Chapter 9 (Revised)

Chapter 9 (Revised)

By the hour of Chen, the sun was already high, and due to the summer season, the hall was far from cool. Cavalrymen were either cleaning their long swords with coarse cloth in the sunlight or chatting by the wooden pillars. Most had gone to the backyard with Thunder Tiger and Thunder Leopard to take care of their prized horses. Qian Yicheng, the stationmaster, wasn't busy like the station slaves but was also occupied.

He occasionally refilled water and brought fruits for the esteemed Secretary Zhao.

Catching a glimpse of Zhou Xu descending the stairs, he quickly stepped aside.

"Qian Yicheng, please bring three portions of breakfast."

Zhou Xu, leading Madam Xiao, chose a relatively cooler spot and then addressed Qian Yicheng.

Qian Yicheng was momentarily startled by the attire of the two noble ladies but quickly regained composure and replied, "Certainly."

Night and day are indeed different. The dim candlelight of the night could never compare to the intense sunlight of the day, revealing everything without a place to hide.

Xiao Luolan, holding her daughter's hand, tensed up, trying her best to remember the dialect spoken by Clan Leader Zhou and the others. To blend into a new environment, mastering the language was crucial.

At some point, the laughter and chatter of the cavalrymen in the hall ceased. They stood upright, their gaze inevitably resting on the two noble figures, unable to look away.

The two were simply too dazzling.

The cavalrymen wore dark blue light armor close to black. In the station, whether stationmasters or servants, their clothes were all dull and gray, rarely bright. Suddenly seeing such vibrant and richly adorned figures, their natural human inclination for beauty drew their attention irresistibly to the vivid colors.

"Please have a seat, Lady Xiao."

Zhou Xu sat down across the long table, momentarily dazzled as a ray of sunlight fell obliquely on Lady Xiao. Her fair and lustrous skin seemed to glow, and despite lacking jewelry, her dark green silk dress adorned with understated yet luxurious patterns, her scarf draped elegantly, and her loosely tied hair added to her allure. Zhou Xu felt as if the summer heat lessened in her presence.

Xiaoluolan sat down with her daughter, facing a long, narrow table. The bench was neither too high nor too low, much like the one opposite where Sect Leader Zhou sat, though there was a noticeable gap between the two tables.

Xiaoluolan wondered if this was considered dining together, as she had expected to share the same table. The arrangement was more distant than she anticipated.

Xiaoling Snow, curious about everything in this ancient setting, began to look around eagerly after sitting down.

The eighteen-year-old girl's posture was graceful and upright, wearing a flowing smoke and sunset-colored dress that showcased the beauty of red in various shades – orange-red, bright red, crimson – interwoven with gold threads, radiantly beautiful. Her face, as pure as a lotus in clear water, was as lovely as a painting. She gazed around with her bright eyes.

The riders stood even straighter, feeling a surge of warmth rising to their heads. Some of the bolder ones even exchanged glances with the curious noble girl, their faces turning red as they quickly averted their eyes.

Zhao Qing Shan, neither servile nor overbearing, smiled openly at the noble girl.

Xiaoling Snow, knowing he was Mr. Qing Shan mentioned by her mother, and the one who had saved her, smiled politely, bending her eyes in a cordial gesture.

Sitting alone, Zhao Qing Shan found the young Lady Xiao's reaction amusing.

"The noble girls of Chang'an indeed have unique personalities," he thought, admiring her straightforward and unpretentious manner.

Noticing that Lady Xiao and her daughter were without hairpins and had simple hairstyles, he deduced the reason - they were likely accustomed to being attended to by maids at home, and without personal servants, they had to make do with simple hair ties.

After observing her surroundings, Xiaoling Snow leaned closer to her mother, whispering softly, "Mom." Then, remembering they were in ancient times, she corrected herself, "Mother."

Xiaoluolan turned to look at her daughter.

"They all carry swords," Xiaoling Snow whispered, recalling that ancient times strictly controlled weapons. The people they encountered, clad in armor and wielding swords even in the sweltering heat, seemed extraordinary. Could Sect Leader Zhou be a high-ranking general? Which dynasty could this be – perhaps the Tang Dynasty? She pondered, planning to investigate further.

Xiaoluolan glanced towards the riders in the hall, indeed noticing numerous swords.

Just then, Li Da, under the guidance of Qian Yi Cheng, brought in their breakfast.

Li Da kept his head low, not daring to gaze around freely, yet the vibrant colors of the noble's clothing still dazzled him momentarily.

Xiaoluolan saw a bowl of thick yellow porridge, a hot flatbread sprinkled with sesame seeds, a small dish of thinly sliced smoked meat, and a small bowl of indistinguishable greenish vegetable soup on the table.

Xiaoling Snow, though hungry, hesitated to eat, wary of violating any ancient customs.

Knowing the importance of etiquette and hierarchy in ancient times, she decided not to eat before her mother, opting to wait patiently.

In reality, Zhou Xu had already had his breakfast but didn't mind eating again.

Being a warrior, his physical exertions were significantly more than an average person, and his table was laden with a large portion of meat soup and flatbreads, substantially more than what was served to Lady Xiao.

Zhou Xu, noticing Lady Xiao deep in thought and the delicate transparency of her ears under the sunlight, spoke gently, "In this rustic setting, we lack exquisite delicacies. Lady Xiao, please partake in what's available. Once we reach Lang Ge, I'll treat you and Miss Xiao to a grand feast of our Yu Zhou's whole sheep banquet."

Xiaoling Snow perked up her ears, familiar with Yu Zhou but not Lang Ge.

Already feeling constrained, Xiaoluolan grew more uncomfortable upon hearing Zhou Xu's offer. His kindness and repeated assistance overwhelmed her, and she had even hoped to travel alongside him for protection, recalling Mr. Qing Shan's warning about the dangers and wild people in the forests.

Guilt surged in Xiaoluolan as she contemplated her reliance on Zhou Xu, her face flushing and palms sweating, struggling to overcome her internal conflict.

Seeing her mother not responding and sensing the atmosphere cooling, Xiao Qingxue intervened to ease the situation, "Thank you, Clan Leader Zhou."

Zhou Xu smiled with narrowed eyes. Young Miss Xiao, still naïve and innocent, agreed on the spot to something fun and delicious, which was normal. But Madam Xiao's hesitation, was it because she didn't want to go to Youzhou?

Where did she wish to go then?

Back to her family or by her husband's side?

Zhou Xu thought about it and felt that neither option was good.

Xiao Qingxue initially thought Clan Leader Zhou was just being polite, but after eating, she realized he was serious.

The breakfast from ancient times was truly hard to eat.

The chestnut rice porridge was hard on the teeth, the soup was overly salty, the smoked meat was tough and fishy. Only the sesame cake was decent. Xiao Qingxue ate it all, quickly following it with some porridge to swallow it down with difficulty.

Xiao Luolan also found the meal unpalatable, but she still ate a small portion.

Zhou Xu, on the other hand, ate heartily. He devoured the meat soup and pancakes swiftly, like clouds rolling in the wind. He noticed the mother and daughter's reaction across him. Noble families were particular about food and clothing, so their struggle with the coarse food was expected. However, though Madam Xiao and her daughter ate little, they did so earnestly and without complaint, which made Zhou Xu think that if all noble families were like Madam Xiao, he wouldn't have had to behead some people in the past.

After breakfast, Xiao Luolan led her daughter back to their room.

She sat on the bed, filled with worries.

Xiao Qingxue looked around curiously, fascinated by the life of ancient people.

After a while, a young medicine attendant knocked and brought in a bowl of dark, murky medicine.

The attendant set down the tray and placed the bowl on the table. With a small frame and eyes too large for his thin face, he looked at Xiao Qingxue: "Young mistress, it's time for your medicine."

Xiao Qingxue guessed it was time to take her medicine. She hung her head in dismay, not wanting to drink it. She touched the wound on her forehead, still throbbing with pain, and gulped down the medicine in one breath. Her face twisted with bitterness. Xiao Luolan gave her daughter an orange apricot to taste some sweetness.

Xiao Luolan looked at the medicine attendant and beckoned him over.

The attendant stepped forward.

"This is for you." Xiao Luolan picked some apricots and plums from a fruit plate on the table and handed them to the young boy.

The attendant waved his hands, refusing to accept.

"Take it, please." Xiao Luolan said softly, pitying the thinness of such a young child.

Clutching a bunch of apricots and plums, the attendant stuttered without being able to speak.

"What is your name?" Xiao Luolan asked gently.

The attendant stared with wide eyes, as if he didn't understand.

Xiao Qingxue nestled next to her mother: "Mom, are you trying to learn the local dialect?"

Xiao Luolan stroked her daughter's hair and sighed: "Yes, we need to communicate with people. You should also pay attention and learn."

Xiao Qingxue nodded: "I understand."

"We're strangers in a strange land. Master Zhou is a good person, but we can't impose on him forever," Xiao Luolan had roughly planned their future life: "Once we reach Langge, as mentioned by Master Zhou, it must be a big city. We'll settle down there, preferably buying a house near Master Zhou's for more safety."

These were all Xiao Luolan could think of for now. As for how to make a living once they bought the house, she hadn't thought about it yet. After all, she had only been in this strange world for a day.

After hearing this, Xiao Qingxue hugged her mother: "Mom, no, mother, don't worry, I'll learn it super fast."

Xiao Luolan smiled.

In the following time, Xiao Qingxue, accompanied by the young medicine attendant, pointed to everything in the room. The attendant repeated each name, and Xiao Qingxue followed suit. After a few repetitions, the young attendant realized what was happening.

The noble ladies wanted to learn the dialect of Youzhou.

The young attendant recited with more enthusiasm, while Xiao Luolan quietly observed and memorized.

The mother and daughter studied very diligently.

At noon, a courier brought lunch. Xiao Luolan and Xiao Qingxue ate inside, and the young attendant was also invited to stay. Xiao Luolan let him sit on a stool and join them around the table.

The lunch was simple, but Xiao Luolan was content to see the young attendant eating with satisfaction.

Later, the attendant gestured and told them about a severe drought in Buzhou years ago, causing many deaths from starvation. Many people fled to Youzhou. The Governor of Taiyuan was kind and opened granaries in several counties. They cooked porridge outside the counties for the refugees, saving many lives.

After understanding this, Xiao Luolan felt heavy-hearted.

Xiao Qingxue felt as if struck by lightning, suspecting this ancient era to be a parallel universe.

Now, even pretending to be a prophet was not possible. Had it been a familiar history, she could have known future developments.

Xiao Qingxue grew worried.

Hearing these stories from the young attendant suggested unrest outside.

Driven by the pressure to survive, the mother and daughter learned even more earnestly.

The apricots, plums, and two peaches in the fruit plate were divided by Xiao Luolan into two portions. One for the young attendant and the other for her daughter. She herself ate a nesberry, which the attendant called by that name, but Xiao Luolan thought it resembled a cotton apple.

After eating, their throats felt much better.

After the young medicine attendant left.

Xiao Qingxue's eyes sparkled: "Mother, I think my memory has greatly improved since we traveled through time. I remember almost all the dialect that Xiao Shi spoke."

"Mom, test me."

Xiao Luolan naturally agreed: "Alright, I'll also repeat it later."

After going through the dialect of Youzhou, Xiao Qingxue was brimming with confidence.

"My clever treasure is so impressive," Xiao Luolan praised with a smile.

"Hehe," Xiao Qingxue's eyes curved into crescents: "Mom, you're also learning quickly."

The mother and daughter reviewed together, feeling quite satisfied with their progress.

Zhou Xu, upon hearing the report from Qian Yi Cheng, that the young medicine attendant had been summoned into the room by the noble ladies for a long time and later told him that they were learning the dialect of Youzhou.

Zhou Xu nodded, indicating that he understood.

They were already fully prepared, with horses led to the official road, and the riders, rested and spirited, with ample supplies.

When Xiao Luolan was informed it was time to hit the road, she put her daughter's jewelry and gold bracelets into a wooden box, intending to carry it with her. Xiao Qingxue, feeling the wooden box was too conspicuous, bent down, emptied the contents of her sachet, and put on the gold bracelets and crystal beads. The remaining jewelry was bundled into the sachet. Fortunately, the loose gown made the bulging sachet less noticeable.

Xiao Luolan left with her daughter.

Seeing that the palanquin was thoughtfully enclosed with cloth on all sides to keep out sunlight and sand, they felt increasingly grateful to Master Zhou.

Zhou Xu, sitting on his horse, stretched out a large hand and bent slightly: "Madame Xiao, please mount the horse."

Xiao Qingxue hesitated, feeling something was amiss.

"Mother."

She ran over: "Sit with me."

Xiao Luolan hesitated, worried: "But what if the palanquin falls apart?"

Xiao Qingxue, seeing no other means of transportation around, puffed her cheeks in annoyance.

Master Zhou is indeed a great benefactor, but, but...

Xiao Qingxue was just not happy.

Xiao Luolan pulled her daughter aside, wiped the sweat from her forehead with her sleeve. Her daughter always disliked the heat in summer, in the past they would have turned on the air conditioning.

"Be obedient, you go sit in the palanquin, and I'll ride the horse. Don't worry, Master Zhou is an upright and good man. Once we reach the county town, I'll hire a carriage and we'll ride together."

Xiao Qingxue reluctantly agreed. She entered the palanquin and soon opened the covering cloth to look outside. She saw Master Zhou keeping a respectful distance from her mother, one hand behind his back and the other holding the reins, both disciplined and upright.

Maybe Master Zhou really is a good person... Xiao Qingxue thought uncertainly.

The sunlight was scorching.

Zhou Xu glanced inadvertently at the closed curtains and then took out a gauze veil hat.

"Madame Xiao, the weather is very hot. Wearing this veil hat will protect you from the harsh sun."

Xiao Luolan was pleasantly surprised.

She hadn't expected Master Zhou to be so thoughtful.

Seeing Madame Xiao wearing the veil hat, her face obscured by the white gauze, delicate sweat dripping at her neck, and her skin fair and soft, Zhou Xu licked his teeth and asked in a low voice.

"Madame Xiao, why not come to me if you want to learn the dialect of Youzhou?"

"I would also be willing to teach you."