"The Mountain Spirit" by Huangmeimao
《灵山君》作者：黄眉猫

Synopsis
文案

A story about a substitute bride. Happy ending.
代嫁的故事。HE。

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Search keywords: Main characters: Spirit Mountain Lord, Qing Shijiu ┃ Supporting characters: ┃ Others:
搜索关键字：主角：灵山君，青十九 ┃ 配角： ┃ 其它：

☆、Chapter 1
　　☆、第 1 章

Xiaochun Village was separated from Peacock Manor by two mountains and a river, serving as the Peacock Manor's settlement for retired servants.
　　小春庄同孔雀府隔了两座山一道河，是孔雀府用来安置老仆的地方。

Before dawn, Qing Shijiu was awakened by noise. Two old women stood smiling in the courtyard, arms laden with piles of dirty clothes: "Shijiu dear, the sun's strong today—hurry and wash these clothes to hang out. The rain these past days left everyone with nothing clean to wear."
　　天没亮，青十九就被吵醒了。两个老婆子笑眯眯地站在院子里，怀里抱着一大摞脏衣服：“十九啊，今日日头好，紧着点时间把衣服洗干净晒出去。前几日下雨弄得大家衣服都没得穿了。”

Qing Shijiu responded with an unchanged expression: "Alright."
　　青十九面色如常地应了声：“好。”

At daybreak, several more people delivered clothes, piling them mountain-high in the large bathing tub. It wasn't until noon that Qing Shijiu finally finished hanging all these clothes to dry. Just as he thought to rest for a while, someone arrived right on cue.
　　天微亮时，又有几人送了衣服来，摞在大澡盆里小山一样高。直到晌午青十九才将这堆衣服晾好，他刚想歇会儿，就有人掐点到了。

It was the steward of Xiaochun Village, Kong Laifu.
　　是小春庄的管事，孔来福。

Kong Laifu spoke in a gentle tone: "Shijiu, you've worked hard. If you have time today, could you go pick the phoenix roosting flowers outside the village? The Kongque Manor will send someone to collect them tomorrow—they're needed for the second young master's wedding."
　　孔来福说话温温柔柔的：“十九，辛苦你了。你今个儿有空去把庄外的凤栖花摘一下罢，明日孔雀府会来人取，孔二公子成亲要用呢。”

Qing Shijiu's heart skipped a beat. Kong Laifu stared at him with inscrutable emotions hidden behind those inverted triangular eyes. He simply responded as usual, collected his tools, and set off toward the estate's outskirts.
　　青十九心里一跳。孔来福盯着他瞧，一双倒三角眼里看不清什么情绪。他只像平时那样应了，去领了工具动身往庄外走。

Qing Shijiu had been sent to Xiaochun Manor half a year ago. Unlike the others here, he'd only reached adulthood three years prior—far from earning the title of "old servant." His arrival had a different reason, connected to the soon-to-wed Second Young Master of the Peacock Manor.
　　青十九是半年前被送到小春庄的。他同这里的其他人不一样，他成年不过三年，离老仆这个称呼还有许多年要走。他被送进来是有别的原由，同那即将成亲的孔雀府二公子有关。

The phoenix roosting flowers grew just beyond the estate walls. Stepping through the main gate revealed a blazing crimson expanse.
　　凤栖花就在庄外不远，出了庄子大门便能看见一片红火。

Several elderly servants wearing straw hats lounged by the flower field's edge. Spotting Qing Shijiu in the distance, they exchanged glances and shared knowing smiles.
　　几个老仆头顶草帽，坐在花田边上躲懒，远远见着青十九，几人互相看看，心领神会地一笑。

"Nineteen, you're here!"
　　“十九，来了呀！”

Qing Shijiu nodded and headed straight into the flower field with his tools.
　　青十九颔首，拿着工具径直下了花田。

"Nineteen, you pick first! We've been busy for a while now, we'll come down later to help you!"
　　“十九，你先摘着！我们方才忙了许久，晚些再下来帮你！”

That evening, it was likely going to be late by the time Qing Nineteen finished his work—so late that he'd grown accustomed to it and paid it no mind.
　　这晚些怕是要到青十九将活做完了那么晚，他习以为常，也没理会。

The Phoenix Perch Flower is an essential for weddings among the spirit avian clans—delicate yet beautiful. Once plucked, these flowers must be soaked in nectar water to prevent withering. Qing Nineteen had brought a jade flask filled with nectar water and carefully placed the freshly picked Phoenix Perch Flowers inside, arranging them neatly.
　　凤栖花是灵禽一族婚事必备，娇弱而美丽，离了枝的凤栖花要浸泡在琼水里才不会枯萎，青十九带了装了琼水的玉壶来，将摘下的凤栖花整整齐齐地放入玉壶。

While he was bustling with activity, the idle chatter nearby suddenly grew louder.
　　他这边忙得热火朝天，那边闲聊的声音忽然大了起来。

"...It's the Second Young Master and the young lady from the Crimson-bellied Tragopan family! Before, the Second Young Master wanted to break off the engagement for the sake of a servant and even protected that servant from being beaten to death—Lord Peacock was furious... Later, wasn’t that servant sent away?"
　　“……是二公子同那红腹角雉家的小姐！之前二公子为了家奴要退亲，还保那家奴没被打死，孔雀大人气疯了……后来，那家奴不是被送走了吗……”

"I heard from sisters at the Peacock Manor that the young lady from the Crimson-bellied Tragopan family was welcomed into the Peacock residence... Everyone there adores her—they say she’s incredibly kind and gentle... Rumor has it the Second Young Master personally went to the Crimson-bellied Tragopan estate to propose! He even gifted his own peacock feather to the young lady!"
　　“我听孔雀府那边的姐妹说，红腹角雉家的小姐被接到孔雀府……上下都很喜欢她呢，听说很是和善温柔的……据说二公子亲自去的红腹角雉府求亲呢！还将自己的雀翎送给红腹角雉家的小姐了！”

"He even gifted her peacock feathers! The Second Young Master must truly adore her!"
　　“雀翎都送了！二公子真是很喜欢她了呢！”

"Of course! A talented scholar and a beautiful lady—perfectly matched in status, destined to be together!"
　　“那可不！郎才女貌，门当户对，天生就该是一对！”

"What about that servant girl?"
　　“那家奴呢？”

"Ah, who knows? Only by keeping one's feet on the ground can one find a proper ending! What's the use of dreaming about flying up to the high branches—even if you reach them, could you ever perch securely?"
　　“哎，谁知道呢？脚踏实地做事，才得善始善终呀！做什么飞上枝头的美梦，飞上枝头，站得稳么！”

"Haha, it's still better for us to do things honestly!"
　　“哈哈，还是我们老老实实做事得好！”

Qing Shijiu lowered his eyes and looked at the improperly trimmed Phoenix Perch Flower for a while before tucking it into his sleeve.
　　青十九垂眼看了会儿剪岔了的凤栖花，将它收入自己的袖里。

Night fell.
　　入夜。

Qing Shijiu rubbed his tired face, entered the room to light a lamp, and carefully took out the Phoenix Perch Flower with half its petals ruined from where he'd hidden it in his sleeve.
　　青十九揉了一把疲倦的脸，进屋点灯，小心翼翼地将藏在袖子里的那朵剪烂了半边花瓣的凤栖花取出。

In just half a day, the flowers had already begun to wilt, their orange-red petals curling slightly, looking somewhat pitiful.
　　短短半日，花已经有些焉了，橙红的花瓣微微卷起，有些委屈巴巴的模样。

Qing Shijiu propped his head with one hand while holding the Phoenix Perch Flower in the other, his gaze distant as if lost in thought. After a long while, he finally shuddered slightly, his eyes regaining focus.
　　青十九一手撑着头，一手举着凤栖花打量，目光有些空茫，似乎是走神了。许久，他才颤了一下，目光也有了凝聚点。

The Phoenix Perch Flower rolled twice between Qing Shijiu's fingertips before landing on the table. He lifted his fingers and sniffed them.
　　凤栖花在青十九的指尖滚了两遭，随后落在桌上，他抬起指尖嗅了嗅。

It smelled slightly bitter.
　　有点儿苦的味道。

The faint sound of tolling bells could be heard from outside.
　　外头隐约有鸣钟声传来。

Qing Shijiu blew out the lamp and retired to bed.
　　青十九吹熄了灯，上床歇下了。

The next day, the people from Peacock Manor arrived quite early.
　　次日，孔雀府的人到得很早。

Qing Shijiu was burying the newly brewed wine in the village when a pair of black official boots suddenly appeared before him.
　　青十九正在埋庄里新酿的酒，面前突然出现了一双皂靴。

He looked up and saw an utterly ordinary face, dressed in the attire of a servant from the Peacock Manor.
　　他抬头，看见一张平平无奇的脸，穿着孔雀府家奴的衣裳。

The person spoke: "Nineteen, it's me, Kong Ling."
　　那人开口道：“十九，是我，孔泠。”

Qing Nineteen froze.
　　青十九呆住了。

Kong Ling, the ninth young master of Peacock Manor, universally acknowledged as the foremost beauty beneath the clouds.
　　孔泠，孔雀府排行第九的公子，公认的云中第一美人。

What was Kong Ling doing at Xiaochun Village in disguise?
　　孔泠易容来小春庄做什么？

Soon, Qing Nineteen learned the answer.
　　很快，青十九就知晓答案了。

The two found a secluded spot where Kong Ling set up a soundproofing array and revealed his purpose for coming here in full.
　　二人寻了个隐蔽处，孔泠布下障音阵，将他来此的目的和盘托出。

It turned out Lord Peacock had arranged a marriage for Kong Ling, scheduled to take place after the wedding of the second young master of Peacock Manor.
　　原是孔雀大人给孔泠定了门亲，时间安排在孔雀府二公子婚礼之后。

Kong Ling gnashed his teeth: "What does he care about familial bonds! We offspring are nothing but tools for him to curry favor! What kind of person the Spirit Mountain Lord is—he knows perfectly well! Yet he heartlessly wants me to submit to a mortal old man! As if cozying up to the Spirit Mountain Lord would win him the phoenix's favor!"
　　孔泠咬牙切齿的：“他眼里哪有什么骨肉亲情！我们这些子嗣，不过是他用来巴结人的！那灵山君是个什么样的人他又不是不清楚！他竟然狠心让我委身于一个凡人老叟！他以为巴结到灵山君，就能攀上凤凰了吗！”

The name Spirit Mountain Lord was known to all in Yunzhong. Qing Shi-jiu had also heard the rumors. Originally a mortal farmer, the Spirit Mountain Lord had by chance saved a phoenix, losing his sight in the process. The phoenix repaid his kindness by altering his fate and gifting him the Spirit Mountain at Yunzhong's border—hence people called him "Spirit Mountain Lord."
　　灵山君此人，云中无人不知无人不晓。青十九也听过传言。灵山君本是人间一老农，机缘巧合救了凤凰，为此双目失明。凤凰报恩，改其命数，又将位处云中边界的灵山赠予他，世人便称其为“灵山君”。

Qing Shi-jiu said softly, "Please calm your anger."
　　青十九轻声道：“您消消气。”

Kong Ling grabbed his arm earnestly: "Shi-jiu, only you can save me now. Listen to me..."
　　孔泠一把抓住他的手臂，诚恳道：“十九，只有你能救我了。你听我说……”

Kong Ling's meaning was simple—this marriage couldn't be avoided, but he also couldn't truly marry into Spirit Mountain.
　　孔泠的意思很简单，这婚事避不了，但他也不可能真的嫁去灵山。

"You and I share similar stature, and you're familiar with my temperament. You replacing me at Spirit Mountain would be most suitable," Kong Ling spoke rapidly. "Don't worry, after I leave Yunzhong, I'll send you a letter. When you receive it, go to the address written there—you'll find something I left for you. Whether you wish to stay in Yunzhong or leave, no one will be able to stop you then!"
　　“你我身形相近，你也熟悉我的脾性，你替我去灵山，再合适不过。”孔泠很快速地说着，“你放心，待我离开云中，会给你送一封信。届时你收到信，去信上写的地址，会有我留给你的东西。你想留在云中，或是离开，不会有人拦得住你了！”

Qing Shijiu remained silent for a long while. Kong Ling asked softly, "Shijiu, don't you want to leave Xiaochun Manor?"
　　青十九沉默了许久。孔泠轻声问：“十九，你不想离开小春庄吗？”

Qing Shijiu met Kong Ling's gaze, and after a long pause, finally said, "Alright."
　　青十九同孔泠对上视线，半晌，他才道：“好。”

　　……

On the day of Second Young Master Kong's wedding, Little Spring Manor was also adorned with red silks. The Peacock Estate sent people to deliver wedding gift boxes—one for each person—to share in the festive joy.
　　孔二公子成亲当日，小春庄也布上了红绸。孔雀府差人送了喜盒来，人手一份，沾喜气。

The gift box contained a phoenix-perching flower along with several auspicious fruits, topped with a small red envelope sealing a single golden bean inside.
　　喜盒里装着一朵凤栖花，并几样寓意吉祥的果，面上压着一个小红包，里头封了一粒金豆。

Qing Shi-Jiu had a red silk ribbon tied around his waist as well. While working, he overheard an idle old servant nearby mention Kong Ling's marriage. By then, news of Kong Ling's wedding to Lingshan had already spread, and the old servant's words were full of delight—soon enough, they'd receive another wedding gift box.
　　青十九的腰上也系了条红绸，干活时听见旁边偷懒的老仆提到了孔泠的婚事。这时孔泠同灵山的婚事的消息已传出，老仆的言语之间都是高兴，隔不久又可以领个喜盒。

On the day Kong Ling's betrothal gifts arrived, Kong Ling's personal attendant appeared in Qing Shijiu's room.
　　孔泠的喜盒送来那日，孔泠的贴身侍从出现在青十九的屋里。

Kong Ling had three personal attendants—three brothers whose true forms were hummingbirds. Following the Peacock Manor's convention for naming servants, they were called Feng Yi, Feng Er, and Feng San.
　　孔泠有三个贴身侍从，是三兄弟，原身是蜂鸟。按孔雀府给下人取名的惯例，便称蜂一，蜂二，蜂三。

Feng Yi remained by Kong Ling's side while Feng Er and Feng San came to Xiaochun Manor.
　　蜂一留在孔泠身边，蜂二、蜂三来了小春庄。

Seeing Qing Shijiu had returned, the two wasted no words and immediately began their task.
　　见青十九回来了，二人并不多言，立即开始动作。

Qing Shijiu was caught off guard when Feng Er's hand touched the side of his neck, instantly sending a searing, burning sensation through him. He let out a startled "Ah!" and instinctively tried to pull away, but Feng Er held him firmly in place.
　　青十九没有防备，蜂二的手抚上他的侧颈，顿时一阵火辣辣的烧灼感传来。他“啊”了一声，本能地想躲开，被蜂二制住了。

"Removing the Spring Manor's restriction for you."
　　“给你解开小春庄的禁制。”

Grimacing, Qing Shijiu stopped struggling.
　　青十九皱着脸不动了。

The burning sensation didn't last long. "Done," Feng Er announced as he withdrew his hand.
　　这烧灼感持续得不久，蜂二道了句“好了。”便放下了手。

In that brief moment, another "Qing Shijiu" appeared in the room. Qing Shijiu stared in surprise at "himself" for a while before the latter said, "I'm Feng San. I'll stay at Xiaochun Village in your place for now to keep up appearances."
　　这短短的时间里，屋里又出现了另一位“青十九”，青十九惊讶地同“自己”对视了会儿，后者道：“我蜂三。这段时日我替你留在小春庄遮遮耳目。”

Qing Shijiu nodded, packed a few personal belongings, then transformed into his original form and flew toward Ling Mountain with Feng Er.
　　青十九颔首，收拾了几件贴身衣物，化作原身同蜂二一起飞向了灵山。

The two landed at the foot of Ling Mountain and resumed human form to ascend on foot. Ling Mountain had restrictions—magic couldn't be used there. Even phoenixes had to walk up from the base when they visited.
　　二人在灵山脚落下，化作人形步行上山。灵山有禁制，用不了法力，连凤凰来了都得从山脚走上去。

During the climb, Feng Er said, "Lingshan Jun recently sent word forbidding the wedding procession from ascending the mountain. Ninth Young Master will persuade Eldest Young Master to let him go up alone. We'll meet them at the mountainside."
　　上山途中，蜂二道：“灵山君日前来了信，不许送亲的队伍上山。九公子会劝说大公子放他独自上山，我们就在山腰汇合。”

Qing Nineteen felt inexplicably nervous and remained silent.
　　青十九莫名有些紧张，没有说话。

To avoid trouble, the two hid in the dense forest halfway up the mountain. With worries weighing on his mind, Qing Nineteen had slept poorly at night and soon dozed off, only to be shaken awake by Feng Er after what felt like ages.
　　为防生事，二人藏进了半山腰密林中。青十九心里挂着事，夜里没睡好，埋头便睡了过去，不知隔了多久才被蜂二推醒。

"They're here."
　　“来了。”

The two stealthily crept to the mountain path's edge, daring only to peek halfway over. Below at the mountain's base stretched a crimson dragon—a grand, flowing procession in the unmistakable style of Peacock Manor.
　　二人偷摸到山道边，只敢探出半个头往下望。山脚道上一条赤色长龙，浩浩汤汤，是孔雀府的风格。

Bee Two lowered his voice and said, "Let's hide first, and wait for them to come up."
　　蜂二压低声音道：“我们先藏着，待他们上来就可。”

Qing Nineteen glanced once more at the foot of the mountain before following Bee Two into the dense forest.
　　青十九又看了眼山脚，随蜂二入了密林。

This time, the two waited for a long while before hearing two clear calls echo through the silent mountain path.
　　这回二人又等了许久，才听见寂静的山道传来两声清鸣。

Bee Two peeked out and then beckoned to Qing Nineteen: "It's the young master!"
　　蜂二探头看了眼，才招呼青十九：“是公子！”

The two emerged from their hiding place one after another, only to see Kong Ling looking deathly pale, barely managing to stay upright with Feng Yi's support.
　　二人先后出了藏身之地，只见孔泠面色发白，被蜂一搀着才勉强没瘫倒在地。

Qing Shijiu asked with concern, "What happened?"
　　青十九关切地问：“这是怎么了？”

Kong Ling rolled his eyes and gasped out between breaths, "The Peacock Manor... must be trying to marry off a corpse to Lingshan... this wedding robe has a full twelve layers... I nearly died halfway up the mountain wearing this..."
　　孔泠翻了个白眼，断断续续道：“孔雀府……怕是想嫁个尸体给灵山……这喜服足有十二层……我穿着走上来……差点死半道咯。”

Qing Shijiu felt his scalp tingle when he saw the gold-inlaid, pearl-studded headpiece.
　　青十九看见那镶金嵌珠的头冠突然觉着头皮发麻。

Time couldn't be wasted, so the three of them helped Kong Ling change his clothes. Only when the headpiece was removed did Kong Ling finally exhale in relief. He opened his palm, revealing a small celadon-colored jade vial with ice-crack patterns: "Nineteen, these are Transformation Pills—take one every ten days. I've prepared a three-month supply. Within these three months, I'll definitely help you leave Ling Mountain."
　　时间不能耽搁，三人搀着孔泠将衣裳换了，摘下头冠时，孔泠才呼出一口气。他展开掌心，露出个青黄色的冰裂小玉瓶：“十九，这是易形丹，十日一服。我准备了三个月的量，三月为期，我一定助你离开灵山。”

Qing Shijiu nodded, took the jade vial, and swallowed a pill. Instantly, he felt his face grow warm and couldn't resist pressing his palms against his cheeks. The heat came and went quickly, and when he looked up, he got a fright.
　　青十九点了点头，接过玉瓶，倒了粒丸药服下。霎时，他便觉面皮有些发热，忍不住用手心贴脸。那温度来得快去得也快，他抬眼一瞧，吓了一跳。

The person before him laughed heartily: "Don't be scared! It's me! I've disguised myself as my elder brother to escort you up the mountain."
　　面前人哈哈一笑：“别怕，是我呀！我易容成我大哥的模样送你上山。”

As Kong Ling spoke, he made several silly faces, twisting his handsome features into ridiculous expressions. Kong Jing, the eldest son of the Peacock Manor, was typically expressionless—Qing Shijiu feared him like mice fear cats. Seeing Kong Ling make these expressions using Kong Jing's face actually made him feel less afraid.
　　孔泠说着，又做了几个鬼脸，英俊的面孔扭曲得一塌糊涂。孔雀府大公子孔璟一贯面无表情，青十九怵他就像耗子见了猫，见孔泠用孔璟的脸做这些表情，倒是不怎么怕了。

Qing Shijiu changed into his wedding robes and put on the ceremonial headpiece, then was supported by three people as they ascended the mountain. They paused to rest occasionally, so it wasn't overly exhausting.
　　青十九换上喜服，戴上头冠，被三人搀着上山，一会儿歇一下，倒也不算累。

By the time dusk was falling, they finally caught sight of Lingshan Manor's gate. Two red paper lanterns hung unlit beneath the eaves, swaying gently in the wind.
　　天擦擦黑，才见到了灵山府的大门，檐下挂着两盏红纸灯笼，没点灯，在风中轻轻荡着。

Beside him, Kong Ling whispered, "What kind of godforsaken place is this?!"
　　身边孔泠小声道：“这是个什么鬼地方？！”

No wonder he asked. The great clans of Yunzhong loved naming their residences with the character "Manor," and without exception they all occupied hundreds of acres with intricately carved beams, painted rafters, and elaborate architecture.
　　难怪他如此问。云中大族爱以“府”字命名居所，哪个不是占地百亩，雕梁画栋，钩心斗角。

But what is this before my eyes?
　　可眼前这是什么？

The gate was only wide enough for two people, its wooden planks unpainted. Instead of high walls, it connected to a waist-high fence covered with some kind of red and purple flowering vines. Through the fence, one could see just a single small thatched cottage. Behind the gate stretched crisscrossing paths through what turned out to be farmland plots.
　　大门仅有两人宽，门板也没上漆，连着门的不是高墙，而是一排半身高的栅栏，栅栏上不知攀着什么花，红红紫紫的。透过栅栏可以见着仅有一间矮小的草房。大门后阡陌纵横，竟是一块块农田。

Kong Ling's face turned ashen as he hissed through gritted teeth: "That shack isn't even as good as the outhouse in my estate!"
　　孔泠一脸菜色，压低声音咬牙切齿：“那房子连我府上的茅厕都不如！”

Beside him, Feng Yi cleared his throat: "Young master, shall we knock?"
　　旁边蜂一咳了声：“公子，要敲门吗？”

Kong Ling almost wanted to grab Qing Shijiu and run away—what marriage? Let's just flee together!
　　孔泠差点想拉着青十九走人，嫁什么，一块儿跑得了！

But that wouldn't do. Kong Ling looked at everything before him with disgust, quickly regaining his composure. If he really did this, he would never have another chance to leave Yunzhong. He knew exactly what his elder brother was capable of.
　　但是不行。孔泠嫌恶地看着眼前的一切，很快冷静下来，他若真这么做，他就再没机会离开云中了。他大哥的本事他是清楚的。

At Kong Ling's signal, Feng Yi went forward to knock on the door.
　　蜂一在孔泠的示意下去敲门。

Kong Ling whispered to Qing Shijiu from behind: "Lingshan Jun is blind... he won't recognize..."
　　孔泠在后头对青十九道：“灵山君是个瞎子，他认不出来的……”

The door opened, and Kong Ling fell silent.
　　门开了，孔泠闭了嘴。

Inside the doorway stood two clay dolls—one looking down, the other looking up—staring at each other in mutual bewilderment.
　　门里站着两个泥娃娃，一方低头，一方仰头，面面相觑。

"Ah, the groom has arrived," the clay doll said flatly. "The Mountain Lord said only the groom may enter."
　　“哎呀，是新郎到啦。”泥娃娃平直地说，“灵山君说啦，只有新郎可以入门。”

Feng Yi spoke: "We'll take our leave here. Where's the Mountain Lord? Isn't he coming out to greet his guest?"
　　蜂一道：“我们就送到这里。灵山君呢？他不出来接人？”

The clay doll still spoke in its monotonous voice: "The Mountain Spirit Lord won't return until tomorrow. He ordered us to wait for the groom at home."
　　泥娃娃依旧是毫无起伏的声音：“灵山君要明天才回来，命我们在家里等新郎。”

Qing Shijiu stole a glance at Kong Ling and shivered.
　　青十九偷偷觑了孔泠一眼，打了个颤。

This was a case of newlyweds becoming sworn enemies right after marriage.
　　这是刚成亲就结了冤家了呀。

☆ Chapter 2
　　☆、第 2 章

Kong Ling and the other two didn't stay long, soon descending the mountain. Qing Shijiu received Kong Ling's secret voice transmission: "Not three months—just one! Wait for my letter!"
　　孔泠三人没有多待，很快便下山了。青十九接到孔泠的密语传音：“不用三月，就一个月！你等着我的信！”

This was clearly provoked by the Spirit Mountain Lord's actions.
　　这是被灵山君给气着了。

Qing Shijiu gathered his robe's hem as he followed the clay dolls through the gate, walking along the field paths toward the thatched cottage. The wedding attire's hem was heavy and voluminous, making his steps particularly slow as he struggled slightly. The two clay dolls hopped ahead, always maintaining a three-step distance from him.
　　青十九抱起衣摆随泥娃娃进了门，沿着阡陌往草屋走。喜服的衣摆又沉又大，他有些吃力，步伐格外慢，两个泥娃娃在前头蹦蹦跳跳，始终和他隔着三步的距离。

"The groom will get to meet the Spirit Mountain Lord tomorrow."
　　“明天新郎就能见到灵山君啦。”

The thatched cottage looked shabby from the outside, but the interior was remarkably clean and tidy. The space appeared surprisingly spacious, even featuring a bathing area partitioned by a screen. There was likely a spatial expansion array at work here.
　　草屋外头看起来破旧，里头却十分干净整洁，看上去空间不小，居然还有个浴室，用屏风隔着。约莫是有个拓展空间的阵法。

Qing Shijiu looked around and pointed at the daybed by the window: "Can I rest here?"
　　青十九左右看了看，指着窗边的榻：“我歇这儿可以吗？”

The clay doll rolled around in a circle: "Why would the groom sleep there? The bed is for you. Before leaving, Lord Lingshan specifically added two soft quilts, saying the groom is delicate and precious, and should sleep more comfortably."
　　泥娃娃咕噜噜转了圈：“新郎睡这里做什么。睡床上呀，灵山君走前特地添了两床软被，说新郎身娇体贵，让新郎睡得好些。”

Qing Shijiu stared at the not-so-distant bed, his expression as if he'd encountered tigers and wolves.
　　青十九盯着隔得不远的床，表情好似见到了虎狼。

The two clay dolls skipped away again: "The groom can rest now, we'll fetch water for the groom's bath."
　　两个泥娃娃又蹦跳地走了：“新郎可以歇一歇，我们去给新郎打水沐浴。”

After all the fuss, Qing Nineteen was indeed exhausted and rolled into bed under the clay dolls' urging.
　　待折腾完，青十九确实也累了，在泥娃娃的督促下滚上了床。

The bed carried the scent of its master. Qing Nineteen awkwardly lifted his head, remained stiff for a while, then couldn't hold the position and lay back down.
　　床上有主人家的味道，青十九别扭地抬起脑袋，僵了一阵后又支撑不住躺回去。

From beneath the bed, the clay dolls asked: "Can't the groom sleep? Would the groom like to read a book?"
　　泥娃娃在床下问：“新郎睡不着吗。新郎要看书吗。”

Qing Shijiu shook his head, thinking to himself, "I don't know a single character—what would I read books for?"
　　青十九摇了摇脑袋，心想我大字不识，看什么书。

And just like that, he fell asleep.
　　竟就这么睡了过去。

The next day, Qing Shijiu woke up extremely early—a habit ingrained in him from Xiaochun Village, where the old servant always rose early and immediately busied himself with chores.
　　次日青十九醒得极早，小春庄里被磨出的习惯，老仆总是起得早，起来就爱找事。

He rummaged through the Qiankun pouch Kong Ling had left behind, pulled out an outer robe to drape over himself, and stepped outside to wash up. The moment he exited, he spotted a figure standing on the path between the fields.
　　他从孔泠留下的乾坤袋中翻出一件外衫披上，出门洗漱，一出门，瞧见阡陌上立着个人。

The man seemed to hear the movement and turned around. Qing Shijiu saw his face clearly and froze slightly.
　　那人似乎听见了动静，回身过来。青十九看清他的模样，微微发愣。

Back when he was at Peacock Manor, he had seen many young masters and ladies from prominent families, yet none could compare to the beauty of this young man before him—even Kong Ling would pale in comparison standing beside him.
　　他从前在孔雀府，见过不少大族的公子姑娘，没有哪个人的容貌能比得上面前这个年轻人，孔泠同他站一起，也要逊色三分。

The young man closed his eyes and revealed a smile as warm as spring breeze: "You're up so early? I've caught some fish—would you like fish soup?"
　　年轻人闭着眼，露出个春风和煦的笑：“你起得这么早？我钓了鱼，要喝鱼汤吗？”

Half an hour later.
　　半个时辰后。

Qing Nineteen sat hugging his knees by the table, stealthily observing the busy figure of the young man, his mind in utter turmoil.
　　青十九抱膝坐在桌边，鬼鬼祟祟地打量年轻人忙碌的背影，心中掀起惊涛骇浪。

The Mountain Spirit? This is the Mountain Spirit? Wasn't the Mountain Spirit supposed to be an elderly mortal man? Rumor had it he'd lost most of his teeth!
　　灵山君？这是灵山君？灵山君不是个凡人老叟吗？据传他牙都掉得不剩几颗了！

Two clay dolls were playing by the stove when the Mountain Spirit said gently, "Keep playing and you'll turn into porcelain dolls. Go to Madam now."
　　两个泥娃娃堆在灶边玩，灵山君温声道：“再玩要变瓷娃娃了，去夫人那里。”

The clay dolls rolled over cheerfully, calling flatly: "Madam. Madam."
　　泥娃娃欢快地滚了过来，平直地叫：“夫人。夫人。”

Qing Shijiu forced a stiff smile, raising his hand to touch his reddened earlobe.
　　青十九露出个僵硬的笑，抬手摸了下发红的耳垂。

Lingshan Jun brought out the simmered fish soup and placed it at the center of the table. Though truly blind, he moved as effortlessly as a sighted person, even distinguishing the ingredients for the fish soup with perfect clarity.
　　灵山君将炖好的鱼汤端上来，摆在桌面正中。他的确眼盲，却似常人一般行动自如，连给鱼汤添料都分得一清二楚。

The two ate breakfast in silence. When Qing Shijiu rose to walk off his meal, Lingshan Jun called him back.
　　二人安静地用了一顿早饭，青十九起身欲消食，被灵山君叫住了。

"Yesterday I went to the Phoenix Palace and begged a jar of Phoenix Perch Blossom wine from the phoenix. I heard your spirit avian clan's wedding wine is brewed with Phoenix Perch Blossoms and longevity fruits. The fruits in my field aren't ripe yet—there wasn't enough time—so I had to go begging at the Phoenix Palace."
　　“我昨日去了梧桐宫，向凤凰讨了一坛凤栖花酒。听闻你们灵禽一族的合卺酒是用凤栖花并福寿果酿的，我地里的福寿果没熟，来不及，只能去梧桐宫讨酒了。”

So it was.
　　原是这样。

Actually, there was no need for the Spirit Mountain Lord to trouble himself like this. The Peacock Manor had everything prepared, and as for a mere jar of Phoenix Perch Flower Wine, there were plenty buried beneath the trees of Little Spring Villa.
　　其实并不用灵山君如此劳动，孔雀府什么都备好了，区区一坛子凤栖花酒，小春庄树下埋着不少。

Qing Shijiu softly responded with an "Mm."
　　青十九轻轻地“嗯”了声。

The Spirit Mountain Lord cherished the exotic flowers and rare fruits in his fields dearly. After the meal, he took up his hoe and straw hat, with two mud-covered children trailing behind him, and headed to the back of the house.
　　灵山君极爱重他地里的奇花异果，饭后便拿上锄头和草帽，身后缀着两个泥娃娃，往屋后去了。

Qing Shijiu watched him leave, then took another stroll along the paths before the house, examining the treasures of Lingshan Jun. Each field grew something different—even the soil varied. Qing Shijiu passed three fields in succession: one filled with water, another with earth, and the last, unexpectedly, with molten lava.
　　青十九目送他去，又在屋前的阡陌上转了一圈，打量灵山君的宝贝。每块田地里种的东西都是不一样的，甚至连土都不一样。青十九一连路过三块田，一块是水，一块是土，最后一块，竟是熔岩。

Curious, Qing Shijiu crouched down to scrutinize the expanse of lava more closely.
　　青十九好奇地蹲下，细细打量起这一地熔岩。

Having entered the Peacock Manor in his youth, his experiences were limited, and such peculiar sights naturally piqued his curiosity all the more.
　　他幼年便进了孔雀府，见识少，对这些奇特的东西自然格外好奇。

Upon closer inspection, he noticed something slowly moving atop the lava—so tiny and of the same hue that it would have gone unnoticed without careful attention.
　　细看才发现熔岩之上竟有东西在缓慢游移，只是它过于细小，又同这熔岩一般颜色，不费神当真发现不了。

A voice suddenly spoke from behind: "That's the Blind Vine of the Ghost Path. Don't get too close—it's quite vicious."
　　身后突然出现个声音：“这是鬼道的盲蔓，你不要靠得太近，它很凶的。”

The Spirit Mountain Lord had arrived unnoticed.
　　灵山君不知何时过来了。

Two mud dolls trailing behind him emphasized: "Very vicious."
　　两个泥娃娃跟在他身后强调：“很凶的。”

Dressed in a yellowed, worn-out short coat, the Spirit Mountain Lord passed by Qing Shi Jiu, leaving behind a wisp of herbal fragrance.
　　灵山君穿着泛黄老旧的短褐，从青十九身边走过，留下一缕草木香。

Qing Nineteen suddenly had a thought: It smells just like his pillow.
　　青十九蹦出个念头：和他枕上的味道一样。

But he quickly dismissed it: What am I thinking?!
　　很快又转念：我在想什么？！

Composing himself, he noticed Lingshan Jun had entered the neighboring paddy field, with his sleeves and pant legs rolled up past his joints, bending over as if searching for something.
　　他定了定神，发现灵山君走进了隔壁的水田，手脚的衣物都卷到关节往上，正弯腰摸索着什么。

After watching for a while and seeing Lingshan Jun find nothing, Qing Nineteen softly asked, "What are you looking for? Do you need my help?"
　　青十九看了会儿，灵山君似乎什么也没摸到，便小声问：“你在找什么，需要我帮忙吗？”

As if waiting for these words for a long time, Lingshan Jun responded swiftly: "Alright."
　　像是等他这句话许久，灵山君接得很快：“好啊。”

Qing Shijiu took off his outer robe. The robe was left behind by Kong Ling, made of the finest materials and styled in the 孔雀一族's signature extravagant fashion—utterly unsuitable for manual labor.
　　青十九将外衫脱了。外衫是孔泠留下的，都是用的最好的料，款式又是孔雀一族贯爱的华美，实在不适合干活。

He rolled up his pant legs and saw Lingshan Jun's outstretched hand before him. After a moment's hesitation, he lightly pinched it between his fingertips, only for Lingshan Jun to suddenly encircle his fingers, enveloping Qing Shijiu's entire hand in his palm.
　　他卷起裤脚，看见面前灵山君递来的手，犹豫了下，用指尖轻轻捏住了，怎料灵山君五指一圈，将他整只手都纳入掌心。

Qing Shijiu froze.
　　青十九僵住。

The Mountain Spirit led him into the water, then released his hand. The water reached just past their knees. Qing Shijiu rolled up his sleeves and looked down—the rippling surface distorted their reflections.
　　灵山君将他带入水中，便松开了手。水将将没过膝，青十九卷袖子低头看，水面轻荡，扭曲了二人的影。

"...What are you searching for?"
　　“……你在找什么？”

The Mountain Spirit said, "Mermaid silk."
　　灵山君道：“鲛丝。”

As these words were spoken, Qing Shijiu suddenly cried out in alarm, stumbling backward two frantic steps until he nearly fell—only to be caught firmly by the Mountain Spirit's grasp.
　　这话说出的同时，青十九突然惊叫一声，往旁边急退两步，眼看要栽倒了，被灵山君一把捞住。

He gasped in shock, "What... was that?"
　　他惊魂未定：“什么……东西？”

Something brushed against his leg, cold and slightly rough.
　　有什么蹭着他的腿滑了过去，冷冰冰的，有点粗糙。

"Don't be afraid." The voice of Lingshan Jun brushed against his ear, warm and moist with breath. "It's a mermaid."
　　“不要怕。”灵山君的声音贴着耳朵，气息轻柔湿润，“是鲛人。”

Qing Shijiu suddenly realized—he was being encircled by Lingshan Jun, his entire body nearly leaning against him. Due to their height difference, Lingshan Jun's lips happened to brush against the tip of his ear.
　　青十九猛然反应过来，他正被灵山君圈着，整个人几乎都倚在他身上，因为个头有差，灵山君的唇刚好就落在他耳尖。

Qing Nineteen's scalp tingled as he recoiled with even greater force.
　　青十九头皮发麻，动静更大地弹了出去。

Lingshan Jun smiled wordlessly, his eyes crinkling at the corners.
　　灵山君笑眯眯的，也不言语。

Qing Nineteen lowered his head to hide his expression, only to find himself eye-to-eye with the emerging merman. The creature appeared young, his silver-white upper body glistening while his mouth remained submerged, blowing bubbles beneath the water's surface.
　　青十九掩饰地低下头，正好和露面的鲛人眼对眼。鲛人看起来年纪不大，露出的半身是银白的，嘴藏在水下吐泡泡。

"This is Little Fish," Lingshan Jun explained. "I rescued him from Lin Yuan Sea three years ago, and he's been following me ever since."
　　“他叫小鱼。”灵山君道，“三年前我在临渊海救的，此后就一直跟着我了。”

Qing Nineteen had heard of the Abyssal Sea—said to be the dwelling place of the Dragon King's palace, far from Cloudreach. Having grown up in the Peacock Manor, confined to that small patch of land, his concept of the sea was vague, knowing only that it was larger than a lake.
　　青十九听过临渊海，据说是龙宫的所在，离云中很远。他自幼在孔雀府长大，困在那一亩三分地，对海的概念模糊，只知比湖要大。

The little fish dove into the water, its silver-white tail flickering briefly before disappearing. It soon resurfaced, holding a pearl in its palm, emitting a faint, radiant glow.
　　小鱼潜入了水里，鱼尾一晃而过，也是银白的。他很快又浮上来，掌心托着一颗珍珠，散发着微微华光。

Lingshan Jun didn’t seem like a blind man at all. The moment the little fish opened its hand, he said, "This is the little fish’s gift to you."
　　灵山君实在不像个盲人，小鱼一张手他便道：“小鱼给你的见面礼。”

"This pearl is a 'Mermaid’s Tear,' very rare—even a mermaid might not produce one in its lifetime." Lingshan Jun took the pearl from the little fish’s palm and handed it to Qing Nineteen. "The little fish likes you very much."
　　“这颗珍珠是‘鲛人泪’，很稀有，鲛人一生也难有一颗。”灵山君从小鱼掌心拿起那颗珍珠，递给青十九，“小鱼很喜欢你。”

It's too precious.
　　太贵重了。

Mermaid tears are rare, coveted by the great clans of the clouds. Lord Peacock only obtained one two years ago, setting it in the center of his crown.
　　鲛人泪稀有，云中大族趋之若鹜，孔雀大人前年才得一颗，镶在了头冠正中。

Qing Nineteen hesitated about whether to accept it. The Mountain Spirit said softly, "It's alright, I have one too. Little Fish has a special constitution—every pearl she produces is a mermaid tear. You can use them as marbles to play with."
　　青十九不知该不该接。灵山君轻声道：“没事的，我也有一颗。小鱼体质特殊，产出的珍珠颗颗都是鲛人泪，拿着当弹珠玩。”

Qing Nineteen blinked in surprise as she accepted the mermaid tear, thinking to herself that such a constitution was truly born for fortune.
　　青十九惊讶地眨眨眼，接过鲛人泪，心想这体质真是天生撞财运。

To prove his words were true, the Mountain Spirit bent down and scooped up a handful of luminous pearls glowing with radiant light.
　　灵山君为了证明自己所言非虚，弯腰捞了一把，捞出一掌心散发着华光的珍珠。

Qing Shi-jiu's gaze was drawn to something else. He reached out and plucked a dangling silver thread from the Mountain Spirit's hand.
　　青十九的目光被另一样东西吸引，他伸手，将垂坠的一根银丝从灵山君手中抽了出来。

The Mountain Spirit said, "Mermaid silk."
　　灵山君道：“鲛丝。”

Qing Shi-jiu gathered the strand of mermaid silk in his palm and rubbed it between his fingers. "What's this good for?" he asked.
　　青十九将那根鲛丝堆在掌心，用手指搓了搓：“这有什么用吗？”

The Mountain Spirit said, "I'll weave you a new quilt."
　　灵山君道：“给你织床新被子。”

Qing Shijiu didn't quite understand, but he thought the Mountain Spirit was truly remarkable—a man of many talents. Though not the kind of talents favored by the great clans of the clouds.
　　青十九不太懂，但觉着灵山君十分厉害，称得上多才多艺。虽不是云中大族喜欢的那种多才多艺。

Night fell.
　　入夜。

Qing Shijiu sat on the bed, with a jar of wine and two cups placed on the table beside him.
　　青十九坐在榻上，手边桌面摆着一坛子酒，并两只杯。

All other wedding rituals were omitted. The Mountain Spirit's meaning was clear: once they drank the nuptial wine, the ceremony would be complete, and the two would be properly wedded husband and wife.
　　婚礼的其他步骤都被省略了，灵山君的意思是喝了合卺酒就算礼成，二人就是正正经经的夫妻了。

Qing Shijiu didn't know if this was the customary practice for human weddings. Pressing a hand to his stomach, he felt excessively nervous.
　　青十九不知这是不是人间的婚嫁规矩，他按住胃，有些紧张过头。

After spending this day together, Qing Shijiu had formed an excellent impression of the Mountain Spirit. One could say he'd never met anyone kinder than the Mountain Spirit.
　　这一日相处，青十九对灵山君的印象很好，可以说，他没遇见过比灵山君还好的人。

Just as he was thinking this, the Mountain Spirit emerged from behind the screen. His jet-black hair hung damp and loose, with one stray lock slipping down his forehead to rest at the corner of his eye, making his fair complexion appear even more striking.
　　正想着，屏风后就转了个灵山君出来。他一头乌发湿漉漉地散着，额上溜下一缕，垂在眼尾，更衬得肤白。

Qing Nineteen was momentarily dazzled by the beauty before him.
　　青十九一时被美色迷住了眼。

The Mountain Spirit asked, "Can you drink?"
　　灵山君问：“会喝酒吗？”

He broke the clay seal of the Phoenix Perch Flower Wine and filled two cups to the brim.
　　他拆开凤栖花酒的泥封，给两只杯倒满酒。

The aroma of wine filled the air.
　　酒香四溢。

Qing Shijiu lowered his gaze to look at the cup presented before him.
　　青十九垂目看着递到眼前的杯。

The wine cup was clay-red, while the Spirit Mountain Lord's fingers were slender and pale, holding the cup with exquisite grace.
　　酒杯是砂红色，灵山君的手指细长白净，握杯的姿势十分漂亮。

The two drank their wedding wine with vastly different emotions.
　　二人心情各异地喝了合卺酒。

The clay doll cheered at their feet: "The rites are complete."
　　泥娃娃在脚边欢呼：“礼成。”

But the voice remained as flat and unmodulated as ever, stiff and devoid of emotion.
　　只是那声音一如往常没有高低起伏，僵硬得没有情绪。

Lingshan Jun asked, "More to drink?"
　　灵山君问：“还喝吗？”

Qing Shijiu nodded, then suddenly remembered Lingshan Jun was blind and added, "Just one more cup."
　　青十九点点头，又突然想起灵山君眼盲，便道：“再喝一杯就好。”

Qing Shijiu had never been much of a drinker. Back when he worked at the Peacock Manor, he had to remain alert at all times, with few opportunities for indulgence. Now, after just two cups, he collapsed onto the table, dead to the world.
　　青十九酒量不深，从前在孔雀府做事得时刻清醒，少有放纵时候。如今只喝了两杯，就倒在桌上睡得人事不知。

The Spirit Mountain Lord sat on the opposite side, pouring and drinking by himself. Only after finishing an entire jar of wine did he leisurely begin clearing the table.
　　灵山君坐在另一侧自斟自饮，待把一坛子酒都喝净了，才慢条斯理地收拾桌面。

"Take these away."
　　“拿出去。”

Two clay dolls carried out the empty wine jar and cups.
　　两个泥娃娃顶着空酒坛和酒杯走了。

Qing Nineteen's breathing remained even. The Spirit Mountain Lord sat beside him for a while before extending his hand to hover over the youth's face, his palm emitting a faint green glow.
　　青十九呼吸匀顺，灵山君在侧坐了一会儿，伸手虚覆在他脸上，掌心散出青色微光。

The faint glow dissipated, revealing his original appearance once more. Perhaps due to the alcohol consumed, the corners of his eyes were tinged with a delicate flush, and his lips glistened with a rosy hue.
　　微光散去，竟是变回原本的模样，大约是饮了酒的原因，眼尾洇着薄红，唇珠红润。

"This appearance is far more pleasing to the eye than Kong Ling's."
　　“这模样倒是比孔泠顺眼多了。”

☆ Chapter 3
　　☆、第 3 章

When Qing Shi Jiu awoke, he sensed something amiss—it felt as though his head was resting upon something.
　　青十九醒来时觉得不大对，自己好像枕着什么。

He quietly opened one eye to see a blurry expanse of flesh-toned color.
　　他悄悄睁开一只眼，眼前是一片模糊的肉色。

"……"
　　“……”

Something was definitely off.
　　果然不大对。

Qing Shijiu gently lifted his arm and chin from where they'd been resting against Lingshan Jun, then scooted backward on hands and knees until his back hit the wall. The bed was narrow to begin with—no matter how much he moved, the space between them couldn't grow much wider.
　　青十九轻轻地将搁在灵山君身上的手臂和下颌抬走，手脚并用地往后蹭，直到挨着墙。这床本就不宽，再怎么挪两人之间的空隙也大不了。

The Mountain Lord lay with his eyes closed, his sleeping posture perfectly straight like a mountain blocking the bedside. Qing Nineteen couldn't get up easily, but was fully awake now, staring wide-eyed at the Mountain Lord.
　　灵山君阖着眼，睡姿极为平整，像座山似的拦在床畔。青十九不好起身，但人也清醒了，睁着大眼盯着灵山君瞧。

Even his profile was this handsome.
　　侧颜也这么好看。

Qing Nineteen's mind buzzed with scattered thoughts—one moment wondering how the rumor that "the Mountain Lord is an old man" had spread, the next pondering how the Mountain Lord managed to act no differently from sighted people despite being blind. The clay doll had mentioned there were books in this room—did the Mountain Lord read regularly? How does a blind person read?
　　青十九心里念头纷杂，一会儿想“灵山君是个老叟”是怎么传出去的，一会儿又想灵山君是如何做到眼盲却同常人无异的。听泥娃娃说这屋里还有书，灵山君平日看书吗？眼盲该如何看书？

As his thoughts wandered aimlessly, movement suddenly came from the Mountain Lord's side. Qing Nineteen hurriedly shut his eyes and pretended to sleep.
　　他漫无边际地乱想，灵山君那头突然有了动静。青十九赶紧闭上眼装睡。

The Mountain Spirit Lord awoke as the clay doll entered noisily. He chided in a low voice, "Don't make noise, Madam is still sleeping."
　　灵山君起了，泥娃娃进屋的动静有些大，他低声斥道：“不要吵，夫人还在睡。”

The feigning-sleep Qing Shijiu's ears turned red at the tips.
　　装睡的青十九耳尖红了。

Then came the sound of a closing door, and silence returned to the room.
　　而后便传来关门的声响，屋里没了动静。

Qing Shijiu estimated he'd lain still long enough before rising himself.
　　青十九估摸着躺了一会儿，也起了。

Outside, Lord Lingshan sat cross-legged by the table, holding a knife in one hand and a golden-yellow fruit in the other, fruit peels falling as he worked.
　　屋外，灵山君正盘腿坐在桌边，一手持刀，一手握着个黄澄澄的果，动作间有果皮落下。

Qing Shijiu, ever mindful of Lord Lingshan's blindness, grew tense at the sight: "Let me do it."
　　青十九老惦记着灵山君眼盲，见此情景难免紧张：“我来吧。”

Lord Lingshan smiled at him: "No need, this is the last one."
　　灵山君迎着他笑：“不必，这是最后一个了。”

As he spoke, he patted the small bowl beside his leg—inside indeed lay three neatly peeled fruits.
　　说着拍了拍腿边的小碗，里头果然装着三个去好皮的果。

"Today we have guests coming—my friends who heard about my marriage and want to meet my wife," said the Ling Mountain Lord. "According to the customs of the spirit avian tribe, should we prepare wedding gift boxes? What should be put inside them? Tell me about it."
　　“今日有客人来，是我的朋友，听闻我成亲，想来见见我的夫人。”灵山君道，“按灵禽族的规矩是不是要备下喜盒，喜盒里要装些什么，你同我讲讲。”

He was going to meet the Ling Mountain Lord's friends.
　　要见灵山君的朋友。

This matter made Qing Shijiu nervous again. After discussing the wedding gift boxes with the Ling Mountain Lord, he hurried back to his room, took out a mirror, and carefully examined his face, tugging at it slightly.
　　这件事让青十九又紧张起来，他跟灵山君聊完喜盒，匆匆回屋摸出镜子，仔细端详自己的脸，抬手扯了扯。

Kong Ling had said the Shapeshifting Pill would last for ten days. Slightly reassured, he put down the mirror and mocked himself—he really wasn’t cut out for major undertakings, getting all worked up over the slightest stir.
　　孔泠说易形丹可持效十日。他稍稍安下心，放下镜子，自嘲地想，自己果然不适合干大事，一点风吹草动就如临大敌。

The Lord of Ling Mountain was generous, scooping up a few mermaid tears from the little fish's pond to replace the golden beans in the red envelopes.
　　灵山君阔气，从小鱼的池子里捞了几颗鲛人泪，替代红封的金豆。

There were three gift boxes in total, meaning three visitors had come.
　　一共三个喜盒，这是有三人来访的意思。

In the afternoon, Qing Shijiu was sent by the Mountain Lord to take a nap. This was quite a novel experience for him—as a servant, he was expected to remain alert from dawn till dusk, always ready to answer summons. Only in his early childhood had he ever had the chance to take midday naps. Now, being urged by the Mountain Lord to rest, he felt an indescribable emotion stirring in his heart.
　　午后，青十九被灵山君赶去午睡。这事对他来说也是新奇，当仆从的从早到晚，时时刻刻得清醒，等着传唤。他也就年岁尚小时有过几年午觉的机会，如今被灵山君催着午睡，心里竟有些说不清道不明的感觉。

After tossing and turning for a long time before finally falling asleep, I woke again to find the sky already dark.
　　翻滚许久才睡去，再醒来天已然黑了。

The door was ajar, and everything was quiet.
　　房门掩着，一切都静悄悄的。

Qing Shijiu startled, hurriedly getting up to dress, unsure if the guest had arrived yet.
　　青十九惊了一跳，匆忙起身穿衣，也不知客人有没有到。

He pushed the door open and came face to face with someone not far away.
　　他推门出去，和不远处的一人打了个照面。

The person wore floor-length crimson robes, with a totemic mark between their brows. They narrowed their long, slender eyes to examine Qing Shijiu, their expression somewhat aloof.
　　那人一身曳地红袍，眉心有个图腾，眯着狭长的眼打量青十九，神情有些冷淡。

His voice was as cold and detached as his demeanor when he spoke: "Kong Ling from the Peacock Manor?"
　　他开口，声音也是冷冷清清的：“孔雀府的孔泠？”

In that instant of eye contact, Qing Nineteen recognized the identity of the person before him. Surprisingly calm, he mimicked the way Kong Ling used to bow to the Peacock Lord from memory, performing an identical salute toward the figure: "Phoenix Your Highness."
　　青十九在对视的瞬间就明白了面前人的身份，他出奇地冷静，依着记忆里孔泠给孔雀大人行礼的模样，依葫芦画瓢朝那人行了个礼：“凤凰殿下。”

The phoenix turned and called out: "Lingshan, your wife's awake."
　　凤凰回头喊：“灵山，你夫人醒了。”

Lingshan Jun's voice came through: "If she's awake then let's eat."
　　灵山君的声音传来：“醒了那就开饭。”

Qing Shijiu didn't dare look at the phoenix for too long, scurrying over at the sound of Lingshan Jun's voice like a wisp of smoke.
　　青十九没敢多看凤凰，循着灵山君的声音一溜烟窜过去了。

Lingshan Jun was behind the house. Qing Shijiu found a spot where the phoenix couldn't see him, stopped, pressed a hand to his chest, and quietly exhaled.
　　灵山君在屋后，青十九寻了个凤凰看不见的角度站住，抬手抚住心口，悄悄呼出一口气。

The phoenix's gaze was too sharp, giving Qing Shijiu the illusion that his flesh was being seen through. He wasn't sure if the Shapeshifting Pill could fool a phoenix.
　　凤凰的眼神太利，令青十九有种被看穿皮肉的错觉。他不清楚易形丹能不能瞒过凤凰。

As if sensing Qing Shijiu's unease, Lingshan Jun approached: "Never seen a phoenix before?"
　　似乎是察觉到青十九的异常，灵山君走了过来：“之前没见过凤凰？”

Qing Shijiu shook his head, then suddenly remembered something and quickly added, "No."
　　青十九摇摇头，又想起什么，赶紧接了句：“没有。”

Lingshan Jun naturally squeezed his hand and said, "He's just coming for a meal, don't be afraid."
　　灵山君动作自然地捏了捏他的手：“他就来吃顿饭而已，不怕。”

Sure enough, three guests arrived. Apart from Fenghuang, the other two were dressed simply and neatly—one introduced himself as "Xiao Bai," the other as "Xiao Wu."
　　果然来了三位客人，除凤凰之外，另两人装束简单利落，一个自称“小白”，一个自称“小武”。

Qing Shijiu sat close to Lingshan Jun, while the three guests each took a seat at the table, drinking and eating as they chatted.
　　青十九同灵山君挨坐在一起，三位客人各占一头，边饮酒吃菜。

The phoenix remained taciturn, while Xiao Bai and Xiao Wu chatted and drank without missing a beat. Carried away by excitement, they even reached out to slap the phoenix on the shoulder, laughing uproariously. The sudden pat sent the food on the phoenix's chopsticks scattering everywhere, darkening his expression considerably. Qing Shijiu watched nervously from the side, quietly eating from his bowl.
　　凤凰少言，小白和小武说话吃酒两不误，讲到兴起还伸手拍打凤凰的肩，笑得前仰后合。凤凰被这么一拍，筷子上夹的菜七零八落，脸色黑了一大半。青十九在一边看得心惊肉跳，安静地吃碗里的饭菜。

Xiao Bai suddenly brought a cup of wine to Qing Shijiu. "Why isn't A Ling drinking?"
　　小白突然端了杯酒到青十九面前：“阿泠怎么不吃酒？”

Lingshan Jun blocked the gesture, smoothly adding food to Qing Shijiu's bowl instead. "He can't hold his liquor. Drink it yourself."
　　灵山君挡住，顺势给青十九夹了菜：“他酒量不行，你自己喝。”

Xiao Bai awkwardly withdrew his hand. "Fine."
　　小白讪讪地缩回手：“好吧。”

On one side, Xiao Wu added, "Lingshan has really changed since getting married."
　　一边小武又道：“灵山娶亲了就是不一样了。”

Xiao Bai chimed in, "Totally different now."
　　小白接茬：“不一样了。”

Qing Shijiu awkwardly buried his head in his food, the tips of his ears burning red. He heard Lingshan-jun beside him say, "No talking during meals. You should learn from Fenghuang."
　　青十九尴尬地埋头吃菜，耳尖通红。听见身边灵山君道：“食不言。你们学学凤凰。”

"Why learn from him? He barely utters a word all day—so boring."
　　“学他做什么，半天蹦不出一句话，没意思。”

"This is boring."
　　“没意思。”

The meal appeared thoroughly enjoyable for both host and guests.
　　一顿饭看上去宾主尽欢。

After dinner, Lord Lingshan instructed the clay dolls to bring out wedding gift boxes, distributing them to the three honored guests. Xiao Bai and Xiao Wu began teasing again with their characteristic "Aiya, Aiya" exclamations.
　　饭后灵山君便指使泥娃娃拿来喜盒，分给三位贵客。小白和小武又开始“哎呀哎呀”地打趣。

Lord Lingshan bluntly saw them out: "It's time for you to return."
　　灵山君直白地逐客：“你们该回了。”

The phoenix stood up: "Lingshan, see them off."
　　凤凰起身：“灵山，送送。”

Lingshan Jun gave Qing Shijiu's shoulder a gentle squeeze: "Go bathe first."
　　灵山君捏了捏青十九的肩：“先去沐浴。”

Qing Shijiu: "......"
　　青十九：“……”

Xiao Bai and Xiao Wu exchanged meaningful looks as they followed along. Qing Shijiu rubbed his burning face and got up to return to his room.
　　小白和小武挤眉弄眼地跟着走了，青十九揉了把滚烫的脸，起身回屋。

The clay doll followed him, hopping and skipping: "Fetching water for Madam's bath."
　　泥娃娃跟着他，蹦蹦跳跳：“给夫人打水沐浴。”

"……"
　　“……”

The four of them exited the gates of Lingshan Manor one after another. Phoenix, with hands clasped behind his back, waited until Qing Nineteen's figure disappeared from the corner of his eye before asking: "Are you truly blind?"
　　四人陆续出了灵山府的大门。凤凰背着手，余光瞥见青十九的身影消失后才道：“你真瞎了？”

Lingshan Jun replied indifferently: "What of it."
　　灵山君淡然：“怎么。”

Little White chimed in: "Are you truly blind or just pretending? Even with your celestial vision closed, you couldn't possibly fail to see it."
　　小白接话：“你是真瞎还是装傻？就算闭了天眼，也不可能看不出来。”

The phoenix said, "When Peacock proposed marriage to you, it certainly wasn't his own idea. Presumably, Kong Ling heard the rumors about you outside and refused, finding a greenfinch to take her place."
　　凤凰道：“孔雀主动向你提亲，这事必然不是他的意思，想来是孔泠听见外头关于你的传言，不愿意，寻了只青雀来代替自己。”

Lingshan Jun smiled: "A greenfinch is far more likable than a peacock, don't you think?"
　　灵山君露出个笑：“青雀可比孔雀讨喜，不是吗？”

The phoenix shot him a glance and left without another word.
　　凤凰瞥了他一眼，一言不发地走了。

"Got it." Xiao Wu patted Spirit Mountain Lord's shoulder. "Waiting for your good news."
　　“得。”小武拍了拍灵山君的肩，“等你好消息。”

　　……

Qing Nineteen took a quick shower, hesitated between the sitting platform and the bed for a while, then thought to himself that the first time was awkward but the second would be familiar. Gritting his teeth, he rolled into the inner side of the bed.
　　青十九洗了个战斗澡，在座榻和床之前摇摆了一阵，心想一回生二回熟，咬牙滚进了床里侧。

As the door creaked open, he quickly closed his eyes and pretended to sleep.
　　门板被推动，他赶忙闭上眼装睡。

Qing Shijiu had rolled away in such haste earlier that the blanket had curled into a ball, pressed beneath his limbs. As the Spirit Mountain Lord's presence drew near, Qing Shijiu only felt his arms and legs being gently shifted aside, followed by the soft, thin blanket being draped over him.
　　青十九方才滚得匆忙，被子蜷成一团，被他用手脚压着。灵山君的气息靠近，青十九只觉着自己的手脚被人轻轻挪开，接着，松软的薄被覆在了身上。

Only when he sensed the Spirit Mountain Lord had left did Qing Shijiu cautiously open one eye, his pupils rolling about before quickly closing again. With a peculiar sense of contentment in his heart, he drifted off to sleep.
　　直到感觉灵山君离开，青十九才小心翼翼地睁开一只眼，眼珠子咕噜噜转了圈，很快又阖上。他心中带着一种奇怪的心满意足睡着了。

The two of them, along with the two clay dolls, spent several peaceful days together. With no one to disturb them, Qing Shijiu's daily routine gradually grew more indolent. Today, when he finally opened his eyes, the sun was already high in the sky.
　　两人并两只泥娃娃过了几日，因着没人烦扰，青十九的作息渐渐懒了，今天一睁眼，又是日上三竿。

Since he rose late, the Spirit Mountain Lord kept the meal warm in the stove. After finishing his food, Qing Shijiu moved to clear the dishes, but the clay doll following at his side beat him to it.
　　他起得晚，灵山君就在灶里温着饭食。青十九吃完，想收拾碗筷，被跟在身边的泥娃娃抢了先。

The sun shone brightly, casting warm rays across the ground. Qing Shijiu sat by the table, unconsciously rubbing the calluses on his palms.
　　日头正好，洋洋洒洒下一地暖意，青十九坐在桌侧，手指无意识地摩挲掌心的茧。

They say it's easy to grow accustomed to luxury. He thought to himself, after staying at Ling Mountain for three months, these years-old calluses might just disappear.
　　都说由俭入奢易。他心想，在灵山待个三月，这些成年老茧指不定就养没了。

These past few days, he truly hadn't lifted a finger. The Lord of Ling Mountain had taken care of everything—meals varied daily, remembering his dietary restrictions and preferences. Qing Shijiu had never lived such a life before, feeling vaguely uneasy in his heart. The Lord truly treated him as Kong Ling, as his wife.
　　他这几日当真是十指不沾阳春水。灵山君将一切都打理妥当，每日饭食都不带重样，会记着他的忌口与喜好。青十九从来没过过这种日子，心底隐隐惶恐。灵山君是真的把他当孔泠，当夫人对待。

But he was merely an impostor.
　　可自己只是个李鬼。

Qing Shijiu was not Kong Ling, not the young master of the Peacock Manor raised in silken luxury. He was merely a discarded servant of the manor who had caught Kong Ling's eye, earning him the chance to ascend Ling Mountain. He was originally destined to waste his entire life in Xiaochun Village.
　　青十九不是孔泠，不是在锦绣堆里长大的孔雀府小公子，他只是孔雀府一个被弃掉的仆役，得了孔泠青眼，才有机会上灵山。他本是要在小春庄蹉跎一辈子的。

At most, he could stay on Ling Mountain for three months. Once Kong Ling's letter arrived, he would have to leave whether he wanted to or not. Otherwise, the truth would inevitably come to light.
　　至多在灵山待三个月，孔泠的信一来，他不走也得走。否则迟早暴露。

Kong Ling had promised that whether he wished to remain in Yunzhong or leave, no one would stop him. But once this matter was concluded, Qing Shijiu would have no choice but to depart. By then, if the Peacock Manor learned of this affair, they would never let him go. To survive, he would have to leave Yunzhong.
　　孔泠承诺他想留在云中或是离开，都不会有人拦得住。但此事一了，青十九只能离开。届时孔雀府知晓此事，必定不会放过他，要活下去，只能离开云中。

Another thought surfaced in Qing Shijiu's mind. He considered—perhaps he didn't need to leave Yunzhong after all. If he sought the protection of the Ling Mountain Lord, the Peacock Manor would be powerless against him.
　　青十九心里又冒出个旁的念头。他想，不离开云中也行，只要来求灵山君庇佑，孔雀府拿他毫无办法。

But would the Mountain Spirit even acknowledge him then? By that time, all truths would be laid bare. Knowing his sincere affections had been misplaced, the Mountain Spirit would likely never wish to see him again.
　　可那时，灵山君真的会搭理他么？到那时什么真相都暴露了，灵山君知晓一腔真心错付了人，怕是再也不愿见他了。

Movement at his side snapped Qing Shijiu back to the present. He turned to see who had approached.
　　身侧传来动静，青十九回神，看向来人。

The Mountain Spirit wore a bamboo hat, a strand of dark hair clinging to his sweat-dampened cheek. Holding a basket in one hand, he pulled out a pale green fruit and offered it to Qing Shijiu: "The longevity fruits are ripe. We can make wine now."
　　灵山君戴着斗笠，大概是出了汗，一缕乌发贴在颊边。他一手提着篓，掏出一颗青白的果子递给青十九：“福寿果熟了，可以酿酒了。”

He still remembered the phoenix-perch flower wine.
　　他竟还惦记着凤栖花酒。

Qing Shijiu cradled the longevity fruit in his hands and said softly, "I know how to brew phoenix-perching flower wine."
　　青十九捧着那颗福寿果，轻声道：“我会酿凤栖花酒。”

Lingshan Jun ruffled his hair: "Good then. I'll have to trouble my wife to guide me through it."
　　灵山君揉了把他的头：“那好，就劳夫人在侧指导我了。”

Qing Shijiu suppressed a smile. Lingshan Jun always casually showed affection like this. Having grown accustomed to the head ruffles, he no longer blushed as easily as he did at the beginning.
　　青十九抿住笑意。灵山君总爱顺手亲昵，他被揉惯了，竟也不如刚开始那样动不动就红耳根热脸的。

His face had truly grown thicker.
　　真是脸皮厚了。

Qing Nineteen secretly despised himself.
　　青十九暗自唾弃自己。

The Mountain Spirit prepared seven or eight wine jars, intending to brew not just Phoenix Perch Blossom Wine but also some other varieties. As he washed the fruits, Qing Nineteen nibbled on them stealthily while instructing him on how to brew the Phoenix Perch Blossom Wine.
　　灵山君备了七八个酒坛，除了凤栖花酒，还打算酿点旁的。他洗好果子，青十九就在边上偷吃，边指导他怎么酿凤栖花酒。

By the time all the wine jars were sealed, night had fallen.
　　待酒坛口子都封好，天也黑了。

With Qing Nineteen holding the lantern nearby, the Mountain Spirit carefully buried each wine jar in the pits dug beneath the tree.
　　青十九在旁掌灯，灵山君将酒坛一一放入树下挖好的坑中。

"When the wine is ready, I'll share a cup with you. You have a low tolerance, so don't drink too much."
　　“待酒好了，可以分你一杯，你酒量不好，不可贪杯。”

Leaves rustled in the wind.
　　树叶在风中簌簌响。

Beauty seen by lamplight gains threefold charm.
　　灯下看美人，人美三分。

Qing Shijiu watched as Lingshan Jun lifted his face to speak with him. The candlelight softened the angles of his features, and Qing Shijiu saw nothing but tenderness in the curve of Lingshan Jun's brows and the corners of his lips.
　　青十九看见灵山君仰起脸，同他讲话，烛火柔和了面庞棱角，灵山君眉梢唇角皆是温柔。

"......Alright."
　　“……好。”

Qing Shijiu hastily averted his gaze, his heart pounding violently.
　　青十九仓皇地挪开眼，心口跳得厉害。

☆ Chapter 4
　　☆、第 4 章

Days flowed like water, and in the blink of an eye, another five or six days had passed.
　　日子如流水，一晃又过去了五六日。

Qing Shijiu awoke to the sound of rain, rolling to the edge of the bed and peering out to see Lingshan Jun seated by the window on a daybed, bent over some unknown task.
　　青十九听着雨声醒来，滚到床畔，探头一张望，瞧见灵山君坐在窗边榻上，伏案不知在做什么。

He hadn't gone out today after all.
　　他今日竟没出门。

Qing Shijiu's eyes brightened slightly as he flipped off the bed, about to dash toward the window.
　　青十九眼睛微微一亮，翻身下床，就要往窗边跑。

As if he had eyes in the back of his head, Lingshan Jun said: "Put on your shoes."
　　灵山君背后好似长了眼：“穿鞋。”

Qing Shijiu had no choice but to go back and slip on his shoes, then hop-skipped his way to Ling Shanjun's side.
　　青十九只好回去趿上鞋，又蹦蹦跳跳地蹭到了灵山君身侧。

"What are you doing?"
　　“你在做什么？”

Before Ling Shanjun lay two books—one filled with tiny characters, the other with blank pages. He was currently writing in the blank book with a brush.
　　灵山君面前摊着两本书册，一册满是蝇头小字，一册书页空白。他正提笔在空白的书册上书写。

Qing Shijiu was illiterate, but he thought Ling Shanjun was amazing in every way—even blind, his characters didn't smear together. Qing Shijiu had once tried writing himself, copying characters stroke by stroke, but they turned out so ugly they became a long-running joke. After that, he never touched brush and ink again.
　　青十九不识字，只觉得灵山君哪里都厉害，就算是眼盲，字也没写作一团。青十九曾试过写字，临着别人的字，依葫芦画瓢也写得十分丑，被拿来当笑料许久，此后便再也没碰过笔墨。

The Spirit Mountain Lord didn't even look up as he moistened his brush and began writing with bold, flowing strokes: "The books in the chest got damp, so I'm making a copy. Would my wife care to assist me?"
　　灵山君头也不抬，润了润笔，笔走龙蛇：“箱里的书潮了，我誊写一份。夫人要帮我吗？”

Qing Shijiu rubbed his nose, somewhat embarrassed as he admitted: "I... can't read."
　　青十九摸了摸鼻子，有点难以启齿道：“我……不识字。”

Cooking, laundry, farming - these rough tasks were his specialties. Music, chess, calligraphy and painting were skills only noble families had the privilege to learn.
　　煮饭浣衣耕种这些粗活他拿手，琴棋书画是大族们才有得学的。

This realization made Qing Shijiu's heart clench: What a blunder - how could Kong Ling, as the young master of Peacock Manor, possibly be illiterate?
　　青十九这么一想，心提了起来：大意了，孔泠身为孔雀府公子，怎么可能会不识字。

His heart burned with both anger and panic: Had he lost his mind after just a few days of good living? It had only been a short while, yet he was already on the verge of exposure.
　　他心中又恼又慌：自己过了几天好日子就把脑子都丢了么？这才几日，竟要暴露了。

Qing Shijiu pressed his lips together with a grim expression, pondering how to smooth things over.
　　青十九神色难看地抿住唇，思考这得怎么圆。

"How about this?" Lingshan Jun spoke up, making Qing Shijiu's heart tighten, only to hear him continue, "I'm quite literate—I could teach Madam. What does Madam think?"
　　“这样。”灵山君开了口，青十九心里绷紧，又听见他接着道，“我字识得多，可以教教夫人，夫人意下如何？”

Huh?
　　咦？

Qing Nineteen blinked in confusion—this wasn't quite what he had expected.
　　青十九茫然地眨眨眼，这和他想得不大一样。

To his surprise, the Mountain Spirit showed no trace of suspicion and even offered to teach him literacy.
　　灵山君竟一点怀疑的意思都无，还说要教他识字。

Overwhelmed by this unexpected fortune, Qing Nineteen stammered: "O-okay... okay."
　　青十九被意外之喜砸了满怀：“好……好啊。”

The Mountain Spirit was a man of action—he tore several sheets of rice paper, wrote some large characters, and handed them to Qing Nineteen along with writing brushes.
　　灵山君是个行动派，扯了几张宣纸，写了几个大字，又和纸笔一起拿给青十九。

"Start with the most commonly used characters first. Don't worry about wasting paper—write each character ten times while reciting it aloud. If you can't remember, keep writing. I'll test you every evening after dinner." The Mountain Spirit held the brush, carefully tracing each stroke on the paper. The fresh ink glistened before quickly drying. His expression was earnest as he continued, "Pay attention to how I hold the brush, Madam."
　　“先从最常用的学起，不怕废纸，你一个字写十遍，边写边念，记不住就继续写。每日晚饭后我会考校。”灵山君握着笔，一笔一划地在纸面上写，墨色湿润，很快便干透了。他神情认真，接着道，“夫人注意我握笔的姿势。”

Qing Shi-Jiu stood beside him, mimicking the motions with his new brush. The Mountain Spirit set down his own brush and reached over to grasp Qing Shi-Jiu's hand, his fingertips gliding along the brush shaft before settling between the other's five fingers.
　　青十九拿着新笔在旁模仿，灵山君搁下笔，伸手握住青十九的手，指尖从笔杆摸索到他的五指。

The dry, warm touch skimmed over the back of his hand, making Qing Shi-Jiu shiver slightly. The Mountain Spirit seemed to notice, lips curling into a smile as he gently adjusted the other's fingers into proper position. "This is how it should be held."
　　干燥温热的触感滑过指背，青十九微微一颤，灵山君似乎察觉到了，面上露出个笑，用手轻轻掰开他的手指，给他调整握笔的姿势：“这样才是。”

......
　　……

Under Lord Lingshan's earnest teachings, Qing Nineteen progressed at a rate of learning several new characters each day.
　　在灵山君的殷殷教诲下，青十九以每日识几个新字的速度进步着。

Before sleep, the two would lean against the bed reading together. As Qing Nineteen recognized few characters, Lord Lingshan would trace the words on the page with one hand while reading them aloud.
　　睡前二人就倚在床上看书，青十九识字不多，灵山君便一手摸着书上的字，嘴里边读给他听。

Qing Nineteen had grown accustomed to Lord Lingshan's extraordinary nature, yet couldn't resist curiously rubbing his fingers across the inked characters on the page, staining them with the scent of ink.
　　青十九习惯了灵山君的不异于常人，也难免好奇用手去蹭了蹭书页上的字，蹭了一手墨香。

"What's wrong?"
　　“怎么？”

Qing Nineteen leaned in extremely close to him and instinctively lowered his voice: "I thought these characters were raised, that I could feel their shapes by touch."
　　青十九挨得他极近，便下意识放低了声音：“我以为这字是凸起的，可以摸出字形。”

Lingshan Jun gave a soft chuckle.
　　灵山君轻轻一笑。

As Qing Nineteen listened, drowsiness overcame him. Half his face was buried in the soft pillow, his breaths filled with the herbal fragrance of Lingshan Jun.
　　青十九听着听着就犯了困，半张脸埋在软枕里，呼吸之间尽是灵山君身上的草木香。

In his half-asleep state, he suddenly murmured: "Nightfireflies..."
　　他迷迷糊糊的，突然道：“夜萤……”

The Mountain Spirit was reading a travelogue written by some unknown sage who had journeyed through all three realms and six paths, compiling this very book. At this moment, it was describing scenes from the human world.
　　灵山君读的是一本游记，笔者不知是何方神圣，三界六道都走过，编纂了这册书。此刻，正讲到人间之景。

Travelogues record that between the human realm and the ghostly path lies a vast reed marsh. When human souls pass through after death, they transform into fireflies, making the entire marsh twinkle with countless lights like a starry realm.
　　游记上书，人间同鬼道隔着一片芦苇荡，人死后魂灵路过芦苇荡，会化作一只只夜萤，整片芦苇荡皆是星星点点的光，如繁星之境。

The Mountain Spirit pressed close to Qing Shi-Jiu's ear and asked, "Want to go see it?"
　　灵山君贴着青十九的耳朵问他：“想去看看？”

Qing Shi-Jiu, drowsy with sleep and his mind like mush, let out a soft "hm" before being completely lulled to sleep by the Mountain Spirit's gentle back patting.
　　青十九困得大脑一团浆糊，“哼”了一声，被灵山君拍着背彻底哄睡过去。

The rain persisted for several days, and the two mud dolls spent their days wearing green leaves as rain hats, frolicking wildly outside.
　　雨水连绵好几日，两个泥娃娃镇日顶着绿叶作斗笠，在外头撒野。

The day after the rain stopped, the sun baked the earth hard, and Lord Lingshan dug out a jar of wine from beneath the tree.
　　雨停的隔日，太阳将泥土晒硬了，灵山君从树下挖了一坛子酒出来。

Lord Lingshan said the wine was strong and only gave Qing Nineteen half a cup. He tasted it—sweet with a hint of spice—and, finding one sip unsatisfying, shamelessly begged Lord Lingshan for another half cup.
　　灵山君说这酒烈，只分了半杯给青十九。他尝了尝，果甜带着辛辣，一口未尽兴，厚着脸皮求灵山君再匀半杯。

Lord Lingshan didn’t reply, pouring and drinking by himself.
　　灵山君不答，自斟自饮。

Qing Nineteen pleaded for a long while, gazing at Lingshan Jun with eager eyes. Today he wore wide-sleeved robes, and when he raised his cup, the sleeves slid down to his elbows, revealing a section of beautifully sculpted forearm with prominent wrist bones and slender fingers. The way he tilted his head back to drink was utterly captivating.
　　青十九求了半天，眼巴巴盯着灵山君。他今日穿了身广袖长袍，举杯时袖口滑至手肘，露出一截线条流畅优美的小臂，腕骨凸起，手指纤长，仰头饮酒的动作十足风流。

Dazzled by such beauty, Qing Nineteen didn't even notice his own tone growing increasingly soft—to Lingshan Jun's ears, it sounded like coquetry.
　　青十九被美色迷了眼，都没发觉自己的语调越来越软，听在灵山君耳里那就是撒娇了。

Lingshan Jun suddenly smiled.
　　灵山君突然笑了下。

Qing Nineteen didn't understand what amused him: "So... is that okay?"
　　青十九不知他笑什么：“可……可以吗？”

Lingshan Jun set down his wine cup: "Just half a cup?"
　　灵山君放下酒杯：“就半杯？”

Qing Shijiu: "Mm!"
　　青十九：“嗯！”

"What does Madam plan to exchange with me for half a cup of wine?" Lingshan Jun asked softly, his expression calm.
　　“夫人打算用什么跟我换半杯酒呢？”灵山君面色淡然，轻声问道。

An exchange was required? Qing Shijiu pondered carefully, but after much thought realized he had nothing to offer. All he'd brought were spare clothes and that bottle of Shapeshifting Pills.
　　还要东西换？青十九细想，想来想去发觉根本没有东西可换。他带来的只有换洗衣裳，还有那一瓶子的易形丹。

A newly learned phrase suddenly popped into Qing Nineteen's mind: living under someone else's roof.
　　青十九脑子里突然蹦出刚学的一个词：寄人篱下。

Mount Ling's Lord was unaware of his peculiar thoughts and didn't expect him to respond either. Lowering his voice, he said, "There's something I'd like to ask my wife for—would you permit it?"
　　灵山君不知他稀奇古怪的想法，也没指望他接话，压低声音道：“我有样东西想同夫人要，夫人可允？”

Qing Nineteen had no idea he possessed anything Mount Ling's Lord could possibly want. Curious, he asked, "What is it?"
　　青十九竟不知自己这里有东西是灵山君想要的，好奇道：“什么？”

Mount Ling's Lord smiled and beckoned him closer. When Qing Nineteen leaned in to listen, those few words left him completely stunned.
　　灵山君笑眯眯地朝他招了招手，青十九凑前去听，待听完那几个字，他整个人都呆住了。

Lord Lingshan whispered by his ear, "Will my lady permit me?"
　　灵山君贴着耳畔问：“夫人可允？”

Qing Shijiu nearly jumped in fright, but was held firmly by Lord Lingshan, leaving him no choice but to remain stiff and flushed in the other's embrace.
　　青十九吓得差点弹起来，被灵山君揽住了，只能面红耳赤，浑身僵硬地靠在他怀里。

Lord Lingshan continued relentlessly by his ear, warm breaths teasing the tip of his ear in waves: "We are properly wedded with nuptial wine, blessed by heaven and earth. After all this time married, I understand my lady's shyness about consummation, but won't you even allow a kiss?"
　　耳边灵山君犹不放过他，湿润的气息一股一股搔过耳尖：“我们是喝过合卺酒的正经夫妻，受皇天后土庇佑的。成亲这么久，没洞房便罢了，我知夫人害羞，可夫人连亲都不给么？”

Qing Shijiu: "......"
　　青十九：“……”

Damn it.
　　要命。

Lingshan Jun lowered his head: "What?"
　　灵山君低头：“什么？”

Qing Shijiu moved his lips but ultimately said nothing, only staring fixedly at him. After a long moment, as if resolved to die, he quickly leaned in and planted a fleeting kiss on Lingshan Jun's cheek.
　　青十九动了动嘴，最终，什么也没说，只死死盯着他，半晌，视死如归般凑过去飞快地亲了下灵山君的脸。

He attempted to muddle through: "Half a cup..." of wine.
　　他妄图蒙混过关：“半杯……”酒。

The last word never made it past his lips, sealed away by Lord Lingshan's mouth.
　　最后一个字没说出口，被灵山君的唇舌堵住了。

Qing Shijiu found himself encircled in Lord Lingshan's embrace, his head resting on the lord's arm, his ear pressed against that broad chest, his lips captured - surrounded on all sides by the fresh scent of grass and trees.
　　青十九被灵山君圈在怀里，头枕着他的手臂，耳畔贴着他的胸膛，唇舌被擒住，四面八方都是草木清香。

"......"
　　“……”

In his dazed state, Qing Shijiu thought: This is even more dangerous.
　　青十九迷迷糊糊地想，更要命了。

After an unknown length of time, the Mountain Spirit finally released Qing Shijiu. When he came to his senses, he felt the Mountain Spirit's thumb pressing against his lower lip.
　　不知过了多久灵山君才松开青十九，待他回神，感觉灵山君的拇指在下唇按了按。

"Tastes strongly of alcohol."
　　“一股子酒味。”

Aren't you the same?
　　你不也是？

Qing Shijiu's face flushed crimson as he scrambled clumsily out of the Mountain Spirit's embrace.
　　青十九涨红着脸，手脚并用地从灵山君怀里爬开。

The Mountain Spirit Lord kept his promise, pouring him half a cup of wine. Qing Nineteen glanced at it gloomily, his desire to drink completely gone.
　　灵山君守诺，给他斟了半杯酒，青十九糟心地瞥了一眼，没有想喝的欲/望了。

Nighttime.
　　夜里。

After bathing, Qing Nineteen curled up on the window-side daybed.
　　青十九沐浴完，蜷在窗边座榻上。

He'd sleep here tonight.
　　今晚就睡这儿了。

He closed his eyes, stretching his legs one moment and turning over the next, tossing and turning for a long while before finally giving up and crawling back to bed in frustration.
　　他阖上眼，一会儿伸腿，一会儿换边，折腾了半晌，垂头丧气地跑回了床上。

Separated by a screen, the Mountain Spirit heard the commotion outside and couldn't help but smile wryly.
　　灵山君隔了道屏风，听见外头的动静，无奈一笑。

......
　　……

Habits are terrifying things.
　　习惯是个可怕的东西。

Since that day, the Mountain Spirit would frequently pin Qing Shijiu down for kisses under various pretexts: "Made dishes you like—need a reward." "Memorized all today's characters—deserves proper compensation."
　　自那日之后，灵山君时不时就以“做了夫人喜欢的菜，要奖励。”“夫人今日的字都记住了，要好好奖励。”等为由按住青十九亲。

At first Qing Shijiu would flush with embarrassment, limbs going stiff and clumsy. But as it happened more often, he began appreciating the pleasure and eventually yielded willingly.
　　起初青十九还会羞恼，会同手同脚，后来次数多了，品到趣味，便顺势从了。

Qing Shijiu knew when to bend and when to stand firm.
　　能伸能屈青十九。

On this day as they cuddled on the sitting couch, Qing Shijiu found himself pinned beneath the Mountain Spirit, his dark hair cascading across the bedding. Sunlight streamed through the window—almost blinding in its intensity.
　　这日二人在座榻上亲昵，青十九被灵山君罩在身下，乌发流泻满床，阳光落进窗里，有些刺目。

Which day is it?
　　第几日了？

Qing Shijiu closed his eyes.
　　青十九阖上眼。

He couldn't remember.
　　不记得了。

.....
　　……

Qing Shijiu had developed a habit of taking afternoon naps, and each time he woke up, he would feel a vague melancholy—uncertain of what day it was or where he was.
　　青十九养成了午睡的习惯，每次醒来，都有不知今夕何夕，不知身在何处的怅惘。

He rubbed his face to shake off the mood, then rummaged through his Qiankun pouch for the jade vial left by Kong Ling, pouring all the Transformation Pills into his palm.
　　他揉了揉脸驱赶情绪，从乾坤袋里翻出孔泠留下的玉瓶，将易形丹尽数倒入掌心。

Qing Shijiu picked up one pill and swallowed it. After this one, only six remained.
　　青十九捻了一颗服下，用了这颗，便只剩六颗了。

He couldn't recall who had said it, but happy days were always fleeting.
　　忘了听谁讲过，快乐的日子总是短暂的。

He drifted into a daze until Lord Lingshan's voice startled him, prompting him to hastily conceal the small jade vial into his Qiankun pouch.
　　他发起呆来，直到听见灵山君的声音才匆匆忙忙将小玉瓶藏进乾坤袋。

Lord Lingshan entered, setting down his bamboo hat as he smiled at Qing Nineteen: "Change your clothes, madam. I'll take you out for some fun."
　　灵山君进门放下斗笠，对青十九笑笑：“夫人换身衣裳，带你出去玩。”

Qing Nineteen widened his eyes: "Where to?"
　　青十九睁大眼：“去哪儿？”

"Taking you to the reed marshes to see fireflies at night."
　　“带你去芦苇荡看夜萤。”

☆ Chapter 5
　　☆、第 5 章

Travelogues record that between the human realm and the ghostly path lies a vast reed marsh. When human souls pass through after death, they transform into fireflies, making the entire marsh twinkle with countless lights like a starry realm.
　　游记上书，人间同鬼道隔着一片芦苇荡，人死后魂灵路过芦苇荡，会化作一只只夜萤，整片芦苇荡皆是星星点点的光，如繁星之境。

Qing Shijiu climbed down from the crane's back and removed the headscarf shielding his face from the wind. The sky was dusky, his feet sinking into soft grass. Looking ahead, he could only see an enormous, shadowy silhouette stretching endlessly into the distance. As the night breeze swept through, the shadowy mass swayed gracefully, revealing hidden glimmers of starlight within.
　　青十九从仙鹤背上爬下，扯了遮脸挡风的头巾。天色昏黑，脚下是一片柔软的草地，再往前看，只能见一片巨大的，望不见首尾的，影影绰绰的黑影。夜风拂过，黑影飒然而动，便露出藏匿其中莹莹星光来。

With a clear cry, the crane spread its wings and departed, melting into the night like a wisp of cloud.
　　仙鹤清鸣，展翅离去，如一片云融进夜色里。

Qing Shijiu suppressed the fervent emotions in his heart and turned back to look at Lingshan Jun.
　　青十九按下心头热烈的情绪，回首望向灵山君。

Before departing, Lingshan Jun had changed into a water-colored gown with wide sleeves made of mermaid silk, his dark hair casually tied up with a few strands loose at his forehead—now tousled by the night breeze behind his cheeks.
　　灵山君临行前换了身水色的鲛丝广袖长衫，乌发随意扎起，散了几缕在额前，此刻也被夜风撩至腮后。

"You can't see much from outside. I'll take you in," Lingshan Jun extended a hand, which Qing Shijiu grasped.
　　“在外头看不见什么，我带你进去。”灵山君伸出一只手，被青十九牵住。

"Are we allowed to go inside?"
　　“可以进去吗？”

The Spirit Mountain Lord flashed a sly smile: "Naturally."
　　灵山君露出个狡黠的笑：“自然。”

Qing Shijiu only felt a powerful force transmitted through the hand held by the Spirit Mountain Lord, and before he knew it, he was being dragged forward at a rapid pace. In just a few steps, they had dashed into the reed marshes.
　　青十九只觉得被灵山君牵住的手传来一股大力，整个人便被他带着往前疾跑，几步便窜进了芦苇荡中。

The spirits perched upon the reeds were startled, rising lightly into the air.
　　栖在芦苇上的魂灵被惊扰，轻飘飘地腾起。

A childlike excitement and courage welled up in Qing Shijiu's heart. He charged forward recklessly for a while before stopping, only to see flickering phosphorescence above the reed marshes—truly like entering a realm of stars.
　　青十九心里生出股小孩子的激动与勇气来，闷头往前冲了一阵，停下时，只见芦苇荡上方荧光闪烁，当真如入繁星之境。

He circled around, noticing the Mountain Spirit wasn't by his side, yet felt no panic—his heart was too full of bubbling excitement. When a wandering soul passed nearby, he spread his arms wide like a child and chased after it.
　　他转了一圈，灵山君不在身侧，也不慌张，心头被满当当的兴奋填实。一只魂灵经过身侧，他又像个小孩子那样，双臂张开追了上去。

The Spirit Mountain Lord stood with his hands behind his back outside the reed marshes. Stretch after stretch of reeds swayed before him, while specks of fluorescent light drifted into the night sky—clear evidence that a certain little one was frolicking about with unbridled joy.
　　灵山君背手立在芦苇荡外，前方芦苇荡一片接一片的，有荧光飞至半空，可见某个小朋友撒欢撒得开心。

"Master, it's been a long time."
　　“大人，许久不见。”

The rustling footsteps drew near, and the Mountain Spirit nodded at the approaching figure. "Apologies for disturbing you, Wu."
　　沙沙的脚步声靠近，灵山君对来人颔首：“打扰到你了，巫。”

The witch appeared elderly, her hunched posture making her exceptionally short. Clinging to a ritual staff, she looked up at the Mountain Lord with eyes that were completely white: "To see you once, my lord, satisfies this humble witch's heart."
　　巫看上去年事已高，因佝偻显得异常矮小。她攀附着一根法杖，仰头看向灵山君，双目竟是全白的：“能见大人一面，巫心满意足。”

"The eastern lands grow restless with frequent disturbances. Does my lord still not intend to return?"
　　“东方异动频频，大人还不打算归去吗？”

The Mountain Lord replied: "There's no hurry."
　　灵山君道：“不急。”

The two stood in silence for a while as the luminescence from the reed marshes began swirling outward in flurries.
　　二人沉默地站了会儿，芦苇荡的荧光开始由里向外纷飞。

The witch covered her mouth and coughed for a while before saying slowly, "This witch takes her leave."
　　巫掩嘴咳了一阵，慢吞吞道：“巫告退。”

She shuffled a few steps away, then suddenly paused: "This witch just saw Madam's divination."
　　她沙沙地走了几步，突然又停下：“巫方才看见了夫人的卦。”

Lingshan Jun tilted his head.
　　灵山君偏头。

The witch broke into a smile, her wrinkles bunching up in a kindly, benevolent expression: "The divination foretells new life. This witch offers early congratulations, my lord."
　　巫绽出个笑，褶皱堆挤，是慈祥和蔼的模样：“卦为新生。巫提前恭喜大人了。”

A figure rushed out from the reed marshes, looking around before running in this direction.
　　一个人影从芦苇荡里冲了出来，四处张望一番，往这边跑来了。

Lingshan Jun caught the charging Qing Shijiu, brushing away the reeds clinging to his hair: "Are you happy?"
　　灵山君接住一把扑过来的青十九，将沾在他发上的芦苇捻开：“开心吗？”

"Happy." Qing Shijiu noticed the slow retreating figure of Wu and asked curiously, "Is that your friend?"
　　“开心。”青十九看见巫慢吞吞离去的背影，有些好奇，“那是你的朋友？”

"She's a guide who leads souls into the ghost path."
　　“她是引路人，引导魂灵进入鬼道。”

Qing Shijiu marveled, "That sounds impressive."
　　青十九赞叹：“听起来很厉害。”

Lingshan Jun remarked, "You call everyone impressive—me included."
　　灵山君道：“你夸谁都是厉害，夸我也是。”

After a moment's thought, Qing Shijiu added, "You're one of a kind, peerless in all the world."
　　青十九想了想：“你是独一无二，天下无双的厉害。”

"Mm, you've used your newly learned phrase quite fittingly. You're impressive too," Lingshan Jun chuckled. "Come, since we're out already, there's no hurry to return. I'll take you to explore the mortal realm."
　　“嗯，新学的词用得很合适，你也厉害。”灵山君笑了，“走吧，既出来了，便不急着回去，带你去人间逛逛。”

　　……

At the break of dawn, the stone-paved road was deserted, with only occasional crowing of roosters and barking of dogs breaking the silence.
　　天蒙蒙亮，青石道上人影绝迹，只偶尔闻见有鸡狗的叫声。

Lingshan Jun knocked on the gate of a residence. Qing Shijiu, who had traveled all night, was so sleepy that tears welled in his eyes as he clung to Lingshan Jun's arm and let out a small yawn.
　　灵山君敲响了一户宅子的大门，青十九行了一夜，困得泪眼汪汪，抱着灵山君的胳膊小小地打了个哈欠。

The door opened quickly, revealing the familiar monotone voice of a clay figure: "Lingshan Jun and Madam have arrived."
　　门很快开了，是熟悉的泥人的平直的声音：“灵山君和夫人到啦。”

Qing Shijiu lowered his gaze and saw two mud figures crouching in the doorway—not the ones from Lingshan Manor, their patterns were different.
　　青十九垂目一瞧，门缝里蹲着两个泥人，不是灵山府的那两个，身上花纹不一样。

The two entered hand in hand. It was a single-courtyard house with a large vat placed in the center, containing a cluster of lotus flowers and several koi fish.
　　二人相携进门。这是座一进的小院，天井里摆着个大缸，里头养着一捧莲花和几尾锦鲤。

When Qing Shijiu woke from his nap, Lingshan Jun was no longer by his side.
　　青十九补了个觉起来，灵山君已不在身边。

After washing up and draping his robe over his shoulders, he approached the front hall and faintly heard voices conversing. As he drew nearer, the voices ceased, leaving only Lingshan Jun's call: "Has my wife awakened?"
　　他洗漱好，披衣走近前厅，隐约闻见有说话声。再靠近些，说话声就停了，只听见灵山君叫他：“夫人醒了？”

Qing Nineteen emerged from behind the screen and saw two people in the hall.
　　青十九从屏风后拐出，见厅里有两个人。

Lingshan Jun sat in the host's seat, while another person sat in a lower position, each with a cup of steaming hot tea beside them.
　　灵山君坐在主位，另一人坐在下首，手边各自一杯袅袅热茶。

Qing Nineteen hesitated in his steps and said softly, "I took a wrong turn—I was looking for the kitchen."
　　青十九犹豫住脚步，轻声道：“我走错了，想找厨房的。”

Lingshan Jun replied, "It's just down the corridor to the right. There's porridge keeping warm on the stove."
　　灵山君道：“廊下右手边就是，煮了粥，在灶上温着。”

Qing Shijiu responded affirmatively, his gaze briefly meeting with the person seated below before he hurried away.
　　青十九应了声，目光同坐在下首的人一碰，匆匆走了。

Conversation resumed in the hall.
　　厅里又响起说话声。

"After investigation, this subordinate discovered the frequent disturbances are due to the loosening of the seal," said the person below as he rose and knelt. "We all await Your Highness's return to take command."
　　“属下探查了一番，发现异动频频是因为封印松动。”位于下首的人起身跪下，“我等都盼着殿下回去主持大局。”

Lingshan Jun merely replied, "I'm aware. Take my verbal decree back first."
　　灵山君只道：“我心里有数，你带我口谕先回去。”

Qing Shijiu carefully carried the bowl out from the kitchen, just in time to see the unfamiliar youth stepping through the front hall's doorway.
　　青十九小心翼翼地端着碗从厨房出来，正好瞧见那个陌生的少年跨出前厅的门。

Their gazes inadvertently met again, and Qing Shijiu quickly averted his eyes, though his peripheral vision caught the figure striding directly toward him.
　　二人不经意又对上目光，青十九赶忙挪开眼，余光却瞥见那人直直走来。

Only when the youth stood before him did Qing Shijiu raise his head to meet his gaze, offering a friendly smile: "...Hello."
　　待那少年走到面前，青十九才抬头与他对视，露出个和善的笑：“……你好。”

The youth had a round face and round eyes, appearing quite young with an innocent countenance, yet for some reason Qing Shijiu felt an inexplicable sense that this person would be difficult to get along with.
　　少年圆脸圆眼，看起来年纪显小，很纯善的长相，却平白让青十九觉得此人不易相处。

The youth in brocade robes with a sword at his waist took two more steps forward. Qing Shijiu instinctively retreated slightly, only to hear him whisper, "Madam... are you truly the Madam?"
　　那少年锦衣佩剑，又走近两步，青十九不习惯地稍稍后退，却听见他轻声道：“夫人……是真的夫人么？”

"……"
　　“……”

It felt like a sledgehammer had struck his head. Qing Shijiu's ears rang as a chill crawled up his spine, nearly causing him to drop the porridge bowl.
　　好似一柄大锤在脑袋上痛砸一下，青十九双耳嗡鸣，寒意攀着脊背而上，差点没端住粥碗。

By the time he regained his composure, the man had already left.
　　待回神，人已经走了。

Qing Shijiu held the porridge bowl, feeling as if a lump of lead had settled in his stomach, his appetite completely gone.
　　青十九捧着粥碗，肚里像坠了块铅，胃口尽失。

He'd been discovered.
　　被人发现了。

Had the Shapeshifting Pill lost its effect?
　　是易形丹失效了么？

No, that couldn't be. He'd just taken the Shapeshifting Pill yesterday. Kong Ling had said one pill's effects lasted ten days.
　　不，不对。昨天刚服的易形丹，孔泠说的，一颗易形丹可持效十日。

What kind of person is that? Even the phoenix couldn't see through the Transformation Pill, yet he saw right through it.
　　那是什么人？凤凰都没看破的易形丹竟被他看破了。

Qing Shijiu put down the porridge bowl and returned to the room, where Lingshan Jun was changing clothes.
　　青十九放下粥碗回屋，灵山君正在更衣。

"My wife has finished eating already?"
　　“夫人就吃完了？”

Qing Shijiu's mind was in turmoil as he answered absentmindedly.
　　青十九心乱如麻，随口应了声。

"What's wrong, my lady seems in low spirits."
　　“怎么了，夫人似乎心情不佳。”

Qing Shijiu was startled inwardly, masking it with: "No... I'm still sleepy, want to rest a while longer."
　　青十九心里一惊，掩饰道：“没有……我还困着，想再歇会儿。”

Having said this, he climbed onto the bed and lay down with a heart full of worries.
　　说罢，满腹心事地爬上床趴下。

Lingshan Jun sat on the edge of the bed, gently stroking his temple: "Are you truly alright?"
　　灵山君在床沿坐下，抚了抚他的鬓角：“真没事吗？”

Qing Shijiu buried his face in the soft pillow: "...Mmm."
　　青十九将脸埋进软枕：“……嗯。”

"I originally wanted to take my wife to visit the morning market in the mortal realm. Since you're tired, we'll go another day."
　　“本想带夫人去逛逛人间早市，既然你累了，那改日再去。”

"……"
　　“……”

Qing Shijiu suddenly grabbed Lingshan-jun's hand, flipped over to kneel atop him, and recklessly pressed his lips against the other's in a clumsy kiss.
　　青十九突然抓住灵山君的手，翻身爬起，跪坐在他身上，莽头莽脑地亲了上去。

The Mountain Lord sat as still as a mountain, stroking the back of his head, gently smoothing his long hair in soothing motions.
　　灵山君端坐如山，抚着他的后脑，顺着长发一下下地安抚。

Qing Shijiu finished kissing him with a flushed face, resting his chin on the Mountain Lord's shoulder and muttering in a muffled voice: "Just feeling down."
　　青十九面红耳赤地亲完了，下颌搁在灵山君肩上，闷声闷气地道：“就是心情不好。”

The Mountain Lord spoke softly: "Tell me about it."
　　灵山君声音很轻：“和我说说。”

Qing Shijiu sulked: "Won't say."
　　青十九憋闷：“不说。”

Lingshan Jun didn't press further, merely saying gently, "Then we won't speak of it."
　　灵山君也不劝，只温和道：“那就不说。”

Qing Shijiu turned his head, gazing at the blurred flesh tones before him while inhaling the surrounding fragrance of grass and trees. His heart suddenly ached with bitterness: This person does not belong to me.
　　青十九扭头，看着眼前模糊的肉色，嗅着周身环绕的草木香，心中猛然一酸：这个人，不是我的。

How wonderful it would be if he were mine.
　　他若是我的该多好。

How wonderful it would be if I were truly Kong Ling.
　　我若是真的孔泠该多好。

A strange emotion slowly crept through Qing Shijiu's heart. The Mountain Spirit noticed something amiss and helplessly pressed his hand down, calling, "Madam?"
　　青十九心中被异样的情绪一点一点爬满，灵山君察觉不对，无奈地按住他的手：“夫人？”

"......" Qing Shijiu's face flushed red as he gritted his teeth, looking like someone who had abandoned all restraint. His voice was as faint as a mosquito's hum, "I... I adore you. I... I want to consummate our marriage with you."
　　“……”青十九红着脸咬牙，一副破罐子破摔的模样，声如蚊呐，“我心悦你，我……我想同你洞房。”

"It's broad daylight outside, and the mortal world's morning market hasn't even ended yet. Do you know what this is called, Madam?"
　　“外头天光大亮，人间早市还没结束，夫人知道这叫什么吗？”

Qing Shijiu's face was far too thin-skinned. The tiny bit of courage he'd mustered had all been spent on that one sentence, and now he just wanted to cover his face and flee. "N-never mind, I didn't say anything! I'm tired—I'm going to sleep!"
　　青十九脸皮薄得很，刚膨起的一点子勇气都用来说那句话了，此刻只想掩面而逃：“算……算了，我什么都没说，我困了，要睡了！”

He struggled slightly but couldn't free his hand from Lingshan Jun's grasp, causing them to shift positions instead.
　　他挣了挣，没挣脱灵山君握着自己的手，两人反而换了个姿势。

Sinking into the soft bedding with Lingshan Jun looming over him, the man continued speaking: "Today I shall teach my wife a new phrase—'daytime debauchery'."
　　他陷在软被中，灵山君罩在他身上，还在说：“今日教夫人个新词——‘白日宣淫’。”

"……"
　　“……”

The bed curtains fell, blocking out most of the light.
　　床帐落了下来，光被遮住大半。

"The night is the perfect time for such affairs, with red candles warming the bed curtains, a fleeting moment of spring night's delight... But daylight holds its own unique pleasures."
　　“夜间是行此事的好时机，红烛帐暖，春宵一刻……但白日，也有白日的趣味。”

The last two words were whispered against his ear, and Qing Shijiu felt something warm and wet lightly brush against the tip of his ear. He shivered slightly, his entire body going weak.
　　最后二字是贴着耳的气音，青十九只觉耳尖被什么湿热的东西勾了下，他轻轻一颤，浑身都软了。

(separated)
　　（隔）

The warm weather meant fewer clothes, and Qing Nineteen was quickly stripped bare. The fine hairs on his skin stood on end from the sudden chill as Ling Shan Jun's fingers traced over every inch of him.
　　天暖穿得少，青十九很快就被剥了个精光，皮肤上的汗毛乍然受凉立起，被灵山君用手指一寸一寸抚过。

He couldn't bear it any longer, trembling as he curled up his body, stealing glances at Lingshan Jun with the corner of his eyes.
　　他有些受不了，颤抖着蜷起身子，用余光描摹灵山君。

Lingshan Jun's robe had been loosened during the earlier chaos but not fully removed, now draped over his body in a half-concealed manner, revealing the elegant contours of his chest and abdomen.
　　灵山君的衣裳方才趁乱给他解了，但是没有脱下，披在身上，半遮不露的，胸腹的线条优美。

"Is my wife feeling shy?"
　　“夫人害羞了？”

Lingshan Jun pressed down, their warm flesh intimately pressed together, and Qing Shijiu immediately felt something unusual happening below his waist. With a coquettish hum near his ear, Lingshan Jun's hand slid down along his waist and abdomen, grasping the erect penis.
　　灵山君压下来，皮肉温热亲昵地贴在一起，青十九便感觉自己下身有些异样。灵山君撒娇似的贴在他耳边哼了一声，手顺着他的腰腹往下，握住了硬挺的阴茎。

"......!"
　　“……！”

Qing Shijiu trembled violently, a suppressed sob escaping his throat.
　　青十九浑身一震，喉咙里发出一声压抑的泣音。

Lingshan Jun continued his movements, lips brushing against his ear as he coaxed, "Call for me again, wife."
　　灵山君手上动作着，唇贴着他的耳诱哄：“夫人再叫一声。”

Qing Shijiu bit down on the soft quilt in refusal, yet sounds still spilled uncontrollably from his throat.
　　青十九咬住软被不从，喉咙里还是无可避免地泄出声音。

Lord Lingshan's other hand somehow found its way to his face, palm covering his eyes and forcing them shut.
　　灵山君的另一只手不知怎么就摸到他脸上了，掌心遮在他眼上，迫使他闭上眼。

The movements beneath him grew increasingly frantic. Whether it was Qing Shijiu's imagination or not, he thought he glimpsed a flash of cyan light through his closed eyelids. When he opened his eyes, all he saw was Lord Lingshan's palm covering them completely, leaving nothing but darkness.
　　身下的动作愈发激烈，不知是不是青十九的错觉，他感到阖上的眼皮前隐约有青光一闪，睁开眼，却是灵山君的掌心，遮得严实，黑漆漆的什么也看不见。

At the moment Qing Shijiu reached his peak, Lord Lingshan removed the hand shielding his eyes. Yet he still kept them closed, head tilted back like a fish out of water, sprawled across the soft bedding as he gasped for breath.
　　青十九攀上高峰的一瞬间，灵山君将遮在他眼上的手掌拿开了，他却犹自闭着眼，仰着头，像一尾脱水的鱼，瘫在软被里急促地喘息。

Unaware that he had reverted to his original appearance, his jet-black hair clung damply to his flushed cheeks, with a few strands sticking to his face. The delicate redness at the corners of his eyes gave him a peach-blossom complexion. When he finally opened those almond-shaped eyes—clear as black and white—the unshed tears made them glisten, both alluring and pitiful at once.
　　他不知自己恢复了本来的面貌，乌发汗湿，几缕贴在脸侧，眼尾洇着薄红，面若桃花。睁开眼时，那蓄在眼底的水光将落不落的模样，润出一双黑白分明的杏眼，勾人又惹人怜。

Lingshan Jun pressed forward, capturing Qing Shijiu's lips and sucking gently on the plump lower lip.
　　灵山君欺身上前，含住青十九的唇，嘬吻他的唇珠。

His movements were unprecedentedly fierce. The tears welling in Qing Shijiu's eyes trembled before falling. Lingshan Jun's tongue traced the wet trails, making Qing Shijiu turn his head away in unbearable sensitivity, only to feel his legs being parted as Lingshan Jun's waist settled between them. A hand crept upward along his inner thigh, leaving trails of tingling sensation.
　　他动作前所未有的凶狠，青十九眼里蓄着的水光轻轻一眨便落了下来。灵山君的唇舌顺着水痕舔吮，青十九难耐地偏过头，便感觉双腿被分开，灵山君的腰腹卡在他腿间，一只手沿着腿根往上摩挲，带来一片痒意。

"Ah—!"
　　“……啊！”

At the height of passion, Qing Shijiu suddenly let out a sharp cry, his fingers clutching Lingshan Jun's arms unconsciously digging into flesh.
　　情浓之时，青十九突然发出一声短促的惊叫，攥着灵山君手臂的指尖也无意识地掐进了肉里。

"What... what?"
　　“什……什么？”

The sensation was utterly bizarre. Qing Shijiu couldn't help kicking his legs, trying to break free. The Mountain Lord pressed down on him like an immovable boulder, simultaneously pecking kisses along his cheekbones while soothing, "Don't be afraid, my wife. I'm simply performing the Rites of Zhou with you."
　　这感觉实在怪异，青十九忍不住蹬了蹬腿，想挣扎开。灵山君像座山似的压住他，一边啄吻他的腮一边安慰：“夫人不怕，我与你行周公之礼。”

Inside the bed curtains, the scents of grass and wood mingled with musky pheromones and an inexplicable sweetness, pulling them deeper into the abyss of desire.
　　床帐内草木香、腥膻气、还有一股不知从何而来的甜香混作一团，勾着人往情欲的深渊跌。

The Mountain Lord withdrew his fingers and climbed up Qing Shijiu's waist from below. The slick wetness made Qing Shijiu shudder violently, bringing a momentary clarity to his clouded mind.
　　灵山君抽出手指，自下而上攀住青十九的腰，那湿淋淋的触感令青十九浑身一震，脑内也添了几分清明。

He asked groggily, "Is it done...?"
　　他迷迷糊糊地问：“好了吗……？”

Lingshan Jun removed his clothes, pressing skin against skin with him, lips brushing lips as he whispered softly, "It's just beginning."
　　灵山君脱了衣，同他皮肉相贴，唇挨着唇，轻声道：“刚开始呢。”

With that, he gripped his waist while simultaneously thrusting upward with his already hardened cock.
　　说罢便按住他的腰，同时，蓄势待发的阴茎往上一顶。

Qing Shijiu's eyes flew open in surprise, his startled cry and gasps all swallowed by Lingshan Jun's lips and tongue.
　　青十九猝不及防地睁大眼，惊叫和喘息尽数被灵山君卷入唇舌中。

When he regained his senses, he found himself seated in Spirit Mountain Lord's lap. His slender frame pressed against the other's body, the curve of his spine creating an alluring silhouette beneath his skin. Spirit Mountain Lord traced the line of his vertebrae with one hand while gripping his waist with the other, guiding him to accept the intrusion slowly yet inexorably.
　　待他缓过神，便是被灵山君抱坐在怀里的姿势。他身子纤瘦，脊骨贴着皮肉，在背上蜿蜒出极惑人的形状，灵山君抚着他的脊骨，一手掐着他的腰，让他缓慢而又无法拒绝地接受自己。

By the time he was fully seated, their bodies pressed flush together, and Qing Nineteen was already drenched in cold sweat.
　　待坐到底，两人臀肉贴着腿根，青十九已是冷汗涔涔。

"You've taken it all in," Spirit Mountain Lord murmured against his ear.
　　“全吃进去了。”灵山君贴着他的耳说。

Qing Nineteen's scalp prickled, his body instinctively clenching behind—only to have Spirit Mountain Lord immediately grip his waist and begin moving.
　　青十九头皮发麻，身后无意识地收缩，当即就被灵山君掐着腰动作起来。

"No... stop, stop! Ah!"
　　“不……停，停下！啊！”

After dozens of such thrusts, Qing Shijiu was pressed back into the soft bedding by Lingshan Jun. At this moment, he seemed to have shed his usual gentle facade, revealing a cruel and merciless side. His movements were urgent and ruthless, alternating between deep and shallow thrusts without pattern. The wet sounds of their joining mixed with the slapping of flesh against flesh, creating a lewd and sticky symphony.
　　这般吞吐数十次，青十九又被灵山君按回软被里。此时此刻，他似乎褪去了平日温柔的皮，露出恶劣无情的一面，挞伐又急又狠，深深浅浅无定数，二人相连之处发出噗嗞水声，混着皮肉拍击的声响，黏腻又情色。

After such a fierce assault, Qing Shijiu felt Lingshan Jun's movements pause. Before he could even catch his breath, he was flipped over into a kneeling position. His long hair cascaded down his snow-white shoulders, revealing a pair of exquisitely beautiful shoulder blades. His waist dipped down, the hollows of his back seemingly filled with honey.
　　如此一阵猛烈攻势，青十九感觉灵山君的动作停了，气还没喘匀，就被翻了过去，摆出一个跪趴的姿势。他的长发从雪白的肩背滑下，露出一对精致优美的蝴蝶骨，腰身下陷，腰窝里似乎盛着蜜。

Lingshan Jun leaned down to kiss the dimples of his lower back, trailing upwards until his lips reached Qing Shijiu's shoulders. At that moment, his thick, burning cock pushed past the entrance once more, plunging deep inside.
　　灵山君俯身亲在他的腰窝上，一路往上，吻落在肩头时，灼热粗大的阴茎又顶开穴口，长驱直入。

Qing Nineteen let out a soft, sticky moan.
　　青十九发出又软又黏的一声喘。

"Actually, doggy style is better for the first time—it's easier for the one receiving to accept it." Lingshan Jun's voice was gentle, his breathing steady, yet the movements beneath were ruthlessly fierce. It seemed he wanted to thrust his entire scrotum inside. Qing Nineteen had melted into a puddle, only kept from collapsing by the hands gripping his waist.
　　“其实初次用后入比较好，承欢的人更易接受。”灵山君声音温柔，气息也是稳的，身下的动作却是截然不同的凶狠，他似乎想将整个阴囊都挤进去，青十九软成一滩水，被他掐着腰才没瘫下去。

"...This is the position beasts use when mating. To prevent the female from escaping, the male bites the back of her neck."
　　“……兽类交合便是用这种姿势，为了不让身下的雌兽逃脱，雄兽会咬住雌兽的后颈。”

"Ah!"
　　“啊！”

Qing Shijiu shuddered violently as Lingshan Jun bit down on the nape of his neck.
　　青十九狠狠一颤，竟是灵山君咬住了他的后颈。

He suddenly felt like a trapped female beast unable to break free from a dominant male, and couldn't help begging pitifully: "Let me go..."
　　他恍然觉得自己就是被雄兽困住无法挣脱的雌兽，忍不住哀声求饶：“放过我……”

Qing Shijiu couldn't see Lingshan Jun's appearance behind him. Had he seen the mountain lord at this moment, he would have been utterly shocked—
　　青十九看不见身后灵山君的模样，若他看见此刻的灵山君，必会大惊失色——

Those eyes that had never opened before were now half-lidded, revealing vertical slit pupils of eerie green beneath long black lashes. Lingshan Jun watched him like a serpent observing its prey—cold, silent, and lethally dangerous. By the time the prey realized the threat, escape would already be impossible.
　　那双从未睁开的眼，此刻半阖着，乌黑的长睫之下是一双青色竖瞳。灵山君盯着他的模样，就像蛇盯着猎物，冷冰冰却又悄无声息的危险。待猎物反应过来之际，早已无法脱身。

Qing Nineteen climaxed two more times before Lord Lingshan mercifully released him.
　　青十九又泄了两次身，灵山君才大发慈悲地放过他。

Curled in the soft bedding, his limbs weak and limp, tear tracks streaking his face, the delicate flush at the corners of his eyes spreading to his cheeks—he looked thoroughly ravaged.
　　他蜷在软被中，手软脚软，脸上尽是泪痕，眼尾的薄红晕到了腮上，一副被欺负惨的模样。

Lord Lingshan threw on his robe and went out, returning with a bowl of congee.
　　灵山君披了衣衫出门，端着碗粥回来。

"You lied to me, Madam. You never ate the congee." Lord Lingshan lifted Qing Nineteen from the bed, using his own chest as a backrest as he fed him spoonfuls of warm porridge.
　　“夫人骗我，根本就没吃粥。”灵山君将青十九从床上捞起，用胸膛给他做靠背，喂粥给他吃。

Qing Shijiu's voice was hoarse: "You... you're bullying me."
　　青十九嗓音嘶哑：“你……你欺负我。”

Lingshan Jun's chest rumbled with quiet laughter: "But it was Madam who wanted to consummate our marriage. Now that we've done so, you accuse me of bullying you? How can Madam be so unreasonable?"
　　灵山君胸膛震动，轻笑道：“是夫人想同我洞房的呀，洞房完了又说我欺负你，夫人怎么能这样呢？”

Qing Shijiu had no retort. He only knew that consummation made a marriage real - but how was he supposed to understand the specifics when he'd never done it before?!
　　青十九无话可说，他只知洞房才有夫妻之实，怎么洞房他又没洞过，哪里会懂？！

After obediently drinking a bowl of porridge, Qing Shijiu finally felt somewhat better. Lingshan Jun held him close, and they simply sat like that.
　　老老实实喝了一碗粥，青十九才觉舒服些。灵山君拥着他，就这么坐着。

Just as the Mountain Spirit thought Qing Nineteen had fallen asleep, the latter stirred restlessly: "Um... it's leaking out."
　　正当灵山君以为青十九睡着之际，后者不安地动了动：“那个……流出来了。”

It's leaking out.
　　流出来了。

The Mountain Spirit remained expressionless as he laid him down and left with the empty bowl: "I'll be right back."
　　灵山君不动声色，将他放躺下，拿着空碗走了：“我去去就来。”

Qing Nineteen thought he was going to fetch water for his bath, so he forced himself to stay awake.
　　青十九以为他要给自己打水沐浴，便撑着没睡。

The sound of the door opening and closing came, footsteps came and went, and after a while, Lord Lingshan finally lifted the bed curtain.
　　房门开阖的响动传来，脚步声来去，过了会儿，灵山君才撩开床帐。

Qing Nineteen lay there groaning, "I want to bathe. That stuff keeps leaking out."
　　青十九躺着哼哼唧唧：“想沐浴，那东西一直流。”

Lord Lingshan helped him up, resuming his gentle demeanor. "Alright. We'll go soon."
　　灵山君将他扶起，又恢复了那副温柔模样：“好。一会儿就去。”

Qing Nineteen was assisted into his outer robe and carried off the bed. Only when he was placed on the sitting couch, facing a table full of brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones, did he realize with alarm, "Isn't this supposed to be a bath?"
　　青十九被他帮着穿了外衫，又抱下床，直到被放在座榻上，面对一桌子的笔墨纸砚，才警觉道：“不是沐浴吗？”

"I'll go in a moment," said the Mountain Spirit. "There's unfinished business—I just promised Madam I'd teach her how to write 'daytime debauchery'."
　　“一会儿就去。”灵山君道，“有事没做完，我方才承诺夫人的，要教夫人怎么写‘白日宣淫’。”

He enunciated those four words with perfect clarity.
　　那四个字他念得极为清晰。

"......"
　　“……”

Qing Shijiu was seated on the Mountain Spirit's lap, encircled by his arms from behind. A sheet of rice paper was spread flat before them as the brush dipped in ink traced out a large character for "day." After completing all four characters in sequence, the Mountain Spirit finally set down the brush. He removed the four inscribed sheets of paper and placed a fresh blank sheet before Qing Shijiu.
　　青十九被灵山君放坐在腿上，他自身后环着他，摊开一张宣纸放平，又将笔润了墨，写了个大大的“白”字。一连写完四个字，灵山君才搁下笔，将那四张写了字的宣纸撤开，又放了空白的宣纸在青十九面前。

His hands were behaving quite properly, yet he whispered softly by Qing Shijiu's ear: "Madam, it's all running down my leg."
　　他手上十分正经，却贴在青十九耳边轻声道：“夫人，都流我腿上了。”

Qing Shijiu: "......"
　　青十九：“……”

Before he could react, a hand slipped between their pressed bodies along his buttocks and gave a squeeze.
　　他还没能作出什么反应，一只手就顺着臀肉挤进二人相贴之处，摸了一把。

"......!"
　　“……！”

Qing Shijiu's face turned crimson. Despite his weak limbs making it impossible to stand steadily, he tried to get up by clutching the table corner: "I...I won't wash anymore. I'm sleepy, need to sleep first, just need to sleep first."
　　青十九脸色爆红，也不顾自己手软脚软根本站不稳，就扶着桌角要起来：“我，我不洗了。我困，先睡一觉，先睡一觉。”

Lingshan Jun trapped his waist with one arm while raising the other hand before his eyes, displaying the palm full of slippery wetness with an utterly innocent tone: "Look, wife, it's all flowed onto my hand."
　　灵山君一手困住他的腰，一手举到他面前，将满手的湿滑黏腻展示给他看，语气十分无辜：“夫人看，都流到我手上了。”

Qing Shijiu wailed with a miserable expression: "I was wrong, I shouldn't have said that. Lord Lingshan Jun is magnanimous, please show mercy and let me go, I can't take it anymore."
　　青十九哭丧着脸：“我错了，我不该说那句话的。灵山君大人大量，大发慈悲，放过我吧，我不行了。”

Lingshan Jun nibbled his ear: "Wife is mistaken - a man must never say he can't take it."
　　灵山君咬住他的耳朵：“夫人错了，男人不能说不行。”

"Good boy, let me teach you characters."
　　“乖，教你识字。”

The seat was cushioned with soft pillows, Qing Shijiu's knees sinking deeply into them as his right hand was held by Lord Lingshan, guiding him to write an exceptionally beautiful character on rice paper.
　　座榻上垫了软枕，青十九的膝盖深深陷入软枕中，右手被灵山君握着，在宣纸上写下一个极漂亮的字。

"This is the character for 'white'."
　　“这是‘白’字。”

"White... mhm!"
　　“白……嗯！”

The lovemaking had just concluded, the entrance still moist and pliant, easily breached by the thick shaft that thrust deep inside before coming to rest.
　　一场情事才毕，穴口还是湿润柔软的，轻易就被粗大的阴茎破开，顶撞进去，埋至深处便不动了。

Both wore outer robes, only their lower bodies bare and joined together. While guiding the calligraphy practice with one hand, Spirit Mountain Lord let his other hand roam Qing Nineteen's chest, pinching a nipple between his fingers.
　　两人都披着外衫，只下身光裸着连在一起。灵山君一手教人习字，另一只手攀上青十九的胸膛，捻住他的乳珠。

Qing Nineteen trembled, causing his brushstroke to falter.
　　青十九一颤，手下的字歪了一笔。

Without a word, Spirit Mountain Lord guided Qing Nineteen to set down the brush, then pulled out another sheet of blank rice paper.
　　灵山君不言，只带着青十九放了笔，又另扯了一张空白的宣纸。

Every movement stirred the place where they were joined, making Qing Nineteen tremble even more violently.
　　动作间带动身下相连之处，青十九颤得愈发厉害。

The character for "lewd" was the hardest to write, so Lingshan Jun made him write while reading it aloud.
　　“淫”字最难写，灵山君便叫他边写边读。

With reddened eyes and shaking hands, Qing Nineteen tried to write the character, but the moment he uttered a sound, Lingshan Jun thrust into him, shattering his voice.
　　青十九红着眼，抖着手写字，嘴里刚发出个音就被灵山君顶得破碎了。

"Write and recite more, and you'll master it."
　　“多写多念，就会了。”

The Mountain Spirit's hands gripped Qing Shi Jiu's waist, his chin resting on the other's shoulder, their dark hair entwined together. His lower body moved with excruciating slowness and depth, the penis fitting snugly against the intestinal walls, accompanied by obscenely wet sounds.
　　灵山君的双手擒在青十九的腰上，下颌搁在他的肩上，乌发纠缠一处，下身顶弄的动作极缓极深，肠道与阴茎密密实实地贴合，水声黏腻。

Qing Shi Jiu lost count of how many poorly written "indulging in daytime debauchery" characters he'd penned before the Mountain Spirit finally nodded with solemn approval: "Acceptable."
　　青十九也不知自己写了多少个难看的“白日宣淫”四字，最后灵山君才严肃地颔首：“可。”

His last memory before losing consciousness was the light filtering through the window above, and the Mountain Spirit barely covered by a half-open outer robe.
　　昏睡前的记忆，便是头顶透光的窗，和只披着外衫半遮半露的灵山君。

.....
　　……

A wedding night's quarrel was only settled when the Mountain Spirit used eight strings of candied hawthorns and sugar figurines, ten types of mortal realm pastries, two jars of homemade wine, and three days without practicing new characters as peace offerings to barely appease his wife.
　　一场洞房花烛，灵山君用了八串糖葫芦糖人，十种人间糕点，两坛自酿的酒和三日不习新字作为赔礼，才将将把夫人哄好。

The couple lingered in the mortal realm for five days before returning to Spirit Mountain with a large bundle of snacks.
　　两人在人间逗留了五日，提着一大包小食，返程回了灵山。

That very night, the Mountain Spirit dug up a jar of wine, but with a firm warning: "No more than two cups per day."
　　灵山君当夜就挖了坛酒出来，但有言在先：“一日不能超过两杯。”

Qing Shijiu readily agreed, producing a bowl-sized cup as he said sheepishly, "One cup will do."
　　青十九满口答应，掏了个碗大的杯出来，赧然道：“一杯也成。”

Lord Lingshan tapped Qing Shijiu's cup and gave him a light knock on the forehead: "You've learned to be naughty."
　　灵山君扣了青十九的杯，在他额上敲了一记：“学坏了。”

True to his reputation as someone who gets drunk after two cups, Qing Shijiu, after just one cup of wine, began clinging to Lord Lingshan for kisses. The kisses soon led to pushing him onto the bed, where Qing Shijiu started stripping off his own clothes.
　　青十九不愧为名副其实的两杯倒，一杯水酒下肚，就开始攀着灵山君亲吻，亲着亲着就把人按在了床上，开始自剥衣裳。

Another night spent being bullied to tears.
　　又是被欺负得哭唧唧的一夜。

The next morning, Lord Lingshan placed a written agreement in front of the sulking Qing Shijiu. The crooked, scrawled handwriting was unmistakably his own style, complete with a signature and a red thumbprint in the bottom right corner.
　　第二日醒来，灵山君拿了张字据放在气鼓鼓的青十九面前，歪歪扭扭的狗爬字，的确是本人的风格，右下角还有个落款和红手指印。

Qing Nineteen glanced at the contents of the written agreement: "..."
　　青十九扫了眼字据的内容：“……”

Lingshan Jun smiled slyly: "This document proves that last night's intimacy was initiated by Madam herself. Madam cannot throw tantrums with me over marital affairs."
　　灵山君笑眯眯的：“字据为证，昨夜房事为夫人自荐枕席，夫人不得因房事跟我闹脾气。”

Qing Nineteen grew even angrier.
　　青十九更气了。

Lingshan Jun's smiling eyes—the handsome face that usually charmed Qing Nineteen into oblivion—now looked particularly irritating: "Madam, we agreed you wouldn't be angry. Don't you remember? Last night I originally intended just once, but Madam kept clinging to me..."
　　灵山君眉目带笑，平日将青十九迷得七荤八素的俊颜此刻看上去却格外刺眼：“夫人，说好了不生气的。难道你不记得了，昨夜我本想就一次，是夫人缠着我……”

Qing Shijiu couldn't take it anymore and sealed those hateful lips with his own.
　　青十九忍无可忍，用唇舌封住了这张可恶的嘴。

......
　　……

Days flowed by like water. Qing Shijiu, having just taken a Shapeshifting Pill, sat by the window lost in thought.
　　日子如流水般过，青十九刚吃了一粒易形丹，坐在窗边发呆。

Only five pills remained.
　　只剩五粒了。

Kong Ling's letter still hadn't arrived.
　　孔泠的信也没来。

The window faced directly onto Xiao Yu's pond. The Spirit Mountain Lord was gathering mermaid silk while two clay dolls stood on the field paths, parched under the scorching sun. Xiao Yu, holding water in his mouth, clung to the pond's edge and created a rain shower for them.
　　窗户正对着小鱼的水池，灵山君在捡鲛丝，两个泥娃娃跟在阡陌上，被烈日晒得干巴巴的，小鱼嘴里含着水，攀在池边，给它们造了场雨。

Witnessing this scene, Qing Shijiu chuckled softly.
　　见此情景，青十九轻笑。

Life on Spirit Mountain was peaceful and tranquil. Qing Shijiu could barely remember what he had been like before coming here. Each recollection felt like peering into another lifetime - those days of oppression and suffering now failed to stir even the slightest ripple in his heart.
　　灵山的日子安宁平静，青十九已经不大记得来灵山之前，自己是什么模样了。每次想起都有恍如隔世之感，那些委屈压抑的日子，如今想起，心中竟兴不起半点波澜。

The past sufferings were like a handful of incense ashes scattered by the wind—gone without a trace, leaving nothing behind.
　　过去的苦难就好像一捧风中的香灰，轻易就散了，什么也没留下。

Lingshan Jun was that very wind.
　　灵山君就是那阵风。

Every day he prayed in his heart, beseeching all heavenly deities for protection. He had never asked for much, and now only wished to remain on Lingshan Mountain—to stay with Lingshan Jun forever and ever, living this peaceful and harmonious life until the end of his days.
　　他每日都在心中祈求，求诸天神佛庇佑，他从未奢求过什么，现在只求留在灵山，和灵山君一直一直在一起，过这般安宁祥和的日子，直到生命尽头。

Outside the window, Lingshan Jun straightened up, seemingly preparing to come ashore.
　　窗外灵山君直起身，似乎要上岸了。

Qing Shijiu's eyelashes fluttered as he was about to leap from the bed, when suddenly his chest seized violently.
　　青十九眼睫一动，正要跳下榻，心口却猛然一滞。

"!"
　　“！”

It was as if an invisible hand had clamped around his heart, rendering it immobile.
　　像是有个无形的手，一把掐住了他的心脏，令它动弹不得。

His legs gave way beneath him, and he tumbled unconsciously from the bed to the floor, curling up while clutching his chest. His nose and mouth felt stuffed with cotton—unable to breathe, unable to make a sound.
　　青十九脚下一软，无意识地滚落榻下，捂着心口蜷在地上，口鼻像是被棉花堵住了，无法呼吸，也发不出声音。

His vision blurred as his fingers feebly clawed at the ground, veins bulging.
　　他眼前模糊一片，手指无力地抠着地面，青筋暴起。

Am I going to die? he thought.
　　我是要死了吗？他想。

Then he completely lost consciousness.
　　而后便彻底失了意识。　　

☆ Chapter 6
　　☆、第 6 章

"What's your name?"
　　“你叫什么名字？”

When Qing Shijiu served in the Peacock Manor, his duties were at the Sword Pavilion—light work that mainly involved polishing the peculiar iron artifacts stored there.
　　青十九在孔雀府时，侍奉于剑阁，活也轻松，每日就是擦拭剑阁里稀奇古怪的铁器。

One day, the young masters of Peacock Manor came on a whim. As they were leaving, one of them called out to him.
　　某日孔雀府的公子们兴起而至，离去时，其中一个叫住他。

Qing Shijiu recognized this face—it belonged to the second young master of Peacock Manor, Kong Shen.
　　青十九认得这张脸，是孔雀府的二公子，孔燊。

"My name is Qing Nineteen."
　　“奴叫青十九。”

Having received a response, Kong Shen left.
　　得了回应，孔燊便走了。

After that, Qing Nineteen would occasionally encounter the Second Young Master in the Sword Pavilion. While he polished ironware, Kong Shen would stand beside him, recounting where each piece was obtained, when it was acquired, and how it came into his possession.
　　此后，青十九时不时在剑阁遇见二公子。他抱着铁器擦拭，孔燊就在侧同他讲，这是哪里得的，何时得的，如何得的。

Truthfully, Qing Nineteen wasn't particularly interested in these stories, but since the Second Young Master was in high spirits, as a servant, he couldn't very well ignore his master's goodwill.
　　其实青十九对这个并不多感兴趣，只是二公子兴致好，身为下人，总不能晾着主子的面子。

Kong Shen came frequently, and the other servants at the Sword Pavilion began to look at Qing Shi Jiu with increasingly different eyes.
　　孔燊来得频繁，剑阁其他家奴看青十九的目光就日渐不同。

Until one day, Qing Shi Jiu was intercepted by Qing Si on his way to the Sword Pavilion.
　　直至某日，青十九去剑阁的途中被青四截住。

Qing Si was a long-time servant of the Peacock Manor. Because they shared the same lineage, Qing Shi Jiu had received much care from him and regarded him as a dependable elder.
　　青四是孔雀府的老人，青十九因和他同宗同源，受了他许多照拂，把他当可依靠的长辈看。

Qing Si pulled Qing Shi Jiu under the corridor and asked in a hushed voice, "What's going on between you and the Second Young Master? Shi Jiu, have you forgotten everything I told you?"
　　青四将青十九扯到廊下，压低声音问：“你和二公子是怎么回事？十九，我同你讲过什么你都忘了吗？”

Qing Nineteen said aggrievedly: "I remember, I know my place."
　　青十九委屈：“记得的，我明白自己的身份。”

Qing Four sighed: "The gossip is about to reach the Eldest Young Master. Do you know how these rumors spread?"
　　青四叹气：“闲话都快传到大公子那里去了。你知道闲话怎么传的吗？”

"I have a rough idea."
　　“大约知道。”

It probably boiled down to him being shameless, overambitious, trying to climb the social ladder by relying on his good looks to become the master of the house.
　　左右不过他不知廉耻，好高骛远，仗着自己有副好皮囊想攀龙附凤，翻身做主家。

He had heard such talk many times before. The household servants, having little entertainment in their daily lives, loved to gossip and spin tales. This particular rumor had somehow wound its way back to Qing Shijiu.
　　这话他听得多了，家奴们平日没什么乐子，就爱编排人，这话套来套去，也套青十九身上来了。

Qing Si declared, "I'll make the decision—starting today, you needn't go to the Sword Pavilion anymore. First go sweep and clean in the side courtyard to avoid the storm."
　　青四道：“我做主，今日起你就不必去剑阁了，先去偏院做扫洒，避一避风头。”

Qing Shijiu knew this was for his own good. Though somewhat frustrated, he agreed.
　　青十九知道他为自己好，虽有些烦闷，但也应了。

Before leaving, Qing Si added another warning: "Shijiu, the Second Young Master is betrothed to the young lady of the Crimson-bellied Tragopan family. You're a clever boy—don't do anything foolish."
　　青四走前又叮嘱道：“十九，二公子同红腹角雉家的小姐有姻亲，你是个聪明的孩子，万万不要做蠢事。”

Qing Shijiu had been sweeping and cleaning in the side courtyard for several days when Ninth Young Master Kong Ling specifically requested his transfer to the library.
　　青十九在偏院做了几日扫洒，被九公子孔泠点名调去了书阁。

The one sent to fetch him was Feng Yi from Kong Ling's retinue. Feng Yi carried a set of library attendant's robes and instructed him to change into them.
　　来接他的是孔泠身边的蜂一，蜂一捧了套书阁侍从的服制，叫他去换上。

Qing Shijiu's eyelids kept twitching nervously, unable to comprehend how an insignificant nobody like himself had caught the young masters' favorable attention.
　　青十九眼皮子直跳，不明白自己个无名小卒怎么就得了公子们的青眼。

After changing clothes, he followed Feng Yi across more than half of Peacock Manor, stepping into the library for the very first time.
　　他换好衣裳，跟蜂一横穿了大半个孔雀府，头一回踏入书阁。

The library stood as a separate courtyard complex, built with imposing grandeur—black tiles against white walls, with flying eaves adorned by bird-scaring pendants, rising three stories high.
　　书阁是座单独的院落，建得十足气派，黑瓦白墙，飞檐下垂着惊鸟，有三层高。

As Qing Shijiu tilted his head to survey the structure, he caught a fleeting shadow passing behind the latticed window on the third floor.
　　青十九仰头打量时，见到三楼的漏窗后有人影一闪而过。

Feng Yi led him straight up to the third level, where Kong Ling lounged improperly in an armchair, legs propped on the desk, looking down at Qing Shijiu kneeling on the floor: "So you're my second brother's beloved?"
　　蜂一带他直上三楼，孔泠没有正形地窝在扶手椅里，双腿翘在桌上，居高临下地瞥跪在地上的青十九：“你就是我二哥的心上人？”

"Raise your head."
　　“抬起头来。”

Qing Shijiu raised his head tremblingly, thinking to himself, "I'm truly in a situation where even jumping into the river couldn't wash me clean."
　　青十九战战兢兢地抬头，心想，我真是跳进河里都洗不清。

Kong Ling curled the corners of her lips, her bright eyes sparkling: "Hmm, barely passable."
　　孔泠勾了勾唇角，眉目明艳：“嗯，尚能入眼。”

Then she raised her head and called out: "Now that everyone's here, why are you hiding?"
　　又抬头叫道：“人都来了，你躲着做什么？”

Kong Shen then emerged from behind the bookshelf.
　　孔燊便从书架后转了出来。

Except for the eldest young master, all the other young masters and misses had to come to the library to study every day, and Qing Nineteen inevitably saw Kong Shen daily as well.
　　除大公子外，其余公子姑娘日日都得来书阁念书，青十九也无可避免地同孔燊日日相见。

What slightly eased Qing Nineteen's mind was that Kong Shen never made any improper advances. He merely appeared punctually each day before Qing Nineteen as he dusted the bookshelves, selected a book, and began monologuing—who wrote it, what it was about, and his own opinions on the text.
　　令青十九稍稍放松的是，孔燊并未有什么逾矩之举。他只是每日准时出现在擦拭书架的青十九面前，抽了本书，开始自说自话，这书是何人著的，讲的什么，以及他自己对此书的看法。

Qing Nineteen secretly thought: Thank goodness I'm busy with work. If I had to just sit and listen, I'd probably fall asleep.
　　青十九偷偷地想：幸好我做着事，若我就这么干听着，怕是得睡着。

One day as he was sweeping fallen leaves in the courtyard, the first-floor door of the library slid open, and Kong Shen beckoned to him.
　　一日他正在打扫庭院里的落叶，书阁一楼的门被拉开了，孔燊朝他招招手。

Qing Shijiu approached and heard him say, "Shijiu, help me copy a few characters."
　　青十九走近，听见他道：“十九，帮我抄几个字。”

Qing Shijiu flushed with embarrassment: "This servant doesn't know how to read."
　　青十九赧然：“奴不识字。”

Kong Shen looked somewhat surprised, then composed his expression and said, "No matter, it's just copying characters. Surely you can draw the gourd by following the gourd's shape!"
　　孔燊有些惊讶，而后他收敛神情道：“没关系，抄字而已，依葫芦画瓢总行！”

Before Qing Shijiu could speak again, Kong Shen thrust a brush into his hand, pulled out several blank sheets of xuan paper, and finally spread open a book on the table.
　　没等青十九再开口，孔燊便塞了笔进他手里，又扯了几张空白的宣纸，最后将一本书册摊开在桌面上。

Kong Shen's fingertips slid down two columns in the book: "Just copy this part for me. Do you know how to hold a brush?"
　　孔燊的指尖沿着书册滑了两列：“帮我抄这里就可，会拿笔么？”

Qing Shijiu shook his head. Kong Shen picked up his own brush to demonstrate: "Watch me—hold it like this."
　　青十九摇头，孔燊拿起自己的笔给他做示范：“你看我，就这样拿。”

Qing Shijiu clumsily imitated his grip on the brush handle, still only half-understanding, when he was urged to start writing. He had no choice but to steel himself and put brush to paper.
　　青十九半懂不懂地学他的姿势捏住了笔杆，就被催着写。只好硬着头皮落了笔。

"Haha! What is this supposed to be!"
　　“哈哈！这是什么呀！”

A woman's delicate laughter suddenly came from extremely close behind him, startling Qing Shijiu, and the rice paper beneath his brush was snatched away.
　　身后靠得极近的地方突然传来女子的娇笑，青十九一惊，笔下的宣纸就被人扯了走。

He didn't even know how to hold a brush properly. The characters he wrote lacked any sharpness or vigor, every stroke appearing soft and weak. Because he couldn't control the brush hairs well, his characters were also unusually large, with several stray marks splitting off from each completed character.
　　他连握笔都不会，笔下的字没有锋劲，起落都是软绵绵的，因为控制不好笔毫，字也格外大只，一个字写完，竟有好几处分岔。

The Fourth Miss of Peacock Manor laughed until her flower-like form trembled, the dangling hair ornaments on her head tinkling crisply: "Kong Shen, even if you're desperate not to choose, you shouldn't pick someone like this to help you copy texts, right? Are you deliberately trying to embarrass the teacher?"
　　孔雀府四姑娘笑得花枝乱颤，头上的步摇叮铃脆响：“孔燊，你再不挑也别选个这样的帮你抄书吧，你这是故意要下先生的脸吗？”

Her words seemed to carry hidden meaning as she tossed the rice paper to her personal maid and intimately clung to Kong Shen: "Brother, promise me one thing, and I'll help you with the copying instead."
　　她似乎话里有话，将宣纸扔给贴身的女侍，亲密地攀住孔燊：“哥哥，答应我件事，我帮你抄呀。”

She didn't wait for Kong Shen to speak, waving dismissively at Qing Shijiu without even looking: "Why are you still here? Go sweep your courtyard."
　　她不等孔燊说话，又看也不看地朝青十九挥手：“你还在这里作甚，扫你的院子去。”

Qing Shijiu bowed and immediately turned to flee.
　　青十九行了个礼，扭头就跑。

The next day, that calligraphy piece inexplicably appeared pasted on the library door where everyone could see it, with delicate feminine handwriting added in the bottom right corner of the rice paper.
　　隔日那幅字莫名贴在书阁门上，被览了个遍，宣纸的右下角还有好心人写的簪花小楷。

Written by Qing Shijiu.
　　青十九书。

Kong Ling tore the paper and casually tossed it into the courtyard: "What mischief is Kong Si up to now? Girls with wicked hearts grow ugly—hasn't she looked in a mirror lately to check her own face?"
　　孔泠将那纸撕了，随手扔在庭院里：“孔四又使什么坏呢？坏心眼的女孩子会变丑，她也不照照镜子关心下自己的脸么？”

Later, on a certain night when Qing Shijiu was fast asleep, several people dragged him from his bed and hauled him before Lord Peacock.
　　再后来，某夜青十九睡得正熟，被几人从床上拖了下来，押到了孔雀大人面前。

Only two figures sat in the hall's seats: Lord Peacock and Eldest Young Master Kong Jing.
　　厅里座上只有两人，孔雀大人和大公子孔璟。

Qing Shijiu knelt on the ground, his heart turning ice-cold.
　　青十九跪在地上，心头一片冰凉。

"It was you who seduced Kong Shen?" The peacock lord on the seat spoke up, his voice deep with feigned authority.
　　“就是你勾引孔燊？”座上孔雀大人开了口，嗓音沉沉，是故作的威严。

Qing Shijiu's voice was as faint as a mosquito's hum: "I didn't."
　　青十九声如蚊呐：“我没有。”

The peacock lord slammed his teacup down: "You didn't? If you didn't seduce him, why would he take a liking to you?"
　　孔雀大人将茶杯一拍：“你没有？你没勾他，他会看上你？”

"You're just a lowly sweeper from the Sword Pavilion, yet you've got remarkable skills. Kong Shen only visited the Sword Pavilion once and you already had him hooked—so bewitched that he transferred you to the Library Pavilion. Who taught you these crooked methods?"
　　“你一个剑阁的扫洒下人，当真是大本事，孔燊只去了剑阁一回便被你勾住了，都迷得他将你调去了书阁。谁教你的这些歪门邪道？”

Qing Shijiu took a deep breath, his voice slightly hoarse: "No one taught me."
　　青十九深吸一口气，嗓音有些哑：“没人教我。”

Qing Shijiu lost count of how many times he repeated "I didn't" before Kong Shen burst in, immediately kneeling beside him and firmly grasping his hand while declaring to Lord Peacock that he wanted to annul the marriage arrangement with the Temminck's Tragopan household.
　　青十九不知自己重复了多少次“我没有”这句话，后来孔燊闯了进来，二话不说就跪在他身边，强硬地攥住他的手，跟孔雀大人说，要退了和红腹角雉府的婚事。

Lord Peacock flew into a rage and immediately ordered Qing Shijiu to be dragged out and beaten to death.
　　孔雀大人怒不可遏，当即就命人将青十九拖出去杖杀。

Kong Shen shielded him protectively, provoking Lord Peacock to personally intervene until the hall descended into chaos.
　　孔燊紧护着他，孔雀大人气得亲自动手，厅里乱作一团。

"I truly love Nineteen! I don't want anyone else but him! I refuse to marry that tragopan—I've never even met their daughter, how would I know if her looks and temperament suit me? You're forcing this match—you'll only make enemies this way!"
　　“我对十九是真心的！除了他我谁都不想！我不想同红腹角雉结亲，我又没见过他家小姐，怎知相貌、性子合不合！您硬凑鸳鸯谱，是要结冤家的！”

"You want to form a marriage alliance with the Crimson-bellied Tragopan Manor? Then you go marry her! Big Brother can too! He hasn't taken a wife either! With so many young masters around, whoever wants to marry her can go ahead—I won't! I only want Nineteen!"
　　“您想同红腹角雉府结亲，您去娶她啊！大哥也可！他不也没娶！那么多公子，谁爱娶谁娶，反正我不娶，我只要十九！”

......
　　……

Qing Shijiu was protected by Kong Shen, yet still ended up covered in wounds. Kong Shen fared worse—he couldn't even get out of bed.
　　青十九被孔燊护着，还是落了一身的伤，孔燊比他惨些，床都下不来。

Qing Si came to see him, applying medicine to his wounds while sighing: "You should thank Second Young Master for saving your life."
　　青四来看他，给他伤口敷药，叹气道：“你要感谢二公子，保住了你的命。”

Qing Nineteen buried his head in the crook of his arm, thinking: Wasn't it him who made me suffer like this in the first place? Why should I thank him?
　　青十九的头闷在臂弯里，心想：我这么惨还不是拜他所赐，怎的倒要感谢他了。

Kong Shen's persistent pursuit of him somehow became entirely his own fault. The rumors were all about how he had seduced Kong Shen, bewitching the Second Young Master—not only getting himself invited to the study pavilion for secret rendezvous day and night, but also making the young master openly defy Lord Peacock to break off the engagement with the Crimson Tragopan family, vowing to marry no one but him.
　　孔燊纠缠他，错处反而全在他身上。传言里尽是他如何勾引孔燊，将二公子迷昏了眼，不仅将他接去书阁日夜相会，还公然顶撞孔雀大人，要退了红腹角雉府的婚，非他不娶。

Every single accusation was pinned on Qing Nineteen—that he was the one currying favor with his master, that he was the one who made Second Young Master break off the engagement.
　　桩桩件件都被按在青十九头上，是他谄媚主上，是他要二公子退的婚。

Qing Si applied medicine to his wounds and paced around the room several times before saying, "Nineteen, do you know of Xiaochun Village?"
　　青四给他上好了药，在屋里来回走了几遭，才道：“十九，你知道小春庄吗？”

.....
　　……

Qing Nineteen woke up.
　　青十九醒了。

His dreams had been filled with memories of the past, and upon suddenly awakening, he felt momentarily disoriented, unsure of where he was.
　　梦里尽是从前的事，乍然醒来，竟有些不知身在何处的恍惚。

Until an arm lifted him from the bed, his back pressing against a warm chest, did he finally feel grounded in reality.
　　直到一只手臂将他从床上扶起，脊背贴在温热的胸膛上，才将将有了落在地面的实感。

A bowl of bitter-smelling medicine was placed before him. Qing Shijiu tilted his head back and caught sight of Lingshan Jun's jawline.
　　一碗气味苦涩的药摆在眼前，青十九仰头，看见灵山君的下颌线。

"I won't drink it."
　　“不喝药。”

Freshly awakened from a long dream, still dazed and fragile, all his emotions melted into dependence on Lingshan Jun—unconsciously slipping into a coquettish whimper.
　　他方从一场大梦中醒来，几分恍惚几分脆弱，尽数化作对灵山君的依赖，不自觉撒起了娇。

The Ling Mountain Lord coaxed softly, "Be good, I'm very worried about you."
　　灵山君轻声哄道：“乖，我很担心你。”

So Qing Nineteen pinched his nose and obediently downed the medicine in one gulp. No sooner had he put down the bowl than a piece of sweet cake was stuffed into his mouth.
　　于是青十九捏着鼻子，老实地一口闷了，刚放下碗，嘴里就被塞了块甜糕。

Qing Nineteen twisted around to hug the Ling Mountain Lord's waist, pressing his forehead against the man's chest as he mumbled, "I almost thought I was going to die."
　　青十九扭身抱住灵山君的腰，用头抵着他的胸膛，咕咕哝哝：“我差点以为我要死了。”

The Ling Mountain Lord stroked his back: "You won't."
　　灵山君抚着他的背：“不会。”

Qing Shijiu remained silent. The pain had come without warning just now, so strange it made him uneasy. He couldn't help but hold the Spirit Mountain Lord tighter.
　　青十九不言，方才的痛来得毫无预兆，古怪得令人心生不安，他不由将灵山君抱得更紧了些。

As if by doing so, those worrisome things wouldn't happen.
　　仿若这样，那些担心的事就不会发生一样。

From that day onward, Qing Shijiu had an extra bowl of medicine to drink daily.
　　这日之后，青十九每日都多了碗药喝。

After enduring it for two days, Qing Shijiu couldn't take it anymore and secretly poured it out—only to have the Spirit Mountain Lord grab him by the nape and force an even larger bowl down his throat.
　　青十九喝了两日遭不住，偷偷摸摸倒了，被灵山君捏着后脖颈灌了更大的一碗。

"Madam, don't take advantage of my blindness."
　　“夫人不要欺我眼盲。”

Qing Shijiu was utterly miserable: "......"
　　青十九苦不堪言：“……”

How dare I.
　　哪敢。

You're not blind at all—you've got the golden fiery eyes forged in Lord Laozi's furnace.
　　您哪里眼盲，您那是太上老君炉里出来的火眼金睛。

......
　　……

Qing Shijiu opened his eyes, his head spinning and groggy. Outside the window, the sky was just turning dark.
　　青十九头晕脑胀地睁眼，窗外天色将将黑。

Again.
　　又是这样。

Weak-limbed, he crawled out of bed, slipped on his sandals, threw on an outer robe, and left his room.
　　他手软脚软地爬起床，趿着拖鞋，披上外衫出了房门。

Lord Lingshan recently replaced the dining table and chairs with a raised seating platform, furnished with sun-dried fragrant cushions and soft pillows. Qing Nineteen had just risen from bed before collapsing onto the platform again, hugging a pillow while staring blankly at the steaming dishes on the low table.
　　灵山君近日将饭桌椅换了套，换成了座榻，放了晒得松香的软垫软枕。青十九刚从床上起来，又瘫在座榻上，抱着软枕看矮桌上袅袅冒热气的菜食发呆。

The two clay dolls stopped their mischief and climbed onto the platform to massage his legs and rub his back.
　　两个泥娃娃也不皮了，爬上榻来，给他捶腿揉腰。

"Good children, so thoughtful."
　　“好孩子，真贴心。”

Qing Nineteen felt deeply moved. He'd been acting strangely lately—not only oversleeping but also suffering inexplicable soreness in his back and limbs, sometimes even waking at night from painful cramps.
　　青十九一阵感动，他近日怪异得很，嗜睡不说，还莫名腰酸背痛，夜里甚至会因抽筋疼醒。

He grew drowsy under the clay figure's attentive service, then suddenly widened his eyes.
　　他在泥人的伺候下昏昏欲睡，突然睁大了眼。

...A strange thought occurred to him.
　　……他有了个奇怪的想法。

Lingshan Jun approached with an empty bowl when his sleeve was tugged.
　　灵山君拿着空碗过来，被他扯住了衣角。

"What's wrong?"
　　“怎么了？”

Qing Nineteen's expression was peculiar, stammering and unable to speak for a long time.
　　青十九面色古怪，支支吾吾，半天没说出口。

"Is it inconvenient to say?" Lingshan Jun lowered his voice as if sharing a little secret, "Then whisper it to me."
　　“不方便说？”灵山君压低声音，好似在讲什么小秘密，“那你偷偷和我说。”

Qing Nineteen wore a look of sorrow: "You know I've been constantly drowsy lately, with aching back, sore muscles, and leg cramps... Am I... am I turning into an old man?"
　　青十九一脸悲怆：“你也知我近日总是睡不醒，还腰酸背痛腿抽筋的，我……我是不是要变成老头了呀？”

Lingshan Jun: "..."
　　灵山君：“……”

☆ Chapter 7
　　☆、第 7 章

The Mountain Spirit chuckled: "How old are you, really?"
　　灵山君好笑：“你才多大。”

Qing Nineteen pondered: "I'm already about three hundred years old..."
　　青十九想了想：“也有三百来岁了……”

"Still a child," the Mountain Spirit ruffled his hair. "Let's eat."
　　“小朋友。”灵山君揉了把他的头，“吃饭。”

A purple lightning bolt suddenly streaked across the sky, followed by thunder that shook heaven and earth. Whether it was an illusion or not, the ground seemed to tremble beneath the deafening roar.
　　天上突然劈过一道紫闪，紧接着是震天动地的雷鸣。不知是不是错觉，竟觉得地面在这雷声中颤抖。

Qing Shijiu jumped in fright: "Is it going to rain?"
　　青十九吓了一跳：“是不是要下雨了。”

He glanced at Lingshan Jun, who stood before the couch with his head slightly tilted upward. His eyelids remained closed, the profile of his face pleasing to behold. Yet his expression appeared somewhat grave.
　　他看向灵山君，后者立于榻前，半仰着头，眼皮依旧阖着，侧脸线条赏心悦目。只是，表情看上去有些严肃。

An uneasy feeling rose in Qing Shijiu's heart: "What's wrong?"
　　青十九心里冒出不安的情绪来：“怎么了？”

The Spirit Mountain Lord calmly lowered his head, brushed his sleeves, and sat down opposite: "It's nothing. It's about to rain. Let's eat first."
　　灵山君神色平静地垂下头，掸了掸衣袖，在对面坐下：“无事，要下雨了，先吃饭。”

"Oh."
　　“哦。”

......
　　……

Qing Nineteen awoke to the sound of thunder. Outside, rain poured down in sheets as the Spirit Mountain Lord sat by the bed, transcribing books that had been dampened by the moisture.
　　青十九自雷声中醒来，外头是瓢泼大雨，灵山君坐在榻前，誊写受潮的书。

The rain had been falling continuously since that night, not stopping for many days, to the point where even the two mud dolls dared not go out to frolic.
　　这雨自那夜开始下，连绵多日未停，连两个泥娃娃都不敢出门撒欢了。

Qing Shi Jiu sat down opposite the Mountain Spirit Lord, his hand unconsciously touching his abdomen.
　　青十九在灵山君对面坐下，手不自觉摸了摸小腹。

Perhaps because he had been eating and sleeping nonstop recently, the fat on his belly had grown rampant, forming a noticeable protruding shape. Qing Shi Jiu tried pressing it flat but repeatedly failed.
　　约莫因为他近日总是吃了睡睡了吃，腹上肥肉便猖狂起来，小腹已有了个明显凸起的形状。青十九尝试按平它，却屡屡败下阵。

"Madam has awakened."
　　“夫人醒了。”

Qing Shijiu complained, "Why didn't you wake me? If I keep sleeping like this every day, I'll get fat."
　　青十九埋怨道：“你怎么不叫我，我天天这么睡，要长胖了。”

Lingshan Jun looked up with a smile: "My wife was sleeping so soundly, I couldn't bear to disturb you."
　　灵山君笑着抬头：“夫人睡得太香，我不忍心。”

Sweet talk.
　　甜言蜜语。

Qing Shijiu looked outside and saw a faint semicircular light hovering above the fish pond, keeping all the rain at bay.
　　青十九向外望，看见小鱼的池上半空隐约有一道半弧的光，将雨水尽数挡开。

"When will this rain ever stop?"
　　“这雨要下到什么时候？”

Lingshan Jun moistened his brush and turned the page, appearing unconcerned: "There are always a few days like this every year. It'll stop in a few days."
　　灵山君润笔翻页，似乎并不放心上：“一年之中总有几日这样，过几日就停了。”

"But we've never had rains this heavy in previous years." Qing Shijiu searched his memory, brows furrowed tightly.
　　“可往年也没下过这么大的雨。”青十九翻了翻记忆，眉头紧皱。

Lingshan Jun said: "When the rain stops, I'll take you out to play."
　　灵山君道：“等雨停了，带你出去玩。”

Qing Shijiu, upon hearing this, stretched his arms out the window and shouted, "Rain, stop soon! I want to go out and play!"
　　青十九闻言，将双臂伸出窗外，大喊道：“雨快停吧！我想出去玩！”

His childish behavior brought a smile to Lingshan Jun's lips.
　　他这小孩子一样的行为令灵山君唇角染上笑意。

Their dinner was simple. After finishing, Qing Shijiu paced around the room while Lingshan Jun lit a lamp and continued his daytime tasks, leaving only the sound of rain between them.
　　二人的晚饭很简单。吃完了，青十九在屋里打转，灵山君点了灯，继续白日的事，一时间只闻雨声。

"Madam," Lingshan Jun suddenly spoke. Qing Shijiu happened to turn around at that moment but kept pacing. "Huh?"
　　“夫人。”灵山君突然出声，青十九恰好转了个身，脚步不停，“啊？”

Lord Lingshan set down his brush: "I must go out tomorrow."
　　灵山君搁下笔：“我明日要出去一趟。”

Qing Shijiu asked curiously: "Will the rain stop tomorrow?"
　　青十九好奇：“明日停雨吗？”

"It will not."
　　“不停。”

"I have business to attend to outside. I should return in about three days."
　　“出去办件事，大约三日左右回来。”

Qing Shijiu remained silent for a long moment before finally saying, "Come back early."
　　青十九沉默，半晌才道：“早点回来。”

That night, Qing Shijiu couldn't sleep early. The bed curtains muffled the sound of rain, and in this gentle haze, he melted into a puddle beneath the Spirit Mountain Lord.
　　这夜青十九没能早睡，床帐隔了雨声，在这温柔的模糊里，他在灵山君的身下软成一滩水。

The crimson brocade quilt made a pale hand appear even whiter. That hand had lain quietly at first, but for some reason, its slender fingers suddenly curled tightly, sinking deep into the soft bedding with such force that the fingertips lost all color, the knuckles protruding sharply beneath thin flesh.
　　红锦软被将一只手更衬雪白，那只手本来安静地搭着，后来不知为何，纤长的手指蜷作一团，深深陷入软被中，用力大得指尖都褪去了血色，指骨支棱着薄薄的一层皮肉。

Qing Shijiu kicked his legs in protest, tears streaming as he tried to push away his tormentor, only to be thoroughly silenced by a deep kiss.
　　青十九哭着蹬腿，想踢开作乱的人，却被密实地吻住。

Only soft whispers remained within the bed curtains.
　　床帐中只余温声细语。

......
　　……

By the time Qing Nineteen woke, the Spirit Mountain Lord had already left, leaving half the bed cold. He curled up in the blankets, rolling over to claim the entire bed for himself, then closed his eyes to continue sleeping.
　　青十九起来时灵山君已然走了，一半床冰凉。他蜷着被子滚了滚，将整张床都占住了，闭上眼继续睡。

Until the clay figurine came to wake him.
　　直到被泥人叫醒。

The rain outside had lightened considerably. Qing Nineteen slowly ate a few bites of food before fishing out the travelogue Spirit Mountain Lord had been reading from beside the bed.
　　外头雨势小了许多，青十九慢吞吞地吃了几口东西，从床头翻出灵山君读的那本游记。

The clay doll trailed behind him calling out: "Madam hasn't finished eating."
　　泥娃娃跟在后头叫唤：“夫人没吃完。”

Qing Nineteen ignored them: "I'm full."
　　青十九不理他们：“我饱了。”

He opened the book and read intermittently, skipping over characters he didn't recognize. After finishing one passage that made absolutely no sense to him, he tossed it aside.
　　他翻开书，断断续续地看，不识的字就略过，一篇读下来狗屁不通，便扔去了一边。

He rummaged through Spirit Mountain Lord's writing tools to create mischief, painting several sheets before happily spreading them on the table to let the ink dry.
　　又翻了灵山君的笔墨纸砚来造作，画了好几张，喜滋滋地摊在桌上等墨迹干透。

Though one couldn't really tell what the paintings were supposed to be.
　　虽然并看不出是个什么东西。

With Spirit Mountain Lord away, Qing Nineteen became like a bird set free—neither taking medicine nor eating meals.
　　灵山君不在，青十九就像放飞的鸟，药也不吃，饭也不吃。

The clay doll kept jumping anxiously: "Madam must eat, must take medicine."
　　泥娃娃急得一直蹦：“夫人要吃饭，要吃药。”

Qing Shijiu, annoyed, pulled down the bed curtains to block them out and rolled into the soft quilt.
　　青十九嫌烦，把床帐扯了，把他们挡在外头，滚进软被里。

"...Not taking me."
　　“……不带我。”

The next morning when he woke up, the rain had surprisingly stopped.
　　次日醒来，雨竟然停了。

Qing Shijiu shuffled outside in his slippers for a stroll and returned with muddy feet, yet in excellent spirits.
　　青十九趿着鞋出门走了一圈，满脚泥地回来了，心情却很好。

The rain has stopped.
　　雨停了。

Two more days remain.
　　还有两日。

Qing Shijiu prepared a simple meal but barely touched it before putting it away. The clay doll fretted endlessly: "Madam must eat properly."
　　青十九做了顿简单的饭，没吃几口就收了，泥娃娃简直操碎了心：“夫人要吃饭。”

"I'm full."
　　“吃饱了。”

He had indeed been experiencing a loss of appetite recently.
　　他近日的确有些食欲不振。

Qing Shijiu poked the two clay dolls with his fingertip: "Don't go tattling to the Spirit Mountain Lord, or else..."
　　青十九用指尖戳戳两只泥娃娃：“不许和灵山君告状，否则……”

He left the threat unfinished, as unspoken consequences are always the most frightening—though mainly because he himself didn't know what "or else" would entail.
　　他没说完，未竟之言最是吓人，虽然主要因为他也不知道否则个什么。

After washing the dishes, Qing Shijiu paused in his steps at the doorway.
　　洗完碗筷出来，青十九的脚步顿在了门口。

His face instantly turned deathly pale, his eyes filled with confusion and fear.
　　他面色刷地一下变得惨白，眼神有些迷茫，有些惧意。

A peacock feather drifted slowly before him, emitting a faint blue glow.
　　一支雀翎悠悠飞到他面前，周身散发着淡蓝的光。

This was... a peacock missive.
　　这是……孔雀来信。

.....
　　……

The envoy from Peacock Manor arrived swiftly, appearing at the doorstep early the next morning. The clay doll opened the door, revealing Kong Jing's figure.
　　孔雀府来人很快，隔日大早便到了。泥娃娃打开门，露出孔璟的身影。

Qing Shi Jiu's gaze collided with his before calmly shifting away.
　　青十九同他视线撞上，不动声色地移开了眼。

The clay doll said, "The Spirit Mountain Lord is temporarily away from home. Only the Madam remains, and the Lord has instructed that she must rest and receive no guests. If you have business, please return another day."
　　泥娃娃道：“灵山君暂不在家，家中只有夫人，灵山君说了夫人要歇息，不见客，有事请君隔日再来。”

Kong Jing remained silent, first sealing the clay doll's senses before stepping across the threshold. Behind him followed several individuals—his trusted aides and... the real Kong Ling.
　　孔璟不言，将泥娃娃的五感封闭，才跨入门内。他身后跟着几人，有他的亲信，还有……真正的孔泠。

"The game of swapping a fox for the crown prince should come to an end."
　　“狸猫换太子的把戏当结束了。”

Kong Jing maintained his usual cold and stern expression as he glanced at Kong Ling, giving a slight nod of his head.
　　孔璟一贯是那副冰冷严肃的表情，他看向孔泠，头轻轻一点。

Kong Ling reluctantly walked over to his side.
　　孔泠不情不愿地走到他身边。

Kong Jing turned his gaze to Qing Shijiu and, for once, revealed a smile—though it was utterly devoid of warmth. "You, little green sparrow, have truly surprised me."
　　孔璟看向青十九，难得露出个笑，那笑容却是毫无温度的：“你这只小青雀，当真令我刮目相看。”

Qing Shijiu felt his heart tighten. He clutched his chest, his breath catching in his throat.
　　青十九觉得心脏一紧，他捂住心口，呼吸都停滞了。

Kong Ling's expression changed abruptly as she reached to snatch the contract from Kong Jing's hands: "What are you doing?! This was my idea—why are you bullying Qingque?!"
　　孔泠面色一变，伸手去夺孔璟手上的身契：“你做什么！这是我的主意，你欺负青雀做什么？！”

Kong Jing released his grip and glared coldly at Kong Ling: "Are you proud of yourself?"
　　孔璟松了手，冷冷地看向孔泠：“你还很得意？”

Kong Ling didn't back down in the slightest: "It's not pride—it's the truth. I was the one who refused to marry that old man, the Mountain Lord, so I went to Shijiu and asked him to take my place. A true person owns their actions—this was my idea, my doing. There's no reason for Qingque to shoulder the blame for me."
　　孔泠丝毫不怯：“我不是得意，这是事实。是我不愿嫁给灵山君这个老叟，才去找了十九，要他替我。大丈夫一人做事一人当，这事我的主意，我做的，没青雀给我背的道理。”

Qing Shijiu clutched his chest, taking several moments to recover. Upon hearing these words, he gave Kong Ling a complicated look.
　　青十九捂着心口缓了半晌，听见这番话，神色复杂地看了孔泠一眼。

Kong Jing frowned and scolded, "Stop wasting time. Go over there."
　　孔璟皱眉斥道：“不要拖延时间了，你过去。”

Kong Ling responded with an icy "Oh," straightening his posture as he walked toward Qing Shijiu. "I have something to say to Shijiu. The rest of you can wait."
　　孔泠冷冰冰地“哦”了声，挺直腰背朝青十九走来：“我有事要和十九说，你们先等等吧。”

With that, he dragged Qing Shijiu into the room and shut the door behind them.
　　说着便将青十九扯进屋里，阖上了门。

"It's really strange seeing my own face," Kong Ling joked, noticing Qing Shi Jiu's pale complexion and motioning for him to sit. "Kong Jing is a madman—the first thing he did after capturing me was take your deed of servitude."
　　“对着自己的脸还真是不习惯。”孔泠打趣，见青十九面色苍白，让他坐下，“孔璟就是个疯子，他抓住我第一件事，就是拿走你的身契。”

Qing Shi Jiu finally understood—the sudden agony he'd experienced some time ago had been caused by the deed. As long as the Peacock Manor held that document, he could never truly escape.
　　青十九大约也明白了，前段日子那阵突如其来的痛苦，是因为身契。有身契在孔雀府手里，他就永远逃不出。

Now that the moment had arrived, Qing Shi Jiu felt an unexpected calm, as if the sword hanging over his head had finally fallen. He poured two cups of tea, placing one before Kong Ling.
　　事到临头，青十九终于有种悬在头顶的刀落了之感，此刻竟出乎意料的平静。他倒了两杯茶水，一杯放在孔泠面前。

"What exactly happened?"
　　“是怎么一回事？”

Kong Ling gulped down some water, frustrated, "I had already escaped from Yunzhong... Then I met a strange person at Fuyao Pool. I'd never seen him before, yet he called me by name."
　　孔泠灌了口水，气闷道：“本来我都逃出了云中……我在扶摇池遇到个奇怪的人，我没见过他，他却叫出了我的名字。”

"I asked who he was, and he claimed to be the Sword-Bearing Page from the Eastern Azure Dragon Hall..."
　　“我问他是谁，他自称东方青龙殿侍剑童子……”

Qing Shijiu exclaimed in surprise, "The Eastern Azure Dragon Hall? Rumor has it that His Highness has been in deep slumber all this time."
　　青十九惊讶：“东方青龙殿，传言那位殿下不是一直在沉睡么。”

Kong Ling shook his head, "The Eastern Azure Dragon Seal has shown unusual activity. These days of heavy rain are because of it... Everyone's speculating that the Azure Dragon is about to awaken."
　　孔泠摇了摇头：“东方青龙印有异动，这几日大雨便是因此……都在猜测，青龙要现世了。”

He spoke with another cold laugh: "This baseless rumor—Lord Peacock heard it and already prepared the gifts."
　　他说着又冷笑：“这没谱的事，孔雀大人听了，礼都备好了。”

Qing Shijiu remained silent.
　　青十九无言。

Kong Ling lowered his eyes: "It was that sword-bearing attendant. I don't know how he recognized me—before I could say two words, he knocked me out... When I woke up again, I was already in Peacock Manor."
　　孔泠耷下眉眼：“就是那个侍剑童子，我也不知他怎么认得我，没两句话就把我打晕了……再醒来，就在孔雀府了。”

A person who appeared out of nowhere had inexplicably ruined Kong Ling's escape plan.
　　莫名其妙出现的一个人，莫名其妙地破了孔泠的脱身计划。

How did this matter become related to the Eastern Azure Dragon Palace?
　　这事怎么就和东方青龙殿扯上关系了？

Both fell silent again, each holding their tea in a daze.
　　二人都没再说话，各自捧着茶出神。

The door was knocked twice.
　　门板被敲了两下。

Azure Nineteen turned his stiffened eyes, thinking blankly: I should leave now.
　　青十九转动僵硬的眼珠，心中有些茫然地想：我该走了。

He carefully traced every corner of the room with his gaze, examining the tables, chairs, and cabinets, before finally setting down the water glass and standing up.
　　他将这屋里的边边角角，桌椅橱柜都用眼神细细摹了遍，最终放下水杯，站起身。

"How is Lingshan-jun?" Kong Ling suddenly asked from behind him.
　　“灵山君如何？”身后孔泠突然问道。

Qing Shijiu paused his steps, then after a long moment replied softly, "...He's a very good person. You wouldn't dislike him."
　　青十九停住脚步，好一会儿才轻声道：“……他是个很好的人，您不会讨厌他的。”

He had originally wanted to say, "You'll like him."
　　他本想说“你会喜欢他的。”

But these words stuck in his throat like shards of porcelain, impossible to voice.
　　可这句话像碎瓷片一样，哽在喉咙，无法出口。

From now on, the "Kong Ling" by Lingshan-jun's side would be the real Kong Ling.
　　往后在灵山君身边的“孔泠”，就是真的孔泠了。

They would have a long, long time together, and Qing Nineteen had no doubt that Kong Ling would come to love Lingshan-jun just as he had, through days and nights spent in his company.
　　他们会有很长很长的时间陪伴在一起，青十九毫不怀疑，孔泠会像自己一样，在和灵山君相处的日夜中爱上他。

They would love each other, whisper sweet nothings, travel through all three realms and six paths, and eventually return to Lingshan, falling asleep in each other's arms on a rainy night.
　　他们会相爱，会耳鬓厮磨，会走遍三界六道，最终他们会回到灵山，在雨夜相拥睡去。

Where is Qing Nineteen?
　　青十九呢？

Perhaps he will die, or perhaps he will spend the rest of his days in Xiaochun Village.
　　也许会死，也许会在小春庄度过余生。

In any case, he will have no further connection with the Lord of Lingshan.
　　总之，与灵山君再无瓜葛。

......
　　……

Qing Nineteen didn't die, nor was he exiled to Xiaochun Village.
　　青十九没有死，也没有被放逐到小春庄。

Kong Jing brought him back to the Peacock Manor and left him under Qing Four's care. Whatever instructions the eldest young master gave, Qing Four never assigned Qing Nineteen any official position, only keeping him by his side.
　　孔璟将他带回了孔雀府，留给青四安排，也不知大公子叮嘱了什么，青四一直没放青十九去领个实职，只让他跟着自己。

Unaware of all that had transpired, Qing Four simply sighed when he saw Qing Nineteen's return: "It's good that you could come back."
　　青四不知这期间发生的种种，看见青十九回来了，只感慨：“能回来就好。”

Qing Nineteen gave an exhausted smile.
　　青十九脱力地笑笑。

Since leaving Lingshan, his condition had worsened, with constant backaches and leg pains becoming routine. Returning to Peacock Manor meant he could no longer sleep undisturbed for entire days as he had on Lingshan—Qing Si would wake him before dawn every morning. Qing Si had even brought physicians to examine him, but they found nothing amiss, merely diagnosing him as physically weak and prescribing more rest and nourishment. Proper nourishment was out of the question, though—Qing Shijiu still refused to eat, seizing every chance to close his eyes and sleep. Qing Si could do nothing but secretly carve out moments for him to rest.
　　离了灵山之后他的状态愈发不好，腰酸腿疼已成常态。回了孔雀府便不能再像在灵山时那样，埋头睡一天也不会有人扰，每日天不亮青四就会叫他起床。青四也给他找过大夫，可什么都没看出来，只说体虚，多休息多补补就可。补是补不起的，青十九还不吃饭，找着机会闭眼就能睡着，青四拿他无法，只能暗里给他找空子休息。

"...To think he made it back from Xiaochun Manor—what skill..."
　　“……去了小春庄都能回来，大本事啊……”

"Indeed. He's the one who convinced the Second Young Master to break off the engagement with the Crimson Tragopan family. Such a thing must be child's play to him... Thankfully, the Second Young Master established his own residence after marriage... Otherwise, life in Peacock Manor would've been quite... lively..."
　　“可不，人家可是能劝动二公子退了红腹角雉府婚事的人，这事对他来说，可不是小意思……幸好二公子婚后另建府居了……不然这孔雀府的日子就精彩了……”

"My heart aches for that Crimson Tragopan lady—well, Second Madam now. She was truly kind and pure-hearted... It seems... she'd be no match for that little green sparrow."
　　“我就心疼那红腹角雉小姐……当叫二夫人了，人是真的和善纯良，看上去……怕是斗不过那只青雀呢。”

"Why would the Second Mistress need to fight... You don't know how much the Second Young Master cherishes her. Now that she's with child, she's doubly precious... If that Qingque dares to entertain any improper thoughts, the Second Young Master would be the first to not spare him!"
　　“哪里需要二夫人斗……你是不知晓二公子有多爱重二夫人，二夫人现在有孕在身，金贵着……那青雀敢动什么歪心思，二公子怕是头一个不饶他！”

Qing Shijiu dozed off behind a pillar, but the idle chatter of these servants kept him from sleeping. Filled with irritation, and hearing nothing but "Second Young Master" and "Second Mistress," he covered his ears and lay down again.
　　青十九躲在柱子后打盹，被这群说闲话的家奴吵得睡不着，满心暴躁，又听见句句不离二公子二夫人，捂着耳倒下。

So annoying.
　　真烦。

Then he heard the gossiping group laugh and change the subject: "The reunion banquet is coming up soon—all the young masters and ladies who are away must return for it. Have the stewards assigned your duties yet?"
　　就听那说闲话的几人嬉笑一阵又转了话题：“过段日子团圆宴，在外的公子姑娘都得回来赴席，管事给你们分好差事了没？”

"Me? I was assigned to help in the kitchen."
　　“我？我给分厨房帮忙去了。”

"The steward sent me to serve tea in the main hall."
　　“管事让我去厅中奉茶。”

"How come you all got such good assignments? I was sent to ceremonial duties—have to spend the whole day in the Rites Pavilion. That remote place is so far removed I can't even hear the excitement from Cuishan Terrace."
　　“你们怎么这么命好，我竟给分去奉礼，得在礼阁待一日。那偏地，连翠山台的热闹都听不见。”

Cuishan Terrace was where the Peacock Manor held its banquets.
　　翠山台便是孔雀府设宴之地。

Qing Nineteen vaguely recalled that Qing Four had mentioned during the family banquet preparations, asking him to accompany him to serve at Cuishan Terrace.
　　青十九恍惚想起，青四有提家宴时，让自己随他去翠山台侍奉的。

According to Peacock Manor's reunion banquet traditions, all married young masters and misses must bring their spouses back home.
　　孔雀府团圆宴，按规矩，成家的公子姑娘都得带着伴侣回门。

At that time... he could steal a distant glance.
　　届时……可以远远瞧上一眼。

Just one glance would be enough.
　　一眼就就满足了。

☆ Chapter 8
　　☆、第 8 章

Qing Shi-jiu refused all food and drink, growing so thin he was practically skin and bones, which sparked fresh rounds of gossip in the neighborhood.
　　青十九茶饭不进，消瘦许多，几乎要成皮包骨，坊间又有新的闲话编排出来。

Qing Si grew deeply concerned seeing him in this state, nearly believing the rumors himself: "Shi-jiu, we need to talk. You're not really like this because of the Second Young Master, are you...?"
　　青四见他这模样十分忧心，差点将闲话信以为真：“十九，我们谈谈。你不会真因为二公子才……”

Qing Shi-jiu sighed helplessly: "No, it's not that. I just have no appetite—it has nothing to do with anyone."
　　青十九无奈：“不是，没有，我只是吃不下，和谁都没关系。”

Qing Si sighed: "Even if you can't eat much, you must take a few bites. Look at yourself—a gust of wind outside would probably knock you over."
　　青四叹了口气：“吃不下也得吃两口，你看看自己的模样，怕是走外头被风一吹就倒了。”

Qing Shijiu silently complained: Where did he get the idea that I'm so exaggeratedly thin? You can clearly pinch two layers of fat on my belly.
　　青十九腹诽：哪里有瘦成那副夸张模样，明明肚子上的肉能捏出两层。

He stealthily straightened his posture, glanced at his abdomen, and fretted anxiously: It seems even bigger now.
　　他偷偷摸摸直起腰板，扫了眼腹部，忧心忡忡：好像更大了。

Qing Si truly treated Qing Shijiu like a younger family member. Because of his poor appetite, he went to great lengths to prepare fresh delicacies for him to try.
　　青四是真拿青十九当家里小辈看，因他食欲不振，想尽法子给他弄些新鲜的吃食尝。

With the reunion banquet approaching, the kitchen was experimenting with new dishes for the feast. Every day, many leftovers were discarded, so Qing Si made arrangements with the kitchen to select a few dishes for Qing Shi Jiu, along with some fruits and pastries, taking several pieces back with him.
　　因团圆宴近，厨房在研制宴上的新菜品，每日都有许多剩菜不要，青四就同厨房打了招呼，拣了几道回去给青十九，还有些瓜果糕点之类的，一并顺了几块。

Grateful for Qing Si's kindness, Qing Shi Jiu would force himself to eat a few bites even when his appetite was poor, and his complexion gradually improved.
　　青十九感念他对自己的好，胃口再差也会吃几口，气色倒是好了些。

On the night three days before the reunion banquet, Qing Shi Jiu was roused from bed by Qing Si. Before he could even open his eyes, he was dragged outside.
　　团圆宴前三日的夜里，青十九被青四从床上叫起，眼都没睁开，就被拖出了门。

Dazed with sleep, he was pressed to his knees by Qing Si and made to kowtow.
　　他困得神志不清，被青四按跪在地上，磕了个头。

Is he going to beat me to death? He thought hazily. Then just kill me, do whatever you want—as long as I can get a good night's sleep.
　　要打死我了么。他迷迷糊糊地想。那就打死吧，爱怎的怎的，让我睡个好觉就成。

But then he heard Qing Si beside him exclaim excitedly, "May the Azure Dragon Lord protect us! May all the gods and buddhas bless us—let Nineteen recover quickly!"
　　结果听见身边青四激动地道：“青龙殿下庇佑，诸天神佛庇佑，让十九快快好起来。”

Azure Dragon?
　　青龙？

Qing Nineteen forced his eyelids open, his vision shifting from blurry to clear—though it was night, the sky was filled with radiant light, phoenixes circled overhead with clear cries, and faint chants of Buddhist hymns seemed to resonate between heaven and earth.
　　青十九勉强扯开眼皮子，视线从模糊到清明——只见这虽是夜里，却漫天霞光，鸾鸟盘旋清鸣，天地间隐约有梵音吟唱。

A most auspicious and propitious omen.
　　大祥大瑞之象。

At dawn when passing by the pond, the railings were crowded with excited servants. Qing Nineteen peered through the gaps and caught sight of golden lotuses blooming across the entire pond, their iridescent glow dazzling.
　　晨时路过水池，栏边围满了激动的家奴，青十九从缝隙中望进去，瞄见满池金莲盛放，虹光熠熠。

The lotus flowers in this pond had long withered, but thanks to the Azure Dragon's blessing, they've bloomed once more as golden lotuses.
　　这池里的荷花早败了，托得青龙的福，开了回金莲。

"News has spread throughout the Three Realms and Six Paths - the Azure Dragon of the East has manifested. Thus, all Four Divine Beasts have now returned to their rightful positions!"
　　“消息传遍三界六道，东方青龙现世，如此，四神都归位了吧！”

"I heard when the Phoenix Lord manifested last time, the auspicious signs lasted for three full days. Now with the Azure Dragon's manifestation coinciding with the Reunion Banquet..."
　　“听闻凤凰殿下现世那回，祥瑞之兆持续三日才止，这回青龙现世，正巧碰上团圆宴……”

"What wonderful timing, truly auspicious!"
　　“那真是好事，真是巧了！”

Qing Shijiu carried the tray away, thinking: Less than three days remain.
　　青十九捧着托盘走开，心想：不到三日了。

Outside the window, sunlight flickered past in the blink of an eye, while floral shadows shifted across the banquet mats. The day of the Reunion Banquet arrived swiftly.
　　窗外日光弹指过, 席间花影坐前移。很快便至团圆宴当日。

The auspicious signs had not yet dissipated, with rosy clouds still filling the sky. Outside the Four Abyss Palace in the east, an eighteen-horse imperial carriage stood waiting.
　　祥瑞之兆尚未散去，依旧是漫天霞光，东方四渊宫外，停驻着一辆十八驾銮车。

Kong Ling emerged from the Four Abyss Palace, where an attendant guided him down the long steps: "Young Master, please hurry. His Highness is waiting."
　　孔泠从四渊宫里出来，侍者引着他下长阶：“公子快些罢，殿下等着了。”

Kong Ling glanced at the carriage below the steps and asked softly, "Just one carriage?"
　　孔泠看了眼阶下的车，轻声问：“就一辆车？”

The attendant bowed respectfully: "It was His Highness's order."
　　侍者恭谨俯首：“是殿下的意思。”

Kong Ling silently boarded the carriage, his gaze briefly sweeping over the lavishly dressed man seated in the main position before quietly taking his seat by the window.
　　孔泠默不作声地上了车，目光从主位上的华服男人身上一扫而过，安静地在窗边坐下。

Only then did Qinglong speak: "Let us depart."
　　只听青龙道：“启程。”

Eighteen imperial carriages ascended upon the clouds, advancing toward the celestial mists.
　　十八驾銮车腾云而起，向着云中行去。

Amidst the silence, Qinglong spoke again: "You need not worry—I shall explain everything to Peacock myself."
　　一片静默中，青龙开了口：“你不必担心，一切自有我跟孔雀说明。”

Kong Ling whispered softly, "...Thank you, Your Highness."
　　孔泠小声道：“……多谢殿下。”

......
　　……

The reunion banquet was a grand occasion. In preparation for this day, the entire Peacock Manor had undergone renovations, appearing completely refreshed. A crimson velvet carpet stretched from the main gate all the way to Cuishan Terrace, and all the servants moving about wore expressions of joy.
　　团圆宴是件大事，为了迎接这日，孔雀府上下都修整了一遭，焕然一新，红绒地毯从大门口一路铺至翠山台，来往家奴脸上皆是喜色。

Qing Shi-jiu had been looking forward to this day for so long, yet when it finally arrived, she was struck by abdominal pain so severe she couldn't leave her bed, curled up in her blankets shedding tears.
　　青十九盼这天盼了许久，临了竟被腹痛搅得下不了床，蜷在被子里掉眼泪。

Half from pain, half from anger.
　　一半是疼的，一半是气的。

Angry at this illness that came at the worst possible time.
　　气这场不合时宜的病。

Qing Si summoned a physician, who as usual couldn't identify anything specific, merely prescribing a remedy for abdominal pain and advising him to drink it and rest.
　　青四请了大夫来，大夫照旧没瞧出个什么，只按腹痛开了个方，让他喝了睡一觉。

"See what happens when you refuse to eat? Know why your stomach hurts? It's because you're starving yourself hollow."
　　“让你不吃东西，知道为何腹痛吗？就是因为你不吃东西，饿坏了肚子。”

Qing Si was exceptionally busy today. He barely managed to steal a moment to check on Qing Shi Jiu, and seeing his frail state, grew terribly worried: "What hardships did you suffer at Xiaochun Manor? How did you return in such a condition?"
　　青四今日格外忙，好容易抽出个空回来看了青十九一眼，见他那副虚弱的样，愁得不行：“你到底在小春庄吃了什么苦，怎么回来就成这模样了？”

He knew nothing of Ling Mountain's affairs, and Qing Shi Jiu had no way to explain.
　　他不知灵山的事，青十九也无从诉说。

The physician's apprentice outside finished brewing the medicine and brought it in: "It's ready to drink now."
　　外头大夫留下的药童煎好了药送进来：“可以喝了。”

Qing Si thanked him, handing over a silver bean. The apprentice clutched it in his palm and skipped away delighted.
　　青四跟他道谢，拿了个银豆给他，药童攥手里，欢天喜地地走了。

"Drink your medicine."
　　“把药喝了。”

Qing Shijiu didn't dare to be willful and obediently got up to gulp it down.
　　青十九不敢任性，老老实实地爬起来灌了。

Qing Si couldn't stay long. Seeing that he'd taken the medicine, he prepared to leave: "Rest well."
　　青四不能留太久，看他把药喝了就准备走：“你好好歇着。”

Then suddenly remembering something, he pulled out a red envelope from his sleeve pouch: "We just distributed blessings—this one's yours."
　　又突然想起什么似的，从袖囊里掏了个红封出来：“方才散了福，这是你的。”

Qing Shijiu took the red envelope and saw the characters "reunion" written on it. Remembering the person who had taught him to read, his eyes reddened once more.
　　青十九接过红封，看见上书的“团圆”二字，想起教自己识字的人，眼眶又红了。

"Once my stomach stops hurting, can I go to Cuishan Terrace?"
　　“我一会儿肚子不痛了，可以去翠山台吗？”

Qing Si thought for a moment: "You may. Stay by the door when you get there, so I can find you."
　　青四想了想：“可以，去了就在门边待着，好让我找你。”

Qing Shijiu nodded and lay back down.
　　青十九颔首，躺下了。

Qing Si tucked him in properly, but had barely stepped outside when someone urgently dragged him away.
　　青四给他掖好被角，刚出门就被人急匆匆地拽走了。

"Fourth Steward, distinguished guests have arrived. Lord Peacock says the arrangements at Emerald Mountain Terrace need changing—two desks must be placed at the head table. Please come with me quickly..."
　　“四管事，有贵客来访，孔雀大人说翠山台的布置得改，主位摆两张桌案，您快跟我来……”

The medicine for abdominal pain likely contained sleep-inducing properties, as Qing Nineteen fell fast asleep the moment he lay down.
　　那碗治腹痛的药大约有助眠的效果，青十九刚躺下便睡熟了。

Only to be tormented by nightmares.
　　结果噩梦缠身。

Emerald Mountain Terrace.
　　翠山台。

Delicacies flowed continuously into the hall like running water. Unlike the usual cheerful banter of reunion feasts, not a word was spoken at the banquet tables, leaving only the decadent sounds of string and wind instruments.
　　珍馐流水一般送入厅中，不似往常团圆宴的欢声笑语，席上无人说话，只余丝竹靡音。

All present were openly or covertly observing the person at the head seat. Exceptionally, two tables had been placed at the head—one for the master of Peacock Manor, the other for Kong Ling and a man dressed in deep cyan ceremonial robes.
　　所有人都在明里暗里地打量主位上的人。主位破例摆了两张桌，一桌是孔雀府主人，一桌是孔泠并一个着深青华服的男人。

The man's striking handsomeness surpassed even that of Yunzhong's foremost beauty seated beside him, with his high nose bridge, thin lips, and eyes whose outer corners tapered into sharp arcs. As he lowered his gaze to sip tea and raised it again, they revealed cold, vertical pupils of jade green. An inexplicable chill ran down everyone's spines, prompting them to quickly avert their eyes, not daring to look at him again.
　　男人容貌明俊更胜身侧的云中第一美人，高鼻薄唇，眼尾似一道锋利的弧。他垂目喝茶，抬眼时，露出双冰冷的青色竖瞳。众人莫名脊背生寒，赶忙移开眼，不敢再瞧他。

The person seated at the head said something unknown, causing both the man in dark blue ceremonial robes and Lord Peacock to rise in succession, followed by the entire hall standing up in confusion.
　　座上人不知说了什么，深青华服的男人和孔雀大人接连站起，连带着整座厅的人都不明所以地站了起来。

The music ceased abruptly.
　　乐声立止。

Without much hesitation, the man in dark blue robes descended the long steps and departed from Cuishan Terrace under the crowd's fearful yet curious gazes.
　　深青华服的男人没有过多犹豫，径自走下长阶，在众人畏惧又好奇的视线中离开了翠山台。

Lord Peacock tapped Kong Ling's shoulder: "Go follow him!"
　　孔雀大人点点孔泠：“跟着去啊！”

Kong Ling rolled his eyes: "Why should I follow him?"
　　孔泠翻了个白眼：“我跟着作甚？”

Lord Peacock looked baffled: "You're his wife! Why wouldn't you follow him?"
　　孔雀大人莫名其妙：“你身为他夫人，你不跟着作甚！”

Kong Ling sat down indifferently: "If you want to follow him, go ahead yourself. I'm not going."
　　孔泠自顾坐下：“你要跟着他你就自个儿去，反正我不去。”

"You—!"
　　“你！”

Peacock Lord was so angry it gave him a headache, thinking how children never obey their parents when they grow up. This Little Nine's temper was getting worse by the day.
　　孔雀大人气得头疼，心想真是儿大不由爹。这小九的脾气愈发臭了。

The crowd in the hall gradually took their seats as music began to play—a different tune this time—and the atmosphere became much livelier.
　　厅中众人纷纷坐下，乐声响起，却是换了首曲子，气氛也活跃许多。

"Was that person just now truly the Azure Dragon?"
　　“方才那位，当真是青龙？”

"How could it be fake? Didn't you see the grand display from the Four Abyss Palace!"
　　“这能有假？你没看那四渊宫的排场吗！”

"I still can't quite believe how the Mountain Spirit suddenly transformed into a Blue Dragon. Wasn't the Mountain Spirit supposed to be an old man according to rumors?"
　　“我还是不大相信，灵山君怎么摇身一变，变成青龙了。传言灵山君不是个老叟吗？”

Overhearing this, the Second Consort sighed to Kong Shen: "Ninth Brother truly has incredible luck."
　　听了一耳朵的二夫人对孔燊感叹：“小九当真是好运。”

Kong Shen appeared utterly distracted, so the Second Consort stopped paying him attention and turned to speak with Fourth Miss Kong instead.
　　孔燊一副魂不守舍的模样，二夫人便不再看他，转头同孔四姑娘说话。

Fourth Miss Kong was currently sulking, her red-painted nails leaving deep marks on the lotus fruit she kept squeezing in her hands.
　　孔四姑娘正生闷气，红指甲把手里的芙蓉果掐出一个个印。

The Second Lady probably knew what she was angry about. Kong Si had once proudly told her that Lord Peacock had originally intended to betroth her to the Lord of Lingshan. But she had caught wind of it early and went to Lord Peacock, throwing a tantrum and crying until he changed his mind, replacing her with Kong Ling.
　　二夫人大约知道她在气什么，孔四曾洋洋得意地同她讲过，本来孔雀大人属意将她许给灵山君的，但她提前得了风声，到孔雀大人面前撒娇哭闹，才令他改了主意，换成孔泠。

Ah, such is fate.
　　哎，都是命。

The Second Lady abandoned her thoughts of finding someone to talk to and picked up her chopsticks to savor the delicacies before her.
　　二夫人收了找人说话的心思，举箸品尝起面前的美食。

......
　　……

Qing Nineteen struggled out of a chaotic dream, his heart pounding and head spinning, when someone grasped his hand.
　　青十九自一片混沌梦境中挣扎出，正心慌头晕，被人攥住了手。

"My Lady."
　　“夫人。”

He blinked blankly: "Lingshan?"
　　他茫然地眨了眨眼：“灵山？”

It seemed he was still dreaming, perhaps a dream within a dream. He couldn't quite tell, but tears began to fall. Pressing the captured hand against his cheek, he spoke with both grievance and deep attachment: "I've missed you so much, I've longed to see you."
　　此刻似乎还在梦中，也许是个梦里梦。他分不太清，眼泪却掉了下来，他将攥住的手拉到颊边贴着，委屈又充满依恋地道：“我好想你，我好想见你。”

The Spirit Mountain Lord let out a soft "Mm."
　　灵山君“嗯”了声。

"I didn't know if you'd come to the reunion feast, but I wanted to see you. I wanted to serve at Cuishan Terrace so I could catch a glimpse of you when you arrived. But my stomach hurt so badly I couldn't even get up. I just wanted to see you from afar, just one look... but I couldn't rise..."
　　“我不知你会不会来团圆宴，但我想见你，我想去翠山台侍奉，你来了我可以看你一眼。可是我肚子疼，疼得爬不起来。我就想远远地看你一眼而已，可是我起不来……”

His face was streaked with tears, gently wiped away by someone.
　　他哭得满脸是泪，被人温柔地擦掉了。

"I'm sorry, I lied to you. I'm not Kong Ling, I'm Qing Que. You were too good, I couldn't help but fall for you. Can you... can you forgive me?"
　　“对不起，我骗了你，我不是孔泠，我是青雀。你太好了，我没忍住，喜欢上了你。你，你可不可原谅我？”

The Spirit Mountain Lord whispered softly, "Have you realized your mistake?"
　　灵山君轻声道：“知错了吗？”

Qing Shijiu pressed close to his hand, nodding several times in quick succession, exhaling deeply as fresh tears began to fall.
　　青十九贴着他的手，连点好几下头，深深地吐出一口气，眼泪又掉了下来。

"Did you really realize your mistake? Would you let just anyone take you away, hmm?"
　　“真知错了？是不是什么人都能把你带走，嗯？”

Qing Shijiu shook his head.
　　青十九摇头。

"Do you know how angry I was when I returned to find Kong Ling there?"
　　“你知道我回去看见的是孔泠，有多生气吗？”

Qing Shijiu didn't quite understand these words. His mind was still muddled, unable to distinguish between dream and reality, only knowing to grasp Lingshan Jun's hand tightly.
　　青十九没太听懂这句话，他脑袋还是懵的，分不清梦境与现实，只晓得抓住灵山君的手。

"Dare you do it again next time?"
　　“下次还敢不敢了？”

Qing Shijiu heard this clearly and shook his head frantically in response.
　　青十九听清了这句，忙不迭摇头。

The Spirit Mountain Lord sighed, gathering him along with the quilt into his embrace.
　　灵山君叹了声，将他连着被子一起笼起，抱进了怀里。

"I missed you too."
　　“我也很想你。”

Holding him close, the Spirit Mountain Lord examined him carefully, his brows gradually furrowing. Qing Nineteen had been eating poorly and sleeping restlessly these days, visibly haggard and emaciated.
　　灵山君抱着他细细打量，眉头渐渐蹙起。青十九这段日子吃不好，睡不好，整个人肉眼可见的萎靡消瘦。

Qing Si's description of him being so frail that a gust of wind could topple him was truly no exaggeration.
　　青四形容的风一吹就倒，当真不是随口说说的。

The Spirit Mountain Lord's hand slipped beneath the soft quilt, coming to rest on Qing Nineteen's lower abdomen as a cyan glow gathered in his palm.
　　灵山君的手钻进软被里，探到青十九的小腹停下，掌心凝起青光。

He scolded in a low voice, "Do you want to torture your mother to death?"
　　他低斥道：“你是要折磨死你母亲吗？”

.....
　　……

This year's reunion banquet seemed destined to be eventful. After the wine feast, as was customary, the gathering moved to the Lanxiang Pavilion for dance performances. When the Peacock Lord found himself unable to command Kong Ling, he had no choice but to send his most accomplished eldest son to invite the Azure Dragon to the banquet.
　　今年的团圆宴似乎注定不平静，酒宴过后照例转去揽香阁赏舞曲，孔雀大人指使孔泠指使不动，只好叫他最出息的大公子去请青龙赴宴。

He began lecturing Kong Ling: "You're married to him, not enemies! What's wrong with going to find him! With this temper of yours, are you trying to make an enemy of Qinglong?!"
　　他开始教训孔泠：“你和他为夫妻，不是仇家！你去寻他怎么了！你这脾气，是要和青龙结冤吗！”

Kong Ling crossed his legs, wearing an expression that said 'you wouldn't understand': "Going to invite him would only create enmity."
　　孔泠翘着腿，一脸你不懂的表情：“我去请才结冤呢。”

Moments later, Kong Jing's trusted subordinate came to fetch Lord Peacock: "Lord Qinglong is at the Forest Courtyard, requesting your presence."
　　片刻后，孔璟身边的亲信回来寻孔雀大人：“青龙殿下在森院，请您过去。”

Lord Peacock was utterly baffled.
　　孔雀大人莫名其妙。

The Forest Courtyard? Isn't that where the household servants live?
　　森院？那不是家奴住的地方？

Lord Peacock hurried away. Contrary to his earlier reluctance, Kong Ling dusted off his sleeves and followed. Soon after, others began leaving their seats one after another to join them.
　　孔雀大人匆匆走了，孔泠一反方才那推三阻四的态度，掸了掸衣袖，跟了上去，紧接着，竟陆续有人离席跟去。

The Second Lady, brimming with curiosity, nudged Kong Shen: "Where are they all going? Let's go see too."
　　二夫人好奇心十足，推了推孔燊：“他们都去哪儿了？我们也去看看吧。”

The husband and wife then left their seats together.
　　夫妻二人便一同离了席。

The distinguished guests who had left their seats exchanged bewildered glances outside the Sen Courtyard, as attendants from the Siyuan Palace had encircled the perimeter, deterring anyone from approaching without permission.
　　离席的众位贵人在森院外面面相觑，四渊宫的侍者竟围在森院周围，没人敢擅自靠近。

Fortunately, the courtyard gate stood ajar, offering glimpses of the unfolding situation within.
　　好在院门是敞开的，隐约能看见里头的情况。

When Qing Si arrived, his heart sank instantly—for no other reason than the fact that the only illuminated building in Sen Courtyard, flanked by Lord Peacock and the Eldest Young Master at its entrance, was Qing Shi Jiu's residence.
　　青四赶到时心里便是咯噔一声，无他，只因森院里唯一亮着灯，门口还站着孔雀大人和大公子的屋子，是青十九的住处。

What grave offense had Qing Shi Jiu committed?
　　青十九犯什么事了？

His heart fluttered with panic, suddenly recalling that night when the auspicious Azure Dragon had appeared.
　　他心中慌张，竟想起青龙祥瑞现世的那夜。

That night, he shouldn't have prayed only for Nineteen's health—he should have prayed for his fortune too. The misfortunes he'd encountered lately were truly too many.
　　那夜不该只求十九健康的，还该为他求求运势，他近来遇见的坏事，实在有些多。

Just as Green Four was about to ask the servants who'd arrived earlier for information, someone exclaimed, "He's coming out!"
　　青四正想找先来的家奴打听打听，就听有人道：“出来了！”

Following the voice, Green Four looked over and saw a tall figure stride out from the house—golden crown, splendid robes, unmistakably the Azure Dragon. What drew everyone's rapt attention was the soft bundle cradled in his arms, clearly holding a person. The crowd stared intently, yet could only glimpse a crown of hair.
　　青四随声望去，只见屋里跨出个高大身影，金冠华服，正是青龙。令人瞩目的是，他怀里抱着团软被，软被里明显藏了个人，众人紧紧盯着，却只能瞧见个发旋。

The Azure Dragon nodded politely to the peacock: "I shall take my lady ahead first."
　　青龙客气地朝孔雀颔首：“我带夫人先行一步。”

Lord Peacock hadn't quite recovered from their previous conversation yet, nodding absently: "Yes, yes."
　　孔雀大人一时间还没从方才的对话中醒过神来，恍惚地点头：“好的，好的。”

Attendants from Siyuan Palace cleared a path and escorted the Azure Dragon away.
　　四渊宫的侍者破开一条路，拥着青龙离去。

Only after everyone had left did hushed whispers begin circulating: "What's going on? Kong Ling is right here, so who was the Azure Dragon carrying?"
　　待人都走了，周围才响起窃窃私语：“什么个情况？孔泠在这儿，青龙抱的是哪个？”

A nobleman summoned a nearby servant who had come to watch the commotion and pointed at the house from which Qinglong had emerged, asking, "Whose residence is this?"
　　有贵人招来一旁凑热闹的家奴，点了点青龙出来的那间屋子，问道：“这是谁的屋子？”

The servant replied fearfully in a hushed voice, "This belongs to Qingque."
　　家奴诚惶诚恐，小声回道：“这是青雀的。”

"......"
　　“……”

The second wife truly couldn't comprehend the current situation either. She turned to look at her husband, only to find him staring blankly in the direction of the main gate.
　　二夫人也实在搞不懂目前的状况了，转头看向丈夫，却见他盯着大门的方向，目光茫然。

That night, a new rumor spread through the mansion: With Qing Nineteen's favor, you too can ascend to the highest branches.
　　当夜府里就传出新流言：信青十九，你也可以飞上枝头。

......
　　……

The next morning when Qing Nineteen awoke, he felt the long-lingering exhaustion completely vanish. Rolling over, he unexpectedly saw familiar windows, a familiar bed, and a familiar person.
　　翌日青十九醒来，只觉缠身许久的疲惫一扫而空，一翻身，竟看见熟悉的窗，熟悉的榻，熟悉的人。

His eyes widened in astonishment.
　　他惊讶地睁大了眼。

The person on the bed habitually wore faded yellow linen robes, with dark hair loosely tied by a hair ribbon, cascading like flowing water down their back. Sensing movement, they turned their head—revealing a profile that had been etched into memory day and night, repeated a thousand times over.
　　榻上人惯常着一身泛黄的布衣，乌发用一根发带松松束着，像流水一样铺在后背。那人似乎听见了动静，转回头，是日夜在心中描摹了千万遍的侧颜。

Yet somehow... there seemed to be something different.
　　只是似乎……有些不同之处。

"Awake?"
　　“醒了？”

When they smiled, their eyes brimmed with tender light.
　　他笑起来时，双瞳里盈着温柔的光。

☆、Extra
　　☆、番外

Qing Shijiu sat by the bedside, staring at the intricately carved silver basin beside him with a complicated expression.
　　青十九坐在床畔，盯着手边的雕花银盆，表情复杂。

The past six months had been truly eventful for him—first substituting for Kong Ling in marrying onto Spirit Mountain, then discovering that the Spirit Mountain Lord was actually Qinglong (Azure Dragon), and then... inexplicably giving birth to Qinglong's offspring.
　　他这半年过得属实精彩，先是代孔泠嫁上灵山，后又得知灵山君就是青龙，再就是……自己莫名其妙为青龙诞下了后代。

Qing Shijiu still remembered the embarrassment of that day.
　　青十九尚记得那日窘状。

After the Azure Dragon manifested in the world, he could no longer reside permanently on Spirit Mountain and was taken back to the Eastern Four Abyss Palace. Three deities came to visit together. When Qing Shi Jiu met them, he realized that the so-called "Little Bai" and "Little Wu" were actually the White Tiger and Black Tortoise among the Four Symbols.
　　青龙现世之后不能再长住灵山，带他回了东方四渊宫，三神相携来访。青十九见了面才发现，所谓的“小白”“小武”，竟是四神之中的白虎与玄武。

The White Tiger shook his head and sighed, "Back then, I forgot to prepare a fake name in advance, so I casually blurted out 'Little Bai.' The more I think about it, the more embarrassing it becomes."
　　白虎晃首叹气：“当日忘记提前取个假名，便随口扯了个小白，每每想起，越想越丢人。”

The Azure Dragon said, "You could've just directly said you were the Deity of the West—it wouldn't have mattered."
　　青龙道：“你就是直说自己是西方之神也没什么。”

The Black Tortoise patted his shoulder and said, "With the deities of the North, West, and South all gathered here, this is already too grand a spectacle. Weren't you supposed to be living incognito? Of course, we brothers had to help cover for you."
　　玄武拍了拍他的肩：“北方西方南方三神齐聚，这排场也过大了。你不是隐姓埋名么，兄弟们当然要帮着掩饰一下。”

Qing Shijiu flushed with embarrassment, thinking to himself, "Even if you didn't try to hide it, I wouldn't have guessed."
　　青十九赧然，心想你们就算不掩饰我也猜不出来。

It took him a full ten days to accept the fact that the Ling Mountain Lord was actually the Azure Dragon.
　　灵山君就是青龙这件事，他花了足足十日才接受。

The Four Abyss Palace was enormous, with one area that looked exactly like the Ling Mountain Residence. When Qing Shijiu was first taken there by the Azure Dragon, he even saw Little Fish, who gave him another mermaid's tear.
　　四渊宫极大，有一处同灵山府一模一样的地。青十九头一回被青龙带去时，还见着了小鱼，小鱼又给了他一颗鲛人泪。

As the five of them chatted while walking to this spot—where there were no attendants to serve them—they naturally began bringing out dishes from the kitchen themselves. The Black Tortoise even dug up several jars of wine from beneath a tree.
　　五人边交谈边走到这处，这里没有侍者伺候，几位便自发从厨里端了菜出来，玄武还从树下挖了几坛子酒。

"Did you cook again today?"
　　“今日又是你下的厨？”

Azure Dragon raised an eyebrow, his cold vertical pupils glancing at White Tiger: "What of it?"
　　青龙挑眉，冰冷的竖瞳瞥向白虎：“怎么？”

White Tiger clicked his tongue in feigned displeasure: "I'm tired of eating this."
　　白虎装模作样地啧了声：“吃腻了。”

Just as he reached with his chopsticks to take some food, the silver utensils snapped in midair without warning.
　　于是他伸箸欲夹菜时，手上银箸竟凭空断了。

"How stingy!" The white tiger didn't take offense, smiling as he held out his bowl towards Qing Shijiu. "Sister-in-law, could you help me get some fish? I'd like to try it."
　　“小气啊！”白虎也不恼，笑眯眯地捧了碗往青十九面前凑，“嫂夫人帮忙夹点呗，我想吃鱼。”

The phoenix frowned and tossed a fish into his bowl: "Don't go looking for death."
　　凤凰拧眉夹了条鱼扔进他碗里：“不要寻死。”

Qing Shijiu: "......"
　　青十九：“……”

He couldn't help but feel somewhat envious of this kind of friendship.
　　倒是有几分羡慕这般友情。

Since morning, Qing Shijiu had been feeling a vague stomachache, but thinking he could still endure it, he kept silent—dreading the prospect of another bowl of bitter medicine being forced down his throat. Though the table was laden with an array of dishes, he ate little. To avoid catching Qinglong's attention, he even furtively chewed a single bite for what felt like ages before swallowing, only pretending to stop when he noticed the others around him had already set down their chopsticks.
　　青十九自晨起就有些隐约腹痛，因觉着自己尚能忍受，也没吱声，生怕又是一碗药汁灌下肚。桌上菜色繁多，他却没吃多少，为了避免被青龙发现，还偷偷摸摸地将一口嚼了许久才咽下，直瞥见身边几人都停了箸，才假模假样地跟着停下。

After the meal, the group strolled leisurely, with Qing Shijiu and Qinglong lagging behind at the very end.
　　饭后几人闲逛，青十九牵着青龙坠在最后头。

He had walked this path nearly a thousand times in recent days, every scene along the way etched into his memory. Now, as a gentle breeze rippled across the water's surface, Qing Shijiu felt nothing but drowsiness. He simply clung to Qinglong's arm, closed his eyes, and let himself be led forward.
　　这路他近来走了千八百回，沿途景都刻在脑子里了。此刻微风拂过水面，青十九只觉困倦，干脆抱住青龙的手臂阖上眼，由他带着自己往前走。

The man beside him asked, "Sleepy?"
　　身边人问：“困了？”

Qing Nineteen rubbed against his arm and nodded a few times.
　　青十九蹭着他的手臂点了几下头。

The Azure Dragon said, "Then let's see our guest out."
　　青龙道：“那送客吧。”

Utterly heartless.
　　十分无情。

Qing Nineteen followed him to escort the guest out. When stepping over the second threshold, his footsteps suddenly paused, and his expression instantly turned peculiar.
　　青十九跟着他去送客，跨过第二道门槛时脚步一顿，面色霎时间变得古怪。

The Azure Dragon noticed: "What's wrong?"
　　青龙察觉到了：“怎么了？”

The three people ahead also turned back. Qing Nineteen forced a stiff smile: "It's nothing."
　　前方三人也回过头来。青十九僵硬一笑：“没事。”

The Azure Dragon frowned: "Are you feeling unwell?"
　　青龙拧眉：“哪里不适？”

Ahead, the Black Tortoise said thoughtfully: "There's no need to see us off - do we not know the way to the Four Abyss Palace?"
　　前头玄武贴心地道：“不必送了，四渊宫的路我们还不认得么？”

The Azure Dragon nodded at them, then scooped Qing Nineteen into his arms and carried him toward the bedchamber.
　　青龙朝他们颔首，把青十九打横抱起，往寝宫走。

After walking some distance, the Azure Dragon finally spoke, "They can't hear us now. Where are you feeling unwell?"
　　待走了一段距离，青龙才道：“他们听不见了，你哪里不适？”

Qing Nineteen's face flushed crimson as he stammered, "Something... something is leaking out... from behind."
　　青十九面色涨红，支支吾吾：“后……后面有东西流出来了。”

His voice grew progressively quieter.
　　越说越小声。

The Azure Dragon was taken aback: "How could there still be? Didn't I clean it all up last night?"
　　青龙一愣：“怎的还有？我昨夜没清理干净？”

Azure Nineteen covered his face, not wanting to say another word.
　　青十九掩面，什么话都不想说。

Suddenly, the Azure Dragon remembered something and his expression turned grave: "Madam, have you had any abdominal pain today?"
　　然而青龙忽的想起什么，面色变得严肃：“夫人，你今日可有腹痛？”

Azure Nineteen was startled. Seeing his expression, the Azure Dragon immediately understood. In the blink of an eye, he had already scooped up Azure Nineteen and vanished from the spot.
　　青十九一惊，青龙看他这表情就明白了，脚下打转，眨眼间便抱着青十九消失在了原处。

The Four Abyss Palace, Pure Spring.
　　四渊宫，净泉。

Attendants knelt in rows as the Azure Dragon carried his consort through their midst without so much as a glance, leaving only these words: "Seal the gates of Pure Spring. None shall enter."
　　侍者跪了一地，青龙抱着夫人从其间穿过，看也未看，只留下一句：“将净泉的大门紧闭，任何人不许入内。”

This was Qing Nineteen's first visit here, and he couldn't help being intensely curious. Even as the Azure Dragon undressed him, his eyes kept wandering about.
　　青十九头一回来这里，不免十分好奇，青龙为他脱衣时他还在四处打量。

At the center lay a pool of water shrouded in mist. Around its edges, haphazardly piled stones formed crevices where tenacious wild grasses sprouted—the whole place bearing an air of utter neglect.
　　中间有一池水，水面雾气氤氲，水池四周石块乱叠，缝隙里冒出个顽强的野草，一副没人打理的模样。

There's actually such a place in Siyuan Palace.
　　四渊宫竟有这样的地方。

The Azure Dragon removed his clothes until only his undergarments remained, then carried him into the pool.
　　青龙将他解得只剩中衣，抱着他入了池水。

Qing Shijiu shivered from the cold, and the Azure Dragon soothingly patted his back before seating him on his lap.
　　青十九冻得一激灵，青龙安抚地拍了拍他的脊背，将他放在自己腿上坐着。

"This is the first water between heaven and earth—the origin of all rivers, lakes, and seas across the Three Realms and Six Paths," the Azure Dragon told him. "I was born here."
　　“这是天地间第一捧水，三界六道万千江河湖海的起源。”青龙同他道，“我便诞生于此。”

Qing Shijiu lifted a palmful of water in surprise, examining it closely but finding nothing unusual. Puzzled, he asked, "Why have you brought me here?"
　　青十九惊讶地撩起一掌心水细看，并没发现什么特别之处，有些疑惑道：“你带我来这里作甚？”

"Because the second Azure Dragon between heaven and earth is about to be born." The Azure Dragon placed his hand over Qing Shijiu's abdomen, his voice soft and tender. "Shijiu, it's inside you."
　　“因为天地间第二条青龙要诞生了。”青龙的手盖住青十九的腹部，声轻又温柔，“十九，它在你这里。”

Qing Shijiu: "...?"
　　青十九：“……？”

The Azure Dragon kissed him. "I'm not joking. It's truly within your belly. During your time at the Peacock Manor, it was the one tormenting you. The little dragon is too domineering—without me there to restrain it, it doesn't know its limits."
　　青龙吻他：“没有同你说笑，它就在你腹里，你在孔雀府那段时日，就是它折磨的你。小青龙过于霸道，没我在旁镇着，它没有分寸。”

Qing Nineteen still couldn't believe it: "You're saying that I... I'm pregnant?"
　　青十九还是不敢相信：“你是说，我，我怀了？”

"Mm."
　　“嗯。”

Qing Nineteen dazedly leaned into Azure Dragon's embrace: "...I can actually get pregnant?"
　　青十九浑浑噩噩地靠进青龙的怀里：“……我还能怀？”

The next day, as rosy dawn light once again spread across the sky, phoenix birds announced the joyous news while sacred chants resonated between heaven and earth, and golden lotuses bloomed abundantly in the Four Abyss Palace's pond.
　　翌日，霞光再次铺满天际，鸾鸟报喜，天地间梵音吟唱，四渊宫的池内开满了金莲。

Green Nineteen wearily nestled into the Azure Dragon's embrace, mumbling, "How much longer do we have to stay in this water?"
　　青十九疲惫地贴在青龙的怀里，咕哝道：“还要在这水里待多久？”

"Five more days," the Azure Dragon gently patted his back as if soothing a child. "You've expended too much energy, and it's just been born. The Purifying Spring is beneficial for both of you."
　　“再待五日。”青龙轻拍着他的脊背，跟哄孩子似的，“你损耗过大，它也刚出生，净泉对你们很有益处。”

Hearing "it," Green Nineteen struggled to lift his eyelids, scanning the surroundings with his gaze: "Is it my son or daughter?"
　　听到“它”，青十九勉力掀开眼皮，目光在附近梭巡：“我儿子还是女儿呢？”

The Azure Dragon chuckled softly, "Frolicking about—it's a male."
　　青龙轻声笑：“在撒欢呢，是条雄的。”

Qing Nineteen reached out and splashed the water a few times, actually managing to summon the little Azure Dragon. Tiny as it was—no longer than a chopstick—it coiled around Qing Nineteen's index finger, gnawing playfully at its own tail.
　　青十九伸手打了几下水面，竟真将小青龙招了过来。小小的一条，没筷子长，绕着青十九的食指啃自己的尾巴玩。

Qing Nineteen's heart melted with tenderness: "...This child, why does it resemble an earthworm so much."
　　青十九满心柔软：“……这孩子，怎么跟蚯蚓似的。”

The little Azure Dragon bit its mother and swam away in a huff.
　　小青龙咬了母亲一口，气呼呼地游远了。

"Ouch." Qing Nineteen exclaimed in surprise, "It understands? And when did it grow teeth?"
　　“嘶。”青十九惊讶，“它听得懂？怎么还长了牙？”

The Azure Dragon chuckled gloomily: "After all, he's descended from the Four Divine Beings—his divine intellect awakened at birth. In just a few more days, he'll be able to take human form."
　　青龙闷闷地笑：“毕竟是四神之后，神智出生便开了，再过几日，他就能化形了。”

Five days later, the gates of Pure Spring swung wide open.
　　五日之后，净泉大门洞开。

Qing Shijiu stepped through the gates with her husband in one hand and their son in the other. Below the long staircase knelt a sea of attendants who collectively offered congratulations on the little Azure Dragon's arrival into the world.
　　青十九一手夫君，一手儿子走出大门，只见长阶下乌泱泱跪了一片侍者，齐声贺喜小青龙临世。

As she passed through the crowd, Qing Shijiu caught sight of a familiar figure.
　　走过人群时，青十九瞥见一熟悉的人影。

He patted the Azure Dragon: "Isn't that the one who visited our home when we were in the mortal world?"
　　他拍拍青龙：“那个是不是我们在人间时，来过我们家的？”

The Azure Dragon nodded, his expression indifferent: "He was once my sword-bearing attendant, but committed a grave offense and was demoted to sweeping duties."
　　青龙颔首，面色冷淡：“他从前是我座下侍剑童子，因犯了大错，被罚去扫洒了。”

Qing Shijiu recalled his own past experiences at the Peacock Manor, feeling an unexpected kinship as fellow fallen souls. Yet he remained silent—the Azure Dragon's judgments were never wrong.
　　青十九想起自己从前在孔雀府的经历，竟有种同是天涯沦落人之感。但他没有多言，青龙的决断不会错。

......
　　……

Just as Qing Shijiu and his son in the silver basin were staring at each other in bewilderment, the Azure Dragon emerged from behind the beaded curtain.
　　正当青十九同银盆里的儿子面面相觑之际，青龙从珠帘后转了出来。

He was dressed in magnificent black robes, adorned with a golden crown, his temples sharply defined—both handsome and solemn.
　　他着一身玄色华服，头戴金冠，鬓角分明，俊美又庄严。

"The Abyssal Sea has sent numerous visiting cards. It would be improper to refuse them any longer." The Azure Dragon extended his hand toward Qing Shijiu, who wore equally splendid attire. "It's time for them to pay their respects to you as well, my lady."
　　“临渊海投了许多回拜帖，再不见就不合适了。”青龙朝和自己同样华服的青十九伸手，“也该让他们拜见你了，夫人。”

Qing Shijiu smiled and took his hand, stepping out of the palace gates together with him.
　　青十九笑着牵住，同他一起跨出寝宫大门。

The little green dragon clung to the edge of the silver basin, watching his parents' retreating figures.
　　小青龙扒在银盆边缘，看着父母远去的背影。

For many, many years to come, he would often see those same receding silhouettes.
　　在往后的很多很多年，他也经常看见这对背影。

Never changing.
　　从未变过。

☆, Extra Chapter Two
　　☆、番外二

Qing Shijiu made several trips to move the writing brush, ink, paper, and inkstone from the desk to the small table by the seating platform.
　　青十九分了几趟，将笔墨纸砚从书桌移到座榻的小桌上。

At Lingshan, he often practiced calligraphy while seated on the platform, and eventually it became a habit—writing at a proper desk now felt awkward instead.
　　在灵山时他常在座榻上习字，之后竟成了习惯，在书桌上写画反而觉着别扭。

Qing Shijiu smoothed out the xuan paper as two clay dolls hopped onto the table and began grinding ink for him of their own accord. He selected a favorite brush, rolling the tip between his fingers, when two chirping sounds came from near his feet.
　　青十九铺好宣纸，两只泥娃娃跳上小桌，自发给他研墨。他拣了支喜欢的笔，用手指捻了捻毫尖，听见脚边“啾啾”两声。

Looking down, he saw a fluffy little green sparrow on the footrest, wings spread wide. When it noticed his gaze, it chirped again twice: "Chirp chirp!"
　　垂目一瞧，脚踏上有只蓬松的小青雀，张着翅膀，见他看自己，又叫了两声：“啾啾！”

Qing Shijiu said coldly, "Come up yourself."
　　青十九无情道：“自己上来。”

The little green finch flapped its wings and landed on Qing Shijiu's arm, giving him a peck—though not hard enough to hurt. Qing Shijiu stroked its tiny head with his fingertip.
　　小青雀振翅一飞，落在青十九臂上，啄了他一下，并不痛。青十九用指尖抚了抚它的小脑袋。

The clay doll finished grinding the ink. After a brief contemplation, Qing Shijiu wrote two characters on the rice paper.
　　泥娃娃将墨磨好，青十九略一思索，在宣纸上写下两个字。

Originally, he had intended to practice painting, but upon seeing the little green finch, he changed his plans on the spot.
　　其实他本打算习画，只是看见小青雀，便临时改了计划。

Qing Nineteen held the brush with one hand, tapping those two characters with his left fingertips: "Father."
　　青十九一手捻着笔，用左手指尖点着那两个字：“父亲。”

The little green sparrow mimicked: "Chirp chirp!"
　　小青雀学舌：“啾啾！”

"Wrong," Qing Nineteen corrected it, slowing his pronunciation, "Fa—ther—"
　　“错了。”青十九纠正它，放慢了速度，“父——亲——”

"Chirp chirp!"
　　“啾啾！”

After several attempts like this, Qing Shijiu gave up. He sighed and said, "Why am I bothering with you? Let's wait until you've taken human form."
　　如此几遍，青十九放弃了。他叹道：“我和你纠结什么呢，等你化了形再说吧。”

"Chirp chirp chirp!"
　　“啾啾啾！”

Qing Shijiu removed the rice paper with writing on it and replaced it with a fresh sheet. After some thought, he began drawing a single line with his brush.
　　青十九将那写了字的宣纸抽开，换上新的一张，想了想，下笔勾出了一个线条。

The little green sparrow hopped onto the table to watch. Perhaps finding the moving brush tip amusing, it chased after it, trying to peck at it with its beak. Qing Shijiu hastily moved the brush away and cupped the bird in his hand, leaving only its tiny head exposed as it kept turning about.
　　小青雀跳到桌面上看，或许是觉着移动的笔尖好玩，追着笔尖要上嘴啄。青十九慌忙拿开笔，一手拢住它，只露出个小脑袋转个不停。

"How can you eat everything?"
　　“你怎么什么都要吃？”

At night, when Qinglong returned, he saw the painting on the small table marked with several three-toed claw prints.
　　夜里青龙回来，在小桌上看见那幅印了好几个三脚爪印的画。

Qing Shijiu grumbled, "The moment I catch it to wash its feet, it suddenly flies so fast—when usually it won't even budge."
　　青十九抱怨：“我逮着它洗脚它飞得倒快了，平时动都不肯动。”

The Azure Dragon chuckled softly as he picked up the painting and examined it. "What has my lady painted?" he asked
　　青龙轻轻一笑，他拿起那幅画看了看，问道：“夫人画的是什么？”

Qing Shijiu blinked his almond-shaped eyes in surprise: "Can't you tell? It's a painting of you."
　　青十九一双杏眼眨了眨，有些惊讶：“看不出来么？画的你呀。”

"...Is that so." The Azure Dragon calmly rolled up the scroll, saying, "I thought you were painting Mingxing."
　　“……是么。”青龙将画卷起，平静道，“我以为你画的明行。”

Mingxing was the little azure dragon's name, bestowed upon him by the Azure Dragon when he turned one year old.
　　明行是小青龙的名字，在他满一周岁时，青龙赐予他名。

Qing Shijiu replied, "I already painted Mingxing's portrait the day before yesterday - you're the one who helped me put it away."
　　青十九道：“明行的画像前天画过啦，还是你帮我收的。”

The Azure Dragon recalled that painting and fell silent—he had thought it was an earthworm.
　　青龙想起那幅画，默然，他以为那是条蚯蚓。

After Qing Nineteen finished fussing with himself, he saw the Azure Dragon emerge from behind the curtain, having presumably gone to put away the scroll earlier.
　　青十九折腾完自己，看见青龙从帘后转出来，方才大概是去放画卷了。

He had been very busy lately, and these past few days the two could only meet at night.
　　他近日很忙，这几日二人只夜里才能见面。

The Azure Dragon had changed out of his heavy ceremonial robes into a frost-colored long gown, his hair crown removed as well, leaving his locks loosely cascading—only the strands near his cheeks were tucked behind his ears.
　　青龙换下了厚重的华服，着了件霜色长衫，发冠也解了，随意披散，只将腮边的碎发撩到耳后别着。

At this moment, he seemed to revert back to the Lord of Lingshan from the mountain—that Lord whose world consisted solely of Qing Shijiu, clay dolls, little fish, and fields of exotic flowers and herbs.
　　这时他又好似变回了灵山上的灵山君，那个生活里只有青十九、泥娃娃、小鱼和满田奇花异草的灵山君。

Qing Shijiu couldn't quite comprehend how a single person could feel so vastly different just by changing clothes.
　　青十九有些搞不明白，怎么一个人，只是穿着不同，给人的感觉差距却那么大。

The Azure Dragon approached and placed a kiss on Qing Shijiu's eyelids: "Time to retire for the night."
　　青龙走过来，在青十九眼皮上落下一吻：“该就寝了。”

As the bed curtains fell, the two entwined together. Having gone days without intimacy, their longing and desire erupted simultaneously like wildfire. With closed eyes, Qing Shijiu sank into the soft quilts while his fingers found the Azure Dragon's lapel—a single curl of his index finger undoing the loosely tied knot.
　　放下床帐，二人便缠在一起，有些日子没亲热，思念并渴望一齐迸发，如燎原大火。青十九闭着眼被压在软被中，手上摸索到青龙的衣襟，食指一屈便将系得松松垮垮的结解了。

His heart swelled with intense emotion, and upon opening his eyes, he found himself staring into a pair of glistening black bean-like eyes.
　　他心中情绪热烈，一睁眼，对上一双水灵灵的黑豆眼。

Qing Shijiu: "......"
　　青十九：“……”

He shoved the Azure Dragon away in shock, exclaiming, "What are you doing here?!"
　　他一把推开青龙，失声道：“你怎么在这里？！”

"Chirp!"
　　“啾！”

There, hanging upside down from the bed canopy, was a small green finch. Somehow, one of its feet had gotten tangled in the fabric of the curtain, its posture eerily resembling a cocoon suspended from a spider's web.
　　只见床帐上方倒吊着一只小青雀，它的一只脚不知怎的勾进床帐的布料里了，姿势十足像是垂在蛛网下的茧。

It was unclear how long the little finch had been trapped there. It made no sound, and neither of the two men had noticed its presence until now.
　　也不知小青雀这样待了多久，它也不叫，二人竟都没发觉它在这儿。

Qing Shijiu wrapped his robe tighter and carefully freed the small green finch.
　　青十九裹好衣裳，将小青雀解救下来。

The little finch landed excitedly on the bed, hopping about before nestling close to its father's hand.
　　小青雀颇为兴奋地落在床上，蹦蹦跳跳蹭去了父亲手边。

The Azure Dragon stroked its head: "What brings you here?"
　　青龙摸了摸它的头：“怎么跑这里来了？”

The little green sparrow: "Chirp chirp chirp!"
　　小青雀：“啾啾啾！”

The Azure Dragon said: "Don't be too playful."
　　青龙道：“不可贪玩。”

The little green sparrow gave a single "chirp."
　　小青雀“啾”了声。

Qing Nineteen scooped the little green sparrow into his palm and jumped off the bed. The Azure Dragon glanced sideways at him: "Put on your shoes."
　　青十九将小青雀捞到掌心，跳下床。青龙侧眼看他：“穿上鞋。”

Qing Nineteen slipped on his shoes and ran off clutching the fledgling, returning only after a long while. The Azure Dragon had been reading but closed the book upon his return, saying: "Sleep now. Tomorrow we must send Mingxing to Long'an."
　　青十九趿着鞋握着崽跑了，许久才回来。青龙正看书，见他回来便阖了书册，道：“睡了，明日要送明行去泷安。”

Mingxing had reached a hundred days old—the age for learning to read and write. In Long'an lived an ancient, erudite scholar of extraordinary learning, to whom families loved sending their children.
　　明行满百岁了，到了读书识字的年纪。泷安有个活了很久，博古通今，学识不凡的老先生，各家都爱把孩子往那里送。

Qing Nineteen lay down beside the Azure Dragon, staring for a long time at the bed curtain torn by the little sparrow's claws before frowning: "Isn't our little one getting too plump?"
　　青十九在青龙身侧躺下，盯着被小青雀爪子勾坏的那一块床帐看了许久，皱眉道：“囡囡是不是太胖了。”

The azure dragon had initially closed its eyes, but upon hearing this, it half-lifted its eyelids, its gaze also falling upon the spot: "Madam worries too much—Nannan's feathers are merely fluffy."
　　青龙本来阖了眼，闻言半掀眼皮，目光也落在那处：“夫人多虑了，囡囡羽毛蓬松而已。”

"Is that so?" Qing Nineteen said skeptically. "She was hanging there just now—I almost thought she'd bring the bed curtains down with her."
　　“是吗？”青十九狐疑道，“她方才吊在那里，我差点以为她要把床帐带塌了。”

.....
　　……

The next day, Qing Shijiu got up to wash up, and Mingxing had already arrived, lying sprawled on the couch, doing who-knows-what.
　　次日青十九起身洗漱，明行已经来了，趴在座榻上，不知在做什么。

Qing Shijiu approached just in time to hear: "...Within three days, I'll make sure they know who's truly the Little Tyrant of Long'an!"
　　青十九走近恰好听见一句：“……不出三日，我必定让他们知道谁才是泷安小霸王！”

The little green finch flapped its wings: "Chirp chirp!"
　　小青雀扑扇翅膀：“啾啾！”

Qing Shijiu said leisurely: "And who might this Little Tyrant of Long'an be?"
　　青十九悠悠道：“谁才是泷安小霸王呀？”

Ming Xing shuddered, turning his head fearfully—only to see his mother. Relieved, he rushed over and hugged Qing Shijiu, cooing softly: "Mother."
　　明行一抖，战战兢兢地回头一瞧，只瞧见母亲。他放下心，扑过去抱住青十九，软绵绵地撒了个娇：“母亲。”

Qing Shijiu tapped him lightly on the forehead: "I sent you to Long'an to study, not to cause trouble. Understand?"
　　青十九在他额上轻敲一记：“送你去泷安，是让你去读书，不是让你去惹事的。知道吗？”

Mingxing blinked his dewy eyes: "Don't worry, Mother!"
　　明行眨巴水灵灵的眼睛：“母亲放心！”

He bore some resemblance to the Azure Dragon, making Qing Shijiu's heart soften as she stroked his head.
　　他长得同青龙有几分相似，青十九满心柔软，摸了摸他的头。

After washing up, Qing Shijiu led her children out of the bedchamber onto a white jade pathway. Willow trees and flowering plants lined both sides of the path. Mingxing broke off a willow branch and, treating the tree trunks as imaginary enemies, ran ahead while whipping them and making strange battle cries.
　　洗漱完，青十九牵着儿女出了寝宫，踏上一条白玉小道。小道两侧栽着垂柳花木，明行折了根柳枝，把树干当作假想敌，一路边抽边怪叫着跑远了。

Qing Nineteen tapped his daughter's little head: "You should move around too."
　　青十九点了点女儿的小脑袋：“你也动一动。”

The little green finch clung stubbornly to the embroidery on his robe, unmoving as a mountain, the downy feathers around her neck fluffing in the breeze.
　　小青雀的爪子牢牢扒着他衣上的纹绣，不动如山，颈上的绒毛在微风中蓬松。

"Lazy thing."
　　“懒吧你。”

The Azure Dragon deliberately cleared his schedule for a day to prepare Mingxing for school.
　　青龙特地空了一日闲，为明行入学。

When Qing Nineteen arrived at Lingshan Garden, Mingxing was dutifully helping his father set the tableware.
　　青十九到灵山苑时，明行正老老实实地帮父亲摆碗筷。

The little green finch finally deigned to put its wings to use, flapping unevenly up and down a few times before landing proudly by the pond with a spirited chirp: "Chirp chirp!"
　　小青雀终于肯劳驾自己那对翅膀，忽高忽低地扑扇了几下，落到池边神气叫了声：“啾啾！”

A small fish darted out of the water—it had grown considerably over the years and now bore the appearance of an adult merman.
　　小鱼窜出水面，他这些年也长大了不少，有成年鲛人的模样了。

Qing Nineteen slipped into the kitchen where Qing Long was wiping a porcelain jar with a clean cloth. With familiar ease, he sidled up and rested his chin on Qing Long's shoulder, asking curiously, "What delicious thing are you making this time?"
　　青十九溜进厨房，青龙正拿一块干净的布巾擦瓷坛，他熟门熟路地贴过去，下颌搁在青龙肩上，好奇道：“又要做什么好吃的？”

"You'll like it."
　　“你喜欢的。”

Qing Shijiu said, "I like everything you make."
　　青十九道：“你做的我都喜欢呀。”

A smile appeared on Qing Long's face, the corners of his lips curling up. Qing Shijiu's gaze drifted to his lips as he heard him say, "I'll pickle some fruits for you to eat."
　　青龙的脸上露出笑意，唇角勾起，青十九的目光移到他唇上，听见他道：“给你腌点果子吃。”

Qing Long's lips looked slightly dry. Qing Shijiu stared at them for a long moment before furtively glancing around. Seeing no extra people nearby, he immediately cupped Qing Long's face and licked his lips.
　　青龙的唇角有些干燥，青十九盯着看了好一会儿，鬼鬼祟祟地回头张望一眼，没瞧见多余的人，立刻捧住青龙的脸去舔他的唇。

Qing Nineteen's kisses were always reckless and impulsive, his whole body curling into Azure Dragon's embrace. Azure Dragon steadied his waist while lowering a shoulder to let him kiss more easily. Like licking candy, Qing Nineteen traced the shape of Azure Dragon's lips several times with his tongue until, when the kiss ended, the corners of Azure Dragon's mouth were slightly swollen.
　　青十九亲人一贯莽头莽脑，整个人都会蜷青龙怀里，青龙扶住他的腰，肩塌低了，让他亲得更顺畅。他舔糖似的用舌将青龙的唇形描摹了好几遍，一吻毕了，青龙的唇角微微红肿。

"Did Madam come to provoke me so early in the morning?"
　　“夫人一大早就来招我么？”

As Azure Dragon spoke these words, his eyes were half-lidded, the coldness of his pupils partially concealed, yet still revealing a dangerous edge—though the smile at his lips remained gentle.
　　青龙说这话的时候半垂着眼，冷冽的瞳孔遮了一半，还是透露出几分危险意味，嘴角的笑却是温柔的。

Qing Nineteen pressed a fingertip to the corner of his mouth, his expression utterly innocent: "Moisturized."
　　青十九用食指按住他的唇角，表情很是纯善无辜：“润了。”

He broke free from Qinglong's arm and took a few steps back. "Let's have breakfast first. After eating, we should send Mingxing to Long'an."
　　他挣开青龙的手臂，退了几步：“先吃早餐吧，吃完该送明行去泷安了。”

With that, he darted out of the kitchen.
　　说罢就窜出了厨房。

Qinglong could only smile helplessly.
　　青龙无奈一笑。

Really... getting more mischievous by the day.
　　真是，越来越皮了。

A breakfast took two hours to finish. After Qing Shijiu and Ming Xing had eaten, they rested their chins in their hands and watched Qinglong pick up scattered grains from the table for the little green sparrow.
　　一顿早餐花了一个时辰，青十九和明行吃完了，就托着腮看青龙给小青雀捡散了一桌的谷粒。

The little girl ate voraciously and with such vigor, yet her mouth was so small that she ended up scattering food all over the table every time she ate.
　　小姑娘吃得多，动作还狠，偏偏嘴小，每回吃饭都得漏一桌。

Qing Nineteen looked at her slender legs and fluffy body, sighing: Once she takes human form, she'll probably be an un-liftable ball of flesh.
　　青十九看她细细的腿，蓬松的身，叹气：等化了形，怕是个抱不动的肉球。

After the little green finch had also finished eating, the carriage from Siyuan Palace finally set off for Long'an.
　　等小青雀也吃完了，四渊宫的车驾才启程去了泷安。

The old gentleman personally came out to greet them. Qinglong stood at the front speaking with him, while behind them, Mingxing whispered into his mother's ear: "He looks just like that banyan tree behind him!"
　　老先生亲自出门迎接，青龙立在前头同他说话，后头明行贴着母亲的耳朵偷偷地道：“他长得好像他背后那棵榕树啊！”

Qing Shijiu gave him a light smack.
　　青十九拍了他一把。

After Qinglong finished exchanging pleasantries with the old gentleman, Mingxing voluntarily went to stand behind the elder. Qinglong gave him a few instructions, to which Mingxing responded obediently one by one.
　　青龙和老先生寒暄完，明行自觉去了老先生身后，青龙叮嘱他几句，他一一应了。

Qing Shijiu's heart swelled with bittersweet emotion as she gazed tenderly at Mingxing. She remembered when he had just been born - a tiny little thing, no bigger than an earthworm, who had to live in a silver basin. In the blink of an eye, he had already reached the age to leave his parents and go out to study.
　　青十九心里酸胀，目光柔软地看着明行。他想起明行刚出世，小小的一条，跟蚯蚓似的，只能住在银盆里。转眼间，竟都到了离开父母外出求学的年纪。

The carriage of Siyuan Palace headed back east. Qing Nineteen lifted the curtain to look behind, seeing only the lush green canopy of the banyan tree, towering like a grand pavilion.
　　四渊宫的车驾返回东方，青十九掀起车帘朝后看，只能看见榕树的顶，绿意盎然，亭亭如盖。

As several carriages passed by in the distance, Qing Nineteen let the curtain fall and buried his face in the soft cushion with a sigh. "Did you see? Mingxing's eyes were red earlier."
　　几辆车驾远远地过去，青十九放下车帘，一脑袋扎进软垫里，叹气：“你方才瞧见没有，明行的眼都红了。”

The Azure Dragon was smoothing their daughter's feathers. Hearing this, they freed a hand to pat Qing Nineteen's head. "Long'an has many children around his age. He'll make plenty of friends there."
　　青龙正在给女儿顺毛，闻言，空出只手摸了摸青十九的头：“泷安有很多和他差不多年纪的孩子，他会交到很多朋友。”

The little azure finch chirped in: "Tweet tweet tweet!"
　　小青雀插话：“啾啾啾！”

The Azure Dragon said, "What? The Little Tyrant of Long'an?"
　　青龙道：“什么？泷安小霸王？”

Qing Shijiu: "......"
　　青十九：“……”

The Azure Dragon gently tapped his daughter's head. "Your brother certainly has lofty ambitions."
　　青龙温柔地点了点女儿的头：“你哥哥真是好志气呢。”

Qing Shijiu: "......"
　　青十九：“……”

The path of this little tyrant of Long'an seems fraught with difficulties ahead.
　　这泷安小霸王的路，看来是前途多舛了。

☆, Extra Chapter Three
　　☆、番外三

Another year draws to its end.
　　又一年岁尾。

The gloomy sky threatens snow, leaving the roads deserted of pedestrians, with only the red lanterns hanging at every household's entrance offering some semblance of human presence.
　　天色阴沉似要落雪，路上行人绝迹，只家家户户门口悬着的红灯笼透露出几分人气。

The Wang family's young boy stole two braised lion's head meatballs from his mother's stove, sneaked out of the house, and crouched by the doorstep to devour them greedily. He kept inhaling sharply from the heat but never stopped chewing.
　　王家小子从母亲的灶上偷了两颗红烧狮子头，偷偷摸摸地溜出家门，蹲在门槛下大快朵颐，他被烫得直吸气，咀嚼的动作也没停下。

Tagging along with him was the family's little yellow dog, staring longingly at the large meatball in its young master's hand without barking—just making its eyes appear even more watery and pleading.
　　跟他一同溜出来的还有家里的小黄狗，眼巴巴地盯着小主人手里的大肉丸，也不叫，只是双眼瞪得更水灵了些。

Unfortunately, the young master was too preoccupied to notice it.
　　可惜小主人没空瞧它。

As the last meatball was about to disappear, the little yellow dog let out two low whimpers. The Wang boy looked up and realized someone had appeared before him.
　　眼见一颗大肉丸要见底，小黄狗低低地嗷了两嗓子。王家小子一抬头，发现面前多了个人。

There stood a little girl dressed in lotus-pink ruqun, her features as round and delicate as pearls, strikingly beautiful. Her almond-shaped eyes were fixed intently on the braised pork meatball in his hand.
　　那是个穿藕色襦裙的小姑娘，小姑娘长得珠圆玉润，十分漂亮，一双杏眼死死盯着他手里的红烧狮子头。

Noticing his gaze, the girl lifted her chin with an air of haughty grace and said in a soft, lilting voice, "I am Mingde, daughter of the Azure Dragon of the East and the Green Sparrow."
　　小姑娘注意到他的目光，骄矜地昂起下颌，软绵绵道：“我是东方青龙与青雀之女，明德。”

The Wang family boy froze for a moment before stammering, "I... I'm Wang Fugui, son of Liu Guimei and Wang... Wang Ainiu."
　　王家小子愣了愣，结结巴巴道：“我……我是刘桂梅与王……王爱牛儿子，王富贵。”

Mingde untied a small lotus-pink brocade pouch from her waist and handed it to Wang Fugui, her chubby little finger pointing at his untouched braised pork meatball. "I'll trade this for that," she said.
　　明德从腰上解下个藕色的小锦囊，递给王富贵，短胖的食指指了指他还没动的红烧狮子头：“用这个，跟你换这个。”

Wang Fugui glanced at the pink silk pouch with undisguised disgust. "I don't want something so girly and effeminate."
　　王富贵看了看那粉嫩嫩的锦囊，满脸嫌弃：“我才不要这么娘里娘气的东西。”

Mingde paused. She'd never heard the phrase "girly and effeminate" before and didn't quite understand it, but she grasped that this chubby boy before her wasn't willing to trade.
　　明德顿住了，她没听过“娘里娘气”这四个字，不太懂，但明白了面前这个小胖子不肯跟她换。

Mingde wrinkled her nose in frustration as she tried unsuccessfully to retie the pouch at her waist, eventually just clutching it in her hand. "Then what would it take for you to give me that?" she asked.
　　明德苦恼地皱了皱鼻子，将锦囊系回腰上，系半天系不住，只好握在手里。她问：“那你要怎么才肯把那个给我？”

She pointed at the braised pork meatball in Wang Fugui's hand. Wang Fugui looked baffled. "Why should I give it to you? I'm going to eat it myself."
　　她手指着王富贵手里的红烧狮子头。王富贵莫名其妙：“我干嘛给你？我自己要吃的。”

Mingde stared longingly: "I want some too. You just ate one—can you really finish all that? My mother taught me to share. Could you share this meatball with me?"
　　明德眼巴巴盯着：“我也想吃。你方才吃了一个，你吃得下那么多吗？我母亲教我要学会分享，你这个丸子，可不可以分享给我？”

Wang Fugui said: "I don't know you. Why should I share with you?"
　　王富贵说：“我不认识你，我干嘛分享给你？”

Mingde replied: "I can trade you something for it."
　　明德说：“我可以拿东西跟你换呀。”

Wang Fugui glanced at the embroidered pouch clutched in her hand and wrinkled his nose again: "No thanks. That's too girly."
　　王富贵看她手里攥的锦囊，又是一脸嫌弃：“我不要，娘里娘气的。”

Mingde also glanced at the brocade pouch in her hand and patted her little skirt—this was all she had to wear, with nothing else to change into.
　　明德也看了眼手里的锦囊，她拍了拍身上的小裙子——除了这个，没别的可以换了。

So she said, "Wait here a moment, I'll call my mother over."
　　于是她道：“你等我一下，我叫我母亲来。”

Mingde was about to dash off, still holding up her little skirt, when a sharp, furious roar suddenly came from behind the half-closed door: "Wang Fugui! Where the hell is Wang Fugui? Did you damn well steal my lion's head meatball? Huh?"
　　明德提着小裙子就要跑，虚掩的门后头突然传来一声尖锐的怒吼：“王富贵！王富贵呢！你他娘的是不是偷了老娘的狮子头？啊！”

The chubby boy trembled, his layers of fat quivering as his eyes went wide. He grabbed Mingde and shoved the remaining braised lion's head meatball into her hands. "Take it! Get out of here, quick!"
　　小胖子浑身肥肉一抖，双眼发直，他一把扯住明德，将剩下的那个红烧狮子头塞给她：“拿走！你快走！”

Qing Shijiu wandered through the winding alley for a while when Mingde bumped into his leg like a fluffy cloud.
　　青十九在曲折的巷里兜了一会儿，明德像一朵蓬蓬的云撞到他腿上。

"Mother!"
　　“母亲！”

Mingde's hands were small—she needed both to hold a braised pork meatball as she looked up at Qing Shijiu with pleading eyes: "Want uppies."
　　明德手小，一个红烧狮子头用双手才捧住，仰面眼巴巴地瞧着青十九：“要抱抱。”

Qing Shijiu picked her up and continued walking: "Where'd this come from?"
　　青十九抱她起来，继续往前走：“这哪儿来的？”

Mingde happily kissed him: "Liu Guimei and Wang Ainiu's son Wang Fugui shared it with me."
　　明德开心地亲了他一口：“刘桂梅与王爱牛之子王富贵分享给我的。”

"...What?"
　　“……什么？”

Qing Nineteen passed by a house where a small yellow dog was crouching, holding Mingde in his arms, when he heard the wailing of a boy coming from inside.
　　青十九抱着明德路过蹲着小黄狗的一家门口，听见里头传来男孩子的哭嚎。

A sharp female voice cut through the wails with precision: "You dare cry! I only made four lion's head meatballs, and you stole two of them! You've really outdone yourself this time, Wang Fugui!"
　　一个尖锐的女声将那哭声稳稳地压了下去：“你哭！老娘一共做了四个狮子头，你一下偷了俩吃！你真是能耐了啊王富贵！”

Qing Shijiu: "......"
　　青十九：“……”

Mingde happily wriggled: "This is the spot!"
　　明德开心地扭了扭：“就是这里！”

"......" Qing Shijiu said, "When someone shares food with you, you should return the courtesy, understand?"
　　“……”青十九道，“人家分了给你吃，你要还礼，知道吗？”

Mingde pouted resentfully: "I tried to give him my pouch, but he refused. He said 'that's too girly'."
　　明德委屈地噘嘴：“我要给他袋子的，他不要，他说‘娘里娘气的’。”

Qing Shijiu only then noticed the lotus-colored brocade pouch beneath the braised lion's head. He sighed, "Your father just made this, and you've already stained it."
　　青十九这才发现红烧狮子头下压着的藕色锦囊，他叹了口气：“你父亲刚做的，就给你弄脏了。”

Mingde pretended not to hear and began muttering about how to distribute the lion's head in her hand: "One bite for me, one for father, one for mother, one for brother..." She thought for a moment, "Little Fish should have a bite too. And Uncle White Tiger, Uncle Phoenix, Uncle Black Tortoise... A'Li should also get some..."
　　明德假装没听见，开始嘀嘀咕咕怎么分配手上的狮子头：“我一口，父亲一口，母亲一口，哥哥一口……”她想了想，“小鱼也要一口。还有白虎叔叔、凤凰叔叔、玄武叔叔……阿璃也要分一点……”

She kept adding names as she remembered them, until a single lion's head had been divided among dozens of people, and she still hadn't finished allocating it by the time they reached their doorstep.
　　她想起谁说谁，最后一颗狮子头分了数十人，到了家门口还没分匀。

It really did seem like snow was coming - a cold wind swept through the streets, making the red lanterns hanging under the eaves sway gently in the breeze.
　　大约真的是要下雪了，街上刮起冷风，檐下的红灯笼在风中微微摇晃。

Qing Nineteen tucked Mingde closer into his embrace to shield her from the wind. The moment he knocked, the door swung open.
　　青十九把明德往怀里藏了藏，免她受风，甫一敲门，门就打开了。

Azure Dragon reached out to take Mingde, holding her with one arm while grasping Qing Nineteen's hand with the other: "Are you cold?"
　　青龙伸手把明德接了过去，单手抱住她，又攥住青十九的手：“冷不冷。”

Qing Nineteen shook his head: "Couldn't buy any couplets. The scholar went home for New Year's. The streets were deserted—not a soul in sight."
　　青十九摇头：“没买着对联，书生回家过年去了，街上冷清清的，一个人都没有。”

Azure Dragon smiled: "No matter, we'll write our own. Tonight we'll have hot pot."
　　青龙笑了笑：“没事，我们自己写。今晚吃暖锅。”

Mingxing was in the hall working on the assignments given by the old scholar. When he saw the three enter, he cast a pitiful look at Qing Shijiu while biting the end of his brush, appearing particularly aggrieved.
　　明行在厅里写老先生布置的功课，见三人入厅，向青十九投来可怜巴巴的眼神，配着咬笔头的动作，显得格外哀怨。

Qing Long asked, "Finished writing?"
　　青龙问：“写完了？”

Mingxing immediately withdrew his gaze and buried himself in furious writing.
　　明行立刻收回眼神，埋头奋笔疾书。

Qing Shijiu suppressed a laugh.
　　青十九忍住笑。

The path of Long'an's little tyrant was indeed not easy to walk. The old scholar particularly valued Mingxing, often keeping him by his side for instruction even after classes. This holiday, the assignments the old scholar specially assigned were enough to fill a cart, and his classmates looked at him with both awe and pity.
　　泷安小霸王的路果然不好走，老先生格外看重明行，下了学也常将他拘在身边教导。这回休假，老先生特别关照的功课足有一车那么多，同窗看他的眼神都是又敬畏又怜悯。

When Mingxing mentioned this to Qing Shijiu, his face wore an expression of utter despair: "With the teacher favoring me so much, I'd feel guilty if I didn't become Long'an's academic god."
　　明行跟青十九说起此事的时候，面上一副生无可恋的模样：“先生如此爱重我，不成为泷安学神都觉得对不起先生。”

Qing Shijiu didn't know whether the Azure Dragon had a hand in this, but based on his understanding of the Azure Dragon, it was likely.
　　青十九不知这里头有没有青龙的手笔，但以他对青龙的了解，应当是有的。

The Azure Dragon placed Mingde on the chair, took away the braised lion's head and the soiled brocade pouch, wiping her hands with a damp cloth: "Did mother buy this for you?"
　　青龙把明德放在椅子上，拿走红烧狮子头和污了的锦囊，用湿布巾给她擦手：“母亲给你买的？”

Mingde stared longingly at the braised pork meatballs on the plate and repeated: "Liu Guimei and Wang Ainiu's son Wang Fugui shared this with me."
　　明德眼巴巴盯着放在盘里的红烧狮子头，又重复了一遍：“刘桂梅与王爱牛之子王富贵分享给我的。”

Qinglong couldn't help but laugh at her.
　　青龙给她逗笑了。

The braised pork meatball never made it into Mingde's mouth in the end. She ate the egg custard her father fed her, slept until nightfall, and forgot all about it.
　　那颗红烧狮子头最终没入明德的口，她吃了父亲喂的蛋羹，一觉睡到夜里，就忘记了。

Before dinner, snow finally began to fall outside, soon covering the ground with a thin frost-like layer.
　　晚饭前，外头终于飘起了雪，不多时就在地上覆了一层薄薄的霜色。

The door of the flower hall stood wide open, revealing a round table set up inside. At its center sat a bronze hotpot, its milky broth bubbling vigorously as fragrant steam swirled through the air, mingling with the soft glow of candlelight that filled the room.
　　花厅的门敞着，屋里支了张圆桌，正中摆着一口铜锅，乳色的汤底在锅中翻滚，香气缠着蒸气四溢，满室烛火朦胧。

Mingxing neatly arranged plates of side dishes around the bronze pot, ready to be dipped into the boiling broth later. After finishing the setup, he sat by the table, staring longingly at the simmering pot for a while before shifting his gaze to his mother sitting on the threshold.
　　明行将一碟碟小菜整齐地码在铜锅边上，方便一会儿下锅涮。他摆好了，就坐在桌边，眼巴巴地盯着暖锅看了好一会儿，又将目光落到坐在门槛上的母亲身上。

Qinglong carried Mingde out, the little girl still half-asleep. Only when she caught the enticing aroma from the hall did she struggle to open her eyes, mumbling sleepily, "Want food..."
　　青龙抱着明德出来，小姑娘没睡醒，闻着厅里的香味才勉力睁开眼皮，含糊不清地撒娇：“要饭饭……”

Qing Shijiu turned her head at the sound. Qinglong gently patted Mingde's back and asked softly, "Hasn't he returned yet?"
　　青十九闻声回头，青龙抚着明德的背，轻声问：“还没回来？”

Qing Shijiu shook his head, then turned to stare at the gate again.
　　青十九摇头，又转头盯着大门瞧。

This time, the gate showed movement—it cracked open slightly, and two mud dolls tumbled inside.
　　这下大门有了动静，开了一条缝，两个泥娃娃滚了进来。

"They're back."
　　“回来了。”

Qing Shijiu asked, "Did you deliver everything?"
　　青十九问：“东西都送到了么？”

The mud doll said, "The gold and the letter are both placed in Wang Fugui's kitchen."
　　泥娃娃道：“金子和信都放在王富贵家的厨房啦。”

"That's good." Qing Shijiu stood up, "Come in, I'm closing the door."
　　“那就好。”青十九站起身，“进来吧，要关门了。”

The two mud dolls passed through the courtyard, leaving a trail of tiny footprints in the frost-covered ground that were soon buried by the fluttering snow.
　　两个泥娃娃路过天井，在满地霜色留下一串小小的脚印，很快便被簌簌而下的飞雪掩住了。

Qing Shijiu took one last look at the sky before closing the door: "This must be this year's first snow, isn't it?"
　　青十九最后看了眼天色，阖上门：“这是今年的初雪吧？”

The Azure Dragon said, "Yes, we'll pick some tomorrow to seal in jars. They're perfect for brewing wine or making tea."
　　青龙道：“嗯，明日采些封坛，酿酒泡茶最好。”

Upon hearing the words "brewing wine," Mingde clapped her hands joyfully: "Eat fruits!"
　　明德听到酿酒二字，很是开心地拍手：“吃果果！”

Every time the Azure Dragon brewed wine, he would gather many fruits. Qing Nineteen often took Mingde to sneak some, and over time she learned that when her father brewed wine, there would be plenty of delicious fruits to eat.
　　青龙每回酿酒都会采很多果子，青十九常带着她偷吃，久而久之她都记得了，父亲酿酒就有很多好吃的果子。

"Eat fruits," the Azure Dragon placed Mingde on the chair, then noticed Mingxing's eager gaze from across the table. He smiled gently and said, "Let's begin the meal."
　　“吃果果。”青龙将明德放在椅子上，目光触到对面明行渴望的眼神，莞尔，“开饭吧。”

Mingxing lifted a plate of appetizers with restrained excitement.
　　明行兴奋而矜持地端起一盘小菜。

Two clay dolls climbed onto the window seat, pushing and pulling each other, then scrambled onto the windowsill. They quietly pried open a sliver of the casement window and pressed their heads together to watch the snowflakes swirling outside.
　　两个泥娃娃你顶我我拉你地爬上窗边座榻，又攀上窗台，悄悄将支摘窗顶开一条缝，头碰头看外头的飞雪。

A tangled clump of snowflakes drifted down onto the windowsill. The two clay dolls scrambled over each other to reach for it, tumbling out the window together.
　　一团纠在一起的雪花飘飘悠悠地落在窗沿，两个泥娃娃争先恐后地去够，双双翻出了窗外。

"Oh dear, what a mess."
　　“哎呀，糟啦。”

"You shouldn't say 'damn it' during New Year."
　　“新年不能说糟啦。”

"You said it too."
　　“你也说啦。”

"......"
　　“……”

The door cracked open slightly again, a sliver of candlelight spilling outside, casting a warm hue over the frost-white ground.
　　门又推开了一条缝，一隙烛光落在外头，给满地霜白镀上一道暖色。

The two clay dolls hopped up.
　　两个泥娃娃蹦起来。

"Going in now."
　　“进去啦。”

Before the door closed completely, one could faintly hear a not-too-stern admonishment: "Don't play too much."
　　门阖上前，隐约能听见一声并不严厉的训斥：“不可贪玩。”