Xue Niang agreed. Xiao Shan seized the opportunity and packed his things that very day, heading to the hot springs. He stayed there for another two days.
The village chief came to ask when he would go up the mountain but couldn't find him. He was used to the couple's mysterious disappearances.
The autumn wind swirled, scattering leaves from the trees, carpeting the ground in golden hues.
Granny Hua no longer went out to wait for her son. The persimmon tree in front of her house had shed all its leaves, leaving only the bright orange persimmons hanging from the branches.
Xiao Shan carried Xue Niang home on his back. Xue Niang watched from afar. The dilapidated mountain village, bathed in this orange light, was filled with a strong sense of life. As villagers walked by, their hands tucked into their sleeves, a picture unfolded in her mind.
"I had only seen these village scenes in Wen Daozi's paintings before. I never imagined that a single persimmon tree could create such scenery, even more beautiful than in the paintings."
Xiao Shan didn't know who Wen Daozi was, but he gathered from the context that he was likely a painter. However, the persimmon tree was indeed beautiful, and its symbolism was auspicious.
"May all your wishes come true, like these persimmons. Next spring, we'll plant one by our door."
May all wishes come true... May all worldly affairs go smoothly... It sounded good.
"I'll take the villagers up the mountain tomorrow. If you're bored at home, you can go play at Sister Xiulan's. There's no work in the fields now, so everyone is idle at home!"
They were indeed idle; she could see villagers chatting in small groups under the sun by the wall.
"Be careful, don't get hurt."
"Do you think your man is that fragile? The fiercest thing on this mountain is a tiger, and I've already taken one down. I wish I could encounter another one so I can make you a tiger-skin coat."
Xue Niang imagined herself wearing a tiger-striped fur coat and decided against it.
As soon as the door opened, Xiao Hu, like a madman, began to nuzzle and cling to him. Now grown, its ears stood erect, its black fur was flawless, and it was groomed to a shiny sheen, looking quite majestic.
"Go! I'll take you rabbit hunting later."
Xiao Shan kicked it away and first carried Xue Niang back to the room.
She was covered with a thick cotton cloak, her face buried deep within it, completely shielded from the wind. Now, placed on the heated kang, her cheeks were still rosy, her spring-like eyes sparkled with light, and she lay languidly and weakly amidst the bedding.
Xiao Shan found it truly strange. His body, which should have been sated, stirred with desire once more.
"Isn't it strange? How can your body be so nourishing? We fought for so long, yet you're not tired at all and seem to be getting more energetic?"
Xue Niang trembled and shot him a gaze devoid of authority, yet it was as if strands of affection were woven within, drawing him in.
"I think you've absorbed my divine maiden's celestial energy!"
Just like that giant wolf, cultivating with borrowed celestial energy!
Alas, she was drained of all her strength. He was becoming more and more outrageous. His body was too powerful; she dared not go to the hot springs again.
"When will you have Yuan Bufei investigate the earthquake?"
Still thinking about it? Earthquakes were natural disasters. How could mortals possibly know? If her premonition were true, it would be truly miraculous.
"I'll go shortly. It's getting cold, so I'll get you some new clothes and buy you some snacks. What do you want to eat?"
"Tanghulu."
"Haven't you had enough? You're just like a child. I don't know what's so good about it, it's so sour."
"Xiao Shan..." Xue Niang's tears suddenly fell. "I miss my father, and my brother."
Even though he had heartlessly abandoned her, when she thought of him before, it was his indifferent figure standing on the high city walls that dominated her heart with hatred.
Now, she began to recall his kindness.
Every time he visited Fengque Tower, he would say, "My darling, why are you unhappy again? Let me guess who made my treasure upset?"
"Are you still angry with Father? It's all that Censor Liu's fault, babbling endlessly in court. If he delays His Majesty's departure from court again, just you wait, Father will have him thrown out."
Every time she heard such words, she would immediately forgive him.
"Father cannot be a foolish emperor. I'm not angry anymore."
"My darling, you are so sensible, it makes one's heart ache. Father has acquired a treasure. Come, look, it's a bird from a foreign land, called the Rose-breasted White-spotted Finch. It sings!"
The more Xue Niang thought about it, the sadder she became. Because her father doted on her so much, and growing up alone in Fengque Tower, with only a few people occasionally allowed to visit, he was the person she saw and relied on the most.
Therefore, at the moment of abandonment, he was also the one she hated the most.
Seeing her cry so sadly, Xiao Shan's heart ached intensely. "Don't cry, I'm still here. I, Xiao Shan, will never leave you."
He went to wipe her tears, his rough hand chafing her delicate skin. He then leaned down and licked them away with his mouth.
Why did she suddenly think of that heartless emperor?
Actually, he used to think the Emperor was not bad. He was a diligent emperor who cared for his people. He just lacked decisiveness and the ruthlessness of a ruler. In times of peace, he would have been a suitable emperor to maintain the status quo, but in this chaotic era, he was somewhat unfit.
His order to withdraw troops twelve times in a row was probably his most decisive action, almost making him spit blood.
Then he faked his death and fled. Whoever wanted to risk their life could do so; he was done serving!
"Whatever I wanted, Father would find it for me. You, just now, were so much like my father."
It's just that before, she didn't want much. Fengque Tower had everything. She only wanted freedom, but Father wouldn't agree, so she wouldn't ask.
Xiao Shan, who was licking her lips, stopped when he heard this.
Damn it, how could he be like the Emperor? The Emperor was pale and tender-skinned, shorter than him, not as strong, not as powerful. Every day in court, sitting high on the dragon throne, after a while, he would secretly shift his body. When he was truly exhausted, he would deliberately throw a tantrum, making everyone below bow their heads and not dare to look at him, so he could bend his body and relax.
Although he didn't attend court often, he wasn't as timid as those fellows in the court. He clearly saw the Emperor's little movements every time.
Was this kind of Emperor like him?
Who was he looking down on?
"My father was most afraid of me crying. When I cried, he would search the entire capital for traveling troupes to make me laugh."
Yes, I'm also afraid of you crying. This part is similar.
"Then shall I take you to see a traveling troupe?"
"No, I don't want to see them anymore." As she spoke, those golden tears began to fall again.
"Then don't cry! Otherwise, I'll pretend to be your father for a day?"
Although he was very reluctant.
"Get out! Who wants you to be my father? Look at yourself. Are you as good-looking as my father? You're like a black bear."
Xue Niang's eyes widened in anger. Xiao Shan's shameless teasing had halved her sorrow, leaving only anger.
Was her father someone anyone could impersonate? He might as well be her grandson.
Xiao Shan: "..."
He was so angry!
He held her down and fiercely kissed her mouth before letting go. He got off the kang, and Xue Niang kicked him from behind.
"Grandson!"