Chapter 82: After the New Year (Part Two)

“Today is New Year’s Day, little lady, how about we take a stroll down the main street? Chu’er feels a bit bored—no, really bored. It’s been months since I’ve filched anything...”

“If you’re planning to steal again, then I won’t take you out. I’ll leave you at the Princess’s estate, so you don’t go wreaking havoc on other households!”

“Hey, little lady, you can’t say that. Chu’er is a professional thief—there’s nothing I haven’t pilfered, except maybe your undergarments...”

“Hey! Chu’er, what kind of monster are you? When did this happen? You’ve touched every part of me?!”

“I am transformed by the Monkey King, not a monster. It was a long time ago…”

Imitating the storyteller’s cadence, Hua Chu’er diligently kneaded shoulders and pounded arms, eagerly serving the little lady. Once she was satisfied, they could finally go out for a walk. Chu’er was not the type to stay in one place for ten hours, let alone ten days or a month.

“Mm, keep pounding, use a bit more force, yes, just like that, good, comfortable.”

“Then will the little lady take Chu’er out to play? It’s New Year’s after all.” Hua Chu’er seized the moment to voice her request, her tiny fists pounding away.

“Mm, actually, I think the gifts prepared for the children are still lacking. I want to go out and look for more, and the carpenters are making some toys too. I’m sure they’ll like them. New Year’s gifts, you see. Chu’er, do you want one?”

“Yes, absolutely! What will you give me?”

“Mm~ I’ll tell you tonight!”

Sitting in the carriage, they passed by He Gong Pavilion. Lifting the curtain, she didn’t see Old He fishing, and felt a slight pang of disappointment. It seemed Old He was at home; she’d visit him for New Year’s greetings after court tomorrow. Too bad Doctor Yan wasn’t around.

After traveling for quite some time, they arrived at East Market, which was closer to Qujiang Pond. It took just over an hour by carriage at a brisk pace; walking would take three hours without strong legs, two hours with them.

Getting out, Wu Yue Ling strode along the street. Things were different now—if a robber showed up, she’d strip them down and toss them in a stinky ditch in no time.

Looking around, the vendors selling fried rice balls, the hawkers crying their wares, made for a lively scene. There were many stalls selling foreign flatbread, and not just that, but also a kind of steamed pastry. Wu Yue Ling bought four pieces of sweet cake adorned with red dates, one for each of Wan’er, Xiao Chun and the others.

Wu Yue Ling eyed Yu Chao’en, the little eunuch swallowing nervously nearby. She thought, though he hadn’t done anything extraordinary, he’d endured a lot with her; even if he wasn’t always honest, he’d worked hard. Now, he’d more or less reformed.

Yet these red date cakes were for women, to replenish their blood. But a little eunuch could eat them, too, so she bought him one. Yu Chao’en was moved to tears, thanking her repeatedly—it showed the Princess hadn’t forgotten him. He devoured it in a few bites.

Continuing forward, Wu Yue Ling noticed a crowd watching a performance—not the usual chest-breaking act, but a lynx leaping through a ring of fire. Sadly, she hadn’t brought her own little lynx. The performing lynx was robust as a wolf, lithe and elegant. By comparison, her own was round and chubby, like a native Garfield cat—rolling on the ground could serve as a bowling ball. She only hoped the little white tiger wouldn’t grow sideways like that; otherwise, two chubby cubs together would be quite a sight.

On the other side, things were even livelier. A bonfire crackled with dry bamboo, and a group of foreign dancers with blue eyes and high noses—beautiful and spirited—spun their skirts to the lively beat of flutes and drums, whirling endlessly as if they never got dizzy.

“How fascinating and prosperous! Chang’an truly feels grand—open and tolerant!” Wu Yue Ling stood by, listening to the rhythm, her body unconsciously keeping time.

“If the Princess likes these foreign dancers, I can go to Madam Tie in the Western Market and procure some for you,” Yu Chao’en bowed low, trying to please.

She stopped keeping time, watching the dozen dancers whirl with joy, their faces like flowers blooming on the ground. Yet, she saw no happiness in their expressions—just puppet-like masks, void of soul. “A profusion of blossoms, but nothing more—still tinged with decay. I don’t care for it!”

Yu Chao’en didn’t understand why the Princess’s tone had shifted, so he dared not say more.

With her retinue, Wu Yue Ling moved through the crowd, when suddenly a youth, head and face shrouded, crashed toward them. Wu Yue Ling dodged, and the youth collided with Hua Chu’er.

“Hey, what’s going on?” Hua Chu’er cried out, turning to look at the fleeing, frail figure. She checked her waist for the Flying Flower Token—gone!

“Well, there’s a thief! Someone stole from Chu’er!” Hua Chu’er pouted angrily and spun around to chase. “Dare to mess with the master thief? Wait and see how Chu’er strips you bare, little rogue!”

Hua Chu’er leaped into action, stepping on the heads of passersby, knocking aside one after another, chasing after the frail youth.

Wu Yue Ling watched Chu’er’s rapid pursuit and burst into laughter. This was the proverbial—

A thief crying “catch the thief!”

She mused that even the master thief could stumble into trouble, especially when meeting a fellow thief. Remarkable.

Big thief catching little thief, curiosity piqued, she pushed through the crowd in the direction Chu’er had gone, arriving at a quieter alley. Even with fewer people, Chu’er pinning a thief and stripping their clothes drew many curious eyes. On New Year’s Day, what were they doing in a back alley?

Wu Yue Ling stepped closer and saw the master thief pressing a little thief, peeling off the outer garments. As the linen wrapping the head fell away, the thief’s jet-black hair tumbled down, revealing a delicate doll-like face.

She clapped her hands in surprise—it was a girl!

Hua Chu’er was stunned. Holding the girl beneath her, she cocked her head, brows furrowed, and looked left and right, unable to bring herself to strike.

She waved the Flying Flower Token before the girl. “Tell me, do you know what this token is?”

The girl shook her head decisively—she had no idea. Her stomach rumbled loudly, and her cheeks flushed; she hadn’t eaten in ages.

Wu Yue Ling stepped forward, observing their awkward position. “Say, do you two need a wall between you?”

Hua Chu’er and the girl: ???

They went to a noodle shop and ordered several bowls of thumb-sized noodles. The girl devoured ten bowls in a row, like a famished spirit, and was now working on her eleventh.

“Slow down, goodness, you don’t have to eat so much at once...” Wu Yue Ling propped her chin, watching in amazement.

The girl slurped some noodles and sipped scallion oil soup. “No, I’d rather eat till I burst than starve!”

“How about this, little one, today’s meeting is fate. I can see you’re gifted and extraordinary—responsible for world peace, perhaps! I have a deed of sale here—ten copper coins, and you’re mine. Why not come to the Princess’s estate as a servant?”

Wu Yue Ling took out a sheet of white paper, pushing it toward the girl; the ink was still fresh.

The girl stared at the deed for a long time, glanced at the five beautiful sisters, then at the eunuch grinning slyly. “Are you from the Princess’s estate? Not a brothel? I won’t be a courtesan!”

“Yes, this is the famous Princess of the Protectors’ Estate!” Yu Chao’en chimed in, gesturing.

The girl’s brows knitted in confusion as she scrutinized the woman in green, then nodded. “I heard the Princess of the Protectors is all reputation, just a country bumpkin...”

“How dare you!” Yu Chao’en’s eyes bulged, scolding loudly, attracting curious glances.

“Ugh, Yu Chao’en, shut up! Stop spouting nonsense!” Wu Yue Ling scolded him. She didn’t care about gossip, and whispered, “Honestly, I am from the countryside, but now I’m a Princess. How about it? Stick with me, and you’ll eat meat every day!”

The girl’s eyes sparkled and she happily signed the deed—so long as she had food and wouldn’t starve!

Later, Wu Yue Ling learned the little girl was eleven, named Yu Miao Miao, recently fallen on hard times in Chang’an. After arriving at the Princess’s estate, within days, Hua Chu’er took her as a disciple.

She forcibly changed her name to Hua Miao’er...