Chapter Sixty-Five: Journey to Huazhou (I)
While Su Nanxing was brushing Tao Ming’s hair, she muttered, “Once we’re inside the Imperial City, I’ll make you some new clothes. You’ll need to change several times a day.”
Tao Ming felt a headache coming on at the thought. “What a ridiculous custom. Wouldn’t it be better to spend the money on something else?”
“In the past, when I took you shopping, you never went near those luxury boutiques. You always picked out cheap things, saying you were saving me money. Now the Su family sells those very luxuries. What excuse do you have left?”
Tao Ming rolled her eyes. “Let me tell you the truth. There’s only one reason I don’t buy those expensive clothes.”
“And what reason is that?”
Tao Ming grinned mischievously. “If a piece of clothing can’t go in the washing machine, it’s not a good piece of clothing.”
Su Nanxing suddenly understood. “No wonder all the clothes you buy are machine-washable and wrinkle-free!”
Once her hair was done, Tao Ming realized she’d forgotten to bring out any jewelry. She reached up, curious, and asked, “What’s on my head?”
Su Nanxing held a mirror up in front of her. Tao Ming focused on her reflection—her dark hair was gathered into an elegant chignon, adorned with a silver hairpin. At its tip was a butterfly poised to take flight, with delicate tassels hanging down.
She shook her head curiously, and the tassels swayed along with her movements. “This hairpin is quite beautiful.”
Su Nanxing laughed softly. “That’s not a hairpin—it’s called a ‘buyao.’ Years ago, I saw one by chance and promised myself I’d give it to my wife someday. Today, I finally kept that promise.”
“Why didn’t you give it to me before?”
“When have you ever grown your hair long before now?”
Tao Ming pouted. “What’s this hairstyle called?”
“‘Clouds brushing the fragrance chignon.’ I learned it recently from the maid who brushes my mother’s hair.”
Tao Ming looked at him strangely. “Why did you learn that?”
Su Nanxing replied with conviction, “So I could brush your hair properly!”
Tao Ming’s star-bright eyes glimmered. She threw a flirtatious glance at Su Nanxing, and he felt half his body go numb, lowering his head to kiss her.
Softly, from the side, came a dissatisfied voice. “Daddy, I’m still here!”
Su Nanxing raised his head in embarrassment. “What are you doing here?”
“We’re waiting for you to brush our hair, both Nuonuo and me!”
...
The four of them finished getting ready and opened the door to find Mu Zhong standing outside. Su Nanxing frowned. “Do you have a habit of eavesdropping?”
Mu Zhong replied awkwardly, “I knocked for ages, but no one answered.”
No one would answer—after all, the soundproofing array had only just been removed.
Tao Ming pushed past Su Nanxing and asked, “Are we about to leave?”
Mu Zhong stepped aside. “I have something to discuss with you.”
Su Nanxing was immediately displeased. “Did your master send you?”
Mu Zhong shook his head.
Tao Ming guessed it must be about the incident yesterday when she saved him. “Speak your piece.”
Mu Zhong glanced at Su Nanxing. “I’d like to speak with you alone.”
Su Nanxing was about to protest, but Tao Ming picked up Nuonuo and placed her in his arms, then turned to Mu Zhong. “Is there breakfast?”
“It’s prepared downstairs.”
Tao Ming handed Softly over as well. “Take them to breakfast first.”
Su Nanxing lingered, but Tao Ming kissed him on the lips and said, “I’ll be right there.”
Reluctantly, Su Nanxing carried the two little ones downstairs, lowering his voice to ask Softly, “When Daddy’s not home, does any uncle come looking for Mommy?”
Softly pursed her lips. “Which uncle do you mean?”
Su Nanxing was startled—there was more than one? He quickly asked, “How many have you seen?”
Softly thought it over. “There’s the water delivery uncle. He always brings my toys to amuse me, but I don’t like him at all. And then there’s Xuanxuan’s dad. He brings Xuanxuan to play with me and always brings snacks.”
Su Nanxing’s mood soured as he listened. “Xuanxuan’s dad?”
Softly grew excited, her eyes sparkling. “He owns a supermarket! So many snacks!”
Su Nanxing took note of this man, then coaxed Softly. “Daddy will buy you even more snacks from now on. Don’t pay attention to them.”
“Why? I actually like Xuanxuan.”
Su Nanxing thought to himself, this fellow was quite cunning—his wife and child were both being eyed! No, he would have to keep a close watch over his precious family. He continued to coax Softly, “From now on, Daddy will play with you, so you won’t need those people.”
Softly was a bit unhappy. “But Mommy said I should make more friends—it’ll be good for me.”
Su Nanxing’s mind raced. “Now you have a little sister. How about Mommy gives you a little brother to play with?”
“Yes, yes! I love being a big sister!”
Nuonuo thought to herself, Softly really is easy to fool.
...
Once Su Nanxing’s figure had disappeared, Mu Zhong finally spoke. “Thank you for yesterday. I can never repay you for saving my life…”
Tao Ming cut him off, “Please, don’t even think about offering yourself in gratitude!”
Mu Zhong thought, I wouldn’t dare!
Seeing his face flush, Tao Ming laughed. “I’m just teasing. No need to thank me.”
Mu Zhong grew solemn, speaking with determination. “If you ever need anything, I will do my utmost to help.”
Tao Ming felt a headache coming on. She’d only saved him out of compassion—she didn’t want anything in return. As she pondered how to dissuade him, Mu Zhong stepped forward, pressed something into her hand, and turned to leave.
Tao Ming was puzzled. What was he doing, sneaking around?
She squeezed it. It felt like a bundle of cloth. She retreated into the room and closed the door, seeing in her hand a neatly folded strip of fabric.
Could it be a love letter? Oh my, who would’ve thought Mu Zhong was the type to write a love letter!
Curious, she unfolded the cloth strip. Four characters were written: “Beware of Niaoniao.”
She immediately clenched her fist, tucking the strip into her spatial ring. Her heart pounded uncontrollably.
What did Mu Zhong mean by this?
Beware of Niaoniao—why should she be wary of her?
She didn’t know Niaoniao at all, had neither grievances nor ties, not even the faintest connection!
Unable to figure it out, she heard Su Nanxing calling from outside, “Honey, come down for breakfast!”
Tao Ming steadied herself and went downstairs to eat.
Inside, she saw only Su Nanxing and the two little ones. She asked, “Where is everyone else?”
“They finished ages ago—it’s just the four of us left.”
Tao Ming sat down to eat. Su Nanxing looked after the children as he ate, managing to exchange a few words with Tao Ming. Noticing her lack of enthusiasm, he guessed Mu Zhong must have said something earlier. Once they were alone, he’d make sure to ask her.
After breakfast, the four of them gathered in front of the building. Su Nanxing called out, “We’re ready.”
The Seventh Prince and his retinue emerged one by one.
When everyone was assembled, the Seventh Prince said, “Let’s go.”
Tao Ming covered her face again, picked up Nuonuo, and followed Su Nanxing outside.
In the front courtyard, the Qin family guards who had accompanied them were already mounted, and a carriage stood nearby.
This carriage was much smaller—about five meters long, three meters wide, and two meters high. The carriage was painted green, with two dragon horses harnessed to pull it.
The Seventh Prince said to Tao Ming, “Take the carriage.”
Tao Ming first helped Nuonuo up, lifted her skirts, and prepared to climb in, but Su Nanxing simply picked her up and placed her inside.
The Seventh Prince thought to himself, what an eye-full so early in the morning! He climbed aboard as well, and the carriage slowly set out.
Inside, the carriage was straightforward—a single compartment, with a carpet covering the floor, a low table in the center, and bare walls all around.
Tao Ming sat beside the table, removed the white cloth from her face, and brought out toys for the children. Finally she asked, “How far is it to the Imperial City?”
Su Nanxing replied with an air of mystery, “Soon you’ll witness the Su family’s grand spectacle.”