[Huang Rong - Mother and Wife] (Huang Rong's journey from mother to wife) (9 chapters)

page views:1 Publication date:2022-09-28

Author: love柳暗 Word Count: 12800 :threbd-9117015-1-1.
Guo Polu traveled along the official road for several days, enjoying the scenery as he went. When hungry, he ate the dry rations he had brought. When thirsty, he drank tea from roadside stalls. When tired, he rested in dilapidated houses and temples for the night. Although he wasn't used to it at first, he gradually adapted after a few times.
However, having never experienced hardship before, he couldn't help but show signs of fatigue, with some small scratches on his body and a darker complexion. Everything on the road was so new and exciting to him. Like a child from a remote mountain village entering a big city, everything dazzled him and left him overwhelmed.
Xiangyang was also a big city, but he had never properly explored it alone. His parents always had some restrictions; now, the sky was high and the sea was wide and the birds could fly, the sea was wide and the fish could swim. The feeling of being unrestrained was incredibly exciting for him. Along the way, he rarely saw any houses. However, he saw quite a few roadside tea stalls. This solved many of his drinking water problems.
It was nearly noon again. Guo Polu looked at the sun high in the sky and licked his dry lips. His gaze searched for the roadside tea stall. Things he usually ignored were conspicuously absent now.
"Some things you only think of when you need them," Guo Polu couldn't help but sigh.
After walking for a few more quarters of an hour, the usually unremarkable tea stall finally came into view. Guo Polu perked up, and even his horse seemed to run more briskly.
"Waiter, a bowl of chilled tea!"
Guo Polu called out to the busy voices from the tea stall. Reaching the tea stall, Guo Polu immediately jumped down. He tied his horse to a nearby wooden post and sat down at the nearest table. The waiter quickly served the chilled tea, which was simply a large pot of boiling water with a few tea leaves sprinkled in and then cooled.
"And while you're at it, give my horse some hay," Guo Polu said to the waiter. The waiter called out "Greeting!" and led the horse towards the back of the teahouse. "How pleasant!" Guo Polu sipped his cool tea on this hot midday, feeling refreshed. As he savored his tea, several fast horses and a few carts, kicking up clouds of yellow dust, pulled up in front of the teahouse.
Several men in their forties dismounted; one was tall and thin, like a bamboo pole, while the other was short and stout. The two walking together were quite conspicuous. Guo Polu casually glanced at them before looking away. The men jumped off their horses and found a table near Guo Polu to sit down.
"It's so hot! Running back and forth from Lanzhou to Xiangyang is really exhausting!" one of them complained as soon as he sat down.
"Alright, alright, we've covered most of the distance. We should be back in Lanzhou before sunset."
"After we finish this deal, we can relax for a while!" the third man said.
"Everyone in Xiangyang is living in fear right now, with the Mongols eyeing us like tigers. Thankfully, we have Master Guo and his wife!"
"Yes, yes," Guo Polu, hearing them mention Xiangyang and his parents, immediately perked up his ears to listen.
"With all this war and chaos, we merchants are terrified! If Xiangyang falls one day, the Mongols will sweep south, and our family business will be ruined in our hands!"
"Sigh, saying more is pointless and only spoils the mood. Let's rest a bit
, then set off immediately." After listening for a while, Guo Polu realized there was no fighting in Xiangyang, and his heart, which had been hanging in suspense, finally settled. He abandoned the idea of immediately turning back to Xiangyang.
"According to them, Xiangyang is still safe. I'd better not go back now. At worst, I'll be away for a month or two and then rush home immediately," he thought to himself. "There's a city about half a day's journey from here. I'm quite bored traveling alone, so I'll go and see what Lanzhou is like."
Having made up his mind, he immediately got up, paid for his tea, and rode his horse towards Lanzhou. With a destination in mind, he was no longer wandering aimlessly as before. Finally, before the sun was halfway up, Guo Polu saw a city comparable to Xiangyang. "It seems this is the 'Lanzhou' those people were talking about." The large characters at the city gate confirmed his guess. He dismounted, took the reins, and followed the flow of people through the gatekeepers' checkpoint, entering the city he had seen for the first time in days.
However, there was a hint of solemnity on the faces of the people here. After thinking about it carefully, Guo Polu understood seven or eight parts of the reason. Xiangyang was in danger of being captured at any time, and Lanzhou was the next target of the Mongol army. Although they were not as terrified as the people of Xiangyang, it was not surprising that they were worried.
It was unclear whether all cities in the Southern Dynasties were laid out this way. The city gate faced the main road directly, and beside the gate lay a street of blue bricks and stones. He led his horse straight ahead, the cries of various vendors rising and falling incessantly. "New silks have arrived, everyone come and take a look!" "Fresh candied hawthorns, one bite and your mouth will water!" "A fortune teller can teach you how to ward off evil and bring good fortune!" They all boasted that they were unparalleled in heaven and earth.
There were also vendors selling rouge and face powder, fruits and vegetables, live fish, rice and pastries.
Although these were common sights in Xiangyang, he and his family had only glanced at them from afar. These extremely ordinary things made Guo Polu stop from time to time, feeling a sense of novelty. However, having been used to the quiet of his ears these past few days, the sudden noise was quite irritating.
Passing a folding fan stall, thinking about the sweltering heat of the past few days, Guo Polu stopped and bought one. With a wave of his fan, Guo Polu, already handsome with striking features and impeccably dressed, appeared quite like a refined young gentleman, fanning himself and riding his horse. Several women passing by occasionally stole glances, covering their faces. Guo Polu blushed and spurred his horse forward.
Suddenly, the commotion ahead intensified. A large group of people had formed a circle, blocking half the street corner, shouting incoherently. Intrigued, Guo Polu casually tied his horse to the railing and struggled to squeeze through the crowd. Those pushed aside looked displeased and were about to hurl insults, but seeing Guo Polu's appearance, they fell silent.
Finally, he squeezed through the crowd and heard a man's loud shout. Guo Polu looked closely and saw a burly man with thick eyebrows wielding a large sword, swinging it with a whooshing sound. The tip of the sword gleamed white, seemingly impenetrable to water.
After dancing for a while, the man stood with his feet together, arms bent upwards in a Buddhist gesture, and held the large sword horizontally on his elbows.
Just as everyone was wondering, the man made another move. He pushed his hands upwards, tossing the sword high into the air, and caught it as it fell, held high above his head. Then, he kicked one foot outwards, landing on his toes, while the other leg was slightly bent. Without moving his left hand, he slowly pulled the sword hilt to the right with his right.
With a loud shout, the man leaped into the air, wielding the sword with both hands and slashing forward with a powerful strike, "Splitting Mount Hua." As his foot landed, the sword, which had been slashing halfway through, was swung around in place with his right hand, making a whooshing sound, another strike, "Sweeping Through a Thousand Armies."
The blinding flash of the sword startled those standing in the front row, who screamed in fright. Fortunately, there was a lot of open space around the man, otherwise, the onlookers might have been injured. Many people clutched their chests, feeling a sense of relief, but seeing such a spectacular performance was worthwhile.
Then the man demonstrated various knife techniques, including chopping, stabbing, and blocking. He then went to a wooden frame in the corner and performed with a sword and a staff, drawing cheers from the surrounding crowd.
At this moment, a woman standing in the middle of the frame, holding a copper plate, loudly proclaimed, "Due to a family crisis, my brother and I have had to travel far to visit relatives. Unfortunately, we are penniless. Passing through this fortunate place, we are offering these humble performances to earn some travel expenses. We hope you will be generous and give us some money; my brother and I will be eternally grateful."
After speaking, she took the copper plate and walked towards the people at the front. Everyone wanted to see a good show, but as soon as they saw the money involved, the onlookers all shrank back. After walking halfway around, the woman's copper plate was still empty. This made her and her brother, who had witnessed the scene, feel a pang of disappointment. When she reached Guo Polu, there was a "clang." The woman looked up and saw a silver ingot, which made her glance at Guo Polu a few more times. She kept saying, "Thank you, young master, thank you, young master."
As for Guo Polu, he was born into a martial arts family. His parents and maternal grandfather were top-tier masters in the Central Plains.
The flashy but impractical moves of the man before him were naturally beneath his notice. But firstly, he wanted to see a good show; secondly, after hearing the woman's description, he felt a pang of compassion. As the saying goes, "A man of the martial world helps another in need," so he didn't hesitate to take out a silver ingot and put it into the woman's copper plate.
It seemed Guo Polu had set an example, for a young man in blue stepped forward and addressed the crowd, saying, "I don't understand chivalry or martial virtue, but I know about helping those in need. Although I'm short of money, seeing such a spectacular display of martial arts, I'll do my part. I hope this young lady won't find it offensive."
He then placed a few copper coins into the woman's copper plate. The woman thanked him profusely. A few others scattered coins, but most remained unmoved. Seeing the man was no longer performing, they grew bored and walked away.
The woman and her brother, seeing everyone leaving, packed up and left, presumably to find another place to continue their performance.
Guo Polu, finding nothing else to do, retrieved his horse and strode forward. His location was precisely where the young man in blue had been. The young man's chivalrous act had made Guo Polu glance at him several times, and a desire to befriend him arose within him.
"Young master, my surname is Guo. I was deeply impressed by your actions just now. Would you do me the honor of sharing a drink with me?" Guo Polu bowed to the young man in blue and spoke.
"So it's Brother Guo. My surname is Hu, and my given name is Qing. Your magnanimity just now made me truly ashamed. I shouldn't have embarrassed myself. Please forgive me, Young Master Guo." The young man in blue waved his hands repeatedly, looking unworthy of the honor.
"Brother Hu, you are mistaken. We value chivalry, not wealth. Even if someone has billions in wealth, what use is it to those two if they wouldn't contribute a single penny? Young Master Hu, though your wealth is meager, your friendship is profound, and you genuinely helped those brother and sister. Comparing the two, which is superior?"
"Uh, but a few copper coins are truly a drop in the ocean, not worth mentioning, not worth mentioning at all!" Unexpectedly, Guo Polu was eloquent and his reasoning was clear. The young man in blue didn't know how to answer, so he could only shake his head and sigh.
The two walked and talked, enjoying each other's company immensely, as if they had known each other for a long time.
As time passed, it was getting dark, and some places were already lit up. The two walked through a street, with teahouses and restaurants lined up one after another. Seeing a restaurant, Guo Polu's stomach started to rumble.
"I haven't had a proper meal these past few days, eating and sleeping outdoors. I'll treat myself to a good meal tonight." "It's
getting late, how about I treat you to a few drinks tonight, brother? We can chat while we drink." He said, inviting Hu Qing inside . "So Brother Guo also enjoys a drink, that's wonderful. I also like to have a few drinks sometimes. But tonight, it's my treat." Hu Qing replied, following Guo Polu into a restaurant called "Yuelai Lou". The tables near the entrance were already full, so they had to choose a table further inside to sit down. The waiter, while wiping the table after serving the tea, asked, "What would you like to eat, sir? Our dishes are truly renowned in the area, with a constant stream of repeat customers." "Alright, alright, bring me braised lion's head meatballs, steamed salmon, egg drop soup, stir-fried beef, Mapo tofu, and a pot of good wine. Oh, and a few side dishes to go with the wine," Guo Polu interrupted the waiter's boastful talk, "and some hay for my horse's stall outside." " Coming right away, just a moment, the food will be ready soon." "Wait, can I stay here?" "Of course, the first floor is for dining, and the second floor has guest rooms. Food and lodging are all included." "That's excellent. Go and reserve a room for me, and also take my horse's belongings upstairs." "Brother Hu, is there anything else you'd like to order?" Guo Polu dismissed the waiter and asked Hu Qing. "No need, that's enough, enough. Even three or four people can't finish it. It's a bit extravagant for just the two of us. The situation at the front is tense right now, and the Song soldiers don't have much food. Let's save as much as we can." This earned Guo Polu another round of admiration. While waiting, a slightly gentle voice broke their conversation, "Greetings, gentlemen. I see that this is the only seat left. May I share a table with you?" "Of course, please have a seat, sir," Hu Qing quickly stood up to greet them. Guo Polu looked up and saw a scholar-like figure with fair skin and red lips approaching. His long hair was tied into a small bun on top of his head with a blue silk ribbon, the rest cascading down his back. He wore a silver-white inner robe and a long blue outer robe. The man had a face like white jade and was exceptionally handsome, holding a folding fan. Seeing that his table was indeed the only empty seat, Guo Polu quickly invited him to sit down. "Such a refined gentleman must be captivating countless women," Guo Polu thought. However, he seemed to smell a fragrance emanating from the scholar, a fragrance usually associated with women. "This man is dashing and charming; surely many women would throw themselves at him. He might even have traces of women's rouge and powder on him, which makes sense," Guo Polu mentally explained. The man sat down and clasped his hands in a fist salute to the two men: "My name is Miao Gongrong. I hope you two gentlemen will forgive my intrusion." "Brother Miao, you flatter us. We'd love to have someone to drink and drink with us." " Indeed, Brother Miao, please don't be so polite." During their conversation, they introduced themselves. The waiters had already started serving the dishes. "Why don't we eat while we wait?" Hu Qing suggested. "Alright, as Brother Hu suggests. Come, let me fill your cups, Brother Hu and Brother Gongrong's." Guo Polu picked up the wine pot and filled their cups, then filled his own as well. "It's fate that we meet; I'd like to offer you both a toast." Guo Polu raised his cup to the two men. "Brother Guo, you're too kind. Then I'll take this opportunity to offer you both a toast as well," Miao Gongrong replied. "Alright, bottoms up!" The three of them tossed their heads back and downed their cups of wine. "Come on, have some," Guo Polu said, picking up a piece of tofu and putting it in his mouth. "Mmm, smooth and tender, with a slight bouncy texture. Not bad, not bad." Before long, the three of them had tasted all the dishes on the table. The salmon was fragrant and the fish meat was delicate; the beef was cut into large chunks and chewy; the egg drop soup was fragrant and elegant, with a slightly sweet taste. Whether it was because they hadn't eaten such a sumptuous meal for several days or because they were truly starving, even Guo Polu, who had tasted Huang Rong's cooking before, couldn't help but praise it. Naturally, in Guo Polu's heart, Huang Rong was far superior to the latter. Guo Polu's favorite dishes were Huang Rong's "Beggar's Chicken" and "Drunken Frog." "These were the two dishes that made my mother get the gluttonous Master Hong to take my father as a disciple and teach him the Eighteen Subduing Dragon Palms," Guo Polu thought with amazement. But thinking of Huang Rong's cooking, the taste of the food in front of him seemed to fade a bit, and Guo Polu put down his chopsticks and let out a soft sigh. "What's wrong, Brother Guo?" Hu Qing asked, puzzled. He had been in high spirits just now, but now he seemed a bit listless. Miao Gongrong, standing beside him, was also staring at Guo Polu with a curious expression.

"Please excuse my poor appearance, both of you. It's just that thinking of my mother's cooking makes this food seem unpalatable. I'm sorry to have spoiled your enjoyment, but I'll punish myself with a drink." Before the two could speak, he poured himself a full glass of wine and downed it in one gulp.
"Oh, I'm a little curious! Does Brother Guo's mother have some special culinary skill that surpasses even the head chef of this restaurant? I heard he used to be the prefect's personal chef." Hu Qing looked incredulous.
"Forget it, since Brother Hu doesn't believe me, it's a waste of breath to explain!" His tone unconsciously carried a hint of anger.
"Hey, Brother Hu doesn't believe me. I didn't say what your mother's specialty is?" the man surnamed Miao asked curiously.
"'Beggar's Chicken' and 'Drunken Frog'—one bite, and I guarantee you'll never forget it!" Guo Polu almost patted his chest to guarantee it.
Miao Gongrong said sincerely, "Then Brother Guo is in for a treat."
"My mother is not only a master of the kitchen, but also a graceful lady. In my heart, she is a flawless woman," Guo Polu said, becoming more and more excited, his goodwill towards Miao Gongrong growing stronger.
"Brother Guo is so old, I didn't expect you to still be so attached to your mother, haha." Miao Gongrong said with a half-smile.
"It's a pity... she..." Guo Polu's excited expression turned somber as he seemed to remember something, and he just kept drinking.
"Brother Guo, you shouldn't drink so much. It's harmful to your health." Miao Gongrong reached out and pressed down on Guo Polu's hand as he picked up his wine cup again.
"That's right, that's right. Let's not think about those troublesome things. Today we're just drinking. Even if we have worries, we should let them go with the wine." Hu Qing felt bad seeing the two of them talking to each other and leaving him aside.
"Speaking of which, I shouldn't have doubted Brother Guo's words. I should be punished." He wanted to use this to dispel Guo Polu's previous displeasure.
"Brother Hu, you're too kind. I didn't control my emotions just now, and I was also at fault."
"That's more like it. Come on, let's
drink some more," Miao Gongrong said from the middle. The three of them resumed drinking and eating. Miao Gongrong, feigning that he couldn't hold his liquor, only drank two or three cups, while Hu Qing and Guo Polu finished most of the pot of wine. The two men were already slightly flushed and a little drunk.
"I wonder if you two gentlemen have eaten and drunk your fill? Would you like to order a few more dishes?"
"We haven't finished eating yet, Brother Guo, there's no need to order any more. Besides, we've already eaten," Hu Qing said, biting his tongue.
Seeing this, Guo Polu didn't order any more dishes. He just shouted
, "Waiter, the bill!" The waiter came over in response. "Have you gentlemen finished eating?" After receiving an affirmative answer, he quoted the price of the food and wine, "A pot of fine Shaoxing wine, five dishes, plus some odds and ends, let's say two taels of silver." The waiter looked very generous.
Guo Polu simply said "okay" and reached for his waist to take out his money. But Miao Gongrong stopped him, and Guo Polu looked puzzled.
"This meal is on me. If it weren't for Brother Guo and Brother Hu letting me sit at the same table, I'd probably still be starving."
He said firmly.
"No, that won't do. How can I let Brother Gongrong pay?" Guo Polu shook his head repeatedly. He still reached for his wallet.
"It seems Brother Guo looks down on me. Then I'll take my leave."
"Brother Guo, since Brother Miao has said so, don't argue." Hu Qing said to Guo Polu, seeing Miao Gongrong's displeasure.
"Alright then, I've made Brother Miao pay." Guo Polu didn't insist anymore.
"That's right, here you go." Miao Gongrong said with a smile, calling the waiter to pay the bill.
"It's still early. How about you two come with me to enjoy the night view?" Hu Qing suggested to the two.
"That's fine, I'm not sleepy at all." Guo Polu agreed after thinking about it.
"Brother Wang, how did it go?" Seeing that he had persuaded one of them, Hu Qing turned to Miao Gongrong and said.
"Since you two are so interested, then I'll gladly accept."
"Let's go then." Seeing that both of them agreed, Hu Qing immediately got up and walked towards the door. Guo Polu and Miao Gongrong followed. When
the three of them came out of the restaurant, it was already completely dark outside. They had no choice but to ask the waiter to find lanterns. They lit the candles, covered them with paper covers, and went out. The streets were no longer bustling and noisy like during the day; only a few people occasionally walked past them. Some of the larger shops still had lanterns hanging; otherwise, their lanterns wouldn't have illuminated much of the area.
The three of them walked aimlessly for a while.
"Brother Hu, you're from Lanzhou, do you have any good places to go around here?" Guo Polu stopped and asked.
"How about the gambling den? They have dice, dominoes, you name it."
"A smoky, chaotic place, no way." Guo Polu shook his head vigorously. "Even if there's a nice view at night, we won't see anything." Hu Qing looked thoughtful. "How about we go listen to some music, and soothe our stomachs after drinking?" He looked at the two of them hopefully.
"Okay, that sounds good. Lead the way." Guo Polu was a little impatient, while Miao Gongrong seemed indifferent.
"Follow me."
Hu Qing led the two of them around several street corners with practiced ease, stopping opposite a brightly lit building. The two of them looked up and saw the sign "Fengchun Pavilion." Miao Gongrong frowned slightly, a hint of disgust flashing in his eyes.
Guo Polu looked closely: several women dressed flamboyantly, their faces obscured, stood at the opposite entrance, laughing and joking. When they saw a man walk by, they would approach him as if they were old friends, grabbing his hand or tugging at his clothes. They kept saying things like, "Sir, come in and have a seat, have a drink to relax," "Oh, Master Xu, it's been so long! Have you found another lover and are ignoring me?" and "Young Master Li, I've missed you so much these past few days!" Some of the men being pulled would curse and walk away, but the women didn't seem to care; others would put their arms around the women pulling them and walk inside, their faces beaming.
"This can't be... can't be..." Guo Polu asked in shock.
Seeing Hu Qing's affirmative expression, he immediately turned to leave.
"Brother Hu, what can I say about you? How could you come to such a place!" Guo Polu exclaimed incredulously.
"Brother Guo, I have never done anything so immoral," Hu Qing hurriedly explained, seeing Guo Polu's expression. "There was Liu Xiahui in ancient times who remained unmoved even with a woman in his lap. Although I cannot claim to be a virtuous gentleman, I know how to maintain my integrity. Every time I come, I only drink and listen to music; I am absolutely not as despicable as you think. I never imagined that you would consider me so vulgar. Forget it, I have been too kind of you
, Brother Guo. I will take my leave now." He looked heartbroken, as if he had been greatly wronged. "Yes, I saw him helping others and being generous, and his words were full of righteousness. Brother Hu is definitely not that kind of person. I was prejudiced and misunderstood him," Guo Polu said regretfully.
"I'm sorry, Brother Hu, I was prejudiced and judged you by my own standards. Please forgive me," Guo Polu said sincerely to Hu Qing.
"It is also my fault for not explaining things to you both in detail beforehand, which led to the misunderstanding."
"Alright, let's go back then," Miao Gongrong, who had been silent until now, said to Guo Polu.
"That's right, that's right. We can't stay here any longer."
"Brother Guo, do you really look down on women of the night?" Hu Qing asked.
"Isn't that right? They could have lived a peaceful life, why would they choose to fall into prostitution!" Guo Polu said matter-of-factly. At the same time, he thought, "These women are either promiscuous or wanton; I must never touch them."
"Some women are indeed fickle. But do you think the others were born prostitutes?
Would they debase themselves like this, enjoying being played with by men? Some were sold by their families to pay off debts;
some were threatened with their own lives; some were forced by circumstances to survive. It's just that heaven didn't give them wealthy families. If they had rich families, would they have become prostitutes? Even if prostitution is shameful, they support themselves with their bodies, which is more respectable than those murderous robbers, or those corrupt officials who take bribes and exploit others." These words left Guo Polu speechless, shaking some of his long-held beliefs. Although he sensed something was wrong, he didn't know how to refute it. Miao Gongrong, on the other hand, remained calm, his thoughts unknown.
"Besides, do you think all women in brothels sell their bodies? Some women are skilled in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting; they are in brothels for various reasons. But they never sell their bodies. If forced to serve customers, they would rather die than betray their chastity. What do you think of such talented and strong-willed women, Brother Guo?" Hu Qing gave Guo Polu another dose of harsh medicine. Guo Polu's mind was hazy, and he was completely stunned by Hu Qing's words.
He stood there, stunned, but his expression had softened considerably.
Hu Qing continued, "I wonder if Brother Guo would still like to go to this place that you consider filthy, to have a drink and enjoy some music?"
Guo Polu was tempted by what he said, but he was still a little hesitant.
"Is Brother Guo still afraid of his parents' scolding and dare not go in?"
Whether it was the alcohol emboldening him or Hu Qing touching on some sore spot, it was unclear. Guo Polu immediately strode towards the "Phoenix Spring Pavilion," leaving behind a stunned Miao Gongrong and a smug Hu Qing.
"Brother Miao, let's go too. Are you afraid of your parents?" Hu Qing said, then walked ahead.
A flash of anger crossed Miao Gongrong's face, but he gritted his teeth and followed.
As soon as they reached the entrance, several women rushed forward, pulling and tugging at them. The three of them dodged left and right, barely managing to escape the disturbance, when a series of lewd sounds echoed from the hall.
Inside, there was a spacious hall with a wooden platform in the center. Six massive pillars stood around the hall, draped with long, brightly colored curtains. Beside each pillar, a wooden staircase curved upwards, leading to the second floor. Every now and then, several disheveled men and women walked up the stairs, embracing each other as they entered the rooms on the second floor. Several large tables were placed in the hall, where scholars and wealthy merchants sat. With women on either side of him, the women in his arms acted coy and flirtatious, occasionally teasing and joking, or telling bawdy jokes. Guo Polu felt a chill run down his spine.
An older, unattractive woman swayed her barrel-shaped waist as she approached, flicking her silk handkerchief and saying, "Gentlemen, you look unfamiliar, it must be your first time here. Let me introduce you to the most beautiful women in our establishment, I guarantee you'll get your money's worth." She then called out to both sides, "Xiao Li, Xiao Man, you two please entertain the gentlemen first."
Guo Polu quickly waved his hand, "We've only come in for a drink and to enjoy the music and dance, we don't need any girls."
The madam's expression faltered, but she still invited them to sit down, though her tone was no longer as enthusiastic as before. As he left, he kept muttering, "Which man comes here without wanting to have fun? These blockheads, they don't want girls, they just drink, they're out of their minds!"
Suddenly, Hu Qing clutched his stomach, groaning repeatedly, and apologized to the two men, "I think I ate something bad earlier, I need to go to the outhouse. Please, gentlemen, have a seat." He stood up, walked through the crowd, and disappeared. Guo Polu and Miao Gongrong were left looking at each other in bewilderment.
Miao Gongrong got up to leave, but Guo Polu grabbed him.
"Since we're here, let's make the best of it. This isn't some wild, untamed place, so why are you so afraid, Brother Miao?"
"Brother Guo, you're as calm as still water!"
"I know this place is a den of iniquity, but as the famous Northern Dynasty poet said, 'The lotus rises from the mud unsullied, washed by clear ripples without becoming seductive.' Now that we're here, let's settle down
. As long as we rid ourselves of desires, where isn't a peaceful and tranquil place?" "Brother Guo is right. I was just being presumptuous." Miao Gongrong's eyes darted around, and he sat back down.
The two of them ordered a few side dishes and a pot of wine, drinking and waiting for Hu Qing to return. A burst of music began, and seven or eight women dressed in light gauze walked onto the wooden platform, dancing seductively. This dance was naturally more vulgar than usual, full of provocative and obscene movements. Guo Polu blushed deeply.
"Alas, this kind of dance is truly offensive. Don't look at what's improper. Let's drink." Miao Gongrong tugged at Guo Polu's sleeve.
The people at the next table were engrossed in the performance, praising it frequently. A middle-aged man remarked, "The dance is indeed quite good, but the dancer's appearance isn't particularly outstanding; otherwise, it would be even more spectacular."
"That's right, that's right. Brother Li has seen countless women; such a woman naturally wouldn't catch your eye," his tablemate flattered. He seemed to be quite famous.
"Not at all, it's just that everyone is too kind," the man surnamed Li said modestly, but the smugness on his face was impossible to hide.
This man shamelessly discussed his lewd deeds with everyone: "The respectable woman I slept with back then, the feeling, the figure... tsk tsk, not only was her lower body tight, but it even bit you inside."
His tablemates chuckled lewdly, and several prostitutes pretended to curse, "You're going to die, talking about such shameful things," but their faces were full of smiles.
"It's a pity that I've slept with so many women, but I haven't encountered a single one of those 'famous treasures' described in the books," the man surnamed Li shook his head repeatedly, looking regretful. "Brother Li, what exactly is a 'famous instrument'? Could you explain it to us in detail?" The people around him looked on with curiosity.
"I only came across this saying years ago when I accidentally came across a book called 'Essentials of the Imperial Examinations',"
he said, his face beaming as he saw the eagerness of those around him, having piqued their interest. "A 'famous instrument' is a woman's vagina that is different from ordinary women's, yet the pleasure a man experiences during intercourse far surpasses that of an ordinary woman's vagina. Naturally, the man's ejaculation is also extremely rapid. Every 'famous instrument' is uniquely endowed, truly a once-in-a-century find!" "
Then what kinds of 'famous instruments' are there?" the people around him eagerly asked.
"The White Tiger Cave, naturally hairless, is said to be associated with women with extremely strong libido, beyond the reach of ordinary men, potentially draining you to death; the Steamed Bun Cave, with full, rounded, pink and alluring labia; then there's the Water Curtain Cave, the Dragon Pearl Cave. The most peculiar is the legendary 'Nine Curves Returning to Spring, Supreme Under Heaven' Cave. The book says that Daji of the Shang Dynasty and Yang Guifei of the previous dynasty both possessed this wondrous cave. But whether it's true or not, we don't know." The man surnamed Li paused, then continued, "The 'Nine Curves Returning to Spring' Cave, it's said, the distance from the entrance to the Phoenix Palace isn't very long, but the interior is winding and continuous..." The vulva is shaped like a zigzag, hence the saying "nine bends." Inserting into this opening once is equivalent to inserting into an ordinary woman's vagina several times, not to mention its exceptional tightness and slipperiness. Ordinary men or those with short penises ejaculate after only a few insertions, making it difficult for women with this type of vulva to enjoy sexual pleasure. It's hard to know whether to feel happy or sad for them.
Those with extraordinary talent, if they can pass through the nine bends, will directly enter the woman's clitoris. The entrance to the clitoris is extremely sensitive when a foreign object is inserted. It will constantly contract and squeeze, like a small mouth tightly gripping the penis, incessantly sucking.
With the Phoenix Palace blocked, the woman's yin essence and vaginal fluids could not be released. The penis felt as if it were inserted into a slippery water bag, with muffled water sounds echoing within the woman's body—a truly wondrous experience. Reaching the Phoenix Palace through the Nine Bends was like being reborn from the dead. There was a sense of sudden enlightenment, as if entering another world; it was like all things experiencing the harsh winter and arriving in the warm spring, the spring breeze caressing the face, brimming with vitality, just like the way of nature, hence the name "Rejuvenation." The Nine Bends Rejuvenation originated from this, and this kind of intercourse was truly the highest enjoyment in life. "The man surnamed Li rattled off a whole bunch of things in one breath, his face full of longing.
"I never imagined that a woman's vagina could have such wonderful stories, what a feast for the ears, what a feast for the ears!" The people at the table clicked their tongues in amazement as if they had heard something extraordinary. "I
never expected that this person, dressed so respectably and uprightly, would be such a beast in human clothing. So shameless," Guo Polu cursed inwardly, turning around to look at Miao Gongrong, only to find that he was also looking at him. Whether it was the alcohol or the sheer audacity of the words, both men's faces flushed crimson. Seeing the contempt in each other's eyes, they exchanged a knowing smile, their mutual attraction growing stronger.
Guo Polu downed several more cups of wine, but Hu Qing still hadn't returned. Growing impatient, he stood up to go find him.
Miao Gongrong, seeing his unsteady gait, followed. Guo Polu, unaware of Hu Qing's whereabouts, stumbled towards the sounds of voices. He staggered, bumping into people and drawing angry shouts. Miao Gongrong, following behind, wore an apologetic smile, repeatedly turning back to apologize.
Suddenly, he felt himself bump into someone. Miao Gongrong turned and saw Guo Polu. For some reason, Guo Polu stopped, standing frozen in place. Following his gaze, they saw he was staring at a woman.
Guo Polu, bewitched, remained motionless, his eyes flashing with tenderness, pain, helplessness, and a hidden desire. Miao Gongrong's face flashed thoughtfully as he asked, "Could it be someone Brother Guo knows?" Seeing Guo Polu shake his head, he asked again, "Or does someone Brother Guo knows bear a resemblance to this person?" Guo Polu neither shook his head nor nodded, as if he were tacitly agreeing. Guo Polu hadn't paid much attention to the woman at first, but he happened to catch a glimpse of her smiling at someone else. That smile seemed strangely familiar, making him feel dazed and captivated. That smiling profile was just like the woman smiling at him. The more he looked at the woman, the more similar she seemed. Finally, the face in his mind and the face he saw overlapped, becoming indistinguishable.
Guo Polu saw the person hidden in his heart right before him, and walked towards her as if in a trance. The madam
was talking to "Xiao Feng," one of the most beautiful prostitutes among the many, when she felt a man approach. Looking up, she saw it was the man who had previously said he only wanted to drink. A hint of disdain rose at the corner of his mouth. "You talked so nicely before, but now you can't resist! I say, which cat in the world doesn't like fish?" But he didn't dare say it aloud. He greeted her in his usual tone, "Young master, what can I do for you?"
"Rong'er, is that you?" Guo Polu asked the woman beside the madam, his voice tinged with alcohol.
"Yes, this is Rong'er. I didn't expect you to know her, young master." The madam, seeing Guo Polu's current state, assumed he was a heartbroken man, and the man before her clearly mistook Xiao Feng for Rong'er. She figured Rong'er was his sweetheart, but the madam didn't say anything, eager to close another deal.
Hearing that the woman before him was indeed called Rong'er, Guo Polu's interest soared even higher. With a face full of deep affection and eyes brimming with tenderness, he grasped Rong'er's hand as if afraid of startling her, and said softly, "Rong'er, I've really found you. You're mine, you're mine. Do you know how much I've missed you? Every night I think of you. Your every smile, your voice, your appearance are deeply imprinted in my mind. Your gentleness, your anger, your laughter, your sorrow, your furrowed brows—all are so captivating. Every time you frown, I feel sad; every time you laugh, I feel happy. Do you know all this? Yes, you don't; even if you did, you would pretend not to know.
It's impossible for us to be together, but now I've met you again, and I will never let you go again. Come with me."
Rong'er was stunned by the man before her. She couldn't believe that a complete stranger would pour out so much of his heart to her. She knew he saw her as someone else, but what did it matter? She thought of her monotonous life. Every day she had to deal with those hypocritical men here, forcing a smile. They treated her like a plaything. After using her body, they were more heartless than anyone else. The deep affection in the man before her wasn't feigned; it touched the last vestige of her kindness. This man was a thousand times better than any other man in the area.
Rong'er's eyes reddened, and she gave a soft "hmm," abandoning the affected coquettishness she displayed towards others. She didn't want to tarnish this rare genuine affection in such a heartless place. So, she composed herself and followed the man upstairs. She no longer flirted or made lewd noises; she was like a newlywed wife being led into the bridal chamber by her husband. A blush even rose on her face, natural and unpretentious.
Guo Polu led "Rong'er" upstairs, and to his surprise, the woman he was holding didn't resist, but followed him shyly, her face filled with even more tenderness. The two walked blissfully, as if no one else was around, like newlyweds. Guo Polu was lost in his dream, and "Rong'er" was also lost in hers. Two dreamers, different paths, yet sharing the same dream.
Entering the room, Guo Polu began to carefully examine the woman he had longed for. Seeing "Huang Rong's" cheeks flushed, he exclaimed with reverence and happiness, "Rong'er, you are so beautiful. Tonight you are my wife, and I will cherish you dearly." He then gently lowered his head and kissed her lips, his hands undressing her.
"Rong'er" lacked her usual seductive and wanton nature, even though she had experienced countless trials and tribulations, her body having accepted countless men. Now, she seemed like a woman on her first night, shyly awaiting her husband's affection. Even she herself couldn't believe it; her shattered heart was filled with trepidation, anticipation, and fear.
She had once been like any other woman, hoping to find a good husband, regardless of wealth, and live a peaceful life of farming and weaving, raising children and grandchildren. But fate had cruelly turned her into a prostitute. She thought she could no longer feel any affection for men; before, she had only played along, smiling on the outside but her heart was numb. Now, her dead heart seemed to have come back to life, trembling slightly.
Guo Polu loosened Huang Rong's belt, and a light gauze dress fell to the ground, revealing her undergarment. A section of her snow-white breasts, covered by the undergarment, was also exposed. Guo Polu squeezed one breast with one hand, while the other trembled as it reached towards Huang Rong's crotch.
With a "bang," the door was kicked open. Guo Polu's hand was grabbed. Through his drunken, blurry eyes, he saw it was Miao Gongrong.
"What are you doing?" Guo Polu said angrily.
"I truly feel sorry for you. You know she's not the one in your heart, so why are you still immersed in your dream and unwilling to wake up?" Miao Gongrong shouted.
"Yes, I know. It's because I can't have her in reality that I want to fulfill my long-cherished wish in my dream. Why did you have to wake me up like that?" Guo Polu roared, shaking off his hand.
Deep down, he knew that the person in front of him was not his mother. But he just didn't want to believe it. He would rather be with 'her' while he was drunk. He knew that after waking up, the two of them would only be mother and son, and could never reach that relationship again. Besides, the name 'Rong'er' didn't even belong to him, but only to her husband—the person he wanted to hate but couldn't, the one named Guo Jing who was his father. So he made up his mind to have her that night and make her his woman. "Let myself get drunk just this once," he said to himself.
"This person isn't her; she's just a substitute in your own heart. Even if you take her, she's not 'her,' not the Rong'er in your heart. It's all just your own self-deception, wishful thinking."
"Self-deception"
"Self-deception, wishful thinking"
"Even if I take her, she's not Rong'er." These words echoed in Guo Polu's mind like a curse.
He sat on the ground like a lump of mud, leaning against the flowered bed. He kept muttering, "She's not Rong'er, I'm just deceiving myself, it's all wishful thinking..."
"If you still want her, I won't stop you anymore, but I hope you won't regret it when you're sober. You're pressing a woman down, but your mind is on someone else. It seems you don't love her, you're just satisfying your own lust. This isn't love, it's blasphemy."
Miao Gongrong walked to the door, then turned back and said, "I just wonder if the 'she' you speak of knows, will she be angry, heartbroken, or disappointed?" He then turned to close the door and leave.
"Brother Miao, wait a moment," Guo Polu called out to Miao Gongrong, who was about to leave the room, "Help me up, I'll go with you."
"You really didn't disappoint me, let's go." Miao Gongrong said with a relieved expression.
"My apologies, young lady. I mistook you for someone else. Please forgive my rudeness," Guo Polu said to the disheveled woman still on the bed.
The woman on the bed wore a complex expression, a mixture of relief, gratitude, and loss.
"Speaking of which, I must thank you, young master, for not looking down on me as a woman of the night. I used to be like a walking corpse, but you showed me that there is still true love in the world. Now I feel alive again," the woman smiled, her smile natural and without flattery; she was indeed quite beautiful.
"Don't worry, young lady, I will definitely redeem you after a while, but you'll have to endure it for a while.
Then I'll find you a good family to live with."
"Thank you for your kindness, young master. I'm eternally grateful to you for saving me from this predicament. Isn't a glimmer of hope a possibility? The same applies to you and your Rong'er. Besides, we've been in this brothel for so long, what's a few more months?"
"Yes, hope can become reality. I'll take my leave." A startling glint appeared in his eyes, completely different from his previous demeanor.
Miao Gongrong helped Guo Polu, and the two lost interest in searching for Hu Qing. They went downstairs and paid one or two taels of silver for food and drinks. Back at the 'Yuelai Tower,' Guo Polu lay drunk on the bed, constantly calling out 'Rong'er.'
The alcohol hit him, and he vomited. Miao Gongrong smiled, shook her head, cleaned him up, covered him with the blanket, and left.
A moment later, Guo Polu's soft snoring filled the air. A smile curved his lips; he must have been having a beautiful dream.
(Haven't had meat in a while, have you? I have an idea to continue writing "True Love Is Innocent").

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[Huang Rong - Mother and Wife] (Huang Rong's journey from mother to wife) (9 chapters)

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