Chapter 18: Dirty

After soaking in the bathtub for nearly half an hour, until the water turned cold, Liu Changning finally stepped out of the tub naked.

Her clothes were draped over the folding screen, just a wooden barrel’s distance away. She reached out to grab her long robe. However, unexpectedly, the robe got caught on a corner of the screen. With too much force in her movement, the screen collapsed with a loud noise.

The room fell silent.

Liu Changning instinctively looked up, her gaze meeting directly with that of the red-clad man who was lifting the bed curtain to check the situation.

The man’s eyes were dark as ink, his expression blank, devoid of his usual arrogance and domineering air. His pale thin lips trembled slightly.

Liu Changning narrowed her eyes. Under his dazed gaze, she solemnly pulled the linen robe to cover the important parts of her body, and flashed a half-smile at him: “Like what you see?”

A flash of embarrassment crossed Pei Yuanshao’s almond-shaped eyes before he awkwardly turned his head away. He resentfully pulled down the gauze curtain.

His hands clenched the embroidered quilt, fingers balled into fists, forcefully pounding on the pear wood bed post.

He… was dirty now.

There should be a distinction between men and women, yet he had seen a woman’s naked body. It wasn’t just that fleeting glimpse from the other day, but her entire bare figure.

A flash of white, and the two soft mounds on her chest.

In his two lifetimes, he had now lost his chastity in this remote small town. He had turned himself into a thoroughly improper man.

A hint of panic flashed across his exquisite face, but was quickly suppressed.

He had originally thought he didn’t care about the three obediences and four virtues for men, that he viewed chastity as worthless as dirt.

But after having his toes seen by someone, and seeing that farm woman’s smooth body, an inexplicable anxiety in his heart couldn’t be suppressed. Even if that person was impotent, she was still a proper woman.

And he was… he was dirty, too dirty.

Pei Yuanshao raised his hand, fiercely rubbing his eyes, again and again, but to no avail. That person’s white figure seemed etched onto his pupils, appearing before his eyes, refusing to dissipate.

He… was actually so vulgar, seeing that person’s body, his mind was full of…

He probably could never have the story of one life, one world, one partner as in the novels. He wasn’t worthy anymore, truly no longer worthy.

Pei Yuanshao lowered his head, a self-mocking smile appearing in his eyes, his expression slightly cold.

Forget it, today would mark the end of his last fantasy as a young master. He didn’t need a wife-master, and originally didn’t need chastity either.

Liu Changning finished dressing. The bed curtains were quiet, her convenient husband unmoving.

She frowned slightly, observing him for a moment. Had she gone too far earlier?

After several days of confrontation, although this person had a bad temper and liked to pretend to be frivolous, his anger came quickly and went quickly. Occasionally touching his bottom line, he never crossed boundaries. If the original host’s memories and the novel’s perspective were problematic, then it was highly possible that this person’s indifference was also an act.

Such a man, though troublesome, was far better than those with ill intentions disguised as kindness. Because he originally disguised himself as extremely evil.

Liu Changning narrowed her eyes, recalling that white lotus disciple she had taken hundreds of years ago. Back then, at the Divine Transformation stage, encountering a bottleneck, she had momentarily felt the desire to be a teacher, and had chosen a disciple during the sect’s grand competition.

The disciple was soft, cute, and obedient, good at running errands and making spirit food, greeting her every day, constantly calling her “Master”.

She had practiced the Way of No Emotions for many years, and rarely had such a disciple who suited her mind so well.

Although she was strict with him, she imparted all her knowledge without reserve. To change the disciple’s poor spirit root physique, she didn’t hesitate to go to the Sea of Death, seek the Dark Fire, to reshape his spirit root for him.

But… it was all a false image calculated by others.

After the plot was exposed, Liu Changning finally understood that there were no such perfectly fitting people in this world. It was all disguise. That wicked disciple was deeply scheming, she was just a pawn in his hand.

The wicked disciple had spent a full ten years secretly figuring out her temperament, then entered her sect, catering to her in every way, pleasing her in all manners.

Fifty years of master-disciple relationship, all carefully calculated. Just to use her hand to throw the entire cultivation world into chaos.

Liu Changning had lived for thousands of years, and that wicked disciple was the only shame on her great path.

Compared to the wicked disciple, her convenient husband was much better.

His evil was blatant, even if he was embarrassed and angry, with changing moods, his expression was still lively.

Therefore, she was willing to give him a bit more patience.

The food that Second Sister had brought not long ago was placed on the Eight Immortals table. After the earlier delay, the food had cooled completely, but given the hot weather, it didn’t matter much to eat it.

Liu Changning pointed at the food on the table and asked the person not far away in a slow voice: “Have you treated your wound? Do you want to eat something?”

Silence stretched on. Behind the gauze curtain, her convenient husband lay stiffly on the round-top wooden bed, motionless.

As expected. Liu Changning narrowed her eyes, not continuing to persuade. Although she was willing to give him some patience, it was only a little.

She wouldn’t go out of her way to serve someone.

Moreover, it was her who had been seen naked. A few days ago when this person had broken down the door, he had seen what he should see. What was the use of being coy now?

Seeing the person opposite not speaking, Liu Changning shrugged, sat down at the Eight Immortals table, picked up her bowl and chopsticks, and ate slowly. Although the food was slightly cold, the taste was not bad, so she couldn’t help but have two more bowls.

Pei Yuanshao lay on his side, his ink-black eyes fixed on the wall inside the pear wood bed.

After waiting for a while, that person carelessly ate by herself, no longer paying attention to him.

The sound of chewing food came one after another, disturbing his mood.

He turned over unhappily, the movement too large, causing the red lacquered wooden bed to creak.

Liu Changning’s eyes held a hint of amusement. After finishing her meal, she wiped the oil stains from the corner of her mouth leisurely.

She straightened up and chuckled: “How about it? Hungry?”

Pei Yuanshao’s ear tips moved slightly. The guest room was quiet, and the farm woman’s crisp question became even clearer, sliding over his ear shell, vibrating his eardrum, causing his body to tense inexplicably.

Completely forgetting his earlier determination to distance himself from this person, now seeing that the person who had ignored him for quite a while was finally taking the initiative to speak to him again.

His brows relaxed slightly, his lips unconsciously curling into a very faint arc. He coughed once and said coldly: “Mm!”

However, unexpectedly, that person only looked at him from afar, then turned and pushed the door open, taking large strides. She left?

Pei Yuanshao stared with wide eyes at the closed door, his eyes dazed and bewildered.

He struggled to sit up against the bed, his heart now sour and bitter.

That farm woman didn’t care about him anymore. After ruining his chastity, perhaps she found him wanton and bold, no longer as considerate as before, completely different from the person who had been so concerned about his wound earlier.

He dazedly lifted the bed curtain, looked at the food on the Eight Immortals table, the empty inn silent, an inexplicable sense of loneliness arising in his heart.

He lowered his head, looked at his well-bandaged wound, the wound wasn’t serious, but for some reason it affected his heart, hurting.

—

At the Hour of the Goat, the sun was scorching, cicadas chirping deafeningly.

Liu Changning found Second Sister and borrowed an umbrella.

She opened the oil paper umbrella and stepped onto the main street.

The sun was blazing like fire, even peddlers were rarely seen on the street at this time.

Opposite the Yunlai Inn was the Fugui Tower. Although Liu Changning had already eaten, her convenient husband hadn’t had a drop of water. The food on the Eight Immortals table had already gone cold. He was wounded by a sword, now at his weakest moment, and the food on the table wouldn’t be easy to digest.

At this hour, the vendors had all gone home, and only the Fugui Tower still had congee for sale.

The tavern had sandalwood beams, with a plaque hanging high above the main door, on which “Fugui Tower” was written in flowing calligraphy.

Entering the tower, she only then noticed the crowd. In the center of the main hall, there was a storyteller, slapping his wooden clappers, vividly discussing ancient and modern affairs.

Cheers occasionally arose from the hall.

Liu Changning lifted her eyelids and gave a cursory glance. The first floor was packed, and the private rooms on the second floor also seemed to be full.

As expected of a famous tavern in Huashi Town.

The waiter was sharp-eyed and came forward to greet her, his face full of smiles: “Guest, do you want to…”

He looked her up and down, and although there was no contempt in his eyes, his words were hesitant. After all, those who could afford to dine at the Fugui Tower were either rich or noble.

The farm woman-dressed lady before him seemed a bit out of place. However, her overall demeanor didn’t seem fake.

The waiter, having worked in the tower for many years, was experienced and worldly. Although he had doubts in his heart, he showed no neglect.

Liu Changning’s expression was very calm. She rummaged in her bosom, took out a piece of broken silver, and said, “Does the tavern have white congee? I want a bowl of white congee, to take away.”

A flash of confusion crossed the waiter’s face. Guests who came to dine at their tower all came for the renowned dishes, but this lady only wanted a bowl of thin congee.

Though puzzled in his heart, he didn’t show it on his face.

“The white congee is sold out. If you can wait for half an hour, the cook will have to make it fresh. What do you think?”

Liu Changning looked back at the blazing sun outside the tavern, her dry lips moved: “Make it.”

“Alright! Please, this way.” The waiter bowed and led Liu Changning to sit at the only empty table and chair in the main hall.

The commotion at the entrance didn’t attract much attention. The diners in the hall were now focused on listening to the storyteller.

There was tea on the square table. Liu Changning took a celadon cup and poured herself a cup.

The storyteller sat in the center, holding his clappers, telling the most exciting part of the story.

“Speaking of this Long Imperial Consort Pei Ziyuan, if it weren’t for his fall from a horse a year ago, he would have been a person of both literary and martial talents, a genius, the most beautiful young master of the Jinfeng Dynasty, and with his extremely noble status, he was the focus of all attention, honored throughout the world. Unfortunately… a year ago he fell from his horse at the Northern Mountain hunting ground, and thereafter damaged his brain. His actions became outrageous and unrestrained, no longer possessing his past brilliant talent.”

The storyteller sighed and continued: “Think back to those years, that person in bright clothes and on a spirited horse, in a red robe with extraordinary looks, wielding long sleeves and dominating the court. It’s a pity that such a figure has been buried in memories, never to be seen again. A month ago, due to his outrageous behavior, he ended up being demoted to a commoner and banished to the northern lands. Fortunately, the current emperor found an extremely honorable imperial husband. The son of the Three Dynasties Elder Minister Jia, entered the back palace. The Minister Jia, in his sixties, personally came out of retirement to assist in government affairs, which finally calmed the undercurrents in the court…”

On the second floor in a private room, Jing Huan was tasting tea, with her personal guard respectfully standing behind her.

“Aquan, do you think a person can really change their personality after falling from a horse?” She took a sip of tea, a half-smile on her lips.

Aquan stood behind his master, hesitating for a moment before speaking: “This slave doesn’t know. What does Master Jing mean by this? The Long Imperial Consort has now been demoted to a commoner, which seems appropriate.”

Jing Huan held her teacup, smiling without speaking. After a while, she finally said: “This king indeed doesn’t…”

The word “believe” was hidden on the tip of her tongue, not uttered.

Her upturned phoenix eyes suddenly widened, the tea in her hand shaking, water droplets falling onto that pampered long hand.

The surprise in Aquan’s eyes deepened, and he was about to open his mouth to inquire.

But he saw his master put down the celadon cup with a “bang”, straighten up, and quickly walk to the window, her steps disorderly, showing some panic.

The window of the private room directly faced the main hall of the tavern. Leaning over to look down, one could take in the entire scene below.

Aquan followed his master’s line of sight downwards. In the corner of the hall sat a farm woman of unremarkable appearance.

She was holding a cup of tea, moistening her dry lips with a few crystalline drops, bringing out a hint of color. Dressed in coarse cloth work clothes, she certainly stood out among the diners in the hall clothed in fine silks and satins, but there was nothing particularly special about her.

Aquan hesitantly took two steps forward, his eyes wary, and asked in a low voice: “Master Jing, is there something amiss with this person?”