Chapter 54: We're All Men Here—We Understand Each Other

This was something that couldn’t be helped. After all, the peach blossoms had long since passed their season of bloom. But then, how could what he saw before him be explained?!

“Did you just see a young lady pass by?” Fang Xu asked Old Wu, who stood before him. Earlier, Fang Xu had been surrounded by Old Wu and the others, missing any chance to look around.

“A young lady? Young master, are you joking?” Old Wu frowned slightly at Fang Xu’s words.

“But just now, wasn’t there clearly a woman’s scream?” one of the guards by Old Wu muttered under his breath, and Old Wu himself fell into deep thought.

Only then did he recall—they had all heard a scream before, and that was what had led them, following the sound, to Fang Xu. Thinking it through now, it was clear enough: that scream could not possibly have come from Fang Xu. After all, a man’s voice and a woman’s are fundamentally different.

But if it wasn’t Fang Xu, did that mean there really had been a young woman here?

Yet this Quanzhen Monastery was home to only Qiu Chuji, the lone young Taoist. Could it be that some demon was causing mischief?

At this thought, Old Wu’s grip on his embroidered-spring blade tightened. In his mind, if it truly was a demon, then even if it cost him his life, he would ensure Fang Xu’s safety.

“What’s all this racket? Can’t a man get any rest?” As Old Wu and his men grew more alert, the door to the house by the peach tree opened, and out walked a man, scratching his laurel crown irritably.

He yawned as he spoke—it was, of course, Qiu Chuji, recently departed. He looked at Fang Xu and Old Wu with a trace of displeasure.

“What time do you think it is? Surely none of you are in the mood to admire peach blossoms at this hour?” Qiu Chuji said, his tone tinged with mockery. Fang Xu understood that Qiu Chuji was still upset about his earlier behavior.

“Chuji, did you see a young woman just now?” Fang Xu asked. Qiu Chuji looked at him as if he were a fool.

“This Quanzhen Monastery only has me, and how could there be any women here? Are you feeling lonely, Brother Fang?” Qiu Chuji couldn’t help but laugh as he looked at Fang Xu. At his words, Old Wu and the others glanced at Fang Xu with slightly odd expressions.

After all, to them, even though Fang Xu’s status was as “lady,” at the end of the day, he was still a man.

With that thought, they all seemed to understand at once, each casting an embarrassed look at Fang Xu.

“Young master, you know our funds are limited, and besides, randomly seeking out women wouldn’t please her either, would it?” Old Wu leaned close to Fang Xu and whispered.

At first, Fang Xu didn’t understand what Old Wu was getting at. Though in his past life he’d been a virgin, even if he’d never tasted pork, surely he’d seen a pig run! The implication was clear enough.

Fang Xu couldn’t help but look at Old Wu. Just as he was about to explain—or maybe scold him a little—Old Wu interrupted him.

“Don’t worry, young master! Old Wu’s lips are sealed. I guarantee she will never find out. But you really must control yourself!” Old Wu shot a worried glance at Fang Xu’s lower half, making Fang Xu feel thoroughly uncomfortable.

“Old Wu, you’ve truly misunderstood! I really did see a young woman here just now!” Fang Xu tried to explain, his tone growing agitated.

How could he not be? The way Old Wu and the others looked at him—all with that “I understand, we’re all men here” expression—left him feeling utterly wronged. It was as if he’d soiled his trousers: whether he had or not, it looked as if he had.

“Forget it! I can’t be bothered to explain. Go back and get some rest. There’s work for you all tomorrow,” Fang Xu said, waving his hand at Old Wu and the others.

They nodded knowingly, and Old Wu brought up the rear. Seeing Fang Xu had no intention of leaving, Old Wu hesitated, then stepped up to his side.

“Young master, you must control yourself. This is everything I have,” he said, slipping him a money pouch that seemed to weigh at least a dozen taels of silver.

Fang Xu was left utterly bewildered. Judging from Old Wu’s expression, he had no idea how to explain himself.

Fang Xu knew exactly what Old Wu was implying. He was making it clear that, though the money Qin Suwen had given them for travel wasn’t much, Old Wu still had some private savings. But he hoped Fang Xu wouldn’t stoop to seizing women by force; if he truly couldn’t restrain himself, he could use this money instead.

Fang Xu really didn’t know whether to laugh, to cry, or to do both at once.

He understood perfectly well: if he went out seeking courtesans, never mind whether Qin Suwen would kill him—he himself wouldn’t forgive such conduct! Besides, how could wildflowers ever compare to the beauty of the flowers at home? If he were to pick any, it would be his own.

“Young master, don’t worry! Old Wu would never breathe a word of this. But whatever you do, don’t go in for the vices favored by the sons of officials. If she finds out, well, you know what will happen,” Old Wu said, tapping the distracted Fang Xu.

“I…” Fang Xu truly felt like throttling Old Wu. Why wouldn’t he just let him explain? He’d never even thought of such things!

“Young master, I’ve been around. I understand. But if you’re really set on it, I’ll send a couple of clever men to protect you—don’t worry, they won’t disturb your fun,” Old Wu said, giving him a knowing look.

Fang Xu nearly hurled the money pouch at Old Wu’s stubbly face, wanting to roar that he had never entertained such thoughts!

Did Old Wu and the others really think so little of him? It was enough to wound the most sensitive soul.

But as Fang Xu opened his mouth to explain, Old Wu struck a gallant pose, waved a hand, and strode out of the courtyard.

Fang Xu was left standing in the chilly night air, shivering.