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Ruyi Rouge Pavilion
Xing Ruyi smiled with satisfaction, pulling her hands apart to cup the fox's delicate face, looking left and right, then said, "Just know this: I am someone who values looks for a lifetime. If you turn into a fat fox, I might only be able to keep you as a pet."
The fox was both amused and exasperated, pinching Xing Ruyi's cheek and asking, "Are you serious?"
"Absolutely serious, more real than gold and silver."
Xing Ruyi released her grip and leaned into the fox's embrace: "While that's true, considering that Deer Lady cooks exceptionally well, I allow myself—and you—to gain a little weight. But remember, we must not dislike each other!"
The fox laughed again, "Alright! No mutual disdain, absolutely no mutual disdain."
Xing Ruyi raised an eyebrow, fell silent, closed her eyes, and quietly listened to the fox's heartbeat. Then she silently counted one, two, three in her heart until her heartbeat synchronized with his. Only then did she smile sweetly.
The fox looked down at the smile spreading across Xing Ruyi's lips and felt joy as well. However, when her gaze fell on the half-ground medicinal powder, her smile suddenly faded. She leaned closer to Fox Demon's ear and whispered, "Are these medicines meant for Yun Zhu?"
"They're just prepared; whether they are used or not depends on her own decision." Xing Ruyi nestled in a more comfortable position and half-embraced the fox as she opened her eyes. "Honestly, I don't like Yun Zhu at all. It's one thing to be foolish; it's another to not know how to temper one's temperament. But thinking it over, I also feel sorry for her. In the Golden Tang Dynasty, women often have no say in their marriages. She thinks she has married Ruyi's Husband, but he has never even glanced at her. If I were in her position, I might not develop a good character either. So if I can help her a bit, it’s also a way to repay Yun Xi for trusting me. At least it’s a way to return the favor for that portrait Yun Xi gifted me."
"You know," the fox said gently as she stroked Fox Demon's forehead, "you are hard on the outside but soft on the inside. You are not Yun Zhu and there's no need to compare yourself with her. The same environment can lead to different choices based on different dispositions. If today it were you in her position, your life would undoubtedly be different."
"That's true!" Xing Ruyi pondered for a moment. "In the Golden Tang Dynasty, while marriages are often dictated by parental orders and Matchmaker's words, the outcome can still be fought for by oneself. If hard work truly yields no results, I would probably give up. Even if I couldn't abandon that marriage, I could certainly abandon that person. After all, there’s no worry about food and clothing; rather than focusing all my attention on a man who doesn't like me, I'd prefer to do something else."
"Unfortunately, Yun Zhu is not you." The fox said as she placed Fox Demon onto the opposite seat, looking into her eyes and gently scratching her nose: "Your nonchalance and rationality are what I love most about you but also what I fear most. Because I know you are not like Yun Zhu; you won't cling to me like she does. That's why I'm worried—afraid that one day I'll lose you without realizing it."
"Not at all!" Xing Ruyi reached out and wrapped her arms around the fox's neck: "The reason I'm carefree is that I know you care about me. Fox, I'm just an ordinary woman; I've just been a bit luckier than others because I met you. If I were in Yun Zhu's position, I might not see things clearly or think things through."
"I'm very glad that the person you met is me." The fox tapped Fox Demon's nose: "You have good intentions towards others, but others may not reciprocate with the same mindset. Don't take Yun Zhu's situation too seriously."
"Do you know something?"
Xing Ruyi keenly sensed that the fox's words held another meaning.
“It's nothing! Come on, let's continue grinding the medicine,” the fox said, tugging at the corner of its mouth. “Considering the time, Yun Zhu should be ready to respond to you.”
As soon as the fox finished speaking, A Niu walked in.
“Shopkeeper, that lady's maid has arrived.”
“Yun Zhu?”
“Yes!”
“Where is she?”
“She didn't come in; she just left a message.” A Niu glanced at Xing Ruyi and nodded at the fox as a form of greeting.
“What did she say?”
“Some strange words. The maid insisted that it was something Shopkeeper would definitely understand.” A Niu looked at Xing Ruyi again before continuing, “The maid said that her mistress is willing to try, but what Shopkeeper mentioned earlier sounded quite alarming. Her mistress is afraid and wants to have her eyes covered during the treatment. Also, could the lighting be dimmed a bit during the treatment? She is scared of seeing things that frighten her. The maid also mentioned that although her mistress has courage and trusts Shopkeeper, she is still an ordinary person, so these peculiar requests should be understood by Shopkeeper. Oh, and one last thing: the maid asked if the treatment could take place in a location of their choosing. If it's in an unfamiliar place, her mistress might become even more frightened.”
“If she's afraid, then there's no need to proceed,” Xing Ruyi pushed aside the half-ground medicine. “You don't need to pay attention to what that maid said. When she comes back, just tell her that her mistress is afraid of trouble, and as the Shopkeeper of Ruyi Cosmetic Shop, I’m also wary of wasting time.”
“I was thinking of responding just like that. These two really think too highly of themselves. It’s already a great fortune for them that Shopkeeper is willing to help; how can they still have all these conditions? It's not just that Shopkeeper wouldn't want to; even we who are just doing odd jobs wouldn’t want to.”
“Only picking out flattering words,” Xing Ruyi looked at A Niu’s face and pointed a finger at him. “Who taught you this skill of flattery? In just one day, you've improved so much. I don’t remember Li Mao teaching you any of this when he was around.”
Feeling embarrassed, A Niu lowered his eyes. “It was taught to me by the Clerk from across the street at the Rice Shop. They said that if you're a clerk, you need to be clever and sweet-tongued. Besides being mindful of your words when talking to Shopkeeper, you also need to compliment from time to time. Oh, and most importantly, you must always agree with what Shopkeeper says.”
"Did you grasp the trick and essence from the Clerk over there?"
A Niu scratched his head and said, "Not really. I just pondered for a while and suddenly understood. I think what he said makes sense."
"Looking at it this way, you seem to have some insight," Xing Ruyi stood up and then reached out to pinch A Niu's ear. "I think you are more suited to stay in the grain shop across the street."
"Shopkeeper... Shopkeeper..."
A Niu was confused, gritting his teeth in a plea for mercy, his gaze occasionally darting towards the fox.
The fox leisurely sipped a cup of tea, then shook his head and said to A Niu, "Your Shopkeeper is different from others. She also loves to hear flattering words, but there’s a prerequisite: you must first do your own job well."
A Niu looked at the fox with grievance, feeling that he had been doing a good job as Clerk, so why should he be pulled by the ear for wanting to hear nice words? Fortunately, they were in the inner courtyard; if they were in the front shop, he would probably be laughed at by the Clerk across the street.
"With those thoughts you just had in mind, you deserve to be pulled by the ear by the Fox Demon. I think not only should you be pulled by the ear, but you should also be punished."
The fox pointed at A Niu. Suddenly, A Niu felt a pain in his backside and became even more aggrieved.
"Yin Ye, how did you know what he was thinking?"
"Your Yin Ye can read minds. Didn't Li Mao tell you that when he was around?" Xing Ruyi turned back to glance at the fox and asked, "Is this brat cursing me in his heart?"
"No! Absolutely not!" A Niu raised a hand to swear. "Even if Shopkeeper twists this ear off, I wouldn't dare to curse you in my heart."
"He really didn't," the fox testified for A Niu. "He just had some ungrateful thoughts."
"Yin Ye—"
"When I brought you back to the Rouge shop, the Fox Demon had already made arrangements with you. This branch of the Yun family store is meant for you to manage in the future. You are not just a runner here; you are the future shopkeeper of this Ruyi Rouge store. A future shopkeeper who does not focus on how to run the shop, how to familiarize themselves with the Prescription, and how to prepare Rouge and Face Powder, but instead learns to flatter others, is simply not worthy of the position. If I were your shopkeeper, I wouldn't just be tugging at your ear right now. Such incompetence is not worth my effort; I would simply throw you out."
A Niu initially felt a bit wronged, but after hearing the Fox's words, he started to feel guilty. Upon further reflection, he realized that he deserved to be reprimanded.
"Shopkeeper, why don't you just tear off A Niu's ear? After all, it always hears things it shouldn't."
"What would I do with your ear?" Xing Ruyi released her grip. "Although the festival has just passed and Deer Lady has consumed quite a bit of ingredients, we still have enough for ears. If I really did twist your ear off, should it be served with those pig ears in a salad or paired with those beef ears in a cold dish?"
"Shopkeeper..." A Niu lowered his head. "I know I was wrong! A Niu knows he was wrong!"
"Good that you know you're wrong. The Fox Demon has higher expectations for you than for Li Mao and the others. She hopes for your bright future. As for this Ruyi Rouge store, it's just the first step in your life. When your thoughts are chaotic, think back to what promises you made to the Fox Demon and what you wanted to achieve. Do not forget your original intention."
"Master Yin!" A Niu bowed his head respectfully.
"Go on, keep an eye on the shop. If there's nothing else, carefully grind those Prescriptions that the Fox Demon left for you. As for what she just asked you to bring up, put it aside for now."
"Why?" This time it was Xing Ruyi who seemed reluctant. "That Yun Zhu and her servant were so arrogant; do you really want me to accommodate them?"
"When something seems off, there must be something behind it. Don't you want to see what those two are planning? What hidden motives might be at play?" The Fox said as she pushed aside the already ground powder on the table. "Your good intentions may not be appreciated by others. Ultimately, it's their choice; just follow your plan and let’s quietly observe the outcome."
The Fox glanced at the Fox Demon again and pointed at the scroll of ghostly writings she had half-hidden: "This Prescription looks familiar; did you learn it from that ghostly book? Don't you want to see its effects?"
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