Chapter Nine Dare to Go

  On the road, people carrying mud and dry grass would occasionally pass by, bustling with noise. The few people from Da Xuan Miao couldn't help but ask around, and upon hearing that it was for repairing the roof of Xiao Xuan Miao Temple on the mountain, they felt a mix of emotions in their hearts.

  "This woman has gotten money from who-knows-where again." A little kid whispered, "She can't even afford food and drink, yet she's building a house."

  Just as they were talking, a Taoist nun suddenly let out a loud cry.

  "Look, look!" she cried, pointing out of the door with her hand.

  The gate was wide open, and at a glance, one could see a twelve or thirteen-year-old boy walking by on the road outside, with both hands grasping a kite.

  "What's so great about a kite?" The little boy pouted and said, "Although it's rare to see one at this time of year, it's not that unusual."

  "Not her," said the Taoist nun.

  Girl?

  Everyone looked over and saw a little girl walking towards the young man. The young man held up the kite in his hand to show her, seemingly asking if it was okay.

  "Ah, it's that nun!" a Taoist priestess exclaimed.

  "Which one?" the little boy asked in confusion.

  "It was she, on the mountain, who gave the old man sugar plums," said the Taoist nun.

  Immortal! The little boy was greatly shocked and immediately ran out, others also followed in a hurry, even the host came over.

  "If it's that young lady, just say thank you and pass on a message to that old man." she said.

  Several people rushed out of the door, and the woman and young man had already left.

  "This young lady..." a Taoist nun was about to shout, but seeing they were heading towards the small Xuanmiao Temple on the mountain, her voice came to an abrupt halt.

  Two men carrying mud baskets caught up with them.

  "Girl, the fodder can't be delivered until after noon." they said.

  "Don't delay anymore, it must be done this afternoon," said Yatou.

  A group of people walked up the mountain chatting, while the Taoist nuns outside the Da Xuan Miao Temple stared blankly.

  "Ah, that immortal, is he living in the Xiao Xuan Miao Temple?" The little boy said, turning his head to look at his sisters, "The immortal wouldn't live there, would he!"

  The Taoist nuns also looked embarrassed and somewhat disappointed.

  "It turns out that it's because of the new lodger that the house needs repairs." The innkeeper said, nodding his head.

  The girl grabbed a paper kite and ran inside the door first.

  "Girl, girl, how's this?" she shouted loudly.

  "There's a big swallow here too." The young man shouted from behind, holding up the paper kite and running in as well.

  How silly, how old are you and still playing this?

  The homeowner standing in the courtyard shook his head and pursed his lips as he watched the tile worker repair the roof.

  "Hey, half-chin!" She thought for a moment and shouted, "Take your wife out to have some fun, it's too chaotic here."

  The girl in the courtyard responded with a "yes" and soon helped out Chang Jiaoniang, who was wearing a bamboo hat.

  "Why can't it fly?"

  "Girl, it's windless today..."

  "I want to fly, I want to fly."

  "Green plum sister I'm coming, I run fast."

  For several days in a row, the mountain has been echoing with the shouts of the young boy and that fool, and there have also been paper kites shaking in the air, but they can't fly for long before falling down, once even hitting the master's shoulder.

  "Oh dear, it's not the right season for this, and we can't play on the mountain either." said an old craftsman.

  "It doesn't matter, she doesn't understand that anyway. As long as she's happy, let her be however she wants." The host said with a smile.

  The craftsmen have known for several days that the woman is a fool.

  "How pitiful." They all whispered in unison.

  Foolish people lack wisdom and naturally don't understand anything.

  When night falls, the craftsmen start to get off work.

  The girl in the house handed a long iron rod to the young man.

  "Are you going to press this onto the roof?" The young man asked in confusion.

  "It was, the old lady said that year, where the girl lives must have this, it's called Ding Shen needle. With this, the girl's three souls and six spirits will slowly return." Yatou said, "It was what the half- qing girl told before she left."

  These things young people don't bother to care about, anyway they took someone else's money and did things for them. For the first time in their life, they earned so much money, feeling like a real adult, extremely pleased with themselves.

  "Alright, I'll go now." He said, grabbing the iron rod and leaving.

  "Slow down, quietly, don't let others see, or it won't work." The maid hurriedly instructed.

  The boy shouted and ran away quickly.

  The mistress let out a sigh of relief as she finished her work outside, standing and watching every day was also tiring. Fortunately, there were only a few more days until the end of the project. She told the two little boys to watch the door and lock it after people left, then went inside to rest herself. As soon as she sat down on the cushion, the man came in carrying a wine jug.

  Taking advantage of the workman's presence, the man also came over to help with the heavy labor, passing mud and water, but of course he was unwilling to do any hard work. When everyone else left, he lingered behind, then simply stayed put and refused to leave.

  "Haven't they left yet? How did you get in!" The woman shouted in a low voice, startled.

  "No one saw it." The man said with a smile, seemingly careless.

  What's it to them if someone sees? Who would carelessly intervene in others' business?

  "Come on, Fairy Maiden, you must be tired. Come and have a drink to refresh yourself." He said with a smile as he walked over.

  She glared at him, but she wasn't afraid. As long as no one was being bullied in bed, who could say anything? They dared to speak, and they would still have to clear her name! Tarnishing her reputation meant tarnishing the reputation of the Cheng family. There were hardly any people in Jiangzhou Prefecture who dared to mess with the Northern Chengs.

  Just as they had poured their wine, a loud thud was heard from above.

  "What's wrong? Go and take a look." The host was startled and got up immediately.

  "Ah, it's those craftsmen who have finished work and thrown things away again," said the man.

  Is it?

  "Are they all gone?" The host asked outwardly.

  "There is another one." The little boy said shakily outside.

  The man gave the host a "see, I told you so" look.

  "Hurry up, it's getting dark!" The host shouted.

  The child outside responded with a shout, and soon the courtyard fell silent.

  The night color enveloped Xiaodao Guan.

  The lamp in the house was dim, and Yatou looked at Cheng Jiaoniang.

  "Daughter, daughter wants me to go over there and borrow a vegetable knife?" she asked.

  "Yes." Jingniang said, looking at her.

  The girl responded with a "oh" and didn't ask what I was borrowing the dishes for, she just turned around and left.

  "That man should be there," said Chiang Niang.

  Ya Tou's body stiffened instantly, she bit her lower lip, but still took a step forward.

  I want you to do something, dare you? The girl asked her and she also replied, even if I die, I dare, what else can't be dared.

  The daughter did not let her die, but rather made her listen to her own words and do whatever she said.

  "If she invites you to sit down and drink together, you should have a cup. But only one cup," continued Cheng Jiaoniang, "If she tries to persuade you again, just say it's going to rain and you need to go back to accompany me."

  The corners of her mouth were bitten until they bled, she couldn't help but look up at the sky outside, it had been several days in a row of clear good weather, hot enough to catch up with the scorching summer, although the night was cool and moonless and starless, not even a hint of rain?

  Can such an absurd excuse set her free?

  But...

  "Yes." She said, and stepped out with a raised foot.

  A distance that was neither long nor short, Yatou seemed to have walked for a lifetime, but no matter how long it was, there was still an end point. She stood in front of the courtyard gate, and the night wind carried the faint sound of men's and women's laughter.

  The girl raised her hand and knocked on the door, and the faint sound of laughter suddenly disappeared.

  "Who is it?"

  A faint and trembling voice came from inside.

  The girl took a few deep breaths.

  "It's me, Banjin," she said, "I've come to borrow some green vegetables."