Huang Rong from The Return of the Condor Heroes: Guo'er, calm down.

The next morning, as dawn broke.

The sound of the horses snorting woke Huang Rong. She pushed open the carriage curtain and saw Yang Guo squatting down, feeding the horses with a handful of hay. The morning light fell on his shoulder, and the young man's profile was focused, showing no trace of the frenzied state he had displayed the night before.

Huang Rong's heart skipped a beat, and she quickly shrank back, adjusting her sideburns in front of the bronze mirror she carried with her. Although there were some dark circles under her eyes, her cheeks had an unusual rosy glow.

They got off the carriage only after everything was ready.

"Good morning, Aunt Guo," Yang Guo greeted with a smile, handing her a steaming hot flatbread. "I toasted some dry rations this morning, eat them while they're hot."

His tone was natural, and his expression was open and honest. It was as if last night's confession was just a dream of Huang Rong's.

Huang Rong took the baked cake, her fingertips touching the back of his hand. It felt like she had been burned, and her eyes instinctively drifted to the side.

"Mmm," she responded softly, not daring to look at him.

Yang Guo didn't mind and turned to tease Guo Fu, who was still a little groggy from just waking up: "Miss, we still have to travel today. Why don't you get in the carriage and sleep some more?"

Guo Fu rubbed her eyes and muttered, "I know, you're so nagging."

The carriage rumbled and started moving again.

Along the way, Yang Guo no longer deliberately ignored Huang Rong as before, nor did he intentionally only revolve around Guo Fu.

When he handed the water pouch to Guo Fu, he would also help Huang Rong close the carriage curtain; when resting, he would pick wild fruits for Guo Fu and also pick a newly blooming wildflower for Huang Rong.

Moisturizing is silent.

This perfectly timed tenderness gradually calmed Huang Rong down. Looking at the unnamed wildflower in her hand, its petals delicate and glistening with dew, a strange feeling welled up within her.

If it were Brother Jing, he would never pick flowers for me.

At midday, the carriage entered Changle Town.

This is the largest town at the foot of Zhongnan Mountain. Because of the flourishing of the Quanzhen School of Taoism, the town has become prosperous, with shops lining the streets and crowds of people.

According to the original plan, we should go up the mountain today to hand Yang Guo over to the group of Taoists, and then this mission will be over.

The horse-drawn carriage stopped at the entrance of town.

"Aunt Guo, the path up the mountain is just ahead," Yang Guo pointed to the winding mountain road. "Shall we make our way up before it gets dark?"

Huang Rong's heart skipped a beat.

Is it... about to end?

Once they were on the mountain, he was a disciple of the Quanzhen Sect, and she was the leader of the Beggars' Sect.

From now on, with mountains high and rivers long, it's unlikely we'll ever have such an opportunity to be alone again.

She looked up at the majestic Zhongnan Mountain in the distance, shrouded in mist, cold and lonely.

For some reason, a strong sense of reluctance suddenly arose in my heart.

"Mom, my legs hurt."

Guo Fu suddenly made a face and rubbed her calves, saying, "These past few days, the car rides have been so bumpy, my bones feel like they're going to fall apart."

"And that restaurant we just passed smelled so good. Can we rest for a day before we go? I'm starving."

Normally, Huang Rong would have scolded her for being spoiled. But today, looking at her daughter's bitter face, she found it incredibly pleasing to the eye.

She turned to look at Yang Guo.

Yang Guo was leaning against the carriage shaft, looking at her with a half-smile, as if he could see through her hidden thoughts.

"Guo'er, what do you think?" Huang Rong kicked the ball back.

"Fu-mei's body is delicate and she really can't withstand any more hardship." Yang Guo jumped out of the carriage, patted his clothes, and said, "Anyway, the Quanzhen Sect is right there and can't run away. It won't make a difference if we stay one more night."

"Then it's your way," Huang Rong said calmly, but she breathed a sigh of relief.

We found a nice inn to settle in; it was still early.

Chang Le Town was bustling with activity. Red lanterns hung along both sides of the street, and vendors' cries rose and fell. Guo Fu, having shaken off her daytime fatigue, pulled the two of them through the crowd.

Yang Guo walked in the middle, protecting the two women.

Guo Fu was like a bird just released from its cage, buying rouge, looking at jewelry, and pulling Yang Guo aside to ask him all sorts of questions.

Yang Guo patiently accompanied her, occasionally glancing back at Huang Rong walking behind him.

Huang Rong walked very slowly.

Looking at the tall and short figures in front of her, she felt a strange sense of peace.

If time could stop at this moment, it wouldn't be so bad.

There's no need to think about the battle of Xiangyang, no need to concern ourselves with the grudges of the martial world.

We just walked and strolled around.

The sky was getting dark.

As lanterns along the streets lit up one by one, the night market in Changle Town became even more bustling than during the day.

"Mother! Look over there!"

Guo Fu pointed to a brightly lit place ahead and shouted excitedly.

A large crowd had gathered there, and faint singing could be heard from within.

Upon closer inspection, it turned out to be a theater called "Clouds Covering the Moon".

A large sign hangs at the entrance: "New play tonight: Liang Zhu".

"A movie?"

Guo Fu curiously peeked out, "What kind of play is this? I've never seen it before!"

Yang Guo glanced at the signboard and understood what was going on.

This is probably a modified version of shadow puppetry or marionette shows, a rare sight in this era of limited entertainment.

"Aunt Guo, have you seen it?" Yang Guo turned to ask Huang Rong.

Huang Rong shook her head.

The city of Xiangyang is filled with the sounds of war and the clash of swords; there's no time for such entertainment.

"Since we haven't seen it before, let's go in and take a look."

Yang Guo laughed and said, "Since we're already here, half an hour won't make a difference."

Huang Rong hesitated for a moment, then nodded.

Yang went over and bought the ticket.

The three of them entered the theater.

Once inside the garden, Huang Rong discovered that it was a hidden paradise.

This theater has a unique structure: a huge stage in the center, surrounded by complete darkness. The seats are arranged in rows that are higher than the previous ones, spreading out in a fan shape, so no matter where you sit, you can see the scene on stage clearly.

"This structure..." Huang Rong thought to herself in amazement, "It does have some ingenuity."

Yang Guo chuckled inwardly. Wasn't this just like the layout of a movie theater in later generations? It seemed the wisdom of the folk artists of the Southern Song Dynasty was not to be underestimated.

He bought the tickets and led the two inside.

It's located in a corner, quiet, but with a good view.

"Sit down," Yang Guo said, pointing to the bench.

He plopped down in the middle.

Guo Fu naturally sat down next to him on the left and started cracking melon seeds. Huang Rong hesitated for a moment, then could only sit down on his right.

The three stood side by side, shoulder to shoulder.

"when--"

With the sound of a gong, all the candles around suddenly went out.

The entire theater was plunged into darkness, with only a few large lanterns shining brightly on the stage.

The stark contrast between light and shadow made Huang Rong somewhat uncomfortable. In the darkness, one's senses are amplified. She could clearly smell the scent of soap stalks on the young man beside her, mixed with a masculine aroma, which wafted straight into her nostrils.

They started singing on stage.

They were performing "The Butterfly Lovers".

This story is widely circulated among the people. Although it will be several hundred years before it is actually embellished into a play by literati, the artists of Chang Le Town are obviously quite talented, and they brought the sworn brotherhood at the grass bridge and the eighteen farewell scenes to life.

Guo Fu had never seen such a novel thing before. Her eyes widened in disbelief, and she even forgot to crack the melon seeds in her hand.

Huang Rong initially maintained a haughty demeanor, but as she watched, she too became engrossed in the plot.

Zhu Yingtai disguised herself as a man and studied with Liang Shanbo for three years. They shared a deep and abiding affection, but were prevented from becoming a couple by societal norms and social norms.

Looking at the star-crossed lovers on the stage, Huang Rong felt a mix of emotions. She and her beloved Jing-gege had also overcome countless obstacles to be together. But now, she had become the rule-abiding "Ma Wencai," while Yang Guo, whom she considered unconventional, had become the passionate and unrestrained Zhu Yingtai.

The play reached its climax.

Zhu Yingtai was forced to marry into the Ma family, and Liang Shanbo died after spitting blood.

On stage, a grand display of music and sorrow filled the air, with the suona horns sounding like weeping and lamenting.

"Ah! Don't die!" Guo Fu, engrossed in the drama, exclaimed and grabbed Yang Guo's left arm.

Yang Guo frowned slightly, but did not push her away.

At the same time, a slightly cool hand trembled and grasped his right arm.

It's Huang Rong.

She was clearly also touched by the tragedy and subconsciously wanted to seek support.

Yang Guo's heart skipped a beat.

He didn't move, letting the two women hold him. On his left was a charming young girl, and on his right was a still-attractive young woman. He wouldn't trade such a blessing of having two women for a throne.

But Yang Guo remained clear-headed.

He had no interest in Guo Fu on his left; all his attention was focused on his right.

The hand was gripping tightly, trembling slightly.

Today she was wearing a pale yellow shirt, her attire dignified.

Although she is no longer a young girl, she still has a very upright posture.

Perhaps due to excessive nervousness, beads of sweat appeared on her forehead, a few stray hairs clung to her cheeks, and her breathing was slightly rapid. At this moment, her expression was solemn, and compared to the inexperienced girl beside her, she possessed a greater sense of indescribable unease.

Yang Guo's lips curled into a wicked smile.

Without making a sound, he turned his wrist and grasped Huang Rong's hand.

Huang Rong was stunned for a moment, and her mind briefly went blank.

When she came to her senses, she tried to free her hands, but Yang Guo's grip was surprisingly strong.

As soon as Fu'er turns her head, she will see this scene!

Huang Rong was filled with shame and indignation. She wanted to rebuke him, but her throat felt like it was stuffed with cotton, and she couldn't utter a sound.

She turned her head and glanced at Guo Fu on her left.

Fu'er was crying her eyes out, wiping away her tears with a handkerchief, completely unaware of what was happening here.

This feeling made Huang Rong feel breathless, as if she was about to suffocate.

Palm to palm.

Huang Rong felt her mind was in complete chaos, and she didn't know what she was thinking, but she hooked her finger around Yang Guo's little finger.

This one hook means utter ruin.

Yang Guo's body trembled slightly, and he turned his head.

In the darkness, their eyes met.

Although they couldn't see each other's eyes, they understood each other's feelings perfectly.

Yang Guo suddenly moved closer.

The hot air sprayed onto Huang Rong's earlobes.

"Aunt Guo," he said in a very low voice, "Zhu Yingtai in the play dared not resist and could only transform into a butterfly in the end. What about you?"

Huang Rong was deeply shaken.

"Do you want to be Zhu Yingtai for the rest of your life, or...?"

Yang Guo gently scratched her palm with his finger.

"Or will you be my woman?"

That light scratch was both tingling and numb.

"you……"

Just as Huang Rong opened her mouth, the sound of gongs and drums on the stage abruptly stopped.

"good!"

The entire audience erupted in thunderous applause.

The lights suddenly turned on.

Huang Rong was so frightened that she flinched and pulled her hand back abruptly. She sat up straight, her face flushed red.

"Mother, what's wrong? Your face is so red?" Guo Fu wiped her tears and turned around, looking puzzled. "Is it too stuffy in here?"

Huang Rong hurriedly straightened her sleeves, not daring to look at Yang Guo or her daughter.

"Yes...it's a bit boring," she stammered, her voice weak. "The play...the play is over, let's go back."

With that, she stood up as if fleeing and quickly walked outside.