Fish Meat – Chapter 136
by Little PandaThe First Year of Zhao Wu
Tired, cold, exhausted, and fell asleep
The wooden box had an aura of antiquity, yet it was impeccably preserved, without a single scratch before it reached Ah Liao.
Ah Liao, along with Ah Xu and Ah He, gathered around it. Their fingers were swollen from trying all sorts of tools to open the box, but it remained as steady as a rock.
Strange.
It’s just a piece of wood; how could it be so sturdy?
Ah Liao turned the wooden box over in her hands with some force, but couldn’t find any locks or latches, only a thin seam. This seam might be like a keyhole, but keyholes usually have a specific shape to fit a key. This seam was just a thin line, without any discernible shape, leaving Ah Liao “in a fog” (utterly confused).
After trying for ages, it seemed like only a leaf could fit the thin slit. Ah Liao picked a leaf and tried to insert it, twisting it around to see if it would unlock. It almost snapped inside, so she carefully pulled it out, thinking she’d be in a tight spot if it broke in there. Then, she got a wire from the coachman, inserted it, and twisted it around for a while, but it didn’t seem to catch anything.
“Do you think it’s empty inside? Is that old geezer messing with us?” Ah He expressed doubts about whether the supposed relic of the renowned Master Changge actually contained anything.
Ah Liao frowned and shook her head, “There’s definitely something inside, and it’s got to be something really important. Otherwise, why make it so sturdy and cleverly hide the way to open it?”
Ah He remarked, “Even if there’s treasure, it might not be the secret technique the young master wants.”
Ah He was speaking the truth, but Ah Liao, feeling fragile at that moment, wasn’t in the mood to hear it. Hearing Ah He’s words, Ah Liao set the box aside and curled up to comfort herself, feeling a bit down.
“Young master, don’t listen to Ah He’s nonsense. Think about it, the miracle of giving birth between womenaa is an incredible thing. Perhaps only the Kingdom of Changge has such a secret method. Whether someone genuinely wants to have a child or just covets the treasure for themselves, they would surely eye this secret method with ‘glaring eyes’ (intense desire). If I were the ruler of Changge, I’d definitely hide it where no one could open it,” Ah Xu said, patting the wooden box. “And that would be right here.”
Ah He sat silently on the side, not responding, while Ah Xu embraced the box, pressing it against Ah Liao’s back, and handed it back to her. “I’m sure the treasure you want is inside. It’s just that this place is too desolate, and there’s nothing here. Take it back to Da Yu and find a blacksmith; you’ll definitely be able to open it.”
Ah Liao wiped her tears, hugged the wooden box, and held Ah Xu’s hand. “Sister Ah Xu, you’re always so caring. Tonight, I want you to hold me while I sleep.”
Ah Xu smiled, pulling a blanket over Ah Liao to cover her.
Ah He, sitting nearby, pursed her lips and took out her iron knuckles to polish them, passing the time.
When they returned to Liuhuo Kingdom, they saw Xiaohua standing by the city gates from afar, waiting eagerly.
“She couldn’t have been waiting here for several days, could she?” Zhen Wenjun exclaimed in surprise.
As soon as the carriage stopped and the curtain was rolled up, Wei Tingxu was about to get off. Xiaohua immediately stepped forward to help her down, supporting her arm. Suddenly, a small head popped out from behind Wei Tingxu, with rosy cheeks, unabashedly staring at Xiaohua’s face. Xiaohua was taken aback:
“Miss, who is this?”
Wei Tingxu gracefully stepped down from the carriage, saying, “This is Wenjun’s daughter.”
Zhen Wenjun happened to be getting off the carriage right behind them and met Xiaohua’s incredulous gaze.
“She’s really not my daughter; don’t listen to Zizhuo’s nonsense,” Zhen Wenjun quickly clarified.
“Ah Mu”, Xiao Xiao called out firmly in the Da Yu dialect to Zhen Wenjun, a phrase that Wei Tingxu had specially taught her.
Xiaohua nodded knowingly and said, “Congratulations.”
Zhen Wenjun, now resigned, said, “So, you two are teaming up to tease me, huh?”
Xiao Xiao had never left the grasslands before and had no idea that places like deserts existed in the world. The endless yellow sand made walking difficult, and the dazzling golden city was completely different from the deserted city her grandfather guarded. Everything here glittered with blinding golden light, with so many people coming and going, all dressed in “bling” (extravagant and flashy jewelry), making Xiao Xiao both scared and curious. She clung to Zhen Wenjun’s coat, following her every step, like an extra tail.
“Can you go play on your own?” Zhen Wenjun, unable to take it, pulled her aside and asked.
Xiao Xiao shook her head, “I only follow Ah Mu.”
“I’m not your Ah Mu!”
Xiao Xiao burst into tears at her stern words, drawing the attention of passersby who turned to watch. Zhen Wenjun couldn’t handle the scene, so she softened her expression and said, “Alright, alright, stop crying. ‘Ah Mu’ is someone very important, only the person who raises, teaches, and is the best in the world to you can be called ‘Ah Mu,’ understand?”
“Got it, Ah Mu.”
Zhen Wenjun covered her face, too exhausted to argue further.
Eleven months had passed since they set out from Runing.
They successfully arrived in Liuhuo Kingdom and signed a trade agreement with the State Preceptor. After discussions with Mengda Khan, the preceptor agreed to help Da Yu reopen the Path of Ten Thousand Directions. Both parties would contribute resources to restore the trade corridor, establishing waterways, official roads, and major stations. Mengda Khan, with the preceptor’s assistance, even penned a personal letter, sealed it with fire wax, and stamped it with the royal seal, entrusting Wei Tingxu and Zhen Wenjun to deliver it to the Emperor of Da Yu.
Liuhuo Kingdom is rich in underground resources. Besides gold and precious minerals, there is also a large amount of unexploited rock lacquer. This lacquer is fire-resistant and essential for making incendiary bombs. Da Yu has nearly exhausted its own rock lacquer supplies and is in dire need of more. Wei Tingxu cautiously inquired about the preceptor’s views and learned that Da Yu’s silk and jade are highly valued. A top-quality silk roll could be exchanged for ten turquoise stones, a price thirty times higher than in Da Yu. Moreover, Liuhuo’s turquoise far surpasses Da Yu’s in both texture and color. Jade is exclusively for the royal family, and Mengda Khan loves jade, always carrying it with him. Other goods like tea and ceramics also fetch high prices because rarity makes things precious. Having been closed off for years, this desert nation finds the items from thousands of miles away to be quite novel and rare.
The State Preceptor had already finalized a trade agreement with Wei Tingxu, just waiting for the Path of Ten Thousand Directions to open.
Despite the long and perilous journey, it was definitely worth it. Everything was ready, and they only needed the route to be operational. Although the ancient path from over two hundred years ago was almost unrecognizable, there were still traces left. Following these old trails would save a lot of effort.
With everything in place, Wei Tingxu was preparing to set out, eager to return to Da Yu and deliver this monumental news to the Emperor.
The carriage was ready, and what once was a heavy load on their way there had now been replaced with several boxes of jewels and spices, significantly lighter. The hired hands could all go home, leaving only two hundred people and twenty carriages for the return. They still had to cross the dreadful Mingzhong Sea, which made them uneasy just thinking about it. However, the mindset for the return journey was different. The uncertainty of a long road with an unknown endpoint could easily demoralize anyone, but now it was completely different. Having accomplished a once-in-a-lifetime monumental task, they were full of excitement and their morale was high, eager to return home.
Yet, there was one thing holding them back.
“No way, Ah Zheng can’t leave! She is my wife!” Mengda Khan adamantly refused. “She still needs to stay and give birth to a prince for Liuhuo Kingdom!”
Ah Liao couldn’t take it and went to seek help from Wei Tingxu, who had almost forgotten about the issue. She went to see Mengda Khan overnight.
Ah Liao, following closely behind, kept asking, “Tingxu, do you have any plan? Are you really confident you can persuade Mengda Khan?” Her constant questions were making Wei Tingxu’s ears ache.
“Don’t worry,” Wei Tingxu assured Ah Liao before entering Mengda Khan’s chamber. “I’ll solve this for you, and there might even be a double surprise.”
Double surprise?
Ah Liao couldn’t figure out what this “double surprise” was until after Wei Tingxu finished talking with Mengda Khan. Mengda Khan agreed to let Ah Zheng return to Da Yu, but there was one condition.
“I want to go with Ah Zheng. You, take me with you.”
Ah Liao: “??”
“Sister Wei is absolutely right. If I want to become my true self, I need to break free from the constraints imposed on me by Liuhuo Kingdom. I can’t just marry someone because we’re close. I need to truly question my heart about who I genuinely like and who likes me. Only mutual affection can lead to a lasting relationship.”
“Exactly, that’s very true,” Ah Liao said, not sensing anything amiss.
“So, I want to explore a bigger world to find true love. Sister Wei said that now that the Path of Ten Thousand Directions is reopening, I can travel along it and see more. There are many charming and talented women along the way, and even if I don’t find someone suitable during the journey, I can look in Da Yu. Sister Wei mentioned that the Central Plains are vast and rich, with 48 counties. Although they’re all in one country, the climate, food, and language vary from south to north. It’s incredible; I never imagined a country could be so large. I want to explore it and find my destined partner in this larger world.”
“That’s a good thing…”
“But what if I can’t find anyone?” Mengda Khan suddenly shifted tone. “What if, after seeing so many places, no one can compare to Ah Zheng? If Ah Zheng runs off, where will I find my wife? So, I want you to take me with you and let me go to Da Yu with Ah Zheng.”
Ah Liao was already feeling anxious and restless, unable to sleep or eat because she couldn’t open the treasure box. Now, Mengda Khan seemed to think she didn’t have enough problems and insisted on traveling back to Da Yu with them. This man is the king of Liuhuo Kingdom, the most important trading partner for Da Yu in the coming decades. How could Ah Liao dare to bring him along? Even if she managed to take care of him well, it wouldn’t gain her much, and if anything happened to him, not only Liuhuo Kingdom but also Li Yanyi wouldn’t spare her. Besides, even if he weren’t a king or of any noble status, despite his feminine appearance, he’s still a man, and wanting to join her “gentle haven” (a metaphor for a place of comfort and love) is impossible. What if—though Ah Liao trusts her ladies—something unexpected happens, and he ends up forming a bond and even fathering a child with one of them? Wouldn’t that be a huge scandal?
No way, absolutely no way.
Ah Liao was ready to make a nighttime escape with Qingyuan.
Since she had the treasure in hand, she planned to return and present it to the Emperor, who would surely have a way to open it. Ah Liao had completed her mission on this trip, and she absolutely couldn’t risk losing her wife!
She prepared the exit pass and made her getaway with Qingyuan under the cover of night. Wei Tingxu saw Qingyuan slipping away like a mouse and couldn’t help but laugh.
“Got your revenge? Feeling satisfied?”
Zhen Wenjun peeked out from behind her, resting her chin on Wei Tingxu’s shoulder. She was so sleepy, her eyelids kept drooping.
Since returning from the Gulan Grasslands, Zhen Wenjun hadn’t had a good night’s sleep. Tonight, she had gotten some sleeping wine hoping to finally get some rest, but Wei Tingxu seemed to be staying up, waiting to see the drama unfold. Holding her wine cup, she stood by the window, watching Ah Liao sneak around in the dark and make a quick escape on Qingyuan, clearly amused.
“Ah Liao just left like that. Isn’t she worried about the Path of Ten Thousand Directions being disrupted?” Zhen Wenjun asked.
“We’ve already got the trade agreement, so what do I have to fear? Besides, Mengda Khan doesn’t understand anything; it’s all handled by the State Preceptor,” Wei Tingxu replied.
“But aren’t you worried Ah Liao will hold a grudge against you?” Zhen Wenjun turned her around and gave her a soft kiss on the lips.
“We’ve been bickering since we were little; I’d never truly harm her. It’s just harmless teasing between sisters.”
“Your sisterly teasing is quite the spectacle! If you ever want to tease me, are you going to strip me to the bone?”
“Of course not,” Wei Tingxu denied seriously. “I’d take you apart, bones and all.”
Zhen Wenjun playfully exclaimed “Oh!” and lifted her onto the bed.
“The wine spilled,” Wei Tingxu noted as she was placed on the bed, her arm extended out, causing a few drops to trickle onto the carpet. Zhen Wenjun followed her fingers and licked the wine off the back of her hand, then took the cup from her and set it beneath the bed.
“Didn’t we run out of the extreme pleasure pills?” Wei Tingxu asked, noticing the spark in her eyes that hinted at her intentions.
“Yes. We can’t rely on them forever; we should make our own way. Everything requires careful exploration. Perhaps we can break free from reliance on the pills and discover a new world on our own.”
“A new world?”
“The sky’s dome and the earth’s core. Moving through the dome is like rain and mist, striking the earth’s core is like lightning and thunder. Even without the extreme pleasure pills, I will nourish the dome and heat the core. We can explore slowly and surely find a way.”
Wei Tingxu chuckled softly, “You certainly have a way with words when it comes to these things.”
The two of them went through two rounds, but without the help of the pills, the “earth’s core” (a metaphor for reaching the peak of pleasure) was never truly heated. Zhen Wenjun was a bit impatient; initially quite sleepy, she felt a surge of determination and energy, wanting to try a few more times.
“What are you doing?”
Xiao Xiao’s very unpracticed Da Yu language suddenly popped up, startling Zhen Wenjun as she was about to start again, almost causing her to lose her breath and collapse on Wei Tingxu.
“Where did you come from?” Zhen Wenjun quickly pulled the blanket over herself and Wei Tingxu, leaving only their heads exposed.
“What are you doing?” Xiao Xiao persisted with another question.
Zhen Wenjun replied, “It’s cold… we’re keeping warm.”
“Isn’t it colder without clothes on?”
Zhen Wenjun was at a loss for words. “Where did you learn Da Yu language?”
“You… and them.”
“Go to sleep now, little rascal!”
“I’m cold too,” Xiao Xiao said, ready to climb into the bed. “I want to keep warm too.”
Zhen Wenjun grabbed another blanket and almost leapt into action, scooping Xiao Xiao up and heading out of the room.
“I’ll get a heater going for you!”
She carried Xiao Xiao to the next room, set up the bed, and quickly lit the heater. Xiao Xiao then complained about being hungry.
“It’s so late, what do you want to eat?”
“I’m hungry,” Xiao Xiao repeated.
“Bear with it; once you fall asleep, you won’t feel hungry!”
“If I’m hungry, I’ll be cold again.”
“You little rascal, are you threatening me…”
In the dark, Zhen Wenjun went to the kitchen and grabbed two pieces of milk cake, stuffing them into Xiao Xiao’s mouth.
“Full now?”
Xiao Xiao, happily munching on the delicious milk cake, nodded, too busy eating to speak.
“You’re not cold anymore, right?” Zhen Wenjun confirmed in Changge language.
“Yeah,” Xiao Xiao nodded confidently.
Only then did Zhen Wenjun leave.
Bursting with excitement, Zhen Wenjun ran back only to find Wei Tingxu lying on her side, propping her head up, looking at her with no expression.
“Sorry for the wait, Zizhuo! Let’s go another round!” Zhen Wenjun said as she eagerly climbed on top, only to be gently pushed away by Wei Tingxu’s arm.
“Zizhuo?” Zhen Wenjun pouted, her face squished with disappointment.
Wei Tingxu replied, “Tired, cold, exhausted… going to sleep.”
Zhen Wenjun whimpered, “Wuwuwu…”
0 Comments