Aoyama

Chapter 456 Hairdo
couple?

Upon hearing this, Chen Ji and Zhang Xia both turned to look at Xiao Man.

Xiaoman was so frightened that she retreated behind the little monk and stammered, "Why are you all looking at me? You two are the perfect age to play a married couple. Who else could possibly act like this?"

Master Hu silently observed Chen Ji and Zhang Xia, but both were shrewd and calculating, and their expressions betrayed nothing. However, from beginning to end, Chen Ji and Zhang Xia never made eye contact.

Zhang Xia calmly said, "Xiaoman, you and the little monk will act."

Xiaoman quickly said, "You said he's a monk, so I can't pretend to be his wife. Buddha will blame him... and he'll blame me too."

The young monk was pulled in front of her, unable to dodge, and could only face Chen Ji and Zhang Xia directly: "Amitabha, this humble monk upholds the precepts and cultivates himself. If I break the precepts, all the scriptures I recited before will be in vain."

The young monks can only play the roles of younger brothers or sons. Ah Sheng is too young at thirteen or fourteen, while Hong Zu Er and Zhang Bai Shi are too old at forty.

The only one who could play the role of this young husband is Chen Ji.

At this moment, Hong Zu'er sneered, "Stop being so fussy. If you have to make such a fuss over something as small as this, you'll definitely be caught by the city guards when you go to Baidadan City. You might as well not go at all. Make a decision quickly and don't hesitate."

Xiaoman gripped the little monk's robe tightly, peeking out with half her face to observe Chen Ji's expression.

The next moment, Zhang Xia said casually, "Then let's settle on this. It's just a fake anyway. We need to focus on the important business."

Hong Zu'er hummed in agreement: "Now that it's settled, you need to get to know each other's names beforehand, and you absolutely cannot give anything away in this regard. From today onwards, you will act as if you are in a fake relationship, and you must not be coy when you arrive in Baidadan City."

As he spoke, he looked up at Xiaoman and the little monk: "You two should address each other as brother and sister."

He then looked at Chen Ji and Zhang Xia: "You two should address each other as husband and wife."

Upon hearing this, Xiaoman immediately perked up and gripped the little monk's clothes tightly: "We can definitely play siblings. My brother has always been obedient since he was a child. If he doesn't listen, I'll beat him up... It all depends on the two of them."

Everyone looked at Zhang Xia and Chen Ji, while Xiao Man and the little monk listened intently.

Zhang Xia and Chen Ji remained silent for a moment. Finally, Zhang Xia smiled frankly and looked at Chen Ji: "What was your childhood nickname?"

Chen Ji replied, "Qing Gui."

Zhang Xia nodded: "Then I'll call you Qing Gui in daily life. My mother usually calls my father by his childhood name or courtesy name. My name is Zhang Xia, you can call me Xia. My father calls my mother the same way."

Xiaoman was greatly disappointed and muttered to herself, "This is boring."

However, at this moment, Hong Zu'er said slowly and deliberately, "You two don't need to pretend you don't know each other anymore. Although I, Hong Zu'er, haven't been to the capital for many years, I have heard from merchants that Mr. Wang's personal disciple is named Chen Ji. Mr. Wang even defied the imperial decree to return to the capital for him, and caused quite a stir in the capital recently."

Hong Zu'er looked at the flickering fire in the pond and continued, "I also heard from the border households that when this young man named Chen Ji went on a killing spree in Guyuan and killed Yuan Zhen, the commander of the Tian Ce Army, he wielded his horse spear as if he were in an empty field. When the Longmen Inn was collecting the corpses, enemy chieftains were everywhere, and their blood had seeped into the soil several feet deep."

Chen Ji: "..."

No wonder Hong Zu'er felt at ease letting him go to Baidadan City; it turned out that Hong Zu'er had already found out his identity.

Yuan Cheng was captured by Wang Daosheng, and Hong Zuer probably never imagined that Wang Daosheng's disciple would want to release Yuan Cheng back to Jingchao.

Hong Zu'er continued, "As for Miss Zhang, I have also heard of the nickname 'Rouge Tiger,' and some sons of officials and nobles from the capital who came to study for a living have mentioned Rouge Tiger's charisma in the Imperial Academy back then. As for the story of the two of you, I have also heard about it."

Zhang Xia smiled and said, "I've long heard that the two thieves of Hongzu, who are spies at Chongli Pass, have eyes that can see a thousand miles and ears that can hear the wind. Their reputation is well-deserved."

Hong Zu'er smiled politely: "I just like to ask traveling merchants about their stories. We'll need to look after each other when we go to Baidadan City, so I think it's better to be frank."

Chen Ji hummed in agreement.

After Hong Zuer finished instructing the others, he finally looked at Ah Sheng, who immediately perked up.

After a moment's thought, Hong Zuer said, "Ah Sheng and you will play the role of father and son, and I will play the role of the widower."

Ah Sheng stood there, stunned: "But I..."

Hong Zu'er's face darkened: "Do as I say, why are you asking so many questions? I've never been married, so it's more appropriate for your Uncle Baizi to play your father."

Ah Sheng lowered her head, her toes rubbing against the felt on the floor of the Vermilion Bird tent: "I understand."

Hong Zu'er stopped looking at Asheng and carefully instructed, "From today onwards, you must become familiar with the customs and lifestyle of Liaoyang Prefecture, every street and alley, and be able to answer questions about the well-known snacks in Liaoyang Prefecture and the food near your residence on your travel permits."

Zhang Xia looked at Hong Zu'er: "Where did this information come from?"

Hong Zu'er also hesitated. Liaoyang Prefecture was the capital of the Jing Dynasty, and it was impossible for the night scouts to go there to scout out enemy positions.

Old Master Hu sat by the fire, warming his hands: "I'll figure this out. Before we set off, I'll give you a detailed list, including the local customs and culture along the way from Liaoyang Prefecture to Baidadan City. It won't be wrong. But the problem is, you must memorize everything before the caravan arrives in Baidadan City."

Hong Zu'er stood up: "Then let's wait for Third Master to bring the dossier from Liaoyang Prefecture. Everyone should memorize what they need to prepare and there can be no mistakes."

Master Hu thought for a moment and said, "Give me one night, and we'll set off at dawn tomorrow."

Hong Zu'er walked out: "Let's go, everyone follow me into Chongli Pass, there are still many things to prepare."

Chen Ji and Zhang Xia exchanged a glance and followed closely behind.

Xiaoman followed at a distance, letting out a long sigh of relief: "Just now, the young master had a murderous aura about him. Did you see his eyes? Did he want to kill me?"

The little monk's eyes widened: "You're scared, yet you still dare to do this?"

Xiaoman glared at him: "What do you know? I can't stand seeing you wasting your precious time trying to save people. The princess is trapped in the palace, how can you possibly rescue her? Besides, who knows what might happen to her after being inside for so long? Anyway, I've never met that princess, I don't know what's so great about her."

The young monk said sincerely, "The princess is a good person."

Xiaoman rolled her eyes: "Even if they are good people, they are definitely not as good as my second sister. I only recognize her."

The young monk put his hands together and said, "Amitabha, it is not the wind that moves, nor the flag that moves, but the mind of the benevolent one that moves. The person trapped in the palace is not the princess, but benefactor Chen Ji himself."

Xiaoman pinched the soft flesh on his waist: "Speak like a human being."

This time, however, the little monk did not explain, but only grimaced in pain.

……

……

After leaving the Vermilion Bird Tent, led by Hong Zu'er, the soldiers guarding the south gate silently let them pass, allowing them to pass without hindrance.

As he walked toward his lodgings, he said to Chen Ji and Zhang Xia, "The city guards of Baidadan City are cunning as devils. You still have many weaknesses, so you need to make some more preparations."

Chen Ji looked down at his attire and asked in confusion, "What flaw?"

Hong Zu'er casually said, "You'll know in a bit." When they arrived at the house next to the blacksmith shop in the north of the city, Hong Zu'er instructed Asheng, "Take a string of cash and go invite your Aunt Wang over."

Ah Sheng seemed to have guessed what Hong Zu'er was going to do. After thinking for a moment, he replied, "Aunt Wang is dying. I heard yesterday that her father passed away a few days ago. If we need to find Quanfuren, we need to call Aunt Li."

Hong Zu'er waved his hand: "Go."

Ah Sheng turned and went out the door.

Chen Ji's heart stirred.

A person blessed with all blessings? What is a person blessed with all blessings?
Chen Ji was puzzled, but then he saw Zhang Xia touch his cheek subconsciously when he heard the words "Furen" (meaning "blessed man"): "So that's how it is, it was indeed a flaw."

Chen Ji was even more puzzled. This seemed to be a long-standing custom in the Ning Dynasty, but he didn't want to ask too many questions.

Zhang Xia glanced at him and whispered, "The so-called 'completely blessed person' is a woman or elder who has parents, husband, and children, and whose family is happy and harmonious."

Before an incense stick had burned, Aunt Li arrived carrying a wooden box, lifting the hem of her dark red skirt as she smiled and stepped over the threshold: "Master Hong, I haven't heard that Asheng has gotten married. Why would your family need me?"

Hong Zu'er sat at the stone table and poured himself a cup of tea: "It has nothing to do with Asheng. Once you're inside, don't ask any questions, and once you're out, don't talk nonsense."

Aunt Li immediately became solemn: "Then I understand."

Her gaze swept between Zhang Xia and Xiao Man, finally settling on Zhang Xia's face: "Is this the one?"

Zhang Xia nodded.

Hong Zuer suddenly looked at her: "Miss, have you thought it through?"

Zhang Xia smiled calmly and said, "Mr. Hong, you're overthinking it. Business is more important."

Aunt Li said to her, "Young lady, find a place to sit. This is delicate work and will take a long time. Please allow me to take my time."

Zhang Xia sat down on a stone bench in the courtyard and silently watched Aunt Li open the box.

The box was a three-tiered drawer inlaid with mother-of-pearl. In the first tier were several skeins of wound cotton thread. Aunt Li bit off one of the threads and crossed them.

She bit one end with her teeth and held the other two ends with her hands, turning the cotton thread into a small cotton thread scissor.

Aunt Li rolled the cotton thread across Zhang Xia's face. With each gentle roll, the twisted thread twirled and plucked the fine downy hairs from Zhang Xia's face, leaving her skin smooth and bright.

Chen Ji was taken aback.

Open face?
He finally understood the flaw Hong Zu'er had mentioned: a young girl's face must be shaved before she can marry, and Zhang Xia had not done so, so the flaw would be immediately noticed by the city guard Bai Dadan.

However, after the face is opened, the woman's appearance will be very different from that of a young girl. Women only have their faces opened the day before their wedding or on their wedding day, which is the most important time of their lives.

Chen Ji said, "Wait!"

Zhang Xia looked at him and repeated earnestly, "The important thing is to get down to business."

Chen Ji remained silent.

Zhang Xia closed her eyes and remained silent. After Aunt Li finished plucking the downy hairs from her cheeks, she plucked the downy hairs from her forehead and temples, and the girl's face suddenly looked a few years more mature.

Aunt Li threw away the cotton thread, pulled out the hairpin from Zhang Xia's head, and let her black hair cascade down her back like a waterfall.

Aunt Li ran her fingers through her shiny, thick hair and exclaimed with a smile, "I didn't have hair this good when I was young, but I can't wear my hair up like this anymore."

In the blink of an eye, Aunt Li had styled Zhang Xia's hair into a single bun.

Zhang Xia used to wear her hair in a bun on top of her head, which gave her a heroic air, like a chivalrous knight-errant.

Now her hair is coiled at the back of her head, held in place by a silver hairpin, with a lock of hair hanging down to her waist.

Xiaoman stared intently, "Sister Xia has become more gentle."

Aunt Li took out a palm-sized bronze mirror from the third drawer and handed it to Zhang Xia: "Take a look for yourself."

Zhang Xia held the bronze mirror and looked around: "Aunt Li has excellent skills."

Aunt Li circled around Zhang Xia, scrutinizing her: "The girl is really pretty, but... I always feel like something's missing."

Xiaoman's eyes darted around: "Sister Xia doesn't like jewelry, but how can a married woman not wear jewelry? Even women in the countryside wear a bracelet when they go out. If they don't have a gold one, they can wear a silver one, and if they don't have a silver one, a wooden one will do."

Aunt Li suddenly realized: "That's right, the girl's clothes are indeed too plain, she doesn't even have a purse or sachet."

At this moment, Xiaoman took out a jade bracelet from her sleeve and stuffed it into Chen Ji's hand: "Young master, put this on Sister Xia."

Chen Ji was taken aback.

The jade bracelet is as white as mutton fat, with a touch of amber-like inclusions on it, resembling an auspicious cloud.

He glanced at Zhang Xia, then at Aunt Li.

Aunt Li suddenly turned around and went to the kitchen: "Uncle Hong, where is your cup? I'd like to ask for a drink of water."

Chen Ji stood still.

Hong Zu'er sneered, "That girl is so open and honest, while you're being all fussy and indecisive."

Zhang Xia suddenly looked up, smiled, and said, "It's just fake, you didn't actually believe it, did you?"

Chen Ji chuckled self-deprecatingly: "I really am being a bit of a nag."

After saying that, he grabbed Zhang Xia's wrist and slipped the jade bracelet through her slender palm.

The clanging sound of blacksmithing came from next door.

In the tranquil courtyard, Zhang Xia sat motionless on a stone bench, looking down as Chen Ji put the bracelet on her wrist, her eyelashes trembling slightly.

Zhang Xia looked at Xiaoman and asked doubtfully, "Is this bracelet yours? It's made of mutton fat jade from Khotan."

Xiaoman smiled and said, "It's fake, it's fake. As long as it looks good on Sister Xia, that's all that matters. Look, the size of this bracelet is just right. Only you can wear it. It wouldn't look good on anyone else. Since we've already done the wedding ceremony and the hair is styled, and we've done everything that's supposed to be done, why don't we have another ceremony to pay respects to heaven and earth and... cough cough, the little monk and I are going out for a stroll."

Under Chen Ji's gaze, Xiao Man grabbed the little monk and fled in panic.

(End of this chapter)