Chapter 18
On the journey back, Yang Lulong noticed that something was wrong with Chief Escort Ma.
Everyone else was boasting about their “achievements” from the previous night, while Chief Escort Ma remained silent with a cold expression.
“You look like something is troubling you,” Yang Lulong said quietly after walking over to her.
“It’s nothing.”
Chief Escort Ma forced a smile.
“Then… may I invite you to my wedding?”
“Your wedding…”
Remembering the conversation from the previous night filled Chief Escort Ma with sorrow again.
“There’s no need… I probably won’t have time…”
“Mm…”
Yang Lulong felt disappointed by the rejection. Perhaps she had chosen the wrong time to extend the invitation.
She awkwardly returned to the group and did not mention it again.
Upon arriving at the escort agency, everyone received their wages.
They were all delighted. They had escorted valuable cargo and returned completely unharmed, and the money they earned would allow them to enjoy themselves for quite some time.
Yang Lulong was especially happy as she held the heavy silver in her hands.
She needed to purchase everything for the wedding as quickly as possible and hurry home.
Hopefully, Wanniang was no longer angry with her.
Just as Yang Lulong was about to leave, Chief Escort Ma suddenly called her over and handed her another ten taels.
“What is this?”
“I can’t attend your wedding, so consider it my gift.”
“But this is far too much…”
“It isn’t. It represents both my good wishes and my apology.”
“Thank you, Chief Escort Ma.”
Chief Escort Ma patted her shoulder with a gratified expression.
“Cherish her properly…”
“Mm.”
Carrying the heavy silver, Yang Lulong first visited a craftsman and placed an order for a bridal sedan.
The most magnificent one unexpectedly cost fifty taels. Looking at the mere forty taels in her possession, Yang Lulong knew such a luxurious sedan was beyond her reach.
As she struggled to decide whether she should earn more money or settle for an ordinary one, an idea suddenly occurred to her.
She spent a little money purchasing quality materials from the craftsman, then ordered an ordinary sedan that she could improve and decorate herself afterward.
With the sedan problem resolved, she still had more than enough money to buy everything else.
Yang Lulong attempted to bargain with the merchants as Xiaowen had done, but she lacked Xiaowen’s sharp tongue and repeatedly suffered defeat.
She could not reduce a single price.
One particularly irritable shopkeeper became so annoyed by her persistence that he threatened not to sell her anything if she continued bothering him. Having no understanding of the art of bargaining, Yang Lulong became frightened and hurriedly paid the full price.
Another shopkeeper eventually assumed that her persistence meant she genuinely lacked money and was about to offer her a discount. Unfortunately, when Yang Lulong paid, he saw all the silver she was carrying.
His attitude immediately changed, and he even scolded her for being stingy.
Yang Lulong had expected to have some money left, but ultimately found herself holding only twenty wen.
Standing at the entrance to the market, she wondered whether she should simply spend the remaining coins.
A clear melody suddenly reached her ears.
Following the sound, she discovered an elderly man selling small wind instruments made from clay. They were xun.
Yang Lulong approached curiously and asked how they were played. The old man enthusiastically introduced the instrument and offered to teach her several melodies if she purchased a few.
Each xun cost exactly ten wen, so Yang Lulong bought two.
Holding the round instrument, she imitated the old man’s movements. Her fingers covered and uncovered its circular holes, producing a bright and charming melody.
Standing before the familiar entrance to Wanniang’s home, Yang Lulong experienced complicated emotions.
She did not know how to propose to Wanniang, and she was equally worried that Wanniang might still be angry with her.
Taking a deep breath, she gathered her courage and stepped through the gate.
The first one to welcome her was not Wanniang, but the little village dog.
It apparently no longer remembered her and began barking ferociously.
Wanniang had been drying medicinal herbs in the courtyard. Hearing the dog barking, she curiously looked toward the gate.
The moment she saw Yang Lulong, joy filled her heart and a smile appeared on her face.
However, she had not yet forgiven her.
Remembering Yang Lulong’s determination when she left, Wanniang immediately suppressed her smile. She merely glanced at her before turning away and continuing her work.
“Wanniang?”
Yang Lulong called her name.
When she received no response, she assumed Wanniang had not heard and called again.
Wanniang still ignored her.
This is bad. Wanniang is still angry with me.
Yang Lulong set down all the packages she was carrying and approached her.
“Wanniang.”
With her back facing Yang Lulong, Wanniang continued organizing the herbs as though she had not heard her approach.
“Wanniang, I’m sorry.”
Yang Lulong apologized, but Wanniang pretended that she did not exist. She picked up the drying tray and headed toward the medicine room.
Yang Lulong followed directly behind her like a little tail.
When Wanniang continued refusing to acknowledge her, Yang Lulong became increasingly anxious.
She suddenly remembered the melody the old man had taught her.
Taking out the xun, she began playing it.
The unfamiliar melody made Wanniang curious.
What was Yang Lulong doing now?
At last, she turned and acknowledged her.
Seeing that Wanniang was finally paying attention, Yang Lulong continued playing. The charming, playful melody eventually coaxed a smile from Wanniang’s previously cold face.
Only after making her laugh did Yang Lulong stop. A brilliant smile appeared on her own face.
“Did you… do all that merely for this?” Wanniang asked helplessly, still smiling at her foolish appearance.
“Wait here.”
Yang Lulong deliberately kept her in suspense and ran into the courtyard.
She retrieved an exquisite length of fabric that had yet to be sewn into wedding clothes, unfolded it, and draped it over Wanniang.
Wanniang stared at the gorgeous material covering her. It felt exceptionally smooth beneath her fingers and was clearly made from high-quality cloth.
“Wanyu, will you marry me?”
Wanniang stared at her in disbelief.
So this was why Yang Lulong had needed so much money…
Yang Lulong pressed her lips together and watched her expectantly, her heart filled with anxiety.
However, Wanniang remained silent.
Yang Lulong became increasingly nervous. Sweat appeared on her face, which gradually turned bright red.
After a long while, Wanniang suddenly embraced her.
“Wanniang?”
Yang Lulong did not know whether the embrace meant she had accepted.
“Promise me that you’ll never do anything so dangerous again.”
“Hmm?”
Wanniang raised her head from Yang Lulong’s embrace and met her eyes.
“Promise me, and I’ll agree to marry you.”
“…”
Yang Lulong hurriedly nodded.
“Mm… I won’t do it again.”
Together, they began organizing everything Yang Lulong had purchased.
After being separated for so long, Yang Lulong had become unusually talkative. She told Wanniang about everything—their experiences during the escort mission, her failed attempts at bargaining with the shopkeepers, and how the elderly man had taught her to play the xun.
“Would you like me to teach you later?” she asked happily.
“Mm.”
That night, they sat together on the bed.
Yang Lulong handed Wanniang the second xun and taught her how to play it.
Wanniang studied seriously and followed her instructions.
One xun played a higher tone while the other played lower, yet together they performed the same melody in perfect harmony.
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