More than a month passed by in this manner.
The winter clothes for the entire Xin residence were also finished in time, and it was almost time for the county tribute students to set off for the capital to take the examinations.
Xin Hexue was dressed in his winter clothes by the servants. First, he put on an ivory-colored crossed-collar long inner robe, then a pine-green lined robe, and finally a goose-yellow brocade cotton-padded jacket with flowing cloud patterns. He rarely wore bright colors; his usual attire was mostly in a simple, elegant, and subdued style. He originally thought they didn’t suit him, but in fact, someone with a face like jade and eyes like an autumn pool was perfectly suited to richly colored clothing.
His hair was coiled in strands of dark silk, his jade-like figure and handsome appearance were captivating.
He had grown a new tail the night before last, and was now a five-tailed fox. Thinking of this, Xin Hexue lifted his chin slightly, stepped into wooden clogs, and walked as if stepping on lotuses, his feet light and breezy.
Although that demon was full of nonsense and lewd words and songs, he had not deceived him on this matter.
His primordial yang was indeed much better than ordinary mortals.
Rolling in the waves with Hen Zhen for one night consumed more energy than ten mortals would in an entire night. Xin Hexue cultivated very diligently, and no matter how hard it was, in the end, he kept it all in and absorbed it well.
He was very satisfied, and Hen Zhen was very satisfied too.
Xin Hexue loved him a bit.
It was just that this love was somewhat limited in scope, confined solely to the bed.
But to say that Xin Hexue loved him in bed wasn’t entirely accurate either; in reality, he loved his yang essence.
As for Hen Zhen himself, Xin Hexue wished he could seal that mouth shut, so he would just focus on silently working hard.
Thus, if a few words in bed displeased him, he would curse Hen Zhen to death.
Whenever this happened, Hen Zhen would laugh in a low, husky voice, “Isn’t your husband about to die? My dear is about to bite his husband to death.”
And he would receive two slaps for no reason.
He would also be cursed by Xin Hexue, saying that after death, Hen Zhen would be reborn as a beast.
Hen Zhen would respond with mm-hm, mm-hm, “I can’t wait until after I’m dead. I want to be a beast right now.”
As soon as he finished speaking, he would be himself again, working hard until Xin Hexue’s face was full of spring passion, crying out in whimpers and moans, and he would even praise his dear for singing so beautifully.
In the latter part of the night, the bed would be a mess of absurdity, the bedding completely soaked through.
Their bodies were so compatible it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to call it a match made in heaven. But as Hen Zhen held Xin Hexue’s slender body close, he felt that their two true hearts were still separated by a barrier.
Fortunately, there was still a long time ahead. A hundred years can pass in the blink of an eye. If he could wait several hundred years, why should he fear that Xin Hexue wouldn’t give him his true heart?
Living, just living was a blessing.
Being a contented donkey was how one harvested happiness. This was Hen Zhen’s way of survival.
Later, only one thing made Hen Zhen very angry, because he discovered that although Xin Hexue could now see his appearance clearly, he still hadn’t remembered whether he was Hen Zhen, nor had he recalled even a shred of past memories.
That old bastard had deceived him?!
Hate! Hate! Hate!
But upon careful thought, it was also good.
If he remembered the past, he wouldn’t be the most important person in Xin Hexue’s eyes right now. He would remember that damned mortal, or that stinking bald donkey.
It was better this way, just the two of them.
Hen Zhen carried his beloved on his back and arrived at the pier outside the city.
Jiangzhou had transitioned from late autumn to winter. Along the way were green pines and emerald bamboo, the cold wind biting. The dark clouds in the sky and the trees on the ground were all blown and swayed by the north wind whistling through. Everyone in the city wore cotton-padded jackets. Arriving at the riverside pier, the wind hit their faces, and their field of vision suddenly widened, filling their eyes with the rippling blue-green great river.
Xin Hexue didn’t bring a servant for this trip, let alone any attendant. The magistrate of Yushan County was worried and had originally arranged an entourage, but Xin Hexue declined.
He had to focus on his cultivation during this long journey from Jiangzhou to the capital. With many people and distractions, it would likely hinder his progress.
Even his mount was none other than Hen Zhen, transformed into a Longyou horse.
They departed from the pier in Yushan County, took a boat via the Jiangnan River northwest to Jingkou, then crossed the Yangtze River to enter Huainan Circuit. They rested and made a brief stay in Yangzhou before entering the Hangou Canal, heading north to Chuzhou, which led them into the Tongji Canal. Sailing upstream westward, they reached the final land route, where they still needed to take a cart or horse through the Xiaohan Ancient Road, passing the treacherous Tong Pass, before finally arriving at the capital.
The journey by water and land was arduous and tiring. Boats and inns were places where candidates exchanged poems and essays and discussed current politics. Along the way, they passed through major cities like Yangzhou, Bianzhou, and Songzhou. Xin Hexue, as instructed by his father, also visited and paid respects to local officials and famous scholars, presenting his essays.
The rest of the time, he spent fooling around with Hen Zhen in inns and boat cabins.
Whenever they made love, Hen Zhen would set up a barrier. No matter how loudly Xin Hexue cried out, no one would discover them. Even so, not being in his own bedroom in Yushan County, but in unfamiliar places filled with people coming and going, Xin Hexue always felt a certain shyness he couldn’t let go of. The whole person relied entirely on the person on top of him, and each time he bit down, he nearly made Hen Zhen surrender prematurely.
Hen Zhen, who was experiencing this other kind of charm, was even more overjoyed and would entangle Xin Hexue over and over again.
Thus, after traveling through mountains and rivers, Xin Hexue finally stayed in the Changxing Fang area near the imperial city. There were many inns here, and he rented one of the best rooms at the Pan Family Inn, which also provided services like daily meal delivery, servants, and ink grinding. Most of the guests were scholars from all over the country who had come to the capital for the examinations, making it perfectly suited to Xin Hexue’s needs.
Over the past few months, he had grown three more tails in boat cabins and inns. Now, when he manifested his form, eight snow-white tails spread out behind him, looking quite magnificent.
These eight tails, each swaying proudly, were exposed under the candlelight, fluffy and distinct. Every strand of hair seemed coated with pearl powder, white and smooth, feeling as sleek as silk brocade…all the result of Xin Hexue’s meticulous care.
He sat on the edge of the bed, still holding the same comb he had used before, carefully combing his eight tails one by one.
Hen Zhen had once offered to do it for him, but he was simply too restless. He couldn’t resist touching them while combing. Xin Hexue scolded him several times, but he still wouldn’t mend his ways. Finally, Xin Hexue got annoyed and didn’t let him touch them anymore.
Originally, there was just one tail, but now there are eight; they were magnificent, they were beautiful…but the burden of maintenance had also increased.
Facing the small latticed window, with a few beams of lamplight, he silently recited as he combed this tail and then combed that tail.
Hen Zhen leaned back casually, his gaze fixed on Xin Hexue.
The inn was in a bustling area; from upstairs, one could hear the lively sounds of people below.
It was the end of the year, already into December. During the day, the major temples in the capital also held Bathing the Buddha gatherings. Now, it was said that the Jinglongmen area would be displaying lanterns for the Lantern Festival ahead of schedule, a “pre-celebration of the first night of the Yuan,” a preview of the Lantern Festival moon viewing celebrations.
His gaze swept past the bustling pedestrians below, and Hen Zhen saw several pairs of young men and women holding hands, clinging to each other, talking and laughing.
His crimson pupils lit up with interest, and Hen Zhen turned back and said to Xin Hexue, “Let’s go take a look at that lantern gathering too. We have nothing else to do anyway.”
Because in the past few nights, no matter how hard Xin Hexue tried, he couldn’t cultivate the ninth tail, always just one step away. Last night, he grew anxious and questioned Hen Zhen whether he was already useless and he needed to find another way out. Provoked, Hen Zhen immediately blocked all of Xin Hexue’s paths, his movements wide and unrestrained, fully revealing his beastly nature.
The result was that the tail still didn’t grow, but Xin Hexue ended up lying in bed for an entire day.
He got really angry at Hen Zhen and didn’t speak to him all day. Tonight, he looked like he wouldn’t let him share the bed either.
Hen Zhen’s invitation was precisely intended to make amends.
Xin Hexue thought it over and agreed.
The prosperity and splendor of the capital was indescribable. As far as the eye could see, there were embroidered doors and pearl-decorated curtains, restaurants and tea houses, carriages flowing like water and horses like dragons, a myriad of colored glaze, jade, gold and emerald dazzling the eyes, and the fragrance of fine silks wafting through the air.
The lanterns hung in the streets also matched the theme of the “pre-celebration of the first night of the Yuan”: colored glaze lanterns, beaded lanterns, sand-play lanterns, horse-riding lanterns, lifelike fish lanterns, a handful of Peng grass lanterns…
The candles were dazzling, as bright as daylight, and the variety of lantern styles was simply overwhelming.
Xin Hexue and Hen Zhen walked through the streets and alleys. This time, Hen Zhen did not conceal his presence, but to avoid attracting attention, his eerie and unusual crimson pupils were concealed with a dark color.
To outsiders, they appeared to be simply two young men in moon-white and reddish-green brocade robes, walking side by side.
Apart from their outstanding looks, they were no different from the other visitors attracted by the sights.
Ever since leaving the inn, Hen Zhen had been in a good mood. As they walked through the lantern light and shadows, he tentatively reached for Xin Hexue’s hand.
The moment he touched it, it was mercilessly slapped away.
Hen Zhen looked over; amidst the bright and vivid shimmering lights, he met a pair of beautiful eyes glancing back at him in anger.
“My dear, can’t I even hold your hand?”
“No, we are outside. Who is your dear?”
Hen Zhen was originally smiling playfully, but in the next instant, his eyes darkened, and he quickly grabbed Xin Hexue’s hand and yanked hard.
“You…!”
Suddenly pulled forcibly into a warm embrace, Xin Hexue was about to make a small fuss when a dance troupe noisily ran past the spot where he had just been standing, reveling and shouting.
“Of course, it’s the one in my arms.”
Hen Zhen chuckled.
Xin Hexue realized he was answering his earlier rhetorical question.
So annoying!
Xin Hexue shot him a sideways glance, but it held little power; instead, it was full of flirtation, inexplicably letting Hen Zhen feast his eyes.
“Then what should I call you?” Hen Zhen had always been thick-skinned, “climbing the pole following the snake.” “Then I’ll call you… wife?”
The next moment, he was stepped on by Xin Hexue, leaving a grey mark on his black boot.
Hen Zhen was content, “Don’t be angry, my dear. Please save your strength for now; when we get back, I’ll let you step on me as much as you like.”
Considering that they were out in public, and Xin Hexue had always been concerned about his reputation and face, Hen Zhen reluctantly let go of his hand.
“Was that a dance and music troupe just now? Or an acrobatics troupe?” Xin Hexue stood on tiptoe slightly, looking towards the direction where the crowd had gathered. “Let’s go take a look.”
With Hen Zhen clearing the way, he quickly squeezed into the watching crowd.
It turned out that what had run past was an acrobatics troupe, said to be a famous group of performers in the capital. The crowd had formed an open space, and they performed in the center: juggling balls, walking on tightropes, climbing poles, throwing swords, puppet shows…they displayed a dazzling array of tricks, drawing continuous applause from the onlookers.
Yushan County was an ordinary small town; such troupes were quite rare. Xin Hexue was staring intently at a sword-swallowing performer, his expression tightening as the blade gradually disappeared, clearly feeling nervous for him.
Hen Zhen was unimpressed. “Isn’t that just swallowing swords? A minor skill, an insignificant trick. I can do it too. I can swallow a hundred. Want to see mine?”
Xin Hexue rolled his eyes at him.
Humans and demons were different.
He turned his head and mocked Hen Zhen, “Then you don’t need to eat either. Swallowing knives and drinking swords will fill you up, saving me the money for your meals.”
Hen Zhen was a great demon, essentially free from the cycle of life, so he didn’t need to eat. But perhaps because he saw how much Xin Hexue enjoyed his food, he always made Xin Hexue give him a chopstickful to taste. After this happened many times, Xin Hexue simply told the inn servant to bring two portions of food each time. However, when the separate portion arrived, Hen Zhen lost interest, only staring at what was in Xin Hexue’s bowl.
Now was no different; he happily ate the half-eaten leftover golden milk pastry and sesame cake from Xin Hexue’s plate.
There were numerous food stalls along the night market street, stretching out like a snack street, brightly lit, with shop assistants shouting loudly, creating a lively scene.
“Licorice soup, licorice soup, one bowl clears sorrow from the heart… you won’t know its flavor until you taste it; taste it once, and you’ll forget your homeland!”
Xin Hexue heard this line amidst the many noisy sounds. The sesame cake he had eaten had a rich meat filling, leaving a greasy taste in his mouth, so he pulled Hen Zhen along to buy a bowl of this herbal drink to cleanse his palate.
“I’ve heard that licorice soup is fresh and fragrant. Considering you accompanied me out to play, I’ll reward you with a bowl.” Xin Hexue said with a smile, pushing the earthenware bowl towards Hen Zhen’s lips.
He rarely saw him in such a good mood towards him, and Hen Zhen’s face lit up with joy. He immediately tilted his head back, and gulped down half the bowl, exclaiming, “It really is sweet and delicious!”
The smile on Xin Hexue’s face faded slightly. “…Is that so?”
He had read in travelogues that this licorice soup was entirely composed of bitter plants, making it unbearably bitter.
Hen Zhen asked him if he wanted a taste, wondering what kind of herb this licorice was for the soup to be sweeter than lychee paste? Xin Hexue, half-doubting, took a sip, and immediately frowned and grimaced.
It was so bitter that his small tongue stuck out, and he instinctively fanned his hand in front of his mouth as if he could fan the bitterness away.
Hen Zhen stared at that glimpse of red tongue and couldn’t hold back any longer. He put down the earthenware bowl, and pulled Xin Hexue into an alley.
Here, the lantern light was dim, and few people were around.
“My dear, a kiss…” Hen Zhen lowered his head, begging for a kiss, while still reassuring Xin Hexue. “I’ve set up a barrier, so no one else can see us.”
Xin Hexue’s mouth was still bitter, and he was unwilling.
Hen Zhen had no choice but to say, “I just ate some candied fruit from his shop. My mouth is very sweet now.”
He cupped Xin Hexue’s chin, and seeing that the other’s attitude had softened, he lowered his head and kissed him deeply.
The moment their tongues touched, a faint sigh of comfort escaped from Hen Zhen’s throat.
He met Xin Hexue’s tongue intoxicatedly, their lips and tongues playing together, dissolving the herb’s slight bitterness. He felt that the candied fruit had truly sweetened his heart, and only stopped when Xin Hexue, whose lips and tongue had gone numb and was unable to bear it any longer, pushed against him.
“How is it now?” he asked.
Xin Hexue’s lips and teeth were moist, his face flushed as if from shyness, but his mouth said, “It’s nothing special.”
Hen Zhen looked at him, his eyes full of tenderness.
“Ah Xue.”
“Mm.”
“My dear.”
“I told you not to call me that outside.”
“Wife.”
“Are you getting too carried away?”
Hen Zhen reached out and embraced his beloved.
“What should I do? Tell me, what should I do? How should I treat you well?”
He asked repeatedly. Xin Hexue leaned quietly against his chest, saying nothing.
Hen Zhen felt immense satisfaction in his heart.
Before, too many people and too many things had stood between them. Love and hate were all too fleeting. There were many sights they hadn’t had time to see, many feelings they hadn’t had time to express, and many of the little things that worldly lovers do that he hadn’t yet done together with Xin Hexue.
Hen Zhen’s chest burned. Just spending this night together, enjoying the pre-Lantern Festival lanterns, had already made him extremely happy.
What to do?
How could he make Xin Hexue know that although he was an evil demon, he also had a soft heart for him?
The words he had been formulating for a long time were not yet spoken when the owner of the slender body in his embrace spoke.
Xin Hexue’s eyes held a watery gleam. He was born with a fox’s bone, and coupled with the constant sexual activity during this period, his body had already learned to crave pleasure. Just an intimate touch would make him feel it. Just now, when Hen Zhen had kissed him deeply, he had already gotten aroused.
He bluntly revealed his desire. “I want it.”
Hen Zhen’s breath caught, not knowing what expression to put on, but body surged forward irresistibly.
Forget a soft heart, a hard dick was much more useful.
