Do not lean against the west railing to lock in the clear autumn

Chapter 106

I didn't let Gan Lin and Zinuo come out, lest the group become too large. Anyway, even if we had bad luck and encountered some hooligans harassing respectable women, I should be able to handle it with my skills. I'm capable of protecting Youlan, aren't I?

When girls go shopping, they usually just browse cosmetics shops, jade shops, jewelry shops, and the like. Youlan picked out a box of light red rouge; it had a faint floral scent, which smelled very nice. The light color, paired with Youlan's fair skin, should look very pretty. I looked at my own skin, which had become a bit tanned and shiny these days, and felt a little self-conscious.

Once outside, I walked hand in hand with Youlan down the street. It was Youlan who took my hand first. Her palms were soft and delicate, but her fingertips had thin calluses from playing the zither for a long time. My hands, on the other hand, had calluses from practicing swordsmanship, making them much rougher than hers.

Regardless, the sight of the two walking together evoked a feeling of strolling hand-in-hand with a friend many years ago. Although I'd only known Youlan for a few days, at this moment it felt as if we'd known each other for ages. Although Yinyan and I were acquainted, there always seemed to be something between us. She and Youlan knew nothing of each other's past, yet they often talked about everything, showing a deep mutual appreciation. And Youlan, being a courtesan, was less bound by social conventions, which was one of the reasons why it was so easy to be with her.

"Youlan, why do I feel like we've known each other for a long time?" I asked Youlan with a smile. "It's almost like we've known each other for ages."

Youlan chuckled softly, "You're the one who just realized that?"

I was happy to find out that she felt the same way. It felt like I had finally found a kindred spirit in this strange world, someone who could understand and care for me.

The sun was getting hotter, and I was already sweating lightly, my cotton undershirt clinging to my body. Perhaps sensing the dampness in my palms, even though we couldn't see each other's faces, Youlan softly said, "Let's go back." And then we walked together toward the Orchid House.

As I entered the house, I smiled and said to Youlan, "Actually, the best time of year is to go for a stroll at night. It's cool and refreshing, and you can enjoy the lights all over the streets." Youlan doesn't need to go to Zuiyan Pavilion every night; it's not difficult for her, and with me by her side, she shouldn't encounter any danger.

Youlan nodded: "Alright, let's go out another night."

Back inside to wash off the sweat, Shanshan brought over a stack of clothes: "Miss Mo, Miss says it's best to wear women's clothes here, since there's no one else around."

I took the clothes. They were light and sheer, much more comfortable than my own coarse cloth clothes in this hot weather. Without hesitation, I put the clothes away and changed.

In the afternoon, while listening to Youlan play the zither by the lake, Shanshan hurried over: "Miss, Young Master Li has arrived." Then she saw Young Master Li, dressed in brocade, striding towards her from behind.

"Youlan, you'll probably have to go to the pavilion tonight. Marquis Kunshan sent someone to tell you that he specifically wants to hear you play a piece." Before we even entered the pavilion, Young Master Li said anxiously. When he saw me, he was slightly taken aback, but then he smiled knowingly.

Marquis Kunshan, isn't his fiefdom far from here? When Xuan Ying invaded before, he remained inactive and watched from the sidelines. If he had borrowed troops to stop them, how could Xuan Ying have so easily advanced so far? Now that the imperial army has already arrived, what brings him here now?

Youlan agreed, and only then did Young Master Li turn and leave. Youlan's hands traced the strings of the zither, producing a series of clear, resonant notes, faintly carrying the mournful cries of swords. I looked at Youlan with some concern: "What's wrong?"

Youlan smiled, revealing her neat teeth that gleamed like pearls: "I was just thinking about what kind of music to use to please Marquis Kunshan."

I finally felt relieved and helped Youlan come up with ideas. In the end, we pulled out Hu Yanbin's "Moonlight": Moonlight's color, woman's fragrance, tears break the sword, how long is love, how much pain, wordless thoughts, forgetting you, a lonely soul, drifting with the wind, who will laugh at the infatuated lover? In this battlefield of mortal life, among thousands of troops, who can reign supreme? Passing the test of love, who dares to brave it? Gazing at the bright moon, my heart is desolate, eternal hatred, tasted in reincarnation, with eyes closed, who is the most mad? Looking at the impermanence of the world, those who dare to love are destined to be wounded for life.

I don't know much about Marquis Kunshan, but because Yunrong married his son, there was a lot of talk about Marquis Kunshan and his son in the Prince Qing's mansion for a while. It is said that when Marquis Kunshan was still the heir apparent, he gave up the glory of the mansion for a woman from the martial arts world and was willing to travel the martial arts world with her. However, the woman eventually fell in love with someone else, leaving Marquis Kunshan heartbroken and returning to the mansion alone.

Many things are not as they seem on the surface. It's not necessarily true that the woman fell in love with someone else. What happened behind the scenes or was manipulated is not impossible. Perhaps the woman simply listened to some people and gave up something, or perhaps she couldn't bear the weight that Marquis Kunshan had given her, fearing that he would regret it when the martial world became turbulent, so she ran away first...

When it comes to other people's stories, I always try to find a perfect reason for the imperfect ending, just hoping that there is always something beautiful in the world.

As darkness fell, a carriage from Zuiyan Pavilion came to pick up Youlan. I wanted to go with her, feeling that I could help if anything happened, but Youlan refused, saying, "You'd better not go to a place like that."

Understanding Youlan's intentions, and knowing that it was a brothel, even if he was nothing, it would still be inappropriate in the eyes of outsiders. So he didn't force her and could only ask Ganlin to go to Zuiyan Pavilion to secretly protect Youlan.

Youlan has been in Zuiyan Pavilion for so many years, there's no reason why things should be any different today. But Youlan has already entered my heart, and I can't help but worry about her, so I've started to worry about everything.

That day, Youlan was gone for a long time. I sat anxiously in the hall waiting. It was past midnight when a weary Youlan was finally helped in by Shanshan, with Ganlin following behind them. After taking Youlan back to her room, Shanshan helped her wash and dress. I then left and found Ganlin, asking, "Is everything alright?"

Gan Lin shook his head: "It's nothing, I just played for several hours without rest and got tired."

I was relieved and started thinking about what medicine I could use to help Youlan take care of her overworked fingers.

Young Master Li still had some humanity. Knowing that Youlan's hand was injured, he didn't ask her to go to Zuiyan Pavilion for three days in a row. Youlan was happy to have some free time and spent all her days with me. In the evenings, we would go out to stroll around the streets, eat snacks at the night market, and buy some trinkets. These past few days, Youlan and I have been truly happy.

I bought a sugar figurine from a street vendor and gave it to Shanshan. Shanshan accepted it with a sweet smile, saying, "I'm not a child anymore!"

Youlan shook her head and smiled. I then handed a large cotton candy to Youlan. Youlan was stunned for a moment, but finally reached out and took it. She glared at me helplessly, then playfully stuck out her tongue and licked the cotton candy. Shanshan then laughed again.

As they walked back, Youlan looked up at the moon and suddenly said, "Qixi Festival is next month."

I laughed and said, "On Qixi Festival, I'll accompany you from one end of the street to the other!"

Youlan shook her head: "You can play by yourself that night. I'm definitely going to the pavilion."

My expression darkened...

Do not lean against the west railing to lock in the clear autumn. Chapter 90

Chapter word count: 4591 Update time: 09-08-29 10:11

Happy times always pass quickly. It feels like just yesterday we were talking about Qixi Festival, and now it's here again. It's been almost a month since I left Shizhou.

There are no rivers near Qingzhou City, and even the streams in the mountains outside the city are inconvenient. So early in the morning, people from all over the city come to this nameless lake to fetch water to take home for a bath. Seeing the excitement, I, who live by the lake and swim in it every day, also joined in. After fetching water, I went into the house and even dragged Youlan to take a bath as well. Youlan smiled and pointed at me, saying, "People use it to prepare for their baths at night."

I disagreed, saying, "That's different. Other people celebrate the Qixi Festival at night, but we celebrate it during the day."

Because Youlan had to go to "work" at Zuiyan Pavilion in the evening and couldn't go to the street to attend the grand event, I dragged Youlan and Shanshan along and set out fresh fruits and five kinds of nuts sent from elsewhere in the courtyard during the day, such as Qiaoguo, lotus pods, white lotus roots, and red water chestnuts. I also learned to make dumplings like Shanshan. Shanshan made three special dumplings: one with a copper coin inside, one with a needle inside, and the other with a red date inside.

The girls were busy with the Qixi Festival activities, and Ganlin and Zinuo were getting restless. Seeing us making a ruckus, Ganlin said, "You guys keep playing, we're going out for a walk." I quickly waved them off, telling them to go wherever they wanted.

The dumplings were cooked, so I scooped them out and placed them in the three of us's bowls. I blew on them to warm them up and said with a smile, "I hope I get a dumpling with a copper coin in it." Youlan and Shanshan also scooped up dumplings and carefully put them in their mouths. After eating several, I heard Youlan say "Ah!" and then spit out the dumpling in her mouth. She took out a copper coin, and I pouted in annoyance as I looked at it.

Immediately, Shanshan stopped too, took out a gleaming silver needle, and I watched as the dumplings in my bowl dwindled, almost to the last one, and decided to stop eating. Youlan asked me curiously, "Why aren't you eating?"

"Anyway, there's no hope. Even if there were, all that's left are red dates. What's there to look forward to?" I muttered.

Shanshan blurted out, "Red dates are good too, they're a good omen."

Seeing that I still didn't move, Youlan took my spoon and put the last dumpling to my mouth, so I had to open my mouth. Sure enough, I spat out the date pit, and I was very annoyed.

Those who find a copper coin in their food are blessed; those who find a needle are skillful; and those who find a red date will marry young.

Just thinking about it makes me uncomfortable.

Youlan and Shanshan were both very happy. Shanshan said with delight, "It's good that we each won a prize."