area51novel Chapter 1035 Winning Her Heart
Chapter 1035 Winning Her Heart
Chu Yang stepped outside the pavilion, the night wind blowing against his face, carrying the pungent smell of grass and trees. He stood on the slope, looking west. The official road below cast a pale white shadow in the moonlight, and a few scattered lights in the distance suggested villages. He had originally thought that taking a fox on the road would be fun, but certainly not convenient. Now, however, this fox had truly settled down and was indeed willing to take a knife for him. Yet, after taking the blow, he still needed to watch over her to make sure she drank medicine and recovered.
trouble.
Troublesome as it may be, he recalled the day he returned to Yueze. She stood in front of the water wall, her hair disheveled, blood on her lips, her throat trembling, yet she was still calling for Tang Seng to hurry up and leave. He felt as if something had gently bumped his chest, not hard, but very annoying.
The next morning, just as dawn was breaking, the group descended the mountain.
Along the way, Sun Wukong continued his usual antics, Tang Sanzang continued his chanting, and the white dragon horse and white donkey remained as lazy and greedy as ever. Su Wanwan originally wanted to pick up the cloth bag containing the pot, but Chu Yang looked her back at her.
"You're just being nosy?"
"I just grabbed it casually."
"If you accidentally tear yourself apart, I'll have to bury you while I'm at it."
"Can't you say something auspicious?"
"Being honest is the best thing that can happen to you."
Su Wanwan snorted, but in the end, she didn't touch the bag.
When they arrived outside Linchuan Prefecture, the sun was just past its zenith.
The city gate was tall and imposing, built of blue bricks, with banners fluttering in the wind atop its tower. The main road was bustling with people: caravans, carriages, peddlers, porters carrying loads, and young men and women enjoying the spring outing—all crowded before the gate. Some led chestnut horses, others drove mule carts; the cries of vendors mingled with the sounds of cart axles, horses' hooves, and the laughter of children chasing each other, a vibrant and lively atmosphere filling the air.
Sun Wukong was the first to perk up, squeezing into the crowd and looking around: "This place is quite big."
Tang Sanzang also looked at the city gate: "Today I can finally find a safe place to rest."
Su Wanwan followed behind, her eyes narrowing slightly as she looked up at the city gate. The prefectural city was indeed different from a small town; even the air smelled of cosmetics, wine, and new fabrics. She had frequented such places before, dressed in elegant attire, leaning against the lamplight with a smile, and naturally, someone would invite her upstairs to a table. But now, stepping into this bustling area again, her first thought wasn't about how many gullible people were here, but rather—
I can finally take a proper shower.
The thought had barely crossed her mind when she realized it.
"What are you spacing out for?" Chu Yang turned around from ahead.
"It's nothing," she said, hurrying to catch up. "It's just that there are so many people here."
"Afraid of crowding you?"
"I'm not made of paper."
"You're about right now," Chu Yang said, raising his hand to pull her closer to his side, and casually pushing aside a man carrying a fish basket who was trying to squeeze in. "Stay close, or you'll get separated."
Su Wanwan paused, then responded softly, "Oh."
Once inside the city, the streets were indeed more bustling than outside.
The street was lined with wine flags, and the bluestone pavement gleamed from countless footsteps. To the left were shops selling tea and spices, and to the right were rows of cloth and jewelry stores. Further on, there were theaters, pharmacies, and bookstores. In the center of the street, a street performer would strike a gong, immediately drawing a crowd. Strings of newly folded lanterns hung from the eaves, their bright light illuminating the street even in broad daylight.
Su Wanwan couldn't help but take a second look.
She wasn't unfamiliar with bustling crowds, but being among them, whether alone or in a different setting, brought a completely different feeling. As she gazed intently, Sun Wukong darted to a nearby sugar painting stall: "Old man, can you draw a monkey?"
The old man selling sugar paintings was taken aback: "Huh?"
"If I don't know how, I won't buy it."
"Yes, yes, of course."
Chu Yang ignored him and continued searching along the east side of the street. Sure enough, he soon saw a gilded plaque with the three large characters "Man Ting Chun" written on it.
The restaurant had three floors, with upturned eaves and corners. Waiters stood at the entrance to greet guests, and even the hitching posts were polished to a shine. The faint sounds of string and wind instruments drifted out from inside, along with the delicate aroma of osmanthus and braised meat. Compared to the shabby places we had stayed in along the way, it was indeed a much better place.
As soon as Chu Yang stood in front of the door, the waiter's eyes lit up, and he immediately greeted him with a beaming smile: "Are you guests staying at the inn or having a meal?"
"I want both," Chu Yang said, "and to a quiet room upstairs."
"Yes, yes, we happen to have a few nice rooms facing inwards upstairs that are currently empty." The waiter's gaze swept over the group, and his smile almost froze when he saw Sun Wukong, but he quickly regained his composure. "This way, please."
Before entering, Chu Yang glanced at Su Wanwan.
She had traveled a long way, her hair still dusty, and although her clothes were clean, they were the same ones she had worn all the way, and the colors were plain. The fox demon's natural bone structure was there, and even so, it couldn't hide the radiance on her face, but her complexion was a little worse than usual. Walking in a crowd, she was less flamboyant than usual and looked more tired.
He withdrew his gaze and said calmly, "Arrange a room for her alone, boil several buckets of hot water, and prepare some light dishes to send up."
The waiter hesitated for a moment, then quickly nodded, "Okay, okay."
Tang Sanzang turned around first: "There's no need to go to such lengths. It's more convenient for us to stay on the same floor and look after each other."
"Master, it's convenient for you to stay on the same floor as Monkey King, but it might not be convenient to be next to her," Chu Yang said matter-of-factly. "Her injuries haven't fully healed, and if she tosses and turns at night and can't sleep, Monkey King's ears will perk up, and he can chant until dawn."
Sun Wukong had just rushed in from outside carrying a sugar-painted monkey when he heard this and immediately protested, "Is it that noisy?"
"Don't you realize your own limitations?"
"When did you ever argue with the wounded?"
"When don't you argue?"
Su Wanwan stood to the side, originally wanting to say that she wasn't actually that delicate, but after hearing this, she couldn't get a word in edgewise, so she could only purse her lips and suppress the smile on her face.
As the waiter led them upstairs, Chu Yang added, "Her room is on the second floor, at the very back, where it'll be quieter. The rest of us will be on the third floor, not next to each other."
This time, not only was Xiao Er stunned, but even Su Wanwan turned her head to look at him.
"What are you looking at?" Chu Yang asked, his expression unchanged. "Afraid I'll sell you out?"
"……No."
"If there's nothing there, go inside. Take a shower first, then come down for dinner."
When the door was pushed open, the inside was indeed better than I had imagined.
The room wasn't particularly large, but it was impeccably tidy. A small couch stood by the window, with a pale blue gauze curtain hanging beside it. On the table sat a slender-necked white porcelain vase, inside which were two freshly picked gardenias. The bedding on the couch was soft and fluffy, and behind the screen, a large wooden tub had been prepared, with buckets of hot water being carried in one after another, the rising steam carrying a faint, delicate fragrance of flowers and herbs.
Su Wanwan stood at the door, momentarily hesitant to go inside.
These days, she's been living on straw mats or hard wooden planks, in dilapidated temples or wilderness; she's almost forgotten what a proper guest room should look like.
The waiter smiled ingratiatingly: "Are you satisfied, young lady? If you need anything else, just let me know."
"...It's good." Su Wanwan paused, but couldn't help asking, "Was this house booked by Chu Yang?"
"It was Young Master Chu who personally instructed us," the waiter said immediately. "He also instructed that the hot water be boiled thoroughly, and that a clear soup be simmered in the kitchen downstairs, which will be brought to the young lady later."
Su Wanwan curled her fingers, and after a while, she replied softly, "I understand."
After the door closed, the room fell silent.
She slowly walked to the wooden tub, the steam warming her face and even her eyebrows. She tested the water temperature with her hand; it was just right, neither too hot nor too cold. She looked down at the clothes she had worn all the way; the cuffs were frayed, and there were still traces of mud on the hem of her skirt from a few days ago. Suddenly, she felt a pang of disgust. She quickly took off her outer robe, and before she even stepped into the hot water, she couldn't help but let out a soft sigh.
The breath that escaped from his chest seemed to carry away all the weariness, exhaustion, and pain of the past few days.
She leaned against the edge of the bucket and closed her eyes.
The hot water reached over her shoulders, steaming her wound until it tingled slightly. It hurt at first, but after that initial pain, it felt relieved. She raised her hand to loosen her hair, letting it fall into the water like ink spreading. Outside the window, she could faintly hear voices, horses neighing, and the distant hustle and bustle of the market. As she listened, her heart inexplicably softened.
She knew that Chu Yang had a sharp tongue and that eight out of ten of his sentences were meant to provoke a beating. But he also remembered some things better than anyone else.
He was meticulous about everything, from the wear and tear on her heels to the pauses she made when turning over in bed at night, and even the slightest cough from her, which prompted him to calmly instruct the shopkeeper to prepare an extra bowl of pear soup.
Thinking of this, Su Wanwan buried her face in the hot water, only revealing a little bit of her nose. It took her a while to float to the surface, and her ears were even a little hot.
Meanwhile, Chu Yang had already led Sun Wukong and Tang Sanzang up to the third floor. After settling them in briefly, he turned around and went downstairs and out the door.
Sun Wukong, leaning on the railing, shouted at him, "Brother, aren't you going to eat?"
"I'll be back in a bit."
Where are you going?
"Buy something."
"Buy what?" Sun Wukong's eyes darted around, and he immediately lowered his voice mischievously, "Buy something for that fox?"
Chu Yang paused, turned around and looked at him: "Brother Monkey."
"Um?"
"If you keep laughing, I'll make you wash donkeys when I get back."
Sun Wukong laughed heartily: "I'm just going to have fun."
Tang Sanzang said helplessly from the side, "Benefactor Chu, please return soon."
Chu Yang waved his hand, went downstairs, and left.
The streets of Linchuan Prefecture were busiest at this time of day.
People came and went in front of the restaurants and teahouses, flower and candy vendors called out their wares, girls peeked out of the windows upstairs, and wind chimes tinkled under the eaves. Chu Yang walked slowly along East Street, looking around as he passed two jewelry shops, then a silk shop, and finally stopped in front of a clothing store.
The shop was quite spacious, with several bolts of newly tailored light silk hanging at the entrance. The proprietress, with her sharp eyes, noticed his refined attire and immediately came out to greet him: "Young master, are you buying clothes for yourself or for your daughter?"
Chu Yang paused, "For...someone in the same group."
The proprietress smiled even wider: "Then this must be the young lady. Young master, come in and take a look. Our newest fabrics are the best; many young ladies in the manor love to come and choose from them."
Chu Yang was too lazy to explain and stepped inside.
The shop was filled with rows of ready-made clothes: spring shirts, ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress), shawls, and outer robes, all in various colors. The proprietress took out a few of the most vibrant pieces: one peach-red, one apricot-yellow, and one embroidered with butterflies and adorned with beads. Chu Yang frowned as he looked at them.
"Too flashy."
"Don't young ladies love bright and colorful things?" The proprietress blinked. "If you're unsure, young master, just pick something trendy; you can't go wrong with that."
Chu Yang glanced at the pile of clothes, but inappropriately, Su Wanwan's usual appearance popped into his mind. She was strikingly beautiful, with sharp features; gaudy colors wouldn't suit her and would only make her look garish. But if she always went for plain colors, it would be a waste of her face.
He turned halfway around and finally stopped in the corner in front of a dress.
It was a long, light blue dress, over which was a very thin, moon-white gauze overlay. The cuffs and collar were embroidered with delicate, intertwined floral patterns in silver thread, not ostentatious, but elegant upon closer inspection. The skirt was not heavy, so it should be very light when walking.
"This one." He pointed.
The proprietress's eyes lit up even more upon seeing it: "Young master has excellent taste. This outfit is stylish and the color suits you well. But... do you know how tall the young lady is and how slim her waist is?"
Chu Yang: "..."
This question stumped him.
When he looks at her, he either looks at her face or whether she's running around. Who has time to measure her waist?
The proprietress, seeing his expression, knew this was his first time buying clothes for a young lady, and her smile became even more meaningful: "No problem, no problem, young master, just take a rough look. We're quick to alter things here; if it's even an inch or two off, we can fix it."
Chu Yang was silent for a moment, then raised his hand to roughly indicate: "About this height. Waist... about this."
The proprietress glanced at it and nodded, saying, "Alright, I'll get you something suitable. How about a soft satin undergarment to go with it? It'll be comfortable for you to change into after your bath."
"match."
"Would you like some embroidered shoes? They go best with this outfit in white."
"want."
"Where are the hairpins and hair ribbons?"
Chu Yang had originally intended to say that he would look into it tomorrow, but before he could finish speaking, he said, "Let's get two hair ribbons first."
The proprietress worked quickly, packing the items in the blink of an eye. She even thoughtfully added a handkerchief embroidered with tiny crabapple blossoms: "Consider this a gift. It's rare for the young master to come and choose in person; this will surely please the young lady when you give it to her."
Chu Yang took the bundle, raising an eyebrow: "Why would I want to please her?"
The proprietress smiled, clearly not believing her, and simply handed the bundle over more steadily: "Young master knows the answer himself."
Chu Yang was too lazy to waste words with her, so he dropped the silver and left.
On his way back, he also bought some refreshing candied fruit and a small box of wound medicine. The wound medicine was the best liniment in town; the shopkeeper patted his chest and said even martial arts practitioners loved to buy it. The candied fruit was made from pickled green plums, not too sweet, which was perfect for balancing the bitterness of the medicine.
When he returned to Mantingchun, the food was already laid out downstairs.
Sun Wukong was sitting at the table, heartily finishing his third bowl of rice. When he saw him return, he immediately craned his neck to peek into his hands: "What did you buy? Let me see."
"roll."
"Did you really go to buy clothes for that fox?"
"Hey Monkey, did you eat too much too much today?"
Tang Sanzang glanced at the bundle in his hand and understood a bit, saying gently, "Miss Su has not yet come downstairs."
"She can eat in her room first." Chu Yang handed one of the packages to the waiter. "Take the clear soup and rice to the innermost room on the second floor. Don't disturb her."
The waiter hurriedly took the call.
Chu Yang took the clothes and went upstairs.
The second-floor corridor was quieter than the third floor. The door to the innermost room was closed, and the faint sound of running water could be heard from inside. Chu Yang paused, suddenly realizing that the person was taking a shower, and it seemed inappropriate for him to come up at this time. He stood outside the door for a moment, then finally raised his hand and knocked. (End of Chapter)