A Match Made in Heaven Chapter 29

Chapter 29 : Fox

Lu Qianqiao, who came with loaded of betrothal gifts, also returned with loaded of things — the spirit animals he brought along were carrying many boxes full of moon cakes sent by Xin Xiong, ranging from round to messy shapes that were piled up into little hills.

Although he would like to say that these moon cakes would never be eaten even until next year, seeing Xin Xiong's tearful and loving eyes, his polite refusal seemed impossible to say.

It was said that it would be a disaster to have a cold and unkind father-in-law, but it seemed that having a father-in-law who was too enthusiastic was also not something particularly a happy occasion either.

“Son-in-law is going back today. Why hasn't Little Mei come out yet?!”

Xin Xiong looked around, feeling extremely annoyed. All the others in the village had came to send his son-in-law off, but the one who should come the most was not even here yet. What would this look like for son-in-law? What if his son-in-law got angry and didn't want his daughter anymore?

Eldest senior sister struggled to come out of the crowd and whispered, “Master, Little Mei said she was too weak to send the guest off. By the way, I was also asked to take a message to the General, saying that... she would run away from this arranged marriage. “

“She's already married. What other marriage is she fleeing from?!”

Xin Xiong hated iron for not becoming steelChinese idiom : to feel resentful towards sb for failing to meet expectations and impatient to see improvement¹ as he ran to his daughter's courtyard, but when he arrived at the empty building, all the silver tickets inside the bedside table had taken away. A letter was placed on the dressing table. Xin Mei wrote in not particularly beautiful characters, ‘Going out for fun and tell Lu Qianqiao that I, this old woman, don't want him anymore!!!‘

The letter floated down from Xin Xiong's hand, and he could not refrain his tears from streaming down his cheeks. To have this kind of daughter was simply a disaster!

While everyone in Xinxie Manor was in disorder and likea pot of porridgea complete mess², Xin Mei was riding on the back of Lie Yun Hua, wiping away the tears with her sleeve.

This horse didn't know what had happened to Xin Mei, but when it saw her opened the stable gate, it cried and turned into a tearful horse. Behind it, many handsome and beautiful male horses of the manor were glaring at it like tiger watching its preyChinese idiom : to eye covetously³. At the same time, their glances were full of revered, and feeling of wretched.

“Don't you guys get along well?” Xin Mei wrung out her sodden sleeve, shook it and went on wiping her tears.

When Lie Yun Hua heard her, its tears fell even more fiercely. But when it faced Xin Mei who was looking like that... it could only shed its tears in silent.

“Let's go to Chongling Valley and give some moon cakes to Fox Fairy darent.i.tle of respect toward superiors⁴to eat.”

She brought along several boxes of moon cakes, and took this opportunity to send to everyone she knew. She would also make a brief stop, to see Zhang Dahu, as to teach Lu Qianqao that the first man she took fancy of was actually not him!

Lie Yun Hua was afraid that Xin Mei would back out of her words and locked it again with those creepy horses inside that small dark room that it spread open its four hooves, ran as fast as wind, and in a blink, it jumped into the layers of clouds. It had n.o.ble pedigree, and could walk against the wind, even much faster than Qiu Yue in its full strength. A journey that usually took three to four days, it only took half a day to arrive.

A quarter after wushi11am – 1pm⁵, Lie Yun Hua lightly landed at the gate of Chongling Valley. Xin Mei jumped off from the horseback, lifted her eyes and felt very happy — the disciple who guarded the gate right now was Zhang Dahu!

“Brother Dahu.” She walked over cheerfully and still couldn't get enough of his good looks.

“Boss Xin,” Zhang Dahu blushed and saluted.

“Here, a box of mooncakes for you.”

Without giving more explanation, she foisted onto him a box of moon cakes. Then, she smiled sweetly at him and led Lie Yun Hua into the valley.

Zhang Dahu quickly stopped her and said, “Boss Xin, Valley Master today... well, it's not very convenient for him to see any guest today.”

Her old dad said, this kind of cultivation sect often had some secret things that were not intended to be known to outsiders. Xin Mei understood this very much as she nodded, and stuffed two more boxes of moon cakes to Zhang Dahu, “Then, I have to trouble you to give these boxes of moon cakes to Fox Fairy daren.”

Diversity in color and display behavior among the birds-of-paradise (adapted from Ligon et al. 2018; original artwork by Szabolcs Kókay).
Image Credit  AnimalCommunication via Wiki

Zhang Dahu took the boxes and was about to speak when he heard a clear and melodious sound of bird crying behind the front door. The normally tight closed front door suddenly opened wide, with a shining golden and gorgeous vehicle pulled by three or four birds-of-paradise drove out slowly. The golden light from the golden wall of the vehicle rippled like running water and the light finally turned into ancient writings, then dissipated in the wind.

When the wind blew the white bamboo curtain from the vehicle window, Xin Mei could vaguely see a young man cladded in black clothes. With just a blink, the long car had already flied far away.

“What a magnificent display. Was that person some kind of powerful immortal?”

Xin Mei looked at the flickering golden light in the distance and couldn't help sigh with emotion.

Zhang Dahu shook his head, “That person is the great priest of the Fox Clan. People of the Fox Clan are said to be celestial descendants...”

“Little Mei, why didn't you tell me in advance before you come to see me?”

Zhen Hongsheng's gentle and lovely voice interrupted Zhang Dahu's words. Xin Mei turned around and saw that he was wearing a black and white robe today. His black hair was not tied with it slanting down on his shoulders, which made him looked special... well, specially lovely as flowersChinese idiom : beautiful⁶.

“Fox Fairy darent.i.tle of respect toward superiors⁴, long time no see.” She courtesy with a smile and took the moon cake boxes from Zhang Dahu's hand, then pa.s.sed them to him. “These are the moon cakes made by ourselves in our farm. They are for you to taste.”

Zhen Hongsheng's eyes suddenly lit up, “Oh, oh! Your father also gave me moon cakes last year. Red bean paste was the best filling. Come, chat with me inside. “

Without any explanation, he firmly grasped her hand, and led her into the valley with distinguished air of elegance and coquetry.

(Modern) Incense Burner / xiāng lú
Image Source

Coiling smoke from burning incense filled the air in Chongling Valley, which was substantially different from the clear and bright appearance of its former days. Every ten steps, one could see an placed on the ground with sandalwood burning in it. Its smell would make one felt refreshed as all kinds of irritations subsided.

Seeing her staring at the , Zhen Hongsheng smiled, “Today's visitor is a distinguished guest. It is their custom to light incense.”

“Is the visitor from Fox Clan?” She seemed to have heard that name.

“Yes, they are not only n.o.ble in blood, but also good at making wine. This time, they have brought 10 jars of wines. Since you are here, stay for a few more days. I will call Meishan to taste wine together.”

Zhen Hongsheng led her to sit in a small pavilion full of flowers. A familiar middle-aged female head quickly brought over two cups of tea. He sat beside Xin Mei, neither drinking tea nor talking, just holding her hand carefully, continuously looking and touching.

Xin Mei got goose b.u.mps all over her body from his touch, that she felt so curious and had to ask him, “Fox Fairy darent.i.tle of respect toward superiors⁴, is there anything wrong with my hand?”

The last time she came here, he also held her hand and looked at it hard. Could there be some treasure in it?

Zhen Hongsheng looked away from the lines on her palm and gave her a charming smile, “Nothing. Little Mei ah... how come you haven't had a bridal chamber and ornamented candleswedding night⁷yet after being married to the War Demon General for so long?“

Xin Mei was shocked, “How did you know?!”

He stroked the white fox around his neck with a charming smile, “I am a Fox Fairy darent.i.tle of respect toward superiors⁴, of course I'll know. It seems that he did not treat you well, why don't dump him and choose another man? Do you want me to give you Zhang Dahu?“

Xin Mei looked at him with embarra.s.sment. These immortals were really like G.o.ds. He was the one who said at the beginning that he would not give away his disciples to her. He was also the one who was trying to destroy her marriage right now. She really couldn't make sense of what they were thinking.

“Otherwise, why don't you choose Meishan? He likes you very much.“

She simply couldn't help answering, “Meishan darent.i.tle of respect toward superiors⁴ is much older than my grandfather!”

... Uh, luckily Meishan was not here today, otherwise Chongling Valley would have been flooded with his tears.

Zhen Hongsheng picked up his teacup and slowly sip a mouthful tea in its thick steam. His eyes were looking at things very far away. He had been an immortal for many, many years. He had never asked about the causes and effects of this world. He had never intervened. He just let them gather together and then disperse like clouds of smoke. Once they dispersed, they would reunited again.

Immortal lacked dedication, so that was why, he felt it was too troublesome to take care of himself not to overdo things.

“Fox Fairy darent.i.tle of respect toward superiors⁴, this is red bean paste stuffing.”

Xin Mei broke off a moon cake and cheerfully placed it in his palm.

Zhen Hongsheng smiled and weighed the red bean paste moon cake in his hand. He put a small bite on his mouth. It was sweet and fragrant. The taste was very good.

“Little Mei,” he cleared his throat and was looking very serious, “Live a good life. Eat when you're hungry, drink when you're thirsty, sleep when you feel sleepy, and when in danger—“

He raised his eyebrows, “Remember to run away.”

Noob Translator's Musing

In ancient Chinese, times were read based on 2 hours, and each 2 hours were a.s.signed with name based on Chinese 12 Zodiacs. The time I usually read in Chinese novels are maoshi5-7 am⁸and chenshi7-9 am⁹. On this chapter, I've encountered wushi11am – 1pm⁵. Others 2 hours times are zishi11 pm-1 am¹⁰, chaoshi1-3 am¹¹, yishi3-5 am¹², sishi9-11 am¹³, weishi1-3 pm¹³, shenshi3-5 pm¹⁴, yaoshi5-7 pm¹⁵, xushi7-9 pm¹⁶ and haishi9-11 pm¹⁶. For the names of Chinese 2 hours time and the reason behind their names, you can visit .

And Happy Mid-autum Festival to those who celebrate it. I've just noticed that Xin Mei and others are currently celebrating the same thing. – sweat dropped –

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