She spoke so convincingly, it sounded like she had a cure in mind.
I said, "How do you know? This poison is a private poison of the Eastern royal family. It should not be easy to cure. If it were that easy to cure, what would be the point of those people in the Eastern Lands?"
Qi Xiao said casually, "When I was in the capital, I saw a nine-tailed snow fox at Prince Xuan's residence. He told me about it."
I was surprised once again that Qi Xiao had actually spoken with someone like the Prince.
I looked at her and asked, "Is this Prince Xuan your sweetheart?"
Qi Xiao remained noncommittal, saying, "Nine-tailed snow foxes are very difficult to find in the northern desert; they are rare treasures."
I said, "Is it possible to get the one from the Prince's mansion? We just need its blood, we can add some fox blood and then secretly send it back."
Qi laughed and said, "That's possible."
Her words made me even more convinced that she had a close relationship with this Prince Xuan.
I said, "Then let's go to the capital and meet your lover."
After that, we drank again until the wine jug was empty.
The third watch of the night sounded, the moon shone white on the river, and all life ceased in the surroundings.
A light pink tinge appeared on her smiling face. She seemed slightly tipsy, resting her head on my shoulder, closing her eyes and murmuring softly, "Sister, how have you been all these years...?"
I nodded slightly, plucked a blade of grass, and started weaving it into a cricket. "Okay. Xiaoxiao, what about you?"
She remained silent for a long time, and finally, just when I thought she had fallen asleep, she said, "Oh no..."
I patted her back gently, like I used to lull her to sleep when she was little, and whispered, "It's my fault. From now on, I'll take you with me wherever I go."
The water rippled, the willows swayed gently on the bank, and the moonlight was enchanting.
The moon is full and people are reunited.
In the old days, I always remembered having a little sister who gave me hope. I wanted to buy her icing sugar, new clothes, and even share steamed buns with her. When the cold flared up, we would huddle together and laugh. Children need companionship. Back then, we didn't have winter coats, and even though our teeth chattered from the cold, we didn't feel it; we didn't eat meat all year, but that didn't seem so bad. Yangzhou remains prosperous, and the sunshine is still brilliant.
After Qi Xiao left, I felt utterly lost and empty. The person who had always been by my side had vanished overnight, and it felt like something was missing. Then An Chen appeared, giving me hope. After finding my master, he forgot about me and left me feeling empty again. So life went on in this cycle of fullness and emptiness, waxing and waning like the moon.
My family is already a full moon, but my love is still a waxing crescent moon, or rather, he might still be at the stage of a single star.
I looked up at the moon and sighed deeply. Sighing, I drifted off to sleep.
The next morning, Qi Xiao and I returned to the inn, disheveled and still sleepy.
The master was reading a book at the stone table in the courtyard. He looked up at me and gave me a gentle smile, like the first dew of dawn brushing against my heart.
I went over and told my master about the antidote for wolfsbane, and then mentioned that I planned to go to the capital with Qi Xiao to collect some blood.
The master frowned slightly and said, "I'll go with you."
Qi laughed and said, "No need to be so polite. I know Prince Xuan. My sister and I can go alone."
I suddenly remembered something, and leaned over to Qi Xiao and whispered, "Do you have a close personal relationship with Prince Xuan?"
She looked at me and nodded.
I said, "Then why don't we... let him send that fox to Medicine King Valley?"
Qi laughed and said, "..."
I discussed it with Qi Xiao, and then we split up. I went to the capital with her, while my master went back to the valley to collect deer antler lingzhi.
Before leaving, I bid farewell to my master on the Red Rail Bridge. On the bridge, scholars were bidding farewell, breaking off willow branches as a parting gift, and reciting poems and singing.
The master's hair swayed gently, he stood tall and elegant, and had a faint smile on his face.
I lowered my head and said, "Master."
The master said quietly, "Xiao Xiang."
After pondering for a long time, I finally recited a famous poem: "What harm is there in getting drunk for you? I only fear that when I sober up, my heart will break. I urge you to drink another cup of wine, so that we can go home together as husband and wife."
This poem is so unrestrained that after I finished reading it, I covered my face and ran off the bridge.
When we reached the bridge and saw Qi Xiao, I asked her, "What was my master's reaction just now?"
She said, "I laughed."
I said, "There are many kinds of laughter: a big laugh, a smile, a knowing smile, a gentle smile. Which kind is he?"
Qi laughed and said, "From this distance, I could only see that the corner of his mouth moved."
I was a little disappointed. "Oh..."
Qi Xiao patted my shoulder and said, "His eyes were filled with emotion, and his face seemed slightly flushed. He must be smiling knowingly and in mutual affection."
I said, "Can you see clearly the inscription on my master's fan?"
Qi Xiao shook his head.
I said, "You can't even tell if he has a fan in his hand, how can you tell that he's smiling knowingly and with mutual affection?"
Qi Xiao and I set off. Along the way, I reflected on the past. Ever since Lou Xiyue entered the valley, I had been caught in an endless journey. In less than a year, I had already traversed half of the Dali territory on foot. Once I have cured his third uncle, I will definitely give him all the work in the valley, so that he can sweep leaves in the bamboo forest every day.
After retracing my steps, I realized something: neither Qi Xiao nor I seemed to have much money on us. She said her purse was stolen the night we both got drunk on the banks of the Qinhuai River.
The only valuable things I have beside me, besides the luminous pearl, are the strong winds swirling overhead. I'm hesitating about whether to sell the winds.