The Living Yama (Part 10)
Xiong Tu paused for a moment, then softened his tone: "If you... like it, I'll buy it for you."
I glared at him: "Who cares!"
"So what do you... aspire to?"
The sun sets red on the horizon, and egrets circle overhead.
I sighed and said, "A free and stable life. Being able to spend time with family and friends often, singing, dancing, drinking, and chatting."
"The mountains and rivers are at peace, and the world is full of life." Xiong Tu's gaze was gentle and focused. "I also yearn for such a life, and I yearn even more to be—your family."
I turned my face away, avoiding his gaze: "Friends are fine, but family is out of the question."
Xiong Tu turned around and blocked my way again: "Qingcheng, do you despise me for being a widower?"
Hearing the word "widower" inevitably reminds me of his mentor and his family. His wife was probably not much older than me when she died; his childhood sweetheart was several years younger than Huai Xu is now; if it weren't for the devastating tragedy fourteen years ago, the academy's teachers would likely have countless students by now… or perhaps they would be like Liu Xingjian and Wang Yunhui, exiled to the ends of the earth, yet still supporting each other through thick and thin?
I calmed myself down a bit and replied, "No, that's not it. But have you ever thought about why you married me in the first place?"
"Just because I saved you once? You should understand the difference between doing something spontaneously and doing it intentionally. Besides, what happens after we get married? Do you expect me to be your devoted wife, living in harmony with you, and raising your children?"
“I’m telling you today—Xiong Botong, I will not raise the case; I will not play the zither; and I don’t want to have children. If you haven’t thought about it, go back and think it over carefully.”
Seeing Xiong Tu's increasingly gloomy expression, I decided to stop pretending: "To tell you the truth, because I left you at the inn to recover from your injuries, Inspector Guo's men haven't been able to resupply from me for a long time."
"The officers and soldiers of the patrol office are disciplined, the horses are in excellent condition, and the official silver paid is of high quality. Which horse stable on the prefecture road wouldn't want to do business like this? If you want to repay me, please leave this place as soon as possible."
Xiong Tu frowned deeply: "Guo Cheng?"
The next day will mark the last major market day of September.
Looking towards the southwest, the trade in tea and horses will also enter its peak season at the turn of autumn and winter. From Wumeng to Ronglu, caravans travel back and forth on the official roads in an endless stream.
In order to save enough money before the winter break and have a prosperous New Year, Huai Xu and I got up at the crack of night and made preparations until dawn, seeing off several groups of horse caravans.
In the morning, as usual, Feng Qiao prepared breakfast, and everyone took turns eating during the break. As I was drinking my porridge, I caught a glimpse of Xiong Tu walking over from the passageway. I quickly gulped down my porridge, grabbed a piece of rice cake and stuffed it into my pocket, put down my bowl and chopsticks, and walked out of the courtyard.
Huai Xu ran over and asked, "Godmother, are you going to the market?"
I hummed in response, but didn't stop walking.
Upon hearing this, Feng Qiao called out, "Auntie, please wait a moment while I prepare your horse."
"No need," I said without turning my head. "There are a lot of people on the road today. If I run into someone I know, I can ask them to give me a ride."
Huai Xu followed me, saying, "Godmother, there's a big market today, and Inspector Guo will definitely be there! When you see him, be sure to ask him why he hasn't been coming to our inn lately. Feng Qiao and I miss him terribly!"
"Okay, go ahead and do your thing." I pushed Huai Xu aside without saying a word and slipped out of the courtyard.
Just as she stood still, the bell rang in front of her, and a boy on horseback laughed and leaned down: "Aunt Qingcheng, come and see my horse!"
I glanced at it briefly, nodded, and said, "This one's good; it can go to the military horse farm." Looking behind him, I saw three people with two saddles and six riders with bare backs. It seemed they had come specifically to sell horses. "Pahan, why didn't your father come?"
Pahan looked smug and pointed his thumb at his nose: "This time, Pahan, the big boss! Last month, my mother gave birth to the fifth baby, and my father is overjoyed. He holds his little sister every day and refuses to leave the mountain."
The Pahan family has four brothers. The father had his daughter in middle age, so it's no wonder he adores her.
I smiled and offered my congratulations. Pahan then said, "There's more good news! Pahan's wife is going to give birth in two months. Qingcheng Auntie, you're going to be a great-aunt!"
I raised my hand and touched the horse's face, giving an awkward smile: "Is that so?"
Pahan smiled and winked at me: "Auntie, I heard on my way here that you're getting married soon too!"
I put on a stern face and said fiercely, "What nonsense are those gossips spouting? Don't believe them!"
Pahan scratched his head and stammered, "They say—that when Auntie saved people before, she would either keep them to do odd jobs to pay for their medicine or keep them as long-term laborers to pay off debts… This time, she picked up a 'vixen,' and she can't bear to let him work. She even feeds him the best food and speaks to him in a very gentle tone. People are saying—Auntie definitely wants to keep him as her husband…"
I spat viciously at the ground: "Bullshit!"
“Auntie, look at you, your face is all red with anger.” Pahan straightened up and looked around. “That ‘fox’…” Seeing my increasingly unfriendly expression, he swallowed the word “fox” back and said with a forced smile, “Is it still at Auntie’s house? How good-looking can it be? Let me take a look.”
"Can't see it! Released it!" I smacked him on the back of the knee. "Come on, come on! Take me to the market!"
Pahan laughed and pulled me onto the horse: "Hold on tight, Auntie! Pahan's horses are not only stamina-boosting, but also incredibly fast!"
The market was bustling with noise.
I spotted Guo Cheng leading the archers on patrol from afar. Before I could even greet him, he bared a smile and squeezed through the crowd to stand before me, saying, "Lady Qing, there have been many caravans coming and going lately. After this winter, the Qingcheng Inn will surely be rolling in money!"
"So what?" I crossed my arms and sized him up. "Inspector Guo, you're not going to come and patronize our business anymore? My two little ones have been thinking of you all this time, what a waste!"
"Lady Qing, what are you saying!" Guo Cheng bowed repeatedly. "These past few days, the brothers in the division have been complaining endlessly about taking detours, always asking me when things will return to normal. I came here precisely to inquire with you—"
Seeing his hesitant expression, I found it amusing and quickly continued, "That gentleman's injuries have healed, and he should be returning to Luzhou in the next couple of days."
"Really?" Guo Cheng beamed. "Then I must tell the brothers this good news as soon as possible!"
"Inspector Guo, Lord Guo, is it really necessary?" I couldn't help but roll my eyes at him. "From what I've observed, that official isn't as cold-hearted as the rumors suggest."
“You are his savior, so he treats you differently.” Guo Cheng sighed softly. “Try switching places with me, or with Zhou Hong.” Suddenly, his expression hardened, and he hurriedly said, “I have official business to attend to, so I’ll take my leave!” With that, he turned and disappeared into the crowd.
"Hey!" I called out on tiptoe, "Inspector Guo, we just agreed on something, don't go back on your word!"
Guo Cheng's figure receded into the distance. I stood there resentfully, then turned around and noticed someone beside me. I was surprised: "Why haven't you left yet?!"
Xiong Tu held hands: "I still remember when we first met at the Xingwen military camp. Qing Niangzi grabbed my arm and told me not to leave, but now she keeps urging me to leave."
I closed my eyes, put my hands on my hips, and asked, "Have you figured out what happened yesterday?"
Xiong Tu nodded: "I've figured it out."
"Then why did you come along...?"
Xiong Tu replied unhurriedly, "I fell in love with Qing Niangzi at first sight. As for the case, I can lift it; as for the zither, I can play it; and as for the child, Qing Niangzi has one ready-made, and I can be Huai Xu's father and treat her as my own."
I lowered my head, my shoe tips grinding against the gravel on the ground, unable to tell whether I had gone too far or whether Liu Yu's medicine was too strong...
"You wish!" I stomped my foot and scolded, "I raised Huaixu for ten years! Do you understand the hardships I endured? You actually dare to dream that Huaixu will recognize you as his father? What right do you have to be my equal?!" The more I thought about it, the angrier I became. I stretched out my arms and pushed him away forcefully, saying, "Get out of my way!"
Xiong Tu was caught off guard by my sudden attack and was pushed back several steps.
Seeing him press his hand against his chest wound again, I couldn't help but feel annoyed: "Are you alright? Honestly... didn't you understand what I said? There's absolutely no possibility between us! Let's stop wasting each other's time!"
Xiong Tu took my hand again and said in a gentle voice, "I understand what you're saying. However, my love for Qing Niangzi is like the setting sun. Even if it sinks for a while after being rejected, it will still rise again tomorrow."
"You—" I raised my voice in frustration, but noticing the crowd gathering around me, I had to lower my voice and say, "I can't be bothered to talk to you!"
At that moment, a foreign merchant led his horse closer and said, "Young Lady Qing, take a look at my horse, what grade can I rate?"
I glanced at it and read: "Below average."
Another caravan leader stepped forward: "Young Lady Qing, look at mine."
I replied, "Okay."
What about this one?
"Above average".
As I walked, people kept coming up to me with questions, and I casually gave them my rank. Xiong Tu, who was lagging behind me, suddenly asked, "Why do they all listen to you?"
I stopped and raised an eyebrow at him: "All the horses on the Eight Pavilion Road pass by my inn. I've seen more horses than people. If you won't listen to me, why would you?"
Xiong Tu gave a slight smirk: "Listening to me isn't necessarily a bad thing."
I snorted and turned to walk towards the weighing platform. After circling around, I didn't see Steward Yang, so I asked a nearby bailiff, "Why isn't Steward Yang here? Did he take the day off?"
The constable replied, "There's a big market day today, how could Manager Yang be absent! Just now, some foreign merchants came to sell horses. Among them were two fine horses, and Manager Yang gave them the highest grade, but they were still dissatisfied. They haggled for a long time and refused to sell, insisting on taking the horses away. Manager Yang was worried that they would go to another market, so he went after them himself." As he spoke, he pointed in a direction, "Look, it's over there."
I clicked my tongue in amazement: "Manager Yang is far too dedicated!"
“Who says otherwise!” the bailiff laughed. “I’d like to trouble you, Qing Niangzi, to go and take a look. Our magistrate is a stubborn man, and only you can persuade him.”
I smiled and said, "I'll go right away, you guys get back to work."
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