Chapter Twenty-Eight: Resting at the Teahouse

In the blink of an eye, only three days remained before the start of the martial arts academy ranking competition.

At dawn, Luo Changning and the Ma siblings were eating breakfast in the main hall when a loud, booming voice came rolling in from outside, growing nearer.

“Brother Changning, hurry up and pack your things, you’re coming with me!”

It was none other than the burly Xiang Yinglong. He stepped over the threshold, caught his breath, and sat down across from Luo Changning. Eyeing the abundance of food on the table, he unceremoniously grabbed a large pork bun from the steamer and stuffed it into his mouth, completely forgetting the reason he had come to the Su family’s courtyard.

Ma Xue’e, her cheeks puffed out, glared at this “uninvited guest”: aside from the big dumb bear, now there was another one here to compete with her for food!

The buns vanished before their eyes, devoured by Ma Xue’e and Xiang Yinglong in what seemed like a race to see who could eat the most. Before long, the steamer was empty. Just as they were about to turn their attention to the spring rolls, Luo Changning quickly blocked them with his chopsticks, sighing helplessly, “Slow down, you two, be careful not to choke.”

“Don’t worry, Brother Changning. I won’t choke,” Ma Xue’e replied, her cheeks bulging like an adorable little squirrel.

Thus, breakfast ended in a whirlwind of devouring. Ma Xue’e collapsed contentedly against her chair, massaging her stomach, looking every bit like a well-fed kitten.

“I didn’t meet the standard during training yesterday, so my father punished me by forbidding me to eat for a whole day. I nearly starved to death! Luckily, I’m clever enough to come mooch off you. Aunt Qing’s cooking is just too delicious. Especially those meat buns—thin skin, lots of filling, so fragrant…”

Xiang Yinglong spoke sheepishly. For someone his size, missing even one meal was unbearable. Now, fully sated, he suddenly realized what he had done.

Secretly he scolded himself: Damn, I actually fought with Xue’e for food. Will she be angry with me?

Luo Changning looked at his friend’s beaming smile, inwardly lamenting, Please don’t say I know this guy…

“So, what brings you here all flustered first thing in the morning?” he asked.

“It’s about the academy ranking competition. Didn’t Xue’e want to visit Blackwater County? Since the competition is in three days, I thought, why not go there early and have some fun? It could be our first outing as a group,” Xiang Yinglong replied.

“Great idea! Let’s hurry and pack for Blackwater County!” Ma Xue’e instantly forgot her full stomach, leaping up in excitement and telling Ma Qingyun, “Brother, remember to bring plenty of silver notes so we can eat to our hearts’ content!”

With that, Luo Changning rose to pack his bundle, while Ma Qingyun went to prepare enough funds for his food-loving sister’s indulgence.

Upon hearing about the trip, Su Meng helped Luo Changning pack, and soon the three had their things ready.

Luo Changning and Ma Qingyun each had one bundle, but Ma Xue’e had three: two for clothes and daily necessities, the last a bulging sack brimming with Aunt Qing’s snacks and provisions.

At the gate of the Su family’s courtyard, Su Meng spoke gently, “This is your first journey far from home. Do your best in all things, but don’t be reckless or lose your sense of proportion.” Her eyes were filled with both worry and resolve—concern for Luo Changning’s safety, yet confidence he would handle everything with the composure of a man.

Her nephew was destined to soar to the heavens, as stalwart and dazzling as Luo Feng, drawing the world’s admiration.

“I understand, Aunt.”

Aunt Qing echoed, “The young lady is right. Young Master, don’t go looking for trouble. Blackwater County isn’t like Qingyang County—there’s all sorts mixing together there. Young Master Ma, I’m relying on you to look after my young master.”

“I will take good care of him,” Ma Qingyun replied coolly. Rarely did he speak so much at once, his gaze fixed on Su Meng, but she spared him not a glance, her eyes only full of gentle affection for Luo Changning.

His face fell, a chill of disappointment escaping him, faint but unmistakable.

Xiang Yinglong rubbed his arms. Is there a draft? Why does it feel so chilly—and a little sour?

“Ahem, I’m right here! Don’t you see me? I’m older than Changning, I’ll look after him,” Xiang Yinglong protested gloomily.

As for certain other comparisons, well, those things are innate—having nothing to do with height, build, or age!

“Handing the young master to you, I really can’t rest easy,” Aunt Qing retorted mercilessly. She was no ordinary servant and, being years older than Xiang Yinglong, she had the confidence to tease him.

“Aunt Qing, I’ll be there too, and Xue’e will help keep an eye on Brother Changning for you,” Ma Xue’e said with a playful smile, linking arms with Aunt Qing and currying favor. After all, she was at leisure, and the boys would help carry her bundles!

In the midst of banter and laughter, half a stick of incense’s time quickly passed.

“All right, it’s getting late. You’d best be on your way,” Su Meng said.

“Yes, farewell.”

“Aunt Su, Aunt Qing, I’m off! I’ll bring you back treats!” Ma Xue’e called.

“You’re thoughtful, child.”

“Aunt, Aunt Qing, I’m leaving. Don’t worry about me,” Luo Changning added.

Su Meng nodded.

“Enough with the fuss, it’s not like you’re never coming back. Aunt Su, Aunt Qing, just wait for our good news. When we return in triumph, you’d better have a feast ready to celebrate!” Xiang Yinglong had already jumped onto the carriage and now lifted the curtain, shouting to the others.

Everyone boarded, and the horses galloped out of the city.

The carriage, made of pearwood, was spacious enough for four, with two seats on each side facing one another. Naturally, Ma Xue’e sat beside her brother, a small table between them.

No sooner had they set off than she opened her sack of snacks, pulling out a paper-wrapped bundle of salted edamame and began shelling and eating them. Her small mouth moved rapidly, making the others’ mouths water. Luo Changning and Xiang Yinglong joined in, eating as if they hadn’t just had breakfast—it seemed growing youths could never eat enough!

Even Ma Qingyun, who had been resting with his eyes closed, soon joined the feast. After all, Su Meng had prepared these treats too—why let the others have it all?

At this point, one might wonder what happened to the big, silly bear. That fat bear, realizing its master was abandoning it for an adventure and wouldn’t be back for some time, was sulking in the kitchen, drowning its sorrows in food and not even bothering to see them off.

Somewhere in the Su family courtyard, the so-called “shameless bear” was feasting away, thinking, Go ahead, leave! You villains—once you’re gone, all these delicacies are mine. Ah, the grilled fish is ready—delicious! Time to dig in…

The coachman was a middle-aged man with dark, glossy skin and a body of compact, powerful muscle—his presence evoked that of a panther poised to spring. He was Xiang Ao’s personal guard, Xiang Tong, the master’s most trusted subordinate. They had grown up together and weathered many life-and-death crises side by side, more brothers than master and servant.

Xiang Ao couldn’t rest easy with the youngsters traveling alone, especially after hearing Luo Changning had once offended that troublemaker Gao Haitian and might run into trouble in Blackwater County. So he sent Xiang Tong as their driver and guardian.

As they traveled, Ma Xue’e lifted the carriage curtain and leaned out almost halfway, a bun in hand, eagerly watching the scenery as she ate.

“The weather’s so lovely today, the world’s a beautiful place… Mmm, so tasty, so wonderful!”

Suddenly, the carriage wheel struck a stone.

Bump—

“Ow!”

“Waaah, that hurt…” Ma Xue’e rubbed her head, tears welling as she ducked back inside, pitiful as could be.

Luo Changning and Xiang Yinglong laughed mischievously, and even Ma Qingyun’s lips twitched into a rare smile at his sister’s antics.

“Miss, are you all right?” Xiang Tong asked, slowing the horses.

“I’m fine…” she muttered—though in truth, she was far from pleased.

Ma Xue’e shot the others a glare with her apricot eyes. Hmph, all of you are bullies!

The rest of the journey passed smoothly, and after about an hour, the carriage reached the border between Qingyang and Blackwater counties.

Up ahead, a roadside tea stall stood without a sign or guest rooms—just a simple wooden shelter with six tables, each barely large enough for four. Its function was basic: a place for travelers to rest, drink tea, and grab a bite.

The boiling area stood outside, built of bamboo and thatch and even more makeshift than the shelter itself, with a large earthenware jar simmering with strong black tea. Nearby, an open clay stove sat in the open air, firewood piled haphazardly nearby with no cover from the rain.

Behind the tea stall rose a few small hills, not nearly the size of Mo Hui Mountain, and farther away lay a tiny village of a hundred homes.

The owners of the tea stall were a couple, strangers to the area; no one knew where they came from. They had suddenly appeared a few years ago, purchased land in the village, and built themselves a bright and spacious brick house, to the envy of the local farmers.

They had been selling tea and snacks here for several years, rebuilding their simple shelter more than once. They neither competed nor solicited customers, and when business was slow, would sit in the shade, sipping tea and cracking sunflower seeds, chatting idly with the few guests. Their days were, in a word, contented.