Chapter 37 Vulgarity

The sky had yet to lighten.

Big Black, lying in the courtyard, suddenly lifted its head and wagged its tail, gazing toward the door.

The door swung open, and Lu Dashan stepped out from the house.

Big Black snorted a few times.

Lu Dashan patted the dog's fur several times before leaving the courtyard.

The gate closed behind him, and Lu Dashan's footsteps faded gradually.

Big Black, wagging its tail, was about to settle down again when it stood up, cocking its head to look elsewhere.

The door opened again, and Li Qingtian emerged.

Li Qingtian saw Big Black staring at him with keen eyes and bared his teeth at the dog.

Just looking at this creature made him want to stew it.

Big Black growled low in its throat.

Danger!

But then, Big Black turned its head once more.

The door opened, and Su Tang slipped out gently.

Big Black's eyes widened even further.

Su Tang waved at Li Qingtian, then glanced at Big Black.

So early, and Big Black was still lively.

Did it eat too many bones yesterday?

Big Black wagged its tail and trotted up to Su Tang.

Li Qingtian: "..."

Su Tang stroked the dog's head. Li Qingtian moved closer, asking with a gesture: Is that one asleep?

Su Tang nodded, blinking: Let's go.

Li Qingtian opened the back gate, and together, they left.

The back gate closed. Big Black wagged its tail and returned to its spot, about to lie down again, but glanced at Su Tang's closed door.

After a while, Big Black finally settled.

...

It was Su Tang’s first time rising so early.

Though dawn had not yet broken, Peaceful Town was already alive with voices. Especially in one corner, where the slaughterhouse echoed with the cries of pigs and sheep.

Though merely an ancient town, it was not much smaller than the towns Su Tang had known.

Passing under the plane trees, crossing the busiest crossroads thronged with people, they reached the edge of town. The Home for the Elderly lay in this direction; a half-cup of tea's walk further, a temple appeared.

"Was it here you donated last time?" Su Tang asked.

Li Qingtian replied, "Saw three fellows boasting, so I scared them a bit. And thus found this good spot."

Behind the small temple, less than a hundred paces away, stood a copse.

The copse was small, but enough to hide one's figure.

In the center was a patch of open ground, perfect for practicing martial arts.

"I've been here these past days. Never saw anyone come," Li Qingtian said.

Su Tang didn't know how good the place was, but if Sister Li said it was good, it was good.

"Let's begin," Su Tang said.

...

“Hiss~”

“It’s fine, I’m fine~ ah.”

“Whoo—”

Low whimpers of pain drifted faintly from beyond the back door; as the door opened, the sounds slowly faded.

Li Qingtian pulled Su Tang inside. As soon as they entered the courtyard, Su Tang halted.

She bit her lip, trying to suppress the pain on her face, but as she looked up, she caught sight of her little husband reading in the yard.

He had clearly heard the commotion and was looking their way.

Su Tang’s twisted mouth twitched slightly. She didn’t need a mirror to know how contorted her expression must be.

She knew training in martial arts was tough.

Especially the first time—it must be harder.

She had prepared herself, but when she truly began, she realized the hardship was more than just words.

Rising before dawn to cook every day was hard enough, but with Li Qingtian’s help, she could see shining coins each day, so the hardship didn’t feel like hardship.

But training in martial arts was all about standing stances, and after a morning, her limbs were numb. She thought walking back would ease the pain, but it only grew worse. If not for her little husband in the courtyard, she would have cried out, “Ouch, ouch!” Instead, he was awake, and watching her.

“Ha, haha, husband’s awake? So early today. Is it because I wasn’t here, you couldn’t sleep?” Su Tang’s pained groan twisted into words, and the rest of her sentence slipped out without thinking.

Jingyuan’s eyes widened slightly.

Li Qingtian turned incredulously to Su Tang.

Su Tang’s scalp tingled instantly.

What had she just said?

She wasn’t a hooligan, but a fallen lady from a noble family.

“Ah, I slipped earlier—maybe I hit something.” Su Tang pressed her forehead, feigning pain.

Li Qingtian recovered and quickly said, “Come, rest first.”

She helped Su Tang toward the house.

Jingyuan stepped forward.

Li Qingtian hurried to say, “Young master, your studies matter. I’ll handle this.”

Su Tang feigned weakness: “Yes, Sister Li will do.”

Jingyuan watched Su Tang’s evasive gaze, then stepped aside to let them in.

Li Qingtian escorted Su Tang inside.

Jingyuan remained in the courtyard, reading softly.

He listened as the faint voices drifted from within.

“Is it very uncomfortable?”

“I was deceiving him.”

“Just now…”

“Just now, I did it on purpose. These days, with spicy hotpot and dragon’s beard noodles, best to let them think we sisters are from a family with secret recipes. A bit of brashness is only natural, right?”

“Miss Su, you’re thoughtful. Sorry for the trouble.”

“It’s no trouble. But Sister Li, training won’t dull my wits, will it?”

...

“It won’t…”

“That’s good.”

Jingyuan stayed silent. He could almost picture the young lady inside, patting her chest in relief.

His eyes glimmered quietly.

Jingyuan lowered his head, only then realizing he was holding his book upside down.

*********

In the academy courtyard, students read and recited aloud.

By the time Jingyuan left the academy again, the sun was setting.

Under the trees outside, a graceful figure stood lightly, the breeze stirring her dress and skirt, rippling like she might ride the wind away.

Jingyuan glanced several times, just about to step forward, when a voice rose behind him, chanting softly: “The wind stirs jade boughs and shakes emerald shadows; a beauty stands alone, robes fluttering like rainbows.”

Jingyuan turned—it was Huang Wenzhao.

Huang Wenzhao smiled, “Forgive my impertinence,” and walked on.

Jingyuan narrowed his eyes and stepped forward.

...

Su Tang saw Jingyuan approaching and beamed, handing over the box in her hands.

“Baked cake, from the same shop as the water chestnut pastries. I think it tastes quite good.”

She lifted the lid, revealing the pastries inside.

A faint aroma, just like yesterday.

Su Tang pushed the box closer to Jingyuan.

He took a piece.

Su Tang’s smile widened, just about to speak, when she spotted Huang Wenzhao coming over.

“Fellow Huang!” Su Tang called out.

Her voice, a touch louder, drew the attention of students passing by, who glanced their way.

The pastry in Jingyuan’s hand crumbled slightly.

Su Tang seemed not to notice.

Since she was determined to appear a little coarse for the sake of reputation, she needed to act the part.

Then, her little husband took a bite and turned to look as well.

Eh?

Huang Wenzhao, approaching, twitched slightly at the temple, hesitated for a moment, but still came over.

“Jingyuan, Madam,” Huang Wenzhao’s long sleeves fluttered, his manner refined as a gentleman.

“Fellow Huang, you left in a hurry last time. Now you can finally have one,” Su Tang offered the box.

Huang Wenzhao looked at the pastries, then at the crumbs in Jingyuan’s hand, his temple twitching anew.

Dirty, too dirty.