After resting, the merchant group prepared to continue their journey. They ordered two people whose bodies were relatively small to ride a horse together, then gave a horse for me. I said, "I can't ride a horse". When he heard it, dozens of people stared at me without saying anything, Xiao Huo thought for a moment, then said indifferently, "You and I ride a horse!" As soon as his words sounded, everyone looked at me tensely.
I hesitated for a moment, then nodded. Everyone's tensed up faces became relieved, they looked at each other happily, after that they remembered me and looked at me a bit apologetically. Although the Xiyu custom is free, it is rare to see men and women who don't know each other riding horses together. But Xiao Huo looked calm, he just saluted me with a smile, "Thank you very much Miss A Yu!"
After getting on the horse, Xiao Huo pulled me onto the horse's back. I held his hand and secretly thought that this was the hand that used to grip the reins and weapons every day, rough and full of calluses, revealing a tough and courageous disposition. Also, from the location of his calluses, I could tell he must have had many years of archery practice. I sat behind him, our bodies both sat straight, the horse didn't budge, other people furtively glanced at us, but they didn't tell us to go any faster, and just rode slowly in front of us.
He said, "We can't do this, as soon as I spur the horse, you will surely fall". Despite his nonchalant tone, his back betrayed him and told me he was a bit tense. I secretly laughed, the embarrassment in my heart turned into ridicule, it turns out that you are not at all as calm as your appearance. I slightly shifted forward, then grabbed the clothes on both sides of his waist and said, "That's okay too."
He immediately spurred the horse, everyone also ran their horses. After galloping for a while, he suddenly whispered, “You should think of another way, my clothes have become like this because of your tugging, at this rate I will enter Dunhuang City naked.”
I actually felt his clothes slip in my grip, but since I wanted to see what he would do, I silently prepared to fall from the horse. Holding back my laughter I said, "Why do you want me to think about it? Why don't you think about it yourself?"
He chuckled softly and said, "Of course I have a way, but if I say so, it's like I'm taking advantage of you, so I wanted to see if you have a better way?"
I said, "I don't have a brilliant idea, just tell me your way, if it makes sense I will definitely comply, but if it doesn't make sense, just bare your chest!"
He didn't say anything, but suddenly reached back and grabbed my arm, then put my hand on his waist. I don't really understand the nature of a horse and don't dare to struggle violently. I was pulled forward by him until my body was tightly pressed against his back.
Now an arm of mine was pulled by him, then hugged his waist, because of the shaking with the movement of the horse, our limbs rubbed against each other, so that our postures both looked very intimate.
My ears were burning, I was a bit embarrassed and also a bit angry, while holding on to his waist, I sat up straight, "Is this how you Chang'an people treat the master benefactor?" Without paying any heed to me, he said, "Still a little better than letting you fall off the horse". I was about to refute it, but couldn't find a suitable excuse, I snorted coldly and was forced to continue sitting without saying anything, but the anger in my heart was barely fading. I couldn't help but exert force in my hand, then pinched his waist hard, but he didn't seem to feel it at all, and continued to concentrate on spurring the horse, while puffing out my cheeks I thought that this person was really good at enduring pain. After a while, I felt ashamed of myself and slowly let go.
Because I went back to riding a horse with other people, my mind drifted again. Last night I didn't sleep. Just like when I was little, I subconsciously hugged Xiao Huo's waist, lay on his back and fell asleep. my neck seemed to be on fire, I quickly straightened my body, about to let go. Xiao Huo seemed to have guessed what I meant and grabbed my hand, "Be careful you don't fall". I held back the blush on my face and pretended nothing happened to let go of his waist, but in my heart came various feelings that are difficult to describe.
After riding the galloping horse fast all day, we got off the horse to rest, saw me looking down and didn't say anything at all, Xiao Huo sat by my side, then laughed softly and said, "I see you're a very vigilant person, but why You trust me so much? Aren't you afraid I'll kidnap and sell you?"
My face burned again, I looked at him, then got up and walked away, looking for another place to sit. It's actually strange, I clearly know that his identity is problematic, but I don't even feel that he will harm me, I feel that since this person is arrogant, he definitely won't use any evil tricks.
He took the food and returned to sit by my side, without saying anything, he handed me some bread, I glanced at him, then received the bread without saying anything, since when did the wary gleam in his eyes disappear, only a smile remained on his face.
Perhaps because they were homesick, the people in the merchant party talked about Chang'an, in detail they talked about the crowds in Chang'an, where the streets were so wide and neat, where the houses were built so beautifully, where the bazaars are bustling and attractive, where there are the most gifted writers, the most beautiful singers and dancers, the most mighty generals, the most virtuous beauties, the most fragrant wines, the most delicious dishes, all the finest things in the world can be found there, there as if everything you want is available.
I listened to them while stunned, various feelings welled up in my heart, all of them were familiar yet foreign to me, if everything had happened according to A Die's plan, maybe today I would have been in Chang'an with him, and not wandering alone in the Gobi Desert. .
When there were a lot of people, Xiao Huo spoke very little, he always listened to others talk without saying anything, after we both got back on horseback he just said to me, "All they talk about is the bright side of Chang'an, not everyone can enjoy everything. what they say." I snorted to show I understood what he meant.
Two days later, I waved goodbye at the edge of Yueya Quan.
Having come up with a new idea, when they came back to thank me, I politely asked if they had a lot of traveling money, they could give me some money as a token of gratitude to me for showing them the way.
After a moment of stupor, Xiao Huo raised his eyebrows and smiled, then handed me a bag of silver coins. He hesitated for a moment, was about to say something, but finally gave up his intention. always have to be careful." I nodded, took the money given to me and left.
After walking away, I couldn't hold back anymore and turned around. I thought that I would only be able to see his back go by, but, unexpectedly, he still hadn't left, still sitting on the horse's back, watching me from a distance. When our eyes accidentally met, a look of surprise and delight appeared on his face, my heart trembled, I quickly turned and ran forward.
Since parting with Xiao Huo and the merchant troupe, I'd wandered with the wolves from the Gobi Desert to the prairies and from the prairies back to the Gobi Desert, but at night I often tossed the silver coins in my arms pensively.
I am reluctant to leave Lang Xiong and his pack, and also reluctant to leave the desert, prairie and huyang tree forest, however, do I have to live with the wolf pack here my whole life? As A Die said, I had become a human and could not completely become a wolf.
After thinking about it over and over, I decided to go. Lang Xiong's wolf life will cross various peaks, in the future there will be countless challenges, perhaps the greatest wolf empire in the history of Xiyu awaits him. However, my human life has just begun, my life has been hard earned, no matter whether the future is sour or sweet, bitter or painful, I must taste it. As the shepherd's songs say, an heirloom sword that is not sharpened will not become sharp, a throat that is not used for singing will not produce a melodious voice. Human life that is not filled with experience isn't it very boring? Like a starless night sky. I want to go take a look at Chang'an, see the Great Han in A Die's story, maybe I will be able to become the beautiful Han woman in A Die's dream.
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Dunhuang City I paid some money, and a caravan of merchants headed to Chang'an agreed to take me along. I took all my belongings and with four other people crammed into a carriage. Of all my treasures, only Loulan's clothes were worth anything.
A Die has told me about many places in Chang'an. I have also imagined the city of Chang'an very often, but I am still in awe of its magnificence. The road I was walking on I estimated was about fifteen zhang wide, it was divided into three parts by water ditches, the middle one was six or seven zhang wide, while the two side streets were about four zhang wide. When I first entered the city, the coachman told me with a proud face that the middle section of the road was for the imperial carriages, exclusively for the use of the Son of Heaven, while the two sides of the road were for the use of officials and commoners.
As far as the eye can see, magnificent houses are lined up like fish scales, their eaves of roofs seem to connect to the end of the horizon, along the wide roads are planted with various types of trees such as huai trees, elms and cypress trees which are lush green and their twigs and leaves dense, thus making the king's city more elegant.
I carried my bundle and continued walking along the street, immersed in the excitement of seeing Chang'an City for the first time, the corner of a house, an arch bridge, all made me exclaim in astonishment, I think I'm just beginning to understand the feelings of A Die, a person who since If a child was accustomed to seeing such magnificent scenery it would be difficult to like such a simple and rugged camp, a place where there were only cows and sheep.
I don't know how long I've been walking, when it was getting dark, I realized that I had to find a place to rest, even if I found the cheapest inn, the money in hand was only enough to stay for a dozen days. While carefully counting the silver coins under the light of the castor oil lantern, I can't help but miss my days in Xiyu where there was no need for money, after this, how can I earn money?
While pensive under the light of the lantern, I suddenly remembered that I had to pay oil money for the lantern, so I quickly packed up my things, then put out the lantern and went to bed. Amidst the darkness, after worrying for a while, I smiled. Chang'an City is so big, can support so many people, how can I lose to others? I have arms and legs, how can I die of hunger? Truly like a person from Qi who is afraid that the sky will collapse!
But after circling Chang'an City three times, I started to doubt, could I really support myself? To be a servant girl, dancer or singer, one has to sell oneself, of course I can't sell myself and let other people rule my life. Embroidery or sewing, I can not at all. Skills that must be mastered by women I did not master at all. What's more troublesome, I don't have a guarantor, a shop heard that I could do the bookkeeping, but they were only willing to pay me one-third of a man's wages, the shrewd lady took pity on me, but when she asked, 'is there anyone there? Chang'an City who is willing to be your guarantor?', I shook my head, causing him to shake his head very regretfully. They can't employ people whose origins are unclear.
I tried to find Xiao Huo and the others, at least they could be my guarantors, however, everyone in the house and trading office that I asked all shook their heads. They never knew the spice trader, I felt disappointed and helpless, and a bit annoyed at Xiao Huo, it turns out he lied to me.
On the eve of Chongyang day, shops hang zhuyu at their doors, flower vendors have also put zhuyu among their wares, wine shops pile up jars of chrysanthemum wine in front of their shops to attract the attention of passersby, all people are drowning in the joy of the holiday, but I don't have a penny anymore. Since yesterday I haven't eaten anything, tonight I don't even know where to sleep.
The air is filled with the strong zhuyu fragrance and the graceful and subtle fragrance of chrysanthemum flowers. Everyone's happy faces have nothing to do with me. I am alone in the middle of a busy street full of people passing by.
Holding my bundle, I walked out of town. To the west is a baihua forest, I plan to spend the night there tonight, at least I'll be able to build a bonfire to warm myself up a bit.and if you're lucky maybe catch a rabbit or some other animal. Sleeping in the open was something I was used to, but I couldn't starve to death.
When my heart was troubled, I thought whether I was not wrong for coming here, I thought that if I pawned Loulan's clothes in the bundle, I would be able to earn enough money to return to Xiyu, but I felt very unwilling to do so, lest A Die couldn't help but think how the princess of the Hannya people, whom he had carefully raised, couldn't make a living in the Han Dynasty City of Chang'an.
Arriving at baihua forest, I found that people who had the same mind as me were not few. Many beggars had chosen this place to rest, they were huddled around the campfire eating and chatting.
I quietly barged in front of the bonfire, the smell of rice and side dishes made my stomach start to hurt, I saw that under a big tree, they had prepared a place to sleep tonight, a beggar by the side of the bonfire was screaming, he said, " Damn girl, you know the rules don't you? This is your grandfather's territory".
I turned around and glared at him in annoyance, he was like a wolf marking his territory with urine. I didn't mean to offend her, and there was no need to say harsh words. After all, why would I fight with such a lunatic? So I ducked my head and avoided it, looking for another place.
The man beside her looked at me with bad intentions, he licked his bottom lip and said, "Little girl, that place is already occupied, but if you are willing to sing a song for uncle, if uncle is happy maybe uncle will give you my bed, and let you sleep with uncle". The beggars burst out laughing.
I turned around and looked at them, just as I was about to squat down to pick up the dagger hidden in my calf, a small beggar carrying a pot of wine stepped in front of the three of them and casually said, "Boss, today this young master had the good fortune and managed to get a pot of first-class chrysanthemum wine from Yipin Ju".
Upon hearing that, the beggars' eyes shifted from me, to the pot of wine in the beggar's hand. The beggar who cursed at me chuckled, "You kid is small, but you have a lot of sense, the beggars here can't win against you."
The little beggar sat down, then lightly handed the pot of wine to him, "You guys drink a little too, don't be shy about this young master, gentlemen have fun these few days, imitating the big masters enjoying the holidays". Immediately the faces of the three beggars became radiant, their faces seemed to glow, while screaming they were playing guessing games and drinking wine, they had forgotten that I was there.
A beggar whose hair had turned white stepped to my side and said, "Little girl, in human life, there is no hole that can't be crossed, and no suffering that can't be endured. Their words are harsh but not mean, don't take it to heart . If you are willing, accompany this old man to warm himself in front of a bonfire".
The Moi who these days had had his fill of human pride, upon hearing a few gentle words lost the urge to commit violence. Biting my lip, I nodded and followed the old beggar to his bonfire. Smiling kindly, he took out two mantou from his bundle, roasted them over the fire, then looked around him, after seeing that no one was paying attention to me, he gave me a head of mouth, "Drink a little chrysanthemum wine first to warm up, then eat the mantou." ".
I hesitated and didn't stretch out my hand, the food in the beggar's hands was more valuable than gold. With a serious face the old beggar said, "Don't you like this old beggar's food?" I shook my head, and he said again, "Are you afraid this wine is too strong? Don't worry, this is Chrysanthemum wine specially made by Yipin Ju for the Chongyang holiday. The whole family can drink it. The taste is sweet, but not strong."
I said, "We are neither friends nor relatives, just now that little brother saved me, I am already very grateful".
The old beggar looked at me intently, then smiled and said, "In this world, who has never been in trouble? Even the emperor needs the prime minister's help!" As he spoke, he crammed the hive into my hand, I took the jar of wine and said in a low voice, "Thank you, grandpa".
While handing the toasted mantou to me, the old man laughed softly and said, "Puppies are gullible, the wine in the pot has been mixed with water."
That night I tossed to and fro, but couldn't sleep. After that the Puppy said to me, if I wasn't afraid of suffering, I could knock on the back door of every house to ask if there was any clothes that needed washing, because while he was begging, he once saw a woman knocking on the door to receive people's laundry. As long as I am strong and endure suffering, I will definitely be able to support myself. In my heart I hope that tomorrow my luck will be good.
As soon as day broke I rushed to town to try my luck, but as soon as I entered town I remembered that in my haste to leave my bundle left where the old man and and the Puppy were. But after that I thought that the precious thing inside was just a set of clothes, they were trustworthy people, and tonight I had promised to meet them. The most important thing right now is getting a job.
I knocked on doors of houses and was always refused, after that, a kind aunt told me that laundry is only given to people you know, and not given to strangers. I still don't give up and keep knocking on door after door.
"People have already washed the clothes in our house", a tall, big man waved his hand to shoo me away, a nice-looking woman who was coming out the door passed beside me and heard me ask, "Are there any other odd jobs? I can do it too, just give me a just eat your fill."
Before the man could answer, the woman had stopped walking, she looked me up and down, then asked carefully, "Are you a foreigner?" I nodded.
He asked, "Have you been here long? Your Chang'an accent is really good, doesn't sound like a foreigner at all." In order to get a job opportunity, I answered honestly, "It's been more than a month, I'm learning languages fast".
The woman nodded dumbfoundedly, "You're such an intelligent person. Don't you have any relatives or friends in Chang'an?" Smiling bitterly I shook my head, smiling he said, "Of course, if you had relatives or friends, you wouldn't fall into this state. You'll do this! You help sweep the yard clean, then I'll give you some buns. Do you want it?"
With joy I nodded with all my might. "Thank you Madam". He smiled and said, "Just call me Hong Gu. If you do well, we will meet again in the future!"
After finished doing my chores, Hong Gu smiled and complimented me, he said my hands and feet were nimble and my work was neat, he put a small plate of steamed buns on the table and also gave me a cup of hot tea, since morning till then I haven't eaten anything, I was already starving, so I immediately devoured the food. Hong Gu watched me devour the food happily while asking me.
After eating half my fill, I thought of the Puppy and the beggar grandfather, so I asked Hong Gu, "Can I take the remaining buns home?"
Shock flashed across Hong Gu's face, "Why?"
I said, "I want to eat it when I'm hungry in the middle of the night".
He smiled in relief, "Suit yourself! Have a few sips of hot tea first, I'll have someone wrap it up for you".
After drinking a few sips of tea, I felt strange, my head started to feel dizzy, my legs and arms were weak, in my heart I knew what was going on, but I pretended to have happened to stand up, "My grandpa is waiting for me to come home, when the buns are finished wrapping, I'll go formerly".
Hong Gu got up too, then said with a smile, "Then please go, I'm not accompanying you".
I quickly walked out, at the mouth of the door stood two burly men, without saying anything, I immediately took out a dagger, but my body was staggered almost falling. Leaning against the doorway, Hong Gu smiled and said, "If you're tired, rest at my place! I don't think there's an old man waiting for you to come home, why rush?"
The two burly men came over to me, I was about to stab them, but my vision darkened, they grabbed the knife in my hand, then I limply fell to the floor, before losing consciousness I heard Hong Gu say, "Such a smart little girl! Don't-" don't this girl has intelligence, has been taking drugs but still hasn't fainted either. Give her a little more medicine, then put her in custody and keep a close eye on her, otherwise, watch out for you guys!"
I don't know how long I was unconscious, when I woke up, it turned out that I was not alone, there was another girl who was held captive with me, her face was beautiful, her demeanor was gentle and graceful, as soon as she saw me wake up, she poured me a cup of water. Without saying anything I looked at him, but did not accept the cup of water he offered.
Her eyes reddened, "This water is not medicated, after all it's not necessary. The security here is very strict, you won't be able to get out".
I said, "I'm not thirsty". He turned and placed the cup on the table, then backed away and faced the bed.
I move my body, I can move as usual, but my hands and feet are still weak, apparently they deliberately gave me another drug.
After sitting quietly and clearing my mind, I said to the girl in front of me, "My name is Jin Yu, I was drugged by someone called Hong Gu, how about you?" He said, "My name is Fang Ru, my stepmother sold me here." As he spoke, tears welled up in his eyes.
I didn't want to comfort him and quickly asked, "Do you know what this place is? Why do they want to arrest me?"
Fang Ru's tears welled up as she sobbed and said, "This is Luoyu Fang, a dance and singing house that is quite famous in Chang'an City, they must have kidnapped you because you have a pretty face."
Hearing her words I don't know whether to be happy or sad, from when I was a little wolf whose body was full of fluffy fur to becoming the elegant girl she is now, A Die's hard work has finally been recognized by outsiders, and by a woman like Hong Gu who is so charming too . It turns out that my beauty is enough to make me a temptress, but I have never used my beauty to harm other people, and instead, people have harmed me because of my beauty. If I could be like Meixi, Daji and Baosi[], eating and drinking, making out, playing and having fun, and then finally bringing the whole country to ruin, I couldn't help but what kind of person am I?
I asked, "Do they want us to sell ourselves?"
Fang Ru said, "This is a dance and singing house, not a brothel, the ladies here only sell their dancing and singing skills. However, it is said that as long as someone is willing to spend enough money, or meet someone in power, even if they are not willing you will still find it difficult to avoid bad luck. You can only hope that someone will redeem you, or your dancing and singing skills are extraordinary, so that you have an extraordinary position, the most outstanding entertainers can even enter the palace".
I shook my head while smiling bitterly, when I was about to ask Fang Ru something else, the door suddenly opened, two burly men stepped in. Fang Ru immediately screamed while crying, "I don't want to go, I don't want to go".
Hong Gu stepped in gracefully, he said, "How many times have you pretended to be suicidal? Today you have to obey, let's get dressed and study with your sisters." After speaking he signaled with his eyes to the burly men, and they immediately dragged Fang Ru outside.