ODF Chapter 10

Lu Yang’s diagnosis followed the same familiar script, one the Huo family could practically recite by heart. Chronic condition, stubborn ailment, medicine ineffective, best to seek a more skilled master, and so on.

Zhao Xun seemed genuinely regretful. He said that if Master Luo could be persuaded to come out of seclusion, there might still be a glimmer of hope. He urged Huo Liuxing not to lose heart and to continue caring for his legs, and instructed Lu Yang to keep an eye out for any news of his former teacher.

Yu Wanjiang discreetly dabbed at her reddened eyes.

Huo Liuxing, however, remained composed, fulfilling his role as host with grace. He chatted with Zhao Xun about the scenic spots and local specialties of Qingyang.

Zhao Xun appeared quite casual, saying there was no need to make a grand affair of the night outing. They could simply visit the night market the couple had originally planned to see.

At this point, Shen Lingzhen had no place to interject. Even though she felt her Cousin’s enthusiasm was oddly intense, she could only quietly follow Huo Liuxing into the carriage.

The modified carriage was spacious, designed to allow attendants to assist Huo Liuxing in getting in and out with ease. It was also fitted with special guardrails to prevent accidents during bumpy rides, a clever and well-crafted design.

But Shen Lingzhen had no time to marvel at the ingenuity of “folk craftsmanship.” Her thoughts were fixed on the other carriage ahead, where Zhao Xun rode.

Once both carriages had set off and a comfortable distance had opened between them, she leaned toward Huo Liuxing and whispered, “Liuxing, if I speak like this… can people outside hear me?”

Huo Liuxing was still processing her bold performance in the hall. Seeing her now acting so furtively, he was puzzled again.

Still, he replied gently, “The driver can.”

The coachman was loyal to the Huo family, so that wasn’t a concern. Shen Lingzhen nodded, then silently mouthed: What about Fourth Prince?

She still remembered Zhao Xun’s earlier remark that martial artists had exceptionally sharp hearing.

Huo Liuxing turned his ear slightly, as if gauging the distance. After a moment, he shook his head, indicating that Zhao Xun wouldn’t be able to hear them now.

Relieved, Shen Lingzhen took a moment to choose her words, then lowered her voice. “Liuxing… I don’t really like that Cousin of mine.”

Huo Liuxing raised an eyebrow. “Oh? Did he treat you poorly back in the capital?”

She quickly shook her head, hesitated, then said, “I know it’s wrong to speak ill of others behind their backs. But more than being wrong, I’m afraid that Fourth Prince might hurt you. That’s why I’m taking this chance to say something while we’re alone…”

“Oh,” Huo Liuxing nodded. “Then I suppose I should thank you for compromising your noble principles on my behalf.”

Shen Lingzhen lowered her brows, genuinely feeling a bit troubled.

Huo Liuxing chuckled, leaned in slightly, and patted the back of her hand in a soothing gesture. “Go ahead. I’ll remember your concern.”

“Then I’ll say it. I don’t like Fourth Prince, because he’s always playing around. And somehow, whenever he gets especially close to someone… that person tends to suffer.”

“For example, once when he was young, he coaxed the Crown Prince into sneaking out of the palace to go horseback riding. The Crown Prince, being frail and unskilled in martial arts, nearly fell off the horse. Though he was protected and didn’t get hurt, the incident alarmed the Emperor. His Majesty was furious and punished the Crown Prince with a full month of confinement, banning him from all political affairs.”

Huo Liuxing made a thoughtful gesture. “You were raised in the inner quarters. How did you come to know all this?”

“When I studied at home, sometimes my cousins would join me for lessons. They’d talk about things happening outside, and I remembered what they said.”

Huo Liuxing slowly rubbed his fingertips. “So according to them, Crown Prince’s fall… was it Fourth Prince’s doing?”

Shen Lingzhen gasped and quickly covered his mouth with her hand. “Liuxing, you mustn’t say such things!”

Huo Liuxing paused, then lowered his gaze to the hand pressed against his lips.

From this angle, he couldn’t see her entire hand, but in that moment, an image flashed in his mind: slender, pale fingers curled like budding shoots, their unpainted nails glowing softly under candlelight. A fleeting memory from their wedding night.

Just then, Shen Lingzhen hastily withdrew her hand. The feather-light warmth vanished in an instant, leaving only a faint trace of fragrance lingering at the tip of Huo Liuxing’s nose.

His drifting thoughts were abruptly cut off. He gave a soft “Oh.” “Then I won’t say anything reckless.”

Shen Lingzhen, flustered by her own impulsiveness, shifted slightly toward the corner of the carriage, putting a few inches of distance between them. She picked up the thread of conversation. “…Mm, they didn’t mean anything by it. It’s just that I’ve heard so many stories about Fourth Prince that I figured it’s best not to get too close to him. Otherwise, who knows when misfortune might strike?”

Huo Liuxing’s gaze grew a touch inscrutable. “I’ll remember your warning.”

As they spoke, the carriage reached the start of the street.

Up ahead, Zhao Xun had already stepped down from his carriage. He waved off the attendants who had rushed forward to ensure his safety, saying there was no need for such fanfare.

Naturally, the Huo household couldn’t outshine a prince’s entourage. But given Huo Liuxing’s condition, Kongqing remained close to assist him. And since Shen Lingzhen was a lady, Jian Jia accompanied her as well.

At this hour, the market was still ablaze with lanterns. From afar, one could hear vendors shouting their wares. The street was lined with shops, food and drink, tailoring and cosmetics, all far more complete than Shen Lingzhen had imagined.

Of course, it couldn’t compare to the grand entertainment quarters of Bianjing, with its dozen opera houses and endless performances echoing through the streets. This place didn’t offer the same indulgences for nobles.

But Huo Liuxing had been wrong about one thing: tonight, for Shen Lingzhen, it wasn’t a case of “descending from luxury”—it was “ascending to simplicity.”

Her few past outings had been fleeting glimpses from inside a carriage. If something caught her eye, the coachman would stop, and a maid would fetch it for her. She had never walked the streets herself.

Now, stepping down from the carriage, Shen Lingzhen’s gaze locked onto a sugar figurine stall by the roadside. Her eyes sparkled, brighter than they had all evening, even when looking at Huo Liuxing.

Zhao Xun, ever the extrovert, strode ahead with ease. Huo Liuxing followed in his wheelchair, chatting casually with him.

Shen Lingzhen, caught up in the moment, forgot her manners. It wasn’t until Jian Jia gently reminded her that she snapped out of it and hurried to catch up with the two men, though her eyes still lingered longingly on the sugar artist ahead.

Just as they were about to pass the sugar figurine stall, Shen Lingzhen was preparing to stop and admire the artisan’s craft. But the two men ahead showed no sign of slowing down, chatting and laughing as they headed straight toward a blacksmith’s shop.

She opened her mouth to say something, inhaled, then exhaled without a word, her face falling as she continued after them. Jian Jia immediately turned to go buy her a sugar figurine, but Shen Lingzhen tugged her sleeve, signaling not to overstep.

Jian Jia sighed, feeling genuinely sorry for her. Hadn’t Young Master promised to take Young Madam to the night market?

But Shen Lingzhen’s status meant little in front of Zhao Xun. She could only follow the two men into the blacksmith’s shop, watching listlessly as the smith pumped the bellows and hammered glowing iron. She couldn’t help but wonder what was so fascinating about this hot, smoky place.

After the blacksmith, the prince eagerly visited a grain shop, saying he wanted to inspect the quality of Qingzhou’s wheat. Then it was a pawnshop, where he claimed he wanted to test the shopkeeper’s eye for valuables.

Trailing behind, Shen Lingzhen found no joy in any of it. Half a street later, her legs ached, and her eyelids were growing heavy.

Zhao Xun finally seemed to remember she was there. He stopped and turned back. “Cousin, are you tired?”

“I’m fine.” Shen Lingzhen blinked rapidly, trying to shake off her drowsiness and muster some energy.

“A young lady shouldn’t push herself. If you’re tired, head back to the estate.”

She waved her hand. “I’m alright. I’ll stay with my husband.”

Huo Liuxing glanced at her, then at the sugar figurine stall half a street away, but said nothing.

“You…” Zhao Xun chuckled, then looked around. His gaze settled on a busy teahouse not far away. “Well then, I’m thirsty. Let’s have some tea.”

The group turned and entered the teahouse.

Though modestly decorated, the teahouse was bustling. Half the tables were already occupied, with both men and women seated. In the northwest, customs were bold and open, there wasn’t much fuss about gender segregation.

Because Huo Liuxing’s wheelchair made the upper floors inaccessible, the tea master led them to a window-side table on the south end of the ground floor. The southern wall had a door that opened onto a narrow corridor, beyond which lay a river[mfn]the raws didn’t make it clear, but this might be a little pond, not a river. After all, 2 zhang is o.oo6km [/mfn] about two zhang wide.

Zhao Xun didn’t insist on a private room. He said the evening breeze by the river was especially pleasant this time of year and asked the tea master to open the door. Then he ordered a pot of the local specialty—spiced tea.

The tea, known as “hundred-mile fragrance,” filled the air with its rich aroma. Guests at two neighboring tables caught the scent and immediately called out for the same, their voices loud enough to shake the room.

Shen Lingzhen wasn’t used to such noisy and chaotic places. She sat stiffly beside Huo Liuxing, listening to him and Zhao Xun casually continue their banter, while watching the tea master rush about, clearly overwhelmed.

Just as she sipped a mouthful of tea, a man at the neighboring table suddenly slammed the table and stood up, shouting, “Son of a bitch! Say that again if you dare!”

Startled, Shen Lingzhen turned to see a burly man at another table grab a teacup, threatening to hurl it. “I said you’re a coward, what of it?”

People all around cast wary glances. The tea master hurried over to mediate.

Seeing this, a flicker of understanding passed between Zhao Xun and Huo Liuxing, as if something had just clicked.

Zhao Xun, unfazed, asked, “Brother-in-law, do you think that teacup’s meant for you or me?”

Huo Liuxing lowered his gaze slightly, slowly turning the teacup in his hand, a faint smile on his lips. “I’ve been to this teahouse a few times before, it has always been peaceful. I’d say you’re the one who should be careful.”

“I’m not worried. Just make sure they don’t accidentally hit my Cousin.”

Before Shen Lingzhen could grasp what was about to happen, the tables and chairs at the neighboring spot suddenly overturned with a crash. A teacup flew through the air, headed straight toward them.

She cried out in alarm, instinctively raising her hands to shield her head, only to find herself already pulled into Huo Liuxing’s protective embrace.

The teacup shattered on the floor. At that exact moment, a ring of burly men around them seemed to take the flying cup as a signal. They all drew hidden blades from their sleeves and surged toward them.

The teahouse erupted into chaos. Patrons screamed and scattered in panic.

Huo Liuxing reached up and pulled two slender gold hairpins from Shen Lingzhen’s bun, then pushed her toward Jian Jia.

Still dazed by the realization—So it was my hairpins they were after—Shen Lingzhen hadn’t yet recovered when the two sides clashed with ferocity.

Blades flashed and clanged, dizzying to behold. Her heart pounded wildly. She crouched behind Jian Jia, peeking out anxiously to check on Huo Liuxing.

Just one glance and she saw him raise his hand. The two gold hairpins flew from his fingers, piercing the throats of the two leading “tea guests.”

Shen Lingzhen trembled all over, her legs nearly giving way. His deadly precision was just as fierce as that time in the mountains.

Seeing he’d run out of weapons, she shakily pulled two silver hairpins from Jian Jia’s bun, flustered: “Quick, quick, give them to my husband!”

Jian Jia choked on her breath, yanked Shen Lingzhen behind her protectively, and gestured for her not to panic. Just then, Huo Liuxing snatched a short blade from the hand of one of the fallen “tea guests.”

Shen Lingzhen suddenly understood—How foolish of me to panic. She took a deep breath, forcing herself to calm down.

And in that calm, she noticed something strange.

Most of the attackers had initially charged toward Zhao Xun. Naturally, Kongqing prioritized his safety, staying close to shield him. But as the fight wore on, more and more enemies began to surround Huo Liuxing instead.

She also realized they were all aiming low, targeting his legs. If he couldn’t move them, defending himself would be nearly impossible.

Watching him retreat step by step toward the narrow corridor on the teahouse’s southern side, Shen Lingzhen nudged Jian Jia. “Go help him!”

Jian Jia shook her head, determined to stay by her side. Shen Lingzhen grew anxious and mouthed silently: They won’t dare hurt me.

Seeing the certainty in her eyes, and glancing at the worsening situation by the corridor, Jian Jia finally charged into the fray.

But before she could reach him, a low shout rang out. One of the attackers swung his blade hard at the leg of Huo Liuxing’s wheelchair.

With nowhere left to retreat, there was a loud splash and Huo Liuxing was forced into the river.

Shen Lingzhen gasped. In that split second, everything clicked into place. She stole a glance at Zhao Xun, then clenched her jaw and shouted, “Husband!” She sprinted forward and leapt into the river after him.

 

Author’s Note: You jump, I jump! 

Night Market Mini-Theater:  Child-at-heart Shen Lingzhen: “I want that sugar figurine…”

Steel-hearted Huo Liuxing: “No, you don’t. Come, we’re going to the blacksmith.”