Chapter 35: At Least Spare Me Some Dignity

Since dragon saliva grass cannot survive without black copper stone and seawater, it must grow in a place submerged by the tide.

That is, the base of the cliffs.

When Ling Yuan and his companions returned from their supplies last time, as well as when the people from Longyin Mountain returned from Zhusha Islet, they all traveled by boat. Since they could return via the water route, there must be a way down.

"I told you it was dangerous, now do you believe me?" Song Jiao crossed her arms, her bright, sparkling eyes blinking as she looked at her.

Su Yunqing cupped her hands in a salute and said, "I ask that you please show me the way to the sea, Miss Song. If you could also lend me a boat, I would be eternally grateful."

Song Jiao pouted, "I don't know where the path to the sea is, and since you won't let me take you to see my father, I truly cannot help you."

Ling Yuan was not in the mountains, but Uncle Kun, Meng Hu, Banjiu, and others had gone out with him last time. This meant she had no choice but to trouble them.

She certainly could not jump down from such a height.

"There is no need to disturb your father. Could I trouble you, Miss Song, to take me to see Uncle Kun?"

"You know Uncle Kun, too?"

Su Yunqing nodded.

Song Jiao hooked her finger at her, "Alright then, follow me. You are a stranger, and it is easy to be mistaken for a spy if you wander alone."

Su Yunqing followed obediently behind her, passing through a dense forest. Scattered houses began to appear along the roadside, with young children playing by the doorways and smoke curling from the rooftops—a scene of a veritable paradise.

As they reached a cluster of houses, a wooden gate stood slightly ajar. Su Yunqing accidentally caught a glimpse through the gap: a sturdy man was by the well, washing clothes. The wooden basin was filled with colorful garments, all of them women's clothing.

Su Yunqing couldn't help but sigh; the men on this mountain were quite considerate and attentive to their wives and children.

"Meng Hu, you really are a brute! What is going on? You've washed my perfectly good clothes until they're torn; this was my favorite piece!"

Meng Hu? Su Yunqing stopped in her tracks.

"Forgive me, my lady. I don't have much experience, and I used a bit too much force. But it's alright, I'll mend it for you in a moment—hehe, I'll mend it, don't be angry."

That was Meng Hu's voice, full of obsequiousness.

"Oh, but it will still be visible once mended! How am I supposed to wear it then?"

"Then—then the next time I go down the mountain, I'll find fabric with the same pattern and we'll make a new one. It's all my fault..."

With a creak, the courtyard gate was pushed open.

Su Yunqing smiled and called out, "Brother Hu!"

Meng Hu looked up, first in surprise, then appearing to realize something. He immediately rolled down his sleeves and said with a stern face to Lin Lang, who was beside him, "You've been washing just a few pieces of clothing for half an hour. Always dawdling—women are such a nuisance."

Having said that, he strode over and slapped his large palm heavily onto Su Yunqing's shoulder. "Young Master Cheng, why are you here? Ah Jiao, why are you two together?"

Su Yunqing swayed slightly to one side. Only when Meng Hu released his grip did she say, "What a coincidence. Do you and Miss Lin Lang live here?"

Song Jiao looked at Su Yunqing in astonishment, "You know Meng Hu, too?"

Before Su Yunqing could answer, Meng Hu spoke first: "Young Master Cheng is a remarkable person; he saved my life. Come, come, come inside and sit."

Seeing a guest had arrived, Lin Lang followed behind Meng Hu with a gentle smile, "So it is Young Master Cheng!"

Meng Hu turned around and said, "Don't you see my friend has arrived? Why haven't you gone to pour tea yet?"

His tone was a bit harsh.

Lin Lang nodded and smiled, "As you command, husband. Miss Song, Young Master Cheng, please come in!"

The small courtyard was enclosed by a bamboo fence, with various vegetables growing lushly beneath it. The yard was very clean, and the clothes in the wooden basin still gave off the scent of soap.

Inside, the house was bright, clean, and orderly. Lin Lang poured freshly boiled water into a teapot, and a fragrance immediately filled the room.

As soon as Song Jiao entered, she looked around in disbelief. "Meng Hu, ever since you got married, your home has gone from a pigsty to paradise."

Meng Hu winked at her and whispered, "Master Cheng is a guest; give me some face."

He stood up to pour tea for Su Yunqing, "Young Master Cheng, what brings you to our Longyin Mountain, and how did you get up here?"

Su Yunqing briefly explained her purpose for coming to Longyin Mountain.

Meng Hu slapped the table. "Since Young Master Cheng needs help, I, Meng Hu, am duty-bound. You wait here. After we eat dinner at my place, I will take you to the seaside. When the tide goes out at the end of the Chou hour tonight, we will take a boat to look for the dragon saliva grass."

"Really?" Hearing that Meng Hu could take her down, Su Yunqing was overjoyed. "But, Brother Hu, it would be enough if you just took me down. I can go look for it by boat myself."

"That won't do. It's so dangerous down there; if I let you go alone, what kind of friend would I be?"

Lin Lang, perhaps feeling embarrassed about the clothes in the basin now that guests had arrived, was washing faster, preparing to hang them up as soon as possible.

Meng Hu shouted at her, "Lin Lang, why aren't you preparing dinner? My friend has come a long way and is hungry."

His tone was still a bit harsh.

A crisp voice came from outside, "Just a moment, I will be done shortly."

"What are you waiting for? Go when I tell you to."

Recalling the sight of Meng Hu rolling up his sleeves to wash clothes before they entered the courtyard, Su Yunqing found it amusing and bit her lip to hide a smile.

Song Jiao couldn't stand it any longer. "Meng Hu, what is wrong with you? You finally managed to marry such a beautiful and capable wife; can you not yell at her like that?"

She then called out toward the yard, "Sister Lin Lang, don't pay him any mind. If he treats you like this again, just remarry and let him be a bachelor for the rest of his life."

Meng Hu glared at Song Jiao, and Song Jiao glared right back. "What? Not convinced?"

Meng Hu sighed helplessly, "You're just a child, what do you know? Going on about remarrying—do you think good men are so easy to find in this world?"

"There are plenty of good men in this world," Song Jiao retorted. "I just feel it's not worth it for Sister Lin Lang. Even if she didn't marry, she shouldn't have to put up with your attitude."

Su Yunqing thought that perhaps Meng Hu had hidden his true nature so well that he had fooled everyone on the mountain, which was why everyone assumed he treated his wife this way in private, leading to Song Jiao's indignation today.

Not wanting to expose him, she let the two continue their endless bickering.

Lin Lang came in after hanging the clothes and said gently, "Alright, alright, stop arguing. I'll pan-fry some hairtail fish for you all later. Since Young Master Cheng has come all this way, wouldn't it be better for everyone to sit down and chat peacefully?"

Hearing this, Song Jiao turned to glance at Su Yunqing. Su Yunqing happened to be looking at her with a smile, and Song Jiao quickly averted her gaze as if nothing had happened.

She thought to herself: Was I too sharp just now? When we first met, I held a bowstring against him, and now I've shown such a fierce side in front of him...

At this thought, two blushes slowly climbed up her cheeks. She bit her lip and tapped her foot lightly, unnoticed.

She stood up and followed Lin Lang into the kitchen. "Sister Lin Lang, let me help you."

Meng Hu gave her no face at all. "You're a young lady who can't even tell rice from wheat; what help could you possibly be? I'd be thankful if you didn't just make a mess of things."

"Meng Hu, you..." Song Jiao really wanted to hit him, but remembering there was someone else present, she held back.

Lin Lang came over and took her hand. "Jiao Jiao, come with me; let the men talk amongst themselves."