Chapter 46

Chapter 46

"Mother, mother."

Xiaoluo Lan, hearing her daughter's voice, smiled even before seeing her. Xiaoluo Lan rushed into the room, snowball in hand, followed by Fangyun.

Xiaoluo Lan excitedly said, "Mother, outside, Master Zhou and a group are bird hunting. There's the man in black, Mr. Qingshan, Tuoba Mu, Cui Langjun, and many others on the stern deck."

"Mother, let's go have a look too."

"Yes, indeed, it's lively outside. You should go out more often to ease your mind," said Granny Cui, entering with a tray, smiling kindly.

Fangyun hurriedly took the tray from Granny Cui, presented it, then stood aside respectfully. Granny Cui, pleased, noticed Fangyun had become calmer and more stable than before. Xiaoluo Lan was lively, but her personal maid needed to be more restrained; that was the proper way.

Xiaoluo Lan sat on one side of the couch, with her daughter on the other, separated by a small table laden with sweets and sliced jade melon, with a silver fork resting on the fruit plate.

Xiaoluo Lan pushed some food towards her daughter. She had woken up early that morning to nearly finish embroidering her daughter's handkerchief, planning to embroider a sachet for Master Zhou next. She had just started a crane pattern when her daughter came in.

"Mother, have one." Xiaoluo Lan ate a small piece of sweet melon and then forked another piece towards her mother's mouth. Seeing her embroidering, she suddenly thought of something, moved closer to her mother mysteriously. Seeing Granny Cui and Fangyun present, she hesitated to speak aloud, instead pointing silently at the sachet and mouthing, "For Master Zhou?"

Mother is embroidering a sachet for Master Zhou.

Xiaoluo Lan's heart tightened at her daughter's words, setting down her embroidery: "Eat up, and then mother will accompany you to watch."

Seeing her mother evade the topic, Xiaoluo Lan immediately grinned and blinked, understanding the hint. It seemed her mother was quite fond of Master Zhou. Eating her sweet melon, she glanced at her own small sachet, also embroidered by her mother, who had made two and braided a five-colored thread for her on the Dragon Boat Festival. Remembering how her mother always thought of her when there were treats, Xiaoluo Lan felt content again.

Her mother's favorite person is still her!

Xiaoluo Lan ate a piece of pierced rice cake with her fork, eyeing the sweet yogurt cherries and green bean drink on the table. Her fondness for Master Zhou grew a bit more, surprised that a martial man like him could be so considerate towards her mother. As long as he was good to her mother, that was enough.

After nearly finishing their meal, Xiaoluo Lan eagerly pulled her mother outside. Staying cooped up in the house was so boring.

The weather outside was sunny and breezy, the river wind cool and refreshing, with many cargo and fishing boats crisscrossing in the distance.

Xiaoluo Lan sighed and looked towards the stern. No wonder she couldn't hear any noise; it would take some time to walk from her room to the stern. As she walked past the beautifully carved rooms on the ship, she saw several banquet halls and other rooms of unknown purpose. Xiaoluo Lan grabbed a small bow and arrows from her room, with Fangyun carrying a quiver filled with a few white-feathered arrows.

Xiaoluo Lan noticed that the front part of the ship seemed to be the quarters for the women, while the men were housed in the back, separated by a flag bearing the character '幽' as the boundary. Intricate patterns were carved on the large copper base, and she glanced up at the fluttering '幽' flag.

"Mother, Lei Ge taught me archery. He's really good."

Xiaoluo Lan came back to reality, looking at her daughter and jokingly said, "Let's see how many birds you can shoot in a while."

"I definitely won't disappoint you, mother," Xiaoluo Lan declared confidently, hands on her hips. She took out a cylindrical jade thumb ring from the flint pouch hanging on her leather belt and wore it on her right thumb, moving it around to get ready to perform for her mother.

Xiaoluo Lan couldn't help but smile, saying, "Alright, I'll be waiting."

Chatting and laughing, the two made their way to the rear of the ship. The spacious deck was crowded with dozens of people, all familiar to Xiaoluo Lan.

Lei Ge was the first to greet them with clasped hands, "Lady Xiao, young Miss Xiao," and stepped aside.

Lei Hu and Lei Bao also gave a martial artist's salute.

Xiaoluo Lan returned the greeting with a deep bow, expressing her politeness and respect to the Lei family's cavalry who had helped them.

Tuoba Amu stood behind Zhou Shiliulang, both of them bowing in greeting.

"Lady Xiao, hope you are well," Zhou Yanzhi greeted with a warm smile and a respectful bow, the very picture of deference to an elder.

"Shiliulang, good day," Xiaoluo Lan hesitated slightly before responding with a smile.

Xiaoluo Lan smiled at Tuoba Amu standing behind Zhou Shiliulang, noticing him lower his head even more, his ears turning red. She felt amused and happy about Tuoba Amu's secretive messaging, yet worried what would happen if Zhou Shiliulang found out.

But for now, Xiaoluo Lan had no better plan and could only hide her concerns.

Mr. Qingshan, fanning himself, nodded smilingly at Lady Xiao and her daughter, while Cui Langjun seemed to be fishing on a grass mat.

Zhou Xu, seeing Lady Xiao and her daughter approaching, smiled. He had planned to visit Lady Xiao after hunting but was pleasantly surprised to see her coming out first.

Zhou Xu walked over briskly, saying, "Lady Xiao, young Miss Xiao, you've come at the right time. I've shot quite a bit of game. Pick a few you like, and we can have the cooks prepare them to your taste for lunch."

He then asked Lei Shan to bring over the strung wild birds and ducks. The ship was anchored near a lush marshland, teeming with small wildlife, which had inspired Zhou Xu to hunt, yielding a decent catch.

Xiaoluo Lan chose a rabbit and then gave a deep bow to Master Zhou, expressing her gratitude.

Zhou Xu's smile deepened upon seeing her choice, asking directly, "Lady Xiao, how would you like it prepared?"

"Marinate it first, then coat its skin with honey and oil before slowly roasting it over a low flame," Xiaoluo Lan replied, suddenly noticing Master Zhou staring at her intently, seemingly not paying attention to her words. She felt her cheeks warm up, aware of her daughter's gaze.

Zhou Xu handed the rabbit to Lei Shan, instructing, "Have the cooks smoke it with rock cinnamon wood; it tastes better that way."

"Yes," Lei Shan responded and withdrew.

Zhou Shiliulang, observing from behind, muttered softly, "I've never seen Uncle smile so happily, even when Cousin is around."

Tuoba Amu seemed not to hear this. Zhou Shiliulang arranged for Zheng Duzhi and the women he brought to stay in the left room on the second floor of the ship. As a military governor, Zheng was busy and wouldn't monitor his nephew's actions closely, typically not interfering in the younger generation's social interactions.

Seeing Master Zhou being so cordial with her mother, Xiaoluo Lan tapped her bow and said, "Mother, I can also hunt whatever you like to eat."

Lei Ge, hearing this, rubbed his face hard. He had taught Xiaoluo Lan archery, so he knew well that hitting prey accurately from the high deck of the ship was no easy task. It seemed his frequent praises had made her overconfident.

Zhou Xu complimented, "Young Miss Xiao truly embodies pure filial piety and graceful obedience."

Zhou Shiliulang twitched his mouth, thinking how biased one must be to describe the lively and spirited Xiaoluo Lan as graceful and obedient. As a lady of nobility, she could wear nomadic attire, but not exclusively, and she freely conversed with men, behaving almost like a young lord.

Xiaoluo Lan's cheeks reddened at the praise; she just wanted to show off, but now Master Zhou was taking her seriously.

"However, we've almost shot all the birds nearby. We'll have to use fish to lure them now," Zhou Xu ordered the servants to bring a basket of fresh and dried fish.

Xiaoluo Lan noticed Master Zhou was clearly giving her daughter a way out. If Xiaoluo Lan failed to hit anything while hunting, she would definitely feel embarrassed. By luring the birds onto the deck, even at such a close range, she should be able to hit at least one out of ten.

Realizing this, Xiaoluo Lan suddenly looked up at Master Zhou and found him smiling at her.

Xiaoluo Lan's face grew even hotter, and she uncomfortably shifted her gaze away. Master Zhou was much easier to deal with during the day than at night.

The servants placed fresh and dried fish on the grass mat. Cui Shizi, who was fishing nearby, stood up, looking at the rolling river and distant mountains. Beyond this waterway lay the Xunjiang County's Guanshan Ferry, where someone was already waiting.

Soon, attracted birds landed on the railings.

Everyone stood nearby as Xiaoluo Lan prepared her bow and arrow, holding her breath. It was her first real attempt, having only practiced with targets before.

Zhou Xu, beside her, advised, "Don't be nervous, wait for the bird to settle down."

Xiaoluo Lan took a deep breath.

"Stay calm, steady your hand, keep your eyes sharp," Zhou Xu said, adjusting Xiaoluo Lan's bow and arrow to a suitable position, encouraging, "Shoot whenever you feel ready. Don't worry about failing."

Xiaoluo Lan's arm tensed, the bowstring hooked in the groove of the jade thumb ring. Her eyes slightly squinted, focusing intently on a wild bird with bright red feathers, small in size, pecking around a piece of fish.

Xiaoluo Lan, watching her daughter, felt nervous too.

Suddenly, with a "whoosh," the arrow was released. In a fleeting moment, a wild bird was hit, fluttering its wings a few times before collapsing motionless on the grass mat.

Xiaoluo Lan, surprised and incredulous, looked at the bird she had hit, cheering, "I did it, I hit it!"

Xiaoluo Lan also felt very happy and praised, "Xiaoluo Lan, you're amazing!"

Zhou Shiliulang watched their excitement, not understanding what the fuss was about. Given the distance, anyone with decent eyesight could hit the target, especially with Uncle's enthusiastic and familial laughter.

Tuoba Amu lowered his head, trying not to show his happiness.

Xiaoluo Lan walked over and picked up the bird, declaring, "We'll roast this bird for lunch."

Zhou Xu looked at Lady Xiao's smiling face, finding it more beautiful than ever.

"Uncle," Zhou Shiliulang approached with a smile, "Since today is so lively, why not have a banquet at noon? Before boarding, I worried about boredom, so I invited some musicians from Taiyang Liuyin Workshop and a sword dancer for entertainment."

Zhou Xu's eyelids flickered, his gaze on Shiliulang a mix of amusement and scrutiny.

Zhou Yanzhi, feeling Uncle's gaze, experienced a familiar trembling in his legs. He instinctively glanced at Uncle's hands, relieved to see no golden whip.

"If you want to watch, then let's watch," Zhou Xu said.

Xiaoluo Lan looked towards her mother, noticing her joy in receiving the bird she had hit, her eyes brimming with pride and happiness at her daughter's growing competence.

Noon.

Granny Cui stood behind Lady Xiao, arranging her hair. She ignored any ambiguous traces she occasionally saw, inserting a thin gold hairpin with a bird carrying tassels and hanging jade beads into the coiffure.

She gently applied face powder and subtly shaped the eyebrows like distant mountains.

Granny Cui, setting aside the eyebrow pencil, asked, "Lady, would you like to try some flower stickers or dimple makeup today? I hear the slanted red and wine-flush makeup are in vogue in Chang'an. Shall we give it a go?"

Receiving no response, Granny Cui set down the eyebrow pencil and saw Lady Xiao with drooping eyelashes, almost asleep.

"Lady," Granny Cui called softly beside her ear.

Xiaoluo Lan jolted awake, looking at Granny Cui with lingering sleepiness in her eyes: "What is it, Granny Cui?"

Granny Cui chuckled, "My lady, you seem sleepy. It's natural to feel tired in summer, but with the banquet approaching, it's not good to decline."

Xiaoluo Lan, noticing Granny Cui didn't mention the morning's incident, hid her embarrassment and said, "I'll take a nap when we return."

Seeing her ladyship's fatigue, Granny Cui didn't wish to overburden her and opted for a simple makeup look. Yet even so, she felt Lady Xiao's beauty and figure were the finest she had ever seen, her soft and luscious body like warm jade to the touch.

Dressed in a light purple long-sleeved shirt and a splendid long skirt, she exuded luxurious grace, her figure full and enticing, as radiant as a peony.

"Thank you, Granny Cui," Xiaoluo Lan said, then held her hand, "Granny Cui, could you do me a favor during the banquet?"

"Of course, my lady. Just tell me," Granny Cui replied.

"Is the banquet guest list fixed?" Xiaoluo Lan inquired.

"This is just a small banquet, not a formal one, so no invitations are needed," Granny Cui understood, "Do you wish to invite someone?"

Xiaoluo Lan replied, "I've received much care from Lady Dou in Taiyang County, and since Dou Lang is also on this ship, I thought it'd be nice to invite him too."

Granny Cui smiled, "Of course, you can invite him. But instead of using your name, why not let Xiaoluo Lan invite him? I'm sure Dou Lang won't refuse."

"Leave it to me," she assured.

Xiaoluo Lan paused, then understood and smiled, "Thank you, Granny Cui."

After Granny Cui left, Xiaoluo Lan looked at herself in the bronze mirror, applying red lipstick which melted on her lips like snow.

The canopy fluttered in the wind, the surrounding columns offering no obstruction, providing an unobstructed view of the river.

Xiaoluo Lan sat on the left of the main seat, with her daughter sitting beside her at the side table.

Facing them were Cui Langjun, Zhou Shiliulang, Mr. Qingshan, Tuoba Langjun, and later, Dou Lang. Compared to them, their side had fewer people.

The table was laden with smoked rabbit meat emitting a tantalizing aroma, exquisite dishes, and green plum wine.

Xiaoluo Lan, unnoticed by her mother, sipped the wine, finding it subtly flavored. She glanced at the musicians in green, hidden behind the canopy, thinking Zhou Shiliulang had quite the knack for ideas.

"Not bad," Zhou Xu casually praised after listening. In truth, he couldn't tell if the music was good or not, as he spent most of the banquet watching Lady Xiao. The more he looked, the more itched his heart. Seeing Lady Xiao so beautiful today, but engrossed in the music, he thought of hiring musicians at his residence to entertain her in the future.

Zhou Shiliulang, seeing his uncle pleased, couldn't help but say, "Uncle, this troupe in green also has a sword dance accompanied by a powerful and passionate song, perfect for the sword dancer's performance."

Zhou Xu nodded nonchalantly.

Zhou Yanzhi clapped his hands in appreciation.

A female sword dancer emerged from behind the curtain. Her figure was well-proportioned, clad in soft armor that perfectly outlined her curves. Her hair was styled in a married woman's coiffure, adorned with a high peony. Her full face had the flush of intoxication, and she held a sword, gracefully performing to the rhythm on the flower-embellished carpet.

Xiaoluo Lan watched her sword, taking a sip of wine.

Zhou Yanzhi watched for a while, then turned to look at his uncle at the main seat, noticing he was casually drinking, seemingly uninterested in the dancer he had specially arranged.

Xiaoluo Lan initially felt annoyed, but her anger subsided as she watched, realizing that neither her mother nor Master Zhou showed any particular reaction.

The dance ended.

The dancer's hairpins came loose, her peony fell to the ground, and her cheeks were even more flushed with rouge.

Zhou Xu looked at her, "Is the dance over?"

The woman bowed respectfully, "Yes, my lord, I have finished my dance."

"Now that you've finished, you may leave. And don't forget to take the flower with you," Zhou Xu commented, "You danced well. Here's six hundred taels of silver as a reward."

The woman felt a surge of joy upon hearing this.

Zhou Yanzhi had an ominous premonition.

"Take it from Shiliulang who brought you here."

Zhou Xu, looking at Zhou Yanzhi, said, "The musicians also performed to my satisfaction. Reward them four hundred taels of silver. Shiliulang, when you send them back to Taiyang, make sure not to forget to give it to them."

Zhou Yanzhi felt a wave of darkness before his eyes, nearly losing his breath. Where would he find a thousand taels? Would his father and elder brother not be furious if they knew he gave a thousand taels to musicians and dancers?

"Alright, let's eat," said Zhou Xu, wiping his hands.

The banquet concluded.

Xiaoluo Lan, holding her mother's hand, burst into laughter when they were alone: "Mom, did you see Zhou Shiliulang's look of utter despair at the end? Hahaha, it was hilarious."

Seeing her daughter's happy demeanor, Xiaoluo Lan smiled and gently smoothed her hair.

Upon returning to their room, Xiaoluo Lan was suddenly embraced and kissed passionately by someone. She leaned against the door, her head tilted back, eyelashes trembling.

Zhou Xu released Xiaoluo Lan's lips, which he had been kissing, and removed his hand from behind her neck. Hearing her rapid breathing, he smiled, "My lady, you're particularly sweet today."

Xiaoluo Lan pursed her lips, feeling a sting. Master Zhou had kissed her a bit too forcefully.

Zhou Xu sat on the couch, beckoning Xiaoluo Lan to sit on his lap. The window was shut, but it was still daylight; the sunlight filtered through the gauze curtains, brightening the room. Xiaoluo Lan felt a hand climbing her leg and gently tried to resist.

"Not like this," she said, finding it uncomfortable in the daylight.

Hearing her, Zhou Xu kissed Xiaoluo Lan's flushed cheek and withdrew his hand, wrapping it around her waist instead: "As my lady wishes."

"Were you upset last night because of that dancer?" Zhou Xu playfully inquired, toying with Xiaoluo Lan's hand, turning her fingertips red.

Xiaoluo Lan bit her lip, remaining silent.

Zhou Xu whispered in her ear, "Don't worry, there's no one but you for me." He paused before adding, "There are things I only do with my wife."

Xiaoluo Lan blushed at his suggestive words.

"Were you jealous yesterday?" Zhou Xu was pleased, feeling reassured of Xiaoluo Lan's care for him. He then remembered that he might have been a bit rough last night, causing her pain, yet she hadn't complained, deepening his affection for her.

Xiaoluo Lan hadn't expected Zhou Xu to think in that direction, and she lowered her head slightly.

Seeing Xiaoluo Lan's shyness, Zhou Xu couldn't resist asking, "Is it okay for me to kiss my wife?"

Xiaoluo Lan immediately shook her head, her face flushing red, "It's not appropriate during the day."

"You woke up early today, so take a short nap," Zhou Xu suggested, kissing Xiaoluo Lan's cheek.

After Zhou Xu left, Xiaoluo Lan, unable to resist the drowsiness, dozed off on the couch.

Zhou Xu quietly approached the bed, the candlelight paling in comparison to the bright summer day. Xiaoluo Lan curled up on the beauty couch, her ornately embroidered skirt trailing on the floor, her wide-sleeved coat revealing her snow-white arms cushioning her cheek, her face deeply flushed, heavy with rouge.

Zhou Xu looked at Xiaoluo Lan as if bewitched, from the red marks on her neck, her eyelashes, to her lips, even her unpainted fingertips seemed to beckon him.

Xiaoluo Lan, half-asleep and feeling very warm, seemed to sense something. She kicked her leg, and her wrist was caught by a rough hand.

She instantly woke up.

She looked up at Zhou Xu.

Zhou Xu leaned down to kiss Xiaoluo Lan's neck, his voice husky, "It's night now. May I kiss you?"

Xiaoluo Lan, still not fully awake, glanced outside and saw that it had just turned dark. Had he been sitting here all afternoon just waiting for nightfall?

Five days later.

It was drizzling, and the weather was misty.

At Guanshan Ferry, thirty people stood in formation, civil and military officers in neat rows, with fierce armed attendants in armor and well-equipped weapons behind them. The young man at the forefront, wearing a blue robe, had a rugged, spirited face, tall stature, and a calm demeanor.

The young man, about twenty, smiled as he saw the vermilion boat and the warships gradually emerging through the mist on the Xunjiang River.

Behind him, General Lu, the Zhou family's elders, the Xunjiang Prefect, and subordinate civil and military officials also smiled.

Zhou family's troops disembarked the warships and moored them at the ferry, bowing to their young lord.

Zhou Shen, returning the greetings, watched as Judge Xu disembarked the boat, accompanied by the pale-faced Cui Shizi and Dou Lang.

Except for the continuously coughing Cui Shizi, everyone else bowed, and the young man returned their gestures with even more humility.

"Cui Langjun," Zhou Shen called a servant and handed a small hand warmer to him, "The river is damp and the air is cold. Please accept this sleeve furnace."

Cui Shizi, covering his mouth with a handkerchief to cough, smiled, "Thank you, young lord." He accepted the hand warmer with courteous and gentle manners.

Then, the young man solemnly bowed, "Your son greets you, father."

Zhou Xu responded, "No need for excessive formality."

Zhou Shen stood up, and upon seeing Lady Xiao and Xiaoluo Lan behind his father, he bowed again, "Shen greets Lady Xiao."

Xiaoluo Lan, not expecting to meet Zhou Xu's family so soon and recalling her relationship with Zhou Xu, felt a rush of embarrassment, her face flushing as she bowed deeply, "Young Master Zhou, greetings."

Xiaoluo Lan also belatedly performed a deep bow, eyeing Zhou Xu's son. Hearing her mother call him 'Young Master Zhou' and observing his stature and presence, she found it oddly amusing.

After everyone had greeted each other, Zhou Xu led the way, followed by a line of people.

The young man watched the woman behind his father, just as the rumors described: highly favored by his father and possessing a skin as white as cow's milk, radiant and glowing. Even though her face was not fully visible, she exuded the allure and fragrance of a fully bloomed, mature flower.

Zhou Shen pondered for a moment before addressing, "Mr. Qingshan."

Zhao Qingshan, who had been fanning himself, paused, "What is it, young master?"

Zhou Shen inquired, "Is Lady Xiao's husband deceased?"

Zhao Qingshan's smile faltered, "Why do you ask such a question, young master?"

Zhou Shen earnestly replied, "It would be detrimental to Lady Xiao and my father's reputation if her husband were alive."

Zhao Qingshan's mouth twitched, thinking how father and son shared a strikingly similar thought process.