectly calm despite being touched, even smiling slightly at the girl while fanning himself, causing her to become dazed, her cheeks flushed with affection, and she immediately blew her a kiss.
Upon seeing this, Chu Tong's almond-shaped eyes widened, and she stuck out her tongue, thinking to herself, "My goodness! Does this barbarian woman think Young Master Wang is a male prostitute from a brothel, and she's actually making advances towards him! Doesn't she know that women from other tribes can also patronize men? Bah! Back in my Central Plains Great Zhou, young ladies in their mansions can't even leave their doors. If they flirt with a man even slightly, it's considered immoral and they have to tolerate men having multiple wives and concubines. And here, women dare to flirt with men in broad daylight!" Thinking of this, she couldn't tell whether she felt envy or sadness, and her heart was filled with mixed emotions of joy and sorrow.
As she was lost in thought, a hand suddenly wrapped around her waist and tightened around it. Chu Tong was startled, and then Wang Lang's breath filled her nostrils. She looked up and saw Wang Lang's beautiful face close to her ear as he chuckled, "The Di, Yi, and Hu peoples are all nomadic peoples with very open customs. It's perfectly normal for men and women to flirt and tease each other in the streets." He then admired Chu Tong's shocked expression, chuckled twice, and continued, "If you take a fancy to any girl or man, pick a red flower and ask him out. If he accepts the flower, then you can sneak into his tent that night and have your way with him."
Chu Tong's eyes widened even more, and she exclaimed, "What! What! If they do things like this, wouldn't the barbarian lands cut off the brothel owners' livelihoods? Where would the brothels stand then?"
Wang Lang never expected Chu Tong to think of this, and he was stunned. His lips twitched a couple of times, and after a long while, he nodded and said, "What you said makes sense."
After a short rest in the town, the group bought some supplies and horses. At noon, they followed a caravan and left the town in a grand procession.
Chu Tong had changed into men's clothing, but her face was still disguised. She rode alongside Wang Lang on horseback. The further they got from the town, the more distant the scenery became, with only blue skies, white clouds, and vast grasslands, occasionally punctuated by eagles soaring overhead, a scene of desolation and loneliness.
After traveling for a while, the caravan slowly arrived at a towering and strategically important border fortress. The gates at the foot of the fortress were already open, and merchants filed in. Chu Tong looked up and saw countless soldiers standing on the gate tower, holding long spears and sharp blades, their expressions solemn and rigid.
Wang Lang glanced at Chu Tong and said, "Once we leave this Jade Gorge Pass, we'll reach the territory of Northern Liang." He pointed a long whip into the distance, half-closing his eyes, and slowly said, "Northern Liang and Great Zhou have been at war for ten years over this very territory, the twelve prefectures of Yanzhi! We reclaimed Yanzhi, but soon lost it again. Both sides fought to the death, resulting in widespread suffering and devastation!"
Chu Tong asked, puzzled, "What's there to rob in this vast grassland?"
Wang Lang laughed heartily: "Although this is a grassland, it contains several iron ore veins and hundreds of tribes. If we obtain this land, tribes large and small will submit and pay tribute. Moreover, this is a military fortress; if we lose it, the consequences will be unimaginable." Seeing that Chu Tong was listening attentively, Wang Lang became even more spirited, pointed to the distant mountains, and said: "Don't think that Beiliang is a desolate place. Beyond those mountains, the prefectures, towns, and cities of Beiliang are as prosperous and wealthy as those of the Great Zhou Dynasty."
Chu Tong said, "The Northern Liang is a wealthy and powerful country, no wonder it has been able to wage war against us for so long."
Wang Lang said, "That's right. In recent years, not only Northern Liang, but also Southern Yan has been making moves. However, the Great Zhou Dynasty is unstable and internal strife has arisen..." He paused here, and Chu Tong understood that Wang Lang was referring to the Crown Prince's planned rebellion. Wang Lang then sighed softly, "It's no wonder the Crown Prince has such rebellious thoughts. The Emperor is over fifty years old this year, but his health is still excellent, and he could reign for another ten years or so without any problem. But the Crown Prince is already thirty years old, in his prime, and he is also ambitious and wants to control the whole situation." After saying this, Wang Lang gave Chu Tong a deep look and continued, "Now the Xie family's future is closely linked to the Crown Prince. Xie Er has been highly regarded by the Crown Prince since childhood and was the study companion of the Crown Prince's eldest son. Naturally, he became the Crown Prince's confidant. Now he is in charge of the Nine Cities Military Command, which is largely under the Crown Prince's influence. Xie's eldest daughter, Consort Lan, has not yet borne any children since entering the palace, and her position is no longer secure. Now, in order to consolidate their power, the Xie family has actually married Xie Xiuyan to the Emperor's only brother, Prince Duan! Prince Duan is over forty years old this year. Although he is of good character and appearance, it is enough to make people sigh with regret that the second young lady of the Xie family, with such character, has to give herself to such a young age and even become a concubine." At this point, Wang Lang shook his head and sighed again, feeling deeply moved.
Chu Tong knew that Wang Lang was gentle and didn't mind people joking with him, so she smiled and said, "If Young Master Wang thinks that Xie Xiuyan is a beautiful flower stuck in cow dung, why not take her and go far away to the ends of the earth? Xie Xiuyan would definitely be more than happy to have her. The daughter of the Xie family would even be willing to be your personal maid!"
Wang Lang laughed heartily, his refined features appearing even more ethereal. He glanced meaningfully at Chu Tong, then looked straight ahead and said leisurely, "This is what I desire." He then frowned slightly, his smile fading, and murmured, "If the Crown Prince truly intends to raise an army, the Wang family must be fully prepared. However, the Crown Prince's power is still weak; if he wishes to rebel, he will have to wait at least three years..." He stopped there, gazing wistfully into the distance. Chu Tong looked up at him and saw a hidden wisdom gleaming in Wang Lang's usually composed eyes, a wisdom that seemed to be deeply concealed.
At that moment, a melodious and desolate tune from a horse-head fiddle drifted from a carriage not far away. An old man, sitting on the carriage shaft, sang in a hoarse voice: "The wind rises and the sun sets, thousands of miles away on the border, many are sent to guard the frontier. The mournful sound of the Qiang flute is unbearable to lament; for now, I am a wanderer on the edge of the world..."
Looking up, the sun really does seem to be setting.
The shattered green silk was nowhere to be found.
The mountains embrace verdant peaks, shrouded in misty clouds; the tranquil lake reflects the moon, enveloped in a hazy fog.
Chu Tong traveled with Wang Lang and the caravan for two days. Because they sometimes had to ride horses, she wore men's clothing and disguised her face with pockmarks. The daytime weather on the grassland was bearable, but the nights were bitterly cold. Chu Tong felt cold even with her cloak on, so she took out the cotton-padded coat containing gold and silver treasures and put it on at night. Although the coat was a secondhand item that Chu Tong had bought from a secondhand clothing store four years ago, it was not very large when she bought it, and after a series of changes, Chu Tong had lost a lot of weight, so it was still barely enough to keep her warm.
After sunset that day, the caravan camped by a lake and lit a campfire to cook dinner. Smoke curled upwards, and the aroma of food filled the air. Having traveled all day, Chu Tong was a little tired and only ate a few bites. Seeing this, Wang Lang said, "You should rest early. We'll reach the foot of Liancang Mountain in a couple more days. The famous doctor I mentioned lives there. Even if you're not feeling well, just bear with it for a few more days." Chu Tong nodded and stood up, preparing to climb back into the carriage to sleep. Just then, she heard two cheers, "Hey! Hey!" followed by the lively sound of a hand drum and the clear, crisp sound of silver bells. Chu Tong craned her neck to look and saw a graceful Yi ethnic minority girl standing by a nearby campfire. Her face was veiled, revealing only a pair of bright, watery eyes with thick, fan-like eyelashes. Although she wore a fox fur coat, her delicate body beneath the animal skin appeared to be completely naked. Holding a small hand drum inlaid with silver bells, she danced around the campfire, her feet tapping to the rhythm. A middle-aged Yi man sat cross-legged by the fire, playing his harp and humming softly.
A commotion arose as people gathered around. The girl danced even more joyfully before the crowd, her steps quickening, her movements nimble, and as she spun rapidly, her snow-white thighs were revealed beneath her skirt, a seductive glimpse of her skin. The men couldn't help but whistle and cheer.
As Wang Lang watched the young woman's dance while drinking, he glanced out of the corner of his eye and saw Chu Tong sitting beside him, dumbfounded, her bright eyes wide as she stared intently at the dancing girl, her expression quite astonished. He chuckled and leaned closer, saying, "Hu women are good at music, and Yi women are good at dancing. This is the Bahe dance of the Yi tribe, lively and unrestrained, meaning to celebrate the return from hunting. The women wear only animal skins, holding drums and spinning and leaping joyfully. It has a completely different flavor from the Great Zhou's 'Quzhezhi' and 'Chunyingzhuan'."
Upon hearing this, Chu Tong turned her head and stared at Wang Lang with admiration in her eyes. Wang Lang was taken aback, feeling a little smug. He smiled and was about to say something when he saw Chu Tong say with a mixture of admiration and melancholy, "That old woman is really amazing. It's so cold at night, yet she can jump around with her legs bare. Isn't she afraid of getting arthritis?"
Wang Lang's smile froze instantly. After a long pause, he coughed lightly and said, "I think she's not afraid."
The girl danced for a while, her steps gradually shifting outwards. Holding her hand drum, she spun a few times and leaped in front of Wang Lang. Turning, she executed a graceful backbend, vaguely revealing her ample bosom. The crowd erupted in applause and whistles, the atmosphere reaching a climax. The girl then danced around Wang Lang a few more times, her eyes alluring, her movements flirtatious. The veil over her face rose and fell with her movements, adding to her mystique.
Chu Tong thought to herself, "Oh my! Such a flirtatious girl, if she were willing to work in a brothel, dancing a few times a day, wouldn't her patrons be lining up to wear down the doorstep!" Thinking this, she glanced at Wang Lang, who was holding a wine cup, his eyes narrowed, striking a debonair pose. The campfire made his handsome face even more dashing and alluring. Chu Tong immediately curled her lip, disdainfully averting her gaze, thinking, "Hmph, all men are the same; they'll drool over any pretty girl they see."
At this moment, the drumbeats and music grew more urgent, and the girl suddenly ripped off her veil, giving Wang Lang a charming smile, which drew cheers from the crowd. Chu Tong and Wang Lang were both stunned; the dancing girl was none other than the Yi ethnic minority girl they had met by the stables in the town that day.
The young woman removed her veil, reached into her bosom, and pulled a red flower from her bosom. Smiling, she presented it to Wang Lang, and the crowd immediately erupted in boos. Countless envious and jealous gazes were fixed on Wang Lang. Some shouted, "This pretty boy is so damn lucky!"; others yelled, "Beauty, give me the flower!"; still others shouted at Wang Lang, "If you're a man, take it!" The vast grassland seemed to boil over in an instant.
Wang Lang stared at the red flower for a long while, then suddenly smiled slightly, shook his head at the girl, reached out and pulled Chu Tong close, leaning in to kiss her on the cheek. Chu Tong instantly froze. Gasps rippled through the crowd as people whispered, "This handsome man is a homosexual! And the male concubine he dotes on is so ugly!"
The young woman was also taken aback, her eyes widening in disbelief as she sized up Chu Tong, raising her chin high with obvious contempt. Rejected, she was quite magnanimous, tossing the red flower on the ground, waving her hand, and turning to leave, though her brows were furrowed, her expression quite displeased. Several hooligans, holding red flowers, followed her, wailing and howling, "Beauty! Don't go! A night of passion is worth a thousand pieces of gold! I'm a strong, virile man, I guarantee I'll serve you a night of pleasure!" The young woman ignored them completely and climbed into the carriage.
In no time at all, the people who had gathered together had dispersed. Chu Tong felt a little embarrassed seeing Wang Lang still holding her. She struggled slightly, but Wang Lang didn't let go. He suddenly said with a serious expression, "It's never good to hurt a young lady's feelings. If I openly refused the red flower, it would be like publicly humiliating her, and she would definitely be heartbroken; if I accepted the red flower and then refused to... to do *that* kind of thing, she would also be heartbroken. After thinking it over, the only appropriate thing to do was what I did just now, which preserved her dignity..." As he spoke, he lowered his head and gave Chu Tong a deep look.
Chu Tong thought to herself, "You saved her face, but I lost mine." She struggled a couple more times to no avail, and could only laugh awkwardly to ease the embarrassment, saying, "Yes, yes, Young Master Wang is chivalrous and saved face, saved face... But I saw that old woman had a nice waist and legs, why didn't Young Master Wang accept her red flower? Perhaps you don't like that kind of thing?"
Upon hearing these rather "manly" words, Wang Lang's expression stiffened again. Suddenly, his eyes flickered a few times, a smile appeared on his lips, and he nodded emphatically, saying, "Yes, I don't like that kind of thing." With that, he leaned down, his breath growing closer, and the next moment, his soft lips pressed against his.
Chu Tong felt a sudden "boom" in her mind. Her mind was in turmoil, and she pushed Wang Lang away. She stood up and ran a few steps, then stammered, "Young Master Wang, my stomach hurts, I need to go to the toilet!" After saying that, she plunged into the grass by the lake.
Chu Tong stepped into the depths of the grass, feeling a tickling sensation in her chest, as if a little mouse were tugging at her heart. She walked along the lake for a while, then plopped down, hugging her arms and legs, burying her head in the grass. These past few days, she and Wang Lang had gotten along very well, spending every day together. Wang Lang would occasionally hold her hand or put his arm around her waist, but their actions always remained respectful and within the bounds of propriety. Although Chu Tong had gradually recovered, the emotional wounds remained, and coupled with the poison she was suffering from, she had no plans for the future, feeling that every day was a bonus. But today's kiss served as a stark reminder.
She sat quietly for a while, shook her head, and rested her chin on her right hand, thinking, "I used to read a few romantic novels about talented scholars and beautiful women when I was bored. Things like Yingying, Jinlian, and Du Liniang—usually, after a stunningly beautiful woman is rescued by a handsome young man, she'll repay him with her body. Now, my situation with Young Master Wang can roughly be considered a hero rescuing a beauty… So, does this mean I'm going to create a beautiful story?" Just as she thought this, Xie Linghui's face suddenly flashed into her mind, and she felt a pang of pain. She waved her hand vigorously, as if trying to banish the image from her mind, then composed herself, switched to resting her chin on her left hand, and thought… She said, "Now that I bear the brunt of the crime of implicating nine generations of my family, at most Young Master Wang will keep me as a concubine outside..." She tightened her clothes, her hand touching the hard jade box through the cotton. Her spirits lifted, and she thought, "Now that I have this jade box, if I find the white jade box as well, I will be the richest man in the world! Then, Young Master Wang will have as much money as he wants, and whatever kind of girl he desires, I will buy her for him. In this world, there are plenty of beauties; why would I be afraid of not finding a woman he likes?" Thinking this, she felt relieved and relaxed.
Suddenly, a shout of battle rang out, followed by countless torches lighting up the slope. The clatter of hooves was like a torrential downpour, and there seemed to be more than a hundred people shouting, their voices chilling.
Chu Tong was immediately startled, thinking, "My God! Could it be that Xie Linghui sent people to kill me?" Without thinking, she ran outside, and when she saw the scene before her, she gasped in shock. Although only a short moment had passed, the outside world had undergone a dramatic change. The peaceful scene was gone, and several groups of twenty or more men on horseback charged down, heading straight for the carriages to plunder the goods. They slashed at anyone they encountered. Among the caravan were many brave men who picked up weapons and fought back. Screams filled the air, and blood splattered everywhere on the grassland.
Chu Tong's legs went weak with fear. She crouched down and hid in the bushes, slowly moving as she searched for Wang Lang. Her heart trembled. "The other day, Young Master Wang said that bandits roamed this grassland area, specializing in robbing passing caravans. They were all ruthless killers. Damn it, it seems I'm having a run of bad luck; I've run into bandits today!" she cursed inwardly as she secretly observed the situation. She saw that the bandits were numerous, fierce, and skilled in combat; the caravan was quickly routed.
Suddenly, a young man in yellow robes rode out from the crowd on a fine horse. His wide sleeves and flowing robes framed his handsome face, which appeared strikingly rugged in the firelight. Three mounted attendants accompanied him, hacking away at the bandits while searching the surroundings. The young man's brow was furrowed, his anxiety evident. Chu Tong's heart leaped with joy. With a whoosh, she sprang from the bushes, dodging the flashing blades and shouting, "Young Master Wang! Young Master Wang! I'm here! I'm here!"
Amidst the clamor and shouts of battle, Wang Lang, oblivious to Chu Tong's cries, continued his search. Chu Tong, anxious, took a few more steps forward when suddenly someone grabbed her from behind, pulling her back and causing her to stumble. Before she could react, she was lifted and thrown into a wooden prison cart, the door slamming shut behind her. Chu Tong, dazed from the fall, struggled to her feet. Inside the cart were several men and women, each huddled in a corner, their faces filled with terror. Two burly men stood guard at the cart's door, shoving and pushing the captured prisoners into the cart.
Chu Tong sensed something was wrong. Just then, the prison cart door opened again. She tried to seize the opportunity to rush out, but a thin man beside her had already taken the lead and rushed towards the door. With a scream, the bandits guarding the door swiftly brought down their knives, and in an instant, the thin man was decapitated, lying in a pool of blood. His body was still hanging on the cart, but his head had rolled to the ground, turned twice, and remained motionless. The people in the cart were completely stunned. Immediately, a woman began to cry softly, and the others covered their eyes, unable to bear watching. This act was undoubtedly a warning to others; people were terrified and dared not make any further moves.
Just then, one of the bandits said, "I think this cartload of people is enough. Let's take them back first."
The other nodded in agreement, grabbed a large padlock, and locked the door securely before driving the cart back. Chu Tong inwardly groaned, but dared not utter a sound, only able to watch helplessly as Wang Lang receded further and further away.