Chapter 36: Chapter 34: Qingshan Yunshui Cave
Zhao Rong and his group had been traveling for a day, and at dusk, they reached a lake that stretched for ten miles. Willow trees swayed gently by the lake, and the surface of the water glimred like scattered gold.
Zhao Rong glanced at the orange afterglow of the sunset and suggested they spend the night there. The three found a relatively open spot by the lake and set up a few cowhide tents and built a simple stove.
Liu Sanbian went to the lakeside to catch fish, while Zhao Rong took Su Xiaoxiao to gather twigs.
After a bout of activity, Liu Sanbian returned, carrying a fish that weighed over a dozen pounds and a pheasant with brilliant plumage. He glanced at the two who were still frolicking in the distance and shook his head with a smile.
That Miss Su had a gentle and sowhat foolish disposition, often bullied by Zhao brother until her eyes were brimming with tears, turning away in a huff. But every ti, as soon as Zhao brother would coax her a little, or after a short while, her anger would dissipate. Then she would be gleefully clinging to Zhao brother once again, chatting with him, or asking him to tell stories, completely wrapped around his finger. Ah, scholars indeed are formidable.
Thinking of scholars, his gaze suddenly beca distant. The remaining glow of the sunset sprawled across his side face, softening his otherwise harsh features characterized by a hooked nose and a chilly gaze. But it quickly all disappeared as he furrowed his brows and pursed his lips, his expression one of resolve.
...
Zhao Rong strolled back leisurely, with the jingle of the Jade Tokens at his waist producing a clear and lodious sound. Behind him followed soone carrying a large pile of wood and branches, staggering along.
At that mont, he was looking down intently, weaving the willow branches in his hand. He drew the scholar sword from his waist and trimd the branches a bit more; then he wrapped so leaves around and stuck a few flowers in. A beautiful willow crown was completed.
Turning around, behind him was Su Xiaoxiao, holding a pile of wood taller than herself, who kept walking forward. Zhao Rong quickly stepped aside to avoid bumping into her.
“So clumsy.”
Little Su Xiaoxiao’s head peeked out from the pile of wood, looking innocently at Zhao Rong.
“Xiaoxiao is not clumsy, you are!”
Zhao Rong casually placed the crown on the little Fox Demon’s head, gave it an appreciative glance, and nodded with satisfaction. Then he pulled out two wild fruits from his chest, biting into one while handing the other to the Fox Demon, whose hands were full.
With a bite of her silver teeth, Su Xiaoxiao nearly nipped the fingers of the troubleso man next to her.
“Why did you scare them off just now?”
“Foolish girl, are you talking about those stupid fish? They were hindering from practicing my Divine Skill.”
“Ugh, they’re just innocent little goldfish, what did they ever do to you? Why did you throw stones at them?”
“I told you, they were a hindrance. I was practicing the Divine Skill of skipping stones on water, and their mindless swimming was annoying, it upset my rhythm, and the farthest one only skipped fifty-one tis, utterly disgraceful. If it weren’t for considering your face, I would have drawn my sword and evaporated all the water from this ten-mile lake by now, turning those goldfish black, to provide you with so extra food for this evening.”
“Bully, you’re lying again. What Divine Skill do you have? You’re not even as strong as Xiaoxiao…” Su Xiaoxiao turned her head away, pouting and refusing to look at Zhao Rong. Muttering under her breath, “It was Xiaoxiao who made fifty-one skips, you only did fifteen, ugh, it was Xiaoxiao’s first ti playing.”
Zhao Rong raised his eyebrow, took another bite of the fruit, which tasted a bit tart, and said indifferently, “Alas, my training didn’t go well today, and the weather is so unbearably hot, it exhausts . Look at my mory, the ‘Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio’ I rembered this morning has beco sowhat fuzzy again.”
“No, no, don’t get fuzzy, you haven’t finished the story about the beautiful woman from last night. Did she ever go to find Kong Xueli, who was heading to the capital to take the imperial examinations?” Su Xiaoxiao was very anxious. “Ugh, next ti they hinder your training, Xiaoxiao will drive them away, don’t throw stones anymore. Xiaoxiao will fan you at night to keep you cool, please don’t get fuzzy again, it’s been so many tis today, if it gets fuzzy again, there will be none left.”
Zhao Rong nodded seriously,”That would be very good.”
Having said that, he brought one of the fruits to Su Xiaoxiao’s mouth, and she happily bit into it again.
“Is it sweet?”
“Yeah, it’s sweet.”
“Then yours is mine now, eat mine.”
Su Xiaoxiao: “…”
————
Zhao Rong and the others lit a fire to cook dinner. After the al, they cleaned up and sat around the fire to rest, easing the fatigue from their journey.
The moon hung in the night sky, and the lake shimred beneath it.
Zhao Rong chose a spot close to the fire and spread out a sheet of paper on top of a box of books, taking advantage of the light to lower his head and start writing and drawing.
Liu Sanbian held the black stone pendant in his hand, his fist propping up his head as he stared silently into the flas, occasionally glancing towards the dark forest in the distance—the direction they had co from.
Su Xiaoxiao, who had been anxiously spinning in circles after being left hanging by Zhao Rong’s story with a “what happens next will be told in the following episode,” moved a small stone to sit beside Zhao Rong, with her legs together, hands cradling her face, and elbows on her knees. At this mont, she was secretly gazing at the bad person’s focused profile, who tornted her day after day.
Her hands were tiny, but they covered her dainty face completely, a face that was indeed palm-sized. Now, only her lively, spirited eyes were visible through the gaps between her fingers.
Um, from this angle, this bad person’s profile actually looked quite pleasant. Great-grandmother once said that n look the best when they are serious. Indeed, even this bad person was no exception. Ah, if only he wouldn’t bully Xiaoxiao. But the stories he told were truly captivating, way more interesting than those in books. Those stories about Fox Demons and scholars, he called them ‘Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio’; Xiaoxiao had never co across such books before, um, and had no idea how he ca up with such tales. That won’t do, Xiaoxiao’s future husband must be a better storyteller than this bad person. Yes, that’s it, to learn enough to fill five carriages, to tell better stories than him, and also to be more serious than him, and smarter than him… right, more intelligent so he won’t joke about Xiaoxiao being silly, and end up with a dumb husband. In the end, he must not bully Xiaoxiao, just as it’s written in the books—standing side by side in utmost respect, treating each other as equals. Um, that’s all Xiaoxiao wishes for~
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