The carriage stopped at the foot of the mountain. Unlike the border town where people were already bundled up in cotton-padded coats, the Miao region was still warm, especially near the mountains and forests, where the humidity was palpable.
“No wonder the Miao people have such good skin; it doesn’t get dry at all,” Ruyi said to the Holy Maiden.
The little girl blushed slightly, a little embarrassed by the praise, and pointed to the mountain path.
"The carriage can't go up the mountain. I'm sorry to trouble you all to climb. But the carriage won't get stolen if we leave it here. I'll have my sister-in-law come over and carry the things up, and then we'll lead the horse up too."
"Thank you all for your hard work."
"It's not bitter at all!"
Their time at the brothel wasn't particularly arduous; in fact, they lived like gods, and the group all gained weight.
Take the saintess for example. Her waist, which was only as wide as a hand when she was exposed before, is now less noticeable than before, and the shape of flesh covering her ribs has disappeared.
Huo Xiaolong and his group followed the Holy Maiden, turning left and right, stopping and going. Before entering, they were given an antidote for miasma.
“Most people can’t find where our home is. With this miasma, you can barely stand it if you carry an incense stick inside. In severe cases, you will faint in the forest.”
A ray of sunlight filters through the dense bamboo forest, illuminating the wooden houses of the Miao village. The golden light and chestnut wood complement each other, creating a serene and mysterious atmosphere. The village is built against the mountainside, scattered in a well-organized manner. The winding paths between the houses seem to be natural extensions of the landscape.
In the distance, the verdant mountains, shrouded in mist, appear and disappear, adding to their mystique. Birdsong fills the air, clear and melodious, blending with the murmuring of distant streams to create a harmonious symphony. Occasionally, a gentle breeze rustles through the bamboo grove, whispering tales of the tranquil peace that belongs to this unique place.
In the Miao village, children chase and play among the houses, their clear laughter echoing through the valley, adding a touch of vitality to the tranquil mountains and forests.
"The Holy Maiden has returned!"
"Saintess!"
"The saintess seems to have gained a little weight."
"Then you must have eaten very well outside."
"As long as you didn't suffer, that's fine."
Several children in the distance, having heard the news of the saintess's return, ran up to the girl, holding insects in their hands, and showed them to her.
"Saintess, these are the bugs I caught yesterday. Do you think they're pretty?"
"Holy Maiden Sister, I caught a bamboo rat yesterday. Would you like to come to my house for some?"
Huo Xiaolong gazed at the mountain scenery below. This must be a place where one can relax. He took a deep breath. Unlike the miasma outside the forest, the air where they were staying was surprisingly fresh.
Several more elders arrived later, their hair gray, wearing headscarves, and they looked very old.
"Hey? Isn't this the little seedling from the priestess's house?"
Seeing Miao Cuifang dressed in silk, the elders behind her did not dare to come up and recognize her.
"Oh my, look at our little Miao, her face is so pretty and chubby, she's so adorable."
"I heard you arranged a marriage for yourself?"
"Did you bring your wife back this time?"
"Is your wife pretty?"
The elderly people's topics were always so simple and unpretentious. Miao Cuifang, holding Liu Xu's hand, walked up to the elders and said to them...
"This is...this is my wife, her name is Liu Xu."
"Oh my, look at her temperament, she's so beautiful."
"Take her home quickly and let your mother-in-law see her. Now you're married."
"Your mother-in-law won't feel bad about you eating too much this time."
An old woman with a cane walked towards them from a distance. She wore a black robe embroidered with Miao patterns, and silver ornaments jingled on her head. The young men and women following behind her helped her from time to time, as the mountain path was difficult to walk and the old woman was getting on in years.
"Cuifang." Upon hearing the voice, Master Miao looked back and immediately smiled, her mouth widening even more than usual.
"Grandma, I'm back."
"It's good that you're back, it's good that you're back."
The priestess, her voice hoarse, pulled Miao Cuifang by the hand and led her home.
Only the priestess's family could afford to host so many people. The old lady was very happy. It was the first time so many guests had come to Miao territory. More importantly, they came with the intention of being guests, not to ask her for the antidote. Finally, she didn't have to clean up the messes of these kids in her family anymore.
The interior is simply decorated, with just a bed and a table; it's already considered the best guest room in the Miao village.
"I'm sorry to have troubled you all. If you need anything, please let me know and I'll have the children go down the mountain to buy it," the priestess said to the group after they had settled in.
Huo Xiaolong shook his head and said
"It's alright, it's fine, the scenery is beautiful, Grandma."
"Is this the young lady from the household you mentioned in your letter?" the old man asked.
Miao Cuifang nodded.
"Indeed, just as the letter said, clever and eloquent."
Then the old man took out a wooden box from his pocket and waved to Huo Xiaolong.
"come over."
The little dumpling ran over excitedly. The old man's hands were covered with scars, which looked deep and white, with some fine cracks mixed with blood.
She pushed open the box, revealing a longhorn beetle, and said...
"This is a Gu that my mother-in-law has been cultivating for the past few years. The insect itself is not poisonous, but after being raised for so long, it has become slightly poisonous. I'm giving it to you for self-defense."
"Thank you, Grandma."
Huo Xiaolong accepted the box with both hands, then handed the old man a jar of plum blossom ointment.
"For wiping my mother-in-law's hands."
After everyone visited the priestess, they all went back to their rooms to rest, leaving Miao Cuifang alone to have a private conversation with her.
“This child is clearly not as wasteful as you described in your letter,” the mother-in-law said to Miao Cuifang.
Xiao Miao replied with a blank expression.
"The face cream she gave you today sells for ten taels of silver outside."
"..."
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