Chapter 13: Searching for the old place and dreaming of the two, the old friend questions the old oath
Luo Guoyun had originally planned to sail for five or six days, disembarking in Yishun County and heading for Alsophila Valley. However, Xiao Xiangyue had been lively and energetic for the first two days, fresh-faced and excited. That night, a strong wind blew up on the river, rocking the boat. He woke up in the morning with a dizzy, chest tightness, and a touch of seasickness. He managed to swallow two spoonfuls of porridge, only to vomit it all out. Worried, Luo Guoyun decided to travel by land instead, disembarking at a nearby place called Shaqiao Town.
Originally a port, Shaqiao Town, nestled against Mount Zhongnan, has become a hub for mountain goods and medicinal herbs in recent years, gradually prospering. Shops crisscross the town, overflowing with dried goods, medicinal herbs, and local specialties.
Hei Zhu has already ridden his horse to the front to report the news, and a car will come to pick them up before noon. Luo Guyun and Xiao Xiangyue walked slowly along the street, and a shop at the corner caught their attention at the same time. The other shops were full of piles and bundles of dried medicinal herbs. This shop was full of rows of large drawers, and the drawers were labeled with the names of various medicines. There was a wooden door next to the shop, half-open, and you could vaguely see that there was a courtyard inside. Above the door hung a wooden plaque with the three words "Muyeju" written on it. The two looked at each other, and Xiao Xiangyue's face changed slightly. Luo Guyun took his hand, pushed the door open and stepped in.
There were some flowers and plants in the courtyard, and directly opposite was a two-story building on stilts. A young man was drying medicinal herbs under the eaves. Seeing someone come in, he hurried forward and asked, "Who are you two guests looking for?" He felt Xiao Xiangyue's hand tremble slightly. Luo Guyun said loudly, "Excuse me, Sun Mu..." At the word "Sun Mu", the young man shouted towards the building without waiting for Luo Guyun to finish, "Brother Sun, someone is looking for you!" Xiao Xiangyue's body swayed, and the hand holding Luo Guyun unconsciously tightened, almost pinching into flesh.
A fair-skinned, honest-looking young man came out of the house. He looked up and saw the two people standing in the middle of the yard. His mouth slowly opened wide, his eyes widened, and he rubbed his eyes in disbelief. After a long pause, he shouted, "Yue'er!"
"Brother Sun!" Xiao Xiangyue shouted at the same time, flying over and hugging Sun Mu tightly.
It was more than ten days later that year when Sun Mu and his father returned from the mountains to collect herbs. They found their mother's hairpin in the burned-down house and spotted the new graves of Xiao Pingzhou and Aunt Song in the back hills. Although they didn't know what had happened, they roughly guessed that their enemies had come after them. Father and son first hid with a drug dealer known to Dr. Sun, then began searching for the whereabouts of Xiao Xiangyue, Luo Guyun, Yi Shui, and Yi Han, but their search proved fruitless. They then rented a shop in Shaqiao Town and settled there. Dr. Sun had passed away two years prior, and now only Sun Mu ran the herbal medicine business.
Sun Mu had spent years thinking that Xiao Xiangyue was no longer alive. Now that they were reunited, he was overwhelmed with joy and excitement. He pulled her over and over, looking at her again and again, sighing, "Yue'er has grown taller, older, and more beautiful... I thought I'd never see you again... If Daddy were still alive, I wonder how happy he would be..."
Luo Guoyun understood how much everyone in the theater cherished Xiao Xiangyue. Yue'er had been raised in the palm of Sun Mu's hand. Seeing the two of them so affectionate, he felt a little sour. He stepped forward and said, "Yue'er hasn't eaten since morning. I'm afraid she won't be able to endure it. Come inside and rest first."
Sun Mu was still most concerned about Xiao Xiangyue's health. He held his forehead and said, "Look, I'm so happy that I'm confused! Is Yue'er sick again? Where do you feel uncomfortable? Come in quickly and sit down so that I can take a look..."
Without bothering to reminisce about the past, Sun Mu first examined Xiao Xiangyue. He pondered, "Yue'er's pulses are full, much better than when she was little. This is probably due to the proper care she's taken over these years. However, upon closer inspection, the intervals between pulses are slightly inconsistent. After all, she's still born with a deficiency, and her body is more vulnerable than the average person. You must not be careless." He then called out, "Xiao Qin! Bring me a bottle of patchouli water!"
The young man from the courtyard came over and handed Sun Mu a medicine bottle. He glanced at the person sitting there and said shyly, "Is this Master Xiangyue? Big Brother Sun often mentioned you..." Sun Mu slapped his head and said, "I forgot to introduce you. This is Qin Xiao. He had a serious illness a few years ago, and Dad cured him. His parents are both dead, and he has no relatives, so he has been following us, learning some medical skills and doing some odd jobs."
Xiao Xiangyue drank the patchouli water and felt better. The three of them recounted their experiences since they parted. Luo Guyun only concealed the fact that he and Xiao Xiangyue were already married. Sun Mu sighed, "Back then I saw that my dear brother was no ordinary person. Now the country is in turmoil and surrounded by foreign powers. It takes a pillar of the country like the general to stabilize the overall situation!" After a pause, he continued, "You are passing through Shanghai on this trip. Coincidentally, I also plan to go to Shanghai in the second half of the year. My father arranged a marriage for me before he died. My wife's maiden name is Wang. She runs a medicinal materials business in Shanghai. I will marry her after the three-year mourning period for my father is over." Hearing that Xiao Xiangyue was going to the Alsophila Valley to pay homage to her parents, he added, "To go to the Alsophila Valley, you don't have to go around Yishun County. There is a path used by herbalists, and it takes two or three hours to cross the mountains. But the mountain road is steep, and I'm worried that Yue'er's body can't handle it." Xiao Xiangyue hurriedly said, "Yue'er can do it. Brother Sun, do you still think I'm a child..."
The next morning, the two of them set out along the steep path, crossing mountains and ridges, towards Alsophila Valley. When they reached a dangerous spot, Luo Guoyun offered to carry him. Xiao Xiangyue, still as stubborn as she was when she was little, refused to be carried and instead climbed up on her own, panting heavily.
Alsophila Valley was deserted year-round, overgrown with weeds and trees that blocked out the sun. The path he had once taken was no longer visible. Luo Guyun held Xiao Xiangyue in his left hand and drew his short knife with his right, hacking away at the dead branches and vines along the way. It took considerable effort to finally reach the tomb. The area around the tomb was relatively tidy, likely because Sun Mu and his companions came to pay their respects annually.
They both knelt down and kowtowed three times respectfully. Luo Guyun said in a clear voice: "Dad, Mom, please rest assured and leave Yue'er to me. Luo Guyun swears in front of Dad and Mom's grave that I will never let Xiao Xiangyue down in this life. I will protect Yue'er for the rest of my life." After saying this, he kowtowed three more times alone.
Xiao Xiangyue knelt in front of the tomb, his hands clasped together, his eyes slightly closed, and he muttered something indistinctly. Luo Guyun knelt with him, and seeing that he had been kneeling for too long, he was afraid that he could not hold on any longer, so he put his arm around his waist and half-supported him. Xiao Xiangyue opened her eyes and whispered, "Brother Yun, Yue'er wants to delay for two days to erect a new tombstone for my parents."
In the rush of events back then, Yi Han simply buried Xiao Pingzhou hastily next to his wife's grave. Luo Guyun said, "It's only right. Since we've met Brother Sun, we'll stay in Shaqiao Town for a few days. Once the stele is carved, we'll choose an auspicious day to repair our parents' grave before leaving."
Seeing Xiao Xiangyue's gloomy expression, Luo Guoyun wanted to distract him. He suggested, "That tree hole isn't far from here. I wonder if there's been any changes? Why don't we go take a look?"
A few years passed like a fleeting moment for a thousand-year-old tree. The tree hole remained the same, though there were more weeds around it. The two of them sat down in the cave. Xiao Xiangyue, feeling a little tired, leaned softly against Luo Guyun, eyes slightly closed as she rested.
Seeing the woman in his arms with her thick, long eyelashes trembling slightly, the crimson lips half-parted on her delicate face, and taking in her alluring body fragrance, Luo Guyun's heartbeat quickened, his blood boiling. As if bewitched, he leaned forward, kissing her lips, his tongue probing inside, conquering her.
After a violent storm, Xiao Xiangyue was panting, her cheeks flushed, her eyes blurred, her body trembled under the fierce attack, and white liquid sprayed between his thick palms.
With the lubrication of the milky white liquid, Luo Guyun raised his hard penis and thrust it in.
Xiao Xiangyue screamed in shock at the sudden invasion. He felt that Brother Yun seemed different today, no longer as gentle as before, but rather violent, rough, and impatient.
Luo Guyun held him tightly, thrusting forward with his waist, his eyes red as he murmured, "Yue'er... Yue'er, do you know that when you were ten years old, your brother wanted you... I wanted you like crazy..."
That night, in the tree cave, when Xiao Xiangyue came to sing a little song, Luo Guoyun had a dream that night, and woke with his pants soaked. The sixteen-year-old boy was filled with shame and anger. He had actually done that to a child... it was unbelievable! The more he tried to suppress the thought, the more his heart began to beat like a drum whenever she was near him. For years to come, he would dream of him and Xiao Xiangyue making love in the tree cave. It was like a nightmare, tormenting him, both sweet and painful. Only later did he realize he loved Yue'er. After they confessed their feelings and married, the dream gradually faded. Now, dreams and reality overlapped, and he seemed to want to vent the longing that had been pent up in his heart for years, like adding fuel to a fire, surging with uncontrollable desire. His heart was already turbulent, and his actions were like a storm, unstoppable.
Xiao Xiangyue had completely fallen for Luo Guyun's wildness, her mind completely blank, like a rootless duckweed, rising and falling with each violent thrust, emitting broken moans. These moans only spurred him on, and he suddenly increased his speed, thrusting hard a few times. Xiao Xiangyue let out a cry that bordered on sobbing, and then trembled and vomited some white liquid. Luo Guyun convulsed, and the overwhelming pleasure swept through Xiao Xiangyue like a storm, releasing all of it in her body.
The tree cave was silent for a moment, with only the sound of their heartbeats and breathing. After a long moment, Xiao Xiangyue raised her hand tremblingly, brushed across his slightly red eyes, and stroked his cheek. Luo Guyun, sweating profusely, came back to his senses, grabbed his hand, and choked out his words: "Yue'er... I..." Xiao Xiangyue raised herself up and covered his lips with hers, blocking the words he wanted to say. Her delicate and dense kisses fell on his mouth, eyes, nose, and every exposed inch of skin, tender and affectionate, doing her best to comfort and warm the person in front of her.
Luo Guoyun seemed to see the days when he first arrived in Alsophila Valley to recuperate. A small figure, holding a stone, a toy, or a piece of candy in his hands. A big, friendly smile was on his face, clumsy, but he was trying his best to comfort him.
Moon, you are my medicine, healing my body and my heart.
Thank God, and pray that you and I will be together for life.
Luo Guyun muttered in his heart.
It's getting late.
Luo Guoyun carried the exhausted Xiao Xiangyue on his back and headed down the mountain. Years of martial arts training had kept him sturdy and agile, and even with Xiao Xiangyue on his back, he could still walk briskly on the steep mountain path. But today, he didn't feel like walking too fast, so he took steady, steady steps. Yue'er fell asleep on his back, her head resting softly against his neck, her breathing audible, completely dependent on him, soft and peaceful, like a newborn baby. He wished only to keep walking like this, forever...
It was already dusk when they returned to Shaqiao Town. Xiao Qin peered out the door and spotted the two men from afar. He hurriedly called out, "Brother Sun, they're back!"
Luo Guyun carried Xiao Xiangyue into the courtyard. Seeing this, Sun Mu hurried forward and asked, "What's wrong with Yue'er?" Luo Guyun replied, "...Nothing, just a little tired and fell asleep." Sun Mu grabbed Xiao Xiangyue's lowered hand and tried to feel his pulse. Seeing the red kiss mark on his neck, his face changed. He said in a deep voice, "In that case, let's take Yue'er upstairs to rest." He then instructed Xiao Qin, "Boil a pot of water with safflower, cassia twigs, and mugwort. When Yue'er wakes up, give him a bath to relieve his fatigue."
Night fell. Sun Mu sat on a stone bench in the courtyard, his face sullen. Luo Guyun came downstairs and, seeing the situation, understood a little. He also sat down on the stone bench and said straight to the point, "Yue'er and I are married."
No matter how rebellious Luo Guyun was, he understood that even though his affairs with Xiao Xiangyue had nothing to do with anyone else in the world, he still had to give Sun Mu an explanation. He hadn't spoken before because he wanted to find the right time. Now that Sun Mu had seen through it, given his straightforward personality, he naturally had to take the initiative to make things clear.
"You..." Sun Mu gasped. Seeing the kiss mark on Yue'er's neck, he'd already conjured countless possibilities. Perhaps he was dazzled... perhaps the young man was just playing around on impulse... perhaps Luo Guyun, attracted by Yue'er's beauty, had forced himself on him... His mind raced as he pondered how to ask. Unexpectedly, Luo Guyun was so frank and unashamed, throwing out this question.
"Nonsense! How can two men get married!" Sun Mu was angry and shocked.
"Why can't we get married? We kowtowed three times and nine times, and we got married officially. We followed all the necessary etiquette, except for inviting guests." Luo Guyun spoke confidently and loudly, "Yue'er and I love each other and vow to be together forever."
"Yue'er is a man. You...you are totally disregarding moral principles!" Sun Mu was furious.
Luo Guyun sneered: "What's wrong with being a man? If the moon is a man, I will like men. If the moon is a woman, I will like women. If the moon is a ghost, I will follow the ghost. If the moon is a stone, I will hug it every day. If it is a piece of wood, I will also use it as a pillow every day..."
Sun Mu was stunned, and after a while he came back to his senses and said, "You...you hold a high position, commanding a large army, yet you commit such a shocking act. Aren't you afraid of being ruined...and ridiculed by the world?"
Luo Guyun laughed and said, "Brother Sun, you are wrong! A real man in this world has to be timid if he likes someone, afraid of wolves in front and tigers behind, and calculating his own strengths. What's the point of living? Besides, I'm not afraid of being laughed at, and there are probably not many people in the world who dare to laugh at me, Luo Guyun! Disgraced? What's the point of fame and status without Yue'er?"
"Okay... okay, even if you have thought it through! Don't you want offspring?" Sun Mu asked.
"We have no father, no mother, no brothers or sisters. We are all alone in this world. It is God's blessing that we can always accompany each other. Luo Guyun is not a greedy person. Since I have chosen Yue'er, I will no longer think about offspring." Luo Guyun said firmly.
"You are just passionate about it now, but you still have a long life. If you get tired of it one day and marry a wife or take a concubine, where will Yue'er be placed?" Sun Mu pressed on step by step.
Luo Guoyun was also a little excited, and said loudly: "I wish to find a loyal person, and we will be together until we grow old. Whether Luo Guoyun is fickle and undecided, Brother Sun can watch for the rest of his life... and then we can say..."
"Brother Sun, Brother Yun." Xiao Xiangyue had been standing on the steps of the eaves without anyone noticing. She was only wearing a green inner garment and looked graceful in the faint moonlight.
The two were startled and stopped talking at the same time.
Luo Guyun walked over quickly, took off his coat and put it on him, and said angrily: "Yue'er, why don't you put on some clothes when you get up?" He glanced at his expression, feeling uneasy, and secretly guessed that he had heard some of what he had just said.
Sun Mu also hurriedly said: "Yue'er is awake? Eat something first. Xiao Qin has boiled water. You can take a medicinal bath in the wooden barrel later. It can promote qi and blood circulation and relieve fatigue..."
Xiao Xiangyue pursed her lips and hesitated, "Brother Sun, what do you mean by the ridicule and disgrace you just mentioned?"
Growing up in Alsophila Valley, Xiao Xiangyue received no traditional education, never attended school, and had never met outsiders. No one had ever taught her the moral code, the boundaries between men and women, or how life should be conducted in the world... Even addressing her as she pleased was unconventional. She grew up unfettered and free. Initially, she had a vague fondness for Luo Guoyun, but later, she was certain of her feelings. To him, there was nothing wrong; everything seemed perfectly natural. On the day of their wedding, everyone in Lizhuang was overjoyed, offering their best wishes. He truly didn't understand what Sun Mu had said. Why would Brother Yun be ridiculed for being with him? Would he be ruined?
Sun Mu was speechless for a moment, unsure how to explain. Xiao Xiangyue looked at Luo Guyun with clear eyes and asked earnestly, "Yue'er isn't afraid of being laughed at, is Brother Yun?" Luo Guyun had been worried that he would take these words to heart. Unexpectedly, he looked so nonchalant. Overjoyed, he hugged him and said repeatedly, "Brother, don't be afraid... With you here, who would dare to laugh at Yue'er?"
For the next two days, Luo Guyun and Xiao Xiangyue were busy carving the stele and repairing the tomb. Sun Mu, like the Imperial Physician Sun of old, spent his days tinkering in the pharmacy. All was well, though.
The inscription on the tombstone was written by Luo Guyun himself, its rhythm solemn and vigorous. Xiao Xiangyue saw it inscribed: "Son Xiao Xiangyue, Son-in-law Luo Guyun." It felt a little awkward. She wasn't a woman, and Brother Yun shouldn't be my parents' son-in-law. But Brother Yun was also a man, so he couldn't write "daughter-in-law." After much deliberation, she couldn't find a better idea, so she gave up.
After two days of traveling up and down Alsophila Valley, Xiao Xiangyue was exhausted. She took a medicinal bath and went to bed early. Luo Guoyun wanted to take this opportunity to continue the unfinished conversation with Sun Mu that day, so he went to the pharmacy to find him.
He sincerely hoped to convince Sun Mu and gain his approval, which would also make Yue'er feel more at ease.
Seeing him come in, Sun Mu closed the door tightly and said mysteriously, "Is Yue'er asleep? I added some sleeping herbs to the bath today. He should have a good sleep and won't wake up for a while. I was just about to look for you to tell you something. What a coincidence that you came."
Luo Guyun asked in confusion: "What's the matter?"
Three glass bottles sat on the table. Sun Mu picked up one, containing a clear paste, and explained, "This is called a moisturizing cream. I developed it based on a secret recipe passed down from the Han Dynasty court. It's different for men than it is for women; men are more susceptible to injury during intercourse. This can be used as a lubricant..." Seeing Luo Guyun staring at him with wide eyes, he realized he'd been too blunt. He then explained, "For Yue'er's sake, there are some things I must explain clearly to you. Don't blame me for being long-winded."
Luo Guyun said happily, "No, no, big brother, your medicine is unparalleled in the world. I am deeply grateful that you are so considerate of Yue'er and me. If I had known this, I wouldn't have bothered hunting that porcupine." Having spoken openly, he no longer hesitated. He told her about Yue'er's injury on their wedding night and how he had made a lubricant based on a recipe. Sun Mu said, "That recipe is just ordinary. My skin-moistening cream can make the skin slightly warm, making it softer and more elastic."
He picked up another bottle of amber-colored paste and continued, "This is also a moisturizing cream, but I added a few aphrodisiac herbs such as Epimedium, Psoralea corylifolia, and Actinolite..." Luo Guyun found it incredible and interrupted him directly: "Brother Sun, this..." Sun Mu looked at Luo Guyun with a serious face and said sternly, "Yue'er is sensitive and delicate. Sometimes he will bottle up his emotions in his heart, suffer and get stuck in a dead end. You can use this bottle of ointment to make him devote himself to it and temporarily forget about his troubles and worries."
Luo Guoyun realized that a satisfying sex was undoubtedly the best therapy. He admired Sun Mu even more. He was indeed the one who had raised Yue'er since childhood and he really observed him very carefully.
Sun Mu added, "Occasional use of this ointment is harmless to the body. On the contrary, it has the effect of promoting the flow of qi and blood, relaxing the meridians and activating the collaterals. However, it should not be used frequently to avoid damaging the kidney qi."
Pointing to the slightly larger glass bottle, Sun Mu continued, "This bottle is called Hehuan Lu. It is also a secret recipe of the Han Dynasty palace. I also added musk, bear bile, aloe vera, peach gum, Panax notoginseng and other ingredients to make it more suitable for Yue'er's physique. Men's sexual desire is different from women's. When they are young, they don't feel it, but when they get older, they will become loose, lose elasticity, and not close tightly. You must clean it carefully after each intercourse. Use a syringe to push this Hehuan Lu into the vagina so that it adheres evenly to the inner wall. It can contract the muscles, repair the inner wall, and restore elasticity. It has a sexual effect. It can also kill bacteria, reduce inflammation, and act as an astringent and relieve pain. After sex, you won't feel any pain or discomfort, just a cool and refreshing feeling..." On the ground stood a bucket of clear, watery liquid connected to a hose. Sun Mu continued, "This is extracted from soap beans, called Yuqing Liquid. I've added eight strains of bacteria that are beneficial to the intestines, so it can be used as a bowel cleanser. I'll teach you how to do it every night before bed. Cleanse your intestines and expel toxins. Even if you don't have sex, it will still be beneficial to your body..."
Luo Guyun was astonished and admired him so much that he could only nod his head. He said solemnly: "Brother, you have worked so hard for Yue'er and me, and thought so carefully. I am grateful for your kindness. Please accept my greeting." He was about to kneel down, but Sun Mu hurriedly pulled him back and said seriously: "Do you think I am doing this for you? Yue'er is determined to be with you, and brother must find a way to protect him. You must treat him well in the future, and that will be your thank you." Luo Guyun said solemnly: "Don't worry, brother. I will cherish Yue'er in my heart all my life and will never let him suffer any grievances." After a pause, he said: "Brother, you have superb medical skills, and the medicine you make is unique in the world. It's a pity that such unique skills are buried in this remote town. Now the war Chaos was frequent, and the soldiers at the front were in urgent need of medicine. I plan to build several advanced hospitals in Anyang, Shanghai, and Jinling. Talents like Big Brother are urgently needed. Brother, why don't you go with me and Yue'er? At that time, the hospital in Shanghai will be managed by the eldest brother, and it will also be convenient for him to marry his sister-in-law. Isn't it beautiful to have both sides? Sun Mu pondered and said: "This... my father's filial piety period has not yet expired, so it is not suitable to marry..." Luo Guyun said: "On this trip, we will first pass through the provincial capital and then to Anyang. It will be a few months before we arrive in Shanghai." Big brother can follow us to Anyang first to guide the preparation of Anyang Hospital. Going to Shanghai again, the time will be almost the same. "Sun Mu hesitated. Luo Guyun said again: "It's a long way to go, and it's a lot of work. Yue'er has always been weak and not used to eating. I got seasick just after leaving home a few days ago. If you have a big brother to look after you along the way, you will feel more at ease. "Hearing what Luo Guyun said, Sun Mu finally made up his mind: "Then we will delay for another three to five days. After I finish the medicinal material business, I will take Xiao Qin and set off with you. "
When Xiao Xiangyue woke up and learned that Sun Mu was going with them, she jumped up in excitement. She happily pulled Sun Mu to her side and said, "Brother, don't you object to Yue'er and Brother Yun being together?" Sun Mu looked at him with a deep look in his eyes and said, "Brother, I just want Yue'er to be happy, healthy and safe. The rest... is not important." Xiao Xiangyue nodded vigorously and said seriously, "Yes, Yue'er and Brother Yun are together and couldn't be happier!"
Sun Mu sighed inwardly. Yue'er was innocent and straightforward, naive about worldly affairs, yet possessed unparalleled grace and astonishing talent. In these troubled times, the only person who could protect him was Luo Guyun.
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