Yang Ruoning and Han Danchun never imagined that a single night's indulgence at a pleasure house would leave them bankrupt! Furious, Yang Ruoning confronted the innkeeper, demanding an explanation for the opaque pricing and a detailed bill to scrutinize what could possibly cost a hundred taels of silver.
The innkeeper, picking his teeth with one hand and rattling his abacus with the other, informed Yang Ruoning that the food and drink were relatively inexpensive. The bulk of the cost was the companionship of the courtesans. He then countered, "Didn't you request our most attractive courtesans? Each of those dozen girls commands a considerable price. Furthermore, our second most handsome male rarely entertains guests. It was your good fortune last night that he agreed to come. Why are you blaming us for the high fees? One hundred taels was even a discounted price."
A black-hearted establishment! Yang Ruoning was beside herself with rage. However, having consumed their offerings, she had no choice but to grudgingly pay.
After all this turmoil, they were left penniless. With no other option, they moved out of their lodging and into a secluded courtyard outside the city, belonging to a friend of Ah Jing.
Ah Jing mentioned that his friend rarely returned and the courtyard had been vacant for a long time, serving mostly as his residence.
At present, Yang Ruoning lay on a rattan chair beneath the large locust tree in the courtyard, fanning herself. She was alone in the quiet house. Ah Jing was very busy and seldom came back. As for Han Danchun, he had been called away by a neighbor's young boy early in the morning. Having only lived there for a few days, he had already befriended the local boys. They often played outside all day, only returning after dark. Yang Ruoning rarely had time to herself, so she let Han Danchun have his fun.
Yang Ruoning wanted to send letters to Qingye and Yue Feng. Her sudden disappearance must have worried them. Qingye might have already sent people searching for her. She also wondered if Yue Feng's heart condition had improved. She was very concerned about Yue Feng's heart ailment. And she missed Susu terribly; Susu must be extremely worried too.
Yang Ruoning sat up. Her letters to Qingye and Yue Feng would likely never reach them, but Susu could receive hers. Perhaps she should write to Susu first, letting her know she was safe.
With that thought, Yang Ruoning left the house. She went to a library to find a scribe who specialized in writing letters and dictated her message. She then sent the letter to the post station. After completing these tasks, she leisurely strolled through the streets. In the past few days, her life with Han Danchun had been a nocturnal affair, revolving around visiting the pleasure houses. But thinking about it, she realized she hadn't truly explored Youzhou City during the daytime.
Red lanterns were hung all over the city. It was said that Old General Luo had spared no expense to decorate for the engagement ceremony of his only daughter and Luo Yuan. The dazzling red everywhere served as a constant reminder to passersby of the impending joyous occasion in the city.
Yang Ruoning felt she could now calmly accept this fact. Her relationship with Luo Yuan had been merely an unexpected interlude in this unusual journey. Now that everything was back on track, she should prepare to leave this world with Qingye.
Therefore, when she happened to pass by the Luo mansion, she did not stop. However, in the few seconds she walked past the wide-open gates of the Luo mansion, she caught a glimpse of busy servants and crimson silk curtains fluttering in the breeze.
Luo Yuan, be happy, Yang Ruoning whispered to herself at that moment.
Summer rains are often so hurried.
Just moments ago, the sun was shining brightly, but now the wind and clouds gathered. A flash of lightning in the distance was followed by a thunderous rumble, and then the rain began to fall, drop by drop. It looked like a heavy downpour was imminent.
Damn it, it's going to rain again, Yang Ruoning cursed inwardly, looking around for shelter. She spotted a pavilion on a small arch bridge not far ahead and ran towards it.
Before she had gone far, the rain intensified. By the time Yang Ruoning crossed the small bridge and ran into the pavilion, she was drenched. She lowered her head and wrung out her wet, heavy skirt, then raised her head and wiped the rain from her face with her sleeve.
Across the narrow canal from the pavilion stood a teahouse. By the wide-open window of the teahouse sat a young couple. They were so beautiful that one might lament the unfairness of creation.
The man said something, and the woman laughed, her smile gentle and alluring.
As if sensing Yang Ruoning's gaze, the man turned his head and looked at her.
When their eyes met, Yang Ruoning's heart skipped a beat. Water droplets suddenly slid down her face. Much later, Yang Ruoning insisted it was merely rain.
Yang Ruoning abruptly turned away, avoiding the surprised gaze of the couple, and ran back into the raging storm.
That man was Luo Yuan, and that woman was his empress from the wormhole prophecy.
****************
Han Danchun returned in the evening. By then, Yang Ruoning had returned from a bathhouse on the street corner and was sitting in the courtyard reading a storybook. Han Danchun thought she had stayed home all afternoon.
As he went into the room to change, he handed Yang Ruoning a paper-wrapped package. Opening it, she found several warm meat buns. Yang Ruoning felt that despite Han Danchun's seemingly careless demeanor, he was actually quite thoughtful.
After changing, he sat on the stone bench next to Yang Ruoning. "I think I need to go and see Luo Yuan," he said.
"Why?" Yang Ruoning asked. She knew that what was meant to come would eventually arrive.
"I want to ask him why he's looking for King Aqi."
"Haven't you always been rather indifferent about it?"
Han Danchun turned to face her, his expression earnest. "I want to live in a place like this. I want my descendants, my people, to live in a place like this. A place with pleasure houses, inns, pastry shops, pawnshops, and all sorts of people from different backgrounds. I want to lead our tribe out of that oasis and build a city like this. If a deal with Luo Yuan can make this happen, I must try."
"Han Danchun, your dream is a wonderful one," Yang Ruoning said, reaching out to stroke Han Danchun's head as if caressing a suddenly mature younger brother. "I think you will be a truly, truly remarkable king in the future."
Han Danchun scratched his head, slightly embarrassed by Yang Ruoning's sudden praise. "This is just what I've been feeling these past few days." With that, he stood up abruptly and headed for the study. "Now I need to start writing down my future plans!"
After Han Danchun left, the courtyard returned to its silence. Yang Ruoning lay back on the rattan chair, gazing at the sky lost in thought.
After the heavy rain, the moon in the sky seemed to have been washed clean, turning white. A blurry white shadow was cast upon the dark, moist night sky.
She thought again about the scene that afternoon, finding it rather embarrassing. She had imagined that upon meeting him again, she would greet him casually, like old friends meeting after a long time, letting him know that she, too, had long since let go of their shared memories. But in the instant their eyes met, she had fled in a panic. She had always considered herself decisive and cool when it came to matters of the heart, unlike the devoted women in storybooks. Yet, in the end, she was no different. This version of herself was not cool at all.
After an unknown amount of time, she heard the faint rustle of fabric brushing against something. It was Ah Jing. Like Luo Yuan, he walked without making a sound.
"You're back," Yang Ruoning said. She didn't get up, remaining reclined in the rattan chair, gazing up at the sky.
"Yes, I'm back," Ah Jing replied.
"Luo Yuan's wedding should be soon, shouldn't it?"
"Mm."
"Oh... after the wedding, they'll be husband and wife..."
"Ruoning, I..."
Ignoring Ah Jing, Yang Ruoning continued, "You know, I hate rainy days the most. I think my destiny is incompatible with rain. Everyone I've ever loved has left me on a rainy day. My parents left over ten years ago, and my younger brother left not long ago. When they left, it was raining heavily, just like today."
"Ah Jing, I told you I came here to find my family, right? Many years ago, my younger brother lived here for a long time. He found someone he loved, and then had children. But my brother died, so I came here to find his lover and children for him. I found them," Yang Ruoning managed a bitter smile. "And do you know what's most incredible? They... they are the Empress Dowager and the Emperor of Great Song."
"I told you that when I crossed through time and space to arrive here, I saw the future of Great Song, didn't I? Luo Yuan would become Emperor. But I didn't tell you the other half of the story. I saw Luo Yuan poison Qingye to death. The current Emperor of Great Song, my only blood relative in this world and the other."
"I completely understand Luo Yuan's reasons for doing this. Luo Yuan's situation might be related to my brother's. But my brother is already dead, and the Empress Dowager... doesn't have much time left. Qingye and I, we are already... suffering in hell. His revenge has already been served, hasn't it?"
"I will take Qingye away. We will disappear from this world forever."
"So, Ah Jing, I want to ask you a favor. After he becomes Emperor, please tell Luo Yuan that I did not tell Jiang Qi about the uprising. I only followed him and guessed that soldiers had infiltrated the refugees, but I didn't tell anyone."
"Regardless of what happens, please convey my apologies to Luo Yuan. For everything, I am very, very, very... sorry."