Chapter 24 (2/2)
Thus, I was subjected to his repeated questioning for the time it takes three incense sticks to burn.
He still had enough stamina to ask about this and that, but refrained from a physical examination. I endured…I endured until it was unbearable…up to the point that I started thinking of ways to drug him into sleeping.
Then, he suddenly got to his feet.
In the midst of rejoicing and standing up, I smiled at him and said, “Yifu, are you hungry? Getting ready to break off some flower stems and willow branches?”
He turned to look at me, eyes curving. “I have to go to the market and see if there’s any medical manuals for sale.”
You…
You still wanted to read medical manuals at your level?
You who could make up pills on a whim that were worth two taels of gold?
“Although I was aware that two types of humans existed in the outside world, I never knew the boys and girls Zichuan mentioned were so different. From observing your pulse during this period of time, I can tell the differences are subtle, but too intriguing for words.”
Look at this guy…
He’s so excited.
“Can’t you just find things out from my pulse?”
“I want to read some books about expectant mothers, and how much medicine I should prescribe for females.”
— [Most up to date translations for this series can be found on volaretranslations.]
I can’t help you there.
I looked away wordlessly.
He slowly turned, as if readying to leave.
Suddenly, I widened my eyes, remembering something. Within these streets…there were probably people looking for a person with a teardrop-shaped mole. If yifu went out, looking so beautiful and enticing, Nongyu would definitely find him.
“I’ll go I’ll go I’ll go… …yifu, you make a list, and I’ll buy it for you.”
He smiled, as if only too anxious to do so. Seeing him deliberate for the sake of saving silver, writing and crossing out t.i.tles of books again and again with a reluctant expression…I began to feel distressed for him in my heart.
This guy.
I had two taels of gold.
Two taels! Of gold!!!
I tugged the paper out of his hands, retracing the t.i.tles he’d crossed out. I blew off the spots of ink on the paper and placed it inside my robes. He just looked at me with a lenient smile.
But who knew how pained his heart was inside…at the thought of losing the household silver. I knew from early on that he was lazy when it came to concocting pills. I’m guessing that in order to acquire my new clothes, he spent most of the money in the house.
I sucked in a breath.
After a few days, I should just dig up the gold I buried in the dirt. Even if I kept it buried…it’s not like it’d grow another two taels.
So thinking, my steps grew light, and I gallantly ran to town, just thinking of how I’d secretly dig up the stash of gold leaves and paper money buried beneath the Wutong tree.
But…
I thought it was strange.
Clearly I’d left home alone to buy the medical manuals, so why was Han Zichuan following behind me? And he kept staring so earnestly towards my back, enough for his gaze to turn me numb. Though, speaking of which, I suddenly realized…
The people in town were acting oddly too. One by one, refined-looking young men walked past me, their eyes filled with l.u.s.t…it made me feel…
I couldn’t help but tremble a bit.
Han Zichuan grabbed my hand just in time, his eyes scanning my face.
“I don’t even know if dressing you like this helped you or hurt you.” Afterwards, he lightly pinched my hand. “Remember, you’re a girl. Would any lady walk as carelessly and casually as this?”
— [Most up to date translations for this series can be found on volaretranslations.]
“What are you doing here?”
He smiled. “Only Fang Hua would be fine with you coming out alone in front of all these men.”
Suddenly, his eyes spotted something behind me, and he said happily, “Wait a bit, I’m going to buy something.”
“What are you buying…”
In a flash, he had disappeared, only leaving the cloth sign in front of the shop to proclaim its wares in the wind… …eee? A store for selling rouge?
Hmph, how could he have any money.
This?! He was hiding a pouch of money!!!
Disgraceful…
When we went back, I was going to tell Fang Hua. My feelings of discontent surged within my heart…I couldn’t speak anymore.
Suddenly, someone tapped me on the shoulder.
I turned around and happened to see Nongyu there with a fan, a large retinue following him as usual. The joy on his face, coupled with the stunned look in his eyes, was indescribable. “It’s really you…Younger Brother Shào[1]?”
“Or perhaps I should call you…” he skillfully snapped his fan and drew closer with a smile. “Younger Sister Shào?”
What ‘young brother, younger sister’ are you babbling about.
I’m not that close[2] to you.
“Who are you waiting for?” he looked around us.
“Of course I’m waiting for…” I smiled back, “My beloved.”
The smile on his face became a little forced.
“Shao’er, let’s go.” Han Zichuan was holding something in a red paper bag as he emerged from the store. His eyes happened to land on Nongyu, and his face froze.
Nongyu’s reaction was even more exaggerated. For a long time, he stared at Han Zichuan with a stricken expression, face filled with amazement. Clutching his fan, he suddenly swept aside his robes and fell to his knees.
“Your servant pays respects to His Imperial Highness, the Crown Prince!”
Thumping noises rang out all around us…
Everyone was kneeling.
-o- [Most up to date translations for this series can be found on volaretranslations.]
[1] Brother Shào (邵第) －Shao’er told Nongyu her name was Shào Yu back in chapter 20. Again, the Shào here is p.r.o.nounced differently than the one in Shao’er.
[2] not that close (不太熟) －bu tai shou, the term she’s using here means “not that familiar”, “not that intimate”, aka they’re acquaintances at most, or maybe friendly strangers.