Chapter 22: Taking Advantage of Being Drunk to Act Indecently Toward the Daoist Master…
Seeing him not speak, Fu Tangli grew displeased again. She propped herself up, soft and pliant, and tried to get closer. “I went to so much trouble, yet you’re still like this. So unfeeling, so boring.”
She was quite drunk, her whole body swaying. Losing her balance, she was about to fall headfirst.
Xuanyan was quick. He hurriedly reached out, trying to steady her.
Fu Tangli was in a daze. Seeing a pair of hands reach out, she subconsciously grabbed them and lunged forward.
Xuanyan had commanded armies and trampled over a thousand mountains in his life, never knowing defeat. But at this moment, he could not withstand her slight force and was pushed to the ground.
The mud-gold cup rolled away, the cool wine spilling on his robe.
Fu Tangli was triumphant. She let out two “hmph” sounds, grabbed Xuanyan’s sleeve, and scrambled onto his chest. She poked him twice with her finger and muttered a complaint, “How did you fall? You’re so clumsy.”
Xuanyan’s chest was broad and solid. She was so small, yet heavy and soft, nestled right over his heart. He couldn’t quite place the feeling. It was as if the winter snow had melted, the spring flowers had bloomed, and his chest was burning hot.
She lowered her head, looked at him, and blinked. Her thick eyelashes were like little brushes, sweeping across his heart, a ticklish, itching sensation.
There was no one else around, only her… only her.
Xuanyan’s mouth felt dry, and his voice grew hoarse. “Do you know what you’re saying?”
Fu Tangli thought about it seriously, then repeated, her voice crisp and a little proud, “You fell. You’re so clumsy.”
That was clearly not the question. Who was the clumsy one?
Xuanyan couldn’t help but let out a low laugh. He slowly, slowly reached out his hand, tentatively wanting to touch her face.
Her skin was delicate, like congealed sheep fat. He was afraid of breaking it and only dared to touch it lightly with his fingertips.
Fu Tangli tilted her head and with a smack, pressed her cheek against his hand, even rubbing it twice, like the little mountain sparrows outside the corridor, eager to roll around and play.
His fingertips were scorching hot, as if holding the moonlight.
Xuanyan’s Adam’s apple bobbed violently. The spring was still chilly, but he was covered in a thin layer of sweat, almost groaning out loud. “Do you know what you’re doing?”
This, she knew. Fu Tangli happily rubbed against him again.
The man’s palm was broad and warm, covered in calluses, rough and strong. The sensation was very new.
She laughed, her eyes curving into crescents, and answered him in a soft voice, “I’m trying to please you, to make you like me a little more. And then, um…”
And then what? Oh dear, she couldn’t quite remember. Fu Tangli’s mind was a muddle. She frowned in frustration, humming and hawing. “And then… wait, let me think…”
“Shh, alright, don’t think anymore.” His finger slid down and touched her lips, quieting her so he could focus on looking at her.
She was exceptionally beautiful, especially her eyes. Her brows were a dark cyan, like distant mountains. Her eyes were like autumn water, their gaze holding a hint of mist. Yes, there was not a single flaw. He was very satisfied.
He had been a monk for many years, cultivating a pure heart, originally without desire. Now, thinking about it, it was only because he had not yet met her. He was, after all, a young man, full of vigor. At this moment, he only wanted to follow his instincts. A vigorous, surging desire swept over him, leaving him no way to resist.
“And then, I will marry you. That is all.” He was a decisive man, never one to dither. There was nothing to hesitate about. Who else could it be but her?
“Uh?” Fu Tangli’s eyes widened. Her mind was stuck in a fog right now and wasn’t working well, but she vaguely felt that something was not right. She repeated with difficulty, “You’ll marry me?”
“That’s right.” Once Xuanyan had made his decision, he felt a sense of relief. With a gentle smile, his voice was soft. “You said the world is vast, and you have no home to return to. From now on, where I am, that will be your home. You said no one loves you. From now on, I will love you.” He thought for a moment, then remembered, and whispered her name, “Lihua, Little Lihua…”
Mm, Little Lihua. It had been a long time since anyone had called her that. She was very happy. She nodded seriously and gave him a brilliant smile.
Like the light of spring.
He couldn’t help it. His fingers traced her cheek and pinched her small earlobe.
The strange sensation made Fu Tangli shiver. Startled, she shrank back and, in a moment of carelessness, slid off Xuanyan and fell to the ground. She was still a little confused, shaking her head and looking around, muttering to herself, probably wondering why she had fallen.
Xuanyan let out a long sigh, helped Fu Tangli up, and made her sit properly, her hands and feet arranged neatly. In the middle of it, she swayed and tried to lean against him again, but he held her back with a single finger.
Xuanyan forced himself to be calm and called for Xuan’an. “The female benefactor drank the plum blossom wine she brewed and is drunk. Go and call her family to come and get her.”
Xuan’an immediately went to carry out his order.
Fu Tangli sat there, her hair a little messy, hanging down and covering her forehead, with one strand sticking up playfully. She, who usually valued etiquette above all else, didn’t notice. Instead, she looked at Xuanyan with pleading eyes and let out a long, drawn-out “Mm,” probably sulking.
It was simply irresistible.
Even Xuanyan couldn’t resist.
He reached out his hand, his fingers gently combing through her hair, patiently tidying it, not forgetting to remind her, “Your tolerance for alcohol is truly laughable. Remember, you are not to drink in the future, especially not in front of other men.”
Fu Tangli didn’t understand what Xuanyan was saying at all. She was very comfortable being petted and couldn’t help but rub against his palm again. She was even more dazed with drink now, her cheeks flushed as if rouged, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears, looking as if she were about to cry, yet carrying an indescribably delicate air.
The plum blossom wine was still warming on the stove, its aroma growing stronger, sweet, and mellow, intoxicating.
Xuanyan suddenly sighed again and laughed. “Forget it, it’s alright. Since you will be my wife, you can do as you please. Whatever you want, I will always be there to protect you. Don’t worry.”
He picked up a strand of her hair, brought it to his lips, and touched it lightly. Perhaps it could be considered a kiss, a very careful one.
She was drunk, and even the scent of her hair was sweet.
His voice was low, laced with restrained control. “In three days… in three days, I will ask my elders to go to your home and propose marriage. No matter what your family background is, I should be a worthy match for you, Little Lihua.” He called her by her pet name again, very softly, holding it on the tip of his tongue for a moment before letting it out, with a soft smile. “Wait for me.”
Fu Tangli was completely drunk. When she was drunk, she wasn’t noisy or disruptive, just dazed. She stared blankly at Xuanyan. Whatever he said, she would nod, very obediently.
What a fine young lady. She suited his heart, from head to toe. Every strand of her hair was pleasing. Xuanyan thought this and stroked her hair again.
Before long, Dailuo and Yanzhi arrived. When the two maids entered, they saw their mistress sitting there, quiet and well-behaved, not much different from her usual proper self, except that her cheeks were a little red, her eyes a little wet, and her smile a little foolish.
Dailuo was very ashamed and repeatedly apologized to Xuanyan. “My lady has poor tolerance for alcohol. The Old Madam never let her drink before. Who knew she would drink on her own today? She has been impolite before you, Daoist Master. Please forgive her.”
Xuanyan nodded and actually smiled. “She is very good. There was no impoliteness.”
The Daoist Master’s attitude was so gentle that it surprised Dailuo and Yanzhi, but they had no time to dwell on it. The two of them helped Fu Tangli up, took their leave, and went back.
Xuanyan personally saw them to the mountain gate. As they parted, he gave a solemn instruction, “After you go back, remember to remind your lady not to forget the three-day appointment.”
Dailuo and Yanzhi didn’t understand but agreed without thinking.
***
Fu Tangli had a dream. The iron horse-shaped wind chimes under the eaves tinkled. The scent of white plum blossoms, cold and slightly bitter, lingered in her hair. The dream was clear and fine, the sunlight warm. But when she woke up, it was already past dusk.
Through the painted screen, the candlelight was dim, flickering in the silence, making one feel dazed. The faint, cold scent of plum blossoms lingered.
She moved slightly. Her head was groggy, and she couldn’t help but let out a moan.
“My Lady is awake.”
The maids on either side came forward, gathered up the bed curtains, and brightened the candles. Dailuo ordered the servants to bring a mirror box, hot water, towels, and a sobering soup.
Dailuo helped Fu Tangli up, first attending to her as she washed her hands and face, then brought the sobering soup and sighed, “How could My Lady dare to drink outside? Have you forgotten all the Old Madam’s instructions?”
Fu Tangli took the sobering soup, took a sip, and said languidly, “I only drank a little. What’s the big deal?”
Yanzhi chimed in from the side, “My Lady is just being stubborn. A little? You were so drunk you were swaying, completely dazed. When we came back from Yunlu Temple, Daoist Master Xuanyan even specifically instructed us to tell you something about a three-day appointment. Do you remember?”
Suddenly, with a clang, the porcelain bowl in Fu Tangli’s hand fell to the ground. The sobering soup spilled on her skirt, soaking a large patch.
“My Lady?” Everyone was shocked.