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Side Story: Tang Xiao Xiao

Part 1

Jin Zhou City

At the beginning of the spring season, the spring wind was warm, there was always a fragrance from every kind of flowers that were drifting in the air, especially in Jin Zhou. This was Dong Yu’s tea countryside, the best long dan tea was naturally produced here. So the fragrance of flowers would carry the fragrance from the tea, and it made people to feel like smelling an unusual clear and crisp air. When one was walking on the road to the small town, there were falling petals by the side of the roads, so it made this small town look like it was draped by the beautiful red clouds clothing.

The scenery of the small town was completely different from the hustle and bustle, or (different than) the beautiful image of a pretty daughter from a humble family. I was extremely fond of this place, unfortunately, the money that I brought when I went down the mountain, was already used up, so I wanted to ‘cheat to earn’ some money.

Patting on my outfit, I squatted at the curb side of the small stone step, and was looking at whomever who was comparatively pleasing to the eyes. I would just ask him to borrow some money oh.

Got it! Looking that there was a servant girl and servants who were at the woman’s side, so she must have been a rich woman, so it would be you, actually being looked at by this Miss was really your good fortune. Intentionally making my hair to look messy, I rushed to that woman.

The woman was walking and taking a look (at things) all the way, suddenly she was bumped by me, and she had not had any guard against anything so she was startled, and cried out: “Ah….” 

The red dress’ young servant girl who was always following behind her, hurriedly stepped forward, and supported her, she carefully asked: “Miss, are you alright?” Properly supporting that white dress woman, the young servant girl yelled at her: “How did you walk?”

I was captured by the two servants who were behind the woman, these family servants were extremely fierce. I pretended to be shivering on the side, while rushingly giving an explanation: “I am sorry, I am sorry, my mother is sick, this small person is trying to find a physician urgently, Miss, please spare my life ah….” With this Miss’ trying trick, they would probably curse a few words at the most, and I could just steal those banknotes that seemed to be so thick when I touched them a moment ago!

Murong Shu Qing scanned one glance at this thin man, it seemed that a burst of wind could blow him away. He had a scraggy hair, and his dark gray plain clothing looked like it had been washed for so many times until it looked so pale. But those pair of eyes were not muddy at all, instead they were in great spirits, this actually made Murong Shu Qing to feel somewhat strange. But looking at his anxious face and appearance, Murong Shu Qing did not make things difficult for him, and faintly said: “Let him go.”

Was it really that easy? I could not help but look at that woman who was wearing a simple white clothing again, this person was really interesting.

“Yes.” The servants obeyed the order and let go. But I did not care too much, after expressing an insincere thank you, I just ran away like a wisp of smoke. Once I turned at the corner of an alley, I took out the banknotes and examined them carefully, not bad, two hundred liang oh, this time I could play for a long time.

Murong Shu Qing was looking at that agile’s back, and was thinking about those pair of eyes again, and she felt that the man was somewhat fishy. Reaching out to stroke her waist lightly, she could feel a soft touch, the banknotes that she put in her waist were already disappeared without a trace.

Hong Xiu looked that Murong Shu Qing was frowning slightly and supporting her waist, but it should not be because she was bumped and gotten hurt by that person, so she anxiously asked: “Miss? Are you injured?” 

Murong Shu Qing lightly smiled and shook her head, then she answered: “Nothing. I am hungry, let’s go to eat.” It could be said that she had first-hand knowledge about a thief in this ancient times, how quick movement, and how good acting. Looking at that man’s skill, she thought that these servants would not be able to chase after him, so she would just regard this as getting a lesson.

Jin Zhou city was really worthy to be called the tea’s country, not only that the small town was filled with the tea (fragrance), this year’s new spring tea could also be tasted the quickest. Sitting inside the teahouse at the roadside of the small town, and tasting this year’s new tea, it was indeed extremely and satisfyingly tasty. 

Master said to observe many people, so the changing face skill could be learned better. I was watching attentively at the travelers who usually came to the teahouse, and a white dress figure unhurriedly walked in. That was a woman from yesterday. But one could only see that she was holding a new plucked bud in her hand. Her slightly raised mouth made her look very comfortable, and there was a type of attraction and charisma that made people want to approach her. The mellow bud that was in her hand looked like the fragrant long dan tea that was encircling her fingertips, the fresh new green (bud) was quietly blossoming within her hand. 

I was solely preoccupied with the money yesterday, so did not examine anything carefully, as it turned out, this rich Miss would have this kind of personality. I did not have any shortage of money today, but this Miss really wanted to play with her again.

Murong Shu Qing gently squeezed the core of the tea, while she was thinking of how she should expand the area to plant the tea, (how to) plan a new variety, or (how to) pack the new tea. The Murong’s family had a large area to plant the tea and the resources were good now, but she just did not have a good person who would supervise this, and the quality of the tea leaves were not special either. While she was thinking and was somewhat entranced (by her thinking), she could sense a shadow in front of her, and she was already bumped by someone who just came in. 

Following the drive, and after I deliberately took advantage (to bump into her), she actually took on my head-on bumping sharply, and waited for me to stand firm, while she was looking up and down to see if I was injured, then she anxiously asked: “Big aunt, are you alright?”

I held back my laughter, showed a panic and doubtful face, and was still gasping for air for a good moment. Then I smilingly patted her hand, and conveniently walked to feel the banknotes that were in her waist. Lightly coughing, I put on a kindly appearance with great effort, and smilingly said: “I am alright, I am alright, I am already old.”

As I was speaking, I was also walking towards the side alley.

Where had she seen those pair of eyes before?

The collision? Murong Shu Qing understood in a flash, it was him! Stroking her waist again, the banknotes were gone….

Looking up again, where was that old woman figure again.

Murong Shu Qing did not know whether to laugh or cry, it seemed that her appearance (MSQ) looked very inviting to a thief. In a short two days, she met with a thief twice, moreover, the person was actually the same person. But she actually admired this young thief, this person could be a man and a woman, old and young, his disguise was remarkable, even his voice was copied almost perfectly. Was this exactly the legendary face changing skills? She really gained her knowledge.

Hong Xiu did not understand, after Miss supported the old lady, why was she was smiling strangely, so she puzzlingly asked: “Miss, what is wrong?”

Murong Shu Qing did not explain at all, only smilingly shook her head, and said: “Nothing, let’s go.”

She and that young thief appeared to be brought together by faith, she did not know whether or not she could still be able to see him again?

Passing the dark alley, I pulled out the banknotes in my hand, 300 liang? She was really rich. Lightly patting the banknotes, I leaned on the side of the wall to wait for the woman and her servants to come over. But after waiting for a long time, there was no small movement at all. This person was robbed a total of 500 liang, that was equivalent to three years of ordinary family’s meals, but she actually did not chase after me? What kind of person was she ah? I could not help but to turn around to that direction again, and quietly walked back to the roadside. Extending her head to look around, the woman’s trace was already long disappeared.

This person was really interesting, so I would wait for her here again tomorrow!

Really boring, I had already waited for three days, but had not seen that white dress woman again. Sitting cross-legged by the side of the road, I lowered the brim of my hat to obstruct (my face) from the bright and beautiful spring sunshine. She was playing around with the angle of a broken cup, and when I was about to prepare to leave out of boringness, that trace of white (figure) finally appeared.

I thought that I would still have to wait for her more! I stood up excitingly, and pulled the broken straw hat, while I held the cup with my hand to follow behind her, as I wanted to play a different game with her. 

She had already seen enough about the situation around the tea garden, so Murong Shu Qing planned to return to Hua Du city tomorrow, so she could think properly how to plan to used the tea garden once more. Murong Shu Qing was a little reluctant to leave Jin Zhou city, as this kind of natural scenery was satisfyingly relaxing and it made people to feel relaxed, and she really liked it. She could gently step on the green road to wander around the tranquil ancient road, and this was actually her yearning.

Looking at her satisfying appearance, I ran several steps, and approached her, but was lifted up by two servants. I took advantage to raise the cup, and pathetically begged: “Miss, have a pity, have a pity.”

Kuang dang (sound something fell in the cup)!

I originally still wanted to continue to be pitiful, and I conveniently dropped several tears, I looked that there was 50 liang of the big gold ingot inside the broken cup. For a moment, I was stunned, was she an idiot, that she would give a beggar 50 liang? I was still absent-minded when the woman’s clear voice came through by the side of my ear: “Did you not plan to steal again this time?”

“As it turns out, you know.” I simply stood up in front of the woman, her understanding eyes had a faint smiling expression. Master said that my face changing skill could be considered perfect, but it could actually be seen through by this young woman, so Master’s face changing skill was just like this! Forget it, my one hand was on my waist, while my other hand was holding the broken cup, I looked askance at her and said: “What do you want to do now?” I did not take seriously the martial arts of these servants, but I did not know if this white dress woman could still have any other trick to do.

Murong Shu Qing broke into laughter, as she could not see clearly the appearance as the face was filled with mud. But listening to the voice, and looking at the movement, this thief who could change the appearances constantly, was actually a girl. Continued with her provocation, she disapprovingly said: “What do you think I should do to you?” 

What kind of expression was that from her?! She clearly knew that I stole her money, but she could still recklessly chat with me. It was her who captured me, but… I could not help to ask: “Do you have any illness in your brain?”

Even though Hong Xiu did not understand what Miss and this young beggar were talking about, but she would not allow this young person to bully Miss like this either. So she stepped one step, Hong Xiu put her hands on her waists, and roared: “What kind of words did you say!”


This was right! This red dress woman’s reaction was just normal ah, I was just about wanting to shout back, but the white dress woman smilingly shook her head, and raised a trace like spring wind soft smile. And she said to the red dress woman: “Hong Xiu, let’s go.”

I did not feel like paying attention at that red dress woman’s fierce glare so I glared at her back, but I did not anticipate that a person could smile gently and freely like this. No matter how long that I have spent up the mountain or down the mountain, I had never seen this kind of person. She was robbed 500 liang, but she did not arrest me and send me to the government official, and she actually let me go?! She was extremely interesting, that confident bearing, simple and elegant smiling expression, made me have a determination that I liked her!

“Hey, wait a minute, hey….” After making up my mind, I, Tang Xiao Xiao would not let you leave so easily like this, so I must become her friend. Looking at the white dress figure that was gradually walking away, I immediately followed her up.

Sian’s notes:

Hahahaha… this side story actually shows that MSQ maybe smart but she’s not ‘smart’ enough to deal with a pickpocket like TXX. How could she get pickpocket twice in two days?!!! Our smart female lady is actually hopeless when dealing with a pickpocket. But as usual, her approach in handling any issues makes people to helplessly want to be her friend.

Side Story: Tang Xiao Xiao

Part 2

I was always following behind that white clothing woman, even though she appeared to be gentle and fragile, and was also modest and had courtesy to people, but I still felt that she only had an estranged manner towards me. How could I make her to be willing to be friends with me? Master had not thought me about this, it was really annoying!!

After walking for a while, I saw that she entered a family’s tavern, the tavern appeared to be decorated magnificently. One could see that the shopkeeper was a self-seeking and low status person. Looking at her snow white brocade, he said with a charming face: “Miss, please come inside.”

Looking that a group of people were going into the tavern, I did not care too much, and also hurriedly followed them up. But once I arrived at the gate, I was blocked by two shop assistants outside the door. The shopkeeper’s appearance immediately changed, and ignorantly said while he pinched his nose: “Beggar, leave, do not block this older man’s business.”

Looking at my own clothing, even though it was a beggar’s clothing, but I was not smell at all. I originally wanted to slap the shopkeeper’s face with the money, but I had a second thought and wanted to use a better method. I held the old hat on my head, and pointed at the white dress woman’s figure who was going upstairs, I raised my head, and said: “The person who just came in, was my elder sister.”

“Elder sister? Your elder sister?” The shopkeeper did not believe me and looked me up and down, he did not have any belief on his face, did this young beggar think that he could be cheated so easily like this? What kind of person was the (woman) who just went in a moment ago! That was indeed the eldest daughter of the Murong’s family. And would she have this kind of younger brother?! Humph! “Get out!”

Looking that fists would be dropped soon, I did not take it seriously, they only had a little bit of strengths, how could they be able to injure me! I blocked one shop assistant’s fist, and said to the shopkeeper: “Wait a minute! Ask her if you do not believe me.”

This young beggar was indeed reckless, but he looked like he had self-confidence, his words appeared to be somewhat imposing also, could it be that he really had some relations with the Murong’s family?! Taking care of this business for a long time was his goal, so it would still be better if he asked. So the shopkeeper went to the second floor, and walked to the side room that was by the window facing the street. The shopkeeper respectfully asked with a smile: “Miss, there is a young beg… (from beggar word) young elder brother outside, he said that he is your younger brother?”

“Younger brother?” Murong Shu Qing stared blankly, and looked outside the window, she could only see that woman whom she met this morning, and was standing outside, she was jostling with two of the shop assistants. 

I lifted my head up to see that the white dress woman was smiling and looking at me, so I immediately waved to her, the sunshine was glittering conveniently on her smiling expression. Who would have imagined that when I was not defended myself, those shop assistants ferociously pushed me. My martial arts was originally not very good to begin with, so I retreated for several steps back, and almost fell flat on my face. They unexpectedly dared to push this young lady, so I rolled my sleeves up, so I could give them a good look!!

Murong Shu Qing was looking at their appearances that looked like they would be fighting soon, so she gently smiled and shook her head. This woman was really rude and impetuous, she knew that those shop assistants were not her opponent, but if the whole hired thugs that the tavern hired and those shops assistants attacked her at the same time, she was afraid that she would be inconvenient. Her heart did not want to see her getting injured, so Murong Shu Qing smilingly said to the shopkeeper: “She is, so I will trouble the shopkeeper to bring her up.” She also did not know what was wrong with her, she actually liked this reckless young girl.

The shopkeeper secretly breathed in his heart, and repeatedly answered: “Yes, yes, yes, I will go immediately.” Fortunately, he came up and asked, he could not offend the Murong family’s Gongzi, it was certainly not good to have any issue with them in Jin Zhou city!

After showing a fallen leaves boxing, those shop assistants were beaten badly, but those hired thugs were holding staffs and they wanted to dash forwards to me, heavens ah! There were unexpectedly more than a dozen people, this tavern actually had these many hired thugs, so this must be a family’s inn that scammed the guests. Just when I was about to think on how to beat them, that shopkeeper actually and promptly ran over, and said in a loud voice to those hired thugs. He looked like a dad who was yelling at his wife and a youngster, and he walked straight to me. He totally did not have the same ignorance that he showed a moment ago, and with that brazen face whose smile looked like a blossoming flower, he said: “Young Gongzi, please do not blame me, this old person has rotten eyes, please go upstairs, please go upstairs.”

Please, do not stand so close like this, it made me feel extremely disgusted, I did not feel like paying any attention to you, so I immediately went to the second floor to go in to the private room. That white dress woman was smiling and looking at me, she was really nice-looking, how was I not able to smile like this?! Somewhat annoyed, I sat my butt down next to the woman, grabbed the hat that was on my head, and smilingly answered: “I am Tang Xiao Xiao, what is your name?”

She still faintly answered: “Murong Shu Qing.”

“Murong… Shu Qing…” It was really a pleasant name to hear, Shu Qing, Shu Qing, it was comfortable (shufu, from Shu means comfortable) and elegant (qingya, from Qing means refined/elegant), it was really a good name. I sat up, happily and smilingly said: “Then you can call me Xiao Xiao, and I will call you Qing Qing!” It was really good!

However, Qing Qing clearly did not think like this, listening to my words, her face that originally had a light smile, was slightly startled, and she lowly mumbled: “Qin Qin (means kiss, dear one)?” I persistently nodded my head, Qing Qing was good ah, it was pleasant to hear also, it was also close and dear. Master would call me like this! But she somewhat helplessly said: “Miss and I do not seem to be very familiar (with each other)?” 

I moved the chair closer to her, she did not avoid me either, so my heart was even happier, and I said: “We have met three times, moreover, you also admit that you are my elder sister, are we still not familiar (to each other)?” Regardless, I want to be friends with her. Pulling her hand, I miserably looked at her, and said in a whisper: “I left Master, I do not have any close relatives down the mountain, you will not refuse to acknowledge me, right?” Thinking that she was alone during this period, did not have anybody to love dearly, and did not have anybody to like. I originally only wanted to get a sympathy by saying it like this, but could not help to feel broken hearted.

“I….” Murong Shu Qing gently sighed. After listening to this sentence, she actually did not know how she could continue to talk, especially facing a pair of tearful eyes like this. Plus looking at her childish face that was filled with grievance, she was probably only about 15 years old. Forget it, she actually could not beat to shake off of her hand, and could only let her hold her hand. 

I touched the tears out of the corners of my eyes, and looking that she did not say anything, I breathed in, and shamelessly said: “Since you do not say anything, that means you have promised me.”

She still had not spoken up, but my stomach disappointedly made a gurgling sound, when I looked at the fine food that filled the table. I just remembered that I was waiting for her for one whole morning, and I had not eaten anything! Qing Qing laughingly picked up a bowl of soup for me and pushed it in front of me. My disapproving tears almost fell down once again, besides Master, there was nobody who was so good to me. Picking up the chopsticks on the table, I drank the soup while I picked up the dishes to feed my stomach! 

After eating halfway, I suddenly thought about something, so I put down the chopsticks, and asked: “I want to ask you a question.”

Qing Qing also lifted her head up, and looked at me, she smilingly said: “Ask me!”

I seriously asked: “How did you know that it was me for these past two days? Was there any flaws in my face changing skill?” Master said that if I would find out about any flaws, then I could learn the face changing skill better like this. But she could actually recognize me several times, it seems that she must have seen my flaws.

Qing Qing looked at my humble and seeking knowledge appearance, and pointed at my eyes, she smilingly said: “Your face changing skill is very good, if there is any flaws, that is probably (because of) your eyes.” This flowery age’s girl, who had not experienced any worldly life, how could she be able to understand the emotions and moods of someone who was poor and in a poverty-stricken (situation), and how could she also understand the years that were filled with many great changes?!

“My eyes?” I touched my own eyes, and talked out loudly to myself: “So my wrinkle eyes were not sticking good these past two days?” Impossible, I already inspected them many times ah, they were very perfect! Looking that Qing Qing did not know whether to laugh or smile when she was looking at me, could it be that my wrinkle eyes were really not sticking good? Alright, I humbly nodded my head and said: “Then I will be more careful next time.”

Knowing that when I finished (speaking), she was laughing even happier, but what was she laughing about. Forget it, I would not pay attention to this topic, plus there was one more thing that I did not understand either, so I continued to ask: “Then why did you not arrest me ah?”

“Arrest you?” Murong Shu Qing shrugged her shoulders.

“Yes.” I nodded my head, it seemed that she did not know any martial arts, those servants were probably only lounge bags. Pulling Qing Qing’s hand, I seriously said: “You are really smart, you are also good oh, anyway, I have made a decision that I like you, so let’s be friends!”

Murong Shu Qing felt somewhat powerless for the first time, this person was too straightforward, and could still force herself upon someone else. She actually did not loathe this young girl, but her enthusiasm could really make people somewhat unable to endure her!

“If you do not say anything, that means you promise!” I did not care with too many things, since she did not say anything, so I would strike first and gain the upper hand, this was Master’s teaching!

Patting my round and bulging stomach, I quickly stood up! I gigglingly said: “I am full. I am leaving. Qing Qing, you stay here, right, I will come and find you again tomorrow.” My belongings were still at the cabin, so I wanted to take them here. Being by Qing Qing’s side, would surely have more interesting things to do while I was down the mountain this time. Thinking about the plentiful and interesting life that I would do in the future, I could not help but smile out loud. Waving my hand, I hurriedly went back to pack up!

Hong Xiu looked at this person whose figure disappeared in an instant just like a wisp of smoke, and she said extremely angrily: “Miss, this person is really shameless.” She had never seen this kind of shameless person before? Forcing someone to be her friend, how could there was someone like this.

Naturally, Hong Xiu still did not know that this person was the one who stole her Miss’ 500 liang, otherwise their future days would be even more interesting!

Murong Shu Qing looked at her own hands that were held (by TXX) for the whole afternoon, she gently smiled, sighed and said: “It appears that we are stuck.” She would never dare to underestimate any mankind’s perseverance and curiosity, moreover, that young woman from a moment ago, was a lot more different than the other people. They would just eat breakfast early and leave tomorrow, otherwise she was afraid that they would be troubled for the next few months!

*****

“Qing Qing, I am here.” I thought about it, and would come here earlier to move and stay together with Qing Qing, it was not easy for me to make a good friend?!

Murong Shu Qing who was just about to enter the side room, her legs were stiffened (hearing TXX’s voice), her (TXX) action was really quick, it seemed that she could not hide from her (TXX)!!





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