v4c30: The Heart and Soul

Pi Pa walked alongside her Dear as they both wandered through the town towards the stalls. She flicked her ear, making sure the silk bow was still properly and tightly affixed. Miss Biyu certainly had an eye for things—the red, embroidered with pots of rice, looked absolutely wonderful! It had inspired Pi Pa to try it herself, but while she could grasp a brush with her mouth and write well, a needle was a bit too small to manipulate properly.

Perhaps hands would be something to look into…

Pi Pa pondered for a moment before shaking her thoughts away, and instead refocused herself on the moment. Her Dear had asked her to explore the town with him, like a proper gentleman, and she was only too happy to oblige him!

She smiled at her Dear, his bulk almost bouncing with excitement as they walked together. His ‘cowhand’ hat was perched on his head at a rakish angle, and around his neck was a blue neckerchief, embroidered with bees.

He was unbearably handsome! Indeed, they were the talk of the town! All eyes were on them as they passed, but no human tried to interrupt them. Instead, they either smiled or seemed slightly bewildered. Some of them laughed, but Pi Pa knew it was not mocking. They were simply too much of a strange and stunning sight!

They strode together, shoulder to shoulder, and all made way for them. However, while most of the adults simply watched them go… Pi Pa saw a gaggle of children approaching. Their eyes were sparkling, and Pi Pa instantly deduced their desires. They wished for a ride. Her Dear perked up as well as the children marched fearlessly towards them. Pi Pa was prepared for their inevitable question, to ask for a ride. She did love that her Dear was so good with children, but she had also hoped to spend more time together today, just the two of them. Still, Pi Pa slowed her stride slightly so he could greet the children and oblige their request.

However, her Chun Ke had other plans.

‘Chun Ke play with friends later! Today, Chun Ke spend time with wife,’ her Dear stated kindly—and to her surprise, the children actually heard. Not just heard, but as their eyes turned to a slight bit of disappointment… they truly understood.

“Huh? Oh, they’re all dressed up! Ma and Da do that sometimes, and then I gotta look after my sisters…” one of the children said, his hair messy as could be.

“Awww. Okay,” another sighed as she scratched her fingers through her Dear’s mane.

“Have a good time with your wife, Mister Pig!” the third child said, and they heard more amused sounds from the adults.

Then, the children were off.

‘Thank you, Dear,’ Pi Pa said, and her Chun Ke smiled at her.

‘Today time for wife,’ he stated simply, his nose pressing against her.

She bumped against him and they set off into the stalls, their heads held high. The caravaneers were just as surprised as the townsfolk to see them, but aside from the wide eyes and the fact that they checked to see if Pi Pa and her Dear were bumping into things… nobody tried to stop them.

They walked up and down the rows, looking for things of interest. The stall they found was set apart slightly from the others and looked a fair bit fancier. It was a spice stall: a collection of nuts, seed pods, and other dried leaves and flowers lined its walls, and there was even a guard lazing on a chair outside. Pi Pa’s eyes lit up. She couldn’t recognise a bunch of what they had, but they all smelled delightful.

The man at the stall eyed them warily, looking utterly baffled. Pi Pa glanced at the prices listed and nodded.

‘Good sir. I would like to purchase some of your wares,’ Pi Pa said.

The man’s jaw dropped. The guard fell out of his seat. Both of them gaped at her.

Ah. This was the slightly annoying part. The people of Hong Yaowu and the Guan siblings she could deal with, but it was a bit difficult to get… well, normal people to accept her.

Pi Pa reached back and took out her coin pouch. Sometimes appearances were everything, and showing that they could pay would surely help. The merchant’s attention instantly seized upon the visibly distended pouch and the enticing jangle within it. The prospect of a great deal of money cut through the man’s shock and apprehension… and surely their fetching outfits helped in the matter.

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“We-Welcome! Welcome, Honoured Customer! How may I help you today?” the man asked, only stuttering slightly.

‘I desire the cloves, the nutmeg… and what is this? It smells quite good!’

The man blinked, before tentatively smiling. “Ah, this? Customer, you have a good nose! These are from the south of Green Stone Forest! It’s a spicy paste, made of fermented peppers. The tribes of Green Stone Forest swear by their Gochujang!”

The man even had a small sample for them to try. It was indeed delicious! The Master would surely be pleased and, perhaps, would be inspired to create his own version. At the very least, Wa Shi could be tempted to try.

They paid the man his due and set off once more. They passed by the Master, the Mistress, and Young Sir Gou Ren all crowded around a stall selling an eclectic mix of scrolls, listening to the owner as he talked about the Hanging Towns of Green Stone Forest—entire settlements made of bridges strung between the forested karsts.

The Mistress turned and gave them both a thumbs up, and Pi Pa smiled back. They went over to say hello and listen more to the man as he talked about Green Stone Forest. It sounded like a wondrous place—it was so named because of the millions of karsts dotting the landscape, looking for all the world like tree trunks made of stone. Some were barely thicker than a sapling, while others were so wide they could have an entire castle built atop.

After the story ended, they continued on their little adventure. Aside from the spices, most of the wares weren’t especially interesting. She had no use for the clothes, most of the time, and they could only really listen to a story if it was already underway—but at least nobody was scared of them.

Eventually they exited the stalls and Pi Pa’s stomach growled. Her Chun Ke perked up, while Pi Pa flushed slightly.

‘Lunch?’ he asked.

‘Indeed, my Dear. But where to?’ she asked.