Chapter 44

Chapter 44

In the small boat drifting on the river, Lei Bao and Lei Hu sat at the stern, rowing effortlessly with the current. Cloaked in raincoats and wearing bamboo hats, they looked like two small dots from afar. The massive ship and dozens of warships of the Zhou family's forces followed. Instead of flanking the large ship, they surrounded the small boat, discreetly providing protection.

Hearing laughter from the cabin, Lei Hu peeked inside but was quickly reprimanded by Lei Bao with a pat on his bamboo hat. The heavy rain increased the river's water level, making the waves fierce. Lei Hu wiped rainwater splashed onto his face. On both riverbanks, the wind flattened the grass to a thin line, and wild birds skimmed the water's surface, flying towards the stormy sky.

After the rumbling thunder, bright lightning streaked across the sky, and the rain intensified.

Xiao Luolan pushed the window open slightly, feeling a bit anxious that the small boat might capsize as she nervously watched the gloomy weather outside.

Inside the cabin, thanks to a clay stove with a burning charcoal fire, the chill of the river wind was hardly felt. Xiao Luolan glanced outside for a while and then drew her cloak tighter with a frown.

"Lord Zhou, perhaps we should return to the large ship."

Zhou Xu took a sip of wine and laughed, "Madam, please be patient for a while longer. This small boat won't capsize from such minor waves and wind."

Hearing Lord Zhou's reassurance, Xiao Luolan said no more. He knew the Xun River better than she, a newcomer, ever could.

"Come, Madam, have a sip of wine to warm up," Zhou Xu offered, picking up another wine cup and pouring a cup of warm wine for Lady Xiao from the wine pot.

"This is green plum wine, it's mild and won't cause intoxication. Madam, please try it," Zhou Xu said. Knowing Lady Xiao was present, he had chosen the mild fruit wine over the stronger Yuzhou liquor. He had heard from Mr. Qingshan that fruit wine was beneficial for women's health, hence his preference for green plum wine.

"Thank you, Lord Zhou, but I'd prefer to have tea," Xiao Luolan replied, placing a ceramic pot on the small stove to boil water for tea.

"It would be nice if Madam could call me Zhou Lang," Zhou Xu mused, feeling that Lady Xiao's form of address wasn't intimate enough. He sipped the slightly sweet fruit wine, planning to join her for tea later.

Soon, bubbles started forming in the teapot.

Xiao Luolan, not comfortable with such an intimate address, scooped a small wooden spoonful of tea leaves into the boiling water and waited about half an hour before placing the teapot on a bamboo mat with a white cloth.

She then poured herself a cup of tea, careful not to fill it too much due to the slight rocking of the boat.

Zhou Xu extended his cup towards her.

Xiao Luolan poured him a cup of tea, and Zhou Xu took the opportunity to touch her hand, feeling reassured by its warmth.

Turning her head towards the river, Xiao Luolan noticed how quickly the weather could change. In the time it took to brew tea, they had left the area of dense clouds, and now there were signs of the sun breaking through. Golden sunlight pierced the clouds, casting beams onto the river's surface, with a few fishing boats visible in the distance.

The river was bathed in golden light under the low clouds.

Watching for a while, Xiao Luolan felt her spirits lift, her mood becoming more open and less melancholic.

Seeing a smile playing on Lady Xiao's lips, Zhou Xu couldn't help but smile too, his eyes slightly squinting.

While Lady Xiao admired the river scenery, Zhou Xu's gaze was fixed on her.

Suddenly, intermittent whistles echoed across the river.

Xiao Luolan fully opened the window. The vermillion mansion ship, towering four stories high, was a magnificent sight from below. The lowest level housed the oarsmen, with ten-meter-long sculling oars on either side of the ship. The upper levels were occupied by hundreds of soldiers. Xiao Luolan knew that one of the cabins also housed the Heiyun horses, which Lord Zhou had brought aboard, their eyes covered with black cloth and carefully calmed by the Lei family's riders before embarking. Soldiers and Lei family riders patrolled the second and third levels, while the top level was reserved for living quarters. Xiao Luolan had only glimpsed this before being whisked away by Lord Zhou to the small boat.

Her daughter, wearing a red riding outfit, appeared to be playing a ceramic whistle. Xiao Luolan watched for a while and felt relieved to see her not leaning on the railing, but standing inside it.

Zhou Xu glanced over and smiled, "Lady Xiao truly cherishes her daughter."

Xiao Luolan's cheeks flushed slightly at Lord Zhou's teasing remark.

Zhou Xu knew from Lei Ge's report about Lady Xiao's activities during their day out, including the ceramic bird whistle she had bought. He glanced at Lady Xiao's neck, where a fine red string peeked out from under her crossed-collar garment, hiding the whistle deep within, like a treasure in the moonlight.

He remembered the long-life gold thread he had given her, which she hadn't even looked at, let alone worn, and now lay forgotten in a dark box. Yet she treasured a simple clay whistle, worrying him that its rough edges might chafe her delicate skin.

Did his feelings mean so little to her? Even his address seemed to maintain a subtle distance.

Zhou Xu took a sip of tea, his expression calm.

On the ship, Xiao Qingxue sat on a peony cushion, playing the ceramic whistle. The melodious whistle carried far on the wind before gradually fading away.

A few bold wild birds perched on the railing, curiously observing the young lady.

Xiao Qingxue noticed a cormorant holding a fish in its beak, a sight she had never seen before. She stood up for a closer look.

Suddenly, a small stone hit the cormorant. Startled, it caused the birds perched on the railing to scatter, leaving the railing empty.

Xiao Qingxue turned around and saw the foreign young man.

"The cormorants on the river are usually tamed by fishermen and have owners. Strangers approaching them might be attacked," Tuoba Mu explained, looking at the peony-shaped cushion at Xiao Qingxue's feet, deliberately avoiding eye contact with her.

Xiao Qingxue uttered an "Oh," realizing the situation.

"How did you get here?" Xiao Qingxue asked, then quickly added, realizing her question might be misconstrued, "I mean, aren't you with Zhou Sixteen?"

She remembered that the two of them were always inseparable.

Upon hearing this, Tuoba Mu looked up at Xiao Qingxue. She was dressed in a red round-collar robe today, resembling a pampered young lord, with a small whip at her waist and a pink sachet, looking particularly charming.

Tuoba Mu felt his heart beating uncontrollably, the sunshine today seemed especially intense: "Sixteen took Zheng Duozhi of Taiyang County with him."

Xiao Qingxue didn't quite understand, feeling like he had only told half the story. Was Duozhi an official? So, Zhou Sixteen took the official to discuss matters, leaving Tuoba Mu alone. That sounded rather superficial for a friendship. She recalled hearing from Lei Ge about how when Zhou Sixteen was punished by kneeling, Tuoba Mu had also knelt for a long time and was even sent to fetch medicine the next day, hence his hurried steps.

Seeing Xiao Qingxue's confused face, Tuoba Mu added, "Duozhi is a famous courtesan, known for her beauty, eloquence, and broad knowledge."

Xiao Qingxue was stunned, and after a while, she responded with an "Oh." Leaning on the railing and looking out over the river, her mood fell. In this ancient era, if it weren’t for her and her mother meeting the kind-hearted Lord Zhou, their fate might not have been much better.

"Zheng Duozhi of Taiyang County once conversed with the renowned scholars of Chang'an, which greatly increased her value. She's now highly sought after in Taiyang County. This time, Sixteen invited her over…” Tuoba Mu stopped midway, noticing Xiao Qingxue seemed upset.

He secretly watched her, feeling his heart beat intensely with each flutter of her eyelashes, as if even the giant ship was shaking.

Since understanding the ways of the world, Tuoba Mu had never done anything inappropriate. He had always been cautious and careful. But recalling the woman who sat beside Zheng Duozhi in Zhou Sixteen's room, whose figure slightly resembled Lady Xiao, and then thinking of Xiao Qingxue as Lady Xiao’s daughter…

"Miss Xiao."

Xiao Qingxue turned to the foreign young man, blinking, "What's the matter?"

Tuoba Mu, with his eyes downcast, said dryly, "Lady Xiao and Lord Zhou are out boating."

Xiao Qingxue looked towards the bottom of the giant ship and finally spotted her mother's boat among a group of warships.

Leaning over the railing for a closer look, she saw her mother and Lord Zhou sitting opposite each other, seemingly having tea.

Xiao Qingxue immediately remembered her mother sending sour plum soup to Lord Zhou and how he enthusiastically taught her whip practice without asking for anything in return. She felt both angry and disappointed, wondering why her mother and Lord Zhou had evaded her questions.

If they had no feelings for each other, why would her mother avoid her to have tea with Lord Zhou? Xiao Qingxue felt a sourness in her heart, her emotions complicated. She had suspected something between her mother and Lord Zhou, and now she felt they were both deceiving her.

She resolved to confront her mother once she returned.

Seeing Xiao Qingxue's strange expression, Tuoba Mu, concerned she might not understand, added, "Zheng Duozhi brought a woman who seems somewhat similar to Lady Xiao."

Hearing this, Xiao Qingxue felt everything was clear. Zhou Sixteen was up to no good.

Although she knew Lord Zhou wasn't a good match for her mother, seeing her mother having tea with him and sensing something between them made Xiao Qingxue dislike Zhou Sixteen even more, despite his charming appearance.

Xiao Qingxue was curious to see how this woman brought by Zheng Duozhi resembled her mother. She took a few steps, then realized she had no idea where to find Zhou Sixteen's quarters.

Xiao Qingxue looked at the young man who had brought her the news, curious about his repeated help: "What's your name?"

Tuoba Mu, holding his curved sword at his waist and feeling his palms sweat, replied, "Tuoba, Tuoba Mu."

"Thank you, Lord Tuoba," Xiao Qingxue said. She wasn't reckless and knew that confronting Zhou Sixteen now would likely lead to Tuoba Mu unfairly bearing Zhou's anger and possibly being whipped. After careful thought, she decided against confronting Zhou Sixteen.

"No, no need to thank me," Tuoba Mu avoided Xiao Qingxue's gaze.

Xiao Qingxue noticed that the foreign young man's face easily turned red, likely due to his ethnicity. His features were more pronounced than average, and his skin was paler, making his blush more noticeable. His long eyelashes and light blue eyes deepened in the shadows, resembling a deep blue lake.

Tuoba Mu, aware that Xiao Qingxue was staring at his face, tightened his grip on the knife's handle. Suddenly, he turned away and left without a word.

Xiao Qingxue stood there, confused about what had just happened.

Back in his room, Tuoba Mu unusually looked at himself in the bronze mirror. His distinct foreign features, which had long subjected him to ridicule and ostracism, weighed heavily on his mind. He stared at his blue eyes, wondering if Xiao Qingxue also found his face strange.

But he couldn’t change his face... The shamans in his tribe had once tried to change the eye color of other tribe members, but all attempts had failed.

He couldn't even change his eye color.

He was a foreigner, marked for life with foreign blood. His eye and hair color were indelible signs of his difference from the people of Great Chu.

"Those not of our race must have different hearts." For this belief, his Tuoba tribe had shed much blood and lost many lives before climbing to their current status as a vassal tribe under the military governor. Only with this status could his people live better.

"Another fish has come up."

Xiao Luolan turned to look at the cabin door.

A pale hand parted the curtain, followed by a young man with completely white hair entering.

The young man appeared to be ill, weak and thin in a blue robe, with a delicate and handsome face, his frailty accompanied by a gentle, affable smile.

Xiao Luolan observed his white hair for a while, then, realizing it was impolite to stare, looked away. She thought she wasn't the "fish" Lord Zhou was waiting for; this young man was. Should she leave them alone?

"Shi Zi, you've come, please sit," Zhou Xu greeted Cui Shi Zi with a smile, placing a straw mat beside him.

Cui Shi Zi sat down comfortably, pulling out a handkerchief to cover his mouth as he coughed.

Seeing this, Xiao Luolan closed the window.

Cui Shi Zi slowly looked up at Lady Xiao, his face still wearing a smile.

Xiao Luolan thought for a moment and then stood up, leaving space for Lord Zhou and Shi Zi. She remembered Grandma Cui mentioning a younger brother, presumably referring to this frail Cui Lang Jun.

"The wind is strong outside, there's no need for Madam to leave," Zhou Xu grasped Lady Xiao's hand, encouraging her to sit back down, and softly said, "I trust Madam."

Xiao Luolan sat back down, feeling somewhat uneasy.

Cui Shi Zi maintained his smile, pulling out several scrolls from his sleeve and handing them to his lord, saying, "There's no need to keep Tuoba Agu in that country for negotiations anymore. My lord, you can recall them now."

Zhou Xu briefly reviewed the scrolls, then silently burned them in the stove.

As the smoke wafted up, Xiao Luolan saw Lord Zhou's smile devoid of any real joy, "You're right, there's no need to keep those treacherous dogs. If the old king doesn't want to act humanely, I can oblige him, sending his entire family on their final journey. It won't be lonely on the road to the underworld."

Xiao Luolan's heart skipped a beat, chilled by the murderous intent in Lord Zhou's words.

Cui Shi Zi poured himself a cup of tea and took a sip.

He looked at Lady Xiao, draped in a crane-feather cloak, her raven hair adorned, radiantly beautiful with lips like cherry blossoms, and her voluptuous figure. Even her startled expression carried a certain timid yet alluring maturity.

Did the lord prefer this type? Cui Shi Zi recalled the beautiful maidens previously sent to the lord, each uniquely stunning but invariably rejected by him. Observing further, he noticed a dark blue sachet on the lord's waist, and with his knowledge of herbs, quickly identified the common medicinal herbs inside. The sachet's fabric, slightly worn, suggested it was frequently worn and caressed...

Cui Shi Zi glanced again at Lady Xiao, thoughtfully.

Evening.

Xiao Qingxue, hiding her thoughts, hurried to find her mother after dinner, even making an excuse to send Grandma Cui out of her mother’s room, and didn't bring Fangyun with her.

Xiao Luolan was embroidering by the window, working on a handkerchief for her daughter, when she saw Qingxue mysteriously close the door.

"Mother, there’s something I want to ask you," Xiao Qingxue said seriously.

Xiao Luolan put down the handkerchief and invited her daughter to sit opposite her, "What is it?"

"Are you and Lord Zhou in a relationship?"

Xiao Luolan didn't expect her daughter to ask this question, her heart skipped a beat, fearing that someone might have spoken ill to her daughter.

"I saw you today, you and Lord Zhou were having tea," Xiao Qingxue said with a hint of jealousy.

"We were just having tea. Lord Zhou and Grandma Cui's younger brother, Cui Lang Jun, were discussing matters," Xiao Luolan explained.

"So there's really nothing between you two?" Xiao Qingxue pressed on.

Xiao Luolan, recalling her plan, was unsure how to answer. Did she have feelings for him? No, but for their safety, she had to respond to Lord Zhou, something her daughter would eventually find out.

"I..."

"Mother, Lord Zhou is from ancient times; he must be married with children at his age..." Xiao Qingxue voiced her concerns.

"He said he doesn't have a legitimate wife," Xiao Luolan quickly responded, not wanting to leave a bad impression on her daughter.

Hearing this, Xiao Qingxue's eyes lit up, then she said indignantly, "You still say there's nothing between you? You even know Lord Zhou doesn't have a legitimate wife, and you still try to hide it from me."

Xiao Luolan felt a pang of sadness, took her daughter's hand, and said reassuringly, "I'm glad you don't blame me."

Upon hearing her mother's words, Xiao Qingxue's anger faded, "Mom, I'm not blaming you." They sat closely on the couch, "If you like Lord Zhou and he likes you, that's great. I'm not a child anymore."

"It's just in the talking stage, nothing has been decided yet," Xiao Luolan whispered to her daughter, "About my divorce, Qingxue, don't tell Lord Zhou for now."

Xiao Qingxue blinked in confusion, not understanding her mother's actions.

"Do you understand?" Xiao Luolan looked seriously at her daughter, who nodded obediently, and then embraced her.

Xiao Luolan was uncertain about Lord Zhou's true intentions. Some men are attracted to married women for the taboo and thrill of it. Without that status, everything might seem dull.

Xiao Luolan didn't know if Lord Zhou was like that but couldn't afford to take the risk, as she had no bargaining chips.

That's why she had to maintain the status of a married woman.

"Oh, Mother, I need to tell you something," Xiao Qingxue remembered the purpose of her visit and shared with her mother what Tuoba Mu had told her in the afternoon.

Xiao Qingxue crossed her arms, "I knew that Zhou Sixteen was no good."

Xiao Luolan was also stunned upon hearing this news.

Xiao Qingxue was angry, but more importantly, she felt wronged, "If Zhou Sixteen gives that woman to Lord Zhou, and he accepts her, Mom, promise me, you won't continue seeing Lord Zhou."

Xiao Luolan nodded, "I understand."

After her daughter left, Xiao Luolan gazed at the partially embroidered handkerchief, lost in thought.

She didn't step out of her room until the moon was high in the sky.

Looking at the crescent moon, Xiao Luolan continued to embroider the handkerchief for her daughter. She wouldn't go to see the woman brought by Zheng Duozhi, nor would she seek out Lord Zhou. Some things, once started, can happen again, and she wasn't capable of changing a person.

Her pride also wouldn't allow her to approach Lord Zhou.

Xiao Luolan embroidered snowflake petals with blue silk thread, a skill taught by Grandma Cui. After several tries, she felt she was getting the hang of it.

The door creaked open.

Xiao Luolan's hand paused with the embroidery thread as she looked towards Lord Zhou.

Zhou Xu, upon entering, saw Lady Xiao looking at him, her eyes like tranquil autumn waters, bathed in moonlight.

"What are you embroidering?" Zhou Xu strode over, sat on the couch, expertly pulled Lady Xiao into his embrace, and made her sit on his lap.

"A handkerchief," Xiao Luolan replied.

Zhou Xu held Lady Xiao's hand, "Madam has skilled hands. When you have time, make a sachet for me too."

Xiao Luolan nodded, "If Lord Zhou doesn't mind, I'll make a few more."

Zhou Xu smiled, "How could I mind? It's all about Madam's intention. I couldn't be happier." He gently kissed her.

Xiao Luolan only smelled the faint scent of mugwort on Lord Zhou. She closed her eyes, her mind still troubled by those words, her body rigid.

Zhou Xu kissed her for a while, then paused.

Xiao Luolan tremulously opened her eyes, finding Lord Zhou's smile had faded. He looked at her, his expression calm, and then, in the next second, leaned down to continue the kiss.

Zhou Xu only released Xiao Luolan when her cheeks flushed red and she struggled to breathe.

He bit her cherry lips, now stained with a hint of blood, and smiled, "Why is Madam resisting me so much tonight?"

Xiao Luolan gasped for air, her eyes brimming with tears and a trace of fear. She had almost thought she was going to suffocate.

Lord Zhou's kiss was fierce, marked with a terrifying greed.

Zhou Xu gently touched Lady Xiao's face, feeling her flinch slightly. Her eyes clearly showed fear, afraid yet reluctant to reject his advances. The moonlight shone brightly, revealing the red string at the collar.

Zhou Xu deftly pulled out the purple-red ceramic whistle, a rudimentary bird shape.

Xiao Luolan reached out to stop him, wanting to take the whistle back.

Zhou Xu looked at the whistle, still warm from Lady Xiao's touch and carrying a faint fragrance.

Xiao Luolan didn't understand why Lord Zhou was interested in the cheap whistle. She pursed her lips, feeling a numbing pain in her mouth and tongue, "Lord Zhou, please give it back to me."

Zhou Xu played with the red string, his smile mischievous, "If you want it back, Lady Xiao, give me a kiss."

Xiao Luolan looked at the swaying whistle, placed her hand on Lord Zhou's shoulder, and kissed his cheek.

Then she looked at him.

The smile on Zhou Xu's face faded even more.

Xiao Luolan didn't understand what she had done wrong, feeling somewhat afraid of this version of Lord Zhou, and kept her lips tightly sealed without speaking.

Zhou Xu lifted Lady Xiao's face, exposing her radiant visage completely under the moonlight by the window, her delicate eyebrows slightly furrowed, her cherry lips swollen.

"Madam, don't you even know how to use someone?"

Xiao Luolan's eyes widened in disbelief, looking at Lord Zhou, wondering what he meant.

Zhou Xu's smile turned mocking, "Isn't that what you're doing? Using me?"

Xiao Luolan felt as if she had fallen into an icy abyss, trembling as she looked at the always-smiling Lord Zhou, unable to utter a word.

Zhou Xu gently kissed away the tears at the corner of Lady Xiao's eyes, his voice as gentle as ever, "Why are you crying?"

Xiao Luolan's mind went blank, feeling terrified of this man who had always known her intentions – knowing that she thought she had deceived him!

"If Madam doesn't know how, I will teach her," Zhou Xu said with a laugh, "I will personally teach Madam how to use me."

Zhou Xu leaned down to kiss the translucent tip of Lady Xiao's ear, his voice soft, "The first step is..."

"Do not reject me."

Xiao Luolan collapsed into Lord Zhou's embrace, like a bird startled by the twang of a bowstring.